Bathing Your Baby With Natural Baby Body Wash

The day has finally arrived. You have carried that little one for 9 months, and it is time to assume the responsibilities of taking care of them. The joys of raising a child are plentiful. For the next 18 years there are going to be many things that you are going to be have to do to care for your child. In the early years of their life they are going to need help bathing because of course they are too small and do not know how to do it by themselves yet.

The next step is to think about what baby bath accessories you will need to accomplish giving them a bath. First, you will need a baby bathtub, for sure. These can generally be found at your local retail store or baby department store, or perhaps maybe you received one at your baby shower. Safety is very important these days so you are going to want to get a baby bathtub that meets safety standards and will keep your baby free from harm.

Another bath essential you will need is baby shampoo and/or baby body wash. Most baby soaps and shampoos are made to be tear-free and gentle on their skin, so this should be fairly simple to complete as many stores carry baby bath items. Again, maybe you even received some baby bath items at your baby shower so this will really be easy because you will not have to go buy it.

A washcloth is another must-have when it comes to bathing. A soft, gentle washcloth is essential because you want your baby’s skin to remain soft and smooth. Washcloths made from cotton are very soft and gentle on the skin. Last but not least after bathing comes the importance of a baby towel. Hooded towels are often very helpful because heat is usually lost from baby’s head very quickly. So a nice warm, cozy hooded towel will definitely come in handy, and baby can cuddle up inside and stay warm until their mommy gets them into their pajamas.

An optional bath item to use after bathing would be baby lotion. Baby lotion smells really good, and it leaves baby’s skin soft and smooth and conditions their skin so that it does not dry out our little ones’ skin. Cold weather can really dry out their skin fast so be sure to be prepared during this time of year.

Bathing is such a precious time between mother and baby because fond memories and bonding time are so important while a baby is growing up. Enjoy this time because babies grow up very fast and before you know it they will not need our help anymore because they will be able to do it on their own.

Organic Skin Care Products Are Targeting The Herbal Anti Aging Market

Herbal anti aging products are the newest organic skincare product on the beauty product market.  Anti aging products and anti wrinkle creams are growing in popularity.  With an consciously aging population concerned about the effects of aging and damaged skin, many beauty products have focused on the organic skin care market which has been growing at an exponential rate.  A 100% natural herbal anti aging mask is an organic skin care product designed for the people who want an effective alternative to chemical based anti aging products.  Herbal anti aging products can be just as effective as many anti aging and anti wrinkle products without the potential of future side effects.  Beauty products continue to evolve and as there is a push for new organic skin care products.  Herbal anti aging products continue to gain momentum.

Melasma and the Mask of Pregnancy

Melasma (also known as “Chloasma faciei” or the mask of pregnancy when present in pregnant women) is a tan or dark skin discoloration. Although it can affect anyone, melasma is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral or patch contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications. It is also prevalent in men and women of Native American descent (on the forearms) and in men and women of German/Russian and Jewish descent (on the face).

Symptoms

The symptoms of melasma are dark, irregular patches commonly found on the upper cheek, nose, lips, upper lip, and forehead. These patches often develop gradually over time. Melasma does not cause any other symptoms beyond the cosmetic discoloration.

Cause

Melasma is thought to be the stimulation of melanocytes or pigment-producing cells by the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone to produce more melanin pigments when the skin is exposed to sun. Women with a light brown skin type who are living in regions with intense sun exposure are particularly susceptible to developing this condition.

Genetic predisposition is also a major factor in determining whether someone will develop melasma.The incidence of melasma also increases in

patients with thyroid disease. It is thought that the overproduction of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) brought on by stress can cause outbreaks of this condition. Other rare causes of melasma include allergic reaction to medications and cosmetics. Melasma Suprarenale (Latin – of the adrenals) is a symptom of Addison’s disease, particularly when caused by pressure or minor injury to the skin, as discovered by Dr. FJJ Schmidt of Rotterdam in 1859.

Diagnosis

Melasma is usually diagnosed visually or with assistance of a Wood’s lamp (340 – 400 nm wavelength). Under Wood’s lamp, excess melanin in the epidermis can be distinguished from that of the dermis.

Treatment

The discoloration usually disappears spontaneously over a period of several months after giving birth or stopping the oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. Treatments to hasten the fading of the discolored patches include:

* Topical depigmenting agents, such as hydroquinone (HQ) either in over-the-counter (2%) or prescription (4%) strength. HQ is a chemical that inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the production of melanin.

