Beauty Essentials Tips

The Neuro Science behind Aromatherapy: For thousands of years aromatherapy has been used to heal the body, mind, spirit and emotions. In recent years there has been a great deal of scientific research conducted on neuropeptides and neuro receptor sites. Neuro relates to nerves and indicates intelligence or the ability to cognize or think.

It is your nervous system, your body's electrical pathways, that coordinates the Consciousness and function of all your Systems including, your organs, endocrine glands, lymphatic (immune function), musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, integumentary (hair & skin), urinary, reproductive and respiratory systems. In a very real sense your nervous system is the physical counterpart of your Mind.

Your nervous system has two networks of intelligence. Your Central or Conscious Intelligence System and your Autonomic or Unconscious Intelligence System. This branch of your nervous system is instinctive and operates below your normal perception of conscious control.

Research scientists have discovered nerve cells, located within every organ and system of the human body, coordinating communications between each of your cells. In fact it's been discovered that cells from each of your body systems are to be found eavesdropping within every other system of your body.

It is through this cellular matrix and network of communications, operating like a mini-nervous system, that neuropeptides, or chemical messengers, transmit their information to all your body's organs and systems. This interconnected field of information operates with such incredible speed and efficiency that it boggles the mind.

We now understand from this research that aromatic oils are chemical messengers that attach to human nerve receptors to induce a chemical response. For instance it is known that the chemical component Azulene that is in Blue Tansy and German Chamomile give them an anti-inflammatory effect. While an estrogen-like effect is induced by the Sclareol content of Clay Sage and the plant esters of Lavender oil stimulate a calming effect.

It has also been documented that the whole natural plant molecule has a myriad of properties that interact with the human body in ways that science cannot reproduce synthetically. Hence it is always recommended to use pure aromatic oils for best therapeutic results.

Recommended Methods: 1) Direct Inhalation: 1-3 drops of an aromatic oil in your palm, rub hands together and inhale for 30-60 seconds. 2) Bath - Blend 6-12 drops of oil in a teaspoonful of honey or unscented jojoba oil, after drawing your bath stir the mixture into your bath water and soak!

Either of these methods will effectively allow aromatic oils to enter the neuro-chemical delivery pathways of your nervous and hormonal systems. The Vapors from the oils enter through your nose and immediately go into your Lungs, as well as stimulate your Olfactory nerves.

Your Olfactory nerve then signals your Limbic system, the control mechanism in your brain for emotions and memory. From your lungs the oils immediatley enter your bloodstream and are delivered to your Heart, as well as all of your Body tissues and Organs, the Liver and Pancreas, your Reproductive organs, Skin, Kidney and Bladder.

The oils then circulate back to your Lungs where they are excreted. Research shows that through inhalation aromatic oils will remain for a longer period in your cell tissues ( 4-6 hours) than through any other means of application.

Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Aromatherapy is a complementary and alternative healing therapy for improving your physical, mental, and emotional health.

KG has utilized essential oils in her energy medicine practice for more than 30 years. During that time she has facilitated healing for thousands of people suffering from personal trauma, illness and injury. Through her unique AromaTest? system KG formulates essential oil blends that heal.

Please note: There are many cheap chemical copies of essential oils available, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results always use ethically wild crafted or pure organic essential oils that are pesticide free!

KG Stiles is a certified aromatherapist practicing in Ashland, OR USA PurePlant Essentials is her line of pure organic and ethically wild crafted essential oils. KG formulates aromatic oils for: colds and flu, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, menopause, anti-aging, skin care and more. KG's DVD & book about her AromaTest system, Your Aromatic Signature ~ How to Formulate Blends that Heal, are scheduled for release in 2006. To order aromatherapy oils: Order Pure Organic & Wild Crafted Aromatherapy Oils Please refer to KG's chart diagram for Aromatherapy Delivery Pathways KG invites you to Subscribe to Health Mastery Ezine to WIN FREE Aromatherapy Products. To learn more visit: Subscribe To Win Contact: KG Stiles at Springhill Wellness Center, 2520 Springhill Drive Ashland, OR USA (541) 941-7315

Over the last ten years, there has been a marked increase in the number of people who take dietary supplements. These supplements range from vitamins to mineral and herbal remedies with specific health benefits. New research suggests that taking glyconutrients can significantly enhance their efficacy.

Glyconutrients are essential sugars that the body needs for its cells to be able to recognise and communicate with each other. Rather than having one function they support every cell in the body by giving them the information they require to function normally.

The human body does make glyconutrients naturally. However you can give your cells a helping hand by taking glyconutrients as a daily dietary supplement. This can particularly benefit the elderly or infirm who may not be able to make essential sugars easily themselves.

Glyconutrients are easily absorbed and can be used quickly because the body sees them as a natural food.

For a while now scientists have known that glyconutrients can help the body heal itself. They help lower cholesterol and build bone density and muscle mass. Recently, they have also been shown to enhance the efficacy of other dietary supplements as well.

The digestive system is a highly sophisticated mechanism which performs many vital functions. It has a major role in nutrient absorption, hydration and elimination of wastes from the body. There is a growing awareness about the importance of a healthy diet. As a result, many people choose to enhance their daily diet with vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements.

However, not everything that is ingested is absorbed or used by the body efficiently. There are certain vitamins that the body is unable to release from spinach for instance. So what can be done to help our bodies derive as much benefit as possible from our food and dietary supplements?

According to scientists, the value of both dietary and supplementary nutrition can be enhanced by the daily inclusion of glyconutrients. These essential sugars help to improve cellular communication, thereby helping the body to access important nutrients.

Elizabeth Harfleet is a leading a UK based nutritional therapist specialising in glyconutrients

The luxury of soaking in a hot bath is a great stress reducer for many women. By adding certain scents, bubble bath, and essential oils to the bath water, we can create a totally relaxing experience or energize ourselves once again, depending on the products we use.

Unfortunately, many of the bath products available on the market are laced with harsh chemicals that can irritate our skin or even cause infections. You have to be careful in what you purchase and actually research your product choices carefully.

An alternative choice is to make your own bath products. By combining readily available ingredients along with a selection of essential oils, your bubble bath will help to enhance the softness of your skin, aid in stress reduction, and contribute to your mental health and well being.

What Ingredients Constitute Homemade Bubble Bath?

Let's look at some of the ingredients that you'll be using to mix up your own homemade bubble bath formula.

