Coconut Oil

Hello everyone, we wish to thank you for all the likes, shares and the amazing support we get from thousands of you. On week 212 we are sharing a post about coconut oil, where does it comes from, the different kinds of coconut oil, their qualities and how to choose the one that is right for you. Coconut oil is pretty much the one I use the most for cooking and in our porridge, for salad dressing and in so much of our cooking. This is the oil that I use for moisturizing my body after showering. I put some of my favorite essential oils in it like Lavender, Sandalwood and Jasmine. Some times it all depends on my mood. Anyway, in this post there is lots of information we share, recipes for hair, skin , foods etc. Enjoy! Please share and like if you do, it makes a huge difference in social media and the web engines, with love, gratitude and respect from all of us at Isabel’s Beauty Blog we invite you to this journey.

 

 

So, What Is Coconut Oil?

According to:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_oil

Coconut oil, or copra oil, is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera). It has various applications. Because of its high saturated fat content, it is slow to oxidize and, thus, resistant to rancidification, lasting up to six months at 24 °C (75 °F) without spoiling.

 

According to: http://eatdrinkpaleo.com.au/your-ultimate-guide-to-coconut-oil-benefits-types-uses/

The oil is made up of around 90% saturated fat, 6% monounsaturated fat, and 3% polyunsaturated fat. Unlike other highly saturated and unsaturated fats, coconut oil is mostly made up of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). The saturated fat content makes coconut oil very heat-stable and enables a long shelf life.  It is well-known for its healing, anti-inflammatory properties and its metabolism-boosting medium chain tryglycerides. It has many uses from dietary, medical and industrial applications.

 

Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs)

According to: http://wellnessmama.com/2072/benefits-of-coconut-oil/

Most of the fats we consume have a  long chain fatty acids that must be broken down before they can be absorbed. Coconut oil is high in short and medium chain fatty acids, which are easily digested and sent right to the liver for energy production.

Because MCFAs are sent right to the liver for digestion, no bile or pancreatic enzymes are needed for digestion, making coconut oil a healthy food even for those with diabetes or those who have liver gallbladder issues and have challenges breaking down oils.

MCFAs can help increase metabolism since they are sent directly to the liver and give the body an instant source of energy. Most of the MCFAs  in coconut oil are the highly beneficial Lauric Acid.

Lauric Acid

Lauric acid is found in abundance in the human breast milk and converts to a substance called monolaurin in the body. Monolaurin has been shown to be useful in increasing immunity.

Lauric acid in coconut oil in combination with oregano oil,  has even been found more effective in fighting the staph bacteria than antibiotics.

Coconut Oil is over 40% lauric acid, the richest source naturally available.

What About The Saturated Fat?

If you are still concerned about saturated fat, consider taking a second look,  you most likely will change your opinion after reading this research. Even if you still avoid and limit saturated fats, it is important to note that not all saturated fats behave the same way in the body. Coconut oil, due to its high lauric acid content, is actually beneficial to the body.

It is also fascinating to note that countries like Thailand eat very high amounts of saturated fats like coconut oil and lard, and have very low levels of health problems related to these kinds of fats on average.

In fact, people consuming a traditional diet in Thailand have less instances of heart disease and the lowest rates of cancer for all 50 countries studied by the World Health Organization. Diabetes is TEN times more frequent in the United States then in Thailand, despite (or perhaps because of) their high fat consumption, pretty astonishing isn’t.

What do the Thai people eat? A large part of their diet consists of coconut, fermented foods, meat, a variety of vegetables, and rice. If you’ve ever tasted Thai food, you know that they also have a bold taste in seasonings and make use of potent herbs and spices like curry, lemongrass, basil, and chilis. Their major draw back is that they tend to use sugar in most of their cooking.

Overall, the Thai people consume very little soy, except for fermented condiments.

Their living conditions are considered to be less sanitary and more difficult, so these factors cannot account for the lower instances of disease.

Other countries, including some in the Mediterranean, show similar trends, even with a high consumption of saturated fat. Even here, saturated fat is getting a second look from the medical community.

 

Can saturated fat causes heart disease?

 

This has been the refrain for the last several decades, but history doesn’t back it up. As I have discussed before, there really is no scientific backing to the idea, and in fact, the lipid hypothesis has been largely discredited.

Think about it: Currently, coronary heart disease and related problems are the number one cause of death in the United States. The field of cardiology didn’t even exist prior to 1940, and there has been a 60% increase in cardiologists since that time.

Also, coconut oil and other saturated fats were not taken in consideration since that time, and has been replaced with healthy vegetable and seed oils.

In fact, rates of heart disease have risen despite doctors best attempts to get us to eat low-fat whole grain diets low in saturated fats, stress has its toll on the hear land is one of the biggest challanges in the overall health.

Saturated fats are necessary for cell function and growth, and have been linked to increased health and even weight loss. Coconut oil is an all-star among saturated fats with many benefits beyond its strict nutritional content.

Over 1/3 of the world’s population depends on coconut for food, and if you haven’t already, you may want to give it a try and  consider incorporating coconut oil into your diet!

 

 

Dry process

 

Traditional way for making coconut oil using an ox-powered mill in Seychelles

Coconut oil extraction can be done through “dry” or “wet” processing. Dry processing requires that the meat be extracted from the shell and dried using, sunlight,fire or kilns to create copra. Preceding this step copra is pressed or dissolved with solvents, producing the coconut oil and a high-protein, high-fiber mash. The mash is poor food quality for human consumption and is instead fed to animals like ruminants; there is no process to extract protein from the mash. A portion of the oil extracted from copra is lost to the process of extraction.

 

Wet process

 

The wet process uses raw coconut instead of the dried copra so as you see there is a difference here, the protein in the coconut creates an emulsion of oil and water.The more challenging step is breaking up the emulsion to recover the oil. This used to be done by prolonged boiling, but this produces a discolored oil and is not economical. The modern techniques use centrifuges and pre-treatments including cold, heat, acids, salts, enzymes, electrolysis, shock waves, and different combinations. Despite numerous variations and technologies, wet processing is less viable than dry processing due to a 10–15% lower yield, even with the losses due to spoilage and pests. Wet processes also require investment of equipment and energy, incurring high capital and operating costs making it no so desirable for business.

Proper harvesting of the coconut on average the age of a coconut can be 2 to 20 months when picked makes a significant difference in the efficancy of the oil-making process. Copra made from immature nuts is more difficult to work with and produces an inferior product with lower yields.

Conventional coconut oil processors use hexane (this is a significant constituent of Gasoline Hmmmm, not so fancy when you think about it) as a solvent to extract up to 10% more oil than produced with just rotary mills and expellers. They then refine the oil to remove certain free fatty acids to reduce susceptibility to rancidification and mold. Other processes to increase shelf life include using copra with a moisture content below 6%, keeping the moisture content of the oil below 0.2%, heating the oil to 130–150 °C (266–302 °F) and adding salt or citric acid.

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) can be produced from fresh coconut milk, meat, or residue. Producing it from the fresh meat involves removing the shell and washing, then either wet-milling or drying the residue, and using a screw press to extract the oil. VCO can also be extracted from fresh meat by grating and drying it to a moisture content of 10–12%, then using a manual press to extract the oil. Producing it from coconut milk involves grating the coconut and mixing it with water, then squeezing out the oil. The milk can also be fermented for 36–48 hours,and then the oil removed, and the cream heated to remove any remaining oil. A third option involves using a centrifuge to separate the oil from the other liquids. Coconut oil is also extracted from the dry residue left over from the production of coconut milk.

A thousand mature coconuts weighing approximately 1,440 kilograms (3,170 lb) yield around 170 kilograms (370 lb) of copra from which around 70 litres (15 imp gal) of coconut oil can be extracted.

 

Refined oil

Coconuts drying outdoors in Kozhikode, Kerala for making copra, which is used for making coconut oil

The refined, bleached, and deodorized oil (RBD) is most likely made from copra, dried coconut kernel, then proceed to be placed in a hydraulic press with added heat and the oil is extracted. This process  yields practically all the oil present, and usually this amounts to more than 60% of the dry weight of the coconut. This “crude” coconut oil is not suitable for consumption because it contains contaminants and must be refined with further heating and filtering before it can be sold in the market.

Another method for extraction of coconut oil involves the enzymatic action of alpha-amylase, polygalacturonases, and proteases on diluted coconut paste.( Enzymes are used here)

Unlike virgin coconut oil, refined coconut oil has no coconut taste or aroma. RBD oil is used for home cooking, commercial food processing, and cosmetic, industrial, and pharmaceutical purposes for most part.

