Aromatherapy uses plant-extracted essential oils. Many people wrongly believe that it is simply nice-smelling massage. In fact, aromatherapy is much, much more than this. It can become an essential part of your everyday life and, more specifically, an essential part of any detox program.

Essential oils are absorbed into our bodies via the skin or the olfactory system (inhalation). The skin is a semi-permeable membrane and the transfer of the essential oil molecules through the skin into the bloodstream means that the effects can begin as soon as the oils are applied to the skin. They will continue as long as the oils are on the surface of the flesh.

Once in the bloodstream, the molecules will travel to the brain and trigger the necessary functions relevant to the specific oil used. (Initial doubt as to whether substances can be absorbed through the skin has been eliminated by the introduction of ‘patches’ for many conditions by the medical industry.)

When we inhale the essential oil fragrance the molecules travel inside the nostrils and reach the brain through the thin membranes in the nasal passages and the olfactory system.

Inhaling the oils is the quickest way to benefit from them. During an aromatherapy massage treatment the client is required to lie on a massage couch, either naked or in their underwear, covered in towels or blankets. The room should be warm and the practitioner should have a calm, relaxing approach. The treatment will usually last about an hour. You may feel drowsy after the session but a glass of water will soon remedy this.

How To Detox Your Body Naturally

Colon cleansing is gaining a lot of credibility of late, as more and more people look to enhance their health and rejuvenate their bodies. A natural colon cleanse product can help your body eliminate toxins and refresh your colon, and is a perfect companion to a healthy detox diet.

Natural Body Detox Tips – LaStone Therapy

LaStone therapy is a relatively new treatment, which is being used more and more as part of a body detox program, which based on extremely old foundations. LaStone therapy is massage using heated basalt stones and frozen marble stones. The treatment was invented by a lady called Mary Hannigan, in Tucson, Arizona. It combines thermotherapy (use of hot and cold) with spiritual and energy work, and leaves the client feeling balanced, grounded, renewed and positive.

The treatment itself is similar to massage and aromatherapy. You lie on a couch, covered in towels, and the practitioner uses long and short massage strokes to work over the body. However, in this case, the therapist has a hot or cold stone in their hand throughout the treatment.

Essential oils can be incorporated into the treatment. Alternatively, the therapist will simply use a base oil to help the stones work across the flesh. People who have had the treatment report that it is like being comforted or returning to the womb. The small stones feel like lots of little hot-water bottles being tucked in against the skin, and the cool stones are refreshing and invigorating. It’s a treatment that’s really worth trying if you get the chance.

A detox diet is a great way to cleanse your body and boost your immune system. the added benefit of detox diets is that they are the perfect way to start any weight loss program.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/natural-body-detox-therapies-1771557.html

Feeling frazzled with breastfeeding? You’re not alone. Review our tips for success.

The first few weeks of breastfeeding can be very challenging for a new mom. Here are a few tips to help you succeed:

- Choose a comfortable place to nurse. Sit back, rest your head and neck and use a foot rest to enhance your comfort. Comfort is key since you will be in this position for some time.

- Have a glass of water handy and any other item that you may need during this time such as a snack, telephone or magazine.

- Use a nursing pillow or regular pillow to help position your baby.

- Place your baby in the desired breastfeeding position BEFORE attempting to latch your baby to your breast.

- Make sure that your baby is comfortable in this position.

- When enticing your baby to open his/her mouth, move your nipple in an up-to-down motion, stimulating your baby from the nose down to the chin.

- Place some manually expressed breast milk (or formula if no breast milk is available) directly onto your nipple to help entice your baby to latch.

- For a sleepy baby, try waking your baby by:

- Rubbing your baby’s back along his/her spine.

- Tickling your baby’s feet.

- Removing blankets, clothes and hat. Babies love to sleep when they are cozy and warm.

- Wipe your baby’s face and chest with a cool, damp cloth.

- Change to a football hold or in an upright position so your baby isn’t snuggling into you.

- If all else fails, put your baby near your breasts skin-to-skin with you and give your baby another 30 minutes to an hour to wake up and get hungry. The skin-to-skin contact keeps your baby close to you, smelling your scent and helps to stimulate your milk.

- Breastfeeding may be uncomfortable at the very beginning, but the pain should ease after the first couple of minutes. If it doesn’t, your baby may not be latched properly. Take your baby off of the breast, making sure to break his/her seal with your finger first, and then try again.

- A nipple shield may be helpful in assisting your baby to latch in the first week. Once good breastfeeding has been established, stop using the shield.

- Wait to offer a bottle or pacifier until good breastfeeding has been established. Bottles are much easier for babies to remove milk from. This could potentially cause your baby to prefer the easy bottle instead of your breast which is more work.

- Many breastfeeding moms are concerned that their baby is not getting enough milk. It is true that in the first few days, you will only be producing drops of colostrum. Colostrum, although low in quantity, is very high in quality. Colostrum is rich in protein and low in fat and sugar.

- A good guide for assessing adequate intake is if your baby is sleeping 2-3 hours between feeds, is stooling and is having 6-8 wet diapers a day.

- Keep a chart of the time your baby fed, the length of the feeding, the breast you started with and if your baby had a wet or poopy diaper. This is especially useful if you have more than one baby.

- You may find it helpful to use a bracelet or similar item to place on the arm that corresponds to the breast that you started your feeding session with.

- Still having problems? Seek out assistance from a lactation consultant in your area.

With patience, practice and time, breastfeeding your baby will become second nature. Don’t give up….you can do it!

Babies 411 is an on-line information and resource center for parents. This site has been developed by a neonatal intensive care nurse with the sole purpose of promoting the health, safety, and well-being of all babies.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/breastfeeding-tips-1764181.html