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carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory · 4 years ago

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What Do Botanists Do On Saturday?

by Sarah C. Williams

Here in the section of Botany we’ve adapted in some strange ways, just like plants do, to the changes of the past year and a half. Let’s learn about the off days of some of our Super Scientists in the Section of Botany!

Mason Heberling, Assistant Curator of Botany

Collecting specimens has become a focus as more time was able to be spent in the field when we weren’t allowed to be at the museum. As our new Botany Hall entrance video shows, Assistant Curator of Botany, Mason Heberling and Collections Manager Bonnie Isaac collect plant specimens on a pretty regular basis. They also snag iNaturalist observations for these plants, taking photos that show what the plant and habitat looked before being picked and pressed.

Mason studies forest understory plants, in particular, introduced species and wildflowers in our changing environment. Mason has a bunch of fun projects going on this summer, ranging from coordinating seed collections of an uncommon native grass to send to Germany for a large greenhouse study to working with a team of students to study the effects of climate change and introduced shrubs on our forest wildflowers.

In addition to work in the field, the herbarium has been a busy place this summer too! Mason has been working with Alyssa McCormick, an undergraduate research intern from Chatham University, to examine stomata (the pores on leaves for air exchange for plants to “breathe”) and leaf nutrients in everyone’s favorite plant – poison ivy! Poison ivy has been previously shown to grow bigger and cause nastier skin rashes with increasing carbon dioxide in our air due to fossil fuel emissions. Alyssa is using specimens collected as long ago as the 1800s to examine long term changes in poison ivy.

Mason, where can we find you on a Saturday?

“This summer has been a lot of going to various places around western PA like Presque Isle or Idlewild to get out and enjoy the fresh air with my family. I can also be found most Saturdays around the house doing chores!”

Bonnie Isaac, Collection Manager

Bonnie, one of CMNH’s TikTok celebrities, and All-Star in the Mid-Atlantic plant world, has spent a lot of the past year doing fieldwork. Her PA Wild Resource Grant involved looking at most of the populations for 10 Pennsylvania rare species. She and husband Joe Isaac spent many days on the road and a few in the bog! You can see some of her videos about these unique Pennsylvania finds on Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Tiktok account: @carnegiemnh.

She diligently keeps track of various data points from latitude and longitude and elevation, to flower color, size, and associated species within a habitat. In addition to trying to make sure the plant names in our database are correct, she has also been busy georeferencing some of our specimens so that we can see on a map where each one was collected.

Bonnie, where can we find you on a Saturday?

“On most Saturdays I am either home taking care of my many chickens or getting some exercise in one of my kayaks with my spousal unit, Joe. I sometime even take a fishing pole for a ride or see how many different kinds of plants I can find on a hike. As long as I can get outside with Joe, I’m happy.”

Cynthia Pagesh, Herbarium Assistant

Specimens make their way home to the museum, where we assure they’re bone dry, flat as a pancake, and have been frozen twice to get rid of any pests. They then find their way into the nimble hands of Cynthia Pagesh, our resident plant mounter. Cynthia has luckily been able to do some mounting both onsite and at home over this past year, really honing her craft. She uses Elmer’s glue, dental and sculpture tools, linen tape, and a paintbrush akin to a magic wand: transforming roots, stems, flowers, and fruits into scientific and artistic renderings on an 11.5x16.5” archival herbarium sheet.

Mounting can be very detailed and challenging: wrangling a dry and brittle rare plant you want to salvage every detail from, or an oversized leaf ‘how-will-this-all-fit?’ ordeal, or finessing a delicate petal that glue is especially heavy on. Bulky bits, crumbly bits, spiky no nos: Cyn handles them all. Her work is just as much an art as it is a science. When she’s not making masterpieces, she’s probably doing something with plants.

Cyn, where can we find you on a Saturday?

“You can find me on Saturdays helping prune young trees in my community, collecting wildflower seeds or in my kitchen making preserves or homemade pasta noodles. I volunteer in vegetable, herb and flower gardens. I have a pollinator garden at home and raise Monarch caterpillars. I tag and release them to migrate south.

There are lots of Community Science projects for people of all ages: ask someone to help you find one related to a subject you have an interest in. I have an interest in pollinators including bees. I participate in a Community Science Project every Summer that counts types of bees on certain plants when they bloom.”

Iliana DiNicola

After another stint in the freezer for bugs-be-gone, it’s everyone’s favorite day: Picture Day! Each plant: sturdy and mounted, all data logged and super official, makes their way to the imaging station to spend some time under the bright lights. Since 2018, students, interns, and volunteers have lovingly held these plants’ hands as they get their close ups. We take high definition photos using a specially made lightbox and special software.

While this is part of a limited project, called the Mid-Atlantic Megalopolis, we are still hard at work going into our last year of the time we were given. This past schoolyear and summer, former Pitt student, Iliana DiNicola was taking pictures for us on the regular while also interning with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. She just graduated and I’m excited to hear what she does on her Saturdays in the future.

Iliana, where can we find you on a Saturday?

“I just graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Environmental Studies, and I am now on the lookout for any jobs related to the environment back in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. I am interested in working with anything from sustainability, to policy or political work, or maybe even something more related to ecology and outdoor work.

On a Saturday, I am definitely helping clean my house since I am a semi-clean freak, I love to go hiking if the weather isn't too hot, enjoy drawing and working on any art projects, or work on my future hydroponics garden.

As somebody who interned for Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, I highly recommend participating in any camps or activities the conservancy has to offer. It was super fun learning more about Pittsburgh's history and ecology and getting to teach kids about these topics, alongside participating in fun outdoor activities.”

Sarah Williams, Curatorial Assistant

Next up, Sarah Williams, the Curatorial Assistant in the Section of Botany, is overseeing the digitization project, morphing the photos from raw camera files into smaller files for sharing and detailed files for archival storing using Adobe Lightroom. She takes the images from the newly photographed specimens and makes sure they get uploaded onto the Mid-Atlantic Herbaria Consortium’s website to be shared far and wide across the world.

There is also a lot she does in sorting, filing, and taking care of the specimens as well. She does a bunch of scheduling, hiring, and training of work study students, interns, and volunteers. We consider her a jack of all trades.

Sarah, where can we find you on a Saturday?

“Most weekends I work with a local catering company called Black Radish Kitchen. I usually end up serving delicious vegetable and farm focused meals at least one day a week, commonly Saturdays because they’re prime for celebrations. The re-start up since the pandemic has been cautious, and I’m excited to be amongst people and help them to make mouthwatering memories again. I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for over a decade and the skills I’ve learned doing it as well as the friends I’ve made are matchless. It has a big piece of my heart.

I also moved into a new house this year about five minutes from my mom, so if I’m not running to say hi to her and ‘borrow’ some groceries, I’m doing laundry, dusting and yardwork… but only after I sleep in, eat some delicious breakfast with my partner, and hang out with our two cats, Santi and Gil.”

We hope you enjoyed getting to know us here in the Section of Botany, look forward to updates and more introductions in the future as we continue to host volunteers, federal work-study students, and interns on their journeys to learn even more about the plant kingdom.

Sarah Williams is Curatorial Assistant in the Section of Botany at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Museum employees are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.

#Carnegie Museum of Natural History #Botany #Scientists #Botanists #Herbarium #Natural History Museum #Museum Work

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cedar-glade · 4 years ago

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Do you recognize these plants? Perhaps one, but you might consider knowing the other too.

Toxicodendron, a wide spread genera in North America with most of it’s associated species being creeping vines more or less that produce large quantities of urushiol, an organic molecule known for it’s viscosity and oil like qualities as well as it’s ability to cause contact dermatitis in certain individuals. It’s insoluble in water and soluble in alchohol but is often displaceable from skin when additional soap like compounds are used; meaning water immediately can aid in removing the urushiol, after long term contact soap in the form of fat based soap or plants with saponin presence like some legumes, soapworts, jewel weed, ect. can be useful for lifting the oil and re displacing it. Saponin’s are often associated with plants with some toxicity so ingestion is never recommended. Saponin and water to displace is only necessary after long term contact in many cases and usually water will do. I do not recommend ever using alchohol based products to “dry the site out” as it can make the oils spread and become difficult to wash off due to solubility.

Above the text is the most common species of Toxicodendron in the midwest and eastcoast and below the first three images is perhaps one of the only non related species with similar branching pattern and floral habit to the genera.

Toxicodendron radicans, Eastern Poison Ivy,

this species is associated with any place there is exposure, disturbance, or seral conditions. It’s an incredible native for beneficial interactions with birds in areas that are now municipal urban areas or waste sites/ abandon parking lots that are a bit similar to the concept of an ecological desert. If grown with minimal light spacing on the edge of a forest, it grows straight up the tree where alternation of generations occurs and it will bloom, never crowding out the canopy nor girdling the tree. It’s adventitious root system is capable of climbing on many surfaces and gives it a hairy look. The toxic tree with many radial roots is what it’s name means roughly translated. Though many members of the genera exhibit the radicans to some extent perhaps early taxonomists didn't think about the poison ivy / oak complex (now resolved for quite some time) prior to naming.

As far as I am concerned this species is critical for succession and urban diversity and really should be respected where it can be.

Shrub Yellowroot, Xanthorhiza simplicissima,

is a creeping shrub species of ericaceous sandy alluvium in dappled shaded regions along reclaimed broken bars, in a way these ecosystems are seral ecosystems where wild rivers have the potential to remove sections during any vernal flood season. As you can see the branching pattern, the oily sheen with almost dense pubescence and scarce pilose hairs, and the floral pendulate nature of the reduced flowers could give off some anacardiaceae vibes, however, this is one of the rare cases where we see a convergence of many traits such as a semi-woody to woody stem and apical forming leaf clusters where flowers subtend the leaves in the family of the ranunculaceae. Infact, the Clematis genera is the only genera outside of this one to produce greater lignified stems, and reduced petal morphology. As you know usually, ranunculaceae have many stamen associated with high overy count and numerous separate carpels; however, the aconites, larkspurs, and the columbines are much different from normal regular flowered Ranunculus spp. and are far from resembling cohosh too, so this family being associated so heavily to one genera is a bit of an issue. Another fun fact about some members of this family is their abilities to cause similar blistery rashes to that of our urushiol having friends in the Toxicodendron genera. For this species, when wounded or if the pilose hairs are ripped, enzymatic pathways are utilized as an evolved defense system. when exposed unstable ranunculin is broken down by enzymes to form both glucose and toxic irritant Protoanemonin. This however is not convergent evolution in truth because the leaf arrangements, floral morph, and chemical compound, aren’t truly dilineate or associated with extremely similar uses.

