Joe Marchesani joins us on the Chatterbox as we look back at his experience in Vietnam, and his remarkable story that has lead him to discover, and now teach, Yoga! We touch on post traumatic stress disorder, how Yoga helped him through addiction troubles, and how he gets people started with Yoga.
This is just a small part of the full conversation about his how he got to the War and what Yoga has done for him. Check out the full interview in audio version via our Podcast here!
Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Relaxing and calming to the mind and body, relieves muscles
Roman chamomile oil has a warm, sweet scent that is relaxing and calming for both the mind and body. Excellent for tension, it is great when added to massage oil for the relief of muscles after exercise.
Widely used for its calming properties, this essential oil is especially soothing to body systems, and helps to support a healthy inflammatory response
The most versatile of the chamomiles, Roman chamomile oil is extracted from the small, white, daisy-like flower of the Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) plant. Soothing to all types of skin, Roman chamomile oil is used extensively in Europe in skin preparations for young and old alike. Its gentleness makes it especially valuable for restless children.
How to use: For aromatic, topical or dietary use. Diffuse, or apply topically on bottom of feet, ankles and wrists. May be added to food or rice milk as a dietary supplement.
Dr. Chaudhary talks about the effects our lives have on our heart and how to listen it along with Scott Carvin and Arshad Mahmoon, MD, Director of the Vascular and Cath Lab, Butler Memorial Hospital
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Calming and relaxing, universal oil with countless applications
Our most popular oil, lavender has been cherished for thousands of years for its unmistakable aroma and its therapeutic properties. It is widely used and accepted for its calming and relaxing qualities.
20 Reasons to use Lavender Essential Oil
1. Aching Muscles
If you’ve spent a back-breaking afternoon in the garden, jump into a lavender bath to soothe aches & pains away. Apply Epsom salts & a few drops of Lavender Oil to the bath and soak away the tension.
2. Acne
Lavender is one of the most valuable oils for the treatment of acne, according to aromatherapists. “It inhibits the bacteria that cause the skin infection, helps to rebalance the over-secretion of sebum, which the bacteria thrive on, and reduce scarring”. Add a few drops of lavender oil to a plain cream sold by chemists and use as a moisturizer or cleanser.
3. Bugs & Bacteria
French laboratory studies in the early 20th century showed that lavender is a powerful antibacterial in dilutions of 5 per cent or less it is lethal to bacteria that cause typhoid, TB & diphtheria. Combined with Lemon Balm, for its clinically tested anti-viral properties.
4. Burns (minor)
After you have cooled the area by immersing it in running cold water for 5 minutes, gently stroke on neat lavender oil. Pain relief is almost immediate, and burn usually heals without scarring.
5. Cuts & Wounds
Apply lavender oil to sooth pain, prevent bacterial infection and aid scar-free healing. Apply neat.
6. Earache
Warm a bottle of lavender oil in hot water for a minute or two, then gently massage a few drops into the skin around the ears and throat. For babies & small children, add 2-3 drops of the warmed oil to a little olive oil and massage in the same way.
7. Eczema
Stroke infused lavender oil (a few drops of lavender oil & carrier oil) into dry, itchy skin—small children will find this especially comforting or add a few drops of lavender oil to calamine lotion, shake before use.
8. Fatigue
Add 5 drops of lavender oil to a hot foot bath and relax while your feet soak in it. The soles of the feet are particularly porous, so lavender reaches your bloodstream very quickly, exerting its stimulating and soothing effects on various systems of your body.
9. Fevers
For babies or small children, sponge them down very gently with tepid water to which you have added a drop of lavender oil. Take care not to let them get chilled. This works for adults too.
10. Giddy Spells, Faintness or Pulpitations
Make your own smelling salts—sea salt , lavender oil, peppermint oil & basil oil.
11. Headache
The distilled water of Lavender (Hydrosol) Mist around your head, is refreshing and soothing. Alternatively, make a compress of a piece of cause or muslin soaked in icy cold water then sprinkled with a few drops of lavender oil and apply to the forehead, or massage a few drops into the forehead, temples and nape of the neck.
12. Insomnia
In a number of small studies, elderly psychiatric patients have been shown to sleep better and be more alert during the day when their sleep medication is replaced with lavender oil either dropped on their pillows, or placed in a diffuser on the ward. To help to induce sleep, put 3 or 4 drops of lavender oil on your pillow. For babies, add 1 drop of lavender oil & geranium oil in carrier oil and massage into a babies back or a few drops in their bedtime bath.
13. Long-Haul Travel
Combine lavender, rosemary, Neroli, frankincense & clary sage, into your hand luggage and roll it over your pulse points to help you keep a clear head during those endless hours in the air.
14. Menstrual Cramps
Massage a few drops of lavender oil into your lower abdomen or apply a hot compress onto the area, which a little lavender oil has been sprinkled.
15. Moths, Midges & Mosquitos
These annoying little insects all hate the smell of lavender. To prevent bites, splash yourself with lavender hydrosol before you go out at sunset or to bed, put 3-4 drops of oil on your pillow or soak cotton wool ball in the oil and leave it on a saucer in front of the window. Lavender oil is also a terrific remedy for insect bites, soothing itching & inflammation: dab it on to them neat as soon as possible. To keep moths off your clothes, hand lavender bags on you coat hangers or keep them among your sweaters and refresh them with a drop or two of lavender oil from time to time.
