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Leg Cramps? Why Arnica Lotion Is A Good Idea!

Image of Arnica Montana flowers

Anyone Can Get Leg Cramps

A leg cramp can come on anytime or anywhere to the young, old, and those in-between. A “Charley Horse,” as it’s sometimes called, or muscle spasm can come on suddenly with involuntary contractions of one or more of your muscles. You can experience a cramp from simply stretching upon waking up or have it startle you awake in the middle of the night. They are generally harmless but can make it difficult to use the affected muscles and they can cause severe pain.

You May Be More Susceptible To Leg Cramps If You Are:

  • Pregnant – Common during pregnancy as a result of the extra weight, pressure on the sciatic nerve, and fluid buildup – a condition known as edema.
  • An Athlete – Sweating from physical exertion can deplete the body of electrolytes and athletes can be prone to dehydration as well.
  • Elderly – Muscles get weaker and smaller as we age, with the nerves and tissues becoming thin. This thinning and weakness seems to be an initiator for the cramping.
  • Having a Medical Issue – Muscle cramps usually aren’t serious enough to require medical attention, but if you have diabetes, nerve, liver or thyroid disorders or suspect you might, do consult a physician. If you have swelling or changes in skin color with cramping you should always consult a medical professional.

Common Reasons For Leg Cramps:

  • Dehydration, which is an excessive loss of fluids
  • Nutrient deficiency, such as low levels of potassium or some other minerals
  • Exposure to extreme temperatures
  • Being sedentary or staying in one position to long
  • Physical over-exertion

Why Arnica Lotion Is A Good Idea:

Arnica Montana is a plant that grows in the mountainous regions of Europe. It has been used in herbal medicines for centuries, predominantly as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Arnica stimulates white blood cell activity, which reduces inflammation and relaxes the muscles. When you apply Audel Naturals Arnica Lotion to the muscle spasms it quickly relaxes them and diminishes the pain and discomfort.

Apply the Arnica Lotion as quickly as you can, massaging it in will help relax the muscles. As soon as you are able to, gently stretch the muscles – as stretching can help to relax the cramps as well.

In addition, placing a heating pad or warm towel on the cramped muscle can also relax it and ease the pain. In contrast, some people prefer applying an ice pack.

The quality of the arnica lotion is important. Don’t be confused by products that flaunt a high quantity of Arnica, as this medicinal herb can be toxic in high doses. It can also irritate the skin for those with sensitivities. A 3% arnica tincture is considered safe and fairly standard in most arnica blends.

The Audel Naturals Arnica Lotion brand combines arnica with many other beneficial ingredients that relieve pain and relax muscles. A key component that you don’t often find is the addition of Liposome, which allows the ingredients to penetrate the skin more effectively, so you get relief more quickly. 

We hope you will add Audel Naturals Arnica Lotion to your self-care, so when that sudden leg cramp surprises you, you’ll be prepared!

To your good health!

The information provided is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of the information presented.

Purchase from Amazon.com


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Peppermint Essential Oil –11 uses that are all in your head!

Image of peppermint plant

Cool, refreshing, stimulating – the benefits and uses of Peppermint Essential Oil are abundant. But we thought it would be fun to focus specifically on what it can do to give you a heads up, literally! So here are 11 things you can do with it just from the neck up:

Headache Remedy
A natural remedy for a tension headache or migraine, you can apply a few drops of Peppermint Essential Oil to the forehead and temples. It has the ability to relax tense muscles, improve circulation, and has an analgesic effect.

Sinus & Allergy Relief 
If your head pain is a case of sinusitis or allergies, Peppermint Essential Oil is highly effective at relaxing muscles in your nasal passages blocked by swollen mucus membranes, allowing your sinuses to unclog and start draining. Inhaling the oil directly or using a device to diffuse it into the room can provide relief.

Hair and Scalp Health
Peppermint Essential Oil is commonly used in high quality hair care products because it can naturally nourish damaged hair. Simply add 2-3 drops to your current shampoo to tame frizzy hair. It may even thicken it, encourage new hair growth or help stop thinning and hair loss. Peppermint oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, helping to eliminate dandruff and has even been used to remove lice.

