Preventive Health & Root-Cause Medicine

Acne Face Mapping….. Have you heard of it?

We tend to look at acne as an unpleasant teenage memory, but blemishes, whether adolescent or adult, contains valuable health clues! There are some incredibly toxic prescription medications for acne, and if they can be avoided they should be. Young Living has a Maximum Strength Acne Treatment cream (item #23795) and the Charcoal Bar Soap (item #23799) that are both incredible tools in defeating acne from the outside. However, acne is representative of an imbalance within the body that should be addressed if a chronic situation is to be overcome in a healthy manner. 

 
Clues can be found knowing the location of the blemish breakout, the “style” of the breakout, and the “type” of the breakout, and the frequency of the breakout. 

Clue Type: Frequency 
A chronic blemish problem on a specific area of the face is a strong indicator of which body system is lacking support. If the root cause goes unaddressed, there may eventually be spillover to other parts of the face or body. 

Clue Type: Acne Appearance
Red Inflamed Skin in combination with acne- usually due to poor detoxification, so there is a buildup of toxins the body cannot get rid of fast enough. This is a key indicator that lifestyle changes must happen and that the liver is in need of supportive tender loving care.. Most often, a processed food diet and/or toxic skincare products are causative culprits. Genetically, we are all very different, and some people process toxins better than others, even within families. #MTHFRgenevarianceisagoodstudytopic

Painful red cystic acne- poor liver detoxification and a sluggish lymphatic system. (Note to self: are you supporting your lymphatic system with gentle lymphatic massage you can do yourself? #YouTubeisyourfriend  Are you adding YL’s Lemon Vitality essential oil to your water on the regular for lymphatic system support?) 
Acne closely surrounding  the mouth: may indicate digestive system inflammation, food intolerances, underactive liver function, and too little hydrochloric acid in the stomach….. A quite common thing! There are other health clues indicating low stomach acid out #tobecoveredlater…. And EssentialZyme (regular EZyme, not the EZyme4) is an excellent product Young Living has which supports healthy stomach acid production as well as digestive enzymes. #haveyouhadyourdigestiveenzymestoday

Rash like pimples and uneven skin tone – may indicate candida (a yeast) overgrowth in the body. You may also find a rash in warm moist areas of the body such as armpits, groin, folds of skin on the torso, and on the feet. Investigate what a “candida diet” might mean for you. If you are not taking Young Living’s Life 9 probiotic, now would also be a good time to start in addition to changing eating habits.  Candida overgrowth is a VERY common problem, especially for those whose diet is high in sugar and processed foods.

Breakouts along the jawline- these tend to wax and wane in a cyclic nature and are usually related to a hormonal imbalance. (Ex: Poly cystic ovarian syndrome, androgen dominance, or estrogen dominance are frequent offenders here). Be patient!! These can sometimes take awhile to get under control once you’ve begun addressing the problem. As many of you ladies already know, Progessence Plus can be a game changer for this type of acne as it supports healthy hormones (note: not recommended to be used in combination with Birth Control Pills containing progesterone. I’m not a fan of Birth Control Pills as a pharmacist…… they really do a number on your body, including adversely affecting your thyroid function. Many young women are put on BCP’s to control acne (not realizing they will be trading one problem for a host of others ) when all they usually need to do is clean up their diet and skincare and learn to detoxify properly.

Whiteheads or Blackheads- often due to the use of chemically “dirty” skincare or makeup, or failure to clean the skin properly with healthy skincare options (Have you tried Young Living’s  ART , Bloom, or Orange Blossom skincare lines? YL’s Charcoal bar soap is a must have for anyone who need to up their skincare game.
Breakouts on the cheeks- often the result of a high fat and mucus forming diet, and also ….. This would be a diet high in “bad” fats, commercial dairy (not raw), refined sugar, and processed foods. Cheek acne, when paired with gum disease, tooth sensitivity, or tooth pain may also indicate a subclinical infection somewhere within the mouth.

Breakouts on the line from the outside corner of the nostril to the corner of the mouth- the colon!!!! I speak from personal experience on this one…. Whenever my personal “house” is out of order, I occasionally get a really interesting rash in this very location. Young Living’s Juvatone is very much one of my best friends, and I use it to support my liver which in turn supports my colon health! 
Internal and External Factors Causing Acne: This list is not comprehensive, but it’s a great place to start! With nearly all of these factors, the root cause lies within the realm of “things we can control” if we choose to do the work.