* Tretinoin, an acid that increases skin cell (keratinocyte) turnover. This treatment cannot be used during pregnancy.

* Azelaic acid (20%), thought to decrease the activity of melanocytes.

* Facial peel with alpha hydroxyacids or chemical peels with glycolic acid.

Laser treatment. A Wood’s lamp test should be used to determine whether the melasma is epidermal or dermal. If the melasma is dermal, Fraxel laser has been shown in studies to provide improvement in many patients. However, (or “IPL”) will actually darken the spots. Dermal melasma is generally unresponsive to most treatments, and has only been found to lighten with products containing mandelic acid (such as Triluma cream) or Fraxel laser.
In all of these treatments the effects are gradual and a strict avoidance of sunlight is required. The use of broad-spectrum sunscreens with physical blockers, such as titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide is preferred over that with only chemical blockers. This is because UV-A, UV-B and visible lights are all capable of stimulating pigment production. Cosmetic cover-ups can also be used to reduce the appearance of melasma.

Natural Homeopathic Approach to Skincare

Natural skincare can be more than just using lotions and creams. The skin is the largest organ of the body and can be influenced by keeping a balanced equilibrium. Homeopathic medicine is a great natural approach to staying healthy. Although most know very little about homeopathic medicine, following Chinese medicine, homeopathy is the second most prevalent branch of medicine on the planet.Homeopathy and pediatrics is becoming more and more popular in the developed world. Homeopathy is used to treat diseases in children ranging from semi-serious illnesses to the common cold. Although homeopathy works in a number of ways, its most basic function is to help strengthen and focus a child’s immune system when they are sick based on the symptoms and root cause of the ailment. Once their own immune systems become stronger, they are able to fight off diseases more effectively.

What makes homeopathy particularly suited to pediatrics is that the medicine is often sweet and appealing, and has little to no side effects. The pleasant taste combined with the low incidence of side effects such as nausea or drowsiness, ensures that the child will be more likely to take the medication on a regular basis.

Homeopathic treatment usually falls into two categories; either acute or chronic conditions. Acute conditions refer to a sick child that is suffering from such illnesses as colds, sore throats, or the stomach flu. Chronic conditions refer to ailments such as allergies, asthma or any number of skin diseases. Often chronic conditions should be overseen by a trained homeopathic professional for the best results.

Parents who choose to treat children with an acute condition at home may consider a home prescription kit with homeopathic remedies in 12c or 30c concentrations. Home prescription kits containing homeopathic remedies can be brought online or at stores and range from $60 to $100 dollars. Many homeopathic products are available as over the counter medicines. Parents can also purchase manuals and books on homeopathy for under $30.

Homeopathic medicines come in pills and liquid form. Homeopathic medicines are free of artificial colors and chemicals and are usually considered safe for infants and children.

Interesting Facts about Homeopathy

• Homeopathy is based on clinical and experimental data.

• The founding father of homeopathy was Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician, who developed the basic principles of homeopathy in the late 1700s.

• Homeopathy is recognized by medical professionals and government agencies including the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA), and is regulated as medicine.

• Sugar pills are commonly used as a binding agent in homeopathic medicine and as carriers for the medicine.

• Homeopathy uses the principles of dilutions to achieve extremely low concentrations of high potency natural herbs and other remedies.

• Homeopathic medicine can work fairly fast in acute cases. In chronic cases, the medication works at a slower pace.

• When a person is uses homeopathic treatments they should abstain from certain foods like tea, coffee and alcohol.

• Homeopathic medicines are based on naturally occurring remedies, are usually not patented and are therefore cheaper then other types of conventional medicines.

• Homeopathic medicines usually do not have any side effects.

Natural Home Remedies for Sunburn

Home remedies may provide some relief from a mild sunburn. Remember a sun burn is a like any other burn from heat in which the cells become damaged. Be gentle and try not to further irritate the area.

Use cool cloths on sunburned areas, you should gently pat to allow the heat to disperse from the cloth after it absorbs the heat from the sun burn. You can try to take frequent cool showers or baths also.

Apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera to sunburned areas. Topical steroids (such as 1% hydrocortisone cream) may also help with sunburn pain and swelling. Note: Do not use the cream on children younger than age 2 unless your doctor tells you to. Do not use in the rectal or vaginal area in children younger than age 12 unless your doctor tells you to.

