Feelgood Health Blog

Nothing ruins a good night's sleep more than being attacked by blood-thirsty mosquitoes. However, there is hope for a good night's rest! Understanding how mosquitoes operate can give you insight into outsmarting the next troop of devilish critters that invade your bedroom.

The Sports Anti-Doping Authority has identified Maca Powder and Maca Root as a prohibited substance for professional sportsmen and sportswomen. They've also been rated as a Category D substance. In this article, we explain what Maca is, why it's been banned for professional athletes and how it could end your career.

The causes of excessive perspiration and how to manage it naturally and effectively

If you're a naturally sweaty person, heading into the Summer may be daunting. With the increasing temperature, you may find your anxiety levels following suit, wondering how you will manage your excessive perspiration. Find out the reasons for excessive perspiration and our top tips for treating it naturally!

Feelgood Health's diet and weight-loss program

We've compiled a full-proof, HEALTHY and NATURAL program for anybody who wants to lose weight effectively and get their body detoxed and beach-ready this Summer! We're full of those summer-lovin' vibes so we're giving our program to you for FREE in a downloadable PDF with your 5 day detox booster program included.

“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition” Thomas Edison.

Organic sprouts are tiny, just sprouted plants and are nutritional powerhouses that not only taste great but offer us all kinds of essential vitamins and minerals. They are convenient and easy to grow using sprouting seeds and a sprouting kit in your very own home.

If you thought sprouts were complicated to grow, think again! Nothing could be easier!

• You don’t need any soil to grow sprouts – just seeds, a sprouting kit and a little water!
• Sprouts can be easily grown indoors
• They can be sprouted all year round
• After the initial cost of the sprouting kit, your only expense is the seeds – and a little goes a long way!
• By using organic seeds, you will have pesticide and chemical free micro-veggies at a fraction of the cost!

You can add sprouts to all kinds of smoothies, curries, soups, stews and dips. Their crunchy, raw and unique flavours offer many health benefits. By adding sprouts to your cooking routine you offer endless health support and benefits to yourself, as well as family and friends. Our advice to you - Get sprouting for healthier living!

Sprouts can be munched as is or added simply to salads. However, you can also combine sprouts in smoothies, stir fries, soups, stews and use them as part of many other creative foodie ideas. Our DIY sprout recipes below are some ideas of just how you can use sprouts in daily cooking and food preparation. Feel free to add other healthy ingredients like Flax Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Sesame Seed Oil  and Superfoods  like Hemp Powder, Wildcrafted Chaga Powder  or Spirulina Powder. The sky is the limit with just how creative you can get with sprouts!

DIY Brown Rice Recipe using Sprouts

Ingredients  

• 1 cup chopped fresh chives
• ½ cup Organic Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
• 1 and a half cups of sprouted legumes – such as mung beans, chick peas, green peas, or even leafy veggies like broccoli, swiss chard or red onion 
• 1 and a half cups of grated egg plant
• ½ cup cooked brown rice – you could also use Jugo Beans
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped almonds 
• Freshly ground pepper

Directions

Mix all of the above ingredients in a large bowl. You can add more lemon juice and seasoning should your taste require it. How easy is that?

DIY Homemade Sprouted Hummus Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups sprouted chickpeas – you can cook them for 5 minutes if you prefer it is up to you! 
• 2 tablespoons Organic Sesame Oil 
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 
• 1 clove of garlic 
• ½ cup Organic Olive Oil 
• 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt 

Directions

Place the sprouted chickpeas, sesame oil, lemon juice and garlic in a food processor or blender. Pulse until well processed.

Through the feeding tube drizzle in the olive oil while the processor is running. Add the salt. Serve and enjoy! Yum!

The above are just some DIY sprout recipes. There are so many out there! Eating sprouts as raw as possible is always best in order to get the highest nutritional value from them. If you are going to add them to cooked dishes, try and add them close to the end of the cooking time, they really do not need more than a few minutes of cooking time to soften.

We hoped we have helped you to understand just how sprouts can benefit your health and just how easy it is to grow them and add them to daily eating. For questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact us.