 

 

 

Benefits Of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has so many benefits, from being directly associated with specific positive health effects to acting as an aid in certain body functions. I’ve read through dozens of papers, articles and blog posts and gather the following list of known claimed benefits of coconut oil. It is said to help relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. I’ve have also seen a lot of reports of coconut oil health benefits from those suffering from hypothryroidism, as coconut oil helps boost metabolism and raise body temperatures to promote thyroid health. It is atributed to restricting carbohydrates and increasing coconut oil in the diet has also led many to report losing weight with coconut oil. Candida sufferers also report benefits with coconut oil as research now confirms, and those suffering from various skin diseases are also seeing tremendous health benefits by applying coconut oil directly on the skin. The benefits of coconut oil for healthy hair are also well known, and other benefits of coconut oil included fighting off bacterial infections and viruses. Coconut oil is also increasingly being seen to benefit athletes and fitness trainers giving them an advantage in sustaining energy levels longer without drugs or stimulants.In any case always consult your health practitioners when in doubt, here we are sharing information not prescribing or going over any qualified health practitioner!!

 

 

 

 

Buying Coconut Oil

 

 

There are so many brands and types of coconut oil and they all vary in price depending on the source, production method, packaging and the marketing team. Super expensive doesn’t always mean the best, although it does often indicate the quality of ingredients and the purity. I always recommend to try a few brands and to find out as much as you can about the manufacturing process. Personally I really like Niulife coconut oil because the guy who started the company actually invented a natural expelling method they still use today and they are a fair trade, family owned business who make good products and at the same time I can contribute to their growth and support their business, a win win situation, my favorite kind . However there are many great brands out there and regardless of where you are, here are a few things to look out for:

 

Color – white color when it’s solid and colorless when liquid, any discoloration might mean contamination and inferior quality.

 

Aroma and flavor – virgin, unrefined coconut oil should smell and taste like coconut but should not be overpowering and strong, if it smells roasted or smokey it means it’s been exposed to a lot of heat and it might not retain as many nutrients; and if it’s odorless and neutral tasting then it’s most likely refined and treated.

 

Price – the coconut oil in most stores can get quite pricey and doesn’t always mean superior product. It’s always a good idea to buy in bulk as the oil is stable and will last for at least 12 months in a cool dark storage. You can try a few different brands and make sure you like the smell and taste before you commit to buying a big batch. You can also share the shipping costs with friends and family and save even more money.

Storing Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can be stored out of the fridge, away from direct sunlight, for up to two years. It will stay liquid in temperatures above 25C (75F) and will turn into butter and solid texture in lower temperatures or if refrigerated. If the oil is solid and you need to use it in a liquid form, apply low level heat ( like a double boiler in very low heat) and it will transform very quickly into a liquid.

 

 

Some Uses of Coconut Oil

 

There are hundreds of ways you can use coconut oil, it can be used in cooking, as part of your skincare routine, as part of flu and cold aid, or to rub on cuts and bruises, skin care , hair care, on stretch-marks just to mention a few. I’ve put together a few examples of how you can use it.
As far as how much coconut oil you should consume,  most experts recommend 3-4 tablespoons of coconut oil for adults per day to achieve optimal results, lets always keep in mind the weight of the individual, any health challenges one may have, so use common sense here and when in doubt consult your health provider. We are sharing information not prescribing or taking the place of your health provider. It would be less for kids and those of you starting out with coconut oil or saturated fats in general. If you’ve been following a low fat diet and only now decided to transition to a higher fat intake, I would suggest to gradually build up the consumption of fat to avoid the initial impact you might experience along the way.

Coconut oil as food

 

• I use coconut oil in cooking due to the fact that it’s very heat-stable. You can fry and deep-fry in it, rub it on my roasts, stir-fries and sauces. It’s really good for cooking as its flavor is very complimentary, we use it in teas , soups, stews and on our dogs food. There are so many uses for it.
• It is a solid most of the time at room temperature or when refrigerated and is therefore a great substitute for butter and can be used for dips, spreads, in baking and desserts. Use 1 to 1 ratio when substituting other oils or butter for coconut oilIt can even be used to make mayonnaise, I would used a good Organic cold press kind coconut oil for that.
• Add a couple of teaspoons to smoothies, juices, tea or coffee.
• Refrigerate it and eat as is by scrapping some with a teaspoon, we never refrigerate ours it doesn’t go bad. Make sure it is stored in a cool spot in your cabinet. The taste is slightly sweet, subtle, and really is quite nice and doesn’t have that oily texture you might expect, more like white chocolate you can mix it with jams etc, Just play and get creative.
• Mix some coconut oil with cacao & honey for a quick energy boost before a workout.

 

 

You can get both edible and inedible coconut oils in stores.The edible form of coconut oil is usually refined, bleached and deodorized. Virgin coconut oil is considered the best as it is low in carbs and forms a great source of nutrition.Coconut oil that has been derived from copra as the starting is usually unsuitable for consumption and can be applied externally only. So,if you are purchasing coconut oil, make sure you confirm that is suitable for consumption to prevent to unwanted issues, the price is so low that I prefer to get the Organic cold pressed virgin kind period.
For external uses, expeller pressed or other types of refined coconut oil will work, but for internal use, an unrefined virgin coconut oil is best.

 

 

Hydrogenated Coconut Oil

In most cases, the coconut oil that is refined, bleached and deodorized is hydrogenated fully or completely. This practice is common in tropical areas as the melting point of coconut oil is about 76 degrees F. The coconut oil retains its natural solid state in colder conditions. One common issue with coconut oil is the hydrogenation process itself.
Coconut oil contains very little unsaturated oil which makes it hard to hydrogenate. Once it is hydrogenated, however, it contains traces of transfatty acids no big dealt all.

 

 

 

Coconut Oil Pulling Chews

from: http://wellnessmama.com/25057/coconut-oil-pulling-chews/

What is oil pulling?

If you aren’t familiar with oil pulling, it is simply swishing oil, usually sesame or coconut oil in the mouth for a period of time (5-20 minutes) and then spitting it out in the trash or toilet. It has been used for thousands of years to help reduce plaque,  gum decease and dental, mouth issues. Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and even said to rid the specific bacteria that causes cavities.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with adding essential oils to the coconut  for oil pulling to improve the taste and to get the added benefits of the essential oil. My favorites so far have been essential oils that are naturally found in toothpaste, like Peppermint, Cinnamon  Clove, or Thieves from Young Living essential oils.

An easier way:

The other day when making coconut oil chocolates in little heart molds, I realized that I could simplify the oil pulling process by making pre-made, bit-size oil pulling chews, and that worked out great.

The result was simple-to-use pre-mixed oil pulling chews. I keep these in the fridge so they maintain their shape and also so that they are cool when I use them since it helps with the texture at the beginning, with the oils the texture becomes secondary.

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut oil

20-30 drops of essential oil (peppermint, cinnamon, clove, etc- check with a doc or midwife if you are pregnant)

Instructions

Melt the coconut oil until just barely liquid in a double boiler at low flame, it melts very quickly make sure not to boil it.

Remove from heat and add essential oils if you choose to use any, when cooling down.

Pour into silicon candy molds and put in the fridge or freezer to harden.

When done, remove from molds and store in a jar.

Use one per day as needed for oil pulling

And Happy oil pulling !!.

 

Coconut Oil Pulling

 

Benefits of Coconut Oil Pulling?

Coconut oil pulling, the oils (especially oils with naturally antibacterial properties like coconut oil) bind to the biofilm, or plaque, on the teeth and reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth. Streptococcus Mutans is one of the bacteria that is prominent in the mouth interesting don’t you think?and it has been studied for its role in tooth decay and gum disease with great results. Oil pulling has been shown to reduce the number of Streptococcus Mutans bacteria in the mouth, especially when done with coconut oil.

Some sources share that coconut oil pulling can help everything from acne to sore throats and even heart disease. It is well known that good oral health practices can benefit the body in other ways, so it certainly may be beneficial as part of a good oral health routine. I certainly wouldn’t rely on oil pulling alone as a method to address any internal or serious medical problem, but I do find it helpful for keeping my mouth healthy and increasing the enzyme action aside from detoxing.

How to Use  Coconut Oil for Oil Pulling

• Put 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil into the mouth, if the consistency feels weird to you just warms it up over a bit of hot water in a container and when is liquid place it in your mouth.
• Swish for 20 minutes ideally no less than 10 minutes I do it when I am doing shores in the house. Apparently the timing is key, according to Dr. Bruce Fife, author of Oil Pulling Therapy, as this is long enough to break through plaque and bacteria but not long enough that the body starts re-absorbing the toxins and bacteria. The oil will get thicker and milky as it mixed with saliva during this time and it should be creamy-white when spit out,is bet to spit it out in the toilet so you don’t have issues with your drains, do not swallow it remember you pulled a lot of bacteria with it.
• Rinse well with warm water. Warm water seems to clean the mouth better (my opinion). Occasionally, I swish with salt water which seems more effective in it kinds of feels cleaner.
• Brush well. I prefer to brush with Brushing Blend or homemade toothpaste to make sure any remaining bacteria is removed.
• Enjoy the rest of your day knowing that you just clean your system and your body is very thankful!!

