A Salty Dilemma

There are some very clear differences between the available salts on the market. Most importantly are the health benefits! I have suffered from high blood pressure since I was 16, and I restricted my salt intake from that time until January 2015 when I discovered Himalayan pink salt. Shortly after incorporating that salt into my newly healthy, clean diet, and I mean REALLY incorporating it, I was able to successfully wean off my blood pressure medications with my doctor's approval. I have tried many times in the past without success. I have been using the Himalayan pink salt now for a year and a half, and my blood pressure still remains at a very healthy level. I put the salt on EVERYTHING! Fruits, vegetables, smoothies, etc. I can finally enjoy food the right way!

First, let me illustrate what salt is and how it can be beneficial (and/or detrimental) to the body. Salt is a crystalline mineral made of two elements, sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl).

Sodium and chlorine are absolutely essential for life in animals, including humans. They serve important functions like helping the brain and nerves send electrical impulses. Most of the world’s salt is harvested from salt mines, or by evaporating sea water or other mineral-rich waters. Salt is used for various purposes, the most common of which is adding flavor to foods. Salt is also used as a food preservative, because bacteria have trouble growing in a salt-rich environment. The reason salt is often perceived as unhealthy (in large amounts), is that it can bind water in the bloodstream and raise blood pressure. But even though studies have suggested that lowering salt intake can reduce blood pressure by 1-5.4 mm/Hg, there is no evidence that lowering salt prevents heart attacks, stroke or death. The great majority of sodium in the Western diet comes from processed foods. If you eat mostly whole, unprocessed foods then you don’t need to worry about adding some salt to your meals.

Here are the four main salts on the market:

Table Salt:

Table salt is perhaps one of the most common household items and ingredients in cooking. In conventional table salt, the salt is processed to remove all “impurities”. These impurities happen to be essential minerals needed for your body. After this “chemical cleaning”, what’s left is 99% sodium chloride. Sodium chloride which is not in its natural form. As mentioned before, table salt is a highly refined product. Additives may be also added to prevent clumping and better the pouring process. Aluminum hydroxide is sometimes used, which deposits to our brains and is related to Alzheimer’s. The high balance of sodium chloride in table salt makes it easy for a person to exceed the daily intake limit. While our bodies need Sodium for survival, it also needs the other minerals which are removed from natural salt in order to make table salt.

Himalayan Pink Salt:

The gem of the Himalayan Mountains, pink salt, is said to be the purest salt on earth. As the lava and mountain protected salt, it has been untouched for millions of years and not exposed to the modern day pollution. Himalayan salt happens to be 85% sodium chloride, and the remainder contains over 80+ minerals. These minerals can help your body balance your PH, regulate water content, remove toxins, help absorb nutrients, prevent muscle cramping, create balance and more. Himalayan Pink Salt is used in modern cooking around the world, in producing some of the world’s finest food. Known for its pure taste and its unique pinkish hue, the Himalayan Pink Salt is one of the top choices for salt.

Kosher Salt:

Kosher salt was originally used for religious purposes. Jewish law required blood to be extracted from meat before it was eaten. Kosher salt has a flaky, coarse structure that is particularly efficient at extracting the blood. The main difference between regular salt and kosher salt is the structure of the flakes. Chefs find that kosher salt, due to its large flake size, is easier to pick up with your fingers and spread over food. Kosher salt will have a different texture and flavor burst, but if you allow the salt to dissolve in the food, then there really isn’t any difference compared to regular table salt. However, kosher salt is less likely to contain additives like anti-caking agents and iodine.

Sea Salt:

Sea salt is made by evaporating seawater. Like table salt, it is mostly just sodium chloride.  However, depending on where it is harvested and how it was processed, it usually does contain some amount of trace minerals like potassium, iron and zinc. The darker the sea salt, the higher its concentration of “impurities” and trace nutrients will be. However, keep in mind that due to the pollution of oceans, sea salt can also contain trace amounts of heavy metals like lead. Sea salt is often less ground than regular refined salt, so if you sprinkle it on top of your food after it has been cooked, it may have a different mouthfeel and cause a more potent “flavor burst” than refined salt. The trace minerals and impurities found in sea salt can also affect the taste, but this varies greatly between different brands. Why not ingest sea salt? Sea salt may dehydrate the body whereas Himalayan salt actually hydrates our tissue! Sea salt is difficult to digest and assimilate for our bodies because it is not At the organic mineral electrolyte size which is immediately usable in our blood and cells. No digestion is required for Himalayan Salt. It is therefore immediately available for use throughout the body shortly after drinking some dissolved in water - unlike sea salt

I have not yet tried the Sole, but it does sound very interesting.  I'm always interested in trying new things.  :)  As always, I really hope this helps you.  ~J

THE ESSENTIALS OF OILS

So I have recently discovered the amazing (and I do mean amazing) benefits of essential oils.  The more I learned, the more excited I was to try out these ancient oils.  Let me tell you, I was NOT disappointed!

