10 Amazing Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea

10 Amazing Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea

The health benefits of Rooibos tea or red bush tea as it is also known as, are numerous and remarkable. It is grown from a small shrub, which only thrives in the Cedarberg region near Cape Town, South Africa.

1. Caffeine free – The rooibos plant grows naturally without any caffeine. This is important, as it means it does not need to undergo a chemical process to remove the caffeine. It also means that anyone can drink it, including those who do not want to drink caffeine such as children & pregnant women. The other key benefit of no caffeine is that rooibos tea can be consumed in unrestricted amounts. Some South African’s will consume 5-6 cups per day.

2. Contains powerful antioxidants – Rooibos tea contains a wide array of antioxidants, which help to protect the body in a number of ways. Two polyphenol antioxidants called aspalathin and nothofagin are found in high concentrations in rooibos tea. These antioxidants protect the body by fighting free radicals. These are unstable cells, which attack healthy cells in order to stabilize themselves. The polyphenols also have anti-inflammatory properties and can safeguard against heart disease.

3. Prevents against some cancers – Some studies have demonstrated a link between consumption of rooibos tea and a reduction of cancer-causing chemicals. This is because of the high level of dominant antioxidants, some of which have anti-mutagenic (anti-cancer) properties. This means that they defend cells & DNA against damage and inhibit them from developing into cancer.

4. High mineral content – One of the key health benefits of rooibos tea is that it contains several minerals that are vital to health. These include: magnesium (essential for the nervous system), calcium & manganese (essential for strong teeth and bones), zinc (important for metabolism) and iron (critical for helping blood & muscles distribute oxygen).

5. Improves circulation – One of the many potent antioxidants in rooibos tea is called Chysoeriol. It can improve circulation by preventing the activity of the enzyme that triggers cardiovascular disease. Drinking rooibos tea also has been known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

6. Relieves stomach complaints – As rooibos tea contains high levels of flavonoids, especially one called quercetin. It has the ability to relieve numerous abdominal ailments such as cramps, diahorrea and indigestion. Flavonoids are known help to reduce spasm, inflammation and allergies. It has also been widely stated that the health benefits of rooibos tea extend to alleviating colic in babies. s it is totally caffeine free, it is perfectly safe for them to drink rooibos tea.

7. Aids absorption of iron – Unlike most black teas, which prevent the body from absorbing iron effectively because of the tannins they contain, rooibos tea supports the body in absorbing iron. Rooibos tea contains less than half the tannins of black tea.

8. Can relieve skin conditions – A recent found that rooibos tea can help you to look more beautiful! Rooibos tea contains phenylpyretic acid, which can help to improve acne, psoriasis and eczema. You can apply a freshly brewed and cooled tea bag to the affected areas and it will soothe and heal any inflammation.

9. Can protect against Parkinsons/Alzheimers disease – Drinking rooibos tea regularly can protect against a process known as lipid peridoxation. This occurs when free radicals damage brain cells and nerve tissue. If this is prolonged, it can lead eventually to progressive and deteriorating brain disease, such as Alzheimer’s.

10. Encourages restful sleep – Rooibos is unique in that it can be consumed as often as you wish and at any time of day. Many people choose to drink it before bedtime as it can help with insomnia. Due to its high mineral content and lack of caffeine, it’s known to help people to feel calm and relaxed.

Sources: http://www.undergroundhealth.com/10-amazing-health-benefits-of-rooibos-tea/

9 Natural Solutions For Your Most Annoying Skin Issues

Newer doesn't always mean better. When it comes to dry skin, rosacea, or a cold sore, holistic therapy might be just what the skin doctor ordered. After all, the cures below—all from traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, homeopathy, and naturopathy—have been around for centuries for a reason. One thing all practitioners from these fields agree on is that treating your skin from the inside out using a whole body approach delivers serious beauty-boosting benefits.

Take a look at these 9 at-home skin fixes that have stood the test of time:

DRY SKIN
In Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Indian holistic system, practitioners approach health conditions based on the five elements: air, space, fire, water, and earth, explains Nisha Saini of New York Ayurveda. When there's an imbalance of the water element—something almost everyone experiences in winter—the skin becomes dry.  

Try it: To treat dry skin on your body, gently brush off dead cells with exfoliation gloves, which are gentler than a scrub. Try Earth Therapeutics Exfoliating Hydro Glove ($4, ulta.com). To moisturize, massage rich sesame oil mixed with a couple of drops of essential oil like basil or geranium into skin. (Just make sure you're getting your money's worth; check out these 7 signs your essential oils are fake.)

