Aromatic Bath Salts – From Blah to Aahhh!

By: Georgia Templeton

Stress relief is something everyone is in search of, and taking a nice hot bath can help melt the stress away. Many people have learned the advantages of a hot bath, and a bath can go to a whole other level when you spice it up with aromatic bath salts. Not only does it give a great pleasure to your nose but there are also health benefits to bathing with salt.

Bath salt is known to help with circulation. Individuals who suffer from arthritis, minor muscle injuries, back pain, or muscle spasms can have the aches and pains eased by soaked in a hot tub with bath salts. It can also provide relief to tender neck muscles or sore feet.

Aromatic bath salts are also effective in reducing dry skin. They help moisturize and soften up the skin and can accelerate the healing of eczema, psoriasis, athlete’s foot, rashes, insect bites or other skin irritations. Soaking in salt can also open up your pores and allow your skin to breathe. It can also get rid of any dirt and toxins that may be there.

Do you know you can sleep better at night with the aid of aromatherapy? Smelling the right scents can promote relaxation and calming. Feeling refreshed and smelling good after a hot bath will certainly be another benefit of using bath salts.

You can also use bath salts to exfoliate. Rub some on your elbows or calloused feet for great results. You can put salts on any area where you encounter itchy dry skin, or just soaking in it will help accelerate exfoliation.

Aromatic bath salts are available to purchase in many health stores or even at Wal-Mart. There are a wide variety of fragrances, so sample a few and find one to your liking. You can even make your own. Get some essential oils from the store and simply add a few drops to some Epsom salt. Your friends and loved ones would enjoy the salts as thoughtful a homemade gift.

Before using purchased or homemade bath salts in a soak, use a little bit on one part of your body to make sure you aren't allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients. If all goes well, feel free to submerge yourself in your own spa experience.

Aromatic bath salts are an inexpensive, creative and relaxing way to enhance your bath. It only takes a few minutes out of your busy day and the rewards are priceless. So whether you get them for yourself or give them for gifts, they will be sure to be enjoyed!

Soothe your senses with aromatic bath salts from www.AromaticBathSalts.com that ease tension and fill the room with wonderful fragrance. It's like having your own spa therapy in the comfort of your own home! We've found the best aromatic bath salts to help wash away the day's cares so that you can relax!

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Alternative Treatment For Psoriasis - Detoxification

An alternative treatment for psoriasis is detoxification. This treatment may just be the solution that you need to keep your skin disorder under control. According to naturopathic doctors, treating psoriasis helps by treating your liver. Psoriasis has been linked to the presence of several microbial byproducts in the blood. These signs point to an abnormal function of the liver. Your liver is supposed to be responsible for filtering and detoxifying the blood. With microbial byproducts found in the blood, it is an indication that your liver is either overloaded with excessive levels of these toxins or that there is a reduction in its detoxification abilities.

Psoriasis, which means “to itch” in greek, is a chronic ailment whereby your skin forms red lesions that develop into scales or patches all over. These red eruptions make the skin itch leaving marks. The intensity of your skin disorder is likely to differ from that of another person. Intensity levels range from a massive outbreak to as mild as just a few patches. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder. It is usually genetic but is not infectious or contagious. Although it appears that there is no particular cure for this disease, there are some things that you can do to reduce the level of your itch.

Naturopathic doctors say that the inflammation of the skin, red irruptions, scales and flakes on the skin which cause itching are clear signs of toxins. An alternative treatment for psoriasis namely detoxification, should help to remove harmful toxins and poisons from your liver and body. There are in fact many ways to detoxify for psoriasis and you may wish to adopt a combination where appropriate:

• Detox diet. To detoxify for psoriasis, a dedicated detox diet program that helps you to cleanse your liver will help. Consult a naturopathic doctor for this. He should be able to advise you on how to go about with a liver and a body cleanse. Do take note that women who are pregnant should not go on a detox diet nor consider any form of detoxification during their pregnancy. Also, if you are taking any conventional medications, get your doctor’s advice before going on a detox diet.

In all situations, a healthy and balanced diet is a must. You should not consume food or drinks that will aggravate your disease. Avoid caffeine, such as coffee or strong tea. Herbal tea is also recommended for psoriasis. Spicy food and alcohol should be restricted. Refrain from red meat, shellfish and tropical fruits.