Acne Treatment
The anti-microbial properties of Peppermint Essential Oil make it an excellent ingredient to help treat acne naturally. It aids in oil secretion in skin, therefore preventing acne. It can also heal cracked lips, which is why it’s often an ingredient in lip balms.

Dental Health
It has been estimated that peppermint has been used to naturally freshen breath for well over a thousand years. To help prevent bad breath and the development of the biofilm that contributes to cavities, add 1-2 drops of therapeutic grade 100% pure Peppermint Essential Oil to your toothpaste. 

Decrease Hunger Cravings
To ward off the munchies and help you feel full faster you can take a couple of whiffs directly from the bottle of 100% pure Peppermint Essential Oil or rub a couple drops on your temples or on your neck.

Diminish Nausea 
Whether you are nauseous from pregnancy or experience nausea that is induced by chemotherapy, just rub 1-2 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil behind your ears, or use a diffuser to help reduce nausea symptoms. 

Natural Energizer
Forget the energy drinks, instead take a few whiffs of Peppermint Essential Oil for a non-toxic alternative and it will perk you up for those times you need sustained energy.

Mental Focus
Peppermint Essential Oil stimulates the mind and can improve mental focus. It can even help those with ADHD. Add a few drops to a diffuser or mix a few drops with purified water in a spray bottle and spritz some at the base of the neck. You can even spray it on a handkerchief and inhale before study time or a test for improved concentration and alertness.

Lower a Fever
Peppermint Essential Oil has cooling properties, which make it an excellent natural alternative to bring down a fever. Mix 2-3 drops of peppermint oil with about a quarter size amount of coconut oil and rub it on the forehead and neck. 

Sunburn Relief
The menthol in peppermint activates cold-sensitive receptors to cool burnt skin and the analgesic properties relieve the pain. If you forgot to apply sunscreen, try mixing 100% natural Peppermint Essential Oil with a bit of coconut oil and apply it directly to the skin or dilute it with a little water make a natural homemade sunburn spray.

Peppermint Essential Oil makes an excellent alternative treatment and can offer profound benefits. It can be a bit strong for some though, so we recommend mixing it with a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, or adding it to some purified water and spritzing can be beneficial. If you have any specific health concerns please speak to a healthcare provider before using it for therapeutic benefits. Audel Naturals recommends and carries only the highest quality 100% Pure Peppermint Essential Oil.

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Don’t Let Joint Pain Stop Your Game! The Treatment Every Athlete Should Try.

hand on red elbow

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi

Nearly every joint in the body is susceptible to stress and injury – some more so than others depending on what type of athletics you are committed to.

Athletes can suffer from tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis – just like the rest of us. But the associated joint pain can really affect training and performance.

  1. When the tendons around the joint become inflamed from overuse or injury the resulting pain is called tendonitis (probably the most common of the three).
  2. There are small fluid-filled sacks called bursae in our joints and it is the bursae’s job to assist in the muscle/joint movements by cushioning the joints and bones against friction. Bursitis is the result of these sacks becoming injured or inflamed and causing pain. 
  3. There are many different types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is more commonly seen in athletes. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the joints and is characterized by a deterioration of the cartilage at the ends of the bones.

The body’s natural reaction to a joint injury or over stress is to swell. The quicker you can get the inflammation down the sooner you can facilitate healing.

An athlete needs to halt the pain and get back in the game quickly!

Inflammation can be controlled with rest, ice, compression, and elevation – especially when applied right away.This is commonly referred to as the “RICE” treatment, but it is only as good as the commitment the athlete makes in time and effort to apply it. Not every athlete has the luxury of applying it right away or taking the time it takes to pamper the body this way.

A TREATMENT WORTH TRYING

Athletes can apply Arnica Lotion in addition to the RICE treatment, which can drastically reduce inflammation and improve recovery time!

Arnica Lotion, specifically formulated with Glucosamine and MSM, can be kept in your gym bag, locker, glove box, medicine cabinet, etc.

Breaking it Down: 

Arnica stimulates white blood cell activity, which reduces inflammation and also relieves muscle and joint pain.

Glucosamine is naturally found in your body and supports healthy cartilage.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) reduces inflammation and helps the body form new joint and muscle tissue. It also restores collagen production.