ACNE
"According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acne signals a problem within the digestive system," says Ken Rosenberg, a practitioner at the Institute for Health and Healing in San Francisco. For example, too much phlegm in the body can show up as cystic acne on the skin.

Try it: Avoid dairy, which is considered "damp" in TCM because it contributes to phlegm. (Scientific research also shows a possible link between dairy and acne, as dairy proteins may cause inflammation and lead to pimples.) Rosenberg also suggests skipping shellfish. "They're bottom feeders, which we believe leaves residue in the blood, contributing to problem skin." 

ROSACEA
Sensitive skin problems like rosacea are associated with the fire element in Ayurvedic medicine. Not surprisingly, cooling your body and blood is the key to treating the issue, says Sanai.

Try it: Cook with ghee, or clarified butter, which will cool the body from within, Sinai says. To calm skin topically, apply a cooling cleanser made of one tsp almond meal and ½ tsp each of orange peel and dry powdered milk. Add enough rose water to create a paste. Massage all over your face and neck in a circular motion for one minute, then rinse.

ECZEMA
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners recognize eczema as a sign of an imbalance of your body’s Qi—their name for energy. Specifically, it signals an excess of the elements wind and heat in the body, which lead to redness and flaking, says Peggy Robinson, doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine at Cornerstone Healing in Brooklyn, NY.

Try it: To keep skin hydrated and moist, boil honeysuckle flowers in water like a tea, let cool, and apply to affected areas. If you can't find honeysuckle, try Tea Haven's loose Honeysuckle Flower Tea ($17 for 2 ounces, teahaven.com). The flowering herb nourishes and relieves heat, which surfaces as redness on skin. Adding cooling foods to your diet, like mint leaves or peppermint, will also improve circulation and aid in cooling your skin.

COLD SORES
Blisters around your lips are set off by the herpes virus, so your first defense is strengthening your immune system, says Chicago-area naturopathic doctor Kelly Simms.

Try it: Eat foods rich in immune-boosting vitamin A (like sweet potatoes and red peppers), vitamin D (like canned sardines) and probiotics (like yogurt). Pop a multivitamin and a probiotic supplement to ensure you're getting enough of the above. Dab licorice gel or salve (find it at health food stores) onto the sore. Licorice contains active compounds like triterpenoids, which research shows have antiviral properties.

PSORIASIS
"In TCM, we think of psoriasis like an invasion of a pathogen in the body. It's the most difficult skin condition to alleviate," says Robinson. That means treating the body from within, and identifying root causes. Controlling stress, which leads to outbreaks, is the first step.

Try it: Deep breathing. "The lungs are important in Chinese medicine. The respiratory system is what circulates toxins out of the body. If you're not breathing well, your skin gets stagnated," she says. Most of us take shallow chest breaths. Instead, practice stress-relieving belly breathing. When you breathe in, your abdomen should inflate and then deflate when you exhale. Practice once in the early morning, midday, and evening. The goal is to make breathing this way a habit.

FOOT FUNGUSYeast called candida is a normal part of our gut flora, but when it overgrows it can show up as skin fungus, says Simms. Both stress and a diet high in refined sugars can make this overgrowth worse, and make you more susceptible to fungal problems.

Try it: Taking anti-candida supplements like garlic, which offers a higher concentration of antifungal properties than eating the root. Topically, use oils like tea tree or neem on toenail or foot fungus, says Simms. Twice a day apply oil directly to the nail or affected area on the foot, and cover with a bandage. If you don't see any improvement, see your dermatologist since fungus can be tough to treat.

HIVES
Hives can be set off by a number of factors, including allergens in food or beauty products. "Your goal here is to support your liver, the organ that filters out the histamines that cause outbreaks," says Simms.

Try it: Switch to plain or olive oil-based soaps, which are non-reactive on skin, to eliminate possible allergens. Drink dandelion or nettle tea (available at health food stores) to improve your liver's ability to detox the body. Research in animals has shown that dandelion can also help protect liver cells from damage. And consider taking an oatmeal bath: Oats contain compounds called avenathramides that decrease inflammation and irritation. Simms suggests grinding one or two cups of oatmeal, submerging in a bowl of water, then adding it to your bath. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

OILY SKIN
Oiliness "is a compensatory function of skin," says Sujatha Mannal, a homeopath who trained in India and now practices at WholeHealth Chicago. In layman's terms, that means a lack of oil prompts the body to overcorrect and send oil to the skin's surface. The solution? Bring back balance.

