KISS A GIRAFFE?

Did you know that a giraffe’s mouth is one of the cleanest of any mammal? Their saliva is actually anti-bacterial to help guard against infection from the many mouth wounds they get while snacking on the thorny Acacia trees. I learned this and more while visiting Giraffe Manor. And Laura, the resident mascot, was very willing to give all guests a big wet kiss!

But for those of us who can’t keep a giraffe in the backyard, Mother Nature has provided easier and more effective natural anti-bacterial agents. Both Tea Tree Oil and Oregano Oil are highly anti-bacterial and also anti-fungal. Even Bottom Line newsletter recommended carrying a bottle of Tea Tree Oil when traveling (try derma e® Tea Tree and E Oil). They suggest rubbing a small amount between the palms and then breathing in the vapors to ward off colds and flu.

Several studies have shown that Tea Tree Oil is as effective as over-the-counter remedies for eliminating fungal infections such as ringworm, athlete’s feet, jock itch, etc. Tea Tree Oil as an ingredient within a soothing moisturizing crème is the answer for preventing or relieving idiopathic dermatitis (dry, itchy irritated skin with no known cause).

So, even though Laura is lovable and pet-able, keeping a bottle of “Nature’s First Aid Oil” in the medicine cabinet is probably a better idea.

Healthy Wishes, Dr. Linda Miles D.O.M. SHARE

TEA TREE OIL PEDI-CURE

Volunteering as an Acupuncturist/Herbalist at MEND (Mend Each Need with Dignity, a non-profit poverty-relief agency), I see patients whose primary complaints usually include pain.

However, in the course of treatment I cannot help but notice that many suffer from nail fungus that is disfiguring their toes. I always give them a bottle of derma e® Skinbiotics® Oils, a blend of Tea Tree Oil and Oregano Oil, and tell them to soak their feet in warm water with ¼ teaspoon of the oil mixed into it, for about 15 minutes a day. Additionally, twice a day, I suggest they take a cotton swab soaked in the oil and dab the nail bed and under the nail as well. Do this for 10 to 14 days.

It is always personally satisfying to have my patients come back at the end of this time period and show me how good their toes look. The smiles on their faces are worth so much to me!

Healthy Wishes, Dr. Linda Miles D.O.M. SHARE

BODY CARE IS HABIT FORMING

... and should be! As with any healthy routine, it is important to create a habit of caring for your self. This helps you to be consistent (and so will be your results). Eat a balanced diet. Exercise. Get rest! Reduce Stress. And, nourish your skin - especially while you sleep. This is an optimal time for products to go to work for you while your body rejuvenates in slumber.

Body care can easily become part of your bedtime routine. First, find the products right for your skin with your personal derma evaluation™. Every night, cleanse your face, then tone to restore pH balance and close pores, tand apply a nourishing anti-oxidant formula to help prevent or to diminish the signs of aging. Rub on derma e® Anti-Aging Hand Crème, smoothing from forearms to fingers. And remember your feet. Massage them with Vitamin E Crème or Cracked Skin Relief Crème, and enjoy the calming results.

Healthy Wishes, Dr. Linda Miles D.O.M. SHARE

derma e® suggests you DRINK HEAVILY

Water, lots of water. It is important to hydrate so that your skin is nourished from the inside out - then the products you apply topically will have a better chance to work from the outside in.

Water is a conduit for plumping skin and for cleansing. To help boost the benefits of hydration, nourish your skin with topical formulas rich in natural nutrients and vitamins. Super anti-oxidants such as Pycnogenol® or Astazanthin protect and optimize the health of the skin in topical formulas.

Carry our Anti-Aging Hand Crème to help keep your hands healthy as you reach out to quench your thirst. And for maximum benefits, try our naturally inspired Hyaluronic Acid products; often referred to as a “moisture magnet,” Hyaluronic Acid can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water while it binds moisture to tissue.

Healthy Wishes, Dr. Linda Miles D.O.M. SHARE

RAISING YOUR ARM TO THE POWER OF NATURE & NATURAL REMEDIES

On my recent vacation, one of my travel partners was an 80 year old MD. He started complaining the first day that his arthritic shoulder was killing him and he could only raise it a little without pain. I told him "I can fix that.”

