DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A LITTLE MORE ABOUT

NUTRITION FOR YOUR SKIN?

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE WAYS

TO DEAL WITH ECZEMA & ALLERGIES?

On this page you will be able to find all the currently posted and previously posted Articles including the Recipes, Natural 'Safe' Products, Alternative Therapies etc. 

The articles are listed under their respective headings to make it easy for you to find what you are looking for. 

Check out some of the articles, have a read ...

I'd love to hear your feedback.

REALLY TASTY PORRIDGE

Now, now, don't roll your eyes or tch tch or go eewww ...

Porridge doesn't have to be bland and boring.  It makes a highly nutritious start to your day; it only takes  5-10 minutes to prepare and cook and you can add any number of delicious flavours to it to create a delicious morning meal.

If you start your day with a fast, easy and delicious meal such as this, you will be covering some very important nutritional 'must haves' for the day ...

Oats provides - beta-glucan, fibre, skin repair, is immuno-supportive and a bad cholesterol reducer; Amaranth is chock full of - protein, amino acids lysine and methionine, dietary fibre as well as iron, phosphorus, copper, calcium, manganese and silicon. Cinnamon offers Vitamins C & K; Nutmeg aids  digestion; Vanilla for the nervous system and Maple Syrup offers extras such as Potassium and  Magnesium as well as Vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacin.  Add to that your recommended 2 serves of fruit per day and WOW ... ... what an easy, tasty and very nutritious way to start your day. 

You won't be looking for a sugar hit by mid morning! 

 NOW, THIS IS HOW YOU MAKE PORRIDGE!

The quantities in this recipe will do one or two people or keep some for brekky tomorrow!

Start with:                                           Add flavour  with:

approx 1 cup Rolled Oats                     1/4 tsp cinnamon              1 TBspn Maple Syrup

¼ cup Amaranth Cereal                       Pinch of nutmeg                 Splash of vanilla extract

around 2 Cups water  

• Amaranth is optional of course

Cooking your porridge ...

• Place all the above ingredients into a pot
• Put it on a hotplate. Bring to the boil and then turn the heat down a little so as not to burn your brekky.
• Keep your porridge stirred. You'll know it's cooked when the oats have softened and the mixture looks creamy - around 5 minutes.

NOW THE REALLY TASTY PART ...

• Turn the heat right down and ADD YOUR CHOICE OF FRUIT. You only need to stir the fruit in for a few minutes to warm it through your porridge.

NOTE:  If you are adding grated Apple and/or Pear, grate the fruit into the pot at the start with all the ingredients so it cooks well and releases some of its juice.

Adding fruit will give you the recommended one to two servings of fruit for the day depending on what you add as well as jazz up your porridge!  Berries, especially blueberries are a great natural antioxidant

Some Fruity ideas:

• Grate a small apple or ½ a large apple
• Try Pear - it's just as tasty
• Add a handful of seasonal Mixed Berries - Frozen berries are always in season! Definately my Favourite
• Peaches - fresh or goulburn valley sliced peaches - roughly chop or smash up with a potato masher ... ... Goulburn Valley brand peaches have no preservatives
• ½ a passionfruit - if you don't like the seeds, just strain the pulp
• Mango - mmmmmmmmmm ... roughly chop or smashed
• Apricots - fresh or bottled - check for no preservatives - roughly chopped or smashed
• Try adding a combination of two of the fruits ie.,
  1. peaches and passionfruit;
  2. Mango & apple;
  3. Pear & apple;
  4. Peaches & mango;
  5. Apple & passionfruit;
  6. Apricots & pear
  7. Mango & Passionfruit
  8. Your favourite fruit

What about Sultanas!  ... You could try Sultanas and Pecans (roughly chopped) - add with the dry ingredients so as to cook and soften a little.

... ... CREATE YOUR OWN SIGNATURE COMBINATION ... ...

Serve your brekky hot and add a little more Maple Syrup over the top if you like things sweet.

So you see - Porridge can be very very tasty.

Not only is the mix of Oats, Amaranth, sweet Spices and Fruit really yummy, it is an extremely nutritious way to start your day; full of vitamins, m inerals and antioxidants.

You will certainly kick start your metabolism and energy levels for the morning.  Best of all you can cook and eat your breakfast inside of 15 minutes.

So, let's look at the 'The Queen of Grains' a little closer and see just why Rolled Oats or Porridge is a great breakfast and an easy way to nourish your skin from the inside-out.

OATS (Botanical name Avena Sativa)

The humble Oat is perhaps the most nutritious of all the grains and has been referred to as the "Queen of Grains'.  Oats have been around for a long time, dating back to around 2,000 B.C. in the Middle East and back to around 1,000 B.C.in Germany. Recent research has focused on the ability of the oat to reduce blood cholesterol.  High in fibre, oats are an effective laxative and also feature Protease Inhibitors(an enzyme that breaks down proteins) - a combination that has been found to inhibit certain cancers. 

In laboratory studies reported in the August 2004, a compound discovered in Oats called Beta-glucan was found to significantly enhance the human Immune System's response to bacterial infection. Beta-glucan not only helps Neutrophils (the most abundant type of non-specific immune cell) navigate to the site of an infection more quickly but also enhances its ability to eliminate the bacteria it finds there.  According to study leader, Jonathan Reichner (of the Department of Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University), priming Neutrophils with Beta-glucan helps these Immune defenders quickly locate the bacterial mother-load within infected tissue. This more rapid response to infection results in faster microbial clearance and healing.

Since our non-specific Immune defenses are the body's first strike forces against invading pathogens, starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal may boost your Immune response in addition to your morning energy levels.

OAT-FACTS

• Beta glucan, a soluble fiber in whole oats, stimulates repair of skin cells. It may help reduce wrinkles, protect against UV damage, help heal wounds and improve hair strength.
• Oat beta-glucan increases immune function which decreases the risk of herpes virus infection.
• Oat beta-glucan reverses chemically-induced immuno-suppression.
• Oat beta-glucan improves immune function and enhances resistance to parasites.
• Oat beta-glucan improves multiple immune functions and increases resistance to staph infection(Staphylococcus aureus).

MORE NUTRITIOUS FACTS

Amaranth

Amaranth is an exceptionally complete protein.   It contains protein and amino acids lysine and methionine.  Amaranth's amino acid/protein profile is even higher than that found in meat and other animal products. Amaranth provides a good source of dietary fibre as well as iron, phosphorus, copper, and especially manganese.  It contains more calcium and the supporting calcium co-factors - magnesium and silicon - than milk. It has a cooling thermal nature, a bitter sweet flavour; it dries dampness and benefits the lungs.

Several studies have shown that like Oats, Amaranth seed may be of benefit for those with hypertension and cardiovascular disease; regular consumption reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while improving antioxidant status and some immune parameters.  It is especially helpful for those with consistently elevated nutritional needs such as pregnant and nursing women, children and those who do heavy physical work as well as those with auto-immune conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, allergies etc.  Health workers have reported that in parts of Africa and Latin America where it is eaten, there is no malnutrition.

Amaranth was used in several Aztec ceremonies, where images of their gods were made with Amaranth mixed with Honey. The images were cut to be eaten by the people. This looked like the Christian communion to the Roman Catholic priests, so the cultivation of the grain was forbidden for centuries.

Because of its importance as a symbol of indigenous culture, and because it is very palatable, easy to cook and its protein particularly well suited to human nutritional needs, interest in the grain Amaranth was revived in the 1970s.

It was recovered in Mexico from wild varieties and is now commercially cultivated. It is a popular snack sold in Mexico City and other parts of Mexico, sometimes mixed with chocolate or puffed rice, and its use has spread to Europe and other parts of North America.  

Amaranth and quinoa are called pseudo-grains because of their flavor and cooking similarities to grains and both contain exceptionally complete protein from plant sources.

EXTRA NUTRITIONAL TIPS

Cinnamon-Balances out your blood sugar levels; rich in calcium, iron, manganese, fiber and Vitamins C & K.

