Mind/Spirit Wade in the water…. Just as water is significant in baptism because it symbolizes the cleansing away of our sins and the renewing of our spirit, biblically water is a reminder that when our spirit is dehydrated we can go to God’s well and refill our cup over and over again. (John 4:7-14& 7:38). Water represents the tranquility and serenity that is necessary to reflect, renew and seek peace of mind.

Body Inner – Water is necessary for nutrient and oxygen transport and for absorption and utilization of vitamins and minerals. Our bodies are made up of over 80% water. We lose up to 2 -3 quarts of water per day, more if you exercise. That water loss needs to be replaced. Without enough water, constipation, dehydration and a weakened immune system can occur. 8 – 10 glasses of water per day is the popular belief but did you know for every caffeine beverage you drink like coffee, tea or soda, you must drink an additional 8 ounces of water. You can determine how much water you need per day by dividing your weight by 2…the result is approximately the amount of water you should drink in ounces. Drinking the daily-recommended amounts of water will result in a healthier, stronger body as well as reduce your risks of bladder infections, increase metabolism, keep healthy bowels and reduces halitosis.

Outer – Water improves elasticity in your skin leaving it more supple. Water also helps the body rid itself of toxins, which results in a more radiant complexion and adds a healthy glow to skin. Keeping your body hydrated not only keeps your skin radiant but it reduces acne flair ups and chapped lips.

There’s nothing like a nice warm bath to renew your mind and cleanse your body. Add these goodies to your bath for a more enjoyable experience. Origin’s “Peace of Mind” Tension-releasing vapor bath is very soothing if you like the smell of peppermint and eucalyptus. Or Bath&Body Works’ Aromatherapy Sleep Foam Bath is a soothing blend of Lavendar & Vanilla that will leave you on cloud 9.

Exercise – Swimming provides a great workout to your entire body. It’s toning from head to toe, while providing an excellent cardiovascular workout. It also strengthens your heart muscles and improves circulation. According to the American Heart Association, just 30-60 minutes of physical activity 3-4 days per week can help reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. As a regular physical activity, swimming can also help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Swimming is a relatively in expensive sport to begin, since you don’t need much equipment. For most of us, a good swim cap is all the biggest challenge. For more information on pools in your area, contact your local YMCA, 24 Hour Fitness or gym nearest you. Swiminfo.com gives advice for swimming workouts.

Beauty really does start from within. So if you want to raise your beauty factor from the inside out, just add water.

Are you aware that the diet you follow may be depleting your bones of essential nutrients and increasing your chances of developing osteoporosis? Popular diets may promise quick weight loss, but calcium and other important nutrients are often missing from the menu, which can lead to bone loss.

And women who consistently limit what they eat to avoid gaining weight may undermine the health of their bones, according to a study by ARS researchers in California.

The study looked at the eating behavior of women between the ages of 18 and 50 and found that those classified as “restrained eaters” had significantly lower bone mineral density and bone mineral content (key indicators of overall bone strength and health) than women who said they weren’t concerned about what they ate.

“Exercise and eating a well-balanced diet with adequate calcium, are two of the best ways to keep your bones strong and healthy.” advise the researchers.

Calcium is not only good for your bones but can help you maintain a healthy, low fat diet too. There has been increasing media coverage about numerous studies showing that a diet rich in calcium helps reduce body fat.

Why is calcium important in weight loss?

Calcium is a fat burner. High-calcium diets seem to favor burning rather than storing fat. Researchers say this is because calcium stored in fat cells plays an important role in fat storage and breakdown.

Calcium changes the efficiency of weight loss . In fact, study after study has shown that the people with the highest calcium intake overall weighed the least, and the people with the lowest calcium intake had the highest percentage of body fat.

When overall calorie consumption is accounted for, calcium not only helps keep weight in check, but can be associated specifically with decreases in body fat. A low daily calcium intake is associated with greater tendency to gain weight, particularly in women.

Researchers found that adolescent girls who consumed more calcium weighed less and had less body fat than girls who consumed the same amount of calories from other sources.

