Should You Shampoo More or Less?

You may WANT to wash your hair every day, after all.
Image: Shutterstock

Chances are, you’ve heard from your hairdresser that you should not be washing your hair every day. 

However, this version of shampooing best practices was originally developed when all shampoos were heavily detergent-based and wreaked havoc on people’s hair and scalp. Nowadays, shampoo formulas have changed, and there are many sulfate-free shampoos and cleansing conditioners on the market. 

So does the old "don't shampoo every day" rule still apply? Well, it depends.

There is a new market trend of paying a lot more attention to the scalp instead of just the hair. In general, a clean scalp is a healthy scalp because it’s the starting point by which you support optimal follicular function. Our scalps are the bedrock of the follicle, which means that you can’t grow your best head of hair if the scalp is covered in oil, sweat and debris all the time. 

There has been a longstanding notion that the natural oils your scalp produces leads to more beautiful, healthier hair. This can still be true, especially for those with curly hair that needs a little more oil to not frizz out. However, much of the dirt and other things that you see come off your face when you wash it at night are also on your hair and scalp.  The scalp has a whole set of needs that are separate from your hair's needs. For optimum hair growth, it is vital to balance the stressors on your skin.

This doesn’t mean it’s necessary to shampoo every day--but washing more often can absolutely contribute to a healthier scalp, especially with the right product. Avoid harsh ingredients and detergents which can be found in many shampoo products. Even if shampooing everyday isn’t for you, adding an extra wash in here and there might actually do you more good than harm. Hey, all the better excuse to allow yourself that splurge on pricy shower products, right? :)

Do you shampoo your hair often, or prefer the less-is-best method? What are your best tips or products for a healthy scalp and hair?

14 Natural Mosquito Repellents

Did you know that some herbs and oils act as natural mosquito repellents?
Image: VancityAllie.com / Flickr CC

Did everyone have an enjoyable holiday weekend? I spent mine taking a few well-deserved days off and heading up to a secluded cabin to reunite with friends and family. As much as I love the city, there’s just something about isolation that is so refreshing from time to time. I grew up in a smaller city but spent much of my time outdoors listening to the birds, crickets, the wind rattling the sagebrush. Sometimes in the city, it’s hard to notice those things because there’s so much else going on.

One thing that I’m not fond of, however, is mosquitoes. How is it that these tiny annoying insects manage to reside en masse at all my vacation locations? Luckily, I don’t generally get eaten alive like some others do, but I did get a few bites over the weekend.

Did you know that there are a number of essential oils that act as natural mosquito repellent? They may not be quite as effective as rubbing 100% DEET on your skin, but they certainly eliminate many of the risks associated with DEET (and can safely be used on children – unlike anything more than 30% DEET). Next time you’re out in the woods, try using these oils as a way to naturally repel mosquitoes:

1. Peppermint
2. Citronella
3. Clove
4. Lemongrass
5. Rosemary
6. Tea Tree
7. Cajeput
8. Eucaliptus
9. Cedar
10. Catnip
11. Lavender
12. Mint
13. Cinnamon
14. Thyme

The above oils can be combined to your preference with ingredients like water and witch hazel to create mosquito repellent – try some of these recipes! Sometimes something as simple as burning a citronella candle or growing certain plants can help discourage mosquitos from hanging around.

How do you keep the mosquitos away?

Oh Coconut Oil, Where Have You Been All My Life?

What can you use coconut oil for? Oh, let me count the ways!
Image: Shutterstock

Perhaps I’m a bit behind the times, but I only just recently discovered coconut oil. Actually, I was introduced to it about a year-and-a-half ago during a vegan cooking class, but I didn’t make an effort to really try it out until a few weeks ago. And now, I can’t help but wonder why it’s only just crossed my radar—because it’s kind of amazing.

While I tried it out cooking acorn squash (with this salad, which I want to eat ALL THE TIME), it can pretty much be used for, well, anything. Here are just a few ways in which you can utilize this amazing oil, which is extracted from ripe coconuts (Note: you’ll want “virgin” or “refined” coconut oil because it’s non-hydrogenated):

1. As cooking oil. It can be cooked at very high temperatures, with a smoke point of 450°F. It’s also has medium-chain triglycerides, which are easier on your digestive tract.
2. As a daily energy supplement.
3. As coffee creamer.
4. As lotion.
5. As makeup remover.
6. To prevent stretch marks or lighten age spots.
7. As a topical treatment for yeast infections.
8. As a hair de-frizzer.
9. As a natural conditioner.
10. To soothe skin conditions like eczema.
11. With apple cider vinegar as a natural lice treatment.
12. In homemade sunscreen.
13. In various (delicious) recipes, savory and sweet.
14. To help regulate the thyroid.
15. As a natural diaper cream.
16. To condition and soften shiny leather.
17. In a salt scrub.
18. To help soothe a sore throat.
19. As a natural deodorant.
20. To soothe skin issues and hot spots on pets.