#toxicodendron #xanthorhiza #xanthorhiza simplicissima #toxicodendron radicans #botany #ecology #rrg #kentucky

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missmentelle · 6 years ago

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i was diagnosed with traits of borderline personality disorder at 18, but over the past 2 or 3 years my symptoms have almost completely disappeared. i don’t really identify with the diagnosis at all anymore. does this mean i never had it? a misdiagnosis? i don’t know, and it confuses me

This is a great question, because I think it addresses one of the most common misconceptions about mental illness.

A lot of people seem to believe that a mental health diagnosis works a lot like Type I diabetes - basically, if you’re diagnosed with it, it means that your body is fundamentally different in some way and you’re going to have that condition for the rest of your life. A lot of anti-stigma campaigns have really pushed hard on the idea that mental illness is biological and inborn; if that helps fight stigma, that’s great, but I’m somewhat concerned that it’s given people the idea that mental illness is a permanent part of a person’s fundamental identity, rather than a condition that people have some of the time.

In reality though, mental illness is generally not meant to be a permanent label. A mental health diagnosis does not make a statement about your brain or the fundamental nature of who you are - people can definitely interpret it that way, but the only thing a diagnosis really means is that you are currently experiencing a certain amount of symptoms from a list of symptoms associated with that disorder. If at some point in the future, you no longer have enough symptoms to qualify for that diagnosis, then you no longer have that diagnosis. If you no longer have enough symptoms to warrant a diagnosis, it doesn’t mean that you “never had” the disorder (although past misdiagnosis is possible). Usually, it just means that you had it then, and you don’t have it anymore now. If you used to have to depression and you recover from it, then we say you have a “history of depression” - the depression you experienced in the past was very real and troublesome at the time, but you don’t have it anymore. Some conditions do tend to continue to have symptoms throughout the lifespan (schizophrenia, bipolar, etc), but many others come and go, or gradually fade with age (depression, anxiety, etc).

A mental health diagnosis is kind of like a rash. If you can see the symptoms, we diagnose you as having a rash. If your skin clears up and you don’t have symptoms anymore, then we can’t say that you still have a rash. If you’re using medication to control the rash and it will come back the moment you stop using the medication, then yeah, you kinda do still have a rash, but it’s under control. Looking at the rash doesn’t really tell us what’s causing it - it could be something short-term like poison ivy, it could be something in your environment like using the wrong laundry soap, or it could be a sign of some deeper problems. Making it go away might mean that you just have to make a quick change to your daily routine, or it might mean more complicated treatment. We don’t know. But when the rash clears up, you should definitely keep an eye on your skin to make sure it doesn’t come back, but you shouldn’t worry about it too much anymore.

Borderline Personality Disorder specifically has nine possible criteria, which you can find on this website. To get a diagnosis, you must meet at least five criteria. If you do not have five criteria, you technically do not meet the requirements for a diagnosis of BPD. It’s hard to say why you were diagnosed with BPD. Maybe at that time, a doctor felt that you did meet the symptoms. Maybe you were going through a really emotional time in your life, and a doctor mistook a really severe emotional state for being your baseline. Maybe adolescence was just a really, really tough time for you and you’ve settled down a little. Maybe a different doctor would not have given you a diagnosis of BPD at that time. and maybe you could’ve seen five doctors in a row who all agreed that you had it. We’ll never really know. What matters is how you feel right now. If you are no longer experiencing symptoms, you do not have to carry this label around if you don’t want to. It’s okay to decide that that might have fit at one point, but that it doesn’t anymore. Keep an eye on your mental health, consult a professional right away if you ever feel symptoms returning, and come to whatever understanding of your own mental health feels right for you.

Best of luck to you!

Miss Mentelle

#AnsweredByMM #Anonymous

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detectivebarou-archive2 · 6 years ago

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ahşap masa How to relieve eczema

Also called dermatitis, eczema is a noncontagious skin inflammation that produces itchy skin, red, rashlike areas. These occur on the face, scalp, wrists, and hands, as well as at the crease of the elbows, in back of the knees and sometimes elsewhere on the body. http://masifmobilya.org Eczema can spread or worsen if you scratch the affected areas. And persistent scratching or rubbing can bring on chronic eczema, chronic itchy skin, with its distinctive dark, thickened, scaly red patches.

There are different types of eczema, some classified by causes, others by specific symptoms. Atopic dermatitis is marked by a hypersensitivity, or allergy, to a food, inhalant, or other common substance that doesn't bother most people. It tends to be genetically linked, affecting individuals with a family history of hay fever, asthma, or eczema.

Flaking and scaling on the face and scalp are typical of seborrheic dermatitis, while contact dermatitis produces an acute local rash after someone sensitive to it comes in contact with an irritant (say, the nickel in jewelry or the oil on a poison ivy leaf). A separate type of itchy skin, stasis dermatitis, affects the lower legs and ankles and is associated with insufficient circulation of blood in those areas.

Key Symptoms

Itchy, red rashlike patches of skin that are dry, rough, scaly or cracked Small red pimplelike blisters Leaking ("weeping") of fluid, crusting and flaking in affected areas Chafing and peeling Thickened, dry patches of skin in persistent cases Itching, swelling and inflammation in lower legs and around ankles (stasis dermatitis)

What Causes Eczema?

Allergies are a common cause of eczema. People who are susceptible tend to have a personal or family history of allergic reactions to foods, pollen, animal fur or other substances. Many people with eczema also have (or eventually develop) hay fever or asthma, and their bodies often contain above-normal amounts of histamine, a chemical that triggers an allergic defense reaction in the skin when it's released.

Eczema symptoms can be triggered by such foods as milk, eggs, shellfish, nuts, wheat, strawberries, and chocolate.

They can also be aggravated by contact with various substances, including animal fur, plant allergens, such as poison ivy and poison sumac, jewelry containing chrome and especially nickel (watchbands, rings, earrings), cosmetics (including nail polish), fragrances, deodorants and antiperspirants, shaving lotions and skin creams, different types of fabrics (particularly wool and silk), dyes, latex and rubber, leathers, and household cleaning agents (including dishwashing and laundry detergents

Other factors associated with outbreaks of eczema are dry air; too much sun; stress; topical medications and certain drugs, such as penicillin; hot baths; and exposure to dust, pollen, and animal dander.

Treatment and Prevention

Soothing creams and ointments can help to lessen the excruciating itchy skin of eczema--and it's important not to scratch, as this can worsen the condition. A variety of nutritional supplements can also provide relief.

How Supplements Can Help

Because people respond differently to supplements, many eczema sufferers have to try several before they find one (or a good combination) that works well for them.

Evening primrose oil (in capsules, soft gels, or liquid) contains essential fatty acids that can help revitalize the skin and relieve itching and inflammation. Studies have shown that recommended daily doses of evening primrose oil can reduce the need for creams. Alternatives to evening primrose oil are the less expensive black currant and borage seed oils.

Flaxseed oil contains equal amounts of both omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, which can be helpful in the treatment of any chronic allergic condition, including eczema.

Fish oils were found to relieve chronic eczema in a double-blind study. They appear to work by reducing levels of leukotriene B-4, a substance in the body involved with the inflammation of eczema. Eating cold-water fish regularly is the best source for fish oils, but if you're not a fish fan, you can always take fish oil capsules.

Grape seed extract is rich in flavonoids (antioxidant substances that inhibit the body's allergic responses). Grape seed extract can help relieve and prevent the itchy skin flare-ups of eczema.

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moremoneytips · 3 years ago

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Everything You Should Know About Skin Care

New Post has been published on https://innersoulhealthandbeautyreviews.com/everything-you-should-know-about-skin-care-14/

Everything You Should Know About Skin Care

Proper daily skin care is not an easy task. There are so many things that affect your skin, and so many things that can happen to it that will determine how it looks overall. Fortunately, due to the fact that your skin is constantly regenerating itself, you always have a chance to fix the problems that you have with your skin and improve its overall health. Try these savvy tips to get started on the road to healthy and supple skin.

A great way to maintain healthy radiant skin is to make sure you’re getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy diet. In order for your body to function properly, it needs a certain amount of sleep and nutrients. If it doesn’t get this, the body doesn’t work at its best, resulting in poor health and bad skin.

To avoid getting a rash if you’ve been exposed to poison oak or ivy, you need to act immediately. It takes ten minutes for the invisible oil to bind to your skin. If you can thoroughly wash the area with lots of running water within that time, you can probably avoid the rash. You can use dishwashing liquid to help break up the oil.

For the guys out there, always use an aftershave with witch hazel when you are finished shaving. Witch hazel is amazing for preventing blemishes caused by razors or shaving-associated acne. Aftershave with witch hazel as an ingredient will ensure that the pores that are wide open from shaving do not become clogged!

Limit your alcohol intake to improve your skin quality. It is okay to have one a day, but remember that alcohol makes pores larger, and it leaves excess oil on the skin. This means your pores will get clogged very easily, and your skin will break out and look unhealthy because of the extra oil.

When you are putting on hand cream, don’t forget to put a bit of lotion on your elbows. This easy step can help your elbows to look better and feel softer. A little bit of lotion goes a long way on the elbows. Do not overlook this part of your body, because elbows need love, too.

Make sure you know what ingredients are inside your skin products. The less these products have in the way of ingredients, the better they work. Some ingredients will actually cause irritation to your skin. That particular product could cause more redness. Or, it might even be the cause of a full-on breakout.

