True Life Blog

Our skin is our body’s largest organ and has an important role in helping to maintain our overall health … but it may be starving for oxygen. It’s also the first line of defense against the harshness of the environmental factors we encounter everyday. In addition, our skin acts as a filtration system by eliminating toxins from our bodies. But, if you’re using products containing mineral oil or its derivatives, your skin’s health is most likely compromised. Using mineral oil is like wrapping your skin in plastic so it can not breathe.

Unfortunately, many people are still unaware of the detriments of mineral oil, which is the main ingredient in so many personal care products used every day. People presume since it’s an oil, it must be acceptable for use on the skin. However, this is far from true in regards to the actual properties of mineral oil as it does not contain any minerals, nutrients or organic ingredients.

It’s an odorless and colorless substance which does not have an organic origin, and instead is derived from underground geologic locations, ranging from rocks, to underground traps, to sands. (Mineral oil, also known as white oil in the industry, has some close cousins that are used in products as well, so check your labels for any of the following: petroleum, petrolatum, liquid petrolatum, paraffin, paraffin oil, liquid paraffin, liquid parafinum, paraffinum liquidum, and petroleum jelly. When we refer to mineral oil, the same problems apply for these ingredients as well).

Mineral oil is a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil and it is a non-renewable resource. It’s the main ingredient in motor oil. It cannot be absorbed into your skin because the molecules are too large. Rather, it forms a film over the skin and actually clogs your pores because it interferes with the skin’s natural moisturizing factor. This means, it doesn’t allow your skin to absorb water (moisture) or eliminate toxins.

This film prevents the skin from absorbing or contacting anything from the environment, but also prevents the natural release of toxins and other waste products by keeping oxygen out. Disrupting this natural respiration process most often results in dry skin and other unhealthy skin conditions. Also, products containing this ingredient can be a cause of skin breakouts, as the blocked pores react to the lack of oxygen and build up of trapped toxins.

This layer of film created by the mineral oil suffocates the skin as it can not breathe. It damages the body by preventing the absorption of oxygen and the elimination of toxins. We assume and have been conditioned to believe, if our skin feels smooth, then it must be moist or hydrated. This theory is however, completely misdirected when using products containing mineral oil.

After application, the skin will feel smooth for a time, but due to the disruption in the cycle of oxygen to the skin (suffocation), it will soon appear dry, flake or peel, thus requiring the application of more products. This creates a vicious cycle in which the skin never receives any vital nutrients or hydration, including water, thereby creating a dry skin condition, rashes, or dermatitis like acne or eczema. Simply put, dry skin is created when these two vital bodily functions are disrupted.

The purpose of a moisturizer is not to “lock in” moisture as is often advertised. Locking something in prevents something from getting out, as previously discussed. What a moisturizer is intended to do is hydrate your skin and slow the absorption of water from it. Hydrating nourishes the skin, keeping it healthy and vibrant. This is accomplished by using a moisturizer made from plant or vegetable oils which provide a natural-based shielding product.

A few examples of skin-loving, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) ingredients are: jojoba oil, shea butter, vegetable glycerin,water, aloe vera gel, aloe vera oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, mango butter, and coconut oil. Companies committed to providing nature-inspired, mineral oil free products such as essensu, will ensure your skin is being being provided a healthy alternative.

The continued use of mineral oil also increases premature aging of the skin. People using products containing this ingredient often wonder why they keep looking older or why their skin continues to dry out, even with the use of moisturizers. It’s because the skin problem is not being treated, it’s being masked, and possibly even worsened.

If a skin problem was being masked through use, it will quickly reappear once the offending product is stopped. Also, skin becomes dehydrated as mineral oil dissolves your skin’s natural oils. This too, makes skin look older. It’s also been reported to slow down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. (In addition, skin will burn faster when using petroleum products, which also contributes to photo-aging damage).

Why is mineral oil so widely used in mass produced skin care products? The answer is simple — it’s cheap! Mineral oil is leftover liquid from the distillation of gasoline from crude oil and because it’s in abundance, it’s inexpensive. It is less expensive for manufacturers to purchase these by-products and use them as a filler, than it is for the industry to dispose of it. In addition, because it’s inert (containing no chemical activity), it acts as a protective agent, allowing the product to have a longer shelf life and not spoil.

