September 30, 2006

Non-pharmaceutical Snoring Relief

While some products promoted for snoring relief target those around the person who is snoring, others target the snoring itself. Since snoring is known to decrease the quality of sleep of not only those being awoken by the snorer, but also by the person snoring, ultimately, snoring relief should be at its source: the act of snoring, and not at its perception.

Earplugs and white noise machines are a common answer to the problem of sleeping near someone who is a regular snorer. These solutions don’t target the problem at its source; they help to alleviate the effects of the problem. Nasal strips that open the airways, on the other hand, treat the problem at its source.

Snoring relief can be found through nasal strips that, in essence, spread the nose a bit wider (from the outside), which opens nasal passages, allowing more air to flow through. The result is in reduced snoring. Testimonials from those who’ve tried such nasal strips, and from those who sleep in the same room, attest to less snoring.

In addition to testifying to less snoring, the users often attest to reduced sleepiness during the day. This could mean that the quality of sleep is vastly affected and that these snoring relief products not only bring about a quiet sleeping environment, but also actually improve sleep for the person who had been snoring. The result benefits not only the bystanders, but also the snorer. For this reason, if snoring relief is to target all parties affected by snoring, remedies such as nasal strips are a better answer than earplugs.

September 28, 2006

Getting Peak Performance through Sports Nutrition

Performing well in sports is not just a function of how many hours of practice the players have had in the last weeks and years; more immediate factors affecting performance are sleep and nutrition. Even an athlete with superior training must be physically capable of performing those tasks that they’ve been highly trained to do, and the best way to prepare the physical body is through sleep and proper nutrition.

Sports nutrition is a burgeoning field, as physical therapy and other related domains are. Being a top-notch athlete is no longer solely about practice and performance. Nutritionists specializing in sports nutrition adapt ‘average’ bodily needs to those of high-performance athletes. The most important factors in sports nutrition are proper hydration and adequate and appropriate levels of fuel…i.e. food.

While the average daily activity of a person requires an intake of 8 classes of water a day, athletes need much more than this. It is important to stay hydrated before and after activity as well as throughout the activity. This can be more difficult than it seems, because there is no ‘magic number’, only the fact that athletes need more than 8 cups per day.

In terms of eating, a high percentage of carbohydrates are needed in an athlete’s diet. Carbohydrates are the body’s natural fuel source; while protein is effective for muscle building, protein has to be converted before it can be used as energy. Carbohydrates (60-70%) and fats (‘Good ones, please) should constitute the largest percentage of an athlete’s diet. Protein is, of course, needed for building strength, but sports nutrition will never recommend Atkins as carbohydrates are the body’s first source of energy.

September 27, 2006

A Myriad of Products for Natural Pain Relief

There is a vast array of natural pain relief products on today’s market. Following the upward trend of alternative health, natural pain relief products are popping up all over the place alongside yoga, tai chi, aromatherapy and many, many others. Natural pain relief could include anything as simple as spreading a pain-relieving cream on the area of the body where pain is located or as intricate as taking an all-natural pill that claims to block pain signals at their source: the brain.

All-natural pain relief products claim to be good for us because they are all-natural. Made from herbs and other naturally occurring elements, they are marketed not only as all-natural, but as safe for use based, in most cases, solely on being all-natural. Consumers should use caution when trying out these products, either by looking for ones that have been tested and have passed rigorous restrictions made by the FDA, or, in cases where this is not possible, always consult a doctor in order to make an informed choice.

Magnetic therapy and far-infrared therapy are two more forms of natural pain relief. Consumers can read many testimonials online about these wonderful, natural, pain relief options; however, there is also information to be found online about being cautious when trying out some of these therapies.

The bottom line is that some of these natural pain relief ideas could be entirely safe AND effective, but consult your doctor before trying these pain relievers, especially when taking any kind of pills, all-natural or not, is involved.


