FitSugar

Aromatherapy Doesn't Work?

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Aromatherapy is immensely popular nowadays. It seems like everywhere you go, you can find rose geranium-infused candles, citrus and bergamont room sprays, and lavender-scented eye pillows. I enjoy these sweet smells, and my spirit is often buoyed by them. However, recent research is saying that aromatherapy doesn't work - well, at least not for the two popular scents lavender and lemon.

Researchers at Ohio State University conducted a two-year study that included scientifically rigorous testing of the body's physical changes when people smelled popular scents - and they came up with nothing. Patients were subjected to stressors, like dipping a foot in icy water (sounds fun), and even when patients were told to sniff lavender because it had destressing abilities, it didn't do a thing for their bodies' physical stress levels. They found that lemon did lift people's moods, but it didn't affect their heart rates, blood pressure, immune functions, or stress hormones.

Scientists admitted that the results surprised them. Even the people who believed in the power of aromatherapy - those who regularly bought scented products - didn't show any physical reactions to what they sniffed.

So according to this study (which cost nearly $374,000, by the way), aromatherapy may not be a cure for illnesses or pain, and it may boost your immune system. When it comes down to it, if smelling a scent makes you happy, having a sniff certainly won't hurt you. What do you think? Is aromatherapy a bunch of quackery, or do you think it really can heal the body and make you feel better?

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Relax Already: Lavender Bath

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:30:00 -0800

Lavender is an incredibly soothing scent and there is now research to prove it. Evidence suggests that the scent of lavender may help slow the activity of the nervous system and promote relaxation. One way to reap the benefits of lavender is using lavender oil as a massage oil. If you don't have the bucks to spring for a massage, you can always take a lavender-scented bath. Soak your muscles and soothe your nerves at the same time.

To turn your bath into an aromatherapy session, the magazine Body+Soul has a great suggestion. Instead of putting lavender oil in your tub, try making a body tea by steeping 4 oz. of dried lavender flowers in 2 cups hot water for 20 minutes. Then simply pour your aromatic tea into bath water and steep yourself for as long as you like!

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Relax Already: Bring an Eye Pillow to Work

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:15:00 -0800

If you stare at a computer all day long, you've probably found yourself squinting, which can cause major head and neck pain.

To relieve eye and head strain, keep an eye pillow at work. You can place it in the fridge for a few minutes, and then go someplace where you won't be disturbed (go to the bathroom or your car if necessary). Place the pillow over your closed eyes and allow yourself to just take in the cooling relief.

Try to find an eye pillow that's made with natural ingredients like flax seed, dried lavender, peppermint, and chamomile.

I found these made by Barefoot Yoga. They're $15.50/17.00, which is more expensive than most, but they're made out of silk, and they come with a zippered storage pouch to keep your eye pillow clean.

Fit's Tips: Feeling crafty? You can also make your own really easily. Just buy fabric, flax seeds, and dried flowers and herbs. You can even make them for your co-workers and have designated eye relaxation breaks.

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Essential Oils Enlarge Boys' Breasts?

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 13:00:00 -0800

Hmmm? I wouldn't believe it unless I read it myself. But a recent study suggests that lavender and tea tree oils found in some shampoos, soaps, and lotions can temporarily leave boys with enlarged breasts in rare cases, apparently by disrupting their hormonal balance.

The condition, gynecomastia, developed (pun intended) with 3 boys, and researchers suspected that the oils might be upsetting the boys’ hormonal balance. So they did a series of laboratory tests to check how these oils work within human cells.

The oils appeared to mimic estrogen (the hormone in women that causes breast growth) and blocked the male hormone androgen.

The good news is that it happens infrequently and clears up when the oils are no longer used.

Isn't that crazy? My first question then would be, can this news work towards the advantage of women seeking bigger boobs? No word on that yet, but this definitely gives new meaning to the term "Man-boobs."

Relax Already: with Aromas For Living

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 17:15:17 -0800

History says that Cleopatra seduced both Mark Anthony and Julius Caesar with herbal perfumes including lavender, jasmine, and rose.

Studies on the effect of lavender on stress, suggests that lavender therapy was associated with reduced mental stress and increased attention -- I'm thinking the men resulted in her use of lavender. So maybe it was seduction but those crazy men were probably driving her absolutely insane, calling for some serious "Cleo" time!

And while she may not have bathed in it, you can with Aromas For Living's Bath Herbs ($6.00 for three sachets, complete with a purple satin bow). How do you use bath herbs? Simple steep one sachet in boiling water for 15 minutes. Pour into bath water. Or draw 2" hot water into tub. Soak one sachet for 15 minutes. Discard sachet. Fill tub with warm water -- And relax!

Need more reasons to relax? Aromas For Living also values:

Organic Farming Principles
Protecting the Environment
Limiting the Exploitation of Natural Resources
Providing Information and Resources for Living Well
Supporting Health and Wellness in the Community
Use of Renewable Resources
The Dissemination of information about Natural Health Alternatives
The Humane Treatment of Animals
Limiting the Use of Synthetic Materials in Cosmetic Products

Buy lavender bath herbs from AromasForLiving.com.

Exfoliating Dry Skin: It's All About the Sugar

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Skin is the largest organ in your body, so you want to take care of it. Especially in the winter.

Scrub away dry dead skin while cleansing at the same time using sugar body polish. It's gentler on your skin than salt scrubs.

One of my faves is from Lunaroma. They make a Lavender and Geranium Sugar Body Polish that smells relaxing and fresh. They also have other scents like Cranberry Rose, Chocolate, and Ginger Snap.

After scrubbing in the shower, you can step out and seal in the moisture with silk - Body Silk that is. It's a cross between a lotion and an oil, and leaves your skin lusciously nourished.