This is similar to the purpose of high fructose corn syrup in processed foods; mineral oil dramatically extends the shelf life of products which contain it. Much like high fructose corn syrup, mineral oil can also lead to nutritional deficiencies, in extreme cases. This occurs because the body’s ability to eliminate the built-up toxins has been slowed and interrupted, thus giving the mineral oil the opportunity to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K from the skin. Then, the only way to alleviate these nutritional deficiencies and restore these vitamins to their proper levels is through food and supplements.

It’s up to you as the consumer, to become aware of what the ingredients are in the products you apply to your skin. Product manufacturers of commercial, mass-produced skin and body care are not going to cite the harmful effects of mineral oil on their label or in their product literature. (“Frequent and long-term exposures can result in health hazards and in a variety of skin diseases that are generally designated as dermatitis”) (Runge and Duarte, 1989). While mineral oil is not proven to cause cancer, it is still an injurious agent and should be avoided.

For instance, baby oil, which is touted for babies, is actually mineral oil and fragrance. Stated directly on the label of a well-known brand of baby oil, they claim that: “pure mineral oil forms a silky barrier to help prevent excess moisture loss” and it “moisturizes baby’s delicate skin and helps protect from dryness.” These are their actual claims in support of mineral oil’s effect.

Mineral oil is the main ingredient in many other commercial baby care items as well. Besides baby oil, there is petroleum jelly for diaper rash, baby wash, and baby lotion with mineral oil as the key ingredient. But once again, mineral oil is a derivative from the distillation of gasoline from crude oil, and the barrier it forms actually suffocates the natural breathing process of the skin! Is this what you want, especially on your babies?

Studies funded by the FDA implicate pore-clogging petrochemicals like mineral oil as one of the major allergens in skin based products. Allergic reactions from these allergens range anywhere from scaliness and rashes to eczema and acne. Last I checked, we use lotions and creams to prevent and heal such reactions, not cause them!

Currently, it’s been reported 90% of all cosmetics contain mineral oil or its derivatives, including eye shadow, foundation, blush, lipsticks, lip gloss, lip balm, shaving cream, cleansers, moisturizers, lotions, creams, conditioners, self-tanning lotions, and most SPF sunscreens, to name a few. The good news is it’s never too late to make a change.

Alternatives to mineral oil are natural or organic oils. The use of pure, natural oils will increase the cost of the end product for the consumer. However, the benefits are natural, botanical ingredients absorb into the skin to provide hydration and protection from the environment and aging by allowing the skin to breathe.

You have to be an advocate for yourself. Protect your skin: read your labels, educate yourself, and choose natural products like those offered by essensu holistic skincare that do not contain harmful agents, but rather, are good for your skin.

* Shayna Abiuso, writer-at-large, contributed to this post.

essensu … We Bring The Garden To Skincare

In this post I’m reviewing a few eco-friendly, unique but practical green products from the company myEarth360. My readers are also being offered a special discount on their website.

myearth360 was born after owner, Lynn Hasselberger witnessed the waste produced when disposing of purchased bottled water. She discovered we toss out enough water bottles in the U.S. to circle the equator every 2.9 days!
Wanting to reduce her family’s exposure to everyday toxins led Lynn in search of products, which are earth friendly and healthy to use. Her mantra on her website is, “where everything you buy counts for our Earth.”

The website is not limited to the items you see here for review. This is just a sampling from the their great selection of earth friendly and eco-practical products available. I invite you to check out her site for everything from drinking and baby bottles, green art, school and business supplies, water purification, clothing, wrapping paper, to sea glass jewelry, vegan organic chocolates and much more.

SKOY CLOTHS – 100% BIODEGRADABLE AND REUSABLE

The SKOY cloth is a fabulous, absorbent, biodegradable and natural multi-use cloth. These re-usable, long-lasting earth friendly cloths are perfect in your kitchen, bathroom, and on most surface areas in your home or office. SKOY cloth can be used in place of your sponge, wash cloth or paper towels. Common household cleaners may also be used with the SKOY cloth, and they are available in a variety of designs and colors.

