Triphala: - The Popular Ayurveda Formula For Harmony and Health
Ayurveda has been practised for over five thousand years. It is a traditional Indian healing system, which provides an integral, holistic approach. It provides guidance regarding lifestyle and food enabling the sick to recover and providing support to maintain existing health.

The philosophy of Ayurvedic medicine is founded on the belief that all diseases stem from the digestive system. Everyone is seen a unique person made up of five primary elements: -
• Earth.
• Water.
• Fire.
• Ether (space)
• Air.

There are three main characteristics or Doshas, as they are called, of these elements: -
• Vata – Ether and Wind.
• Pitta - Fire and Water.
• Kapha – Water and Earth.

These Dochas spread over the body and when balanced are responsible for sustaining health.

One of the most popular formations of Ayurveda is Triphala, which is a combination of three fruits, which are namely: -
• Terminalia Chebula - its known properties are digestive, antimicrobial, carminative, and laxative. It is a rejuvenator thought to promote long life and improve the immune system to aid disease resistance.
• Emblica Officinalis - is a rejuvenator and natural antioxidant containing the vitamins C content of twenty oranges. It calms all three Doshas. It is cooling, tonic, anti- aging, immune system booster, adaptogenic and an antacid. It is known to lower cholesterol levels, manage peptic ulcers and dyspepsia, is valuable in respiratory tract disorders, to improve hair condition and to raise protein levels and body weight.
• Terminalia Belerica – is also a rejuvenator. It’s known properties are expectorant, digestive, antispasmodic, laxative, digestive, astringent, tonic and it is valuable for respiratory disorders.

Triphala is a very popular bowel cleanser; with it there are no bad experiences like dehydration, loss of essential nutrients, abdominal cramps or pain in the calves. It is recommended for adults, children and the elderly. Triphala is useful for the digestive system where it aids, in the assimilation of food, helping to prevent flatulence and bloating and the metabolism to support weight loss and for liver function. It is helpful with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Triphala always leaves you feeling light and re-energized.
The potent antioxidant and high vitamin C content helps to protect the eyes from free radical damage and reduces the risk of cataracts forming. Triphala is used to treat conjunctivitis, protect the vascular area of the eyes and help prevent atherosclerosis.

This formula also has glucose reducing properties and its anti inflammatory nature allows it to act as a cardio tonic. Other major benefits are as a rejuvenator improving mental function, boosting the immune system and promoting long life.

Due to the anti -inflammatory and cleansing properties and its ability to expel toxins from the body, this is an extremely popular combination used in skin disorders.
Visit http://www.rawleigh-products.com

By Vincent Platania
Published: 6/28/2007
 

Some Alternative Approaches To Dealing With Psoriasis
This article explores some alternative treatments which may relieve the symptoms of Psoriasis. Some of the treatments previously considered alternate are now becoming mainstream.
In a recent survey, more than half of the people with Psoriasis said that the affect to their self-confidence was harder to handle than even the disease itself. Often psoriasis sufferer's experience fear, anger or hopelessness but treatments can properly address some of the side effects and help reduce the emotional impact. There is clear and unquestioned scientific evidence that stress triggers or aggravates psoriasis in many people. Therefore practices that offer stress reduction and relaxation can help people with psoriasis have a better sense of being in control. These techniques are not intended as a replacement for traditional approaches but seem to work best when used as a supplement.

Aromatherapy:

One of the most popular branches of alternative medicine, the word is derived from aroma meaning smell and therapy indicating healing.

Essential Oils form the basis of aromatherapy. Extracted from plants they are highly concentrated and should not be used directly but typically blended together. To reduce the potency, dilute them by mixing them with carrier oils. Oils affect your mood. Entering through the olfactory system and affecting the nervous system, oils improve mood, relax or energize us helping to alleviate stress. They also speed healing. Essential oils have cosmetic properties and are used in skin and hair care products. Many have anti-viral, antifungal and antiseptic properties. They can be inhaled, massaged onto the body, added to bath or shower or sprayed into the air.

Not all products labeled "aromatherapy" are pure and natural. Buyers must look at the ingredients within a product to ensure that the product does not contain fragrance oils or impure components. Beware of products that do not list their ingredients.

