How to Do Arm and Hand Massage?

We use our arms and hands throughout the day. This gives a lot of tension and pain in the hands, wrists, and arms. The arms and hands massage is very useful to relieve pain that come with the excessive use of arms and hands. The arm and hand massage can be done within 5-10 minutes and it will soon relieve pain in the body.

Benefits of arms and hands massage

1. When we massage our hands, fingers and joints, this not only relieves pain from arms and hands, but also solves problems of poor blood circulation and arthritis.

2. With arms and hands massage the effects will be passed onto the chest by reflex action. So, with this massage technique we can also reduce any pressure in the neck and head due to nervous and circulatory effects.

Steps for arms and hands massage -

1. Smooth on the oil as before. When working on the arm it’s easier to effleurage with one hand only, using the other to hold the arm steady.

2. Bend the arm at the elbow. Massage around the wrist with little thumbs circles using both hands.

3. Work down from the wrist to the ends of the fingers using little thumbs circles. Repeat five times.

4. Stretch each finger, then thumb, in turn between your finger and thumb.

5. Rotate the fingers and thumb first clockwise then anti-clockwise.

6. Turn the hand over and rub gently along the solar plexus (from centre wrist down the palm to the middle finger) using alternate thumbs. This is calming to the nervous system.

7. Rotate the hand at the wrist clockwise then anti-clockwise. To do this lock your fingers into your partner’s.

8. Turn the hand over and work on the inside of the wrist up to the elbow using alternate sweeping movements. Repeat four or five times.

9. Bend the arm at the elbow and bring the lower arm up and across the chest. Squeeze all along the upper arm from elbow to shoulder using both hands.

10. Bring the arm back down to the side then effleurage the whole area from hand to shoulder four or five times. Cover the arm and repeat on the other side.

Massaging the arms and hands will not only give relief from pain and tension in the hands, wrists, and arms but also make them more beautiful and strong.

Read useful tips on Natural Skin Care to keep your skin soft, smooth and glowing. Also read useful articles on Hair Loss Remedy to control your hair fall. Know how to shed your extra body fat through Natural weight loss

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Essential Oils for Treating Common Ailments

This article discusses three commonly used essential oils along with their healing properties. Read this article to treat your common ailments and improve your overall health naturally.

1. Peppermint

The peppermint oil is obtained from the leaves and flowers by steam distillation and varies in quality depending on climatic and soil conditions. It is very therapeutic oil which has a cooling effect on the skin and lessens pain. Peppermint is excellent for digestive problems. It also makes a great foot bath for hot, aching feet. It is not advisable to use this oil during pregnancy.

Peppermint essential oil is helpful for:

1. Bad breath: Add five drops to 300 ml of water and use as a mouthwash.

2. Heartburn and indigestion: Mix into carrier oil and massage the stomach and rib cage.

3. Hot, aching feet: Add ten drops to a large bowl of lukewarm water. Soak feet for at least fifteen minutes.

4. Migraine: Use it neat on the temples.

5. Sinus, catarrh: Inhale, or use to massage the face.

6. Travel sickness: Inhale, or blend in carrier oil and massage the stomach and temples.

2. Rosemary

The rosemary essential oils are distilled from the flowers and leaves. It is known as the herb for remembrance and clears the mind and stimulates the memory. It is an excellent hair tonic, improving circulation to the scalp and is helpful for dandruff.

Rosemary essential oil is helpful for:

1. Circulation: Use in the bath, or in carrier oil. Rosemary has a warming, comforting effect.

2. Dandruff, hair in poor condition: Use in carrier oil for scalp massage. Leave for thirty minutes before shampooing.

3. Fainting: Inhale neat, like smelling salts.

4. Mental fatigue, poor memory: Inhale neat.

5. Stomach pain, wind: Mix in carrier oil and gently massage the affected area.

3. Sage

The sage oil is made from the sun dried leaves by distillation. The essential oil is toxic in high doses, so use with care.

Sage essential oil is helpful for:

1. Aching joints, rheumatism: Add to your bath or use in carrier oil to massage the affected areas.

2. Nervous exhaustion: A good tonic. Add to your bath, and soak for at least 15 minutes.

3. Fluid retention: Add to your bath or use in carrier oil.

4. Excess perspiration: Dilute five drops in a glass of water. Soak cotton wool in the solution and use it under the arms and on the feet several times daily.

