Beauty starts within: The benefits of dandelion tea

I've been on the quest for a healthier lifestyle lately since I've been struggling with weight gain and acne quiet a bit.   Let me give you some background....

In 2010, the year I got married, I started to develop acne.  Not regular acne but large, cystic, under the skin kind of acne that lasts for a long time.  That same year, my dermatologist decided it would be wise to go ahead and try Accutane.  Accutane is an oral medication which has caused some controversy in the past so I was hesitant to try it.  The dermatologist managed to talk me into it and I went ahead and did one round of it.  It dried me up significantly to the point that I was carrying around a huge tub of Vaseline everywhere to moisturize my lips and eyelids!!!  Anyway, it did clear up my acne but caused a whole other set of problems.   My liver had become damaged and that combined with a few other medications I was taking caused my hormones to go way out of whack! Then I started to get stressed out because of the fact that the acne came back, which caused me to start gaining a lot of weight, especially around my mid section and continuing to throw my hormones out of whack.  Finally, I decided to go on a cleanse that was provided to me by my naturopath to get all of the toxins out of my body and start with a clean canvas for my new healthier lifestyle.  The cleanse was simple and made me feel so much better!  I even lost a few pounds doing it (comment below if you'd like details on the detox). 

I then started to do my research on how to balance my hormones as I knew that was a large part of my problem.  I came upon dandelion and the health benefits so decided to give the tea a try since it was organic and natural so it couldn't hurt.  I've been drinking it for a month and a half and my acne has cleared up, I've lost quite a bit of weight and am no longer bloated.  I feel 100% better than I have in a long time!  Below is a list of benefits of dandelion (root and leaf). 

Benefits
Folk medicine claims the dandelion plant is a powerful healer, used to purify the blood, settle digestion and prevent piles and gall stones, among other maladies. The fact is the greens of the humble dandelion provide 535 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin K, which may be the most important source of any other plant-based food to strengthen bones, but may also play a role in fighting Alzheimer's disease by limiting neuron damage in the brain.
Dandelion greens also give the body 112 percent of the daily minimum requirement of vitamin A as an antioxidant carotenoid, which is particularly good for the skin, mucus membranes and vision. A flavonoid called zeaxanthin protects the retina from UV rays, while others, primarily carotene, lutein, and cryptoxanthin, protect the body from lung and mouth cancers.
Need more benefits? Dandelion greens are high in fiber, which helps your body shed waste. These greens also contain vitamins C and B6, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, iron (crucial for generating red blood cells), potassium (to help regulate heart rate and blood pressure), and manganese. Other nutrients present in dandelion greens include folate, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper.

As if that weren't enough, here are more benefits of dandelion.

Digestive Aid – Dandelion acts as a mild laxative that promotes digestion, stimulates appetite, and balances the natural and beneficial bacteria in the intestines.

Kidney – This weed-like super food is a diuretic that helps the kidneys clear out waste, salt, and excess water. This inhibits microbial growth in the urinary system too.

Liver – Dandelion has been shown to improve liver function by removing toxins and reestablishing hydration and electrolyte balance.

Antioxidants – Every part of the dandelion plant is rich in antioxidants that prevent free-radical damage to cells and DNA, slowing down the aging process in our cells.

Cancer – Dandelion acts against cancer to slow its growth and prevent its spread. The leaves are especially rich in the antioxidants and phytonutrients that combat cancer.

Diabetes – Recent animal studies show promise that dandelion helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels.

High Blood Pressure – As a diuretic dandelion increases urination which then lowers blood pressure. The fiber and potassium in dandelion also regulate blood pressure.

Cholesterol – Animal studies have shown that dandelion lowers and control cholesterol levels.

Gallbladder – Dandelion increases bile production and reduces inflammation to help with gallbladder problems and blockages.

Inflammation – Dandelion contains essential fatty acids and phytonutrients that reduce inflammation throughout the body. This can relieve pain and swelling.

Immune System – Animal studies also show that dandelion boosts immune function and fights off microbes and fungi. 

Stay tuned for more posts on beneficial herbs and teas.

References:
http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/11-health-benefits-of-dandelion-and-dandelion-root/#sthash.pTOzdp1Y.dpuf

http://foodfacts.mercola.com/dandelion-greens.html

Disclaimer
I am not a medical professional and the opinions expressed are those of my own experiences as well as research that I've done.  Before taking any herbal supplements, always contact a medical professional.

