“Essential Oils are like the blood of a person. They are not the whole plant, but are whole, organic substances in themselves. Like blood they will die (lose their life force) if they are not properly preserved. Like blood they incorporate the characteristics of the body (plant) from which they come. They are like the personality, or spirit, of the plant. The essence is the most ethereal and subtle part of the plant….”

Essential oils are the essence of the plant itself. They possess some of the properties of whole herb, but are specifically extracted for their aromatics rather than their food values, and are utilized differently. It is never recommended to ingest essential oils. Although some edible products contain essential oils, these actually only contain a minute quantity of oil along with many other ingredients. Essential oils are mainly used externally for their therapeutic benefits in perfumes, oils, cosmetics, and for massages, aromatherapy, and such.

Plants in general have a long history in the art of perfumery. Depending on what you are reading you will find accounts claiming plants were used for cosmetic purposes as far back as ten or eleven thousand years ago. Personally I think it goes farther back than that. Common sense would dictate that if you are living in the natural world, you are well aware of the resources that world can offer. I know if I lived thousands of years ago, I would have looked to nature for healing, learning, everything…just as I do now actually. So it is no surprise to me that evidence suggests a very long history in the arts beautiful. The Egyptians were renowned for their mastery of perfumery and beautification, all plant based. Even their practice of mummifying their dead was an herbal ritual. The Greeks and Romans learned from Egyptian practices and developed their own schools of thought on this subject, and in the East, in India for example, perfumery has historically been an art form as well as a highly respected trade. Plants during these ancient times were used differently than the ways we use them today and they played a larger part in society. In the modern world we have science and technology taking the leading role. We have advanced methods of extraction to release the most essence from the plant in the least amount of time. The ancients had no such processes and relied upon natural methods. Plant preparations were used in nearly every area of life during ancient times and not the least of which was cosmetic.

‘Perfume in Ancient Egypt’ What I find so intriguing about ancient practices is that it places the “healer” or “perfumer” in very close proximity to the plant itself. There was more direct handling of the plant for processing. Plants were more carefully selected for certain applications and also for whom the application was being used! In these times of old, perfumery was a revered art form. The perfumer was an alchemist, a magician; one capable of taking the lowly and exalting it, one who worked more with the spirit of a thing than its form. By contrast, today’s perfumers are chemists. Perhaps they may succeed in creating a popular scent, but there is no magic in them, no life energy. There is not the transmutation of the base into the divine, there is only another product that may or may not possess commercial appeal. This is a far cry from the more holistic approach used by ancient perfume masters.

The ancients believed all their knowledge was divinely given, their methods and recipes of divine origin. With this attitude, they qualified the selection of every herb used, understanding it not just from a “scientific” perspective, but a spiritual one also. The ancients were aware of the soul or spirit counterpart to all things and most especially in the natural world, as that is where beauty, healing, and well-being could be found. Up until recently the art of perfumery was a dying art. In fact, any direct or “old way” working with plants was considered crude in comparison to “science”. How funny that what was once a very natural part of expression became “unorthodox”! Herbal use for scents, cosmetics, healing (you name it) were reduced to the fancies of witches, medicine men, and savages. A highly uncivilized and unreliable practice compared to the “proven facts” offered by the illustrious scientific community.

Yet in this century there has been a resurgence of interest in these ways of times past. People are seeing that science is not infallible, in fact, it has in ways failed. True, science has contributed a great deal to advancement however it seems not to be for society as a whole, but a select few. Science with all its glamour has failed to do the one thing that the very term science implies, which is to have knowledge. How can science have any true knowledge of anything if it only acknowledges ONE part of it? This is how science works; it addresses only what can be ascertained by observation but does not unify the outer with the inner, address the whole.

