strain on the skin thermometer and immune responses. Use cotton, silk,
or wool — wear these at bedtime or sleep naked, if it is warm enough. Use
cotton sheets and preferably an all-cotton mattress, such as a futon. Air
futons and natural-fi ber duvets by hanging them over windowsills on
sunny days. Leave futon mattresses rolled up one day a week, to refl uff
and aerate.
A little sun is fi ne, but protect your skin from excessive exposure so
that drying out does not occur and natural oils are not lost. Paler skin,
which does not contain suffi cient pigment for safe exposure to the sun,
will, of course, need more protection than darker shades. Jojoba oil is a
natural protector, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of sixteen, making it
ideal for many adults with medium- to darker-pigmented skin. Those
with very pale skin, children, and babies will need more strongly
protective sunscreens. Go up to a factor thirty-fi ve or fi fty, depending on
the strength of the sun. With at-risk skins, covering with a sunscreen on
exposed skin from April to October in northern temperate climates is
important.
Drink plenty of water to allow the skin to excrete and function
correctly. Balance the drying effects of central heating by placing bowls of
water containing essential oils next to hot spots in the room.
Low body temperature can affect skin problems, so create more body
heat via exercise. Take care of your adrenal glands and thyroid in case
your low body temperature is a result of imbalance there — if it is, use
cayenne pepper.
Make contact with your body via your skin, through massage and
barefoot walking on the earth or sand. If possible, swim in lakes, streams,
or the sea. If swimming in chlorinated pools, clean off the chlorine by
bathing afterward with lavender essential oil. Hot and cold showers are
vital; problem skin often becomes overheated, and a cold shower or bath
can bring instant relief. In general, exercise to promote good circulation
and to ensure that lymph and lungs are moving.
Dog hairs, cat hairs, fl eas, ticks, household dust, and pollen can
provoke skin irritations. If affl icted, remember to support the immune
system, cleanse the colon, liver, and kidneys, and get the lungs to work
better. You must not lose sight of internal processes, even when there are
external causes or outcomes.
The Muscular and Skeletal Systems
The skeleton is the support structure of the body. Muscles and ligaments
interconnect and work together, facilitating the movement of the bones.
As we become older (and as people in Western society live to a greater
age), brittle bones will become an increasing problem. Therefore fi nding
body systems 185