 

Thai Coconut Soup with Bok Choy & Mushrooms 
by Season with Spice

http://blog.seasonwithspice.com/2015/04/thai-coconut-soup-recipe.html#ixzz41J4UouFa

Serves 3-4

Ingredients: 
1 tbsp coconut oil (or your choice of oil)
1 tbsp freshly minced ginger
10 oz  cremimi mushrooms – thinly sliced
1 tbsp Season with Spice’s Thai BBQ Seasoning 
1/2 tsp Season with Spice’s Turmeric Powder, or more to taste
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth, or water
12 oz package of firm silken tofu – cut into small cubes
1/3 cup to 1/2 cup coconut milk
Sea salt to season you used our Ginger Sea Salt
4-5 bunches of baby bok choy – thinly sliced

Method:
1. Heat coconut oil in a pot or large skillet, over medium fire. Add half of the minced ginger and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add in sliced mushrooms and cook for about 4 minutes. When the liquid begin to evaporate, add in our Thai BBQ Seasoning and turmeric powder. Stir to mix in.
2. Add in broth/water and tofu cubes, and bring it to a boil. Add in the remaining minced ginger. Lower heat to medium, and add in coconut milk. Stir gently to combine. Let cook for another minute. Season with our  Ginger Sea Salt. Taste, and adjust any seasonings   to your taste. If you like the soup to be a richer consistency, just add in a bit more of the coconut milk.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in the bok choy to lightly wilt. Serve hot or warm.

Notes: 
– The soup keeps well for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. When reheating, feel free to add in more liquid or coconut milk if the soup gets too thick or a new vegetable for a slight change.
– For an even fresher tasting boo chop or thai Basil in the soup, add them in right at the table before you dig in.

 

http://www.seedsofrealhealth.com/coconut-oil-chocolate-fudge-recipe 

 

Coconut Oil Chocolate Fudge Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup cacao or cocoa powder
1/3 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth and well mixed.
Pour into a parchment lined loaf 8×4 pan.
Refrigerate or freeze until hardened.
Cut into squares.
Keep leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.

 

 

Coconut Lotion Bars

Due to the fact that coconut oil naturally is solid at below 76 degrees, it lends itself perfectly to making great lotion bars. Lotion bars used on any skin are a way to combine the most nourishing benefits of lotion without the need for a liquid (which can be drying for skin) to create an incredibly moisturizing bar.

These bars are meant to be used on dry skin but for me I like to suggest anyone to use it,  not as soap lets make that clear, and are best used after showering on damp warm skin, my opinion is that Coconut oil can be used on any skin really.

Lotion Bars Ingredients

•1 cup coconut oil

•1 cup shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter (or a mix of all three)

•1 cup beeswax

•Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E  and oil

 

Lotion Bars Instructions

 

Combine all ingredients except  for essential oils if using in a double boiler, or a glass bowl over a smaller saucepan with 1 inch of water in it.

Option: Combine in a quart size glass mason jar with a lid instead and place this in a small saucepan of water until melted. This will save your bowl and you can just designate this jar for these type of projects if you like just make sure that any container that you use is well sanitized prior to the use,you can do this process by boring the container and placing it over a clean cloth to dry.

Turn the burner on  low and bring water to a boil. Stir ingredients constantly until they are melted and smooth with a spatula.

Remove from heat and  then you can add the essential oils, do not heat essential oils.

Gently mix by until essential oils are incorporated.

Carefully pour into molds or whatever you will be allowing the lotion bars to harden in, I love the Silicone for making chocolates or pastries they are very easy to pull your bars and super easy to clean. I used these silicone baking cups, though any mold would work.

Allow the lotion bars to cool completely before attempting to pop out of molds. These could be made in different shaped molds for different holiday gifts (hearts for valentines, flowers for Mother’s day, etc.) or made in a square baking pan and then cut into actual bars.

Note: This recipe can be adjusted to make any quantity that you’d like. I made with equal 1 cup measurements. The recipe I used made exactly 12 lotion bars with my molds. For a small batch, this recipe could be cut in half.

 

 

Homemade Coconut Oil and Honey Hair Mask

What you’ll need:
1 tbsp. Organic Coconut Oil
1 tbsp. Organic Raw Honey
Sauce Pan
Mixing Bowl
Spoon
Towel
Shower Cap (optional)

The mask can be applied to dry or wet hair, although we’ve found that it’s easier to apply to wet hair. Have a towel around your neck to protect your clothes while applying the mask. Section your hair off and apply generously from top to bottom, focusing on my ends where most damage occurs. Wrap your hair in a bun and let the mask soak in for 30-40 minutes.

 

 

 

53 Uses for Coconut Oil

 

1. Taken supplementally for daily energy
2. On the skin as a basic lotion
3. In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
4. In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars
5. In cooking as a great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
6. As an eye-makeup remover
7. As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
8. In making your own Remineralizing Toothpaste
9. To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
10. To support healthy thyroid function
11. In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils
12. To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
13. As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
14. In homemade lotion recipes
15. To get rid of cradle cap on baby- just massage in to head, leave on for a few minutes and gently rinse with a warm wash cloth
16. Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
17. As a delicious tropical massage oil
18. It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism
19. A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of friz
20. As an intensive nighttime facial moisturizer
21. Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
22. Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
23. Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
24. As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours
25. On feet to fight athlete’s foot or toe fungus
26. In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation (also great for baby!)
27. Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema
28. With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works
29. In natural Homemade Sunscreen
30. In a filling and energy boosting Brain Powder Smoothie
31. Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
32. There is some evidence that coconut oil helps digestion and may even kill intestinal parasites or yeast
33. Mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon of chia seeds for an all-day energy boost (do NOT take this at night!)
34. Can help improve insulin levels
35. Oil pulling with coconut oil and a drop of oregano oil helps improve gum health
36. Can help improve cholesterol ratios
37. Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
38. In Homemade Natural Bug-Off Lotion Bars
39. As a replacement for vegetable oils in any recipe
40. After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn
41. Is an immediate source of energy when eaten and isn’t stored as fat
42. As a natural personal lubricant that won’t disturb vaginal flora
43. As a naturally antibacterial skin cream
44. As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
45. When used consistently on skin it can help get rid of cellulite
46. To season cast iron skillets
47. It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
48. Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
49. Can help resolve acne when used regularly
50. Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
51. I’ve used in kids ears to help speed ear infection healing
52. A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)
53. By itself as a great tanning oil

 

Here is another great site with more about Coconut Oil

from Cooking Detective

23 Health, Fitness And Weight Loss Benefits Of Coconut Oil

(With Bonus Recipes)

 

 

 

 

Is Coconut Oil REALLY Healthy?

How to Use Coconut oil:

There are hundreds of uses for coconut oil!

 

 

Dr. Bruce Fife – Benefits of Coconut Oil

 

4 Doctors on Coconut Oil & Dementia

 

 

How to take your daily dose of coconut oil

 

 

Eminence Coconut Milk Cleanser

 

 

Eminence Coconut Cream Masque (Normal to Dry Skin)

 

 

Eminence Coconut Sugar Scrub

Free People Hello Gorgeous Dress

Take maxi style to the maxi with this intergalactic Free People™ Hello Gorgeous Dress. Soft velvet dress with a bright, interesting design. Empire waist adds a great versatile styling. Colorful embroidered embellishments at square neckline and V-cut back. Fully lined. Straight hem at long skirt bottom.

 

 

Free People Diamonds & Snakes Dress

You’re the star of the show and need the wardrobe to prove it! Take center stage in this ovation-worthy Free People™ dress. Sleeveless shift dress silhouette. Deep V-neckline with hater straps that fasten at nape. Relaxed fabrication with graphic print throughout. V-back. Slight pleating at hem.

 

Teva Flatform Sandal

Flash some fashion-forward style this summer with the Teva® Flatform Sandal. Polyester webbing upper. Adjustable ankle strap for a preferred fit.  Polyester webbing toe post.  EVA footbed and platform for cushioned underfoot comfort.  Durabrasion rubber outsole provides excellent traction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INNOPen

Hello again we wish to thank you for your support, on week 210 we are sharing information about resurfacing with  Derma pen procedures, a way of resurfacing our skin with a small amount of invasion and remarkable results. I have seen the results on myself and many other clients and all are just amazing. There are a few companies that sell and provide procedures with the derma pens, not all good, it is very important to have the procedures done by a Dr. There are many side effects that can happen when done by a non qualified professional and with a certified Derma pen. On the internet there are many derma pens on the market, I personally wouldn’t touch them due to wrong metals, needle alignment etc so here we go, lets take a look at our research and why you the reader must check the pros and cons before there is a serious consequence that can be avoided, here we will take you to the research we did on one Derma pen that we like. The reason being is well design, safe and backed up by a lot of scientific proof, enjoy, share and please don’t forget to like and share. This is what helps us stay in the upper ranks, aside for the amazingly well researched information we share, we feel pretty confident of this statement.