“The word ‘knowledge’ in itself has narrowed in its meaning. It now means something you know- a fact, or a collection of facts. It does not imply any practical ability at all.”- Robert B. Tisserand

I believe that in any endeavor, the intellect which translates perception into concept and the intuition which is the sense of direct cognizance must both be employed for the act to have any practical value; for one to have real knowledge and understanding from a whole perspective. Science unfortunately seems to feel that once it has “proven” something as true by its own standard of measure, it has becomes a fact. Then a few years hence, this proclaimed truth is no longer and a new one replaces it. It is on this point where I believe the true alchemist has the advantage. True alchemists know that “truth” lies only in the moment and in that moment numerous factors are at work and infinite possibility exists. There are no constants. So it is in every area of life, and so it is in the art of perfumery which is an alchemical art to begin with. And even if you don’t distill all your own essences, your intent in making your preparations holds a lot more weight from an alchemical perspective. There are a lot of people in the world that could read a recipe for a perfume and execute it perfectly, but what about the intent? Quality ingredients in your creations may be essential, but a quality heart is even more so.

The Art of AromatherapyWith that, I would like to once again say that of all your tools and paraphernalia’s in the perfume arts, the one of greatest value will be your own intuition. On that point in regards to working with the plant essences Robert Tisserand states, “What we are really talking about here is qualities, or vibrations. How do you know if two things have the same quality, or vibration? Only by feeling, by using that sixth sense which we call intuition. The more we develop our intuition the more we will be able to see the order and perfection of the universe, and the deeper and richer our lives will become.”

When there is evidence of interminable suffering, hopelessness and the failure to cure, when the medical bills are piling up causing more suffering, when the question of why continues to grow, the intelligent part of me wants to say, “yes, of course I agree with assisted suicide” or euthanasia.

My emotional and moral sides fight with my intelligence. Compassion may confuse morality to rid the suffering, to rid the burden.

These issues are not for us to decide. All things, good and bad, happen for a reason. Many times the reasons are not evident. Often, the emphasis is on the pain and suffering and not the obscure reasons why the patient is left to barely live this way. Does every dark cloud have a silver lining? Is the silver lining worth persevering the dark cloud? Is it in our jurisdiction to decide one’s worth because we have the capacity to do so? There are too many unanswered questions.

I am a Catholic, a registered nurse, and a mother of four sons. In all of these capacities I have made mistakes, misjudged situations, thought something was right when others thought it wrong and thought wrongly of others righteousness. I am human. As we ALL are. Are any of us experts in execution? Maybe the surgeon general, or the President of the United States or the Prime Minister, the neighborhood midwife or the dedicated hospice nurse. What shapes our opinions and concerns? What makes something right for one situation is wrong in another similar situation.

This is one of those situations in life when how we feel doesn’t override what we should do. It is the issue of right and wrong.

I know of a mother caring for her comatose son in a small house with limited help. She has seen her son grow up this way from teenager to young adult. He has been in this capacity for almost 20 years. What good is this doing anyone? Are they both not suffering? Not according to the mother. Her completeness in life is caring for her son. What lessons come from this? How many prayers has it stirred? Who looks to this woman and is positively affected by her lifestyle? Who would have thought with enough convincing that this man-child should be put out of his misery? The patient arrived in his comatose state by his own hand. He hung himself. He wanted to die. Members of the community are stirred to find the reasons why, to analyze the agony he felt. Many are prompted to think of him, the disease depression and his mother’s faith because he is still here and the whole situation is still very evident. There are two sides to every situation. Sometimes, one side is overshadowed by another.

I know of many situations where infant and toddler children are kept alive with ventilators and tube feedings. An array of medical personal routinely go in and out of the houses to assist in caring for these children. These are long financially and emotionally draining years. I certainly wouldn’t want any of my children to live this way. One family lives on minimal wage pay, state assistance and constant emotional stress. What has this done for this family? Are they brought together? Are they torn apart? Do the rely on recreational drugs to numb there pain? Or do they find joy in a simple smile from their suffering child. I had a big problem today. It was that my kitchen sink was stopped up again. Who is more pathetic here? How can these children be made to suffer like this and their parents and siblings made to observe it in every detail? Modern medicine has advanced enough to keep very sick patients alive, their body systems operating in distinct imperfect separateness. Medicine has come so far. Now, we want to do away with what we cannot perfect. Now, we want to decide whose suffering is too much suffering. Now, we want to analyze whose choice to die is relevant and necessary.

