H2O the Giver of Life and EO's to the Rescue

We all know drinking an adequate amount of water is crucial to good health. Besides aiding in digestion, circulation, and excretion, H2O  is also the key to healthy, glowing radiant skin. 

Dr Imre Nagy was one of the pioneer scientists out there to go deeper in to the study of aging diving into Dr. Harman's Free Radical Theory of Aging (FRTA) (which came out prior) stating that organisms age because cells accumulate free radical damage over time. A free radical is any atom or molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell. Nagy presented his “Membrane Hypothesis of Aging” in 1978. Simply he found that when a cell's water supply is pushed out the cell becomes dehydrated. Cell dehydration = cell oxidation which speeds the aging process causing wrinkles, inflammation, and disease. 

The good new was Nagy found that the cells could be repaired if there was a substance that could penetrate the hardened, cell membrane wall which was designed to not let just anything pass. The cell membrane has a job is to protect the crucial nucleus and our sensitive DNA make up at it's center. Dr. Nagy found that Antioxidants were the key the key to this repair but not just any antioxidants. They had to be a lipid soluble substance to pass through the cell wall. The more free radicals present, the harder the cell wall. 

Vitamin C for example is like a jump starter to our immune system but it is not lipid soluble. Only water soluble. Essential oils, on the the other hand are like magic to our cell because they are both lipid soluble and some of the most powerful antioxidants out there. 

Just to put into perspective how strong the essential oils are as antioxidants check this out. Blueberries and pomegranates are both wonderful fruits known to be highly antioxidant "superfoods" rating around a 5000 score on the ORAC scale which is a measure of radical absorption capacity or antioxidant power. Many of the essential oils rate in the in the one hundred thousands with clove oil being the heaviest hitter rating in at over a million!

Since EO's are so supportive to our cellular health this is my favorite reason I love to use them.  I incorporate essential oils into both my daily skin care routine while using them topically and using carrier oils such as coconut oil to carry them even deeper into my my body since fatty oils are also lipid soluble. Besides drinking lots of water I had a couple of drops of therapeutic grade lemon, lime or wild orange essential oil for extra flushing and detox. I would NEVER take an essential oil internally if sold off the shelf in a store. These smell great and may even say "therapeutic" but they are not for internal use.I would also NEVER buy off of Amazon (since you don't know the true source and people tamper there to extend the quantity. It's not rocket science to reseal at lid.). Not all EO brands are created equal. Many are cut w/ synthetic and toxic compounds or have little to no therapeutic properties due to improper growing, sourcing, and distilling practices. I trust one valid source for internal use (though there may be more out there) because of there strict protocol for ethical sourcing, growing, harvesting, distilling, rigid testing, and supporting of indigenous agriculture communities . Do your own research here at https://sourcetoyou.com

If you would like to also learn more I offer a free 30 min. consultation with samples to introduce you to the many ways essential oils can support your health. Please contact me at kristen@elegantsavage.com

"Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" aka the Matcha Coconut Milky Mud Mask

Eisai, the monk, who brought Matcha green tea to Japan (circa 1200a.d.), said that it was:

                       "The Elixir Of The Immortals"

What is Matcha Green Tea?

In it’s simplest form, Matcha green tea is pure stone ground green tea leaves. A practice that has been perfected for over 1000 years by Japanese Monks.

Matcha tea is approximately 10X stronger than regular brewed green tea, and so it has extremely powerful therapeutic effects on the body. Matcha also contains high amounts of L-Theanines—a unique set of natural amino acids found almost exclusively in Matcha, known to reduce stress and anxiety, heightens the concentration to help provide increased mental clarity and focus.

Matcha contains over 70 times the anti-oxidants of fresh orange juice, and over 9 times the beta carotene of spinach. According to the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity), which is the method of measuring antioxidants in food developed by the National Institute of Health.

Matcha has a ORAC rating of roughly 1300 units per gram. This makes it one of the highest among the super foods and looking at the table below, you can see that Matcha Green Tea contains more antioxidants than all of the other antioxidant-rich foods combined!

According to the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity), which is the method of measuring antioxidants in food developed by the National Institute of Health.

Skin Benefits?

The antioxidant content of matcha like polyphenols and catechins battle and control the harmful effects of UV radiation and free radicals, helping greatly in protecting the skin from sun, wind and all extremes in weather conditions. Also protecting against inflammation in the body, these antioxidants also help eliminate acne and other types of skin eruptions and roughness. The strong presence of the EGCG antioxidant in matcha slows cell degeneration to impede the aging process, promoting smooth, tight skin that retains moisture and natural, smooth color tones.

Throughout the last three to four weeks of their growing time, right before harvest, matcha (camellia sinensis) leaves are keep covered for protection from the sun. This results in greater chlorophyll production which is responsible for the vivid green color of high caliber matcha. It also makes matcha a strong detoxifying agent for the bodies of users, cleansing the body’s entire system of toxins and hazardous chemicals or other impurities, leaving the skin glowing and radiantly clean.

Various natural or organic substances found in matcha have powerful antibiotic action for the body’s great benefit. These ingredients include catechins, Vitamins A and C, calcium, protein, iron and potassium. As these cleansing agents clean the internal system, they purify and smooth the skin, too, eliminating any blemishes or rashes. A healthy immune system also promotes clear, well-hydrated and youthful skin with good elasticity and resilience.

