15 Questions a Holistic Practitioner Should Be Asking You

April 18, 2024 phyto5.us

Many alternative healthcare practitioners today call themselves holistic. Some medical doctors say they practice integrative medicine which is supposed to combine allopathic medicine with a holistic approach to health and wellness. Unfortunately, many provide holistic or integrative treatment in name only. Achieving balance in all your systems couldn’t be further from their minds.

It’s an interesting experience to visit a self-labeled holistic physician. He’ll record your history but only based on a finite set of physical factors.

Integrative medicine that combines holistic with conventional medicine claims to be healing-oriented. And if they truly are, those integrative M. D.s will take account of you, the whole person.

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What should you look for when consulting a holistic or integrative medical doctor? And in a related field of medicine, what might be the questions to ask functional medicine doctors?

First, let’s explore the definition of ‘holistic?’ What does it truly mean?

holistic |hōˈlistik|
characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole;
medicine characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease.

Looking at the whole person includes all aspects of your lifestyle as well as your relationship with your practitioner.

Both holistic and integrative medicine, if authentically practiced, will forge a therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient. They’ll integrate all the evidence of conditions they discover and make use of all appropriate therapies.

Ancestral energy medicine broadly popular in more ancient China ensured doctors’ focus on the health of their patients. They only looked at sickness and disease as a sign they weren’t keeping their patient healthy.

The ancient Chinese family physician was fully paid so long as all family members were in good health. When someone became ill, the physician either tool less pay or took nothing at all until everyone in the household was well again.

In the book, Power of the Five Elements: The Chinese Medicine Path to Healthy Aging and Stress Resistance, by Charles A. Moss, M. D., the authro describes a rare medical school experience he had in the late 60s.

The following description summarizes how every healthcare practitioner of any kind should approach you, the patient:

I remember in 1968 hearing a professor of neurology, Dr. S. M. Megahed, discussing the importance of listening to everything the patient had to say while observing with exquisite precision how they spoke and the emotions they expressed.
He emphasized the importance of touching the patient, and the amount of information that a detailed examination would provide. His caring nature influenced me. He approached each person as unique, leading to a greater understanding of the process that resulted in the patient’s illness.
Instead of focusing solely on making a medical diagnosis, Dr. Megahed looked at the whole person.

In the spirit of taking care of the whole patient, a good healthcare practitioner should do more than collect a basic physical and hereditary history.

The authentic holistic physician should take the following issues into account when treating you.

All these factors significantly impact your state of health and well-being:

overall stress levels
how resilient a patient in responding to stress
a person’s line of work; number of hours worked in a week; whether the work is sedentary or physically active; what parts of the body, mind or emotions are most taxed as the patient performs the work
family structure; a single parent could face many more life challenges; the number of children, especially in the household, is important as this factor can seriously affect a single parent’s health
the diet and eating habits; how many meals per day; does the patient eat on a regular schedule or only when there’s time? how much time is allotted for each meal? does the patient eat alone or in company? does the patient chew food very well?
exercise pursuits and how consistent; assessment of spinal flexibility and ability to walk long distances both of which are key indicators of vitality and longevity
history with and outlook on holistic therapies and remedies
patient’s income level in order to determine a sliding scale for fees, if warranted
mental state
emotional state
health goals
level and manner of sexual engagement
how much fun and enjoyment
habits or addictions, good and bad, and which the patient would like to be free of
whether spirituality or belief in a higher power plays any or a central role in the patient’s life
how often the patient takes time to simply “be” in a quiet space and relax

The practitioner can immediately and superficially assess these in order to get a quick read of your present level of vitality:

the state and presentation of your skin, countenance and hair
eye brightness
physical posture
weight
muscle tone
overall emotion radiated
the pulse: this can provide info. about key organs beyond the feedback provided by the rhythmical throbbing of blood through the arteries, especially to doctors of oriental medicine
the tongue as indicator of healthy or unhealthy digestion and elimination

It may be challenging to find a holistic practitioner who will take the time for such an extensive yet important interview. But if your holistic practitioner gets to know who you are as a whole person she or he will quickly know how to serve you best.

When you find a practitioner who asks you the primary 15 holistic questions, that practitioner’s definitely a keeper.

…

Photo courtesy of RODNAE Productions at Pexels

Moss, Charles A. Power of the Five Elements: The Chinese Medicine Path to Healthy Aging and Stress Resistance. North Atlantic Books, 2010.

Bergamot Essential Oil: Powerful Skin Purifier, Conditioner and Balancer

July 25, 2023 phyto5.us

Bergamot citrus whole and halved fruit with PHYTO5 Earth element Yogi Body Gel and Yin Massage Oil in the foreground

Bergamot essential oil (Citrus bergamia) is an oil widely used in cosmetics not just because of its cooling and refreshing nature but because of the wide array of skin and health enhancing benefits it offers. On the physical level, bergamot makes skin resistant to microorganisms that can compromise skin’s purity. This is one reason why PHYTO5 has formulated bergamot essential oil into Earth element Yogi Body Gel. On the mental/emotional level, bergamot is nervous tension relaxing. For this reason, bergamot essential oil can be enjoyed in PHYTO5’s organic certified Yin Massage Oil.

Bergamot is a type of orange although its exterior color is not orange at all. The fruit looks more like a lemon or lime than an orange. It is three to four inches in diameter and has a uniquely distinct scent and flavor—a combination of lemon and bitter orange. According to Alan Davidson's The Oxford Companion to Food (2nd ed.), unlike its other orange cousins, bergamot is too bitter to be eaten raw.

The essential oil of bergamot is a greenish to yellow clear thin and viscous liquid. It has a sparkling citrusy sweet green and fruity-floral odor. It’s cold expressed from the pericarp or peel of the fruit of the dwarf variety of the Seville orange tree.

Bergamot blossoms during the Winter and grows naturally in northern Italy in the Lombardy region but it’s commercially grown in the southern Italian region of Calabria. There are many small cultivators of bergamot throughout the world but more than 90% of the world’s production occurs in Calabria. Argentina and Ivory Coast production are a distant second and third to Italy.

Among all the citrus peel oils, bergamot essential oil is the most valuable.

Bergamot is almost exclusively grown for the production of essential oil and not for juice consumption although the fruit is an ingredient in traditional Mediterranean cooking.

Bergamot essential oil serves as flavoring for sweets, tobacco, Curaçao liqueur, teas (Earl Grey), baked goods, desserts, chewing gum and soft drinks.

More than 200 chemical constituents have been identified to make up bergamot oil including very many terpenes.(1)

For example, the terpene linalool in bergamot offers analgesic action while promoting relaxation and stress relief. This is in addition to linalool’s calming fresh, floral fragrance.

Bergamot essential oil is an excellent skin conditioner and soothing agent. It fosters healing and regeneration of skin and is all around beneficial to skin.

It is best suited for oily and acne prone skin because it makes skin resistant to microorganisms killing facial bacteria before skin has a chance to create blackheads and pimples. It also controls excess oil production. Conversely, bergamot will stimulate or balance sebaceous gland production if skin is too dry.

Because of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, bergamot is utilized in the pharmacopoeia of a number of countries. The pharmaceutical industry also uses bergamot essential oil in sanitary preparations.

Bergamot essential oil has been successfully used to treat conditions like nicotine addiction, acne, ringworms, depression, out-of-balance stress response, urinary tract infection, fever, headaches, muscle aches, anxiety, insomnia, constipation, scars, body odor, cracked heels, wounds, coughs and colds (antiviral properties).

Bergamot essential oil is known to help fight skin conditions of acne, eczema,(2) cold sores, herpes, shingles, psoriasis, dark spots, dull and dry complexion, dandruff, seborrhea, and excessive perspiration.

The properties of bergamot are many:

analgesic
antidepressant (also helps relieve anxiety and unbalanced stress response)
antiseptic (mouth rinses that contain bergamot essential oil are especially beneficial to combat bad breath and infection)
slightly astringent
antispasmodic
cicatrisant (reduces or prevents appearance of scars)
digestive
deodorant
expectorant
febrifuge (fever inducing)
vermifuge (worm killing)
vulnerably (wound healing)
sedative

Bergamot essential oil should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, children or persons with sensitive skin or sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Since bergamot makes skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light (phototoxic), bergamot accelerates tanning of the skin as do all citrus oils.

Bergamot as Spiritual and Emotional Healing Agent

A study with animals showed bergamot essential oil to affect hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity by reducing the corticosterone(3) response to stress. Bergamot essential oil was found to create a balancing effect on the activity of the hypothalamus gland.

The hypothalamus gland is the center of our more intense emotions such as terror and rage. This gland works in synchrony with the pineal and pituitary glands to help regulate and balance hormonal cycles including natural sleep and wake cycles. It is believed that bergamot’s ability to balance natural sleep cycles may make the essential oil helpful for relieving symptoms of jet lag.

Bergamot Essential Oil and Lymph(4)

Bergamot essential oil helps reduce swelling in tissue by stimulating improved flow of lymph. It is very decongesting.

Earth element skincare by PHYTO5 has a primary function to support flow of lymph in the action of detoxification. This creates skin that is purer, normalized and more radiant.

“Metaphysically, the lymphatic system and immune system are related to a strong sense of self-worth and a feeling of ‘I can do it.’ When you doubt your ability to take care of yourself and lack confidence, your immune function can be affected. Energetically, your psychic defenses to protect against foreign invaders are lowered. Bergamot oil may be helpful for building morale and self-esteem and can help you to rebuild strength and regain self-confidence.” —K. G. Stiles in The Essential Oils Complete Reference Guide: Over 250 Recipes for Natural Wholesome Aromatherapy

Two Precautions When Using Bergamot Essential Oil

Never consume bergamot or any essential oil without it being properly diffused by a carrier oil.(5) Good carrier oils include fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel or sweet almond oil. You must also know how to use bergamot essential oil in the right proportion to the carrier oil and this really should be left in the domain of a cosmetics chemist. This is because essential oils are highly concentrated. Bergamot essential oil is not only highly concentrated, it’s highly photosensitive.

Most essential oils that can be ingested—and bergamot essential oil is one of them—must be infused with a carrier oil and then only in very small and appropriate amounts. Any essential oil applied or consumed without delivery by means of a carrier oil may cause a healing crisis or at best, very uncomfortable symptoms. Essential oils are very potent and not all of them can be taken internally.

High grade and natural essential oils perfectly and precisely mixed in PHYTO5 skin and body care is a safe way to enjoy many of the benefits of a whole array of essential oils. The amount of bergamot essential oil in Earth element Yogi Body Gel and in Yin Massage Oil is determined by PHYTO5 expert chemists who know the proportions and manner of formulation to safely and healthily achieved the desire effect.

Because of adverse reactions called berloque dermatitis experienced by a number of people since the 1950s, much bergamot essential oil used today in the cosmetics industry is synthetically produced. Berloque dermatitis is a phototoxic reaction on the skin created by exposure to long-wave ultraviolet (UVA) radiation on bergapten, the only photoactive component of bergamot oil. This combination of exposure induces an intensification of both hyperpigmentation and melanin production in the skin.

Bergamot essential oil can easily be found on big box store shelves for aromatherapeutic purposes. But you may want to research if the bergamot essential oil you’re using is naturally grown and produced with integrity.

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Endnotes:

We have published two extensive articles on the topic of terpenes:

for treating dry and not moist eczema
Corticosterone is a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex in response to stress.
Lymph is a colorless fluid containing white blood cells, which bathes the tissues and drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream.
A carrier oil is used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin in skincare applications, massage and aromatherapy. They carry the essential oil onto the skin. Diluting essential oils is a critical safety practice when using essential oils because of the very high potency of quality essential oils. Essential oils used alone are volatile because they begin to dissipate as soon as they are applied. The carrier oil slows the rate of dispersion which varies based on how light or heavy the carrier oil is. Carrier oils often do not contain a concentrated aroma and they do not evaporate like essential oil. Excellent high integrity skincare products will use carrier oils that are completely natural and free from adulteration.

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Sources:

Kinai, Dr. Miriam, Bergamot Essential Oil. N.p., Booktango, 2013.

Zulpa, Amy. Essential Oils - The Ultimate Resource: A Beginner's Guide to the Use of Essential Oils. N.p., Jela Properties LLC, 2014.

deGroot, AntonC., and Schmidt, Erich. Essential Oils: Contact Allergy and Chemical Composition. United Kingdom, CRC Press, 2021.

Keller, Erich. Aromatherapy Handbook for Beauty, Hair, and Skin Care. United States, Inner Traditions/Bear, 1999.

Stiles, KG. The Essential Oils Complete Reference Guide: Over 250 Recipes for Natural Wholesome Aromatherapy. United States, Page Street Publishing, 2017.

Davidson, Alan. The Oxford Companion to Food. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2014.

Perna, Simone et al. “Efficacy of bergamot: From anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative mechanisms to clinical applications as preventive agent for cardiovascular morbidity, skin diseases, and mood alterations.” Food science & nutrition vol. 7,2 369-384. 25 Jan. 2019, doi:10.1002/fsn3.903

Edelweiss Essential Oil: Signature Properties and Benefits In Anti-Aging Skincar

May 1, 2023 phyto5.us

The extract of the alpine mountain flower Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), which is part of the sunflower family, has been found to have incredible age-mitigating antioxidant power and it has attracted much interest from today's skincare industry. For this reason and many others, edelweiss essential oil is known as an anti-aging and regenerating oil, supporting skin’s elasticity.

Edelweiss essential oil can be found in Ageless La Cure Perfection Cream which works to reduce and eliminate brown spots associated with aging or sun damaged skin as well as inhibit melanin production that causes new spots to form.

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PHYTO5 has also formulated Face Gel with edelweiss essential oil as unique ingredient. And edelweiss extract is a unique ingredient in Face Gel Mask.

Edelweiss is known to strengthen skin’s natural barrier against the penetration of pollutants and it also supports epidermal water management protecting skin against trans-epidermal water loss.

Active compounds in Leontopodium not only help prevent or slow the signs of premature aging in the skin, they calm irritation and protect the integrity of blood vessels to impede the appearance of fine thread veins under the skin.

Edelweiss is one of nature’s most potent protectors against the harmful effects of too much sunlight since it has had to protect itself from intense mountaintop sunlight. The carotenoid and vitamin E content of edelweiss is part of what offers this protection, however there is far more to it than these as you will read throughout this article.

The benefits to skin which edelweiss offers are scientifically proven:

“The clinical test in vivo demonstrated that constant application of LACCE [(Leontopodium Alpinum callus culture extract] on the face and skin tissues improved anti-periorbital wrinkles, skin elasticity, dermal density, and skin thickness compared with the placebo.”

— Won Kyong Cho et al in Anti-Aging Effects of Leontopodium alpinum (Edelweiss) Callus Culture Extract through Transcriptome Profiling

The Physical Construct
Edelweiss has woolly white bracts(1) around its small flowers and downy gray-green leaves. The woolly bracteal leaves, acute and arranged in a star formation, serve to attract pollinating insects. The bright white color of the woolly petals is the result of thousands of microscopic air bubbles that reflect the light issuing an invitation for insects to pollinate.

