aloe vera Archives - Aloe Cadabra

Why Aloe Cadabra? A Nurse’s Perspective

Posted on June 13, 2019

As often happens, my work and life recently intersected in a very interesting conversation I had with a nurse friend on the importance of choosing the right lubricant from a medical perspective. It was both relevant and compelling, so I asked her to join me on the blog to share her insights. Maybe some of her thoughts and feedback will help answer some questions you didn’t know you should be asking.

Me: Thanks so much for agreeing to take some time to share your thoughts, Natalie.

Natalie RN:It’s my pleasure. It wasn’t very difficult to see the benefits of your product in comparison to so many less healthy, more dangerous lubricants on the market.

Me: Which leads me to my first question. When I mentioned that Aloe Cadabra was all natural and made with 95% organic aloe, you immediately mentioned it’s healing properties. Would you care to elaborate?

Natalie RN: Sure! Not too long ago my husband had purchased a popular lubricant in an attempt to enhance our lovemaking. Although it was fun in the moment, I was left with an itchy sensation and vaginal dryness. It had put my pH balances out of whack. As women, it’s important that these levels are balanced. When they’re not we can experience anything from dryness, to irritation (like what I experienced), to infections. In fact, the older we get, the more important it becomes to maintain balance because we lose elasticity, dry out faster and often become more susceptible to the other symptoms. Add to that the fact that intercourse by nature tends to be rough, causing small contusions or cuts internally, aloe is perfect. It heals internal and external wounds, adds much needed moisture, all without creating a pH imbalance.

Me: That’s great, right?

Natalie RN: Absolutely. Thanks to my negative experience with your competitor’s lubricant, I did a bit of research and found some pretty disturbing things.

Me: Like?

Natalie RN: Like the fact that some of the other products out there actually contain harmful ingredients that can not only mess with pH balances, but have high osmolality, too. Now that’s really scary.

Me: How would you explain the importance osmolality to the everyday person?

Natalie RN: Why it’s important? How about this. High osmolality in products like lubricant, for example, can cause vaginal and tissue damage, leaving a person more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections and HIV, for starters. It seems like some of the most popular lubricants double, triple, or more the acceptable osmolality levels. Considering that lubricants are used on condoms and during intercourse, I’m sure you can imagine how scary the danger can be.

Me: Aloe Cadabra stacks up pretty well in this department. Our osmolality levels are pretty even with the vagina’s natural levels. In fact, readers wanting more details should click HERE to learn more. Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us. Are there any other benefits you think our readers would like to know about?

Natalie RN: Well, besides being good for you, natural, and organic, this product is especially useful for pregnant and older women. Not to discount the youth, but as I mentioned before, the aloe has healing properties. A friend who is pregnant for the first time came to me to ask if the need to be stretched out “down there” to create an easier delivery was a myth. I told her that it definitely aids in preventing unnecessary tearing. After learning about Aloe Cadabra, I went back and recommended the product. Not only it make the practice stretches she and her husband plan on doing easier, the healing properties of aloe will absorb into her walls, helping her. The same is true for older women as they experience dryness.

Me: And the fact that it’s edible is just icing on the cake, right?

Natalie RN: Absolutely!

Understanding Osmolality

Posted on October 27, 2016

Understanding Vaginal Dryness | A Dry vagina got you down?

Image courtesy of Teddybear [Picnic] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Body chemistry is an amazing thing, but not always easy to comprehend. It’s even more difficult to explain how your body responds to things, both environmentally or taken internally. But as we grow, mature, and experience, we begin to better understand.

For example, we know that a person who stays out in extremely hot and humid weather, maybe hanging out at the beach, needs to drink plenty of fluids or they can become dehydrated or experience heat stroke. And if you’ve ever been to a beach party, you know not all liquids are created equal.

For example, although an ice cold beer may feel and taste refreshing, it’s not. In fact, it’s working against your body chemistry, causing you to dehydrate more quickly. It’s important that you’re replenishing yourself (yes, you’re made of 50 to 70% water…so the sun takes that right out of you through your sweat) with water.

