Healing Hands and Healing Herbs. A Natural Approach To a Better Me.

I sit in the living room feeling the tension in my muscles of my back slowly unknot and loosen under the massage and oils. My sense of smell is heightened by the sharp aroma of lavender in the otherwise odorless air. I feel it permeate my skin, and I begin to feel better for the first time in months.

The gentle pressure of my father’s hands-or whoever else is disposed to help me- on my neck increases in strength and slowly releases the tension I have held hostage for far too long. It is hard to relax when it seems to be my gut instinct to hold tightly to this companion of mine that’s been loyal to me for so many years. The pain ebbs away slowly and I realize that after months of taking prescription medication for my back, all I needed was the correct oils to come in contact with my back.

It is a relief. One that I know may not last forever, but I feel relief nonetheless and I close my eyes in satisfaction. Healing hands- on my back-with a little natural oil and I was being revitalized.

The migraines; gone. The nauseating pain: gone. The awkward sleeping with pillows underneath my back: over. The uncomfortable sitting no matter which LazyBoy I recline in; gone. The medications; gone. The chiropractic visits; over. It’s gone and over because I found healing hands and healing herbs. A natural approach to a better me. A healthier me, a happier me, a pain free me!

There are so many alternative healing approaches on top of all the things you hear from your doctor it is hard to know where to begin. There are many tried but never proven true remedies which makes you all the more hesitant to jump in despite the overwhelming pain you endure.

If you have olive oil, a few herbs and spices in your kitchen cabinets and a dear friend or family member willing to work these natural concoctions into your tight muscles than you’ve got relief.

To begin with allow me to tell you about olive oil. It’s not only healthy to ingest but this plant infused with liquid will be used as a compound to hold these poultices together or to mix into your oils to offer a better end result.

Now choosing the correct olive oil can be tricky. There are so many different bottles in so many diverse shapes and tones lining the shelves you get that overwhelming feeling again. Personally I recommend 100% Pure, Cold Pressed, Virgin Olive Oil as it is the closest to its natural form. Other types of olive oil are heated to extract more oil out of the olives-some even using chemicals for a more productive harvest-which is harmful and in the process loses the needed nutrients.

Then it’s time to mix and experiment.

There are several different things that you can try for lower back pain and pain in general.

Lavender being one of them used in the form of lavender oil and/or dried lavender. Lavender oil is an essential oil so it’s very strong in its scent and its ingredients making only a few drops necessary when adding it to your olive oil. If you have dried lavender on hand, you can crush it, mix it into your olive oil as well, and then let it sit out in the sun for awhile to achieve the goal of extracting the essential oils from out of the plant and into the oils.

If you want you can add Rose Oil as a soothing enrichment for your skin, or perhaps Eucalyptus Oil just for the sake of opening any clogged airways in your system. It’s all herbal and it’s all good.

Another Herbal Remedy we have tried here at home is a Turmeric poultice. Turmeric, or as we more than often call it in our home; Huldi- should be ground to a fine powder and mixed with your olive oil until you find the right consistency. Turmeric is a very strong plant so execute extreme carefulness as you prepare this mixture and apply it the pained areas. It stains whatever it touches, be it countertops, carpet ways or skin.

Apply this poultice directly on your skin, then immediately proceed to wrap bindings around the applied area to keep the poultice in. Again be careful that it is all closed in and wrapped as wherever you lay down or sit for the remainder of the time that you wear it, it will be prone to “peel” off. It’s best to apply this poultice at night before going to bed and then laying down on old rags or towels. It is hard to get off the skin as well leaving a faint yellow color shades lighter than its original brightness. It slightly resembles faded bruising, but is entirely worth this temporary yellowed pigmentation on your skin.

Turmeric is used all over the world as a healing plant. Whether broken or sprained bones, gum infections and of course deep rooted muscle aches, this slightly bitter spice is a wonderful alternative and addition to not only your kitchen cabinet but to your medicine cabinet as well.

Last but not least is the special oil derived from the Mountain Pine that is indigenous to high altitude European countries. It is called- what else- Mountain Pine Oil, or as we call it at here at home, Latschenkiefernoel, the German word for this herbal miracle worker.

When you purchase this extract-which is mostly based in a solvent, i.e., alcohol- you do not need to mix this with any other oil. It also comes in a cream form making it a little less messy and a little more convenient applying and massaging it onto any sore or tense areas.

Finding this may prove to be a challenge as you will probably have to purchase it from overseas but it is entirely worth the effort and any extra shipping you pay.

These four ingredients, Olive Oil, Lavender, Turmeric and Mountain Pine Oil are relatively inexpensive compared to other alternative treatments, and are one of the easiest and effortless ways to begin the healing process of your external pain. You may not find all of them favorable, as some might irritate you with its pungent but intoxicating scent, or scare you off with its eye opening color, but before you write this compilation off entirely it will not hurt to try them out.

If you are looking for any other essential oils they can be found at natural food stores and I know from firsthand experience that Whole Food Markets has a very wide and extensive selection and their employees are generally very knowledgeable about their products.