The white fuzziness of the bloom also creates protection against evaporation, ultraviolet radiation and the harsh cold. In addition, the snow itself that falls at such high altitudes in the Alps also serves as a protective coat for the plant.

Edelweiss naturally grows in limey soils in broken and crumbly rock meadows from altitudes of between 3,300 to close to 11,500 feet. Edelweiss is in danger of becoming extinct in Europe's mountain habitats because of excessive collection and is now a protected species whose gathering is controlled but mostly forbidden. For the last twenty years, alpine edelweiss has been carefully and organically cultivated to compensate for this loss. Still cultivated in the Alps away from the busyness of human life, edelweiss plants are allowed to benefit from their unique Alpine environment free of pollution while they enjoy high soil terroir(2) and pure Swiss water irrigation.

The Leontopodium flowers bloom in the Alps between July and September. They are often cultivated and sold in pots for home and garden enjoyment however since they are cultivated differently at low altitudes for this purpose, they are usually taller, have little of their trademark woolliness and are not their natural beautiful white but are instead a greenish color. This is because the plant has no longer had to exert itself to survive in harsh conditions. It has no need to generate woolliness or its bright white color as alpine cultivated Leontopodium does for the myriad of reasons mentioned in this article.

We discuss this concept at length in our blog, Nutrigenomics and Xenohormesis: Two Recently Coined Scientific Terms Whose Understanding Is Vital to Our Quality Longevity. In it we discuss the same concept that applies to the properties that edelweiss essential oil can pass on to you through your skin:

“A biological principle exists that explains how it is that we can derive health benefits from eons of plant stress response evolution: Environmentally stressed plants, through the ages, have produced bioactive compounds that can confer stress resistance and survival benefits to humans and animals that consume them…”

Against all odds, Edelweiss, which grows at great heights on cliffsides and in other dangerous areas, offers the benefits of centuries of stress response, namely, survival and regeneration to the skin in PHYTO5’s Face Gel Mask and Perfection Cream for hyperpigmentation.”

Uniquely, edelweiss produces its own antioxidants called leontopodic acids. In addition to their customary free radical fighting function, these acids exhibit a strong ability to protect collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin. They limit the degradation of vital macromolecules found in skin.

Often called the cloud flower, the name edelweiss is a mid-nineteenth century term from the German edel meaning noble and weiss meaning white.

The botanical name Leontopodium alpinum comes from the Greek leontos, the genitive of leon meaning lion and podion, a diminutive of pous meaning foot. We can translate the botanical name then as small lion’s foot which refers to the shape of the flower which might remind us of a lion’s paw. The specific epithet alpinum derived from latin quite obviously means from the Alps.

As the pictures in the slideshow above demonstrate, edelweiss has silvery white felt-like blossoms shaped like a star. The dense hairy texture of the bloom appears to protect the plant from cold, arid conditions and ultraviolet radiation. In fact, the ability of edelweiss to protect against ultraviolet radiation occurs, in part, by reflecting it. This ability is the plant’s signature.(3)

Its fleece also prevents dehydration and shields the plant against the cold.

Edelweiss is extremely rich in natural antioxidants that protect the skin from damaging age, sickness and disease-causing free radicals:

Chlorogenic acid present in edelweiss cleanses as well as removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents. Chlorogenic acid is a natural compound that works in the body to help reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes and cancer, and it supports the circulatory and nervous systems.
Luteolin, a common flavonoid and antioxidant that exists in many types of plants including fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various diseases such as hypertension, inflammatory disorders, and cancer. Having multiple biological objectives such as helping to reduce inflammation and allergic reactions, luteolin functions biochemically as either an antioxidant or a pro-oxidant as appropriate. It protects the skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Edelweiss contains antioxidant derivatives of the bisabolene (aromatic) sesquiterpene (a natural compound constituent of all essential oils). It offers a calming action to the skin. Sesquiterpene molecules deliver oxygen molecules to cells similar to the way hemoglobin does in the blood. Sesquiterpenes naturally delete bad information in cellular memory.
Beta-sisterol, a plant sterol which appears to offer a number of overall health benefits and calms and soothes the skin, reduces the amount of free oxygen radicals in tissues which drive chronic, excessive inflammation and oxidation known to promote aging.

Evidenced pharmacological activities of edelweiss include:

the capacity of extract of edelweiss to inhibit the migration of the cells responsible for inflammation such as leucocytes(4) and mastocytes(5) thus creating potential anti-inflammatory properties;
antimicrobial properties, which have been proved, at least in laboratory, to combat pathogens such as enterococci, staphylococci and streptococci.

Other studies suggest the presence of substances in Leontopodium that might have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, stimulating synapse activity via one of its amino acids, acetylcholine, which acts as a neurotransmitter. This action could lead to potential memory improvement as well as applications for patients with dementia.

History
Historically, edelweiss extract has been used to treat a number of physical conditions such as abdominal disorders, heart conditions, bronchitis, rheumatism, fever and dysentery. It was cooked with butter and honey and used to treat respiratory ills.

Because of the wide array of active compounds found in the plant, edelweiss was and still is used today in traditional medicine of Alpine countries as an astringent, antitussive, anti-rheumatic, and anti-dysenteric. It is mainly utilized in powder form, as an infusion, as an alcohol-based tincture or simply as a preparation when boiled in milk and honey (or butter and honey).

An infusion of the plant was used during Summer in Eastern Europe to help protect skin from the sun. Many women washed theirs faces with the infusion for a healthy glow since the flower improved microcirculation in skin.

Because of its unique appearance, its typically high mountain habitat and its rarity, edelweiss has become the symbol of alpinism and mountains since around the year 800. It’s a symbol of the development of Alpine tourism and exploration. In two Alpine countries, Switzerland and Austria, edelweiss is practically the national symbol.

Many European clubs, associations and military troops have inserted the flower into their emblems. Its use in coats of arms and armorial bearings signify daring nobility, purity and immortality.

The name Edelweiss has been given to a plethora of restaurants, hotels and other tourist attractions not just in the Alpine region but all over the world.

Edelweiss is considered a symbol of boldness and courage and the conquest of great challenges. Greedy flower collectors have snatched edelweiss for use not just because of its symbolic value but because they have found that Leontopodium conserve their characteristics even if dried.

In Hanokotoba (the Japanese form of the language of flowers or floriography and a means of cryptological communication through the use or arrangement of flowers), the flower symbolizes courage and power.

In folklore, edelweiss is believed to provide powers of invisibility and bullet-proof protection. If you’ve seen the classic movie, The Sound of Music, you’ll remember how the Von Trapp family quietly sang the patriotic song, Edelweiss, during one of the final scenes of the film and were protected from the Nazis as if invisible.

Leontopodium was also used for preparing love potions and was believed to gladden one’s heart and fill it with joy. People felt it had magical powers helping make dreams come true.

Conclusion
True Alpine edelweiss, having survived harsh weather and atmospheric conditions of very high altitudes, is well-equipped to help protect the skin from environmental stressors. It is the constant challenge to survive that lends edelweiss essential oil particularly important in shielding skin from environmental stressors and promoting its anti-aging action when it shares its longevity codes with us through the skin.
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Endnotes:

A bract or brachial leaf is a modified leaf or scale, typically small, with a flower or flower cluster in its axil. Bracts are sometimes larger and more brightly colored than the true flower as in poinsettia or edelweiss.
A terroir is the complete natural environment in which a plant is grown, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate.
In the plant kingdom, a signature is what deviates or is unique or special about the plant over other plants.
A leucocyte is a colorless cell that circulates in the blood and body fluids and is involved in counteracting foreign substances and disease; a white (blood) cell.
A mastocyte is a mast and resident cell of connective tissue that contains many granules rich in histamine (a compound which is released by cells in response to injury and in allergic and inflammatory reactions, causing contraction of smooth muscle and dilation of capillaries) and heparin (a compound occurring in the liver and other tissues which inhibits blood coagulation); it is a part of the immune and neuroimmune systems. A mast cell in connective tissue releases histamine and other substances during inflammatory and allergic reactions.

Sources:

Cho WK, Kim HI, Kim SY, Seo HH, Song J, Kim J, Shin DS, Jo Y, Choi H, Lee JH, Moh SH. Anti-Aging Effects of Leontopodium alpinum (Edelweiss) Callus Culture Extract Through Transcriptome Profiling. Genes (Basel). 2020 Feb 21;11(2):230. doi: 10.3390/genes11020230. PMID: 32098197; PMCID: PMC7074254.

Gabriel, Julie. The Green Beauty Guide. United States, Health Communications, 2008.

Morgan, Ned. In the Mountains: The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Spending Time at Altitude. United Kingdom, Octopus, 2019.

Gregg, Susan. The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, Revised: A Practical Guide to Creating Healing, Protection, and Prosperity Using Plants, Herbs, and Flowers. United Kingdom, Fair Winds Press, 2013.

Vadhera, Shalini. Passport to Beauty: Secrets and Tips from Around the World for Becoming a Global Goddess. United States, St. Martin's Publishing Group, 2006.

Graves, Julia. The Language of Plants: A Guide to the Doctrine of Signatures. United States, Lindisfarne Books, 2012.

Handbook of Formulating Dermal Applications: A Definitive Practical Guide. Germany, Wiley, 2016.

Mazza, Giuseppe. “Leontopodium Nivale.” Monaco Nature Encyclopedia, 6 Oct. 2019, https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/leontopodium-nivale/?lang=en.

Six Breaths a Minute to Slow Aging and Its Cause

April 7, 2023 phyto5.us

In the progression of aging, many of our bodies’ systems become starved of nutrients and oxygen. As a result, blockages occur in blood vessels and nerve fibers in the form of plaque, inflammation and compression that frequently tend to lead to slowly failing tissues and organs. One ultra simple technique to deliver much required oxygen to all parts of the body is through our manner of breathing.

Most of us tend to breathe shallowly and quickly. This is a learned or conditioned behavior arising from repeated situations that present stress in our lives. This is very understandable. It has happened to almost all of us.

Many of us may be well acquainted with pranayama, the form of yoga devoted to the manner and practice of breath. Pranayama asanas (techniques) involve many forms of breathing configurations and methods and can be extremely valuable as a practice in contributing to our levels of youth, vitality and well-being.

At the same time, we can pare down to the very core essence of the breath. After all, there is great truth in simplicity!

Just the mere act of self-regulating by slowing our number of breaths per minute can create what Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School has coined as the relaxation response.

“The Relaxation Response is a helpful way to turn off fight or flight response and bring the body back to pre-stress levels. Dr. Benson describes the Relaxation Response as a physical state of deep relaxation which engages the other part of our nervous system—the parasympathetic nervous system. ”

— Marilyn Mitchell, MD, Psychology Today

In this vein, authors Richard Brown and Patricia Gerbarg call this form of breathing “coherent breathing.” They say:

“‘Coherent breathing’ is a simple way to increase heart-rate variability [HRV] and balance the stress-response systems.”

Twelve to eighteen breaths per minute seems to be the average unregulated rate of breathing for most adults. Scientists have tested people at a whole range of possible breathing rates and concluded that the ideal breath rate is somewhere between three and a half and six breaths per minute. At this rate, the electrical rhythms of the heart, lungs and brain synchronize with each other coalescing in a kind of synergy that delivers expanded levels of vitality.

This self-regulated, slowed, deliberate manner of breathing is actually a concept known for many centuries by spiritual adepts. When Zen Buddhist monks, for example, enter into zazen (deep meditation), they breathe at six breaths per minute.

Very tall people will want to breathe on the low end of the scale–close to three and a half breaths per minute while children under ten years of age will optimally breathe at the rate of six to ten breaths per minute. An easy rule of thumb to accomplish six breaths a minute is to do five-second inhales and five-second exhales. Each five-second increment multiplied times six equals 60 seconds.

Dan Brulé, author of Just Breathe: Mastering Breathwork for Success in Life, Love, Business, and Beyond says,

“Studies show measurable benefits with just five minutes of paced breathing at a rate of six breaths per minute, three times per day. You can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels (that’s the stress hormone!) by up to 20%.”

HeartMath Institute shares valuable information about a whole variety of self-regulating techniques for physical, mental and spiritual vitality including the “six breaths a minute” technique sharing that,

“… studies have shown increases in parasympathetic activity (vagal tone),(1) reductions in cortisol and increases in DHEA,(2) decreases in blood pressure and stress measures in hypertensive populations, reduced health-care costs and significant improvements in the functional capacity of patients with congestive heart failure.”

It is important to note that the DHEA increase mentioned in the previous paragraph is known to be responsible for the prevention of aging, improvement of sexual function, enhancement of athletic performance, and the treatment of osteoporosis.

HearthMath Institute counsels us to look at this kind of breathing as heart-focused even though we breath with our lungs and diaphragm. They say,

“Heart-focused breathing is about directing your attention to the heart area and breathing a little more deeply than normal. As you breathe in, imagine you are doing so through your heart, and, as you breathe out, imagine it is through your heart. (In the beginning, placing your hand over your heart as you breathe can help you in directing your focus to your heart.)”

“That breathing is essential for survival is common knowledge but proper breathing is a highly important key to mental and physical health. ”

— Vijai P. Sharma, Ph. D., Mind Publications

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(1) Vagal tone is an internal biological process referring to the activity of the vagus nerve (the tenth cranial nerve), which originates in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem. The vagus nerve serves as the key component of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, which homeostatically regulates the resting state of the majority of the body's internal organ systems that operate on a largely subconscious level, such as the heart, lungs, eyes, glands and digestive tract.

(2) DHEA (dihydroepiandrosterone) is a naturally occurring weak androgenic steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands with benefits such as the prevention of aging, the improvement of sexual function, the enhancement of athletic performance, and the treatment of osteoporosis.

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Sources:

http://naturalsociety.com/breathing-better-for-anti-aging-disease-fighting-happiness/#ixzz4na4qj9pJ

Mitchell, Marilyn, MD. "Dr. Herbert Benson's Relaxation Response: Learn to Counteract the Physiological Effects of Stress." Psychology Today 29 Mar. 2013: Web. <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/heart-and-soul-healing/201303/dr-herbert-benson-s-relaxation-response>.

Brown, Richard P., and Patricia L. Gerbarg. The Healing Power of the Breath: Simple Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety, Enhance Concentration, and Balance Your Emotions. Boston, MA: Shambhala, 2012. Print.

McCraty, Rollin. Science of the Heart: Exploring the Role of the Heart in Human Performance. Boulder Creek (CA): HeartMath, 2001. Print.

The Reparative and Age-Mitigating Benefits of Marine Algae Skin Care Products

April 1, 2023 phyto5.us

Marine algae skin care products can be high value anti-age skincare solutions. This is because marine algae nourishes, detoxifies, protects and lends its life-extension properties to skin. It’s why PHYTO5 formulates various types of algae into a number of our natural skincare products.