Massage:

After years as an alternative approach to relaxation, the benefits of massage are gaining increased acceptance by the medical community. Massage professionals and health care providers use it to relieve muscle tension, reduce stress and induce relaxation, also proven to relieve and manage chronic and acute pain. Psoriatic arthritis sufferers may find that massage helps relieve their joint pain. There are many types including deep tissue massage, reflexology, Swedish massage, shiatsu and acupressure. Discuss which approach will work best for you. It may also be helpful to tell the receptionist that you have psoriasis.

Meditation:

No longer just an Eastern philosophy meditation is the practice of focusing the mind continuously on one thought, phrase or prayer for a period of time. Included among the many changes due to meditation are improvement in immunity, reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow to skeletal muscles, oxygen consumption, respiratory rate, muscle tension and perspiration. One study examined the use of meditation-based relaxation tapes in psoriasis patients undergoing ultraviolet light (UV) treatments and found that some patients who listened cleared faster, even twice as fast.

Yoga:

Yoga is an applied science of the mind and body, coming from the Hindu scriptures. It does not create health; rather, it creates an internal environment that allows the individual to come to his own state of dynamic balance, or health. Yoga teaches that a healthy person is a harmoniously integrated unit of body, mind and spirit. Good health requires a simple, natural diet, exercise in fresh air, a serene and untroubled mind and awareness. It involves controlled breathing, stretching, strengthening exercises, and meditation. It is thought to promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being. All ages and physical conditions can practice yoga. The many different types are all based on the basic idea of uniting mind and body. When the body is controlled through yoga's careful positions, muscles relax and circulation improves releasing tension and stress.

Additional Therapies include: Art therapy, Electromagnetic Therapies, Guided Imagery, Progressive Relaxation, Reflexology, Spiritual Practices, Tai Chi or Visualization. Any of these help to refocus your thinking away from a preoccupation with your condition. The consequent lack of stress can offer benefits in the form of reduced symptoms.

Jeannie Neill has undertaken a lot of research regarding psoriasis and as well as being the author of several articles concerning psoriasis, has also developed the Psoriasis Treatment website.


By Sue Taylor
Published: 6/23/2007 

Is There A Liposuction Alternative?
Liposuction is considered a relatively safe procedure; however, there are many reasons why a person may seek a liposuction alternative rather than undergoing cosmetic surgery. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of surgery, if you are on medication or have a medical condition that would prevent you from having cosmetic surgery, or if you think the cost of liposuction could be too great, then there may be a liposuction alternatives for your.
Liposuction is considered a relatively safe procedure; however, there are many reasons why a person may seek a liposuction alternative rather than undergoing cosmetic surgery. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of surgery, if you are on medication or have a medical condition that would prevent you from having cosmetic surgery, or if you think the cost of liposuction could be too great, then there maybe a
href="http://www.liposuctionwebsite.com/blog/liposuction-pill/is-there-a-liposuction-pill-19/" target="_blank"> liposuction alternative for you to consider.

Medical and cosmetic research and technology are constantly providing new methods of non-invasive body sculpting without the need for surgery. Many of these alternatives produce favorable results without the potential side-effects of liposuction.

Firming Creams

There are a number of creams on the market claiming to improve the firmness and texture of the skin. Many are aimed at reducing cellulite and stretch marks. Creams containing aminophylline are sometimes claimed by their users to reduce fat deposits but there is no scientific evidence to back this, and the claim is not made by the marketers of the products.

Lipodissolve

This is one of the latest techniques in non-surgical liposuction. Developed in Europe for cosmetic purposes, it is now being used in some parts of Europe as a liposuction alternative. Lipodissolve involves injecting a combination of medications and enzymes directly into the fat, which causes the fat to be dissolved and expelled through the body’s urine. The European developers of the technique have concluded that lipodissolve is a safe method for eliminating localized fat deposits.

Mesotherapy

This method, also known as liposculpting, can provide excellent results for those seeking a non-invasive, non-surgical liposuction alternative. Mesotherapy involves small injections of a combination of natural plant extracts, medicines and amino acids into the problem areas to dissolve the fat. The fat is then eliminated from the body with other wastes. The procedure is relatively painless and does not require an anesthetic. There is no recovery time associated with mesotherapy.

