OneHealthyGirl.com - Carla Golden's Get Healthier! Blog

MY MOTHER GAVE BIRTH TO ME *AND* SHE SAVED ME FROM MY SHAMPOO!

So my mother is researching safe cosmetics and personal care products and asks me about this site called OrganicDivas.com. Well, if you know me one little bit, I am so NOT diva'esque that I can hardly bring myself to even pull up the site. I don't wear make-up, don't color my hair...in fact, I'm growing it back out because I can't stand getting it cut all the dang time to keep it short. I am so low-maintenance when it comes to my personal grooming. I use bar soap (for washing & shaving), organic shampoo, organic conditioner, rubbing alcohol and a variety of essential oils. My one foo-foo item is my loofah sponge. Gotta have the loofah-fah! Far from diva, however.

So my mom is getting down and diva-dirty with the ingredients of all her stuff and I tell her not to worry about me....I use organic from the health food store. Well, she said you know even the health food store brands have "bad" ingredients. I said I know that, knowing good and well that MY brand of shampoo and conditioner wouldn't fall into THAT category. Geeze, Mom.

So I go to the Environmental Working Group site which hosts the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. I typed in my shampoo - Nature's Gate Herbal - and HOLY SMOKES it has the moderate hazard score 5 out of 10 (with 10 being bad) with warnings against cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, violations, restrictions & warnings, allergies/immunotoxicity and other concerns for ingredients used in this product. YIKES! I think I freakin' need to change shampoos especially since I share the bottle with hubby and child (we're all low maintenance). 

Don't mess with my baby's head unless you want to see something ugly happen! I'm livid! It makes me want to stop washing my hair. OK, that wouldn't last long. 

The Skin Deep Database easily helps you to pull up "safer" shampoos to look for in stores or to order online. And the GoodGuide reviews all kinds of household products - including personal care items - for their safety. 

Incidentally, the GoodGuide rates Nature's Gate Herbal as "good" pulling a rating of 6.5 out of 10 (with bad being 1). So I'm not going to go throw out all my current and back stock, but when we use up ol' Nature's Gate know that I'm going to be choosing a new shampoo with a pristine rating!

Thanks, Mom! Three little heads over here appreciate you watching over us!

Live Light, xo-C.

RAINDROP TECHNIQUE TRAINING FOR HILTON HEAD ISLAND AREA!

What is Raindrop Technique? In short, an intense application of nine therapeutic essential oils on the feet and back to achieve greater physical, emotional, and spiritual balance. Read the longer and more specifically detailed explanation here.

There will be a CARE Raindrop Intensive Thursday, December 4th through Sunday, December 7th in Bluffton, SC. Class and registration details are available here. Scroll down the page to the CARE section.

The CARE class is open to the public. A bodywork license is not required to learn or practice Raindrop the CARE way.

To locate a Raindrop Practitioner in your area, consult Wellness Destinations Central.

Live Light, xo-C.

PEPPERMINT OIL COOLS MS (MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS) SYMPTOMS!

Long time readers, remember Marcy? Well, here's a little update. Some of you may recall that Marcy has MS of which one of the symptoms is sensitivity to heat. During a massage, I employed the use of therapeutic peppermint oil on Marcy's abdomen and back, applying the principle of cooling core body temperature as I've done in the past with my six year old daughter.

On the rare occasion when my daughter develops a fever, I apply peppermint oil on her feet (she's not particularly fond of the scent and the pores of the feet absorb readily) which helps pull down the temperature whereby allowing her body to heal itself. There's no need for fever medication and no worry about her fever escalating to dangerous levels for me when I take this approach.

Marcy experienced relief from her elevated body temperature after that massage and has since used peppermint oil to help keep things in check. Marcy writes:

"YES, the Peppermint oil is WONDERFUL! I put it on with my lotion after I shower at the gym ( where I'm so hot) I put it on around 10am and It's 10:45am now and I still feel it! Thank you, Thank you! LOVE IT!"

and...

"I had another wonderful experience today. I put it on my legs, belly and arms! Also introduced it to a friend of mine who also has MS and heat issues! Yes, Yes, Yes.. It's wonderful! Thank you, Thank you!"

Thank you, Marcy, for sharing your experience with the OneHealthyGirl.com readers. I hope you are able to continue finding relief using all natural, life and health supporting therapeutic essential oils.

Live Light, xo-C.

ESSENTIAL OIL IS A RAW FOODIST'S SECOND BEST MEDICINE!

Raw foodists know that healthful, living food is sustenance and medicine while lifeless, processed food is poison. "You are what you eat" and to be truly alive, one must eat predominantly, if not all, living food. This can sound so radical or so simple, depending on what you already know and enjoy about food.

But even raw foodists get sick occasionally or need help along the way, too. There is only so much one can control when it comes to soil, water and air quality. Essential oils are an excellent raw medicine choice.

