DIY Yoni Steaming Stool and Benefits of Yoni Steaming

A couple weeks ago I wrote a post on treating your yoni right, using natural treatments. One of those treatments was yoni steaming (the ancient practice of allowing the warmth of herbal steam to softly permeate the exterior of the vagina). Following that post, I had a lot of questions sent through email and instagram asking questions like “Can I make the herbal mixture myself?” (yes) and “How do I actually do it?” (easy!).  So today, I’ve decided to share my DIY Yoni Steaming Stool and the benefits of yoni steaming. Read on for all the details and how to easily make your own stool, or repurpose a box to become one!

Why Yoni Steam: The Benefits of Yoni Steaming

A yoni steam (aka. vaginal steam) provides gentle and effective support for women’s wellness. It is an age-old practice, respected by women and holistic healers around the globe. This women’s treatment gently and effectively cleanses, tones and revitalizes a woman’s center, providing a benefits from reduced menstrual cramps to increased fertility. Yoni steaming is said to support one’s natural feminine cycle (supporting releasing of dark blood at the beginning or end of menstrual cycle), and help you to heal (it is said to help with endometriosis, pelvic pain, uterine prolapse, constipation and PCOS), relax, and detoxify both physically and emotionally. 

How to Make a Yoni Stool or Yoni Sauna

For a while, I was looking to purchase a yoni stool online, but after realizing they were running in the range of $300 – $500 USD, I decided to find a way to make my own.

Option 1: Repurpose

In my case, it was quite easy – I managed to find an old box (that was made from untreated wood) that used to be a storage box for old dinner plates. Seeing it was a good height and width, I decided to repurpose if for my yoni stool. I took the lid and drilled four holes on the corners that made a diamond. Then I cut through with a “rat tail saw” to carve out the diamond shame, and finally sanded down the top and insides to prevent any splinters (ouch!). 

Option 2: Start from Scratch

If you are having trouble finding an old wooden box, they’re not terribly hard to make if you have some nails, a hammer and some good quality wood that is not treated with any chemicals (remember the steam is working to lift herbs up to your yoni, you don’t want it taking any chemical resins with it). 

Option 3: Think Less is More

Easier still, you can simply use a large pot, and put a plank of wood on top with a hole cut out in it, or even more easily?

Option 4: Use the Toilet Bowl

Take the pot into your toilet bowl (if it is deep enough, so you don’t burn yourself while sitting) and use the normal toilet seat. If using this method, I recommend cleaning out the bowl with non toxic cleaner first, and then using a pot you don’t mind sitting in the toilet – perhaps a pot you designate to your yoni steaming. 

Yoni Steaming Herbs 

There are a myriad of herbs you can use for yoni steaming  –  some of the most popular include herbs that specifically work with the urinary: Rosemary, Mugwort, Motherwort, Yarrow, Calendula, Lavender, Red Raspberry Leaf, Damiana, Plantain, Juniper, Peony, Witch Hazel, Yarrow, Cedar Berries, Rose and Dong Quai.

When searching for herbs to make your steam base, make sure to look for good quality herbs when shopping bulk! If you prefer to buy a premix, I love Vibrant Soul’s Devi Steam which you can shop here in different sizes.  The use only organic herbs that are fairly traded. 

Make sure only to use herbs and not essential oils, as the oils are too strong for this type of activation. 

How to Yoni Steam

1. Simmer 2 litres of water with 1 cup of herbs on the stove for 10 minutes (bring to boil and then reduce)
2. Turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes to slightly cool (with lid on)
3. Place the pot (or a heat safe basin) into your steam stool / under the chair or into the toilet bowl
4. Disrobe from the waist down, and bring a blanket like the beautiful merino one I have here from Home of Wool, which was handmade in Bulgaria!
5. Sit down and wrap the blanket around you for warmth and to help keep the steam inside
6. Allow the steam to permeate for 20 – 40 minutes and remove the herbs (you should not reuse them – release them back to earth or dispose of without clogging your drain)

Yoni steaming is great to do before or after your menstrual cycle, or as you feel needed. 

When Not to Yoni Steam

As with any wellness practice, there are some cautions: It is not recommended to steam if you have an IUD or during menstruation, but I have a copper IUD and have done shorter steams as a result. Do not do a yoni steam if you are pregnant.

Happy steaming, beautiful. 

X

K

The post DIY Yoni Steaming Stool and Benefits of Yoni Steaming appeared first on Living Pretty, Naturally.

source http://livingprettynaturally.com/diy-yoni-steaming-stool-benefits-yoni-steaming/

The Natural Health Guide to Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

If you frequently have gas, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, you might brush off your symptoms or blame it on something you ate. But if those symptoms linger, chances are you’ve thought about another health condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome, or candida yeast overgrowth.

In recent years, researchers have uncovered another sneaky condition that can cause GI distress and threaten the gut and overall health: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO. Experts say not only is the amount of people with SIBO on the rise, but it’s still a misunderstood condition and it often goes undiagnosed.^{[1, 2]}

So what is SIBO? What are the symptoms of SIBO? And are there natural therapies? Here, we’ll provide all the answers you need with the natural health guide to SIBO.

What Is SIBO?

SIBO, which stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is a condition that causes harmful bacteria to grow in the small intestine. It’s unclear how many people have SIBO, but studies show between 2.5 and 22 percent of people are likely affected.^[2]

Your microbiome is a community of 100 trillion microbes, or microorganisms, that live in or on your body, but mostly in your gut. The idea of being covered in bacteria might not sound appealing but your body actually need bacteria, a class of microbes, to strengthen your immune system and keep you healthy.

When all things run smoothly, the food you eat is digested in the gastrointestinal (GI) or digestive tract. Healthy bacteria in the digestive tract known as gut flora, aid digestion. Your gut also uses digestive enzymes to break down food and muscles, nerves and neurotransmitters like serotonin to move the food through the GI tract.

As food makes its way into the stomach, it’s broken down by digestive juices so that nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream and transported throughout the body. Waste makes its way through the large intestine, or colon, and is eliminated in stool.

Healthy gut flora help our bodies absorb vitamins and minerals and fight off harmful bacteria. When the intestine is disrupted and stool from the colon moves into the small intestine, bacteria flourish and the result is SIBO.

Symptoms of SIBO

Symptoms of SIBO can include the following:

• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Gas
• Flatulence
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Constipation
• Diarrhea or loose stools
• Nausea
• Weakness and fatigue
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Weight loss

It’s important to note however, that it’s not necessary to have all of the symptoms to be diagnosed with SIBO.^[2]

Since SIBO can also cause malabsorption issues particularly with protein and fats and nutritional deficiencies, the condition can look much like IBS. In fact, according to a 2012 study published in the journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences more than a third of patients who had IBS were also found to have SIBO.^[3]

What Causes SIBO?