 

 

BACKGROUND OF PERCUTANEOUS COLLAGEN INDUCTION THERAPY

 

Facial skin resurfacing can be traced to ancient Egyptian times and the application of abrasive masks of alabaster particles. For millennia, various substances have been used to peel, exfoliate, and rejuvenate the skin. These substances include acids, poultices of minerals and plants, and direct irritants such as fire and sandpaperlike materials.

The Early Stage
The evolution of chemical peeling and skin abrasion into the procedures in common use today began in the early 20th century. In 1905, a German dermatologist Kromayer first reported controlled resurfacing abrasion of the skin. His technique involved the use of rotating wheels and rasps and, except for technical improvements of the equipment, differed very little from present-day skin abrasion. He treated acne scars, keratoses, and areas of hyperpigmentation.

Despite this early report of the use of surgical planing, skin abrasion did not gain widespread popularity until the early 1950s, when Kurtin, McEvitt, and others published numerous articles on skin abrasion, leading to a rediscovery of the technique. Kurtin presented the first series of patients who underwent skin abrasion to Mount Sinai Hospital in 1953. Kurtin described the use of high-speed rotary abraders, intraoperative freezing, and a variety of abrasive end pieces. Moderate skin abrasion technique was developed in Italy in early 1980’s by Swissfrench dermatologist, Dr. Philippe Simonin utilizing electroridopuncture technique with microcurrent and acupuncture needling; its use was widespread in European countries prior to its introduction and popularity in the United States.

 

Subcision
The first to notice the major advantages of skin needling were Orentreich et al in 1995. They were the first to introduce the term Subcision® from the contraction of the term ‘‘Subcutaneous Incinsionless’’ surgery. It is a method of cutting under a depressed scar, wrinkle or contour using a tri-beveled hypodermic needle inserted under the skin through a needle puncture, adjacent to the scar. The procedure attempts to raise the base of the defect to the level of the surrounding skin surface by 2 distinct mechanisms:
The act of surgically releasing the skin from its attachment to deeper tissues results in skin elevation.
The introduction of a controlled trauma initiates wound healing with consequent formation of connective tissue that augments the depressed scar.

The technique involves 3 different approaches:
simple linear inserting-withdrawing movement of the needle under the scar.
fanning horizontal movement of the needle under the scar.
vertical movement of the needle under the scar.

 

Advanced Needle Abrasion
The next important publication concerning skin needling was reported by Dr. Andre Camirand et al. who in his article in 1997 described his experience with this method. On a number of his patients with facial hypochromic scars, he tattooed the scars with a skin-color pigment. After 1-2 years, they noticed that even though the pigment was long gone, it was replaced by actual melanin, while the scars were immensely improved in texture, appearance and color. This gave the idea that trepenation (coming from the Greek word –Trepanon: to bore) of scars with the tattoo gun was responsible for the improvement and the repigmentation of the scar. They came up with the idea that puncturing of the scar with a tattoo gun alone, without pigment, would in a way break down the scar collagen, cause realignment and stimulate melanogenesis. The results of repetitive sessions on scars were reported by Camirand et al. to be more than good and typically consistent, since all of his patients profited aesthetically from this type of treatment.

Following to Dr Camirand’s development, Dr. Des Fernandes introduced needling device, a small needle stamp, to induce collagen and used as a regular treatment in his surgical practice. He delivered his first paper on skin needling of the upper lips to the ISAPS congress in Taipei 1996.

Development of Advanced Needle Device
After extensive research and further development of the skin needle abrasion technology, Clinical Resolution Laboratory, a California Company in U.S.A., re-invented new pattern of the device, called Derma Needling, and released the instrument to the outside US.

 

 

 

Why INNOPen?

Why INNOPen?

 

To purchase or for more information contact  Clinical Resolution Lab call 213-384-0500

 

The INNOPen  microneedling pen is the world’s most revolutionary micro-needling device perfected by the distinguished leader and pioneer of dermal needling technology, Clinical Resolution Lab, Inc.

Choose INNOPen and INNOTip because quality & safety matters!

Made in the USA
Doesn’t overheat
Fully adjustable needle depth (1 mm) and speed
Patented high speed motor design with accurate power control
Ergonomic design for effortless handling
Yields consistent results
INNOPen is Safety:

Patented disposable needle cartridge, INNOTip
Double protective tip system
On/Off needle motion control at the tip
No tearing, no scratching of skin
No cross contamination
100% contaminant free, all medical components
Surgical stainless needles, GE Lexan Polycarbonate Resin Plastic

 

 

INNOPen is an aesthetic precision tool with a unique, dual spring-loaded disposable needle cartridge (INNOTip) that uses an automated, vibrating stamp-like motion to cause micro injury to the skin. The gentle stimulation of fibroblast promotes natural induction of collagen and elastin without the stress of pain and lengthy down time associated with ablative treatments. Micro channels resulting from the needles piercing through the skin layers aid in infusing therapeutic serums for greater penetration and enhancement of overall efficacy. INNOPen is an ideal choice for non-surgical and non-ablative treatment of various skin conditions.

 

INNOTip

 

At the heart of INNOPen is it’s revolutionary, patented disposable needle cartridge called INNOTip. Distinctively engineered by Clinical Resolutions Lab, Inc., INNOTip delivers the safest method of treatment with innovative technology that eliminates the negative risks inherent in all automated micro-needling pens or devices with open tip needle cartridges. INNOTip is a precision apparatus designed with Double Protective Tip System that consists of an inner protective wall and the outer safety covering made of sterile, medical grade GE Lexan polycarbonate resin. These protective layers allow 0% tolerance for error; requiring perfect centering, precise spacing and meticulous uniformity in vertical lining of the needles.

The first ‘inner’ protective wall is built-in tightly around the needle housing that holds thirteen SUS 316 surgical stainless needles. It serves to prevent the needle housing from shaking and becoming off-centered due to flux of vibration caused by the device’s motor exerting power during the stamping motion. A common attribute of the needling housing found in all single-walled needle cartridges is that it is loosely suspended in between the wall. Hence lacking the support to hold it firmly to prevent from shaking or vibrating as the needles pierce through the skin layers in fast stamping motion. Consequently, it leads to slanted needle insertion which induces micro-tearing of skin’s inner layers and epidermal scratching.

The second ‘outer’ safety covering is unlike any of the open tip needle cartridges available in the market today. it is completely enclosed with only the thirteen passage-openings. All needles must pass through these tiny holes before they perforate the skin. The outer tip is designed to detect any deformity and/or misalignment of the needles. If the needle is bent of out of position, it will lock up and the INNOTip stops operating. The ensures accurate 90 degree vertical needle penetration with every stamping motion, but more importantly, ensures client safety.

 

In addition, the outer safety tip also enables even distribution of pressure applied to the needling area. The enclosed cover keeps the skin taut and even-leveled during the treatment to allow consistent accuracy in needle penetration depth. In comparison, the open needed tip causes the skin to ‘bulge up’ as it presses downward onto the skin. As a result, the needles are inserted at an uneven height. Open needle tip forces the user to manually manipulate the hand pressure applied to the device during the procedure, which can lead to considerable variance between the desired depth versus the actual depth of penetration.

The dual-spring system is another unique feature of INNOTip that allows the user to have full control over the needle motion. In contrast to competitor’s devices where the only way to stop the needle insertion is by completely shutting off the device, INNOTip offers On/Off control right at the tip. No need to push any buttons or twist anything; simply release the hand pressure applied to INNOTip and the skin needling stops immediately. To turn on, gently press down and the needle will resume it’s stamping action. The ability to control needle movement throughout the course of treatment eradicates potential risks associated with common disposable tips. On the contrary, the erroneus practice of dragging the open tip while the needles are still in motion results in epidermal scratching. Micro-tearing of the skin’s inner layers is a direct consequence of jerking when the device is pulled whilst the needles are still inserted in the skin.

Epidermal scratching and micro-tearing of skin contribute to many post treatment complications and/or side effects such as hyperpigmentation, excessive inflammatory response, skin irritation and discomfort. Such conditions downgrade the overall enjoyment and depreciate the integrity of the micro-needling treatment.

In essence, INNOTip offers effortless perfection that truly surpasses all limits by taking micro-needling technology to another dimension.

 

 

Micro needling

 

 

Micro needling is a non-surgical skin care treatment that causes microinjections/micro injuries in your skin so that growth factors are released to elicit collagen and elastin growth. This is a natural form of skin rejuvenation that can be more cost effective than plastic surgery and can get much better results than other ablative procedures such as laser treatments. The results with microneedling are AMAZING and gives you YOUTHFUL looking skin at a fraction of the cost.