To reduce the damage that sun has done to your skin, you should apply a topical Vitamin C cream. Researchers have found that creams containing Vitamin C can decrease the effects of photodamage, and protect your skin from the sun in the future. Vitamin C can also improve the texture of your skin.

The methods discussed above will help you have great looking skin. It’s important that you keep in mind that your skin needs to be taken care of so that it looks great, no matter how old you are. If you use the information that you read in this article, you will be pleasantly surprised at how great your skin looks.

#Bath and Body Care #Body Care #Facial Care #Skin Care #Skin Treatment

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fumpkins · 4 years ago

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Climate change is making poison ivy stronger and itchier

Poison ivy is a fixture of the landscape in eastern North America and parts of Asia. The noxious, rash-causing weed grows in rocky outcroppings, open fields, and at the edge of forests — it generally loves to take over disturbed areas. It can grow in partial shade and doesn’t give a damn about soil moisture as long as it’s not growing in a desert. The ivy is often identified in its plant form on the ground, but it can grow into a thick and hairy vine that curls around big trees and chokes out other native flora. No one knows why the ubiquitous plant causes an allergic reaction in human beings and some apes. It doesn’t affect any other animals that way, and researchers suspect that its allergenic defense mechanism may have evolved by accident.

If you live in areas where there is a lot of poison ivy, you may have noticed that the plant appears to be thriving lately. The leaves are looking leafier, the vines more prolific. Your poison ivy rash may even feel more itchy. It’s not your imagination. Research shows that the main culprit behind climate change — increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere — is supercharging poison ivy.

The effect has been known since 2006, when Duke University researchers published a six-year study that showed poison ivy grew double its normal size when it was exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide — levels on a par with the atmospheric carbon scientists anticipate seeing around 2050. The leaves on some individual plants grew by as much as 60 percent. Researchers also found that CO2 makes urushiol, the oil in poison ivy that causes the allergic reaction in humans, stronger. Plants rely on CO2 to make the sugars they need to grow, and increased concentrations of it were helping everyone’s least favorite plant thrive. The researchers surmised that increased levels of CO2 in coming decades would lead to bigger, faster growing, and itchier poison ivy plants.

Elevated levels of CO2 might not be the only climate-related factor making poison ivy more of a threat. Jacqueline Mohan, a professor of ecology at the University of Georgia and one of the researchers who conducted that initial research on poison ivy and CO2 at Duke University, is looking into analyzing the effect that rising soil temperatures, another consequence of a changing planet, might have on poison ivy. The experiment is in early stages in the Harvard Forest — a 4,000-acre forest managed by Harvard University in Petersham, Massachusetts — and the findings have not been submitted for peer review yet.

Mohan’s preliminary results show that a 5 degree Celsius (9 degree Fahrenheit) increase in soil temperature — roughly in line with the soil warming models predict under a worst-case climate change scenario — makes poison ivy grow 149 percent faster on average compared to ambient soil temperatures. “That’s just incredible,” Mohan told Livescience.Tech. “Poison ivy might love soil warming even more than it loves CO2.” By comparison, the other plants she studies at the Harvard Forest only grow between 10 and 20 percent faster in warmer soil. She found that warmer soil temperatures led to larger poison ivy plants, too. Mohan did not find that the temperature of the soil had an effect on the potency of plants’ urushiol, a small silver lining.

Mohan’s research at the Harvard Forest indicates that poison ivy is poised to do well in a warming world. “So far, poison ivy benefits from CO2, and it benefits from warmer conditions, and gosh only knows what happens when we do them both,” she said. “Which is of course what the planet is doing.”

There’s also a much more direct way that humans are making poison ivy worse — by messing around with its habitat. “Humans are definitely making ideal poison ivy habitat,” John Jelesko, an associate professor at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a poison ivy researcher, told Livescience.Tech. He conducted some research recently while hiking along a section of the Appalachian Trail and found that human disturbance — campsites, picnic spots, well-trodden trails — increased the probability of poison ivy, because it likes to grow where other plants are scarce and there is a lot of sunlight. “It’s not very prevalent in the middle of the forest, let me tell you,” Jelesko said. “Whenever you get to disturbed habitat you find a lot more of it.”

The takeaway is bleak: Climate change is supercharging poison ivy, and the plant likes to cohabitate with humans. Which means an extra dose of caution is in order when you’re out in nature. Even if you think you’re not allergic to poison ivy, Mohan says it’s best to keep an eye out for its distinctive clusters of three leaflets and steer clear just in case. The Forest Service found that between 70 and 85 percent of the population is sensitive to urushiol, and people are likely to become more allergic to it every time they are exposed. Tuck your pants in and watch where you walk, Mohan said. “When you’re dealing with nature, be smart,” she said. “Because nature is always going to win.”

This story was originally published by Livescience.Tech with the headline Climate change is making poison ivy stronger and itchier on Jul 19, 2021.

New post published on: https://livescience.tech/2021/07/19/climate-change-is-making-poison-ivy-stronger-and-itchier/

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gethealthy18-blog · 5 years ago

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Soothing Collodial Oatmeal Bath Recipe for Itchy, Dry Skin

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/news/soothing-collodial-oatmeal-bath-recipe-for-itchy-dry-skin/

Soothing Collodial Oatmeal Bath Recipe for Itchy, Dry Skin

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You won’t find a bowl of oatmeal at my breakfast table, but I do keep oats on hand for DIY skincare projects like these cleansing grains. An oatmeal bath is another skin-loving way to use oats. People have used oatmeal baths for centuries to soothe damaged skin. Research in recent decades reveals even more evidence behind the practice.

What Is Colloidal Oatmeal?

Like colloidal silver, colloidal oatmeal is just oats that are transformed into very very tiny particles (like 1/100th of a millimeter tiny!). Manufacturers make colloidal oatmeal with special grinders or proprietary processes that involve cooking and drying whole oats.

How to Make Colloidal Oatmeal at Home (Spoiler Alert: You Can’t!)

Colloidal oatmeal is made when the whole oat, including the bran, is ground into microscopic particles. Coffee grinders and kitchen food processors aren’t going to cut it.

Oat flour is much finer than home-ground whole oats, but the skin-loving bran is removed rendering it nearly useless for an oatmeal bath.

So why are we making a homemade oatmeal bath recipe if we can’t make colloidal oatmeal? Ground, whole oats are still beneficial to skin even when not as fine as colloidal oats. They make for lumpy lotion, but they’re still great in a bath!

Why Oatmeal Is Recommended for Skin Conditions

Allow me to get geeky for a minute here. The results speak for themselves when it comes to the benefits of a soothing bath with oatmeal. Yet, there’s actually a lot of science behind the practice.

Moisture-Balancing Barrier

Colloidal oatmeal is especially good for dry, damaged skin. The oats provide an emollient, moisturizing barrier that locks in moisture.

A 2017 study looked at eczema sufferers and found that colloidal oatmeal users saw more than 82% improvement in their eczema and nearly 86% had less itchiness. Another study around the same time found oats can help strengthen skin’s barrier by regulating fats in skin and balancing skin pH, which improved eczema-related skin damage.

Inflammation Reducing

One reason why oatmeal baths are a great home remedy for eczema is their ability to ease inflammation. A 2015 study found colloidal oatmeal is anti-inflammatory and reduces inflammation-causing cytokines.

Antioxidant Power

Several studies show colloidal oatmeal acts as a powerful antioxidant for skin. How does that work? Oats contain phenols that help absorb UV rays and reduce damaging inflammation.

Which Skin Conditions Are Oatmeal Baths Good For?

It’s hard to go wrong with an oatmeal bath. These skin conditions can usually benefit from an oatmeal bath soak:

Sensitive skin or dry skin

Allergy prone skin (i.e. hives)

Eczema and psoriasis

Sunburn

Damaged skin (from pollution, chemicals, or UV damage)

Anal itching

Baby acne

Chickenpox and shingles

Diaper rash

Bug bites

Rashes from poisonous plants (like poison ivy)

Who Shouldn’t Use an Oatmeal Bath

A 2012 meta-analysis looking at the safety and efficacy of personal care products containing colloidal oatmeal found that out of over 445,000 people who use colloidal oatmeal, there were few adverse events. There are some things to watch out for though.

The water should be warm, but not hot.

It’s also important to not soak for too long… 15-20 minutes is ideal. A bath that’s too hot or too long can dry skin out, the opposite of what we’re going for here.

People with Celiac disease could have a reaction to gluten contamination in the oats. You can buy certified gluten-free oats (linked below) here to be on the safe side.

Use only steel cut or rolled oats. Instant or quick oats are highly processed (and usually high in glyphosate!) and don’t contain the same nutrients needed for skin health.

DIY Colloidal Oatmeal Bath Recipe

This soothing oatmeal bath is a science-backed and easy to use home remedy for itchy, dry, or even eczema-prone skin

Course Remedy

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Servings 1

Author Katie Wells

Ingredients

Instructions

Run the oats and herbs through the grinder in batches until they’re a very fine powder.

If using the essential oils, add this to some of the ground oats and grind to combine.

Combine the oats, baking soda, and herbs together in a glass jar.

To use, dump the jar’s contents into warm water. If the oats aren’t super fine, then put them into a panty hose leg and steeped in the bath water before taking your soak. This prevents the bottom of the tub from getting yucky.

Soak for about 15-20 minutes in a warm bath, not piping hot water. Hot water and/or a long soak can cause the skin to dry out further and cause more skin irritation.

Pat the skin dry once you get out.

Notes

Try my other favorite DIY detox bath recipes here

Have you ever tried a DIY oatmeal bath? Did it work for you?

Sources:

Charousaei, F., Dabirian, A., & Mojab, F. (2011). Using chamomile solution or a 1% topical hydrocortisone ointment in the management of peristomal skin lesions in colostomy patients: results of a controlled clinical study. Ostomy Wound Management, 57(5), 28-36.

Criquet, M., Roure, R., Dayan, L., Nollent, V., & Bertin, C. (2012). Safety and efficacy of personal care products containing colloidal oatmeal. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, 5, 183–193. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S31375

Ilnytska, O., Kaur, S., Chon, S., Reynertson, K., Nebus, J., Garay, M., Mahmood, K., & Southall, M. (2016). Colloidal Oatmeal (Avena Sativa) Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 5(6), 684-90.

