Pain Relief | NonStop Natural

Love Coconut Oil? We have 51 Popular Ways to Use It!

November 6, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love, love, love coconut oil? It’s simply the best thing since sliced bread, isn’t it? It has so many uses, too! It’s been around for eons, but has suddenly become popular due to social media sites and the internet, during the past decade.

You probably use it on your skin and hair, but did you know that there are literally dozens of ways to use coconut oil? Even we were amazed at the things it could be used for!

We’ve got 51 ways to enjoy the healthy goodness of this coconut product, so you might want to turn on your printer! This list is a bit long!

51 Popular Ways to Use Coconut Oil

Super skin moisturizer
Nourishing hair with its unique fat makeup
Mix it with apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for head lice
Makes a super diaper cream that is completely natural
Helps to heal the perineum after giving birth
Speeds healing of sunburns (use after the heat is gone)
Increases mental alertness when consumed regularly
Helps to shorten the duration of the flu or cold virus (mix into hot tea)
Stops acne when used regularly
Perfect for healing those dry, cracked heels.

Naturally clears up cold sores or fever blisters
Great for homemade soaps or homemade laundry soap.
Cleans and softens shiny leather items such as purses or boots.
Best insect repellent has ever been rosemary oil mixed with coconut oil.
Mix with clay and charcoal for a super homemade soap that is easy on the skin
Make your own coconut oil based doggie treats!
Terrific in homemade shampoo bars.
Cheap anti-frizz hair treatment; simply rub a dime sized portion through your hair.
Rub into cuticles daily to help nails grow and stop hangnails.
Best all natural baby lotion ever!

Mix with a few drops of scented essential oils for a sweet smelling massage oil.
Ladies, this makes a great personal lubricant.
Has a natural SPF of 8, so you can use it as a tanning oil.
Use in your slow cooker soap recipe for super rich lather.
Mix coconut oil and sea salt for a super exfoliating scrub.
Mix with sugar for a sweet body scrub!
Whip coconut oil and pure Shea butter for a luscious body balm.
Consumed regularly, it might help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
When used regularly, it can reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Helps skin to heal quickly after infection or injury when applied topically.

Improves circulation when consumed regularly.
Used in “pulling” coconut oil can make teeth whiter and stronger.
When used in food, it can support thyroid function.
The perfect oil for “seasoning” cast iron pans.
Replace vegetable oil in recipes for added nutrition.
By substituting coconut oil for other fats in your diet, you can increase your metabolism, and lose weight.
Instantly boost energy when consumed regularly.
Improves your dog or cat’s skin and coat when consumed regularly.
Makes a terrific coffee “creamer”.
Best wood polish ever!

Ease the itch of insect bites within seconds.
A natural lip balm that works much better than petroleum based products.
Use as a moisturizing make-up remover.
Fight inflammation naturally by replacing other fats with coconut oil.
New mothers can stop sore nipples by using natural coconut oil. Super safe for baby, too!
Removes stuck on chewing gum almost like magic.
Makes a wonderful bath oil. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to some coconut oil for a super relaxing soak that naturally softens the skin.
Eases the discomfort of most skin rashes.
Want to jazz up some popcorn? Add a bit of melted coconut oil, rather than butter.
Fade sun spots or age spots by rubbing a dab of coconut oil into the area each day.
Ease hard, dry, cracked doggie paws by rubbing some coconut oil into the pads each day. Do this outside to avoid getting it on your carpet!

While coconut oil might not be a “cure all”, it certainly can do more than we ever thought it could!

What is your favorite way to use coconut oil?

Top 10 Essential Oils You Should Never Be Without!

September 20, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

By now, you must have heard all the talk and excitement about essential oils and what they can do for you.

You can actually eliminate toxic household cleaning products, sleeping pills; even the need for the morning cup of Joe can all be replaced simply by using essential oils.

These distilled plant, fruit, or flower extracts are super concentrated, and therefore, super powerful. Keep in mind that you should never consume them unless you get approval from your doctor. Essential oils are for external use only!

But is there anything more heavenly than the scent of roses in the bath? The intoxicating smell of cedar on your man’s collar? Or the soothing calm that lavender brings?

Want to know more? We are going to let you in on what is known as the Top 10 essential oils that no one should be without.

Eucalyptus Oil

If you want a natural relief from colds, flu, coughs, and other respiratory issues, this is a must have. Not only does eucalyptus oil immediately clear up congestion, it is antibacterial, anti-viral, as well as anti-fungal. This means that while you are adding a few drops to your shower, pot of hot water, or vaporizer, you will clear up your sinuses and clean the air as well! Add a few drops to a spray bottle of water and you have a safe sanitizer for the bathroom and kitchen counters. Remember, eucalyptus oil is powerful stuff, so do not allow children under 10 to use this oil.