I am equally distraught when witnessing overly heroic measures. When patients are medically scrutinized without their integrity in mind. I am an advocate for quality of life. Quality over quantity is better to me. But is it for me decide just how much unspecial time anyone should be forced to endure? Is it our right to act as some superior guidance? Dr. Kervorkian is a seemingly empathetic patient advocate. He has given many people relief. But what is relief? An escape from lessons to be learned?..

Emphysema is the focus of research by Drs. Gloria and Donald Massaro. These innovative scientists recently made a major breakthrough by discovering that induced emphysema can be reversed in laboratory animals by treatment with retinoic acid. Donald Massaro is the Cohen Professor of Pulmonary Research and Director of the Lung Biology Laboratory at Georgetown University Medical Center. Gloria Massaro is Professor of Pediatrics at Georgetown. Both scientists are Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute Senior Fellows working with LRRI scientists in Albuquerque while retaining their positions at Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Emphysema is a chronic, incurable lung disease that afflicts nearly 2 million people in the U.S., and is responsible for 17,000 deaths per year. A small number of people with emphysema have a rare inherited form of the disease called early onset emphysema; but, smoking is the culprit in the majority of cases. Emphysema advances very gradually, usually after years of exposure to the irritation of cigarette smoke. Shortness of breath is usually the first symptom; as the disease progresses, activity can become severely limited.

The function of the lungs is to exchange fresh oxygen for carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. It does this through millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli, which are formed only during childhood. In emphysema, a chemical reaction breaks down the delicate walls of the alveoli, creating spaces or “holes” in the lung tissue. As these holes become larger and larger, the lungs lose their elasticity and become distended and hyper-inflated, making normal breathing impossible.

No treatments today can reverse the destruction of the alveoli, or cause them to regenerate. They are permanently lost. Current medical care for emphysema can only ease symptoms, by giving additional oxygen, treating respiratory infections, and giving medication to prevent heart failure. Today, the only way to reverse the disease is through lung transplantion, an extreme treatment limited by the number of healthy lungs available for transplant.

The Massaros’ research focuses on the problem of lung tissue regeneration. They have induced regeneration of damaged lung tissue in adult animals by the application of retinoic acid, opening the way for a whole new field of research into the uses of this class of compound to treat or cure emphysema. While much more testing remains to be done and funding for this work is sorely needed, the Massaros’ research offers hope for victims of this disease. Their research may also lead to treatments for fetal and neonatal lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

It’s not enough that someone has a disease for the rest of his/her life; society has to create an example and make him or her ashamed. Ads on television, discussions and health courses in schools inadvertently create stereotypes about those with STD’s, creating an illusion about what types of people carry STD’s. We, as a society need to open our hearts to these people; they need our help and understanding, instead of our criticism.

Here are some percentages on STD’s found on the American Society Health Association web site:

* An estimated 25% of adults in the United States have genital herpes. Most don’t know it because their symptoms are too mild to notice. (Another translation: 1 in four have genital herpes; of these four, only three know about it.)

* Approximately 5.5 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV (Human Papillomavirus) occur in the U.S. each year, with at least 20 million people currently infected.

* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year about 240,000 Americans get hepatitis B. One out of 20 people in this country will get Hepatitis B at some time during their life.

* Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that’s very common among teens and young adults. If untreated, Chlamydia can affect the reproductive organs causing sterility. The good news is that Chlamydia is easy to treat. Unfortunately most people with Chlamydia don’t know they’re infected. If you have had sex, you may need to be tested, even if you feel healthy.

KNOW THIS:

The presence of certain STDs (such as Herpes and Genital warts) increases the risk of getting HIV infection during sexual contact with an HIV-infected person. Certain STDs result in breaks in the skin on or in the anus, vagina, or penis that permit the virus to enter the blood system more easily. See a health care provider for testing and treatment if you think you might have any STD.

Just because someone has one STD doesn’t mean they’re safe from others! The chances of catching another STD increase by 50% if you already have an STD and continue to have unsafe sex with one or multiple partners.

When discussing STD’s, always remember these important facts:

* Remember that once you have an STD, it’s generally there forever, in one way or another. If you catch AIDS, it could cost you your life. A few hours of pleasure aren’t worth the rest of your life.

* Don’t think, “It can’t happen to me.” You’ll be one of the ones who catch it. No one in this world is immortal or untouchable. If you catch an STD, your life will never be the same.