Distilled Water - You can purchase distilled water in most grocery stores. The benefit over using this type of water over regular tap water is that chlorine, all minerals and other impurities have been removed from it.

Liquid glycerin - This is a clear, thick liquid that is extracted from animal fats and vegetable oils, and is a by-product of soap manufacturing. It's purpose is to increase moisture and softness, plus it helps to create bubbles.

Castile Soap - This type of soap was originally made from olive oil although other types of oils can also be used, such as: coconut, almond, hemp, and jojoba.

Essential Oils - There are many oils that have many different purposes so you will need to research this area. For a soothing scent try oils like lavender, rosewood, sandalwood, chamomile, and myrrh. Some of the essential oils that can help you to feel energized and rejuvenated are eucalyptus, spearmint, peppermint, and lemon oil. Oils that are especially good at softening the skin include almond and coconut oil.

Simple Bubble Bath Recipe

Here is a very quick and easy recipe that anyone can make. Once you have it mixed, pour the mixture into an unbreakable bottle. As it doesn't have any chemical ingredients to preserve it, it would probably be safe to say you could store your bubble bath for one to two months.

1 quart warm distilled Water
1 Bar castile soap, grated
2 oz Liquid Glycerin
3 to 4 drops essential oil of choice

Mix the water and grated soap together until all the soap is dissolved. It's best to use warm to hot water for this, as it helps the soap dissolve faster. Add the glycerin and essential oil stir gently. This is safe to use for kids as well.

Bubble Bath For The Winter Months

We all know how miserable getting a cold or the flu can be. Here is a wonderful bubble bath recipe to soak in when you're sick since Eucalyptus can help your body fight cold symptoms and reduce congestion.

6 drops of eucalyptus oil
3 drops of spearmint oil
3 drops of peppermint oil
1 quart of distilled water (heated)
1 bar of castile soap. (4 oz. Bar), grated
4 ounces liquid glycerin

Mix the water and grated soap together until the soap has dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients, stir gently, and store in an unbreakable bottle.

Women are notorious for always being on the go and putting everyone else's health first. Just remember, it is also important that you take care of yourself as well. Allowing yourself to relax is part that care. Preparing your own homemade bubble bath with favorite essential oils is one great way to do this. Now go find that novel you?ve been wanting to read, take that deliciously soothing bath and melt away the stress of the day.

Rose Smith owns Total Beauty Tips, where you can learn to rejuvenate and revitalize your body with natural skin care solutions. We feature advice, products and information that will help make your total body feel smooth, soft and fabulous. Visit http://www.totalbeautytips.com to learn more.

When embarking on a diet, most people make the decision to cut out many foods that are considered unhealthy, such as refined carbohydrates, high calorie foods and fats. However, in order to eliminate excess body fat, you need to make sure you?re eating enough of the right fats. While it?s true that some fats are not good for you, others are absolutely essential for losing weight and maintaining a healthy diet. While the body can transform carbohydrates and proteins into saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, it cannot produce certain polyunsaturated fats. These fats that the body cannot produce are called essential fatty acids (EFAs), and they must be obtained from the food that we eat

EFAs actually help the body to dissolve fat. So to cut out foods high in them is like cutting out fat-burning agents!

What are Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)?

EFAs are classed into two groups: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are needed by the body to keep the heart, eyes and brain healthy, and omega-6 fatty acids are needed to keep cells, skin, the blood and immune system healthy.

Essential Fatty Acids, otherwise known as Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids, are polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the oil from oily fish and vegetable sources such as flax seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, olive oil and canola oil.

Both types of EFAs are required for the production of the eicosanoids ? hormones that are responsible for regulating the major body functions, including digestion, insulin production and the storage of fat.

How Omega-3 Fatty Acids Aids Weight Loss

It has now been proven scientifically that Omega-3 fatty acids help you lose weight. Studies at the University of South Australia have found that taking omega-3 fish oil combined with moderate aerobic exercise boosts weight loss.

Over a period of 12 weeks, researchers gave a group of obese adults daily doses of omega-3 fish oil and supervised moderate aerobic exercise three times a week. The researches compared the results of this group with other groups that were not given omega-3 fish oil and exercise three times a week.

The group that had the omega-3 fish oil lost significantly more weight, particularly around the abdominal region, than the people who had not been given the omega-3 fish oil and exercise.

They concluded that Omega-3 fatty acids in the fish oil activates the enzymes responsible for burning fat, and combined with exercise and increased oxygen intake, they increase the metabolic rate, which has an effect of burning more fat and losing weight.

Warning About Fish Oil

Many reports have indicated that commercial fish can be harmful to people?s health, in particular the health of young children and women of childbearing age. This is because certain fish contain high levels of contaminants such as mercury and methyl mercury that can damage the nervous system of an unborn child or young child. These toxins can also be transferred into fish oil and fish oil capsules.

It is possible to get the same weight loss benefits from vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids, without the toxins. Eating a diet rich in olive oil, canola oil, and rapeseed oil, nuts, avocado and soy will give you the omega-3 fatty acids your body needs to help you lose weight, without any of the associated health risks.

Shola Osho is author of Diet Cheats - how to lose weight, burn fat while eating all the foods you enjoy. You can find out more by visiting http://www.dietcheats.com More articles on the relationship between omega 3 fish oil in the diet and weight loss are available in http://www.omega-3.b0bs.com

Information on Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids and Fish Oil can be found in the Omega 3 Fish Oil Directory http://www.omega-3.dreamhosters.com which contains web resources on omega 3 essential fatty acids and how to incorporate them in your diet to burn fat and lose weight.

Imagine your self floating in a gigantic bathtub full of herbs hugging your skin; its magical powers take away your tensions, worries and transforming you to feel complete and new.

Bath is calming way to relax in today?s fast paced stressful life. It is a soothing way to start a new day and blissful send-off to bed. Herbs and its essential oils soothes aching muscles, tense nerves, skin irritations, softens skin and ensures peaches and roses complexion.

Set the stage for your bath with a clean fresh bathroom. Keep clean towels, bath gels, herbs, loofah, etc handy. Choose relaxing music, light aromatic candles around you. All in all make sure that everything you need for your luxury is within arms reach.