These are just twenty examples to show you a wide variety of possibilities. Check out this blog entry on WellnessMama.com for a list of 101 uses of coconut oil. It’s really amazing what one natural product can provide! Have you tried coconut oil? How do you use it? Are there any of the above options you’re planning on trying?

5 Natural Remedies for Low Energy

You all know (or should know) by now that I love my coffee. It wasn’t all that long ago that I was an only tea kind of girl. But I suppose that the passing of time and the entering of adulthood—AKA bills-to-pay time—is what got me started on regular old Joe. Coffee is incredibly cheap when Starbucks isn’t your lifeline, and when made right, coffee has a rich flavor like nothing else.

But some mornings, I just don’t feel like coffee. Maybe I want a cup of tea instead, or maybe I just want to enjoy my breakfast with a glass of water or milk. It always sounds like a great idea until, 45 minutes later, I’m still not awake (but of course, I’m at work). I wouldn’t say I’m completely dependent on coffee to wake up every morning, but when I get less than nine hours of sleep, I certainly am.

I still want to have those coffee-free mornings, though, so that got me to thinking—What can I do to naturally energize myself when I don’t drink coffee? Or, for those times when despite the coffee, I’m still low energy. Here’s what I found out:

Light—I know light is definitely not the first thing I want to see in the mornings, but it’s one of the best natural ways to wake up. Opening blinds or getting a quick breath of fresh air can really help wake you up.

Morning yoga—Take just a few minutes to stretch your muscles and get the blood flowing. There are some great morning yoga poses that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to go, like these:

 

Get your protein in—Eating a breakfast rich in protein will help your brain cells function properly, meaning it’ll help wake you up and suppress cravings for, I don’t know, cupcakes, throughout the day.

H2O for the win—Drink lots of water to stay hydrated during the day. Skimping on water dehydrates your body and brain, and can make you feel drowsy as well. If you start feeling sleepy, drink a glass of water to see if it helps.

Get out of bed at the first alarm—I am so bad at this one, but I’m trying to get better. I currently have a first alarm set with a second that goes off fifteen minutes later. The original idea was that if I accidentally fell back asleep, I’d have that second alarm ready to wake me up. Unfortunately, it’s become more of a regularity for me to just doze off right after Alarm #1—and even though those extra few minutes sound so appealing at the time, it actually leaves me feeling more tired when I finally do get up.

Beauty Spotlight: Lemons

Lemon can help skin, hair, teeth, and more.
Image: Shutterstock

 I’m always looking for ways to incorporate natural ingredients into my beauty regime (not that it’s much of a regime, per se). For some reason, the thought of using nature’s pure ingredients to boost beauty appeals a heck of a lot more than buying some product with 5,000 ingredients that I can’t even begin to pronounce. Call me crazy, but that’s just how I feel.

We’ve already talked about the incredible benefits olive oil has for your skin. Now let’s get down and dirty with another natural ingredient: lemons! Besides cooking with lemon, you can also use it on your skin, teeth, and more. So, how does it all work? Check it out:

It’s Alive! Fruits and Veggies Don’t Have to Be On the Vine to Live

Research showed that cabbage still responded to light
patterns after a week on the shelf.
Image: Shutterstock

Think those fruits and veggies on the grocery store shelves have already died? Think again.  Two studies out of Rice University from researcher Janet Braam and company have shown that not only do fruits and vegetables change their physiology in line with circadian rhythms, but they also continue to do so even after being picked.

Circadian rhythms are, essentially, our biological clocks. Our brains and bodies respond to the oscillation of the circadian rhythm, which is on a 24-hour clock. Changes in the circadian rhythm determine when our sleep drive is greatest, when we are hungriest, signals hormone production, and more. Circadian rhythm is strongly linked to the light-dark cycle of the day, and can even be affected by external signals like exercise. All living beings—humans, plants, animals, and even fungi—have a circadian rhythm.