* Be educated about these diseases with your family. Ignorance is NOT bliss. Be smart and know about ALL STDs.

STD’s are scary and difficult to discuss but without education, and an open mind, the statistics listed above will continue to grow. To prevent contracting an STD, awareness and education key factors. Be aware of the symptoms of all STDs, abstain from sex if you’re unsure of your partner’s history or your partner won’t disclose his/her history, always practice safe sex by using a condom, minimize your partners to one at a time, avoid intravenous drug usage, and get tested yearly for all STDs including HIV. If you know that you have an STD, explain to your partner patiently, calmly, and clearly about your disease including the symptoms, and the risk factors, and be sure to practice safe sex at all times.

Soy milk is made from soybeans and water. It is rich in protein and low in fat. Although beige and not white, it has a milky appearance. I think it has a more pleasant taste than cow’s milk, even the unflavored kind is sweeter than cow’s milk. Besides natural flavoring, you can purchase brands that offer vanilla flavored, almond flavored, strawberry flavored, and carob flavored. Carob is a chocolate substitute, which is neccessary because chocolate is made with cow’s milk.

The best thing about soy milk is that, unlike cow’s milk, the average person can make it themselves. Unless you have a cow in your backyard or apartment building, that is. If you have time to make it by hand yourself the cost savings are compelling. Cow’s milk costs about $2.80 cents where I live. Homemade soy milk costs me about 55 cents per gallon.

If you don’t have the time or just don’t want to bother, you might want to look into getting a soy milk maker. there are many excellent brands out there. They work by automatically grinding the soybeans, then filtering with water and heating the resultant liquid to make soy milk. Some can do this in fifteen minutes! Very cost-effective, the time you save more than pays for the cost of an automatic soy maker over time. Prices run from $95-$145.

Soy milk can also be used in recipes instead of milk. I use it in cookies, cakes, pies, and of course, on cereal. Vanilla flavored soymilk is especially pleasing to me on cornflakes, it’s sweetness eliminates the need for putting a little sugar on them. Soy milk also makes excellent smoothies or milk shakes. You can also make bread and even cheese with with soy milk, right in your home. The possibilities are endless.

Read more: Would You Like Shiny Teeth?

The first casualty were the legs this time; they just couldn’t hold the fort. The enemy got though the blockade. The loss was great. The casualties were higher. At least three days in hospital. Retreat was no option they had to go on they had a war to win.

The body gathered all it’s forces to head of the advance of the attack. The battlefield was covered with antibodies no stone was let unturned. This was the fight to end all fights. They must win at all cost, they couldn’t afford another defeat. Time was of the essence if we were going to win it had to be now.

Reports where coming in from all around the body, legs were down then the bladder. Mass damage was reported and there wasn’t much hope of recovery on it’s own. This was the time to call in the big guns. The death gas surrounded the enemy and recovery was now on the way. The prognosis was looking good, recovery rate was slow. The future was unknown, there was going to be more battles to be won, some more intense than others. But never the less the body goes marching on. Then it happened again and the horrors of war lifts it’s ugly head once again. We go to battle to win at all cost.

This is how we all feel at least once during the time that we have Sour bodies take on different forms and we are constantly fighting ourselves. The feelings we have emotionally, sometimes the fight just goes out of all of us. The battle to remain positive regardless of what lays a head becomes our main focus. Life is a battle whether we have MS or not and we never give up the will to live, we just do it differently. Remember no matter what happens there is still a future that lays ahead full of challenges, that we can attack full on.

How much should your child weigh?
How to recognize your child’s concerns about his or her weight?
What if your child is being teased?
How to nurture the child’s self-esteem?
How to shop?
How to change your family habits?
When to seek professional help?
What if you child has an eating disorder?

Parents’ Dos and Donts

This tips could be a manual for parents rising a chubby child. I was a plump child myself and I wish my parents would have had this tips to consult. Some of the solutions very good, like encouraging my participation in structured physical activities (ballet, team swimming, and skiing), yet in finding others they could have used some help: I wished they (and I) had been taught more about food, eating, and how to talk about our problem, but then who did have this help back in the 1950s? None of my three sons is or has ever been overweight and all are physically very active, but I did find useful some of the thoughts on providing better nutrition to a child who strongly dislikes vegetables and fish while being prone to feast on the junk food.