 

 

Principle of micro needling

 

 

 

Micro needling relies on the principle of neocollagenesis and neovascularisation that occurs as a result of the release of growth factors following needle piercing of the stratum corneum. These growth factors are believed to be responsible for the beneficial effects of the procedure in the treatment of scars and photoageing. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain the mechanism of action of micro needling:

Formation of microchannels with resultant healing response: previously, it was proposed that following micro needling, thousands of microchannels or tiny wounds are produced through the epidermis into the papillary dermis of treated skin. These microchannels create a confluent zone of superficial bleeding that acts as a powerful stimulus for the release of various growth factors such as platelet derived growth factor (PGF), transforming growth factor alpha and beta (TGF-α and TGF-β), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), which initiate the normal process of wound healing by stimulating the migration and proliferation of fibroblasts that promote collagen deposition

Production of a demarcation current: it has been hypothesised by Liebl that when the microneedles penetrate the skin, a demarcation current is produced among cells rather than wounds. It is the demarcation current that triggers a cascade of growth factors that stimulate the healing phase. This hypothesis, based on the generation of bioelectricity, was proven by Jaffe. In resting state, the interior of epidermal cells have a negative electric potential of -70 mV whereas interstitium and epidermal surfaces have a positive potential. Epidermal injury causes the release of potassium and proteins into the interior of epidermal cells, further decreasing the electric potential to -120 mV or less. This leads to an increase in the potential difference between the interior of the cell and the exterior environment. It is claimed that this potential difference triggers the migration of fibroblasts to the site of injury where they proliferate and lay down collagen.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

What are the Benefits of Innopen Collagen Induction Therapy?

The benefits of micro-needling are a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, younger-looking skin with fewer signs of aging. Innopen also has a positive effect on hyper-pigmentation as well as on hypo-pigmentation, acne scars, traumatic scars and stretch marks and generally creates a fresher appearance or glow to the skin.

What areas of the body can I treat with Innopen?

Innopen can be used on all parts of the body; Face, neck, décolleté, arms, hands, legs, abdomen and back.

What does it Feel Like?

The feeling associated with the Innopen is similar to light sandpaper being moved across the skin. While some areas are more sensitive than others, the speed of the reciprocating needle tip reduces discomfort while the applied hydrating gel also makes the treatment more tolerable.

How long does the Innopen procedure take?

The procedure takes 15-30 minutes depending on the size of the area treated.

What is the downtime?

Immediately after the treatment you will notice a bright redness to the skin.
The total healing time depends on the depth of needles used and the number of overlapping passes your skincare professional performs. On average, patients are red up to 2 to 4 days. Some patients heal completely in as little as 24 hours.

When will I see the results?

Patients notice an immediate “glow” to their skin. Visible changes to the skin develop over the course of several days and weeks. Results continue to improve up to 6 months after the treatment as collagen production continues.

How many treatments will I need?

Some patients only require a single treatment, once per year to achieve optimal results. However, it is recommended for most patients to receive a series of 2-3 treatments spaced about 6-8 weeks apart. For patients with deep wrinkles, advanced photo-aging, stretch marks or acne scars it is recommended to receive 6-8 sessions at 6 week intervals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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100% Pure Acai Berry Antioxidant Face Cream

This nourishing all natural facial cream immediately moisturizes and feeds your skin with vitamins and antioxidants.

 

 

Cosmedica Hyaluronic Acid Promotion BUY ONE 8oz /GET ONE FREE 1oz

Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum Offers Effective Hydration and Anti-Aging Benefits For a Youthful Appearance to Skin.

 

 

Eminence Organics Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum

Fast-absorbing, advanced serum for all skin types. This potent dose of non-irritating Vitamin C is stabilized by botanically-derived ferulic acid to deliver optimal antioxidant benefits and improve the appearance of skin.

 

Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum

Reawaken your skin with the hydrating power of Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum from Eminence Organics.  This replenishing and rehydrating serum includes potent moisturizers, soothing factors, and gentle exfoliants that work together to give your skin the royal treatment.

 

Eminence Organics Soothing Chamomile Tonique

You’ll love the way Eminence Organics Soothing Chamomile Tonique (4.2oz) feels when the refreshing mist hits your face! Perfect as a daily soothing toner or pairs with more invasive dermatologic procedures, this facial treatment calms irritated skin and promotes the healing process

 

Eminence Organics Rosehip Tonique

Eminence Organics Rosehip Tonique balances oily, problematic skin with an infusion of nourishing nutrients. Revive your skin with this rejuvenating spritz. Deliciously aromatic and immediately soothing, Rosehip Tonique will add a radiance to your skin while removing and regulating oil production.

 

Eminence Organics Calm Skin Arnica Booster-Serum

Calm Skin Arnica Booster-Serum from Eminence Organics is a super-soothing skin treatment that uses natural botanicals to soothe inflammation, reduce redness, and eliminate irritation. This amazing treatment brings balance to the skin, restoring a youthful glow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ayurveda

 

This week 209 we are sharing the Ayurvedic system for beauty and total wellness. This amazing system has been around for thousands of years with tremendous success all the way through.We would like to take a moment to thank all the followers for their support. Without your Likes and shares the blog wouldn’t be here. We are so grateful!! Thank you from all of us at Isabel’s Beauty Blog.

I personally love the system and as we speak I am going to the Chopra center for the full wellness program. Many people when they are approached to find their type on ayurveda don’t like it, and hey, I understand that for most part people like to be individuals, never the less we can go through what the system is and make a common denominator don’t you agree?  If this still doesn’t agree with you at least now you have the knowledge no matter what adds to your cultural library, is that better?

Please enjoy the post and like and share, please it is so important for social media,Thank you ahead of time for doing so, from all of us.

 

From: http://www.chopra.com/our-services/ayurveda 

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing that has its origins in the Vedic culture of India. Although suppressed during years of foreign occupation, Ayurveda has been enjoying a major resurgence in both its native land and throughout the world. Tibetan medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine both have their roots in Ayurveda. Early Greek medicine also embraced many concepts originally described in the classical ayurvedic medical texts dating back thousands of years.

More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life,Veda = science or knowledge). It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vital while realizing their full human potential. Providing guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and the proper use of our senses, Ayurveda reminds us that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit.

 

Recognizing that human beings are part of nature, Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies that govern our inner and outer environments: movement, transformation, and structure. Known in Sanskrit as Vata (Wind), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Earth), these primary forces are responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body. Each of us has a unique proportion of these three forces that shapes our nature. If Vata is dominant in our system, we tend to be thin, light, enthusiastic, energetic, and changeable. If Pitta predominates in our nature, we tend to be intense, intelligent, and goal-oriented and we have a strong appetite for life. When Kapha prevails, we tend to be easy-going, methodical, and nurturing. Although each of us has all three forces, most people have one or two elements that predominate.

 

For each element, there is a balanced and imbalance expression. When Vata is balanced, a person is lively and creative, but when there is too much movement in the system, a person tends to experience anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, constipation, and difficulty focusing as some of the main discomfort. When Pitta is functioning in a balanced manner, a person is warm, friendly, disciplined, a good leader, and a good speaker. When Pitta is out of balance, a person tends to be compulsive and irritable and may suffer from indigestion or an inflammatory condition. When Kapha is balanced, a person is sweet, supportive, and stable but when Kapha is out of balance, a person may experience sluggishness, weight gain, and sinus congestion.
An important goal of Ayurveda is to identify a person’s ideal state of balance, determine where they are out of balance, and offer aid using diet, herbs, aromatherapy, massage treatments, music, and Meditation to reestablish balance.

 

According to Ayurvedic theory, everything in the universe — living or not — is connected. Good health is achieved when your mind, body, and spirit are in harmony with the universe. A disruption of this harmony can lead to poor health and and emotional invariance.

For followers of Ayurveda, anything that affects your physical, spiritual, or emotional well-being can cause you to be out of balance with the universe. Some things that can cause a disruption include:

• genetic or birth defects
• injuries
• climate and seasonal changes
• age
• emotions

 

 

How your body works to keep you healthy and your unique physical and psychological characteristics combine to form your body’s constitution, or prakriti. Your prakriti is believed to stay the same for your entire life. However, how you digest food and eliminate waste can influence it.

Every person is made of a combination of five basic elements found in the universe:

• space
• air
• fire
• water
• earth

These elements combine in the human body to form three life forces or energies, called doshas. They control how your body works. The three doshas are:

• vata dosha (space and air)
• pitta dosha (fire and water)
• kapha dosha (water and earth)

Everyone inherits a unique mix of the three doshas. One dosha is usually more dominant. Each dosha controls a different body function. It is believed that your chances of getting sick are linked to the balance of your doshas.

 

 

 

Body Types in Ayurveda

 

Don’t know your dosha?

learn your dosha here

 

Vata: Movement and Change

If Vata dosha predominates, movement and change are characteristic of your nature. You will tend to always be on the go, with an energetic and creative mind. As long as Vata is in balance, you will be lively and enthusiastic, with a lean body.

If excessive stress in your life leads to your Vata force becoming imbalanced, your activity will start to feel out of control. Your mind may race, contributing to anxiety and insomnia. You may start skipping meals, resulting in unintended weight loss, and your digestion may become irregular. If you notice these early symptoms of a Vata imbalance, slow down, take time to meditate, don’t skip meals, and get to bed earlier. A regular lifestyle routine helps ground Vata so you are not carried away into the ethers.