Lavender

By far, the most popular essential oil on the planet! If you could only afford to buy one oil, this should be the one. Lavender has been used for thousands of years for everything from headache relief to a cure for insomnia, to healing insect bites, skin rashes, minor burns and even as a deodorant! Lavender is one of the most soothing scents around, so if you are looking for natural stress or anxiety relief, try taking a few good whiffs right out of the bottle!

Tea Tree Oil

This has been called “medicine in a bottle” and for a good reason! Tea tree oil, much like Eucalyptus oil, can be used to treat all kinds of ailments, including acne, cold sores, insect bites, and eczema, athlete ’s foot, and toenail fungus. Adding a few drops to your regular shampoo makes it an instant dandruff killer and adding some to a plain spray bottle of water makes it a terrific way to clean and sanitize around the home! By the way, fleas hate this stuff, so put a few drops on Fluffy or Fido’s bedding to keep them away!

Peppermint

If you have ever had a cup of peppermint tea or sucked on a peppermint candy to relieve stomach pain or indigestion, then you know how peppermint works! Peppermint is a natural soother, so adding a few drops to a bucket of water makes one of the most relaxing foot soaks ever! You can also use it in the bath or, when adding it to a carrier oil such as coconut oil, it makes a great cough and cold balm when rubbed on the chest.

Clove

This common spice has been used for centuries to relieve minor pains and stop itching. Clove oil is great for mouth pain or toothaches, prickly heat rash, cuts or minor wounds, to stop the itch and sting of insect bites or stings, and so much more. Clove oil is super powerful, so you should probably dilute it in a carrier oil, such as almond oil or coconut oil, before you use it. If you have very sensitive skin, you might want to consider another oil as clove is very strong.

Chamomile

You probably have some chamomile tea in your kitchen right now. This super soothing herb has been used since at least Roman times and while a cup of tea before bed will make you sleepy, you can also use this gentle oil externally. Most people have no problem using this oil full strength to stop the pain from boils, acne, cuts, and bruises, super dry skin, eczema, even dermatitis. Put a few drops in a diffuser and watch your kids drift off to sleep naturally. Caution: if you are allergic to ragweed, this oil is not for you!

Grapefruit

Just thinking about this scent makes your mouth water, doesn’t it? If you are feeling a little blue, try taking a few sniffs of this oil every 5 to 10 minutes. It has a super uplifting, energizing property to it! Grapefruit oil is also good to use topically for acne, swollen lymph nodes, cellulite, tension headaches, even as a deodorant. Put a few drops on any cloth and make your own refreshing deodorizer for closets, shoes, lockers, and cars.

Oregano

This is a powerful oil that has anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial compounds. This is a great oil to use around the house to clean and sanitize, as well as using it topically to stop fungal infections, tendonitis, cysts, warts, shingles, Candida, athlete’s foot, and more. This works best when diluted in a good quality carrier oil, such as olive oil or sweet almond oil.

Lemon

There is almost nothing this basic oil cannot do! Just a few drops added to some olive oil and you have the worlds best furniture polish for pennies! Add some to your laundry detergent, dish detergent, or floor cleaner for some super smelling, extra clean home! Put a drop or two of lemon oil with some salt and baking soda for a scrub that will make your cutting board and sink look like new and smell good too! Make your own antibacterial hand sanitizer by mixing it with some aloe vera gel. The list for this oil goes on and on!

Frankincense

This super perfumed oil has been grown and harvested since before Christ. It is currently being investigated as a possible means of stopping cancer from spreading, but while those studies continue, you can add it to your favorite liquid soap to stop acne in days. Frankincense will cleanse and purify the skin, while easing stress with its heady scent. Adding a few drops to a handkerchief and inhaling it will help clear stuffed noses. It’s even been reported to help those with allergies and asthma.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should always check with their doctor before using any essential oils. Children under 5 should also avoid these oils as they can be very powerful. If you have any doubts or concerns, please speak with your doctor before using.

Beautiful, healing, aromatic essential oils – A little bit of something for everyone! Who knew?

Top 7 Types of Headaches and What You Can Do About Them

September 13, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

There probably isn’t a person in the world who does not experience a headache at one time or another. Which is really interesting when you consider that the brain itself has no pain sensor, so why does it feel like it hurts so badly sometimes??