It’s unclear what causes SIBO but experts believe it might be due to a lack of stomach acid, damage to the intestines from toxins, disorders of the small intestine, gut immune function or abnormalities of the anatomy of the digestive tract.^[1]

People with certain conditions such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease and type-2 diabetes have an increased risk for SIBO.^[1] It also can affect those who are lactose intolerant. SIBO is also more commonly seen in older adults and women.^{[2, 4]}

How Is SIBO Diagnosed?

Since SIBO often mimics other conditions that affect gut health, it may not be the first condition your doctor thinks to test for. If you have difficulty absorbing proteins, fats and vitamins, or have vitamin deficiencies, anemia or an electrolyte imbalance, SIBO should be considered.

To diagnose SIBO, your doctor may use a breath test to measure the hydrogen and methane gases that are produced by bacteria in the intestines. There are two types of breath tests: glucose and lactulose breath test.

According to one study, the lactulose breath test is more often found to be positive than the glucose breath test.^[5] Yet the authors note because of certain factors, the glucose breath test may underdiagnose SIBO and the lactulose breath test may overdiagnose SIBO.

An endoscopy, a test that uses a scope to look at and biopsy tissue from the small intestine, may also be used to detect SIBO.

What Can Be Done About SIBO?

The first line approach to control SIBO are antibiotics; Augmentin and Xifaxan are two of the most commonly prescribed. Although a course of antibiotics for one to two weeks is the standard approach, some people will relapse and have to repeat the treatment.

Natural Approaches to SIBO

Dietary changes along with natural supplements, probiotics and lifestyle are all key to addressing SIBO.

SIBO Diet

Altering your diet is an easy and natural way to start alleviating SIBO. There is a specific food regimen that was developed just for this purpose called the SIBO diet. The SIBO diet is a low carbohydrate, low fiber and low sugar plan made up of the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) or the gut and psychology diet (GAPS) which calls to eliminate all beans, grains, starchy vegetables, lactose and sweeteners except honey.

The SIBO diet also includes the fruit and vegetable guidelines of the low FODMAP diet, excludes foods with fructose like apples and pears and polyols like cauliflower, for example.

Other helpful strategies include following a gluten-free diet since gluten can cause intestinal hyperpermeability and consuming probiotic-rich foods to help restore gut health.

Herbal Remedies for SIBO

Herbal therapy may be an effective way to treat SIBO. In fact, according to a one study, 46 percent of people diagnosed with SIBO who used a natural, herbal therapy were negative for SIBO compared to 34 percent of those who were negative after using antibiotics.^[6]

Supplements for SIBO

Supplements that contain herbs such as oil of oregano, thyme, berberine extracts and wormwood are ideal for treating SIBO. Tumeric, which has soothing qualities may also ease SIBO symptoms and support gut health. Depending on your nutritional deficiencies, you may also need supplementation. Vitamin B-12 deficiency, for example, is a common issue experienced by people with SIBO.

Probiotics for SIBO

A supplement containing both probiotics and prebiotics are beneficial for SIBO because they support gut health, keep harmful organisms in check, and soothe irritation and redness.

In fact, one study found that probiotics relieved abdominal discomfort and were an effective approach for SIBO.^[7] What’s more, another study found that probiotics were more than 30 percent more effective than antibiotics at remedying SIBO.^[8]

Avoiding SIBO

If you can avoid SIBO altogether, you’ll be better off. To promote a balanced gut, help rid your body of toxins, and boost your energy, try Oxy-Powder®. It’s a safe and effective colon cleanse supplement that uses the power of oxygen to gently cleanse and detoxify your entire digestive tract, and relieve bloating, gas and occasional constipation.

What’s Your Story

Have you been affected by SIBO? How did you find out you had it? What did you do about it? Leave a comment below and share the details of your experience with us.

The post The Natural Health Guide to Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) appeared first on Dr. Group's Healthy Living Articles.

source https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth-sibo/

Staycation: Why Staying Home for the Holidays Can Be Your Best Self Care Habit

Over this last Easter break, I opted for a staycation. I’m on the road a lot – both for work and play, and while this is a huge blessing (I love to travel and explore), I can often feel that by the end of a holiday I am so burnt out from the travel and jet lag I need another holiday (don’t we all get this?!). Today’s post is about Why staying home for the holidays can be your best self care habit. 

This holiday season, I felt it in my body that I really needed to ground down at home and spend some time cleansing my space and my body. I decided to try and document some of the things that created the most joy and relaxation for me, as well as felt the most rewarding. I have to say, a once-per-year staycation is going to be my new annual self care ritual. 

Here’s what my Staycation in Oslo looked like this year. 

Take Some Time Out: Home Spa or The Real Deal

Not so far from downtown Oslo is a World Class spa, The Well. Just a 20 minutes drive from the city center you’re transported into the nature surrounded 3-level spa. Boasting a full range of outdoor and indoor spa and swimming amenities, not limited to a Turkish hamam, a Japanese garden, a Northern Light Sauna, Jungle Sauna, Cave Showers and Steam Rooms. There are 15 saunas, 25 treatment rooms, and a total of 11 pools. For the most part you are either in a bathing suit purchased from the Well, or nude, which means it’s an adult only spa. It’s quiet (adult only), and the treatments are luxurious. The amenities are many, so even if the spa is busy, you can find some privacy to relax. They carry Voya organic skincare at the spa, which is always lovely for me to see. If you’re in Oslo, or Oslo-based like me, I can highly recommend a day trip here, or even a Friday after work to kick the weekend off to a perfect start.

Photo from The Well

Try a New Recipe, or an Old Favourite

One of my favourite things to do when I have a bit of extra time on my hands is cook, bake or recipe create. Over this holiday I came back to one of my all-time favourite recipes from food blogger, My New Roots. Her Life Changing Loaf of Bread is just that. I’ve been munching on this in the mornings with a little cashew butter and manuka honey.  Ingredients and directions from My New Roots. 

