Philippines - Simple needs of life

A re-post of a blog entry when I was in the Philippines.

Shauna Skog – Simple needs of life

 | Jun 17, 2016 |    http://www.reachingoutworldwide.org/shauna-skog-simple-needs-of-life/ 

Five a.m. is awfully early but it was my turn to go to the wet market to procure our food for the day. I confess, I rolled over and was instantly back to sleep. But Rhen is persistent and I made it out of bed. (Rhen Potato is ROW’s man-on-the-ground here in the Philippines. He is funny, has a great singing voice, and is the only ‘edible species of human’ as he likes to say.) My eyes opened about half-way to the market. They were wide open when I saw the “pet store” at the entrance.  Lots of fish were swimming about in clear plastic bags. In fact, a kiddie swimming pool was filled with these little black fishes. If amphibians aren’t your thing, you can purchase a hamster.  Or a wild chicken. That is the range of selection variety.

Inside the building structure, the next thing I saw was rows of naked chickens – no feathers – standing to attention trying to catch the consumer’s eye. It worked; Rhen bought three chickens for our lunch. We strolled through the rest of the aisles.

 For those faint of heart or with vegetarian tendencies, I will limit my comments here. I did see several naked pigs/hogs (what’s the difference?) I also observed a young man shaving a boar’s head – he must have had whiskers. Skyler was very interested in the stingray and spent a few minutes talking with the shop owner. Lots of fish, too. Not very different from the fish my family catches in the United States – all laid out pretty-like to showcase their size and colors.

Look closely: big fish eating little fish.

I made a pot holder today; two of them, in fact. Before you scoff, let me give you a few details. We had some simply delightful Filipino women teach us their trade and I will say that several young men were competitively crafting.

These potholders and doormats are made from discarded T-shirts, cut into one long fabric length, then looped onto a wooden form. Four fabric layers are used and each strand is woven through. These women have a gift of choosing very complementary colors and the final product is amazing. A pot holder sells for about 10 pesos at market; a doormat is about 40 pesos which is about a dollar. I’m telling you, the work hours to create these beauties is way more than a dollar. A few ladies liked me so much that they invited my to stay forever!

Everyday as I sweat, er glow, I dream about the end of the day shower. And not just any shower. This is a genuine open-air bucket shower enclosed by black tarps on a metal pipe frame. It is so lovely to pour that cool water over one’s head. Ahhh, bliss. Sadly, the exertion expended to towel off produces more sticky sweat. And the best thing to do then is get your jammies on however you can, and get inside the air conditioned building.

The shower pictured here with the sunrise. Bless those electrical wires for air conditioning!

Life really is about the simple things: providing for your family and being with those you love. And I love you my Skog/Larsen Fam! And my dear friends!

A shout out to my sister in Portland: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It’s 10 p.m. local time. And to my brother and his fabulous wife: HAPPY 21st ANNIVERSARY!

Lavendar Oil Aromatherapy and reducing pre-procedural anxiety

Aromatherapy and reducing pre-procedural anxiety: a controlled prospective study.

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of aromatherapy to reduce anxiety prior to a scheduled colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A controlled, prospective study was done on a convenience sample of 118 patients. The "state" component of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to evaluate patients' anxiety levels pre- and post-aromatherapy. The control group was given an inert oil (placebo) for inhalation, and the experimental group was given the essential oil, lavender, for inhalation. The STAI state anxiety raw score revealed that patients were at the 99th (women) and 96th (men) percentiles for anxiety. The intervention group and the control group had similar levels of state anxiety prior to the beginning of the study (t[116] = .47, p = .64). There was no difference in state anxiety levels between pre- and post-placebo inhalation in the control group (t[112] = .48, p = .63). There was no statistical difference in state anxiety levels between pre- and post-lavender inhalation in the experimental group (t[120] = .73, p = .47). Although this study did not show aromatherapy to be effective based on statistical analysis, patients did generally report the lavender scent to be pleasant. Lavender is an inexpensive and popular technique for relaxation that can be offered to patients as an opportunity to promote pre-procedural stress reduction in a hospital setting.

Published:

Muzzarelli, L.,  Force,  M.,  Sebold,  M. (2006). Aromatherapy and reducing pre-procedural anxiety: a controlled prospective study. Gastroenterology Nursing, 29, 466-471. doi: http://dx.doi.org.hal.weber.edu:2200/10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.006

    

Lavender Essential Oil instead of Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder

A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparatiom in comparison to 

Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder, 2010

Conclusions:

Since lavender oil showed no sedative effects in our study and has no potential for drug abuse, silexan appears to be an effective and well tolerated alternative to benzodiazepines for amelioration of generalised anxiety.

