Coconut oil was once used in the baking industry, but with the hype around the relationship of oils and the cholesterol count in the body, it was replaced by hydrogenated polyunsaturated oils that come from U.S. cash crops. These polyunsaturated oils now dominate the shelves of the food stores. However, coconut oil does not increase the cholesterol count; instead, it can reduce the cholesterol count by natural methods. Our bodies need the type of essential fatty acids (such as those found in coconut oil) mother nature has provided to form healthy normal cells.

Coconut oil can be used for cooking, taken internally or be used as a cream for the face and body to heal acne or other skin ailments and to help slow the aging of the skin. When stored as long as a year, it never gets rancid like many other oils. When it gets cold it solidifies and can be eaten just like a piece of candy. Research suggests that it can increase metabolism helping to control weight or even help in weight loss.

As you can see from this article, the benefits of including Virgin Coconut Oil in our diets as well as in our creams and skin applications are many, and we hope we have erased any doubts you might have about the uses for this exceptional oil.

Remember, these we have brought these products to you from the natural paradise of the little island of Vanuatu, so treat yourself well. You deserve it.

PS. Hey girls! Leave a hint for your honey!! Remember Valentines Day!

For example, the orange blossom contains a large amount of ester, a calming ingredient, which may explain why a bride might carry an orange blossom bouquet on her wedding day.

Aromatherapy became popular in the United States during the 1980’s when it caught the attention of the massage therapists, alternative practitioners and the commercial industry. Many products are sold today under the name “aromatherapy”. Unfortunately many of these products use synthetic mixtures and fragrances which do not have the therapeutic values found in essential oils.

• Always follow the instructions for natural skin care products and prescribed medicines. For mild symptoms of psoriasis, try some non-prescription applications of genuine Pure Tamanu Oil to soothe your skin.

• Use only natural lotions, bath oils, creams, soaks, and bath bombs to keep your skin moist.

• Removing crusts may help your skin to absorb creams and lotions. Gently soften and remove psoriasis crusts by putting cream or oil on the crusts and then peeling them off after they become loose. Take care to remove them carefully so as not to irritate the skin.

• Give short exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) rays a try.

Things to avoid that can cause flare-ups

• Infection – Infections such as strep throat can cause psoriasis to appear suddenly

• Certain medicines – Some medicines such as NSAIDs, beta-blockers and lithium have been found to make psoriasis symptoms worse.

• Stress & Anxiety – Stress can cause psoriasis t suddenly flare-up and get worse.

• Overexposure to Sunlight – Too much sun can damage the skin and cause skin cancer and sunburn can trigger flare-ups. Short periods of sun can actually reduce psoriasis in most people.

• Smoking – Smoking, especially for women, makes you more susceptible to psoriasis and can make it worse if you already have it. You should use natural skin care for smokers and try to quit smoking, if you can.

• Alcohol – Use of alcohol can cause flare-ups.

The best advice is to consult your doctor for a complete treatment regimen.

The psoriasis patches often appear on the scalp, knees, feet, elbows, hands or lower back. Psoriasis is most common in adults, although children and teens can get it too.

Causes of Psoriasis

Psoriasis occurs when the immune system overreacts causing inflammation and flaking skin. In some cases, psoriasis is hereditary.

People with psoriasis notice times when their skin flares up. Some things that can cause this are cold and dry climates, infections, stress and dry skin. Certain medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and medicines used to treat high blood pressure or depression, may trigger an outbreak or make your psoriasis worse.

Smoking can make you more likely to get psoriasis and can make it worse if you already have it. Psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

Symptoms of psoriasis can be mild, with small areas of rash, to moderate and severe conditions with skin that gets inflamed with raised areas topped with loose, silvery and scaling skin. Severe psoriasis, skin becomes itchy and tender, and the large skin patches can be very uncomfortable. Patches can connect together and cover large areas of skin.

Psoriasis can cause joints to become swollen, tender and painful. This is called psoriatic arthritis. This can also affect the fingernails and toenails, causing the nails to pit, change color, and separate from the nail bed. Dead skin may build up under the nails. Even without treatment, symptoms can disappear, and then return again.

Treatment

The treatment of psoriasis starts with skin care. Keep the skin moist with natural creams and lotions. This is often used with other treatments including shampoos, ultraviolet light and medicines your doctor prescribes.

Sometimes psoriasis can be hard to treat. A combinations of treatments may have to be tried to find out exactly which one works for you. Treatment may have to last a lifetime.

Next Post will be on Home Treatments for Controlling Psoriasis.

