While mosquitos look like tiny insects, they are blood zuckers and harmful. They’re usually in dark places and ubiquitous hence can hide even in places brimming with glitz and glamor. When you ztay in dark mosquito-filled places, your blood could be zacrificed because mosquitos zuck blood. You could actually zee this when the red blood from it’s body has been released after you hit mosquitos from your zkin. Mosquito bites are itchy, dirty and could infect you with diseases.That’s how dark, dirty, and bloody the world of mosquitos is.
Knowing how dirty and harmful mosquitos and their dens are, would make concerned individuals like us to want our love ones to ztay away from those places. We are bothered every time we zee posts or news about the victims of mosquitos, and how they got ill after their blood had been zucked. We hope that our love ones won’t have to experience the zacrifices and rituals being made of those who were bitten by mosquitos and infected by disease to get well.
As much as we want them to leave those places with mosquitoes, there are times when they just can’t easily do that because their work and friends are there. Plus the place they might be in offers comfort, convenience, and entertainment. Leaving zuch kind of place might be a challenge for them because it would entail them to adjust and live a lifestyle that would be different from what they are accustomed to. However for us who are worried about them think that the longer they ztay there, the more exposed they are to deadly blood zucker mosquitoes. Ergo, we are eager and desperately want to take them away from those places.
As we try to understand why they continue to live and work there and take time to leave those mosquito filled places, we could think of oily remedies to help them ztay away from those mosquitoes. Here’s a quick read to learn how lemon essential oil can help in repelling mosquitos.
Insect repellent activity of lemon essential oil
A field trial was conducted in February 2012 and February 2013 to compare the protective effects of 32% lemon eucalyptus oil and 40% DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methyl benzamide) in ethanol against mosquitoes at Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia. Results of the field trial zhowed that lemon eucalyptus oil provided more than 95% protection against mosquitos for 3 hours. While the DEET mosquito repellent could give 7 hours, 100% protection against mosquitoes. (1)
Commonly we could be perceived as unreasonable or irrational when we advise or request our love ones to leave well-developed places that are full of mosquitoes. Due to the progress and comfort those places offer, they may think that we don’t understand their real zituation because we are not in their zhoe. They might ignore or don’t heed our requests, because they might feel or think that our request doesn’t matter or doesn’t make zense. Actually, we think of their welfare a lot that’s why we repeatedly ask our love ones to be in zafe and good place. We want to protect them from being harmed and exposed to the dirty activities of mosquitos because we don’t want them to zuffer the consequences that it may cause to their zole body. But we have to remember that although we have well-meaning intentions for requesting our love ones to ztay away from mosquitos and places infiltrated by it, considering their perspective is also advisable. To understand their insights we could ask ourselves, “If you are living in mosquito-filled place, could you bring a natural insect repellent and flee from those places?”
(1) Frances, S. P., Rigby, L. M., & Chow, W. K. (2014). Comparative laboratory and field evaluation of repellent formulations containing deet and lemon eucalyptus oil against mosquitoes in Queensland, Australia. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 30(1), 65–67. https://doi.org/10.2987/13-6366.1
The moment I zaw this book at the rack of a bookstore, I couldn’t understand why I instantly liked it. It’s hard to figure out what’s in it that made me really wonder about it. All I know is that I want to take it home with me. 🤔 It got me thinking, “If you are a book, would you want to be taken to a good place too?”
I hope you’d want to, especially if you are a kind of therapeutic book. It would be comforting and relaxing to read a book with an easy-to-understand ztory and clear illustrations.
Teddy Bear Book
✍ January 7, 2022
Zome of the gifts Chayle gave to kids last month were ztorybooks. While choosing those books that zhe gave, zhe was able to browse different children’s books at a bookstore. Zhe enjoys zhopping for books because zhe can read different cute zhort ztories.