SKOY cloths are 100% biodegradable as they are made from a blend of natural cotton and wood-pulp cellulose. SKOY cloth is a non-toxic, chlorine-free product printed and dyed with with water-based colors and inks. After an independent composting test, SKOY cloth broke down completely within 5 weeks.

Due to its amazing durability, it can be reused and last for months. Using one SKOY cloth is equivalent to using 15 rolls of paper towels in an average home. With the high cost of paper towels, it’s the obvious choice for household cleaning and wiping up spills. This in turn, is advantageous to your wallet and the environment. With an absorption factor of 15x its own weight, SKOY is the most superior cloth product available. Imagine using 15 sheets of good-quality paper towels at once? This is how a wet SKOY cloth will feel in your hand.

One of the SKOY cloth’s best feature is the ability to throw it in the washer or dishwasher to be cleaned,. It is also dryer safe. It also dries quickly after use, so it’s not a breeding ground for bacteria. Good bye smelly sponges! SKOY cloth may also be placed wet in the microwave for one minute to keep it germ-free and healthy between washings.

I know this same procedure is also recommended for sponges, however, commercial sponges actually contain plastic. This makes it more difficult to keep them germ-free, clean or enabling a long life before needing to be thrown out. Sponges will not decompose in the environment due to the plastic they contain.

After putting the SKOY cloth through the rigors of various cleaning routines; scrubbing bathroom counter tops and sinks, wiping up kitchen counters, table, stove top, some spills on the floor, and scrubbing the kitchen sink with baking soda, my SKOY was unscathed. It definitely has delivered on all it promised. After the cleaning rounds, I put it in with the dishes on the top shelf of the dishwasher, and ran it through a wash cycle. Again, my SKOY still felt thick, absorbant and just like new.

They are sold in a four pack and at less than $2.00 a piece, I think the SKOY cloth provides an affordable alternative to paper towels and a valuable option for reducing the waste we produce and dispose of in our environment. I was pleasantly impressed with the durability of this product and it gets a big thumbs up from me. I would highly recommend giving them a try.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ myEARTH360 is offering The Holistic Diva readers 10% off by entering the code DIVA10 at checkout. I encourage you to stop by and check out this wonderful website and all the earth friendly products.
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ECO-FRIENDLY DINNERWARE FROM FALLEN LEAVES

I’ve never seen anything quite like the all-natural, VerTerra party-ready dinnerware, made from fallen palm leaves, steam, pressure and heat. The fallen palm leaves are gathered and pressed into distinctive shapes, so no two are exactly a like.

No chemicals, lacquers or bonding agents of any kind are used in their manufacture. They do not contain any waxes, plastics, bleaches or dyes. They are completely non-toxic, which makes them a perfect choice for children’s parties. They are sturdy, durable, lightweight and may be reused if rinsed off and cleaned, and they dry quickly. The available plates, bowls and platters are perfect for outdoor/indoor parties, picnics, packing with lunches and travel.

In addition, by using sustainable production methods, no trees or plants are cut down in their making. They naturally biodegrade in two months after disposal and are certified compostable, making them an earth friendly, innovative choice for your special events or meal-to-go needs. In addition, they are microwave, oven and refrigerator safe, along with liquid friendly. The plates are available in dinner, lunch/light meal and salad/dessert size, in addition to a generous bowl size and a party platter.

I’ve had the pleasure to use this unique dinnerware. I think it’s a great option for parties verses paper plates which clog our environment with more garbage. I feel as consumers, we need to consider our buying decisions and take into account the impact our choices have on our environment. The fact that these products are made of fallen leaves is quite baffling. It proves to me solutions can be found to our ever mounting refuse problem, plaguing all nations. Reusing something from nature in this fashion, I find quite genius.

Now granted, these plates, bowls and platters are not long-term use items. These were designed as disposable party ware, but can easily adapt to other portable uses as mentioned above. When they have served their lifespan, however, you can dispose of them guilt free in regards to the environmental impact of doing so. Personally, I find that appealing.

