Aether Health

05/01/2024

Itchy, hidden skin/health issues or looking to remove hidden toxins & optimise your health this new year?

Itching is your body's way of protecting you from a perceived threat or toxin. Similar to what happens when a bee stings you. However, an overactive immune system from a breached skin or gut barrier combined with chronic use of steroids, antibiotics and antihistamines can cause your immune system to be in a hyperactive state. This causes it to overreact to harmless things so getting to the root cause is key.

Mental & spiritual issues can also weaken the immune system and the brain and gut are connected, exacerbating itching.  

Here are the top 7 hidden sources of itching. Some are rightfully toxic yet some are harmless so balancing the immune system and healing both skin and gut barriers is key. 

Externally, some of the top irritants include dust, grass, fragrances, nickel, personal care products, pets, detergents, pesticides, deodorants, colognes and air fresheners. You can have a skin prick test to see what you are irritated by although this can change over time. Pay attention to when you itch.

If you are itchy or flaring, it is best to run the affected area under cool water or take a quick luke warm shower using cotton towels.This will help to remove the likely contact irritant. Pat dry and apply a thin layer of moisturiser. Allow the skin to dry completely before going outside. Wear natural materials.

If you are extremely itchy you can make a paste from our clay and apply it to the affected area before washing off. Also a non drowsy antihistamine (loratadine aka Claratyne) can help on extreme situations but we want to target the root cause.

Hope this helps provide you some relief. These are also hidden sources of toxins so even if you want to lead a healthier lifestyle it's beneficial to review all chemicals in your life.

23/06/2023

I asked my friend & life coach Pooja Dhiman.

We were exchanging audio notes & philosophical musings & she gave such a coherent answer I thought I'd share.

It's all about connection.

Connection with your self, soul, spirit & Soource.

To see the spirit, the Aether, the prana, the chi, the life force in all things & every thing.

What does spirituality mean to you? Would you consider yourself a spiritual being?
What's the difference between being spiritual vs religious?

31/05/2023

Prebiotics vs probiotics.
Supplements vs. whole fermented probiotics.

Prebiotics are a form of dietary fiber that feed the “friendly” bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics are fibers that aren’t digestible by your body but can help good bacteria grow in your gut. Since your body doesn’t digest these plant fibers, they travel to your lower digestive tract to be a food source for the healthy bacteria in your gut.

This allows your gut bacteria to produce nutrients for your colon cells, which leads to a healthier digestive system.

Some of the best prebiotic sources include dandelion greens, garlic, chicory root, onions, leek, jerusalem artichokes, bananas, whole oats, barely, apples & seaweed.

Probiotics are live bacteria found in certain foods or supplements. Probiotics, which are usually called beneficial bacteria, provide all sorts of powerful benefits for your body and brain. They may improve digestive health, reduce depression, promote heart health & evidence suggests they may even give you better-looking skin.

The gut-brain axis is a term for the communication network that connects your gut and brain. These two organs are connected both physically and biochemically. Neurons are cells found in your brain and central nervous system that tell your body how to behave. There are approximately 100 billion neurons in the human brain. Your gut contains 500 million neurons, which are connected to your brain through your nervous system.

Some of the best sources of probiotics include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, natto, miso, kimchi, kombucha & pickles.

Whole fermented probiotic foods are much better than supplments as they generally contain a much greater diversity & quantity of bacteria as well as other synergistic bioactives.

Fermented foods are far more potent than probiotic supplements. 2 ounces of sauerkraut has more probiotics than 100 capsules. 4-6 ounces of fermented vegetables has around 10 trillion bacteria, compared to the average probiotic supplement that contains around 10 billion.

31/05/2023

Prebiotics vs probiotics with sports dietician Simone Austin at the MindBodySpirit Festival in Sydney.

Prebiotics are a form of dietary fiber that feed the “friendly” bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics are fibers that aren’t digestible by your body but can help good bacteria grow in your gut. Since your body doesn’t digest these plant fibers, they travel to your lower digestive tract to be a food source for the healthy bacteria in your gut.

This allows your gut bacteria to produce nutrients for your colon cells, which leads to a healthier digestive system.

Some of the best prebiotic sources include dandelion greens, garlic, chicory root, onions, leek, jerusalem artichokes, bananas, whole oats, barely, apples & seaweed.

Probiotics are live bacteria found in certain foods or supplements. Probiotics, which are usually called beneficial bacteria, provide all sorts of powerful benefits for your body and brain. They may improve digestive health, reduce depression, promote heart health & evidence suggests they may even give you better-looking skin.

Some of the best sources of probiotics include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, natto, miso, kimchi, kombucha & pickles.

Whole fermented probiotic foods are much better than supplments as they generally contain a much greater diversity & quantity of bacteria as well as other synergistic bioactives.