They're all made with pure and natural ingredients in small batches by hand. Lunaroma offers all-natural alternatives to the leading chemical based body care products. So once you go natural, you'll never go back.

Kristen Wants to Quit Smoking, Do It Too!

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:30:06 -0800

Kristen Stewart made the first step in kicking her cigarette habit - admitting to Entertainment Weekly that she's ready to give it up, saying, "I'm going to stop smoking. I'm not such a good smoker, anyway. It's not in my bones. I'm gonna drop it." More power to the gorgeous Twilight star, and here's hoping she sticks with it. Now, if you're out to ditch your own smoking habit, read on to kick-start your plan to quit.

Get Support - If you're ready to quit, whether or not you have friends that are smokers, make your decision known. Spreading the word that you're quitting will let your friends and family know that you'll need support. If you're having a tough day, reach out to friends. Instead of caving for a cigarette break, invite a friend for a long walk, a movie, or a workout class. Having the support of your loved ones who back your decision to quit will help give you a united front against your bad habit.

Don't Underestimate the Power of the Patch (or Gum) - Forms of nicotine replacement therapy have been shown to double your chances of quitting smoking, and can help you fight the urge to light up when you're facing nicotine withdrawal, reducing your feelings of depression and restlessness.

For more ways to help you quit, read more.

Find Another Way to Relieve Stress - Since smoking can often be a way to unwind, you'll have to find a healthier outlet to relieve stress. Combat stress with an alternative that's good for the body like a yoga class, soothing massage, or aromatherapy. Natural herbal supplements like lavender, valerian, and passionflower can aid with feelings of anxiousness and help ease tension. Short bouts of exercise can help relieve cravings, too.

Don't Drink - Alcohol and smoking are social activities that seem to go hand in hand. Plus, since alcohol naturally lowers our inhibitions, it can be harder to resist the temptation of a smoke when you're out drinking. So, when you're trying to quit, it's probably best to avoid the bar scene altogether.

Get Your Fill of Fruits and Veggies - Since many smokers fear gaining weight when they quit, many choose to diet while they're trying to give it up. But it's not a great idea to limit your food intake or choices, which can leave you feeling even more irritable while you're working to quit. Instead, think of quitting in a healthier way - focus on how eliminating the toxins from cigarettes will help to purify your body, and choose healthy fruits and veggies to fill you up. You might even try juicing your servings of fruit and vegetables. The nutrient-rich juice can help to curb cravings and can even help flush toxins from the body.

DIY Gift: Heat Soothing Neck Wrap

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:30 -0800

I'm all about the holiday season, and I love giving gifts that my friends can actually use. With that in mind, I've decided to replicate my homemade neck wrap, and give the gift of easy relaxation to all my friends.

Making your own at home is super easy and inexpensive -plus your friends will love using the wrap to unwind. All you need is a sock (preferably a longer, knee sock, but most will stretch out), a bag of rice, and lavender or eucalyptus oil, or dried, if you prefer, and some ribbon and note cards (optional for decorating). To learn how to make your own great gift, just keep reading

Soap vs. Hand Sanitizer

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:50:13 -0700

It's a germy world out there, and keeping those germs off your hands is considered the best way to fight catching a cold or flu this season. We recently learned that washing your hands with cold water is just as effective as hot. We also know that anti-bacterial soaps are no more effective than regular soaps. But what about hand sanitizers? Here's a quick sketch of how soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizer compare.

Hand washing is recommended by the CDC over hand sanitizer, but if no sink is available hand sanitizer is considered second best. When hand washing, it is recommended that you work the soap into a full lather and wash for 20 seconds, which can seem like an awfully long time to scrub at the sink - many people don't wash for the recommended time. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills most most types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in a few seconds, with the recommended rubbing time being 15 seconds. In terms of time, hand sanitizer kills more bacteria in less time.

To see how soap trumps sanitizer, read more.

But here's the rub (pun intended): although hand sanitizers have been shown to reduce gastrointestinal illnesses when used in households and reduce student absences when used in school, they do not kill norovirus, which can cause acute gastroenteritis, or E. coli. Nor does hand sanitizer remove feces, blood, or dirt. This means old-fashioned hand washing is best in restrooms and kitchens, but after a sneeze, a quick wipe-down with hand sanitizer will work.

Look for hand sanitizer with 60 percent ethanol (aka ethyl alcohol) like Purell or Web MD-recommended EO Lavender Hand Sanitizer. Do you keep hand sanitizer in your purse?

Lavender oil

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:59:31 -0700

Overview

Definition
Poisonous Ingredient
Where Found
Symptoms
Home Treatment
Before Calling Emergency
Poison Control, or a local emergency number
What to expect at the emergency room
Expectations (prognosis)
References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Lavender oil is an oil made from the flowers of lavender. Lavender poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows lavender oil.

Poisonous Ingredient

Lavender oil (mainly linalyl acetate and linalool)

Where Found

In some perfumes
Used as a flavoring agent

Note: This list may not include all uses of lavender oil.

Symptoms

Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Blurred vision
- Burning pain in the throat
- Burns to the eye
Gastrointestinal
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea (watery, bloody)
- Vomiting
Lungs
- Difficulty breathing (from breathing in or allergic reaction)
Skin
- Rash

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:

Activated charcoal
Fluids by IV
Medicines to treat an allergic reaction (diphenhydramine, prednisone)

Expectations (prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Lavender oil is generally non-poisonous when breathed in during aromatherapy or swallowed. The major effects are due to allergic reactions of the skin.

References

Prashar A, Locke IC, Evans CS. Cytotoxicity of lavender oil and its major components to human skin cells. Cell Prolif. 2004;37:221-229.

Review Date: 2/27/2008

Reviewed By: Stephen C Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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