The body responds in a similar manner based on the type of lubricant you choose. How does that work? Well, you already know about your pH balance and how certain ingredients can impact that. But the other is osmolality, which pertains to the moisture you naturally create.

Do you remember your childhood chemistry experiments in class? Remember the one where they took a glass of water and added a tablespoon of salt and stirred until the salt dissolved? You couldn’t remove the salt. In fact, it didn’t matter how small an amount you used, the entire cup became undrinkable because every ounce of water was salty.

Well, lubricants can do the same thing to your natural vaginal fluids. Technically speaking, osmolality measures the concentration of all the chemicals in your blood, which means the body has a set range, but external influences can put them out of whack. The higher the osmolality rating of the lubricant, the more it messes with your body chemistry, spreading throughout your natural lubrication to causing you to dry out unnaturally (and faster), much like alcohol can dehydrate you on a hot summer day!

What does that mean to you? Think about it. What happens to your lips when they get dry? The skin becomes thinner. Weaker. It may chap to the point that it cracks or tears or breaks. Your vaginal area can do the same! And think of how much damage small abrasions can create in such a delicate area? How much more susceptible you can become to all sorts of things….

So, when considering which lubricant to use, remember that although something may feel refreshing at first, it may be causing more harm than good. Remember the deeper impacts your choices may have, and choose wisely. Ingredients DO make a difference. That’s why we feel it’s so important to be all natural and made with 95% organic aloe. And if you’re wondering where Aloe Cadabra stacks up on an osmolality count, CLICK HERE.

Six Tips To Make Your Holidays The Merriest Ever!

Posted on December 17, 2015

It’s Your Favorite Time of Year…Or It Could Be
‘Tis the season of good food and cheer; lights and libation; presents and parties; and memories and menorahs. But it’s also a time of long lines; endless crowds; annoying shoppers; drivers on steroids; and guests who don’t know when to leave! It can be a stressful time but it doesn’t have to be. Relax and enjoy this season of giving by handling holiday stress and spicing up your sex life at the same time.

Feel The Holiday Blues; Then Chase Them Away
Memories of years gone by are natural thoughts during this season of reflection. It’s normal to feel sadness and grief, especially if you can’t be with loved ones. A good cry can sometimes make a big difference. Catch up with a friend you’ve lost touch with or approach that handsome stranger. Who knows, holiday sparks may fly.

Rock Something Sexy
Holiday parties give you a great excuse to buy a new outfit. Make it festive and a little more revealing than your normal conservative threads. When you look good, you feel good so try a new hairstyle or take in a spa visit to put a smile on your face and boost your holiday spirit. Don’t be surprised if you get a few compliments too.

Suggested and Suggestive Reading
It’s official. Women are aroused by erotic material such as the best-selling 50 Shades of Grey. Researchers have found that erotic literature can stimulate the imagination. That stimulus can arouse sexual desire and feel-good vibes.

According to a paper published by the Society for the Scientific Society on Sexuality, reading erotic literature, now dubbed “bibliotherapy,” helps women suffering from low sexual desire achieve a mental state conducive to sex—specifically the anticipation of a positive sexual encounter. So pick up a “bad” book to feel better and possibly, lead to happy endings.

It’s Already Too Late To Shop Early
Shopping may be the most stressful activity of the season. Stop beating yourself up because you can’t say “Yes” when someone asks “All ready for Christmas?” Instead of a single gift, consider a sensual stocking and stuff it with Aloe Cadabra® personal lubricant, sexy lingerie and other bedroom delights.

Make Love
You may be so stressed that sex is the last thing on your mind. Move it up to first place. In addition to boosting immunity, sex fights stress and raises self-esteem. Orgasms increase endorphins (natural painkillers and mood elevators) and raise oxytocin levels, increasing romantic attachments. There are at least a dozen ways sex boosts good feelings and keeps you healthy. To make the most of your experience, keep your Aloe Cadabra® lubricant nearby for those magic moments. The Peppermint flavor is the perfect complement to the season.