🔥Candida, fungus and molds – usually will cause “shiny” skin that will be oilier than normal, most often affecting the T-Zone. Fungus and molds can hide quite easily in a home or office building, and it’s worth the effort to track it down and clean it up, especially  if you have other health clues indicating that fungus/mold may indeed be amongst you and your loved ones.

🔥Congested Liver- lots of blackheads and clogged pores that are red and sore to the touch.

🔥PCOS, childbirth, menopause, estrogen dominance, breast feeding  (all hormonal imbalance events)- acne most often sits just below the skin and is often tender to the touch. Women most often experience most of this type of acne along their jawline. Do not underestimate the power of a good friend like Progessence Plus in times such as these.

🔥Blemishes along the very edges of the hairline only are often a reaction to chemicals in skincare, makeup, or shampoo. #haveyoutriedtoxinfreeYLSavvyMinerals

Acne face mapping is quite revealing in terms of health clues as is face mapping in general! I could write for weeks on this particular topic, so hopefully this brief overview has given you the spark to do a little more digging on your own. Ultimately, inflammation, hormones, and/or an overtaxed liver are the three main causative agents of acne. Now it’s your turn…. What products have you found to be helpful in managing your skin’s health? 
We have much more to cover on skin health clues……stay tuned! 
xoxo~ liz

 My goal is to teach you how to discerningly care for yourself! 😘
​
#caringissharing
#pharmacistandfarmacist
#applicationofknowledgeispower
#skininthegame 
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowingthyselfwell
#yourfaceisamirrortoyourhealth
#ThanksYL

We’ve moved on to new terrain! Skin holds sooo many clues friends. Please continue to be mindful of the difference between a singular clue and a diagnosis! A clue by itself may mean next to nothing, but if you can pair multiple clues together, the savvy personal health detective can often head off big health concerns by being proactive and using the right tools and lifestyle habits to get back on track!

Bags and Circles around the eyes👀 are separate clues, but often paired together.  Common causes of dark circles include stress, anemia, dehydration, fatigue, allergies, nasal congestion, a parasite load, chronic eye strain, thinning of skin, and unhealthy habits.

Chronic stress and fatigue often (and usually) go hand in hand. It’s awfully hard to get a good night’s sleep if you are under a great deal of stress. Conversely, if you are missing out on sleep for whatever reason, a chronically stressed body will ultimately result. We, in the Young Living community, have an arsenal of tools to help us sleep and keep our bodies and minds balanced even during stressful seasons. My bedtime regimen always includes oils (Tranquil or Rutavala are my go to!) to support healthy sleeping habits, and my nightly pre-bedtime ImmuPro supports both sleep and immune system function. I also mitigate stress with regular exercise, plenty of time outdoors, prayerful meditation time and faith based yoga. 

Thinning of the skin happens naturally as we age simply because collagen production begins decreasing after about the age of 25…….the older we get the less our body produces! A couple of key ingredients that our body needs for collagen production include Vitamin C complex (hint:  Super C Chewables for the win!) and elemental sulfur (hint: Sulfurzyme ). Pair this clue with a quick look at your fingernails and make note of any evidence of pitting! 

Perhaps you are feeling your dark circles might be clues related to allergies or chronic congestion? Allergies always have a digestive dysfunction component, and it may behoove you to look into Young Living’s  AllerZyme capsules for digestive enzyme support. I’ve personally also found several essential oils that work quite well in our home for seasonal respiratory support when used topically, diffused, or taken internally (in vitality form)….. What have you found that works for you?   

 
As we discussed over in the fingernails section, parasites are not an uncommon first world problem. Check your fingernails for Beau’s lines for an additional clue!
Puffiness under the eyes is often a sign of inflammation or water retention. How might you pair puffiness with other signs of inflammation in the body?
Xanthelasma is the formation of cholesterol deposits around the eyes. While it can occasionally be hereditary, most often it is a clue that cholesterol levels are high. Recent research has also linked xanthelasma to type II diabetes. If you have found this clue around your eyes, I suggest reaching out to your favorite healthcare provider to schedule labwork to evaluate both cholesterol and blood sugar levels. (If you don’t have a healthcare provider handy, message me, and I can walk you thru setting up labwork analysis!)  Both high cholesterol and type II diabetes are largely correctable with changes to lifestyle and eating habits….. So be encouraged! You are the CEO of your own body, and that gives you the power to make healthy changes! 

Are you starting to put clues together? It’s kinda fun, isn’t it? Agatha Christie would be proud! 
Stay tuned for more skin clues coming your way…..
xoxo~ liz
​
(holler if you need labwork or are interested in any of the above mentioned products. I’d love to help you help yourself!)  

