Hand Reflexology for Skin Conditions

Original photo by wimayr.

"Our appearance reflects our inner health," says Ann Louise Gittleman, author of The Living Beauty Detox Program."Very often, what we first see with skin, hair and nails is simply a reflection of inner imbalances."

Reflexology can help to correct imbalances within the body and can be very beneficial for people who suffer with various skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, dermatitis, and rosacea to name a few.

“Problems such as chronic acne, pimples or dryness often point to nutrient deficiencies.” says Ann Gittleman. The skin is the biggest organ of the body and requires a large amount of nutrients to keep it healthy and looking good.

Our supply of vitamins and minerals depends not only on our diet, but on how well our body is able to digest the food and drink we consume. Working on the digestive and elimination reflexes, such as the gall bladder, stomach, liver, spleen, intestines, kidneys, and oesphagus, can help to revitalize a sluggish digestive system, increase the circulation to the organs, help the absorption of vitamins and minerals, and help eliminate toxins and waste products from the body.

Bringing the digestive system back in to balance not only improves its function, but also improves the health and function of the rest of the bodily systems including the skin. This in turn can help eliminate the skin conditions mentioned above.

Some skin conditions can also be linked to stress and hormones so I would also suggest working on the adrenal and pituitary gland reflexes. It might also be worth working the reflexes where the skin condition is located, for instance, if you have psoriasis on your elbow, then work the elbow reflex.

Most people associate reflexology with the feet but it can also be performed on the hands. I often advise my clients to work on specific reflex points on the hands in between their appointments with me. The picture above illustrates the reflexes on the hands which should be worked to help improve the absorption of nutrients and aid detoxification and improve the condition of the skin. Move your thumb in a caterpillar like motion over the reflexes in the direction of the arrows. On the circular points, press your thumb into the point, thumb bent and rotate in a clockwise direction.

Apparently, the skin is the last organ of the body to receive nutrients from the food, drink and nutritional supplements consumed, so it is also advisable to apply a cream or oil which contains the anti-oxidant vitamins (vitamins A, C and E) to help improve the health of your skin.

Performing this simple hand reflexology routine daily, in conjunction with a balanced healthy diet rich in the anti-oxidant vitamins, and plenty of water, will help improve the overall condition of your skin.

Sprouting for Health

Photo by moriza.

“Sprouts are considered as wonder foods. They rank as the freshest and most nutritious of all vegetables available to the human diet.” – quote from www.sproutnet.com

Recently, I bought a sprouter from my local wholefood store and have been enjoying producing fresh, organic sprouts to use in salads, sandwiches, and other meals.

The most well known sprout is the mung bean sprout which is commonly found in Chinese stir-frys.

Nutrients vary from sprout to sprout but most contain some or all of the following: vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K, Calcium, Carbohydrates, Chlorophyll, Iron, Magnesium, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Amino Acids, Protein. They also contain fibre and water.

Sprouts are easily digested and actually improve the efficiency of digestion.

Sprouts can be grown easily in four to six days and require no effort and very little cost. All edible grains, seeds and legumes can be sprouted.

Excellent information on sprouting can be found on the sproutpeople website.

Water – How Much Should You Drink?

Photo by Chris2.

The recommended amount of water intake per day seems to vary quite a lot from source to source often making it a little confusing for everyone.

The body gets its water from three sources:
1. From drinks
2. From food, especially fruit and vegetables
3. As a by-product of chemical reactions within the body.

Adults need 2-3 litres of water per day to maintain a healthy body. Of this, approximately 1.2 litres (6-8 glasses) must be obtained directly from drinks such as water, fruit juice, herbal tea, milk, etc.

If you are physically active or the weather is hot or humid, more water is generally needed.

Caffeinated drinks CAN contribute toward your daily water intake. Although caffeine is a diuretic, drinks containing caffeine will not result in dehydration if drunk in moderation. It is recommended that you do not consume more than 400mg caffeine in a day (3-5 cups of coffee depending on strength). This figure is less (300mg or 2-3 cups of coffee) for women during pregnancy.