Try it: Add more healthy fats into your diet by cooking with grapeseed and sesame oil, for one. And incorporate it into your beauty regimen, too, says Mannal. In place of your usual washing routine, dip a cotton ball in coconut oil (the oil is hard at room temperature, so soften in the microwave first) and swipe onto skin. Its antibacterial qualities cleanse without drying. Then rinse with water and remove excess oil with a cotton ball dipped in witch hazel. Follow up with your usual anti-aging serum and daily moisturizer.

By: By Jessica Migala 

Sources: http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/natural-remedies-rosacea-acne-dry-skin-and-more

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TCM - Traditionally Chinese Medicine

Your Organic Skin Care Solutions - True Organics

MICHAEL TODD true organics

 

Many consumers have started purchasing organic food because they do not want to be exposed to harmful pesticides and chemicals. That’s the same reason consumers are turning to Michael Todd's products made with certified organic ingredients: they want to have all the benefits of great beauty products without unhealthy ingredients. Just like with food, your skin absorbs much of what you place on it, so instead of harmful ingredients use healthy ingredients.

MICHAEL TODD true organics represent a synergy between science and the certified organic plants and fruits we use. The result is an unsurpassed skin care experience that enhances and protects the skin for years to come without the use of potentially harmful ingredients so common in many other brands. The products are developed and made in the United States at FDA Registered and USDA Organic Certified facilities under the guidance of experienced formulators, chemists and registered and certified aromatherapists.

Most other skin care products are made with a cheap water (or aqua) base. Water is not “organic,” and why would you pay for a substantially water product when you can get this from your tap? Other bases used in skin care products include Fruit Juice (loaded with sugar), Alcohol (drying) and Mineral Oil (suffocates the skin) that make up much of their contents. And don't be fooled by so-called “natural” products which don’t have any regulation, so any company can name their products “natural” if they have a few ingredients that come from the earth. Remember, even "dirt" is natural because it comes  from the earth. Hundreds of personal care companies are simply using the term “natural” for marketing purposes. We don’t use any of these ingredients. Most every MICHAEL TODD true organics product is beautifully crafted from a base of 100% Certified Organic Aloe Vera Juice now fortified by us in such a unique and novel way that our Aloe base is the subject of a pending patent. This ancient herbal remedy has been called “nature’s first aid kit” because of its anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. With more than 75 nutrients including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins, Aloe Vera hydrates, softens, soothes and nourishes the skin.

To the Aloe Vera base, we add thoughtfully selected organic ingredients known for their effective, results oriented skincare properties. We use as much organics as possible, usually 70-95%. Organically farmed fruits and vegetables can contain between 30-50% more vitamins and minerals than conventionally farmed crops and can work better than conventional products because organically farmed fruits and vegetables increase antioxidant levels by nearly 30 percent compared with produce grown on conventional farms (2008 study). These powerful antioxidants neutralize free radical activity which diminish skin cell damage, resulting in more youthful, healthy skin. And, so you know just what you're getting, we state on each product the percentage of certified organically grown plants and fruits used and if it is vegan.

Take a whiff. MICHAEL TODD true organics smell so good it’s like dessert for your face. And these fragrances are real, no synthetic fragrance or color is ever used in a Michael Todd product. Depending on which product you choose, the first thing you’ll notice are the delicious aromas of sweet orange, calendula, lavender or chamomile, aromatherapy ingredients which promote relaxation and well being. You’ll also recognize the scents of carrot, coconut, cranberry, grapefruit, lemon, tropical fruits, even pumpkin. Then there are sea algae and kelp, green, black and rooibos teas and acai berry to nourish and protect. We use minerals like Charcoal and Kaolin Clay for their detoxifying properties, and refreshing essential oils (olives, jojoba, neem, seabuckthorn seed and tea tree) and ultra-rich moisturizing butters (cupuacu, shea and mango).

We also believe organic ingredients need to be combined with other actives to be really effective. You don't fix your skin by just rubbing an avocado on your face. The key is finding the right blend of organic ingredients and specific minerals, peptides, epidermal growth (repair) factor, DMAE, beneficial acids and other powerful age defying or blemish clearing ingredients to deliver powerful, clinically validated results. Just as important as what we put in our products... is what we don’t put in. Conventional beauty products can contain pesticides, methyl, butyl and propyl parabens, mineral oil, sulphates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, phthalates, triclosan, GMO, artificial dyes and fragrances, formaldehyde and more. Do you really want these on your skin? MICHAEL TODD true organics are formulated without these potentially harmful ingredients so you can use our products without health concerns.