Diet and exercise

Improving the diet and getting more exercise are still the best and safest ways to lose weight and change the body’s appearance. Remember that liposuction is not a weight loss method – it is a procedure to shape the body. As a
href="http://www.liposuctionwebsite.com/blog/liposuction-pill/is-there-a-liposuction-pill-19/" target="_blank"> liposuction alternative to any of the above procedures and treatment, learn to accept your body shape the way it is and learn to dress in a manner that downplays your body size.

Any of the above methods may be suitable liposuction alternatives; however, it is always advisable to seek professional advice before starting any treatment.
           By Alison Stevens
Published: 6/15/2007 

The Truth about Massage Parlors
The Truth about Massage Parlor
There are many myths surrounding the massage parlor. Many people think they are seedy places in which all manner of sexual acts takes place, but the reality of most massage parlors is very different. The massage parlor may be a spa or a location where professionals with qualified training give massages to patients as ordered by a physician.

Quick and interesting facts: A massage parlor is a place where customers can receive a massage. Sometimes it is synonymous with brothel as the term "massage" is sometimes also used as a euphemism for paid sexual favours. In many countries and regions, particularly (but not limited to), New Zealand,Northern England and Toronto some brothels advertise themselves as "massage parlours"

The Philly spa, for one, is an example of a spa that works like a massage parlor. This establishment in Philadelphia offers the professionalism of a full body massage with none of the rumored sexual overtones. Instead, the Philly spa is clean and sanitary and offers only professional massage services.

In Canada, there are Vancouver day spas that offer massage parlor experiences with full service spa resources for all customers and clients. These Vancouver day spas are very popular with many professional people who are looking to take a day off work and get some much-needed relaxation. They are also beneficial for people with prescribed medical treatment that require a certain type of spa treatment or massage technique.

Spa massage Dallas is another wonderful location to find the same massage parlor feel with the access to the full range of services of the spa. The spa massage Dallas is a wonderful locale in which to experience the service of professionals, with full privileges and services to all clients on a variety of rate scales. There are enough spa packages at this location to provide the best treatment to anyone in need.

Visitors to a massage parlor have their seedy beliefs dashed at the sight of the aforementioned spas and parlors. The services within are provided with the safest of standards and the most professional staff. There are no sexual aspects to these massage parlor locations, and the mythology of massage parlors being raunchy affairs is simple inaccurate.

A massage parlor is a great place to rest or recharge the human spirit. They can be ideal places for meetings or other gatherings, as more people are adapting to methods of cultural integrity that make it easier to do business or make deals in more relaxing locales. Many a good deal has taken place in the afternoon in the relaxing energy of a massage parlor.

If you want to find more great information on massage parlor please visit us at
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By Konstantin Volegna
Published: 6/10/2007
 

Yoga, Dogma, And Faith
Can Christians practice yoga? This article explores what yoga exercises really do, and seeks to rectify some of the misunderstandings around the subject.
I am always a bit surprised when I hear people say that yoga is offensive to some Christians. Or that someone of Christian faith cannot possibly practice yoga because it is against their beliefs, or what they have been led to believe is true. Perhaps I shouldn't be, given the way religion has been used throughout history - and continues to be used. And Christianity is certainly no different to most other religions in its' use of dogma. I simply write of it because it is these responses I have encountered both online and in some members of my extended family.

As an illustration, when I was about 20, I had practiced oki yoga with some shiatsu practitioners and yoga instructors I knew then. I was also studying shiatsu at the time, and so had a reasonable knowledge of the particular health effects associated with each type of oki yoga pose. Oki yoga was developed in Japan and has a particular emphasis on healing the body, utilizing the Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians. The meridians can be thought of as channels similar to blood vessels, in that they have a particular location on the body, and a perceivable form. But instead of holding blood, they hold energy, or 'ki'.

They don't hold the energy of a particular religious affiliation. There are not Muslim meridians, Christian meridians, Jewish meridians, Hindu meridians, Buddhist meridians, or any other particular group's. These meridians are shared by everyone who has a human biology. And the yoga exercises are simply a way of facilitating the organic flow of energy in each individual. They are designed to release any blockages, and improve the circulation of energy, in the same way that exercise does for blood.

It was in this spirit that I suggested some oki yoga exercises to my cousin when I was 20. My cousin, however, declined. That branch of my family held a particularly strict interpretation of Christianity. When her brother's girlfriend fell pregnant whilst they were both at university, her brother secretly dropped out of university to get a job to support them both, and they hid it from both of their parents. I believe they also secretly wed.