Ingredients:
1 cup / 135g sunflower seeds
½ cup / 90g flax seeds
½ cup / 65g hazelnuts 
1 ½ cups / 145g rolled oats
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
4 Tbsp. psyllium seed husks (3 Tbsp. if using psyllium husk powder)
1 tsp. fine grain sea salt (add ½ tsp. if using coarse salt)
1 Tbsp. maple syrup (for sugar-free diets, use a pinch of stevia)
3 Tbsp. melted coconut oil or ghee
1 ½ cups / 350ml water

Directions:
1. In a flexible, silicon loaf pan combine all dry ingredients, stirring well. Whisk maple syrup, oil and water together in a measuring cup. Add this to the dry ingredients and mix very well until everything is completely soaked and dough becomes very thick. Smooth out the top with the back of a spoon. Let sit out on the counter for at least 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.
3. Place loaf pan in the oven on the middle rack, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove bread from loaf pan, place it upside down directly on the rack and bake for another 30-40 minutes. Bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped. Let cool completely before slicing.

Get Out in Nature

Needless to say, getting out in nature and spending time with the trees or the ocean is a necessity for that grounding time. I love going through the woods with warm clothes and spending time in the sun – soaking up that limited vitamin D we’ve been having up in this northern hemisphere. The weather has been cold but gorgeous here this holiday, and I’ve been trying to soak it up. 

Try a New Skincare Line: Wildcraft Skincare

I was in Toronto last autumn and popped into the Detox Market, and while exploring there, I came across this beautiful brand, Wildcraft. This Easter holiday, I decided to try an entire new line on my face for the duration of the break. I’ve been thinking about when I would switch it all up, and this was the perfect opportunity. 

Why I picked Toronto-based Wildcraft:  their products are all handmade in small batches, with ingredient lists that are simple, pure and easy to understand such as honey, distilled flower waters and essential oils. I loved the simplicity of the line and the subsequent efficacy on my skin. 

My favourites from this line were their Buff Face & Body Scrub (Rice powder, Apricot kernel shells, Arrowroot powder, Rhassoul clay, Chamomile flowers, Australian pink clay, Spearmint oil, Peppermint oil, Everlasting essential oil) and their Regenerating Facial Serum (Rice bran oil, Meadowfoam seed oil, Rosehip seed oil, Hemp seed oil, sunflower oil with carrot extract and Seabuckthorn oil, Frankincense and Palmarosa essential oils). The serum went on light and was not greasy – great for all skin types that aren’t sensitive to essential oils. While the Buff scrub gently cleans, dries out blemishes, and smooths the skin with mineral-rich exfoliant for the face (and body).

Dig Into Your Spiritual Self & Reflect 

Some quiet time is essential during these Staycations – just giving yourself a little alone time to dig into your journal, your favourite book or just drink a good cup of tea. I spent some time paging through my Practice You journal created by Elena Brower, and doing my own journaling. 

Organize Your Home for some Good Vibes

I spent the better part of one or two afternoons cleaning out our kitchen cupboards and organizing them – purging old foods and contents that no longer stood the test of time, and putting everything in airtight labeled jars, making navigating the kitchen a whole lot easier and more calming. 

Getting rid of the excess clutter gave me a sense of relief, there is something to be said for tidy space, tidy mind. Almost as soon as I was finished taking out the recycling and the trash, I had an overwhelming sense of relief and a weird sense of accomplishment. Opening our cupboards never felt so wonder. haha!

Batch Prep Your Fermented Food Favourites

One of the other things I love to do is batch prepare my fermented favourites when I have some extra minutes. This super easy, vegan coconut yogurt is one of my favourites. You have probably seen it on my blog before here.  I just love this yogurt for the perfect morning breakfast to go, adding it on top of my soups and making thicker, more flavourful smoothies. 

This recipe is so quick and easy, here’s what you need: 

1. Large jar
2. Two to Three cans of organic coconut milk (full fat)
3. Three probiotic capsules (that you can easily break apart and dump into the milk)
4. A wooden spoon
5. Cheese Cloth
6. Elastic band

Directions

1. Pour cans of coconut milk into clean glass jar (I used 3)
2. Break apart 3 probiotic capsules with more than 20 billion live cultures
3. Stir in with wooden spoon (this is improtant, don’t use metal as it reacts with the probiotics)
4. Cover with cheese cloth and a rubber band
5. Let sit on the counter for 24 – 48 hours – this batch was 36 hours
6. Taste during the resting time to reach your desired tangy-ness
7. When it has reached it, put it in the fridge overnight, it should thicken

Clean Out Your Closet for Donation or Sell and Donate!

The last de-cluttering and cleansing activity I did was clean out my closets. Spring is an optimal time for cleaning out the closets, but it can be done anytime. It feels great to make some extra room in your space, as well as donate (or even sell) your excess things. Just like the cupboards, it is such a great feeling to lighten up the household from things that are no longer needed. 

Well beauties, aside from that it was a lot of tea drinking, book reading and relaxation. 

I hope this inspires your next holiday to go against the need to get out of town, and instead feel encouraged to have yourself a little “staycation.”

Your soul will thank you for it.

X

K

The post Staycation: Why Staying Home for the Holidays Can Be Your Best Self Care Habit appeared first on Living Pretty, Naturally.

source http://livingprettynaturally.com/staycation-staying-home-holidays-can-best-self-care-habit/

Foot Detox: Know the Facts, Top Benefits, and Recipes

When you think about detoxing, you probably think about detox diets, colon cleansing, or fasting. But, in recent years, detoxing through the feet has gained popularity. Proponents say foot detox therapy eliminates toxins from the body, increases energy, offers immune support, and improves overall health and well-being. However, foot detoxes are not without controversy. Does detoxing through your feet really work, and are there any side effects? What different techniques exist for a foot detox? Read on for answers to these questions and more.

What Is a Detox?

Detoxing, short for detoxification, is intended to eliminate or neutralize toxins throughout the body. Toxins are virtually everywhere, including in the foods we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and common home products. There are approximately 85,000 chemicals regulated under the United States Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)^[1] but the Environmental Protection Agency has only banned or restricted use of a handful of chemicals, including chlorofluorocarbons, asbestos, radon, lead, and hexavalent chromium. Unfortunately, many of these are persistent organic pollutants that stay in the environment long after their use is discontinued.^[2]

Toxins accumulate in the liver and colon, and there are many detox techniques that can neutralize and help move them out of the body. Toxins are also removed through the body’s natural elimination routes such as sweating, breathing, urinating, defecating, and during menses.

What Is a Foot Detox?

Foot detoxes are intended to remove toxins and metals from the body by drawing them out through the feet. There are a variety of techniques for detoxing through the feet, including foot masks and scrubs, detox foot pads, acupressure, and ionic foot soaks. Proponents believe that a foot detox helps make the body’s pH level more alkaline. It’s also thought to deactivate a variety of harmful organisms. Some health care providers, including chiropractors and holistic health centers, offer foot detox baths and charge high prices for the service.^[3] Foot detox baths are also sold in stores for at-home use.