If you think essential oils are only for aromatherapy, then you only know a part of the big picture.  Aromatherapy is  the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being. The inhaled aroma from these "essential" oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function.  These smells can actually send information to our brain to change us not only psychologically, but also physiologically!  You can diffuse oils to combat any number of ailments or emotional issues.  I love to diffuse an oil called "Thieves" or "Fighting Five" or "On Guard" depending on who you buy it from.  It helps to build up the immune system and fight germs and viruses.  The legend of the Thieves oils goes like this:  During the plagues (enter your favorite plague here, the Black Plague is most common, but the tale has even made its way to America, as a plague that struck New Orleans), a group of four brothers began robbing the dead. At first, they were largely ignored, as everyone knew they would eventually pay the price by catching the plague themselves but, to everyone’s surprise, they managed to avoid catching the plague and continued robbing graves, amassing a great deal of wealth. They became legendary and everyone wanted to know how they managed to avoid getting sick. Was it trickery? Magic? What secret did they possess.  Years later, when they were finally captured, they were asked for their secret during questioning. After much debating, they agreed to share their secret in return for their pardon. This offer was accepted and the secret is now out. These men were the offspring of a perfumer and herbalist. They learned about essential oils from their parents during their childhood. They knew these oils would protect them so they rubbed them on their bodies and used them to clean anything they brought back. The powerful blend is now called the Thieves Blend, Legend of the Thieves Blend, Grave Robbers Blend, and countless similar names.

Whenever I diffuse a blend like Thieves, I like to add Sweet Orange because I absolutely LOVE the smell of it and it can be very uplifting.

Another way to use essential oils is topically.  Many, MANY oils are antibacterial, antimicrobial, and are excellent to combat different types of pain like arthritis, inflammation, muscle fatigue, and so on.  Below I will illustrate some of my favorite oils and what they are used for.  All of these oils need to be used with what is called a "carrier" oil..  It can be fractionated coconut oil (MCT Oil, which is what I use.  It is the cheapest I have found and I am providing a link to where I buy it), Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, and some use Olive Oil, but it's pretty thick.  Here is the link to the MCT oil that I buy.  I also put this in my coffee and smoothies.  It's derived from coconut oil:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019LRY8A/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1NQSAAV9GODL9&coliid=I2RLG3W58NIB8P&psc=1

And below are the containers I buy to put the blended oils in (they HAVE to be in glass):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A5UZ6XA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1NQSAAV9GODL9&coliid=I18QD92CWVEX7N&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BSZDXTU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1NQSAAV9GODL9&coliid=I3KZCHLQTE19AY

*NOTE:  I do NOT get a percentage of sales from these. 

I use the rollers bottles with oil and the spray bottles with distilled water and two teaspoons of rubbing alcohol, which helps the oils emulsify with the water.

Lastly, some oils can be ingested, but again, USE A CARRIER OIL, and only use oils from reputable companies so you know their oils are truly pure.  It can be dangerous to ingest some oils, so please do your research before starting this practice.  Essential oils are HIGHLY concentrated!

Below is a list of my "go to" oils-how they are used and what they are used for:

Lavender - If you only use one essential oil, this is it! Lavender(lavandula angustifolia) is the most versatile of all essential oils. Most commonly known for its relaxing effects on the body, therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations. I keep this in my first aid kit.