 

Understanding Vata: Minimize Stress and Feed Your Creativity 

Vata governs movement in the body, the activities of the nervous system, and the process of elimination.

Qualities of Vata: 

• Cold
• Light
• Dry
• Irregular
• Rough
• Moving
• Quick
• Changeable

Physical Characteristics

Those with a predominance of Vata dosha usually have a thin, light frame and excellent agility. Their energy comes in bursts and they are likely to experience sudden bouts of fatigue. Vatas typically have dry skin and hair and cold hands and feet. They sleep lightly and their digestion can be sensitive. When the Vata dosha becomes imbalanced, it manifests in the body as weight loss, constipation, hypertension, arthritis, weakness, restlessness, and digestive challenges.

Emotional Characteristics

Vatas love excitement and new experiences. They are quick to anger but also to forgive. When Vatas are in balance, they are energetic, creative, and flexible. They also take initiative and are lively conversationalists. When unbalanced, they are prone to worry and anxiousness and often suffer from insomnia. When they feel overwhelmed or stressed, their response is, “What did I do wrong?”

How to Balance Vata

If excessive stress in your life leads to your Vata force becoming imbalanced, your activity will start to feel out of control. Your mind may race, contributing to anxiety and insomnia. You may start skipping meals, resulting in unintended weight loss, and your digestion may become irregular. If you notice these early symptoms of a Vata imbalance, slow down, take time to meditate, don’t skip meals, and get to bed earlier. A regular lifestyle routine helps ground Vata so you’re not carried away into the ethers.

Vata is cold, light, irregular, dry, and always changing. To balance Vata, make choices that bring warmth, stability, and consistency to your life. Try to get to bed before 10 p.m., wake up by 6 a.m., and eat your meals at regular times.

Avoid becoming chilled. Wear adequate clothing appropriate for the season and keep your head covered when the weather is cold.

Perform a daily self-Abhy massage using warmer, heavier oils like sesame and almond.

Stick with light exercise that enhances balance and flexibility. Take care not to push yourself too far and exceed the limits of your energy. Beneficial activities for Vatas include:

• Yoga
• Qi Gong
• Tai Chi
• Walking
• Short hikes
• Light bicycling
• Light tennis
• Golf
• Dance
• Aerobics

 

Drink ginger tea. Fresh ginger root is beneficial and can be used frequently. During the cool weather, sip ginger tea throughout the day.

Be certain that your bowels move regularly on a daily basis.

Favor soothing, calming music.

Touch and be touched regularly by the people you love, and schedule regular massage treatments.

Favor warm colors in your clothing and environment such as earth colors, pastels, browns, and warm yellows.

Favor aromas that are sweet, heavy, and warm. Examples include basil, bay, cinnamon, citrus, cloves, frankincense, lavender, pine, sage, and vanilla.

 

Nutritional Guidelines for Vata

According to Ayurveda, it’s important to eat foods that have a balancing effect on the dominant dosha, or that will pacify (stabilize) a dosha that has become excessive or aggravated. Since Vata is drying, cooling and light, you shold favor foods that are oily, warming, or heavy. The best tastes to pacify Vata are sweet, salty, and sour. Minimize foods that are pungent, bitter, or astringent.

Recommendations:

 

Eat larger quantities, but don’t overeat. This helps to balance the lightness of Vata.

Take sweeteners in moderation. They all help to pacify Vata.

Fats and oils are beneficial in the digestive system and help reduce Vata. Use up to three teaspoons daily of ghee or extra virgin olive oil.

All low-fat dairy products are recommended. Milk is easier to digest when warm or heated.

Rice and wheat are the best grains for balancing Vata. Reduce the amount of barley, corn, millet, buckwheat, and rye that you consume.( take in consideration GMOS and choose Organic)

Favor sweet, heavy fruits such as bananas, avocados, mangoes, apricots, plums, berries, coconut, figs, grapefruit, oranges, lemons, melons, papaya, peaches, pineapples, rhubarb, kiwi, dates, nectarines, and dried fruits.

Eat fewer dry or light fruits such as apples, cranberries, pears, and pomegranates. To ease digestion, fruits are best eaten lightly cooked or sautéed, or eaten alone.

Cooked vegetables are best. Raw vegetables should be minimized. Favor Asparagus, beets, and carrots. Other vegetables may be taken in moderation if cooked in ghee or extra virgin olive oil, including peas, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and sweet potatoes. Sprouts and cabbage tend to produce gas and should be minimized.

Dairy products pacify Vata. For optimal digestion, boil milk before drinking it and consume it while warm.

Use spices that pacify Vata including cardamom, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, salt, cloves, mustard seed, basil, asafetida, cilantro, fennel, oregano, sage, tarragon, thyme, and black pepper.

All varieties of nuts are recommended.Make sure to soak them for 12 hrs before consumption!!

Beans can aggravate Vata. Minimize your consumption of beans, with the exception of tofu and mung bean dahl.

For non-vegetarians or non-vegan, use fresh, organic chicken, turkey, seafood, and eggs.

Note: Favoring heavy foods such as sweets, oils, and richer foods may contribute to weight gain. Focus on natural grains, and heavy, moist fruits and vegetables. Keep your sweets to a minimum and use low-fat milk products. Cook your food for easy digestion.

 

 

Pitta: Transformation and Metabolism

A healthy Pitta constitution results in strong appetites and strong digestion of both information and experience. When Pitta becomes imbalanced, heat begins to rise in the body and mind. Heartburn, ulcers, hypertension, and inflammatory conditions reflect excessive accumulation of the fire element.

Mentally, too much Pitta manifests as irritability and anger. These symptoms are signals to “chill.” Stop packing in too many things to do in too little time. Reduce your competitive activities, decrease your consumption of alcohol (fire water), and go for a walk in a natural setting where you can be surrounded with abundant blue (water) and green (plants).

 

Understanding Pitta: How to Feed Your Inner Fire

The Pitta dosha controls digestion, metabolism, and energy production. The primary function of Pitta is transformation. Those with a predominance of the Pitta principle have a fiery nature that manifests in both body and mind.

 

Qualities of Pitta: 

• Hot
• Light
• Intense
• Penetrating
• Pungent
• Sharp
• Acidic

Physical Characteristics

Pittas are usually of medium size and weight. They sometimes have bright red hair, but baldness or thinning hair is also common in a Pitta. They have excellent digestion, which sometimes leads them to believe they can eat anything. They have a warm body temperature. They sleep soundly for short periods of time and have a strong sex drive. When in balance, Pittas have a lustrous complexion, perfect digestion, abundant energy, and a strong appetite. When out of balance, Pittas may suffer from skin rashes, burning sensations, peptic ulcers, excessive body heat, heartburn, and indigestion.

Emotional Characteristics

Pittas have a powerful intellect and a strong ability to concentrate. When they’re in balance, they are good decision makers, teachers, and speakers. They are precise, sharp-witted, direct, and often outspoken. Out-of-balance pittas can be short-tempered and argumentative.

When pittas are overstressed their typical response is, “What did you do wrong?”

How to Balance Pitta

Pitta is hot, sharp, sour, pungent, and penetrating. To balance pitta, make choices that are cooling, sweet, and stabilizing.

Balance rest and activity, allowing some free time everyday. Be careful not to create unnecessary time pressures for yourself.

Do not skip meals and do not wait until you are famished to eat.

Favor foods that are sweet, bitter and astringent. Also eat more cooling foods such as cucumbers, sweet fruits, and melons.

Regularly spend time in nature. Take walks in the woods and along natural bodies of water. Keep plants and fresh flowers in your home and office. Walk in the moonlight.

Perform a daily massage using cooler oils such as coconut or olive.

Favor cooler colors in your clothing and environment such as blues, greens, and silver.

Laugh a lot, every day.

Favor aromas that are cooling and sweet. Sandalwood, rose, jasmine, mint, lavender, fennel, and chamomile are recommended.

Nutritional Guidelines for Pitta

Since an excess of Pitta dosha overheats the mind and body, favor cool foods and liquids. Foods with sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes are best. Reduce foods that are pungent, salty, and sour.

Recommendations:

 

Dairy can help balance the heat of Pitta. This includes milk, butter, and ghee. Sour, fermented products such as yogurt, sour cream, and cheese should be used sparingly as sour tastes aggravate Pitta.

All sweeteners may be taken in moderation except molasses and honey.

 

The best oils to pacify Pitta are olive, sunflower, and coconut. Use less sesame, almond, and corn oil, which are more heating.

Wheat, rice, barley, and oats are the best grains to reduce Pitta. Eat less corn, rye, millet, and brown rice.( keep in mind GMOS favor Organic)

Stick to sweeter fruits such as grapes, melons, cherries, coconuts, avocados, mangoes, pomegranates, fully ripe pineapples, oranges, and plums.

Reduce sour fruits such as grapefruits, apricots, and berries.