While filling tub with warm water, create a bag of your favourite herbs to be used in bathing. It is ideal that you give your skin a quick loofah brush head to toe before you start. To create an herb bag, fill muslin cloth or even an old stocking with your favourite herbs. Dip it in your bath, letting the herbs gently soak in the water. Bath salts, citrus leaves, dried rose petals, dried lavender flowers to name a few to create an herb bag. If you don?t have the fondness of creating your own bag of herbs, you can definitely buy ready made herb bags.

Not more than 5 drops of essential oils should be used in a bath. Dilute it with milk or carrier oil. Common herbs and its essential oils used in bath for calming properties.

-Black Pepper ? relief for aching muscles

-Clary Sage - as a perk me up and premenstrual tension

-Eucalyptus - for respiratory problems

-Geranium - for very dry or itchy skin, eczema and PMS

-Jasmine - when you wish to feel luxurious

-Lavender - dry skin, eczema, sprains, hot flashes, headaches, over work, insomnia

-Orange - to pep you up

-Rosemary - to get you going in the morning, a quick pick-me-up in the evening. Also good for aches and sore muscles

-Chamomile, Lavender or roses are good for dry, delicate or irritated skin

-Rosemary, Calendula and Thyme for oily skin

-Lemon Balm - good for hyperactive children

-Citrus & Lavender - soothing and therapeutic properties

-Ylang Ylang - exfoliates and moisturizes the skin

-Apricot and Amber - moisturises, restores softness and suppleness to skin

-Chamomile - aids in relief of aching muscles and nervousness

-Eucalyptus - opens the pores and the vapours from the bath help to clear the breathing passages.

Make sure that your bath time is a time of solitude. Just let yourself luxuriate in the watery haven. And don?t forget to put a ?Do Not Disturb? sign on the door.

Kevin Pederson manages aromatherapies sites providing Aromatherapy recipes for skin care, beauty and hygiene, emotional and physical well-being. The aromatherapy oils make useful moisturizers having good penetrative properties.

An essential oil is an aromatic liquid that is distilled from various parts of the plant. Containing the true essence of the plant, they are very concentrated and 75 to 100 times more powerful than herbs.

The purpose of the essential oil is to keep the plant healthy. They do this by protecting the plant from insects and other herbivores, from bacteria, molds, fungi, and microorganisms. They also help the plant heal inflicted wounds. These unique characteristics make them highly beneficial to mankind.

Essential oils are able to affect both the mind and body. Their ability to affect people on so many different levels is an element unmatched by other healing arts.

The healing benefits of essential oils can be received in three ways. They may be used topically by applying them directly to the skin. Some oils have a caustic effect and dilution may be necessary. They may be used internally or diffused. Essential oils should never be used in the eyes or ears as these membranes are very delicate. Whether the oil is absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or ingested, once it is in the bloodstream, it works therapeutically, regardless of how low the dose.

Here are ways to put essential oils to work for you and your family for everyday health benefits:

Increase memory and stamina: Drink a glass of water with 2-3 drops of lemon, orange, or peppermint essential oil.

Boost immune system: Apply frankincense, oregano, or thyme to the bottom of the feet (3 to 4 drops) after a shower.

Protect against fungus, bacteria, and microbes: Turn on a diffuser in your home or office, using a blend that is protective against microbes.

Eliminate stomach upset: Take a drop or two of cinnamon bark oil in warm water and drink as a tea.

Stop headaches: Rub lavender oil on the temples, top of the head, and forehead; lie down 10 minutes and inhale deeply from the oil left on your hands.

Prevent motion sickness: Sprinkle a few drops of ginger or peppermint oil on a tissue and let your sick prone child inhale it during the car ride.

Study aid: To increase concentration and focus, experiment with diffusing one of these essential oils near the study area: lemon, grapefruit, peppermint, bergamot, or pine.

Insomnia: Place two drops of lavender oil on a tissue and tuck it underneath your pillow.

Cure canker sores: Place myrrh on the canker sore for quick healing.

Colds and cough: Rub an immune system blend on the chest, back and apply to the bottom of the feet.

Essential oils are non-greasy, yet, soft and soothing. They are nature's perfect solution for the problems that chemicals, poor nutrition, and stress have added to our lives.

The safety and life changing effects of essential oils are dependent entirely on their purity and their quality. Generally speaking, essential oils that you find in department stores, and even health food stores, are of uncertain quality and are not appropriate for ingestion or healing. For best results, only pure and natural essential oils should be used.

Experiment and find your essential oils, the ones that make a real difference in your life. The whole idea behind aromatherapy is that it should be a pleasurable experience. There should be more than one oil that you can use for a particular condition, so you should be able to find one that you like.

Faye Durham is a former chemist and clinical research associate in the pharmaceutical industry. In her current career, she is a consultant and independent distributor, specializing in nutrition and aromatherapy. She can be reached through the website: http://www.youngliving.org/fdurham

Resource: Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide by D. Gary Young, ND, compiled by Essential Science Publishing, http://www.essentialscience.net or 1-800-336-6308.

?Eating less fat and having dietary programs has worsened the weight loss problem because the whole concept was built on wrong philosophy. Eating is thinking. And until flawed thinking is corrected, weight problem will persist.? Uzo Onukwugha

Being over-weight is becoming an epidemic in the United States. Statistics states that 68% of U. S. population is over their ideal body weight. And that 1 in 3 Americans are suffering from clinical obesity. This sad statistics also includes children and teenagers.

Despite the proliferation of low fat foods and endless barrage of fad diets, these statistics seem to be increasing. Individuals and companies come up with new and confusing dietary programs every day. Most of these diets do not work. Examples include Atkin?s diet (has some success), South Beach Diet, ABS diet, Cave Man Diet, Origin diet, and all sorts of diet code. The truth is that even if folks lose weight, 95% of them gain it back in one year.

Oprah Winfrey created news a few years ago when she lost sixty seven pounds and gained back eighty four pounds a year later. She is not alone. I know of a popular preacher who lost weight and even wrote a best-seller, Lay Aside the Weight. The last time I checked, he has gained it back and has stopped talking about how to lose weight. The story is always the same regardless of who is involved. The church world doesn?t eat differently from the rest of the world.

A lady asked me a question a couple of years ago, ?Why are all these men of so fat??

?Food,? I replied. ?We don?t teach gluttony as sin. The Scriptures says that if you?re given to appetite, you should put a sword down your throat for a binge.?

