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Why Helichrysum Essential Oil Belongs In Your Medicine Cabinet

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The precious essential oil of Helichrysum is relatively unknown in the United States, even in natural health and wellness circles. Interest and experience with this natural healing phenomenon is growing rapidly, however and with very good reason. Helichrysum is one of the most potent, dramatically healing essential oils used in European medical aromatherapy today. As noted by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, America’s leading medical aromatherapist, the effects of this oil are so convincing that it has never met with any kind of criticism. An essential oil so useful, even those who consider aromatherapy a pseudo-science do not challenge its wonderful effects! So what is Helichrysum oil, and how can it benefit the newcomer to aromatherapy?

With so many species of Helichrysum grown, and several essential oils distilled from these, it is important to recognize the most important of the therapeutic varieties. It is the italicum’ species of the Helichrysum plant that is mentioned with highest regard in the aromatherapy literature; moreover, the serotinum’ sub-species may be the most potent. When looking for the oil, be sure it is 100% pure, undiluted, Helichrysum italicum for best effects.

Helichrysum italicum is found growing wild around the Mediterranean, where fine grades of the essential oil are distilled. With growth in the oil’s popularity, exceptional oils are now being produced in North America as well, with laboratory credentials and brilliant aromas to prove it. As with many other essential oils, it is the care taken in the growing of the plant and use of precise distillation techniques that make an oil therapeutic grade’; where different geographical locations can sometimes produce different chemotypes’ of essential oils, this does not seem to be the case with Helichrysum. As is also the case with most essential oils, a pleasing, well-rounded, natural aroma is indicative of its healing potency.

By now you’re likely asking: So what does it DO? Ah, well, a great many things! Helichrysum italicum is a unique essential oil in its distinct synergy of molecular components. It is the only oil known to contain safe but powerful regenerative di-ketones. Its curcumene components have been studied for their anti-inflammatory action; further, the oil contains what are known as spasmolytic esters’ which cause tissues to relax. Relaxing, anti-inflammatory and regenerative a wonderful combination in a single therapeutic oil.

As Dr. Schnaubelt notes: The pain-reducing, analgesic, and regenerative effect is unique…Generally, Helichrysum italicum works for all conditions in which inflamed tissue needs to be calmed down and regenerated. The oil has a great variety of applications due to this broad range of action. It is regularly used for skin, muscle and connective tissue injuries and healing with profound results. Most simply, the essential oil may be applied directly to larger cuts, scrapes and even surgical incisions to speed healing (true Lavender oil works well for small wounds add a little Tea Tree in either case for a stronger anti-microbial effect).

Helichrysum oil is wonderful for active sports and fitness enthusiasts of all sorts. Its anti-inflammatory action is so helpful for bumps, bruises, sprains and strains; Its effect is so potent that in many cases, it may prevent bruising and swelling all together if applied in time. Even if applied later, as one would an Arnica preparation, it will still speed healing. Chronic injuries may also be helped with other supportive ingredients. Tendonitis can be treated, for example, with a blend using 1 part per 100 each of Helichrysum italicum, Lemon Eucalyptus and Yarrow essential oils in a base oil of your choosing a base of comfrey cream may be most beneficial.

Helichrysum is included in many therapeutic blends for the skin. It is considered anti-inflammatory, tissue regenerating and a cicatrisant (scar reducing). To treat scars, old and new, use 25 drops Helichrysum, 25 drops Rosemary Verbenone and 75 drops Calophyllum (Tamanu) in each ounce of Hazelnut oil. Apply regularly to the scar; this formula is even used for smoothing of old keloid scars over a period of six months. For additional support, add 75 drops of Rosehip seed oil to the blend. Helichrysum is used in blends to reduce stretch marks after pregnancy: Use a 3% dilution of Helichrysum oil in Hazelnut with 20% Rosehip seed as the base and apply regularly. During pregnancy, a low dilution blend (1% total essential oils) of Neroli and Cypress in Hazelnut oil is recommended to prevent the marks from occurring. Hemorrhoids may be relieved with 1% Helichrysum and 1% German Chamomile in Sesame oil. Allergic skin reactions and eczema may be calmed with 1% each Helichrysum and Blue Tansy essential oils in Hazelnut oil.

