Out in the sun? The big difference between Sunscreen and Sunblock?

We all know it is important to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging and aging rays, but it is essential we choose the products carefully. People with contact allergies, eczema or other sensitive skin conditions need to read the ingredients on the bottle carefully.

First of all choose a broad-spectrum one that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15+ is good, but a SPF 30+ is preferable because it repels around 97% of UVB rays.

Secondly, it is important to realize the big difference between sunscreens and sunblocks.

Sunscreens are chemical absorbers, they offer protection through a chemical reaction. The chemicals in the product absorb the sun’s radiation.

Sunblocks are physical blockers, they physically block or reflect the UV radiation from reaching the skin.

For those with sensitive skin, sunblocks are the ones to choose. They are made from non-chemical ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, rather than from active chemicals which can irritate the skin.

Watch out for these ingredients in sunscreens which can cause allergic reactions or irritate the skin:

Oxybenzone – filter’s ultraviolet light, but can be absorbed through the skin

Parabens – these are preservatives, but can cause allergic reactions.

PABA – absorbs UV rays. Can sensitize the skin.

Octyimethoxcinnamate – shields UVB rays. Watch out for this in cosmetics.

Cinoxate – shields UVB rays. Watch out for this in cosmetics.

Natural sunscreens are popular and a good choice but some herbal chemicals can cause allergic reactions or eczema for some people, like tea tree oil, bee extracts and nuts.

Always use sun protection because the dangers of skin cancer are far greater than risking an allergic reaction. Just make sure you always check the ingredients, do a patch test first if you are concerned, and have fun in the sun!

www.purecurenz.com - Potent herbal healing and organic body-care created for you from New Zealand's unique plant life - pure ingredients, naturally.

Hi tO rEgEnErAtE

I'm listing all of Regenerate products now. They are a bio-certified Organic farm in North New Zealand (Tauranga). The range includes skin care, teas, medicinal creams. Although they grow introduced species (avocado, feijoa, echinacea etc) they are also starting to focus on native NZ planting.

I believe organics is the path to the future - sustainability, permaculture, a balance with nature. Let's think positively about the years ahead, working hard to reuse, recycle, plant natives, zero waste, walk, cycle, public transport, composting...

We spent a night at a wonderful oasis along the Wanganui River - Flying Fox Organic Eco-retreat (www.theflyingfox.co.nz). From the other side of the river the view to the retreat was like looking a a Lord of the Rings set, quirky arty buildings set in native bush. We caught a cable car over the river which was a bit scary cause it was windy. The kids found it very exciting. Billy the dog met us at the landing and we were welcomed by John (who runs the retreat with his partner Annette). John showed us around the lush gardens and bush, we walked along the river in search of deer, and soaked up the atmosphere (as you do). Our cottage - the James K - named after a famous NZ poet, was like home. Records to play and CDs, art everywhere, warm beds, a fireplace from an old whaling station and naturally a composting toilet (they don't smell).

For breakfast - organic goodies. The kids didn't want to leave...

www.purecurenz.com - try our Regenerate range - Organic Replenish for dry/sensitive skin 40ml

SUPPORT FREEDOM IN BURMA

About 10 years ago I met many Burmese people and Karen Tribe refugees. They were either hiding in the jungle or stuck in refugee camps over the border in Thailand. They told me their horrific stories - of forced labour - slavery, of rape, torture, villages burnt, villagers stolen never to return. I learnt about this amazing woman - Daw Aung San Suu Kyi - her party NLD (National League for Democracy) won the 1990 election fair and square with 82% of the votes. She has been under house arrest ever since. Imprisoned by SLORC, the military dictators. They have a new name now but their inhumane actions remain the same.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has never given up. And finally the world has noticed the Burmese people's call for human rights, freedom and democracy.

March, protest, tell friends, family, e-mail: inquiries@un.org and tell Ban Ki-Moon you support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her right to govern Burma with her party.

THANK YOU

Another Biogrow Organic Product

Have just listed the Kiwiherb De-Stuff remedies for sinuses. All Certified Organic.

ITCHY SCRATCHY

Itch itch scratch scratch. Mosquito bites? Hives? need a bath?? NO. .....Eczema. Don't scratch it, but it is so itchy.

Four common eczemas:

1. Atopic Eczema - hereditary
2. Seborrhoeic dermatitis - cradle cap, affects scalp and eyebrows
3. Contact dermatitis - allergic reaction, and irritant (eg affected by a chemical that you come into contact with)
4. Xerotic Eczema - dry skin that becomes so bad it turns into eczema

What do you do? See a health practitioner to find out which one you have.

Moisturising is VERY important. Don't use soap. Get out in the sun (but not too much), watch what you eat (for Atopic) coffee, dairy products, wheat, eggs could bring on eczema. Swimming in the ocean may help.


I recommend our Self Heal Tanekaha Cream with golden seal to keep the skin moisturized.

www.purecurenz.com - natural New Zealand plant remedies

Welcome to Kiwiherb...

I've now included Kiwiherb products on the Pure CureNZ website (www.purecurenz.com). They specialize in NZ plant remedies. They also use other plants too, for example echinacea and ginko.

Kiwiherb products that are Biogrow certified organic:

Echinature - Echinacea with active Manuka honey
Herbal Throat Formula
Gerbal Throat Spray
Herbal Chest Syrup
WinterGuard
Children's Echinature
Kid's Calm
Ginger & Kawakawa Tonic
Liver Cleanse
Valerian Root Extract
Calendula Ointment
Comfrey Ointment

Over the next few weeks I'll be adding their full range to PureCureNZ.