The vegetables to favor are asparagus, cucumbers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables, pumpkins, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, okra, lettuce, green beans, and zucchini.

The vegetables to avoid include tomatoes, hot peppers, carrots, beets, eggplant, onions, garlic, radishes, and spinach.

Pitta types should use seasonings that are soothing and cooling. These include coriander, cilantro, cardamom, saffron, and fennel. Hotter spices such as ginger, cumin, black pepper, fenugreek, clove, salt, and mustard seed should be used sparingly. Very hot seasonings such as chili peppers, and cayenne are best avoided. Chew on fennel seeds after meals to cool down acid in the stomach.

For non-vegetarians and non-Vegan, chicken, pheasant and turkey are preferable while beef, seafood, and eggs increase Pitta and should be minimized.

– See more at: http://www.chopra.com/ccl/understanding-pitta-how-to-feed-your-inner-fire#sthash.TqHEoql9.dpuf

 

 

Kapha: Structure and Fluidity

People with a predominance of Kapha in their nature are solid, reliable, contented souls. But when Kapha builds to excess, weight gain, fluid retention, and allergies manifest in the body. Excess Kapha in the mind manifests as resistance to change and stubbornness. People with an excess of Kapha tend to hold on to things, jobs, and relationships long after they are no longer nourishing or necessary.

To lighten the heaviness of Kapha, get yourself moving and start exercising today. Eat lighter, spicy foods, and give away things you have been accumulating that you know you’ll never use.

 

Understanding Kapha: How to Stay Healthy and Energized

 

Kapha governs the structure of the body. It is the principle that holds the cells together and forms the muscle, fat, bone, and sinew. The primary function of Kapha is protection.

 

Qualities of Kapha:

• Heavy
• Slow
• Steady
• Solid
• Cold
• Soft
• Oily

 

Physical Characteristics

Kapha types have a strong build and excellent stamina. Large, soft eyes; smooth, radiant skin; and thick hair are also important Kapha characteristics. Those who are predominantly Kapha sleep soundly and have regular digestion. But when Kapha builds to excess, weight gain, fluid retention, and allergies manifest in the body. When they’re out of balance, Kapha types may become overweight, sleep excessively, and suffer from asthma, diabetes, and depression.

Emotional Characteristics

Kaphas are naturally calm, thoughtful, and loving. They have an inherent ability to enjoy life and are comfortable with routine. When in balance, Kaphas are strong, loyal, patient, steady, and supportive. People with an excess of Kapha tend to hold on to things, jobs, and relationships long after they are no longer nourishing or necessary. Excess Kapha in the mind manifests as resistance to change and stubbornness. In the face of stress, the typical Kapha response is, “I don’t want to deal with it.”

How to Balance Kapha

 

Seek stimulation. Since Kapha is inherently cold, heavy, and dense, the key to balancing Kapha is stimulation. Kaphas tend to cling to the status quo and routine, so they need the stimulation of new sights, sounds, and experiences.

Follow a regular daily routine, ideally awakening before 6 a.m. each morning. Avoid taking naps during the day.

Stay warm and avoid dampness. Kaphas are particularly sensitive to cold, damp conditions and benefit from heat. Use dry heat if you are congested—a common Kapha complaint. Using a heating pad under your back or a sunlamp at your chest is often helpful. Avoid exposing your nose, throat, and lungs to cold winter air if you aren’t feeling well.

Perform a daily Garshana (dry massage) on your body to stimulate circulation.

Use an Ayurvedic neti pot to help prevent congestion. The neti pot is powerful tool for nasal cleansing.

Clear your space. To avoid clutter from accumulating in your home, office, car, and other physical spaces, regularly clean out and give away things that you know you’ll never use.

Get regular exercise. This is the best way to avoid stagnation and the accumulation of toxins in the body. Focus on building endurance. Favor running, bicycling, swimming, aerobics, and competitive sports. You can also dance to energizing rhythmic music.

Use warm, stimulating aromas including cloves, camphor, cinnamon, eucalyptus, juniper, and marjoram.

Favor colors that are warm and bright, including yellow, orange, and red.

 

Nutritional Guidelines for Kapha

According to Ayurveda, it’s important to eat foods that have a balancing effect on the dominant dosha or that will pacify (stabilize) a dosha that has become excessive or aggravated. Because Kapha is heavy, oily, and cold, favor foods that are light, dry, or warm. Foods with pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes are most beneficial for pacifying Kapha. Reduce foods with sweet, sour, and salty tastes.

 

Recommendations:

 

Try a liquid fast one day per week, ingesting only fresh vegetable and fruit juices, and pureed vegetable soup.

Reduce the intake of dairy, which tends to increase Kapha. You can use small amounts of ghee, low-fat milk, and low-fat yogurt.

Avoid most sweeteners. Honey is one sweetener that can best pacify Kapha. Other sweeteners, however, should be avoided because they increase the Kapha dosha, contributing to problems such as blocked sinuses, allergies, colds, and lethargy. Take a tablespoon or two (but no more) of raw honey every day can help release excess Kapha. Do not cook with honey though.

Drink hot ginger tea with meals to help stimulate slow digestion and sharpen dull taste buds. Drink 2 to 3 cups of ginger tea daily.

Eat beans. All beans are good for Kapha types except for soybeans and soybean-based foods such as tofu, which should be eaten in moderation.

Favor lighter fruits such as apples, pears, pomegranates, cranberries, and apricots. Reduce heavier fruits like bananas, avocados, pineapples, oranges, peaches, coconuts, melons, dates, and figs.

Eat lots of vegetables. In general, all vegetables are recommended but you should reduce consumption of sweet and juicy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and zucchini.

All spices except salt are pacifying to Kapha. Use pungent spices like pepper, cayenne, mustard seed, and ginger freely in your diet.

Reduce intake of all nuts and seeds. Favor pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.

Limit consumption of red meat. For non-vegetarians, fresh, organic white meat chicken, turkey, eggs, and seafood are acceptable.

Use small amounts of fats and oils. Try extra virgin olive oil, ghee, almond oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, mustard oil, or safflower oil.

For grains, favor barley, corn, millet, buckwheat, rye. Reduce intake of oats, rice, and wheat.

In general, a Kapha diet should be lively and full of energy to help spark the digestive and metabolic systems. Eat your largest meal at lunchtime and a smaller meal at dinnertime. Allow at least three hours for digestion before bedtime.

 

 

Ayurvedic Skin Care Recipes

from: http://lifespa.com/ayurvedic-home-skin-care-recipes-part-one/

Ayurvedic Mask

 

• 2 tablespoons chickpea flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Triphala powder
• 1/8 teaspoon Turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon of dried Neem or mint leaves (if using fresh leaves – use 1/2 tablespoon of mashed leaves and mix into your paste)

Mix the above ingredients into a paste and apply to the skin 1-2 times per week for 5-10 minutes, and rinse.

Vata Skin Types:

Mash 1-2 tablespoons* of ripe avocado and mix into your base mask paste.

Pitta Skin Types:

Mash 1-2 tablespoons* of cucumber and mix into your base mask paste.

Kapha Skin Types:

Mash 1-2 tablespoons* of ripe papaya and mix into your base mask paste.

* Use 1 tablespoon for regular skin and 2 tablespoons for sensitive skin.

 

Ayurvedic Cleanser-Toner

 

• 1 tablespoon chickpea flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Triphala powder

Mix into a paste with rose water and apply with circular strokes or a rotating brush as a cleanser-toner.

Vata Skin Types:

Add 1 teaspoon of raw honey.

 

Pitta Skin Types:

Add 1/4 teaspoon of dried Neem or mint leaves (if using fresh leaves, use 1/2 tablespoon of mashed leaves and mix into your paste).

 

Kapha Skin Types:

Add 1 teaspoon of raw honey with ½ teaspoon lemon juice.

 

 

Moisturizers:

 

Use a dosha appropriate oil. The right technique to apply the oil is important. A little oil goes a long way. Your face should be slightly damp before applying the oil. Apply only a few drops of oil to your fingertips. Massage the oil with your fingertips, and then apply lightly over the skin. I have included oils for moisturizing that will not block the pores.

Vata: Avocado

Pitta: Coconut

 

Kapha: Safflower or Grape seed

 

Scrubs:

 

Use a dosha appropriate scrub ingredient (dry) and binder (liquid) ingredient. Exfoliate 3-4 times during fall and winter and 1-2 times in the summer.

Vata: Sea Salt + Oil
Use 2 teaspoons of fine sea salt with enough oil to make a spread. Mix and apply in circular movements. Rinse off with warm water.

 

 

Pitta: Powdered Milk/Oatmeal + Water
Use 2 teaspoons of powdered milk or oatmeal. Add enough water to make a paste. Let thicken for 1 minute and apply to skin in circular movements. Rinse off with warm water.

 

Kapha: Cornmeal + Honey
Use 2 teaspoons of cornmeal, with enough raw honey to make a spread. Mix and apply with circular movements. Rinse off with warm water.