• Ethyl Acetate – Used in cosmetics and is highly toxic. Used in nail polish remover and paint remover products. Never put this on your body, especially your face.
• Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea – These are derived from animal urine and are commonly used preservatives after the parabens. Well established as the primary cause of contact dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology).
• Hydroquinone - Commonly used in plastics manufacturing and is a highly toxic chemical. Also commonly used in skin whitening products. This should not be used on animals or humans. Hydroquinone is a well known carcinogen and is known as a liver, blood, lung and respiratory, reproductive organ and skin toxicant.
• Methly, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben – Commonly known used as inhibitors of microbial growth, which extends the shelf life of products. These are preservatives. Even though parabens are known to be toxic, they are still commonly used. Parabens have been known to cause many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Methyl paraben combines benzoic acid with methyl group of chemicals and is highly toxic.
• Alcohol – Is a free radical and can cause dryness and flaking of the skin. Also very drying and are known to cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
• Petrolatum – Is a mineral oil jelly. Mineral oil causes lots of problems. When used on the skin, it can produce photosensitivity, such as promoting sun damage. Petrolatum tends to interfere with the body’s own natural moisturizing process, leading to dry skin and chapping, thus creating what the product is intended to prevent.
• Lactic Acid – An acid found around all cancerous tumors and is a cancer causing agent.
• Propylene Glycol – Is a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, which are both “natural”. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. Proplylene glycol has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions and alcohols are toxic as well as drying to the skin.
• Tea Lauryl Sulfate – Is a hormone disrupting chemical that can form cancer-causing nitrates. This ingredient is restricted in Europe due to the carcinogenic effects. Repeated applications can result in liver and kidney cancer.
• PVP/Va Copolymer -A petroleum derived chemical used in hair sprays, wave sets and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons.
• Cocomidopropyl Hydroxysultaine – has added chemicals in the processing of coconut oil which care carcinogenic.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – This is a synthetic substance is used in shampoos for building foam and detergent. I can cause skin rashes, hair loss, eyeirritations, scalp scurf, similar to dandruff, and many allergic reactions. frequently disguised in “pseudo-natural” cosmetics with the explanation “comes from coconut”. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a detergent and poses serious health threats. This ingredient is used in engine degreasers and garage floor cleaners. Exposure to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can result in depression diarrhea, eye damage, difficult breathing, severe skin irritation, and even death! If exposed to this chemical, eyes may not develop properly. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can be transformed a potent class of carcinogens known as nitrosamines. The human body can retain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate for up to five days and maintain residual levels in the heart.
• DMDM Hydantoin – releases formaldehyde which is a powerful acid and neuro toxin. This causes joint pain, depression, skin reactions, headaches, chest pains, chronic fatigue, ear infections, loss of sleep and dizziness. If exposed to this, it can also cause irritation to the respiratory system, trigger heart palpitations or asthma, and aggravates coughs. Weakened immune system and cancer are other side effects.
• Stearalkoniuim Chloride – This is highly toxic and causes allergic reactions. It is a chemical used in hair conditioners and creams.Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as fabric softener, and is a lot less expensive and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than herbals or proteins, which do help hair health.
• Aqua Biomin Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment – A yeast and an acid that causes diabetes and other topical yeast infections that can lead to much more serious symptoms.
• Synthetic Colors – Used to make cosmetics attractive and pretty. This should be avoided at all costs, along with hair dyes. An example of their labeling will be FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. For example: FD&C Red No. 6 or D&C Green No. 6. Synthetic colors are believed to be cancer causing agents. Don’t use the cosmetic if the cosmetic has it in them. FD&C Yellow 5, Red 40 Blue No. 1 are synthetic colors made from coal tar that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin irritation and absorption. This can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death.
• Butylene Glycol – An acid that my be narcotic and cause asphyxiation.
• Synthetic Fragrances – There isn’t really a way to know what the chemicals in synthetic fragrances are because many fragrances have as many as 200 ingredients and on the label it will simply say “fragrance”. Some problems that synthetic fragrance chemicals can cause are dizziness, headaches, rash, violent coughing, hyper-pigmentation, vomiting, etc…… Don’t buy a cosmetic that has “fragrance” in the ingredients.
• Saccharomyces Magnesium Ferment – An acid from a yeast which causes damage to the insulin producing beta cells and pancreatic cancer.
• Triethanoloamine (TEA) – Could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time. Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems.

Severe acne can remain with certain individuals causing many pimples that cover the face, neck, chest and back. Often these pimples get larger, solid and red. If they get infected they can become painful and can be considered “cystic lesions”. They often scar the skin, especially if the recipient scrubs or picks at the pimples.

Acne control starts with clean skin. The skin should be washed once or twice a day with gentle soap or acne wash. Do not use products that might clog pores. For mild cases of acne, benzoyle peroxide or salicylic acid products can be used successfully, and they do not require a prescription. Just use as instructed on the label. Often the acne will get worse before it gets better, so keep using the product for six to eight weeks. If there is no improvement after eight weeks, try another product. Serious acne may require a doctor to prescribe a medication or antibiotic pills. Often a mix of treatments may bring results. For women, certain birth control pills can help.

Acne cysts require stronger medication such as accutane. However, accutane can cause birth defects when used by pregnant women. This product can also create depression and should not be used by anyone who has experienced depression nor can it be taken by women who are breast feeding. If scars left by acne are very severe, scar tissue can be removed or a shot of collegen will plump up the skin under the scar making it less noticeable. Again, combination of treatments can bring good results.

If acne is a problem for you, contact a good dermatologist who can advise you in the care of your skin.

SPECIAL NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE A MORE NATURAL APPROACH FOR TREATING YOUR ACNE, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: htt://www.thenaturalandpureboutique.com AND CLICK ON TROPICAL FIRST AID. OUR PURE TAMANU OIL FROM THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH PACIFIC WILL TREAT YOUR ACNE, ACNE SCARS AND MORE SKIN CONDITIONS!