Striving4Zen

If the scent or the effects of chemical bug sprays worry you, why not go the natural way? Lavender is a wonderful natural bug repellent, and it smells fantastic, too. Try placing potted lavender and other herb plants near your doors to repel bugs from entering your home. When you're having a picnic or hosting an outdoor dinner party, set some bunches of dried lavender on your table to use as table décor and keep the insects away!

When the party is over, bring it up to your bedroom and place it on your nightstand: lavender is also known to improve sleep quality and promote relaxation.

Labels: bugs away, lavender, natural products

Contrary to what you might think, horsetail does not, in fact, come from a horse's ass. Horsetail, a plant that is fernlike in quality, has been used since ancient Greek and Roman times for medicinal purposes, such as healing cuts and treating tuberculosis.

As far as beauty is concerned, the extracts from the horsetail plant help stimulate the skin and the production of elastin and collagen and protect the skin from oxidation. Hence, you'll often find this ingredient in antiaging products. This restorative ingredient not only helps to tone the skin but is also used to help repair brittle fingernails.

Try Honeybee Gardens Odorless Nail Polish Remover ($7) or The Glacial Facial Masque ($34) by Alaska Glacial Mud Company.

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Labels: anti-aging, collagen, elastin, herbs, horsetail, natural products, natural therapy

Natural beauty care products maker Dr. Hauschka is turning down offers for new markets at a time when rivals are struggling to persuade consumers to pay up for cosmetics.

Surfing on a green wave of growing demand for organic products from food to furniture, WALA's natural remedies and beauty products are now available in more than 30 countries and keep attracting interest from distributors across the world.

"We have many requests, but we turn down most of them," WALA Chief Executive Johannes Stellmann told Reuters in an interview.

Finding sufficient high-quality ingredients and skilled staff are the main constraints to growth for WALA, which competes with brands like Weleda, Lavera, Logocos, Primavera and Santaverde in the global market for natural cosmetics.

The market has been growing about 16% annually over the past two to three years and generated sales of $6.9 billion in 2007, research and consulting company Organic Monitor said, expecting to see similar growth rates this year.

Full Article Here

Labels: Dr. Hauschka, health trend, natural products, skin care

Nutra-Lift Rejuvenating Therapy ($40). This well-priced product puts a lot of those $100-plus creams to shame. In addition to matrixyl 3000, this is chock with most of the anti-aging ingredients known to man. The collagen and elastin are from fish, so that should mean there’s no danger of estrogen (as there is if they have been derived from human or other animal cells). Also included is astraxanthin, which is supposed to be 100-500 times more powerful as an antioxidant than vitamin E. Pycnogenol is another antioxidant from the bark of the French maritime pine tree.

Ingredients in Nutra-Lift Rejuvenating Therapy

Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Matrixyl 3000 at 5% (Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 PAL KTTKS), Vitamin C ester, sea kelp / algae, liposomes, astraxanthin, grape seed extract, cetyl esters, nikkomulese, co-Q10, pycogenol, natural mixed tocopherals (vitamin e), anti-oxidant complex 14, natural firming complex (dmae, alpha lipoic acid) fruit flower complex 12, herbal complex 30, plant derived polysorbate 20, hydroxyethyl-cellulose, hyaluronic acid, copper peptide, marine collagen, marine elastine, organic royal jelly, Mexican yam, green tea, milk thistle, retinyl palmitate, ( vitamin A) ppgsmdi co-polymer., l-tyrosine, zinc sulfate, squalene, colloidal minerals.

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Labels: anti-aging, natural products, Nutra-Lift, product review, pycnogenol, skin care

Required time: About 30-40 minutes
Skill level: Goof-proof

Ingredients:
4 black tea bags
2 cups boiling water
Sponge or spray bottle

Optional:
Body lotion
Pure cocoa powder

Instructions:
When water has boiled, add the tea bags to steep. Leave in for 10-15 minutes, or until tea is dark and cool enough to touch.

In the meantime, take a shower to ensure your skin is oil- and sweat-free. Afterwards, make sure skin is completely dry.

Stand on something you don't mind getting dirty. If using a sponge, drench it in the tea and wipe all over your body. If using a spray bottle, fill it with tea and spray evenly. Let skin air-dry and apply another coat for a deeper shade.

Tea will stain clothes if wet, so make sure you're all dry before dressing. The "tan" should last 3-4 days.