"Therapeutic grade oils are [steam] distilled but not actually "cooked." The resulting product is stored in what are called cuticles - microscopic sacs that protect the oil from heat as steam liberates the oil from the plant. Once inside the condenser these cuticles, upon contact with cool water, burst open and free their contents. The oils then float in the water and are skimmed off into a collection tank. It is at this point that the constituents [the therapeutic agents] are sensitive to high temperatures." From The Complete Master Cleanse by Tom Woloshyn.

However much life your food has to offer when you eat it gets transferred to your body. Living foods are energy sustaining and generally easier to digest because the natural enzymes are intact. Dead foods (thoroughly cooked, packaged, boxed or otherwise processed) foods have no life to offer and require energy and enzymes from your body to process them.

If you feel sluggish in general or after eating, try incorporating more raw foods into your daily diet. Raw vegetables, raw fruit, fresh water, deep breathes of clean air and raw nuts are excellent, life enhancing choices. Don't take my word for it. Experiment and experience this for yourself.

Live Light, xo-C.

KINOKI FOOT PADS - FACT OR FICTION?

I've had several people ask me about "those detox foot pad things" and so I set out to investigate. I found a box of Kinoki Cleansing Detox Foot Pads at our local Walgreens for $19.99 plus tax.

Here are the results:

My foot pads (one foot per night) from two nights:

click photo to enlarge

My husband's foot pads (one foot per night) from two nights:

click photo to enlarge

An unused detox pad sprayed with water:

click photo to enlarge

The contents of the unused detox foot pad ("detox foot paste"):

click photo to enlarge

The detox foot paste after being sprayed with water:

click photo to enlarge

My conclusion is that these foot pads are a gimmick. The sweat from anyone's feet (the pads are worn overnight and the adhesive bandage does not let the foot breathe) would turn the powder brownish gray.

Here is an ABC News video that reinforces my conclusion.

Don't waste your money on these foot pads. If you want true cleansing and greater energy, analyze and change your diet, exercise and stress level.

Now, the best use I found for the adhesive bandages were for placing a cotton pad with approximately 8 drops each of DiGize and Melrose essential oil blends. Nearly all the oil was absorbed by the pores in my foot overnight.

Still, this is not a magic bullet either but rather excellent supplementation to already healthy habits.

Live Light, xo-C.

SAFE VS. UNSAFE ESSENTIAL OILS

Today I discovered an essential oil company which I found to be very exotic, sensuous and alluring. I thought "how is it that I have not know about THIS lovely company?" The offerings were none like I had seen before and the presentation was mesmerizing.

Ahhh, but BLAM! the dream exploded. I visited the Safe Use of Essential Oils page of their website and found this:

• Do not use essential oils internally.
• Do not apply directly to skin; always dilute with carrier oil.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
• Do not use citrus oils before exposure to UV light.
• Use only pure essential oils; avoid synthetic fragrances.
• Do not use essential oils on infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, or those with serious health problems, without advanced medical study.
• Avoid prolonged exposure without ventilation.
• Store essential oils and carrier oils properly to avoid degradation and rancidity.

When using THERAPEUTIC grade essential oils (according to AFNOR or ISO standards):

- they are safe to use internally when marked GRAS (generally regarded as safe) and/or are marked with a nutrition panel on the label. I've taken oils internally for about two years and I believe I am healthier because of it.

- with practiced use, therapeutic oils are safe to use directly on the skin (neet). Generally only "hot" oils like cinnamon or oregano sometimes need dilution with vegetable oil just to maintain comfort. Ninety percent of the oils I use on myself are neet.

- with practiced use and accumulated knowledge, it is very safe and helpful to use therapeutic oils on infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly. I have used them on my child, during pre-nantal massage and on the elderly. Had I known as much about oils as I do now, I would have used them on my child when she was an infant.

- diffusing is an effective method for inhaling oils and cleaning the air. I often run my diffuser for hours at a time to my benefit, that of my family and my pets. Those new to diffusing may want to start off with 10 minutes at a time and build and be aware that some oils are stronger than others and don't require as much time. It's not unusual for me to run my diffuser all day.

- Essential oils should not be exposed to extreme temperatures. 100% therapeutic grade essential oils will not go rancid like fatty oils can. It is said that you can bequeath your high quality essential oils to your grandchildren because they will still be as good and effective as they are today.

Based on the findings that I discovered today on this website, I concluded that I would not order oils from them based on their warnings for their products. If their oils require these precautions then I can safely assume that they are not therapeutic grade oils. Let this serve as an example when you're shopping essential oils and insist that all your oils are therapeutic. If you want therapeutic results, you must use therapeutic grade products and services.

Too bad. Because the site was really, really gorgeous. Live Light, xo-C.

CARLA'S HappyGut OIL CAPSULE!