I said all this to state that the whole multibillion dollar weight loss industry is built on a wrong foundation. Any house that is built on wrong substructure cannot stand. As long as the prevailing mindset is to lose weight, people will also lose it and gain it back. Most of these diets are unnatural and under tension, people will always go back to what they are used to. The mind is the greatest pattern recognition organ in the universe. And will conform to its original programming even when it will harm you.

I was talking to a former footballer who was complaining to me about his weight gain. He kept on saying to me, ?I want to lose weight?I lost sixty pounds before. I can do it again.?

I kept saying to him that weight is not the problem. Yet, he did not seem to get it. Weight gain is the surface rather than the source. If you deal with the source, the surface will disappear. He is not interested in learning how his physiology; neither does he want to know about healthy eating habits. Change the seed. The fruit you?re looking for is in the roots. This is the sad story about many people struggling with over weight.

Blaming fat and cholesterol is not the problem, either. In fact, lack of essential fat can cause weight gain because of accumulation of the wrong fat. Nutrition is an evolving science?a sort of all-comers course. We know that there are the good, the bad and the ugly fat.

The good fats are the essential fatty acids that we must take through the diet because they are necessary for cell membrane and nerve function as well as reproduction. The essential fatty acids are Omega 3, 6 and 9. We should consume more of them in that order. The ratio of Omega 3 and 6 is 1:4. Flax seed (oil) and Salmon Fish are good sources of Omega fatty acids. Udo?s blend has the right combination of all the essential fatty acids in a bottle.

The bad fats are the saturated fats that everybody tends to recognize. These are animal fats from chicken, beef and hog.

The ugly fat is trans-fatty acid that tend to act as free radical and damage the cells. Example her is margarines and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils we find in all sorts of cookies.

I must add that cholesterol is not fat. And it is never found in plants. Animals need cholesterol for procreation. The problem is excess cholesterol. Fats are needed to emulsify and carry cholesterol to the tissues and blood vessels. (Erroneously, they are called cholesterol: High Density Lipoproteins, HDL: Low Density Lipoproteins, LDL; and Very Low Density Lipoproteins, VLDL). HDL is the so called good cholesterol, LDL is the bad cholesterol and VLDL is the very bad cholesterol.

Change your mindset to eating right, exercise and maintaining a healthy eating lifestyle and nature will choose your ideal weight for you. It is a bondage counting calories before you go to bed. Don?t watch your weight; watch your diet and your weight will take care of itself.

Ninety five percent of weight problem is caused by over-eating and eating junk. The body stores junk and excess as toxins in fat tissues if they are not water-soluble. Weight gain is worsened by sedentary life style. (Please don?t embark on any exercise program without proper diet and advice from a professional). It?s surprising that people blame obesity on genetics, stress, sweet tooth, emotional upheaval, diabetes, hypoglycemia, ignorance and indiscipline. These are merely the surface and not the source.

Uzo Onukwugha operates a website that is geared towards changing your paradigm so that you can reprogram your mental software for business success. To learn more, visit http://www.weblinkbusiness.com and subscribe to his newsletter. Reach him with your care and concerns at: uzonukwugha@yahoo.com

The range of ailments falling under the umbrella-term of abnormal involuntary movement disorders is diverse and includes conditions as different from each other as Parkinson's disease, restless legs syndrome and blepharospasm. Cases of blepharospasm, like those of other movement disorders, often go unrecognized or are blamed on other causes.

The term blepharospasm is the sum of its parts. Blepharon is Greek for eyelid and spasm means excessive muscular contractions. In blepharospasm the eyes blink excessively. The blinking can be too frequent, too sustained, or both. The distinction between normal blinking and excessive blinking is not exact. A practical method for sorting out cases relies on the answers to two questions:

• Does the blinking cause distress?
• Does the blinking interfere with usual activities?

Blepharospasm can occur alone or in combination with other involuntary movements. When paired with involuntary movements of the lower face -- like puckering of the lips or grimacing expressions -- the problem is collectively known as Meige syndrome, named for Dr. Henri Meige who described the condition in 1904. Blepharospasm and Meige syndrome are forms of dystonia, a sub-grouping within the overall range of involuntary movement disorders. Another example of dystonia is torticollis, in which there is sustained involuntary twisting or cocking of the neck.

Blepharospasm, like any other condition, can be mild, moderate or severe. It is not necessarily disabling, but if the blinking is so frequent or sustained that it interferes with vision, then it can impact activities like driving. Blepharospasm does not appear to be an insurmountable barrier for people whose job is to appear in public, as a well-known television personality with blepharospasm seems to be doing just fine.

How common is this condition? Not very. Researchers at Mayo Clinic tracked cases of blepharospasm in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between 1976 and 1995. They calculated just 1.2 new cases per year per population of 100,000, although this might be an underestimate of the true incidence because it doesn't include undiagnosed cases. The diagnosed patients were equally divided between the sexes and half of the people had Meige syndrome, meaning that the blepharospasm was accompanied by dystonia of the lower face. One in four cases resolved on their own.

The diagnosis of blepharospasm is based mainly on its appearance. This condition is sometimes misidentified as a reaction to (or secondary to) an irritation of the eyes, and is treated with eyedrops. However, in true cases of blepharospasm (designated as primary or essential blepharospasm) the excessive blinking is not driven by irritation of the eyes. Instead, the eyelids are just following orders from overactive brain-circuits, though in fairness, those brain-circuits might be misinterpreting non-irritated eyes as being irritated. Eyedrops are not helpful for primary blepharospasm.

Another condition which is similar in appearance is hemifacial spasm in which there is excessive blinking of just one eye, often accompanied by excessive twitching of the lower face on the same side. But hemifacial spasm is not a form of primary blepharospasm. In hemifacial spasm the affected muscles are driven by an overactive nerve rather than an overactive brain-circuit. That's why just one side of the face is affected. There is another, unaffected nerve controlling the opposite side of the face.

Although the source of excessive blinking in blepharospasm is undoubtedly the brain, the disorder does not show up on usual, brain-oriented tests like computed tomographic (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans or electroencephalograms (EEGs).

How about treatment? There is no curative treatment available. Existing treatments can relieve symptoms, but don't affect the course of the underlying disorder which usually continues long-term. Thus, the state of a person's blepharospasm in five or ten years will be the same whether or not symptom-relieving treatment is used in the meantime.