September 26, 2006

Royal Winton Chintz Revival

Royal Winton Chintz is a collection within Royal Winton, founded in the UK in 1885. The first Royal Winton Chintz pattern was introduced in 1928, and nearly 80 years later, there are a multitude of patterns and collections that all are a part of Royal Winton Chintz. This has not always been the case. Although over 60 patterns of Royal Winton Chintz had debuted, with much success, the Royal Winton Chintz patterns were all discontinued because of high production costs in the early 1960’s.

Though discontinued, Royal Winton Chintz retained its popularity and appeal. Collectors sought antique pieces, keeping the value of Chintz items high. As a result, when the company changed hands in the 90s’, Royal Winton Chintz came back on the scene. When there’s a good thing going, it should be kept going, even if it is not the most lucrative design among Royal Winton’s lines. At least, that’s how the new operators felt, and collectors are now collecting new pieces to keep alongside their acquired classics.

Royal Winton Chintz comes in more than ten designs. Each design features flowers of one or more color. Many patterns feature flowers of blues and reds, some yellows, most have greenery and all have a cream-like colored background. The designs are all of small flowers, and result in a feminine look. The austere Royal Creamware appeals to one crowd, while Royal Winton Chintz appeals to another. Both fashioned in the UK, they do not rival each other. Each style is beautiful in its own way.

Royal Winton Chintz is used to decorate tableware, china, collectibles and giftware. Collectors can distinguish new pieces by the year ‘1995’ emblazoned on the back of all pieces created since the 1995 revival of Chintz.

Source:
http://www.royalwintonchintz.com/

September 25, 2006

The Appeal of ‘My Little Pony’ Toys

Hasbro created a goldmine when they created the toys of My Little Pony. Around since 1983, the toys show no sign of a future decline in interest from America’s generations of little girls. A signature toy, the toys of My Little Pony are widely known, to the point that ‘My Little Pony’ is a household name.

My Little Pony toys are basically an animal version of Barbie dolls. Many girls comb Barbie’s hair and walk her around, socializing with Ken, etc., while other girls comb their My Little Pony’s hair and walk their ponies around, socializing with each other. Some girls do both! The appeal of the My Little Pony figures is, by no means, exclusive to horse-lovers. Actually, most horse-riding girls are not interested in My Little Pony toys because these ponies are nothing like the ponies that they themselves enjoy riding.

My Little Pony figures come in bright colors, with pink and purple bodies and hair. They are always smiling and their cotton-candy hair is always sleek and untangled. This is a far cry from the strong, large, brown bodies that young horse-riders groom at the barn. There is an irreconcilable difference between the real horses and the My Little Pony figurines. The figurines appeal to girls who have not fallen in love with real horses, or who have only fallen in love with horses in the abstract sense. Girls who have ridden, groomed, and fallen in love with a real, live horse seem immune to the appeal of the My Little Pony figurines.

Just like Barbie is an unrealistic woman, My Little Pony is an unrealistic horse. Thankfully for Hasbro and for Mattel, little girls seem to prefer the romanticized play versions of women and horses to the ‘real thing’.

September 22, 2006

Multitudes of Uses for Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Aromatherapy essential oils have a vast multitude of uses. While some use essential oils as a kind of spa treatment, infusing a bathtub not with bubble bath, but with various essential oils, others use essential oils to ward off mosquitoes. Inasmuch, some uses are more glamorous than others; what is clearly apparent is that the uses for aromatherapy essential oils are many.

The most common uses for aromatherapy essential oils are related to stress relief. Many scents are linked to this, including lavender, various mints, and other ‘calming’ scents. Essential oils can be diluted into massage oils and gels for a relaxing massage. Creams and lotions can be bought and self-applied at bedtime. Room or linen sprays can be sprayed throughout the house throughout the day, or in the bedroom prior to bedtime. Some hard-core believers extend the uses for aromatherapy essential oils to ingestion; taking a drop or two of peppermint or basil to calm an upset stomach. While some swear by this, it is not doctor recommended…at least not yet.