Benefits of Doing a Foot Detox

• May remove toxins
• Reduces swelling
• Calms the body
• Boosts your immune system
• Improves mood
• Burns calories
• Encourages normal blood sugar
• Boosts cardiovascular health

Since the feet are rich with nerve endings and sweat glands, it seems like the ideal place in the body to detox and de-stress. There’s no denying that soaking your body or just your feet in hot or warm water is calming. But hot detox foot baths may also help reduce swelling, boost your immune system, and improve your overall health and mood. A recent study even found that, like exercise, hot baths can help burn calories, boost cardiovascular health, and encourage normal blood sugar.^[4] People who advocate for detoxing through the feet say that it can ease mental distress while improving sleep and overall well-being.^{[5, 6]}

Further, the manufacturers of the ionic foot baths claim their product eliminates alcohol, acids, alkali, bleach and chlorine, detergents, emulsifiers, synthetic dyes and fragrances, toxic metals, pesticides, petrochemicals, preservatives, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).^{[5, 6]}

Detoxing with the right kind of foot pads can also have unique benefits. The best detox pads stimulate the kidney acupressure point to release tension and support overall health.

Does Detoxing Through Your Feet Really Work?

There has been some controversy around whether certain types of foot detox methods – specifically ionic foot baths and detox foot pads – actually work. Certain television shows have even looked at whether ionic foot bath detox methods did what was claimed.^{[3, 7]}

Most proponents of foot baths believe that the water changes color as a result of toxins leaving the body and accumulating in the water. In reality, placing metal electrodes in the bath’s saltwater produce rust in a rapid manner through electrolysis. The color the water changes to has nothing to do with the toxins. In fact, the electrolysis will change color even without feet being placed in the foot bath.

A 2012 study in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health looked at urine and hair samples from people who had used a foot detox bath and were unable to find evidence that the bath eliminated toxins from the body.^[8]

However, another study found that regular use of ionic foot baths decreased the amount of aluminum and arsenic present in the body.^[9] One practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine reported that ionic foot baths made the body less acidic and more alkaline after just one use. Additionally, this alkaline state lasted 48 hours after use.^[10]

6 Different Ways To Do a Foot Detox

Ionic foot baths aren’t the only way to do a foot detox. In fact, there are a variety of ways to detox the body through the feet, including Korean and Chinese acupressure-based foot soaks, detox foot pads, foot scrubs, masks, and soak recipes that use naturally detoxifying Epsom salts, Bentonite clay, and other ingredients.

Ionic Foot Bath

Ionic foot baths operate by sending an electrical current through a tub of water, which causes the water molecules to divide and create negative oxygen ions. Once enough are present in the water, the body absorbs them through osmosis, which is the movement of compounds from higher to lower concentration. Some newer devices also produce positive ions.

The foot bath process is quick and simple. You soak both feet in the bath which is filled with warm salt water. An electronic array is also placed in the foot bath, which sends a direct current into the water. The combination of the water, salt, and the array are meant to generate negative ions by separating oxygen and hydrogen from the water, neutralizing charged particles in the body and drawing toxins with the opposite charges out.^{[5, 6]}

Don’t be fooled by infomercials claiming that the dark water that comes out of the ionic foot bath water is toxins from your body, or that different toxins create different colors. The color of the water is caused by a reaction of the salt water and the electrolysis array, which creates rust.^[7] The ability of these ionic foot baths to detox the body through the feet has come under scrutiny, and there are conflicting reports on whether they work.

Acupressure-Based Foot Soaks, Foot Massage, and Foot Spas

Korean and Chinese foot spas have been around for thousands of years, and these unique therapy experiences are expanding in popularity across the U.S. The feet are like roots of a tree, and the sole or bottom of the foot contains hundreds of nerve endings and acupressure points that can be massaged to help certain parts of the body.

During a session at a foot spa, feet are soaked in a hot bath solution, followed by a foot and leg massage. The foot massage is the focus and stimulates acupressure points in the feet that correspond to different organs in the body to release tension, improve circulation, and support overall health and vitality. Acupressure and reflexology help balance the chi or energy in the body, encouraging better circulation, restful sleep, and normalization of health ailments ranging from head pain to digestion. And of course, soaking one’s feet in a warm bath and massaging the pressure points on the feet promotes relaxation.

Do-It-Yourself Foot Soak

You can also create a do-it-yourself detox foot bath at home using warm or hot water, Epsom salt, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Have a partner massage your feet at the reflexology points in the diagram that corresponds to any issues you deal with, or do the foot massage yourself.

When selecting essential oils, lavender is a great choice. Not only is it calming, but animal studies have shown it to normalize liver and kidney disruptions caused by exposure to certain pesticides.^[11] Another option is tea tree oil, which is powerful against germs.^[12] If the aroma of tea tree is too potent for your tastes, mix it with lavender for a mild, pleasant scent.

Foot Masks

One simple way to do a foot detox is to use a clay foot mask to clean and detoxify the feet. It relieves stress at the end of a long day, too. Foot masks can soften skin and tackle toenail fungus, surface fungus, odor, and athlete’s foot. I recommend do-it-yourself recipes because they are completely free of any chemical additives, which defeat the purpose of a detox.

Bentonite clay offers benefits as a detox agent and is safe for both internal and external use.^[13] Bentonite clay has naturally occurring positively charged ions that draw out negatively charged toxins, including those in pesticides and toxic metals. Other studies have found that Bentonite clay has properties that fight against mycotoxins and aflatoxins from mold.

Here is my favorite DIY clay foot mask recipe:

Clay Foot Mask

• 3 tablespoons bentonite clay
• 3 tablespoons raw, organic apple cider vinegar
• 3 drops of lavender
• 3 drops of tea tree essential oil (or peppermint oil)

Combine these ingredients in a small bowl. Add the apple cider vinegar one tablespoon at a time, until the clay mask becomes a thick paste. You may not need all of the apple cider vinegar, so add it slowly and gradually until the mask is the consistency you desire. Add more clay as needed. Once the ingredients are combined to a thick paste, spread it on both feet and allow it to fully dry. Recline in a comfortable chair during this process. After 30 minutes, wash off the foot mask and dry your feet.

Foot Scrubs

Like a foot mask, a foot scrub can also clean and detoxify the feet, reducing odor and preventing fungal infections if you use essential oils with antifungal and antibacterial properties. Foot scrubs also exfoliate dead skin from the feet.