Helichrysum essential oil is indicated for many other conditions, and should be discussed with your healthcare provider to see if it makes sense as an adjunct therapy. The oil may ease symptoms of neuralgia through its regenerative and analgesic properties apply a 3% dilution of the oil in Hazelnut or Jojoba to tingling or painful areas. It may offer support for other physical conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis in a similar concentration, with added warming oils may be added for improved. Helichrysum acts as an anti-coagulant, and is supportive of the veins. It is considered effective for reducing tinnitus: a drop is placed on a cotton ball and put in the ear each night for two weeks some recommend simply placing a drop on the pinky and massaging the ear canal. The antispasmodic and decongestive actions help with coughs, colds and asthma. It also can offer great support for stress related exhaustion and headaches.

On the more esoteric side, where aromatherapy also affects the psyche and emotions, according to Mojay’s Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit’: Those (emotions) that are most indicatedare enduring resentment, half-conscious anger, bitterness of spirit, and a stubbornly negative attitude. For many, there can be a direct link between these hardened emotions and physical manifestation of illness. Aromatherapy massage with Helichrysum may be extremely beneficial, as one receives the oil’s aroma, its biological effects, and the healing touch of massage. Here, the oil may be used in a 1-3% dilution, alone or with other oils tailored to the person’s needs.

So as you can see, Helichrysum is well-suited to a great many individuals concerned with natural health, wellness and fitness. Whether you’ve got active children, you’re active sports enthusiast or have one in your family, you’re healing your skin or improving its appearance, or have other muscular, nerve, joint or vascular conditions, Helichrysum italicum oil may offer welcome healing action. Helichrysum can be applied regularly, as it is a safe essential oil with no contraindications. The oil is still relatively rare, and the flowers only yields a small amount, so the cost may seem a little high – but a little goes a long way. It is only used undiluted in acute situations; otherwise a low dilution is often used. Helichrysum italicum is one of aromatherapy’s stand-out healing oils, coming highly recommended by many natural healers, and deserves a place in nearly everyone’s medicine chest.

Interesting Facts About Renaissance Doctors And Medicine

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Do you usually link Renaissance to advances in medicine? Typically, when we talk about the Renaissance period, we talk about an explosion of learning and creativity. From paintings to music, this was a tremendous time for the arts in particular. However, the era of the Renaissance, which lasted from the middle 1400s until the 1700s, also featured major developments in European medicine. Here are some of the important facts surrounding the Renaissance period and medicine:

1. New knowledge and inventions improved medicine

A flurry of new knowledge and inventions helped to advance medicine quickly, during the Renaissance. There were no instruments yet to observe bacteria, and thus create a need for cheap urbane scrubs. However, diagrams of the human body and the printing press both had a huge influence on the world of medicine. Thus, doctors had a better comprehension of how the human body functioned, than during any previous era in Europe’s history.

2. Galen was no longer king

During the previous Middle Ages, the medical world considered Galen’s writings to be infallible. Galen was an ancient Greek living in Rome, who had developed the concepts of Hippocrates, “The Father of Medicine.”

However, during the Renaissance, doctors took a more practical and academic approach to training in their profession. Medical students studied from books with realistic diagrams of humans. In addition to better books, doctors-in-training also had access to more of them, thanks to the invention of the printing press. In fact, universities even permitted students to dissect humans, towards the end of the Renaissance. This practice had previously been limited to animals.

3. Science began to supersede spirituality

During the Renaissance, people still held to some spiritual reasoning regarding diseases. For instance, people were unaware that bacteria existed, and could spread from person-to-person. However, logic became king, due to a new wealth of knowledge available, and an efficient way to distribute it faster-the printing press. In addition, the training for surgical procedures greatly improved. Apprentices would learn surgical techniques, from an active surgeon. Interestingly, universities themselves failed to supply doctors-in-training with these skills. Nevertheless, the improvements in textbooks about human anatomy significantly boosted the complexity of the surgeries that doctors did.