What I remember, are these tips, dos and donts, I hope thay can help you, too.

When you make your everyday decisions, keep these Dos and Donts in mind.

Do:

Provide information rather than lecture
Make observations rather than judgment
Ask questions instead of dictating the rules
Offer suggestions rather than reprimand
Be honest, never manipulate
Treat lightly, never nag
Be supportive, avoid threatening
Praise, not criticize
Encourage, not punish

Do not:

Insist on a strict diet
Deny child’s favorite foods
Accept child being hungry
Prohibit snacks between meals
Ignore exercise
Insist on strenuous exercise
Be afraid that exercise will make your child eat more
Be angry when your child eat a wrong food
Control how much your child eat
Use withholding food as a punishment
Use food as a treat
Expect your child to be able to have self-control
Insist that your child eat all you put on the plate
Ignore the fun element in physical activities
Blame your child for eating too much
Think that overweight children are different from normal
Repeatedly remind your child about eating behavior
Punish your child for not losing weight (e.g., by not allowing new clothes)
State that a good-looking child should be thin…
…and muscular, for a boy

The beauty pageant was sponsored by IMPACT, a student group that raises money for children, and featured eight contestants, four of whom were men, and William, competing under the name “Anita Mann,” blew away the competition. According to the Harvard Crimson, he won over the crowd right from the start with his “uncanny impression of President Bill Clinton.”

He went on to poke fun at the beauty pageant culture, campaigning on a platform encouraging “Harvard peace,” and rounded out the evening with a spectacular baton-twirling routine, which he performed to the tune of “It’s Raining Men.” (Rumor has it that articles of clothing were flying towards the stage from the audience during the spectacle!)

Another contestant, Joseph Linhart, (who “left the pricetags dangling from his plus-sized dresses” from a costume shop) came away with the honor of “Miss Congeniality.” The Ivy Leagues truly do embrace equal opportunity–in fact, only one of three finalists was a woman!

These rumors are still denied by health officials, but many residents report that they are a fact. The local health authorities state that they will be offering several school districts free meningitis vaccinations starting Friday. Many people do not realize that more than one county is affected. This outbreak is not just isolated to Stark County, as many newspapers and television news programs state. Now there are many counties– six or seven– being affected. There are suspected cases in patients living in Portage, Summit, Stark, Carroll, Columbiana, and even two or three counties in Southern Ohio and Northern West Virginia.

These counties are riddled with either confirmed cases of meningitis or suspected cases of the disease. The latest victim, a young girl hospitalized in Akron Children’s Hospital was just confirmed by the CDC to have the same strain as the two teens who died last week. At this, residents are fearful and concerned.

These other cases mentioned above are not “only rumors” report many local residents. From one woman that wishes to remain nameless due to pressure on health employees from hospitals and health authorities, this author learned that many patients in local hospitals are suspected of having meningitis. This woman and other hospital employees at nearby hospitals have personally witnessed the patients experiencing the severe flu-like symptoms.

Due to the intense efforts by local health officials to keep the level of panic low in resident’s minds, many hospital employees fear for their jobs, keeping most quiet. But not all, some are worried and speaking out. If the local media would do some hard-hitting investigative reporting, they would find much of this out with relative ease. This is not idle gossip like the newspapers and local television stations are reporting, and many of the local people know it. This is a very small area. When you know someone whose cousin is being treated or a friend who has a child in the hospital, word travels fast. The patients referred to in this article are “suspected” cases only, but this still has the small community reeling.

In addition to the already three confirmed cases, and possible fourth person that the media is referring to of late, it is these new “possible” cases that are worrying many area residents. But what is upsetting them even more people are the vehement protests from health officials that there are other sick people hospitalized and under watch. These sick individuals are being observed, and they have high fevers and flu symptoms. Many are afraid that there is a much bigger problem here at work than local health officials are revealing.

Entering Carrollton, the county seat of Carroll County, there is an eerie calm which fills the rural countryside, and at the Waynesburg grocery store, which is ten minutes from Minerva, residents are filling their carts much the same as before an impending blizzard. People are stockpiling. The stores are overflowing with people at 11:00 on a Wednesday afternoon, yet all restaurants and gas stations are barren. All church, community, and school programs have been cancelled until further notice. People are not going out unless it is absolutely necessary.