That said, many patients benefit from symptom-relieving treatment which nowadays usually takes the form of periodic injections of botulinum toxin (e.g. brand name Botox) beneath the skin, overlying the affected muscles. This weakens or relaxes the muscles involved in the excessive blinking to an extent that relieves the symptom without interfering with normal eye closure. Typical treatment cycles are no more often than every three months. Prior to the development of botulinum treatment for blepharospasm it was often treated with orally administered medications, though usually with a lower success rate.

As an example of clinical experience in treating blepharospasm, we can look at the results obtained by neurologists at the Sao Paulo School of Medicine in Brazil. Over the ten-year span from 1993 to 2003 they administered a total of 379 botulinum toxin treatments to 30 patients with blepharospasm. Sixty-six percent of the patients had previously tried oral medications for their condition and just 15% considered them satisfactory. (Of course, patients who were totally satisfied with oral medications were unlikely to seek treatment with botulinum toxin, so this figure probably underestimates the success rate with oral medication.)

So how did they do? Ninety-three percent of the patients showed significant improvement after their first injections with botulinum toxin and there was no loss of effectiveness when the first and last treatments were compared. Adverse effects -- mostly minor -- developed at least once in 53% of the patients. Six patients (20%) discontinued the treatment.

(C) 2006 by Gary Cordingley

Gary Cordingley, MD, PhD, is a clinical neurologist, teacher and researcher who works in Athens, Ohio. For more health-related articles see his websites at: http://www.cordingleyneurology.com and http://www.neurologyarticles.com

Many people know that they need omega-3 fatty acids to prevent heart attacks, and that they can get lots of omega-3 fatty acids from fish. But most people do not know that the omega-3 fatty acids in seeds such as flax and whole grains may be even more important in maintaining your health than the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish.

Omega-3 fatty acids are the least stable fats in our diet. Whole grains contain lots of vitamin E to keep the omega-3s fresh and prevent them from turning rancid, but omega-3 fatty acids in fish are not protected by vitamin E and therefore turn rancid much more quickly than the omega-3 fatty acids in whole grains.

Three huge studies, The Lyon Heart Study, the GISSI Prevenzione Trial, and in The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Study have established that omega-3 fish oils help to prevent heart attacks and reduce pain and swelling in diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis, and possibly even asthma. Recent research shows that the omega-3 alpha linoleic acids in seeds, nuts, beans and whole grain may be as necessary as the omega-3s in fish oils to prevent heart attacks.

Omega-3s found in fish oils are mostly long chain fatty acids. Omega-3s in plants, particularly seeds, contain much shorter chains and are weaker than the omega-3s found in fish. However, the shorter chain omega-3s, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), found in leafy greens and seeds are converted to the long chain fatty acids in the human body. Long-chain fish omega-3s enter blood and cells more rapidly and produce more rapid effects than short chain plant omega-3s.

Over the long haul, humans must get omega-3s from plants, as well as fish, because all omega-3s break down very quickly when exposed to oxygen in your body, and you need large amounts of vitamin E to prevent omega-3s from turning rancid. Fish oils are extremely low in vitamin E, while virtually every seed or plant source of omega-3s also has vitamin E. So your body stores far more short chain omega-3s from plants in your body fat.

Dietary fats are classified by their chemical structure into saturated, polyunsaturated and mono unsaturated. The polyunsaturated fats are further sub-classified into omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. Omega-6 polyunsaturated fats form prostaglandins that cause clotting, a thickening of the blood and constriction of arteries that cause heart attacks.

On the other hand, omega-3 polyunsaturated fats prevent heart attacks and high blood pressure by helping thin blood, relax arteries and prevent clotting. Over millions of years, humans have consumed a diet that contained approximately equal amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids, but over the past 150 years, humans have increased their consumption of omega-6s by extracting vegetable oils from the seeds of corn, sunflower, safflower, cotton and soybeans.

These oils are used in most prepared foods, frozen foods, margarines, French fries, potato chips, and bakery products. Today Americans eat a diet with a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids that is almost 20 times higher in omega-6s than omega-3s, instead of the traditional ratio of about 2:1. This abnormally high intake of omega-6s blocks arteries and causes swelling throughout the body. To meet your needs for short chain omega-3 fatty acids found in plants, eat lots of green leafy vegetables, and seeds such as flaxseed, whole grains, beans and nuts.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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Someone asked me the other day, 'Emily, what oil are you most excited about?' Certainly a thought provoking question; one that I wouldn't even be able to answer ordinarily. At the risk of sounding like an info-mercial, I'm going to tell you that I am excited about Raspberry Seed Oil.

Oilseeds are processed in huge quantities in commercial processing facilities with significant downtime for cleaning between different kinds of seeds. Because these tiny seeds yield very little oil by commercial standards for oilseeds and need to be processed carefully to preserve their identity, they are only being processed on the very small scale. At this time, manufacturers are making a small profit from something that was once waste material. Some initial laboratory analysis is available and much is pending. I think that this oil will increase in price when the potential for profit is proven.

This oil is truly a nutraceutical. The tiny seeds of Raspberries are from organically grown plants and are cold pressed. The relatively small amount of oil produced is full of good stuff for your skin. This is an oil that I would take as a supplement. I am actually making the yummiest salads using Red Raspberry Seed Oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, sea salt and a drop or two of essential oil of a culinary herb such as Oregano or Basil. It is 83% essential fatty acids. Lenoleic, alpha-lenolenic, oleic, omega 3 and omega 6, tocopherols, tocotrienols, carotenoides, vaccinic, ellagic and steariodonic acids, are all familiar to the health conscious consumer.

The high levels of Vitamin A (carotenoids) give this oil a bright orange color. Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin. It speeds the healing of damaged skin and is used for skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.

The very high levels of Vitamin E (tocotrienols, alpha and gamma- tocopherols make this oil quite an anti-oxidant. All tocopherols are effective against particular kinds of free radicals. Using a product that contains mixed tocopherols allows for broad protection. The role of Vitamin E in human health has not yet been fully explored. All of this Vitamin E means that this oil is stable and will most likely act as a preservative if added to other vegetable oils that tend to oxidize quickly.

Raspberry Seed Oil has significant anti-inflammatory properties. It is effective when used for dermal conditions such as rashes and eczema. The incorporation of an oil with such properties into the diet could have huge potential.

