Pasadena Magazine is the bi-monthly magazine of Pasadena and its surrounding areas – the diverse, historically rich and culturally vibrant region that includes Glendale, the Eastside of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley all the way to Claremont.
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Natural Remedies For Common Ailments We've listed some of our favorite natural and safe health remedies on the wellness scene right now, all of which you can easily purchase at your local market. COMPILED BY // MORGAN STEPHENS COCONUT OIL Coconut oil has gained popu- larity as an all-in-one health product with its many uses, from deep conditioning hair treatments to a non-dairy fat alternative for cooking. Its benefi ts come from its MCT-saturated fat content, which claims to boost your "good" cholesterol making it a better choice for heart health than animal-based trans-fat products. Besides cooking, coconut oil can also be used to as a moisturizing bath melt or combined with sugar to create a lavish DIY scrub. OIL PULLING The practice of oil pulling, also known as gundusha, comes from India and has been used in South Asian culture for thousands of years. Oil pulling is done by swishing oil in the mouth for a short period of time, around 20 minutes, daily. The intended benefi t is im- proved oral health by cutting through plaque and remov- ing toxins without disturbing the teeth or gums. Oils such as sunfl ower, sesame or coconut oil work best and help to easily achieve a sparkling smile with little to no invasiveness. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR As one of the most popular natural health products on the market today, apple cider vinegar has many benefi ts for those who are seeking to lower their blood sugar, aid digestion, lose weight, boost their energy or treat a sunburn, to name a few. The most positive benefi t of apple cider vinegar is its main component, acetic acid, which helps to block absorption of starchy foods and lower cholesterol. Apple cider vinegar is a versatile, cabinet staple. DRY BRUSHING Fall and winter dry spells can wreak havoc on your skin. Give yourself luxuriously soft, supple skin with the simple, but effective tech- nique of dry brushing. This technique involves a daily massage with dry bristled brush, which is said to help with exfoliation, circulation, detoxifi cation, digestion and the appearance of cellulite. Dry brushing detoxifi es by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph fl ow while also stimulating your nervous system and unclog- ging pores throughout the exfoliation process. AROMATHERAPY Aromatherapy is an ancient technique dating back over 6,000 years. Smell is a potent brain trigger and its powerful effects have been said to improve physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Aromatherapy has over 40 essential oils made from medicinal plants, fl owers, herbs, roots and trees grown around the globe. Some favorite oils include tea tree, lavender and peppermint oil. Fans of aromatherapy claim it helps to alleviate pain, improve sleep quality, reduce stress, soothe sore joints and even relieve symptoms of depression. 136 SEPTEMBER 2017 B O D Y, M I N D A N D S P I R I T HEALTH & WELLNESS