They were childhood sweethearts who were legally adults, they had sex as an act of love, were utterly devoted to each other, yet when their parents found out, he was made to apologise in front of the congregation for having sex before marriage. Their love was made into a shameful act because they broke the doctrine of sex before marriage. Incidentally, over 10 years later, they are still together.

Yoga exercises alone - without any chanting or prayer or invocation that may be associated with some yoga practices - are simply a means of healing the body. The reason that this is associated with certain faiths is that by healing the body, and improving the flow of organic energy, a clearer connection with the intrinsic spirituality we each have is facilitated. This capacity for a personal relationship to the Divine (or whatever each faith calls it), is something most of us share, though it is certainly not encouraged in the fundamentalist interpretations of all religions.

One could ask the question of why there has been this divorce between religion and spirituality in some quarters, why any means that encourages a personal relationship with the Divine is discouraged. One could perhaps surmise something about the balance of power it fosters. In this light, it is little surprise that yoga is discouraged in certain quarters. The truth of the matter is that the exercises alone will not make a Christian any less Christian. But they can help a person gain a clearer understanding of what it means to be truly spiritual, in a deeply personal way, whatever the outside religion they follow.

As the pop band U2 sung - "What more in the name of love?"

Rebecca publishes the site: http://www.yogatohealth.com
           By Rebecca Prescott
Published: 6/8/2007 

5 Types of Alternative Medicine for High Blood Pressure
Discover an alternative way to lower your high blood pressure without the use of prescription drugs and strong medicine.
If you suffer from high blood pressure, one thing you probably dread is the use of strong medicine. Some even believe that this is their only option. There are, however, many types of alternative medicine for high blood pressure. Provided here are five types of alternative medicine techniques you can use to control your high blood pressure.

1. Lose Weight and Eat Healthy

One of the most effective types of alternative medicine for high blood pressure is to lose weight. A major cause of high blood pressure is obesity, so losing weight is a great way to lower your blood pressure. This isn’t the easiest thing in the world for a lot of people. It takes dedication and consistency, but it is your health and, overall, it is your life. Losing weight involves changing your diet and getting plenty of exercise and the best time to start is now!

2. Relieve Stress

Stress can cause a lot to go wrong with your body and high blood pressure is no exception. Another type of alternative medicine for high blood pressure is simply to learn how to relax. Learn some relaxation techniques such as:

> Meditation

> Yoga

> Massage

> Music

There are many more ways to relax and apart from lowering your blood pressure, it will also improve your quality of life.

3. Magnet Treatment

This can definitely be classified as an alternative medicine for high blood pressure. Not much is known behind why this works, but copper and iron bracelets can help reduce the effects of blood pressure. There are no side effects or any type of harm that can come of it, so it doesn’t hurt to try it out.

4. Chiropractic Treatment and Acupuncture

Another great alternative medicine for high blood pressure is visiting your chiropractor. Realigning the vertebrae in the spine can reestablish the body’s balance and help you function properly. Acupuncture can help release strain on your heart. Both treatments contribute to reducing stress, therefore dramatically reducing high blood pressure.

5. Herbs and Vitamins

I’m sure you’ve heard of using supplemental vitamins for health reasons and you may even take vitamins already. This is a great alternative medicine for high blood pressure. Not only can you take supplements, but you can also increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet. This will also contribute to eating healthier, which will help you lose weight. You are looking to increase three major elements in your diet

> Calcium

> Potassium

> Magnesium

All five types of alternative medicine for high blood pressure will give you options for treating your high blood pressure other than taking strong medicine. They may not be your cure, but they can work together to help improve your quality of life and lower your high blood pressure.

KJ King
http://www.FightingHighBloodPressure.com
© 2007

By Kenny King
Published: 6/2/2007
 

Benefits Of Bikram Yoga Poses
Is Bikram yoga suitable for you? Find out what makes it different, and whether people who are pregnant or with illnesses can do it.
Bikram yoga is a type of yoga that is performed using a number of specific poses in a room heated to ninety to one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. This form of Yoga is named after its founder, Bikram Choudury, an Indian who spent some time studying with the brother of Paramahansa Yogananda, named Bishnu Ghosh.