Kurtz, E., & Wallo, W. Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company, Scientific Affairs Department. (2007). Colloidal oatmeal: history, chemistry and clinical properties. J Drugs Dermatol, 6(2), 167-70.

Lisante, T., Nunez, C., Zhang, P., & Mathes, B. (2017). A 1% Colloidal Oatmeal Cream Alone is Effective in Reducing Symptoms of Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: Results from Two Clinical Studies. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 16(7), 671-676.

Reynertson, K., Garay, M., Nebus, J., Chon, S., Kaur, S., Mahmood, K., Kizoulis, M., & Southall, M. (2015). Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 14(1):43-8.

Source: https://wellnessmama.com/422679/colloidal-oatmeal-bath/

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moremoneytips · 3 years ago

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You Need To Stop Fighting With Your Skin. Get Great Skin Thanks To These Tips!

New Post has been published on https://innersoulhealthandbeautyreviews.com/you-need-to-stop-fighting-with-your-skin-get-great-skin-thanks-to-these-tips-9/

You Need To Stop Fighting With Your Skin. Get Great Skin Thanks To These Tips!

Your skin, although you might not believe it, is an organ. Like any other organ you should always strive to have a healthy one. Healthy skin is not only good for your self-esteem but also for your personal well-being. If you are serious about giving your skin the care it deserves then read on below for great hints and tips.

For clear skin, do more laundry — specifically, wash your bed linens. The oils and dirt from your skin are transferred to your pillow case while you sleep, so regularly washing your bed linens, especially your pillow case, prevents you from putting dirt and oil back on your skin every time you go to bed. Wash your pillow case every other day and your bed sheets at least once a week.

During the spring and summer, try to get out of the house to get fresh air and sun as often as possible. This will give your skin the ability to take in clean oxygen and vitamin D that the sun produces. These will both do wonders for your skin and reduce the irritation that you feel from acne.

Don’t compare yourself to people on television that have perfect skin. Everyday we see people with perfect skin using miracle products that are supposed to give you perfect skin. Instead of believing these celebrities, ask your friends or family what products have worked for them and what the results were.

Chose recyclable and recycled packaging for your skin care products. With the amount of skin care lotions and potions out there, too many containers end up in landfills. Seek companies with solid recycling processes in place. It is no good to buy natural products in bottles that cannot be easily recycled.

Don’t make your skin care purchase decisions based on status. The beauty industry goes out of its way to confer status on expensive creams, lotions, and the like. But you need to find products that work for YOUR skin and don’t break the bank. If that $25.00 bar of soap works as well for you as your $1.50 bar of soap, and no one knows what’s in your bathroom vanity at home, why spend the money?

That’s it, it is that simple. Knowledge is the first step towards achieving the goal of taking care of yourself. Everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin. The advice you have just read will give you not only beautiful skin, but more importantly, healthy skin as well. Good luck!

#Bath and Body Care #Body Care #Facial Care #Skin Care #Skin Treatment

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scentedrunawayshark · 5 years ago

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HOME REMEDIES FOR ITCHY SKIN AND SKIN RASHES

Itchy skin can be a major issue that can flare out of nowhere. Whether it’s something mild like an allergy to cosmetics or more serious issues like a food allergy, itchy skin and skin rashes of any kind are no fun. It might be weirdly satisfying to scratch the rashes, and it can even become kind of a habit too. However, this will only worsen your skin rashes; within no time, that small, red patch will cover a huge part of your hand, making the situation much more uncomfortable. Therefore, you need to find the root cause of the problem to treat it to get rid of itchy skin. Home remedies for itchy skin can thus be effective.

There are many chemical creams and ointments to treat itchy skin and skin rashes but if you are looking for ways to heal your skin rashes and allergies naturally, here are a few effective home remedies for itchy skin and skin rashes.

WHAT CAUSES ITCHY SKIN?

Usually, itchy skin and skin rashes are caused as an allergic reaction to something that your body comes in contact with. The perceived threat would typically be harmless to your body, but your immune system reacts to that threat with skin rashes, itching, redness, swelling, skin flaking, and skin cracking. But never take itchy skin lightly as they may be a symptom of other serious diseases like psoriasis and eczema.

Some of the few common causes of itchy skin and skin rashes are:

Insect bite

Allergic foods

Chemicals

The latex used in clothing

Cosmetics

Certain medications like antibiotics

Plants like poison ivy

Bacterial infection

Ringworm infection

Nickel allergy

Itchy skin, however, is easily treatable at your home. All you need are a just few kitchen ingredients to do this. So, here are a few effective home remedies for itchy skin and skin rashes.

EFFECTIVE HOME REMEDIES FOR ITCHY SKIN

1. TEA TREE OIL OINTMENT ANTI ITCH HOME REMEDY

Tea tree oil ointment is one of the best home remedies for itchy skin and skin rashes. This is because It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that can provide relief from skin rashes. It soothes and reduces the pain and itching in the affected area. Tea oil ointment is thus an excellent home remedy for itching.

WHAT DO YOU NEED

Tea tree oil

Coconut oil

HOW TO DO IT?

Add six to seven drops of peppermint oil to a teaspoon of coconut oil.

Then mix well and apply this mixture to the affected area.

Leave it on for an hour and wash it off.

Now try this daily for better results.

2. ALOE VERA GEL HOME REMEDIES FOR ITCHY SKIN

Aloe vera is a miracle plant that is loaded with healing properties and it has magical effects on the skin. This is because of the antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that make it an excellent remedy for nearly every kind of skin condition. It is therefore an excellent anti itch home remedy as it provides relief from itchiness and speeds up the healing process.

WHAT DO YOU NEED

Fresh aloe vera leaves.

HOW TO DO IT?

Extract the gel from fresh aloe vera leaves.

Then apply it directly to the affected area.

You can also put it in a blender and use it as a cream.

Let it then rest for about 30 minutes and wash it off with cold water.

You can then repeat this daily.

3. BAKING SODA HOME REMEDIES FOR ITCHY SKIN

Baking soda is one of the effective home remedies for itchy skin and skin rashes. It can help provide you quick relief from itchiness and rashes. The alkaline nature of baking soda helps restore the lost pH of the affected skin and provides relief from rashes. Banking soda is thus a perfect home remedy for itching.

WHAT DO YOU NEED

1 teaspoon of baking soda

Water

HOW TO DO IT?

Take a teaspoon of baking soda and mix it with a few drops of water to make a thick paste.

Now apply this paste on the affected area.

Let it rest for 10 minutes and wash it off with cold water.

Try this once a week.

4. TULSI PASTE ANTI ITCH HOME REMEDY

Tulsi or holy basil leaves form highly effective home remedies for itchy skin. This is no surprise, as Tulsi is considered one of the most powerful medicinal herbs in the world. It exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and healing properties that can help in reducing the redness, swelling, and itchiness associated with skin allergy.

WHAT DO YOU NEED

Tulsi leaves

HOW TO DO IT?

Take a handful of Tulsi leaves and wash them thoroughly.

Put it in a blender and blend it finely until it reaches a paste consistency.

Then apply the paste to your skin and leave it on for 30 minutes.

Wash it off with cold water.

Do this twice every day for a few days.

5. GUAVA LEAF HOME REMEDY FOR ITCHING

Guava leaves are a powerhouse of antioxidants and they exhibit strong anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains ethanolic extracts that can relieve the itchy and red rashes caused by skin allergies. Guava leaves are therefore an excellent anti itch home remedy.

WHAT DO YOU NEED

Guava leaves

Water

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Take a handful of guava leaves and wash them thoroughly.

Then crush the leaves and add them to a bowl of water.

Wash your skin with the water.

You can also grind it and apply it as a paste.

Then try this daily for better results.

Itchy skin is an uncomfortable experience that causes you a lot of pain and suffering. However, you do not have to rely on expensive chemical ointments for treating it. Instead, you may rely on these effective home remedies for itchy skin and get quick relief. So, don’t worry! A potent home remedy for itching is closer to you than you think!

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kristablogs · 5 years ago

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Eight ways to repel insects without bug spray

Neither bugs nor the chemical smell of commercial repellent are invited to this relaxing evening by the water. (Julie Rotter/Unsplash/)

This story was originally featured on Outdoor Life.

Unless you’re an entomologist (and on the clock), you probably hate being surrounded by bugs, especially if they bite. While these creatures play important roles in the environment, they can be a real nuisance to humans in the outdoors, and some of these bugs do transmit diseases. Your favorite store-bought bug repellent can keep them away for awhile, but what happens when the DEET can runs dry? Worse yet, what about when you’re in a survival situation and the bugs won’t leave you alone? Thankfully, there are some natural options to beat the bugs without all the chemicals.

1. Make your own repellent

Before you venture into the wild, plan ahead by creating your own bug repellent with ingredients you can feel good about. (Tim MacWelch/)

While it’s not the strongest option in the world, you can make your own bug repellent from essential oils and other household products. Make a trip to a health food store or similar shop for the essential oils (or order them online). Then you’ll be ready to blend and bottle your own bug repellent. You’ll need:

A one-quart spray bottle

1 pint distilled white vinegar

1 pint water

25 drops of tea tree oil

25 drops of lavender essential oil

Add the ingredients into a clean spray bottle and shake well. Spray your boots, clothing and skin with a generous coating before heading outside. Reapply every two to four hours for best results.

2. Check often for ticks

Ticks are more than a nuisance for our dogs. These troublesome arachnids are found in every habitat in the US, and we host more than 90 of the world’s 900 tick species. Many of these species pose a significant threat to outdoor enthusiasts, transmitting diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), ehrlichiosis, STARI (Southern tick-associated rash illness), tularemia, and other diseases. Spot them by wearing light-colored clothing and doing frequent “tick checks” throughout the day. Remove embedded ticks quickly to limit your risk of contracting a tick-borne disease. Use tweezers or a tick removal tool to grab the tick by the mouth, pinching your own skin if necessary, then pull it straight out.