PHYTO5’s Wood element Skin Toner is a good example of a high value marine algae skin care product. (Wood element skin Toner helps lighten age spots while energizing skin.)

The brown algae in Wood Skin Toner is Laminaria digitata extract. Brown algae are most often used for masks, creams, shampoos, lotions or toners. It’s an extract rich in trace minerals, proteins, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. This seaweed mineralizes, revitalizes and moisturizes skin. It also firms and tones skin working to prevent wrinkles and fine lines.

Another type of brown algae is Fucus vesiculosus, commonly known as bladderwrack, is formulated in Algoderm base Mask. The brown algae powder reduces wrinkle depth, corrects small skin imperfections, and improves skin’s texture. Fucus vesiculosus helps stabilize moisture in skin drawing it to the surface from deep within the skin's layers.

Fucus vesiculous is anti-age antioxidant rich and works to defend skin’s surface from harmful effects of airborne pollutants. The algae is mineral rich and composed of a full array of essential amino acids. This helps facilitate the movement of water through skin’s uppermost layers.

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Marine algae skin care products combat radiation and its damaging effects.

Skin is constantly exposed to ultraviolet radiation and other environmental aggressors and toxins. These stressors often lead to cell membrane and DNA damage. They deactivate enzymatic action while they encourage a host of acute and chronic disorders.

Bioactive compounds in marine algae protect skin from ultraviolet radiation.

“Microalgae are useful to protect the population from the damage caused by UVA, UVB, UVC, and UV-vis radiation with high risks such as outdoor works, high-grade burns, skin cancer, etc.”

— Rafael G. Araújo et al in Effects of UV and UV-vis Irradiation on the Production of Microalgae and Macroalgae

Marine algae offers properties for skin you might not get from your diet.

It’s challenging to consume a perfect diet replete with every nutrient the body needs. And so skin often suffers because it doesn’t have the raw materials it needs to remain beautiful, radiant and youthful.

“The information available on the protective effects of microalgae on human skin suggests that they can be implemented in the dermatological field as cosmetics and sunscreens since some of the main advantages are that they stimulate and improve blood circulation, revitalize and firm the skin, they are toning, they are rebalancing, detoxifying, and naturally moisturizing.”

— Rafael G. Araújo et al in Effects of UV and UV-vis Irradiation on the Production of Microalgae and Macroalgae

Marine algae skin care products at their core benefit from the amazing action of the single-celled bioforms of algae.

Algae and micro-algae are simple, nonflowering aquatic plants including seaweeds and many single-celled bioforms.

These organisms have had to develop strategies and mechanisms to defend themselves against the challenges of their environment. This natural and never-ending quest for survival has forced them to produce beneficial secondary metabolites.

Secondary metabolites in marine algae zero in on defeating a number of challenges including:

solar radiation
predators
having to compete with other plants for resources
the innate urge to establish themselves as well rooted non-displaceable residents of their environment.

In our blog on nutrigenomics, xenohormesis and longevity codes we get from plants, we discussed exactly these concepts. Plants like algae found in marine algae skin care products work to pass their survival and longevity codes on to you. You can consume them through the mouth or through the skin. This is the primary unhailed benefit of consuming algae and using it in marine algae skin care products.

Marine algae skin care products benefit from the algae’s very diverse composition and functions.

Algae brims with vitamins and minerals like magnesium and zinc. But highly potent antioxidative enzymes like beta-carotene(1) and lutein(2) give marine algae its power.

Though both are known for protecting eyesight, they boost algae’s ability to improve skin’s hydration and elasticity.

Marine algae offers many distinct phenolic antioxidative substances all possessing a wide scope of important physiological properties.

And because algae have been naturally exposed to oxidative stresses as mentioned above, they’ve adapted by developing several bioactive compounds extremely useful in marine algae skin care products.

Seaweeds contain many bioactives as recent scientific studies have proven. These biologically active compounds include:

polysaccharides(3)
proteins and peptides(4)
phenolic compounds and polyphenols(5) and
phlorotannins (6), pigments and amino acids.

Without adequate proteins, for example, aging is accelerated. It shows up in the face more quickly than anywhere else in the body.

But the amino acids in marine algae fill and maintain skin cell membranes helping achieve a more youthful appearance through these actions:

helping prevent rough skin texture
lessening wrinkles
toning up flaccidity of skin.

While algae offer calming properties to human health, they are hostile to:

substances that are allergenic
fatty plaque in arteries
microbes
blood clotting and
carcinogens.

Marine algae skin care products are composed of algae of several colors.

Not all marine algae are green.

Brown and a number of red algae, along with green and blue green algae, are all rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, sugars, lipids and other bioactive compounds. Brown algae demonstrate eight interconnected phenol rings (phlorotannins[6]) that trap electrons to search for and neutralize age-causing free radicals.

Japanese brown algae, Undaria pinnatifida, or wakame, is a principle ingredient in PHYTO5’s Face Exfoliation product.

This Japanese brown algae is rich in fiber, nutrients, minerals and vitamins. It boasts a calcium content ten times that of milk. It intensely nourishes, revitalizes and restores radiance to skin.

We formulate wakame algae in Ageless Perfection Cream. This Japanese brown algae and other ingredients work to reduce and eliminate brown spots associated with aging or sun damaged skin. Perfection Cream works to inhibit melanin production that causes new spots to form.

An active ingredient in wakame called coben decreases and regulates the production of melanin in skin leading to hyperpigmentation (dark spots).

The high mineral content of marine algae is incredibly important for skin.

Marina algae minerals help create an epidermal barrier that protects skin from environmental aggressions.

They’re also instrumental in preventing and soothing inflammation of the skin. This is important for people who suffer from psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hyperpigmentation, acne, wrinkles and even hair loss.

Marine algae also contain starch, vitamin B, iron, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and calcium. All provides important skin firming and moisturizing benefits.

Marine algae skin care products are all around skin protective and restorative.

Marine algae skin care products provide a strengthening effect for skin making it more resistant to abrasions.

Some algae like aphanizomenon flos aquae or spirulina, when applied directly to skin as a paste constituted with a bit of water, hasten skin healing. Use it for rashes and bug bite reactions.

Marine algae skin care products provide a myriad of skin benefits:

anti-age
skin texture conditioning
hydration

nourishment
detoxification
mineral replenishment(7)
reduction of puffiness
protection against solar radiation
pore refining
lessening of fine lines
blemish prevention
skin damage repair
collagen repair
treatment of seborrhea
anti-inflammatory action
hair conditioning.

Marine algae skin care products generously share the benefits of algae without discrimination to any skin type. This makes marine algae skin care products perfect for natural and sustainable skin treatment aiming to truly nourish skin and mitigate the effects of aging.

…

Endnotes:

(1) Beta-carotene is a plant pigment that is an isomer of carotene, important in the diet as a precursor of vitamin A. (An isomer is each of two or more compounds with the same formula but a different arrangement of atoms in the molecule and different properties.)

(2) Known as the “eye vitamin,” the term lutein comes from the Latin luteus meaning yellow, lutein is a xanthophyll (an oxygen containing yellow carotenoid plant) and one of 600 known naturally occurring carotenoids (any of a class of mainly yellow, orange, or red fat-soluble pigments, including carotene, which give color to plant parts such as ripe tomatoes and autumn leaves). Lutein is synthesized only by plants, and like other xanthophylls is found in high quantities in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and yellow carrots.

(3) Polysaccharides are carbohydrate molecules with the ability to mimic the natural carbohydrate fraction found in the top layer of skin. They replenish skin and help skin to naturally hydrate and retain water. They are also vital for skin repair and skin renewal.

(4) Peptides work to rebuild and repair damaged cells and signal skin to produce collagen thereby slowing the aging process.

(5) “Phenolic compounds constitute a group of secondary metabolites which have important functions in plants. Besides the beneficial effects on the plant host, phenolic metabolites (polyphenols) exhibit a series of biological properties that influence the human in a health-promoting manner. Evidence suggests that people can benefit from plant phenolics obtained either by the diet or through skin application, because they can alleviate symptoms and inhibit the development of various skin disorders. Due to their natural origin and low toxicity, phenolic compounds are a promising tool in eliminating the causes and effects of skin aging, skin diseases, and skin damage, including wounds and burns.” —Magdalena Działo et al in The Potential of Plant Phenolics in Prevention and Therapy of Skin Disorders
(6) “Research on seaweeds provides a continual discovery of natural bioactive compounds. The review presents new information on studies of the potential and specific antiviral action of phlorotannin and their derivatives from marine brown algae. Phlorotannin is a polyphenolic derivative and a secondary metabolite from marine brown algae which exhibits a high quality of biological properties. Phlorotannin has a variety of biological activities that include antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, antibacterial, antihypertensive and immune modulating activities. These phlorotannin properties were revealed by various biochemical and cell-based assays in vitro. This distinctive polyphenol from the marine brown algae may be a potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compound.” —V. Maheswari et al in Phlorotannin and its Derivatives, a Potential Antiviral Molecule from Brown Seaweeds, an Overview

(7) Though all algae are mineral rich, the composition of minerals depends upon the mineral composition of the seabed source from which the algae is harvested.

#####

Sources:

Araújo, Rafael G et al. “Effects of UV and UV-vis Irradiation on the Production of Microalgae and Macroalgae: New Alternatives to Produce Photobioprotectors and Biomedical Compounds.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 27,16 5334. 22 Aug. 2022, doi:10.3390/molecules27165334

Jorge Miguel, Goncalo Paxe. Natural Skin Care Tips. Germany, epubli, 2020.

Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology. United Kingdom, CRC Press, 2014.

Balasundram, N., Sundry, K., and Samman, S. (2006) Phenolic compounds in plants and agroindustrial by-products: Antioxidant activity, occurrence, and potential uses. Food Chemistry, 99, 191-203. Beauchamp, C., and Fridovich, I. (1971).

Microalgae Biotechnology for Food, Health and High Value Products. Germany, Springer Nature Singapore, 2020.

Działo M, Mierziak J, Korzun U, Preisner M, Szopa J, Kulma A. The Potential of Plant Phenolics in Prevention and Therapy of Skin Disorders. Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Feb 18;17(2):160. doi: 10.3390/ijms17020160. PMID: 26901191; PMCID: PMC4783894.

Algae Materials: Applications Benefitting Health. United States, Elsevier Science, 2023.

Energetic Winter and Transcending the Emotion of Fear: The Kidneys are the Root of Life, Regeneration and Vitalit

December 4, 2022 phyto5.us

The energetic Winter season is associated with the element of Water according to traditional Chinese medicine, and Water’s associated organs are the yin kidneys and the yang bladder.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys are where our core vital energy is located so when kidney is strong and in balance, we promote regeneration of the body, youth, vibrancy and vitality. We could say that the kidneys contain our blueprint for health. They are considered to be the body’s most important receptacle of essential energy, known in traditional Chinese medicine as the “Root of Life.” The kidneys are also the root of all yin and yang energy in the body.

Consider how important the kidneys’ function is by the following:

They filter waste metabolites from the blood.
They control sexual and reproductive functions.
With the large intestine, they control the balance of fluids in the body.
They regulate the pH balance (acidity/alkalinity) of the body by either retaining or filtering out certain minerals.
They control the growth and development of the skeletal system and nourish the bone marrow.

Kidney chi is approximate terminology for the functional combination of kidney energy. It is almost never in excess but it is frequently deficient.

A good lifestyle helps ensure good kidney health.

Simply do all the things you would think are good for you and refrain from the things you know are not:

Keep hydrated.
Eat healthily, especially fresh organic fruits and vegetables; aside from their nutritional content, they tend to have a high water content beneficial for the kidneys and entire body.
Get an appropriate amount of exercise that is enjoyable to you.
Get friendly flora into your intestinal system by eating naturally fermented foods.
Drink green juices and smoothies.
Detox in epsom salt baths to help detoxify the kidneys.
Moderate your use of over-the-counter drugs.
Refrain from smoking.
Don’t overdo sugar, salt and fat.
Moderate your alcohol consumption.

Physical stressors compromise the Water energy and lead to imbalance. This can then exacerbate the fears and mistrust that lie under the calm waters of the well adapted Water Type person. Do not physically overextend yourself through excess of exercise, sleep, sports, or work.

Causes of kidney deficiency may include:

overwork over a long period of time
too much brain work
a long vitality-draining illness
overindulgence in sexual activity
acute fever
prolonged hemorrhage
overconsumption of drugs

“During the winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, just as lakes and rivers freeze and snow falls. This is a time when yin dominates yang. Therefore one should refrain from overusing the yang energy. Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in Winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued. Sexual desires especially should be contained, as if keeping a happy secret. Stay warm, avoid the cold, and keep the pores closed. Avoid sweating. The philosophy of the Winter season is one of conservation and storage. Without such practice the result will be injury to the kidney energy…”

— The Neijing Suwen

The Spirit Quality of Water
Water’s spirit quality is known in traditional Chinese medicine as zhi. It may be expressed as the mental abilities of will and intent including the concepts of will power, ambition, and self-actualization.

Zhi, the energy of will, purpose and destiny, is the will we tap into in order to survive ordeals, persevere through challenges and overcome obstacles. With zhi we utilize our will to overcome our greatest fears, to transform ourselves and to create healing. It assists us to persist in life against all odds.

The Water element is considered the root of our constitutional energy. It correlates with having adequate energetic reserves bringing us the potency to overcome obstacles. Strength, determination and persistence arise and thrive in the Water element.

The Water element requires quiet and stillness to flourish. In traditional Chinese medicine, the kidney energy is considered the most interior and yin with the greatest power and potential for change. Tapping into that energy gives the courage to try, even when the outcome is unknowable.

Emotions of the Water Element and Kidneys
Fear is the primary emotion associated with the Water element and the energetic Winter season which runs from November 8 to January 7 every year.

While fear is the negative emotion of Water, will power is the positive emotion of the kidneys.

The kidneys control our short-term memory and provide us the capacity for strength and industriousness.

When the kidney energy is strong, we’re able to work hard and diligently for long periods of time. We have the will power to live life with focus and a good sense of direction.

When kidney energy is weak, we lack strength and endurance. We become susceptible to fear and anxiety.

The Water element stores the memory of who we are and the potential of who we can become. All of our accumulated experiences are stored in the Water element and therefore enhance our survival, adaptation and balance.

“In a sense, this element contains stories of survival and triumph passed down through the generations that can be used to ensure our own adaptive powers.

With any chronic condition, loss of the memory of wellness complicates recovery. Deep in the pool of the Water energy are the renewal and revitalization needed to recover wellness. Deep within the brain lies potential for change, knowledge, and wisdom.”

— Charles A. Moss, MD

The Water element corresponds to determination, energetic reserves, faith and trust.

On a physical level, it’s important to note that having a strong sense of faith affects regulation of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol release is necessary but left unregulated, it directly and negatively impacts our health and even our weight.