Here is my favorite DIY clay foot scrub recipe:

Detox Foot Scrub

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4-5 drops of lemon, lemongrass, or juniper essential oil (or combine them!)
• 2 drops of peppermint oil

Combine the ingredients in a bowl, stirring well to spread the essential oil throughout the mixture. Apply to each foot, rubbing the grainy salt mixture gently along the sole, in between the toes, on the top of the foot, and around the ankles for at least five minutes per foot. Spend extra time on the sole, applying pressure to the reflexology points that correspond to any areas where you need improvement. This coarse mixture exfoliates the skin as well as provides detoxification from the essential oils you choose.

Peppermint oil supports the gallbladder and overall digestive system. It’s an important part of the foot scrub because it leaves a tingly clean feeling. You can add any essential oil, but lemon, lemongrass, and juniper have particularly helpful detoxification properties. Lemon oil supports the immune system and helps detoxify the liver. Lemongrass is an anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant powerhouse. Juniper oil supports liver function and detoxes the liver, colon, skin, and lungs. Pick your favorite!

Detox Foot Pads

Detox foot pads cause the feet to sweat and draw circulating toxins out of the feet. However, not all foot pads are created equally.

Like foot massages that focus on ancient acupressure or reflexology points, effective foot pads tap into the ancient science of reflexology. In addition to being very relaxing, reflexology stimulates areas on the feet that correspond to different organs and muscles in the body. This helps to release tension, improve circulation and support overall health and vitality.

Unlike other brands, our 100% organic Detox Foot Pads use carbon-titanium adhesive to boost both bioelectricity and blood flow through the feet and body. The foot pads specifically stimulate the kidney acupressure point to encourage detoxification. Our detox foot pads are made with organic, all-natural ingredients like bamboo extracts, herbs, and tourmaline. Tourmaline is a gemstone that emits far infrared radiation (FIR). Studies have found that FIR – specifically from ground tourmaline – promotes cell repair and helps defend cells against damage from X-rays, and normalizes joint swelling and other issues.^[14]

Are There Any Side Effects?

Therapists who offer foot detoxes – particularly the ionic foot spa and foot soaks – caution that some people should exercise caution and seek advice from their healthcare provider before using these therapies, including:

• Children under age 5
• Pregnant and lactating women
• People who have pacemakers, electrical implants, and organ transplants
• People who have diabetes, congestive heart failure, or who are on dialysis
• People with open sores on their feet

You can experience a “healing crisis” from any detox, including a foot detox. When the body releases accumulated toxins, you may experience fatigue, headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting and flu symptoms. A healing crisis doesn’t usually last longer than three days. If you have symptoms for longer or the symptoms are especially disruptive, consult a healthcare provider immediately.

In contrast, our detox foot pads contain organic, natural ingredients, and can safely be used by people of all ages. The only side effect might be a slight chance of allergic reaction by certain individuals, as with any product.

What’s Your Story?

Have you tried any of the foot detox methods described here? What was your experience? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us.

The post Foot Detox: Know the Facts, Top Benefits, and Recipes appeared first on Dr. Group's Healthy Living Articles.

source https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/foot-detox-know-facts-top-benefits-recipes/

How to Perform a Colon Cleanse: The Complete Guide

Every day, we’re bombarded with toxins: additives in the food supply, pollution in the air and water, and chemicals in the products we put on our bodies. The overabundance of common impurities that we all encounter can overwhelm our natural ability to detoxify. Many of these toxins find their way to the liver, kidneys, intestines, and colon. Cleansing is a great way to flush your body and reboot your overall well-being, and cleansing the colon can boost your natural self-healing and detox mechanisms.

The Colon & Its Function

The colon is part of the large intestine. It lies between the small intestine and the anus. A healthy colon is about two inches in diameter, between five and six feet long, and occupies most of your lower body cavity. The “U” shaped colon subdivides into four sections – the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon. The primary role of the colon is to reclaim water from digested food, absorb nutrients, and provide an environment for the helpful bacteria that regulate those processes.^[1]

What Is a Colon Cleanse?

A colon cleanse is a process that flushes the digestive tract to help rid the colon of harmful toxins, organisms, and accumulated waste. Colon cleanses loosen and flush accumulated waste from the intestinal walls and digestive system. Many people report that a regular colon cleanse is one of the single most effective strategies for boosting their overall wellness.

Signs Your Colon Needs Cleansing

People who follow the Standard American Diet (SAD), which is rich in dairy, meats, sweets, and processed foods, usually have accumulated waste in their digestive tract. When toxins build up, a systemic change can manifest in your body and make you feel sick.

These changes can be felt inside your body and seen and even smelled outside of your body. For example, a bad odor in your sweat or breath are signs of a toxic colon. If your diet and overall health are suffering, you may have sluggish bile production or develop health conditions such as Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease.^{[2, 3, 4]} Unhealthy bowels may also be affected by colorectal polyps, diverticula, and colon strictures that create sluggish digestion.

The accumulation of toxins that results from eating unhealthy food can lead to an imbalance in your gut flora, allowing unhealthy organisms to take hold. One of the most harmful is a fungus called Candida albicans that can cause Candidiasis – a type of yeast overgrowth that affects the entire body.^[5]

Signs that you need a colon cleanse include:

• Low energy
• Poor appetite
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Body odor
• Bad breath
• Constipation
• Skin blemishes
• Mental Fog
• Poor sleep

What Are the Benefits of Colon Cleansing?

Maintaining a healthy colon supports a healthy digestive system and promotes overall well-being. The colon is central to your body’s most critical functions, and it directly affects your overall health. A colon that’s overrun by toxins has a difficult time absorbing nutrients and water. Not only are your detoxification abilities affected, but the nutritional value of your food is reduced. An organic colon cleanse irrigates the bowels to get you back on track.

A Boost of Energy

Many people report that one of the biggest benefits of a colon cleanse is an increase in their energy levels. Sluggishness frequently disappears after cleansing the colon and adopting healthier food choices. We receive a lot of positive feedback from people who say colon cleansing simply makes them feel better.

Develop New, Healthy Habits

Many people kick-start healthy eating and wellness habits during their cleanse. Drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables, and getting exercise are all habits that keep the bowels running smoothly and get the blood flowing through the colon.

Removal of Compacted Waste

By omitting processed and fatty foods during a colon cleanse, the colon has an easier time pushing out waste that has built up. Drinking plenty of water helps flush this unhealthy waste out of your body. Certain fruits have a natural fibrous quality and help break down waste in your colon. Once this toxic matter is gone, your colon is better able to function.

Better Digestion

Most people say they experience better digestion after completing a colon cleanse. Resetting the colon helps the digestive tract process food more efficiently. Not only does this promote consistent, regular bowel movements, but it also helps relieve occasional constipation.

What Are the Different Types of Colon Cleanses?