ASPENWARE BIODEGRADABLE WOOD UTENSILS

In North America, billions of individual, plastic disposable cutlery are used every year. The ecological and health consequences associated with the production, use and disposal of these products are growing. Aspenware biodegradable and compostable cutlery will help reduce these issues one meal at a time. Aspenware cutlery is made from birch and aspen — hardwoods that were cut down during the harvesting of softwoods, such as fir and spruce, and would have been left to rot, or been burned during the process of regular industrial logging.

This cutlery is smooth, stylish, comfortable to use and provides an upscale look to your party table verses plastic ware, or can easily be packed for work or school lunches, a picnic or travel. They can be reused if hand washed. They are not recommended for the microwave or dishwasher. They have been manufactured with no chemicals, bleaches or dyes. Even the packaging is 100% recyclable and compostable. Again, a very cool product for reducing our non-recyclable footprint.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ myEARTH360 is offering The Holistic Diva readers 10% off by entering the code DIVA10 at checkout. I encourage you to stop by and check out this wonderful website and all the earth friendly products. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

essensu … We Bring The Garden To Skincare

Reiki is an ancient healing practice, combining two Japanese words Rei and Ki, which together mean Universal Life Energy. Rei, represents the all-knowing or wisdom, and Ki, the unseen non-physical energy. Essentially, Ki is our spirit. Ki is obtained from the food we ingest, from sunshine, sleep and the air we breathe. The combination of all these components formulates our spirit.

The objective of practicing Reiki is to aid in the harmonization of the body, mind and spirit, by allowing the life force to flow freely through us and around us in our aura. Life force is receptive to our thoughts and feelings, therefore, when we acknowledge negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves, our life force is disrupted. When it’s disrupted, the fundamental functions of organs and tissues in our physical body are diminished. When Ki energy is low, a person is susceptible to becoming ill.

This is where Reiki is utilized.. Since Reiki is guided by Higher Intelligence, it knows exactly where to go and seeks out the disorder in the energy field. It charges these parts of the energy field with positive energy, causing the negative energy to break apart and fall away.

Reiki is an uncomplicated treatment process. The practitioner simply places their hands on areas of the body, or hovers them for certain positions, and proceeds to transfer positive energy to the individual. Recipients often describe receiving Reiki as a feeling of warmth, or tingling in the area of focus, others feel it as energy. Reiki heals on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels, with the ultimate goal of returning the body to equilibrium. It balances the energies within the body, strengthens the immune system, clears and rids toxins, relaxes and reduces stress, and aids in metacognition.

Believe it or not, Reiki has served in the healing process of nearly every known illness and injury ranging from severe problems such as multiple sclerosis, heart disease, mental illness and cancer, to the less serious like the flu, sore throat, insomnia and poor memory. If anything else, it is a valuable practice to be used concurrently with modern medicine, as it reduces negative side effects, shortens healing time, and reduces or eliminates pain.

Of course in order for Reiki to be effective, one needs to open their mind to such a non-physical practice. Western culture is so conditioned to accepting grave side effects from prescription medication; this is a societal norm of ours. Our doctors are not educated on alternative practices that will achieve the same, if not better, results, thus they don’t advocate such treatment. With Reiki healing however, it provides a beneficial and positive alternative for the patient being treated.

Reiki Hand Positions

Position 1
Place your hands together over the eyes. Cup your hands gently so that the palms do not touch the eyes, which can be uncomfortable for the client. Rest the base of your hands on the forehead, and allow the tip of your fingers to rest very lightly on the cheeks. If your hands start to sweat put a cloth or paper tissue above the eyes.

Position 2A
Cup your hands gently around each ear.

Position 2B (optional)
Rest your hands on the crown of the head.

Position 3
Slide your hands gently under the head. Hold the head with the hands together and the fingers extending towards the neck. Cup your fingers around the skull touching its base with your fingertips.

Position 4A
Wrap your thumb under the neck and rest your hands and fingers over the collarbone.

Position 4B (alternate)
Wrap your hands lightly around the chin and throat.