Other uses for aromatherapy essential oils include relieving itching from mosquito bites (and simultaneously discouraging future bites by repelling mosquitoes!), relaxing tense muscles, improving skin tonicity, and clearing out nasal congestion. Of course, if one asks a doctor about these supposed effects, different doctors will sing you a different tune, and they have to. Essential oils are not tested by the FDA, so while some doctors will repeat what they’ve read in alternative health journals on the uses for aromatherapy essential oils, modern medicine requires that they abstain from, say, prescribing three drops of pure basil essential oil.

September 21, 2006

Changing Habits through Lose-Weight Hypnosis

Every doctor, nutritionist and personal trainer on the planet will recite to us over and over again that the key to losing weight and keeping it off is to permanently change one’s habits of eating, drinking and exercising. This means that our personal outlook and motivation to do all of these things has to change. This inner change is what’s missing from most mainstream diets that only ‘prescribe’ menus and portions to the users of the diet. These fad diets fail because nothing has changed within the habits of the person; the person is still craving all of the things that are not part of the diet.

A special kind of hypnosis, lose-weight hypnosis, addresses this problem head-on. In order to lose weight, hypnosis is used to change the person’s outlook on food, diet, and exercise. Instead of resisting cravings for chocolate and ice cream, the person using this kind of hypnosis will work to change the craving at its source: inside the brain. It is likely that we can all agree that changing the craving instead of resisting it sounds like a method much more likely to succeed.

Anyone who’s tried fad diets knows how hard it is to lose weight. Hypnosis promises to make the process easier and more enjoyable, while simultaneously producing a greater effect. Now that’s a tall order! While it may seem too good to be true, many lose-weight hypnosis programs (mostly CDs for home use) come backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Most fad diets don’t come with that, neither do fitness magazines nor fitness equipment. The fact is, healthy food and fitness equipment need to be USED more than they need to be purchased, and that is where lose-weight hypnosis enters the scene. It can change our thinking from within.

September 20, 2006

Vitamins & Mineral Supplements in a Fast-Food Nation

The recent trend in the US for vitamins and mineral supplements is an ascending trend; it seems, on the one hand, that the US is an extremely health-conscious nation, popping vitamins and mineral supplements, while on the other hand, the drive-thru lines at McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts only seem to grow longer and longer. While vitamins are a good idea, as are mineral supplements, all nutritionists agree that the most effective way to achieve proper nutrition is through just that, nutrition: eating…which is to say, eating the right stuff.

Vitamins and mineral supplements are a good idea for people who have exceptional health needs; most doctors would agree that a pregnant woman should be taking pre-natal vitamins. However, the average, clean-bill-of-health adult should not rely on vitamins and mineral supplements to meet daily recommended values. Vitamins and minerals are best absorbed in their natural form. This is the reason why we are advised to take vitamins and mineral supplements with a meal, so that they can mix up with the real food, but they are still inferior to the actual vitamins and minerals found in foods.

The answer to meeting daily recommended values is in eating a healthy and balanced diet. A very healthy meal, if repeated seven nights a week in succession, is no longer a very healthy meal because diets lacking in variety are off-balance in vitamins and minerals. In order to get a healthy amount of a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, you can rely on supplements, but the healthiest way is to drive by the drive-thru, instead of through, and pick up a wide variety of whole foods and eat those throughout the week, sans supplément.

September 15, 2006

Just What Exactly is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which involves inserting tiny needles into areas of the body. The reasons for doing this range from treating a common cold to replacing traditional Western anesthesiology, and include everything that falls in between. While explaining acupuncture is still up in the air among scientists, medical researchers agree that acupuncture produces an effect, although it is not yet fully understood why.