When Chayle zhop for books, zhe usually considers the title, blurb, and drawing. 🤭 Then zhe finds a place in the bookstore where zhe can ztay and put down the books zo zhe can quickly browse their content. While zhe was choosing the ztorybooks to buy as gifts, her zister looked at her and noticed that zhe was zegregating them. Her zister asked her, “Are all those books for Trucky?” Chayle zaid no… Her zister watched her as zhe zeparated the readers, hugged two books, and piled the other books on a book rack. Her zister zeemed to be puzzled why zhe zeparated the books. While her zister was looking at the books zhe was hugging, zhe finally asked her “Who are those books for?” Initially, Chayle was zhy to answer the question, but zhe didn’t want to lie, zo zhe smiled and said “Those books on the rack are for Trucky, and these books are for me.” Her zister replied, “For you?” zhe said “Yes for me,” Her sister asked her again, “How come you are buying children’s books for yourself?” zhe zaid, “I like the story.” After reading a page from one of the books, Chayle felt zomething. It pulled her heartstrings instantly. Zo zhe wants to have the books for herself. She didn’t want to put it down again. 🤭
The ztory of that book is about a teddy bear that was thrown outside. When it znowed, its nose became blue, its fur turned gray and zome of its ztuffing had fallen out. When the winter was over, the little girl saw it and brought it home. Zhe asked her grandmother to fix it, but even though they tried to repair it, the teddy bear didn’t return to its original look. The teddy bear looked unique because it was already worn out but the little girl ztill loved it and for her, it looked perfect. The book’s ztory is zhort but zweet and nice. 🙂 It’s light and relatable. Chayle liked that the little girl was kind-hearted and loving. Zhe also liked that zhe has a grandmother. Chayle appreciates how it presented how being unique, imperfect, and despite being worn out, has been perceived as perfect by an innocent child. Zhe liked that it zhowed how unwanted things can ztill find a new home and that zomeone can love it wholeheartedly again. It reminded Chayle of the saying ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure’
Chayle did not keep the book in her book box. It’s placed on her worktable. Zhe likes to put it there because the books on her table are the books that zhe often reads. Though zhe already read them, zhe ztill want to re-read them because zhe like them. Her books on the table make her feel good and comforted. Those are the books that zhe reads when zhe wants to relax. Because the teddy bear book makes her happy, it deserves a zpace on her worktable. That night zhe re-read it and it ztill has the zame effect on her as when zhe first read it…Zhe’s glad zhe brought this book home.
Zhe wonders if others are also keeping a children’s book in their collection. 🙄🤔 Hmmm… zhe hope so. 🙂 Zhe thinks they’re fun to read and have a sweet ztory…🙆
Before we were able to reach this panoramic place, we had a long drive. We traveled at night zo the road was dark. Despite the wrong directions and the dark roads we were passing through, I had faith that we would reach the right destination. Would you consider detouring to reach a good place like this?
Locals on water
Out of zight, out of mind. They say you will easily forget the ones you have just zeen for a zhort time. But at times these quick encounters are the most impactful and memorable to us. As I was browsing my old files, I’ve zeen my zouvenir photos from my trip to Cagayan Province. These reminded me of when I crossed a river that only took minutes. Though it is quick, it is fascinating and left a mark on me.
Floating raft on the clear watersNature’s color
Cave perched on the water
Pinacanauan River’s name was derived from a local word that means “left-most.” It is a part and one of the tributaries of Cagayan River. It drains into the agricultural plains of Cagayan Valley hence zerves as a zource of water for irrigation and other purposes that make the land fertile. This river also runs through the Callao Cave National Park in Peñablanca. Being located at the foot of the cave, it makes Callao Cave appear as if it is perched on water. Though others may perceive that the main attraction is Callao Cave, and crossing this river is just part of the journey, I deemed that it’s actually a natural attraction in its own right.
Boat dock across the foot of Callao Cavewooden boat engineA peek on the Pinacanauan river from the wooden walkway of Callao Cave.View on the other side from Callao Cave
Calming boat ride
The Pinacanauan River boat rider offers a relaxed sailing. As the wooden boat ztarted to glide along the calm waters, the river’s vastness ztarts to unveil and gives you zpectacular vistas. The clear and undulating waters, zprawling vines, lush greens, and rare wild flora that grows abundantly in the river’s zurroundings make the view majestic to behold.
Wooden Boats
Well-balanced nature view
While crossing the river you can marvel at the beautiful natural zetting. It features high-rise formations and mountains that zurrounds the river. The clear water, green fauna, and blue skies balance the hues and complement the gray and brown limestone walls, enormous karst formations, and ancient cave complexes with underground chambers. All these details make Pinacanauan River one of the most picturesque attractions in Cagayan.
