Finding Natural Remedies

Aloha,

I am amazed by the various natural remedies available to help with countless health problems. The knowledge passed down from generation-to-generation of the power of plants and essential oils is incredible. Many still use these forms of treatment to alleviate health symptoms today along with modern medicine.

I thought it would be great to discover a few of the natural remedies we can use for several symptoms:

• Aloe Vera - This natural remedy plant is found everywhere, especially by beaches (conveniently used for sunburns). The gel not only helps with skin irritations, but helps the digestive tract and improves liver, kidney, and gallbladder functions while maintaining healthy tissue.

• Apple Cider Vinegar - Have you heard of anyone making a drink or apple cider vinegar in the morning? This can help with weight loss by flushing out toxins, reducing cholesterol, lowering blood sugar levels, and preventing infections.

• B-Complex - Vitamin B complex helps with energy levels, cell metabolism, brain function, digestion, muscle tone, healthy appetite, and cardiovascular health.

• Bee Pollen – Not only is bee pollen an immune system builder, it is a protein rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It can help improve alertness and concentration.

• Cayenne - This hot pepper boosts metabolism, reduces hunger, lowers blood pressure, helps digestive tract, and benefits circulatory system.

• Chamomile – Historically, chamomile was used for scent and the Egyptians used it to help with fevers. This tea is still used for eczema (or itchy skin), stress, sleep, digestion, immune system, hair, and heart.

• Cinnamon Essential Oil - Not only does it smell amazing, it has its own health benefits such as improving respiratory issues, cleansing the body, and assisting with blood circulation, urinary, immune, and metabolic functions.

• Cranberry - Cranberry juice can help urinary tract infections as it kills bacteria in the bladder walls and urinary tract. It can also help prevent kidney stones, if used regularly.

• Fish Oil - Contains Omega-3 which helps with inflammation and heart disease. 

• Lavender Essential Oil – Personally, I love using lavender oil for stress, but it can also help with sleep and skin imperfections.

• Lemon Essential Oil - Lemons can improve good mood and improve digestive tract.

• Peppermint Essential Oil – It is commonly used in gum, toothpaste, mints, and mouthwash because of its antiseptic properties to help with bad breath. It can also help with stomach pains, nausea, and headaches.

• Rosemary - Is an herb used for centuries as a fragrance and to fight viruses and bacteria.

• Thyme - Can be used to improve digestive tract, respiratory infections, sore throats and coughs.

• Wintergreen Essential Oil - A scent you can find at spas for its natural methyl remedy added to medications and balms to alleviate joint pains and sore muscles. This oil produces a soothing, warm sensation when applied.

This is a small list of natural remedies that can improve your health without other medications. We can follow the ways of our ancestors to heal some of our health issues. Be sure to visit with your primary physician regarding other options available. It’s your choice what you put in your body to cure illnesses. I would love to hear of any other remedies you have used in the comments below!

Stay healthy and keep smiling,

Melissa

Achieving Your Health Goals

Lately, I have seen many people jumping into action to lose weight with their New Year’s resolutions without knowing how to measure their success. Today I would like to share how my sisters and I have been vigorous in our approaches and how we determine our progress. I find it challenging to find what works best to lose the weight I am looking to get rid of as all of our bodies are different. Since my sisters and I all have different body types, I want to give you the inside details of what seems to be working best with all our different body types.

For years now, the United States has struggled with obesity. The BMI (body mass indicator) scale was developed in the 1830s by Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet, who was a Belgian astronomer, mathematician, statistician and sociologist. Since the 1830s, society and technology have changed dramatically, however, the scale has not changed leading to it becoming very outdated. When I used to look up my BMI when I was younger, I felt terrible about myself and my self-perception suffered.

For this reason, I think society has experienced a mindset change to measure how you feel and how your clothes fit instead of relying solely on scales and measuring indicators. As I lose weight, I look where I am on the chart since most health professionals use it. However, I adjust my goals of where I would like to be on the chart based on my body type.

I have seen this mindset change happen in my family as we measure our progress differently while losing weight is our ultimate goal. Three of my sisters purchase meals through Optavia and receive coaching to help with quick weight loss. Currently, no exercise is recommended during the first phase of this diet plan and I have seen how successful this strict plan can be for those who can follow this type of diet and while affording it. Another sister of mine uses ’30-day challenge apps’ to increase her activity. The apps she uses include 30 Day Fitness, MyFitnessPal, Daily Yoga, and Yoga. With her body type, by moving more daily she has made great strides in losing weight already this year!

For me, I try to be more conscious of what I eat along with portion control. I meal prep all my meals for the week, so I don’t go out to eat as often helping me eat healthier. My workout regimen consists of weights twice a week and swimming for cardio on the weekends. I use a water app that reminds me every two hours to drink water. Although I always record my water intake on the app, it has helped me drink more water throughout the day.

Many people I know, including my sister, use MyFitnessPal to track their calorie intake. I have used this app a few times, but I have not been successful logging every calorie. However, it has helped me check labels and become more aware of what I eat.

So many options exist to help you lose weight and become healthier, but you need to find the right solution for you! Simply set a goal of where you want to be or how you want to feel, then find the best path to make that goal a reality. I would love to learn what has helped you the most in the comment section below!

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Natural Progesterone

Aloha,

In a previous blog, I talked about the ‘Sunshine’ vitamin, and today I want to share a little bit about the ‘Feel Good’ hormone. Natural progesterone is an incredible hormone that helps women with many benefits women. Take a look at some of these benefits:

• Stops or reduces hot flashes

• Stops or reduces night- or day-sweats

• Reduces risk of breast cancer

• Kills breast cancer cells (causes apoptosis)

• Reduces or reverses fibrocystic breast tissue

• Reduces the risk of heart attacks (reduces coronary artery disease)

• Causes somnolence (sleepiness) and aids in sleep

• Causes weight loss

• Causes increase muscle

• Gets rid of migraines and menstrual headaches in women (not men)

• Shuts down endometriosis

• Halts abnormal uterine bleeding

• Causes hair regrowth (thicker hair)

I can imagine almost every woman has at least one thing on the above list they would like to reduce or stop. The women in my family that take the compounded progesterone version, that dissolve under the tongue, rave about the benefits! Since monthly cycles are less painful, or nonexistent, they do not need to plan for ‘that time’ of month.  

I sat down with a woman who started to use progesterone in her 40s. She would suffer from horrible monthly cycles including heavy flow, clotting, and cramps. When she started progesterone, she had “an overall feeling of wellness, slept better, and felt an improvement in sex-drive.” The progesterone changed her monthly cycles into a much gentler experience along with clearer skin.

Another woman in her 20s says, “Progesterone is the ultimate woman's feel good hormone! I’ve taken it since I was 17 and I cannot not live without. It always keeps my cramps and emotions steady and helps me sleep fully. Progesterone just makes me feel better overall!”

As you can see the benefits of this natural hormone help women of all ages. If you are interested to learn more about progesterone, speak with your doctor and check out Dr. Purser’s book PROGESTERONE: The Ultimate Woman’s Feel Good Hormone.

Keep Smiling,

Melissa

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