I have been in the habit for approximately 2 months now of ingesting a capsule of DiGize essential oil blend (15 drops) at least once a day, sometimes up to three times a day. Why do I do this? Well, because I like how NOT being bloated, NOT being gassy and NOT being constipated feels. Never before have I had such a happy gut day after day after day. And I'm confident that the enzymes in the oils also help to deconstruct and assimilate the nutrients in my food.

What is in DiGize therapeutic essential oil blend?

1. Tarragon is antiseptic and combats intestinal parasites and urinary tract infection. It is antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, and prevents fermentation.

2. Ginger has been traditionally used to combat nausea and and gastro-intestinal fermentation. It is antispasmodic and antiseptic and combats indigestion.

3. Juniper works as a powerful detoxifier and cleanser and amplifies kidney function.

4. Anise is antispasmodic, antiseptic, stimulates and increases bile flow. Combats spastic colitis, indigestion, and intestinal pain.

5. Fennel is antiseptic and stimulating to the gastrointestinal system. It is antispasmodic, antiseptic, and used for flatulence and nausea. It promotes digestion and prevents fermentation.

6. Patchouli is powerful digestive aid that combats nausea.

7. Peppermint is one of the most highly regarded herbs for improving digestion and combating parasites. It relaxes the smooth muscles of the intestinal tract and promotes peristalsis. It kills bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and mold.

8. Lemongrass has been documented to have powerful antifungal properties. It is a vasodilating, anti-inflammatory, and improves digestion.

How's that for a power-packed essential oil blend? Care to try DiGize and experience a happy, healthy gut? You can order the oil blend and the empty capsules for filling from Young Living, the world leader in essential oils.

Live Light, xo-C.

COULD CANCER BE CAUSED BY CANDIDA?

Here is an article and several links to learn more about the theory that cancer is caused by the Candida albicans fungus. I don't have an opinion about this theory now, but I know that candida causes many bodily ailments. This is certainly a theory that I will follow over time as it develops.

Here are excerpts from the Mercola.com article:

• According to Dr. Simoncini’s website, polls and questionnaires show that a full 75 percent of doctors say they’d refuse chemotherapy if they were struck with cancer due to its ineffectiveness and its devastating side effects.

• Dr. Allen Levin, MD, author of The Healing of Cancer, has said, “The majority of the cancer patients in this country die because of chemotherapy, which does not cure breast, colon or lung cancer. This has been documented for over a decade and nevertheless doctors still utilize chemotherapy to fight these tumors.”

• ...anywhere between 79 to 97 percent of all cancer patients also have Candida. Dr. Simoncini’s research has led him to believe that something as simple as a fungus, Candida, is the leading cause of cancer; that cancer itself is in fact a fungus. What we refer to as a tumor, is nothing more than your body’s attempt at protecting itself from that fungus.

• A good sign that Candida is on the loose is feeling “run down” and developing a craving for sugars and carbohydrates, as this is the main fuel for the growing amounts of yeast in your intestine. The more sugar and grains you eat, the more the yeast grows out of control. Eventually, this will weaken your immune system, which in turn can allow it to infiltrate various other organs.

This imbalance in intestinal flora, sometimes called dysbiosis, can also lead to other more common, and less lethal, health problems, such as:

• Vaginitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Weight gain
• Food allergies
• Migraines
• Asthma
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

Here are several links for further consideration:

• Know the Cause complete video interview of Dr. Simoncini with Dough Kaufmann
• Dr. Tullio Simoncini's Cancer is a Fungus website
• Dr. Mercola's Holistic Treatment for Candida Infection
• The Yeast Connection website

Excerpts from the Essential Oils Desk Reference:

• Fungal cultures such as candida excrete large amounts of poisons called mycotoxins as part of their life cycles. These poisons must be detoxified by the liver and immune systems. Eventually they can wreak enormous damage on the tissues and organs and are believed to be an aggravating factor in many degenerative diseases, such as cancer, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes.

• Symptoms of Systemic Fungal Infection:

• Fatigue/low energy
• Overweight
• Low resistance to illness
• Allergies
• Unbalanced blood sugar
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Indigestion
• Colitis and ulcers
• Diarrhea/constipation
• Urinary tract infections
• Rectal or vaginal itch

• Pathogenic microorganisms have a tendency to hibernate along the spinal cord and in the lymphatic system. The body has the ability to hold them in a suspended state for long periods of time. When the immune system becomes compromised from stress, fatigue or other factors, they can be released and manifest illness and disease.Oregano, thyme, or hyssop essential oils along the spine using Raindrop Technique may help to drive the dormant fungi out of the spinal fluid.

