| The Sun: Friend or Foe ? The sun has undeservedly received a bad reputation. Your intuition as a child was that the sun was good and it felt good. People have worked in the sun all of their lives, in many cases, nearly naked yet did not get skin cancer until recently. People who live in northern high latitudes and are rarely in the sun have a high frequency of skin cancer, often in places on the body where the "sun doesn't shine." Why is this? The sun emits both UVA and UVB rays which work synergistically together to create D3 which protects the skin from damaging effects of the sun. When sunscreen is used to block one or both of the UV rays, D3 cannot be created. As a result, skin damage occurs which in many cases leads to skin cancers. Although many fear skin cancer as a result of sun exposure, sunshine actually gives the body the essential ingredients needed to ward off many cancers. Most sunscreens on the market are made with a host of toxic ingredients, thus exacerbating the problem of skin cancers as well as a myriad of other maladies in the body. Your skin is the largest organ of your body. Consider each pore as a tiny mouth, ingesting whatever substances you place on your skin. Although D3 can be obtained in the diet from eating specific foods, all a person needs is approximately 20 minutes of sunshine each day over a large part of the body. D3 is created in the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin; it takes approximately 12-24 hours to be utilized by the body. D3 is oil soluble and will be washed away when it combines with the oils in soap as you bathe. If possible, simply rinse with water, using soap only on parts of the body, as needed. Very few foods have naturally occurring Vitamin D. These include: fatty fish (such as salmon and tuna), beef liver, cheese, egg yolks and mushrooms. Most other foods that have vitamin D are fortified, in other words, Vitamin D is added to the product during processing. Vitamin D maintains strong bones, muscle elasticity and is needed for proper nerve stimulation and to boost the immune system. Be mindful of everything you place on your skin. If you choose to replenish skin oils after bathing, consider using only pure oils such as olive oil, coconut, almond, grapeseed or castor oil. We also enjoy adding chaparral to our skin lotions and as a body spray to refresh, protect and assist in healing the skin. Check out our "Chaparral" page for remedy recipes! Before using any product on your skin, including soap and shampoo, ask yourself, is this safe for me to eat? If the answer is "no," then you would be wise not to use it on your body. To protect your skin from over-exposure to the sun, consider wearing a hat and light clothing, especially during the hottest part of the day (10 am - 4 pm). If you choose to use a sunscreen, then we suggest one made from completely non-toxic ingredients, such as Sierra Madre. You will find a link to their website on the left-hand column. In addition, there are other things you can do to protect your skin. If you plan to be in the sun for longer periods than 30 minutes, especially during the hottest part of the day, take precautions to avoid burning your skin, which can lead to skin cancers as you age. To avoid sunburn, build up your tolerance to sun exposure. Begin the summer season by only exposing your skin about five minutes, then slowly increasing up to 30 minutes before slathering on the sunscreen. If you plan to be in the sun for an extended period of time, or plan to be in water, be sure to re-apply often for maximum benefit. Avoid alcoholic drinks, smoking, toxic substances and unhealthy eating habits. Build up your natural antioxidant levels by consuming a variety of fresh, raw vegetables on a daily basis. By maintaining a healthy liver and digestive system, your blood will flow more freely and keep the supply of oxygen and other nutrients needed to create and maintain healthy skin cells. Dry brushing daily with a loofa brush increases blood circulation and removes dead skin cells. Above all, remain hydrated by drinking several ounces of pure water throughout the day. Feeling depressed or moody? Get a daily dose of sunshine! Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is an area of concern for those suffering depression and lethargy due to a lack of skin exposure to sunlight for long periods of time. SAD used to be associated with long winter days, however, it has been on the rise as more workers find themselves indoors with no skin exposure to sunlight for days at a time. The body does not receive what it needs to create Vitamin D when the sun exposure comes through windows. So, if you are an indoor office person, consider rolling up your sleeves and pant legs and heading outside to bask in the sun during your lunch break. |
| S.E.E.D. FOR CHANGE Sun Emotions Exercise Diet |
The Super Salve Company sells 100% natural skin and body care products including their non-toxic sunscreen, Sierra Madre. http://www.supersalve.com "Dr. Joseph Mercola on natural health products and articles" Several articles and videos on the health benefits of sun and fallacies surrounding skin cancers. http://www.drmercola.com Dr. Mercola also has a page filled with good information and non-toxic sunscreens, tanning lotion, sunblock for body and lips and insect repellents. http://products.mercola.com/sum mer-survival-kit/ Natural Medicine:The first part of this article deals with the use of sunscreens and their detrimental effects on the body, the second part covers treatments and prevention of skin cancer. http://naturalmedicine.suite101.c om/articlecfm/hidden_dangers_in _sunscreens#ixzz0UOPFJLA0 The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a 501(c)(4) organization that specializes in providing useful resources to consumers while simultaneously pushing for national policy change. Click here to read a comprehensive article on the dangers of sunscreen. http://www.ewg.org/cosmetics/rep ort/sunscreen09/investigation/su mmary-of-findings |
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swami alji enjoys beginning each day by sun gazing at sunrise. For more information on the health benefits of this ancient healing practice, visit Hira Ratam Manek's (HRM) website at www.solarhealing.com |
and apply the gooey side of the leaf directly onto the sunburn. Relieves pain and inflammation. Baking Soda Compress Dissolve baking soda in water, and make a compress using a clean cloth. Alternately, put 1/2 cup of baking soda into tepid bathwater, then let the affected area air dry. Cucumbers Rub the sunburned area with fresh cucumber slices. Lemon Water Mix the juice of two or three lemons into 2 cups of cold water. Apply the mixture onto the sunburn. |
For information on mosquito repellents, visit our Cosmetic & Body Care page. |
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