His response was “yeah right,” but he was willing to have me treat him and see what happened. I told him that if he didn’t have an open mind that I wouldn’t bother. He assured me he would give it a try. The next morning when another member of the group asked him "how's your shoulder?," his response was “worse than ever.” I assumed that he had mentally blocked the treatment.

But, the following morning he came to breakfast and demanded to know “how did you do this?!” as he raised his arm over his head with absolutely no pain. He had zero pain and complete range of motion the rest of the trip.

I am constantly amazed at the power of acupuncture but I also knew that if he had been taking a quality formula of Glucosamine, MSM and Chrondroitin for his arthritis, he wouldn’t have had the issue to begin with. Methyl Sulfonyl Methane is an especially amazing nutrient that is extremely good for connective tissue issues and for skin. That is why derma e® chose it as one of the key ingredients in our Anti-Aging Hand Crème.

Healthy Wishes, Dr. Linda Miles D.O.M. SHARE

CARING FOR YOUR SKIN

Skin is the largest organ system of the human body. It has three main functions: thermoregulation (shivering and sweating), disposal of wastes/toxins, and to protect the body from physical or biological intruders (splinters or pathogens). It also absorbs nutrients. This is a very important role to remember when caring for the skin.

For optimal benefits, look to nature for the most powerful, most easily assimilated nutrients and ingredients. Vitamin E is a natural moisturizer, antioxidant and healing vitamin that encourages cellular regeneration and protects the skin's fatty acid components. This single ingredient inspired the brand of derma e® products. Our Vitamin E 12,000 IU Deep Moisturizing Crème is excellent for all skin types. It strengthens the barrier function of skin. Apply it wherever you wish to prevent or soothe dry chapped skin.

HOW TO TAKE YEARS OFF YOUR FACE

Even though I have been considered a skincare expert for over 20 years, and have been practicing Chinese Medicine for over 10 years, I am constantly learning new information and techniques to improve your health and the natural beauty of your skin.
I attended a seminar last weekend discussing techniques in Facial Rejuvenation. I went expecting to be somewhat bored but was pleasantly surprised. Dr. Liu was very knowledgeable and provided information that I had never heard before. She stated that it was completely possible to take 5, 10 or even 15 years off your face with a combination of acupuncture, herbs and "homework". This "homework" is what I would like to share, as this simple yet remarkable technique alone can take years off your face.

Gua Sha is a technique that has been used in Chinese Medicine for thousands of years and basically involves scraping the skin. Traditionally, it is done with a piece of water buffalo horn but a tablespoon will work just fine. I have used this technique on the back of a body for relieving cold symptoms, but never on the face. Dr. Liu stated that in as little as 10 minutes a day, you can see amazing results on your face. Here is what you do:

Start with a clean face - pat on your favorite moisturizer (very lightly). Divide both the left and right side of your face into 6 zones (you will have 12 zones total), 1.) high forehead 2.) low forehead 3.) zygomatic bone 4.) labial groove 5.) middle of chin and 6) jawbone. Using the edge of the spoon, start at the middle of each zone and scrape towards the hairline and down to the ear. The direction you are scraping is exactly how a plastic surgeon would pull the face back towards the hairline and the ear. Apply enough pressure so that you feel the scraping but not enough to cause pain. Your skin might turn a little red because you are encouraging blood flow to the area. Repeat scraping motion 10 times in each zone. For best results, perform this technique nightly.

The results from this simple procedure are truly amazing! Your skin will immediately look brighter and healthier. Why does this work so well?? Gua Sha encourages blood flow to the area bringing nutrients to the skin and promoting the removal of toxins. Additionally, you are exfoliating the skin by removing dead and dying skin cells and exposing younger, plumper healthier looking skin. Lastly, reflexology teaches that the entire body is represented in the face therefore we are effectively giving ourselves a whole body treatment with this simple technique. Before bed is the best time to do this because it is very relaxing. By focusing some time and energy on our face, we can lift years and help our skin look as young and healthy as possible.