Ask Dr Dave

Chemical Air Fresheners: A good reason to go natural.

2008-07-27T17:01:00.002-04:00

Toxic chemicals found in common scented laundry products, air fresheners from PhysOrg.com

A University of Washington study of top-selling laundry products and air fresheners found the products emitted dozens of different chemicals. All six products tested gave off at least one chemical regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, but none of those chemicals was listed on the product labels.

Scent with a Message

2007-10-30T08:23:00.001-04:00

According to Rudolf Steiner, there are twelve senses including balance and thought. Balance is a sense directly related to the sense of sound. As children we developed the sense of balance as the equilibrium bones in our ear developed. Exercising on balancing beams is believed to benefit young ears by stimulating the auditory bones to mature. This approach to medicine, that recognizes the subtle levels of our senses, is one that is practical and deserves more consideration.

For a few years I have been working with a technique of associating positive affirmations and aromatherapy oil blends to maintain thoughtfulness. It promises great potential for healing on many levels. In addition to having their own therapeutic and atmosphere benefits, aroma is the most practical tool for affecting thought. Creating associations between affirmations and aroma is essentially a technique of transmitting a positive thought through smell. Breathe and believe.

Have you been in touch with your senses lately?

2007-10-28T15:56:00.001-04:00

As physical bodied beings we have evolved to know life from a sensory perspective.

The capacity to taste, touch, hear, see and smell are the tools we have been given to navigate this earthly planet. We see beauty, hear thunder, taste dinner, feel the rain and smell love in the air all because we can.

Check in with your senses and recognize what they are telling you. Try noticing when you are using two or more senses at the same time, like the smell of the ocean, the sound of waves, the feel of wet wind, the taste of salty lips and the sight of a magnificent sunset. I trust that if we pay more attention to our senses we will be rewarded with a very rich life.

Gratitude today, bliss tomorrow.

2007-10-18T17:02:00.001-04:00

I was asked why do we sell an Affirmation Oil for Gratitude? The reason is that I have come to believe that gratitude is the most valuable gift anyone could receive. If we are to believe that our spirits sustain us when our body's fail, then what we will have available to us in not the joy of our senses, but something more like spirit consciousness.

In order to get a good feeling for what that must be like, one may simply imagine themselves in a dream like state where nothing physical exists. All we have available to us are our emotions, visions and memories. That can be very difficult to accept, but in advance of whatever will become us, it might pay to give this consideration. If indeed the spirit survives and the body has no value, then what matters will be devoid of all that is material. This means that sight, sound, smell, taste and touch, along with money, creature comforts and material accomplishments will be of no importance.

What will be of importance when we reflect upon our lives and think of all the people we've influenced in our lives. In that space of pure love, we will also feel a deeper connection to all living creatures whose lives have touched us. Our memories will matter most. Will our thoughts make us smile with reassurance that our time on the Earth was worthwhile? Or will they bee filled with regret, wishing we could go back and forgive someone, say thanks or lend a hand?

Live in gratitude now and live in bliss for eternity.

Six Degrees

2007-09-30T14:29:00.001-04:00

It is generally accepted among those with a leaning towards progressive notions, that we are living within six degrees of separation between what we have and what we want, or don't want for that matter. It is our choice to recognize and benefit from that connection or to not.

While clutching at the wings and revolting to the alchemy of great shamen, I have become aware of the interconnectedness and divine source we all share as sentient beings. This is something that might be described as an unworldly or mystical experience that was brought on, time and again following transitions through fear and death. Once that passage is complete there comes a period of all knowingness. Found here are answers to questions related to the meaning of life, the importance of kindness, love and gratitude and what steps to take to live in divine light.

It is a state that may be attained with deep dwelling, attuning to the inner self and filtering all thoughts through love and the awareness that we are one. Behold, when clear in this way, it is quite remarkable to discover that six degrees is a very short dimension away.

Acne Skin Care with Aloe, Diet and Garlic

2007-09-19T12:15:00.001-04:00

A good topical gel for improving the skin with acne is one that helps remove the dirt from pores plus has a natural antibacterial effect on the pimples. Oxygen, Enzymes and minerals are helpful in serving that purpose plus in healing the irritations. I also like aloe vera and essential oils for acne management for reducing inflammation and providing anti bacterial properties.

One very important approach that I used successfully in my medical practice is diet modification and increased garlic consumption.

