Tag: Fitness

Now that Tea Tree Oil prices have dropped and the hype has hopefully worn off. I thought it would be nice to research a little more as to what kind of benefits we can get from the little herb that was such a wonder drug just a few years ago. It seems that there have been a few studies although many of them are inconclusive of the effect that Tea Tree Oil has on the body, although as you will see in this list there are many many claims to what Tea Tree Oil can do for you.

My advise is to get a larger bottle of Tea Tree Oil and test it out yourself for a month or two and see how it works out. From my experience I have found it to work great for my skin and use a Body Shop brand tea tree oil soap every day. Here is a list of the information and uses for you to try out.

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a multi-purpose herb that traces its roots to the Aboriginal people of Australia. For thousands of years, they used the leaves as an antiseptic and antifungal by crushing the leaves and making a mudpack. The Australian government considered tea tree oil a World War II essential for their armed forces’ first aid kits. After the war, increased use of pharmaceutical antibiotics decreased tea tree oil’s appeal everywhere except in Australia. Tea tree oil started to regain its popularity in 1960, with a recharge in its research around the world. Today, Melaleuca alternifolia is also grown in California.

Properties of tea tree oil
Tea tree oil’s properties are contained in the oils of its leaves. The oil is steam distilled from the leaves and then tested for chemical properties, which can number between 50 and 100. This may explain tea tree oil’s many beneficial uses. The main active components are terpinen-4-ol, 1,8-cineole, gamma-terpinene, p-cymene and other turpenes. Its aroma is distinct and very floral although sharp.

General use
Tea tree has a long history of traditional use. Australian aboriginals used tea tree leaves for healing skin cuts and infections, by crushing the leaves and applying them to the affected area. The oil contains constituents called terpenoids, which kill fungus and bacteria.

Acne – Some research in humans suggests that applying tea tree oil to acne lesions on the skin may help acne to clear up faster and may also cause fewer adverse effects (skin dryness, itching, stinging, or redness) than do other commonly prescribed acne drugs..

Infections – Tea tree oil has been studied for treating a variety of infections. Early studies have found that tea tree oil may kill toenail fungus, fungal infections in the mouth and skin, athlete’s foot, some bacterial infections, vaginal infections, and herpes infections. However, there are no clear answers in these areas because studies have been small and low quality. More research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Gingivitus – Early study suggests that tea tree oil may help gum inflammation and reduce plaque when used in mouthwash. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Other uses

• Athlete’s foot
• Minor injuries
• Vaginitis
• Thrush
• As an antiseptic
• Boils
• Lice
• Psoriasis
• Yeast infection

Antibacterial
The most promising new function of tea tree oil is to counter methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), also called the hospital super bug. In United States and European hospitals, MRSA grew from under 3% in the 1980s to 40% in the late 1990s. This super bug attacks people who have wounds, such as post-operative infections , and a depressed immune system. MRSA resists conventional antibiotics, except Vancomycin. A Thursday Plantation in vitro study, at East London University, comparing Vancomycin and tea tree oil, shows the latter as a powerful alternative. This study corroborated the University of Western Australia study by Thomas Riley and Christine Carson. Because the spread of MRSA occurs mainly by hands, one London hospital uses tea tree oil soap for staff and patient hygiene. The first study using real patients with MRSA, is currently in progress at The John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle New South Wales. The undertaking looks at tea tree oil as a topical alternative.

Tea tree oil works as an expectorant when inhaled or taken internally and has a soothing effect; therefore, it can be used for throat and chest infections, and clearing up mucus. It is also effective against earaches, cystitis, and gingivitis. Inhaling steaming hot water with 5 drops of tea tree essential oil added can not only soothe coughing and plugged noses, but doing so at the start of the infection might stop it from spreading. For sore throats, gargle with 6 drops of tea tree oil in a glass of warm water.

Common Doses
Tea tree comes in cream, ointment, lotion, and soap forms It can also be found as a pure oil. Tea tree oil has been used as a spot treatment for acne, for fungal infections of the toenails, and diluted as a mouthwash for oral yeast (thrush). When gargling, the solution is never swallowed after use

Recipes – Steam Inhalations
2 drops of tea tree oil in a bowl of steaming water. Cover head and inhale for
5-10 minutes. To relieve congestion and fight infection.