• Herbal supplements. There are many types of herbal supplements for detoxification of your liver. These herbal supplements help enhance your immunity system and can prevent the psoriasis from recurring. Peony Red, Moutan, Lithospermum, Millettia, Salvia, Carthamus, Sophora (root), Rehmannia Raw, Gardenia, Isatis Root, and Smilax are some of the herbs used in psoriasis tablets.

• Homeopathy. Homeopathy is an alternative treatment that has been effective for many types of diseases. For a homeopathic remedy for detoxification, you will need to consult a practitioner who has specialised knowledge.

• Hydra detox system. Hydra detox system is a machine by which you soak or immerse your feet, for approximately half an hour, in water. The machine helps to remove the harmful toxins through the pores of your feet. It is a new age method for detoxification of psoriasis and can be included as part of your overall treatment plan to become well.

• Reduce stress levels. Psoriasis like most other diseases is worsened by stress. Stress increases the toxins in your body, thus resulting in negative effects on your health and skin. You should try these suggestions for alleviating stress levels: meditation, yoga and sleeping well. Getting rid of stress helps to rebalance your system to a healthier and stronger state.

Got skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis? Try detox cleansing. Sign up to free research and special reports by Sandra Kim Leong on colon and liver cleansing, juice fasting and on detox diet here at http://www.Detox-Cleansing-Diet.com

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Dry Scalp, What Causes Dry Scalp Conditions And What You Can Do To Soothe & Moisturize A Dry Scalp

You rarely come across anyone who has the skin that has the perfect balance of oils. It is either excessively oily skin or dry skin. Most people, unfortunately, are cursed with the latter. We come across hundreds of products to take care of this problem of dry scalp and skin, and we fall prey to the advertising campaign to buy and use these products. Do we ever think of what goes into these products? On the other hand, do we pay any attention about the effect these chemicals and oils have on our skin?

Dry scalp problems are mostly seen in those with dry skin. Itchy scalp and dandruff are the immediate problems associated with excessive drying of scalp. Further worsening of this condition results in inflammation and sores of the scalp and lesions. If not attended to properly, then these can flare into much worse situations that might require long-term medications.

The dryness is caused by the stripping of natural oils from our body. Various causes attribute to this, some of which are:

• Pollution
• Exhaust smoke
• Hard water
• Toxins in Cosmetics / shampoo
• Bad eating habits

We cannot do anything to change the environmental conditions, which also include the quality of water available in your area, but you can definitely change your eating habits and your choice of cosmetics. The ones with Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium beryl sulfate, and Sodium laureth sulphate are definitely to be avoided, especially those products containing SLS. SLS is known to cause many different disorders if a person is exposed to it in large amounts.

Moisturizing your dry scalp is the solution to many a problem like itchy and flaky scalp. There are many home remedies available to relieve you from various scalp conditions. Natural oils and moisturizers act on the scalp, restore the oil content, and reverse the damage caused by SLS and such harmful chemicals. Many of the natural oils like Lavender, German Chamomile and Eucalyptus Oils along with neem oil do wonders in moisturizing dry itchy scalp. Some of these oils like the neem oil also act as antiseptic.

The pollutants and harmful toxins in the air and water are not going to go away, so you have to work on a regular basis to maintain a healthy hair and scalp. Use mild natural oils and lotions to constantly rejuvenate the scalp and prevent it from being stripped of the natural goodness that we are all born with.

Some oils that are beneficial for dry scalp are listed below:
Jojoba: Is excellent as a scalp moisturiser and helps to rebalance sebum.
Chamomile: Fine to normal hair … gives golden highlights
Lemon: Oily hair … Gives golden highlights; treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands
Myrrh: Dry hair … Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands
Peppermint: Dry hair … Promotes hair growth
Rose: Fine hair … Soothes scalp
Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil: Itchy Scalp, Dry Scalp
Tea tree: Oily hair … Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands
Ylang-ylang: Oily hair … Dandruff treatment
Neem: … a wonder oil from India. Neem is amazing for all of the wonderful “stuff” it does. It’s also derived from a type of tree bark. Neem is an effective fungicide and insecticide (great for head lice when used with geranium, rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus oils). In clinical studies Neem extracts and oil were found to be as effective as coal tar and cortisone in treating psoriasis with none of the usual side effects accompanying the use of Neem as there was with Coal tar and cortisone. Neem extracts and oil removes redness and itching when applied directly to your scalp…and it’s a great skin conditioner.