#caringissharing
#applicationofknowledgeispower
#skininthegame 
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowingthyselfwell
#ThanksYL

Our hands hold so many clues! If you missed part I (deciphering the lunula), you can find it here: https://goodmedicine.info/blog/health-clues-you-can-use-1://

​ ….. Now let’s move on to the whole fingernail. Today I’ll be covering a few more clues you can use to help “nail” down healthy habits and reverse possible deficiencies that ultimately will contribute to dis-ease.

What do healthy nails look like?
*When you are examining your nails, they need to be free from all fingernail polish. Because the nail bed is loaded with capillaries (tiny blood vessels) and fingernails grow relatively quickly, the ends of our fingers often can tip off on an early warning health concern. Nails are a snapshot of a person’s health over the previous 6 months…. So too, slow and steady wins the race when you are looking to repair or support what’s amiss.  

👍A healthy nail will have a transparent pink color and should be slightly shiny, smooth, and with a slightly (side to side) arched shape. Hardness of your nails comes from the presence of adequate sulfur needed for healthy keratin production (This is why we can thank YL’s Sulfurzyme… if you have been taking this supplement….. and have noticed stronger nails and hair).

*White Spots on nails: poor zinc load or excess refined sugar load
This is technically known as leukonychia and indicative of two things: a zinc “inadequacy” and/or an excess consumption of refined sugars. 
Zinc inadequacy is often common in people over the age of 60, but anyone can be susceptible! 

Other signs of a possible deficiency include thinning hair, acne, slow healing wounds,  worsening vision, worsening hearing or ringing in the ears, and an impaired immune system. Interestingly,  food doesn’t taste or smell much when you are zinc compromised (Does that sound familiar given the 2020 virus?… one of the key natural preventatives to the ‘rona is making sure you are getting adequate zinc in your diet!)

How do you know if your problem is excess sugar or a zinc deficiency? Do an honest assessment of your eating habits. Common foods high in zinc include: pumpkin seeds, grass fed beef, chickpeas, lentils, cocoa powder, cashews, yogurt or kefir, mushrooms, spinach, avocados, and chicken. If these are regular staples to your diet and refined sugar is kept to a minimum then I’ll bet your nails are free from white spots!  

What are some YL supplements that contain zinc? Hint: one of them is red! 
*Longitudinal Ridges: essential fatty acid deficiency
EFA’s are necessary for healthy skin, hair, heart, thyroid, prostate, brain, joints and nails! In addition essential fatty acid deficiency has been found to play a key role in inflammation, depression, and cognitive decline (including Alzheimer’s Disease).

Other signs of a possible EFA deficiency are dry scaly skin, a dry mouth, cracked fingertips or cracked heels (also a sign of a possible thyroid deficiency). 

Common foods high in EFA’s include flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, “fatty fish” and fish oil, and brussel sprouts.

Which Young Living supplements might longitudinal ridges be telling you your body is craving if you don’t tend to each the above foods regularly? I can think of two: OmegaGize3 and MindWise.

*Clubbing: low oxygen in the blood
Clubbed fingernails curve downward at the tip of the finger. It is associated with conditions including lung, liver, or heart disease and both celiac and inflammatory bowel disease all of which, in their own way, affect oxygenation of blood. Clubbed fingers can be “tested” at home by using a simple visual test called “Schamroth’s Sign” (details easily found with a quick internet search).   Clubbing is also a possible clue for anemia. These all have the potential to be fairly serious in nature, and I would suggest reaching out to your favorite health professional if your fingernails (AND) other clues are tipping you off to something amiss that has not yet been “officially” diagnosed.  I have seen many many clubbed fingernails in my pharmacist days and it’s a clue worth taking note of.

A healthy YL drinkable supplement that supports oxygenation of the blood immediately comes to mind.  I’ve yet to meet anyone who wouldn’t benefit from daily NingXia Red! 
The rest of the fingernail clues will have to wait until Part III! 
xoxo~ liz
(message me if you have no idea what Sulfurzyme, NingXia Red, OmegaGize3 or MindWise is, and would like to learn more!)  