Previous studies have shown that a higher calcium intake can block body fat production in adults and preschool children, but this was one of the first studies to show that it might have the same effect in body-conscious preteen and teenage girls.

But aren’t dairy products fattening?

Some dieters consider dairy products to be fattening, but the evidence suggests the opposite is true.

Consumption of calcium-rich dairy foods can actually help to reduce and prevent obesity. Over 20 recent studies show that milk products actually contribute to weight loss.

A new study in obese adults, presented at the First Annual Nutrition Week Conference, showed that increasing calcium intake by the equivalent of two dairy servings per day could reduce the risk of obesity by as much as 70 percent.

The study provided clinching evidence that calcium in low-fat dairy products can help adjust your body’s fat-burning machinery and help keep your weight under control.

In another study, obese subjects placed on a high-calcium diet, with yogurt as the calcium source, showed markedly greater fat loss than those on a low-calcium diet.

Numerous studies have shown that dairy calcium is more effective in reducing body fat than other forms of calcium.

Why does diary calcium work so well?

Researchers believe that other nutrients found in milk products act in synergy with calcium to reduce fat more efficiently.

Glycomacropeptides (found in whey proteins derived from milk) in particular, are known to create feelings of satiety and fullness and decrease food intake.

Foods that are a good source of calcium include cheese, milk, ice cream, baked beans and other dried legumes, dried figs, broccoli, most dark-green leafy vegetables, and soft fish bones like those in canned salmon.

Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not provided by medical professionals and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.

Since the beginning – from the time of the ancient civilisations, the knowledge of the effectiveness and use of aromatic essential oils has handed down from generation to generation, and across different communities. Aromatherapy is a manifestation of humanity’s profound wisdom.

As early as 18000 B.C., as attested to in the wall paintings found in French caves, people of the Stone Age era had depicted, in illustrative splendour, their use of aromatherapy for the cure of sickness, fatigue relief or the enhancement of the pleasure of existence.

In ancient Egypt, priests had the knowledge of using aromatic essences in religious rituals, and extracting certain types of aromatic substances for use in medication. Egyptian Pharaohs exchanged essential oils, which could be worth more than gold, for slaves and valuable treasures. The Egyptians also discovered the excellent disinfectant and preservative properties of certain essential oils and resins, and the kinds that best served the use of preservation. Egyptian mummies that have stayed intact for 5,000 years or more aptly demonstrate the effectiveness of these ingredients.

In China, the use of herbs for the treating illnesses has a long history and tradition. From the era of Shen Nong who made medicinal herbal samples to the time of Li Shi Zhen who compiled the “Compendium of Medical Materials”, herbal therapy had been a part of life for people of China. In 3000 B.C., the first Chinese medical book “Yellow Emperor’s Private Manual” listed in details the curative effects of essential oils.

From around 3,000 B.C., priests who used essential oils in religious rituals and for corpse preservation also understood the beneficial effects of these for the living. In the Bible, essential oils are mentioned 180 times. The depiction that most people are familiar is that when baby Jesus was born, three wise men came, bringing along the essential oil that could strengthen the body’s immunity.

In 400B.C., the father of ancient Greek Medicine — Hippocrates — recorded in his famous medical treatise the properties of some 300 kinds of essential oils for the maintenance of well being. Ancient Romans used aromatherapy to create a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere in their temples and political buildings. They also used essential oils for massages after bathing.

In 15th Century Europe, aromatic essential oils were used to eliminate body odor and prevent diseases; in the times of the Crusades in the 12th Century, Europeans used essential oils against epidemics, reducing the death toll. With the rise of the modern perfume and cosmetics industry, the use of aromatic essential oils is becoming more and more widespread.

The Development of Aromatherapy

In 1897, a French pharmacist worked with the extracts and blended essential oils that were in fashion among the Europeans. Using an innovative process, botanicool was successfully infused via essential oils with the help of a patented formula catalyst. Together with the world renowned discovery of a burner head made of composite materials, these essential oils were able to diffuse instantaneously and increase its aromatic potency. This development gave rise to a complete series of efficient, safe and effective aromatherapy application.