The best part of knowing that there are alternatives is that you can have mix these into super powerful blends like a super moisture boosting home remedy for dry scalp. Dry can be dealt with fast and permanently without spending a ton on hair products:

There are hundreds of ideas that are excellent scalp treatments from dandruff to scalp infections like scalp sores & psoriasis. These remedies combined with the knowledge of what causes itchy scalp and other scalp conditions will enable you to be free from itching, dryness and allow you to grow fabulously thick, shiny beautiful hair also…..so have fun experimenting and “luxuriating” by giving your hair a treat using the many natural gifts from nature that are right under our noses! There are also many natural shampoos that so not use these ingredients and do wonders for your hair such as Akin shampoo.

Mia Wadsworth who founded DryItchyScalpRemedies.com to help hundreds of sufferers of Dry scalp, Dandruff, Sore scalp, Itchy Scalp relieve & eliminate their condition fast & permanently. After curing her own painful condition using her own remedy for dry itchy scalp, Mia now helps sufferers learn what causes itchy scalp, & other scalp infections & how to use powerful home remedies & scalp treatments to regain confidence & beautiful hair!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mia_Wadsworth

What Causes Psoriasis To Worsen?

Physicians do not know what causes some people suffer from psoriasis. They have found, however, that certain factors contribute to a flare-up of the disease. Patients with psoriasis need to educate themselves so that they can stay away from these irritating agents or conditions which cause their symptoms to worsen.

Temperature seems to be an aggravating factor for those with psoriasis. A temperature that is too cold can cause the inflammation of psoriasis to worsen. The drying effect of a heater irritates the skin and makes flaking more troublesome. A sudden drop or intense rise in temperature also seems to make the condition worse. Patients report that a mild, stable climate is the most beneficial to keep from aggravating their psoriasis symptoms.

Infections in the body also have a negative effect on psoriasis. Whether the infection is an upper respiratory tract infection, strep throat, boils, or common thrush, it seems to cause the symptoms of psoriasis to worsen. The good news is that once the infection has been effectively stopped, the inflammation of the psoriasis also tends to decrease.

Stress seems to be a common denominator in most instances of worsening psoriasis. The initial stress may come from any source, but once the psoriasis flares up, the stress is self-perpetuating. Looking in the mirror at a body covered in sores is stressful. Answering the questions of friend and family concerning one's appearance or condition is stressful. Even the burning and itching of psoriasis result in stress that worsens the disease itself.

Doctors also feel that some medications may play a role in causing psoriasis to worsen. Some of the prescriptions medicines that are suspected are beta-blockers and corticosteroids. These are excellent drug for their intended purposes, but in some people, they bring a higher risk of reaction, causing psoriasis to worsen. Other suspected drugs are those used to treat malaria and Lithium. If these drugs seem to worsen a patient's psoriasis, doctors do have other prescriptions that can be given to replace them.

Through paying close attention to factors that precipitate a major breakout of psoriasis, patients and their doctors can eliminate many undesirable elements. Trial and error seems to be the only way to know exactly what causes psoriasis to worsen in individual patients and to personalize their treatment plans accordingly.

Smoking May Raise Psoriasis Risk

Smoking not only takes its toll on your body from the inside, but a new study shows it also affects how your skin looks and feels on the outside.

Researchers found that smoking increases the risk of psoriasis, which causes symptoms such as inflammation, redness, itching, and scaling of the skin.

The study shows the risk of psoriasis was 78 percent higher among current smokers compared with people who had never smoked and 37 percent higher among smokers who had quit previously.

Researchers say the results suggest that quitting smoking may help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis in smokers with the skin disease.

"These findings, along with well-established hazardous health effects of smoking, provide clear incentives for smoking cessation in those at risk for and suffering from psoriasis," writes researcher Hyon K. Choi, MD, of Harvard Medical School, and colleagues in the American Journal of Medicine.

Smoking Linked to Psoriasis
Researchers looked at the relationship between smoking and psoriasis in more than 78,500 female registered nurses who took part in the Nurses Health Study II. The women were followed for 14 years, and during that period 887 cases of psoriasis were reported.

Researchers measured lifetime smoking exposure in pack-years. A pack-year is the number of packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked.

The results showed that smoking not only increased the risk of psoriasis, but heavier smoking increased that risk further. For example, compared with women who never smoked, the risk of psoriasis was 60% higher for those with a smoking history of 11-20 pack-years and more than two times high for those with 21 or more pack-years of smoking.

Exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy or childhood also increased the risk of psoriasis (21 percent and 18 percent increased risk respectively).

Researchers found the risk of psoriasis decreased after quitting smoking, with the risk of psoriasis among former smokers comparable to nonsmokers 20 years after quitting.