• Two of the most powerful weapons for fighting intestinal fungal infections such as candida are FOS (fructooligosaccharides) and L. acidophilus cultures. FOS has been clinically documented in dozens of peer-reviewed studies for its ability to build up the healthy intestinal flora in the colon and combat the overgrowth of negative bacteria and fungi. Acidophilus cultures have also been shown to combat fungus overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract. Royaldophilus is an excellent source of L. acidophilus cultures, and Stevia Select is a superior source of plant-derived FOS.

The Candida albicans fungus may or may not cause some or all of cancers, but, nonetheless, it would benefit each of us to keep our levels of candida in check for many healthy reasons!

Live Light! xo-C.

THERE ARE GOOD SMELLS AND THEN THERE ARE BAD SMELLS!

Article: Fresh scent may hide toxic secret - Innocuous-sounding 'perfume' in detergents, air fresheners made with dangerous chemicals

Excerpt:

The scented fabric sheet makes your shirts and socks smell flowery fresh and clean. That plug-in air freshener fills your home with inviting fragrances of apple and cinnamon or a country garden.

But those common household items are potentially exposing your family and friends to dangerous chemicals, a University of Washington study has found.

Trouble is, you have no way of knowing it. Manufacturers of detergents, laundry sheets and air fresheners aren't required to list all of their ingredients on their labels -- or anywhere else. Laws protecting people from indoor air pollution from consumer products are limited.

When UW engineering professor Anne Steinemann analyzed of some of these popular items, she found 100 different volatile organic compounds measuring 300 parts per billion or more -- some of which can be cancerous or cause harm to respiratory, reproductive, neurological and other organ systems.

Some of the chemicals are categorized as hazardous or toxic by federal regulatory agencies. But the labels tell a different story, naming only innocuous-sounding "perfume" or "biodegradable" contents.

"Consumers are breathing these chemicals," she said. "No one is doing anything about it."

"It's a reasonable expectation to think that laundry products and air fresheners would be free of chemicals that can cause cancer," said Erika Schreder, a staff scientist with the Washington Toxics Coalition.

"But as this UW study shows, it's disturbingly easy to find toxic chemicals in everyday products like these because companies don't have to say what's in their products."

"Consumer demand for less-toxic products will encourage companies to reformulate their products," she said. "This is a case where a little information could have a great public benefit."

*Carla's Note: Charts in the article reference fragrance essential oils. These should not be confused with the therapeutic grade essential oils which I promote here. Only therapeutic grade essential oils (not fragrance or cooking grade) do I recommend for rubbing on your body, inhaling freely and/or ingesting. Make sure the label on your essential oil bottle reads "Therapeutic Grade." "Organic," "all natural," or "pure" are not the same as "Therapeutic Grade." There are different grades of essential oils just like there are different grades of wine or olive oil. The junk is cheap and toxic!

Live Light, xo-C.

THE ANCIENT ART OF ANOINTING

I was watching a video last night to brush up on my anointing skills (well, what were YOU doing?? ;o) and I learned that the Hebrew word for anoint is "mashach" which is by no mystery pronounced very much like our English word "massage."

Then I learned on this website that "mashach" specifically means 'to smear with oil' and the Hebrew word for Messiah is 'Mashiach' and means Anointed One! Christ (Christos) is the Greek word for Anointed!!

OK....do you get the feeling that the ancient folks had an affinity for oils? Do you realize these are essential oils? Of course they didn't call them "essential oils" at the time. That term was coined much later when the botanists came along. The ancient people just referred to them as oils: Frankincense, Myrrh, Cassia, Hyssop and the like.

Oils are mentioned over 600 times in the Bible! They were used in ceremony, to cleanse, to anoint and for medicine. Oils were a part of every day life in ancient times and were guarded as treasure.

If you live nearby and are interested in learning more  about and experiencing an anointing, there will be a "Healing Oils of the Bible" class based on David Stewart's book and video on Saturday, September 13th from 10 am to 1 pm in Florence, SC at the Wingate Inn on 2123 West Lucas Street near I-95. The class is free of charge, but you must let the facilitator Marsha know (via email at mthortonATscDOTrrDOTcom) of your planned attendance. Be sure to bring your Bible along to reference passages which mention the oils.

I hope to see you there! If you would like to purchase David Stewart's book or video so you too can brush up on your anointing skills, go to his website here.

Wouldn't the world be a more peaceful place if we all knew how to actually ANOINT one another?

Live Light, xo-C.

Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture™ (3143) contains the twelve most significant oils found in the Bible. Young Living's wish in bringing them to you is that you will savor and enjoy the beautiful fragrances and intriguing histories of these precious pure essential oils. Gary Young draws on his travels to biblical lands and explains the twelve oils on an audio CD, also included in this collection.

Contains: Twelve Single Oils (5ml bottles): Aloes/Sandalwood, Cassia, Cedarwood, Cypress, Frankincense, Galbanum, Hyssop, Myrrh, Myrtle, Onycha, Rose of Sharon/Cistus, and Spikenard.