4. Many did not embrace advances in medicine

While the Renaissance ushered in a new era of medical knowledge and skills, not everyone was impressed. During the Renaissance, home remedies remained a vital aspect of medical treatment, for many people. In fact, some people still sought treatments from local shaman who lacked formal training in the medical profession. Also, many “old-school” doctors and the Catholic Church still adhered to the teachings of Galen. However, within time, medical advances during the Renaissance would revolutionize the whole professional.

The Renaissance was clearly an era of enlightenment and developments. Besides the fantastic output in the arts, the medical profession flourished as well. While doctors were yet unaware of bacteria or the need to wear scrubs during surgeries, they were nonetheless learning. Essentially starting with the Renaissance, spiritual doctors were becoming scientific doctors!

Discount Frontline Medicine For Dogs

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Frontline for Dogs can be very effective at treating our Dogs for fleas and ticks. We must ensure that we use it as effectively as possible. This means always following the instructions on the packaging but sometimes we may need to go one stage further.

The problem arises mostly with larger Dogs but if you feel the frontline medicine is not working as effectively as you wish then this may apply to your Dog as well. Sometimes applying frontline in one place is not the best way to get the maximum effect.

Quite often you will see the solution begin to soak in to the animals fur. This is not what we want and not how to use it effectively. It should always be applied to the skin directly and not the fur. Sometimes the area becomes saturated though and the fur begins to soak up the excess. We can avoid this by putting half of the capsule in another spot. Always apply where the Dog cannot lick it. By applying in two areas it will all go directly on to the skin and will work much more efficiently. It will also ensure that it is spread evenly around the whole body of your pet which is very important.

You want an even distribution to ensure that it works to its full potential. Then when the Dogs walks the glands thoroughly distribute the solution over all parts of the Dog. By applying frontline for Dogs in this manner it will be able to work at its full strength.

Frontline for Dogs can be found cheaply. See this frontline for Dogs site for very cheap frontline Dog flea medicine.

Fleas, Ticks And Getting Your Dog To Take Medicine

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Late spring, summer, and early fall are usually the months when fleas and ticks are at their worst. Some areas have nice climates year round, these areas have year round fleas as well. Your dog may be an inside dog; that does not mean that he is immune. Just taking your dog out to use the bathroom can start a flea infestation. A variety of other animals (stray cats and dogs, squirrels, etc) comb neighborhoods, these can very easily drop unwanted visitors at your door, literally.

There are products on the market to help control the pests that get on your animal as well as those that get in your yard, your vet can recommend the best products for you to use for your dog’s safety.

You also need to do some other ‘home maintenance’ things. Some of these include:
1. Anything your pet spends much time on should be cleaned as best it can. For instance, if he uses his own bed, wash it in hot water and dry on high heat. If he spends time on the couch, vacuum it regularly (your vet may recommend a mild pesticide be use on the couch (and other places your dog uses a lot), depending on infestation and severity.
2. Vacuum your entire house, washing any throw rugs. Often flea eggs are dropped from the pet into the carpet through shedding. Just because they are no longer on your dog doesn’t mean that they are not viable. These eggs will hatch and grow just as they would if they were on your dog.
3. Brush your dog frequently. Combs designed for lice removal in humans make excellent combs for flea and flea egg removal in short-haired dogs. Longer hair is more difficult unless you have a very passive dog that will allow you to comb down to the skin with the tiny combs but are better done with flea combs designed for dogs. Bathing should be done at least bi-weekly and a good conditioner (oatmeal-based is great) should be applied to help sooth your dog’s skin.
4. Keep your lawn mowed, believe it or not, this helps with flea infestation.