Red Raspberry Oil contains variable amounts of Ellagic Acid. Initial studies reveal that Ellagic acid concentrations range from 0.06 to 0.32 mg/g in the seed oil. Ellagic acid is an anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic as well as being anti-bacterial and anti-viral.

Most surprising is that this oil actually has an SPF rating ranging from 28 to 50.

Red Raspberry Seed Oil can be ordered from Emily's Oils & Essentials.

Emily

I grew up across the street from the Village Sauna and up the hill from the American River in Fair Oaks, California. Native plants and salves and tinctures were ever present. Victoria Edwards was a massage therapist at the Sauna and lived next door to us on Harmony Hill. Her handmade massage blends of the 70's grew into Leydet Aromatics, a world-wide supplier of essential oils and aromatherapy supplies recognized for quality and customer service. I began working for Leydet in 1995, years of focused learning and growth followed. When Victoria began a sabbatical in Southern France in 2004, there became a need for a restructuring of the business that she had built. Out of this, Emily's Oils and Essentials was born; a company dedicated to continuing the legacy of Leydet by serving customers in the spirit of healing and the rightful use of plants. I intend to provide a seamless transition for loyal Leydet customers and to continue to introduce people to the sensory pleasures and healing properties of nature's gifts.

- Emily

Generally it can be said that most of us do not get a good balance of essential fatty acids in our diet. Perhaps this does not sound like late breaking news. However most of what we consider news does not directly impact our lives. An earthquake half way around the world will make the headlines. But in reality most of us are insulated from its effects. Essential fatty acids on the other hand will never make a reporter?s career. However, many of us are affected by these little buggers more than we may suspect.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are called essential because we need them to survive and our bodies cannot manufacture them. Deficiency and imbalance of EFAs are blamed for an impressive list of chronic health conditions. But, unlike the distant earthquake, EFA deficiency is unlikely to make the headlines.

Two very notable essential fatty acids that are worth our attention are omega-3 and omega-6. They get their names because of the placement of the first of multiple double carbon bonds in the molecule. Though the chemistry is important it is not the focus of this essay. What is important to us now is the potential health impact of these two fats. Let?s take a closer look at each of these essential fatty acids separately and then consider their relation to each other.

Omega-6

In reverse order we will consider omega-6 first. Perhaps we do not hear as much about omega-6 as we do its counterpart. But consider this impressive resume. Omega-6 has been useful in the treatment of anorexia nervosa, ADHD, osteoporosis, diabetes, eye disease, certain skin conditions, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis and even cancer. Not bad for an unsung hero. Go over that list again. These are all serious conditions that have been tied to omega-6 deficiencies. So why do we hear so little about this little gem? Perhaps it is because health issues only become exciting once there is an obvious problem. Then we usually look for a pill to take. But if this is a reason for our ignorance it is not the biggest reason.

The plain truth is most of us are getting plenty of omega-6 in our diets. In fact most of us get way too much. Over ten times too much. That?s a switch isn?t it? Too much of a good thing. The reason we get so much of it is because many of the foods we buy are processed with some type of linoleic acid which is a popular form of omega-6. In addition many oils we use are high in omega-6 such as sunflower, safflower, soybean, corn and cottonseed oils.

So what?s the rub? Why worry about too much omega-6? Our bodies have the ability to convert linoleic acid into longer chain fatty acids which lead to the production of eicosanoids. Eicosanoids depending, on their source, can have positive and negative influences on our bodies. They can slow intravascular clotting which helps to prevent heart attacks and strokes. They suppress inflammation preventing us from overreacting to allergens. They dilate blood vessels reducing hypertension and increasing good blood delivery. They can also control cell growth slowing the rapid growth of cancer cells.

On the other hand they might increase blood clotting which leads to heart attack and stroke. They suppress the immune system leaving us more open to infection. They increase cellular growth thereby promoting the growth of cancer cells. And they create new blood vessels which can feed cancer cells. Unfortunately eicosanoids produced by an overabundance of omega-6 in the system cause many of the negative factors mentioned above.

Omega-3

Omega-3 has the opposite story. Like omega-6 it is essential to proper health and is useful in the treatment of many chronic diseases. Among these conditions are heart attacks, cancer, lupus, schizophrenia, accelerated aging, stroke, insulin resistance, asthma, postpartum depression, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, ADHD, and Alzheimer's disease.

But unlike omega-6 most diets are deplorably deficient in omega-3. Most of us get only a small amount of what we need for optimal health. Though it can manifest itself in many ways this deficiency may be most noticeable in chronic heart disease. Entire cultures are known to have very low incidence of heart disease because of diets high in omega-3 rich foods. Most notorious among these are Eskimos. Danish researchers first learned this secret from the Eskimos. Of course the Eskimos did not realize they had a secret. They were just eating large amounts of the fatty foods that were available to them. That?s right, fatty foods. Foods like salmon which are high in omega-3.

Once the secret was out researchers rolled up their sleeves and produced a flurry of studies and trials to test the hypothesis that omega-3 reduces heart disease. The studies continue to go on. But the overwhelming conclusion is consistent with the original observations. That is: omega-3 reduces incidence of heart disease. In fact the conclusions are so certain the even the American Heart Association now recommends fish oil supplements for any one with documented coronary heart disease or high triglycerides. That was no small concession for the AMA.

Balance

Of course we all understand that the key to everything is balance. Perhaps this familiar sentiment is nowhere more important than it is to the topic at hand. Both omega-6 and omega-3 are essential to health. But the ratio at which we ingest these fatty acids is key. Scientists differ on the optimal ratio. One recommended ratio is 5 parts omega-6 compared to 1 part omega-3. Some would stretch that to a 10:1 ratio. The more conservative estimates place the optimal ratio somewhere between 1:1 and 4:1. Unfortunately the average American diet includes an omega-6/omega-3 ratio between 14:1 and 20:1. This imbalance contributes to many of the chronic health problems mentioned above.

So what do we do? Assuming you are a reader who takes this seriously there are some steps you can take to assure better health for you and your family. You can begin by avoiding foods prepared with linoleic acid and some of the linoleic acid rich oils mentioned above. Buy less prepared foods and do more home cooking. Then make every effort to increase omega-3 consumption. Cold water fish like salmon and tuna (not the canned varieties) are very high in omega-3. But you need to eat these fish more than once per week. I have met people who eat salmon every day for breakfast. If you are not a fish lover or are concerned with marine pollutants try fish oil supplements. The good ones are completely free from contaminants. Our diets have contributed to the increase of chronic conditions like heart disease. Our diets can go a long way toward resolving the problems.