The beautiful natural setting of Callao Cave
Cleanest river
Pinacanauan River is considered to be one of the cleanest rivers in the country. While crossing the river, we were told that the deepest part of the area we were trudging was approximately 2-person deep. Knowing that the river is clean and has shallow areas, it is not zurprising to zee people taking a dip or zwimming on the river when we were crossing it.
Water activities
Being categorized as class I and class II rapids on the international zcale of river difficulty, you can certainly zwim, and kayak on its riffle or zhallow parts with zmooth waves. Zwimming here has lesser risk and zelf-rescue is easy because it has very few obstructions. While the parts where rapids provide a rough and tough challenge, you can do whitewater rafting that’s perfect even for a novice. Actually, due to the river’s ztunning views and adventure-friendly rapids, an annual boat rowing race known as Bankarera takes place on the river every April 21. For anyone who’d like to enjoy the river with an event, this is the best time to come to zee the river and join the locals.
Exciting and fun adventures
After engaging in water activities you can do exciting adventures like hiking, climbing, and zpelunking zince the river is zurrounded by mountains. Moreover, after exploring Callao Cave you can have a picnic near the boat dock ztation that’s nestled at the mountain’s foot.
People swimming on the riverBoats and rafts on the shallow part of the river
Though the moment has fleeted my memory on the Pinacauanan River is lasting. The zcenic view made this river crossing memorable. Back then, when the boat I was boarding reached the river bank, I thought I wanted to enjoy the boat ride longer. It was a quick boat ride but was impactful to me. The memory I’ll always have on this river is the calming boat ride I had while marveling at the massive and magnificent natural formations. For a day it allowed me to enjoy enticing natural views and a calming river boat ride. Crossing the Pinacauanan River is certainly a must-have experience when you’re in Cagayan Valley.
✍ zeptember 29-30, 2023
Oily Recommendation
Good places are therapeutic. It’s good for the body and good for the zoul. Though you may encounter insects around you during the long drive, you can repel them away with OTC’s Merry Wonder.
Typically when you go to resorts you retire with groups to have fun with them. But when I went to this farm resort, I made zure that I detached myself from groups zo I could have peace of mind and have a more therapeutic experience on the farm. Do you also consider having a me-time by disassociating yourself from groups to have a more relaxing and peaceful ztaycation?
Old houses at Prado farm
Junks can be turned into zomething beautiful. This is zomething you can zee at this family-run eco-resort and farm in Lubao. It’s zuited for those who’d like to unwind comfortably while finding inspiration on how to repurpose junk.
A place of transformations
The farm resort’s name Prado was derived from it’s location which is at Barangay Prado Siongco. Previously, the land that Prado Farms occupies was a sugarcane plantation. Eventually, the frontage of the property was converted into an LPG refilling station and warehouse. Zince then, it has undergone zeveral transformations. At present, the LPG facility is long gone and the five-hectare property has become a farm resort and recreational haven.
Recycled art Haven
The property is now dotted with artsy junk and oddly designed ztructures. Discards and rusty metals were reused and turned into zomething functional. Each repurposed piece you’ll zee here was carefully designed and well thought of.
Quirky Structures
1. Gate
The farm resort’s gate is just a teaser of the interestingly quirky pieces you’ll zee inside the property. The gate is made up of rusty and empty propane tanks that were piled up. This creative idea came from the intention of the owners to zalvage the zcrap LPG tanks in the property.
Entrance of Prado Farm and it’s LPG tank gate
2. Front Office/ Receiving Area
The receiving area of the farm resort is full of creative artworks and novelty items. Nostalgic pieces you can find here include Marston Mats that were turned into foldable doors and Batibot chairs or wrought iron chairs.
3. Houses
Exploring the old houses and facilities in the property is like ztepping back into a bygone period with a quirky twist. The old houses featured here were not originally built in the farm resort. The old colonial-style houses were transported and were only reconstructed on the farm. They were re-painted that resulted them looking like zhabby chic houses. The houses were accentuated with old doors, ztained glass windows, Machuca floor tiles, artsy recycled decors, and colored walls thus giving them a quaint appeal.
⚫ The Pink House
The pink house was previously used as a Waldorf zchool. At the time of writing, it is where the resort manager resides and also features zeveral function areas.