5. Sore, bleeding gums: Dilute five drops in a glass of water and use as a mouthwash.

Read the benefits of Triphala and know how it can cure constipation. Know recipes for making Homemade cosmetics - all natural and preservative free.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Some Useful Essential Oils with Curative Properties

Essential oils have natural healing properties that are helpful in treating common health problems. They can be safely used for inhaling, massaging or in bath. Below are some useful essential oils with curative properties -

1. Marjoram

Marjoram is a popular aromatic flavoring. The oil is extracted from the plant by distillation. It has a powerful head clearing aroma and an uplifting effect on the spirit. Marjoram blends very well with lemon essential oil.

Marjoram essential oil is helpful for:

1. Anxiety and depression: Inhale, use in the bath or in a vaporizer.

2. Constipation: Blend into carrier oil and massage into the abdomen to relieve spasm in the intestines.

3. Head cold: Inhale, or use to massage face and neck.

4. Insomnia: Use in the bath or inhale.

5. Muscular aches and pains: Use in carrier oil to massage the affected parts, or add to the bath.

2. Myrrh

Myrrh essential oil is produced from the resin of the myrrh tree. It has been used since ancient Egyptian times for its rejuvenating qualities and is one of the oils used for embalming.

Myrrh essential oil is helpful for:

1. Cuts and grazes: Bath the area in a solution of five drops to 2 tsp (10 ml) of cooled, boiled water.

2. Coughs: Blend into carrier oil and massage the chest and throat or inhale.

3. Mouth ulcers, inflamed and sore gums: Add five drops to a medium size glass of warm water and use as a gargle several times a day.

3. Niaouli

Niaouli oil is produced by steam distillation from the leaves of the niaouli tree, which is native to New Caledonia. It is an excellent antiseptic.

Niaouli essential oil is helpful for:

1. Acne and problem skin: Blend in carrier oil for massage or add six drops to ½ pt (300 ml) of boiled water and use as a skin tonic.

2. Bronchitis, chesty cough: Inhale, or mix with a carrier oil and massage the chest.

3. Catarrh: Inhale.

4. Grazes: Dilute six drops of niaouli oil in 300 ml of boiled water – very good for removing dirt from wounds.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Read the benefits of anti-aging herb Shilajit and stress relieving herb Ashwagandha.

How to Give a Face Massage

In this article you will learn how to give a facial massage and know the benefits of face massage.

Benefits of face massage

1. Face massage relieve muscle tension in the face and improve blood and lymph circulation.

2. Face massage focusing on the pressure points of the face can offer relief for symptoms of allergies and sinus congestion.

3. Face massage helps in removing wrinkles; improve complexion and natural glow of the skin.

Steps for face massage –

Take your partner’s hair off the face with a headband. Be careful not to use too much oil on the face or you’ll find it difficult to massage specific areas without slipping. Encourage your partner to close his or her eyes, so as to focus on your touch.

• Begin by stroking up each side of the jawline to the forehead. Repeat 4-5 times.
• Slowly stroke the forehead rhythmically with the flat of your hand from just above the brows to the hairline.
• Starting at the centre hairline slide your thumbs out to the side, applying gently pressure. Move down the forehead slightly and repeat. Continue this outward stroking pressure until you reach the eyebrows.
• Now place the heel of each hand on the centre forehead and slide out to the sides. Repeat three times.
• Place the first two fingers of each hand on the temples and circle gently for a minute or two, applying a little pressure.

All the above movements help to relieve a headache. Try lavender oil for your massage as it can ward off a headache if used in time.

• Place your thumbs on your partner’s inner eyebrows and slide out to the sides. Repeat three times.
• With your index finger and thumbs gently pull along the brow bone. Repeat three times.
• Stroke gently over the eyelids with your ring fingers from the inner to the outer corners. Repeat three times.
• Alternately stroke down the nose with your thumbs then gently rub round the nose tip and nostrils. Be careful not to press hard on the nostrils.
• Stroke the cheeks across the cheekbones and gradually work down the face to the chin.
• Make little circular movements across the top lip. When you reach the corner of the mouth lift slightly then repeat.
• Make pinching movements out along the jawline and up towards the ears.
• Rub the earlobes between your fingers and thumbs then gently pinch all around the outer ear. Most people love this.
• Sweep your hands up the neck and on to the cheeks. Hold then repeat.
• Finish by stroking the forehead, getting lighter and lighter until you bring your hands off.

