USANA

Are you hiding behind your hair?
Let the world see that face

Have you always had the same hairdo?
Consider trying something new.

Do you like your hairdresser?
If the answer is no, find someone else. Getting your hair cut or styled should be fun.

How much time do you spend on your hair each morning?
Half an hour? More? Life’s too short for that. The right hairstyle can cut down on maintenance time and get you out the door much faster.

Is your bathroom cluttered with tons of products and styling tools?
You could be wasting your time and money, plus damaging your hair.

Do you shampoo too much?
You don’t have to use shampoo to get your hair clean. Skip that step, rinse with water, and use conditioner only. Your hair will smell fresh and feel soft, and any protective oils will be preserved.

Can’t remember your last good hair day?
It’s time for a change.

How often should I wash my hair?
Not to gross you out, but I sometimes go two or three days without letting shampoo touch my hair. I just happen to like the way it looks when it’s a bit dirty. If you’ve got oily hair or you work out a lot, you might want to shampoo as often as every day. The same goes for people with fine hair, because product build-up and natural oil can weigh it down. If your hair is weighed down with product buildup, but you have to shampoo it, skip the conditioner. That will give it a rest. If you’ve got chemically or color-treated hair, do not wash your hair every day. Every other day or so will suffice.

Where to begin?
Let’s start with the definition of good hair. I love hair that flatters your face, has movement and shine, and begs to be touched. If you were born with great hair, thank your lucky starts and your gene pool. If you weren’t you need to start with your haircut. A good cut is the basis of good hair.

Signs that you’ve got a bad cut or that yours is past its expiration date? Your hair seems shapeless and/or too heavy, or you’re making an effort, but you’re never happy with the results. In other words, you’re fighting your hair, and losing the battle.

Chamomile is, like feverfew, a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is a one- to two-fool-high plant with characteristic daisylike flowers, found wild in Europe and North America but now widely cultivated for both ornamental and commercial purposes. A related plant called Roman or English chamomile is sometimes used, but the most popular and best-studied chamomile is Matricaria recutita, known as German or Hungarian chamomile. The dried flower heads are used for medicinal purpo¬ses. A tea made by steeping a few teaspoonfuls of the dried flowers in hot water has long been popular for upset stomach, irritation and cramping of the gastrointestinal tract, and (when appli¬ed to the skin) to speed healing of rashes and skin disorders, There is evidence to support these uses.

USANA Health Science

Effects

Chamomile flowers contain 0.3 to 2 percent of a volatile oil made up of compounds that have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory activities. Other water-soluble compounds in the flowers probably contribute to the beneficial effects as well. Most scientific attention has centered on some unusual terpenoid compounds, some bioflavonoids, and another compound called matricin. Matricin is unstable and degrades to chamazulene, thought to be one of the most important active compounds in the dried flower heads. In the laboratory, chamazulene has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of free radicals and other reactions thought to be involved in inflammatory processes the body. Some terpenes also have been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity. Other compounds in the plant have weak antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Thus this mix of phytochemicals together provide potentially effective therapy for irritation and inflammation on the skin and in the gastrointestinal tract.

Evidence of Efficacy

Evidence to support the uses of chamomile preparations for stomach, intestinal, and skin irritations comes from a large number of animal and laboratory studies evaluating the various components in the plant. There are no recent large-scale, controlled human trials evaluating chamomile. Nevertheless, there is long history of use, and ample evidence from laboratory studies points to chamomile’s helpfulness as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic.

Based on the evaluation of all available data, the German commission that regulates herbals lists the uses of chamomile as treatment of inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes (when applied to the skin), treatment of inflammation and irritation of the respiratory tract (by inhalation of the vapor from the tea), and for complaints of the anal and genital areas (again when applied to the affected area). Taken internally, it is used for gastrointestinal spasms and inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Chamomile is also widely used as a mild relaxant and sedative. While these uses are not proven in human studies, chamomile is safe and seems to have mild benefits.

Dangers

Chamomile is considered safe. The only important concern relates to the plant’s potential to cause allergic reactions, The Asteraceae plant family contains several allergenic plants, including chrysanthemums and ragweed, and caution is advised if you have serious plant allergies. A few severe anaphylactic allergic reactions have been reported from drinking chamomile tea, and rashes (contact dermatitis) have been reported from topical uses.

Recommendations

Chamomile is usually taken as a tea three or four times a day for intestinal and stomach irritations. An infusion or proprietary extracts can be used as a mouthwash and gargle for oral and throat inflammation or can be applied directly to the skin. Avoid contact with the eyes. For the commercial extracts, follow the pack-age directions. These uses are safe and have mild beneficial effects.