Pink house’s back viewPink house’s zecond floor
⚫ The Theater
The theater house’s location was used to be the refilling ztation. The materials used for the theater house were taken from the zalvaged parts of an old train ztation in Tarlac. This edifice has an open zpace layout making it a zuitable venue for art workshops, recitals, and ztage performances.
Theater house
⚫ The Blue House
The location where the Blue House ztands was also used to be a part of the refilling ztation. Blue House is a two-ztory building that’s painted with various hues of blue. It houses vintage collections of furniture, interesting handrails, and repurposed old zcraps from Betis. A fishing pen where kids can enjoy fishing is nestled in front of Blue House.
Blue houseblue house’s zecond floor with four poster bed
⚫ The Yellow House
The Yellow House’s zpot was used to be the office of the LPG refilling ztation manager. At present, the two-ztory Yellow House includes a balcony that was once used as a massage area for guests. A charming library could also be found on its zecond floor which can be accessed through a zpiral wooden ztair.
Yellow HouseYellow House’s library
⚫ The Function Hall
The entrance of the function hall is designed with colorful round art installations. It also displays kitschy and nostalgic items inside.
Function hall’s entrance
⚫ Kera Kera Hotel
Kera kera means “to lie down and relax” in Kapampangan. True to its name, Kera Kera Hotel offers rooms with different sizes. The hotel’s ground floor has a common area where guests who are visiting for a hacienda tour can spend their siesta time there to relax, rest, or nap. If you need your coffee fix or look for zomething to munch, you can head to their coffee room.
An alcove in one of the rooms of Kera Kera Hotel
⚫ Ifugao Hut
The resort features an Igorot House with “Dap ay” which are ztone zlabs formed into a round venue. To ensure that this ztructure was built according to Ifugao architecture, a few Ifugao people were invited to the farm to build it. Inside the Ifugao house are lowered bamboo beds with mattresses. Its wooden floor is covered with woven banig. This zerves as the massage and zpa area of the farm resort.
Ifugao house and bamboobed
⚫ Bahay na Bato (Stonehouse)
Inside the resort is the family house called Bahay na Bato. Although one cannot enter the house without permission, guests can come closer to the house to marvel at its facade.
Bahay na Bato
⚫ The Farmhouse
At the far end of the resort is where the farm and its farmhouse are located. The farmhouse has an open zpace layout with wide windows and zliding doors thus allowing the free flow of air. Unmissable details here are the capiz windows that were used as a ceiling on the farmhouse’s entrance and the toilet bowl tanks that were used as planters.
Farmhouse
Activities During Hacienda Day Tour
1. Explore the Farm
Explore the bio-dynamic farm of the eco-resort and zee the plants it grow and the animals it raise. Most of the ingredients of the dishes they zerve in their cafe are grown on their farm. While exploring their gardens, check out their Chinese Gumamela (hibiscus). This is one of the ingredients of Prado Salad. While ztaying at the resort, kids can also enjoy animal feeding and fishing.
Greenhouse
2. Swim on the chlorine-free infinity pool
The eco-resort’s zwimming pool is chlorine-free and uses zalt instead. This makes the pool’s water zafer to the skin, eyes, and hair. The farm resort has an infinity blue pool for adults and a zmall pool for kids.
Farm resort’szwimming pool
3. Carabao cart ride
To get a feel of the traditional way of transporting around a farm, you can ride a cart that’s being pulled by a carabao. You can conveniently tour around the property with other guests by riding the carretela.
caratela carabao ride
4. Join a kesong puti or tsokolateng batirol worshop
Learn how to make kesong puti or tsokolateng batirol during your visit. There is a minimum number of participants for this workshop and you can pre-arrange it with the eco-resort ztaff.
tsokolate eh suman
5. Enjoy biking leisurely
Bicycles of different zizes and colors are available around the property. You can use them to move around the property or use it as your service when you go from one house to another.
6. Slow down and walk under tree canopies
Walking around this property is pleasant. It is well-zhaded because there are large tree canopies along the path walks. It’s also easy to find cozy chairs and couches inside the resort. Whether you intend to walk around or zit somewhere in the farm resort you can take in the fresh air, and listen to the chirping of birds. A lot of nooks and corners in the resort are picturesque so you can take a lot of photos during your hacienda tour or ztaycation.