From there, as I mentioned before, all you need are some Healing Hands and you are on your way to becoming a healthier and happy you using nature’s greatest resources!

A quick reminder that it doesn’t take a massage therapist to administer these healing hands that will generously, willingly and cheerfully help ease your pain the natural way. Just remember to NOT apply direct pressure on the spinal cord or to crack/snap the head and neck to and fro, as this could end in unintentional but serious results.  Below are a few links that offer easy to follow advice….

• Extract

When dealing with whole or dried herbs this term refers to the process of placing said herbs in water, alcohol or some other solvent to withdraw all active ingredients. When this process is over the liquid may then be evaporated out leaving you with the pure extract of your herb.

• Essential Oils

Essential oils are the oils that are volatile, highly concentrated essences and it’s most recognizable trait, full of fragrance. Essentials oils are extracted from the bark of plants, leaves, flowers and roots. They are called essential oils due to the fact they are essences.

• Herbal of Remedies

Also known as Botanical Medicine or Herbology this alternative treatment entails everything from plant extracts to bee products. Herbal remedies date as far back as the ancient Egyptian era. Herbal remedies, like any medical approach, can have adverse side effects if not handled safely and responsibly, but if dealt with wisely or under professional supervision these herbs or spices- used most commonly as medicinal compounds/poltices- can offer much relief and healing.

Olive oil is the natural bi product extracted from the fruit of the olive plant which is a major agricultural cultivation in the Mediterranean, Europe, North Africa and even in the Middle East. Once used as the oil for oil lamps it is now more commonly known for its excellent cooking purposes. Also it is used for soaps, other cosmetics, and as you read today, pharmaceutical endeavors. Among this oil there are over five types extracted from the olive fruit worldwide. There is Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), Olive Pomace, Refined Olive Oil and several more. The difference being in their production, their refinement their ingredients and how they were extracted.

Lavender, often worn as a toiletry, integrated in lotions, smelling salts and perfume. This lavender colored plant very aptly called Lavender is the beautifully flowering plant and herb and is part of the mint family. Not to be confused with its larger bushy growing look alike, Russian Sage, this plant has 39 species to its name. Grown in over three continents this long leafed plant is used more for commercial use than lavender oil, as it is easier to cultivate for such purposes. Nevertheless this essential oil when mixed with camphor oil and much terpenes makes this already intoxicating plant grow with a favorable scent.

Turmeric, known for its bright yellow color when ground to powder and tasting slightly bitter. It is also known as Indian Saffron and is used in place of said spice and on a regular basis is found in almost all South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Due to its strong color it is also widely known as a natural dye, and imparting that highly recognizable and well known color to mustard condiments. Though it has been used for centuries by Pakistanis, Afghanis and other South Asians in a medicinal purpose, supposedly healing many ailments such as bruises, burns and cuts as well as an anti-inflammatory agent, it has only recently been undergoing investigation to determine whether it does in fact help cancerous, arthritis and Alzheimer inflicted patients. Thriving and dependent on much rainfall this plant that is solely grown for its root stalk (Rhizome) has many purposes all towards the benefit of our bodies.

Mountain pine, also known as Mugo pine has two subspecies and is a pine “tree” that ranges from shrubbery to a single branched tree reaching heights up to 2,700 m. This pine like many others has a symmetrical cone and pine needles also known as leaves at times. Although you can find this healing plant at the Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, USA or used as ornamental lawn structures they are indigenous and grow abundantly in high altitude European mountain regions such as the Pyrenees, Alps and throughout the Neouvielle Massifs in France. Often seen as a naturally grown fence or tree line, especially in the Pyrenees, this hardy mountain pine was thankfully discovered to offer pain relieving benefits.

We have covered many things from the ingredients and procedures to defintions and backgrounds. Now it's time to take a look at a few helpful hints that could prevent or considerably lessen the pain you are suffering through...

• If you can, try to evade stressful situations such as driving during rush hour which may attribute to muscle tensing.
• Unless your job requires thus -or any other obligation you are under- avoid prolonged sessions of sitting at your laptop and or computer as this puts not only strain on your eyes but will stiffen your back in great measures and can also, in the long term, lead to cases such as carpal tunnel.
• Always remember to take time to stretch and if you can't handle full body workout, do light exercising to work out any kinks.
• If you are prone to TMJ try disregard habits like gum and any other unnecessary chewing. (Or talking!)
• Be careful when you are forced to lift and or maneuver heavy or bulky objects. The age old saying is full of truth…”Life with your knees, not your back…”
• Also consider- if you can afford to- purchasing a mattress and pillow set that do not further restrict you from healthy living and sleeping. A good nights rest on a comfortable bed is utmost necessary.

Follow these simple rules and you will find that tension aggravators or even the root issue(s) of your tension will be easier to control and you can begin to lead your life in such a way that maintaining a pain free back and body is second nature….right alongside Healing Hands. Healing Herbs. And the natural approach to a better YOU!