Optional: For bonus color, mix cocoa powder into body lotion until you reach desired color and apply for an all-over bronzing boost.

THANKS!!

Labels: DIY, natural products, self-tanner

In the spirit of Earth Month, Emma Pazzack, founder of Futurenatural--an online beauty store hailed as an organic and natural Sephora--shares the top 5 reasons for using organic beauty products.

• Your skin absorbs up to 60% of what you apply to the surface. Using natural and organic beauty products is not a luxury - it's critical to your health.

• Organic ingredients create a less toxic environment for us, and the planet. In cosmetic formulations, chemical preservatives, petrochemicals, synthetic colors and fragrances are eliminated in favor of healthy, natural, effective alternatives.

• Organic cosmetics contain optimal amounts of bioactive ingredients that are a very important aid to the health of skin. Anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, oils (from seeds & nuts), fruit and vegetables, are powerful and effective tools in the fight against all skin problems!

• Organic has been proven to use less energy (on average, about 30% less), and is beneficial to soil, water and local habitat, not to mention safer for the people who harvest the crops.

• The natural scents & essential oils used in organic and natural beauty products have aromatherapeutic value - they don't just make you smell good, they make you feel good. Avoid using brands that list the smell of their product as 'fragrance' and do not disclose what that 'fragrance' is. Often this masks some very nasty chemicals!

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Labels: beauty, Futurenatural, natural products, organic skin care, preservatives, skin care

KINeSYS is a green company and their products are cruelty-free, the bottle is free of Bisphenol-A which means it can be recycled, and all of the company’s electricity is offset by wind-generated power.

KINeSYS has been voted #1 in a field of over 1000 sunscreen sprays, by the Environmental Working Group. KINeSYS sunscreen sprays are perfect for exercise because they are both sweat and water-resistant. They won’t clog pores, they are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. They contain no alcohol, oil, PABA (yay! no chemical burn), and no preservatives. They protect with a photo-stable Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection, with Parsol® 1789.

KINeSYS just launched a new product for girls. It’s SPF 30, has a light feel, dries quickly, and carries a lovely fragrance combination of vanilla and green tea. You can find KINeSYS SPF30 Girl Sunscreen or any of the other KINeSYS sun care products here.

Thanks!!

Labels: Bisphenol-A, cool new product, KINeSYS, natural products, skin care, sunscreen

• Argan oil, derived from the fruit of a tree that grows in Morocco, has been dubbed “liquid gold.” The vitamin E-rich oil can be found in a Kiehl's body lotion. Leslie S. Baumann, MD says Argan oil may improve skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis, wrinkles, and dry skin. She also recommends olive, safflower, walnut, avocado, and evening primrose oils for dry skin.
• Soy can help prevent pigmentation, Baumann says. Licorice, mulberry, and burberry extracts, along with Vitamin C from citrus fruits -- grapefruit, lime, lemon, and orange -- can also fade brown spots, Baumann says.
  
• Maitake mushrooms, found in Origins’ Plantidote, may help people with sensitive skin who suffer from rosacea and redness, she says. Chamomile, oatmeal, aloe vera, licorice, and cucumber extracts all have soothing properties; check out Jurlique products. Feverfew, a member of the sunflower family, also has calming properties.
  
• Rhodiola (or rhodeola), known as golden root, is native to the high Himalayas. In a recent study of people with sensitive skin, those treated with rhodiola extract reported improved skin sensation and less skin dryness. Origins' Youthtopia skin-firming lotion contains extracts.
• CoffeeBerry is harvested from the coffee cherry, the outer, fleshy casing of the coffee bean. It is said to possess antioxidant activity greater than pomegranates, berries, and green teas. In studies sponsored by Stiefel Laboratories, which owns the proprietory name, CoffeeBerry treatment improved the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation. Look for the Revaleskin brand.
• Resveratrol, a polyphenol from wine and grape skins, serves as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Animal studies suggest that resveratrol applied to the skin may help protect against harmful UV damage. The Caudalie line contains resveratrol.
• Green tea is rich in antioxidants, especially one that may curb UV skin damage, some studies have shown. Pomegranate products may also help protect against UV skin damage, according to other research.
• White tea is unfermented and uncured; only the young tips are used. Origins has a line called A Perfect World featuring white tea. In an industry-sponsored study, white tea extract was also shown to limit sunlight-incurred damage in human skin.