Position 5
Gently slide your left hand under the neck. Place your right hand over the heart.

Position 6
Rest your hands on the upper stomach. Place the fingers of one hand under the base of the other hand to connecting the flow of healing energy.

Position 7
Slide both hands to the middle area of the stomach.

Position 8
Slide your hands one more time placing them over the lower abdomen over the hip bones.

Position 9
Use both hands to hold the right foot.

Position 10
Use both hands to hold the other foot.

Position 11
Now hold both feet using both hands in any way that’s comfortable for you.

Position 12
At this point ask your patient to flip to the prone position. Place your hands over the upper back keeping your fingers close together.

Position 13
Rest your hands on the upper back. Place the fingers of one hand under the base of the other hand to connecting the flow of healing energy.

Position 14
Slide both hands to the middle back.

Position 15A
Slide both hands on more time Slide your hands down one more time placing them on the lower back.

Position 15B (optional)
Place hands behind the heart and on the lower back.

essensu … We Bring The Garden To Skincare

Perfume making has a long history, dating back thousands of years to ancient times. In ancient Egypt, perfumes were made from macerating exotic botanical materials such as flower petals, plant seeds, tree bark, fruits, plant roots and leaves, mixing them with natural gum and resins and soaking them in a fat or oil base. The use of these aromatic plant materials was actually an early form of aromatherapy. The techniques used then for gathering natural materials, has remained almost unchanged over time. Cleopatra, renowned for her beauty, used essential oils to soothe and nourish her skin. Historians report she was also talented at making her own perfumes. A popular ancient Egyptian perfume was called Kyphi, and was made from peppermint, myrrh, saffron, cinnamon and juniper. They also crafted some of the first glass perfume bottles, coloring them after the colors of gem stones.

The Egyptians also burned various aromatic substances throughout the day for specific rituals. The use of perfumes in religious rituals eventually expanded, and from 1580 to 1085 B.C. perfumes were not only burned as incense, but were also used in scented balms and oils applied on the body for medial and cosmetic purposes. Egyptian women, including Cleopatra, soon learned perfumes could be used as weapons of seduction. The Egyptians knowledge of perfumed oils grew and led them to creating the oils necessary to embalm the dead.

During the Egyptian reign, they became renowned for their knowledge and production of essential oils. This expertise brought them great wealth, as they sent these oils around the world via trade routes. Due to their continued dedication, the art of healing body and soul became a science and has endured through the ages. To this day, ancient Egyptians are still considered prime contributors of a selection of exotically-fragrant essential oils, which remain popular today. Common plants from ancient times are still used in modern day perfumery; amyris, tuberose, cassie and narcissus are used in expensive perfumes.

In ancient Greece, a new technique added spices and balsams to perfumes and they were mixed into creams. These aromas provided a source of pleasure. They favored using roses, lilies and violets and immersed these botanicals in hot oils. The Greeks also honored their dead war heroes with rituals that included burning perfume. Hippocrates (460 B.C. – 377 B.C.), known as the founder of medicine, used perfumed oils in medical practices he performed.

The ancient Romans with their Roman baths, should perhaps, be considered the originators of the modern day spa. The Romans favored lavender and often added this to their baths. They would spray the soles of their sandals, the heads of their guests during banquets, door sills and military flags in effort to attract good luck. In perfume making, they also improved maceration techniques and developed the technique of using perfumed petals to saturate a fat, called enfleurage.

The interest in perfumery also captivated the the people of Pompeii in 79 A.D. Beneath the lava and ash of the fateful volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, archaeologists uncovered evidence of perfume production. They discovered equipment and materials commonly used in the making of perfume. The Pompeians used rose, jasmine, lily, marjoram, fennel and laurel in their perfumes. These ancient plants are still used in perfumery today.

The next most important advance to the making of perfume is attributed to the Arabs. They invented steam distillation, as well as the coil and still needed to accomplish it. This discovery led to experimentation, which resulted in the use of alcohol as the base of all perfumes, just as they are known today. The Arabs also invented the use of distilled rain water for the purification of pastes and resins used in perfumery.