Note: Face massage should be done by using oil or moisturizer as a lubricant. If you just use your bare hands, you may cause too much friction and leads to irritation of the skin.

Hope you have now learned how to give a facial massage to remove wrinkles and get relief from symptoms of allergies and sinus congestion.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Looking for some Home Remedies for Wrinkles? Check out natural Home remedies website and find some effective Home Remedies for Sinusitis useful in curing sneezing, running nose, blockage of one or both nostrils and headache.

Top 3 Essential Oils with Healing Properties

Essential oils due to their mystical healing properties are used extensively in treating health problems. This article discusses three commonly used essential oils that are helpful in treating number of ailments.

1. Chamomile

The chamomile family is large and there are several different chamomile essential oils. All chamomile oils are helpful for sensitive conditions and can be used safely for children.

Chamomile essential oil is helpful for:

1. Aches and pains: Blend with carrier oil and massage into the affected area or add to the bathwater.

2. Boils: Apply a small cotton compress which has been soaked in hot water and chamomile and leave on until it cools.

3. Conjunctivitis, sore eyes: Add two drops to 2 tsp (10 ml) of cooled, boiled water. Soak cotton pads in the solution and place on the eyes, or use in an eyebath to wash the eyes.

4. Dermatitis, eczema: Blend with a carrier oil and massage into the affected area or blend with a perfume free cream and apply regularly.

5. Hyperactivity: Particularly in children. Add a few drops to the bathwater, or use in a vaporizer.

6. Minor skin infections: Apply on a cotton compress.

7. Insomnia: Try a chamomile aromatherapy bath before bedtime. Drink chamomile tea before going to bed. Use the oil in a vaporizer or sprinkle a few drops on your pillow.

2. Eucalyptus

The eucalyptus oil is extracted from the leaves by steam distillation. It has a smell you will recognize as it is often used in commercial rubs and inhalants for chest complaints and colds.

Eucalyptus essential oil is helpful for:

1. Colds, sinus problems, sore throat: Steam inhalation or use in an oil burner or vaporizer. Helps keep viruses at bay from other people in the home.

2. Flu: Mix into a carrier oil and massage well into the chest, shoulders and rib-cage.

3. Muscular aches and pain: Very helpful after sport or any strenuous exercise, either in the bath or in a carrier oil to massage affected areas.

3. Lavender

Lavender essential oil is obtained by distillation. Lavender oils blend well with other essential oils and can boost their properties. It is the most versatile oil for aromatherapy, so if in doubt, choose lavender.

Lavender essential oil is helpful for:

1. Acne and spotty skin: Blend in carrier oil for massage, or add a few drops to distilled water to make a freshener.

2. Boils: Use neat on a small compress.

3. Burns: Use neat, being careful not to break the skin.

4. Colds and flu: Inhale, add to the bath, use in a vaporizer or use in carrier oil to massage the head, neck and shoulders.

5. Headache/migraine: Inhale, or blend into a carrier oil and massage the face and scalp. Pay particular attention to the temples and forehead.

6. Irritability, tension and depression: Use for massage, especially the shoulders and neck, add to the bath water or inhale.

7. Indigestion, nausea: Blend in carrier oil and gently massage the stomach, or inhale.

8. Insect bites, stings: Dab on a few drops of neat oil.
9. Muscular aches and pains: Use to massage the affected area in carrier oil, or add to the bath.

10. Period pain: Blend in carrier oil and massage the lower abdomen and back. Also use in the bath.

11. Sore throat: Use in carrier oil to massage the chest and throat and/or inhale neat.

12. Sunburn: Mix a few drops into your after sun lotion or carrier oil.

Know natural Home Remedies for common diseases. Also read the benefits of anti-aging herb Shilajit and stress relieving herb Ashwagandha.

Three Useful Essential Oils with Healing Properties

Due to the natural healing properties of essential oils, they are widely used to treat number of ailments. This article focuses on three commonly used essential oils with their remedial properties.

1. Benzoin

Benzoin is actually a tree resin which is processed to turn it into a liquid.