Summer can mean sun, waves, beach and lots of swimming – in short, lots of fun! However, all of this  can also cause a downward spiral for your hair with all the sunshine, sweat, sand and salt! The good news is that you needn’t spend money on expensive hair treatments to put the bounce back into your hair. By applying these DIY natural summer hair treatments, your hair can look and feel amazing all through summer!

Our DIY hair mask recipes are basic, but see our tips below – add these ingredients for more healthy hair benefits!

Mix together 1/2 cup of organic plain yogurt and a tablespoon of organic olive oil. Leave on hair for approx. 30 mins. Rinse and wash with Treemendus Tea Tree Shampoo!

After shampooing with Treemendus Tea Tree Shampoo rinse your hair with ¼ cup organic apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon organic lemon juice mix. Leave the ACV lemon juice mixture on your hair for approx. 10 minutes, rinse with cool water – do not add conditioner.

Whisk 1 organic egg, 3 drops Rosemary essential oil and 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil together. Apply the mixture to your hair and massage into your scalp. Leave on for approximately. 30 minutes, then rise and shampoo using Treemendus Tea Tree Shampoo.

In a blender, combine 1 organic banana and 1 tablespoon organic raw honey together. Apply the banana honey mixture to your hair, focusing on the ends of your hair. Leave on for approximately. 20 minutes, rinse, shampoo and style as usual!

Hair Health TIPS!

• Carrier oils come with amazing hair health benefits. Choose from our wide selection and add a few drops to your above hair mask recipe!
• Avocados are great to add to your favourite hair mask recipe! Avocados are rich in fatty amino acids that help coat your hair and help it retain its natural moisture. They are also rich in vitamins A, B6, D, and E, and minerals like copper and iron which help nourish your hair and scalp. This also helps promote healthy hair growth!
• Lavender, peppermint, rosemary, clary sage and cedarwood essential oils are great at helping hair that battles to grow or for addressing hair loss. Just add a few drops to your favourite basic hair mask recipe above
• Lemongrass and tea tree essential oil are both great for treating dandruff!
• Ylang-ylang oil is ideal for those with dry scalps, as it can stimulate sebum production. A lack of oil and sebum causes hair to become dry and brittle. Ylang-ylang can improve hair texture and reduce hair breakage
• To give your hair an amazing boost from the inside, remember that a healthy diet and lots of fresh water can make all the difference! You can also take a supplement specifically formulated to promote healthy hair growth – such as Solgar Skin, Nails & Hair!

Fun Hair FACT

Did you know? Rinsing your hair with cold water helps with closing your cuticle after your hair is washed. If you use cold water for your final rinse then there's a much better chance that your hair will stay shiny, healthy and frizz-free for a longer period of time ☺

We hope we have helped you with some easy DIY hair mask recipes that will be sure to improve the condition of your hair! For questions or comments please don’t hesitate to contact us!

We all know that it is important to protect our skin from sunburn! While spending time in the sun is important for our health, moderation and caution are also important to make sure that we do not damage our skin.

The use of sunscreen and sun block has sky rocketed, while doctors and skin specialists caution against sun exposure due to the risk of skin cancers.  Parents are warned not to allow their children outside without adequate protection and sun protection has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry!

While it is certainly important to exercise caution while enjoying the sunshine, it is important to remember that not all sunscreens are created equal! While the SPF advises us of the degree of sun protection in the product, it is also true that some commercial sunscreens contain ingredients that may not be good for skin, hormonal and systemic health.

We all know by now that certain chemicals can cross the skin barrier and can be absorbed into the body. In fact, research carried out by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) suggests that some chemicals commonly used in sunscreen may act as endocrine disruptors and can therefore affect thyroid and hormonal health! In fact, oxybenzone, a common ingredient in sunscreens, can also reduce sperm count in men and may increase the risk of endometriosis in women. Children may be especially vulnerable. In addition, many chemicals in conventional sunscreens can result in unwanted allergic reactions, which become more likely with frequent use. It is important for anyone using sunscreen regularly - for themselves and especially for children - to research the ingredients before deciding on which sunscreen to use!