Try to limit intake of “rancid” fats which includes most fats that have been cooked or baked in foods (especially fast foods and animal fats) and trans fats (margarines) .Unlike grapeseed, coconut and olive oil these fats do not hold up under high heat and have effects on the skin that may cause acne, pimples and blackheads. Ingest garlic in its whole form also for acne skin care. This tends to work better than bottled sources which lose their potency on the shelf.

Simply chop up a medium sized garlic and swallow with water. Take this with meals as the strength may irritate the stomach. While I suggest that garlic be taken twice per day, once at night may be preferable to those not wanting the smell of garlic on their breath and skin. FYI, the odor of garlic on the skin is good evidence it penetrates the skin well, making it an ideal acne skin care for pimples and blackheads. Another characteristic of garlic that makes it useful for reducing acne is that it decreases cholesterol and oil from the blood, skin, pores and glands within the skin.

Gaining success and abundance in health and happiness through The Law of Attraction

2007-09-11T00:43:00.000-04:00

Much focus has been given to the concept of material abundance through practicing the Law of Attraction. This has a lot to do with the popular film The Secret, which encourages viewers that monetary wealth may be attained through positive thinking. This may be true but in order to really resonate on the level of success, one must live true to The Law of Attraction and become a co-creator of their own health and happiness. In fact once health and happiness are appreciated as a form of abundance then one is best prepared to live within a vibration that resonates on the frequency of success. So before you attempt to manifest abundance, be sure to have a clear understanding of what is the true meaning of success.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

2007-09-09T09:14:00.000-04:00

Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant that is taken both orally and used topically in skin care products. The product was popularized as a skin care ingredient by Nicholas Perricone MD who described its use as a cosmeceutical for puffiness and swelling under the eyes. Claims are that the product also improves the texture and smoothness of the skin. It is not necessary or recommended to use more that 1% concentration of the lipoic acid in skin preparations. In fact, smaller, homeopathic concentrations may be wise, until conclusive safety studies have been conducted. When used topically or orally be sure to use the natural R-alpha lipoic acid instead of the synthetic S-alpha lipoic acid.

For oral anti aging dosages, when taking the natural form, 10-50 mg daily is all that is recommended. Eye puffiness may be a symptom of kidney stress or disease in which oral use may be best. ALA has been found to be helpful for diabetes insulin production, diabetic nerve pain and symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy, including itching burning, numbness, pain, stinging, tingling and weakness mainly in the hands and feet. It has also been used for improving immunity, preventing cataracts, protecting the liver and slowing the progression of Alzheimer's.
Mode of action for ALA is believed to be related to its ability to help the body produce the anti oxidant amino acid glutathione. High doses may cause hypoglycemia, sleeplessness, rashes and upset stomach.

Modest amounts of alpha lipoic acid are found in brewer’s yeast, meats and spinach.

Aromatherapy Functional Groups

2007-09-07T13:48:00.000-04:00

Earth Solutions became an aromatherapy company in 1995 after it launched the ScentBall Aromatherapy Diffuser to the medical community that was carrying our skin care products. I never expected the path would lead us here. Nor was not my practice to provide aromatherapy to patients as I prescribed other alternative remedies because at the time, there was not a lot of published evidence around aromatherapy and essential oils. Besides, with Earth Solutions, I was looking to escape from the scrutiny of pro-medicine organizations that conflicted with the therapies that I offered in my practice. Chelation therapy, IV Vitamins, Hydrogen peroxide and nutrition consulting were always at odds with mainstream medical convention. And I was enjoying a profession that developed and produced natural personal care products that were not at risk of censure.

Since then, medical science, pharmaceutical science and aromatherapy science have each contributed to the understanding of aromatherapy and essential oils. In fact there is a great deal of evidence that these plant derived aromatic compounds are therapeutic. It is the "functional compounds" from the essential oils that explain why an oil like lavender may express many benefits including what seemed to be somewhat contradictory effects.

The reason for this is that essential oils often contain many functional groups that all have different effects. One functional group may be known to be calming, while another uplifting, even though they are found in the same single note essential oil.

For instance, lavender is helpful in the reduction of mental stress while also increasing arousal rate at the same time (NIH website: Percept Mot Skills. 2001 Dec;93(3):713-8). Not only that, but in the case of immune stress, lavender has been researched and found helpful in that aromatherapy massage with lavender oil provides immunological and psychological benefits by raising the level of white blood cell (CD8 and CD16 lymphocytes) (Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2005 Jun;2(2):179-184. Epub 2005 Apr 27). The benefits of these variable effects are attributed to the various functional groups found within the same plants essential oil.