3. Watch where you put your gear

Many of us put our stinking boots outside our tents at night, but there’s a risk when leaving your gear out in the open. (Tim MacWelch/)

Scorpions, spiders, centipedes, and other venomous creatures may consider your unattended boots, gloves, or other garments as a fine new home, especially if they have been undisturbed for a few hours. Then guess what happens when you suddenly pick these items up and put them on? The animal gets pressed against your skin and it bites or stings you. The venom can range from mild to intense, depending on the creature that you’ve disturbed and its size. Take scorpions as an example. With more than a thousand known scorpion species in the world, there are plenty we’ll encounter in our travels. Mercifully, there are only 25 known to carry venom that would kill a human. From that group, there’s just one that lives in the continental US. It’s the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) and its venom is on the low end of the spectrum (fatalities are very rare, usually occurring in small children and those with health problems). So how do we avoid the sting or bite? Don’t leave your clothing, gloves or footwear on the ground or outside overnight. Don’t hang your jacket on a tree. Don’t give them a chance to crawl into your open backpack. Gear that’s not being worn should be put away, closed up or otherwise moved out of the creature’s reach. Yes, it’s a pain, but it’s less painful than getting bitten or stung.

4. Use wild plants as repellents

Certain wild plants contain compounds and scents that discourage bugs—you just have to learn how to properly identify the plants and use them correctly. (Tim MacWelch/)

Depending on your environment, there may be many wild plants which contain bug-repelling compounds. Some of these may be native species and others may have been brought to this continent for various purposes. Either way, it could be very helpful to learn about the plant species that can ward off pests in the outdoors. Before you start scrubbing wild plants all over yourself, use a wild plant field guide to make 100 percent positive identification of any plant or plant part.

Paw Paw (Asimina triloba): This native tree species is commonly found along rivers and waterways throughout the eastern US. It bears large tropical-looking fruits (edible to people) that ripen in late summer. The trees also bear large ovate leaves which can be crushed and wiped on your skin as a useful insect repellent. The leaves are at their best in the spring and early summer, when their strong scent can remind us of fresh asphalt.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria): This common mint family member is a non-native species, brought to these shores for more than just driving your cat insane. A tea from the leaves can have a calming effect in humans and the plant can repel mosquitoes and other flying insects. The easiest way to use the plant is to crush the fresh leaves and stems onto your skin and clothing.

Pineapple weed (Matricaria matricarioides): Another non-native species, this unusual little wildflower doesn’t look like a pineapple but the leaves smell like it. Often found on roadsides and other disturbed ground, the feathery leaves and tender stems can be crushed and applied to skin and clothing to repel insects, especially mosquitoes.

5. Don’t forget the net

Bug netting may be your best non-chemical defense for flying insects, especially in areas where the bugs are relentless. (Pixabay/)

They don’t have to be expensive and they won’t be pretty. They might just save your sanity though, and block the transmission of disease. Mesh bug suits and netted headwear can block the bugs when they come on strong. This is much more effective than wearing multiple layers of clothing, as some people do, or by applying buckets of bug repellent. Make sure your exposed skin is covered and eliminate all gaps in your mesh suit and headwear. The only thing worse than having multiple bugs flying around inside your head net is not having a head net in the first place. Consider a sleeping net too, as these save lives in parts of the world. Mosquitos are more than just bothersome—they can transmit the malaria parasite (plasmodium, which kills over 1 million people per year globally), and many different viruses that cause encephalitis and dangerous fevers (like chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, and Zika).

6. Smoke the bugs away

From foul cigars to smoldering rotten wood or cattail heads, there are plenty of ways to produce smoke, and most of these are effective at repelling insects and other pests. (Tim MacWelch/)

Some savvy fishermen know how to beat biting flies and other pests around the water. They smoke cheap (or very good) cigars when the air gets buggy. For non-smokers (and those who’ve run out of cigars), there are plenty of other options—ones that won’t get you hooked on nicotine. It turns out that any smoke can act like a natural bug repellent, though some are much better than others. Remember grandma’s cedar chest full of blankets? Cedar has long been known as a natural bug repellent and cedar bark is famous for smoldering (rather than bursting into flame). So a bundle of smoldering cedar bark can help to keep the bugs at bay, and it’s also a fine way to transport a fire in the form of embers (for example, if you were leaving one camp and moving to another).

Another option for smoke uses a plant that normally grows by the water, like cattails. The dead brown seed heads can be found atop the tall grass-like plants. Grab one of these “burnt corndogs” and apply an open flame to one end of it. Once smoldering, smoke will begin to drift out of it. Place the seed head upwind from you with the glowing end into the wind, and sit where the smoke can bathe you. Similarly, a fireproof container of crumbly rotten wood (aka punk wood) can also be lit to provide smoke. This is especially useful for “smudging” primitive survival shelters. Place the container of burning punk wood on the bare dirt floor of your shelter and allow the smoke to fill the structure. This will drive out insects, spiders and other unwelcomed guests. Repeat every few days in warmer weather, weekly or as needed in cooler weather.

7. Cover yourself with mud

It’s disgusting, but more effective at preventing bug bites than you might imagine. (Pixabay/)

You’re really serious if you go to this extreme, but certain bug-infested environments may require this drastic solution. When smoke and wild plant scents aren’t strong enough to keep the bugs off your tender skin, you can create a physical barrier by coating your skin (and any thin clothing) with a layer of mud. Not only is this an effective camouflage against humans (remember the movie Rambo?), the mud suit is also effective when hiding from bugs. With the mud fresh and wet (and after it dries into a crusty shell), you’ll be wearing a surprisingly effective barrier that most bugs will not try to penetrate. It’s also useful for hiding your scent, which could come in handy while hunting.

8. Avoid chigger habitats

Worse than poison ivy, chiggers can create itchy bumps that last up to two weeks. (Wiki Commons /)

Sometimes, avoidance is the best way to win a fight. Chiggers (red bugs and harvest mites) are tiny biting arachnids that are found globally. Here in the US, there are only two species that impact us as outdoor enthusiasts. Eutrombicula alfreddugèsi is the main culprit, and the recently hatched larvae are the troublemakers. Too small to see with the naked eye, these hatchlings are hungry for any blood they can find (human or animal). Though they don’t transmit diseases, the intense itching of their bites can last for weeks. This has led to the popular (and incorrect) belief that these creatures burrow under your skin. In actuality, the larvae inject an enzyme into your skin, dissolving some skin cells (for them to drink) and hardening other skin cells (to make a “drinking straw” known as a stylostome). It’s this transformed tissue that causes such a severe itch, not a bug under your skin.

The best defense is to avoid likely breeding grounds where the larvae would be plentiful. Since they dry out easily, damp grassy areas, swampy spots, low lying and riverine environments are hot spots. Avoid these in late spring and early summer. If you do suspect you’ve wandered through their domain (due to a sensation of tiny prickly bites under your clothes), change your clothing immediately. They can crawl around in your clothes for hours, biting you in many different places. If you only had one set of clothes (say, in a survival setting), take the clothing off and hang them to dry for 30 minutes by a hot fire (socks and underwear too). This dry heat will kill the larvae.

0 notes

scootoaster · 5 years ago

Text

Eight ways to repel insects without bug spray

Neither bugs nor the chemical smell of commercial repellent are invited to this relaxing evening by the water. (Julie Rotter/Unsplash/)

This story was originally featured on Outdoor Life.

1. Make your own repellent

Before you venture into the wild, plan ahead by creating your own bug repellent with ingredients you can feel good about. (Tim MacWelch/)

A one-quart spray bottle

1 pint distilled white vinegar

1 pint water

25 drops of tea tree oil

25 drops of lavender essential oil

Add the ingredients into a clean spray bottle and shake well. Spray your boots, clothing and skin with a generous coating before heading outside. Reapply every two to four hours for best results.

2. Check often for ticks

3. Watch where you put your gear

Many of us put our stinking boots outside our tents at night, but there’s a risk when leaving your gear out in the open. (Tim MacWelch/)

4. Use wild plants as repellents

Certain wild plants contain compounds and scents that discourage bugs—you just have to learn how to properly identify the plants and use them correctly. (Tim MacWelch/)

5. Don’t forget the net

Bug netting may be your best non-chemical defense for flying insects, especially in areas where the bugs are relentless. (Pixabay/)

6. Smoke the bugs away

From foul cigars to smoldering rotten wood or cattail heads, there are plenty of ways to produce smoke, and most of these are effective at repelling insects and other pests. (Tim MacWelch/)

7. Cover yourself with mud

It’s disgusting, but more effective at preventing bug bites than you might imagine. (Pixabay/)

8. Avoid chigger habitats

Worse than poison ivy, chiggers can create itchy bumps that last up to two weeks. (Wiki Commons /)

0 notes

justtanninglotion · 4 years ago

Text

Best Body Wash for Eczema

Eczema isn’t just about having dry skin. It is a serious condition that can cause itching and bleeding on your skin. Whenever you or your family is having an eczema outbreak, you need to use the best body wash for eczema possible. It will be a crucial element in your eczema treatment plan. There are a lot of options available. You can choose to purchase a regular body wash for eczema or a natural body wash for eczema, depending on your preferences. But, anything you purchase should be able to treat this uncomfortable condition. If eczema is a condition that is new to you, you need to read this article. In it, we not only give you the best options of body wash for eczema skin, but we also give you the most important information about this condition and how to treat it.

What is eczema?

Over three million people in the United States alone suffer from eczema every year. It is a topical skin condition that causes extreme dryness and inflammation on your skin. Blisters form that are itchy and can bleed. These blisters cause red patches on your skin that are not only uncomfortable, but also hard to cover up. This is why you need a good treatment plan for eczema that includes eczema soap. The most common type of eczema is called atopic dermatitis. This form of eczema occurs because something has triggered an immune system response. Atopic dermatitis falls under the same category as asthma and hay fever. Therefore, it is very common that an allergic reaction—such as a food allergy, smoke, or pollen—can trigger an outbreak. Most often, people with atopic dermatitis do not suffer from eczema year-round.

