GHS Natural Health Blog

Alternative medicine has risen so quickly in popularity that many forms of alternative medicine treatments have been brought into the spotlight. The alternative medicine massage treatment is among these.

Massage is a great way to relax the body and take away the stress and problems of the day. The more common reasons that people get an alternative medicine massage is to rid their body of kinks and to feel refreshed afterwards.

The History of Hilot

Hilot as an alternative medicine massage originated from the Philippines. There are several varieties of this kind of alternative medicine massage. It has been a useful way of treating so many things from the flu to sprains and even dislocations. It is embedded in the culture of the country and there are, up to this very day, a few people who practice this type of alternative medicine massage.

The mang-hihilot or masseuse tends to guard their secrets methods of kneading and herbs that this is now uncommon to get a person who is skilled at it. Due to the close guarding of the trade secrets of the masseuse, they only teach their close relatives this art of alternative medicine massage in order to keep the family line going. It is uncommon today to actually have a Hilot that is performed by someone with ancient heritage.

Hilot goes as far back as the 5th century in the tribes of the Filipino people. It is unfortunate to note that there are no written facts or documents regarding the exact ways of this alternative medicine massage. What has been handed down from generation to generation of mang-hihilot contains variations added or subtracted by the current masseuse.

Uses Of This Alternative Medicine Massage

The hilot type of massage is often used to alleviate aches and pains due to overwork or stress. It is also common for a hilot masseuse to attend to a pregnant woman during birth or to change the position of the baby.

Other hilot massages also help to ease the pain of a sprain or a dislocation. These massages can be painful therefore the person giving the hilot usually asks the individual to chew on some leaves or to take a brew which can alleviate pain. Although the pain can be very intense to begin with, many claim that the medicinal value in the future fare outweighs the temporary discomfort of the treatment.

This form of alternative medicine massage is very effective especially for the stress related aches and pains. Many of todays clients of hilot massages are doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, and real estate brokers. These high stress jobs require a release of stress and many have found that massage is the perfect way.

It is typically done with the accompaniment of virgin coconut oil to rub or knead at the muscles. After a hilot session, you are usually warned not to bathe for approximately twenty four hours. This is because the special oils used in the hilot session are rumored to only work if given enough time to soak in though the skin.

Reference:-  Hilot massage

The use of essential oils is not limited to aromatherapy and beautiful smelling candles. Essential oils are believed to have some very powerful, medicinal and therapeutic effects. In this article we will discuss some of the healing uses and properties of various types of Essential Oils.

Pain: Essential oils are especially effective when treating pain. Massaging oils and lotions are some of the very best ways to apply it to the body. Some oils to consider include, clove bun, chamomile, lemongrass and lavender. These are all great for numbing and subsequently reducing pain. To decrease the swelling often associated with pain, it is best to use chamomile, juniper, lavender and rose. These oils help to reduce both pain and swelling. Other essential oils work to reduce pain by blocking the brain’s pain signals. These oils include lemongrass, frankincense and ginger.

Sleep Trouble: Essential oils which are good for inducing sleep, include mandarin, orange blossom, frankincense, tangerine, clary sage, chamomile and sandalwood. These work well when used in bath water or directly on the skin using massage oils or lotions

Headaches: Lavender, peppermint, lemongrass and basil are just a few of the essential oils that work well in alleviating various types of headaches.

Stress: The essential oils bergamot, lavender, marjoram, rose and chamomile, amongst others, help to alleviate feelings of stress.

Depression: Essential oils such as bergamot, cardamom, clove, clary sage, orange and lemon Melissa have antidepressant properties. They work well to help remedy mild levels of depression and the blahs.

Stimulation: If you are having trouble staying alert, you may want to grab these essential oils; basil, cinnamon, black pepper, clove, peppermint, ginger, rosemary or angelica. They help to stimulate the mind and the body.

High Blood Pressure: Most people aren’t aware that essential oils have medicinal qualities. Neroli, tangerine, orange, ylang ylang, Melissa and geranium are known to help lower blood pressure. Of course, this does not mean that one is to ditch their high blood pressure medicine, but these oils are great to take in concert with medication that is already being prescribed.

Bacterial Infections: Some essential oils have very strong antibacterial properties. Some good ones to consider include cinnamon, garlic, savory, clove bud, bay laurel, thyme, bay rum, pine rose, tea tree, myrtle, lemongrass and lavender. The above oils can help treat bladder, gum, skin, sinus, throat and bowel infections. They can either be ingested through the skin or inhaled.  The right essential oils can also aid in helping to treat urinary tract infections. Sitzbaths and massages using oils with niaouli or sandlewood rubbed on the belly and around the kidney portion of the lower back can be very effective.

