Health & Wellbeing – Page 8 – Elder Cottage Clinic, Warton, PR4

Let’s take care of our hands

March 29, 2015February 5, 2025 by JMReflex, posted in Health & Wellbeing, Skincare

Dry, cracked, bleeding hands was something that I used to suffer with, particularly over the winter months.

Over-washing, not drying hands properly, washing with petrochemical-laiden handwash, trying to moisturise with petrochemical-laiden handcream, all contribute to the condition. Synthetic fragrance is also a big irritant.

Once I started to train as a reflexologist, I knew something had to change. I had to solve this problem as my hands were going to be the tools of my trade!

Make changes

Cracked skin on hands, knuckles — Dry cracked skin of knuckles on hands.

The first thing to do is change your hand wash. Most hand washes available on the shelves on the high street will contain petro-chemicals: synthetic chemicals derived from petroleum. One main culprit is SLS or SLES (Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate). This man-made detergent will strip the skin of its natural oils and it leave it bare and unprotected, flakey and inflammed. You only have to do a quick google search to discover the known evils of this petro-chemical: a known irritant used in skin-testing trials; a penetration enhancer, a corrosive.

Next, ensure you moisturise. Many high stress products contain petrolatum, paraffinum liquidum, parfum, propylene glycol or parabens. You will not be moisturising or nourishing your hands if the product contains any of these ingredients. Your skin might feel smooth and soft on the surface but these ingredients will not be nourishing your skin to help it heal. In fact they will be doing the complete opposite: blocking the skin’s pores and upsetting its natural equilibrium. In a nutshell, it will be making the problem worse. You may also experience a stinging sensation.

Switch to a brand that you can trust to give you a high quality product containing ethically sourced natural ingredients free from anything derived from petroleum: Neal’s Yard Remedies.

My top recommendation would be the Bee Lovely Hand Wash. Feel this difference of organic honey and fragrant, uplifting organic orange and mandarin essential oils, to gently cleanse and subtly scent the grubbiest of hands. Shop now and give your hands the gentle care that they deserve! It is gentle enough for the whole hive, including children aged 3 years and over. It also comes in a large 295ml bottle made from recycled plastic which means it is safer for children to use (rather than glass).

Organic skincare product for hand care. — *Organic hand wash made with moisturising, fair trade organic honey from Mexico and uplifting, sun ripened Italian and Mexican oranges, it conditions skin and lifts the spirits.*

There is also an accompanying hand cream. There are many other products from Neal’s Yard Remedies that will look after your hands; nourishing, moisturising and protecting your skin, hands and nails with organic, natural ingredients.

Harsh soaps can strip away natural oils, making dry hands even worse. That;s why I recommend starting with the Bee Lovely Hand Wash – it cleanses gently with organic honey and uplifting orange essential oil. Follow up with Baby Barrier Cream to lock in moisture and repair dry, cracked skin overnight,

organic skincare products for hand care. — *Preservative-free cream, made with soothing organic Roman chamomile in a base of nourishing organic sunflower oil and antiseptic zinc oxide, helps prevent nappy rash.*

The baby barrier cream is an excellent healing and nourishing cream. Although it is marketed at baby’s bottoms(!) this cream is excellent for working hands such as gardeners or mechanics, and eczema or dermatitis sufferers, and skin thinned by aging and long-term steroid use. Shop now for the Baby Barrier Cream and start your healing journey today.

Buy now

Try organic hand care products from Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic today – your skin will thank you! Spend £50 for free postage and packaging.

shop now

Remember, if your hands are very cracked, dry and sensitive, you will need:

Hand wash

If your hands are constantly dry, cracked, or irritated, your hand wash could be part of the problem. Many soapds and hand washes contain harsh detergents, sulfates, and sythetic fragrances that strip away natural oils, leaving your skin vulnerable. Think of it like this: trying to heeal dry hands while using a harsh soaps is like bailing water out of a sinking boat – its an endless cycle!

A gentle, nourishing hand wash is the first step to healthy skin. It should:

Cleanse without stripping – using natural ingredients that remove dirt and bacteria without drying the skin.
Soothe and protect – with botanical extracts to calm irritation and reinforce the skin’s barrier.
Prepare your skin for hydration – so your healing cream or daily moisturiser can actually do it’s job.