There are a variety of colon cleansing methods and products, with varying degrees of efficacy and safety.

Dietary Cleanses

Some cleanses merely involve a change of diet and eliminating certain foods, like dairy, wheat or gluten, or meat, that cause health problems. Whether it’s temporary or a complete lifestyle change, eliminating some or all of these foods serves as a diet-based cleanse.

Meat, dairy, and processed foods that contain unhealthy additives cause waste buildup along the intestinal walls. Replacing these unhealthy foods with high-fiber, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water flushes the bowels and cleanses the colon.

Simplifying your diet can make it easy to identify foods to which you’re sensitive. Some people like to cleanse with a raw or vegan diet, and then slowly reintroduce other foods. After following a simplified colon cleansing diet for seven to 30 days, you can reintroduce items. After eating a new food type, you should wait a few days before trying another type of food to note changes in your body or mood. You can also combine a cleansing diet with a colon cleanse supplement.

Colonic Hydrotherapy or Irrigation

Colonic hydrotherapy, also called colonic irrigation or colonic lavage, is performed in a clinical setting by a colonic hygienist or hydrotherapist. Although it’s a relatively common procedure, the safety of the technique has been called into question. A tube from a machine is inserted into the rectum to flush water through the intestines. The hydrotherapist may also massage the abdomen to help release waste, which is expelled through a different tube. This process is usually repeated several times and may last up to an hour.^[6]

Colonic irrigation isn’t without risk. There have been reports of rectal perforation from colonic irrigation. Contaminated equipment is also a potential problem. In one clinic in Colorado in the late 1970s, contaminated water led to 36 cases of parasitic infection, ten colectomies (surgical removal of part of the colon), and six deaths.^[7]

Although there are do-it-yourself hydrotherapy kits available, the services of a professional hygienist or hydrotherapist ensure optimal results and safety. Colon irrigation equipment is regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and a professional hydrotherapist should have equipment that’s registered with the FDA. Be sure that the hydrotherapist uses filtered, purified water, and disposable rectal nozzles. If stainless steel nozzles are used, they should be sterilized by autoclave.

Enemas

An enema is like a mini colonic, although enemas only cleanse the rectum, the lower part of the colon, and not the entire digestive tract.^[8] When an enema is administered, a measured amount of a liquid solution, such as mineral oil, sodium phosphate, water, or other solution, is squeezed into the rectum through a tube and bag or a bottle with a special tip. Once the liquid enters the rectum, massaging the abdomen can help loosen fecal matter. After about five minutes, the urge to defecate arises and the enema liquid and feces leave the body as a bowel movement.

Coffee enemas are a popular therapy, but there is evidence that frequent coffee enemas can cause electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. There are also reports of death from blood poisoning (septicemia) immediately after their use.^{[9, 10]}

Enemas can be self-administered at home or in a clinical setting. Contamination is a potential issue when introducing any foreign object into the rectum. A disposable, one-time use enema is recommended for safety.

Laxatives

Americans spend more than $700 million per year on laxatives. Despite how common they are, regularly using laxatives has serious negative health effects. Laxatives are harsh, irritating to the intestines and colon, and can cause pain, cramping, and bloating. Although they may be a temporary solution for constipation, they can actually cause chronic constipation, leading users to become dependent. Worst of all, laxatives are ineffective as a colon cleanser. Their action is inconsistent, incomplete, and produces uncomfortable side effects. A recent study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found a 49% increase in the risk of colorectal cancer in individuals age 50-76 who used non-fiber-based laxatives four or more times a year.^[11]

Herbal Laxative Teas or Supplements

Some people use herbal laxative teas or herb-containing colon cleansing capsules or tablets as a natural way to relieve constipation. The most commonly used herbs used as laxatives, or for cleansing or “slimming” are:

• • Cascara sagrada bark
  • Senna
  • Burdock root
  • Dandelion
  • Cat’s claw
  • Yellow or curly dock
  • Licorice root
  • Slippery elm
  • Artichoke leaf
  • Gentian root
  • Rhubarb root
  • Aloe vera

Although some of these herbs are beneficial, some, particularly senna and cascara, are linked to harmful health effects. Regular use of senna and cascara laxative tea is linked to dark spotting on the inside of the colon; the long-term impact of these dark spots on overall health is not yet known. Some herbal cleansing teas contain caffeine, which stimulates the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Caffeine, however, can adversely affect your stomach and intestines by increasing gastric acid secretion.

Other herbal teas, such as peppermint tea, offer benefits beyond cleansing. Peppermint has been studied to help patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).^[12] Hibiscus, black, and green teas are a source of antioxidants which may support normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and healthier organ function.^[13] Turmeric, ginger, aloe, and other herbs have excellent therapeutic properties and gently cleanse the digestive system.

Fiber and Psyllium-Based Cleansing Supplements

Some over-the-counter bulk-forming colon cleansing supplements contain psyllium, a fiber-dense seed husk from the Plantago plant. When ingested, psyllium produces mucilage, a thick gooey substance that bulks up in the colon and helps move feces through the digestive system.

While fiber, and psyllium, in particular, can help with occasional constipation, they also have safety risks. Psyllium can cause dehydration, as it is highly water-absorbent. It can also increase bloating, and some individuals using psyllium have experienced allergic reactions. Some psyllium-based colon cleansers promise to clear your colon of black mucoid plaque. However, the long, stringy black substance that is defecated after taking these cleansers is merely your fecal matter combined with mucilage from the psyllium. The FDA has ruled certain psyllium-containing laxatives as “not generally recognized as safe due to potential esophageal obstruction.”^[14]

Oxygen-Based Colon Cleansers

Colon cleansers that utilize ozonated (oxygenated) magnesium are another option to cleanse the colon, and they’re arguably the best. By increasing the oxygen in the gut, specifically the colon, they help liquefy the compacted waste along the colon wall so it can be expelled from the body. Ozonated magnesium cleansers also provide a boost of energy and encourage healthier digestion. Ozonated magnesium is gentle and does not remove beneficial bacteria from the colon.

Are Colon Cleanses Safe?

Most natural, dietary cleanses are safe for healthy people. However, colonic irrigation, enemas, and over-the-counter laxative pills, or certain laxative herbal teas have the potential for uncomfortable side effects, may irritate the intestines, or lead to dependency. Some herbal ingredients, like turmeric, ginger, and dandelion are safe, gentle, and assist in detoxing. But, if your goal is to fully cleanse your entire digestive system, the best approach involves a supplement made with pure ingredients that provide a gentle cleansing effect.

