Vitamin Information Center

Have you ever wondered why it is that so many Japanese women and other Asian women look so much younger than their years? It certainly is intriguing to know just what is it in Japanese skincare products that seems to delay or stop the aging process, and makes skin look so smooth, healthy, and young.

The Japanese have traditionally used Mother Nature’s gifts from the earth and the sea to nourish and beautify their skin. Let’s take a look at some of the natural beauty ingredients that the women of Japan have been using since ancient times.

Azuki. A kind of red bean, it is also known as adzuki or aduki. It is a centuries-old traditional beauty ingredient in Japan and in some other Asian countries. Women would place ground azuki in small silk pouches, which they would then rub on their face to keep it smooth and free from blemishes.

Komenuka Rice Bran. Another super ingredient in Japanese skin care tradition, it enjoys a reputation as excellent skin food. Its nourishment properties help keep the skin looking young and smooth by preventing wrinkles from appearing and by controlling the skin’s natural oil production.

Wakame Kelp. This is a kind of sea algae found in the waters of Japan and is one of the superstars in Japanese traditional and natural skincare. Its other health benefits are so many that it’s also used as an ingredient in many Japanese dishes.

One of the things that is so amazing about wakame algae is its remarkable ability to prevent the breakdown of hyaluronic acid, a substance that our body needs in order to maintain healthy skin and keep it supple, firm, and young. Having insufficient amounts of hyaluronic acid leads to dark circles under the eyes and to dry, unappealing skin.

Another characteristic of this Japanese seaweed derivative is the excellent protection it provides from harmful free radicals, which cause our skin to age prematurely. It is rich in minerals needed for skin health and beauty, such as calcium, potassium, and vitamin B. It truly is a beauty preserver, and an outstanding skin care product ingredient.

You don’t necessarily have to be Japanese in order to experience the beneficial effects of these traditional beauty products used in Japan. There are anti-aging products like face creams, eye creams, and firming masks that contain them, and which you can buy regardless of your race or skin color.

The simplest detoxification therapy is to modify your daily diet. Although changing your diet is easier said than done, there are people who want to improve their health at any length and do not mind undergoing strict dietary changes. But there are also many others who do not want to change their lifestyle. They prefer to continue having their soft drinks, cigarettes, alcohols or coffee even though they may have started drinking more water and may give up completely on very short notice. It is never easy to change our ways of eating over night.

Hence, modifying our diets to facilitate detoxification is good but may not be sufficient to stimulate the eliminating organs such as the liver, lungs, kidney and bowels.

The following are potential signs and symptoms when detoxification is needed:

- Unexplained weight gain

- Headaches, dizziness or nausea.

- Lower back pains or stiff necks.

- Depression, anxiety or nervousness.

- Lack of energy or fatigue.

- Insomnia.

- Agina pectoris.

- Circulatory deficits and memory failure.

- High blood fats.

- Brittle nails and hair.

- Joint pain or arthritis.

- Unpleasant body odor, coated tongue or bad breath.

- Frequent colds, cough, wheezing, sinus congestion or fever.

- Skin rashes.

- Hives.

- Indigestion.

- Chronic constipation

- Immune weakness

- Frequent allergies.

- Dark circles under the eyes.

Herbal detoxification is a gentle, mild and sometimes refreshing way to accelerate effective detoxification for specific organs. Besides, herbs are also foods rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are an excellent source of nutrition. It does not cure any illness or disease that you already have but helps to improve your health, quality of life and make you feel better about yourself. One source of effective herbal detoxification is herbal combination.

Herbal combination contain the proper amounts of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that nourish your bowels, liver and kidney. At same time it also helps to improve your skin, blood circulation and vitality and reduces fats. Having the right herbal combination for detoxification allows you to go about your normal daily diet without having to worry about your health and still feel healthy.

Most traditional detoxification products contain herbs. Detoxification products that contain superior herbal extracts are able to restore your health to an optimal level by enhancing the effectiveness of your eliminating organs in removing toxins, revitalizes your vigor, nourishes your body, boost your immune system, improve digestion, aids in weight loss and makes you look younger.

Listed below are the types and key function of eight superior herbs that are able to help improve the effectiveness of your eliminating organs in detoxification.

- Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae. (regulates bowel movement, spleen and improves vitality).

- Poria Cocos (eliminates toxins and improves skin condition)

- Radix Cynanchum (eliminates toxins and reduces fats)

- Radix Rubia Yunnanensis (improve blood circulation)

- Folium Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn (nourish the body)

- Radix Panax Quinguefolium (improve vitality)

- Gravel Root (help to dissolve kidney stones and cleanse the kidneys)

- Folium Aloe Vera (an ingredient with laxative effects, promotes better bowel regulation, prevents constipation and destroy bacteria, viruses, yeast and parasites in your system)

For easier swallowing, most herbal extracts in detoxification products are encapsulated and is best taken with meals for better digestion and absorption.

Detoxification is not for everyone. It is not recommended for people with diabetes, liver problem, gut ulcer, cancer and those on warfarin therapy. In fact, people on medical treatment for any conditions should consult their doctor before embarking on a special diet. Pregnant ladies, nursing mothers and children should not go on a detoxification diet or program. Do not start on a detoxification program straight away if you have fatigue, indigestion, cough, muscle pain and poor sleep or any other symptoms. The symptoms can be signs of serious illness. It is important to see your doctor for a thorough assessment to ensure that any of these symptoms are not caused by a medical condition that requires immediate treatment.

You should not forget that dietary herbal supplements are not the only means of effective detoxification for your body. You will also need to exercise, rest, clean water and a healthy diet. Remember that frequent detoxification improves your vitality, makes you feel better and helps to slow down your aging process.