Start with the right hand wash – and your skin will feel softer, healthier, and more resilient – before you even reach for the cream!

shop handwash

Healing cream

If your hands are already dry, cracked, or irritated, applying a regular lotion won’t be enough. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t paint over a cracked wall without repairing it first.

A healing cream is designed to:

Repair damaged skin by deeply nourishing cracks, splits and dry patches.
Soothe irritation from chemicals, weather, or conditions like eczema.
Strengthen the skin barrier to lock in moisture and prevent further damage.

Once your hands have healed and regained their softness, then a daily cream or lotion can maintain hydration and protect against future damage.

For those who struggle with chronic dryness or irritation, incorporating a healing cream into your routine – even just a few nights a week – can make all the difference in keeping hands healthy, comfortable, and youthful-looking.

shop healing cream

Hand cream

Many hand creams contain petroleum-based ingredients that can dry out skin over time. Neal’s Yard Remedies hand creams use organic plant oils that deeply nourish without harmful additives.

shop hand creams

Hand lotion

Hand lotion is lightweight and fast-absorbing, and provides a quick moisture boost for daytime use. Perfect after washing hands while you’re in the bathroom, and to encourage good habits.

shop hand lotions

take care

Take care of your hands while outside. Always apply hand cream and wear gloves in cold weather.
Make sure you dry hands thoroughly after washing, and always moisturise afterwards.
Have hand wash and hand lotion next to each other at the basin to encourage good habits.

For those on a fertility journey, it’s essential to be mindful of the products you use. Avoiding petrochemicals is particularly important, as they can disrupt hormonal balance. Incorporating natural and organic products into your routine can support overall health. Learn more about my specialised Fertility Acupuncture and IVF Support services and discover how ear acupuncture points can enhance fertility. Additionally, consider reading about the connection between fertility and digestive health, as overall well-being plays a crucial role in conception.

Jackie Marsden MAR is a qualified reflexologist and clinical acupuncturist, with a particular interest in fertility and IVF support, and lymphatic therapies.

She is also an independent consultant (Group Leader) for Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. Jackie leads and mentors a growing team of consultants (many of whom are therapists integrating organic products into their existing businesses) via the NYRO social selling channel, holding regular team meetings, one-to-one coaching via phone and facetime, and a closed facebook group. All views are my own.

Chicken Pox: A Mother’s and Therapist’s Perspective

March 21, 2015June 18, 2023 by JMReflex, posted in Chicken Pox, Children, Health & Wellbeing, Reflexology

My youngest daughter has recently contracted the common virus known as Chicken Pox (herpes varicella-zoster).

The virus can cause a high temperature, loss of appetite and the well known spots or rash. The spots start off looking like red spots, then they blister and finally scab over.

Once the blisters have scabbed over the child is no longer contagious, even though the scabs are still present and can still look alarming, particularly to other parents! They can take up to two weeks to fade and disappear.

During the blistering and early scabbing stages in particularly, itching can be pretty debilitating. My daughter didn’t try to scratch the spots but just stood there and cried in despair! At this point I used Calendula and Oat lotion. I chose this over the “traditional” calamine lotion because I always want to avoid synthetic preservatives that are found in many products nowadays.

Calendula and oat lotion is deeply soothing and calming, with anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to this, it also contains Stellaria media (Chickweed) extract, a traditional herb renowned for cooling and soothing itching or red skin: ideal for Chicken Pox.

Oats for chicken pox:

We had only one full day of itching and feeling miserable in general. I used the Calendula & Oat lotion regularly during this day, as well as giving her a porridge oat bath for chicken pox. To do this I simply put half a cup of organic porridge oats into an old sock and knotted the top. Then I placed it under the running water when filling up the tub.

I genuinely believe that the two above remedies reduced the time of itching and discomfort for my daughter (and subsequently me!) and am now prepared for my older daughter to contract the virus too!

In addition to the above, I really wanted to give reflexology, however my youngest daughter is very much a person who knows her own mind and would not be persuaded. I would have liked to give some short and gently zone therapy with emphasis on the thymus and lymphatics to help the immune system fight the virus, and the solar plexus for calming. My older daughter is more welcoming to the therapy and she is already receiving reflexology regularly in the anticipation of catching the virus.