By connecting to our zhi, the power of the kidney energy and the root of life, we reconnect to the spirit of life and are better able to restore our enthusiasm, confidence, and sense of direction in life. Connecting with the power of the kidney energy and our zhi may also assist us to recover from trauma or medical challenges.

Spirit storehouse that kidney is, it provides us with a reservoir of energy we can tap into to regain self-assurance, trust, and faith in surviving our challenges in life.

For zhi to flourish, we must have a strong trust and faith in the process of life, in ourselves and in other people. When we are balanced in the energy of the Water element, our zhi assists us to overcome abnormal fears.

Some fear, as we know, is necessary to reinforce our survival instinct. It simply must be used wisely and in balance with heightened awareness but not hypervigilance, otherwise that hypervigilance will lead to imbalance.

If you feel you lack faith and trust, search your daily experiences to see how often the mistrust and fear you have felt were actually unjustified. We can all recall a times when we were fearful about something only to find out afterwards that there was nothing to be afraid about after all. Coming to this realization will help rebuild your faith and trust. This simple practice will prove especially valuable for when the next situation arises.

We can also dispel doubts and fears through meditation, prayer, and practicing self-awareness. In meditation, conjure a connection to your deep reserves and potential of the Water energy. Doing so can reinforce the faith you need to overcome obstacles and trust that you’ll not only survive but flourish in life just as Water does.

Another way to strengthen your faith and trust is by accepting reassurance from others. It can help to neutralize the fear-based experience and will strongly encourage all the positive attributes of the Water element within you.

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Endnotes:

This blog was originally published November 21, 2017 but has been expanded here for freshness and comprehensiveness.

Sources:

Clogstoun-Willmott, Jonathan. Western Astrology and Chinese Medicine. Aquarian, 1985.

Ni, Maoshing. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine: a New Translation of the Neijing Suwen with Commentary. Shambhala, 1995.

Moss, Charles A. Power of the Five Elements: The Chinese Medicine Path to Healthy Aging and Stress Resistance. United States, North Atlantic Books, 2010.

The Earth Element and Spleen Digestive Function: A Balanced Spleen Is Vital to Digestion, Nourishment, Mental Function and Vitality

November 1, 2022 phyto5.us

In traditional Chinese medicine, the between seasons period of Earth is the season of balance, nourishment, nurturing and grounding. It corresponds to the stomach and spleen digestive function and energy. The spleen harvests nutrients from foods.

There are four 18-day periods in the year that occur between energetic seasons according to traditional Chinese medicine. The time period between October 21 and November 7 is the last of the year. The element of the five elements of traditional Chinese medicine associated with this season is Earth.

The spleen is the yin organ of the pair of organs associated with the Earth element and the Earth energetic season. The yang organ of Earth is the stomach.

What is the spleen and what is spleen digestive function?

“Among human solid organs, the spleen seems to be an orphan. With most other organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidney, much has been written on their history, anatomy, function and surgical treatment… Why has the spleen lagged behind other organs in published works? In the popular mind, many people are unaware that they even have a spleen. Still others do not know where in the body it is located. Almost no one knows what it does.”

— Leon Morgenstern, UCLA School of Medicine, California

The spleen contributes to the homeostasis of the body. It helps keep harmful microorganisms and unhealthy abnormal worn out and misshapen red blood cells out of the bloodstream. The spleen also makes lymphocytes(1) and stores blood cells. It’s the principle organ defining the shape of the red blood cells circulating in the bloodstream.

Good spleen digestive function is key to the body’s immune system.

Traditional Chinese medicine tells us the spleen is source of chi (vital energy) and blood. The spleen is responsible for the intake, processing, sorting and distribution of nutrients from food. Nutrients are then transported upwards by the spleen to the lungs. There both heart and lungs take over generating chi and infusing the body’s blood with these nutrients.

The spleen transforms food into nutrients and then transports these nutrients through the pushing/ascending action of the organ’s chi. This is how it relays nutrients to the heart and lungs, into the circulatory system and finally throughout the body.

The spleen ascends its chi. The ascending action helps maintain the position of the organs in the body. Stomach chi descends to facilitate digestion and eliminate undigested food from the body.

The ascending action of the spleen and the descending action of the stomach complement each other in the act of digestion.

In spleen digestive function, sometimes the ascending function of the spleen gets out-of-balance. Its chi energy flows downwards rather than upwards. Symptoms of fatigue, flatulence, loss of appetite, diarrhea and giddiness are the result. When stomach chi is out-of-balance and does not descend vomiting is the result.

The normal adult spleen lies immediately under the diaphragm in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It ranges in length from 2-1/3 to 5 inches approximately and in weight from 2-2/3 to 4-1/4 ounces.

Spleen digestive function and the elimination of toxins is very much associated with the Earth element. For this reason, PHYTO5 formulates the Earth line of skincare with ingredients that support spleen digestive function and the circulation of lymph(2). We do this according to principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

As the largest secondary lymphoid organ in the body, the spleen is responsible for a wide range of immunological functions.

Spleen digestive function plays several very important roles in the human body.

An image of the human lymphatic system — the human lymphatic system

In moms-to-be, the spleen begins producing the embryo’s blood cells gradually leaving the job to the mother’s bone marrow.
Spleen captures malfunctioning, abnormal or old red blood cells and expels them from the body.
Spleen recycles iron in red blood cells to create new healthy red blood cells. (If spleen chi is weak, bruising, blood in stools and urine, and purple-colored spots may be found under the skin, among other conditions involving bleeding.)
The spleen assimilates your food’s nutrients (also known as food essence or jingwei in traditional Chinese medicine) which are then conveyed throughout the body via lung, heart and blood vessels.
In the act of spleen digestive function, spleen absorbs water and then transports it through the body via lung, heart and urinary bladder to maintain normal water metabolism.
Good spleen digestive function helps protect the body from infections by producing white blood cells [macrophages and lymphocytes(1)]which travel to the infected parts of the body.
The spleen produces antibodies which help fight infections.
Lymph fluid(1) passes through the spleen where germs and other foreign bodies are captured by white blood cells.
Spleen digestive function contributes to good mental function when in balance. It affects intention which can be weakened by mental strain. Mental turmoil, poor memory, and irritability may be a result of impaired spleen energy.
Balanced spleen digestive function helps keep us free from abnormal fatigue, digestive issues and poor complexion. A deficiency in spleen chi often contributes to fatigue. It can cause symptoms like appetite loss, a sense of abdominal fullness especially after meals, loose stools, breathlessness and a pale yellow complexion. Feeling sluggish and tired may occur when a deficiency in spleen chi prevents inadequate nourishment for the organs.
When spleen digestive function is normal, it promotes the energy required by muscles and limbs producing a vitality filled body.
Spleen participates with the other energies of the body which it irrigates and moistens.

Dampness and the Spleen

Traditional Chinese medicine tells us a damp spleen occurs when the spleen can’t transport and transform body fluids properly. This leads to an accumulation of moisture within the body.

Dampness is turbid, heavy and difficult to reverse. Often originating in the legs it will move upward to the abdomen. Symptoms include a thick greasy tongue coating, loose stools, bloating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and a heavy feeling in the body or limbs.

High and frequent intake of raw, cold and spicy foods can damage the spleen and cause dampness. Dairy products, processed foods, alcohol, sugar and sweeteners will exacerbate already existing dampness in the body.

If you’re concerned about your spleen digestive function, here are some simple actions to take:

Assist your digestive process by chewing your food well. Chewing food thoroughly reduces the workload on your digestive system and food is absorbed more easily. By chewing your food very well, mealtime will be naturally longer and this will help you attain a feeling of fullness and prevent overeating.
Refrain from drinking fluids while having a meal.
Try not to drink cold beverages but if you must, have some warm tea first. Too much cold beverage can damage the spleen and drinking cold beverages at mealtime will force the body to take time to warm up the food before it can even be digested.
Eat lots of whole foods. Nourish the spleen with sweet whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Consume red dates, Chinese yam and lotus seeds often, if not, daily. This will help nourish your spleen digestive function.
Avoid overeating and feasting. This makes the spleen work overtime to sort through too many nutrients at once. Overeating also results in food stagnation. The spleen doesn’t have enough time to empty your stomach before your next meal. This causes bloating and fatigue.
Exercise most especially the abdominals and thighs because the spleen meridian runs up the legs.
Take time for relaxation. Traditional Chinese medicine finds mealtimes extremely important times of the day. They should not be mixed with working, reading or watching television. Doing so may inhibit the passage of food through the body and negatively affect your spleen digestive function.

…

Endnotes:

(1) Lymphocyte: a form of small leukocyte (white blood cell) with a single round nucleus, occurring especially in the lymphatic system

(2) Lymph: a colorless fluid containing white blood cells that bathes the tissues and drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream

Sources:

Liu, Yanchi, Kathleen Vian, and Peter Eckman. The Essential Book of Traditional Chinese Medicine. New York: Columbia UP, 1988. Print.

Photo by shironosov at Getty Images via Canva

Simple Effective Preventives for Fall Colds and Viruses: Wear A Scarf, Get Cupped, and Seek Out a Good Acupuncture Physici

September 7, 2022 phyto5.us

The connection between weather, especially Wind, and human health has been very seriously explored in many of the world’s most scholarly traditional medical systems such as traditional Chinese medicine.(1) There exists today a growing number of progressive medical doctors, especially in Europe who, convinced that the weather is much more important to our health than mere thermal comfort, have named an emerging discipline dedicated to this study. It’s called biometeorology. Whether you follow formal or folk medicine, many practitioners of both will readily tell you this: When it's windy, especially during energetic Fall and Winter, if you want to prevent the dreaded colds and flu of the seasons, cover your nose, mouth, neck and shoulders before going outside. But how is the simple habit of wrapping yourself up in a scarf able to keep you healthier during the cold weather seasons? Traditional Chinese medicine, for one, explains how.

“According to Chinese medical theory, cold and flu viruses are ever present in the air we breathe, and it is the Wind blowing into our faces that drives the virus into the body at the most common points of entry: the nose and the mouth. Protecting these portals is considered so important in China that instead of wrapping a scarf around the neck, people usually wear it across the face, covering the nose and mouth.”

— Ilkay Zihni Chirali in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Cupping Therapy.

The five elements of traditional Chinese medicine are five aspects of the energy that regulates the material dimension of our lives, our bodies included. They are sometimes referred to as the “energy of earth” in contrast to the “energy of heaven” or cosmos.(2)

A colorful graphic line chart representing the five colors of the five elements, seasons and evils of traditional Chinese medicine

There are six components to this cosmic energy called the Six Excesses or Evils. Traditional Chinese medicine finds Wind to be one of the six environmentally related external causes (Excess or Evil) of imbalance which leads to diseases, conditions and disorders of the body. These six climatic excesses can attack the body, enter the body’s energy meridian pathways, and cause external diseases.

Wind is one of five climates that characterize the five seasons of traditional Chinese medicine and it is considered to be the backbone of many diseases by traditional Chinese medicine.

Wind is Yang Energy
Traditional Chinese medicine finds Wind to be a yang pathogenic factor that causes symptoms in the physical body that wander and change. Wind in the body resembles the Wind in nature. It generates not only movement but movement in parts of the body that would otherwise remain motionless.

This yang characteristic of Wind means it’s ‘elevated,’ mostly affecting the uppermost yang regions of the body—head and thorax. And it means it attacks the outermost levels of the body, too—skin pores, muscles and tendons, before penetrating the lungs, the most external and uppermost of all the internal organs. It is no coincidence that lung is the organ of the Fall season’s Metal element, the time of year when wind, colds and flu all ramp up in earnest.

Roots of this Knowledge In Ancient Chinese Medicine
In the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (the Nei Jing Suwen), the medical mentor and Taoist monk Qi Bo tells his student:

“Pathogenic Wind is the root of all evil.”

A digitized copy of a page of the Nei Jing Suwen

In Shigehisa Kuriyama’s Chapter, Wind and Self, in his book, The Expressiveness of the Body and the Divergence of Greek and Chinese Medicine, he aptly writes that ancient people were completely convinced that Wind had a diabolical influence on their health. He also points out the fact that in today’s times we rarely link Wind with illness.

Common Conditions Exacerbated or Caused by Wind
Many who suffer from heightened rheumatic pain when the weather changes don’t often connect the dots when they’ve also experienced very recent exposure to cold or hot Wind.

Many people affected with Bell’s (facial) palsy have often been exposed to Windy conditions just days before onset of the palsy.

School teachers will often notice a negative change in behavior in their students on Windy days.

People who work in highly air-conditioned settings will often report headaches and tight or painful necks and shoulders.

Wind in the Body
Traditional Chinese medicine indicates that a case of Wind invasion in the body includes symptoms of sneezing, headache, and congestion.

Wind makes it easier for other illnesses to invade your body because if you are already feeling a little sick and your immune system is compromised, you are more likely to be vulnerable to other problems. In other words, the presence of nefarious Wind helps other influences to invade and wreak havoc on the body.

Traditional Chinese medicine indicates that colds and flu can enter the body through the skin. Cold Winds pushing against the skin force cold into the body. If you have ingested a virus carried by the Wind, this virus will remain just beneath the skin for a short time before advancing deeper into the body and entering the lungs.

In order to maintain stasis, the body is forced to work against the cold, the Wind, and the actual virus, but a person may not have enough energy to fight them off. When this occurs, symptoms of cold and flu take hold.

Traditional Chinese medicine also identifies acupuncture meridians that travel through the body from the most superficial layer of the body–the skin–to the deepest, most interior parts of the body.

Colds and flu originate at the superficial layers of the body but when we are unable to fight off a Wind attack, it moves deeper into the body causing more serious illness. This could explain, in part, why some people whose immune systems are compromised, die as a result of complications from the flu or a corona virus.

Among the more superficial channels of the body providing the most common routes of cold and Wind entering the body are:

the bladder channel which travels vertically passing through the neck and back, and;
the small intestine channel which travels horizontally across the neck and shoulder.

When cold and Wind attack through these channels, we may experience a stiff neck, headaches especially at the back of the neck, an aversion to Wind, a lack of sweating, chills, listlessness, fatigue, and a stuffed up nose or head.

“Located on the neck and shoulders, the Wind points are considered both entry points for Wind and areas you can stimulate to expel the Wind and prevent further penetration of the body’s kingdom.”

— Ilkay Zihni Chirali

Author Chirali (whose quote is mentioned just above) writes how his teacher, a Vietnamese Buddhist wandering monk in the medical tradition, explained to him why a Wind attack to the body can be very painful:

“Wind allowed to pass through a narrow opening is ‘poisonous’ because it is compressed and pierces the flesh like a dagger. Its impact is funneled and focused, as if adjusting the nozzle of a hose to concentrate its intensity.”