Who Can Struggle With Eczema?

Anyone can struggle with eczema. However, most people are diagnosed with atopic eczema before they turn five. Children are also much more likely to develop eczema if they have a parent with the condition. Children who have early onset eczema can struggle with the condition throughout the rest of their lives. But, it is also occasionally something that children outgrow as they age. Children are not the only ones who can develop eczema, even though it is most common in them. Sometimes people older than eighteen develop eczema, which is them called adult-onset atopic dermatitis. When adults get eczema, it usually occurs slightly differently than it does in children and has a number of different symptoms. Whether you are an adult with eczema for the first time or have struggled with the condition since childhood, you should always take care of your dry skin by using a body wash for eczema and a hand soap for eczema sufferers regularly. This will cut down on the likelihood of a bad eczema episode.

Who Can Struggle With Eczema?

Symptoms of Eczema

The symptoms of eczema vary depending on the age of the person, but there are a few symptoms that are common depending on if the sufferer is an infant, child, and adult. No matter the age of the person with eczema, the number one most common symptom is the patches of red, dry, and itchy skin. These patches on your skin are best treated by products designed for eczema including body washes for eczema skin and hand soap for eczema. Other common symptoms—determined by age—include the following. 1 Infant eczema symptoms - Infants generally end up with eczema on their scalp and cheeks. - The blisters associated with eczema in infant fill up with liquid before bursting. - Infants can lose sleep and constantly itch the blistered spot. 2 Child eczema symptoms - Children over two tend to have eczema behind their elbows and knees, on their neck, wrists, and ankles. - Eczema in children doesn’t look like a blister, instead it becomes a bumpy and noticeable rash. - Treat children’s eczema immediately so that it doesn’t begin the process of lichenification—the rashes thicken and become permanent. 3 Adult eczema symptoms - Adults typically get eczema on the back of the knees, elbows, neck, on the face, or around their eyes. - Eczema can cause extremely dry adult skin and can be itchy permanently if not treated. - The rash will feel extremely scaly. It is important to remember that just because you or your children do not have an eczema rash in an expected location, does not mean that it is not the condition. If you are in doubt about whether a rash is eczema or not, we recommended talking with your dermatologist.

Can Eczema Be Cured?

Unfortunately, there is no complete cure for eczema, but the symptoms of the condition can be treated. Firstly, once you know what triggers your eczema outbreaks, you can remove the causes. For example, if you get eczema because of a food allergy, you should remove that food from your diet. Secondly, and most importantly, you can sooth and treat the actual condition itself. These treatments can be in the form of body wash for eczema skin, bar soap for eczema, or hand soap for eczema. The most famous eczema treatment is probably the oatmeal bath. If you or your children suffer from eczema, make sure you purchase products that are specifically formulated to treat eczema. It is imperative that you treat eczema in yourself or your children immediately. If you do not you could seriously decrease your quality of life. Additionally, in children eczema can seriously damage the skin which could lead to permanent, life-long skin issues. In adults, untreated eczema can cause eye and dry skin problems. Therefore, you should always treat an eczema outbreak

What To Look For In a Body Wash For Eczema

When looking for a new body wash for eczema skin or hand soap for eczema, there are a few things that should be non-negotiable. Look for the following items in any product that you purchase to treat eczema. Ingredients The ingredients are what distinguish eczema soap from other types of products. Many people now are leaning towards natural body wash for eczema and natural soap for eczema. In natural body washes for eczema, no harsh chemicals are used that can irritate your skin. As mentioned above, eczema doesn’t only cause dry skin, it is usually a result of an allergy. So, you don’t want to make things worse by treating your eczema with allergy-triggering ingredients. Below we’ve listed the top ingredients to look for in a body wash for eczema and a few that you should stay away from if you don’t want to irritate your sensitive skin. 1 Oatmeal - Oatmeal is probably the most famous eczema treatment out there. How many people experienced oatmeal baths as a child? Now you don’t just have to pour oatmeal in a bath to have eczema relief. Instead, most companies now included some kind of colloidal oatmeal products—oatmeal that has been ground and suspended in a liquid—in their body wash for eczema skin. - Dermatologists know that oatmeal can sooth the dry and irritated skin that comes with eczema because the colloidal oatmeal acts as a protective barrier. It traps in moisture and thus soothes inflammation and the discomfort that it causes. Colloidal oatmeal is also used to treat annoying conditions like poison ivy, chicken pox, hives, and dry skin. 2 Aloe Vera - Aloe vera is renowned for its ability to sooth skin, which is why it is often used to treat sunburns and eczema. The gel that comes from the cut aloe leaf is what is used on our skin. It hydrates, promotes healing, and staves off infections. - You can always purchase an aloe plant and rub the raw juice on your eczema. However, the treatment would be easier and more likely to work if you just used a body wash for eczema that has aloe vera as one of its ingredients. 3 Tea Tree Oil - Tea Tree oil is another ingredient that is known for soothing irritated and dry skin. It is also a powerful anti-fungal. This is important for body washes for eczema because often the condition begins because of some kind of infections or allergic reaction. Tea tree oil can solve the original problem while also making your skin feel much better. 4 Other essential oils and extracts - Many of the natural body washes for eczema listed below use a number of other plant extracts and essential oils. If you see plants like chamomile, olive oil, peppermint, or avocado then you know the company is trying to sooth and cool your irritated skin. There are too many potential natural ingredient extracts and essential oils to list here, but you can discuss an interesting natural body wash for eczema with your dermatologist to find out more about a specific ingredient. 5 Stay away from these ingredients - DEAs (Diethanolamine, Monoethanolamine, and Triethanolamine), fragrances, parabens, and PEGS (petroleum-based chemicals) are all known irritants. You should not purchase any body product with these ingredients in them. However, this is especially important for people with eczema. - All of these ingredients can be damaging to your eczema-prone skin. For example, PEGs can be really dangerous for damaged skin and cause systemic toxicity. So, always read the label on your body wash for eczema before you buy. Size As with any type of body care product, the size of your chosen body wash for eczema is going to be important. The larger the body wash for eczema, the more product you receive for you money. However, if this is the first time you’re purchasing a specific eczema soap, you may want to try a smaller size. This will ensure that you won’t be left with a body wash for eczema that doesn’t work for your skin. Scent In general, you do not want to purchase a body wash for eczema skin that has a strong scent. But, some scents, especially those that occur in a natural body wash for eczema are safe for sensitive skin. What you don’t want is scents that occur because of the addition of chemicals in the eczema soap. Target Audience Most body washes do not have a target age group. For example, adults can use most baby body washes if they feel like it. However, the target market for a body wash for should be taken into consideration since infant, children, and adults all have different eczema symptoms. If you mistakenly purchase a baby eczema product, this does not mean that it won’t work. In fact, since the underlying cause and major symptoms of eczema are always the same, baby eczema creams should work for adults. But, to get the most out of your body wash for eczema skin, you should purchase one formulated for your specific age.

Top Five Best Body Washes for Eczema 2020—Comparison table

1 Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash

Buy it On Amazon.com Aveeno is the gold-standard in eczema body products. They provide good natural body washes for eczema, so their products do not have the harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin even further. All Aveeno body washes for eczema include oatmeal. Their Skin Relief Body Wash also has citrus acid and chamomile extract to sooth and cool your irritated skin even further. Aveeno’s Skin Relief Body Wash will moisturize, cleanse, and hydrate your skin. You don’t get a much better body wash for eczema skin than that. As an added bonus, Aveeno does not include a fragrance in this product, so it will be gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. 2 FineVine Antifungal Tea Tree Oil Body Wash Buy it On Amazon.com FineVine has created a great, multipurpose body wash for eczema with the Antifungal Tea Tree Oil Body Wash. Tea tree oil is known for its ability to treat a number of skin conditions including body odor, athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, acne, among others. This natural body wash for eczema includes a number of other great ingredients for treating eczema. You will find olive oil, aloe vera, and coconut oil in this product. You know you’re getting the best when you purchase FineVine’s Antifungal Tea Tree Body Wash. Not only is it made in the United States, but it also includes all organic ingredients. People with eczema need to use the highest quality ingredients available, and FineVine’s body wash for eczema delivers. 3 ArtNaturals Essential Bath and Body Wash

Buy it On Amazon.com ArtNaturals Essential Bath and Body Wash also uses tea tree oil in their body wash for eczema. Additionally, you will find peppermint oil, aloe vera, and a number of other ingredients designed to cool and calm your irritated skin. An advantage of ArtNaturals’ product is that is can be used safely by anyone over the age of three. So, if you can your child both suffer from eczema, you can use the same body wash for eczema skin. Like FineVine’s tea tree body wash for eczema, ArtNaturals product can be used for a variety of purposes. It cleanses your skin and soothes eczema breakouts, but it also deodorizes and is an antiseptic, anti-germ, and anti-fungal product. 4 CerVe Eczema Soothing Body Wash Buy it On Amazon.com CerVe is another big eczema soap brand. They do not create natural body washes for eczema, but their products will still get the job done. CerVe’s Eczema Soothing Body Wash is specifically designed for people suffering from eczema. It includes a combination of castor and soybean oil to cleanse and calm dry, itchy, and irritated skin. CerVe includes three essential ceramides in their Eczema Soothing Body Wash. Hesse restore and maintain a protective barrier on your skin. This product is also accepted by the National Eczema Association, so you know that it will work well for your skin 5 Mustela Stelatopia Cleansing Cream

Buy it On Amazon.com Mustela Stelatopia might not be a name that you are familiar with for eczema soap products, but they make a great body wash for eczema baby. Their Cleansing Cream is designed for babies and children and is a natural body wash for eczema. It includes a number of plant-based ingredients like avocado and sunflower oil. This makes it extremely effective but also gentle on your baby’s skin. Mustela Stelatopia recommends using their product every day in order to manage your children’s eczema. All of the company’s body washes for eczema skin are clinically proven and are designed for your children’s unique skin type. So, you can rest easy knowing that your child’s eczema is being taken care of properly. Read the full article

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sonicdesignorg · 5 years ago

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How to Use Witch Hazel for Your Skin: 5 Benefits

Is Witch Hazel Good For Your Skin?