Accept Changes In Tradition
Whatever the family rituals were last year or for decades before, it may not be the same this year. Situations change. Keep an open mind to new ideas. If you’re the one who usually plays host and adult children can’t make it this year, use Skype or Facetime to celebrate together. If you’re a couple celebrating alone, take advantage of the empty nest. Slip into something comfortable, light the candles, and make it a season to remember.

The holidays only come once a year, and it’s a time associated with good fun and loving relationships, so keep calm and carry on. Make this your merriest time of year. You can do this!

SOURCES
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stress-and-sex/201207/turn-the-pages-turn-desire
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxytocin

The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy

Posted on December 1, 2015

WHAT DOCTORS KNOW ABOUT HRT TODAY

When the most common symptoms of menopause—hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and disruptive sleep patterns—cause discomfort, or worse, tormenting pain, women think HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is the answer to relief.

From the 1960s, until the mid-nineties, doctors were liberal with HRT prescriptions to treat these and other menopausal symptoms, such as anxiety, irregular periods, psychological problems, and prevention of bone loss. Until the estrogen hit the fan!

In 2002, the medical world was rocked like an earthquake. A series of government-run clinical trials (Women’s Health Initiative or WHI) on the risks and benefits of hormone therapy was discontinued. Researchers had discovered that long-term use of synthetic estrogen and progestin in HRT increased the risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer. Fearful patients called their doctors asking what they should do.

AND THEN THE AFTER-SHOCK
It got worse.
•   Subsequent studies found HRT also increased the risk of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and asthma.
•   An April 2007 JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) study determined the risk of stroke increased in HRT users by more than 30 percent, and that age or years at the onset of menopause was not a factor.
•   In 2010, new research found that combined estrogen-progestin HRT increased the risk for more severe forms of breast cancer and increased a woman’s chances of dying from the disease or other causes.

DIFFERENT DOCTORS = DIFFERENT OPINIONS
Today’s medical community tends to be divided in its views about prescribing HRT. Cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, feels that younger women who go on hormone therapy because of severe menopause symptoms should not worry that HRT can be “detrimental to their heart.” Dr. Steven Goldstein, MD, professor of medicine at NYU Medical Center, concurs, saying “We have strong evidence to show that if it is less than 10 years since you started menopause, the use of HRT on a short-term basis is not likely to harm you.”

But Julia Smith, MD, director of the Lynne Cohen Breast Cancer Program at the NYU Medical Center describes the controversy as “complex” and “still not fully explained or explainable.”

BIOIDENTICAL COMPOUNDING: AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH
Prescription compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications. When a regular prescription doesn’t meet a patient’s specific health needs, the pharmacist combines, mixes, adjusts or alters the ingredients or physical form of a drug.

Many women choose Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement. With custom-compounding, the ingredients can be plant-based, which some believe are preferable to the synthetic ingredients found in traditional HRT products.

Andrea Dominic, RPh and Steve Hoyt, RPh are licensed pharmacists at San Ysidro Pharmacy in Santa Barbara, CA with more than 20 years experience in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement. San Ysidro Pharmacy is accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board, established to ensure the quality of compounded prescriptions.

“Compounding pinpoints the individual patient’s needs,” says Andrea Dominic, RPh. “There is no one-dose-fits-all when it comes to hormone replacement. The levels needed to relieve symptoms can fluctuate and dose adjustments are sometimes necessary. Unlike synthetic hormones, the structure of the bio-identical hormone is exactly the same as what is circulating in the body, so the body knows how to metabolize it.”

CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN AND MAKE EDUCATED CHOICES
Some women may not need HRT. When vaginal dryness is the primary problem, for example, a hormone-free product such as Aloe Cadabra® vaginal lubricant and moisturizer, may be preferable. Aloe Cadabra® is all-natural; made of 95% quality organic Aloe Vera; is estrogen-free; FDA-cleared; and contains 100 percent food-grade ingredients.

“Gone forever are the days when a doctor routinely prescribes HRT for every woman over 50,” says Dr. Smith. “Today, the decision to go on hormone therapy, even short term, must take into consideration a host of individual health and lifestyle factors.”