When performing any cleanse, dehydration may occur if you do not consume enough water. Make sure to drink several glasses of water throughout the day while you’re cleansing. People who experience trouble with their bowels, or have issues such as hemorrhoids, should consult their healthcare professional before performing a colon cleanse.^[15]

What Do You Need To Perform a Natural Colon Cleanse?

I only recommend one colon cleanse plan, and below, I will provide the simple, easy steps. The colon cleanse lasts six days and includes only organic fruit, seasonings, a water mixture made with raw, organic apple cider vinegar, a probiotic supplement, and a high-quality, oxygen-based colon cleansing supplement.

Supplies Needed

The supplies needed for this colon cleanse work together to support digestive health, gut microflora balance, and the purging of toxins from the colon. You’ll need the following supplies:

• • • 6 gallons of distilled water
    • 3 organic lemons
    • 8 ounces organic, raw, unpasteurized, apple cider vinegar
    • 1 bottle of Oxy-Powder®
    • 1 bottle of Latero-Flora™
    • Organic fresh fruit
    • 16 ounces of organic, whole-leaf, cold-pressed aloe vera juice
    • Himalayan crystal salt
    • Cayenne pepper
    • Black pepper

Organic Fresh Fruit

The fruits recommended for this cleanse work better and are healthier if they are organic, or grown at home without chemical pesticides and herbicides. Fruits are chosen for this cleanse because they are easier on your intestines and a good source of nutrients and water. It’s best to add variety to your fruit intake daily.

• • • Apples
    • Avocados
    • Bananas
    • Blackberries
    • Blueberries
    • Grapefruit
    • Oranges
    • Papaya
    • Pineapple
    • Raspberries
    • Strawberries
    • Tomatoes
    • Watermelon
    • White grapes

Apple Cider Vinegar and Water Mix

This six-day cleanse works best if you use an apple cider vinegar and water mix to hydrate throughout the day. It is essential to consume at least one gallon of this drink daily. The recipe is as follows:

• • • Start with one gallon of distilled water, then pour out four ounces
    • Add two tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar and shake well
    • Add two ounces (¼ cup) of organic aloe juice
    • Add the juice of half a lemon
    • Mix together
    • Refrigerate

If you are unable to finish the entire gallon by the end of the day, throw it out and make a fresh batch the following day.

How To Do a Colon Cleanse

Below is a daily schedule to maximize the benefits of this six-day colon cleanse. Days one through six follow the same routine. When you pick a fruit, that is the only one you will eat for that meal. Thoroughly chew and savor each bite for better digestion.

Waking Up

Make your daily apple cider vinegar mix and drink 12 to 20 ounces before breakfast. A positive affirmation first thing in the morning will put your mind on the right track for a healthy day. Saying, “I am clean and healthy,” out loud nine times will have an encouraging effect.

Breakfast

Pick one type of fruit and eat as much as you can until you are full. Choose either grapes, watermelon, grapefruit, oranges, or pineapple. If these are out of season, apples or bananas are acceptable.

After breakfast and before your mid-morning snack, drink 20 ounces of the apple cider vinegar mix and take three capsules of your probiotic supplement. Repeat your affirmation if you’d like.

Mid-Morning Snack

This should be consumed halfway between breakfast and lunch. Choose either blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries and eat as much as you can until full. If none of these are in season, apples and bananas are fine.

After this snack and before lunch, consume another 20 ounces of the apple cider vinegar mix, and repeat your affirmation.

Lunch

Choose either apples, papayas, or bananas and eat as much as you can until full.

After lunch and before your mid-afternoon snack, consume another 20 ounces of the apple cider vinegar mix, and repeat your affirmation.

Mid-Afternoon Snack

This meal should be consumed halfway between lunch and dinner. Choose either pineapple, grapefruit, white grapes, or oranges. Eat as much as you can until full.

After your mid-afternoon snack and before your dinner, drink 20 ounces of the apple cider vinegar mix, and repeat your affirmation.

Dinner

Choose either avocados or vine-ripened tomatoes. Again, eat as much as you can until full. These foods are best eaten raw. Fresh, natural lime juice, Himalayan salt, or organic cayenne or black pepper may be used to season these foods.

After your dinner and before bedtime, consume another 20 ounces of the apple cider vinegar mix and repeat your affirmation.

Bedtime

Take six capsules of your oxygen-based cleanser with the remaining eight ounces of the apple cider vinegar mix.

Before closing your eyes, repeat your affirmation to encourage a restful night’s sleep.

Day Two Through Six

Repeat your schedule from the previous day for a total of six days. After the first day, you should have three to five bowel movements daily. If this does not occur, increase your serving of Oxy-Powder by two capsules until you achieve three to five bowel movements the following day.

Will a Colon Cleanse Disrupt my Schedule?

Most people report that they can follow the 6-day colon cleanse without any disruptions to their normal work or life schedule. Since the capsules are taken at night before bed and work through the night, your body will need to eliminate after you awake. If you start on the weekend, you can determine how your body reacts to Oxy-Powder

How to Maintain Colon Health

Once you’ve finished your cleanse, it’s important to maintain a healthy, organic diet. Eat foods that naturally help to cleanse your colon, including organic fruits and vegetables, healthy nuts and beans, and plenty of purified water. Avoiding tap water and eliminating alcohol from your diet is also highly encouraged.

Another way to maintain your intestinal tract is by using the same Oxy-Powder serving size you used during your cleanse. Taking this serving once or twice a week will keep your intestinal tract in good working order. To kick-start your cleanse, try the Colon Cleanse Kit. It has everything you need to cleanse your entire digestive tract of toxins and impacted fecal matter in less than a week.

Your Story

Have you ever done a colon cleanse? What method did you use? How did you feel afterward? We’d love to hear about your experience. Tell us your story in the comments section below.

The post How to Perform a Colon Cleanse: The Complete Guide appeared first on Dr. Group's Healthy Living Articles.

source https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/colon-cleanse-guide/

March Favourites: Natural Beauty and Wellness Products for Your Return to Spring

Some of my favourite posts to write are those that bring up the natural beauty and wellness products I’ve been loving over the course of the past month – my monthly faves posts. It’s been a while since I had the time to write one of these, but thanks to a long Easter break in Norway, I found the time to cozy up with some wool blankets and my laptop and curate for you March’s Monthly Faves. It’s a combination of my usual green beauty explorations and some other wellness and spirit soothing finds. I hope you enjoy, beautiful. 

