Hair Skin Nails Health

If your hair is falling out due to stress consider RhoVita

 Uncontrolled stress, in addition to a pandora's box of health problems, can also trigger an increased rate of hair loss. It is not uncommon for many to describe significantly pronounced shedding during major emotional/health/life events.

 A well documented approach to ameliorating the effects of stress on skin and hair, not to mention overall functioning, are the herbs Rhodiola and Ashwagandha.

In studies, Rhodiola rosea has been shown to reduce various stress-induced chemicals in the body to normal levels, and alleviate general and mental fatigue. In cases of stress-induced loss of libido and diminished sexual function, Rhodiola rosea can help to bring the near dead back to vibrant life.

 Although the exact mechanism of how Ashwaghanda works are not fully understood, an important action is its ability to lower blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol. In addition, studies have found taking the herbal extract produces a pronounced drop in the blood levels of C-reactive protein, a measure of inflammation within the body. In sum the “daily use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) would benefit people who are shedding hair from the effects of stress and anxiety without any adverse effects.

 L-Lysine

Many people don't realize it but hair, skin and nails are made from a type of protein. This protein, like the protein in muscles, can become compromised and damaged without proper upkeep. Providing the body with the proper building blocks to produce this protein is tantamount to maintaining healthy hair, skin and nails. L-lysine is an essential amino acid that helps build healthy proteins, and thus, helps maintain healthy, youthful hair, skin and nails. Also, L-lysine plays an integral role in the formation of collagen, which makes it even more important for taut, smooth skin. Most importantly, L-lysine cannot be manufactured by the human body and therefore must be obtained from food or supplements. Any hair, skin and nail supplement should have an amino acid of some sort, if not L-lysine itself. RhoVita contains Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Acai, Pomegranate, Bilberry, Blueberry, and Lysine


 


 If your hair is falling out and you are fatigued consider Octovite

Octovite is a unique combination of several key vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, herbs, and other nutrients that will support and maintain the health of an individual's hair, skin, and nails. This formulation will provide the extra nourishment needed to keep hair, skin, and nails strong and beautiful. Optimal health of hair, skin and nails starts from the inside and requires the proper nutrients to insure beauty and nourishment. And because beauty on the outside starts with glowing skin,

Octovite is rich in Rutin and Vitamin C, too. Rutin helps the body better utilize Vitamin C for collagen production - the primary component essential to younger, softer, more luminous looking skin. And, Rutin too may also help strengthen blood vessels, enhancing your body’s ability to deliver key nutrients necessary to keep your skin looking radiant at all times.

Vitamin A (as natural beta carotene with mixed carotenoids) and Zinc are both effective in improving one's complexion by reducing oil production and acne lesions. 

Vitamins C and E are potent anti-oxidants that counter the effects of sun exposure by scavenging free radicals.

When Vitamins A and E are taken together, studies have shown a significant reduction in Basal Cell Carcinoma, a common skin cancer that is sun induced.

 Two particular studies suggest that the oral supplementation of lutein may protect the skin from the damage induced by UVB radiation by inhibiting DNA damage and diminishing its inflammatory effects. Furthermore, the data indicate that taking lutein may have the potential to prevent UVB-induced skin cancer, at least in the animal model evaluated. Lutein is often thought of primarily as a potent eye-supporting nutrient, but exciting new research has put it at the forefront of the cosmeceutical revolution. Lutein has been demonstrated in human studies to improve skin hydration and elasticity when ingested orally in supplement form. Lutein has been shown to filter out the sun’s high-energy, blue wavelength of light from the visible-light spectrum, thus giving our skin key antioxidant protection against photo-aging.

Alpha Lipoic Acid - is an antioxidant that helps promote production of energy and regeneration which is vital in the growth of hair, skin and nails. 

Hair is composed of 8 percent L-cysteine, an amino acid. Octovite contains N-acetyl cysteine

Fish oil provides essential nutrients to the scalp and hair folicles, which will result in stronger, more durable hair.



 These supplements may be combined for maximum effect. The statements and products shown on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Those seeking treatment for a specific disease should consult a qualified integrative physician prior to using our products if possible.
 

Smoking Cessation Natural help- Supplements to consider

The American Psychiatric Association's Handbook reports that "80% of smokers desire to quit smoking, 35% attempt to quit every year, yet only 5% of smokers are successful in their unaided attempts to quit".


Symptoms associated with nicotine dependence will begin shortly after occasional use, often prior to becoming a full time smoker. When a person wishes to Quit Smoking, dramatic changes in the brain rival the magnitude and duration of similar changes seen during withdrawal from cocaine, heroin and amphetamines. Many want to Quit Smoking but find it difficult to call it a day.