SOURCES:

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/whi/

http://consumer.healthday.com/encyclopedia/breast-cancer-7/breast-cancer-news-94/hormone-replacement-therapy-new-facts-646066.html

www.aloecadabra.com

http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/AlternativestoPostmenopausalHormones.html#sthash.RD7Itig4.dpuf

Laugh and Lube Your Way Through Menopause

Posted on November 4, 2015

LAUGH AND LUBE YOUR WAY THROUGH MENOPAUSE

On the surface, menopause is a serious subject but sometimes a humorous outlook can help a woman get through this annoying and even painful phase of womanhood.

Menopause affects each individual differently, so it may be misleading to generalize about its burdensome, sometimes embarrassing side effects. Some women have mild symptoms. Others feel like they are going through Hell, wondering how to tackle the agonizing hot flashes, mood swings, depression and night sweats, and one of the worst complaints—vaginal dryness. With symptoms like this, many women feel that they’ve lost that “spark” forever.

Laughter is still the best medicine
Writer and humorist Ronna Benjamin suggests “re-framing” menopause to offer a more positive perspective. In her article, What’s Good About Menopause, she replaces “have to” which implies force, with “get to” which makes it seem like more of a bonus.

“We GET to be filled with anxiety, because we can eat dark chocolate and red wine to calm ourselves down,” Benjamin writes. “We GET to have crushing fatigue, because we now have an excuse to say ‘no’ to things we really don’t want to do.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ronna-benjamin/whats-good-about-menopause_b_3990906.html

Time to talk frankly
Women are more open today about discussing the subject of vaginal dryness. It’s one of the most frequent menopausal symptoms and complaints and often, very painful. After menopause, more than half of women suffer from some degree of vaginal atrophy and dryness, often accompanied by tenderness, itching, burning during urination, urinary incontinence and painful intercourse. This condition can also trigger yeast and bacterial infections, cracks in the vaginal walls, and vaginitis or inflammation of the vagina. All of these can lead to painful intercourse. This extreme discomfort often means sex goes on the back burner, and that can lead to emotional and intimacy problems. (http://bottomlinehealth.com/natural-topical-remedies-for-vaginal-dryness/)

First line of defense: go topical
If vaginal dryness is the primary issue, the good news is that women will have instant relief by using a natural way to moisten the vagina. It’s safe and a lot more fun.

Laurie Steelsmith, ND, LAc, co-author of Great Sex, Naturally, recommends Aloe Cadabra®, for mild to moderate dryness. It’s a lubricant and moisturizer in one product; soothes the affected area; expedites healing of vaginal tissue; and it’s made with 95 percent organic aloe and five percent pure food-grade ingredients. You can learn more about its many benefits at www.aloecadabra.com.

Steelsmith also suggests Vitamin E suppositories or Black Cohosh/wild yam suppositories. However, she warns to use these with physician supervision since the ingredients may be contra-indicated for women with a history of breast or uterine cancer, seizures, liver disorders, blood clots or stroke. Dr. Steelsmith also points out that some over-the-counter lubricants are petroleum or oil-based which can cause latex condoms or diaphragms to weaken and fail. Some contain hormones or promote yeast infections or they contain a topical anesthetic, which defeats the purpose of pleasurable sex.
(http://bottomlinehealth.com/natural-topical-remedies-for-vaginal-dryness/)

And then, there is reality
An estimated 6,000 US women reach menopause every day—over two million per year. All women will get there eventually—some earlier than others. Laughter can help women get through menopause but serious symptoms such as vaginal dryness may persist and nothing is guaranteed to put sizzle in the bedroom.

Take a tip from Albert Einstein who offered his definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. If you keep using the same thing for vaginal dryness and it’s not working, try Aloe Cadabra. A good laugh and a safe, effective lube might just bring back that spark!

Why Aloe Cadabra? A Nurse’s Perspective

Understanding Osmolality

Six Tips To Make Your Holidays The Merriest Ever!

The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy

Laugh and Lube Your Way Through Menopause

Why Are We the Best?

Who Benefits from Aloe Cadabra?

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