I have had a request to begin sharing some of my own practice, ideas and techniques, around health and wellness. (Please know that just because I do it, doesn’t make it the perfect practice for you.)
Hemp Oil
I am sure you have all heard about the importance of certain fats in your diet, especially the omega 3s and 6s. If you are a vegetarian, these are even more challenging to find in your diet. When I was in my early twenties, I had a severe bout with eczema that covered my body. At the time I knew very little about alternative medicine and spent two years seeing dermatologists who prescribed many a cream that did nothing to abate the itching and discomfort.
Finally, someone recommended a naturopathic physician who, within a thirty-minute visit, realized I did not have enough fat in my diet and my skin was showing the imbalance. She recommended two tablespoons of flax oil each day. Within four days the itching and rash was gone. Ever since that time, I have kept flax oil on hand - any time I feel itching begin, I take a tablespoon.
About six months ago I heard about hemp oil, also a source of omega 3 and 6. Hemp is better than flax because it has omega 3 and 6 in the perfect proportion for our body so it can be use more effectively. This information came to me when I was struggling with another bout of eczema. I began taking two tablespoons each day. It took longer this time to see the benefits, although I think that is merely because my body was more out of balance this time than last time. Now that the eczema has passed, I still take one tablespoon each day and give it to the kids as well. I am amazed at our skin. Normally we use lotion daily. We have hardly used it this year.
You can buy hemp oil in the supplement section of a health food store. It is in the cooler. You can also buy hemp seeds there as well. I use hemp seeds as I would sesame seeds, in biscuits, breads, muffins, sprinkled on salads, etc. They are very tasty!