A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #35: Use Raw Honey to Heal Wounds & Prevent Scars

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Image by Scott Baue via Wikimedia Commons

Raw honey has fantastic antibacterial properties that can keep small wounds clean, speed their healing, and prevent scars. Recent clinical and lab studies have found that a bit of raw honey can effectively treat small cuts and burns as well as store-bought treatments.

The next time you come home with scratches from gardening, nicks from hiking, or small burns from cooking, reach for the honey. Just clean your wound gently with simple soap and water, pat dry, and spread on the golden bliss. If your wound needs to be covered, apply gauze. Reapply the honey when you change the dressing, once a day until healed.

Stuff to Know:

• If you are severely wounded, bleeding, dizzy, or otherwise unstable, please see a doctor immediately.
• Make sure your hands are clean and free of debris, grease, and other residue before applying honey to any wound.
• Be extraordinarily gentle!

Do you ever use honey for its antibacterial properties?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #34: Practice Savasana (Corpse Pose)

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If you’ve ever taken a yoga class or practiced to a video, you are already familiar with the pose known as Corpse Pose, or Savasana (shah-VAHS-uh-nuh) in Sanskrit. Those of you who aren’t familiar with Savasana might be able to relate to it as Lying on the Floor with Your Eyes Closed Pose.

It looks, and often feels, like a nap. A nice little doze at the end of your practice. In fact, I’m willing to bet that every long-time yoga practitioner has drifted to sleep at least once during Savasana.

That, of course, is wonderful! But Savasana is more than just sleepytime on your mat. It’s a real pose, with real alignment that you may want to consider the next time you flop into it. If you’re new to Savasana, just follow the instructions below. If you’re new to yoga, period, you might find Savasana a very welcoming introductory pose.

Benefits of Savasana (Corpse Pose)

Many yoga traditions actually consider Savasana to be the most important pose in yoga. That’s because deep relaxation allows your body to fully process and assimilate all of the benefits from practicing yoga poses and breathing exercises. But it’s also beneficial any time of the day, after or before any activity. When your body relaxes, your parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”) kicks into gear, counteracting the dis-ease caused by overstimulation of the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) nervous system.

Some of the benefits of this deep relaxation include:

• Lowered blood pressure
• A decreased heart rate
• Slowed rate of respiration
• Decreased muscle tension
• Decreased metabolic rate
• Reduced occurrence of headaches
• Relief from fatigue and insomnia
• Reduced nervous tension
• Relief from anxiety and panic attacks
• Increased overall energy levels
• Increased productivity
• Improved concentration and memory
• Clear-headedness and a sense of focus
• Heightened self-confidence

The mind-body benefits are plentiful! But deep relaxation can be elusive to some people who find it hard to soften the mental chatter of everyday life. Just remember: like any yoga pose, Savasana takes practice. Try 2 minutes of Savasana a day and work your way up to 5 minutes or longer. Set a timer if you need to. As you become accustomed to relaxing, you will become more aware of those grace-filled moments of peace and stillness in your everyday life.

Stuff to Know:

• This post is not intended as medical advice. If you are suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, an eating disorder, severe sleep disruption, or any other mental state that is causing concern to you or your loved ones, please seek the help of a professional.
• Savasana should be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, standard medical and therapeutic procedures.

How to practice Savasana (Corpse Pose):

1. Set a timer for the duration of your practice: 2 to 5 minutes; up to 30 minutes if you have the time.
2. Lie on the floor on a yoga mat or blanket. You can place a bolster or pillow beneath your knees for extra low back support.
3. Close your eyes.
4. Adjust your position so your body is in a straight line from your tailbone to the crown of your head. This may take some wiggling. Wiggle until your spine is straight.
5. Rest your arms alongside your body, with your hands about eight inches outside of your body. Turn your palms up.
6. Let your feet drop open about eight inches apart. Feel your bones sink into the mat. As you allow your pelvic cavity to relax, your feet might drop open even further. Let them.
7. Breathe naturally. Do not force your breath or try to control it.
8. Relax your face, jaw, and tongue. Let your eyes drop deeply into their sockets.
9. Let peace and stillness wash over and through you.
10. Completely let go.
11. When your alarm goes off, gently roll to one side and take a few deep breaths. Then, gently press yourself up into a seated position. Take a few deep breaths of transition, and open your eyes.

Do you practice Savasana outside of your yoga class?

Do you have any other tips for deep relaxation?

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies

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These delicious little treats were inspired by the Peanut Butter Graham No-Bake Thumbprint Cookies over at Little Bitty Bakes, with one big change: they’re baked! Actually, I made two versions, one baked and one no-bake. They’re both scrumptious, but my sweetie and I both liked the baked version just a teensy bit better.

PB&J Cookies: No-Bake Version

Remember, though, that we live in San Francisco, where the temperature rarely peaks above 70F, even during this Hottest Summer on Record. If you’re in any other part of the US right now, you’re probably scorching, and the thought of turning on your oven makes you want to scream. In that case, go for the no-bake version! They truly are tasty.

I would love to try these with almond butter or sunflower seed butter. Crushing the graham crackers also gives me some ideas for other “crushable” foods that would make a good cookie base, like Rice Krispies, perhaps, though I’m not sure how much nut butter they would soak up. Guess I’ll just have to try!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies (baked)

With just 4 ingredients, these are incredibly easy to make and in a very short time, you’ll have a yummy batch of cookies ready to share. If you try these or a variation, I’d love to hear your results!

UPDATE 8/17/12 9:44am: I originally called these vegan because I personally don’t consider honey vegan ~ although I know many people do. So… vegan or not, they’re still yummy!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies

Ingredients for about 2 dozen cookies

• 2 cups crushed graham crackers
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup honey
• Jam / jelly / preserves in your favorite flavor

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (or skip this step!).
2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter, and honey.
3. Hand-roll into 1-inch balls with your hands, place on a cookie sheet, then flatten each one slightly. Press your thumb or index finger into the center to make an indentation.
4. Spoon jelly into the indentation of each cookie.
5. If you’re making the no-bake version, stick in the fridge for 1-2 hours to firm up. Otherwise, bake for 8 minutes.
6. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes to firm up. Enjoy!

Adjust the recipe as necessary for your needs and tastes. You can determine the nutritional content of your final product using Recipe Calculator.

Is it scorching hot right now where you live?

Do you have a favorite baked or non-baked cookie recipe? Share it!

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #33: Walk There

Image by Keith Edkins via Wikimedia Commons

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

One simple tip this week: walk on your errands

How many times have you set out on a quick errand a mile or two away (or less), only to spend 15 minutes parking and sitting at stoplights? Consider the benefits of walking, instead. Stuff a Chico Bag in your pocket, bundle up or bring an umbrella if necessary, and get outside! If you’re like many of us, you already spend several hours a day sitting. Why add more when you don’t need to?

Why walk?

Besides boosting your metabolism, endurance, and spirits, a walk a day can fend off heart disease, diabetes, and other dis-ease.

As we’ve seen earlier this year, recent research has shown that the more time you spend sitting, the more likely your health will suffer as a result. Getting off your butt and walking to the grocery store, cleaners, restaurant, bank, or library provides too many benefits to argue: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and even financial and environmental benefits.

A short walk can help to clear your mind, boost your mood, and re-connect you with nature or with your spiritual practice. Walking saves gas money, doesn’t pollute, and helps you to relax, calm down, and even sleep better.

You don’t have to buy or wear new clothes or shoes. High heels can throw your body off balance and cause pain, but if you can walk in ‘em and find them comfortable, don’t let me stop you from trying. Just move. That’s what matters.

If you’re physically unable to walk, or if you live in a rural area where “quick errands” are ten miles away, you might consider getting outside once a day, anyway. The benefits of fresh air alone will be worth it!

Do you walk to your errands?

Do you ever walk in high heels?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #32: Make a Strawberry Face Mask for Oily Skin

Photo by Brian Prechtel.Ellmist via Wikimedia Commons

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

Here in North America, we’re nearing the end of summertime and strawberry season. But we’re also in some of the hottest days of the year, which can sometimes cause oily skin and breakouts. Fortunately, it’s easy to take advantage of late-summer strawberry harvests to make a simple face mask that will control oil and clear up blemished skin!

These delicious berries contain salicylic acid, a fruit acid that acts as an astringent and bacteria-figher, to help clear up zits and clean away excess oil.

In addition, egg whites help to tighten and tone the skin, and honey’s antibacterial properties help to ensure a blackhead-free face (or chest, back, or other body part!).

This mask is textured, as well, making it a nice exfoliator to scrub away dead skin cells and reveal a glowing, vibrant complexion!

As always, it’s best to use organic and fresh strawberries, eggs, and honey ~ all of which can be found in almost any natural food store or farmer’s market.

Stuff to Know:

• If your skin is also sensitive, add plain yogurt to your mask.
• Use this mask right after making it; do not store it for future use.
• Spot test any products or ingredients before using any homemade products on your face, head, or body, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation and/or allergies.

Strawberry Face Mask for Oily or Blemished Skin

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
• 1 egg white
• 2 tsp. honey

To Make:

1. Hull the strawberries, slice them, then place in a bowl and mash with a fork until pulpy.
2. Add the egg white and mix well.
3. Drizzle in the honey and stir until just incorporated.

To Use:

1. Remove all makeup (try using coconut oil).
2. Using  small, circular movements, apply the strawberry mixture to your T-zone and cheeks, or just to your blemished or oily areas. Avoid the eye area.
3. Leave on for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse well with tepid water.
5. Apply moisturizer or face cream afterward, as needed.

Have you ever used strawberries in your beauty routine?

Do you use strawberries in your cooking or baking?