While scientists have come a long way towards understanding headaches, they really don’t have a clear picture yet.

If you suffer from headaches, it helps if you know what type it is so you can treat it properly. You might think all headaches can be solved with a few ibuprofen and sending the kids back to school, but this isn’t accurate.

Trying to use ibuprofen, for example, on a cluster headache won’t anything at all to stop it. Trying to treat a migraine with prednisone, also will not work.

Let’s take a look at the 7 most common types of headaches and how you can successfully treat them.

Tension Headaches

Perhaps the most common type of headache hands down is the tension headache. This feels like an ache or pressure on both sides of the head, often in the temple area, or on the back of the head and neck.

Tension headaches have multiple causes, including clenching your jaw, stress, feelings of anxiety, and even bad posture. As common as they are, doctors still don’t understand the exact cause.

The good news is that these types of headaches easily respond to a few over the counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol or even plain old aspirin.

Cluster Headaches
The trigeminal nerve on man’s face, neuralgia

These aren’t actually headaches, but they are excruciating to say the least. In fact, the pain is right on the verge of unbearable, so much so that they have earned the name suicide headaches. Patients with this type of headache experience pain so severe, some have committed suicide, rather than live with it.

Cluster headaches are caused by a stimulation of the trigeminal nerve. This is a large nerve that runs directly near the ear and has small branches that go like a hand over one side of your face. The pain is almost always on one side only. For many people, it wakes them up about one hour after they fall asleep, but for others, the pain can start anytime. It moves very quickly, with patients describing it as going from fine to frantic in less than 1 minute. They can last from 15 minutes to 3 hours. Then the pain disappears the same way it starts. Within 3 minutes, all pain has left. Unlike migraines, those suffering from a cluster headache cannot sit still. It is not uncommon to find them wandering around, as if lost, clutching their face and pounding their head on doors, walls, or floors in an attempt to get relief.

Tablet type pain killers do not work with these types of headaches. If you believe you are suffering from cluster headaches, see your doctor. For many people, a 7 to 10 day program of prednisone seems to break the cycle, though the reason why is not understood. You can also ask for a prescription shot of sumatriptan, also known as Imatrex. These are sold in a pen like dispensers, but the shot needs to be given as quickly as possible to interrupt the pain cycle. If taken too late, it is also ineffective.

Migraines

These are severe headaches that affect women 3 times as often as men. The reason for this, as well as the exact cause, is unknown. Scientists do know that genes play some role and brain cell activity affects nerve cell function.

Migraines appear to have triggers, which vary from person to person. The most common triggers are stress, hormonal changes, and a change in sleeping patterns, or even certain foods such as chocolate or coffee.

While many over the counter medications do not seem to help unless taken at the very first sign, doctors have found that some Triptans, such as Zomig or Imitrex, help to prevent or relieve these types of headaches. Ask your doctor if Triptans can help you.

Sinus Headaches

Unfortunately, this type of headache gets the First Place Prize for being misdiagnosed. Many people who have cluster headaches are told that they are actually sinus headaches. The same is true of migraines. This is because the symptoms, nasal congestion or discharge, watery eyes, and a feeling of pressure behind the eyes, are also similar to cluster headaches and migraines.

A true sinus headache is often the first sign of an infection. If you blow and see green or red tinged mucus, you probably have a sinus infection, as well as a sinus headache. Sinus headaches are not made worse by sound or light, that would be a migraine. A cluster headache is only on one side.

See a doctor if you think you might have a sinus infection.

Chronic Daily Headaches

Get out a calendar and mark off every day you have a headache. If you hit the magic number of 15 in a 30 day period, you might be suffering from what is called chronic daily headaches.

If there is no obvious cause, such as head injury or dental problems, it could simply be that your body’s pain signals are having a kind of hiccup. They get started and just don’t seem to know when to stop.

Speak to your doctor about beta blockers or antidepressants, gabapentin or even Botox injections.

The Emergency Headache

Sometimes this type of headaches is called the Baseball Bat to the Head. While most headaches are not serious, this one could be. The sudden onset of a severe headache, as if someone whacked you upside the head with a baseball bat can mean something serious. This type of headache comes on very quickly and is very intense. Some people call it the worst headache of their life.

If that type of headache happens to you, get to a doctor or emergency room immediately. If the headache is also accompanied by a sudden fever, a rise in blood pressure, a change in vision or speech, dizziness, or muscle weakness on one side of the body, call 911.