Wind and Cancer Metastasis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
The scholarly article, The Concept of Wind in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Journal of Pharmacopuncture, December 2016, says this about how Wind may affect the metastasis of cancer in the body:

“Cancer metastasis is the spread of cancer cells to tissues and organs beyond where the tumor originated, resulting in the formation of new tumors. The formation of metastases is a major problem in clinical oncology because it is one of the main causes of death in most cancer patients. Classical Chinese medicine has no specific concept of cancer; however, experts in traditional Chinese medicine are studying the causes and treatments of metastasis. Traditional Chinese medicine doctors believe the causes of cancer are multiple, including toxins and other environmental factors, called ‘external causes,’ as well as ‘internal causes’ such as Blood and Qi stagnation, emotional stress, bad eating habits, wastes accumulated from food, and damaged organs. They also believe that Internal Wind of hepatic origin is not only one of the causes of malignant tumors but also the main cause for the formation of metastases. An analysis of the causes of internal Wind in patients with malignant tumors suggests that removing Wind is the fundamental method of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of patients with malignant tumors and metastases; thus, drugs that eliminate Wind are important prescriptions for treating patients with such tumors.”

Cupping as Therapy for Wind in the Body
The holistic healing modality of ‘cupping,’ known in traditional Chinese medicine as the ‘capturing of the Winds’ is believed to offer positive and healing actions.

drainage-treatment-with-biorhythmic-drainer-by-phyto5.jpg

Cupping is a Chinese therapy in which heated glass cups are applied to the skin along the meridians of the body, creating suction as a way of stimulating the flow of vital energy. (Skincare professionals reading this article may be interested to learn that the Biorhythmic Drainer, proprietary equipment offered by PHYTO5 and pictured just above, is a very safe, painless and effective way to easily and elegantly provide a state-of-the-art cupping therapy to clients.)

In Western and Eastern Europe and in Asia, cupping is considered a form of very effective folk medicine where mothers and healers improvise with glass cups, cotton cloth, olive oil, a bronze coin and a flame to create a system of induction efficient enough to remove Wind from the body.

Family lineages of skilled cuppers have been highly respected as healers for generations. Preferring to deal with the possibility rather than the outcome, they apply cupping either as a preventive or at the first sign of discomfort.

“Vietnamese people understand that getting a diagnosis of gio (Wind) means you are better off inside the home, otherwise to go outside means you are liable to be struck by Wind again and get far worse”

— The Buddhist Abbot the Venerable Thich Phuoch Tan

Famed canonized saint and eleventh century polymath, Hildegard von Bingen, also recommended cupping to relieve the effects of certain humoral (fluid) imbalances caused by Wind. She saw the body as microcosm permeable to the outside macrocosmic world. She understood how Wind is an elemental life force that normally circulated throughout the physiology of the body but she also was aware that Wind could be a exogenous pathological factor, too. She understood how Wind entered the body’s orifices right down to the body’s tiny skin pores thereby tipping the delicate balance of health with sickness the result.

“One of the chief reasons why cupping continues to remain popular as a folk practice and attracts modern day therapists is because it effectively withdraws climatic pathogenic factors from both the superficial and deeper layers of the body.”

— Ilkay Zihni Chirali

Wind In Another Form
• It should also be noted that covering the neck and shoulders also applies to any type of Wind generation including cold breezes generated by air-conditioning and fans.
• Keep the air-conditioning in your home down to a minimum to maintain your healthful balance.
• If you sleep in cold weather with your Window open, open the window just a crack and be sure you’re bundled up in bed.
• Maintain a body that’s closed to Wind.

Yogi Body Gel Terre [Earth Yogi Body Gel for Between Seasons • Quantum Energetic]

Keep Your Pores Small and Protected
Additionally, if your skin pores are more open, they should have no contact with the cold and Wind. The pores’ natural capacity is to protect against any invasive climatic influences.

If you normally have enlarged pores, you may want to use PHYTO5’s Earth element Yogi Body Gel for the body and the Earth line of facial products. These are formulated to help reduce enlarged pores.

Learn more

Conclusion
Reduce your chance of catching the common cold or contracting a flu virus simply by covering your neck, shoulders, nose and mouth in windy and/or cold conditions.

You may also want to seek out an integrity holistic cupping therapist for prevention and especially if you feel the onset signs of a cold or flu.

Understanding the meticulous observations of the effect of Wind on health in ancient Chinese medicine is actually applicable for today’s public health specialists, traditional and complementary medicine practitioners. In addition to the practices of wearing a scarf or receiving cupping therapy, herbs and acupuncture are also commonly administered by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine to eliminate Wind in order to treat various diseases.

#####

Endnotes:

(1)This connection has also been studied in Ayurvedic(a), Unani,(b) Gaelic/Celtic(c) and Islamic(d) medicines.

(a) In Ayurvedic medicine, various changes in our natural environment such as Wind direction can create numerous issues connected with aggravating our dosha, one of three bodily “bio-elements” that make up one's constitution and govern physiological activity.

(b) Unani is a system of medicine practiced in parts of India, thought to be derived via medieval Muslim physicians from Byzantine Greece. It is sometimes contrasted with the Ayurvedic system.

(c) Today it is challenging to objectively evaluate Celtic medical lore since its records are faded and fragmented. These include Farquhar Leech, the healer, the Druids and St. Columba among many others. Many believe the 12 Celtic directional Winds tend to correspond with those of American Indian medicine wheels.

(d) Islamic medicine is the science of medicine developed in the Islamic Golden Age (eighth to 14th century). Islamic medicine preserved, systematized and developed the medical knowledge of classical antiquity, including the major traditions of Hippocrates, Galen* and Dioscorides.**

*Hippocrates (c. 460–377 bc), was a Greek physician and is traditionally regarded as the father of medicine. His name is associated with the medical profession's Hippocratic oath because of his attachment to a body of ancient Greek medical writings widely believed to not even having been written by him.

**Galen was a Greek physician (129–199), who while attempting to systematize medicine, made important discoveries in anatomy and physiology.

***Pedanius Dioscorides, c. 40–90 AD, was a Greek physician, pharmacologist, botanist, and author of De materia medica (On Medical Material)—a five-volume Greek pharmacopeia of herbal medicine and related medicinal substances that was widely read for more than 1,500 years.

(2) This explains why traditional Chinese medicine tells us we live “between heaven and earth.”

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Sources:

Photo of lady in blue scarf courtesy of Omid Bonyadian at pexels.

Photo of Chinese apothecary courtesy of freestocks.org via pexels

Photo of man being cupped courtesy of Antoni Shkraba at pexels

Image of the Nei Jing Suwen File:The Su Wen of the Huangdi Neijing.djvu courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Elias, Jason, and Katherine Ketcham. Chinese Medicine for Maximum Immunity: Understanding the Five Elemental Types for Health and Well-being. New York: Three Rivers, 1998. Print.

Chirali, Ilkay Zihni. Traditional Chinese Medicine: Cupping Therapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1999. Print.

Sage Journals: Your Gateway to World-Class Research Journals. https://journals.sagepub.com/.

Joiner, Thomas Richard. Chinese Herbal Medicine Made Easy: Natural and Effective Remedies for Common Illnesses. United States, Hunter House, 2001.

Kuriyama, Shigehisa. The Expressiveness of the Body and the Divergence of Greek and Chinese Medicine. Zone Books, 2011.

Dashtdar M, Dashtdar MR, Dashtdar B, Kardi K, Shirazi MK. The Concept of Wind in Traditional Chinese Medicine. J Pharmacopuncture. 2016 Dec;19(4):293-302. doi: 10.3831/KPI.2016.19.030. PMID: 28097039; PMCID: PMC5234349.

This blog was originally published on October 10, 2016 and is extensively updated here for freshness and comprehensiveness.

Balance, Health and Wellness: You Really Can't Have One Without the Others

June 29, 2022 phyto5.us

A lady in a white gauze dress appreciates a nature setting in the woods

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), you can’t be ill if your body’s systems are in energetic balance. So the end goal of TCM treatments, including PHYTO5 skincare formulated according to TCM, is vital energy balance. It’s key for balance, health, wellness and quality longevity.

TCM views the human body as a holistic organic system with organs and tissues that interrelate exquisitely when there is a balanced flow of vital energy.

A complex system of meridians or vital energy pathways connects organs and tissues all over the body to nourish the body with vital energy and nutrient-rich blood. This nourishing symbiosis works to maintain balance between yin and yang energies, fluids, our essence and our spirit.

In the TCM system, the same fundamental forces that govern nature and the cosmos influence all parts of the body. The human body system is a microcosmic yet complete reflection of nature and the cosmos (often termed the ‘Heavens’ in contrast to Earth in ancient Chinese texts).

Author Daniel Reid, a leading Western authority on traditional Chinese medicine and Taoist practice uses the following metaphor to explain. He pays attention here not just to telluric energies (from the Earth) affecting balance but cosmic ones as well.

“When the elemental energies within the human system remain in a natural state of dynamic balance and functional harmony, ‘fair weather’ prevails within the body and the garden of human health flourishes, both mentally and physically. But when balance is upset and aberrant energies invade the system, flood and drought, wind and rain, heat and cold, and other types of ‘stormy weather’ may occur, causing damage to the internal landscape. Because the mircrocosmic energy system of humans (ren) stands midway between the cosmic powers of ‘Heaven’ (tien) and the natural forces of Earth (di), drawing power from both sources, human health depends not only on internal energy balance within the system, but also on harmony with the macrocosmic powers of ‘Heaven’ (the cosmos) and Earth (nature).”

— Daniel Reid in Shambhala Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine

Balance: Fundamental to Health and Wellness

For us at PHYTO5, balance isn’t an arbitrary word we use to describe our skincare products. We formulate our skincare always with the goal of helping you achieve balance in skin, vital energy and even emotions.

Balance is absolutely fundamental to health and wellness. And it’s a highly vital concept to understand if you want to know why you have a certain skin condition or why you may be sick or unhealthy.

Anytime you feel sick, you’re out of balance somewhere in your body.
Anytime an uncomfortable symptom pops up, it’s a sign of imbalance. Pinpoint the imbalance, do all you can to restore balance and the symptoms should dissipate and with them the potential of a larger sickness or condition.

The balancing principle of TCM is responsive. When applied to your condition early enough, you can restore not just balance but health and wellness too.

Balance brings you health and wellness. Always strive for balance and you’ll feel healthy with an enormous sense of well-being.

Creating Balance, Health and Wellness In Three Important Aspects

Each of the five lines of PHYTO5’s quantum energetic skincare is vital energy balancing. We uniquely formulate them with synergistic blends of natural essential oils, selecting and combining them according to TCM’s Five Element Theory.

In TCM and PHYTO5 quantum energetic skincare, we work to achieve balance in:

your skin condition;
the unseen vital energy that courses through your body (considered one of the body’s five fluids by TCM);
the energy of your other four major fluids (red blood, lymph, blue blood and water);
your prevailing state of emotion at any given time.

We’ve created a line of quantum energetic skincare that works to address the conditions of each of the five elements of TCM’s Five Element Theory.

Balance, Health and Wellness in TCM’s Wood Conditions

PHYTO5’s quantum energetic Wood line works to balance the Wood skin condition.

This line purifies oily skin and blackheads, lightens hyperpigmentation and stimulates vital energy flow.

One product in this line—the Phyt’Ether serum—helps you find emotional balance too.

The emotion of Wood when out-of-balance according to TCM is anger. The aromatherapeutic experience of energetically heightened Wood Phyt’Ether serum helps bring you to a state of increased confidence.

Balance, Health and Wellness in TCM’s Fire Conditions

PHYTO5’s quantum energetic Fire line works to balance the Fire skin condition.

The Fire line calms sensitive overheated skin, redness, rosacea, and couperose. It helps regulate the energy flow of red blood circulation.

Just like the Wood Phyt’Ether serum balances the emotion of the Wood element, Fire Phyt’Ether works to help balance the emotion of the Fire element.

The out-of-balance Fire emotion according to TCM is lack of joy. This serum’s energetically heightened aromatherapeutic experience helps bring you to a state of balanced joy.

Balance, Health and Wellness in TCM’s Earth Conditions

PHYTO5’s Earth line works to balance the Earth skin condition. It clarifies blemished skin and acne, stimulates the energy of lymph, detoxifies impurities and reduces enlarged pores. (Lymph is a colorless fluid containing white blood cells which bathes the tissues and drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream.)

Earth Phyt’Ether serum zeros in on helping you achieve emotional balance as well. The emotion of out-of-balance Earth according to TCM is a feeling of being stuck caused by overthinking. This being in your head confuses your ability to make decisions. You end up feeling stuck, unable to finish projects.

Energetically heightened Earth skincare brings you an aromatherapeutic experience that helps shift this out-of-balance emotion. It supports you to focus on taking care of yourself, finish unfinished projects and express yourself through creative activities.

Balance, Health and Wellness in TCM’s Metal Conditions

Our Metal line works to balance the Metal skin condition.

Quantum energetic Metal skincare oxygenates and mineralizes skin. It plumps fine lines and brightens skin, decongests puffiness, eliminates impurities and encourages the energy of blue blood circulation.

As with all of the five element serums, Metal Phyt’Ether supports emotional balance too. Metal’s out-of-balance emotions according to TCM are grief and sadness.

The aromatherapeutic benefits of energetically heightened Metal skincare helps balance this emotion so you’re better able to let go.

Balance, Health and Wellness in TCM’s Water Conditions

PHYTO5’s quantum energetic Water line works to balance the Water skin condition.

Hydrate, firm and tone mature, sun damaged skin and improve water circulation with the Water line.

Quantum energetic Water Phyt’Ether serum, in particular, bring balances to Water’s out-of-balance emotion of fear.

We’ve energetically heightened Water skincare to the quantum level too. It works to bring you to serenity and emotional balance.

Flow of Yin and Yang Qi for Balance, Health and Wellness

The most fundamental balance you can achieve is balanced qi (chi) or vital energy flow. This energy flow supports good function of your whole body.

Qi is also called life force. It’s the unseen vital energy that flows through us and all living things. Qi gives us life and animates our being. It’s our foundational ‘fluid’ that needs to flow optimally for total balance, health and wellness.

Our vital energy moves through our bodies in a flow similar to the flow of breath and blood. We need to keep it protected and nourished with healthy diets, adequate sleep and exercise.

Yin and yang chi, the fundamental feminine and masculine energies, respectively, help establish balanced flow of vital energy so crucial for maintaining balance throughout the body.

Yang (masculine) chi protects.
Yin (feminine) chi nourishes.

Yin and yang affect each other.

When yin is stronger, yang is weaker.
When yang is stronger, yin grows weaker.

Maintaining balance between yin and yang creates a body in balance. Disturbing the balance between yin and yang chi is how conditions and illness result.

The Body’s Master Directive: Balance, Health and Wellness

A key in traditional Chinese preventive medicine is detecting and correcting abnormal patterns in the human energy system before they have a chance to become somatically rooted in the body. Once they take root they can cause potentially significant damage.

It’s far easier to maintain balance and prevent sickness than reverse a condition or sickness once it arises.