There are several herbs with a traditional reputation for helping people quit smoking. These herbs exert varying effects that will ease the process of smoking cessation. Most of them can be found in either dried bulk, capsule, or liquid extract form. Follow the directions on the label for use. If using dried herbs, use them only to prepare tea, and never smoke them as a replacement for tobacco.


Female Balance Ultimate

Black cohosh: Is commonly used by women to help them stay balanced during their monthly cycle. However, it is also known to be a safe sedative that relieves nervousness and anxiety, which makes it useful for the irritability, restlessness, and nervousness associated with quitting smoking.

Korean ginseng: Is one of the most popular herbs in the world for stimulating energy and helping the body to deal with stress. This property enables ginseng to help alleviate the fatigue and anxiety related to quitting smoking. Ginseng is known to help reestablish balance in the body’s systems, which can be helpful to smokers as their bodies adjust to the absence of nicotine.


Valerian: One of the premier sedative herbs used to aid people with anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Valerian also acts as a muscle relaxant. Valerian is clearly one of the herbs of choice in smoking cessation to deal with the issues of insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety.


Motherwort: Has properties that enable it to act as a sedative, inducing tranquility in times of anxiety associated with quitting smoking.

Red clover is also an expectorant and anti-spasmodic, aiding to increase mucus productivity and clear out the lungs smoking damage. The expectorant properties make coughing more productive and more increasing the removal of tar. The tar in cigarettes, among other chemicals, builds up in the lungs over time as cigarette smoke is inhaled, decreasing lung function.

Damiana: This herb is more often used by women for increased desire, but it can also help relax. It may also help with depression, and is considered generally safe for healthy individuals.







Octocleanse

According to the American Lung Association, cigarette smoke contains more than 4,800 different chemicals, many of which can compromise optimal health. Secondhand smoke also presents a health hazard for thousands of people each year. This strategy is for smokers who want to cleanse the body and temporarily ease their desire to smoke.


Peppermint
Many smokers experience nausea and even vomiting while quitting smoking due to nicotine withdrawals. This nausea can be alleviated with peppermint tea or peppermint essential oils. Peppermint is well-known for relieving nausea but is also great for promoting relaxation but can also have an anesthetic and pain-relieving effect on the body as well.


Hyssop: Has the ability to help with clearing mucus congestion in the lungs associated with COPD. It also has been known to alleviate the anxiety and even hysteria that is sometimes associated with smoking withdrawal.






PriVita


This formula contains ingredients that may help with the withdrawal symptoms of smoking. It also contains antioxidants to help fight the damage that nicotine inflicts on the lungs.

Peppermint: Has a relaxing effect on the muscles of the digestive system, combats flatulence, and stimulates the flow of bile and other digestive juices. The volatile oil in peppermint acts as a mild anesthetic to the stomach wall, which helps alleviate feelings of nausea. If smokers are having headaches associated with digestion, peppermint may help. Peppermint also eases anxiety and tension.

Astragalus has proven its antioxidant availability, and it also helps cleanse the body of nicotine, making it a great alternative medicine treatment for smoking cessation.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa). West Coast herbalist Kathi Keville, co-author of Aromatheraph: A Complete Guide to healing Arts tells of chronic smokers who took turmeric daily as part of a research project at the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, India. Those who took turmeric eliminated three to eight times more carcinogens form their bodies as smokers who took no turmeric.

Researchers believe that the polyphenols, particularly EGCG, found in green tea may help to offset oxidative damage seen in the lungs of a smoker. Cigarette smoke contains multiple compounds that can damage healthy lung tissue - not to mention many of these compounds are known cancer causing agents. Because EGCG and the other polyphenols in green tea function are antioxidants, they may help to reduce lung damage from smoking.








Herbalith


contains Valerian, Hops, Passionflower, tryptophan, Theanine and Lithium
Many smokers say that stress triggers them to pick up another cigarette. Not only are smokers nicotine dependent, but smoking has an "obsessive compulsive" component. This formula has calming herbs like Valerian, Passionflower, and Hops. This formula also contains a small amount of Lithium and L-tryptophan. In one study, Obsessive-compulsive patients with symptoms resistant to clomipramine were treated by lithium or L-tryptophan augmentation. The improvement noted supports the hypothesis that increasing serotonergic neurotransmission ameliorates obsessive symptoms. Nicotine depletes the adrenal glands and neurotransmitters in the brain. Herbalith is a neurtransmitter balancing formula.