Benzoin essential oil is helpful for:

1. Coughs colds and flu: Try steam inhalation
2. Itchy skin, dermatitis: Mix into a carrier oil or a perfume free cream and apply to the affected area.
3. Nervous exhaustion, tension: Mix into a carrier oil and use for massage particularly around the neck and shoulder area.
4. Stiff or aching joints: Mix into a carrier oil and massage into the problem area, or use on a compress.
5. Sore, dry skin: Mix into a carrier oil (wheatgerm oil is good) and apply to the affected area at regular intervals. You can also add it to your bath.

2. Geranium

There are many varieties of geranium. Geranium oil can uplift or have a relaxing effect and is particular good for menopausal problems.

Geranium essential oil is helpful for:

1. Dry eczema and dermatitis: Mix into a carrier oil. If the problem is severe on the hands, try massaging with the blend, put on cotton gloves and wear overnight.
2. Menopausal bleeding: Mix into a carrier oil and massage into the lower abdomen and back. Or use a compress soaked in warm water with the geranium oil added.
3. Nervous tension and anxiety: Use in an aromatherapy bath, or mix into a carrier oil and massage into neck and shoulders.
4. Sluggish skin: Mix three or four drops into a carrier oil and use to massage the face and neck.
5. Sore throat: Add two drops to a glass of warm water and use as a gargle.

3. Hyssop

Hyssop is an ancient herb which was cultivated for its medicinal as well as romantic properties. The oil is extracted from the leaves and flowers by distillation. It is beneficial for all respiratory problems and can help relieve hay fever.

Hyssop essential oil is helpful for:

1. Bruises: Use as a compress or gently rub over the bruised area.
2. Eczema: Use in carrier oil at regular intervals.
3. Hay fever: Use on handkerchief or in a vaporizer, or blend and use for facial massage.
4. Rheumatism: Use in the bath or as a massage for the affected area.

Read the benefits of anti-aging herb Shilajit and stress relieving herb Ashwagandha.

Aromatherapy during Labor for Natural Pain Relief

Aromatherapy is one of the most popular natural therapies not only for relaxing mind and body but also for treating many health issues. It is very helpful in relieving pain. Aromatherapy massage during labor helps you to relax and cope with the contractions and it can also reduce the tension and fear you will naturally feel because of its calming effect on your nervous system. You may find that early on in labor you like the feeling of quite firm pressure but as your contractions become more intense gentle strokes may be all you can bear.

Aromatherapy massage for natural pain relief -

If you have already experienced aromatherapy massage earlier in your pregnancy your partner will have an idea of the kind of touch that is most helpful to you.

Tummy massage

This is helpful in the earlier stages of labor and the movements are soothing when the contractions feel like period pains. Use three drops of camomile or lavender oil in 4 fl oz (100 ml) of light carrier oil.

• Using relaxed hands make figure of eight movement across the tummy and under the bump. This movement should be fairly light, especially if the tummy is tender.
• Gently stroke around the bump using your fingertips in a circular movement.

Repeat these movements as necessary.

Back soother

Again use three drops of camomile or lavender oil in 4 fl oz (100 ml) of carrier oil.

• With the heel of your hand apply pressure to the small of the back. Gently move your hand in an anticlockwise circular movement while keeping firm contact with the skin.
• Place one hand on top of the other in the small of the back and allow heat to build up under your hands.

These movements are helpful for concentrations felt in the lower back.

If you are feeling too sensitive to be massaged or even touched on your body, try the following aromatherapy relaxers.

Face soother

Add a few drops of lavender or rose oil to some chilled rosewater. Dip a small face sponge into this mixture then smooth it over your forehead down your face and neck, gently and rhythmically. Alternatively your partner can do this for you. The flowery aroma is very comforting and helps to take your mind away from the labor pains.

Hand soother

When the contractions become difficult this simple touch is very reassuring and helps to create a feeling of safety. Ask your partner to rub a little lavender oil (in carrier oil) into the solar plexus area on your hand.

Now he or she can gently stroke and soothe your hand, keeping a reassuring contact with you. Concentrate on relaxing into the touch.

Scented water soother

Kneeling in a deep, warm bath can be soothing in the earlier stages of labor and the addition of relaxing aromatherapy oils intensifies this experience. Choose from chamomile, lavender, ylang-ylang or geranium.

Read useful articles on Hair Loss Remedy to control your hair fall. Know how Herbal Remedies are helpful in promoting good health.