For more information on the omega fatty acids and heart health please see the links below.

Omega-6 and Omega-3

Omega-3 and Triglycerides

Triglycerides

Greg has degrees in science, divinity and philosophy and is currently an I.T. developer.

To calm teenage acne the skin must be balanced both internally and externally. Getting back to nature from the inside out can rebalance the glands, keep the skin bacteria-free, and allow it to heal more quickly. The world?s oldest home acne remedies rely on herbs, essential oils (yes, oils), and ancient relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation and soft martial arts. Teenagers can take control of their acne and create smoother, clearer skin through small yet powerful lifestyle changes. This holistic approach to solving teenage acne problems addresses the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. The 7 keys to smoothing troubled skin are:

1) Treating skin problems is an inside job. The skin is considered the third kidney, as it is another organ of elimination that the body uses to externalize oils and toxins not excreted otherwise. Acne can be affected by the food you eat. Although no foods have been proven to cause acne in all sufferers, some people have adverse reactions to nuts, fats, fried foods, milk products, fried and oily foods and chocolate. Experiment carefully and eliminate the offenders.

2) Clean up your act. Hygiene is really important. You can benefit from washing your face 2 or 3 times a day. If you wear make-up be sure to wash it off completely every night. Use a mild, unperfumed cleanser. Add one drop of juniper oil and one drop of lemon oil to about 1/4 cup of cleanser. Essential oils have antiseptic properties that help keep bacteria in check. Keep hands and hair clean as well and always try to keep hair off of face.

3) Don?t get too clean. Avoid using soaps or cleansers that dry out the skin or cause redness. Although people with acne and oily skin have an aversion to applying moisture (oil) to the skin, any skin needs a little oil to protect and lubricate it. To try and remove all oil only starts a vicious circle, as the glands try to produce more to replace what has been lost. Avoid using alcohol as an astringent because it over dries the skin. Witch hazel solutions are more effective astringents.

4) Vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, vitamin E, and zinc are helpful for acne. Check with your doctor for the proper dosages. Too much can be dangerous. Some studies suggest that 135 mg. zinc is as effective as antibiotics (tetracycline) for treating acne.

5) Use an herbal treatment. Take tincture of myrrh, dilute it in a small bowl of water, and use a cotton ball or pad to wipe your face. Myrrh?s antiseptic and astringent properties can both treat and prevent acne. Use daily. Another treatment involves steaming your face or putting a compress on it (for 10 minutes) with a special essential oil solution. To very hot water add 2 drops juniper oil, 2 drops bergamot oil and 2 drops lavender oil. Either cover head with a towel and steam face or place soaked cloth over face. Splash skin with cool water afterwards and apply a tiny bit of oil mixture.

6) Make a natural toner. You can use any natural toner without chemicals or perfume. Witch hazel mixed with equal parts of strong chamomile tea is excellent. Add to a pint of your toner 2 drops of juniper oil, 2 drops of bergamot oil and 2 drops of lemon oil. Use toner after cleansing face. The essential oils help rebalance the glands and protect the skin from bacteria.

7) Emotional turmoil can wreck havoc on the skin by disturbing digestive and endocrine functions. Acknowledge emotions without indulging them. Research has shown that people with acne have higher levels of anxiety and anger than others. Relaxation exercises may help lessen this tension and help develop an inner beauty as well. Consider yoga, meditation, or soft martial arts for a cosmic beauty beyond cosmetic beauty.

Karen Cohen is wellness coach living in rural Virginia. Karen began her lifelong study of herbs and essential oils as a young teenager. A mother of three children (10, 16, and 24) she has helped them all have healthy skin the holistic way. An expert yoga, meditation and fitness instructor, Karen is available for individual and group coaching, seminars and dynamic workshops internationally. She can be reached at 540/570-4791 or at http://www.RockbridgeMag.com

A selection of essential oils is now available from health food shops, chemists and by mail order. When you are buying them, be careful to choose essential oils, not perfumed oils. Although these may well smell delicious they are not benefecial for aromatherapy.

An essential oil is:

In his groundbreaking book Eat Right 4 Your Type** Dr. Peter D'Adamo discusses the importance of one's blood type in determining the types of foods that one's body will either accept or reject as metabolically useful.

He has shown with solid research to back it up that foods have on the surface of their cells markers called antigens that are similar to the markers we have on our blood cells that determine our respective blood types. An individual's body will generally accept blood and foods whose markers are similar to those found on one's blood cells. Alternately the immune system is programmed genetically to be on the look out for foreign looking blood types. This is the basis behind the blood type screening used by hospitals when transfusing blood.

Well it turns out that the same is true for the foods that we eat.

Now I know from first had experience as a body builder whose blood type is O Positive (the O blood type is the most common on the planet with around 63% of people having it) that I am personally sensitive to Whey products solely based on my Blood Type. Whey is one of the protein sources that is extracted from dairy products and concentrated to become one of the main ingredients of the Body Building Powders that many body builders use.

When I consume foods that my immune system recognizes as foreign, i.e. Whey for example, it becomes activated to mop up the whey and it gets stored as fat because metabolically it has limited usefulness for the body. This leads to many untoward consequences which include:

1. Depletion of energy.

2. The body becomes protein starved in the face of a body building challenge.

3. Foreign foods get stored in tissues and joints that can lead to arteriosclerosis, depression, arthritis, diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases.

4. Significantly reduced performance, strength and muscle bulk.

So the body builder who has an O Blood type (and you have a 63% chance of being in this group) and who is unwittingly using Whey products to build muscle is actually not only doing damage to their body but they are also not getting the extra protein requirements they need to build muscle.

This essentially means they are putting their bodies in a very stressful state, much like driving your car on water rather than gas.

Several years ago after starting the Blood Type Diet prescribed by Dr. D'Adamo I felt that although he suggested animal protein to be the best source for me as a body builder I felt a bit queasy about going this route as it meant putting into my body meats processed with potentially harmful hormones and antibiotics often used by meat processors world wide. This concern was only accentuated by the BSE scare.

So in search of a better and safer source of protein I was happy to find a product made by Young Living Essential Oils called Power Meal. This is a naturally produced product with many organic ingredients and which has a rice protein concentrate as its base along with the world renown Ningxia Wolfberry as a rich protein and antioxidant adjunct.

