Product In Focus - Natural Skin Cream for Eczema Prone Skin

Eczema can be really problematic especially when it's cold and windy. Looking after your skin at this time in particular is essential to keeping it under control.

Naturalistics has the perfect cream for Eczema-prone skin. The Naturalistics Skincare range is made in Bristol, England with natural ingredients and are free from nasty chemicals and parabens.

Scented with Cape Chamomile, this cream is rich in vitamin A and E and is very nourishing and healing to the skin and leaves the skin feeling super soft and supple.

Now a little bit about the ingredients....Vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. Vitamin E is very moisturising and can help smooth dry, rough skin and is a powerful anti-oxidant helping to protect your skin from free radicals. Aloe vera helps rehydrate and soothe the skin. Shea butter contains phytosterols which stimulates cell growth and cinnamic acid which has an anti-inflammatory effect and is very healing to the skin. Borage oil is exceptionally high in Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) which the body needs to create prostaglandins. The skin needs prostaglandins to keep it healthy and to prevent dryness, loss of suppleness and wrinkling.

This cream is an excellent choice for people with eczema-prone skin in particular as well as for those with dry or sensitive skin. It also makes a rich moisturiser for mature skin, for babies, and for the hands and feet.

A 60ml Jar costs just £9.99 and a little goes a long way! For more details on the cream, check out the Cream for Eczema-Prone skin on the Naturalistics website.

Coming Soon...

Balance Holistics will be offering three brand new treatments over the next couple of months including Holistic Facials, Thai Foot Massage, and Feet First — a holistic foot care treatment. More information will be posted on this blog and on the Balance Holistics website when these treatments become available.

Holistic Facials — A holistic facial is a great way to take care of your skin. It uses Aromatherapy Essential Oils and other natural products to help improve the condition and preserve the health of the skin. The shoulders, neck and face are cleansed and toned, followed by a natural clay or fresh fruit face mask to help restore the skin’s correct moisture balance. The facial is complemented perfectly with a relaxing face and neck massage, incorporating lymphatic drainage and acupressure techniques. While your face mask is setting the hands are massaged, completing the relaxation experience.

Thai Foot Massage — Thai Foot Massage is a massage of the lower legs and feet. A small, specifically designed wooden stick is used to stimulate the reflex points on the feet which correspond to the internal organs of the body. Various stretches are also incorporated into the massage. Thai Massage helps to open up the energy lines in the body known as Sen lines, similar to Meridian lines in Chinese Medicine.

Feet First — Feet First is a luxurious, holistic foot care treatment designed to refresh and rejuvenate your feet. It includes a foot soak, scrub, and mask, finishing with a relaxing foot and lower leg massage. While your feet enjoy the refreshing mask, you will receive a head massage to complete the relaxation experience. A range of products with essential oils of lime, sandalwood and ginger are used to help soothe, hydrate, and renew tired, aching, and dehydrated feet.

Natural Remedies for Bunions

This post outlines several natural remedies to help alleviate the inflammation and pain of bunions.

Epsom Salts Foot Bath. Soak your feet in a bowl of hot water with a couple tablespoons of Epsom Salts and soak for 10-15 minutes. It will soothe the pain, reduce inflammation, and reduce any stiffness in the joint. As a bonus, Epsom Salts help eliminate odours! More information on Epsom Salts can be found in The Wonder of Epsom Salts Baths post. You could also try taking alternating hot and cold foot baths (with or without the Epsom salts) as the contrasting temperatures can help relieve pain and speed up healing.

Iodine. I read in several books and websites that Iodine can be beneficial for bunions. I’ve never tried this but will definitely be giving it a go. I believe you can get an iodine cream which can be applied, or normal iodine can be combined with castor oil and massaged over the toe joint. Edgar Cayce, a renowned healer in his time, always advocated the use of castor oil packs in relieving pain and discomfort in the body. Castor oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Massage and Reflexology. Both Massage and Reflexology can be very beneficial if you are suffering from bunions. They can help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the area.

Homeopathy. This is one complementary therapy which I know very little about, but I have heard that the Sulphur homeopathic remedy can be beneficial for bunions.

Acupuncture. As mentioned in another post, Bunions can be indicative of an imbalance along the spleen/pancreas meridian. Acupuncture points are situated along the meridian lines throughout the body and are stimulated using Acupuncture needles to help remove any blockages and restore the normal flow of chi around these energy channels. Apart from treating with needles, there are two other techniques in Acupuncture to help with bunions – the first is Zheng gu shui which is an ointment which warms the joint and helps to break up calcium deposits like which are found in bunions; and the second is Moxa. I do not know much about these remedies so if this sounds like something you would be interested in trying, please consult with a qualified Acupuncturist.

Essential Oils. Chamomile, eucalyptus, cajuput, peppermint, ginger, cypress and juniper essential oils are recommended for helping various joint problems due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Plai is also extremely good for joint pain.

Arnica and Calendula. Arnica and Calendula have been used medicinally for centuries. They both have anti-inflammatory properties so may help reduce the pain and inflammation around the toe joint. They can be purchased in cream form, as a salve or tincture, and as carrier oils.

