Harnessing plants for beauty and health

I have used many high end products for my skin care. I always read the ingredients of the products I use and check these ingredients if they are irritants or not.

Ages back, people did not have these skin care products, but used what were available around them...cheap and natural. This reminds me of my mom who used to bring two calamansi (calamondin) every time she takes a bath. After sometime, I asked her why? She said that she squeezes 1-2 calamansi in a small tub of water (about 500ml capacity) and use this as her final rinse from head to toe so as to maintain the pH balance of her skin. She said that shampoos and soaps are quite basic and they could strip off the natural oils from our body. She didn’t use deodorant, but simply that calamansi. I also used to see my Lola (grandmother) massaging coconut oil through her hair and her locks were thick and black with some silver streaks.

It dawned on me that skin care products need not be expensive. Why stress our skin with so many chemicals we don’t even understand?

Phytorelle cold powder (bedak sejuk)

Instead, why not use alternatives that are simple, with no elaborate treatment, dressing and so on? This inspired me to have my own Phytorelle homemade and handmade products from plants and bring the traditions back in skin care.

JATROPHA CURCAS FOR BACK PAINS & MUSCLE SPASM

This is my first report of my use of Jatropha curcas - (Tag. tuba-tuba, tubang bakod; Vis. kasla; Eng. physic nut) against muscle spasm.

As a Botanist, I am always fascinated with the power of plants to heal. My love affair with Jatropha started only two days after a long road trip and bonding with my daughter. When we reached home, I suddenly felt a stabbing pain on my mid- and lower back. The pain was excruciating that it made me difficult to walk and move. I was almost immobile! My mobility was drastically hampered and the pains were unbearable. Mefenamic acid, eperisone, celecoxcib, tramadol seemed to do little. I started drinking the prescribed medicines morning and lunch time that day. By evening, the severe pain was still there.  But, after our household helper applied warmed Jatropha bark on my whole back and legs - that did magic! After about 5 minutes, I started to fart a lot (LOL), and after 20 minutes, I felt so sleepy and fell sound asleep like a baby. When I woke up, I exclaimed, “Did anything happen to me?”  The pain was almost gone! I stopped drinking my medication afterwards. Now, I’m addicted to the Jatropha rub/massage. What a wonderful, feeling indeed! By the way, the bark juice doesn't leave any unwanted smell and it doesn't stain my clothes and bed sheets, either. I noticed that it has a moisturizing effect, too.

The the procedure in preparing the bark is as follows (please refer to the numbered figures above):  1-2. Scrape the outermost skin (epidermis) of a Jatropha cuttings. The skin peels look brownish. 3-4. Then, start shaving the bark until you reach the hard and whitish part. 5. Transfer the shaved bark in banana leaf. 6. Wrap and heat over the flame. 6. Apply the heated bark shavings on painful areas such as back and legs. The amount of bark depends on your need. I usually use 2 cuttings (i.e.3-4 nodes with a 0.5" diameter). 

Don't have banana leaves? No problem. Alternatively, you may use a piece of cheese cloth to wrap the bark shavings then heat in a microwave oven. You need not remove the heated bark from the cheese cloth. Apply directly in sore/painful areas in a gentle rubbing or massaging motion. Be sure that you squeeze it from time to time so that the phoem (bark) sap will come out. That sap contains the medicinal & curative properties of Jatropha. Please note that this procedure will just alleviate muscular and rheumatic pains. If you have arthritis, applying bark poultice or rub as above on the affected areas will also help lessen arthritic pains. However, this procedure will not lower the the uric acid that causes the arthritis!  

Some articles have reported that the latex of Jatropha contains alkaloids with anti-cancer properties. In many parts of our country, the leaves, instead of barks, are used to cure rheumatic and muscular pains. Oil (like coconut oil) is usually applied on the heated leaves, too. The leaves actually contain certain compounds such as apigenin, vitexin and isovitexin.  Some of the known uses of this plant:: against snake bites, oil is used in soap making, young stem as substitute for toothbrush to prevent gum diseases, purgative. There are lots of potential for this plant that need to be explored...what is wanting, though, is the science behind its folkloric uses.

MY SKINNY LOVE

MY SKINNY LOVE

I love music. I have a wide range of  genres that I listen to. I love doing things with background music. As I drive, take a bath, write my teaching lessons, blogs or any paper for that matter, I see to it that I have something to listen to. Music gives me a sort of inspiration and motivation... It makes me think better.  I do write some songs my self but I just keep them with me... I write poems, too.

Skinny Love by Birdy (originally by Bon Iver) became a favorite early part of 2012.  Why it appeals to me? It sounds like a lullaby (LOL). The melody and the lyrics are actually quite sad. Anyway, as I keep on listening to the lyrics, it reminded me of something that I could relate to...skinny love. Skinny means thin...no fat, no substance, malnourished and therefore could mean -   imbalanced, weak, meaningless or a waste :( 

                             (Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNzCDt2eidg)

LYRICS:

Come on skinny love, just last the year.

Pour a little salt, we were never here.

