Blister Balm – Minor Cuts, Abrasions, Burns & Fungal Infections

Hi there everyone!

If your kids are anything like mine, they are in a constant stae of repair!! Daily play and so on can leave a mark or two! Lots of parent come to me asking how they can create a cheap, home remedy for these minor scrapes. Ok, here it is! I call it Blister Balm!

15gm Dried Calenula Blossoms

15gm Dried Comfrey Root

450ml olive oil

120gm finely chopped bees wax

10 drops Lavedar Essential Oil

10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

Combine the herbs and olive oil in a crock pot. Turn the crock pot to it’s lowest setting, cover and allow to heat gentley for two – four hours, checking and stirring frequently to prevent burning. When all the oil is yellow in colour and has a herby smell, it’s done. Strain through a coffee filter or piece of cloth into a large measuring jug. This oil is now an infused herbal oil.

To each 1/4 litre of infused oil ( You’ll lose some in the straining process ), add 60gm of the bees wax. Heat the oil and beeswax together over very low heat until the beeswax is completely melted. Do not allow to boil or burn. Test the consistency by placing 1 tablespoon of the mixture in the freezer for 1-2 minutes until cool. If it seems too thin, add a little more beeswax; if too thick, add a little oil. Remove from the heat.Quickly add the essential oils. Pour into clean glass containers and cover. Cool to room temperature.

This will help heal a multitude of kid scrapes! Love to hear from anyone else who has used similar and your comments.

Have a great day!

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc.

Anxiety – Some More Ways for Relief

Anxiety is fast becoming the most suffered mental health condition in the western world folks!

Anxiety is something I am successfully helping people beat on a daily basis in my humble little clinic! There are lots of ways to beat this naturally and here are a few more. The following may help you keep anxiety at bay.

Avoid Stimulants

Various common stimulants increase anxiety by activating the adrenal glands. When used regularly, such stimulants contribute to adrenal exhaustion. These include caffeine as well as caffeine containing herbs such as Guarana and Kola nuts. Ephedra is another stimulant herb that can dramatically increase anxiety.

Improve Diet & Nutrition

Deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals have all been seen and associated with anxiety. These include the B group Vitamins, Vitamins C, E, Calcium, Magnesium, phosphorus, Pottasium, Selenium and Omgea 3, 6 fatty acids as well as protein and all essential amino acids. The stress of long term anxiety will increase your need for these nutrients. Consider a test to see if you are deficient in these nutrients from your nutritionist, naturopath or dietician especially if your diet has not been good.

Work It All Out

Exercise is one of the best anxiety management techniques. It can stimulate the brain to produce it’s own calming chemicals. Because anxiety prepares the body for physical exertion, exercise may help dissipate those hormones in the most appropriate way. Any physical activity can be effective, but aerobic actitivity like walking briskly, running, cycling, swimming etc can be beneficial.

These are evryday approaches that help but by far the best way to eliminate anxiety at it’s root causes is NES therapy. This is simply the best way I have come across. To book an appointment or read more, go here www.craighitchenstherapies.com .Feel free to add your comments about how you have dealt with your anxiety.

Have a great day!

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc.

Angina – Nutrition to Help

G’day folks!

Angina is a commonly suffered condition by many in western society and whilst as a serious medical condition, it is best treated by a qualified doctor, naturopathy has some role to play in prevention and management.

People’s diets who are habitually deficient in certain nutrients tend to be more prone to heart diseases. In addition to overhauling your own eating habits, you may want to consider consultiing with a naturopath, nutritionsit or dietician about supplementing your diet with some braod spectrum vitamins. Meanwhile, supplementing your diet with the following three nutrients can help if you experience angina.

Bromelain

Made from certain enzymes in pineapple, bromelain has anti-inflammatory effects, stops platelets form sticking together and has been shown in studies to break down arterial plaques and ease angina. Typical dosage is 250-500mg three times daily on an empty stomach just before eating. Caution though as it can very occassionally cause an upset stomach- just like eating too much pineapple can!

L-Carnitine

This amino-acid is involved with energy production at the cellular level. It increases the efficiency of oxygen use within the heart muscle; it also lowers cholesterol. In clinical studies, angina patients who took L-Carnitine could exercise more and when they exercised as much as they could, their ECG readings were improved. Typical dosage is 750-1500 mg per day in divided doses.

Coenzyme Q10

Like L-Carnitine, this vitamin like substance is involved with energy production in the cells. In one small study, patients with stable angina reduced their episodes of chest pain by more than half and the amount of time they could spend on the treadmill before experiencing chest pain increased by a full minute. Typical dosage is 150mg per day in divided doses.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has tried these and their experiences as well as any other that have worked for you so please feel free to leave a comment.

Have a great day!

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc.

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