It should go without saying, that in addition to topical lotions and medicines such as paracetamol, what the body needs the most in situations like this is water, and plenty of it.

Now that the worst is over for my youngest daughter, I am now applying Organic Rosehip Seed Oil to reduce any potential scarring. Rosehip seed oil contains vitamin A, vitamin C and the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, which are fantastic ingredients to encourage skin rejuvenation, moisture replenishment, and healing.

Jackie Marsden MAR is a qualified reflexologist and independent consultant (Team Leader) for Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. Jackie leads and mentors a growing team of consultants (many of whom are therapists integrating organic products into their existing businesses) via the NYRO social selling channel, holding regular team meetings, one-to-one coaching via phone and facetime, and a closed facebook group. All views are my own.

What can we do for Eczema?

March 12, 2015November 26, 2025 by JMReflex, posted in Eczema, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Reflexology, Skincare, Stress, TCM

Eczema is dry, itchy, flaky, red and inflamed skin (and sometimes worse). It is largely a chronic condition meaning that it is long-lasting and can be controlled but not cured.

Those suffering with eczema usually suffer also with other conditions such as asthma and hay fever. This is because they are all types of allergies; the body has an inappropriate allergic reaction to antigens that are usually harmless (e.g. animal hair, pollen, dust). When the body reacts in this way it releases huge amounts of histamine which then causes inflammation, itching, sneezing, wheezing etc. It is usually the immune response that causes the damage to the body, not the allergen itself. (1)

So what can we do for eczema, and why do people suffer with eczema? I believe it has a lot to do with the gut. If we don’t have good gut health then the toxic overload is too much for our bodies and the skin will try to help by excreting those toxins. Remember that the skin is an outlet as well as a protective barrier and receptor. So cleaning up diets, eliminating processed foods, sugar, caffeine etc. and increasing the intake of vegetables and water is going to have a profound effect in the long term. I think we all have room for improvement with our diets!

But in the shorter term something is needed to apply to the skin to reduce the symptoms and give relief. This is particularly true for children whom are a large group of atopic (hereditary) eczema suffers. Any petroleum-based products are not going to do this. The skin might feel soft and moisturised initially but after continued use the product will block the skin’s pores, causing imbalances in the skin’s natural equilibrium and resulting in even more problems.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and its replacement, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are both known irritants. Beware of products labelled “sensitive”. Many products on the market are full of chemicals that have no place on the skin. However, most people can tolerate them. For those who can’t, the manufacturer removes the problem chemicals, and replaces them with some that are actually worse, on the basis that the customer is unlikely to react to both. (2)

The following products are those which myself and colleagues have seen to be helpful with treating eczema:

NYRO baby balm. This balm protects and calms the skin with a combination of gentle, moisturising ingredients, including olive oil, coconut oil and shea nut butter. Apply as required to affected areas. One mother kindly shared these amazing photographs of her daughter’s eczema, before and after using the NYRO baby balm for 6 weeks.

For small patches of eczema or dermatitis, consider the NYRO Stellaria Cream which is fabulous at reducing itching. Chickweed, a traditional herb renowned for cooling and soothing itching or red skin, is the active ingredient in this formula.

Another fantastic product to try is the anti-inflammatory and deeply soothing Calendula and Oat Lotion, which is suitable for extreme dryness and sensitive skin.

One particular customer has experienced great success with seemingly uncontrollable eczema by the daily application of organic virgin coconut oil. Try to find a coconut oil that is raw, unrefined, unbleached, and processed without heat to retain its unique balance of nutrients. Applied directly to the skin, coconut oil makes an extremely effective conditioning treatment, gently soothing dry, sensitive skin or scalps.

As a reflexologist, I am very much aware of the power of stress and what it can do to the body. If you are suffering with eczema it could be exacerbated by stress, or vica versa. A course of reflexology might help the situation, calming the sympathetic nervous system and in turn stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system and allowing the body to regain a state of relaxation and homeostasis. During the reflexology sessions particular emphasis would be paid to specific reflex points, particularly those of the digestive system, endocrine system, lymphatics and immune systems.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the lungs are linked to the colon; they share the same meridian. This ties in with the commonalities between eczema, asthma and hayfever, and highlights another reason to look to improve digestive health. They are both organs of elimination.