I'm also selling the Self Heal range on Trade Me (New Zealand auction site). The popular products there are Self Heal Bush Relaxant and Self Heal Bush Bitters. They each comprise around 8 different NZ healing plants. Bush Relaxant has been homeopathically prepared (calms, relaxes, energises), while Bush Bitters is a herbal formula (Helps with PMT, depression, coughs, asthma).

Actually I was asked quite a few questions on one of my Trade Me listings and realised that I had a bit more research to do. Questions are great because it helps me to see the gaps in my (every-growing) knowledge of NZ plant healing remedies and natural remedies in general.

Self Heal is a homeobotanical company. This is a meld of homeopathy and herbal therapies. So each of their remedies is created in a unique way depending on the plant used and outcome required. One of their popular products is Marupa - soothes mucus membranes - recommended for asthmatics.

come and visit the website: www.purecurenz.com

Alisa

Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum Contagiosum sounds like a Harry Potter spell when you say it out loud. And it is a nasty rash that seems to appear out of nowhere. At first I thought my son had eczema but the Doctor had no doubts when he saw the rash - Mossuscum Contagiosum. "What?" was my first question. I had never heard of it before.

It is a common viral skin infection usually found in children. Usually found in moist places on the body - the armpit, behind the knees, neck and groin. It appears as clusters of small round papules (bumps) that are pink and waxy.

Molluscum Contagiosum is caught by direct body contact and usually in wet conditions. For example, when swimming. I realised that this was where my son had caught it since he had completed a course of swimming lessons.

Search the web and you can find some horrific photos of really nasty infections. I was lucky that my son just had small amounts behind his knees and after much scratching it had spread to his neck. There isn't a cure for the infection (lancing is an option) so I attempted to manage the condition. I regularly bathed him in anti-pruritic oil and smothered the rash with Self Heal Bush Bitters cream. This all helped with the itching so no more spread. And after a few months it disappeared - thankfully.

www.purecurenz.com - for Self Heal Bush Bitters cream, and other natural New Zealand remedies - with native plant ingredients.

Eating RAW FOOD

I'm not sure when the modern raw food interest began - I'm guessing the 70's or 80's - but I've just finally attended a raw food dinner with enthusiasts. It really made me think a lot about food and my relationship with it! It's definitely more than just nourishment. It's comfortable, sociable, distracting, filling, fulfilling, constructive and destructive, fattening, defining and much more.

But when it's raw it really isn't any of those things. It is balancing. After the raw food meal I felt not full, not empty - but balanced. So now I'm going to eat more raw food. The enthusiasts say 100% raw food is much much better than 99% but I shall attempt 25%.

Now for a spot of research: when did humans discover fire...

www.purecurenz.com

HINU MAHUE (Abandon Fat) Weight Loss Formula

I've decided to offer a weight loss formula on the website (www.purecurenz.com). So now you can watch what you eat, exercise daily and take 7 drops of Hinu Mahue tonic 3 times a day. For a healthier you.

The Hinu Mahue formula is packed full of New Zealand herbs like Ongaonga, a nettle which clears toxins, lowers blood pressure and blood sugar levels. There's also Kowhai, related to the plant Senna, which is a purgative. And Kumarahou is said to increase speed and stamina. There's 7 plant ingredients in all.

So with this three-pronged approach: diet, exercise and diet formula you're definitely working it.

I'm off to do a spot of trampolining now before the sun sets.

RONGOA

Amazing Healing Powers of Traditional Maori Medicine

There isn’t too much nowadays that’s undiscovered. But science is only now waking up to the unique and powerful medicinal qualities of New Zealand’s native plant life.

So, why is the flora so unique? The explanation lies in the geographical isolation of New Zealand’s islands in the far South Pacific. Secluded for millions of years the temperate, evergreen forests thrived, evolved and developed unusual traits, including remarkable healing qualities.

New Zealand was one of the last places on earth to be inhabited by humans when Maori arrived from Eastern Polynesia only around 1,000 years ago. They utilized the healing power of nature. Their knowledge of Rongoa, which means Maori medicine, was considered tapu (sacred) and a combination of the spiritual and the physical.

Traditionally, these Tangata whenua (people of the land) believed that illness was caused by the supernatural. There was no clear distinction between the mind and the body so the Tohunga (expert healer) was knowledgeable in anatomy and spirituality. He or she would utilize chants, prayer, massage, dream analysis and the use of plants in their therapeutic practice.

Many parts of a plant were used, for example, the Tohunga bound broken bones with the leaves of the Harakeke (flax) plant, while its gum-like sap was used as an anaesthetic and antiseptic for scolds, burns, aching teeth, wounds, and boils.

Rongoa herbal remedies were also used internally. The leaves of the shrub, Kumarahou, were seeped in water and the liquid taken for bronchitis and chest complaints.

The practices of the Tohunga were nearly wiped out in the 20^th Century by colonization, Christianity and the Tohunga Suppression Act of 1907-62. But fortunately, during this time, some Tohunga continued to practice in remote rural areas.

Modern Maori healthcare is based upon the traditional ways of Rongoa; including elements of the spiritual, physical, emotional and the family (whanau). There is a real interest and awareness now too by scientists and natural healthcare practitioners in this traditional knowledge and the healing power of New Zealand’s remarkable plant-life.

www.purecurenz.com - Potent herbal healing and organic body-care created for you from New Zealand's unique plant life - pure ingredients, naturally.