Essential Home Remedies: Sinuses

Welcome to the third part of my “Essential Home Remedies” series of articles. I’ve already talked about skincare (here) and stomach problems (here), and today we’re moving up to the head area to talk about sinuses. Got one of these problems? Check out these awesome remedies:

Cold or Flu: Been there, done that. But I never knew that grapefruit could make a difference. Yep, that delicious pink fruit can help you feel way better in no time. Cut a grapefruit into quarters (don’t peel it), place it in a pot filled with water, and heat it to just under a boil. Stir, adding a tablespoon of honey. Pour the mixture into a mug and drink it as a cup of tea. There is vitamin C and flavonoids in the fruit and rind that will help boost your immune system. Plus, the honey and warmth will make your sore throat feel better.

Fresh grapefruit tea will help boost your immune system and make your throat feel better.
Image: prevention.com

Nasal Congestion: The key to getting rid of nasal congestion is getting out any mucus or pollen that might be clogging it up. This can be done using a nasal saline solution from the store, or with a homemade one. Just dissolve a teaspoon of salt in one cup of water, then use a bulb syringe to squirt the liquid up each nostril. This should provide some instant relief, even if it doesn’t make your cold or allergies go away.

Seasonal Allergies: Itchy eyes, runny noses, and sneezing sure have a way of ruining the beautiful spring weather. While there’s no “cure” for seasonal allergies, sufferers can get some relief by using butterbur supplements three times per day. Researchers in Switzerland found that the butterbur worked just as well as antihistamines but didn’t have the side effect of drowsiness.

As with the previous articles on home remedies, these are just suggestions to consider. Before treating yourself, be sure to consult with your doctor or other licensed health professional.

Essential Home Remedies: Stomach

Last week, I talked about several easy home remedies to treat minor skin ailments like rashes and acne. This week, I’d like to go down that same road but for internal problems instead. When you’ve got a stomachache or suddenly find yourself feeling nauseous, it’s not convenient to make a trip to the store. Keep these items around the house for an all-natural solution to your problems.

Ginger root can calm an upset stomach.
Image: Shutterstock

Nausea: It happens to the best of us: you’re doing fine and then all of a sudden you’re not. You’re nauseous and uncomfortable. No Pepto Bismol to save you? Try sugar—that’s mostly what OTC remedies are made up of, anyway. Have some sugary syrup (like from a can of fruit) or drink some (flat) soda. Ginger and peppermint are also natural stomach settlers, so having a ginger ale, chewing some fresh ginger, or even eating a Peppermint Patty can help.

Diarrhea: No one like to talk about it, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. If you’ve got a case of the runs, try making some tea with pomegranate skin in it. Steep about 1 tablespoon in a cup of boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Oak bark works, too, if you boil for 3 minutes then let it steep for 30 minutes. Drink 2 tablespoons 4-6 times per day. Why do these remedies work? They contain tannins, which promote the production of mucus in the stomach lining and protect it from further irritation.

Pomegranate skin tea can help treat diarrhea.
Image: Shutterstock

Food Poisoning: If you’ve got food poisoning, you’ll need something to absorb the toxins. Brew some black tea and make some burned toast. Tannic acid and charcoal (the burned part on the toast) will help soak up those toxins and get you feeling better faster. However, if you have extreme food poisoning, go see the doctor.

Hangover Queasiness: Alcohol drains your body, dehydrates it, and generally makes it unhappy. If you wake up after a night of drinking and feel sick, try drinking a cup of tomato juice with a bit of Tabasco sauce. Sounds suspiciously like a Bloody Mary, I know, but hear me out. The antioxidants in the tomato juice and Tabasco will get your liver going again and supplies your body with much-needed antioxidants to kick-start the recovery process.

Has anyone tried these remedies? I keep ginger tablets on hand for queasiness, and I’ve used sugar to help relieve nausea before. Be sure to let me know if there are any other natural remedies you use for upset stomachs—who knows, maybe I’ll add them onto the list!

Stay tuned for the next part of this series: Sinus and Throat. I’ve got a few more home remedies to share that I think you’ll all appreciate. And with spring in full swing, natural allergy remedies will be ever so useful!

Remember that these are just suggestions to consider. Before treating yourself, be sure to consult with your doctor or other licensed health professional. Be sure to share your natural remedy experiences in the comments below!

Can Acupuncture Help Fight Allergies?

Seasonal allergies start earlier than they used to

Image: Shutterstock

I don’t suffer from allergies (thank goodness), but I’m pretty sure that puts me in the minority of people. My mother gets terrible hay fever and I can remember her having to pull the car over when I was a child because she couldn’t stop sneezing. Colleagues of mine often seem sick, but when I ask, the response is always the same:

“It’s just allergies.”