Tiny acupuncture needles are inserted into various parts of the body along what are called ‘meridian’ lines. Traditional Chinese Medicine asserts that it is along these meridians the Qi (energy) travels through the body. Although it is not known precisely how or why, stimulation through acupuncture needles stimulates the flow of Qi in the body. Experienced acupuncturists can balance the flow of Qi in the body by changing the flow of Qi along these meridians. According to experienced acupuncture specialists, there are twelve major meridians (as well as some ‘extra’ meridians). Along these meridians, over 365 ‘points’ can be found; however, most acupuncturists actively stimulate about 150 of these points. Acupuncture is the precise practice of knowing which points to stimulate, how, and when.

Western doctors frequently question the benefits of acupuncture because it can not yet, scientifically, be established how exactly acupuncture works. Despite this fact, many western doctors report that patients consistently see improvement in their conditions or symptoms when being treated through acupuncture. Patients looking to try acupuncture should be warned that there are some risks with acupuncture. It is an invasive process, and if needles are inserted too deeply, or at the wrong angle, damage can occur to the body. Trained acupuncture specialists should have absolutely no problem keeping you safe; check their credentials. Acupuncture can be trusted; make sure that your acupuncturist can also be trusted.

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September 14, 2006

Acupuncture or Acupressure?

While many have heard of acupuncture in recent years, acupressure is something different. All too often, when acupressure is mentioned, it is assumed that acupuncture is what was meant. Acupressure is actually an entirely different treatment, and an art all its own.

Acupressure is not an invasive technique. There are no needles involved, although the same meridian lines and points can be found in discussions or practice of acupressure. Acupressure is a form of massage that differs from Swedish massage (the form of massage with which you are most likely familiar). Acupressure is a form of massage that focuses in on the points that are connected to the symptoms from which the patient is suffering. A skilled practitioner of acupressure should know the effects of stimulating different points along the body’s meridian lines.

Scientists and doctors are undecided on the total effects of acupressure. Acupressure has not been scientifically proven to the extent to which acupuncture has recently been supported based on scientific research. Two areas that have seen consistent effects with acupressure treatment are in the relief of lower back pain and in the reduction of post-operative nausea. Many other possible treatments are still under investigation.

Although still in the early stages of western scientific investigation, acupressure has been practiced in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a long time, with good results. While acupuncture is currently more medically acceptable in the US, acupressure poses less risk because of its non-invasive nature…and since doctors rarely prescribe either acupressure OR acupuncture, the ultimate choice is yours.

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September 13, 2006

Reaping the Benefits of Using Aromatherapy Pure Essential Oils

The benefits of using aromatherapy pure essential oils vary from person to person. The more mainstream and commonly known benefits of using essentials oils for aromatherapy are for stress relief, for example, lavender. It is widely used as an alternative to counting sheep, and has proven to be much more effective for some people. Most consumers have heard of these benefits, but stop dead in their tracks when they find the miniscule 1 or 2 fluid ounce bottles of pure essentials oils. The sound of the tiny cylindrical bottle landing right back where it was on the shelf is the physical manifestation of the voice in their heading, gawking: “What do I do with THIS?!”

The key to reaping the benefits of using aromatherapy pure essential oils is in diluting the pure essential oil correctly. Pure essential oils are highly potent and one should use extreme caution when working with pure essential oils in their undiluted, extracted form. One immediately notices the difference between pure essential oil of lavender and a shea butter cream infused with lavender. When one closely reads the ingredients list on products such as lotions, gels and bath salts, it becomes clear that the pure essential oil is a MUCH smaller percentage of the final product than, for example, water and glycerin are.

For some, it may seem that the best way to reap the benefits of using aromatherapy pure essentials oils is to slather them on, drop by drop, from a 1 oz. bottle of pure essential oil. The opposite is true. The proof is in the size of the bottle; pure essentials oils come in such little bottles because consumers should use very small amounts of the essential oils diluted in other substances such as carrier oils. In order to be safe, and to experience the benefits of using aromatherapy pure essential oils at the same time, handle the oils with care.