Rebound Headaches

These are due to the overuse of over the counter pain medications. Seems like a big cosmic joke, right? You get a headache, you take some aspirin. Later, the aspirin gives you a headache. The only problem is that this isn’t really funny.

Taking any pain reliever, including Tylenol or ibuprofen, more than twice a week over a 3 month period, puts you at a higher risk for rebound headaches.

Speak to your doctor if you feel you are having rebound headaches. Your doctor can help you get off the pain reliever responsible, and give you alternatives to help stop the pain.

Cupping: Crazy or Cool? We Set the Facts Straight!

August 10, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

If you are like us, you are watching the Olympics and enjoying these superb athletes compete against each other. Then Michael Phelps comes on the screen and you wonder “WTH is wrong with his skin? He’s covered in purple/red splotches! Is that pepperoni or what?”

It’s called cupping and it’s been around for eons. It’s said to help relieve aches and pains, relieving those painful muscle knots.

We know what you are thinking, does this actually work? Is it safe? Is it cool or just plain crazy? We are going to tell you the facts so you can make up your own mind.

What Exactly Is Cupping and How is it Done?

There are two methods to cupping. The original, old fashioned method, developed thousands of years ago by the Chinese, is to heat the inside of a glass “cup” with the flame from a candle, then immediately put the cup on the skin. This draws the skin up inside the cup, heating it, and causing those red spots.

A newer method involves a tiny suction pump that is built into a special glass “cup”. The cup is placed on the desired spot, then the suction pump is used until the skin is drawn up into the cup. This is much more intense than the candle method and involves more intense bruising to the skin. This appears to be the method that is being used by most of the Olympic athletes.

Cupping isn’t new. It’s been around for centuries, but has recently gained the world’s attention because of the appeal that goes along with the idea that if professional athletes do it, it must be great, right?

Does it Actually Work or is This Just Woo?

This is the $64,000 question that doesn’t really have a definitive answer. While some scientific studies have found that it help with a few problems, such as herpes zoster, acne, and facial paralysis, other studies have found that it did nothing more than turn the skin red.

Ancient Chinese medicine didn’t actually use this as a means of muscle recovery, or even to relieve sore muscles, but to restore the flow of “qi”, which is something like the “life force” that flows through everything.

There have been a few studies done which found that cupping relieved pain in cancer patients and for those with lower back pain, however, these were two small trials that had limited conclusions.

More Facts

There are numerous types of cupping, with the most common method being called Dry Cupping, which is the type that the Olympic athletes appear to be using. Although repeated cupping effects over a long period of time have not yet been studied, at least in most cases, this practice appears to be safe.

The problem with testing the effects of cupping is that it is impossible to get a control group. In tests with substances, you can give people a sugar pill and they won’t know if they are receiving the real thing or not. With cupping, it’s impossible to tell someone they are getting cupping when they aren’t. So it is unknown how much of the “results” patients report are due to the placebo effect.

Athletes Love Woo

Most professional athletes are willing to try just about anything if they feel it will improve their performance. If you remember, at the London games of 2012, the rage was Kinesio tape. Most athletes wore blue or red tape over certain parts of their bodies, believing that it either helped muscles recover faster, or that it would prevent injury. After the games, the tape fell out of favor because it proved to do neither.

This will probably be the case with cupping, but if it returns to the 2020 games, it might be that cupping has some type of benefit!

There Can Be Dangers, However

While cupping, in general, appears to be safe, if not done properly, by skilled practitioners, it can be dangerous.

Cupping is designed to be a quick therapy. If left on too long, cupping has resulted in second degree burns and infections. In one case, a Chinese man, living in Australia, received third degree burns after repeated cupping treatments to cure his frozen shoulder.

While complaints are rare, they do happen. Never attempt to do this at home with friends and never allow someone who is not experienced to perform this on you.

The Bottom Line

While some studies show that cupping can work to improve some skin issues, such as acne or herpes zoster, there are no studies showing that cupping actually does anything at a deeper level. We need more studies done in this area before we can reach a definite conclusion.

If you have had cupping therapy, we would love to hear your experiences.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Weed (You Won’t Believe #4!)

July 6, 2016 by Tammy Robinson 1 Comment

If you are one of the millions of American’s who regularly indulge in a little Mexican agriculture, then we probably don’t need to tell you the many benefits of toking up. However, there are still millions of American’s who really don’t have a clue about the “Devil’s Lettuce”, AKA, marijuana.

There is perhaps no plant on this earth (with the exception of poppies) that has been more condemned than marijuana. This is a plant that governments all over the world have tried to control, outlaw, and criminalize, but to no avail. Why? Because you can’t keep a good thing hidden forever.