Sunburn facts!

• Sunburn is caused from ultraviolet light from the sun.
• The risk of sunburn increases as you approach the equator. The higher the latitude, the lower the intensity of the UV rays.
• Leaving sunburn untreated can cause permanent skin damage, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
• Moral of the story – Avoiding sunburn in the first place is better than having to treat its negative effects!
• Stay out of the direct sun between 10am – 3pm – this is when the sun’s rays are at their peak
• Sit in shady cool areas
• Always wear a sunhat, sunglasses and natural sunscreen, like Sunumbra Organic Sunscreen for children and adults.  

Symptoms of sunburn

Sunburn symptoms can vary from person to person but are all very unpleasant to experience. Peak sunburn redness will take approximately 12 – 24 hours to reveal itself.  Some skin might blister and in more serious cases require hospital care. Other common sunburn symptoms are listed below:

1. Fever
2. Chills
3. Nausea & vomiting
4. Fainting
5. A general feeling of weakness and lethargy

Natural ways to treat sunburn

While avoiding sunburn in the first place is best, sometimes sunburn happens and it is important to treat it, as well as reduce the discomfort.  A natural remedy like Silverlab After Sun Liqui-Gel is great for treating sunburn, but if you don’t have this on hand, you are sure to have at least one of these natural remedies to soothe and treat sunburn

• Ice – Wrap some ice or frozen peas in a towel and apply to the sunburn. Never apply direct ice to the skin as it might cause frostbite and will cause more harm than good!
• Aloe Vera – Either use our Totally Wild Aloe Gel or cut the leaf of an aloe plant and use the sap. Aloe Vera  will definitely help soothe the sting out of your sunburn!
• Honey – Due to its amazing antibacterial properties, honey can help repair the sunburnt skin faster
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Either add some to your cool bath or make your own 1 part ACV to 2 parts water spritz spray. Apply to the sunburnt area as often as needed!
• Organic plain yoghurt – Spread a thin layer over the sunburn and leave it on for about 10 minutes. The probiotics will help restore your skin’s natural barrier
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! As you can imagine the sun has sucked all the moisture out of your skin so your body will feel like it wants plenty of fluids. Drink as much water as possible!

We hope we have helped you with natural ways to help treat sunburnt skin! For questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact us.

We all love pleasant smelling spaces don’t we? Isn’t it amazing that not only do essential oils smell great, but they all offer us incredible health benefits? Say goodbye to room sprays that are filled with toxic chemicals and rather create your very own. Room sprays are so easy to create and make perfect gifts for friends and family! You can be as creative as you wish, make a room spray for every room in your home, office, even your car and not only will these spaces smell amazing but you will also reap the wondering healing benefits that essential oils so willingly offer to us! If you are not the DIY type then have a look at our already created room sprays and choose your favourite natural scents.

DIY room spray to enhance sleep and relaxation

What you need

• 250ml purified water
• 1 pinch of Epsom salts
• 1 teaspoon of Vodka (this is essential for the spray as water and oil don’t mix well. The alcohol also helps for the scent to linger in the air for a longer period)
• 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil  
• 5 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil 

OR

• 5 drops Bergamot Essential Oil
• 5 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil
• Spritz glass bottle (you can use plastic, but we encourage glass for environmental purposes)

TIP - You can mix as many scents as you like, the above essential oils are known to assist with sleep and relaxation. If you prefer your spray to be stronger, you can increase the number of drops of essential oil.

Directions

Mix all the above together and then pour into your spritz bottle and voila you have just created your own amazing sleep and relax room spray. You can spray this into the air and onto pillows and linen just before bedtime.

DIY room spray for clarity & focus

What you need

• 250ml purified water
• 1 pinch of Epsom salts
• 1 teaspoon of Vodka (this is essential for the spray as water and oil don’t mix well. The alcohol also helps for the scent to linger in the air for a longer period)
• 5 drops Patchouli Essential Oil
• 5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

OR

• 5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
• 5 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil

TIP – You can mix any scents that you like together. We have chosen the above as they are known to help with concentration and focus. . If you prefer your spray to be stronger, you can increase the number of drops of essential oil.

