Earth Day

Hi good day, yesterday we observed the Earth Day. We call the earth mother, since we speak in her feminine gender. Mother Earth is definitely begging to be respected, because of many destructions of our environment and all species around us. In geneses, GOD the creator made Adam and eve and a land to live. They cannot survive without land they will die. So, land is a part our lives. Hence, we should take care of the land in order to live; they are the provider of foods and human existence. Mother Earth should be respected as a fellow creation of GOD. This world is our home as one big family on earth. To destroy our home mother Earth, it is also mean you destroy our selves. To save human kind be responsible.

Aloe vera for sunburn

It is already summertime here in the Philippines. It is really getting hotter nowadays. It’s time to wear sunscreen or sun block. I hate sunburn. A lot of people would go to the beach at this time of the year. So, if you are planning on going to the beach, don’t forget to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays. And in case, you get sunburn, you should use aloe vera. You take a leaf off, then tear that leaf in half, lengthwise, and rub the aloe vera on the sunburn. You can squeeze the liquid out of the leaf so it drops on the burn, if it hurts to touch the sunburn.

Computer Maintenance

I just noticed my computer has been acting funny and weird lately. It is kinda slow. I thought it was because of our Internet. But Internet seems fine. So, what I did was I defragged my hard drive. Actually, defragmenting your hard drive places your data back into chronological order. Then, I scanned my hard disk to detect and fix any problems. I scanned scan for viruses using my Avast! I also check for spyware using Spybot. And lastly, I uninstalled any unnecessary programs or files. And now, my computer is back to normal. I guess, it just needs some maintenance.

Dig your emotional closets.

To be success, we have to discovere the reason to success and reason why success so far to us. In fact, I noticed other people and circumstances keep us from achieving our goals in life. And I tend to get upset. Life is so tough.

Sometimes, we need to change our ways in order to be successful in life. And unfortunately, some peple are afraid to change because they are not aware of their own strengths. They imprisoned themselves within a box. In order to achieve, don’t expect immediately. Because it takes time. I can attest that. Changing our self is the first thing to do. You dig your emotional closet and throw it away. Throw it away and be ready to welcome towards success. Don’t wait any longer, start now and be positive always on your dream.

Laughter is the best medicine

Many say that laughter is the best medicine. Laughter is one and simplest, most inexpensive drug free- stress reductions. Yes, it's true laughter flows to our body, soul, and mind regularly. Don't take life too seriously, especially the small irritations at work or home. Instead of being irritated try to laugh at the silly way. Also try to remember some events or silly you do. Most specially laugh at yourself and your mistakes. Discovery that ten minutes of genuine laughter had an effect that gives us at least two hours of pain-free sleep. It's helps on muscle relaxation, heart rate, and blood pressure. Would like to know the secret of being young at heart also in appearance? Try to laugh often and you discover the difference. Don't worry be happy.

Pregnancy Treatments

Last time, I shared with you some of the massage movements that can help relieve many of the stresses and discomforts of pregnant women. And this time, I also want to share some common ailments, which can be treated by aromatherapy treatments and other simple steps.

Common Ailments:

1. Backache – the lower back region takes a lot of strain during pregnancy, and will benefit from a firm massage with four drops each of lavender and sandalwood in two tablespoons of base oil. Six drops of lavender in the bath will help to soothe away the aches.
2. Morning Sickness – eat little and often during the day, avoiding junk food and heavy meals late at night. Choose fresh foods, which are free from preservatives or chemicals. Try herbal tea infusions such as chamomile, peppermint or orange blossom, which are good for the digestion.
3. Heartburn – avoid heavy meals and particularly rich, spicy foods. Peppermint tea infusions help, and you can rub the solar plexus with a blend of two drops each of lemon and peppermint essential oils in one tablespoon of base oil.
4. Sore Breasts – these need extra care and attention during pregnancy as they expand. Use gentle massage oil with rose and orange, three drops of each in one tablespoon of sweet almond oil; or if breasts are swollen, make a cool compress using rosewater and place over the breasts while having an afternoon rest. Sweet almond oil on its own is excellent for sore, cracked nipples during breast-feeding. Never use pure essential oils on the breasts during this period as they can easily be transferred to the baby while feeding.
5. Constipation – make sure your diet contains plenty of fresh and high fibre foods and drink plenty of still water. Tension can also be a contributory factor, so try a relaxing bath with three drops of lavender and four drops of rose. Massage your abdomen and the small of the back with a blend of four drops of chamomile or orange in one tablespoon of base oil.
6. Sleep Problems – in the last few months of pregnancy, with the baby kicking and other discomforts, it is often difficult to get a good night’s sleep. A relaxing bath with neroli and rose is soothing, and you can add ylang-ylang for its calming, sedative effect – a maximum of eight drops in total. Two drops of rose or lavender on the edge of the pillowcase will help induce sleep.
7. Stretch Marks – when the stretched skin returns to the body’s normal shape it can leave tiny jagged scars. A daily massage around the hips and expanding tummy, using five drops of lavender in one tablespoon of jojoba, wheat germ or evening primrose oil, will help keep skin smooth and supple. Start around the fifth month of pregnancy and continue after the birth until you return to your normal weight.
8. Swollen Ankles – these can be reduced with a cool to warm footbath of benzoin, rose and orange. Add two drops of each directly to the bowl or mix with one tablespoon of base carrier oil such as sesame seed. Rest with feet raised on cushions or pillows.
9. Varicose Veins – during pregnancy the blood flow to the legs is often slowed down, causing the veins to dilate. Two drops each of cypress, lemongrass and lavender, mixed with two tablespoons of apricot kernel base oil, can be smoothed gently over the legs for relief. If veins are prominent then one of the best oils for the circulation is geranium, though this should always be very dilute for use in pregnancy. Add four drops to the bath or to one tablespoon of carrier oil to massage the leg with upward movements. Do not work directly on the veins or apply too much pressure to the leg.