Lemon oil -  One of the most “essential” oils to have on hand and can be used as teeth whitener, laundry freshener, cellulite cream, face wash and household cleaner.  I add several drops to a glass spray bottle consisting of 1 part distilled water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. This is the BEST cleaner I have ever used!  Lemon oil also removes sticky residue, including that cement-like glue from mayonnaise jars.  Below are the top 10 uses for Lemon essential oil:

Top 10 Lemon Essential Oil Uses

As you’d probably expect, there is a laundry list of lemon oil uses in addition to all of these medicinal effects. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Laundry – In case you leave your laundry sitting in the washer too long, just add a few drop of lemon EO and your clothes won’t get that nasty smell.
2. Teeth Whitener – Mix lemon essential oil, baking soda and coconut oil and rub on your teeth for 2 minutes and then dense as a natural teeth whitener.
3. Clean Hands – Got greasy hands from working on your car or bike and regular soap isn’t doing the trick? No worries, just add a couple drops of lemon EO with your soap and get your clean hands back!
4. Natural Disinfectant – Want to steer away from alcohol and bleach to disinfect your countertops and clean your moldy shower? Add 40 drops lemon oil and 20 drops tea tree oil to a 16-oz spray bottle fill with pure water (and a little bit of white vinegar) for a traditional cleaning favorite.
5. Face-wash – Lemon essential oil uses for skin can can improve your complexion and leave your skin soft and supple.  Lemon oil benefits skin by deeply nourishing.  You can make lemon oil with baking soda and honey for a natural acne free face wash.
6. Wood and Silver Polish – A lemon oil-soaked cloth will also help spruce up your tarnished silver and jewelry!  Lemon oil for wood cleaning is also great.
7. Goo-Be-Gone – Un-stick the sticky goo your kids leave behind with stickers and gum with lemon oil.
8. Promotes Fat-Loss – Putting 2 drops of lemon oil in your water 3x daily can support metabolism and weight loss.
9. Improves Mood – Diffusing lemon essential oil in the air can lift mood and fight depression.
10. Immune Support – Lemon oil can support lymphatic drainage and help your overcome a cold fast, mix it with coconut oil and rub it on your neck.

Eucalyptus - Another that I keep in my first aid kit in the blend Breathe.  The health benefits of eucalyptus oil are well-known and wide ranging, and its properties include anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating, and other medicinal qualities. 

Peppermint - Peppermint essential oil gives a cooling sensation and has a calming effect on the body, which can relieve sore muscles when used topically. It also has antimicrobial properties so it can help freshen bad breath and soothe digestive issues. Peppermint is a hybrid species of spearmint and water mint (Mentha aquatica).  Whenever my son or I have an upset stomach, we rub a mixture of peppermint oil and coconut oil directly onto our abdomens and it WORKS!  I also spray a mixture of distilled water with 1-2 tsp rubbing alcohol (you can also use witch hazel or dish soap, as it helps the oils emulsify with the water) and several drops of peppermint oil and lemongrass oil around my back porch and the mop boards in my kitchen and bathroom where spiders and ants like to try and congregate.  They are well and truly gone now, thankfully!

Tea Tree (Melaleuca) - Well-known for its powerful antiseptic properties and ability to treat wounds. Tea tree oil (TTO), the volatile essential oil derived mainly from the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia has been widely used throughout Australia for at least the past 100 years. And for over seven decades, it’s been documented in numerous medical studies to kill many strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Tea tree oil uses are numerous: making homemade cleaning products, diffusing it in the air to kill mold, applying it topically to heal skin issues and taking it internally to treat viral infections. It’s becoming an increasingly popular active ingredient in a variety of household and cosmetic products, including face wash, shampoos, massage oils, skin and nail creams and laundry detergents. Tea tree’s natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions make it an essential oil that should truly be part of everyone’s first aid kit.

Myrrh - A resin, or sap-like substance, that comes from a tree called Commiphora myrrha, common in Africa or the Middle East. Myrrh is botanically related to Frankincense, and is one of the most widely used essential oils in the world.  Historically, myrrh was used to treat wounds and prevent infections. It can still be used in this manner on minor skin irritations such as athlete’s foot, ring worm, and acne.  Myrrh can help maintain healthy skin. It can help soothe chapped or cracked skin. It is commonly added to skin care products to help with moisturizing and also for fragrance. Ancient Egyptians used it to prevent aging and maintain healthy skin.  Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, myrrh can help relieve inflammation of the mouth and gums caused by diseases such as gingivitis and mouth ulcers. It can also be used as mouth rinse to prevent gum disease. Myrrh has the power to increase the function of white blood cells, critical for wound healing. It was found to decrease the incidence of ulcers and improve their healing time, in one 2010 study published in the Journal of Immunotoxicology.

