Monthly Archives: October 2009

How To: Clay Masks and Wraps

Who doesn’t like a bit of pampering?  How about some affordable but luxurious, do it yourself pampering?

Clay face masks and body wraps are just the ticket: wonderful and inexpensive ways to deeply cleanse the body, while improving the tone and texture of the skin.

You need a good quality clay, ideally a swelling clay as they are especially suited to drawing out toxins and impurities – and you can add some natural ingredients for greater enhanced benefits to the skin.

Why face or body masks?  In addition to a gentle daily cleanse, a  deep-cleansing treatment once to twice weekly is necessary to maintain glowing and healthy skin.  It can help remove lingering impurities, tighten the skin and shrink pores.  A clay face or body mask also stimulates circulation and brings blood to the surface of the skin, and with it nutrients and oxygen: everything the skin needs to keep that healthy glow!

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The Healing Benefits of Vitamin D and Sunlight

Now that we are heading towards summer in Australia, most of us think about slathering our bodies with sunscreens, but if we were to expose at least 20% of our skin to sunlight all year round for up to 10 minutes a day without any sunscreen, then many of us would ensure adequate amounts of vitamin D (remember to do this before the hottest part of the day – early morning or late afternoon).

The liver and kidney help convert vitamin D to its active hormone form. Those who have impaired liver or kidney functions would require more vitamin D synthesis either from direct sunlight or good quality supplements.

(Note: a simple blood test may be required to check your current levels of vitamin D before considering any supplementation.)

Deficiency of natural sunlight and vitamin D has been associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Dr. Norman Shealy, M.D.,Ph.D wrote that Vitamin D has long been known to enhance immune function and to benefit many other health conditions. Continue reading