Holistic Therapies For You |
www.holistictherapies4u.co.uk |
| Croydon Tel: 07721864774 • Email: cheryl.cockcroft@virgin.net | 9th September 2010 |
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Interested in improving your families health, I am!Our bodies internal and external environment is largely responsible for our health and well being. What we eat, drink, breath and absorb through our skin all affects our health. Our skin is the bodies largest organ and absorbs 60% of what we put on it, our lungs absorb what we breath and our stomach and intestines absorb what we eat and drink, this all get passed on through our blood to all of our organs, when the body does not know what to do with a substance such as a pesticide or additive it simply packs it off to our poor old liver to detoxify. Whilst many people are becoming more aware of healthier eating and sensible drinking, we should also consider what we put on our skins and use to clean our homes as this all eventually can cause adverse health problems. No one knows nor has yet tested what the chemical cocktail in our everyday lives is actually doing to our health. If you or a member of your family suffer with asthma, eczema or allergies, headaches, migraine or digestive disorders or you have children who become hyperactive after consuming artificial food colourings and preservatives then I would strongly recommend you start to look at your diet and lifestyle and start making some changes. Many people are looking for a healthier more natural life style for them selves, their families and future generations but just don't know where to start! Where to start: The first two steps to a healthier future: Step 1: Try to eat fresh seasonal locally produced and where possible organic fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, poultry and fish. Replace refined carbohydrates with wholegrains such as wholemeal bread, rice & pastas. Limit your intake of processed and refined foods, which have little or no nutrients by the time you eat them. They are probably full of hydrogenated, trans fats, artificial preservatives, colourings and sweeteners that our bodies neither want or know what to do with. Limit your consumption of tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol. Caffeine is a stimulant and can be responsible for those highs and lows in our moods and very often one of the causes of many health problems such as IBS, headaches and migraines. Tannin in black tea and some red wines interferes with the absorption of iron from our food so should be avoided around meal times, especially by those who suffer from Anaemia. Phosphoric acid in fizzy drinks leaches calcium from our diet which is needed for healthy bones and teeth, particularly important during pregnancy and breast feeding, for young growing children and menopausal women as insufficient calcium can cause bone density with bones becoming brittle and fracturing easily (Osteoporosis). Alcohol not only effects our brains and our liver but also inhibits absorption of nutrients especially B vitamins, thiamin B1, folate B9. Particularly important if you are trying to conceive and in early pregnancy. Smoking I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that smoking is a major cause of cancer, heart and lung disease, but also depleates nutrients from your diet especially Vitamin C. Hints & tips: Drink water: Try to drink 6 - 8 large glasses of water a day (up to 2 liters for an adult) to keep the body hydrated and help the liver keep us detoxified. You will soon start to see a difference in your skin and may even loose some weight as a result of feeling less hungry between meals. Invest in a filter jug to cut down on the amount of plastic bottles you dispose of. Plan menus: You can make quick simple nutritious meals for your family in less than 30 minutes and if you plan your menus and shopping you will also save money and not end up with a fridge full of food your not sure what to make with and is going out of date. Step 2: Take a look at the products in your fridge, kitchen cupboards, bathroom, makeup bag and even your first aid box! Take a look at the list of ingredients in your food, drink and medicines, kitchen and bathroom cleaning products, your shampoos, shower, bath and beauty products its a bit of an eye opener when you see the list of artificial additives, colourings and sweeteners and the cocktail of other chemicals. Friends of the earth suggest the two main groups of chemicals we should be most concerned about are bio accumulative, those that build up in our bodies and environment and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) commonly know as gender bender's which can affect our body's hormone balance. For more information take a look at www.foe.co.uk There are thousands of man made chemicals, here are just a few of the most common to look out for: Aluminium Chlorohydrate: Used in antiperspirants & deodorants, aluminium & chlorine are both human toxins and may have links with breast cancer. Ammonium Laureth Sulfate(ALES): Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Used as a foaming ingredient in shampoos, body washes & cleansers, may cause eye and skin damage resulting in skin irritation, eczema and dermatitis, and may be linked to cancers. Parabens: Used as preservatives in many cosmetics & cleaning products, there is evidence suggesting links to breast cancer and is thought to have estrogenic activity linked to male fertility problems. One of the (EDC), gender bender chemicals. Perfume: Used to make artificial fragrances in skin care and household products. Created by mixing a cocktail of hundreds of complex chemicals and has been linked to asthma, allergies, nervous system & immune system toxicity, infertility and cancers. Phthalates: Added to PVC plastics making it more pliable also added to some cosmetics. It has been banned in the EU in the use of toys for the under 3's. Thought to be a bio accumulative and endocrine disruptive chemical(EDC)Yet another of those gender bender chemicals. These are just a few