Recipes – Massage with Tea Tree oil
Add 3-5 drops of Tea Tree oil to 30ml of base oil and massage in for rheumatic
pain. Twice daily.

Recipes – Bathing with Tea Tree oil
As a disinfectant measure add approximately 3-5 drops to the bath water. Helps
with skin infections.

Immune System Treatment
Massage once weekly with a blend of 3-5 drops of Tea Tree oil to 30ml of base
oil. To help strengthen the immune system.

Even with the waning popularity of Atkins there are still people out there on a no carb diet. You may remember a few years ago there was a stampede back to the Atkins diet which is one example of a no carb diet when everyone was raving about all the food that they got to eat, all the fat and protein and still lost weight. Well that all kind of made sense at the time because your body with no barbs coming in will generally use stored fat for energy and you will just poo out most of that fat and protein that you are eating.

Here is a few problems with a no carb diet

1. Expensive – The no carb diet like Atkins is expensive to buy food for. How much steak and chicken can you eat? There is no fiber to fill you and you just feel bloated from eating this expensive food all the time.

2. No Carb Diet is Boring – The no carb diet are boring as they just make you eat the same foods often and you never get the interesting foods like fruits and veggies that are high in carbs.

3. Not long term effective – A no carb diet will help you lose a few pounds initially but you do plateau after a while and then you are stuck trying to find another way to lose weight.

As far as diets go the no carb diet is just another kind of fad diet in my book. They seem to work but after a while you find it is not a good lifestyle change. Now we have other diets that are somewhat the same in the first place. I know that the Zone diet will focus in the induction phase for no carbs but then after the first couple of weeks you add carbs in and it is a lot more healthy, it’s that induction part that always makes me nervous.

No Carb Diet. A Problem?

There are many ways to lose weight but the no carb diet is not a very good one in the long term

Have you done Atkins or something like it? Did  a no carb diet work for you?

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Should you stop eating meat to Lose Weight? It depends on how you approach it. You can eat a healthy vegetarian diet that can help you to lose weight. However, simply giving up meat will not by itself make you lose weight. Some people, in fact, when they give up meat end up eating more carbohydrates, which can have the opposite effect.

Meats are High in Fats

Meat and animal products are generally high in protein and saturated fats. Saturated fats were, for a time, considered unhealthy and a cause of many diseases. They were also blamed for obesity. Now, however, they are gradually being recognized by many nutritionists as necessary, if derived from high quality sources (such as organic or natural animal products). Eating a diet with a moderate amount of saturated fats will not make you fat.

The worst things you can eat if you are trying to lose weight are foods that are high in sugar, low quality carbohydrates and trans fats. Low quality carbs are those made with processed white flour. When you buy or make foods like bread or pasta, look for whole grains, preferably organic. Avoid refined white sugar. Also avoid foods made with hydrogenated oils and trans fats.

Stop Eating Meat

Stop Eating Meat – Become a Vegetarian?

The decision to eat a vegetarian diet and stop eating meat or not is a personal one. The fact is, you can lose weight as a vegetarian or as a meat-eater. Or you can gain weight on either diet. There are good arguments for becoming a vegetarian. One is ethical, which is something you have to decide for yourself. Another has to do with the unnatural way most meat is produced today. This, however, can be avoided by buying organic meats and animal products (though these are more expensive).

Losing weight is probably not a good reason to become a vegetarian. If you are overweight and a meat-eater, it is probably not meat that is making you fat. It is more the overall number of calories you are consuming, the amount of sugar, carbs and unhealthy fats. There is also, of course, the amount of physical activity you are getting, which is at least as important as your diet.

One reason why a vegetarian diet and stop eating meat may appear to be good for losing weight is that it is often part of a general effort at eating a healthier diet.

Stop Eating Meat is Healthier Anyway

There is nothing wrong with this, and I am certainly not trying to discourage anyone from becoming a vegetarian, only saying that it is probably not a decisive factor by itself when it comes to losing weight. For example, many people start eating more fruits and vegetables when they become vegetarian, which is healthy. You can, however, eat more fruits and vegetables without becoming a vegetarian. The choice is yours.

If you are trying to lose weight, the bottom line is to eat a healthy diet (whether it includes meat or not), to reduce your intake of unhealthy foods, and to increase the amount of activity you get. Stop eating meat and you can in fact get a lot healthier.

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