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Labels: argan oil, coffee, green tea, maitake mushrooms, natural products, resveratrol, rhodiola, skin care, soy, white tea

The NaTrue-Label provides guidance and reassurance to consumers worldwide.

It is:

• Quality driven: Highest standards in naturalness and performance
• Comprehensive: Distinction between Natural & Organic Cosmetics
• Open to all: Membership in NaTrue is not a condition for certification
• Not for profit: NaTrue’s sole interest is to provide guidance to consumers
• Transparent: Criteria are clear & publicly accessible

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Labels: certification, cosmetics, NaTrue Label, natural products, news, organic beauty, organics, personal care

With Beauty In Toxins Out Natural Beauty Collection, his new body care collection, Manhattan-based physician Dennis Gross is making a move few other clinical dermatologists do: heading into natural products.

“We felt that pursuing natural ingredients as antidotes to environmental aggressors made sense,” said Gross, who along with wife Carrie Gross, the firm’s president and CEO, runs the brand. “Our reality is that skin is bombarded daily with environmental pollutants and impurities of all types. We’d like to help reverse the damage done by these pollutants without adding more unnecessary chemicals to the mix.”

The line, which is vegan-friendly and free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, petroleum, mineral oil and paraffin, replaces harsher ingredients with those found in nature, said Dennis Gross. “There are a number of natural alternatives to these chemicals,” he said. “For instance, we’ve used blueberry seed for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, papaya as a gentle exfoliator and tea tree oil for its healing properties.”

The line includes five products. Antioxidant Enzyme Buff with Berry Seeds and Dead Sea Salt, $57 for 14.1 oz., uses cranberry seed for its polyphenols, blueberry seed for its anti-inflammatory properties and kelp for its iodine and amino acid content. Creamy Cleansing Polish with Jojoba Beads, $38 for 6.7 oz., is intended to exfoliate and moisturize skin with a cocktail of pomegranate, papaya, kelp and sweet almond oil, with tetrasodium EDTA as a chelating agent to prevent minerals from bonding to any of the other ingredients. Hydrating Body Emulsion with Aloe, $36 for 6.7 oz., uses sweet almond, jojoba seed, evening primrose, ylang-ylang and lavender oils with grape-seed extract and aloe leaf juice to moisturize, soften and soothe the skin.

Full article

Labels: blueberries, Dr. Dennis Gross, MD Skincare, natural products, new product, paraben-free, polyphenols, skin care

Labels: hair, hair-care, healthy hair, herbs, natural products, organic beauty

Peruvian research shows that Maca improves the function of neurotransmitters and increases libido, improves memory, and increases oxygen in the blood.

What is raw Maca powder?
Maca is a radish-like perennial that grows at high altitude in an environment of intense sunlight, high winds and freezing temperatures in the upper elevations of the Andes Mountains in Peru. Maca root was domesticated about 2000 years ago by the Incan culture who regarded the root as a very valuable commodity. Native Peruvians have traditionally utilized Maca since before the time of the Incas for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. Maca Root is an important staple in the diets of the people indigenous to the region since it has the highest nutritional value of any food crop grown there. The Root of the Maca plant is a true adaptogen with very positive and beneficial effects on the human body.

RAW MACA POWDER is HIGH OCTANE fuel for maximizing physical or emotional performance at home or on the job. Raise your daily vitality and sense of well being through the roof with this amazing superfood that restores and revitalizes our energy reserves by providing nourishment deep at the core of the body's endocrine system. This Amazing and potent Super-food is a gently dried and powdered raw organic root that tastes great can be used creatively in smoothies, deserts, drinks or straight into the mouth with a squirt of flax seed oil!

Partial list of benefits:
- Increase Physical Energy and Daily Stamina.
- Key Nutrients to Support Libido and Peak Sexual Functioning
- Helps Promote Physical and Emotional Well Being by Providing Key Nutrients for Hormonal Balance for Men and Women of All Ages
- Nutritional Support for Healthy Menopause Transition.
- Increase Mental Clarity and Focus

More about Maca

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Labels: Holistic Health, hormones, maca, maca root, natural health, natural products, neurotransmitters, Peru, superfoods

Magnesium and calcium

Magnesium and calcium are both sleep boosters, and when taken together, they become even more effective. Plus, by taking magnesium, you cancel out any potential heart problems that might arise from taking calcium alone. Take 200 milligrams of magnesium—lower the dose if it causes diarrhea—and 600 milligrams of calcium each night.