This form of yoga, like other types, is designed to unify the mind, body and spirit, as well as to increase levels of flexibility and strength throughout the body. This is a form of exercise that has become more and more popular over the years, with many attracted to the benefits it can bring not only to our muscles, but the nervous, lymphatic, and endocrine systems.

With Bikram Yoga a series of twenty six poses is used, and these are performed in a suitably heated room using the temperatures specified above. Within this school, each of the twenty six poses is performed twice, and held for a specified time period. Amongst the Bikram yoga poses used are standing poses, back bends, forward bends, and twists.

The reason for the room being heated is because these levels of heat have been shown to improve the ability to go safely into the asanas, making the whole experience more comfortable and manageable. Bikram yoga poses can be challenging for some people, but the heat increases flexibility and makes practicing these poses and holding them as required easier. People can reach a deeper level of physical practice more quickly.

These levels of heat also increase sweating, and will help you to expel toxins from the body. They also help reduce the risk of injury during practice. The actual Bikram yoga poses themselves are designed to strengthen and stretch both the muscles and the joints, as well as ligaments. It's a style of yoga that is really geared towards providing physical health benefits.

Practicing these asanas in the Bikram style can help to increase blood circulation and reduce stress levels, as well as develop muscle tone. Because the standing poses flow together, Bikram practitioners get something of a cardiovascular workout as well, which can help with weight loss.

According to reports, this type of yoga can benefit all sorts of people, including those with illnesses and diseases such as thyroid problems, arthritis, and diabetes. They may even find that regular sessions of Bikram yoga help ease their symptoms. When Choudury was developing his style of yoga, he actually worked with scientists at Tokyo University to establish how different asanas stimulate the glands in the body. They also examined the effect of one pose moving into the next, which is why the order of the poses is considered important in this yoga. Bikram yoga has also been adapted to a practice suitable for pregnant women.

Overall, this is a physically active style of yoga that can be challenging, yet is suitable for people from beginner to experienced. The only caveat is whether you can stand the heat!

Learn more about Bikram yoga and losing weight here. Rebecca writes on the types of yoga here.
           By Rebecca Prescott
Published: 5/30/2007 

Natural and Alternative Health Remedies for Anemia & Iron Poor Blood
Anemia or iron poor blood is a condition where there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells in the body to carry sufficient amounts of oxygen to the tissues. Each of our red blood cells contains hemoglobin, an iron rich protein that gives it its red color. Hemoglobin is responsible for the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body.

If you loose too many red blood cells, destroy them before they are replaced or produce cells that are unhealthy, you can end up experiencing symptoms of anemia. Symptoms can include fatigue, chest pain, angina, shortness of breath, irritability, dizziness, light headedness, rapid heartbeat, numbness or coldness in extremities, headaches or pale skin.

Anemia can result from inherited disorders, nutritional problems (such as iron or vitamin deficiency) infections, some kinds of cancer, exposure to drugs or toxins. In fact there are over 400 different forms of anemia; however, in this article we will focus on the most common forms, iron deficiency anemia, B12 deficiency and folate deficiency.

Iron Deficiency Anemia - Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the amount of iron in the body is too low, thus affecting hemoglobin production. It is most often found where there is ongoing blood loss, such as in women with heavy menstrual periods, as well as in individuals who suffer from conditions such as bleeding ulcers, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, colon polyps or colon cancer. Other causes can include issues with absorption, where the body is unable to absorb iron from the foods we eat, or eating a diet low in iron.

In addition to iron, the body needs vitamin B12 and folic acid to produce healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these nutrients are prone to anemia as well.

B12 Anemia - There are a few reasons why someone may suffer from B12 anemia. They include the inability of the body to absorb vitamin B12, such as those with intestinal disorders which affect absorption of nutrients. The individual may also suffer from Pernicious Anemia where the body stops producing a substance called "intrinsic factor", which is needed to absorb B12 from the diet. Another cause many of us have heard of is a vegetarian diet which excludes eggs, dairy products, meat and fish – all of which are sources of vitamin B12.

Folate Deficiency - Similar in cause to B12 Anemia is folate deficiency. Folate, or folic acid is found in foods such as leafy green vegetables. Over the years, cases of folate deficiency in the US have declined, since many of the grain product and cereals we eat are fortified with folic acid. During pregnancy, however, increased levels of folic acid are necessary to prevent defects of the brain and spiral cord of the fetus.