My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my…

Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer…

I tell my love to wreck it all.

Cut out all the ropes and let me fall.

My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my…

Right at the moment this order's tall.

And I told you to be patient,

And I told you to be fine,

And I told you to be balanced

And I told you to be kind…

And in the morning, I'll be with you,

But it will be a different kind.

'Cause I'll be holding all the tickets,

And you'll be own’ng all the fines…

Come on skinny love, what happened here?

 Suckle on the hope in light brassiere.

My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my…

Sullen load is full, so slow on the split.

And I told you to be patient,

And I told you to be fine,

And I told you to be balanced,

And I told you to be kind.

And now all your love is wasted,

Then who the hell was I?

'Cause now I'm breaking at the britches,

And at the end of all your lines…

Who will love you?

Who will fight?

Who will fall far behind?

Come on skinny love,

My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my….

My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my….

Christmas Celebration Filipino Style

Christmas Celebration Filipino Style

Since I was a kid, I was brought up with what I call Filipino tradition of celebrating Christmas. My family attends the Misa de Gallo (dawn mass) for nine consecutive days before the Christmas Day, December 25. 

We have to sacrifice waking up very early to hear mass at 4AM or 4:30 AM depending on the parish. After the mass, I happily tread back home with my parents and along the way we buy rice cakes of various kinds (including puto-bumbong - rice cake with violet color cooked in bamboo, spread with Star Margarine then topped with young coconut and sugar) - enough to satisfy a kid's palate.

On the 24th of December at 10:00PM, we hear mass (the midnight mass) and wear our best clothes - usually new shoes, new clothes, etc... After the mass, we have our noche buena, midnight meal, with our family including our grandparents, aunties and uncles, and first cousins. We see to it that we are complete. It's our family reunion, too! What is nice with this noche buena is the variety of food on the table! Almost always there will be the Chinese ham, quezo de bola (cheddar cheese in ball shape), baked chicken, barbeque, sausages, crispy pata or lechon, menudo, baked fish topped with mayonnaise and cheese, tossed salad, spaghetti or pancit, bread, wine, fruit cake, fruit salad (with shredded young coconut meat) and fresh fruits (like apples, pear, chico, bananas, pineapple, oranges)...it's literally a feast day!

After feasting, we gather in our living room near the huge Christmas tree, where gifts are displayed. Then, we exchange gifts and open them to our joy and delight.  Of course, picture taking to document the event will not be missed. Except for the novena masses and  exchange gifts, everything is repeated for the New Year celebration.

Now that I have my own family  (I have only three children - all grownups), we still try our best to follow that Christmas tradition that I have grown up with. This time, however, it's much simpler...food and gifts no longer become the focal point...the family gathering, hearing mass together and praying as a family matter more. 

Christmas has always been about merry-making, giving and receiving. It has lost its meaning through the years, and it has become sooo commercialized. But, is it not about the joy of waiting? Reflecting on the coming of our Savior? Christmas for me is for the poor in spirit and everyone must be prepared and ready to receive that gift...the gift of salvation. 

May we all have a meaningful celebration of Christmas not only this year but through the years to come. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

THE PRIEST WHO IS ALWAYS LATE

THE PRIEST WHO IS ALWAYS LATE

We have a reliever/guest priest who says mass every 5:30 PM Saturday, 4:00 PM Sunday, and 7:00 PM, Sunday. He is a young, six footer, neat and good looking priest. His homily?…hmmmnnn, I should say, average (my personal opinion).  The problem is that he is always (or should I say, habitually) late for mass - 15 minutes to 30 minutes. This really annoys the parishioners. He is already known as Fr. Late.

The worst happened just this December 8, 2012 (Saturday) when he came one hour late! I could have left and attend mass in another parish as their mass, being a special day commemorating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Concepcion plus their town fiesta, was every hour.  I have an appointment at 7:00 PM (perhaps other parishioners, too), but I can’t leave as I was the commentator of the mass. I have read the mass intentions, marriage banns, including the announcements that are usually read before the mass ends. I had requested the choir to teach the congregation how to sing the responsorial psalm, etc., just to keep the congregation from leaving. Unfortunately, several had left.

When the priest arrived, he put on his vestment and went straight to say mass. Alas! I did not have the chance to coordinate with him, thus, the first part of lighting the second Advent candle was so disorganized as he tried to cut things short - to my confusion and that of the invited family who was requested to light the candles. The rite proceeded, anyway.

During his homily, he did not say sorry or apologize, but blamed the traffic, instead… he has not learned after all these time being a local in the province? What do you call that? I live about a kilometer from our parish which would take less than  five minutes without traffic. But, since I know the terrible traffic along this route, I usually leave our house one hour earlier, especially, if I am to serve in the mass.   

My question is...is being (always/habitually) late an excuse or privilege of being a priest?...and that, he does not sin in doing so?  I remember he used to say in his homily that if the priest is late, nobody is late. I find this statement a form of satirical wit which is not funny at all. In his homily this day (after being late for 1hr), he said that waiting is not always exciting and that we should know the pain of waiting - as what we have just experienced -, because that is what Advent is all about. Oh, well…he is not the messiah.  