Eye Treatment Fave: Maya Chia The Eye Achiever

I’m loving this concentrated corrective serum from a beloved brand, Maya Chia. The eye serum has been created specifically for the delicate eye area and contains nutrient dense oils of sweet white lupin seeds (helps with firmness), chia seed oil (what Maya Chia is known for), as well as protective raspberry seed oil and black cumin seed oil. But the real magic is working from the sea plants- macros and micro-algae extracts from Undaria Pinnatifida (great for anti-aging by promoting the cell’s ability to fight free radicals), sea lavender (which is shown to increase tubules length which increases microcirculation) and Alaria Esculenta extract (promotes firmness and elasticity of the skin). 

Needless to say, this eye serum is above and beyond when it comes to super ingredients and potent potions. I’ve been using it for a month and love the steel rollerball which massages the oil cooly into the skin, also helping to take down any puffiness. 

Shop online at Maya Chia online directly, or from The Detox Market. 

If you order from The Detox Market between April 1st & 2nd 2018, use code FREESHIP for free shipping in US & Canada. 

Serum Fave: Kypris Beauty Elixir III Prismatic Array

Kypris is another beautiful brand that makes some potent and beautiful products. This month I have been indulging in their Beauty Elixir No 3, Prismatic Array, a moisturizing facial oil that is perfect for even the most sensitive skin types. Youth boosting CoQ10, and collagen helping Vitamin C, this beautifully formulated oil is also packed with a heavy dose of seed, such as skin elasticity benefactor, Prickly Pear Seed oil.

My skin has been loving absorbing this oil on the daily this month, it is so super nourishing and with no essential oils, it’s a super gentle oil for anyone who is sensitive to some of the more essential-oil infused serums (which I also love). It is rich and fatty, but is light enough for any skintype, yes even oily skin types. A few drops is all you need. 

Shop online in two different sizes (47 ml is pictured) from Citrine Natural Beauty Bar.

Oil Cleanser: Max&Me Purity & Grace

What I love about oil cleansers is how seriously gentle they are – taking away pollutants from the skin and makeup with ease but never by drying out the skin. Massaging oil cleansers into the skin also helps to activate the lymph and help drain the face from tensions and toxins its holding onto. Alexandrian laurel oil, Marula Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Sesame oil and Seabuckthorn oil is a serious power-house ingredients list. It has to be one of the most nourishing oil cleansers I’ve tried to date – and I’ve tried a lot of cleansers ;) 

I seriously love Max&Me products – their purity is so highly regarded and their ingredients are beautifully blended. Use code LPN150 to get an incredible gift with purchase on their site, when you spend 150 EUR or more. The gift includes: 5ml Mask&Wash, 5ml Beauty Balm and 10 ml Purity & Grace oil cleanser. 

Shop online from Max&Me’s site. 

Essential Oil of the Month: doTERRA Rosemary Oil 

I love essential oils for so many reasons: their healing properties, their scent, their taste (for some I take internally, but only certain oils). Rosemary is the oil I’ve been loving so very much this month, and have been using it in the mornings for dry brushing before my showers. I just drop 3 drops into my hand, rub the bristles of my dry brush in it and then go through the body working from the feet up. 

Rosemary is a great oil for diffusing, using topically and even taking internally (but before you take any essential oil internally make sure it is therapeutic grade, like doTERRA’s and ensure you are familiar with dosage). It is known for supporting healthy digestion, reducing nervous tension and fatigue, supporting healthy respiratory function, and maintaining concentration. Since it is a mild oil, most people do not need to dilute it before using, and you can use it “neat” or straight from the bottle.

Save 25% of your orders by signing up for a Whole Sale account here. You can create an account and ship to almost anywhere in the world. 

Face Mask: Matcha Obsessed Matcha Clay Mask

Matcha has been all the rage this past year, no doubt because of the powerful anti-oxidant benefits riding in that green powdered tea. Studies show that Matcha reduces inflammation and fights damaging free radicals, so instead of just drinking it, why not also let the skin soak up the nutrients directly? This matcha clay mask combines purifying organic clay, hydrating coconut milk, pure honey, echinacea and the antioxidants of organic matcha powdered tea. They clay removes impurities and tightens the pores, while toning the skin, while the matcha tea is great for beating off those free-radicals, and the echinacea is useful for reducing redness and inflammation in acne.  The removal of the mask will also help exfoliate dead skin cells. 

I left the mask on for 10 minutes and enjoyed the freshest feeling skin after removal. I loved also using the jade roller following the application with my facial oil to help plump up the collagen and stimulate the lymph. 

Save 20% off with code MatchaLPN on their website. 

Yoni Treatment: Fat & the Moon Yoni Duster

This was kind of a random find when I was in Maui earlier this month – a duster for the yoni with a base of natural arrowroot, white clay and oregon grape root powder, myrrh powder and goldenseal powder and tea tree essential oil. Sitting in a wet bathing suit for the better part of a week after not being in a tropical climate for the past few months, I was extremely grateful to find this on the shelves of a little shop in Paia, Maui. Lucky for you, I found them online later, and you can order online. 

I would argue this is a must have for preventing or naturally treating issues related to yeast or unwanted bacteria, this Yoni Duster is gentle and effectiveI. It is a great alternative to perfume and chemical laden products that can make bacterial situations worse, and is a perfect travel companion when you’re heading to those sunny destinations. 

Shop online from their website. 

Book of the Month: Women who Run with the Wolves

For the feminine soul, this book is a must read. I am still digging in, but thought I would share it with you since it is not going to be finished before month’s end. You spend the book digging into the Wild Woman archetype by delving deep into old folk tales and fairy tales to unlock the often unseen meanings. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, a Jungian analyst and storyteller who has a great deal of linage of female storytellers in her family. Digging into everything from trusting our own wisdom and not turning away from the hard parts in love, this book is a must-read for every woman that is ready for the plunge. 

Find this gem on Amazon for shipping worldwide. 

Crystal of the “Moonth”: Tourmaline Rubellite  

This month I have been using this month, without really knowing why I was reaching for it. It was only until after I spent some time researching the stone that it all made sense. When leading a very busy life, Tourmaline Rubellite has been said to be a great stone for bringing energy into the physical body. It is known for properties that also help increase enthusiasm and love for life. It’s a stone that is working a lot on the physical plane, which is something I needed when I dipped into these past days of holiday – an energy reboot. 

I found mine at a crystal shop back home in Vancouver, but you can seek one out at most crystal shops wherever you are. 

Hope you enjoyed this natural beauty and wellness round up.

Have a beautiful return into Spring, beauties. 

X

K

The post March Favourites: Natural Beauty and Wellness Products for Your Return to Spring appeared first on Living Pretty, Naturally.

source http://livingprettynaturally.com/march-favourites-natural-beauty-wellness-products-return-spring/