During the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, perfumes were used for therapeutic and medicinal treatments. Perfume began to be applied to collars, rosaries and aromatic “cushions” which, were worn around the neck or as a bracelet. Hungry Water, considered the first personal perfume, was formulated in 1370. This famous formula was derived from the essences of rose, mint, lemon balm, rosemary, lemon and orange blossoms, and remained popular in the perfume market for several centuries.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, many Europeans devoted a room in their homes to the making of home-made cosmetics and perfumes, utilizing local plant materials. During this time period, perfumes actually replaced bathing, with people covering their entire bodies with powders, oils and aromatic waters. This infatuation with perfume spread to everything from letters, to wigs, fans, cushions and religious objects. During the 17th century, the perfume industry became established quickly with the release of perfumed gloves. This soon led to Paris establishing itself as the head of the perfume industry in France. Perfumes were so popular France’s queen, Marie Antoinette (1755-1793), engaged her own perfumer who made her many natural perfumes and fragrances. Those scents favored by Marie Antoinette derived from violet, jonquil, rose, lily and tuberose.

As science progressed toward the end of the 18th century and entered into the Industrial Revolution, scientists learned how to replicate the fragrances found in nature and gradually introduced them into perfume production. As “science” persuaded people synthetics were better, and because synthetic ingredients were cheaper to produce, these chemical duplicates became widely used. Creating perfumes from essential oils was time-consuming and costly, and in the past, only the wealthy could afford to purchase such a luxury item. However, with the advent of synthetic replication, mass production ensued, making perfume affordable for a greater number of people, thus an industry was born.

Today, “natural” refers to the source of the material and the extraction method used. The purer the natural materials are, the more costly it is, as purity affects the quality of the scent produced. Many of the chemicals found in fragrances are from the natural chemicals occurring in flowers, fruits, trees, etc. and therefore, are naturally derived. Natural perfumes are more in harmony with the body and retain the vitality of the plant material used to make them. Natural aromatic plants have value, healing capabilities and aromatherapy properties, which are lost with synthetic replication. However, there are many plants and flowers unable to naturally produce an essential oil, therefore, to be able to enjoy that fragrance beyond the plant itself, a synthetic duplicate is needed. Examples of scents unavailable as an essential oil are lilac and lily. My favorite flower scent is lilac, and I have no objections enjoying the synthetic duplicate, which is spot-on.

There is more to synthetic perfume today than just the fragrance. These artificial fragrances, as previously mentioned, are chemically reproduced mainly to reduce the costs of producing the perfume. Excluding the flowers which are unable to produce an essential oil, synthetics are used because precious oils from flowers, such as the rose or jasmine, require many, many petals in order to extract a small amount of oil. The cost for one ounce of an exotic essential oil can be thousands of dollars. In addition, some often used essential oils are becoming rare, such as sandalwood, due to over harvesting, which has depleted the forests of this beloved tree.

I believe the problem with commercial perfume today, is not the synthetic fragrance itself, but rather the complex mixture of chemicals used in addition to the fragrance. The perfume chemist will take the fragrance selected and add a solvent to it. This allows it to evaporate slowly, so the scent is given off over a period of time and not all at once. Common solvents used are acetone (common in commercial cologne), or ethanol. Then, stabilizers and fillers are added to bulk up the fragrance and to ensure it doesn’t degrade over time. Sometimes, the solvent will also act as a preservative and filler.

These added chemicals have been known to produce adverse effects in people with chemical sensitivity, causing headaches, breathing difficulties, nausea and other unpleasant reactions, affecting the body through direct contact or inhalation. Although these chemicals are considered safe in the small amounts used, those prone to allergies, chemical sensitivity, or have asthma, are more likely to suffer a reaction by just being exposed to someone wearing an offending perfume. Wearing commercial perfumes also contributes to indoor pollution, making it difficult for those who suffer from allergic reactions to be in public places.

The use of essential oils is experiencing a resurgence and their ancient use for treating common skin problems is making a comeback. Natural perfumes can be made from essential oils mixed with a base oil, alcohol, or water and an emulsifier. People are less likely to have an adverse reaction to fragrances made from pure essential oils, and just like Cleopatra discovered, essential oils are capable of soothing and nourishing our skin.