Abstract:

Generalized and persistent anxiety, accompanied by nervousness and other symptoms (Generalised Anxiety Disorder, GAD) is frequent in the general population and leads to benzodiazepine usage. Unfortunately, these substances induce sedation and have a high potential for drug abuse, and there is thus a need for alternatives. As the anxiolytic properties of lavender have already been demonstrated in pharmacological studies and small-scale clinical trials, it was postulated that lavender has a positive effect in GAD. A controlled clinical study was then performed to evaluate the efficacy of silexan, a new oral lavender oil capsule preparation, versus a benzodiazepine. In this study, the efficacy of a 6-week-intake of silexan compared to lorazepam was investigated in adults with GAD. The primary target variable was the change in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A-total score) as an objective measurement of the severity of anxiety between baseline and week 6. The results suggest that silexan effectively ameliorates generalized anxiety comparable to a common benzodiazepine (lorazepam). The mean of the HAM-A-total score decreased clearly and to a similar extent in both groups (by 11.3+/-6.7 points (45%) in the silexan group and by 11.6+/-6.6 points (46%) in the lorazepam group, from 25+/-4 points at baseline in both groups). During the active treatment period, the two HAM-A subscores "somatic anxiety" (HAM-A subscore I) and "psychic anxiety" (HAM-A subscore II) also decreased clearly and to a similar extent in both groups. The changes in other subscores measured during the study, such as the SAS (Self-rating Anxiety Scale), PSWQ-PW (Penn State Worry Questionnaire), SF 36 Health survey Questionnaire and Clinical Global Impressions of severity of disorder (CGI item 1, CGI item 2, CGI item 3), and the results of the sleep diary demonstrated comparable positive effects of the two compounds. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that silexan is as effective as lorazepam in adults with GAD. The safety of silexan was also demonstrated. Since lavender oil showed no sedative effects in our study and has no potential for drug abuse, silexan appears to be an effective and well tolerated alternative to benzodiazepines for amelioration of generalised anxiety.

Published:

Woelk, H., Schläfke, S. (2010). A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine, 17, 94-99.

Lavender Essential Oil as an Antimicrobial

Lavender as an antimicrobial

 

Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery: 

a clinical trial.  

Conclusions:

This study suggests application of lavender essential oil instead of Povidone-iodine for episiotomy wound care.

Abstract:

Episiotomy is the most common perineal incision in obstetric and midwifery. Nowadays alternative and complementary methods such as Aromatherapy using essential oils are established as an alternative therapy. This research was carried out to assess the effect of lavender oil in wound healing. This randomized control trial was conducted on 120 primiparous women with singleton pregnancy, without any acute and chronic disease and allergy who had undergone normal spontaneous vaginal delivery and episiotomy. They were randomly allocated in case and control groups. Case group received lavender oil and controls received Povidone-iodine. Incision sites were assessed on the 10th day postpartum. 25 out of 60 women in lavender group and 17 mothers in control group had no pain (p = 0.06). There was no significant difference between two groups in surgery site complications. However, redness in lavender group was significantly less than controls (p < 0.001). This study suggests application of lavender essential oil instead of Povidone-iodine for episiotomy wound care.

 

Published:

Vakilian, K.,  Atarha,  M.,  Bekhradi , R., Chaman,  R.  (2011). Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery: a clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 17, 50-53. doi: http://dx.doi.org.hal.weber.edu:2200/10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.05.006

Lavender Essential Oil: Decreasing Anxiety in Graduate Nursing Students

Essential Oils

Since Biblical times, essential oils have been utilized for their aromatic and healing properties.  Traditionally, essential oils have been used aromatically or topically with massage. More recently, scientists have studied their many chemical properties.  A single oil can contain terpenes, esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, and oxides (Aroma Tools, 2011a, p. 5).

Lavender

Lavender is a widely grown essential oil crop throughout the world. Its oil is extracted using steam distillation. Alcohols, esters, and monoterpines are the major chemical constituents. 

Probable properties of Lavender: 

Analgesic                                    Antihistamine                                Antimicrobial

Antidepressant                            Anti-infectious                              Antiseptic

Antifungal                                  Anti-inflammatory                         Sedative  

                                                                                             (Abundant Health, 2012, p. 54)

Lavender to reduce anxiety:

The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils

on test-taking anxiety among graduate nursing students, 2009

Conclusion:

In this study, the use of lavender and rosemary essential oil sachets reduced test-taking stress in graduate nursing students as evidenced by lower scores on test anxiety measure, personal statements, and pulse rates. 