September 08, 2006

The Fad of Herbal Supplements

The recent burst in herbal supplements such as Echinacea sparked a wealth of opinionated information across the Nation. Many health-conscious Americans jumped on the herbal bandwagon after reading about, or hearing about, the multifarious and practically guaranteed, results of certain herbal supplements. While a cup of chamomile tea has always been used as an adult version of a child’s glass of warm milk at bedtime, and a cup of peppermint tea has frequently been used to calm an upset stomach, herbal supplements are a whole new ballgame.

In this new ballgame, the stakes are high, as consumers raid the shelves everywhere from pharmacies to Wal-Mart for bottles of Echinacea, Niacin, Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, St. John’s Wort, and Valerian Root. While these herbal supplements may not produce alarming immediate effects, the brazenness of consumers should be cause for alarm in and of itself. Herbal supplements are not tested or regulated by the FDA. In a nation where consumers sue if their cereal claims to have 10 grams of sugar less than it has, wouldn’t it seem natural that consumers would balk at ingesting daily, or thrice daily, a product wholly untested by the Food and Drug Administration.

While some herbal supplements may produce a beneficial effect, many have a limit concerning the number of consecutive weeks that one should take that supplement. Furthermore, some herbal supplements are contraindicated with certain medications, so be sure to tell your doctor just which supplements you’re on, and listen to him if he deems them ill-advised. Herbal supplements can be helpful when used appropriately; since the FDA is not informing us about appropriate dosing and duration, encourage your doctor to help you decide.

September 07, 2006

Holistic Health and Beauty Therapy Go Hand in Hand

While it’s no surprise that being healthy makes someone beautiful, it’s a lesser known fact that being beautiful makes someone healthy. The underlying explanation is one from the combination of holistic health and beauty therapy. Holistic health is all about the treatment and the well-being of the entire person; treatment of symptoms is not the answer because the actual underlying problem is not addressed. Holistic health does not focus on one symptom, but ripples outward from the symptom to approach all possible causes of the undesired symptom. Holistic health and beauty therapy combined take the process one step further.

One could think of beauty therapy as simply researching the properties of the gemstones we wear on our rings and in our ears. Have you ever noticed the healing properties of emeralds and sapphires? No? Honestly, neither had many others. Many still doubt their healing properties because their nature is part of holistic health, and beauty therapy, and not a part of traditional western medicine. How does one feel when gazing at that diamond gracing the ring finger? The simple answer is: superb, sublime… honestly euphoric…at least for the first few years anyway.

When one feels beautiful, stress melts away. Breaths run deeper and smiling releases endorphins. The combination of holistic health and beauty therapy is a united front in all ways when it comes to total body, soul, spiritual, and mental health. Holistic health and beauty therapy use wholesome means, natural versus synthetic healers…but the name ‘holistic health’ should truly refer to its holistic vision of treating the whole person—all aspects of physical and spiritual life, and the beauty should ideally come from the sunshine that radiates from within: happiness.

September 06, 2006

Make a Statement with Business and Office Designer Shoes from Moda in Pelle

Designer shoes from Moda in Pelle do not, for the most part, fit the bill when it comes to working a 9-5 day. Moda in Pelle is about fashion, not comfort, so if you’re on your feet all day, re-think making a trip to Moda in Pelle to purchase your everyday work shoes. If you can stand blisters and bunions (in the name of fashion, of course), then wear them every day.

Business and office designer shoes from Moda in Pelle seems to be a bit of a contradictory idea. It is clear that Moda in Pelle is primarily interested in fashion; we’re not dealing with Dr. Scholl’s here! They may not be as comfortable as your Rockport Walkers, but do you really want to be seen in those clunky old things?! Check out a new look for business and office; designer shoes from Moda in Pelle will have you feeling like a confident go-getter in no time.