Nutmeg- A very good source of manganese, can enhance digestion, supports the adrenal glands and assists the nervous system.

Vanilla- Nerve stimulant and Aphrodisiac.

Maple Syrup - A source of Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Manganese as well as Vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacin.

Information sourced from Department of Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, and other internet searches using the words ‘oats' and ‘skin nutrition.'  As well as Websites -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranto, ww.alfalfahouse.org/html/PRODUCTS/SPECIFIC_PRODUCTS/amaranth.htm, www.peertrainer.com, lowcarbdiets.about.com

 MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE ... NATURALLY!

I have searched high and low for the perfect moisturiser for my super sensitive and seriously dry Eczema skin and in my desperation I had to come up with something myself.  It seemed to me that my body and my skin were not producing natural oils; therefore the logical thing (in my mind) to apply to my skin was ...Oil.

Initially I started with Olive Oil and Lavender.  I found the olive oil too heavy on my skin and too strong an aroma so I started researching Aromatherapy and Essential Oils.  I needed a moisturiser that would NOT irritate my sensitive skin but would soothe and nourish, hydrate, protect and heal my skin; something that would also help repair old and new damage. 

An added factor for me is that I am not getting any younger.  My skin is now older and classed as mature skin and it has some different requirements than younger skin, although this moisturiser is suitable for both. I cannot stress to you enough the importance of moisturising your skin. If I were to give you only one important piece of information today it would be exactly that ...

MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE! ...

EVERY day, at  least twice a day; as often as you need ...  I would hope that your doctor has told you the same. 

Sorbolene Vs Nature

The difference between your doctor and me is what each of us would recommend to you.  No doubt your doctor, specialist or health care professional would be recommending Sorbolene Cream or some other Aqueous Cream to you. 

I was bought up on Sorbolene and Aqueous creams and right up to the day I stopped using them, they irritated my skin.  Apart from that I would find myself going through a litre or more each week, it never seemed to provide enough moisture to my skin and each person I have ever spoken to with eczema says the same thing, it irritates their skin condition.

The recipe for sorbolene cream has changed dramatically over the last 40 years and at this point is really quite a cocktail of chemicals passing for a moisturiser!  Sorbolene Cream is a petro-chemical or mineral oil product.  It contains many chemical additives that are known to have adverse side effects especially on prolonged or repeated contact and particularly on sensitive skin.  Check out my report on Sorbolene Cream on this website ... I'm sure you'll find it very interesting and more than a little disturbing!

Natural Moisturising Alternatives

Personally, I'd recommend you use a product that is completely natural and purely plant based.  There are some excellent natural plant based creams on the market (in health food shops and online) as well as some good animal based products, such as Emu Oil products which many others have had success with. 

My skin does not tolerate animal-based products or the petro-chemical based products, so my Blend DO NOT contain animal or petro- content at all. There are NO chemicals or synthetic preservatives or artificial colour and fragrance.   

TRISHA'S BLEND BAOBAB BODY BUTTER

Moisturising Cream

Made with TLC (Trisha’s Loving Care) this Moisturiser Blend contains exotic butters and essential oils, I also decided to develop this blend with NO nut oils because so many people have sensitivity or allergies to nuts.  

During my research for something quite unique and specific toward eczema skin, I came across The Baobab Tree also known as "The Tree Of Life."  It is well known in Africa for its healing properties not only on the skin in particular but also the Baobab fruit has been used as food and a medicinal plant, for hundreds of years. Its bark has strong fibres and is used to make rope and fabrics.  The Fruit contains high levels of Vitamin C, calcium and dietary fibers. Recent studies have shown that baobab fruit is an excellent antioxidant and has probiotic properties. 

For generations, Baobab Seed Oil has been known for its skin healing properties. It is particularly good with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.   It is known to be a superb skin moisturiser and it absorbs quickly without leaving an oily residue.

Baobab seed oil is rich in Omega-3, -6 & -9 Fatty Acids. These fatty acids are important in the maintenance of healthy skin. It also contains Vitamin D, Palmitic, Oleic and Linoleic acids.  Topical applications have shown to alleviate chronic dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. 

I have also used Kokum Butter in this blend.  It has the ability to soften skin and heal ulcerations and fissures of lips, hands and soles of feet. Kokum butter helps reduce degeneration of the skin cells and restores elasticity.

I have discovered that the combination of these two ingredients as well as the inclusion of 4 carrier/essential oils and natural Vitamin E has proved to be an extrememly good healing Moisturiser on my eczema skin. 

This Moisturiser is my personal Favourite.

FEEDBACK...

Hi Trish

I received my order (Baobab Body Butter) on Monday and straight away tried it on my little boy’s skin at lunch time, then put more on before he went to bed and more after his bath this morning and the eczema has just about completely gone.

I did what u said and have been bathing him in manuka honey and together it works a treat.

Thank you for all your advice… I am so excited that something has finally worked, I bragged about it to the mums in my mother’s group as some of their little ones have eczema too, so you should get some more orders coming from this way.

Donna & a very happy Max (11 weeks old)

TRISHA'S BLEND 100% NATURAL MOISTURISING BALM

Has been developed exclusively from plant derived materials. Each natural ingredient has been specially selected for its unique properties and actions on dry, mature and eczema skin.  Some of the ingredients have natural preservative qualities of their own as well as having their own subtle aroma, so no added fragrance is necessary.   I have added natural Vitamin E for its action on the skin and as an extra preservative. 

You don't have to have eczema to use this Moisturiser.  It is a 100% Natural Moisturising Alternative to sorbolene creams.

This  Moisturiser Blend contains natural Butters of the Shea and Cocoa plants; a combination of 7 cold pressed and essential oils (including two Nut oils (not peanut)).

For those of you with sensitivity to nuts, perhaps the Baobab Butter which DOES NOT contain nut oils would be more suitable for you.

Soothing & Nourishing - NATURAL SKIN NUTRITION -  

Trisha's Blend Baobab Butter & Trisha's Blend 100% Natural Moisturising Balm 

THE INGREDIENTS LIST

Unlike chemical moisturisers, you'll be able to pronounce each ingredient name.   I have listed the properties of some of the ingredients for your information.

Both Moisturisers are packed with skin nutrition.

I have given samples of my Blends to a number of friends, some dealing with eczema issues, some with dry skin, and some with mature skin; even one friend with normal skin and including ages ranging from infant to elderly.  The feedback has been so positive it confirmed my decision to make these moisturisers available to others facing this condition and frustrated by the search for a suitable Moisturiser.  These products have been tested by Family & Friends no animals. 

I understand how difficult it is to try something new on your skin.  I encourage you to simply try a small 50gr jar before spending too much money.  Try it on your hands or a small test patch somewhere on your body for a few days to see how your skin responds before smothering yourself with it.  It is always wise to patch test any new moisturiser or cosmetic on your skin.  If you have a negative response to this moisturiser simply wash it off with warm water. 

The properties of some of the ingredients looks like this :  

 Add to these my special Blends of cold pressed and Essential oils. 

These combinations create moisturisers with the following attributes and actions on the skin.  Each attribute has been specially considered as an important ingredient in these soothing, nourishing, repairing and hydrating moisturisers for your eczema skin.

How to keep ...

Light, heat and oxygen destroy natural oils, so all your oils (including cooking oils) should be stored in a cool dark place, such as your pantry, bathroom cabinets or the linen closet.  I would suggest that if you live in a very warm climate you store it in the refrigerator. The exotic butters/oils used in this blend will all melt upon contact with the skin and will definitely melt in the warmer climates and solidify in colder temperatures. 

Keeping it in the fridge also helps to keep the oils stable and lasting longer.  During summer especially, I find that applying my moisturiser cool from the fridge is cooling on my skin which is helpful during very hot weather.  As a part of this condition, there are a lot of times where my body and skin feel quite hot, even on a cold day so applying a cool Moisturiser is, in itself cooling and soothing. 

If your Moisturiser should melt in the heat, simply put it in the freezer for a little while to solidify it.  Cooling it quickly will stop it from becoming grainy.