How I use Hydrocolloid dressing to heal pimples

So after my last post about Hydrocolloid dressing to heal pimples overnight, I've had a lot of questions on how to actually use it.  Here's my method...

1.  At the end of your day, shower or wash your face and dry it thoroughly.
2. Cut Hydrocolloid dressing to size to cover the entire pimple with a little overlap onto your skin.
3. Apply the dressing and place your finger over top of it to warm it up for 30 seconds.
4. Leave it on and go to sleep. 
5.  In the morning, remove the dressing and shower/wash your face as normal.

*Note* If you're acne prone, after the shower, dry your face and rub half a lime all over your face, leave on for 1 minute, wash off, dry your face and apply your dressing.  You can do this in the morning and night. 

Get rid of a pimple OVERNIGHT!

So I've been suffering from acne for about 4 years now.  I've tried topical creams and pills...including Accutane!  While the Accutane did get rid of my breakouts, it also cause a lot of stress on my liver which is now causing me to break out again.   I've gotten to the point where I don't fight with my skin, I just kind of let it do it's thing......until now!

So I'm just going to get right to it,  Hydrocolloid bandages!  That's it.  That's the miracle cure.  I was online researching skin products and came across these Nexcare acne patches.  These patches were getting rave reviews from everyone.  I didn't read a single negative review.  Because it's not sold in Canada, I started to research the technology and why these patches work.  Basically, these patches are just Hydrocolloid bandages cut into circles.  Hydrocolloid bandages are actually used for blisters, burns, cuts and bruises to suck all of the nasty stuff out of the wound.  I got to my closest drug store and picked some up to test out this little miracle.  All I have to say is that THEY WORK! 

I cut the bandage to size and applied it to one of my cystic breakouts. After one night, it shrunk the spot about 20%, after the second night it shrunk about 90% in size! 

Needless to say, these bandages are going to be a staple in my medicine cabinet!

Try it out and see how you like it.

Benefits of Rose Water

Roses have been added to cosmetics, medicines and therapeutic treatments for centuries for it's amazing beauty properties.
 
Rose essential oil has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, making it ideal to topically treat a host of ailments including abrasions, burns and skin conditions.

Vitamin A, B3, C, D, and E. In addition, falvonoid (antioxidant), tannins, and zinc are also often found in rose water.

works well on dry skin and aging, as well as the oily skin and acne prone.
 
Rose water has a nutritious astringent tonic which helps reduce redness caused by enlarged capillaries.

Rose water increases blood flow to the scalp to nourish and strengthen hair follicles and prevent hair loss.

Rose water helps maintain the skin's natural pH balance so they can against various skin diseases and eczema.

Sebum production can be balanced by using rose water. This applies to people with oily skin or dry skin.

 

Rose water can help in reducing the redness from irritated or over-heated skin.
 

 It is a great cleanser and aids in removing oil and dirt accumulated in clogged pores. Thus preventing acne and pimples

 

Its astringent like properties are great if used after facials and help to close open pores. Applying rose water after steaming tightens capillaries, reduces redness and blotchiness.
 

The aroma of roses is said to be a powerful mood enhancer. It rids you of feelings of anxiety and promotes emotional wellbeing, thereby making you look relaxed. Since it is de-stressing, it helps you sleep better which means you will wake up feeling fresh.
 
For those with mature skin, try using rose hip oil or serums as an anti aging treatment.
 
Try using rose water with glycerine as a facial spray in the morning and evening.  Simply spritz on dry skin and allow to obsorb.

 

Toners - Necessary or not?

There's really no yes or no answer to this one.  Toners can be beneficial if used correctly.  When you wash your face, there's bound to be a little residue left over.  Toners can help remove that residue and dead skin cells.  The best way to use a toner and ensure it's benefitting your skin is to apply it on moist skin. When you apply a product on moist skin, it helps the product penetrate your skin more rapidly.  Same goes for moisturizers etc. 
The moral of this story is that if you plan on using a toner, use one with good ingredients.  Avoid toners with alcohol, even if you have oily skin.  Pictured are some great toners if you plan on trying one as part of your skin care regimen.