Spring allergies are always the worst, with new flowers blooming, pollen and seeds being released into the air. And with global temperatures rising, spring seems to come earlier every year—which means allergies come early, too. It’s not quite March yet, but many are already feeling the first hints of spring allergies.

Lots of people suffer from seasonal allergies

Image: Shutterstock

A study from Germany, published in Annalsof Internal Medicine, has suggested that seasonal allergies may be treated using acupuncture. Participants in the study were placed into one of two groups and either 1) given acupuncture over eight weeks alongside Zyrtec, or 2) given “fake” acupuncture over eight weeks alongside Zyrtec.

Researchers for the study commented that the results were statistically significant and showed that acupuncture did have a positive effect on those who received treatment. However, the statistical results may not translate well practically. Researchers did acknowledge that “no effect of active treatment on individual symptom severity could be shown.”

Heather Rice, a licensed acupuncturist at the University of California Ivine’s Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine, says she’s seen acupuncture in action—and believes it works.

Acupuncture might help with seasonal allergies

Image: Shutterstock

“One thing I notice almost immediately is that in just 30 minutes, they [patients] say, ‘Oh my God, I can actually breathe,’” she said. “I don’t want to say it’s 100 percent, but with at least 8 out of 10 people, their noses will open up. They can breathe better, and they’re not as congested.”

Whereas Western medicine requires that allergy sufferers take regular doses of antihistamines, those who favor acupuncture say that treatments are just once a week.

Unfortunately, this new study is inconclusive. Follow up will need to be conducted to determine just how helpful acupuncture really is. Thus far, there is not a wealth of scientific evidence in its favor—but that certainly doesn’t mean that it’s not effective, just that we haven’t proved anything yet.

For now, if you have an effective treatment for allergies, then that may be the best route. But if not, it couldn’t hurt to give acupuncture a try. After all, some people have sworn by its effectiveness.  

Mirror, Mirror on the… Hey, Is That a Wrinkle?!

Wrinkles: at some point in our lives, we’ll all get them. It’s a natural part of aging and goes along with the degradation of collagen in our bodies. And while we will inevitably find more and more wrinkles on our hands and faces as we age, there are a few things research has taught us over the years that may help slowwrinkles down.

Getting wrinkles is a natural part of aging.

Image: Shutterstock

The number one cause of wrinkles is sun. That means if you’re set on spending all summer, every summer out in the sunlight getting your tan on, you’ll likely see more wrinkles sooner than those who work hard to protect their skin. Need proof? Last summer a story was featured on the NY Post about a trucker who spent 28 years on theroad with half his face in the sun. You can literally see the difference sun makes by looking at one half of his face as compared to the other.

Pulling all-nighters takes its toll as well. When your body doesn’t get enough sleep, it produces and excess of cortisol, which breaks down skin cells. When you do get enough sleep, your body produces Human Growth Hormone (HGH) instead, which keeps your skin healthy and thick. Furthermore, if you always sleep on the same side or on your stomach, you may eventually develop permanent sleep lines on your face that don’t go away.

Half of this trucker's face is badly damaged from sun
Image from nypost.com

What you eat affects wrinkles as well. Whole foods boost collagen, while processed and sugary foods do the opposite. Foods like salmon, which contains plenty of fatty acids, helps keep skin supple and smooth. Soy has also been found to help improve firmness. Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables (especially berries and dark leafy greens) also help fight any skin damage you may have. Green and black teas also include antioxidants to help slow collagen degradation.

Have you ever noticed that men and women who are physically fit seem to age slower? That’s because building muscle tone through strength training and yoga helps prevent sagging and delivers oxygen throughout your body (including to your skin!).

Being happy leads to fewer wrinkles.

Image: Shutterstock

When skin gets dry, it cracks, bleeds—and wrinkles. Drinking enough water keeps skin moisturized and clean. Moisturizers with peptides in them also help keep skin healthy, so check your ingredients list. Moisturizer should be applied just after washing skin because the dampness can help lock in more moisture. If you’ve already noticed some wrinkles appearing, try a retinol cream. Dabbing on a small amount can help repair skin and reduce wrinkles.

Last, but certainly not least, happiness and independence from chemical substances helps prevent wrinkles. Those who smoke or drink alcohol on a regular basis may develop more wrinkles than those who do not. Studies have also indicated that people who are optimistic about life and in a happy relationship also had fewer wrinkles and looked younger.