When you receive your moisturiser, you will notice it is in an Amber coloured PET jar.  The darker coloured jar protects the butters/oils from light which is one of the three things (light, heat and oxygen) that will destroy the quality of this natural product, so keeping your moisturiser (lid on) in a cool dark place should avoid this. 

How to use ...

You will also receive with your moisturiser a little plastic spatular or applicator.  Use this to dip into your cream so that you do not contaminate your moisturiser with bacteria from your hands or under your fingernails.  I would recommend that you always wash your hands before applying moisturiser and keep your little applicator clean.

As mentioned the butters/oils used all melt upon contact with the skin, so to apply your Moisturiser, rub it between your hands (to melt the butters/oils) for easy smooth massage into your skin.   Melting it in your hands will make a little bit of moisturiser go a long way.

You can use this moisturiser all over your body - from head to toe.  

Two CAUTIONS - Use with care around your eyes and;

most definately avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. 

We should all avoid prolonged sun exposure to avoid melanomas and skin cancers and those of us with eczema and very sensitive skin should practice this even more so. 

When using a moisturiser such as this you are applying oils to your skin; so to then expose your skin to the sun for long periods is very unwise, you might as well be frying or roasting and basting yourself! 

The human condition requires Vitamin D from the sun, however, you dont need to bake yourself in the sun to get what you need.  Day to day activities outdoors on a sunny day is enough to gain vitamin D.  If you live in a grey climate you may consider a vitamin D supplement.  When you are outdoors Slip on a long sleeved cotton top and throw on a hat and sunglasses whilst you are out and about and protect yourself from the damaging effects of the sun as well as early unwanted wrinkles! 

Here is a fantastic recipe for good old fashioned Chicken and Vegetable Soup to keep you warm on a chilly winters' day or help you get through a cold or flu.  Serve with Gow Bread for a warm comforting meal.

It is not complicated; it just requires throwing together a selection of your favourite vegetables, a whole chook, and a couple of flavour makers (herbs/spices).  It beats anything you can buy in a tin, is highly nutritious and tasty and of course has none of the nasty additives that you may find in processed tinned or packet soups.  It is filling, easily digested, non- fattening and most of all, as Ned Flanders might say ... scrum-doodly-diddly-umptious!

Winter is a time of year when we are mostly looking to warm foods for our meals.  Mmmm, soup, the perfect winter meal.  Soup can be whatever you want it to be.  There are no great secrets; you can create your own personal recipe according to the foods you like.    Preparation time is minimal - however long it takes to collect a few ingredients and chop up your vegetables.  Cooking time, however, is the key.  Use plenty of water and with the lid on and the heat way down low, allow 1.5 - 2.5 hours for your soup to boil gently - cook it slowly (the key), this way you retain the flavours and most importantly the nutrition - the all important vitamins and minerals.

This soup is very easy.  You can use the same vegetables as in this recipe or choose your own favourites according to the vegetables you like and the ones you are not allergic to.  The vegetables I use are because I like them; because of their nutritional value to my immune system and skin and because they cause me no allergic response.  The quantities used will of course vary according to how many people you are cooking for.  This recipe makes enough for 2-4 people and extra serve or two to go in the freezer.  

Organic chicken or not organic chicken, that is the question?  Even though it is a little more expensive when it comes to chicken, I stick with Organic chicken, raised free range and free of antibiotics and other growth stimulators.  I believe it important to my overall health for the long-term; and personally, I find the way caged chickens are raised and fed offensive. 

Always use a whole chicken.  Using a whole chicken offers much more nutritional benefits than using breast meat or thigh fillets.  When you have a cold or flu, chicken soup (amoung other things) is an excellent remedy for warmth, nutrition and fluids.  Foods consumed during a cold or flu or even emphysema should aid in the clearing of mucus from the body.  Chicken soup is good for these conditions because the chicken contains Cysteine, which thins mucus and is useful for all respiratory problems. 

Let's get cooking ...

SOUP INGREDIENTS

Approximately 3.5 to 4 Litres of water in a large soup pot

1 Whole Chicken

1 tsp Salt

1 medium to large onion                        - roughly chopped

2-4 cloves of Garlic                               - just squash with flat of knife

1 - 2 Bay leaves                                   - fresh or dried

½ bunch parsley                                   - washed & dried then roughly chopped

1 large carrot or 2 medium carrots         - roughly chopped into bite size pieces

1 bunch Bok Choy                                 - washed & dried then roughly chopped       

A sizeable chunk of Pumpkin                  - skin removed, roughly chopped into bite size pieces

1 medium Sweet Potato                         - roughly chopped into bite size pieces, skin on or off - up to you

A generous handful of snow-peas           - cut or broken into bite size pieces

-or any other seasonal green vegetable

that you like ie., zucchini, broccoli. 

Something to remember: Wash all your vegetables well.  Use a soft nylon kitchen brush and natural homemade veggie cleaner to remove all traces of pesticides and preserving sprays.  You'll find a great natural easy to make recipe for a veggie cleaner in Gourmet Food on an Allergy Diet.    

... HOW TO ...

• Firstly remove your whole chicken from its packaging, quickly rinse inside & out in cold water and place in a large saucepan or soup pot. 
• Add 3.5 to 4 litres of water (filtered or spring where possible). 
• Toss in the salt, garlic, onion and Bay leaf then place the saucepan on the stove with the lid on and set element on high so as to bring the water to the boil.
• While you are waiting for the water to come to the boil, start chopping your other vegetables adding them to the pot as you go.
• Once the water is boiling well, reduce the element heat so the water boils gently - simmer with the lid on for up to 2.5 hours.  Every so often, carefully take off the lid and push the vegetables around a little.

To give your soup some weight, add a generous cup of barley or brown rice at the beginning of the cooking process.  Keep an eye on the water though; the grains will soak up a portion of the water; so, as you see the water level drop, just top up the soup pot with hot water from the kettle (so as not to lose your boil).

You'll know when your soup is ready because the meat of the chicken will fall away from the bones very easily and fall apart in shreds.  When the soup is ready, remove from the heat and allow it to sit and cool for a little while, long enough to be able to handle it without scalding yourself.  

• Remove the whole chicken (and any bones that have come away), from the soup pot into a strong standing colander/strainer.   Strip away the meat from the bones and return it (the meat) to the soup pot.  Do not include any skin or gristle.  Discard the bones, gristle and skin.  Soup-making tip - If you use a standing colander you'll have both hands free. Stand the colander in another dish - you can catch juices from the chicken carcass and return into the soup. 
• Pour your soup into a container with an airtight lid (or use plastic wrap over the container and place in the fridge overnight.  A layer of solidified fat will form on the surface of the soup.  You can use a spatula or a kitchen ladle to scrape off the top layer of fat.  Underneath you will find your delicious chicken and vegetable soup.  Another soup-making tip - If you want to stretch your soup a little further, at this point you could add another litre of water. 

Your soup is now ready. To serve it needs reheating, which is as long as it will take to prepare some yummy Gow Bread. Now, that wasn't so complicated or difficult. 

You do need to allow yourself time with soup, especially chicken or other meat soups.  Refridgeration solidifies the fat and makes for easy removal thus giving you very low fat soup.  Purely vegetable soups do not need this procedure so you can tuck in as soon as it's ready!

FINGER TOAST

This way of preparing bread has been around for a long time; I don't know where it originated, except that whilst growing up and into my adult years I enjoyed many a meal with people of mediteranean backgrounds and this was often an accompanyment to soups.  The bread they used, however, was often thick, crusty, chunky and home baked - mmmm, mmm!

Whatever bread you choose to use is entirely up to you.  You may have discovered some of the safe and healthy breads at the Health Food Shop in their freezer.  If you haven't yet, go and check it out.  You may even be making you own.  My local HFS has several types of alternative grain breads such as Spelt Bread, 100%  Rye bread, Buckwheat bread, Rice bread and other gluten free breads.  I find my body tolerates Spelt and Rye even though they do contain their own gluten.  I feel that for me this is for 2 reasons:  the gluten in these other grains is quite different from that of wheat to which I am highly intolerant; and since strengthening my Immune System by way of  a whole food diet and vitamin/mineral a nd other supplements, my body is more able to tolerate certain allergens.  The stronger my immune system gets, the more my tolerance increases.