There is little you can do to stop skin from peeling after a strong sunburn-it is part of the healing process. However application of a good natural or organic lotion may help because it will increase the antioxidants in the sunburned area and speed up the cell rejuvenation process. In addition lotion may help relieve the itching once the skin has started to peel.

A sunburn can cause a mild fever and a headache. Lie down in a cool, quiet room to relieve the headache. A headache may be caused by dehydration, so drinking fluids may help.

Other natural home treatments, such as essential oils like lavender, geranium, or calendula, may help relieve your sunburn symptoms.

You can try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain, asprin is great for lessening the effects of a burn if taken soon enough.

• Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol for pain and fever
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for swelling from the burn
• Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin for pain and fever
• Aspirin (also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), such as Bayer for pain, fever and to thin the blood which will help reduce the burn

Talk to your child’s doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine

Using Ayurveda to Treat Common Skin Care Conditions – Acne and Rosea

One of Ayurveda’s fundamental concepts is that health and disease are holistic-that is, whatever happens in one part of the body happens to the whole body. There are no isolated health problems. Any physical or psychological symptom of imbalance indicates an imbalance in the body-mind unit. Keep this holistic picture in mind as you look over the common skin problems below.Listed below are external remedies for the most common skin problems. But please be aware, even a topical ointment or detoxification treatment is only a temporary remedy. If you continue with unhealthy lifestyle choices, new toxins will soon appear.

ACNE VULGARIS (CYSTIC ACNE)

Description: Very oily skin, large pores, blackheads, large pussy pimples, deep scars.

Imbalance: Pitta or Kapha.
Aggravated by: Overconsumption of sweets, fats, oils, red meat, seafood, coffee, alcohol, tobacco; emotional stress and attachments (inability to “let go”), inactivity, feelings of possessiveness, depression, and purposelessness.

Treatment:
• Exfoliate skin with Tej or Bindi herbal powders.
• Take steam baths using rosemary or eucalyptus essential oils.
• Take weekly detoxifying bath using Epsom salts or ginger + rock salt.
• Exercise vigorously for 1/2 hour 3 times a week to achieve sweating.
• Apply Tej Soothing Lotion on pimples, and do a pimple “mask” once or twice a week.
To make, mix 1/2 tsp crushed cumin seed + 1 tsp coriander + a few drops water, and apply paste over pimples. Leave on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse.
• Do soothing weekly facial mask using red sandalwood + neem + lodhra powders.
• For stubborn, large cysts, apply piece of warm onion 2-3 times a day to break it, but do not squeeze.
• Supplements: Take daily 10,000 units beta carotene, 1,000 mg vitamin C, and 15-20 mg zinc. Increase dietary fiber, including bran, fresh fruit and produce. Drink fresh carrot, beet, or apple juice. Drink detoxifying herbal teas of burdock, goldenseal, echinacea, neem, or turmeric. Drink 1/2 glass warm water every hour. In morning, take aloe Vera gel: 1 tsp for Pitta; 2 Tbsp for Kapha.

ACNE ROSACEA (“RED” ACNE)

Description: Red rash on nose and cheeks that may be very sensitive or burning. Excessive oiliness on T-zone, broken capillaries, and thickened skin on nose.

Imbalance: Pitta.
Aggravated by: Anger, frustration, disappointment, anxiety, overambition, stress and pressure, unsatisfying or acrimonious relationships, overactivity, hot weather, sun, hot spices, sour fruits, fermented foods, tomatoes, seafood, canned or preserved foods, soda, pastry, chocolate, pizza, french fries, sweets; antibiotics and harsh chemical peels.

Treatment:
• Do not use astringents, toners, or any harsh substances on skin. Use only gentle, soothing treatments.
• Wash with milk + white sandalwood, manjista, and neem herbal powders.
• Soak towel in cool herbal tea of comfrey or nettle, and apply wet compress to face.
• Grind fresh cilantro + mint. Add water to make paste, and apply to face as a mask. Lie down for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off. If condition is very dry, red, or burning, apply soothing lotion of ghee +juice from crushed dried neem leaves, or use neem herbal oil. Additional internal and external remedies are available from Tej.
• Supplements Take daily 10,000 units beta carotene, 1,000 mg vitamin C, 15-20 mg zinc, 400 units vitamin E, and daily recommended dosage of B-complex.
• Drink detoxifying herbal teas of burdock, goldenseal, echinacea, neem, or tumeric.
• Drink a glass of water (at room temperature) every hour. In morning, drink aloe vera juice.

Information coming soon

Please post information as we update ours!