“Before an omen arises,

It’s easy to take preventive measure…

Deal with things in their formative state;

Put things in order before they grow confused.”

— A classic verse from the Tao Teh Ching(1)

The body holds a master directive in its DNA. That directive is to always seek balance, thus health and wellness.

“By promoting and protecting our natural balance and inherent harmony… we can just as easily prevent disease, arrest degeneration, and prolong life as we can destroy health and hasten death through ignorance and violation of the natural laws that govern life on earth. All that life really requires to accomplish the goals of health and longevity is to synchronize its enemies with the natural pulses of the planet and the rhythms of the cosmos from which life springs. Traditional Chinese medicine endeavors to facilitate this harmonic balance on all three levels of body, energy and mind with nutrition, herbs, acupuncture, massage, qi gong, meditation and other holistic methods that restore nature’s patterns to the human energy system and weave it back into its proper position in the great web of life on earth.”

— Daniel Reid in Shambhala Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine

Keeping Symptoms from Arising In the First Place

Symptoms show up in the skin and body whenever our energies lose their internal balance. They fall out of harmony with natural and cosmic environmental forces.

No one goes through life without experiencing symptoms of sickness and imbalance from time to time. But you can respond to these symptoms in ways like Daniel Reid suggests in the quote above to restore balanced patterns in your energy system. Then you reduce the potential of a more serious condition developing.

Strive to create balance in your life every day. Rather than chase after symptoms and treat them on the surface, drill down to the root cause as TCM does. Work to bring alignment and harmony through nutrition, herbs, acupuncture, massage, qi gong, meditation and other holistic methods. Replace chaos and disorder with balance, health and wellness.

The more you learn to embody balance in all aspects of your life, the more you prevent conditions and sickness and the more health and wellness you’ll enjoy.

Learning to create this balance, health and wellness is an enjoyable, exciting and a refreshing way to live.

…

Endnotes:

(1) The Tao The Ching, translated roughly as The Classic of the Way and the Power, is a text central to both philosophical and religious Taoism, and has been highly influential to Chinese philosophy and religious practice in general.

…

Sources:

Stiles, Kg. Chinese Medicine Guidebook to Balance the 5 Elements and Organ Meridians with Essential Oils (Summary Book Version). N.p., Draft2Digital, 2020.

Twicken, David. I Ching Acupuncture - The Balance Method: Clinical Applications of the Ba Gua and I Ching. United Kingdom, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2011.

Zhaoguo, Li, et al. Key Concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Germany, Springer Singapore, 2019.

Healthcare with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). N.p., Glittery Aurora, 2012.

Reid, Daniel. Shambhala Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine. United Kingdom, Shambhala, 1996.

Photo courtesy of Lucas Pezeta at pexels

Your Symptoms Point to the Root Cause of Illness or Conditions

April 17, 2022 phyto5.us

Our bodies are constantly giving us feedback on the root cause of illness and the state of health and vitality of all our inner systems. When one of the body’s ten major systems(1) is out of balance, we receive feedback on the root cause of illness in the form of a set of symptoms.

Many energy medicine disciplines see illness as a disruption, an imbalance in or a blockage of the body’s natural energetic flow. They believe and have proven that restoring our internal energetic balance is key to healing the root cause of illness.

Root cause of illness or imbalance is the focus of a traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

While traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) examines the symptoms feedback being provided, it very much focuses on the quality of the patient’s vital energy moving along pathways called acupuncture meridians. It also focuses on the function of the system and how to improve it.

TCM might prescribe herbs and other natural ingredients that have balancing energy properties. Treating the root cause of illness may demand changing a pattern or diet.

TCM often offers treatment at the level of skin where energy flow can be accessed, in particular, when acupuncture is involved. The relatively painless practice of placing small needles into strategically prescribed points on the skin helps balance vital energy flow and put healing into motion.

An imbalance often shows up as a number of symptoms simultaneously. The root cause of illness showing up as surface symptoms is systemic. This means more than one organ or component of the system is affected.

Traditional Chinese medicine understands the symbiotic relationship of all organs with each other, perhaps more than any other medical discipline. Armed with this very holistic and comprehensive understanding, it approaches the root cause of illness usually with a very deliberate multi-pronged approach involving every aspect of the cause.

This example points to how TCM addresses the root cause of illness.

For example, traditional Chinese medicine understands gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as a condition involving the pivot mechanism of the digestive system. This mechanism involves stomach, intestines, liver and spleen.

TCM acknowledges the symptoms of heartburn, reflux, bloating, gas and more. But TCM always goes straight to the cause of the condition in order to achieve not just relief but healing for the patient.

In the case of GERD, we can usually trace its causes to the pivot mechanism’s organs. By addressing what causes the root cause of illness in digestive imbalance, symptom alleviation, relief and even a complete non-invasive turnaround can occur.

Even esthetic skin conditions result from either an internal balance or imbalance.

The five elements of TCM classify all possible skin conditions into five groups. Your skin condition as well as your body shape can also point to an energetic lack or excess proceeding from any of the five elemental energies.

Skin manifestations often indicate it’s important to start looking for the root cause of that condition. They’re telling you that certain energies aren’t balanced.

Sometimes conditions stubbornly reoccur after symptoms were first temporarily diminished. This points to a chronic systemic energetic imbalance.

Wellness is a sustained state of well-being—feeling good—consciously experienced. It demonstrates an absence of symptoms of physical, emotional, and mental disease. All of these contribute to a state of peace and contentment.

True wellness can be achieved after experiencing a sickness or a chronic condition only when we get to the root cause of illness having pinpointed them through the lens of symptoms. They provide valuable feedback about our state of health and balance and then utilize that feedback constructively by treating the cause.

…

Endnotes:

(1) The ten major systems include the skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and the reproductive system.

Image credit: china view from Getty Images via Canva

The Herb Absynthe Enjoys Its Resurgence As Potent Healer and Protector

February 10, 2021 phyto5.us

If you have a Wood element imbalance (according to traditional Chinese medicine), apply Wood Yogi Body Gel to the outside of the legs — the gall bladder meridian — to support circulation.

Artemisia absinthium, a key ingredient in PHYTO5’s Wood element Yogi Body Gel, (also known as absynthe, absinthe or wormwood [Asteraceae]) is a very important species in the history of medicine. All parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicinal practices for hundreds of years.

Absynthe has a colorful history* but only because of misuse, abuse and misunderstanding of the herb used to create the spirit of the same name. The herb gained notoriety because of its use in absinthe, the French liqueur that became a favorite of many nineteenth century artists like the Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. Medicinal extracts of wormwood have not been shown to cause adverse effects at usual doses. For purposes of this article, we are referring only to the herb itself and not the alcoholic concoction.

Typically utilized in extract or tea form, its extract assists to balance the organs of the Wood element which are liver and gall bladder according to traditional Chinese medicine. Wormwood’s strong bitter agents–absinthin and anabsinthin–stimulate digestive and gall bladder function.

In European medicine, wormwood is used in both allopathy and homeopathy. In traditional Asian and European medicine, it has been used as an effective agent in gastrointestinal ailments. It is beneficial in supporting healthy flora in the digestive tract.

Wormwood is effectively used in the treatment of the following conditions:

Crohn’s disease
IgA nephropathy**
indigestion
poor digestion
irritable bowel syndrome
heartburn
low stomach acidity
parasites
helminthiasis
anaemia
insomnia
bladder diseases
difficult-to-heal wounds
fever.

Wormwood can be used as a good and bitter tonic stimulating menstruation, and treating fever, liver disease, depression, muscle pain, memory loss and loss of libido.

But in addition to medicinal uses, Artemisia absinthium is also enjoying a successful career as a cosmetic plant. Its extract is used in skin care cosmetics because of its wound healing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Scientific research points to many additional properties of Wormwood:

antiprotozoal(1)
antibacterial
antifungal
anti-ulcer
hepatoprotective(2)
anti-inflammatory
immunomodulatory(3)
analgesic
neuroprotective(4)
anti-depressant
procognitive
neurotrophic(5)
and cell membrane stabilizing and antioxidant activities.

Both absynthe’s flowers and leaves are used to create the extract. Artemisia absinthium grows naturally on uncultivated arid ground, on rocky slopes, and at the edge of footpaths and fields. With characteristic grayish white downy leaves and small yellow flower buds, the herb grows as a weed. The absinthe extract in Wood element Yogi Body Gel is actually grown and harvested very nearby to PHYTO5’s Swiss factory in Fleurier, Switzerland.

#####

Endnotes:

Fighting infections caused by protozoa (a single-celled microscopic animal)
Preventing damage to the liver
Cell-based immunotherapy
Serving to protect nerve cells against damage, degeneration, or impairment of function
Relating to the growth of nervous tissue

*It was once believed that the psychotropic activity and toxicity of absinthe were due to the thujone content, however modern analysis has demonstrated that only minor amounts of this compound were present, and the effects may have been due to the copper and antimony adulterants as well as the high ethanol content.

**Disease of the kidney and immune system

D.W.; Lachenmeier. “Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium L.)--a Curious Plant with Both Neurotoxic and Neuroprotective Properties?” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20542104/.

Szopa A;Pajor J;Klin P;Rzepiela A;Elansary HO;Al-Mana FA;Mattar MA;Ekiert H; “Artemisia Absinthium L.-Importance in the History of Medicine, the Latest Advances in Phytochemistry and Therapeutical, Cosmetological and Culinary Uses.” Plants (Basel, Switzerland), U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32825178/.

PHYTO5 Is Truly, Authentically and 100% Made In Switzerland: Here's Our Story

June 23, 2020 phyto5.us

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PHYTO5 skincare, an indy skincare company–straightforward and honest–is all made in Switzerland. It’s not just Swiss-inspired. It doesn’t just contain some ingredients from Switzerland. It isn’t fractionally made in Switzerland. It’s 100% made in Switzerland. Free of gimmicky ingredients and inflated price tags, we simply give our customers what nature does–crafting nature's gifts into skincare to bring beautiful balance to your skin, vital energy and emotions.

PHYTO5's factory, Laboratoire Gibro, S. A., is located in Fleurier, in the Swiss Jura mountains near Neuchâtel, where watchmaking companies like Parmigiani, Bovet and Chopard were long ago established. This region is synonomous with exacting manufacturing standards of some of the world's best known and most coveted products.

Here, in Fleurier, the gorges of Poëta-Raisse and l'Areuse and the grottos of Môtiers are each an expression of the sheer power and purity of spring water endlessly flowing century after century carving narrow passages through the rocks. This same water is in all PHYTO5 skincare. Additionally, even before this water is added to any PHYTO5 skincare formulation, we run the water through high tech filters to “extra-purification.”

The birth town of PHYTO5, Fleurier, meaning 'one that flowers,' is truly ground zero for purity... "Swiss-Made..." and our company.

In the late 70s, we at PHYTO5 understood that we are more than the physical matter that makes up our flesh, bone and blood and that there is also a current of unseen vital energy coursing through our bodies constantly animating and vitalizing our beings.

And we realized and later proved that we could formulate skincare that synchronized with and uplifted this vital energy.

We did this by introducing high vibratory frequency to skin via high grade essential oils.

We then went beyond what other skincare formulators did with essential oils by blending them in a way that created more than uplifting energy—

it created a high vibratory synergy.

We believed then and now in the healing philosophy of the Five Element Theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Each of the five elements in this theory identifies with a season and a set of skin conditions.

We apply this theory to these synergistic blends of essential oils to target and balance the five sets of skin conditions.

We next elevated our singularly distinctive five element lines to a still higher level known as QUANTUM through a proprietary process we believe is unique in all the world.

It's this quantum aspect of PHYTO5 that also exquisitely touches and elevates your center of emotions.

PHYTO5's organic certified Ageless La Cure line also brings you the benefits of essential oil rich formulations…

...and so does PHYTO5's 'Swiss line' of traditional phytoceutical skincare products.

The high grade essential oils used in PHYTO5 skin and hair care are our HERO INGREDIENTS. PHYTO5's hero ingredients also include high tech natural compounds, flower and plant extracts and waters, organic oils, minerals, vitamins, tree butters and more.

The PHYTO5 philosophy and concept are not duplicated anywhere in the world

PHYTO5 skin and hair care are truly singularly unique.

Energy Medicine Now Gets Serious

March 10, 2020 phyto5.us

The Global Wellness Institute recently published its 2020 trends report, “2020 Wellness Trends, from the Global Wellness Summit” and listed one trend whose potential not only has been known by many for years, it has the power to change healing and the practice of conventional medicine as we currently know it. In the article, Energy Medicine Gets Serious, authors Beth McGroarty, Joanne De Luca and Janine Lopiano, co-founders of Sputnik Futures write:

When people think “energy medicine,” they think “the wellness world:” all those practices, whether acupuncture, chakra balancing, reiki, qigong or sound baths, that focus on healing the human “energy body.”
… ancient medicines, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda and shamanic traditions, have… independently devised healing approaches squarely based on the body as an energy field. They posit that a vital energy (whether “qi” in TCM or the doshas in Ayurveda) controls the processes of our bodies and brains, and that health and healing come from manipulating the flow of energy that courses through our bodies at specific energy points and balances the body’s electromagnetic field (which extends beyond the skin).
A real paradigm shift is underway, with more scientific researchers (whether from Harvard or NASA) rapidly discovering that the body is indeed a complex biofield of electromagnetic frequencies and light waves that serve as “control central” for our physical and mental functioning. It’s shaking up entrenched thinking in biology. Scientists are also uncovering the ways that the entire world is electrodynamic: We’re surrounded by both natural—and increasingly man-made— frequencies that constantly change human cells. We’re at an interesting moment: where the medical world and “ancient wellness” are finding some common (at least in principle) theoretical ground.
“The future of medicine is understanding the crucial relationship between the material and ‘field’ aspects of the body, and adjusting human frequencies—and light, sound and electromagnetic interventions are crucial here—to prevent illness and boost health.” — Joanne De Luca and Janine Lopiano, co-founders of future-forecasting consultancy Sputnik Futures
Science is now validating some crucial ancient energy medicine principles. For instance, scientists at Seoul National University have confirmed the existence of the body’s meridians, which they call the “primo-vascular system” and see as a critical part of the cardiovascular system, as well as the physical basis of the Acupuncture Meridian System (these acupoints are, of course, the key to the energetic effects of shiatsu massage, qigong, tai chi, yoga postures, etc.).
We’re at a pivotal, powerful moment with energy medicine. In the coming years, there will be a rush by medical and technology companies to further crack the code on how energy networks organize our bodies and brains, and they will use that knowledge to design interventions into our electromagnetic and biophotonic fields to prevent disease and boost physical and mental health.
Both “wheat” and “chaff” will appear in consumer markets, as energy healing is particularly susceptible to exploitation and quackery. Hard science will validate some ancient energy approaches and invalidate others. Ancient energy medicines will teach Western medicine a few things, and scientific breakthroughs will point the way to new directions in wellness.
The wellness world focuses more on self-awareness and emotional and spiritual healing and connectedness, but, as physicists, biologists and neuroscientists uncover the mechanics of human energy fields—how they mesh with other people’s energy fields, and how we all mesh with the energy fields of the universe—the new energy medicine may solve a pesky little mystery that’s been preoccupying humans for millennia…consciousness, itself.