Ok, back to the Bread ...

Ingredients

Choose your Bread and toast it

Rice Bran Oil

Salt - Rock, Sea, Herbamare - My fave is herbamare

How To...

While the bread is toasting, prepare on a flat dish a thin spread of Rice Bran Oil covering the plate.  Sprinkle evenly across the oil your favourite salt.

When the toast is ready, lay it flat on the plate for a couple of seconds - to soak up a little salty oil - not too much!

Remove to a clean plate and cut the toast into sticks.

Repeat this for each slice of toast.  You may have to replenish the salt and oil as you go depending on how much toast you have.

Your Finger Toast is now ready to dip into your soup. Bon Apetite.

We are all familiar with the powerful need for sleep.  You may not realize that sleep is as essential for your well-being as food and water.  When dealing with eczema and allergies; sleep and the bed can become issues.  Overheating in bed is a problem for most of us with eczema so the issue of bedding is quite important.  Let's first observe that powerful and primitive urge to sleep and what it actually means to the state of our overall health and wellbeing.  

Until the 1950s, most people thought of sleep as a passive, dormant part of our daily lives. We now know that our brains are very active during sleep. Moreover, sleep affects our daily functioning and our physical and mental health in many ways that we are just beginning to understand.

Brainifacts!

Nerve-signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters control whether we are asleep or awake by acting on different groups of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. Neurons in the brainstem connect the brain with the spinal cord and produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which keep some parts of the brain active while we are awake. Other neurons at the base of the brain begin signaling when we fall asleep. These neurons appear to "switch off" the signals that keep us awake. Research also suggests that a chemical called adenosine builds up in our blood while we are awake and causes drowsiness. This chemical gradually breaks down while we sleep.

Since sleep and wakefulness are influenced by different neurotransmitter signals in the brain - foods and medications that change the balance of these signals affect whether we feel alert or drowsy and how well we sleep. Caffeinated drinks such as coffee and drugs such as diet pills and decongestants stimulate some parts of the brain and can cause insomnia, or an inability to sleep. Many anti-depressants suppress REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Heavy smokers often sleep very lightly and have reduced amounts of REM sleep. They also tend to wake up after 3 or 4 hours of sleep due to nicotine withdrawal. Many people who suffer from insomnia try to solve the problem with alcohol - the so-called ‘night cap'. While alcohol does help people fall into light sleep, it also robs them of REM and the deeper, more restorative stages of sleep. Instead, it keeps them in the lighter stages of sleep, from which they can be awakened easily.

The amount of sleep each person needs depends on many factors, including age:

• Infants generally require about 16 hours a day,
• While teenagers need about 9 hours on average and pre-teens up to 10hours
• For most adults, 7 to 8 hours a night appears to be the best amount of sleep

Some people may need as few as 5 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each day. Women in the first 3 months of pregnancy often need several more hours of sleep than usual. The amount of sleep a person needs also increases if he or she has been deprived of sleep in the previous days. Getting too little sleep creates a "sleep debt", which is much like being overdrawn at a bank. Eventually, your body will demand that the debt be repaid. We don't seem to adapt to getting less sleep than we need; but while we may get used to a sleep-deprived schedule, our reaction time, judgment and many other functions remain impaired.

The Science of Sleep

Although scientists are still trying to learn exactly why people need sleep, animal studies show that sleep is necessary for survival. For example, while rats normally live for two to three years, those deprived of REM sleep survive only about 5 weeks on average, and rats deprived of all sleep stages live only about 3 weeks. Sleep-deprived rats also develop abnormally low body temperatures and sores on their tail and paws. The sores may develop because the rats' immune system becomes impaired. Some studies suggest that sleep deprivation affects the immune system in detrimental ways.

Sleep appears necessary for our nervous systems to work properly. Too little sleep leaves us drowsy and unable to concentrate the next day. It also leads to impaired memory and physical performance and reduced ability to carry out math calculations. If sleep deprivation continues, hallucinations and mood swings may develop. Some experts believe sleep gives neurons used while we are awake, a chance to shut down and repair themselves. Without sleep, neurons may become so depleted in energy, or so polluted with by-products of normal cellular activities that they begin to malfunction. Sleep also may give the brain a chance to exercise important neuronal connections that might otherwise deteriorate from lack of activity.

Deep sleep coincides with the release of growth hormone in children and young adults. Many of the body's cells also show increased production and reduced breakdown of proteins during deep sleep. Since proteins are the building blocks needed for cell growth and for repair of damage from factors like stress and ultraviolet rays, deep sleep may truly be "beauty sleep."  Activities in parts of the brain that control emotions such as the decision-making processes and social interactions are drastically reduced during deep sleep, suggesting that this type of sleep may help people maintain optimal emotional and social functioning while they are awake. A study in rats also showed that certain nerve-signaling patterns which the rats generated during the day were repeated during deep sleep. This pattern repetition may help encode memories and improve learning.

Sleep and sleep-related problems play a role in a large number of human disorders and affect almost every field of medicine. For example, problems like stroke and asthma attacks tend to occur more frequently during the night and early morning; perhaps due to changes in hormones, heart rate and other characteristics associated with sleep. Sleep also affects some kinds of epilepsy in complex ways. REM sleep seems to help prevent seizures that begin in one part of the brain from spreading to other brain regions, while deep sleep may promote the spread of these seizures. Sleep deprivation also triggers seizures in people with some types of epilepsy.

Neurons that control sleep interact closely with the immune system. As anyone who has had the flu knows, infectious diseases tend to make us feel sleepy. This probably happens because cytokines (chemicals our immune system produces while fighting an infection), are powerful sleep-inducing chemicals. Sleep may help the body conserve energy and other resources that the immune system needs to mount an attack.

Sleep - A vital and natural alternative and one that is often overlooked, so its not just the flu and other illnesses that require adequate and healthy sleep habits; things such as hay-fever, allergic symptoms and eczema are exhausting and can be helped by making sure that you get adequate rest and the right amount of sleep to allow your immune system the time it requires to rejuvenate and actively fight off allergens and inflammation.

The Practicalities

The first requirement of a good nights sleep is obviously going to be the bed.  We all know how expensive they are.  At the same time we need to accept that the bed you sleep on each night is of great importance.  When it comes to allergies and eczema, this is especially so.  Dust mite is a factor as well as bed hygiene. 

Firstly, please I beg of you, if you have eczema or allergies or your child has eczema and allergies and you allow your pet, the family dog or cat, to sleep in the bed, please, I am begging you DON'T do it.  Dogs and cats are known allergens to those with eczema and asthma and respiratory problems.  The animal might get a good night's sleep, but I can guarantee that the sufferer will not.  Even if you don't realise it, you are probably scratching in your sleep or you may even find your breathing is impaired whilst you sleep. Find a more suitable place other than the sufferer's bedroom, for the family pet to have its own comfortable and personal space to sleep. Humans and animals alike benefit from a good nights sleep, but each to their own habitat please!

As far as bed hygiene goes, it is important on the list of priorities.  It was and still is a weekly routine for me to change my bed sheets and pillowcases;  throw the quilt and pillows and woolen under-lay over the clothes line outside on a nice sunny day, this helps to kill off dust mite and air the dust out of the fabrics.  Give it a bit of a bash and shake before returning it to its rightful place. It's a little old fashioned I know, but it has always worked for me.  In between bedding changes if you notice skin flakes in the bed, run over the sheets with a hand held vacuum cleaner.  This gives any dust mite less of a smorgasbord!