16. Scabie
This infestation by a tiny mite burrowing into your skin causes intense itching. Rub the whole body with neat lavender oil, then following every day until better with a mixture of lavender oil and alcohol. Change and wash bedding and clothes and sprinkle lavender oil on the mattress.
17. Shingles
Combine a mix of lavender oil with, analgesic, antiviral & scar preventing essential oils neat or on compresses on the agonizing lesions of shingles. It usually produces a cure within 5-8 days.
18. Sinusitis
Lavender is one of several essential oils that aromatherapists recommend for inhalations to relieve sinusitis, add two drops of lavender & thyme oil to a bowl of near-steaming water and inhale slowly and deeply, with a towel over your head & bowl.
19. Stress & Anxiety
Keep a spritzer of Lavender Mist - Hydrosol handy to spray on your face during the day, or apply lavender oil neat to your temples.
20. Sunburn
Spray pure Lavender Mist – Hydrosol directly onto the skin or Add 8 drops of lavender oil and 4 drops of peppermint oil to a teaspoon of jojoba oil. Pour it into a cool-to-lukewarm bath and soak for 10 minutes.
Dr Safdar Chaudhary discusses the stresses of the current economical downturn, layoffs and cutbacks along with a panel of guests including Ray Carter, VP and General Manager of WPXI-TV.
S’eclairer Chatterbox is an open discussion Podcast (or netcast) that you can listen to on iTunes, Stitcher, and other Podcast sources
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Melaleuca (Tea Tree) (Melaleuca alternifolia) Oil
Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly know as tea tree oil, is an ingredient of many soaps, creams, lotions, deodorants, disinfectants and air fresheners. It is one of the most powerful immune stimulant oils, and can be used to fight infections of all kinds. It is also helpful in clearing the skin.
Melaleuca alternifolia oil is an excellent choice for wound care and tissue healing, and has long been known as a potent anti-fungal agent. It has been documented to kill many bacteria, viruses and fungi on contact, so — just as the aborinines knew — it is excellent for cuts, wounds and burns, and anywhere harmful bacteria might be found.
Key properties of melaleuca oil
Some of the therapeutic properties of lemongrass include: analgesic, anti-bacterial, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-viral and disinfectant.
Melaleuca is also effective to use at the onset of flu or cold symptoms. Just add 2- 5 drops of oil to a teaspoon of agave or honey, and add to warm water or tea, or let sit and dissolve on the tongue before swallowing. Initially, this should be done every 20-30 minutes; then, when symptoms are under control, reduce to 2-3 times per day.
Melaleuca alternifolia is also effective at treating gum inflammation, and can be used for periodontal disease.
For wounds, cuts, bites, fungus, athlete's foot, skin disorders and less severe burns, apply melaleuca topically and neat (undiluted). For application to more sensitive areas, especially the genitals, for herpes or thrush, dilute with a carrier oil.
For dandruff, add a 5% dilution to your shampoo.
For mouth and gum problems, gargle or oil-push a 5% dilution.
Modern research into melaleuca oil
Double-blind studies demonstrate that melaleuca oil is useful in the treatment of
athlete's foot and other fungal infections of the skin and nails.
Another study found melaleuca oil to be effective at reducing gum inflammation, due to periodontal disease.
Numerous studies have shown that melaleuca is effective against acne.
Studies show that melaleuca oil is as effective as standard antiseptics for clearing resistant strains of staph bacteria from the skin of hospitalized patients, as well as hospital instruments and surfaces.
Other uses for melaleuca oil
1. Melaleuca oil is very important in the health of the immune system, as it acts as a immuno-stimulant and increases the body's ability to fight off any infections. It can be applied topically or ingested, but is also very effective when diffused.
2. Melaleuca oil can also is used to revive the mind and body after shock. Melaleuca (Tea Tree) (Melaleuca alternifolia) Oil
3. Melaleuca oil is used all around the world, for its great effectiveness at warding off infections of any kind. It is active in all three varieties of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi and viruses.
4. Melaleuca can help with influenza, cold sores and gingivitis.
5. Besides its superb anti-infectious properties, tea tree oil is also very effective at clearing bronchial congestion, asthma, coughs, sinusitis, whooping cough and tuberculosis.
6. For the genito-urinary system, tea tree oil can be used to help clear vaginal thrush, cystitis and genital infections, in general.
7. On the skin, tea tree oil clears abscesses, acne, burns, herpes, oily skin, athlete's foot, cold sores, blemishes, diaper rash, warts, sunburn and infected wounds. It is also effective at fighting dandruff.
8. Diffusing Melaleuca alternifolia oil it may assist with colds, sinusitis and bronchitis, or any other respiratory ailment.
9. When added to water, for washing or bathing, melaleuca has great value in treating abscesses, bed sores, acne, boils, lice, dandruff and wounds, and can also be applied neat on problem areas, with a cotton swab. These same remedies can be used safely on pets.
10. For lice, apply tea tree oil neat onto the scalp, let sit for 40 minutes and wash the hair. Repeat every second day, for twelve days.
11. Melaleuca oil can be used as a mouthwash, for gum infections, mouth ulcers, throat infections and tonsillitis. Dilute to 5% before using.