Witch hazel is a versatile addition to your skincare routine. While it’s easy to use the natural astringent as-is on a cotton ball, blending it with other ingredients allows you to create a range of customized skin care products that suit your skin type perfectly. Use these simple tips to get healthy, glowing skin with simple, natural ingredients.

What Does Witch Hazel Do For Your Skin?

1. Cleansing and Toning

Witch hazel is a pore-tightening toner and a natural cleanser that can be applied directly to your skin with a cotton ball.

For the best astringent and toning benefits, let your skin dry naturally after applying witch hazel. Using witch hazel as-is provides you with a simple option for most daily skin care needs.

For instance, you can use a cotton ball or facial pad dampened with witch hazel to remove makeup, heal dry skin and eliminate excess oil. Just dab the desired areas lightly to apply the witch hazel and let your skin dry naturally for more balanced skin.

If you have sensitive skin, witch hazel is an excellent occasional replacement for your normal cleanser. You can rinse your face after cleansing it with witch hazel, or you can let your face air dry to tone your skin. Witch hazel is also a natural option to heal acne and reduce the occurrence of breakouts.

2. Naturally Clear Skin

Witch hazel is a safer alternative to commercial acne treatments, and you can boost its blemish busting power by adding 10 to 15 drops of tea tree essential oil to three ounces of witch hazel.

Apply a small amount of the mixture to blemishes with a facial pad, cotton ball, or cotton swab. This mixture is safe to use on your face, but is also suitable for treating acne on other areas, such as your back.

Try storing the mixture in your refrigerator to soothe the irritation and redness that commonly accompanies blemishes. You can substitute the tea tree oil for lavender essential oil if you prefer a milder, sweeter scent, but avoid using undiluted essential oils on your skin. If you are looking for a simpler, more affordable anti-aging product, witch hazel is the solution you need for younger looking, healthier skin.

3. Age-Fighting Antioxidant Blends

Witch hazel’s toning properties make it the perfect base for anti-aging products. To make a gentle anti-aging toner to replace commercial vitamin C serum, add a teaspoon of powdered vitamin C to a half-cup of witch hazel. To give the anti-aging toner soothing properties, try adding a teaspoon of aloe vera to the mixture.

You can also purchase witch hazel that is already blended aloe vera to easily create your own wrinkle-fighting, skin-soothing blend. The skin soothing properties of aloe and witch hazel are perfect for treating skin irritations, but skip the vitamin C in favor of more aloe when creating a skin soothing blend.

4. Soothing Irritation and Sunburn

You can make your own treatment for sunburn and minor skin irritations with witch hazel and aloe vera.

To cool and soothe sunburns, mix two parts witch hazel with one part aloe vera into spray bottle.

Shake the mixture well before each use, and spray sunburned skin with the mixture as often as needed. You can store the spray bottle in the refrigerator to make the sunburn treatment more soothing.

Witch hazel provides nearly instant relief from skin irritation caused by poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Try pouring witch hazel directly onto the rash to reduce symptoms like swelling, itching and redness, and repeat the treatment twice a day until the rash is gone.

5. Managing Chronic Conditions

To manage the symptoms of eczema or psoriasis, apply witch hazel directly to the affected areas twice daily.

To treat the symptoms of eczema, combine one part neem oil and seven parts witch hazel, and apply the mixture twice daily for symptom relief. A blend of equal parts glycerin, aloe vera and witch hazel is ideal for managing the dry, flaky skin that is associated with psoriasis.

Apply the mixture to the affected areas twice a day, or use the mixture more often if your symptoms are bothersome. Witch hazel has a variety of properties that keep your skin looking healthy, and the natural toner is an inexpensive option that can replace nearly any item in your skin care routine.

The post How to Use Witch Hazel for Your Skin: 5 Benefits appeared first on Natural SkinCare.

from Natural SkinCare https://sonicdesign.org/how-to-use-witch-hazel-for-your-skin-benefits/

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gethealthy18-blog · 5 years ago

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8 Benefits of Stinging Nettle & How to Use It for Hair, Allergies, Prostate & More

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8 Benefits of Stinging Nettle & How to Use It for Hair, Allergies, Prostate & More

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Nettle is one of my favorite herbs. Also called “stinging nettle,” it is packed with nutrients and is even one of the ingredients in my homemade pregnancy tea. Stinging nettle benefits go far beyond pregnancy though.

What Is Nettle?

Nettle (Urtica dioica) is also known as stinging nettle, common nettle, and garden nettle. It is originally from northern Europe and northern Asia.

The nettle plant is herbaceous with fine hairs on the leaves and stems that contain a chemical. This chemical causes skin irritation and pain when it comes into contact with the skin — thus the name “stinging nettle.” If you’ve ever been out weeding the yard or searching for wildflowers, you’ve probably discovered this on your own!

When cooked or otherwise processed, nettle no longer causes this rash. (Good news… you can also just buy it and skip the stinging all together!)

Nettle has been used in traditional medicine to support:

wounds

hair and scalp

mental health

women’s health

men’s health

pain relief

seasonal allergies

aches and pains

elimination and detoxification (liver, digestion, urinary)

Not all of these traditional uses have been studied, but there is a wealth of long-standing anecdotal evidence.

Health Benefits of Stinging Nettle

I love to keep stinging nettle leaves on hand since it has so many health benefits to the body:

Nutrient-Packed

Nettle contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support the body, such as:

Vitamin A

B vitamins

Vitamin C

Vitamin K

Calcium

Iron

Magnesium

Phosphorus

Potassium

Sodium

Polyphenols

Beta-Carotene

What I find most interesting is that nettle contains fats and amino acids (almost unheard of in a plant)! This makes it a revered survival food. It’s a great tea for camping or backpacking trips, especially if you forage it yourself.

Anti-inflammatory

Stinging nettle has anti-inflammatory properties which can help alleviate pain. Some 2013 research shows that there are many plant foods that are anti-inflammatory, including nettle. Researchers caution that more research is needed, but this preliminary research seems to support how nettle has been used traditionally.

Another 2013 study demonstrates that nettle has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties due to its wide range of phytochemicals.

I’ve had a good experience using dried nettle in a cream or poultice for lower back pain and other minor joint pain.

Metabolic Support

Metabolic issues (heart, blood sugar, thyroid, etc.) are increasingly common today. According to research, nettle may be helpful in supporting metabolic health. A 2013 study published in Clinical Laboratory found that patients with Type 2 diabetes saw improvement in their blood sugar after using stinging nettle extract for three months.

The above study didn’t note why nettle could have this effect on the body, but another 2013 study does. According to this study published in Phytotherapy Research, nettle may mimic insulin.

The heart is another important part of metabolic processes in the body. Research shows that nettle can have a vasorelaxant effect. That means nettle can help reduce tension in the heart muscle and reduce high blood pressure.

Additionally, nettle is helpful in supporting the pancreas, according to a 2014 study in rats. Researchers found a “statistically significant” difference between the rats in the control group and the ones who were given nettle.

Anti-microbial

Traditionally, nettle is used topically on wounds and it looks like science backs this up. Nettle demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of bacteria according to a 2018 review.

Keep in mind that nettle should be processed before applying to a wound to avoid its famous sting! I use dried nettle infused into an oil (olive oil works well) either directly on the skin or in recipes. You can also make a nettle tincture (but use the dried herb).

Women’s Health

There isn’t a lot of scientific data on how nettle can help women’s health. But since nettle is so high in a variety of nutrients, it makes sense that it has been long used in pregnancy tea to help support pregnancy nutritionally. I personally use it this way and have had a great experience.

Nettle has also been used traditionally to support milk supply (probably for the same nutritive reason) making it a common women’s health herb.

However, there is some controversy about its use during pregnancy as some herbalists believe it can stimulate contractions. I tend to agree with Aviva Romm’s view to avoid herbs in the first trimester and then use herbs that are shown to be safe scientifically or historically (like nettle).

As always check with your healthcare provider to figure out what’s right for you.

Prostate Health

Nettle can also help with prostate health. It’s widely used in Europe for enlarged prostate — benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It helps with the symptoms such as reduced urinary flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, and post urination dripping. It doesn’t affect the size of the prostate though. Because of this finding, researchers are unsure how nettle helps, according to Penn State Hershey.

Additionally, nettle may be a promising help for prostate cancer. A 2000 study found stinging nettle root extract can help keep prostate cancer from spreading. More research is needed to study this effect, but the results are promising.

Hair and Scalp Health

One of nettle’s most famous uses is in supporting hair and scalp health. It’s thought that the appearance of an herb gives an indication as to how it can be useful to the body. In this case, the fine hairs on nettle indicate that it is great for hair and scalp!

Whether or not this old wives’ tale is true, there does seem to be some truth to nettle’s place in hair and scalp support. One study published in 2011 found that hair loss and thinning hair are often caused by the damage of inflammation on the hair follicle. Since nettle has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce the inflammation that is causing hair loss and hair follicle damage.

Additionally, a study published in 2017 found that nettle can improve scalp circulation and hair growth. It also concludes that nettle can “help prevent hair from falling out.” Compounds in nettle help block the overproduction of testosterone which can cause hair loss problems. These same compounds can help boost production of a protein that stimulates hair growth.

This is why I made sure to include nettle as an ingredient in my line of shampoo and conditioner.

Allergy Support

Nettle is often used to help with hay fever and other mild allergies. Researchers found that nettle worked better than a placebo for people suffering from allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

A more recent study published in 2009 found that this is likely due to nettle affecting key receptors and enzymes associated with allergies. In other words, it may act as an antihistamine. Nettle is one of my go-to herbs for hay fever and seasonal allergies.

How to Use Stinging Nettle

There are many ways to use nettle at home. Yes, nettle will sting the skin if touched, but processed nettle by drying or cooking poses no issue.

Here are some ways I use it:

Culinary – Because nettle contains many nutrients, it’s a great addition to a meal. You can use it dried or cook it and add it to a recipe you would add other greens to (don’t eat it raw). I like to add it to smoothies or meatloaf for added nutrients.

