Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine created by Samuel Hahnemann in 1796. It’s defined by the idea that a “like cures like,” meaning the cause of symptoms in healthy people will actually cure them in sick people. It’s long been unclear whether homeopathic remedies were effective, but a large analysis of studies has found that the system is ineffective for nearly everything it’s been used to treat.

According to The Guardian, “By diluting these substances in water or alcohol, homeopaths claim the resulting mixture retains a ‘memory’ of the original substance that triggers a healing response in the body.”

But an extensive analysis of 225 controlled studies and 1,800 papers has answered the long running question about homeopathy: does it actually work? The report, done by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), found that, no, actually, it doesn’t work. Researchers said the studies that found homeopathy to be effective were flawed.

“There will be a trail of people who won’t respond to this report, and who will say it’s all a conspiracy of the establishment,” Chair of the NHMRC Homeopathy Working Committee, Professor Paul Glasziou, said to IFL Science!. “But we hope there will be a lot of reasonable people out there who will reconsider selling, using or subsiding these substances.”

Researchers are hoping that private insurers that cover homeopathy will cease to do so. Additionally, many private colleges were offering classes on the system and the hope is that after this report, students will reconsider taking the classes.

“I have no problems with private colleges wanting to run courses on crystal-ball gazing, iridology and homeopathy, and if people are crazy enough to pay for it, it’s their decision,” Dr Ken Harvey, a medicinal drug policy expert and health consumer advocate said to The Guardian. “But if those courses are approved by a commonwealth body, that’s a different story and a real problem.”

In an effort to prove that homeopathy is nothing short of witchcraft, one scientist swallowed 50 homeopathic sleeping tablets at once and said that she didn’t feel drowsy at all.

According to Daily Mail, “[n]inety minutes later, she reported feeling no different – and says this proves thousands of people the world over are being misled.”

Homeopathic remedies can be applied to the skin to treat conditions like common cold, flu, asthma, eye infections, diarrhea, and the list goes on. As of 2003, sales of homeopathic products were between $300 and 450 million in the U.S. For the most part, medical experts in the U.S. have found it’s not beneficial, but not harmful either since it has little or no active ingredient. But just to be safe, it’s not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Related on EcoSalon

Alternative Medicine For Pets: What Doesn’t Work?

A Salvaged Medicine Cabinet

Foodie Underground: Healthy Food Medicine

Image of homeopathy from Shuttershock

The post Extensive Study Finds Homeopathic Remedies Don’t Work appeared first on EcoSalon.

Instead of cowering under your covers or rocking a baseball cap and enormous Olsen twins-style sunnies every day, check out these breakout-banishing all natural remedies for acne. Your skin will give you a glowing ovation for sure!

It’s a major bummer when you’ve reached your 20s and 30s and all of a sudden your skin decides to take a walk down preteen memory lane. The age-old myth is that every seven years your hormones change which is usually code for “get ready because your skin is about to freak the f&^% out!” These all natural remedies for acne can help.

1. Honey

Honey in its purest form is hands down the champion constituent in natural methods of zapping acne and blasting those unsightly blemishes. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties are endless and you will save many pretty pennies by switching to this sweet stuff than opting for drug store solutions that usually fail.

When picking out honey for cleansing or masking, you must be label-alert. Look for raw, unheated, and unfiltered honey. This type consists of all of the essential nutrients needed. If there is propolis (“bee glue” that holds the honeycombs together) present in the jar, even better. Propolis reduces breakouts due to its antibacterial quality. Raw honey contains glycolic acid, which aids in balancing skin’s natural pH making it amazing at helping to heal skin and brighten the complexion. It will gently remove impurities and daily grime from yucky, clogged pores, but won’t strip the skin’s natural oils. Throw in a dash of cinnamon for its killer antimicrobial properties or squeeze some lemon in it for a little exfoliation. Whether cleansing or masking, you can leave your honey-mix on for 10-15 minutes twice a day for maximized results. Get a ton of sweet honey facts right here.

2. Papaya

The worst and hardest type of acne to battle is cystic. For lack of a better description, they are deeply rooted, hard pustules that are full of trapped bacteria and oil, sore to the touch, and a major bitch to fight off. Don’t give up just yet because there’s a very simple and easily attainable remedy. Papayas aren’t just for fruity cocktails and health-conscious smoothies. After rinsing your face with some H2O, try mashing some papaya up and spread it all over your face, letting it sit for about 15-20 minutes before washing clean. Papaya possesses the ability to remove dead skin cells and excess lipids and even has an enzyme called papain, which in my opinion, is the best feature because that will vanquish pus before it can begin to form. Say goodbye to that cystic crap! Another tip: as per the norm when purchasing produce, choosing organic if possible is always most beneficial.

3. Banana Peel

They’re delicious and nutritious… for your skin! Eat a banana then rub the inside of the peel all over the surface of your face until you’ve reached the desired coverage and leave it on for 30 minutes or so. It sounds silly, but this fruit packs serious acne ass-kicking skills. Lutein, an antioxidant found in bananas, has the capability to decrease redness, inflammation, and swelling of the skin. It can also help generate new cell growth. This is likely the most effortless of all natural remedies for acne out there… You can literally eat a banana in your car on the way home from work and smear it on your face to reduce and regenerate, paying no mind to those who may look at you like you’ve totally lost it.