Frankincense - Great for skin care and nearly everything related to skin; burns, rashes, cuts, scrapes, and oozing sores. It’s also fabulous for mature, prematurely aging, and environmentally challenged skin.  Due to its antiseptic properties, frankincense oil is a great addition to any oral hygiene regimen. Look for natural oral care products that contain frankincense oil, especially if you enjoy the aroma. It can help prevent dental health issues like tooth decay, bad breath, cavities, or oral infections. You can also consider making your own toothpaste by mixing frankincense oil with baking soda.

The very best essential oils I have found for pain are:  Clove, Helichrysum, Wintergreen, Black Pepper, Turmeric, Ginger, Oregano, Basil, Marjoram, and Copiaba, which also acts as an oil enhancer and helps the other oils to work even better.  I find very good information for essential oils and ALL of my health and wellness needs on Pinterest.  I encourage you to spend some time browsing these and other topics of interest there.  

I would be remiss if I didn't post also about how essential oils can help with depression.  So many of my dearest friends and family are afflicted with it!  So I have been researching my favorite, most reliable resources, and here is what I have come up with:

Depression is incredibly common. In fact, you may be near someone every day and not even know that he or she is suffering from depression.

However, there are symptoms that may signal signs of depression, such as fatigue, sadness, moodiness, low sex drive, low self-esteem, loss of appetite, feelings that the tough days will never end, and never accepting invitations to go out with friends or get involved in activities. I know that seems like quite a list, but there are many more behaviors that could be an indication that you or someone you know is suffering from depression.

Luckily, there are natural remedies for depression out there, including using certain essential oils — similar to the way you can use essential oils for anxiety. Below are my top four essential oils for depression treatment.

---

TOP ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DEPRESSION:

In clinical trials, essential oils have been proven to elevate mood. You may be wondering how essential oils work. Because smells are carried directly to the brain, they serve as emotional triggers. The limbic system evaluates the sensory stimuli, registering pleasure, pain, danger or safety. This then creates and ultimately directs our emotional response, which can include feelings of fear, anger, depression and attraction.

Our basic emotions and hormonal balance are in response to the most basic smells. This makes scents very powerful in our day-to-day lives because they’re a direct pathway to memory and emotion — which is why they can fight depression and anxiety. Here are my top for essential oils for depression:

1. Bergamot

Bergamot oil is a great antidepressant because it’s very stimulating. Bergamot can create a feeling of joy, freshness and energy by improving the circulation of your blood. It’s also shown the ability to work as a natural remedy for anxiety, as a 2011 study in Thailand found that bergamot lowered the anxiety response in rats. 

Another 2011 study hypothesizes that applying a blended essential oil that includes bergamot to participants helps treat depression. The blended essential oil mixed bergamot with lavender essential oil, and participants were analyzed based on their blood pressure, pulse rates, breathing rates and skin temperature. In addition, subjects had to rate their emotional condition in terms of relaxation, vigor, calmness, attentiveness, mood and alertness in order to assess behavioral changes.

Compared with the placebo, blended essential oil caused significant decreases of pulse rate and blood pressure. At the emotional level, subjects in the blended essential oil group rated themselves as “more calm” and “more relaxed” than subjects in the control group. The investigation demonstrates the relaxing effect of a mixture of lavender and bergamot oils, and it provides evidence for its use in medicine for treating depression or anxiety in humans. 

You can use bergamot oil by rubbing two to three drops into your hands and cupping your mouth and nose. Breathe in the oil slowly. Try rubbing the oil on your feet and stomach, as well.

2. Lavender

Lavender oil benefits mood and has long been used to help battle depression. A study published by the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice reported that 80-milligram capsules of lavender essential oil can help alleviate anxiety and depression. The study also showed that there were no adverse side effects from using lavender oil to treat anxiety and depression. This is great news since we know that synthetic medications and psychotropic drugs often have many negative side effects.

A 2012 study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice evaluated 28 women at high risk for postpartum depression and found that by diffusing lavender in their home, they had a significant reduction of postnatal depression and reduced anxiety disorder after a four-week treatment plan of lavender aromatherapy.

Yet another study showcasing that lavender aromatherapy improves mood was done on people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can result in depression. Lavender had amazing results, showing signs of enhanced moods. The results revealed that the lavender oil, when used daily, helped decrease depression by 32.7 percent and dramatically decreased sleep disturbances, moodiness and overall health status in 47 people suffering from PTSD.

To relieve stress and improve sleep, put a diffuser by your bed and diffuse oils while you sleep at night or in the family room while you’re reading or winding down in the evening. Also, it can be rubbed topically behind your ears for the same benefits.

I hope this helps someone like it has helped me!  -J