Multivitamin – Some people even consider nettle tea a form of a daily vitamin. Add nettle to another tea blend or brew it on its own for a daily infusion of nutrients.

Cold and Flu Support – I will drink nettle tea for its nutrients during an illness since eating can be difficult.

First Aid – Dried nettle can be used as a poultice for small wounds to help fight infection.

Inflammatory Pain – For issues like arthritis and joint pain, herbalists recommend using fresh stinging nettle on the skin near the pain. The stinging is thought to help relieve the pain of arthritis. This may not sound like fun to most of us, but it seems to work!

Hair Care – You can infuse water or vinegar with nettle to use as a hair rinse. I include nettle in my homemade herbal hair rinse and it’s also in my brand new line of hair care products.

Allergies and Allergic Reactions – Consume nettle tea or tincture daily for 2-3 months before allergy season to avoid allergies. I also use capsules for acute relief of allergy symptoms. Nettle is also helpful for poison ivy since nettle acts as an antihistamine.

Overall Health – If you want to use nettle for women’s health, prostate health or some of its other uses, start with a nettle tea or tincture. You can also take capsules or make dried nettle into electuaries (like cough drops).

Stinging Nettle Safety and Side Effects

Stinging nettle is generally considered safe for use. But as mentioned earlier, a few herbalists disagree with nettle use during pregnancy. Herbalist Michael Moore in his book Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West notes that fresh nettle should be avoided by pregnant women as it may cause “uterine excitation.” It’s unclear if dried would be safe.

I’ve used it in all of my pregnancies and have been happy with it, but you must do your own research. It’s always a good idea to check with your midwife or doctor to see if nettle is safe for you.

If you are on medications, other supplements, or have a medical condition, it’s best to check with your health care practitioner before using stinging nettle. There may be some interactions for those on medications for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, or if you’re taking blood thinners.

Where to Get Stinging Nettle

Nettle is available in both root and leaf form, and even a powdered version of the leaf which I add to my veggie smoothies. Here are some of my favorite preparations of nettle:

If you’re brave enough to handle the sting, you can also try to harvest it yourself (just make sure you are 100% sure of any herb before eating).

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Betsy Greenleaf, the first board-certified female urogynecologist in the United States. She is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Do you use stinging nettle? How has it helped?

Sources:

Lorenzo, Chiara Di, et al. Plant Food Supplements with Anti-Inflammatory Properties: A Systematic Review (II). Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, vol. 53, no. 5, 2013, pp. 507–516., doi:10.1080/10408398.2012.691916.

Yang, Cindy L. H., et al. Scientific Basis of Botanical Medicine as Alternative Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, vol. 44, no. 3, 2012, pp. 284–300., doi:10.1007/s12016-012-8329-8.

Kianbakht, Saeed, et al. Improved Glycemic Control in Patients with Advanced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Taking Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Clinical Laboratory, vol. 59, no. 09 10/2013, 2013, doi:10.7754/clin.lab.2012.121019.

Domola, Masoud Shabani, et al. Insulin Mimetics in Urtica Dioica: Structural and Computational Analyses of Urtica Dioica Extracts. Phytotherapy Research, vol. 24, no. S2, Sept. 2009, doi:10.1002/ptr.3062.

Testai, L., Chericoni, S., Calderone, V., Nencioni, G., Nieri, P., Morelli, I., & Martinotti, E. (2002). Cardiovascular effects of Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) roots extracts: in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 81(1), 105–109. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(02)00055-7

Qayyum, R., Qamar, H. M.-U.-D., Khan, S., Salma, U., Khan, T., & Shah, A. J. (2016). Mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive properties of Urtica dioica. Journal of Translational Medicine, 14(1). doi: 10.1186/s12967-016-1017-3

Effects of urtica dioica extract on experimental acute pancreatitis model in rats. (n.d.). Clinical and Experimental Medicine.

Stinging Nettle. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productid=107&pid=33&gid=000275

Konrad, L., Müller, H.-H., Lenz, C., Laubinger, H., Aumüller, G., & Lichius, J. J. (2000). Antiproliferative Effect on Human Prostate Cancer Cells by a Stinging Nettle Root (Urtica dioica) Extract. Planta Medica, 66(1), 44–47. doi: 10.1055/s-2000-11117

Mittman, P. (1990). Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Freeze-Dried Urtica dioica in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis. Planta Medica, 56(01), 44–47. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-960881

Roschek, B., Fink, R. C., Mcmichael, M., & Alberte, R. S. (2009). Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. Phytotherapy Research, 23(7), 920–926. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2763

Magro, C. M. (2011). https://europepmc.org/article/med/22134564. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. Retrieved from

Pekmezci, E., Dündar, C., & Türko?lu, M. (2018). A proprietary herbal extract against hair loss in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium: a placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical-instrumental study. Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina Pannonica Et Adriatica, 27(2). doi: 10.15570/actaapa.2018.13

Source: https://wellnessmama.com/4807/nettle-herb-profile/

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sustainhealthmagazine · 5 years ago

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How To Avoid Illness and Other Medical Consequences While Traveling This Christmas

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By HEALTH EDITOR FOR SUSTAIN HEALTH

PUBLISHED: 22:12, 05 December 2019 | UPDATED: 22:42, 05 December 2019

A record-breaking 112.5 million people – more than a third of all Americans - are expected to travel this holiday season, including 102 million who will take their trips by car.

Nothing ruins a long-awaited vacation faster than getting sick or being in medical distress.

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We turned to Dr. Niket Sonpal, an NYC internist and gastroenterologist for some tips on how to avoid health consequences will traveling.

Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling, but also can occur with no symptoms. For travelers, this can happen on long haul trips where you are not moving. Dr. Sonpal recommends if you are flying or on a train, to move around the cabin to get the blood flowing in your legs. If you are driving, take a break at a rest stop and walk around. Compression socks are also another option to prevent DVT.

Don’t Get Nauseous

People can experience motion sickness on virtually any mode of transportation. To combat this, Dr. Sonpal suggests Dramamine® Non-Drowsy Naturals, Dramamine®'s first non-drowsy formulation. It contains the clinically tested ginger dosage required for preventing and treating motion sickness. Other sources of ginger, including candies, gums, or ginger ale, may not contain a full clinical dose. For someone who is already experiencing nausea while traveling, it is a good idea to keep Emetrol on hand which is an over the counter nausea medication that does not cause drowsiness.

Avoid Bloating on a Plane

If you get gassy on a plane, you’re not alone! Dr. Sonpal explains that, “As the pressure around you decreases, the gas in your belly isn’t constrained as much and it expands. This can make you feel bloated or become distended.” It is essential to avoid foods that cause gas or have salt. Skip the tomato juice in flight and stick with non-carbonated water. Avoid alcohol, cruciferous vegetables, dairy and high sodium snacks such as salted peanuts or pretzels. Foods that are protein packed, magnesium-rich and high in Vitamin C are good options.

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Sanitize Your Surfaces

Planes and trains are a breeding ground for illness. The former are awful due to re-circulated air. Most travelers would be appalled if they really knew how germy their tray tables are! Dr. Sonpal suggests sanitizing wipes for your tray table, seat belt clip and hand rests of your seats on planes and trains. When you exit a restroom on a plane or train and touch the door handles, be sure to use hand sanitizer even if you already washed your hands.

Get Your Shots Before Traveling Abroad!

Before you even book your trip, make sure you’re up to date on your shots. If you’re traveling to an area where you’re at risk for picking up an illness like malaria, you might be prescribed preventative medication. Dr. Sonpal suggests that, “People should use the CDC website for recommended vaccines for travel abroad or see a travel clinic. The health risks posed to Americans vary based on the country they are traveling to.”

Don’t Touch the Ice!

When traveling to a different country, most people are very cautious about only drinking bottled water. Many folks forget that ice is simply frozen water and put it into their soft drinks or alcoholic beverages. Contrary to what one might think, freezing water does not kill bacteria. The only way to be sure it is safe is if you boiled the water and then froze it.

Avoid Jet Lag

Even a relatively short time change from EST to PST (3 hours) can cause jet lag. With some international travel from the United States, the time difference can be as much as twelve hours. If you're traveling east, try going to bed one hour earlier each night for a few days before your departure. Go to bed one hour later for several nights if you're flying west. If possible, eat meals closer to the time you'll be eating them at your destination. Dr. Sonpal suggests that you set your watch to the new time before you leave. Once you reach your destination, try not to sleep until the local nighttime, no matter how tired you are.

Essential Medicine/Supplies to Travel With

Dr. Sonpal stresses never to check your medication with your baggage, always keep it in your carry on. Have a fresh re-fill on prescription medication with extra doses in case you get stuck at your destination. In addition, here are some essential over the counter meds/supplies to travel with:

Benadryl- For allergic reactions such as insect or bee bites.

Pepto Bismol- For diarrhea

Laxative such as Dulcolax

Anti-biotic ointment such as Neosporin

Common cold/sinus remedies such as Mucinex or Claritin

Pain relievers such as Tylenol or Motrin

Anti- Nausea medication such as Emetrol

Motion Sickness medication such as Dramamine. If you are the driver, be sure to take the non-drowsy version.

Electrolyte tablets for dehydration

Hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching from rashes, bites, poison ivy etc.

Aloe to soothe sunburned skin

Band-Aids

Digital Thermometer

Nasal Spray to prevent clogged ears while flying

Tweezers

Eye Drops

Epi-Pen if you are prone to severe allergic reactions

How to Find a Reliable Physician if you are Traveling Abroad

The US embassy in your destination country (http://www.usembassy.gov/) can help you locate medical services and will notify your family and friends in the event of an emergency. When selecting a doctor, make sure that he or she can speak your language. The following resources provide lists of doctors and clinics that can care of travelers:

The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (www.iamat.org; membership required, but it is free)

Joint Commission International (www.jointcommissioninternational.org)

The International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org)

Travel Health Online (www.tripprep.com; gets information from various sources so quality is not guaranteed)

http://www.niketsonpal.com/

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