Along with a cleaned-up diet, a cleansing and healing supplement such as aloe vera juice and/or beauty oil might also be used to help with the healing and replenishing process. Aloe vera juice is an excellent digestive tonic. Beauty oil is a blend of avocado, hemp, flax and evening primrose oils.

(1) Ross & Wilson Anatomy & Physiology in Health and Illness. p371

(2) Closed discussion thread

Are you being greenwashed?

January 30, 2015November 7, 2019 by JMReflex, posted in Health & Wellbeing, Skincare

What is greenwashing?

Firstly, to determine whether or not you are being greenwashed, it might be useful to determine what greenwashing actually is. Greenwashing is the deceptive use of green PR or green marketing to promote the perception that an organization’s products, aims or policies are environmentally friendly.

Unlike the food you eat, there is a lack of organic regulations for cosmetics, and in some cases due to the complexity of calculating ‘organic’ in beauty products, there has been a proliferation of new brands that exaggerate their organic or natural status. Some contain very few organic ingredients at all, and others also contain quite a few synthetic ingredients that no green consumer would expect or want! (1) But its not just about ‘organic’, its also about claims that products are ‘completely natural’ or ‘free from chemical nasties’. It’s nonsense when companies claim to be “chemical-free” – everything is made from chemicals – preservatives, plants, people and the universe! (1) It is the synthetically made petrochemicals that are the ones to be avoided (see previous post).

To avoid being greenwashed, choose products that have independent certification (Soil Association, USDA, etc.), or choose companies that clearly identify their ingredients and sourcing policies. (1)

Beware of clever wording

If the ingredients list states something like “Key ingredients are” and then a line of essential oils, then there is something deliberately being omitted. Where is the full ingredients list?

Some companies like to use the tag-line “paraben-free” which is great – but what are they using as a preservative instead? And what else is in the ingredients list? The marketing focus is perhaps drawing the consumer into a false sense of security.

Another clear message of suspicion is when you look at a particular company’s website to find out the ingredients list of a particular product, but none is given. Transparency is the key here. If the company is not willing to disclose the ingredients list on their website then it is likely that there is something to hide.

Remember that cosmetics ingredients are listed in order of quantity so the ingredients that make up the bulk of the formulation are listed first. The exception to this rule is is that any ingredient under one percent concentration can be listed in any order, so brands will often put more exotic ingredients first to draw customers in. (2)

Do your research

Products like essential oil blends and balms are plant and plant/wax-based and made simply from cold pressed seed oils, steam distilled essential oils and beeswax. These can be 100% organic.

Natural ingredients used in beauty care – such as clays, minerals and salt – can not be termed ‘organic’ because they are not living organisms or the products of farming. However those used in NYR products are of the finest quality and are harvested sustainably.

In NYR products the ‘functional’ ingredients such as emulsifiers (combining oil and water) and surfactants (foaming and rinsing agents) are processed from natural plant material (as opposed to being derived from petrochemicals).

Neal’s Yard Remedies has a long history of using certified organic ingredients as well as making almost all of certified organic products in its own eco-factory in Dorset in the UK. Organic ingredients are always labelled first on each product, and the little green box % box is also given. (1)
(1) https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/jackiemarsden/area/ingredients-statement/

(2) https://www.birchbox.com/magazine/article/dissecting-a-beauty-product-label

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Reflexology and Fibromyalgia

January 9, 2015November 7, 2019 by JMReflex, posted in Fibromyalgia, Health & Wellbeing, Pain management, Reflexology, Stress

What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia, also called Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. As well as widespread pain, people with Fibromyalgia may also have increased sensitivity to pain, fatigue, muscle stiffness, sleep disorders, problems with mental processes (“brain-fog”) e.g. problems with memory and concentration, dizziness and balance problems, headaches and migraines, digestive upsets. The exact cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, but it’s thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages that are carried around the body. (1)

How might reflexology help Fibromyalgia sufferers? When we are stressed our bodies are on constant high alert, engaging our sympathetic nervous system ready to “fight or flight”. However this means that the parasympathetic nervous system is shut down, so things like digestion, relaxation and sleep patterns will not have optimum conditions to function properly. Pain is an obvious stress, both physically and mentally.