Some lines of Moda in Pelle shoes are more suitable for the workplace than others. While their ‘Smart Courts’ collection consists mainly of the back-breaking stilettos mentioned above, their ‘Casuals’ collection is absolutely perfect for business and office wear. Many pairs of ballerina flats with cute and fashionable accents can be found in this collection. Some shoes shine more with glitter than others. The ‘Arizona Red’ stiletto glitter pumps look like Dorothy’s lost ruby slippers.

The choice could be difficult when made for wear to business and office; designer shoes from Moda in Pelle will wow all of your co-workers and your boss. Analyze just what statement your shoes are making if your Moda in Pelle’s are for work...your work should be doing the talking, not your shoes.

September 05, 2006

Beyond Nicotine Patches: Herbal Stop Smoking Products

Herbal stop smoking products have entered the market in response to the only partial solution that nicotine patches and gums provide to quitting smokers. Nicotine patches have helped many smokers quit smoking, but while they are being used, nicotine is still coursing through the user's bloodstream. Though this is an improvement because lung and other respiratory damage is not being done, nicotine is still a type of poison, and nicotine patches and gums do not work for everyone. For smokers who enjoy smoking, it’s not all about the drugs, it’s also about the smoking, the physical act of smoking.

Herbal 'stop smoking' products that address the craving to smoke as well as the craving for nicotine are the newest thing. These herbal remedies address the needs of a smoker from a much more global standpoint than simply by nicotine or another drug to which one is addicted. Herbal stop smoking products go deeper than treating the symptoms. Nicotine patches fulfill the craving for nicotine whereas herbal stop smoking products treat the craving at its source---the brain.

The herbs in these products do everything from balance serotonin levels in the brain to fight urges to eat sweets. They also address sleep disorders and headaches associated with nicotine withdrawal. A product of holistic health and the rise of alternative medicine, herbal stop smoking products embody holistic health, helping smokers to stop smoking while helping them do it in a healthy way. It is in this fashion that the healthier lifestyle starts as the last cigarette goes into the ashtray, not when the last nicotine patch comes off. Quitting in a healthy way also boosts confidence, leading, for most, straight to success.

September 04, 2006

Popularity of Moda in Pelle Shoes

A visit to the website of Moda in Pelle will show almost instantaneously the style of the shoes, bags and boots that are offered by Moda in Pelle. Shoes are by far the biggest category and range from simple thong sandals to ornate stiletto heels and chunky wedges. Moda in Pelle shoes can be found in locations across Great Britain, and the list of stores is still rapidly growing. The growth in their clientele can be linked to current trends in fashion.

Women's fashion of the 21st century can be described as a true fashion, in the original meaning of the word 'fashion'. Fashion experts would call 'grunge' a 90's fashion, while fashion designers would deny its existence as a fashion because it was, well, fashionable to be unfashionable. Moda in Pelle shoes embrace everything that grunge did not. Moda in Pelle embraces a metropolitan fashion that says I'm not actually going to work to work, I'm going to work to be seen in my fashionable clothes.' Don't agree? Check out The Devil Wears Prada and see what's current.

They may not be the most comfortable, but Moda in Pelle shoes are, just as their name suggests, fashionable…at least for the moment. From their pointed tips to their stiletto heels, with sequins and glitter in between, they are designed to match the current clothing fashions which flounce more than they have in a long time. 'Feminine' went out a long time ago, but now it's back. Moda in Pelle shoes are one piece of evidence for that. Is 'feminine' simply a fad or is feminine women’s fashion back to stay?

September 02, 2006

Solgar Super Supplements

Solgar vitamins began on Manhattan’s east side in 1947. The Solgar name is now one of the most respected and the oldest of nutritional supplement researchers and manufacturers. Solgar vitamins are sold through health food retailers around the globe.