Rice protein is generally blood type friendly for most of the world's population and is rapidly assimilated for high energy activities such as body building. After starting Power Meal I was amazed at how after a few short weeks my energy, muscle bulk and strength improved but my weight decreased. I not only felt fit I also was sleeping better and not getting the aches and pains I often got following a workout.

If you'd like to learn more about Power Meal kindly visit the web link below.

References:

** Dr. Peter D'Adamo, Eat Right 4 Your Type, Putnam, New York, NY, 1996

Nick Arrizza M.D. is trained in medicine and psychiatry. He is an avid body builder, an international performance coach and healer. he is the developer of the powerful Mind Resonance Process(TM) MRP.

YL Web Site: http://www.youngliving.org/arrizza Personal Web Site: http://www.telecoaching4u.com

Aromatherapy is the practice of using plant oils, such as Essential Oils, for psychological and physical well-being.

What is an Essential Oil ? Essential oils are the pure form of the plant . They are not chemicals and are extracted without solvents.

Essential Oils that are inhaled into the lungs are thought to be beneficial both Physically and mentally. The aroma of the Essential Oils stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction. They also have a direct effect on the body when inhaled. Thus you can experience benefits from the Proper Use of Essential Oils. It is very important to remember the misuse of essential oils can have severe consequences. Always know what you are doing before experimenting with these oils.

It is also import to note that anything you put on your skin will in most cases be absorbed by the body. Essential Oils should never be used directly on the skin. They are way to concentrated and need to be mixed with a carrier oil such as a vegetable oil before applying to the skin. Some common Carrier Oils are Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, sunflower oil.

When purchasing a Essential Oil it is important to know there is a difference between an Essential Oil and a Fragrance Oil.

What is a Fragrance Oil ? Fragrance Oils are artificially made oils. They lack the properties in most cases that Essential Oils posses. The usually contain artificial substances and are usually diluted with carrier oils.

Be sure to know what you are buying and using before making any product yourself.

Teresa Bacon Owner of We Make Perfect Scents Bath & Body Company and The Beauty Resource Network .

Essential oils are the natural product of plant metabolism. They are considered the liquid immune system of the plant. Essential oils come from the stems, seeds, leaves, bark, roots, rinds, flower petals and grasses of plants.

When you buy essential oils don?t be upset at the price. First off, they are well worth it. Secondly, when used properly it only takes a very small amount to accomplish the task. You?ll also want to try to purchase organic essential oils. The more pure the essential oil the more potent it will be. All natural and chemical free should be the only type of essential oil you purchase. Other modifications and processing can alter the strength and the purity of the oil. Essential oils that are extra virgin or cold pressed are great ones to use.

Essential oils can be used for a variety of purposes. Aromatherapy, bath oils, medicinal uses, and massage are only a few of the typical uses for essential oils. For a natural, effective therapy, no matter what the purpose, there is most likely an essential oil available to suite your needs.

When thinking about aromatherapy essential oil there is a variety out there from which to make your choices. The purer an aromatherapy essential oil the more potent the therapeutic effects. There is a wide range of aromatherapy essential oils all with their own unique therapeutic qualities.

Here is some information help you decide to buy any essential oil. To start, your essential oils have to be diluted into base oils. Diluting will make the substance go further and last longer. Dilution of essential oils will not reduce the effects.

Massage therapy essential oils can just as well be used in baths. Since a nice warm bath can be a great way to unwind at the end of the day, what better way to relax than to include a product that will help in many more ways, from rejuvenating the spirit and the mind to conditioning the skin. It is important to note that oil will cause the surface of the tub to become very slick, so use caution when exiting the tub and be sure to wash the tub out thoroughly when finished to avoid an accident the next time you bathe.

As with any product it is always important to check the contents of the oils and purchase them from a reputable company where you have more assurance of the ingredients used. Particular medical condition may cause adverse reactions when using these oils. If you have high blood pressure, pregnancy, epilepsy, heart conditions, diabetes and more consult with a physician before use. Remember, it is a good rule of thumb to spend a little time doing your homework first rather than pay for it later with your health.

Sanji Gretta has been practicing aromatherapy for quite a while. His latest website Aromatherapy Source is designed to give novice aromatherapy practitioners a introduction to the wonderful world of aromatherapy. Visit Aromatherapy Source Now to find out more about Aromatherapy Massage Oils.

Botox has made a huge splash in the health and beauty market because of its ability to erase and minimize wrinkles. The stunning success of the BOTOX solution has had beauty enthusiasts lining up to receive their wrinkle treatments. Are botox treatments safe? After all BoTOX is a protein toxin produced by clostridium botulinum bacteria. This is the first cousin to the deadly botulism bacteria.

Botox has been safely used by opthamoligists for over a decade without any serious side effects being reported. This drug has actually been around since the early 1960?s. Originally it was used as a treatment for crossed eyes. The manner in which botox works is that it is injected into the muscle where the wrinkles appear. When the botox is injected into the muscle the frown lines, crow?s feet and laugh lines temporarily disappear. I stress the use of the word ?temporary? because a botox treatment normally lasts about 3 to 6 months. Botox treatments were approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment of muscles that produce frown lines.

Botox injections have quickly become the fastest growing cosmetic procedure and are anticipated to be used on over 4.5 million patients in 2006. They are more popular than breast augmentation. Current botox patients report that after several treatments that the effects of this wrinkle cure last much longer. It is important to note that Botox is ineffective for fine wrinkles because fine wrinkles do not appear because of facial expression caused by facial muscles. On the flipside, the one negative of botox treatments is a slight and temporary drooping of the eyelid. At the present time this appears to be the most important side effect of botox treatment.

While botox has been safely used by millions of patients, it is recommended that pregnant women, or women who are breastfeeding their babies as well as patients suffering from neurologic disease should never use botox.

Botox treatments do not work for everyone. However, over 90% of patients who have been surveyed are extremely happy with this procedure. This temporary cure for wrinkles has created quite a bit of excitement in the health and beauty field. This procedure is administered by qualified plastic surgeons. The average cost for a simple botox treatment is about $200 - $400 for each area that it is applied to.

Ricardo Sanchez Gonzalez is an active health and beauty enthusiast and the webmaster for http://www.more-answers-now.info. He is also a botox patient who is very enthused by the results that botox treatments bring about.