of the thousands of man made chemicals which affects our health and environment. Hints & tips: Start by changing to ECO friendly products or have a go at making your own. Try using soda crystals, bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice and vinegar to keep your home clean and fresh. Need a hand with your cleaning but concerned about the chemicals that may be used. Look no further Kingswood Cleaning Services are an ECO friendly company based in Croydon. They will even supply you with their eco products for you to used in your home. Why not give Annette and her friendly efficient team a call 020 8916 2082 or take a look at their website. www.kingswoodecocleaning.com If there's one product you change in your makeup it should be your lipstick and gloss, not only does your skin absorb it but you also ingest it. There are some great ones out there to try that are free from harmful synthetic preservatives, fragrances and petrochemicals. Use a few drops of essential oil of tea tree, lavender or Eucalyptus as there natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral & anti fungal actions will work as a disinfectant around the home. Make your own room fresheners with essential oils such as lavender, geranium, rose or use citrus oils. Just add a few drops to warm water and vapourise or invest in an aroma stone. Not only do citrus oils freshen a room they also act as airborne antiseptics and insecticide keeping your home clear of insects and flies without the use of nasty chemicals. Your Natural First Aid kit: Aloe Vera: The soothing healing anti inflammatory actions of aloe Vera gel are invaluable for calming the skin, great for calming sunburn. Arnica: Arnica cream is excellent for reducing pain and bruising on unbroken skin, arnica gel will ease a sprain and is one of the best natural anti rheumatic and arthritic joint aids. The homeopathic remedy is excellent for trauma and shock following an accident, surgery and child birth. Bach rescue remedy: This flower essence helps ease both physical or emotional trauma, excellent for anxiety helping you return to a calm balanced state. Calendula ointment or cream: One of the best soothing and healing ointments it is also antiseptic and anti inflammatory excellent for irritated inflamed skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. Manuka honey: Manuka honey from New Zealand has antibacterial properties and is excellent for soar throats and tickly coughs. It is graded by its UMF unique manuka factor +10 - +15 is very effective. Take a teaspoon full to sooth a soar throat or a tickly cough or put a spoon full into a cup of hot water and add the juice of half a freshly squeezed lemon. It is also very effective on wounds such as ulcers and can be used in skin care on eczema, spots and acne. Lavender essential oil: (Lavandula angustifolia) No home should be without it, the most versatile of all the essential oils. It's analgesic & anti inflammatory actions make it excellent to use as a compress on an injury, it's antimicrobial & antibacterial actions make it an excellent choice for helping to heal burns & wounds, insect bites and also works as a repellent. It has also been shown in tests to be effective against MRSA. It also has a calming and uplifting effect on the mind making it an excellent antidepressant lifting mental fatigue, a drop massaged into the forehead and temples will help relieve a headache. Tea tree essential oil: (Melaleuca alternifolia) Another first aid kit essential its main uses are it's antimicrobial, antiviral and anti fungal actions making it one of the best oils for skin infections it can be used neat on incest bites, spots, acne, athlete's foot and verrucae, it can also be added to warm water as a foot soak. Clinical research has proven it's activity against a range of microbes such as MRSA, E coli, Candida species. It should be noted that over use by hypersensitive individuals may cause sensitisation and should be used with cation by people with eczema and dermatitis. If this information has been of interest to you you may be interested in my Home-care plus service, to help you get started on a healthier and more environmentally friendly lifestyle for you and your family. Recommended reading: Next time your in your local library have a look out for .... Toxic Childhood: by Sue Palmer. ISBN 0-75287-359-8 Every parent or person who cares for children should read this book, excellent evidence based informative read. New optimum nutrition bible: by Patrick Holford. ISBN 0-7499-2552-3 For anyone interested in improving their health through optimising nutrition. Food is better medicine than drugs: By Patrick Holford & Jerome Burne. ISBN 0-7499-2797-6 This book really is the next one to read if the optimum nutrition bible has got you interested in improving your health, it really is a prescription for drug free health. "Let food be thy medicine, let medicine be thy food" Hippocrates 460 - 370 BC. Not on the label: by Felicity Lawrence. ISBN 0-141-01566-7 If after reading this book you still can't see any reason to make changes in the way you shop for your family then your probably beyond help. A slice of organic life: by Sheherazade Goldsmith. ISBN 978-1-4053-1775-7 This book is a joy to read, there's something in it for everyone in the family. Recommended websites: Want to know which foods, drinks and medicines contain artificial colourings and preservatives take a look at: www.actionadditives.com Looking for a local ECO friendly cleaning company: www.kingswoodecocleaning.com* Concerned about PVC plastics and chemicals in your childrens toy's then take a look at Little Cherry eco friendly party supplies:, they supply every thing from compostable plates, bowles and biodegradable balloons, party bags and gifts to organic soft toys. www.littlecherry.co.uk Want to find out more about environmental issues go to: www.foe.co.uk Interested in finding out more about organic farming, foods and skincare take a look at: www.soilassociation.org |
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