Fermented foods are far more potent than probiotic supplements. 2 ounces of sauerkraut has more probiotics than 100 capsules. 4-6 ounces of fermented vegetables has around 10 trillion bacteria, compared to the average probiotic supplement that contains around 10 billion.

Simone Austin is an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Advanced Sports Dietitian and author. She has over 25 years experience working in elite sport, with some of Australia’s most successful sporting teams - The Australian Men’s Cricket Team and Hawthorn AFL football Club during their 3 premiership years.

23/05/2023

Victoria Gilbert talks natural healing, CBD, grounding & natural health modalities at the The MindBodySpirit Festival in Sydney.

Fix the root cause don't just treat the symptoms, integrate healthy living habits & cut toxins from all aspects of life to allow the body to heal & floursih naturally.

Health is not the absence of symptoms. It's the flourishing & harmony of the mind, body & soul physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually. Skincare is but a pillar of health alongside diet, lifestyle, environment & mental health.

23/05/2023

Do you have small bumps on your skin? It could be keratosis pilaris or if itchy folliculitis. A friend messaged us asking for help as the conventional advice says there is no treatment.

Keratosis pilaris is a buildup of keratin and dead skin cells within the hair follicles, which causes them to bulge and become irritated and inflamed.
Folliculitis is a skin condition that causes small red bumps due to inflamed hair follicles in the skin by bacteria or a blockage. This condition is normally caused when hair follicles are inflamed with bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus.

How long have u had it? Where does it effect? This gives you an indication of the cause.

Get to the root of it:

1. Laundry: Wash in either bicarb soda+white vinegar or soap berries on highest heat setting as many laundry chemicals irritate skin, high heat kills dust mites.

2. Exfoliation: Use a soft sponge over all the main areas when showering, you can get the one with the handle for your back & a softer one for face to help clear dead skin.
Use a gentle nautral cleanser with it twice a week and just water the other times.

3. Water temp: Don't shower hot, use luke warm water & end it cold to alllow for better blood circulation. Can just stick head forward, then arms & legs instead of whole body at once to make it easier.

4. Clothing/towels/bedding: Only use organic natural fibres like cotton, h**p, bamboo, linen. No polyester, viscose, petrochemical materials touching skin.

5. Antibacterial: Make a light clay paste using clay & apply it to affected areas weekly to calm itching, deep cleanse pores & target skin bacteria. Wash off after 15 minutes.

6. Moisturise/Hydrate: Use a natural minimal moisturiser like the Aether ones, if your skin is naturally very oily then instead use a hyaluronic acid serum to help it hold water rather than supplying more oils.

7. Exercise: Running, sweating, sauna etc is good as sweat is antibacterial.

8. Diet: Eat as unprocessed as possible, intermittent fasting.

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17/05/2023

How can singing bowls & sound meditation help us to know ourselves?

Meditation isn't about not thinking, it's about paying attention to the thoughts that may arise, acknowledging them without judgement, then letting them go.

Like watching clouds come & go.
Repeated enough the mind is emptied & you are just being, with the essence of you.

Sound can be both poison & a powerful natural healing medicine so we should be more aware of the sounds we are allowing in to our field.

I've been to hundreds of sound baths all over the world & have my own collection of healing instruments. We are energy, the sound is energy & by regularly listening to pure tones we can recalibrate ourselves.

It's also a great anchor point for meditation as it effortlessly gets you out of your head.

Sound therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system or our ‘rest and digest state' and disengages the fight or flight repsonse. It also significantly reduces stress levels which effects the immune system. Sound has been used in meditation and healing across the world for thousands of years.

I think a sound bath likely helps recalibrate us and negate many of the effects of noise pollution. If we are nature, it's important to distance ourselves from the noise pollution of traffic, static, TV, construction, sirens, most pop music and listen to pure natural tones regularly. Maybe that's part of the reason we like listening to the oceans and rivers. Maybe some sounds subconsciously remind us that we are in a safe environment.

Usually a sound bath will focus on one set of instruments. Mainly gongs, Tibetan bowls or Crystals bowls. Feel what sound resonates for you. Different sounds can resonate at different times depending on your needs.

A crystal bowl bath feels more ethereal & creative, a Tibetan bowl more grounding & a Gong more energising/powerful.

16/05/2023

How can singing bowls & sound meditation help us to know ourselves?

Meditation is not about not thinking, it's about paying attention to the thoughts that may arise, acknowledging them without judgement, then letting them go.

Like watching clouds come & go.
Repeated enough the mind is emptied & you are just being, with the essence of you.

Sound can be both poison & a powerful natural healing medicine so we should be more aware of the sounds we are allowing in to our field.

I've been to hundreds of sound baths all over the world & have my own collection of healing instruments. We are energy, the sound is energy & by regularly listening to pure tones we can recalibrate ourselves.