For a selection of products formulated with pure essential oils, visit essensu holistic skincare.

** There has been current concern over the use of phthalates, such as DEP, in fragrance oils. Phthalates may act as hormone disruptors and can be an irritant. At essensu, when we purchase fragrance oils, we purchase phthalate-free fragrances. However, please note the studies performed on phthalates often fail to mention there are three main categories of phthalates, and the ones which are of real concern are those used in cleaning products, air fresheners, paint products, solvants, pesticide sprays, and other related products.

essensu … We Bring The Garden To Skincare

Roll your mouse over the hands above to reveal various points

What is Acupressure?

Acupressure is known by a variety of different names including:

• Reflexology
• Concentrated Massage
• Zone Therapy
• Shiatsu
• Contact Therapy
• Pointed Pressure Therapy

This ancient form of medical massage is time tested, drug-free, and very safe. It stimulates the body’s nervous system and promotes proper blood circulation throughout the body. Acupressure can be used to address various internal organ imbalances and has both curative and preventative effects on the whole body.

Acupressure Benefits

Acupressure can be beneficial for:

• Pain
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Toothache
• Dizziness
• Menstrual pain
• Digestive disorders (diarrhea, constipation)
• Nausea
• Morning sickness
• Motion sickness
• Stress
• Tiredness

Acupressure should always be used in in addition to primary medical care.

Acupressure Treatment

What happens during an Acupressure Treatment?

Acupressure is based on the theory that all portions of the body have related pressure points in the ears, hands, and feet in certain fixed locations. By applying pressure to these specific points, internal organ function is stimulated and the normal flow of energy can be restored to certain parts of the body. This treatment can benefit a wide variety ailments, help in the prevention of illness, and can be great for maintaining good health and beauty.

How is Acupressure Performed?

Acupressure is performed by a therapist who uses their fingers, hands, elbows, knees, or massage tools to apply pressure to certain reflex zones. Techniques can vary depending on the practitioner but often include rubbing, kneading, percussion, vibration, on various parts of the body with varying degrees of pressure. This form of therapy can be performed lying down, while seated, or even standing. Acupressure treatments vary in length depending on the needs of the patient.

essensu … We Bring The Garden To Skincare

Thank you Corinne from everydaygyaan.com for the following award. I’m truly grateful for your kindness. I enjoy your blog as well, and am delighted to be a blogger friend.

In turn, I would like to award the Vespa Blogger Award Friendship (award) to the following people who have shared their friendship with me:

Ramona at http://3peeps.blogspot.com

CT at http://ctjewelrydesign.blogspot.com

Dorana at http://doranadesign.blogspot.com

Ninja Jenn at http://ninjaknowledge.blogspot.com

Michele at http://www.poeticexpression.net

Alicai at http://blogfireguild.blogspot.com

Guin at http://girlpaint.com/blog

essensu … We Bring The Garden To Skincare

What Does “Natural” Mean To Us? Our holistic skincare line is formulated with therapeutic concentrations of plant based and naturally derived ingredients. We don’t use sodium lauryl or laureth sulfates, synthetic dyes or coloring, petroleum, petrolatum, mineral oil, harsh chemicals, fillers, fewer to no phthalates, in addition, we only use gentle preservatives and product is personally made fresh, by us, daily.

Essensu brings the “essence” of nature to skincare, to create a luxury line of holistic products that will nourish and nurture your skin. Combining elements from earth and ocean our products:

• Will vitalize your skin for beauty and wellness
• Reflect the balance and harmony found in nature
• Are infused with the philosophy of healing energy and vibrant nurturing
• Provide head-to-toe pampering because you deserve it!

It is our passion and our mission to create and continually strive to produce an exceptional holistic skincare line right from Mother Nature’s Apothecary. Our products will excite your senses through aromatherapy. Our products may also provide calm and relaxation simply by inhaling their aroma. Don’t be left out. You can experience the essence of nature by simply enjoying any essensu product. Essensu … is skincare you can trust.

essensu … We Bring The Garden To Skincare