Reflexology is deeply relaxing which can help the body and mind break the constant stress cycle and seek re-balance. In general, we have around 7000 nerve endings in the feet, making them particularly sensitive and helpful for accessing the whole body. Reflexology might help manage and reduce the symptoms of Fibromyalgia through a tailored treatment plan specific to the patient’s particular issues. Depending on the level of intensity of pain, shortened reflexology treatments might be advisable to begin with. Below are the key symptoms of Fibromyalgia and the subsequent reflex points I can pay particular attention to during treatments:

Joint pain: concentrate on the relevant reflex points on the feet for joints concerned e.g. shoulder, knee, hips, jaw. Adrenal gland reflexes can be gently worked to stimulate the production of the body’s own anti-inflammatories and pain management.
Fatigue: pay attention to the adrenal glands and pancreas reflexes. This aims to increase energy and re-balance and regulate blood-sugar levels.
Sleep disorders: work the diaphragm reflex (to promote relaxation and calmer breathing), pineal and pituitary gland reflexes (to promote a re-balance of circadian rhythms and of the endocrine system in general).
Digestive upsets: general relaxation techniques to awaken the parasympathetic nervous system. Colon and small intestine reflex points in particular.
Headaches and migraines: concentrate on brain, spine, particularly cervical spine, head and neck area reflexes.
Dizziness and balance: concentrate on inner-ear reflex point.

Update Jan 2016 – Since first writing this blog I have trained in Reflexology Lymph Drainage and carried out a case study on a Fibromyalgia client. Further info to follow.

(1) http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyalgia/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What’s all the fuss about Parabens?

December 3, 2014November 7, 2019 by JMReflex, posted in Health & Wellbeing, Skincare, Uncategorized

Parabens – what are they? Why are more and more manufacturers labelling their products as paraben-free? Why is paraben-free so important? One of my customers asked me these questions this week and so has spurred me on to write this (previously promised) blog post.

Parabens are synthetically made chemicals, derived from petroleum, and are produced very cheaply and used by the beauty industry to increase the shelf-life of products largely to prevent fungal growth within products. The individual ingredient usually ends in paraben e.g. propylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and less commonly heptylparaben, isobutyparaben, isobutylparaben, benzylparaben.

There is an opinion that the amount of parabens in each product is so tiny that it is negligible to the potential risks. This opinion is flawed because it does not take into consideration the very nature of personal-care products allows for daily exposure to these chemicals and the continued and gradual build up of toxicity within the body. What are the effects after prolonged and repeated use?

Parabens, once entering the body, mimic oestrogen, thus creating imbalance in our endocrine system. As they are fat soluble, so they are stored within our bodies. The absorption of substances through the skin and mucous membranes is particularly disturbing, because the body’s normal filters, the kidneys and liver, are bypassed.

Oestrogen mimicking is a concern because even the smallest amounts can disrupt the normal hormonal balance of the body. Oestrogens are known to be a cancer trigger. So one could deduce that increased levels of oestrogen in the body could be a potential cause of cancer. This is why parabens are linked in particular to breast cancer, as studies showed that parabens have been found, intact, within breast tumours. http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/radiation-chemicals-and-breast-cancer/parabens.html

Parabens are also known as a reproductive toxin causing infertility issues, generally from low sperm count. Some countries have enough doubts about their safety that they have been banned in product use, especially for children’s products.

Beware, though, of brands labelling their products as “paraben-free” when they have switched the parabens for another synthetic and potentially hazardous preservative, simply to save the brand name over concerns of health risks to the consumer. But this is for another blog post.

So you know how I’m going to summarize don’t you? Use a brand that you can trust. Use organic. Use natural. Use Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic.

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Petrochemicals: An Overview

October 25, 2014November 7, 2019 by JMReflex, posted in Health & Wellbeing, Skincare

Petrochemicals are a group of ingredients used by the beauty industry that are derived from petroleum. The beauty industry relies on a variety of basic ingredients made from petrochemicals.