Viral Infections: Many essential oils have strong antiviral elements. Bay, black pepper, garlic, cinnamon bark myrrh, melissa, oregano and rose are some of the standouts. You will also find, if you look closely, that some cough drops and cold medications have some of these same oils.

Essential oils not only smell great, but they also have very strong healing properties. Their use can curtail many common ailments of the skin and the mind. They work well to lift the spirits. If one is interested in using alternative methods to heal sickness or to lift their mood, essential oils and aromatherapy are a fantastic place to begin.

 Visit Global Herbal Supplies for a full range of essential oils.

Reference: George Key

Offering to give a relaxing massage to a friend or loved one can be one of the best gifts that you can provide for someone who has had a bad or stressful day or week.

Few people will turn down a massage, especially if you know how to properly give one. A good massage isn’t necessarily all about great technique, although that is important. You also need the right tools, be able to set the mood conducive to a relaxing massage.

It’s fairly easy to set the right mood. Ask the recipient of the massage if they have any musical requests. If they do not, find music that is soft and relaxing. Purchase some candles. Again, ask the person who is receiving the massage if they have a personal favourite. If they do not, pick something that you like which is soothing smells nice and promotes relaxation. If you have no idea, try a lavender candle.

After you have chosen the music and the candles, it’s time to purchase massage oil. Using massage oil allows you to give a massage that feels good. You won’t be roughly rubbing on the skin, but gliding over it. It will also prevent your hands from getting tired quickly. Jojobo and almond oils are good picks. You will also find great options at local, specialty shops or online.

Once you have all of your supplies, grab two of your biggest, fluffiest towels and place them in the dryer for a few minutes. This will get them nice and warm. Place one of the towels underneath the person that is getting the massage and the other one on top of them so that they are not overly exposed.

Now if you are unsure about massage techniques, you may want to invest a little money and purchase a good book or video on the subject. However, if you avoid massaging too hard or too soft, you should be fine. Make sure that you get feedback and ask your partner to tell you when it feels good. Focus on the arms, back, legs and buttocks (if appropriate). Use your fingers, thumbs and fists to lightly knead and place pressure on the various muscle groups.

Giving a relaxing massage to someone can be a great gift. With the day-to-day pressures that most people live with, being pampered and tended to with a massage can be extremely enjoyable. When giving a massage, be sure to set the mood with soft, soothing music, burn some candles and make sure the temperature is right. Turn down the lights and focus on gently and firmly massaging the major muscle groups with your hands, fists and thumbs.

Finding the right brush can prove really beneficial to the health and strength of your hair.

A Natural Hair Brush

Using a natural bristle like boar’s hair is a very good decision. The brittles in boar hair brushes are very similar to the keratin and absorb the dirt and oil just like your hair does. In addition the tips of the boar hair brush are rounded and gently massage your scalp and hair.

Kent hair brushes are available in boar hair. But avoid the Kent nylon hair brush if you want the best care for your hair. The nylon hair brush is not recommended since it is rougher on your scalp and is no where as good as the boar bristle hair brush. The nylon bristles are usually sharp and inflamed your follicles and break your hair when you use it.

Brushing Your Hair

To maintain good hair growth you need good circulation to your scalp. You need also need a clean scalp with little oil and dirt accumulating in your hair follicles. The boar hair brush helps you achieve this when you regularly brush your hair.

Brush your hair when it is dry. This prevents breaking of your hair. When you brush, the gentle pulling of your hair stimulates your scalp bringing in more blood to feed your hair. Also the slight pulling stimulates the release of oil from your follicles which lubricates your hair.

Brush your hair with a boar bristle hair brush twice a day for the best hair care – morning and night. For short hair brush for three minutes and for long hair brush five minutes.

By bending your head to the floor, when brushing, you will increase the blood circulation to your scalp. Now, brush from your neck forward to the front of your scalp, then, from sides to your crown. Lastly, brush from the front of your scalp to the neck.

Cleaning Your Boar Hair Brush

If possible, you should clean your brush every day. If you have two or more hair brushes then it will be easier to do this. Your boar bristle hair brush accumulates dirt and oils from hair when you brush. Without regular cleaning of your hair brush, this dirt and oil will redeposit onto your hair. Over time this added dirt and oil will plug up your hair follicles and lead to hair thinning or permanent hair loss.

You can clean your brush every day when you shower. Clean it with shampoo and scrub the bristles with your hand back and forth. After cleaning, you can dry the brush with a towel and let it sit until the next day. By the next day, it is ready to use and your other brush is ready to be cleaned.

Using natural hair brush such as a boar based brush is the best way to care for your hair. Gentle daily brushing invigorates your scalp and keeps you hair healthy. But remember to keep your brush clean, since your don’t want to put the dirt and oil on your brush back onto your scalp.