In 1928, French botanist Rene-Maurine Gatteforril wrote numerous books on healing with aromatic plant essential oils. In these books, he explained the characteristics and application methods of plant essential oils, including examples of effective application of plants essential oils for disinfections, sterilisations, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory uses.

He recounted how he had unwittingly soaked his scalded hand into a container of pure lavender oil, and was surprised to discover immediate pain relief and healing without leaving a scar. He continued experimenting with various essential oils, such as extracts of thyme, clove, chamomile and lemon, and used these on the sick and wounded soldiers in a military hospital. The result of healing was astonishing.

In 1964, Doctor Jean Valnet made further discoveries on the effective properties of essential oils for cell regeneration and sterilisation, and vigorously promoted the use of aromatherapy in the medical field. Before the Second World War, the essential oils of clove, lemon, thyme and chamomile were used as natural disinfectants and sterilisers. They were also used to fumigate hospital wards, and to disinfect surgical and dentistry tools. During the Second World War, the medical arena continued in its use of essential oils, in an attempt to hasten the recovery process from scar marks, healing of burns and treatment of wounds.

Some time later, French biochemist Marguerite Maury expanded this field of research. In her highly influential book “Secrets of Life and Youth”, she narrated the various effects of aromatherapy. After years of research and clinical tests, she identified the areas in which aromatic molecules deliver significant therapeutic results. These observations were studied from a scientific perspective and recorded in detail. In addition, aromatherapy was introduced into the cosmetics world, synthesising medicine, health and beauty.

In particular, she noted the influences of essential oils when absorbed by the skin or inhaled in the form of aromatic fumes. Aromatic molecules entering through the respiratory tract cause millions of reactions to happen through the nerves, finally registering themselves in the brain. In this process, they stimulate our senses, excite our mental faculty and restore vitality. As such, we can make use of this beautiful substance to restore our physical well being to a natural and balanced state.

In order to gain greater insight into this thousand-years legacy, Bel’Air has gathered biochemical researchers to engage in scientific techniques of analysis and research into the basic characteristics and applications of essential oils. Various research and development projects have already been launched.

Advancing into the New Era of Bio-technology

From ancient times, based on practical experiences, man has realised the marvellous effects of essential oils on the human body. However, what components do different kinds of essential oils contain? Among the components, which ones are most beneficial to the human body? Under what conditions will they be most effective? The study of the practical curative properties of essential oils, made with the full vigor of modern science, is the paramount mission of the leader of the aromatherapy world — Bel’Air.

The Global Chairman of Bel’Air, Mr Huang Shu Li, introduced “Aromatherapy” in Asia. He created a new wave of aromatherapy trend and successfully established the aromatherapy brand “Bel’ Air”. Strictly controlled quality materials are used to supply the market demand. Taking first into consideration the needs of the human body, new essential oils are constantly researched and developed for the market.

With great foresight, Bel’Air has combined medical and bio-technology in aromatherapy applications so as to elevate such applications to the specialised path of body health maintenance and treatments. Bel’Air diligently seeks to validate with science the application of aroma curative properties. All products have certifications from various countries to attest to their safety in use. To achieve the objective of laying deep foundations for the aromatherapy business, Bel’Air has collaborated with the National Yang Ming University in Taiwan, establishing the Bel’Air Bio-tech Research Centre. With this, distinguished experts in the medical and bio-technology fields have been invited to help research and confirm the safety and effectiveness of the use of Bel’Air’s essential oils.

The promotion and development of pure essential oils and therapeutic methods have been Bel’Air’s achievements in pioneering the trend for health maintenance aromatherapy. To bring aromatherapy applications into the realm of medical and preventive medicine is a goal that Bel’Air diligently aspires to accomplish. The ability to use high-end bio-technology to develop essential oil products with preventive and curative functions for ailments shows that Bel’Air is well ahead in the era of aromatherapy for medical applications and is opening up a new chapter in aromatherapy history.