Postscript:
Our parish priest said that I just pray for the priest who is always late. Another priest told me that  I should have more patience. They have the point, but I would have preferred to hear that they will advise (fraternal advice) and remind the priest to be more punctual.

"Punctuality is the politeness of kings."

Louis XVIII 

An Update:

Today, December 25, 2012,  I was 30 minutes earlier for the 7:30 AM mass as I have to serve. The church started to be filled-up with church-goers as it is Christmas Day. Ten minutes had passed, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 min and this same priest has not arrived! Finally, it was announced that Fr. Late (as he is popularly called) is not arriving and that the parishioners could just wait for the the 9:00 AM mass. Many got infuriated. Never...never in my entire life that no priest officiated a mass on Christmas Day!

I HATE CONFESSIONS...

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (or PENANCE)

John 20:23: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

The Catholic Religion has seven (7) Sacraments; these are the Sacrament of BAPTISM,  EUCHARIST, RECONCILLATION (more popularly called confession), CONFIRMATION, MARRIAGE, HOLY ORDERS, and the ANOINTING OF THE SICK. As a married person, it is only the Sacrament of Holy Orders that I can’t have.

Who says I like to go to confessions? I don't - but, that was when I was young and still soul searching. I shy away from confessions because I can’t take telling my sins to a person whom I also consider a sinner. Isn't it more convenient to just tell my sins to God? God sees what's in my heart and I just want it to be between me and my God. Isn't it a shame to let somebody (priest) know my mistakes -grave and small, especially that I'm known in the community? Besides, going through this sacrament feels very embarrassing and demeaning, more so, if it is done face to face. Doing it inside the confessional with face partly hidden from the priest by a lattice is already a source of discomfort.

In our parish, I often see a long queue during confessions.  I think, they must have mustered the courage to comply with this Catholic teaching. It takes humility to do so.  It is God’s grace given to all who wish their sins be forgiven. Pride and shame serve as  major stumbling blocks to go through this Sacrament.  We are quick to tell of our success, joys and happiness, but are very slow to tell of our downfall and weaknesses. We tend to keep in secret our shameful acts, our dark past… believe me, there is no such thing as secret. We don’t have to brandish around the mistakes we have committed…but there is always the confessional where we could and receive the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

As a practicing Catholic, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation...I now say, YES.  However, I go to confession but still much to my chagrin.

I chanced by this site to my delight and I would like to share this with you. The sermons of the Cure of Ars are a very nice reading materials for the soul….a source of inspiration and reflection.

http://www.theworkofgod.org/Library/Sermons/JdVianey/Sermons.htm

BB CREAMS

MY  FAVORITE BB CREAMS with SPF...

In conjunction with the Phytorelle cold powder pastilles (CPPs), I use moisturizers with sun protection factor (spf). 

I'm not a fond user of make-up. My daily regimen is usually confined to the basics - gentle cleanser, mild toner and moisturizer. Before placing my loose (baby) powder, I see to it that I place sunblock (25-50 SPF). I do not like applying eye shadows, liner and mascara nor use foundation; although from time to time, I do, especially during special occasions. I indulge in lipsticks, lip balm and lip gloss, though. To bring life to my N20-25 skin color, I use peachy-pink powder blush from time to time. Now that I'm old (my brow hairs are getting thin and white!), I use brow powder or pencil.

I'm quite lazy doing this routine. Most often, I forget using toner and moisturizer but, I see to it that I don't go without my sunblock. How can I shorten my regimen? I'm always on the go and time is precious for me.  I stayed in Korea for one year, but the BB (blemish balm) creams that time (2006-2007) were not yet in the market or unheard of. Perhaps, they were, but I did not see them, or perhaps, they were in a different name (tinted moisturizer? makeup base? make-up balm?).

It was only two years ago that I discovered BB creams.  What I like in BB creams is that they already contain the moisturizer and the sunblock, so, I don't have to add them separately.  Besides,  they have added bonus -  they contain some whitening ingredients which can even out the skin tone. They have anti-oxidants and other anti-ageing properties. In short, BB/CC creams are multi-functional.  

Because of my sensitive skin, I'm quite choosy about what I put on my face. So, my BB creams should be devoid of parabens and other toxic ingredients. A clean and toxic free cosmetic is impossible to find. However, there are a few in the market where these toxic ingredients are minimal. 

Do you want to check out your cosmetics for harmful compounds? You may visit this link: cosdna.com.

I choose 01 or sometimes 02 shade. Among my favorite  BB creams (not in order of preference) are:

The History of Whoo BB cream SPF 45 PA+++

The History of Whoo All in One Cushion Sun Balm (SPF 50+, PA+++)

Skinfood Platinum Grape Cell Essential BB cream SPF 45 PA+++
Dior Snow BBcreme SPF 50 PA+++ (looks darkest among the BBs but this blends well on the skin)

These BB creams provide medium coverage and are easy to spread.