Add 100% pure Peppermint Oil when you apply the lotion for added benefits. We suggest starting with 5 drops of peppermint essential oil, but the amount varies depending on how much lotion you are using. 

Why Peppermint Oil?

  • Reduces inflammation
  • Relaxes tight muscles
  • Relieves muscle and joint pain
  • Has a calming effect on the body
  • Has a cooling effect on the joints
  • Clears the mind and improves mental focus

We know that you just want relief! Try Arnica lotion and you’ll be back in the game quickly!

Purchase Audel Arnica lotion on Amazon

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5 Ways To Relieve Joint And Muscle Pain This Spring

“Everyone wants happiness, no one wants pain. But you can’t make a rainbow, without a little rain.”

Spring is in the air… birds chirping, trees budding, and lawn mowers whirling.April showers have not only brought out the rainbows, but also helped the weeds grow.

And you know what that means: aching backs, stiff joints and muscle pain! Those joints and muscles that have been hibernating all winter are now begging for relief. So what can you do to get back that spring in your step?

Here are 5 ways to relieve joint and muscle pain quickly:

Take A Soak
Taking a hot bath is one way to warm up those tight and achy muscles and relax them more quickly. The heat promotes better blood flow and increases circulation. If you have any Epsom salts on hand toss in a couple of cups and soak a good 15 minutes. Epsom salts are high in magnesium and sulfates and are easily absorbed through your skin. The combination of both will have you feeling good again in no time.

Oil Your Joints
Add omega-3 to your diet, they are known to decrease inflammation. 2-3 tablespoons of a high quality extra virgin olive oil per day is an alternative. Lubricating the joints from the outside can be beneficial as well if you don’t mind the olive oil on your skin. You can also add 3-5 drops of peppermint oil to the olive oil, which has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Soothe With Sound
Music is an easy, inexpensive, and natural way to reduce the intensity of pain. Music that you enjoy can release endorphins that relax you and distract you from your discomfort. And the more you relax the more you release muscle tension.

Move It Away
When you experience pain your body releases adrenalin and automatically tightens up. Numerous studies have shown that gentle exercises that stretch your muscles can reduce soreness. Yoga, tai chi, or just walking can help to relax the muscles. Avoid any strenuous exercises until you’ve recovered though to avoid injury.

Rub On Relief
Every household should have a bottle of arnica lotion on hand in their medicine cabinet. It has natural pain relieving and healing properties, reducing inflammation by stimulating white blood cell activity. And it works quickly to relieve joint and muscle pain.

Disclaimer: Always consult a physician if you have severe muscle or joint pain or if you believe you’ve been injured. If you have pain that persists it’s a good idea to be evaluated by a health-care practitioner.

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Pain Relief From Arthritis – 5 Latest Trends

Image of hand with lotion in palm

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is Optional.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by 2040, an estimated 78 million (26%) US adults are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. (1) Most suffer from joint pain, inflammation, swelling, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and loss of flexibility . The more common areas affected are joints located in the lower back, hips, knees, feet, neck, fingers, and thumb base.

While the statistic above is startling and discouraging, those currently suffering are looking for options right now. Many people are seeking to ease their symptoms with natural approaches, especially when conventional approaches fall short. With the number of people afflicted on the rise, the search is on for natural alternatives and safer approaches to provide pain relief from arthritis.

Here are some of the most popular trends these days:

Arnica Montana
Arnica is a plant typically found in mountainous areas of Europe and North America with orange/yellow daisy like flowers. It contains anti-inflammatories that stimulate white blood cell activity, which reduces inflammation. Though Arnica is used topically for speeding up the healing of bruises, using Arnica lotion for decreasing pain and inflammation associated with arthritis has gained widespread recognition these days.

Peppermint Essential Oil
The scent of peppermint may remind you of Christmas, candy or even tea, but did you know that peppermint has been used for centuries to reduce pain and inflammation? Many use peppermint essential oil topically and feel the soothing relief from muscle, joint, and arthritis pain. The high menthol content in peppermint has a nice cooling effect on the skin as well. If you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to dilute the pure oil with a fragrance free lotion. For added anti-inflammatory benefit, add it to the Arnica lotion mentioned above.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods
More people are altering their diet to include foods that are considered “anti-inflammatory.” These include vegetables, fruits, plant-based proteins like beans and nuts, whole grains, fatty fish, fresh herbs,and spices. Modifying your diet could help reduce the number of flare-ups you have and possibly decrease your pain.