These ingredients are not just bad for us, but also for the environment. Firstly, these ingredients are energy intensive to produce. Secondly, their production contributes to the depletion of finite resources. However, because they are cheap to produce, and are easily available, they dominate the products on the supermarket shelves.

Look at detergents and surfactants (allows rinsing) as an example. Whether they are derived from petrochemicals or natural material they perform much the same function in the product. Yet it is easier and cheaper for companies to use the former, without any concern for the health implications of the consumer’s continued exposure to these ingredients. Don’t be fooled by “greenwashing” either, where the addition of one natural ingredient assumes that the whole product made from natural ingredients.

In NYROrganic products, these types of functional ingredients are processed from natural plant material (as opposed to being derived from petrochemicals). Petrochemical ingredients offer no real benefits to your skin and can even be toxic. Here is a list of common petrochemical ingredients that you might be exposing your skin and body to on a regular basis:

Isopropanol: A solvent and penetration enhancer, found in make-up, shampoo, moisturisers and nail polish. It is neurotoxic, skin drying/irritating and potentially liver toxic.

Methyl-, Propyl-, Butyl- and Ethyl-Paraben: The most widely used preservatives in the cosmetic industry. Parabens can cause allergic reactions and skin rashes and are easily absorbed into the body (because they are fat soluble). They have also been found, intact, within tumour biopsies. More on parabens in a forthcoming blog.

Paraffinum liquidum: Also known as mineral oil, this is a cheap, abundant ingredient found in face creams, make-up, body lotions and baby oils. It does not add moisture or nourish the skin. Instead it can interfere with the body’s own natural moisturizing mechanism (blocking the skin), which over time can lead to dryness and chapping.

Petrolatum: Also known as petroleum jelly, this mineral oil derivative is used for its emollient properties and can cause similar problems to Paraffinum liquidum. Found in lipsticks and balms, hair care products, moisturizers, depilatories (hair removal creams) and deodorants. NYROrganic simply use nature’s oils, such as sunflower, brazil nut, beeswax, shea butter, to name a few. These natural oils are absorbed into the skin, actually moisturising and nourishing the skin, rather than just making the surface feel smooth.

Propylene glycol: Can be found in moisturisers, deodorants, make-up, depilatories and soaps. It can be derived from natural sources but is usually a synthetic petrochemical mix. It is added to keep the product moist and acts as a penetration enhancer – driving other ingredients deeper into the skin. It has been linked to allergic reactions, hives and eczema. Ingredients such as PEG (polyethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol) are related synthetics.

Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate: Detergents commonly used in shampoos, body washes and toothpaste. Some labels list this ingredient as being derived “from coconuts”. However producing sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate requires the addition of petroleum-derived ingredients and the finished product is far removed from its vegetable origins. These detergents can cause eye irritation, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, skin rashes and allergic reactions. They can also cause damage to oral tissue and be responsible for mouth ulcers. They are particularly worrying in toothpaste because of the risk of swallowing.

Fragrance or Parfum: Around 95% of the fragrances used in toiletries and cosmetics are petrochemically-based. Often the ingredient listing “fragrance” or “parfum” can be an umbrella heading for a whole list of undisclosed ingredients. Perfumes are neurotoxic and can cause headaches, mood swings, depression, dizziness and skin irritation. They are also very common triggers of asthma attacks.

References/Further reading:

The Dirty Dozen: 12 ingredients investigated by the David Suzuki Foundation

Petrochemical Beauty? No Thanks! NYR Natural News

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Overfed and Undernourished

July 22, 2014November 7, 2019 by JMReflex, posted in Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition

I have wanted to write this blog for a while now. Since watching Jason Vale’s documentary “Super Juice Me” (twice!) [1], I have been completely open to understanding that we need to increase nutrients and decrease toxicity in order to drastically improve our health. This blog is largely a summary of what I’ve taken on board from watching the documentary, so I have Jason to thank for this blog.