Wild lettuce

If you've suffered anxiety, headaches, or muscle or joint pain, you might already be familiar with wild lettuce. It's also effective at calming restlessness and reducing anxiety—and may even quell restless legs syndrome. When using a wild-lettuce supplement, take 30 to 120 milligrams before bed.

Hops

Beer fans will no doubt be familiar with the calming effect of hops, the female flowers used in beer making. For sleep purposes, though, this extract has been widely used as a mild sedative for anxiety and insomnia. Take 30 to 120 milligrams before climbing under the covers.

Aromatherapy

Lavender is the trick here, as studies have proven that it aids in sleep. It's also a cheap, nontoxic way to slip into a peaceful slumber. Find a spray with real lavender and spritz it on your pillow before bedtime. Or buy a lavender-filled pillow.

Melatonin

Melatonin is the hormone that controls sleep, so it's no wonder that it naturally induces sleep. Although some experts recommend taking higher doses, studies show that lower doses are more effective. Plus, there's concern that too-high doses could cause toxicity as well as raise the risk of depression or infertility. Take 0.3 to 0.5 milligrams before bed.

Yoga or meditation

Choose gentle yoga or stretching, not vigorous power or ashtanga yoga, which could energize you instead. Try easy yoga stretches in bed followed by simple meditation. Close your eyes and, for 5 to 10 minutes, pay attention to nothing but your breathing.

L-theanine

This amino acid comes from green tea and not only helps maintain a calm alertness during the day but also a deeper sleep at night. However, green tea doesn't contain enough L-theanine to significantly boost your REM cycles. Besides, you might then wake up to go to the bathroom. Instead, buy a brand called Suntheanine, which is pure L-theanine. (Other brands have inactive forms of theanine that block the effectiveness.) Take 50 to 200 milligrams at bedtime.

Valerian

Valerian is one of the most common sleep remedies for insomnia. Numerous studies have found that valerian improves deep sleep, speed of falling asleep, and overall quality of sleep. However, it's most effective when used over a longer period of time. One caveat? About 10% of the people who use it actually feel energized, which may keep them awake. If that happens to you, take valerian during the day. Otherwise, take 200 to 800 milligrams before bed.

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Labels: benefits of yoga, calcium, hops, l-theanine, magnesium, melatonin, natural products, natural therapy, sleep, valerian

Beauty Junkie just discovered REN Clean Bio Active Skincare, a line with 100% natural ingredients that’s even vacuum-sealed so as not to need preservatives.

You’ll be easily addicted to the weekly Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask (think serious radiant glow) as well as the Vita-Mineral Radiant Day Cream (delish rose scent) and the Active 7 Radiant Eye Maintenance Gel (a cooling fig gel). These products will help you begin 2009 fresh and au natural but there’s nothing granola about this green line! $45-$55

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Labels: natural products, new product, REN, skincare

Background Subclinical, chronic tissue inflammation involving the generation of cytokines (e.g., interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) might contribute to the cutaneous aging process.

Aims This study aims to screen for an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory (i.e., reduction of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and matrix-stimulating efficacy which improves the clinical signs of skin aging in vivo.

Results In vitro studies on human dermal fibroblasts and monocyte-derived dendritic cells supplemented with pure Arctiin showed relative to untreated control cells a stimulation of collagen synthesis and a decrease in interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration, respectively. In addition, topical in vivo application of an A. lappa fruit extract–containing formulation for 12 weeks significantly stimulated procollagen synthesis and increased hyaluronan synthase-2 expression as well as hyaluronan levels compared to vehicle-treated control areas. Similarly, after a 4-week treatment with an A. lappa fruit extract–containing formulation, wrinkle volume in the crow's feet area was significantly reduced as compared to treatment with the vehicle.

Conclusions Our data show that topical treatment with a natural A. lappa fruit extract significantly improves the metabolism of the dermal extracellular matrix and leads to a visible wrinkle reduction in vivo. In conclusion, A. lappa fruit extract represents a targeted means to regenerate dermal structures and, thus, offers an effective treatment option for mature skin.

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Labels: anti-aging, Arctium lappa fruit extract, burdock fruit, natural products, study

According to Allure, "The trend toward using natural ingredients was pioneered by perfumer and author Mandy Aftel."

In her book, Scents & Sensibilities: Creating Solid Perfumes for Well-Being (approximately $5), Aftel provides a "recipe" for creating your own solid perfume. While the talented perfume maker sells her Single Solids, Double Solids, and the ultra-luxe One-of-a-Kind Antique Cases on her website, you can create these thoughtful and easy gifts for your friends and loved ones on your own.