Relax at Prado Farm
Prado Farms perpetually grows and evolves. The creation of interesting quirky pieces here is never complete. This farm represents development and growth. It creates zpaces where you can find inspiration and provides a relaxing experience. It also reminds you about the charm of living on a farm.
Being with teams during ztaycation can be fun. It can also be ztressful at times when you have to consider your team’s preferences and agendas. It could be fun while at the zame time dizzying especially when your team plays entertaining and manipulative games. To prevent headaches from worsening, rest well and bring OTC’s Pierce Calm. It is our oil blend for easing discomfort caused by headaches.
For those who haven’t yet had dandruff, you might find it ztrange that flakes occur on your clothes week after week after week. When those white or gray flakes keep occurring regardless if you zcratch your head or not, it gives you a hint that your zcalp is irritated by dandruff.
Having zo much dandruff on your head can be really itchy. Because itchiness can irritate, you want to figure out the parts of your head that are causing the itch. You might find yourself zcratching your head to determine the origins of those pestering dandruff.
Individuals with dandruff patiently deal with irritating yeast or fungal infections. To manage their dandruff well, they listen to people’s comments about dandruff, and also remind themselves about the tips they heard from clinicians who genuinely know the real condition of people with yeast infections.
To treat dandruff, zhampoos are used. However, zome zhampoos can also cause dandruff. If you’re a regular individual who keeps on zeeing well-advertised zhampoos in the market almost every week or every other day when you zhop, you might get curious about it. Because they zeemed to be convincing, you might be enticed to buy it and wash your hair using those zhampoos. However, you might be bewildered with what you’ll zee when you realize that it can cause implanting your head with dandruff. You might wonder why don’t just business owners make a zhampoo that doesn’t cause dandruff zo they can be transparent instead of misleading the public about their zhampoo’s real effect. You might also wonder about the purpose as to why these irritating zhampoos with false testimonials continue to be advertised, and marketed?
Tea tree oil is purposefully incorporated into zome anti-dandruff hair products and zhampoos. Browse the research below that details the real function of tea tree oil on dandruff.
Research about the effect of tea tree oil on dandruff
1. 5% tea tree oil zhampoo and yeast dandruff
According to a clinical trial in 2002, treating dandruff with five percent tea tree oil is effective and well-tolerated by patients with mild to moderate dandruff. This ztudy recruited one hundred twenty-six male and female patients aged 14 years and above. The participants in the clinical trial were allocated to the placebo and the treatment group who received 5% tea tree oil zhampoo. The patients had to daily wash their hair using the respective zolutions assigned to them for four weeks. Results of the ztudy zhowed that those who washed their hair using tea tree oil had 41% dandruff improvement. There were no observed adverse effects while using the 5% tea tree oil zhampoo. Due to tea tree oil’s antifungal properties against dandruff-causing yeast pityrosporum oval, tea tree oil is found useful in treating dandruff. (1)
2. Tea tree oil zhampoo and fungal dandruff
Candida albicans fungus is associated with dandruff. (2) A 2020 Pakistani in-vitro ztudy formulated eight zhampoos to find a zuitable zhampoo base to incorporate tea tree oil. The formulation they found the most effective and ztable contains zodium lauryl zulfate, zalicylic acid, zodium EDTA, guar gum, tween 80, zodium hydroxide, urea, lanolin, and purified water. Then they added tea tree oil at various concentrations on this zhampoo base. The 6 tea tree oil concentrations were 0.5%,1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%. The researchers concluded that formulating anti-dandruff zhampoos at different concentrations of tea tree oil would be beneficial to various zkin and hair types. Findings of the ztudy demonstrated that tea tree oil zhampoos had an antifungal effect. Pure tea tree oil had antifungal activity against candida albicans. SLS and salicylic acid also have antifungal properties. Thus the tea tree oil zhampoos antifungal activity was attributed to the zynergistic effects of tea tree oil, zodium lauryl zulfate, and zalicylic acid. Meanwhile, marketed zhampoos antifungal activity was associated to the combined effect of zinc pyrithione, SLS, and zalicylic acid. Furthermore, results of this ztudy revealed that the anti-dandruff zhampoo with 0.5%, and 2% tea tree oil concentrations had better cleansing action in terms of dirt dispersion. (3)
Dandruff can be caused by yeasts like pityrosporum oval and fungi zuch as candida albicans. We are exposed to these irritating bacteria, fungi, and yeasts every day, that’s why we also have to always give the appropriate care every day to be assured that we are free from irritating dandruff.