Tiger Balm. Tiger Balm contains menthol, camphor, cajuput, clove, demontholised mint, and cassia – all of which are excellent for pain relief and inflammation. I’d recommend using the red version for bunions as it is a stronger pain reliever than the white version. More information on Tiger Balm can be found in The Wonder of Tiger Balm post.

More information about bunions can be found in the Bunions from a Reflexology Point of View post.

Bunions from a Reflexology Point of View

According to the TheFreeDictionary's Medical dictionary, “a bunion is an abnormal enlargement of the joint (the first metatarsophalangeal joint, or MTPJ) at the base of the great or big toe (hallux). It is caused by inflammation and usually results from chronic irritation and pressure from poorly fitting footwear.”

Bunions also run in the family but it is important to note that it is not the bunion which is hereditary but the foot type. People who are flat footed are more likely to develop a bunion than those with high arches. I think this is why I developed one on my right foot at the age of 16 despite always wearing well fitted shoes – I have flat (ish) feet and my grandmother has bunions too. Other causes include leg length discrepancies, trauma to the joint, and bone displacement (hallux valgus). There is also more chance of developing a bunion as you get older.

From a Reflexology point of view, Bunions are an indication of congestion along the spleen/pancreas meridian which starts on the outer edge of both big toes. From the big toe, it runs up the leg, up through the pelvis and abdomen, and ends at the shoulder. Congestion in this meridian can also cause fungus, stiffness, and ingrowing toenails especially on the big toe; shinbone, knee, and thigh pain; varicose veins, psoriasis and eczema particularly on the legs along the meridian; groin pain and hernias; menstrual problems and other gynaecological problems such as infections, fibroids, and cysts; abdominal pain; problems in the underarm area such as eczema and lymph node swelling; and breast problems such as tenderness and lumps.

The reflex points at which a bunion occurs are the thyroid and thoracic spine. The internal branch of the spleen/pancreas meridian runs through the throat and thyroid reinforcing the bunions connection to the thyroid gland.

One of the reflexology books I own (The complete illustrated guide to reflexology by Inge Dougans) says "Most people with bunions also have problems along the spleen/pancreas meridian or pancreatic disorders, such as problems related to sugar metabolism such as a sweet tooth; cravings for stimulants such as tea, coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol; and constant hunger."

There is no specific reflex for the big toe to help relieve bunions, but massage on and around the affected area can help to relieve any pain or discomfort felt and to help reduce any inflammation in the joint. I would work on the sacral and lumbar areas of the spine reflex as these areas of the spine supply nerves to the big toe (from the lumbar and sacral nerve plexuses) and the kidney reflexes to ensure that the kidneys are functioning properly ridding the body of uric acid (this can build up in the joints especially the big toe causing gout which is a form of arthritis. Arthritis can contribute to or result from bunions). I’m sure working the leg/knee/hip reflexes would also help the condition. To help balance the spleen/pancreas meridian, I would work on the pancreas and spleen reflexes.

An interesting article on the relationship between bunions, sugar, and the spleen can be found on the Acupuncture Today website. Another interesting site about bunions is The Bunion Experiment - One woman's search for bunion cures.

Thai Foot Massage Review

I recently holidayed on Koh Pha ngan in Thailand and was lucky enough to experience several Thai Massages. Although, I thoroughly enjoyed the Thai Body Massage my favourite has to be the Foot Massage.

Thai Foot Massage is a massage of the lower legs and feet along with the use of a small wooden stick to stimulate the reflex points on the feet which correspond to the internal organs of the body. Various stretches are also incorporated into the massage.

Thai massage is performed on the floor on a thin yet comfortable mat and there is no need to undress. I was asked to change into a pair of Thai trousers so that I was more comfortable.

Tiger Balm was rubbed into my lower legs and then one was wrapped up in muslin while the other leg was being massaged. I really liked this part – it felt very comforting and it did a very good job at warming the muscles up. She massaged my legs – upper and lower and then moved on to the feet.

She rolled the smooth wooden stick up and down my feet and used the end to press on the various reflex points on the feet similar to those used in Reflexology. I found the stick very effective at clearing blockages in the reflex points - I could feel energy start to circulate around my feet and then up in to the rest of my body. Thai Massage helps to open up the energy lines in the body known as Sen lines, similar to Meridian lines in Chinese Medicine.

After the foot massage, the therapist moved on to massage my head, neck and shoulders and then finished on my back. I never expected this part! After all, I only thought I was getting a foot massage. The massage of the feet and the upper body complemented each other perfectly making me feel that my whole body had received a treatment.

After the massage, I was provided with a pot of Green Tea and some sesame biscuits to help ground me. I felt so relaxed during and after the treatments – my feet felt great, my back felt great, and I felt energised.

Most of the Thai Massages I received while in Koh Pha ngan were from Chakra Traditional Massage.

I enjoyed the Thai Foot Massage so much that I have decided to train in the therapy myself. I will be training with TEACH Therapy in March 2009 and hope to be offering the treatment to clients shortly after. Watch this space…