Natural remedies for healthy skin

In my never ending search for healthy and natural alternatives to everything for myself and for my customers, I have now stumbled upon some exciting new things to try. And - in my dedication to my customers and in the interest of pursuing the truth, I have decided to use myself as the guniea pig!

All the remedies below are reputed to give you glowing, rosy, beautiful skin! We all know that it matters what you put into your body and on your skin. So I thought this would be a great way to complement your healthy skin care regime!

Apple Cider Vinegar
The first natural remedy is organic, unpasteurised and unfiltered apple cider vinegar. It also contains the original fermenting agents (strangely called the "Mother")! It is supposed to be the fountain of youth, it is loaded with minerals, vitamins and enzymes, and even contains beneficial bacteria from the fermenting process. The vinegar is also supposed to make the body more alkaline (as most of us have too acidic bodies - leading to all sorts of illnesses and problems). Having antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties - this surely must be one of the great tonics of all time!

You only need to take about 2 tablespoons a day for this to take effect, they say! (The way to do this, is to take one tablespoon full in a small glass of water, then down it in one! Don't sip it over time, as the acid in the vinegar can damage tooth enamel with long and repeated exposure!) It tastes mildly of vinegar and is not unpleasant.

Other uses: drink strong to cure sore throat, pour slightly diluted over hair to balance scalp PH and to make hair lovely and shiny. Spray on itchy spots on body. Drinking it can apparently also really improve arthritis. Can also be used for cleaning, as a softener for laundry and very diluted in water to pets and other animals!

Molasses
The second remedy is Blackstrap molasses. Being the leftover cane sugar juice from sugar making, this is loaded with minerals and vitamins. It is also supposed to be a real booster and will reputedly make your skin lovely and rosy (and banish acne), and could even help boost iron levels (and most women in their fertile years, as well as children can be low in iron! One of the West's most common deficiences!). It tastes at once a little salty and sweet, with a side taste similar to liquorice! (Which I love - so taking this is no hardness!) . You are supposed to take one teaspoon a day!

Oil pulling
Remedy three is by far the strangest. It comes from the Ayurvedic tradition, and is supposed to really purify the system. You do this by pouring a little oil (cold pressed, organic) into your mouth! Then you swish it round the mouth and your try to pull it through your teeth. The longer you do this, the better results. (20 minutes is recommended). The oil will eventually mix with your saliva and become an opaque solution. Make sure you rinse your mouth and the basin well when you spit the solution out (some people recommend spitting it out in the toilet to avoid having toxins in the sink). This practice is supposed to make your skin glow, your skin's pores might reduce in size, it will give you whiter teeth, the bags under your eyes will reduce and you will feel more energetic!

Well I have been doing all three for one week now, and I am pleased to report the following. (and because I was so eager to try all three at the same time, I cannot tell you which one does what - so you'll just have to try it out yourself).

My skin is definately rosier, the pores are smaller, the breakouts are fewer. The bags under my eyes are almost gone, and the trace of blue seems to have vanished! My skin really has taken on a new look!

I quite like doing all three, none are unpleasant, all are really natural and they are not time consuming (apart from the oil pulling - but I do that whilst busy with something else!). I have felt quite tired in the mornings, as if I am detoxing, but that could be anything! I will report back on long term effects.

Oils for the oil pulling are available from most health food shops, but make sure you use really good quality cold pressed oils (toasted sesame oil is a no, no!!). Good oils to use are: sesame oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, olive oil, safflower oil. Use one oil for a few weeks, then swap to another one, that way you are constantly providing new essential fatty acids to your body.
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Blackstrap molasses can also be found in most health food shops. Make sure it is blackstrap, as that means it is higher in iron!

Finally - the apple cider vinegar can be a bit more hard to find. Try googling "apple cider vinegar with mother" and see if you can find a supplier near you. Alternatively - contact us - as we have a very good supplier and can sell you some of ours!

Do let me know if you try any of the above, as I would love to hear your feedback!

For more info of any of the above remedies, visit http://www.earthclinic.com/

Of course please also take a look at our Natural Skin Care Products.

In health,

Elin