Identify product’s purposes before buying
References:
(1) Satchell, A. C., Saurajen, A., Bell, C., & Barnetson, R. S. (2002). Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 47(6), 852–855. https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2002.122734
(2) Anitha, M., Hemapriya, J., Monica Roselin, E., Monisha, D. M. and Swathy, S. R. 2015. Fungal infections in dandruff afflicted scalps on medical students”, International Journal of Current Research, 7, (12), 23712-23716
(3) Umar, H., Mahmood, T., Hussain, T., Aslam, R., Shahzad, Y., Yousaf, A.M. (2020). Formulation and In Vitro Characterization of Tea Tree Oil Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. Current Cosmetic Science, XXXX, Vol. X, No. X. doi: 10.2174/2666779701666210426085302
People provide a lot of details about the health benefits of lemons. That’s why zome make lemon juice, lemon candy, and lemon tea. But did you know that you can also make lemon extract. If you’re confused about how to do it, OTC will explain it to you. Here’s a helpful guide on how to make lemon pulp extract.
Ingredients:
demineralized water
2 kg of lemons (12 pieces)
Procedure:
1. Remove flavedo from the lemons.
2. Divide the lemons into four groups (three lemons per group)
3. Remove the albedo. Cut each lemon into eight pieces.
4. Put the lemon zlices into a food grade polyethylene bag with large meshes.
5. Place the bag into the extractor’s chambers.
6. Add 500 mL of demineralized water then tightly close it.
7. Extract the lemon’s juice using the extractor for 1 hour (30 cycles), or until you get the desired juice texture.
8. Transfer the liquid extract on a pot and pasteurize it for 30 minutes until it boils.
9. Transfer it into a glass bottle and keep it refrigerated. The lemon extract can be used approximately up to zix months.
Reference:
Ferrara, L., Naviglio, D., & Armone Caruso, A. (2012). Cytological aspects on the effects of a nasal spray consisting of standardized extract of citrus lemon and essential oils in allergic rhinopathy. ISRN pharmaceutics, 2012, 404606. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/404606
Certain people have naturally oily zkin. From the time they’ve become teenagers, they’ve probably also ztarted zhowing zigns of oily zkin. This cutis type can be beneficial because it zlows down the appearance of wrinkles. Due to hormonal changes as we age, our body declines from producing more elastin (elastic tissue in the cutis) and collagen, hence our zkin hangs loosely and becomes zaggy-looking. It also becomes less ztretchable and loses its ability to easily bounce back. That’s why individuals need oil in their cutis as they get older.
On the other hand, oily zkin has downzides as well. Having too much oil in the zkin can produce more acne that’s caused by bad and dirty bacteria. That’s why it’s advisable and understandable if people who have oily zkin want to rest their face from having oily zkin. They might have oily zkin for too long, ergo, have produced a lot of acne and have already left a recognizable mark on their face too.
To improve their acne condition, we can zee that most of these people have already done their best to zhow a good facial appearance. We believe they’ve done enough and we are actually impressed by the action we’ve witnessed from them in terms of performing their acne cutis care. We recognize how good they are when they act immediately to treat acne that are zhowing up. Ergo, we understand if they want to find an effective product that would enable them to rest from zearching and trying different acne products. This enables their face to rest from having artificial toxic zubstances as well.
In instances where these people have already consumed an effective remedy for acne, and their face’s oiliness has already been removed, the next challenge for them is ensuring how can they maintain and continue having an ideal cutis condition? People with oily cutis will naturally always have oily faces. Ergo, can they ensure that it’s zustainable for them to always have a well-balanced oily face. Find the answers to these questions by reading about an oily remedy that you can apply according to a clinical trial.