Abstract:

Test taking in nursing school can produce stress that affects the ability of students to realize their goals of graduation. In this study, the use of lavender and rosemary essential oil sachets reduced test-taking stress in graduate nursing students as evidenced by lower scores on test anxiety measure, personal statements, and pulse rates.

Published:

McCaffrey, R.,  Thomas , D. J.,  Kinzelman,  A. O. (2009). The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking anxiety among graduate nursing students. Holistic Nursing Practice, 23, 88-93. doi: http://dx.doi.org.hal.weber.edu:2200/10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181a110aa

A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the

Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to 

Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder, 2010

Conclusions:

Since lavender oil showed no sedative effects in our study and has no potential for drug abuse, silexan appears to be an effective and well tolerated alternative to benzodiazepines for amelioration of generalised anxiety.

Abstract:

Generalized and persistent anxiety, accompanied by nervousness and other symptoms (Generalised Anxiety Disorder, GAD) is frequent in the general population and leads to benzodiazepine usage. Unfortunately, these substances induce sedation and have a high potential for drug abuse, and there is thus a need for alternatives. As the anxiolytic properties of lavender have already been demonstrated in pharmacological studies and small-scale clinical trials, it was postulated that lavender has a positive effect in GAD. A controlled clinical study was then performed to evaluate the efficacy of silexan, a new oral lavender oil capsule preparation, versus a benzodiazepine. In this study, the efficacy of a 6-week-intake of silexan compared to lorazepam was investigated in adults with GAD. The primary target variable was the change in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A-total score) as an objective measurement of the severity of anxiety between baseline and week 6. The results suggest that silexan effectively ameliorates generalized anxiety comparable to a common benzodiazepine (lorazepam). The mean of the HAM-A-total score decreased clearly and to a similar extent in both groups (by 11.3+/-6.7 points (45%) in the silexan group and by 11.6+/-6.6 points (46%) in the lorazepam group, from 25+/-4 points at baseline in both groups). During the active treatment period, the two HAM-A subscores "somatic anxiety" (HAM-A subscore I) and "psychic anxiety" (HAM-A subscore II) also decreased clearly and to a similar extent in both groups. The changes in other subscores measured during the study, such as the SAS (Self-rating Anxiety Scale), PSWQ-PW (Penn State Worry Questionnaire), SF 36 Health survey Questionnaire and Clinical Global Impressions of severity of disorder (CGI item 1, CGI item 2, CGI item 3), and the results of the sleep diary demonstrated comparable positive effects of the two compounds. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that silexan is as effective as lorazepam in adults with GAD. The safety of silexan was also demonstrated. Since lavender oil showed no sedative effects in our study and has no potential for drug abuse, silexan appears to be an effective and well tolerated alternative to benzodiazepines for amelioration of generalised anxiety.

Published:

Woelk, H., Schläfke, S. (2010). A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine, 17, 94-99.

Aromatherapy and reducing pre-procedural anxiety: 
a controlled prospective study, 2006

Conclusion:

Although this study did not show aromatherapy to be effective based on statistical analysis, patients did generally report the lavender scent to be pleasant. Lavender is an inexpensive and popular technique for relaxation that can be offered to patients as an opportunity to promote pre-procedural stress reduction in a hospital setting.

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of aromatherapy to reduce anxiety prior to a scheduled colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A controlled, prospective study was done on a convenience sample of 118 patients. The "state" component of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to evaluate patients' anxiety levels pre- and post-aromatherapy. The control group was given an inert oil (placebo) for inhalation, and the experimental group was given the essential oil, lavender, for inhalation. The STAI state anxiety raw score revealed that patients were at the 99th (women) and 96th (men) percentiles for anxiety. The intervention group and the control group had similar levels of state anxiety prior to the beginning of the study (t[116] = .47, p = .64). There was no difference in state anxiety levels between pre- and post-placebo inhalation in the control group (t[112] = .48, p = .63). There was no statistical difference in state anxiety levels between pre- and post-lavender inhalation in the experimental group (t[120] = .73, p = .47). Although this study did not show aromatherapy to be effective based on statistical analysis, patients did generally report the lavender scent to be pleasant. Lavender is an inexpensive and popular technique for relaxation that can be offered to patients as an opportunity to promote pre-procedural stress reduction in a hospital setting.

Published:

Muzzarelli, L.,  Force,  M.,  Sebold,  M. (2006). Aromatherapy and reducing pre-procedural anxiety: a controlled prospective study. Gastroenterology Nursing, 29, 466-471. doi: http://dx.doi.org.hal.weber.edu:2200/10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.006


References:

Abundant Health, (2012). Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils. Spanish Fork, UT.

    

Aroma Tools, (2011a). An Introduction of Modern Essentials: Your Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils.