The health and well-being industry is full of “shysters” and scam artists who feed on people’s desire to be fit, healthy, and to look good. It’s a shame, but true, so it is up to us to do our best to sift through the information and determine fact from fiction.
What many of these bogus companies do is to pick up on one or two ingredients, and then to include minute amounts of them in their products’ ingredients; so minute that they won’t make any actual difference.
Empowering you to make your own value judgments
In order to supply you with the information and knowledge that you need to be able to make your own evaluation of what works, and what does what, were going to run through 11 of the so called “heaviest hitters” of the natural product brigade when it comes to health and beauty.
Natural product # 1 – Argan Oil
Argan oil is used by the female population of Morocco. It is known as “liquid gold” and ladies swear by it in terms of helping to treat acne, relieve painful burns, and amongst other things, to combat psoriasis. Science still has to get to grips with the full potential of this stuff; but to give you the bottom line, it’s a rich source of linoleic acid, which is an excellent topical application for treating acne, and it also contains a good helping of vitamin E, which is reputed to be an antigen which can lessen scarring.
Natural product # 2 – Aloe Vera
Some of the properties of Aloe Vera are already legend, and it’s known for its inclusion in many hair shampoos and conditioners. But the gel itself (straight from the leaf) is also a magical skin treatment which moistens and nourishes skin, and can combat conditions such as dermatitis. Medical science has also confirmed that Aloe Vera speeds wound healing in rats, but is yet to follow up with tests on humans.
Natural product # 3 – Baking Soda
Baking Soda has been regarded as one of the “cure-alls” by many people over the years. Most of the fables regarding it are however quite true, and as well as being a great sink, bath, pot and pan cleaner, it is also wonderful for whitening your teeth, and saying goodbye to bad breath problems.
Natural product # 4 – Coconut oil
Coconut oil has really come under the spotlight recently with regard to its health benefits. It has super antimicrobial and antiseptic qualities for things like treating eczema and helping to eliminate acne. Coconut “pulling” (mouth washing with coconut oil) is renowned for teeth whitening and good mouth hygiene. The natural lipids that coconut contains also means that is also great at delaying the signs of skin aging.
Natural product # 5 – Green tea
Pretty well everyone knows about the antioxidant benefits of green tea, but perhaps not so many people will be familiar with the scientific evidence when used topically, it can be used to treat acne, repair UV damage from over-exposure to the sun, and speed wound healing. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties it is also able to help with minimizing the characteristic redness that is associated with rosacea.
Natural product # 6 – Honey
Antibiotics, and penicillin in particular, was only discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming and used for the first time in commercial medicine, (after 14 years in development), to cure a dangerously ill patient in 1942. But what did we do before that? The answer is that we relied on the antibiotic ability of honey. Science has confirmed what our ancestors knew all those years ago, that honey is a great wound dressing, and that it helps to clean wounds and speed healing. It also helps to minimize scarring.
Natural product # 7 – Olive Oil
Olive oil has long been hailed for its cardiac health benefits and as a staple of the Mediterranean diet. Medical research has now discovered that it also has the ability, when applied topically, to reduce the chances of skin tumors developing in rodents that have been over-exposed to the sun. Further research is being carried out into Olive Oil’s potential to participate in helping to minimize DNA damage in skin.
Natural product # 8 – Propolis
Propolis is another natural product associated with honey bees. They use this substance, (which is an antimicrobial resin), as a sterilizing agent inside their hives. Science is also carrying out further research into its propensity to slow down the proliferation of cancerous cells. When applied topically, Propolis is actually more antibacterial than that other honey bee product – honey. Many people also use it to treat cold sores.
Natural product # 9 – Shea Butter
Shea butter is made from the nut of the Shea tree which is native to the African continent. West African women have been using it for eons to take advantage of its anti-inflammatory properties. Research recently conducted by medical science has also found that the cinnamic acid contained in Shea Butter, can also be used to combat the results of UV damage to the skin.
Natural product # 10 – Vitamin C
Not much needs to be said about this particular vitamin. Its health benefits are many and well documented. However not many people are aware that thanks to the L-ascorbic acid that vitamin C contains, it helps to combat the damage that free radicals can impart, that it minimizes inflammation, lessens skin reddening, promotes wound healing, and reduces any fine wrinkling.
Natural product # 11 – Tee tree oil
Many people have in the past used benzoyl peroxide to try and fight acne. This product that has been associated with causing cancer, and that has actually been banned in Europe. Recent studies have found that Tea Tree Oil is just as effective at dealing with pimples. It may not act as speedily, but it gets the job done, and with fewer side effects.
Empowering you to achieve optimum health
Whatever you may hear or be told about products – be wary. Never take anything at face value until you’ve done a little bit of your own research. With the information contained in this article, we hope that we have empowered you with a little more knowledge and helped with that research.
Leave a reply