Starting With The Mattress

I have used the mattress covers that are designed against dust mite.  Although they do their job of restricting the movement of dust mites throughout the bed etc, for me it was more than uncomfortable.  The biggest problem was that the cover was a plastic or nylon type material and regardless of summer or winter, I would sweat all night long, scratching away whilst I slept and sweat and then of course dealing with constant ‘sleep debt'.  It got to a point where I preferred to deal with dust mites in a more conventional way than sweat it out like that, so once a week whilst changing the bed sheets, I would turn over the mattress and run a hand-held vacuum cleaner over it.  Around once a month, I'd enlist some help to drag the mattress out into the sun for a few hours.  Dust mite does not survive 50 degrees C or more and leaving a mattress & bedding in the sun a few hours will achieve this.  Before you bring it back in give it a bash with a large stick or the broom handle. 

Recently we had to replace our bed and after a little shopping around we came across a mattress called Tempur^TM.  This mattress is in my eyes, perfect.  It has all the qualities it needs to be outstanding and then some.  You can check it out for yourself  at www.tempur.com.au but for now I'll give you a brief idea:  The manufacturers have designed it for total comfort and body/spine support and it is recognised by NASA and certified by the Space Foundation.   Tempur Mattresses and Pillows are resistant to bacteria, mould, mildew, dust mites and odour-causing germs.  They are 100% CFC-free (chlorofluorocarbons) and they have been allergy tested and approved. Amazing!  

For me it is the MOST comfortable bed I have ever slept on.  It is not just the support it provides that gives me comfort, it is the fact that I am not over-heating and itching all night from plastic/nylon materials and dust mite.

It was definitely a financial investment, but with the quality of sleep it provides, no mattress dust mites to deal with and the fact it has a 15 year warranty makes it a worthwhile investment.  Oh yeah, and I dont have to drag the mattress out into the sun once a month!  Now I just run over it with a hand held vaccuum.

We sleep a lot better each night without me scratching around. We take comfort in the fact that we will not have to buy another bed for at least 15 years!

I urge you to recognise the importance of the mattress you sleep on as well as the mattresses the children are sleeping on.  This is vital for normal growth and development and particularly important for anyone with auto-immune diseases such as eczema that are exacerbated by allergens like dust mite.  Look around for a suitable mattress one that includes chiropractic care as well as taking into consideration the issues associated with dust mite.

The Bedding

The bedding you use is also very important.  Always choose bedding made with natural fibre.  Choose 100% cotton sheets, pillow cases and quilt covers where possible.  Most bed sheets are a cotton/polyester mix and a little cheaper.  Go for one that has more cotton and less polyester where you can, preferably 100% cotton if your budget allows.  

Nylon sheets and satin sheets don't allow your body to breathe through the bedding and you may overheat through the night, waking up sweaty and itchy.  I find that Flannelette sheets, although cotton, really really irritate my skin, they are too rough and make me itch, so I steer clear of them.

Feather quilts are full of allergens, they collect dust and dust mite and will probably drive you mad.  Nylon quilts and blankets do not allow your body to breathe through the bedding causing the body to overheat and yes ... you wake up sweaty and itchy.  Stay away from nylons in your bedding.  Where ever you can, stick with natural fibres, fabrics and materials.   

Natural fibres would include materials such as cotton, hemp, wool, rayon.  They are a much healthier alternative, they allow the body and skin to breathe and not overheat thus reducing some of the discomforts that can come with sleeping. The eczema and allergic body retains a lot of heat which adds to and causes itching. The Quilt I chose for my bed is 100% wool filling with a 100% cotton outer cover.  Even though I cannot tolerate wool directly against my skin, it is fine where there something like cotton between it and my skin.  Wool breathes and allows your body heat to breathe through it thus overheating and sweating is less likely.  My woolen quilt has also been a worthwhile addition to a comfortable nights sleep. 

Let me share with you a great recipe for a decongestant.  This recipe was passed on to me by a very good friend of mine, Maria.  She comes from Italian background and it is something she grew up with.  My guess is that this recipe has been around for generations and may probably be around for many more as we see collectively the extraordinary benefits of Natural Remedies.  Thank you Maria for passing on this fantastic natural cold & flu remedy.

1 small - medium onion very thinly sliced in rounds

(For some, onions cause unpleasant reactions in their stomach and digestive systems, so if this is you, then it is fair to avoid it.)

Good quality Honey

(If honey is a sensitivity or allergy issue for you, then don't use this recipe)

Garlic (optional)

It is important you use a good quality honey to maximize the use of its healing properties.  Many commercially produced honeys are highly processed and heat treated which may interfere with the quality.  UMF [Active] Manuka Honey is probably the best around for the active healing properties it contains.  It is pure and untreated and has many great healing qualities.

Step 1.  Place the sliced onion (and garlic if you choose) in a container that can be sealed.  Pour a generous amount of good quality honey over it to cover the onion.  With the lid on, allow the onion and honey to stand on the bench.  Don't refrigerate it or the honey will harden.  The honey becomes very syrup-y as the onion infuses with it.  When it is very syrup-y, it is ready.  A teaspoon or two of this at a time, throughout the day and night, will break up the mucus in your lungs and nose and throat and allow better breathing.

This decongestant will allow you to cough - this is a good thing; you need to cough and cough-up the infected mucus.  Yes, I know ... yuck! But it's a fact of life, and a bronchial infection is certainly better OUT than in.  Swallowing the mucus keeps the infection within the body and can make you feel quite nauseous.  Deposit it into a tissue and dispose of thoughtfully so as not spread your germs around, perhaps flush it down the toilet; or for those who are tougher about these sorts of things, ‘hawking-up' and spitting directly into a basin or toilet.  The shower is a great place to expel any mucus; the heat and steam from the shower loosens it up in your chest and it is easier to cough up and get rid of under the running water. 

This decongestant recipe combined with a few other ‘home remedies' will help you get through a cold in half the time than you would relying on toxic medications which many doctors and pharmacists now admit have no real effect on the cold itself.

Take it as often as you like.  The taste is unusual but not disgusting and when you're used to it and feeling game, want an extra boost - try adding squashed fresh garlic.  Honey is such a great healer.  In this recipe it will soothe the throat and is antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-viral. If you are sick with colds and influenza, you should be at home resting and in bed, away from the general public, so the way you smell should not be an issue!

The Looking for Alternative Product Guide will have other tips on terrific remedies for getting through the common cold and flu.  Of course, if you have any doubt as to the severity of your cold or flu, visit your doctor or health care professional.  Infection can lead to complications, so always take the time, care and effort you need to aid your body in healing and allowing your body to recover from something as common as the human cold.

HEALTHY TID-BITS

Honey Health

Honey has so many wonderful healing qualities it's hard to know where to start.

Honey's anti-bacterial activity was recognised as early as 1550bc by the ancient Egyptians. Aristotle recommended it for assisting natural healing of infected wounds. Any type of honey may be called Active if it has antibacterial properties. However this anti-bacterial activity can vary widely in potency. 

New Zealand UMF Manuka Honey's anti-bacterial activity has an equivalent concentration to Phenol (a common antiseptic). It supports the natural healing of wounds, and can help soothe the digestive tract as well as the throat. It can be taken by eating or by application to the skin surface. Manuka Honey is a superior treatment for wounds and infections. It is gathered in New Zealand from Manuka bush (Leptospermum Scoparium), which grows uncultivated throughout the country. Dr. Peter Molan and his research team at the Honey Research Unit, Waikato University, New Zealand, found in some specific strains of Manuka Honey, a second natural, more powerful and more stable antibacterial property now called UMF- Unique Manuka Factor. In laboratory tests the UMF property has been found to be effective against a wide range of bacteria including: Streptococcus Pyogenes which cause sore throats; Helicobacter Pylori - this bacteria causes most stomach ulcers; Staphylococcus Aureus And Escherichia Coli - the most common cause of infected wounds as well as MRSA - Methicillin (or multiple) Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus: an increasingly common dangerous bacterium that is resistant to many antibiotics and is responsible for outbreaks of infection in hospitals. 

