August
2005 Ageless herbal newsletter
When we refer to good colon health, we are not merely referring to the absence of constipation; we are referring to a well functioning colon, which has a direct bearing on the general health of all people.
In older, bed-ridden patients, a huge variety of ills and ailments can be ascribed to the fact that the health of their colon is less than perfect, and although this may not be the single cause, it is definitely a contributory factor to a host of health problems.
This holds true for younger people as well as the colon is not only a waste mechanism, but also forms an integral part of the entire system of the body.
If the colon cannot remove wastes properly, the other waste removal organs be that the lungs, kidneys and skin are over-taxed, and toxins build up within the system. For that reason, people with
badly functioning colons may have bad
breath, as well as very darkly colored and smelly urine and various
skin eruptions and complaints.
If regular bowel movements are lacking, the toxins accumulated in the colon
can contribute to a host of problems ranging from minor things such as headaches to allergies, mood swings, recurrent flu and fevers, to more major
degenerative diseases, such as arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, diverticulitis and various auto-immune diseases.
Since few articles in glossy magazines will ever tackle this topic, very few people ever give much thought to it, and if they become very constipated will pop a
laxative or two which is the sum total of how far people ever think of their colon.
The colon needs roughage (fiber), water and exercise to function properly but in saying this, it is no use to now and again overdose on bran or other fiber, as taking large amounts of this may not always work towards the health of your colon, but can hamper its proper functioning.
For more information on constipation, please visit
www.ageless.co.za/constipation.htm as well as
www.cellulite.co.za/constipation.htm
When colon health is compromised, you cannot and will not feel your best, and for that reason alone, proper care must be taken of this body system.
Colonic irrigation, although very alternative and slightly controversial, is different from enemas, as it is a slow and precise therapy that MUST be performed by a qualified therapist, yet can have a very beneficial effect on your general health, especially if you have had problems with your colon.
Healthy people can have a colonic irrigation once a year, while people with impacted or unhealthy colons should consider a series of treatments, until the health of the colon, including the muscle tone, functionality and circulation is on par again.
Although this is not a complete article about colon health, or colonic irrigation, we have aimed with this article to make people more aware of the importance of their colon, and the role it can play in fighting disease and maintaining vibrant health.
This essential oil must be one of the most under-valued essential oils, as it does not have the enchanting smell that lavender, neroli, ylang-ylang or rosemary has, but its therapeutic properties make it a super-star in its own right.
Black pepper essential oil is extracted from the unripe, sun-dried peppercorns (fruit) of the Piper nigrum plant and although the plant originates from India, Malaysia, Madagascar, China and Indonesia, the essential oil is mostly extracted in Singapore, India and Malaysia. There are nearly 900 species of the
pepper plant, but only a few are used for medicinal purposes, and only the Piper nigrum specie is used to extract the
essential oil.
It has been used in India for more than 4,000 years and is also used in Chinese medicine. Even the ancients Greeks relied on the medicinal use of this herb.
This warm and spicy essential oil helps to increase warmth in the body and mind, relieving sore muscles and joints, boosting the immune and digestive systems, stimulating the kidneys and
dispersing bruising by increasing circulation to the
skin.
The therapeutic properties of black pepper oil include analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient and tonic (especially of the spleen).
Black pepper oil can be used to help in the treatment of
pain relief, rheumatism, chills, flu, colds,
increase circulation, exhaustion, muscular aches, physical and emotional coldness, nerve tonic and fevers. It furthermore increases the flow of saliva, stimulates appetite, encourages peristalsis, tones the colon muscles and is a general digestive tonic.
This warming oil can be used to great effect to help circulation and bruising and specifically to help with muscle tone, aching limbs and rheumatoid arthritis. It further helps to promote digestion, the colon as well as the kidneys.
Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy, black pepper oil is used to add warmth to chills and colds and to create an atmosphere of 'getting things done'. This can be done by vaporizing the oil in a special oil burner (over a tea candle) or can also be used in some humidifiers that have a special place to vaporize essential oils.
Blended oil or in the bath
Black pepper oil can be used in blended massage
oil, or diluted in a bath, to assist with circulation, bruises, rheumatoid arthritis and muscular aches and pains. It is best only to use a few drops (no more than 6) to a bath, and when including it in massage oil, use no more than 2% of the essential oil. Almond oil is a good medium to use for massage.
Blended in base cream 
As a constituent in a blended cream is can be used for tired aching limbs, sore muscles, rheumatoid arthritis, stimulating the appetite and to help sort out bowel problems. In small quantities it can be used to reduce high temperatures. It increases circulation to the skin and is therefore helpful in restoring proper functioning of the skin.
To make a very basic cream, you could use aqueous cream and add a few drops of the essential oil to the cream, and then stir very well but keep to the 2% inclusion rate of the essential oil in relationship with the cream.
People with arthritis report wonderful results when applying a cream containing black pepper oil on the affected areas.
To read more about black
pepper essential oil please visit Esoteric
Oils.
Other articles of interest
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