PHYTO5 is uniquely positioned with its energetic skincare line based on the five elements of TCM. It provides tools for wellness-oriented spas and wellness centers which include natural topical products as well as holistic proprietary equipment for professionals.

The method is not difficult to understand and practice either for professionals providing treatments or for consumers designing their home regimen.

PHYTO5’s website provides a great deal of information on the energetic skincare method, products and equipment with a rich list of blog articles and free-to-download white papers. Another source of abundant information is the book authored by Jon Canas, Energetic Skincare, Naturally available for purchase by clicking here.

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Endnotes:

Photo by Antonika Chanel at Unsplash

“Energy Medicine Gets Serious.” Global Wellness Summit, www.globalwellnesssummit.com/2020-global-wellness-trends/energy-medicine-gets-serious/.

8 Traditional Chinese Medicine Lifestyle Keys for Living In Harmony with Summer and the Fire Element

May 6, 2019 phyto5.us

“The three months of Summer are called the period of luxurious growth. Everything is in bloom and begins to bear fruit.

After a night of sleep people should get up early (in the morning). They should not weary during daytime and they should not allow their minds to become angry.

They should enable the best parts (of their body and spirit) to develop; they should enable their breath to communicate with the outside world; and they should act as though they loved everything outside.

All this is in harmony with the atmosphere of Summer and all this is the method for the protection of one’s development.”

— from The Yellow Emporer’s Classic of Internal Medicine

Take what the ancient Chinese Yellow Emporer’s Classic says about how to live during Summer. Use the Summer to your best advantage to develop yourself. Here’s how.

Waking up early in the morning. Since the sun’s warmth is greatest in the Summer and since Summer is all about the sun, becoming attuned to the sun at this time makes sense. Ask your smartphone for tomorrow’s time of sunrise and set your alarm to wake up at daybreak. Even before you get out of bed admire the sunlight beginning to light up the environment. (If you haven’t been getting up this early, you’ll be amazed at how much more you accomplish in the day!) There’s a reason why Francis of Assisi called the sun and fire Brother. He saw his relationship with them as one of warmth, love, and support. Even if your Summer is extremely hot, learn to find the positive aspects of the sun’s heat and radiance as did Francis of Assisi.

Going to bed most nights at a decent hour. This is a must especially if you want to wake up early in the morning. It will happen naturally if you get in the habit of waking up with the sun.

Foregoing taking a nap during the day. The sun gives us energy both directly and indirectly. It pours its energizing rays into the fruits and vegetables we consume. When we enjoy Summer sunlight within reason, the light also has the potential to offer us energy right through the lens of our eyes and pores of our skin. Because of this, if we are harmonizing with and appreciating the Summer sun, we probably won’t need we feel to take a nap. If we forego taking an afternoon nap, it will also be that much easier to go to bed a bit earlier at night.

When anger bubbles to the surface, pausing and with positive intention diffusing it. Just a short pause can be enough to keep us from reacting negatively to what happens around us. Everything happens around us but we don’t have to let it happen within us.

Being physically active. Summer is definitely the time for physical activity since the weather does not preclude us from participating in most sports or other activities. Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day help carry the Summer spirit forward. Take advantage of the warm weather and breezes, the flora that is gushing forth with color and life and the longer days in which we can accomplish and enjoy more than perhaps we do during other seasons.

Combining physical activity with spiritual practices such as meditation. Since physical activity is very grounding, meditation, contemplation, or prayer will help bring balance by uplifting our spirit. It will enable us to appreciate the beauty of the season even more.

Practicing pranayama, the yogic practice of breathing techniques, or just plain breathing consciously. Practice taking six breaths a minute which is a proven breathing technique for vitality. Even if we merely become aware of our breath it will assist us to deepen our breathing from the diaphragm for greater health and wellness. If at all possible, practice breathing outdoors.

Having fun and appreciating all the nature display Summer brings. Summer is synonymous with FUN and PLEASURE. And there’s nothing wrong with that! If we’re not in joy, if we’re unable to enjoy our lives, we can’t create much that is good, beautiful or true. We must give our creativity the fertile soil of joy and the way to joy is through appreciation of all the little (and the big) things in life… the birds that chirp at four in the morning, the bumblebee buzzing around your flowers, the breeze that brushed against your face while taking an evening walk or the playful shriek of a child in the park. The more we appreciate, the more joy we have and this Summer, the more balance we will experience in our lives all the way around.

This blog post, originally published May 21, 2016, has been updated on May 6, 2019 for freshness, comprehensiveness and accuracy.

Facial Clays and Multi-Masking: How Natural Essential Oils Enrich the Mask and Its Results While More Common Synthetic Essential Oils Leave Us Wanting

January 15, 2018 phyto5.us

PHYTO5' five naturally colored clay masks painted on a woman's face and a technician paints a woman's body with red, green and yellow clays.

Beauty industry pundits tells us clay mask use is on the increase and that multi-masking is a new trend. That’s interesting because multi-masking with PHYTO5 five colored clays (green, red, yellow, white and black) has been a PHYTO5 signature treatment since our company’s inception in the late 70s.

Because of the manner in which we target the facial reflex zones combined with the energy balancing properties of the blends of natural essential oils present in our clays, our 5 Clay Balancing Mask is a remarkably potent way to practice an effective facial reflexology treatment.

You may be one of many of our industry professionals who have recently received in the mail some beautiful printed material from a trade show company promoting “Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa“ conferences in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Florida. The cover picture is very artistic showing a beautiful face partly covered with some light and dark grey clays.

As beautiful as the picture is, most of the clay is drying and cracking in such a way that it has to make the mask uncomfortable which is fairly typical with most masks on the market. Your facial clay mask should never crack on your face if it’s a good one.

In contrast, PHYTO5 clays are so full of essential oils that the clay remains very pleasant and comfortable for your client during the 10 to 15-minute application and they are easy to both apply and remove.

Clays are generally meant to contribute to hydration of the surface layer of the skin by attracting moisture from the deeper levels. In the process, it contributes to an elimination of toxins. The entire effect can be amplified with the addition of natural essential oils. This is why each one of PHYTO5 clays is rich in a specific blend of essential oils suitable to the function of each clay. This powerful hydration–detoxification effect enhanced by the naturally occurring vital energy balancing property of all our energetic products makes for a multi-mask that’s in a class by itself.

About essential oils:

In his January 11, 2018 newsletter, 2018, Dr. Mercola states the following:

Could Enhanced Wellness and Vitality Be Just a Whiff Away?

Aromatherapy–or the use of essential oils–has been embraced since early times to promote wellness and vitality. With exciting new research exposing its many potential benefits for emotional and spiritual well-being, its time has arrived.

I wish he had specified “natural” essential oils, because many of the essential oils sold separately or as part of wellness products are actually synthetic rendering them aromatic but certainly not therapeutic.

Not only are PHYTO5 blends of natural essential oils natural, they’ve been formulated according to the five elements of traditional Chinese medicine and provide a proven vital energy balance.

The Beauty of Emotions treatment:

The PHYTO5 serums of essential oils (Phyt’Ethers), like all the products of our five energetic skincare lines, have such a high level of vibrational potency that they operate at the quantum level. Their quantum nature makes them absolutely unique in the beauty and spa industry.

It is this boosted potency–the quantum level–that also balances our emotions. This is the basis of our new groundbreaking protocol, the Beauty of Emotions.

The very specific blends of natural essential oils found in PHYTO5 energetic products are responsible for not only balancing our vital energy but for balancing our skin and our emotions too.

For these reasons, we can safely say that PHYTO5 quantum energetic skincare is a very viable path to feeling good, beautiful and happy!

Energetic Swiss Skincare Pioneer Makes Yet Another Breakthrough: Swiss-Based PHYTO5 Creates the First Quantum Skincare Line

December 14, 2017 phyto5.us

Continuing its track as a pioneer in the field of natural energetic skincare, PHYTO5 has developed a new formulation process resulting in revolutionary skincare. PHYTO5’s chemists at our factory in Fleurier, Switzerland found a way to elevate the vibrational frequency of our five element essential oil rich skincare to the quantum level. This is a quantum leap forward skincare consumers of any age will find especially intriguing.

The Discovery

The sub-atomic level where particles are smaller than an atom is the quantum level. This is a deeply profound space within the human body and it contributes to the body’s optimum functioning.

Accessing this quantum level within the body is rarely even approachable. But PHYTO5 found a way to access this level and vital life-enhancing information the quantum particles hold.

Then our chemists impregnated our five element lines of skincare with this quantum energy. This quantum energy is beyond the level we all commonly accept as high vibrational.

PHYTO5 uses the theory of water memory working with flower and plant essential oil ingredients to create quantum energetic skincare. We’ve developed a leading edge technique to intensify and activate the healing information carried by the plants whose essential oils we use in the skincare.

Deepak Chopra, M. D., author, speaker, and holistic medicine advocate, puts it this way:

“Quantum healing moves away from external, high-technology methods towards the deepest core of the mind-body system. This core is where healing begins. To go there and learn to promote the healing response, you must get past all the grosser levels of the body–cells, tissues, organs, and systems–and arrive at the junction point between mind and matter, the point where consciousness actually starts to have an effect.”

For skincare professionals, we offer a protocol called The Beauty of Emotions which is based on our quantum energetic product formulations. This is because our quantum energetic skincare works not just at the level of skin but at the level of emotions as well. Each of our five element lines balances one of the five basic emotions according to the traditional Chinese medicine.

Wood: anger and lack of confidence; transform these to kindness and confidence

Fire: joylessness or over-the-top expressions of joy; achieve joy-in-balance

Earth: overwhelm from over-caretaking and a feeling of being stuck; feel more free to finish unfinished projects and express yourself creatively

Metal: worry and regret; know that all is well

Water: fear; achieve a sense of zenitude

The Beauty of Emotions has met with outstanding results and the interest of many highly reputable European spas. Jennifer Bordeau, Spa Director of The Away Spa at the W Hotel in Verbier, Switzerland (the country’s #1 rated ski resort) says:

“The Beauty of Emotions embodies the art of living and is truly essential for a demanding international clientele constantly on a quest for skincare results and well-being innovations.”

PHYTO5 Elemental line skincare (Phytobiodermie Certified) registers at the quantum level on the Bovis Scale. — **PHYTO5** **Elemental line skincare** **(Phytobiodermie Certified) registers at the quantum level on the Bovis Scale.**

The Claim to Quantum Energy, Quantum Health, Quantum Beauty

We see evidence of PHYTO5’s claim to quantum on the Bovis Scale. This is a device developed by French physician Anton Bovis to determine the life force energy of foods.

For example, life-sustaining food like fresh organic broccoli generally emit svibrations higher than 6500 Bovis units. Positive energies are regarded to be higher than 6500 Bovis units and negative energy below 6500.

For decades, PHYTO5 five element skincare products have registered very high on the Bovis scale. They’ve consistently registered at around 12,000 Bovis units, in exact alignment with the Bovis definition of energetic: vibrating with vital energy, adding more life to life.

PHYTO5’s five element skincare now elevated to quantum registers in the 16,000 to 18,000 Bovis units range. This puts them at the profound subtle level.

Contrast this with conventional and other plant-based cosmetic products which register only in the 5,000 Bovis units range.

Quantum Energetic Skincare: Fostering Happiness and Not Just Radiant Skin

In keeping with the Five Element Theory of traditional Chinese medicine, PHYTO5 quantum skincare achieves many goals.

They balance skin conditions and vital energy penetrating the deepest core of the mind–body system.

Bypassing the grosser levels of the body and reaching the junction point between mind and matter, the products assist you to release negative emotions. Now positive ones naturally rise to the surface.

…

Source:

Chopra, Deepak. Quantum Healing: Exploring the Frontiers of Mind/Body Medicine. Bantam, 2015.

Healthiest Fall Foods Are White Foods

September 22, 2017 phyto5.us

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), color doesn’t only reflect the energy of each of the five energetic seasons. Color indicates ways and gives us clues about how we can live in harmony with the season. TCM’s colors of energetic Fall are blue (yang energy) and silvery white (yin energy aspect).

The colors for all five seasons of TCM are:

Spring: warm green and teal
Summer: red and purple
Between seasons(1): yellow and ochre
Fall: blue and silver white
Winter: deep violet and black.

White foods are Fall Foods.

White foods will help fortify your health during energetic Fall.

The white foods we mention here we suggest as complements to your diet or as seasonal replacements for certain fruits and vegetables.

TCM is all about balance so keep this concept in mind when you’re in the throes of Fall food prep. And just because white foods are optimal during Fall, don’t eat white foods to the exclusion of most others.

The organs of Fall in TCM are lung (yin) and large intestine (yang).

Our skin is so closely associated with the element of the season, Metal, and particularly associated with the lungs that TCM refers to the skin as our third lung. Lung needs to be strong enough to keep the dryness-causing wind out during Fall.

White foods nourish the lungs. TCM considers white foods clear foods which are very beneficial for skin and for nourishing the lungs at a time when our bodies need good lung energy the most.

Pear is just about as efficient as apple in Autumn. Its nature is cold and nourishing, balancing the yang in our bodies and helping to prevent dryness and coughing. Its properties are particularly activated when adding white flesh pear to warm soups.

White or snow fungus is one of the most popular fungi in the cuisine and medicine of China and is very nourishing to the skin. It can also help reduce lung damage caused by smoking. It has a refreshing taste and is best used in sweet soups along with pear mentioned above.

Some flower bulbs can be eaten and are enormously nutritious. The lily bulb is one of them. These bulbs can be gathered in Autumn, cleaned and sun-dried. The lily bulb’s nature is moist and it helps to pacify emotional anxiety and uneasiness as we transition from one season to the next. Consume sun-dried lily bulb with white fungus and honey or sautéed with garlic and celery.

Lotus seed has strong properties for healing colds and reducing fevers. Use less than a handful of lotus seeds (purchased in Chinese grocery stores and pharmacies) and make a warm, sweet soup with the above-mentioned ingredients (pear, white fungus and lily bulbs). Cook all together with some crystallized cane sugar (not common refined sugar) on low heat.

The water chestnut is very good for clearing the lungs and again, very beneficial for people who smoke.

White beans are very detoxifying and rich in minerals. They also contain a little known trace mineral, molybdenum responsible for manufacturing a number of detoxifying enzymes. They fight against the storage of energy as body fat and their high antioxidant content provides anti-aging properties.

Abounding in vitamin C, lotus root helps to maintain the integrity of blood vessels, organs and skin. (Vitamin C is both antioxidant and an important component of collagen.) Lotus root can be steamed, stewed or fried.