The Hydrogen Peroxide antibacterial property of other honeys (including ordinary manuka honey) is not effective against Helicobacter Pylori. The UMF is additional to the hydrogen peroxide activity and is very stable.  It gives the honey a wider range of uses and effectiveness. It is heat resistant and more resistant to being broken down by the catalase effect of body fluids, than Hydrogen Peroxide activity on its own.  Studies are showing UMF [Active] Manuka Honey with high levels of UMF could be very effective not only in digestive care by helping relieve stomach ulcer symptoms and gastritis but also wound care by assisting the natural healing of skin ulcers, diabetic ulcers and MRSA; wounds, burns, boils, cracked skin, pressure sores, eczema, and dermatitis; as well as relieving sore throats.  In oral hygiene it may inhibit acid production and help prevent cavities developing in teeth.

A superb product bought to you from Nature's Pantry.

The Noble Onion

The onion has long been known for its healthy contribution to the human condition. The Onionis as powerful an ally as garlic. Whether raw or cooked, onions are anti-bacterial and anti-viral, helping to fight off colds, relieve bronchial congestion, asthma and hay fever.  It is also reputed to be good for arthritis, rheumatism and gout.  It is a rich source of quercetin, a potent antioxidant that has been linked to the prevention of stomach cancer.  It is said that eating ½ a raw onion each day will thin the blood, lower the LDL cholesterol and raise beneficial HDL cholesterol by around 30%.  What this means is that cholesterol is transported away from the arteries, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.  So why wouldn't you want to eat it every day? "Well, because it makes me fart!" you say.  Well, I say ‘time get over it', farting is good for you, it releases the gases that build up in your digestive system whilst digestion takes place as well as releasing swallowed air.  Imagine if you couldn't fart! I know of people who suffer this problem and believe me it definitely worse than farting.  Perhaps discretion is the key here.  Mostly our families can live with it and it seems we all have a giggle at it; after all, it is a primitive bodily function. 

GARLIC

Garlic is well known for its cancer-prevention properties, not to mention its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties when eaten raw.  Cooking it does not, by any means, inhibit its anti-cancer, blood thinning and decongestant capabilities.  Garlic has also been found to lower cholesterol, reduce high blood pressure, boost the immune system, lift mood and have a calming effect.  So why wouldn't you want to eat it every day?  "oh, but it stinks!"  I hear you moan.  Personally, I think it smells fabulously healthy!

Washing and personal hygiene are essential tools in maintaining good health all round especially when it comes to the health of your skin.  Clean moisturised skin is very important to those who suffer with eczema.  The big issue facing those with sensitive skin, particularly eczema skin is what to use as a cleanser.  What is available that will not irritate the skin and cause further itching and rashing.  As we discussed in last months article on water, the problems of irritants arise firstly with the water so finding a cleanser or ‘soap' to suit your sensitive skin really is an issue.

Soap has enjoyed a very long history of invention and use throughout mankind's journey to the present day.  The earliest recorded evidence of soap-like materials dates back to around 2800BC in Ancient Babylon.  A recipe for soap was discovered written on a Babylonian clay tablet in around 2200BC, consisting of water, alkali and cassia oil.  It is indicated that ancient Egyptians bathed regularly and combined animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts to create a soap-like substance.  Egyptian documents mention that soap-like substances were used in the preparation of wool for weaving. 

Ancient Soap Stories

The word ‘soap' (from the Latin word - sapo) first appears in a European language in Pliny the Elders Historia Naturalis, which records the manufacture of soap from tallow (a hard fatty substance extracted from the fat of sheep and cattle) and ashes, but the only use He mentions is as a pomade (perfumed oil or ointment used to make hair look smooth and shiny).  Pliny was an ancient natural philosopher, author and naturalist as well as an important Naval and Military Commander.  He also mentions - rather disapprovingly - that amoung the Gauls and the Germans, men are more likely to use it than women!

Another popular claim is that soap takes its name from the supposed Mount Sapo where ancient Romans sacrificed animals.  Rain would send a mix of animal tallow and wood ash down the mountain and into the clay soil on the banks of the Tiber.  Eventually women would notice that it was easier to get their clothes clean with this ‘soap'.  The location of Mount Sapo is unknown as is the source of this ancient roman legend.

The Latin word ‘sapo' simply means ‘soap'.  It is believed to have been borrowed from a Celtic or Germanic language and is similar to the Latin ‘sebum' meaning tallow which also appears in Pliny the Elders accounts.  Animal sacrifices in the ancient world would not have supplied enough fat to make a lot of soap.

True soaps made from vegetable oils such as olive oil and aromatic oil such as thyme oil and lye were first produced by Muslim alchemists in the medieval Islamic world.  The formula for soap hasn't really changed since then.  From the beginning of the 7^th century soap was produced in Nablus (West Bank), Kufa (Iraq) and Basra (Iraq).  Soap as we know it today is a descendant of the historical Arabian soaps.  Arabian soap was perfumed and coloured, some were solid bars and others were liquid and they even produced a special soap for shaving!

A recently discovered manuscript from the 13^th century details more recipes for soap making, for example - take some sesame oil, a sprinkle of potash, alkali and some lime, mix them all together and boil.  When cooked, pour into moulds and leave to set as solid soap bars.

Modern Soap Making

In semi-modern times soap was often made in the home made by mixing animal fats with lye (a sodium hydroxide)  or potash (potassium hydroxide) and soda ash (sodium carbonate) which were leached from the ashes of a hardwood fire for soap-making at home. Because Lye is caustic it was a dangerous procedure which could result in serious chemical burns or even blindness.

In recent modern times the use of soap had become universal in industrialised nations due to a better understanding of the role of hygiene in reducing pathogenic microorganisms.  Manufactured soap bars first became available in the late nineteenth century, and advertising campaigns in Europe and the United States helped to increase popular awareness of the relationship between cleanliness and health.  Until the Industrial Revolution, soap making was done on a small scale and the product was rough.

Andrew Pears started making a high-quality, transparent soap in 1789 in London. With his grandson, Francis Pears and they opened a factory in Isleworth in 1862.  William Gossage produced low-price good quality soap from the 1850s.  Robert Spear Hudson began manufacturing a soap powder in 1837, initially, by grinding the soap with a mortar and pestle. William Hesketh Lever and his brother, James, bought a small soap works in Warrington in 1885 and founded what is still one of the largest soap businesses, we now know as Unilever.

In Chicago in 1888, one of the first manufacturers of soap was the Armour and Company.  The soap was made from tallow, a by-product of the meat production process. In 1948, Armour soap became Dial soap, the first deodorant or antibacterial soap introduced in the USA. 

In addition to the traditional sale of many kinds of soap products by pharmacists through retail outlets, soap itself has found numerous applications in pharmacology, such as pill making, lotions and liniments, dentifrices, plasters, enemas, suppositories and poultices, in addition to veterinary applications. The use of soap in pharmacology is long established.

Current Soap Manufacture Practices

So there you have it, soap has a long standing history of invention and use dating back to ancient times, although this is probably a lot more information on soap than you may have thought possible. 

With the introduction of the industrial age and the large scale production factories, soap has taken a more chemically based route.  Sadly the chemicals used in the large scale production of soaps have many side effects for those with sensitive skin and for young babies and children. It is my opinion that modern chemical based soaps are not just hazardous to sensitive people but to all of us.  There is no end to the amount of soaps and liquid soaps available for different applications although all with the same purpose in mind - cleanliness. 

A typical analysis of a modern bar of soap or a liquid soap wash includes (and usually second on the ingredients list) such chemicals as SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or SLES - Sodium Laureth Sulphate which just on their own have some very nasty side effects such as stress related illnesses; lowered sperm counts; cataracts; corneal damage; improper eye development in infants and children; dry skin; liver toxicity; dermatitis; mouth ulcers; impaired hair growth and corrosion of hair follicles; teratogen; and is on the NIH Hazards list.  Is it any wonder that many soaps are not recommended for use with babies and young children?  Is it any wonder why most soaps will irritate sensitive eczema skin when one of the main ingredients can cause dry skin and dermatitis? 