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In Chinese medicine, our skin is directly connected with the lungs.  That means that the skin breathes.  And the health of the lungs is of great importance to our skin longevity.The Lung has to do with boundary, breath and renewal.

The skin is like an outer lung and the pores are seen as the ‘doors of Qi’. The skin also breathes and exchanges substances with the outer environment. Its healthy functioning is seen as an aspect of Lung function. Beneath the skin the protective energy known as Wei Qi is said to circulate, defending the body against invasion from pathogenic forces.

The Lung’s paired Organ, the Colon, is concerned with release and elimination. The Lung and Colon together are related to immunity, the strength of the protective boundary. Pathogens most easily enter through the respiratory and digestive systems and the Lung and Colon are responsible for maintaining the integrity of these systems so that they are not penetrated by invaders. According to Chinese medicine, the body’s defensive energy is directly dependent on the strength of the Lung and Colon.Another organ that the Lung works with is the Spleen. After receiving food nutrients from the Spleen, the Lung mix them with the air you breath to create healthy QI. It then sends the healthy Qi to the rest of the Organs and throughout the entire body. The remaining impure Qi is expelled through the nose, your pores, and the large intestine.

When is Lung imbalance, it means your Lungs ability to distribute and regulate internal water flow by turning some of the Qi into moisture. After receiving nutrients from the Spleen , the Lungs transform this form of QI into a fine mist that permeates the body from head to toe, inward toward the center of your body and outward to the surface of your skin. It produces the soft, dewey, and lustrous appearance that your skin craves, when this delicate balance is off its like a plant without water.

Whereas the Spleen is archetypally related to the mother, the Lung is archetypally related to the father. Traditionally it is the father who teaches a sense of self-value and helps us to leave home and find our place in the world. Good fathering teaches boundary, and helps with individuation and separation from the mother. The Lung is therefore concerned with feelings of self-esteem and respect for both ourselves and others. Knowing who we are, believing in our self-worth and taking our place in the world are all part of the realm of the Lung.

Finally, the Lung’s role as boundary-keeper may be metaphorically extended to the boundaries we keep in our own home. Well-maintained fences, sensible security, clean windows and a well-kept exterior are domestic expressions of Lung energy.

 

Lung Imbalance Affecting Its Opening and Regulating Affect on the Water Pathways:

 The lung is situated in the upper burner and referred to as the upper source of water. If lung qi fails to descend, it cannot open and regulate the water pathways and ensure the unobstructed transportation of fluids to the bladder. Signs of water stagnation will inevitably ensue, such as phlegm buildup, a puffy face, edema, or inhibited urination. As the Neijing points out: “Lung qi disperses jing; in the upper part of the body, it is rooted in the lung; below, it feeds into the bladder.” The lung disseminates essential fluids: physiological jing (essence), jin (body fluids), and ye (body humors). At the same time, it feeds into and excretes superfluous fluids from the body via the bladder. Lung malfunction therefore can easily cause pathological changes in water metabolism, particularly bladder function.

 

 

 

 

Dryness Affecting the Lung Causing a Depletion of Liquids and Humors: External conditions like environmental cold, heat, and dryness, or internal dryness of the lung or large intestine all have the potential to injure the fluid supply of the body and cause dryness symptoms in the nose, throat, lungs, skin, body hair, or intestines. The Neijing comments: “The lung has a natural aversion to dryness.” In addition to being easily harmed by dryness, it passes on the condition as symptoms of dryness elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

Grief and Sadness Harming the Lung: Grief, sadness, and melancholy are associated with the lung. If one indulges in these emotional states, harm to the lung network will result and symptoms of emaciation, lack of energy, or dry skin. The other way around, a low supply of lung qi can cause a gloomy state of mind. A particularly sad experience, moreover, may cause a person to adopt a pessimistic attitude toward life (which is really a state of dampened qi). “If a person is sad,” it is said in the Neijing, “his qi will dissipate.”

Emotions:
If you have gone through, or are currently going through, a great deal of grief, sadness or loss and has not been able to “cut off” or resolve the connection you may have weakened Lung or Protective Wei Qi. Disharmonies associated with weak Lung Qi may appear as shortness of breath, chronic lung illnesses [or a chronically low general immune system] and a chronic cough. An important raw formula that helps in replenishing the Lung Qi Depletion would be the Immune & Energy Enhancement Formula.

Emotionally there is likely to be constraint and sadness, perhaps a hiding within one’s boundary. There may be lack of self-esteem, harsh judgment of both self and others and failure to respect or understand one’s own and others’ boundaries. Dignity may turn to false pride, leaving a person feeling alone and separate. It may be hard to claim a place in the world.

 

 

 

 

Lung Disorders Influencing the Nose, Throat, and Large Intestine: If the lung is unable to disseminate enough fluids to its associated fu organ below, the large intestine, or if the fluids are scorched by lung heat, there will be constipation, consequently the skin will suffer from the toxins accumulated.

 

 

 

 

Lung complementary organ : large Intestine

The lungs govern the desire for structure and boundaries, so a lung type’s personality is also well defined and structured. The lung types keep their emotions in check and they intellectualize their feelings, they are usually contain and controlled.
Skin issues Nourish the Lungs

Skin issues Nourish the Lungs

The role of the lung for healthy skin:

Healthy lungs are personified in glowing skin, due to Lung’s primary responsibility, which is to nourish and maintain healthy pore size, skin and proper breathing among many other rolls

Eastern medicine has an expansive concept of the role of the Lung. The believe is that the Lungs are responsible for all parts of the body that “Breath”. This includes the skin, the largest organ of the body, with pores that cover us from head to toe. Consequently when the Lungs are healthy your skin is soft and dewy and your pore size is even.When the Lungs are weak, your skin changes texture and quality. It becomes thick or thin, dull or blemish, dry or oily. Damage to your Lungs can happen in many ways, weather conditions, especially overexposure to wind, cold, and heat aside from pollution like cigarette smoke etc. Excessive sadness or grief, due to the combination of emotional turmoil and too many tears, affects the Lungs and it can have a profound impact on Lung types.
As with all organs, the imbalance of one organ can impact the Lungs. Spleen dampness or Kidney weakness are the conditions most likely to interfere with Lung Qi. by the same token, a weakness in the Lungs can negatively impact the large intestine, which is why Lung types are prone to bowel issues.
Western medicine believes we are all born with a skin type – normal, oily, dry, a combination of oily and dry, or sensitive that it  is yours for life and doesn’t change much. Eastern medicine sees it different. Chinese doctrine says we are all born with normal skin. When skin becomes oily, dry, or a combination of both, or is sensitive it is not destiny or skin condition we just pick up, it is most likely due to Lung Qi imbalance.
The skin, as part of the Lung system, can be nourished by rubbing with a good cotton towel or dry brushing will help maintain the skin’s health and support the immune system. Wearing natural fibbers will allow the skin to breathe freely; going naked from time to time when weather and circumstances allow will also help the skin to breathe. Moderate sunbathing will nourish the skin, although overexposure may be damaging.

Among the outside factors that affect Lung Qi environmental conditions, such as weather changes, pollution, excessive lifestyle, such as poor diet or too much drinking,fluctuating hormones, specially around menstruation.

Systematic Differentiation of Warm Disorders  (Wenbing Tiaobian), describes: “If somebody suffers from invasion of pernicious dry metal qi , it will gradually lead to intestinal challanges  that will become harder and harder, and that must be purged.” Heat accumulation in the large intestine, in turn, can interrupt the proper up/down dynamics of lung qi.

Healthy Lung Habits:
Use a scarf or collar to cover the front and back of your neck when you go outside, and make sure to have your lower back covered. These two areas are called our ‘wind gates’, where wind has a chance to enter and cause cold and flu symptoms in the lungs. Avoid drafts and wind.

• Let go of pre-conceived ideas and prejudices that serve no purpose in your life: Just as we need to de-clutter our environment and our inner space, clearing out mental waste such as culturally acquired ideas that hold no truth but which stop us from engaging with people and situations is important for good health and the renewal of our energy.
•  Seize the moment: The Lung energy fuels our ability to be in the moment and is nourished by our enjoyment of the present. As children, we tended to inhabit our bodies powerfully and to experience each moment fully. As we grow up, many of us lose this ability so as adults staying in the moment needs to be achieved through deep breathing and accessing a grounding calm that allows us to engage with what is happening now. Activities that help us “be in the body” as opposed to trapped inside the mind such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong or Yoga can also provide us with tools that help us achieve this.
• Detach yourself: The Lungs have the ability to constantly renew our energy through a combination of elimination of what is no longer needed and a continuous intake of potentially new energy. This implies an ability to recognise what needs to be discarded and a willingness to allow it to go. Understanding that everything in life – things, ideas, situations, people – is transient enables us to go smoothly from one stage of life to the next. When we are reluctant to accept this reality, we may remain in grief and pain until we make room for new things to come.