MATCHA MAKES A COLORFUL AND EFFECTIVE SKIN MASK

MATCHA GREEN TEA POWDER + COCONUT MILK + PETITGRAIN / PINK PEPPER ESSENTIAL OILS

This facial mask is very soothing and uplifting while it’s detox and purification properties will do wonders to rejuvenate your skin and complexion. If I was to name it I would have to call it "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" because it is the total CURE. While a heaping tablespoon of spring green matcha green tea powder supplies the antioxidants, cleansers and detox agents, a few drops of petitegrain and pink pepper essential oil will heal and revitalize multiple layers of the skin. The coconut milk hydrates and softens delicate tissue. The many healing properties of this mix will help reduce any scarring or imperfections in skin surface, and your entire face will feel renewed and fresh.

It also alleviates wrinkles and may even prolong or eliminate their formation when used regularly over an extensive time period. While this facial treatment is not intended to result in an overnight makeover, you will see gradual, but steady skin improvements with continuous use.

Balance the Body with Biochemical Cell Salts

Fascinating! Between 1872 and 1898 it was again discovered that inorganic matter essential to health comprised 12 mineral tissue salts: Calc Fluor, Calc Phos, Calc Sulph, Ferr Phos, Kali Mur, Kali Phos, Kali Sulph, Mag Phos, Nat Mur, Nat Phos, Nat Sulph and Silica. A deficiency in any of these led to weakened cell structure and ill health. When a deficiency is corrected, the cells again functioned normally and health was restored. Since then many works have been created about Cell Salts along with their primary use in hospitals in Germany. 

Locate your zodiac sign on the chart below. Trace your zodiac sign to the corresponding cell salt. You have now found the cell salt you are deficient in.  Check this link to learn more about Biochemical Cell Salts and the health and balance they can bring to the body. Cell Salt Kits. There are multiple uses for the other cell salts too. If you experience certain symptoms linked with the various salts you are probably deficient in that salt as well.  

Under tremendous emotional stress, people use more of the cell salt associated with their moon sign and south node of the Moon. When the body becomes depleted in this salt, people experience symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression and fearfulness about even simple daily circumstances. Use of the cell salt related to the Moon sign will restore their sense of safety and emotional resilience. In the first seven years of life, when the Moon is the most influential planet, lunar cell salts are the most appropriate choice as a tonic. For specific health problems, take both the salt of the Moon and the salt that pertains to the specific condition.

The Twelve Salts and Some of Their Keynote Symptoms
(The most commonly used abbreviation is followed by its traditional and chemical names.)

1.  KALIPHOS (Kali Phosphoricum; Potassium Phosphate)
a. mental/emotional symptoms predominate
b. Feel as if “I’m too tired to rest.”
c. Anxiety, brain fatigue, irritability, temper-tantrums, sleeplessness, dizziness,
nervous asthma
d. easily bleeding gums

2.  KALI MUR (Kali Muriaticum; Potassium Chloride)
a. white mucus, swollen glands
b. white or gray coated tongue, glandular swellings, discharge of white, thick
mucus from nose or eyes
c. indigestion from rich food

3.  KALI SULPH (Kali Sulphuricum; Potassium Sulphate)
a. yellow mucus, later stages of illness, congestion and cough worse in evening
b. dandruff, yellow coated tongue, yellow crusts on eyelids
c. gas, poor digestion

4.  CALC PHOS (Calcarea Phosphorica; Calcium Phosphate)
a. teething remedy
b. upset stomach, post-nasal drip, chronic cold feet, poor dentition

5.  CALC SULPH (Calcarea Sulphurica; Calcium Sulphate)
a. sores that heal poorly, herpes blisters
b. pain in forehead, vertigo, pimples on the face

6.  CALC FLUOR (Calcarea Fluorica; Calcium Fluoride)
a. poor tooth enamel, cracks in palms of hands, lips
b. hemorrhoids

7.  NAT MUR (Natrum Muriate; Sodium Chloride)
a. dryness of body openings, clear thin mucus
b. effects of excess overheating; itching of hair at nape of neck
c. early stage of common colds with clear, running discharge
d. insect bites (applied locally)

8.  NAT SULPH (Natrum Sulphuricum; Sodium Sulphate)
a. rarely needed
b. green stools and other excess bile symptoms
c. Sensitive scalp, greenish-gray or greenish-brown coating on tongue, influenza

9.  NAT PHOS (Natrum Phosphoricum; Sodium Phosphate)
a. simple morning sickness; acid rising in throat
b. Headache on crown of head, eyelids glued together in morning,
c. grinding of teeth in sleep; pain and sour risings from stomach after eating

10. MAG PHOS (Magnesia Phosphorica; Magnesium Phosphate)
a. Muscle spasms, cramps and menstrual cramps, if always better with heat
b. hiccups; trembling of hands
c. teeth sensitive to cold

11. FERRUM PHOS ( Ferrum Phosphate; Ferrum Phosphate)
a. first stages of inflammation, redness, swelling, early fever
b. congestive headache, ear ache, sore throat
c. loss of voice from overuse

12. SILICEA (Silica)
a. white pus forming conditions, boils (“homeopathic lancet”), stony-hard glands
b. Sty in eye area, tonsillitis, brittle nails