Thankfully, there are a number of natural and alternative health remedies you can try to help restore health, healing and wholeness in your life.

Recommendations For Wellness

In addressing anemia it is important to know its cause, so talk to your doctor and ask him/her to run a blood test to evaluate your health and help you to determine what type of anemia you may have.

Excessive iron can be toxic to the body, so do not take iron supplements without first talking to your health care provider.

Eat a well balanced diet which includes a variety of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Avoid drinking coffee, tea, beer or cola drinks with your meals. They can significantly lower iron absorption. Instead, drink citrus juices or supplement with vitamin C. Vitamin C has been show to help support the body’s ability to absorb iron.

Take a high quality vitamin and mineral supplement to support any nutritional deficiencies that may be found in the body.

Herbs such as dong quai, dandelion, barley greens and alfalfa are all great sources of vitamins and minerals.

The herb yellow dock is a natural and organic source of iron as is blackstrap molasses.

Panax ginseng can be used to help counteract the fatigue experience by those who suffer from anemia.

If your anemia is associated with a B12 deficiency or folic acid deficiency, supplement with a complex B vitamin. Folic acid needs the catalysts vitamins B12 and B6 to carry out its functions effectively.

© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer – www.soulhealer.com 2007. All rights reserved.

Dr. Rita Louise, Ph D is a Naturopathic Physician & Medical Intuitive & founder of the Institute Of Applied Energetics and the host of Just Energy Radio. Let Dr. Rita assist you bringing health, healing and wholeness back into your life. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or listen live online to Dr. Rita on http://www.JustEnergyRadio.com.

By Dr. Rita Louise
Published: 5/28/2007 

Aromatherapy In Few Words
Learn all the basic information about Aromatherapy and discover its benefits. Don’t hesitate and indulge yourself with Aromatherapy Essential oils that fit to your desire and needs.
Aromatherapy is the complimentary and alternative medicine with the use of essential oils and other scented compounds from plants. It is a method which roots lie in ancient times and along with phytotherapy have the most natural healing attributes. Essential oils are the volatile part of leaves, roots, cortex, seeds and fruits of various flowers, plants and trees and are produced with special techniques of infusion, expression and distillation. Essential Oils must be properly stored in a dark, cool, dry place, in order to last as much as possible (maximum life span is 7 years).

Other liquid substances which are commonly used in Aromatherapy treatment are hydrosols and vegetable oils. Hydrosols are aromatic by-products made during the productive procedure of essential oils and can be used for skin care, compresses, house sanitization, clothes washing and more. Many pure Hydrosols are free of alcohol and other harmful substances and can be ingested after inquiring a druggist or a physician. Vegetable oils are also called base or carrier oils because are used for diluting essential oils before they are carried to the skin. Vegetable oils come from various seed and plants and cannot be vaporized like essential oils.

Aromatherapists believe that each aromatherapy essential oil has unique therapeutic properties and the appropriate use of them can be beneficial for our health. There are many medical researches which scientifically proved that Aromatherapy may produce both psychological and physiological effects. On the other hand, doctors who circumspect about holistic medicine, doubt the effectiveness of Aromatherapy.

There are many ways to use essential oils. The most common uses are external and include massages, compresses, bath, hair shampoo, facial and skin care, room and body perfume and inhales. You can indulge yourself and heal various diseases with Aromatherapy. Stress and headache relief, sleep improvement, mood boosting, hormones’ regulation, muscles’ relaxation, stimulation of the immune system, blood circulation, skin diseases’ healing are some of the most well known benefits of Aromatherapy.

Essential oils have the ability to penetrate skin and disperse throughout the body very quickly. Moreover, they are very potent substances and consequently attention must be paid, especially by inexperienced persons. Usually, aromatherapy essential oils should be used with carrier (base) oil and not be applied directly on skin. Furthermore, essential oils are often adulterated bye cheat suppliers with cheaper substances such as synthetic ingredients and alcohols and therefore they lose their therapeutic potential and can be dangerous at the same time.

Attention must be paid by people suffering from allergies, high blood pressure, epilepsy and women during pregnancy who should consult an aromatherapist before using any essential oil. Besides, aromatherapy essential oils must be very carefully used to babies and children due to their sensitivity.

