April 28th, 2013 • Posted by Jenniferalise Patterson • Permalink
April showers bring May flowers......along with insects, allergies, bug bites and burns (to name a few).
Aromatherapy mixtures are a cheap, all natural, safe and effective alternative to chemicals and pesticides, producing long lasting, holistic results.
A few season specific recipes are below:
Flea & Tick Repellent (for Humans and Dogs)
8oz. Spray Bottle
7oz. Filtered Water
1 Teaspoon Vodka or Rubbing Alcohol
10-12 Drops of Each Essential Oil:
Rose Geranium Oil
Citronella Oil
Lavender Oil
Lemon Oil
Eucalyptus Oil
Mix all ingredients and shake well before use. Keep stored in a cool, dark place.
Mosquito & Insect Repellent
8oz. Spray Bottle
7oz. Filtered Water
1 Teaspoon Vodka or Rubbing Alcohol
10-12 Drops of Each Essential Oil:
Clove Oil
Citronella Oil
Lemon-Eucalyptus Oil
Patchouli or Cinnamon Oil
Mix all ingredients and shake well before use. Keep stored in a cool, dark place.
Bee Stings & Insect Bites
Cool Compress (not ice)
Square Gauze or Several Cotton Rounds
Mix Together:
1 Teaspoon Cider Vinegar
3 Drops Each:
Lavender Oil
Chamomile Oil
Thyme Oil
Eucalyptus Oil
Soak Gauze or Cotton Rounds in Vinegar/Oil Mix. Apply to infected area. Apply Cool Compress on top of Gauze. Leave on for 15min.
Sunburn Relief
Mix Together:
1oz. Pure Aloe Vera Gel
4 Drops Lavender Oil
1 Drop Peppermint Oil
1 Drop Spearmint Oil
Apply to burn. Do not rinse off.
Allergen Carpet Deodorizer
Mix Together:
16oz. Box Baking Soda
10 Drops Lemon Oil
20 Drops Lavender Oil
5 Drops Peppermint Oil
Add to Shaker Can (such as an old carpet deodorizer can or spice container)
Sprinkle mix onto carpet. Let sit for 20 minutes and then vacuum. Be sure to empty canister or vacuum bag.
The recipes above have been contributed by Jenniferalise Patterson of SML Massage and Spa.
If you have any Aromatherapy recipes you would like to share and have featured on our Facebook page, please e-mail us at info@smlmassageandspa.com
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April 17th, 2013 • Posted by Jenniferalise Patterson • Permalink
Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:
It is found that a mix of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus.Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:
HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.
ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.
BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder....who knew?
CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too!
UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.
GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.
INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.
RASPY OR SORE THROAT:
When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.
PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.
FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.
BAD BREATH:
People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.
Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!
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March 22nd, 2013 • Posted by Jenniferalise Patterson • Permalink
Most massage therapists see clients suffering with low back pain that continues down the leg, but few can accurately determine if the pain is caused by Sciatica, Piriformis Syndrome or both.
To effectively treat either (or both) one must first be educated as to the difference between the two.
Sciatica
Refers to irritation of the sciatic nerve, that arises from nerve roots in the lumbar spine. The
most common cause of sciatic nerve irritation, or "true" sciatica is
compression of one or more of its component nerve roots due to disc
herniation or spinal degeneration in the lower lumbar region. Sciatica
usually begins with spasms, sharp pain or numbness in the hip and buttock area and may extend down the
entire leg to the ankle and foot.
Piriformis Syndrome
Also known as "pseudo-sciatica" (meaning "false
sciatica"), is actually referral pain and other symptoms (tingling, burning) caused by tightness and knots of contraction in the
piriformis muscle, which runs from the upper femur bone to the edge of
the sacrum, the triangular pelvic bone that is below the lumbar spine.
The symptoms of piriformis syndrome are very similar to true sciatica and may be an ailment in conjunction to such.
So, how can a qualified Therapist tell which one it is?
An extensive assessment, along with particular range of motion techniques will distinguish sciatica from piriformis syndrome in the majority of cases (when the
problem is one versus the other and not both conditions at the same
time).
A few of these techniques are listed below
- First, in a seated position, straighten the leg on the painful
side (so that the leg is parallel to the floor). If the sciatica
symptoms increase, this is usually a sign of true sciatic nerve
irritation.
- The second maneuver is done in two parts.
First, from
the sitting position one bends the leg and pulls the knee on the
painful side towards the same-side shoulder. In all but the most severe
cases, there is usually no major increase in pain in this position.
The
second part of the maneuver is to pull the knee toward the opposite
side shoulder. An increase in the sciatica-like symptoms when performing this is indication of piriformis syndrome.
- In the supine position, the affected side’s foot will rotate outward, indicating piriformis syndrome.
- In the prone position, when doing a range of motion (ROM) test for the external hip rotators, if the leg is 30-degrees or less than this indicates piriformis syndrome.
- If the leg is 50-degrees and hip begins to rise than this indicates Sciatica.
To schedule an accurate assessment, contact Jenniferalise Patterson at 540-300-0398
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