Aromatherapy candles release a small, but continuous stream of herbal and floral essential oils into the air as they burn. The chemicals in the essential oils enter your body as you breathe, and travel throughout the body, including the brain, through the bloodstream. You receive subtle benefits as the chemicals interact with your body. Don’t expect to receive full healing benefits by lighting a candle, but aromatherapy candles provide the same dual benefits inherent in conventional aromatherapy in less concentrated doses: smell therapy and chemical reactions to the essential oils.

Burn aromatherapy candles to alter, enhance, and improve your state of mind while adding a touch of nature’s pure perfume to your surroundings. What a pleasant, powerful quick fix to an otherwise rotten day, not to mention a less destructive alternative to downing a pint of ice cream or a pound of chocolate to chase away the blahs.

Let aromatherapy candles help set the right mood for others with whom you spend time. Your guests will only know that you have that “special something,” that magical touch when it comes to hospitality.

Tips for Using Aromatherapy Candles:

Make sure that you purchase aromatherapy candles, not just scented candles. Look for labels that include “pure essential oils.”

Select the right candle for the situation. The best way to ensure that you have selected the best candle to achieve your goal is to purchase a candle with labeling that reflects your desired effect.

Invigorate – Perhaps you arrive home lethargic and drained after a grueling day at work, and like so many other busy parents, your workday at home is just beginning—with no time for an intervening catnap. Treat yourself to a short break, and light an energizing aromatherapy candle. Invigorating candles typically contain some mixture of oils from the mint and citrus families. The mint essential oils—peppermint, spearmint, basil, and eucalyptus—provide quick stimulation, revitalization, and an extra dose of energy. Other invigorating essential oils include cedar, rosemary, cinnamon, geranium, cassia, and vanilla.

Relax – Sometimes a sense of accomplishment or closure leaves you wired. You know that feeling. You’ve finished a big project, and you’re bursting at the seams with energy when you really want to kick back, relax and enjoy some quiet time. Light a stress-releasing aromatherapy candle, take a few deep breaths, and allow your mind to clear. Stress-releasing essential oils include lavender, chamomile, patchouli, geranium and rose.

Concentrate – Use aromatherapy candles to improve concentration when you need to tap into your creative powers. Nothing sparks creativity like the ability to concentrate and block mental and environmental distractions. Citrus essential oils help you to concentrate: lemon, orange, grapefruit, lemongrass, and bergamot.

Add atmosphere – You’ve planned a quiet evening at home with that special someone, and you’ve made every effort to impress. You’ve cooked a dinner right out of a Parisian bistro, fresh flowers grace your home, the table is set with china and linen napkins, the wine is chilling, and you’ve never looked better. Add the final touch with an aromatherapy candle containing some of the sensual essential oils: Ylang ylang, vanilla, neroli, rose, clary sage, sandalwood.

When using candles to add atmosphere, grouping candles together is fine, but less can be more. You’re striving for natural and nonchalant: think elegant understatement, not sacrificial altar.
When you light more than one aromatherapy candle, burn candles with complementary, not competing essential oils. You don’t want to burn candles with invigorating oils along with candles that contain a relaxing mixture of oils. Your body will receive mixed signals.

Why reserve your aromatherapy candles for special occasions or for company? Add an elegant touch and a little mood to your everyday life. What else can add so much pleasure with so little effort? Include aromatherapy candles in your repertoire to turn the mere ordinary into the extraordinary.

Add extra oxygen to the body fat, and in theory it should break down into two well known substances:

1. Hydrogen & oxygen molecules (H2O – water, which enters the blood stream, goes through the kidneys and is then excreted via urination); &
2. Carbon & oxygen molecules (CO2 – carbon dioxide, which is excreted via respiration).

Oxygen or Ozone Therapies are used by a number of alternative medicine practitioners around the world. It is more popular in Europe than in the USA. Practitioners are also found in Canada and Mexico.

Despite being banned in some countries and certainly debunked by large sections of the “conventional” medical profession, there is plenty of evidence that oxygen therapy produces health benefits for many conditions far cheaper, much faster and without the side effects of patent drugs.