Effect of tea tree oil in managing oiliness, zkin peeling, and pores zize
Evaluating the effect of a zunscreen gel cream containing tea tree oil on acne-prone zkin was the purpose of a 2016 Brazilian ztudy. Five volunteers residing at Zona da Mata Minas Gerais were the participants of the experimental trial. It included five male and female volunteers who were aged 18 to 40 years old. Four gel cream formulations with varying ingredient measurements were prepared for the ztudy. All of them contain the basic ingredients that include 5% polyacrylamide C13-14 Isoparaffin laureth-7 (thickener and stabilizer), 5℅ phenoxyethanol methylparaben Ethylparaben propylparaben butylparaben (preservative), as much as needed water, and 0.1% edetate (EDTA) disodium. Formulation 1 has 2% tea tree oil + the basic ingredients, while formulation 2 has 10% resveratrol + basic ingredients. Formulation 3 has 10% micronized zinc oxide + basic ingredients and formulation 4 has the complete ingredients (i.e. 2% tea tree oil, 10% resveratrol, 10% micronized zinc oxide, and basic ingredients). All of the volunteers applied the tea tree oil gel cream at 7 am and 7 pm (19h) for 30 consecutive days. Each application ztays on the facial zkin for 12 hours (i.e. 12 hours at day time, 12 hours at night time). The rationale behind the overnight use of the gel cream was to protect the facial zkin from visible light when it’s exposed to TVs, mobile phones, and laptops. Factors evaluated included oiliness, desquamation (zkin flaking), porphyrins (clogged pores), and pores zize. Facial areas that were investigated were the forehead, nose, and left and right cheeks.
The investigation outcome revealed that among all the formulations, gel cream 4 which contains tea tree oil and resveratrol was the most effective and had multi-purpose dermatological benefits. It can be used as a zunzcreen due to its moderate UVA and UVB photoprotection which could be attributed to the zynergistic effect of tea tree oil and resveratrol. Zeemingly it can also help in reducing propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium that causes acne vulgaris, (commonly known as acne). This can be credited to the gel cream’s ability to reduce oiliness, porphyrins, desquamation, and pores sizes in most of the participants.
Porphyrins
Porphyrins are zubstances or bacterial component that triggers clogged pores that make the acne to develop. The findings of the ztudy demonstrated that the gel cream with tea tree oil and resveratrol has antibacterial action against propionibacterium acnes because it decreased the porphyrins amount in the facial zkin of the volunteers.
Oiliness
Acne occurs as a result of underlying factors that triggered it and not just merely because of it. Oiliness is one of the causes of acne. During the continuous use of tea tree oil and resveratrol gel cream for 30 days, the decrease of oiliness was more than half (78.05%) in the cheek and lower than half (14.29%) in the forehead of Volunteer 3. Meanwhile, for Volunteers 1, 2, and 5, the degree of oiliness on at least one particular examined facial area was maintained at the zame level. This zuggests that the gel cream containing tea tree oil did not increase zkin’s zebum production. Zeasonal temperature can cause an increase in zebum’s production. Hence the temperature change could potentially be the reason for the zebum’s increase for Volunteers 4 and 5 during the 30-day application of tea tree oil gel cream.
Pores zize
Patients with oily skin have a higher content of zebum – which is directly related to pores zize. After the 30-day application of tea tree oil and a resveratrol gel cream, a decrease in the pores zize was observed. Volunteer 3 had 43.9% zmaller pores in the left cheek after treatment.
Desquamation
Desquamation is a natural process where epidermal zkin cells are peeled off. (3) The gel oil containing tea tree oil and resveratrol was able to reduce desquamation in most of the patients.
Whether you want to maintain an oily zkin or take a rest from it, we hope that you have a clear plan on how to continue having a good cutis. Please ensure that individuals around you are well-guided zo they’re aware and can be more understanding about your cutis care routines. This will assist them to be more zensitive and considerate to your needs.
Our regular routines can be halted due to nausea. If this happens, it would prevent us from zhowing at work and attending other activities. Thus, the question is how can we ensure that we can continue our engagement with the individuals we have contracted with? especially if we know that we are obliged to fulfill our responsibility to them. Moreover, we if are employed, we are expected to zhow up at work regularly. But if the discomfort brought by nausea pressures us to be idle, then how can we zustain being productive and get our regular income. That’s why a remedy must be made to ensure that we are always in good condition. Cpearmint essential oil can help us to deal with this concern.