I Can’t Get My Dog’s Liquid Medicine Down
Face it; there are times that we have to medicate our dogs. Usually it’s just not much fun; flailing legs, squirming bodies, and twisting heads are not a joyful experience for either one of you. These tips should help you accomplish this feat. Remember to follow all medication instructions and dosage requirements.
1. Have a treat ready if the medication doesn’t have to be taken on an empty stomach.
2. Measure the medicine into the dropper.
3. Sooth your dog through calm movements and soft words.
4. Wrap one arm around the dog’s neck, between your thumb and first finger, take hold of the lower jaw.
5. Tilt the nose up, but not straight up.
6. Insert the dropper’s tip toward the back of the cheek without opening the mouth.
7. Slowly squeeze the dropper’s ‘bubble’ letting a constant, slow flow of the medication into your dog’s mouth. He will swallow instinctively.

Extra tips, in case your dog is a bit harder to control:
1. Flailing dogs can be wrapped in towels (or blankets for larger dogs).
2. Give high praise and a treat when the process is over (as long as the medication does not need to be taken on an empty stomach).
3. Keep the dog’s body in front of you.
4. There are new ways to flavor pet medications. Certain pharmacists and veterinarians can perform this service for little cost.

Using these instructions and tips, you should be able to successfully give your dog the medication he needs in a less traumatic experience for both of you. High praise for anything good always reinforces good behavior, so every successful attempt should be treated as an exceptional feat for him. He will continue to improve, eventually making the process quite simple.

Skin and Coat Medicine for Dogs

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The happiest dog can easily become quite miserable when they develop a skin or coat problem. Dogs, which have required nothing beyond simple grooming and a healthy diet for years, can be struck by disease or old age and the effect is often evident in their coat. It may lack the healthy sheen you are used to seeing. Or maybe the dog has developed spots on his skin that itch and have become irritated. The problem could be the result of changing nutritional needs due to his age.

Or it could be the result of a disorder that requires treatment, such as endocrine disorders, congenital or inherited disorders, parasites, trauma, infectious disease or an immune disorder. For some dogs, the problem can be something simple like an allergy to something in the environment. Allergies can strike dogs at an early age or upon exposure. It is hard for a dog to ignore itchy skin. Without treatment, the dog may keep scratching to the point that its skin becomes inflamed. Once that happens, the dogs skin may not heal quickly and infection sets in.

The answer can be as simple as skin and coat supplements, which provide the skin with the nutrients it needs to be healthy. These supplements contain fatty acids, which are natural anti-inflammatories, vitamins and minerals all needed to ensure your dog has a shiny, healthy coat and skin. Or the dogs condition may require skin and coat medications. These come in various strengths and formats lotions, shampoos, conditioners and sprays.

Lotions

Some lotions, like Resicort Leave-on Lotion, contain 1 percent hydrocortisone and are indicated for the relief of inflammation and pruritus. You should massage it deep into the dogs coat to soothe allergic skin. The lotion leaves a film behind that continues to treat the skin and coat long after its been applied.

Conditioners

Just as children with chicken pox have found that an oatmeal bath can provide a lot of relief, it can do the same for dogs. Oatmeal-based conditioners, like Epi-Soothe Oatmeal Cream Rinse, are used after shampooing to help relieve itchy or sensitive skin by restoring the moisture and natural oils to the skin. As a side benefit, it can also make longer coats more manageable and less likely to tangle. There is also Relief Cream Rinse, which combines colloidal oatmeal and proxamine HCL, to soothe itching caused by a variety of skin conditions. Its emollients and Omega-6 fatty acids will continue to nourish the dogs skin if it is not rinsed out.

Shampoos

With almost all of the dogs body covered with fur, finding the right shampoo is important. With myriad varieties of dog shampoos, there is one for almost any canine condition. For outdoor dogs, there are shampoos like Adams Flea Shampoo, which kills fleas, ticks and lice. Skunk-Off shampoo is as mild as tearless baby shampoo with the deodorizing ingredients found in the original Skunk-Off liquid. Products like Douxo Calm Shampoo are for dogs suffering from allergies. It gently cleans the allergens from the skin and protects against further attack by helping the skin heal. Allegroom Shampoo cleanses without heavy stripping of the lipid layer and adds moisture to the surface. Allergroom contains no fragrances, soaps or detergents, and is pH controlled. There are also high-lathering shampoos, such as Keratolux Shampoo, that help remove scales and crust common to seborrhea and other skin disorders.