Oxygen therapy is usually administered in one of two ways:

1. A facial mask attached to an oxygen tank, so that the patient breaths in oxygen for many hours of the day; or
2. Daily sessions of diluted hydrogen peroxide administered via an intravenous drip.

Given the straightforward chemical composition of body fat discussed above, does Oxygen Therapy actually work for weight loss? I decided to contact a number of practitioners in various parts of the world and ask them if, when treating patients for other ailments using oxygen therapies, weight loss was ever seen as a side-effect of their treatment.

All the doctors who replied responded that no such weight loss factor has ever been observed that they could credit to the oxygen therapy itself, and not the condition they were treating.

It seems that empirical evidence to support the theory that oxygen therapy could reduce body fat into the easily excreted H2O and CO2 is lacking.

Still, not everyone is convinced. The chemistry appears fine on paper, so something is missing in the implementation. Finding that missing factor could be crucial in the battle of the bulge, the quest for weight loss, and conquering obesity.

Books have been written promoting special breathing techniques for weight loss. Although there are sceptics, there are also many people around the world who swear by the success they have achieved in losing weight via these breathing techniques.

The theory behind these breathing techniques is not merely due to the intake of the oxygen, but that the human body’s metabolic process expels waste matter, including carbon dioxide, when we breath out. Our air intake is higher in oxygen than what we expire, and we breath out more carbon dioxide than we breath in.

The breathing technique therefore seeks to encourage and maximize the expulsion of carbon dioxide from our bodies – carbon dioxide that is the waste matter created when the oxygen dissolves body fat.

Personally, I must admit to being impressed though not thoroughly convinced. It is quite reasonable to assume that the people who are disciplined enough to follow this breathing technique diligently for several weeks or months are probably motivated enough to also be doing other things (dietary, psychologically, etc.) that will be causing the weight loss.

Still, it fits the basic (unproven) theory that adding oxygen to body fat should result in weight loss. Furthermore, it is harmless, so long as adequate dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins and minerals are being consumed. Whether the actual results are from the technique itself or of a more psychosomatic nature is immaterial if it works, is free and available to all, and has no adverse side effects.

By all means, add these deep breathing exercises to your overall toolbox of synergistic weight loss treatments.

Still, there is one more form of oxygen therapy (not usually recognized as such) that even the sceptics would have trouble disputing.

It is more commonly called exercise. More accurately, aerobic exercise. (Aerobic simply means “air breathing“.) It is exercise that makes you huff and puff, deepening your breathing. It is and always has been one of the most fundamental parts of any successful weight loss program.

Chamomile tea is a favorite herbal tea that many use if they have trouble sleeping. It has natural sedative, antiinflamatory and antispasmodic properties so is also good for cramps. Due to it’s calming benefits it is often used to help relieve anxiety. It is rich in essential oil and can help the digestive system function properly. Chamomile is also very good for your skin and you can wet a cloth in the tea and use it as a skin cleanser or compress.

Jasmine tea is a combination of green tea leaves and jasmine flowers. It has a lovely jasmine scent and flabor with all the wonderful antioxidant properties of the green tea. Jasmine tea has long been used for it’s relaxing and warming qualities and is also soothing to the digestive system. This tea also may help lower cholesterol according to recent studies and may even help with longevity.

Ginger tea has powerful medicinal properties. It is reputed to be a aphrodisiac and can help freshen your breath! It has anti fungal and anti spasmodic properties and can help sooth stomach upset by neutralizing acids and aiding digestion. Ginger is also reputed to help relieve nausea, motion sickness, dizziness, flatulence and even help to ease muscle pain.

To properly make herbal tea, use 1 tea bag per person or, if you are making it from the dried herbs, use 1 teaspoon of the herb. Add boiling water to the herb mixture and let sit for 5 minutes. Don’t let it sit for too long or it will start to taste bitter. Don’t drink it too soon or the herb won’t have imparted it’s flavor into the water enough. Typically herbal teas are taken “black” but you could add a little milk or some sugar or honey to taste if you like.