Ginger and Turmeric
Turmeric is actually related to the ginger family and they both have anti-inflammatory properties. The curcmin in turmeric blocks inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.  Ginger has been used in the Asian community for centuries to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and relieve digestive upsets. Many people with arthritis take these as supplements or drink them as tea.

Enzymes
Enzymes, Proteolytic enzymes to be specific, have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects as well. Reducing inflammation can decrease pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Proteolytic enzymes are found in foods such as tropical fruits, including papaya which contains papain, and pineapples which contain bromelain.

Disclaimer:
Always consult your health care provider before taking a new supplement, changing your diet or adding to your self-care routine to make sure it’s safe for you.

References
1. Hootman JM, Helmick CG, Barbour KE, Theis KA, Boring MA.  Updated projected prevalence of self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation among US adults, 2015-2040.  Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2016 Mar 25. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1002/art.39692. PubMed PMID: 27015600.

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5 Minutes To Feeling Good With Arnica Natural Pain Relief Products

Image of Arnica Montana field of flowers

“Just because I’m strong enough to handle pain, doesn’t mean I deserve it.”

A Life-Changing Event
“My eyes were closed but I could feel the van turning, rotating on the ice and when I opened my eyes a moment later I was facing the opposite direction sliding sideways toward the shoulder of the road. All I could do was hope that we came to a stop soon but when the tire hit the edge of the road it blew out and propelled us over the edge. It rolled, making a complete revolution and coming to a jarring stop back on its wheels upright. I experienced the entire thing in slow motion as if in a time warp…”

That scenario happened to me about 25 years ago as a passenger in a mini van on an icy night. Though I was lucky and didn’t experience life-threatening injuries, the ramifications of that night changed my life forever. I’m not sure where I first heard the quote above, but it has stuck with me for years and I totally believe it. I didn’t deserve the constant pain that I was plagued with for more than a year after that accident and if you’ve experienced pain like that or are now, you know there are moments when you doubt you’re strong enough to endure it.  

What Did I Do?
I looked for relief, something to make me feel good and fast. An overly sensitive stomach made it impossible to take prescription painkillers and over the counter drugs caused digestive upsets that just made me more miserable.  Desperate for relief, I looked for a natural solution. It was just a few short years before that fateful event that I first heard about the healing properties of the amazing Arnica Montana plant. I’m sure glad I did because it propelled me on my natural health journey.

What The Heck Is Arnica?
Arnica Montana is a perennial, herbaceous plant in the sunflower family, also known as Mountain TobaccoWolfsbane, and Leopard’s Bane. It is found in temperate regions of western North America and northern Eurasia, growing in beautiful alpine meadows. Native animals, such as mountain goats, will seek out the plant to alleviate bruising and soreness.

What’s So Special About Arnica?
Arnica has been used medicinally for centuries. Historical uses have ranged from treating sore throats to improving circulation, but it is most commonly used for bruising and sore muscles. There weren’t as many options 25 years ago when I was in that accident, but I found an Arnica lotion and applied it to my bruises and sore muscles several times a day and within a few short minutes, usually 5 minutes or less, I was experiencing relief and feeling good enough to function and go about my day.

How Does It Work So Fast?
It’s really pretty simple, Arnica stimulates white blood cell activity, which reduces inflammation, bruising, and healing time so it eases sore muscles and heals bruises quickly. It’s also an analgesic, which relieves pain.

How Do You Use It?
It can be taken orally in an extremely diluted form as a homeopathic remedy but Arnica natural pain relief products are usually applied topically and are generally considered safe. Don’t apply arnica to broken skin though and for those with extremely sensitive skin it could cause irritation so use caution if you’ve had sensitivities before.

Wishing you freedom from pain, because we all deserve to feel good!

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Our Wish Came True!

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Starting Audel is a wish fulfilled. As I write this first entry into our blog, I am filled with gratitude and joy. With a lot of hard work and determination we have finally realized our goal.

We promise to always put the customer first, to provide high quality products at a good value, and strive to exceed expectations. We founded our company on strong values and principals.

We hope you will stick around and join us on this journey…