It's also a great anchor point for meditation as it effortlessly gets you out of your head.

Sound therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system or our ‘rest and digest state' and disengages the fight or flight repsonse. It also significantly reduces stress levels which effects the immune system. Sound has been used in meditation and healing across the world for thousands of years.

I think a sound bath likely helps recalibrate us and negate many of the effects of noise pollution. If we are nature, it's important to distance ourselves from the noise pollution of traffic, static, TV, construction, sirens, most pop music and listen to pure natural tones regularly. Maybe that's part of the reason we like listening to the oceans and rivers. Maybe some sounds subconsciously remind us that we are in a safe environment.

Usually a sound bath will focus on one set of instruments. Mainly gongs, Tibetan bowls or Crystals bowls. Feel what sound resonates for you. Different sounds can resonate at different times depending on your needs.

A crystal bowl bath feels more ethereal & creative, a Tibetan bowl more grounding & a Gong more energising/powerful.

11/05/2023

Is your cookware slowly killing you?

Certain chemicals in cookware are linked with cancer & disrupt normal hormone function, the immune system & neurological development. They are part of daily life but are a source of hidden toxins.

Minimise the use of plastic & never heat it. Avoid products containing BPA, PFOA & phthalates as they disrupt normal hormone function, the immune system and neurological development. They are everywhere from plastic products, to cosmetics, fragrances, cookware, water bottles & the lining of cans.

The main food sources are bottled water, packaged foods & canned items. PFOAS were used in non-stick Teflon pans up until 2015 & has been linked to many diseases such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, liver tumours and reduced fertility. Before their manufacture started in the late 1940s, no PFAS were present in the environment. Now they contaminate every corner of the globe & have been found in the blood of people and wildlife worldwide.

Use ceramic, stainless steel, clay pot or cast iron cookware & glass, wood, bamboo, stainless steel kitchenware. This includes cutlery, plating, bottles, containers, cookware, chopping boards, cups.

10/05/2023

Often when we are in the depths of daily life & dealing with skin or health issues we forget about the larger perspectives of life. The interconnection of all life, the complexity & miracle of our bodies & the meaning behind our difficulties.

The average person is estimated to contain roughly 30 trillion human cells & 38 trillion bacterial cells. There are over 200 different cell types in the human body. Each type of cells is specialised to carry out a particular function, either solely, but usually by forming a particular tissue.

Different tissues then combine and form specific organs, where the organ is like a factory where every type of cell has its own job. Our brains are the most complex known object in the universe with roughly 171 billion cells in the average male brain according to new research, including about 86 billion neurons.

Neurons are cells that help transmit signals throughout the brain. There are also 85 billion other cells in the brain, called glial cells, that help support the neurons.

Although it can be harder to love your body when you are dealing with health issues, we have to remember it is a gift, that it has kept us alive & prevented us from infection & that we can heal when given the right conditions physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually.

Integrate practices, activities & lifestyles that help you connect with nature, yourself & the beauty of life.

Kevan wrote this letter to himself after attending a concert dedicated to the universe.

'It was such a cosmic, divine, aetherial concert & I was feeling grateful & in wonder of life. While waiting for the bus, this came through me so I quickly wrote it down. I added this backing track which is a song I like to listen to while looking at stars. Enjoy!'.

What would you tell your younger self?

Track - Moon - Sleeping at Last.

Send a message to learn more

09/05/2023

Before & after using soap berries.

Harsh laundry powders, bleaches, synthetic fragrances & fabric softeners are one of the key triggers for sensitive & problem skin as well as a hidden toxin for the health conscious.

They cling to the fabric & build up over time, damaging the skin barrier due to the detergent & chemical residues. What you use to wash your laundry is critical to your health as it touches all your clothes, towels & bedding & is in direct contact with your skin.

Kevan struggled with chronic eczema, food allergies & depression & it took him over 10 years to realise that the industrial laundry powder, softeners & bleaches were irritating his skin.

The Indian Sapindus Trees produce a fruit that contain saponins (natural soaps) which are released upon water contact.

The dried berry shells are 100% natural & have been used for thousands of years as a soap by native Asians & Americans. They are very effective in removing dirt, oils & odours while being gentle on your fabrics & colours.

Watch what happens when you shake water & soap berries. The perfect toxin free, clean, biodegradable laundry solution.

As they are a fruit, they are hypoallergenic & proven by dermatologists to not cause any skin irritation. They have also been found to have mild anti-fungal & anti-microbial activity.

Add a few to a muslin bag & add to your laundry. Wash clothes above 60 degrees ideally on hottest setting to kill dust mites. Reuse a few times until they lose shape & turn grey. Add to your compost!

They are fragrance free so it might be a little different to what you are used to. If your skin isn't highly sensitive you can add a few drops of your favourite essential oil as well.

Check out our Organic Soap Berries at Aetherhealth.com