I've always searched for suitable soaps and cleansers and even those soaps advertised for sensitive skins or allergy skin have always irritated my skin.  I even tried sorbolene cream as my soap for many years and tolerated its use because there wasn't much else available.  In recent years I have found 2 products that I love to use in the shower and as a general hand wash.  Let's just take a look at one of them today.  It is not expensive and is available through most supermarket chains.  You can also purchase it online and in bulk if you wish, check my Product Guide for further information.

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU ...

PRIYA Natures Olive Oil (Soap) Bar is my personal favourite in the shower.  It smells lovely and feels silky on my skin.  It does not irritate my skin nor does it dry my skin.  Used as a skin purifier for over 3,000 years, olive oil provides your skin with essential oils and nutrients to leave it invigorated and refreshed.  This bar contains 100% Olive oil, Palm Oil and an exclusive blend of essential oils to leave your skin smooth and aromatic every time you use it.  It contains no animal fats and is made in Australia.  It does not contain chemical additives, colours or aromas and lives up to my expectations every single time.  I purchase this soap at Woolworths at around $1.50 - $2.00 per soap bar.  When trying a new soap or body cleanser, firstly try just washing your hands with it.  If it irritates your hands you can guarantee it's going to irritate the rest of you.  If it does irritate your hands, leave them under the running water and thoroughly rinse, then lightly dry your hands and apply moisturiser.  Actually you should apply moisturiser ALWAYS after washing your hands.

Other soaps I have tried have been purchased at health food shops and local markets supporting natural and hand crafted products.  Natural soap making has become very popular recently and you will often find beautiful natural hand crafted soaps at market stalls throughout the country.  These soaps are made using all natural ingredients including essential oils that nurture the skin rather than strip your skin of its own natural oils.  Hand made soaps with essential oil of Lavender are good for eczema skin.  When you buy these products from market stalls, talk with the person who made it, explain that you have a skin condition and it is important for you to know what is in the soap.  Most people who make these natural products are quite willing to discuss it with you as most of these people recognise that the manufactured soaps can be dangerous to sensitive skin.

Look around, shop around, there are many more alternatives available than what you find advertised and on the supermarket shelf.  Support your local hand crafters, those that make products with love and devotion to their craft and your skin rather than those whose devotion lies only with your hard earned dollars.

Where do they come from and what do they do?

When dealing with an auto-immune condition such as eczema, I believe that the health and strength of the immune system is fundamental in the treatment of this disease. The degree of your disease is a good indication of the health of your immune system.  At those time in my life where my condition was in remission the health and condition of my immune system was strong and relatively healthy.  By the time I collapsed in '02 my immune system was under great stress from the long term breakdown of my endocrine systems and vital organs including the skin.  It has been my priority since then to nurture and rebuild my immune system so it is able to fight disease and infection, allergens and inflammation.  The Immune system may seem a little illusive at times, after-all you cant see it, but you sure can feel it especially when it is under pressure and in poor shape.  How do you build and maintain a healthy strong immune system?  Adopt a healthy lifestyle, eat Whole Foods, exercise, and take time to relax. There is no single pill you can take, there are however pill-s you can take to supplement and support your vitamin and mineral intake to restore strength to your new best friend - your Immune System.

We hear about vitamins and minerals on a daily basis these days.  We hear about it through product advertising as well as other media such as magazine articles, television and news reports and health professionals.  So what exactly are these less than obvious and somewhat mysterious nutrients?  The term ‘nutrient' identifies substances in food that provide essential nourishment to maintain life. When you look at an orange you see orange coloured skin, white pith and fleshy, juicy, pulpy looking segments.  At face value you can't really see the all important vitamin C (amoung other nutrients) that it contains.  When you tuck into a hearty serving of leafy green salad, you don't see the folic acid, iron and potassium that it contains.  You've most probably been told, as a child to ‘eat your greens' and when you said ‘why? The answer has always been ‘because they are good for you'. 

‘But WhY are they good for me?'

Well I wanted to know WHY they are good for me.  All natural vitamins are organic food substances found only in living things and are absolutely necessary for proper growth, maintenance of health and prevention of disease.  With a few exceptions, the body cannot make its own vitamins; they must be supplied in the diet and/or by supplements.  Science searches to isolate these substances from the foods that heal, maintain health and prevent disease; but the true source of these substances is found in special combinations in the foods that we eat.  For example, studies on beta-carotene supplements have shown that other carotenoids in combination with beta-carotene may be responsible for the anti-oxidant action associated with carotenoids.  Eating the carotenoid-rich food in its whole and natural form eliminates the guess work.  Sadly even our modern whole foods do not contain all the richness of the earth it is grown in due to deficiencies in our soils as well as the overuse of pesticides, herbicides, green harvesting, processing and storage as well as added chemicals, preservatives, added sugars and colours.  In addition, nutrients are also lost through over cooking.  If your diet is poor due to bad eating habits such as irregular meals, excess of highly processed foods, fast foods and drinks; foods that are high in processed cane sugar or artificial sweeteners as well as high intake of preservatives and additives - vitamin supplements may not be as useful as you may expect.  They really do need to be taken alongside a well balanced diet that includes mostly whole foods.

Motivation and Patience

Vitamin therapy does not produce results overnight. Regeneration of body chemistry necessary for the body to begin repair work takes weeks and in some cases months before the full benefits are felt.  My body responded quite quickly to the introduction of supplements.  I was already eating a well balanced whole food diet so my body responded within days and weeks to the introduction of further nutrients.  After 6 months or so I experimented with myself to see how my body would react to having those extra nutrients taken away.  After two and a half weeks, I felt my condition start to deteriorate and by the end of the third week my body was responding with low energy, melancholy, headaches and the reappearance of rashes and further itching.  It helped me to understand that even though I do eat a nutritious diet, it is not enough to maintain a healthy immune system and healthy endocrine functions for my eczema condition. 

My younger sister recently said to me "I don't know how you take your vitamins every day?' My answer to her was because they make me feel so much better.  My body is better able to cope with 21^st century living.  That is my motivation - feeling good!  I have a small regime of vitamins each day and with each meal or at least a little food in my stomach I take a them and spread out my intake over the period that I am awake.  If I am out or at work I can take my ‘little pot'o'pills' with me.  Many people will sit down with a collection of prescription drugs with their meal, for me, it's my vitamins.  I find that people are mostly curious and almost always accepting; so many people take vitamin supplements these days, so it is not that unusual. 

And, YES, there are days when I just don't feel I can swallow another pill.  On those days, I don't.  I let it go, let my body rest for that day and continue with it the next day.   I don't beat myself up about it, I don't stress over breaking a routine etc, I just continue on with it tomorrow.  I'm sure that because I take them on a daily basis my body has enough in reserve to let me off a day here and there. 

Essential Vitamins

As you start to gain a clearer picture of what all these vitamins and minerals and natural sugars mean to your health you may find that you are more willing to put the time and effort into making sure that you are receiving the most nutrition out of your diet and creating an eating plan that contributes to maintaining good health for the duration of your lifetime and contributing to the good health of your family. 

For this article I've put together a list of essential Vitamins; their action on the body and nutritional value and in which whole foods you will find each respective nutrient.  I've tried to keep it as simple as possible so as not to overwhelm you with too much information at once. If you want more information of course all you have to do is a little research; on the internet, at the library or even the health food shop.  I hope that this list will remain a reference point when you are in doubt about which vitamins and minerals and natural sugars that are beneficial to your eczema condition.

Beware...

It is possible to overdose yourself on vitamins and minerals.  Too much of some of these precious nutrients can be toxic to the human body.  For example too much Vitamin A can be toxic and result in symptoms such as night blindness, nausea and loss of appetite, dry flaky skin, bone & joint pain, headache, hair loss, cessation of menstruation and enlargement of the liver.  

Always take your vitamin dosage as directed by a health professional or never more than what is recommended on the label.