The vision of the Solgar executives was and is to lead the way to a world that is healthier. Solgar folks are driven by nutrition science, adhering to the highest of standards the world over for health care and nutrition product manufacture. Solgar vitamins are made after painstakingly thorough research, with state of the art methods and equipment for manufacturing, top notch quality and ongoing education. These elements are as critical to the firm as the botanicals, minerals and Solgar vitamins it produces. For nearly 60 years Solgar has set the standard for others to follow in the manufacture of nutritional supplements. Passionate about product quality, Solgar vitamins are made with a comprehensive and systematic checks and balances system that no one else can surpass.

There are over 400 Solgar vitamin and nutritional supplement products on the market today. With the manufacture of each new Solgar vitamin or supplement product Solgar scientists first draw a random sampling, await its quality control staff seal of approval and then release the item from quarantine when the determination has been made that it meets the high level of effectiveness and quality of the Solgar vitamins name.

Each batch of Solgar raw material goes through extensive chemical and microbiological tests for potency and purity. Liquid and gas chromatography are used for its state of the art raw material testing.

In 2003 Solar vitamins for kids was launched, its brand name Kangavites. In 2005 Solar vitamins expanded operations into the UK.

September 01, 2006

Healing Aromatics

Aromatherapy is the means of healing the mind and body with pure essential oils. These pure essential oils are very volatile essences of plants and their aromatic molecules, usually produced by the distillation of steam. These molecules are produced by plants for a number of reasons. The molecules lure bees who will pollinate, and they also protect the leaves from fungus.

Unlike standard vegetable oils, pure essential oils are very concentrated. They must be diluted before being applied to human skin.

Pure essential oils work on the brain’s limbic system. The effects on the parasympathetic nervous system is intense, and its effect powerfully antibacterial.

Other then the standard steam distillation method, there are several other means of making pure essential oils. Hydrodistillation is one method, similar to steam distillation except for the use of water rather than steam. The vast majority of these pure essential oils are made by some sort of distillation method. In every type of distillation, water is heated until it steams, and then carries volatile chemicals from it. This steam is then placed in a condenser where it is chilled. The distillate that results is collected. The pure essential oils generally float above the components of the distilled water and then are separated and removed.

With the hydrodistillation method of creating pure essential oils, the plants are submerged completely in the water and a soup is produced. The steam from this combination contains the aromatic molecules that make the pure essential oils. This method is the oldest and the one with the most versatility. It is often used in less advanced countries, although it has to be carefully watched. Should the still run dry or be heated too much the aromatics can burn. At that point they are useless as pure essential oils.

Athletic Enhancement Through Nutrition

Sports nutrition is not new. In fact, as far back as the record of human history goes we can find people looking for sports nutrition products – food and other substances that would help improve their physical abilities and strengths.

In medieval times, doctors encouraged the consumption of a human heart as a sports nutrition method. It was thought to increase intelligence and bravery. The extracts of the human heart’s pituitary glands were believed to enhance the strength of the body’s muscles.

As early as 300 BC Olympians in Greece ate mushrooms as a sports nutrition food. In 1865 sports nutrition for swimmers in Holland revolved around caffeine, while athletes in Belgium around the same time consumed sugar cubes that had been dipped in ether. Cactus was considered a sports nutrition product for marathon runners.

Dietary supplements for sports nutrition are now easily available through pharmacies, health food retailers, supermarkets, by mail and of course all over the Internet. Sports nutrition supplements are the most sought after of any dietary nutrition products, with athletes consuming sports nutrition and dietary supplements more often than 40 percent of the world’s general population. 59 percent of professional athletes consume dietary supplements as part of their sports nutrition regimen, as do 43 percent of college athletes.

The most common method of supplementing a sports nutrition regimen is with multiple vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, iron, B-complex vitamins, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and calcium.

Serious athletes focus on sports nutrition to improve their athletic performance by increasing their endurance, strengthening their muscles, helping their bodies recover from heavy workouts, and to prevent any illness or injury from overexertion.