Despite the fact that NEVER, in the history of the world, has anyone ever died from an overdose, been injured or gotten a disease from excessive consumption of this plant, it remains a controversial subject, especially by those who have never indulged.

Cannabis is one of the most healing plants on our good earth. Dozens of studies have found that it can do everything from lower blood pressure to suppress cancer.

For those of you who want scientific proof that cannabis is a good thing, we are going to spell it out for you. For those who love their evening blunts and want to know what else cannabis can do for you – we are going to list the top 10 scientifically known health benefits.

Suppresses Cancer

Let’s start off with the big C; cancer. Everyone is looking for ways to avoid it, prevent it, and cure it. While there haven’t been enough studies to show that marijuana can “cure” cancer, there are studies which have found that cannabis can inhibit the growth of tumors in lab animals. Other studies, done in vitro, show it kill cancer cells in a petri dish, but then again, so does just about any substance.

Helps Relieve PMS

While men may not fully understand this, women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome will be buying new bongs or papers once they hear this; studies show that cannabis can ease the cramps, pain, headaches, and mood swings that PMS brings each month. Using marijuana to ease the discomfort most women experience during their period goes back to Queen Victoria. It’s been used for centuries to help with the pain of child birth, migraines, and more.

Eases Tourette’s Syndrome

Many people enjoy a good laugh at the expense of those who suffer from Tourette’s, but this neurological condition is no joke. This disease causes uncontrollable facial tics, grimaces, shouting, snorting, and grunting noises, which makes public appearances anything but comfortable. The Hanover Medical College in Germany found that Tourett’s subjects who consumed a cannabinol extract had a significant reduction in their symptoms within minutes. Just one dose lasted for several hours when compared to the placebo group.

Possible Alzheimer’s Prevention

One study, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, found that regular consumption of marijuana could prevent the onset of many neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s disease. The main culprits when it comes to these type of brain diseases are oxidative stress, intro-cellualr dysfunction and chronic inflammation of the brain. THC and cannabinoids reduce inflammation in the brain, protect cells from oxidative damage, and encourage the health of brain cells on several levels. There is a definite need for more studies, but since there is no harm in consuming even large amounts of marijuana, it can’t hurt and appears that it will help.

Stops Seizures

This is perhaps one of the most commonly known medical uses for marijuana. Cannabis definitely has a relaxing effect on the brain and body. The antispasmodic properties of this plant have been proven, not only in studies, but in real life scenarios, all over social media sites, as well as the internet.

Crohn’s Disease and IBS

The very basis of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and Crohn’s disease is a relentless inflammation of the colon and stomach, along with uncontrollable spasms. As with Alzheimer’s disease, cannabis brings the hammer down on inflammation and is a natural antispasmodic. While pot may not cure these debilitating diseases, they can make life almost normal again. One study found a full 45 percent of those suffering from Crohn’s disease had complete remission after just 8 weeks of smoking 2 blunts a day.

Migraine Relief

While migraines have been around for centuries, the cause has eluded scientists for just as long. Since medical marijuana was legalized in California, doctors have stated that they have successfully treated almost half a million cases that conventional medicines were unable to treat. That, friends, is the power of this one tiny plant!

ADHD and ADD

Ritalin might just be on the way out if a few more studies can back up a study done at USC, which found that marijuana eased the symptoms of ADD and ADHD far better than Ritalin, without the harmful side effects. If your child suffers from ADHD, speak to your doctor about medical marijuana as a safer alternative.

Relief from MS Symptoms

Again, this isn’t a cure, but 11 studies to date have shown that many people have found relief from the symptoms of multiple sclerosis via cannabis. Subjects reported less pain, relief from muscle stiffness, and fewer spasms after smoking marijuana. Talk show host Montel Williams has been very outspoken about his love for marijuana and how it helped him live an almost normal life after being diagnosed with MS.

Stops Glaucoma

Along with seizures, this is perhaps one of the most documented uses for medical marijuana. Glaucoma causes extreme pressure in the eye, which can lead to blindness if not treated promptly. Cannabis relieves the pressure instantly, which can literally save your eyesight. Studies‘ regarding this go back as far as the 1970’s and has been highly documented. There has not been a single study or case where marijuana failed to help a patient suffering from glaucoma.

Keep in mind that while marijuana might not be a “cure all”, it certainly doesn’t hurt anyone or anything. This plant needs to be removed immediately from the Schedule 1 drug list so it can be properly studied, researched and its benefits available to everyone.