Labour – to create a relaxing atmosphere in the labour room, use a few drops of lavender in a fragrancer, or try rose, neroli or ylang-ylang to fortify you as the labour progresses. Any of these oils can be used in a massage blend for the lower back to help with contractions. If labour is progressing slowly, try marjoram as massage oil or compress across the abdomen to stimulate contractions.

After the Birth – the “baby blues” often occur around the third or fourth day after childbirth, though some women can suffer a more severe form of post-natal depression for up to a year. A bath of jasmine and ylang-ylang will help you feel better, or use a body oil of chamomile, geranium and orange (5 drops to 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil), which is a good mix for hormonal imbalance. To ease any perineal pains, a bath with lavender is soothing. Tea tree can also be added, since this is a powerful antiseptic and helps heal internal wounds and stitches.

Following oils should be avoided during pregnancy (particularly the first five months) because of their strong diuretic properties or tendency to induce menstruation:

Bay, Basil, Clary Sage, Comfrey, Fennel, Hyssop, Juniper, Marjoram, Melissa, Myrrh, Rosemary, Thyme, Sage

Use all essential oils in half the usual quantity during pregnancy and take extra care in handling them. Ensure that the oils you are using are pure essential oils, as adulterated blends or synthetic oils can sometimes have less predictable effects.

If you have a history of miscarriage you could also avoid chamomile and lavender for the first few months, although in general these are excellent oils for pregnancy.

Because of their potentially toxic nature and strong abortive qualities the following oils should never be used except by a qualified aroma therapist, and must be avoided during pregnancy: Oreganum, Pennyroyal, St John’s Wort, Tansy, Wormwood

Pregnancy Massage

As I’m focusing on my health and worried too much, I’m dealing with a lot of stress that I am now in my last trimester of my pregnancy. I was once read a book entitled, “The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy, Massage and Yoga” by, Carole McGilvery, Jimi Reed, and Mira Mehta. It helps me in any way to relax and release tension and discomfort. For all pregnant women like me, I want to share it with you what I’ve read and it is easy to follow with detailed step-by-step instructions with your partner or husband.

The Back:

After about the fourth month of pregnancy it becomes uncomfortable to lie on the stomach, so work with your partner sitting up with a towel-wrapped pillow or back of a chair to lean over for support.

1. Make sure your partner is comfortable and place your left hand over the forehead and the palm of your right hand across the back of the neck. Hold for a few moments and then release.

2. Apply a little oil of your fingers and using a slight but gentle pressure, softly massage each side of your partner's neck and shoulders, kneading mainly with the thumbs. This will help to relieve the tension often caused by the weight of enlarged breasts.

3. Stroke the oil evenly over the back and begin an effleurage movement (a soothing, stroking motion with two hands, moving up the sides of the spine and out over the shoulders). Repeat several times to establish a rhythm and relax your partner.

4. Using the thumbs, work upward on each side of the spinal column from the lower back to the neck to help release congestion along the spinal nerves. Repeat four times. Clear the movement by sweeping up the back using the calming effleurage stroke.

5. Starting from the center of the back, begin working up and outward across the width of the back with superficial effleurage movements. Repeat the movements several times until your partner is relaxed. This will help to stimulate the circulation and has a soothing effect on the nerve endings.

6. Using a double-handed movements, press down and then gently lift the muscles to the side of the neck, rolling with the thumb, and then release. Work out from the neck across the shoulder, and then repeat across the other shoulder. Performed slowly with rhythmic movements this is very relaxing and will alleviate stiffness.

The Abdomen:

For a pregnant woman, the weight of the uterus can constrict important blood vessels if she lies down flat on her back, so provide plenty of pillows, cushions, bolsters or rolled towels to support your partner behind the back, under the neck and knees and anywhere else she needs to feel comfortable.

1. It may seem alarming to massage the abdomen during pregnancy but, providing the strokes are light and careful, it is safe and relaxing for mother and baby. Gentle massage all over the abdominal area can be very soothing and is beneficial for relieving the stretched feeling often experienced during pregnancy. Apply oil evenly over the area to help feed the tissues and lessen the possibility of stretch marks.
2. Using the flat of your hands, carefully glide them up from either side of the waist, lifting your hands off as they reach the navel, and then start again. Continue to stroke the area with a light, soft touch, working over the whole of the abdomen to soothe and calm.
3. After a minute of gentle circular movements, place the fingertips of the solar plexus region and cover with your right hand. Rest both hands for a moment and then release to help alleviate stress.

The Legs:

Make sure your partner is comfortable, with the knees supported by cushions.

Begin gently stroking the leg with an effleurage from the ankle to the knee, smoothing up the shin and then glide around the calf. It can help to relieve the swelling, varicose veins or cramp which afflict many pregnant women. Do not use any heavy movements to the legs and avoid any reflexology movements to the feet, though gentle stroking around the ankles may well be appreciated.

To Finish:

With both hands positioned at the back of the neck, apply light circular pressures to the cranium (skull) with your fingertips working in an upward direction to help release tension. End the massage by smoothing the hair away from the neck and forehead, releasing all the negative energy. Allow your partner to rest for 15 minutes and then help her to get up very gently.

Recommended Oils for Pregnancy:

Chamomile, Geranium (in low doses), Lavender, Lemon, Neroli Orange, Rose, and Sandalwood