Directions

Mix all the above together and pour into your spritz bottle. Use your DIY focus and concentration spray at home, in the office or whenever you need a bit of a mental boost!

We hope we have helped you spark some creativity in the natural room spray department! For any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact us.

Long before conventional medication became the norm, many people used essential oils for all kinds of common health issues. Have you heard of Frankincense? I am sure you probably have! These were used in Ancient times and date back thousands of years. Essential oils, in a nutshell, are concentrated aromatic compounds that come from plants. These compounds provide a variety of health benefits by supporting your body’s natural functions without the side effects associated with most chemical medications. In saying this, although they are completely natural, it is important to bear in mind that essential oils should always be used with a carrier oil like Rosehip, Olive Oil, Baobab, Neem even Organic Coconut Oil when applied directly onto the skin.

Ratio of essential oil to carrier oil for adults and children

• Adults – Do not use more than  a 2% ratio. This means for every 30mls of your carrier oil you would use approximately 6 - 12 drops of essential oil, depending on your needs. Usually the less the better as essential oils are very concentrated!
• Children and the Elderly – Use half of the above dose you would normally use for adults

It is always suggested that you test a small section of the essential oil blend on the skin before applying it to other parts of the body, as some people could be allergic to certain essential oils. If you are allergic and experience a rash then simply apply some Colloidal Silver Gel to the  affected area.

The best ways to use essential oils

1. Most essential oils should never be taken internally as they are highly concentrated
2. Inhalation through the nose – Drop a few drops of your essential oil in a basin of hot water and place your face over the basin - a bit like a face steam. Once inhaled, the tiny nerve endings found in the nose send an immediate signal to the brain to go straight to work on the systems that moderate our minds and bodies
3. Topical use – When applied on the skin, the healing components found in essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream through your skin’s pores, as well as through the olfactory system. It is important to apply the essential oil blend to pulse points as this is where your veins are closest to the skin’s surface and the essential oils will be absorbed quicker – a bit like watering a plant, you water the roots not the leaves and flowers ☺

Essential oils can be used for many common health issues

1. Sleep – Lavender oil has been used for many years to calm and relax the body and mind. Apply a few drops with your carrier oil to the bottom of your feet, burner  or diffuser in the room where you will be sleeping
2. Detox – Lemons are knows to cleanse and detox. Add just a drop or two of Lemon essential oil to your bottle of water to detoxify your entire system. DO NOT exceed the dosage!
3. Energize – We all have those sluggish days. Peppermint essential oil is known to help make you feel perky and full of energy. Lemongrass essential oil is also known to relieve fatigue and is a great ‘pick me up’. Apply the essential oil mix to your temples and feel the different immediately!
4. Tea Tree essential oil is known for its’ cleansing properties and perfect for all things skin related! Be sure to keep this essential oil in your medicine chest for anything related to minor cuts, scrapes even slightly irritated body piercings.
5. Respiratory issues - Spearmint essential oil and Eucalyptus essential oil help to clear sinus, chest and nasal passages. They have anti-viral properties and are  is very useful in massage oils or steam baths to help colds & 'flu.  
6. If you looking for something to spark up feelings of love and your feminine energy, try putting some Ylang Ylang essential oil on your pulse points. This amazing essential oil is also known to help with hair growth and is a natural aphrodisiac.
7. Clary Sage essential oil is for an excellent women’s therapeutic oil. It can be used to treat PMS and menstrual cramps and also for bronchitis and congestion. A few drops in your bath water will do wonders!
8. Sandalwood Essential Oil is miracle oil that can be used for various health problems, including stress & worry. It is also the perfect anti-inflammatory and antiseptic and can even be used as an exotic oil.

The above are just some of the amazing essential oils out there. There are many many more that can be used in many different ways. Have a look at our full collection of essential oils and amazing essential oil blends and choose ones which could help you and your family in different ways!

We hope we have helped share some insight into the many benefits of how essential oils can improve your body and overall well-being. For any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact us!