How-To Make 'Em

• In a beaker or small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil with 20 drops of essential oil. Example: 7 drops of ylang ylang and 13 drops of grapefruit. She recommends Whole Foods or your local health food store as a go-to place for inexpensive oils.
• Melt 1/2 teaspoon of grated beeswax over heat (she used a hot plate).
• Mix oils and wax together, then pour into a small container. Aftel recommends using antique cases, small tins, or lip balm jars — basically anything that closes with a latch, is not too deep, and is rounded in shape for easier finger scoopage. Your solid will set in about 10 minutes.

Great Essential Oil Combos

• Clary sage and rosewood.
• Patchouli with either rose, ylang ylang, or frankincense.
• Plain ol' vanilla extract will work, too — imitation not allowed.

Thanks Bella!

Labels: DIY, essential oils, Mandy Aftel, natural products, perfume

Maca is a nutritional powerhouse especially rich in iodine. It is a reliable protein source containing significant amounts of amino acids. The protein and calories in Maca are stable even after years of storage. It is also rich in complex carbohydrates and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. and iron. It contains vitamins B-1, B-2, B-12, C, and E and is a source of glycosid steroids.

Weight lifters and body builders are turning to Maca as a natural and safe alternative to anabolic steroids. The rich and diverse nutrient content of Maca explains its many traditional uses and why it is sought after today.

Unlike caffeine, Maca is a healthy choice for increasing energy because it is not a stimulant. The steady enhancement of both physical and mental energy makes Maca an ideal supplement for students, professionals, writers, athletes, and anybody else who needs a lift.

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Labels: caffeine, maca, natural products, steroids, stimulant

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce light cold-pressed vegetable carrier oil (such as apricot kernel).
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree or New Zealand tea tree (Manuka) essential oil
• 2 drops bergamot essential oil*
• 1 drops geranium essential oil

or without bergamot:

• 1 ounce light cold-pressed vegetable carrier oil (such as apricot kernel).
• 12 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree or New Zealand tea tree (Manuka) essential oil
• 1 drops geranium essential oil

Special Precaution: *Avoid exposure to the sun for at least 12 hours after applying this oil since bergamot is a phototoxic oil. There is a special version of bergamot that you can get called "bergaptene free" that eliminates the phototoxic properties of the oil.

Directions: Pour the selected carrier oil into a very clean bottle (amber glass is best) and then add the essential oils and tightly close the bottle. Roll the bottle to gently mix the oils for a minute or two. Apply a small amount to the face, neck or back, but be certain to avoid the eyes, lips, nostrils and inside the ears. Gentle roll the bottle before each use to ensure the essential oils are properly mixed.

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Labels: acne, essential oils, holistic healing, natural products, natural therapy

While there are plenty of organic and natural body care products for babies, products for older children are harder to come by.

Jason Natural Products is aiming to fill that void with its just-launched Kids Only collection.

“We realized that there weren’t a lot of products out there for kids aged three to 10,” said brand manager Catherine Blackwell. “We wanted to bring out a range of shampoos, conditioners and bath gels targeted to that age range.”

Jason, which is owned by The Hain Celestial Group, has been around since 1959. Jason is just one brand within Hain’s vast naturally-positioned personal care portfolio, which includes Earth’s Best, Avalon Organics, Alba Botanica and Zia Natural Skin Care.

Citing research that children’s skin is known to be 30% thinner than that of adults, Blackwell said the company wanted to bring out a line that was free of toxins, including parabens and other synthetic by-products. It is also wheat and gluten-free.

“We are just getting a sense of the market, reviewing the sales data and getting feedback from customers,” she said, adding that there would also be more additions to the Earth’s Best baby line.

Product prices range from $5.49 for the toothpaste to $8.99 for the shampoos and bath gels.

Blackwell agreed that it was especially important to keep prices reasonable given the current economic situation.

“Consumers are really educating themselves about what’s right for themselves and their families,” said Blackwell. “When it comes to products that are healthful and associated with wellness for their children, consumers are still interested in buying products that are free of irritants and are filled with ingredients that are good for the body.”

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Labels: Avalon Organics, Hain Celestial Group, Jason Natural Products, Jason's, natural products, new product, paraben-free

Labels: living holistically, natural products, organic skin care, salves, skin care, skincare