Another topic of discussion at the local stores, post offices and various meeting places is the worry over mosquitoes. In these heavily wooded areas that are surrounded by dozens of lakes, there is a potential for a major outbreak. Why? Any communicable disease can be spread by blood contact, so if a mosquito that recently has bitten an infected person bites a healthy person, the disease can be spread. While it may not be probable, it certainly is possible, even if local health officials are telling people not to worry about this possibility. When questioned, a health spokesperson on the recently provided toll free information line revealed that yes, it is possible for the disease to spread from an insect bite, but very unlikely.

The distrust of government and medical authorities also surfaces when the similarity between meningitis symptoms and those of the West Nile virus are so apparent. It doesn’t take a Rhodes Scholar to realize that there could be something much more deadly lurking in N.E. Ohio than the suspected bacterial meningitis. There have been several reports of the West Nile virus in neighboring Pennsylvania, which is only forty minutes from the area under seige by this scary illness. Residents of N.E. and East Central Ohio are concerned that they are being “handled” by authorities, in an attempt to quell the public outcries and panic.

With the symptoms of both diseases so alike (severe headache, high fever, back and neck pain, and rash), many people are afraid and skeptical of the blanket answers being given them by the new meningitis hotline, which was set up by the Stark County Health Department today, are simply lip service, attempting to quiet the masses. With the fierce mosquitoes here, residents are scared, especially since the local media is not even investigating these similarities to the West Nile Virus. Should the residents of N.E. Ohio simply accept what the local health officials are feeding the media, or should they continue to dig deeper for answers that could save their lives?

Victoria’s Secret, the titan of lingerie companies, would appear to contradict everything my feminist generation has been raised to revere. After all, it was our generation that forced Mattel to change its image of Barbie and address her unrealistic proportions. Yet, it’s exactly my generation of feminists who is lining the pockets of Victoria’s Secret. Their famous catalogue circulates more than 368 million copies and they boast a nineteen percent share of the U.S. retail bra market.

Case in point, my feminist neighbor Sam feels Victoria’s Secret has inspired her to reach her full potential. Like Nicole Kidman’s bustier-donned character Satine in the hit movie-musical Moulin Rouge, Sam claims wearing underwear from Victoria’s Secret gives her confidence. She—who was previously known to burn her bra in protest of a patriarchal society—now straps on the laciest, the silkiest, and even rhinestone-studded bras!

Victoria’s Secret took to primetime last November with a fashion show on none other than Disney’s ABC network. As scantily clad Tyra Banks, Gisele Bundchen, and Heidi Klum made their way down the runways, I was tuned in watching along with my boyfriend, roommate, and millions of others. That night, as we relaxed to the sounds of Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige, it became obvious: Victoria’s Secret is all about pleasure and fantasy and, in a way, symbolizes society’s return to an appreciation of true femininity.

And, while Victoria’s Secret may be the frontrunner, this is certainly not a phenomenon confined to the top lingerie seller. Lacey tops are the rage according to a fashion column in a recent Glamour magazine. Pinks, bright blues, and fuscias have replaced the stoic black, gray, and dark brown make-up on the models in Harper’s Bazaar magazine. Femininity is back in a big way.

Even the political arena has gone soft. First Lady Laura Bush has graced the covers of numerous magazines in recent months, including People. According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, the American people find her more favorable than Hillary Clinton. It seems Laura’s pie-baking and lavender suits have outdone the black-pant-suit-wearing, “I don’t bake cookies,” feminist-icon. And is it any wonder why? As People put it, the First Lady is a “great source of comfort for her husband and the nation.” Recent events, including the tragedies that occurred on September 11, have made us stop and think.

In fact, there have been a record number of weddings over the past few months. And what is the American bride’s dress of choice? The fairy-tale princess gown, guaranteed to make you feel just like Cinderella on your special day.

So maybe I shouldn’t feel guilty about my “Secret” indulgence. The recent tragedies have inspired us all to soften our image and indulge ourselves more than what was previously considered politically correct.