4. Willow Bark Extract

This is an all natural alternative to the harsh drug store version of salicylic acid. Willow bark is anti-inflammatory and an awesome exfoliant. It clears out clogged pores and aids in shedding dead skin cells that would otherwise end up being the cause of the cursed clogging. Willow bark is the perfect spot treatment so you can stop going to bed with Colgate toothpaste spots sprinkled all over your face at night. You’re welcome.

5. Potato

Oh yeah, you’re totally reading that correctly. Potato. Believe it or not (I almost didn’t), potatoes are a great source for all natural remedies for acne. They’re teaming with brilliant elements such as potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, and chloride. All of those mentioned assist in decreasing those pesky pimples while the antioxidants also found in ‘taters speed up the birth of new cells. The task of application is another simple one, it’s actually almost stupid-easy. Grate a potato and take its shreds and juices and rub generously on your face using circular motions. Allow it to dry for 15-30 minutes and then rinse it all the way off with tepid water.

Now get in your kitchen and start concocting!

Related on EcoSalon

10 Benefits of Lemons: From Natural Remedies to Cleaning Pots and Pans

5 Easy Homemade Face Mask Recipes with Pumpkin

10 Unusual Ways To Use Bananas

Image via bionicgrrrl and Rita. Yang

The post 5 Breakout-Banishing All Natural Remedies For Acne: Beat the Endless Zit Battle appeared first on EcoSalon.

In case you needed further proof, here are six reasons why you should connect with nature.

In the past, the idea of women and nature bonding has often been relegated to new age mysticism and pagan forest rituals, but there are several psychological and healthful reasons why it’s good for women to embrace the outdoors. Here are six reasons to unplug, go for a walk, smell the flowers, hear the birds, and even dig in the dirt a little.

Breathe the Fresh Air and Stay Out of the Mall
Of course you can exercise in a gym and walk indoors, but exercising outside (ecotherapy) decreases levels of depression more than exercising indoors. Studies by the University of Essex show that 71 percent of participants said they were less depressed after walking outside in a green area, while 22 percent felt more stressed after walking through a mall, while only 45 percent felt less depressed afterward. 90 percent reported higher self-esteem after the green walk, while 44 percent felt their self-esteem was lower after window shopping. Maybe it was seeing all those size 4’s on plastic models.

Leave the Mirror at Home
A study in Ecopsychology claims that the more time women spend outside, the more positive their body images become. The study participants were involved in numerous outdoor activities, including camping and gardening, and the more time they spent doing them, the higher their self-esteem rose. Researcher Kari Hennigan suggested that when they were outside, women were less likely to be bombarded with media images of models and campaigns for weight loss. A University of St. Thomas study focused on the opposite effect, suggesting that women who spend an inordinate amount of time focusing on their appearance display little green behavior or planet-friendly habits. The less time women spend in nature, the less they pay attention to or care about it.

Feel the Salt Air, Look at that View
Colorado State researcher, Gretchen Nurse believes that women appreciate nature’s sensory gifts more than men, and seek out pungent flowers, vivid sunsets, wind rustled boughs, and crashing waves for their visceral effect. Psychology Today author Katherine Schrieber explains that, “Women are also extra likely to believe nature has inherent value – and that it shouldn’t be saved for, say, its useful natural resources.”

Go On, Stick Your Hands in the Dirt
Now that you’ve left the mall and are walking outside, try gardening. A Netherlands study asked two groups to participate in a stressful activity. Afterward, one group went inside and read a book for 30 minutes. The other group gardened for the same amount of time. Andrea Faber Taylor, Ph.D., a horticulture instructor and researcher in the Landscape and Human Health Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign believes that our ever-connected world is stressing us out, and gardening is the perfect way to unplug. The relative quiet and the mindless tasks of gardening help relaxation.

Listen to the Birds
In addition to the stimuli of being constantly connected, our society is getting louder as the number of people, cars and other power equipment increase. A study in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America suggests that bird song can offset unpleasant human noise. Of course it doesn’t mask traffic noise or your neighbor’s lawn mower completely, but results showed that people were happier when birds supplemented honking horns and diesel engines. Another study claims that bird songs, which are loudest in the mornings, help humans develop a consistent sleep cycle, having a positive effect on sleep.

Healing Powers
Our society is increasingly reliant on manufactured pharmaceuticals to cure all of our ills, despite their sometimes severe side effects. There are more chemicals in our food, in our clothing and in our homes. Many scoff at the idea of natural remedies, but studies show that some plants show promise and could have restorative properties. Graviola (leaves from the guanabana tree) has been proven to destroy certain cancer cells in the body, but premature hype and numerous scams caused the scientific community to denounce its effects and further research has been slowed due to the taint attached to it. There have been no large scale tests on humans, so there is no way to know if it could be a serious alternative to manufactured drugs and chemotherapy, but it would be nice if a natural cure could be found.

So…what are you waiting for? Go get some fresh air.

image credits: Trey Ratcliff, Dr. Pat, Andrew R. Whalley, Amarit Opassetthakul, Hamed Saber, John&Fish, saratf

The post 6 Ways to Embrace Mother Nature appeared first on EcoSalon.