Passion Flower- Nervousness, anxiety, and tenseness are one of the main symptoms of quitting. Passion flower is popular with smoke cessation because it will reduce stress and calm your nervous system. There has also been multiple studies that confirms the linkage between passion flower and a dramatic lessening of stress.

L-tryptophan, is one of the 23 essential amino acids in humans, which is used for protein synthesis. It is a precursor to niacin (a vitamin used in lowering cholesterol), melatonin ( substance we produce which helps regulate the sleep and wake cycle) and serotonin ( a chemical which has been shown to improve depression). Tryptophan supplementation has been used as a sleep aid. One of the reasons we always feel relaxed after drinking a glass of milk or eating a turkey sandwich, is because both milk and turkey are high in L-tryptophan. Along the same line of thought, it is believed that L-tryptophan can play a role in assisting smoking cessation due to its relaxing properties. This hypothesis is based on the concept of connecting serotonin transmission to cigarette craving and smoking behavior.

L-theanine: a natural amino acid found small amounts in green tea and certain mushrooms. As a supplement, it crosses into the brain and completes against exciting neurotransmitters—this directly competes with nicotine. L-theanine has a wonderful calming effect with little potential for side effects and is a perfect adjunct for smoking cessation. It also improves focus and concentration. It does not cause sedation during the day, but does improve natural sleep at night. Because theanine is metabolized by the same pathways as other amino acids in the body, there appears to be little risk of tolerance and dependence.

Damiana: This herb is more often used by women for increased desire, but it can also help relax. It may also help with depression, and is considered generally safe for healthy individuals.

Schisandra soothes lungs; eases coughs.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa). West Coast herbalist Kathi Keville, co-author of Aromatheraph: A Complete Guide to healing Arts tells of chronic smokers who took turmeric daily as part of a research project at the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, India. Those who took turmeric eliminated three to eight times more carcinogens form their bodies as smokers who took no turmeric.








Rhodigandha


This product contains Ashwagandha and Rhodiola, two powerful adaptogens.

Aging, smoking and disease promote cellular degeneration, or the breakdown and death of cells, and this can be particularly dangerous when the cells in question are those in your brain. However, you can defend yourself — a study from the September 2001 issue of “Phytotherapy Research” found that ashwagandha supplementation significantly reduced the rate of cellular degeneration in the brain.


Giving up smoking can be very stressful and the adrenal glands are your main anti-stress organs. Rhodiola and the B-complex (especially vitamin B5) offer excellent adrenal support.
To help reduce the free radical damage generated by smoking, a good daily antioxidant complex is recommended. Rhodiganda contains Pomegranate, Bilberry, Acai, and Blueberry, which are excellent antioxidants.

I have noticed Rhodigandha really helps my clients with stress, especially as they stop smoking. Its effects are subtle but unmistakable. And luckily fast acting! You don't have to wait a month wondering if it will work. People usually notice it within days.






Green Cell Therapy


The blood is made acid by smoking and it is important to bring alkalinity back into the system. Green foods such as wheatgrass, barleygrass, and alfalfa can help with this process. Cigarette smoke releases poisonous heavy metals, including cadmium, into the system and Milk thistle and green foods can offer heavy metal detoxification and general liver support. Green foods and trace minerals also help to stabilise blood sugar, reducing the inevitable sugar cravings.










Nicotine Free Cigarettes were developed to act as an aid in helping smokers stop smoking and BREAK the nicotine addiction and behavioral habits that are associated with smoking, such as drinking coffee, tea, cocktails and stressful situations. Control the nicotine intake and effects, and the habits associated with nicotine can also be controlled and eliminated.



honeyrose cigarettes

zero nicotine patch



Herbs to quit smoking fall under different classifications.

* Some remedies to stop smoking address the smoker’s lungs, work to help smoker process the effects of smoking on the lungs. (Octocleanse)

* Some smoking cessation herbs work on the feelings of anxiety & depression that quitting may cause. (Female Balance Ultimate)

* Other smokers require herbal remedies to battle the insomnia that may follow quitting. (Herbalith)

* Still other herbs to quit smoking address the actual physical habit of smoking; so offer substitutes for the physical, psychological aspects of smoking. (Herbal Cigarettes)

* Finally, some stop smoking remedies work on helping the body correct cancer; heart disease promoting effects of smoking. (Privita)

These ideas can be used alone or in combination depending on your needs.

For women, Female Balance Ultimate in the AM, and Herbalith in the PM could be used, with Octocleanse or Green Cell Therapy added to hasten elimination of the toxins.

For men, Privita in the AM, Herbalith in the PM, and Octocleanse or Green Cell Therapy to hasten the elimination of the toxins.