The cases of chronic disease are increasing and we are seeing more cancer and more diabetes than ever before. Jason likens our bodies and lifestyle to a fish swimming in a bowl of clean and nutrient-rich water. But, the water becomes polluted with greasy, fatty, sugary foods. Our bodies have a natural filtration system that can deal with a little bit of almost anything, but if the pollution is continual and starts to increase, our bodies start to struggle. Disease sets in. Symptoms are a warning sign that something is wrong and that something needs to change. So now imagine the fish swimming around in the dirty water, it is feeling down, ill, lethargic, depressed. What would you do? Clean the water of course! But generally, we don’t. Instead we go to the doctor who will treat the symptoms with more pollution: medicine. And so the problems go on. In many cases the medicine gets rid of some symptoms only to create new ones. Jason isn’t against medical intervention (and neither am I), but what we need to do is pay more attention to the cause, rather than the symptoms. What we need is a lifestyle change.

It is so true that the effect of convenience is disease. Our busy lives leave little time and so it is easier to buy those ready meals, the processed food that is quick to warm up and eat, the snacks, the biscuits, the crisps, the chocolate bars etc. We are so removed from real foods that we don’t know what we are eating. Healthy eating is a commitment, but it is a commitment worth making: the key to good health is through what we eat. I recently saw this quote on Twitter which sums up nicely: “Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to make time for illness”.

When observing an overweight, obese person, the last word that springs to mind is “starving” yet this is what is happening: our bodies are literally starving of nutrients. We are overfed and undernourished. The big food industry wants to make money, so they add salt, sugar, fat and other additives to the food to make it taste great, so we buy them again. However these additives are highly addictive. Manipulating foods in this way creates a false hunger: the hunger point cut off is switched off and so we eat more and more leading to weight gain, raised blood pressure, raised sugar levels, lethargy (the list goes on). Clever marketing can even promote some of these foods as “healthy”. We need to get back to eating real foods, foods that are not made in a factory, foods that don’t come out of a packet, foods that are whole. As Jason describes them: low human intervention (HI) foods.

Jason talks about his theory of one disease: inflammation. Jason believes that largely, chronic diseases are caused by inflammation. Toxins cause injury, injury creates inflammation.

The overall message is that we need to improve our nutrient intake and reduce toxicity. This is where juicing is such a revolution, and why Jason is so passionate about it. By adding just one or two juices a day to an already balanced diet of low HI foods can increase nutrient levels enormously. It is a great way to “clean the terrain where our cells bathe” i.e. clean the water in the fish bowl. [1] Goodbye to the meagre 5-a-day. We can start eating all those nutritious vegetables that we don’t particularly like, because juicing broccoli, cabbage, kale, spinach, celery, with a piece of ginger, or some apple, makes them taste great!

Let’s do this now, let’s not wait for the time when it might be too late. Let’s flood our cells with nutrients, let’s get healthy.

[1] Jason Vale: Jason wasn’t always slim and healthy; he used to suffer from severe psoriasis, eczema, asthma, hay fever and obesity. He used to smoke 2 – 3 packets of cigarettes a day and drank very heavily, drinking up to 14 pints of lager a day. He has used juicing as the main tool to clear his skin, drop the weight and free himself of illness.

http://www.superjuiceme.com/

http://www.juicemaster.com/who-is-the-juice-master

Image courtesy of FrameAngel / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Cooking oils (with a focus on coconut)

July 14, 2014June 18, 2023 by JMReflex, posted in Health & Wellbeing, Healthy eating

A couple of years ago it was brought to my attention that cooking with olive oil is a big no no. I recently asked a nutritionist about this and she concurred. When olive oil is heated to a high temperature, its molecular structure changes and it turns into a trans fat. Instead, enjoy olive oil raw drizzled over your salad.

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The best oils to use for cooking are ground nut oil (peanut) or rapeseed oil: these can be heated to a high temperature without the molecular structure changing. In addition, coconut oil is also a great oil for cooking. Being a saturated fat (which basically means the hydrogen molecules are spaced differently to those of an unsaturated fat) it can be difficult to work with, because it is solid a room temperature. So if you want to drizzle it over your chicken for example, then it needs to be melted first.

Coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride and is used immediately as energy for the body, just like carbohydrates would be. So if you’re trying to cut down on those white refined carbs, and need an energy boost, coconut oil can be a great ally! Personally I dip a spoon into the pot and eat it raw for a little pick-me-up, or spread it on oat cakes as a butter substitute. Its really good in a cup of coffee too! (Handy if you’re trying to cut out added sugar.) It’s also a great addition to smoothies to give them a really silky smooth texture. A personal favourite is 1 banana, half an avocado, a wedge of lemon, 1 dessert spoon of coconut oil, 1 dessert spoon of almond butter, 1 teaspoon of greens powder.

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Dry Eye Syndrome

July 7, 2014June 18, 2023 by JMReflex, posted in Menopause, Reflexology, TCM

Dry eye syndrome can occur when the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. This can leave incredibly dry eyes, or the other extreme, the eyes can water continually to try and remedy the imbalance. This condition can affect up to 60% of menopausal/perimenopausal women. There is some evidence that shows imbalances in progesterone, testosterone and oestrogen can affect the eye. There are progesterone, testosterone and oestrogen receptors on the cornea and the meibomion glands (sebaceous glands located on the rim of the eyelid).[1] This means that there is a connection between tears and the sex hormones. There is an understanding that dry eyes can result from a deficiency in any one of the sex hormones.

In treating a client with dry eye syndrome, I developed a treatment plan focusing on re-balance and detoxification. Attention to the endocrine system is key, along with the liver, gallbladder, and also the urinary system, particularly the kidney.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the organ of the liver rules the eye; the eye it its outlet. So dry eyes might be an indicator that the body is not efficient in detoxifying or there might be an imbalance which is preventing this from happening optimally.

The eye and the kidney, in reflexology terms, are within the same zone, zone 2. In addition, thinking about meridians (the TCM energy channels) the kidney’s paired meridian is the bladder, and this starts in the medial aspect of the eye. For this reason I decided to pay attention to the urinary system during the treatments.

Sure enough, some nodules presented around the bladder and ureter on the left foot. The following day my client contacted me to tell me that she discovered she was suffering with cystitis. It was fascinating to to find symptoms of an imbalance presenting in the feet before it had presented itself to the person. My client self-treated the cystitis with an over-the-counter remedy which cleared it up in two days. But one could argue, without the reflexology treatment, the bout might have lasted longer, or been more severe.

Another interesting consequence of the treatment was that the client’s eyes stopped watering during the treatment. An instant effect like this I find truly remarkable, even though they continued to water after the treatment.

Let’s return to the liver: TCM would suggest that the liver be worked as the eye is the outlet for this organ, but also it’s pairing: the gall bladder. Emotionally the liver is associated with anger, so as a therapist it is beneficial to remain open minded about what is going on “inside” your client, mentally and emotionally, and not just recently, but long-standing emotions that can manifest in different ways. Similarly, the kidney is associated with the emotion of fear, and this conjures up images of water (crying, tears, weeping, bed-wetting, urinating).

Similarly to my advice given for perimenopause, eating a balanced diet of whole foods, whole grains, organic vegetables and fruit, reduced sugar and processed foods, and a reduction in the use of stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol, can help in re-balancing. In addition, an uptake in omega-3 can also help reduce inflammation caused by dry eye syndrome, as well as balance tear stimulation and the secretion of sebum which assists eye lubrication.

Another client who suffers with chronic dry eye syndrome as an after effect of cancer treatment, has been successful in dramatically improving symptoms by taking re-hydration salts daily. (Please consult your GP if you are currently on medication such as water or blood pressure tablets before trying this.)

Dehydration can be a cause of a wide range of health problems, and by installing a filter to restructure the tap water you are drinking to make it more bioavailable to the body is a good idea.

In addition to these options, omega 7, found in Sea Buckthorn Oil, is widely recommended by many for help with dryness during perimenopause and menopause. Not just dry eyes, but also dry skin, and intimate dryness. I recommend those made by Cytoplan. Please reach out to me if you need help or advice.

THIS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR MEDICAL PRACTITIONER OR GP.

[1] http://www.womentowomen.com

Jackie Marsden MAR is a qualified reflexologist and independent consultant (Team Leader) for Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. Jackie leads and mentors a growing team of consultants (many of whom are therapists integrating organic products into their existing businesses) via the NYRO social selling channel, holding regular team meetings, one-to-one coaching via phone and Facetime, and a closed Facebook group. All views are my own.

Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net