Because my body is hyper-sensitive, I have always started out by discussing it first with a health professional or taking only half of what the label says and then increase my dosage to the full amount prescribed or what my body can tolerate, over a period of days or weeks.  There are some supplements, for me, where the full dosage prescribed on the label can be a little too much for my sensitive system and my body will tell me when it's too much.  For example too much vitamin C will show as diarrhea; too much fish oil results in weight gain; and too much vitamin E can create an itch for me.  Fat- soluble vitamins such as vitamin A are stored by the body and can build up over a period of time, thus toxicity can occur.  Other vitamins are water-soluble and are excreted through sweat and urine so need to be added to the diet daily through food sources or supplementation.  Speak to a health professional, read the labels and very importantly listen to what your body has to say, trust your intuition.

This article we'll just look at Vitamins, so as not to overload you with too much information.  Next time let's continue this discussion with a look at Minerals, essential fatty acids and then natural sugars.

Sadly, even modern wholefoods, our veggies and fruits, do not contain enough of the nutrients we require on a daily basis.  This is due to a combination of factors.  Green harvesting is one issue, where the produce is picked before it reaches maturity; cold storage for long periods; over exposure to light; herbicides and pesticides as well as over farming of the lands the produce is grown upon; soils depleted of nutrients through over use or neglect. 

The use of vitamin supplements allows us an opportunity to add to the nutritional value of our everyday diets.  For those of us allergic to whole food groups, supplements allows us to avoid food types without missing the all important nutrients available from that food,  for example, I am allergic to all dairy products, so a Calcium supplement is essential for maintaining bone structure (amoung other things) as I get older. 

If the above table sounds like an awful lot of pills to you, don't despair, go for a good quality Multi-Vitamin.  Check the label to find out exactly what is in your multi vitamin and the dosages.    Look for supplements that are dairy free, wheat free, egg free, preservative free, free of fillers, sugar free etc, and check that there are no ingredients that you are allergic to. If you are unsure, speak with someone at the Health Food Shop; they usually have a good idea as to quality etc.  Speak with a naturopath or nutritionist if you have any queries or worries in regards to supplementation. 

At least Get started on a multivitamin and perhaps down the track a little you may consider adding other supplements that will benefit the eczema condition such as fish oil or another essential fatty acid (omega 3-6-9) supplement if you are allergic to fish.  There are antioxidant supplements that are beneficial and of course there is the pro-biotic.

Give your condition, especially your immune system, nervous system and your skin a little extra to work with and I know you will see some great results in your condition as well as your general good health.

YOGA

The practice of Yoga dates back over five thousand years to the time of ancient forest dwellers called "Rishis", Sages who dwelt in the Indus Valley, in what is now Northern India.  Observing nature and searching within themselves, they evolved physical postures and breathing exercises which stretched, cleansed and centered the body, cultivating states of vitality, clarity and focus.  Yoga means ‘union', to yolk or unite and comes from the Sanskrit root yuj.  Through the practice of Yoga we aim to integrate the body, mind and emotions to bring about a state of balance, drawing ourselves deeper into the present in search of the eternal moment.  There are several different forms of yoga, including Hatha Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and Astanga Yoga.  The aim of each form is UNITY of being, achieving a balanced mind by natural methods.  The most practiced form of yoga in the west is Hatha Yoga for it gives us a tangible system of physical culture, training the body, breath and mind towards a ‘one-pointedness' or single focus.  Yoga gives us a superb total physical training system of realignment and health. 

Human beings are made up of three components: body, mind and soul.  Corresponding to these are three needs that must be satisfied for a contented life.  The physical need is health; the psychological need is knowledge; and the spiritual need is inner peace.  When all three are present there is harmony.

Modern society faces problems which affect all these aspects.  Today's lifestyle with its technological wonders is a mixed blessing.  Convenience and speed are obtained at some cost to physical health.  Labour-saving devices minimize physical exertion, resulting in stiffness and muscular weakness.  A sedentary life causes backache, neck problems, heaviness in the limbs and difficulty walking.  The extensive use of visual media leads to headaches and eye strain.

The mental anxieties of a competitive world deplete inner resources, inviting stress-related problems such as insomnia and digestive, respiratory and nervous disorders.  If pressures are not balanced with time for quiet reflection, the quality of life is impaired.

Modern trends of thoughts are a melting pot of old and new ideas.  Artificial values stemming from acquisitiveness and self interest lead to alienation from the spiritual purpose in life.  The loss of belief can bring a sense of loss of one's own true identity.

From the psychological viewpoint, Yoga sharpens the intellect and aids concentration.  It steadies the emotions and encourages a caring concern for others.  Above all, it gives hope.  The practice of breathing techniques calms the mind.  Its philosophy sets life in perspective.  In the realm of the spiritual it, Yoga brings awareness and the ability to be still.  Through meditation, inner peace is achieved.

‘Yoga is an immortal art, science and philosophy.  It is the best subjective psycho-anatomy of mankind ever conceived for the experience of physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual well-being.  It has stood the test of time from the beginning of civilization and it will remain supreme as a precise psycho-physical science for centuries to come.  There are many different types of cells in the body with physical, psychological, emotional, intellectual and spiritual functions.  It is known that each cell has a life of its own.  These cells are the pearls of life. 

In the practice of Yoga every cell is consciously made to absorb a copious supply of fresh blood and life-giving energy, thus satiating the embodied soul.  With serenity, one then experiences the self by the self and rests the self in the lap of the soul.'

Yogicharya B. K. S. Iyengar

This form of relaxation or stress management is available to people of all ages and aside from being an effective tool in learning how to calm the mind and focus and not get stressed it is also a great way to stay in shape.  It is challenging physically, but never impossible.  I understand the problem faced by those with eczema of getting all ‘hot and sweaty'.  As this happens your body starts to itch from the heat and the perspiration on the skin.  Whilst working out in a yoga session, stretching and strengthening you body and your mind, you will definitely warn up, but you won't overheat.  This is a definite plus as far as exercise goes.  Sweating it out in a gym, aerobics and other high impact sports can be tricky when dealing with the issue of sweaty itchy skin. 

Yoga encourages you mentally and physically to push your own boundaries as to what you can achieve, it teaches you clarity of mind to help you focus and through concentration and meditation in movement, the deeper purpose is to still the mind and open the heart.   For myself, yoga has taught me ways to deal with the stress of eczema and the intensity of the itch.  Learning breathing techniques to quiet my body and mind has been invaluable.

Yoga has become a popular ‘new age' form of exercise even though it has been around for thousands of years, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a Yoga class near you.  If you go to one and you find it does not suit, look elsewhere, you will find a class and a ‘yogi' (instructor) to suit your needs.  If you'd rather not go out to a class, there are plenty of DVD's around.  Check out your local sports equipment store, department store, shopping centre temporary market carts, bookshops, health food shops and the like.  Although not completely necessary, a rubber yoga mat is most helpful in keeping your feet from slipping.  You can buy a yoga mat just about anywhere these days, I have seen them in Coles and Woolworths, sports stores, department stores etc as well as Clark Rubber where you can buy it by the meter which is great if you are tall and it also works out cheaper.

I prefer to do Yoga at home.  The privacy of my home is a more comfortable situation for my Yoga practice and meditation because I can practice when it suits me and go at my own pace. I used to attend a class outside the home for many years, many years ago, where I was taught the fundamentals by a very good Yogi.  That experience has helped me greatly in motivating myself to practice at home. 

Try to put aside the same time for doing it at home as you would if you had go to out to a class.   Pick an appropriate time, where you are free of distractions and can give your session the same degree of attention as you would in a class.  I you feel more motivated by going out to a class, by all means, it's really up to you and your level of comfort when it comes to this condition.

Yoga, in conjunction with other stress management treatments or therapies, is another very effective natural stress management application. 

Next time let's look at Meditation and the stress relief that it offers.  Meditation is an age old therapy that is thought to have many positive therapeutic effects on the human body.  It's really not as hard as you may think, there are a couple of little tricks to learn, and once you have these mastered, it's as easy as breathing!  As with any form of therapy it will require some input from you.  I hope you'll enjoy a nice quiet relaxing read.