#caringissharing
#applicationofknowledgeispower
#keepaneyeonyourfingernails
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowingthyselfwell
#ThanksYL

​If you are in the 40 to 60 something age category (as I am), have you noticed that a number of friends or acquaintances of similar age have complained of shoulder joint pain and stiffness? I used to assume that this was the result of normal wear and tear as we age, and sometimes that is the case. Often tho, I run into people who have shoulder pain and stiffness who cannot recall having had a memorable recent injury. Idiopathic (ie: unknown cause) frozen shoulder usually starts out with a dull or achy pain in only one shoulder, with pain that may extend to the shoulder muscles that wrap around the front of the arm that ultimately leads to long term limited mobility of that joint.  It’s a painful and frustrating disorder because there isn’t really a known cure, and it nearly always “unfreezes” on its own within 6 months to 2 years, although injections to surgery are often recommended by western medicine. 

Idiopathic frozen shoulder (called “50 year old shoulder” in Eastern Medicine)  happens much more often in women than in men, usually between the age of 40 and 60yrs old…… coincidentally around the time hormone production really wanes… specifically estrogen.

When estrogen production decreases significantly, the flexibility of our connective tissue is affected. We may see it visibly as crepey looking skin, but make no mistake…. Your joints are being affected too….. In this case, specifically the shoulder capsule.

Learning what I’ve learned over the last many years, I’ve chosen not to go down this path by doing the following things:
💪Regular full motion exercise (lots of shoulder work)
💪Yoga (faith based for me)
💪Supporting my hormones fully thru perimenopause (early stage) and menopause. I use Progessence Plus (on my forearms and on the carotid artery points on my neck nightly, and I also alternate between PD 80/20 and Femigen (one capsule a day works for me). According to my labwork, tho I am in menopause, my estrogen and progesterone levels have been maintained at healthy levels to keep my body functioning well. (I highly recommend hormone/thyroid labwork on at least a yearly basis if you are wanting physical confirmation of what’s working and what’s not working for you!… if you do not have a way to get this done, please message me and I can help you.)

We are all built very differently, and are at different stages in our lives. If you support your hormones with a Young Living product(s)….. Tell me, what have you found that works for you, and how do you use it?
xoxo~ liz

#sharingiscaring
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowledge
#caringforyourselfsoyoucancareforothers
#ThanksYL

🎶🎶 Sleeeeep in heavenly peace……🎶 🎶

Roughly 1/3 of the US population has at least occasional problems either falling asleep or staying asleep, and over time, sleeplessness will become a tremendous health problem if not addressed properly. (emphasis on the properly!)

There are more than 2 handfuls of common reasons why people have trouble sleeping (way more than I can cover here today). 

What’s concerning are the number of people who ultimately turn to prescription medication to help get a “good night’s ” sleep. We have been conditioned to believe that if a doctor writes a prescription, the benefits surely outweigh the risks. While this is sometimes true, it’s not always the case. “Sleeping pills” are what we call ‘fast movers’ in pharmacy…. ie: they are a popular item. 

Not so fast….  let’s take a look at a few lesser known truths about some common (Ambien, Klonopin, Lunesta, Restoril, Xanax, Sonata) prescription sleep aids:
😴None of these are approved by the FDA for long term use, yet people are on them for years.
The sleep achieved using any of these is not natural, refreshing, or restorative. The sleep you get  is an artificial sleep and your body recognizes the difference. Our body does its repairing and recovering during “natural sleep”, and that doesn’t happen to any appreciable degree when using the above medications. (In addition, by their very definition, they are an additional toxin the body must now work extra hard to clean out.)
😴All of the above prescription meds also block the body from being able to produce melatonin (the very hormone that helps us sleep). This is one of the reasons this group of prescription medications become addictive…. because your body produces less and less melatonin the longer you are on them.
😴Melatonin “deficiency” is a bigger problem than just not being able to sleep without a pill…. normal melatonin levels are necessary for immune function, having energy throughout the day, having healthy breast tissue, effective brain function, supports healthy cardiovascular function, improved GUT (yes!) health, eye health, and pancreas function (Just to name a few! 😍) 
😴Additionally, several of these prescription sleep aids also deplete a body’s stores of Calcium and Vitamin D over time (which will ultimately affect your bones and about 400 other necessary functions in the body) 😬

I am thankful that we have natural choices instead of that which is advertised as  ‘simple’ solutions in nearly every form of mainstream media you see. 
My favorite Young Living products that help me have a restful restorative night’s sleep are RutaVala (on the base of the big toe and in the belly button! and Immupro …. it’s back 🙌). I also love Frankincense and Peace & Calming!)
What’s your “go to” for a good night’s sleep? 
xoxo~ liz

#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisagoodnightssleep
#ThanksYL
#Godgaveuswhatweneedinthegarden