Natural Remedies from Movies to Epsom Salts

I was looking at some painting that I did about four years ago. That was when I had opened my art studio in Istanbul. Looking at my painting of various times makes me realize how I change. And so radically. Sometimes I use purples and pinks and in pale and thin layers. Sometimes I am more cool and clear. Sometimes I come out very positive, sometimes confused. The colours and lines do reflect the me of that time. No wonder Picasso said that his paintings were his diaries.

When look at my diaries from my high school years I sometimes feel as if I do not know the person who wrote in those notebooks. Looking back it is not easy to remember what we thought and felt clearly. Reading about forgotten moments has the taste of peeking into a different movie, even like a different life.

Talking about movies, I was watching the movie The Kingdom of Heaven again the other night. There are movies that I may watch over and over again. This week I would like to recommend some movies to watch or watch again: The Matrix is one of them. Harry Met Sally and He Said, She Said are fun to watch every time. You’ve Got Mail! With Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan became a classic for me. And What The Bleep Do We Know and The Secret are some of the new age and self-help movies you may want to look into. Movies are sort of books of the new age. The good ones leave a taste in our mouth that does not disappear.

Also John Gray, the author of the famous “Men Are From Mars, Women From Venus” book series says that for men watching movies is essential. He says that although many women complain about men watching TV a lot, he claims that men need it to release personal problems. Gray points out that men through identifying with the characters of a movie are able to connect with their feelings. For example, for a person who has to be loving all the time at work, watching violet movies helps to balance and release the unexpressed emotions. Or watching a suspense movie fills in the void of a routine job. Or an action movie helps a person release the lack of action of a sit-down job. Although these may apply to both men and women, Dr. Grey says that since traditionally men are not able to express their emotions verbally, they need some means to balance their emotions. In the ancient times men are known to gather and watch the fire at night. So the TV and movies are in a way the modern bonfires for relaxation.
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We talk about many things in this column: spirituality, personal development, complementary therapies and methods. This week, let’s look into some natural folk remedies and traditions that may be of help. Needless to say, please consult with your doctor in case of any health problems. The methods talked about here are for your information only and should only be used under the supervision and consent of your medical doctor and health specialist.


For Jet Lag:
In order to overcome jet lag, get out into the sun early in the day while travelling. Sunlight is known to reset our biological clock.

For Fatigue:
Stop taking caffeine, alcohol and concentrated sugars. In order to eliminate withdrawal symptoms, you may want to reduce the amount gradually and keep totally away for a week.

To Release Eye Strain:
If you are working with a computer or watching TV for long periods of time, look out of the window into the distance or to a distant object in your room or home for a few minutes. You may also cup your hands over your eyes for a few minutes to create a complete darkness for the eyes to relax.

For Healthy Gums:
Rinse your mouth and gums with a solution of a teaspoon sea salt dissolved in 60 ml. (2 fl oz.) warm water after brushing your teeth or flossing. Sea salt acts as an antiseptic as well as tightening your gums.

For Fungal Skin Conditions:
Fungi are known to appear when our immune system is at a lower level than optimal. To boost your immune system, take half a teaspoon of Echinacea extract twice daily for ten days. Take a break for three days. And finally repeat taking the Echinacea extract for ten more days to complete.

For Sinusitis:
Inhaling hot steam thins and loosens the mucus in the sinuses. Adding 3 to 5 drops of eucalyptus and peppermint oil to approximately 2 litres (3.5 pints) of water may open up your sinus passages as well as acting as an antimicrobial agent.

Sore Throats:
To fight with microbes and viruses that cause sore throat, start by adding one or two cloves of raw garlic to your food and/or soups. Chicken soup is also known to have antibiotic effects that help heal infections. You may also gargle with warm water to which sage tea and sea salts have been added. To prepare the gargling water: Pour 250 ml (8 fl oz) of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of sage tea and half a spoon of sea salt. Cover it and let is sit for ten minutes. Use the mixture to gargle a few times a day.

For Sunburn:
Mix 2 teaspoons of raw honey, 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel and 2 drops of lavender oil. Damp you face with cool water and apply this mixture as a thin layer of mask for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water. Lavender essential oil and aloe vera are traditionally known to heal burns. Honey is known to be a natural moisturizer.
For A Healthy Prostate Gland:
Pumpkins seeds which are rich in zinc are known to be a good for a healthy prostate. Eat about 30 grams a day (1 oz). You may also ask your doctor if taking zinc as a supplement would be of help.

Body Odour:
Toxins might be the reason for unpleasant body odour. Try a simple detox program of eating only vegetable, vegetable soups, fruits and fruit juices and drinking at least 8 glasses of water for 2 days. Do not continue with this diet for more than 2 days unless instructed by a medical doctor or a dietician.

For Insomnia:
If you have insomnia, you may try taking a bath by adding Epsom salts to your bath water. I suggest that you keep the temperature of water close to your body temperature. In order to increase the relaxing effect of the bath you may add five to ten drops of Lavender essential oil to the bath water.

There are many other methods and remedies that we can talk about. Here is a sample for this week. As new and interesting ones come up, I will keep on sharing them with you.

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Wish you happy and healthy days.
With Love,
Z
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Affirmation of the Week:
“The past is over. I choose to love and approve of myself in the now.”
By Louise L. Hay
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Quote of the Week:
“At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.”
Jean Houston
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Book of the Week:
“Celestine Prophesy” By James Redfield.
The Turkish translation of this book is available under the name “9 Kehanet”.
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