For smokers who need help sleeping or help with appetite, try 1-2 Rhodigandha and 1-2 Herbalith nightly.

For smokers who have high cholesterol or fear weight gain, try the Octocleanse, Green Cell Therapy, and Rhodigandha combo.

The herbal cigarettes can be added for additional support.


 The statements and products shown on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Those seeking treatment for a specific disease should consult a qualified integrative physician prior to using our products if possible.

Combatting stress in pregnancy

Some scientists now believe that the effect of the life in the womb on emotional and physical health may be greater than that of the genes we inherit. The conditions in the uterus, ranging from mother's hormones to the nutrients supplied through the placenta, may significantly determine how a baby's liver, heart, kidneys, brain and mind will function during the adulthood.

Research has shown that if mothers during pregnancy ingested such substances as alcohol, cocaine, caffeine, and tobacco, they could harm their babies' physical and mental health, notably, lower the birth weight, height, and head circumference, and impair attention, memory, intelligence, and temperament. Likewise, we have known for a while that if a mother experiences excessive stress or suffers from an emotional trauma, her baby may be born with certain deficiencies which may persist into adulthood and cause more complications.

We are still trying to understand how stress and a mother's emotional state affects her unborn baby. Take, for example, a stress hormone called Cortisol. When we are under stress, we manufacture cortisol. If you experience occasional stress, cortisol doesn't create a problem. However, if you remain under stress for a long time, cortisol may be too much for your body to handle. Cortisol can cause high blood pressure problems. A mother's excessive Cortisol can reach the baby in the womb and, for example, can raise the baby's set point for blood pressure forever. In turn this baby, later in life, could be more prone to high blood pressure.

Many mothers during pregnancy face extremely stressful circumstances. Others are confronted with such unhealthy situations as the break-up of their relationship, physical or emotional abuse, open infidelity, job stress, and financial worries. These mothers experience constant stress, shame, loneliness and, sometimes, clinical depression during pregnancy or after giving birth.

The babies of these mothers are exposed to a variety of stress hormones, toxins and malnutrition inside the womb. Some may later become hyperactive, inattentive, or temperamental and exhibit poor self-control. Many of these children are later medicated with Ritalin or antidepressants. Not everyone understands that the problems a child exhibits today may have resulted from events that occurred several years ago. Could there be a link to stress in pregnancy and autism? As time goes on and our lives become more stressful, the incidence of this condition seems to be rising. A definitive cause for autism has not been established.

There are limited resources for people who have anxiety and depression, and people suffering from stress are often unsure of where to go for help. In addition, when referred for therapy, many feel embarrassed and do not want to admit the need for psychological consultation. Their partners or families may not encourage them to seek help because the problem it is not seen as a medical one. Doctors may be reluctant to prescribe psychiatric medications because of pregnancy or breast-feeding considerations.

Thus, a woman in such a situation suffers alone and remains isolated from her support system. She is expected to transcend all such adverse circumstances, and some do. Others don't have the emotional strengths to cope. Some have struggled with depression and anxiety all their lives. Moreover, even when they are seemingly coping with the excessive stress, they might still be constantly producing stress hormones and toxins and some will reach the baby in the womb.

Could maternal stress in pregnancy cause physical malformations? Maternal stress is also linked with imperfections in the developing nervous system which can lead to problems of perception, thinking, and memory. People who are stressed in pregnancy are more prone to postpartum blues and depression which could have consequences for mother/infant bonding.

All of us want happy children. Happy children grow out of happy babies. Happy babies are born to happy mothers. Therefore, partners, families and friends of expectant mothers should do their best to make an expectant mother happy and relaxed. If she is depressed, nervous, or tense, encourage her to seek help. I have tried to create this blog to point women in this situation to tools that can help and educate them. Please talk to your doctor. Join a support group. You are not alone.

Other things to consider:

1. Relax in a bath. It doesn't have to last an hour. A ten minute bath can help you sleep, and a well rested person can deal with stress better than a tired person. Pregnancy relaxing bath

2. Make sure your prenatal supplement contains Omega 3/fish oil/DHA. Pregnancy vitamin with DHA/Omega3 Not only is it good for your baby's brain development, but it can help your mood.

3. Listen to an uplifting CD. Affirmations are available on CD affirmation cd pregnancy and can be downloaded to your IPOD, iPhone, or portable music device. Also consider religious music.

4. Exercise naturally elevates your endorphin levels. Ask your doctor if yoga or walking are Pregnancy walking exercise video appropriate for you.
Click here to order pregnancy yoga video