To treat dryness that comes with Autumn, here is a more exhaustive list of white foods that can be very effective. They can help clear heat, promote fluid production and moisten the lung.

almonds
apple
bamboo shoots
cauliflower
hempseed kernels
jicama
sun-dried lily bulb
lotus root
lotus seed
pear
pine nuts
rice
tofu
water chestnut
white bean
white fish
white fungus
white mushrooms
white radish
winter melon

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Endnote:

(1) Between seasons relates to the four 18-day transitional periods of the year sandwiched between each of the four major seasons. Earth is the element of these between seasons periods of the year.

Source:

Liu, Zhan-Wen, et al. Health Cultivation in Chinese Medicine. Peoples Medical Publishing House (PMPH), 2012.

Tips for Your Vitality In Fall and Winter

August 22, 2017 phyto5.us

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), energetic Fall and the season of the Metal element run from August 7 to October 20. Energetic Fall’s the time to gently immerse yourself in the quieter, more introspective energies of the season. It’s a time of harvest and preparation for the upcoming energetic Winter. Here are tips for making a smooth transition from energetic Summer to Fall and beyond.

Autumn is a time of establishing a rhythmic order. There is a downward energy, grounding our bodies, minds and even our food into the earth. It is the ideal time to focus on the colon as life energy contracts and will prepare for a dormant state in the winter. Autumn is associated with white, and also the time of year our ‘white’ foods are at their peak. They are the digestives and immune boosting foods such as: apples, pears, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic and leeks. – Kate Kennington, Cleansing with Kate

As you prepare yourself for Winter (season of the Water element), get yourself more organized at this time of year. Establish more order in your life.

Throughout energetic Summer (season of the Fire element), you probably feasted and fested. You might have been more physically active enjoying vacations, social events and holidays.

But the season of Autumn provides you the new opportunity to retreat within body and mind and reflect on your life positively and productively.

What can we learn from the past two seasons in a way we can constructively apply throughout Fall and Winter?

If you have unfinished projects you started in Spring and Summer, energetic Fall is the perfect time to complete them. The energies of the Fall season will support and encourage you to begin indoor projects that involve more mental and introspective processes.

Partake of the mystique of quantum energetic formulated plant-based skincare for your exalted natural beauty and well-being. Subscribe for a discount promo code, plus get truly unique beauty tips and offers.

The lung and large intestine are the internal organs associated with Fall and the Metal element.

Lung is associated with the emotion of letting go. The very act of conscious breathing enables us to let go of what we don’t want as we fully and deeply exhale.

Some people so love Summer that Fall can be a challenging time for them. Now they have to give up longer days, warm weather and some outdoor social activities.

Utilizing the lungs to practice slowing down the breath helps you come to your center and the now moment. It will help you focus gratitude for the Summer which has passed and the Fall which has arrived.

Slower deeper breathing helps you maintain your physical vigor throughout both Fall and Winter. It can improve mental clarity and a nicely balanced emotional state.

Soul and spirit should be tranquil to keep lungs pure… – The Neijing Suwen

TCM finds the lung to be the "tender organ” since it’s the uppermost organ in the body making it particularly susceptible to wind and cold. As the temperatures change, be proactive with your health and dress appropriately for the weather.

Proper sleep encourages Fall vitality. The ancient medical text, the Neijing Suwen, advises we should retire early at night and rise with the crowing of the rooster during Autumn.

“There was temperance in eating and drinking. Their hours of rising and retiring were regular and not disorderly and wild. By these means the ancients kept their bodies united with their souls, so as to fulfill their allotted span completely, measuring unto a hundred years before they passed away.

The wise man will surely conform to the changes of the four seasons, adapt himself to the cold of winter and the heat of summer, neutralize joy and anger and live a regular life.

”

— Both passages from the Neijing Suwen

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Sources:

Maciocia, Giovanni. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine E-Book: A Comprehensive Text. 3rd ed., Elsevier Academic Press, 2015.

Kennington, Kate. Cleansing with Kate: A Whole Food Guide to Nourishing Your Whole Self. 3rd ed., Kennington, 2014.

Photo courtesy of Daiga Ellaby at Unsplash

What You Need to Know About Essential Oils

August 1, 2017 phyto5.us

An essential oil is a natural volatile material typically obtained by distillation. It emits the characteristic fragrance, flavor and/or action of the plant or other source from which it’s extracted.

Essential oils are found in various plant parts: leaves, stems, flower buds, open flowers, peels, barks, fruits, roots, needles, twigs, and resins.

When you utilize an essential oil for your well-being and vitality, the oils bombards you with a wide array of beneficial chemicals. Chemically, an essential oil is a complex mixture of 30 to 100 or more phyto-chemicals or plant compounds.

There are three primary ways to get the benefits of an essential oil:

through topical application
by inhalation, and
by ingestion.

TOPICAL APPLICATION

You can enjoy essential oils’ benefits by topically applying directly to skin. But you must always apply an essential oil in a carrier oil. Fractionated coconut oil is one example.

You need to use a carrier oil to prevent burning, irritation or other very uncomfortable effects. This is because essential oils are extremely potent.

For example, it takes about 60,000 roses or 200 pounds of petals to make one ounce of damask rose essential oil. Similar factors hold true for all essential oils. So never apply an essential oil directly to skin unless it’s suspended in an appropriate carrier oil.

You can also diffuse essential oils in bathwater asanother way to apply the oils topically.

To increase aborption effectiveness, gently massage the area first to improve circulation in that area. Applying a drop of an essential oil blend on warmed skin will also enhance circulation and in turn enhance absorption.

Take advantage of proven and appropriate proportions and blends of essential oils in reputable PHYTO5 Swiss-made skincare products.

This is how you can ensure you get the benefit of enormously potent essential oils without irritating skin.

European made products like PHYTO5 Swiss-made skincare must comply with strict European regulations limiting the type and concentration of natural essential oils in skincare products. The U. S. makes no such requirements for your protection.

INHALATION

Inhale the fragrance of essential oils. It’s another way to realize their healing benefits. Inhalation affects the body through several systems and pathways.

It can occur:

by breathing the fragrance of the oil through the nose or mouth, and
aromatherapeutically via diffuser or in a bath.

Do these two things to activate essential oils’ energetic properties:

warming the oils slightly, and
tapping the bottle first two or three times.

All the physical organs or cells which relate to the sense of smell make up your olfactory system. When you inhale the fragrance of an essential oil, airborne molecules interact with your olfactory organs and reach the brain almost immediately through a variety of receptor sites.

One of these receptor sites is the limbic system,(1)–what some refer to as the emotional brain or the smell brain.

The limbic system is a group of deep brain structures that are involved in the sense of smell and the experience of emotions… The limbic system works in coordination with the pituitary gland** and the hypothalamus*** area of the brain to regulate the hormonal activities of the endocrine system… [it] also influences immunity. Through their action on the limbic system, essential oils can have a positive impact on all of these functions by bringing balance to the body. – Roberta Wilson, Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty

When you inhale the scent of an essential oil its microscopic molecules travel to the lungs and interact positively with your respiratory system.

INGESTION

You can also internally ingest essential oils but again, because of their potency you must be very careful. Don’t overdo. One or two drops in a tall glass of water is all you need.

One or a few drops of essential oil doesn’t look like very much, but because they’re so powerful ingesting more could actually be detrimental. It could throw you into a healing crisis.

If you want to consume essential oils through the mouth, you really should consult an expert in essential oils for your safety. In France, for example, trained physicians and pharmacists prescribe and dispense essential oils as remedies.

Take these reasons for caution when ingesting essential oils seriously:

Some essential oils can be toxic to the liver or kidneys when ingested.
A chemical breakdown of essential oils during digestion can so alter the effects you may not achieve the results desired.

Sometimes quality of essential oils is questionable.

Be aware that just because you find essential oils in your local department or even grocery store, it doesn’t necessarily follow the quality is high. In some cases, they might even be synthetically created. They may smell great to you but have no wellness benefits whatsoever.

It’s smart to incorporate the use of essential oils into your holistic lifestyle. At the same time, do your due diligence to learn about every aspect of essential oils. Become a well informed consumer and get what you believe you’re paying for.

When it comes to essential oils in skincare (which is a profoundly therapeutic way to introduce essential oils into your system), rely on the vast knowledge and experience of chemists well trained in the appropriate dosages, blends and use of the oils. PHYTO5 skincare is formulated by expert chemists trained in the proper use of essential oils.

…

Endnotes:

(1) a complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, involving several areas near the edge of the cortex concerned with instinct and mood. It controls the basic emotions (fear, pleasure, anger) and drives (hunger, sex, dominance, care of offspring). –The New Oxford American Dictionary

(2) A pea-sized body attached to the base of the brain, the pituitary is important in controlling growth and development and the functioning of the other endocrine glands. It is the major endocrine gland. –The New Oxford American Dictionary

(3) a region of the forebrain below the thalamus that coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems, and involved in sleep and emotional activity. –The New Oxford American Dictionary

…

Sources:

The New Oxford American Dictionary

Wilson, Roberta. Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty. New York: Avery, 2002. Print

Photo courtesy of Ksenia Makagonova at Unsplash

State of Mind Is Crucial In Healing

June 22, 2017 phyto5.us

Nature offers so many healing gifts in the diverse flora that thrives all over the world that pharmaceutical companies often go to the rainforests to harvest them. Sadly, they adulterate the healing flora as they formulate their product.

The developing world mainly relies on nature for remedies and healing. We may see them as less developed or poor but maybe their lack of access to pharmaceuticals is really an advantage for them. Their healing from nature’s herbs and flowers will be real and true where pharmaceuticals only mask symptoms.

PHYTO5 relies almost completely on nature's flora for its unique ingredients abounding with life-enhancing vital energy.

For any healing to be effective—holistic or conventional medical—another important component must be present. The companion to the medicine, natural or unnatural, is the mind.

As we’ve all experienced, healing or management of disease and physical pain doesn’t solely rely on taking natural remedies, synthetic analogs to nature or other drugs.

Studies show that 18 to 80% of the time, people taking placebos (including fake procedures) completely recover from their condition. This is without adding any other drug, remedy, medical procedure or therapy.

The placebo effect indicates the mind is a principal component in our health, healing, and wellness.

Humankind has evolved long enough to have realized that our thoughts are powerful actors in our human experience. We’ve learned that when we think a thought, we immediately conjure a related emotion or feeling. The more clear and powerful the mind the more new circumstances take shape.

Sometimes the result of our thought is almost immediate. But most of the time a lag time exists between the thought, the emotion, and the manifestation.

This time lag between thought and manifested result actually provides the space for healing to occur. It allows us to realize an error in thought and correct it before an unwanted event results. Of course, this can only occur for those who are aware of the power of their minds and who seek to gain mastery of it.

This time lag is a sort of fail-safe mechanism that does into action by default. This is until we gain greater control of our mind and emotions.

This helps us to see illness or other limitations as potentially constructive experiences. We can emerge from them with a better understanding of ourselves.

Of course, this can only occur for those aware of the power of the mind and for those who work to gain mastery of it.

When it comes to self-healing, our state of mind is crucial.

Our state of mind demonstrates itself in the quality of our thoughts and emotions. Essentially, we either entertain positive thoughts and emotions or negative ones.

Experience shows the positive ones contribute to healing and the negative ones do not. In fact, the negative thoughts and emotions worsen the sickness or condition.

The more we practice dominion over our thoughts and emotions, the more effective creators we become. With a sustained practice, eventually the need to use thought and emotion to create healing will be gradually replaced by homeostasis. Eventually we’ll no longer need to seek healing because equilibrium will be our natural state of being.

Tons of self-help books have said it over and over again: What we focus on, expands.

This message is repeated so much because most of the authors have proven it out in their lives.

The more energy we give a thing, the bigger and more prominent it becomes in our lives. We need to look at where we place our focus and energy.

Focus is the key.

As long as we contemplate a certain desire outcome we create a preponderance of that thought in the mind. This makes our desire outcome likely to occur (though it may not always happen with the exact expected outcome). This is considered a law of the universe.

Our mental practice doesn't have to be rigid, dogmatic, absolute, complete and total focus. But if we can come close establishing that preponderance of positive thoughts about the healing we desire, our lives shift to reflect this new state of mind.

This can't help but feel good. And so we create a mental and emotional loop that creates physical bodies in closer alignment with our higher nature.

The ultimate book on the power of thought, As a Man Thinketh, written in 1902 by James Allen says it beautifully:

“They [men and women] themselves are makers of themselves by virtue of the thoughts which they choose and encourage; that mind is the master weaver both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance, and that, as they may have hitherto woven in ignorance and pain they may now weave in enlightenment and happiness.”

As a Man Thinketh is in the public domain and you can download a free copy by going to Project Gutenberg here. The booklet is also for sale by booksellers quite inexpensively.

What should you look for when consulting a holistic or integrative medical doctor? And in a related field of medicine, what might be the questions to ask functional medicine doctors?

Looking at the whole person includes all aspects of your lifestyle as well as your relationship with your practitioner.

The authentic holistic physician should take the following issues into account when treating you.

The practitioner can immediately and superficially assess these in order to get a quick read of your present level of vitality:

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Marine algae skin care products combat radiation and its damaging effects.

Marine algae offers properties for skin you might not get from your diet.

Marine algae skin care products benefit from the algae’s very diverse composition and functions.

Marine algae skin care products are composed of algae of several colors.

The high mineral content of marine algae is incredibly important for skin.

Marine algae skin care products are all around skin protective and restorative.

Good spleen digestive function is key to the body’s immune system.

Spleen digestive function plays several very important roles in the human body.

Dampness and the Spleen

If you’re concerned about your spleen digestive function, here are some simple actions to take:

Balance: Fundamental to Health and Wellness

Creating Balance, Health and Wellness In Three Important Aspects

Balance, Health and Wellness in TCM’s Wood Conditions

Balance, Health and Wellness in TCM’s Fire Conditions

Balance, Health and Wellness in TCM’s Earth Conditions

Balance, Health and Wellness in TCM’s Metal Conditions

Balance, Health and Wellness in TCM’s Water Conditions

Flow of Yin and Yang Qi for Balance, Health and Wellness

The Body’s Master Directive: Balance, Health and Wellness

Keeping Symptoms from Arising In the First Place

Root cause of illness or imbalance is the focus of a traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

This example points to how TCM addresses the root cause of illness.

Even esthetic skin conditions result from either an internal balance or imbalance.

The Discovery

The Claim to Quantum Energy, Quantum Health, Quantum Beauty

Quantum Energetic Skincare: Fostering Happiness and Not Just Radiant Skin

White foods are Fall Foods.

What can we learn from the past two seasons in a way we can constructively apply throughout Fall and Winter?

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The lung and large intestine are the internal organs associated with Fall and the Metal element.

There are three primary ways to get the benefits of an essential oil:

TOPICAL APPLICATION

INHALATION

INGESTION

Sometimes quality of essential oils is questionable.

When it comes to self-healing, our state of mind is crucial.

Tons of self-help books have said it over and over again: What we focus on, expands.

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