You do not have to be an expert to benefit from Aromatherapy’s natural gifts. Almost everyone can start using essential oils at home by adding a pleasant essential oil in bath or by vaporizing a relaxing essential oil with an Aromatherapy burner. Experiment with your favorite oils that fit to your desire and needs, but for aromatherapy massage and other therapeutic treatments you should visit a qualified aromatherapist.

By George Kakaris
Published: 5/23/2007 

Swedish Massage Techniques
There are various massage techniques used as relaxation techniques to rejuvenate the body and mind. Among them Swedish Massage Techniques hailed as forerunners because of their immense positive benefits like decreased healing time, greater flexibility and greater stress relieving capabilities.
There are various massage techniques that are used as a therapy, or relaxation techniques that have been around since at least 4,000 BC when Hippocrates "the father of medicine" wrote about it in his medical books, suggesting that all doctors know about it.

Massage therapy today, and especially Swedish massage, is a lot more than rubbing a person’s body. It is called "bodywork" or "Somatic Therapy." There are various techniques of massage other than Swedish massage techniques, including soft tissue massage, deep tissue massage, connective tissue massage and others.

Some of the benefits of Swedish massage as well as all of the other types of massage in general are: decreased healing time, increased flexibility and range of motion, decreases mental stress and in general all types of massage have a positive effect on the whole person, physical, mental, and emotionally, thus relaxing the person and relieving the physical effects of stress on the body.

Purpose and techniques of Swedish Massage
The chief purpose of the various Swedish massage techniques is to release toxins from the muscles and to increase the level of oxygen in the blood. The results of the long strokes used in Swedish massage are a flushing of the metabolic wastes from the blood where they are eventually flushed from the body. Additionally it stimulates and soothes the nerves while at the same time provides a stretching of the muscles and a stimulation of the skin. Thus by using these techniques of massage, the whole body is stimulated, soothed and relaxed and toxins are released and the causes of stiff aching muscles are eliminated, bringing health to both body and mind.

The traditional Swedish massage techniques

1. Effleurage
It involves long strokes straight down the back from the neck to the hips with the either just the thumb pads or the whole hand. It can also be done on the limbs, but in this case it is done toward the heart beginning at the feet or hands. In this way the giver and receiver of the massage get used to the feel of the other’s body or hands. The masseuse learning the structure of the patient’s body and the patient getting used to be touched, possibly in a very different way.

2. Petrissage
It consists of a gentle lifting and squeezing of the muscles off of the bones. The kneading, squeezing or pressing of the muscles quickly releases toxins from the muscles and then circulation of both the blood and lymph system through the muscles is then increased.

3. Friction
It is the use of very deeply penetrating circular or transverse motions that work to release the knot-like adhesions in muscles and around the joints caused by tight, bound up muscles, and thus providing ease of movements in the joints and muscles. These movements are made by using either the fingertips or the thumbs.

4. Vibration or Shaking
It can be relaxing or stimulating depending on the amount of pressure applied by the therapist on the back or limbs. This can be done at the very end of the massage to assist the muscles and bones settle into place after an hour of massage. This feels very good to the patient and can be used to gently rest the body after a long massage and provide a transition time for the results of the massage to take effect.

5. Tapoment
It is used to release tight and cramped muscles and to relax any spasm by using a number of percussive type movements with the hand by striking or tapping the muscles with the fingertips or the edge of the hand.

Massage is not limited to just the shoulder, neck and back, but it is used on both the limbs and feet. It greatly assists all the body systems including the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, nervous systems and others.

Post Massage
After getting a massage, it is highly recommended the patient drink several glasses of water to eliminate the toxins that have been released. In addition, it has been found that a long hot soak in Epsom salts also aids in elimination of these toxins. Just add 2-4 cups salts into a full bath of hot water soaking for at least twenty minutes.

Drinking 4-6 glasses of water either during or after the bath is recommended to prevent dehydration. Place a cold compress on the forehead and enjoy! And like with any bath cool off with a cool shower or cloth and slowly and carefully get out of the tub for safety reasons. Sit or lay back and relax for about an hour to get the body in balance.

Cautions
Therapeutic massage should only be done by a professional, especially in cases of cancer or other patients. In cases of injury or illness a doctor should be consulted before seeking a massage. Bruises, fractures and other injuries should not be massaged in any case.
           By Jayashree Pakhare
Published: 5/14/2007