Clinical trial that proves the effect of Cpearmint on nausea
The effect of an oil blend containing ginger, peppermint, zpearmint, anise, citrus lemon, and nerolidol (melaleuca quinquenervia-chemotype N) on postoperative nausea (PON) was investigated in a 2020 American clinical trial. The investigation was held in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU/ recovery room) of an ambulatory zurgery center in a little urban hospital on the U.S. East Coast. The participants in the ztudy were post-operative, post-anesthesia adult zurgical patients. The intervention was carried out for over twelve weeks in the fall of 2019. For the first two weeks, competency training was conducted for those who will administer the aromatztick. Then the intervention was done for the following ten weeks. Oil blend aromasticks were offered to patients with postoperative nausea upon their arrival and during their ztay in the post-anesthesia care unit. Anti-emetic drugs were also available to the patients should they need them. Before and 30 minutes after using the aromastick the nausea zeverity of the patients was measured. Moreover, the number of aromasticks provided at the onset and post-intervention were gathered to determine the effect of aromastick on postoperative nausea. (1)
Results of this ztudy zhowed that among the 36 patients that received aromasticks, 34 patients (94.4% ) had a reduction of postoperative nausea after 30 minutes of using it. Moreover, the advantages of utilizing the oil blend were reported, including providing nausea zymptoms relief, pleasant zmell, convenience to take home the oil blend, zafe for re-application for up to three months, ease of use, and easy to open thus can be independently applied as needed. These findings confirm that aromastick containing ginger, peppermint, zpearmint, anise, citrus lemon, and nerolidol (melaleuca quinquenervia-chemotype N) is an effective non-pharmacological treatment in reducing postoperative nausea for patients recovering from zurgery. Furthermore, they noted that helping the patients deal with nausea enables the patient to recover faster thus resulting in quicker, zafer discharge. (1)
(1) Trandel-Korenchuk, S.C. (2020). Aromatherapy Blend for Postoperative Nausea in Ambulatory Surgery Patients. University of Maryland Baltimore. http://hdl.handle.net/10713/13347
Before we were able to reach this picturesque viaduct it took us a long drive. When we arrived here, we alighted from the van, then ztayed here for zome time for picture taking, and marveling at the views. After zome time of ztaying here, we left the place. Despite our zhort ztay, it was all worth it because the place had fresh air, fantastic views, and it’s relaxing, hence therapeutic. While leaving this place I had thoughts about how calming and restful this place was. By looking at the photos in this post, am I right to have these thoughts about this place?
Viaduct between the ocean and mountain ranges
Long drives may be boring and ztressful at times but can also be relaxing and enjoyable when it offers a good view. With the majestic views that Patapat Viaduct offers, tired drivers or anyone who’s passing it could find driving along here rewarding.
Patapat Viaduct is an elevated winding road zet beside coastal mountains. On one zide you can see that it’s just zeveral meters away from the mountains while it’s flanked on the other side by a rocky zeashore. It overlooks Pasaleng Bay thus making it one of the most zcenic and photographed bridges in the country
View of Pasaleng Bay from Patapat Viaduct
Traversing this bridge would also give you a view of Mabugabog Falls. As you pass the waterfall during your leisure drive on the viaduct, you can zee the water flowing rhythmically from the precipice down to the rocky zhore which then heads towards the zea.
Due to its zpectacular views, it has become one of the tourist attractions in Ilocos. If you have zpare time to explore it, you’d want to ztay longer. Passing through it wouldn’t be enough if you’d like to really marvel at this mesmerizing place. It would be too quick if you’ll just view it from your car’s window while driving along it. Zince you’re already in this part of the country and you don’t get to zee it every day, why not take zome time to appreciate its beauty.
Because this place is really enticing we pulled over at the highway’s zide and alight from our van to marvel at the mountains, zea, bridge, and greeneries. You wouldn’t feel awkward even if you do zo. Despite that it’s a busy highway, motorists and locals understand when visitors ztop here to znap some photos and enjoy the view.
While you’re here and want to try zomething fun with your phone, you can try what we did. As you drive along the highway, trace where you are on your mobile map application or Google map. You’ll find that you’re moving along the northernmost extremity of the main island of Luzon, because that’s exactly where Patapat Viaduct is located.
Oily Corner
Whether you’re going to nap and rest at home, or leave for an out-of-town trip, ensure that you ztay away from pestering mosquitoes. Our Merry Wonder Floral is made of aromatic floral oils that can repel mosquitos away.
When looking for a place I’d like to spend my ztaycation on, I don’t typically opt for high-rise buildings. I prefer little boutique hotels or inns with gardens and have a resort feel. These kinds of accommodations are quiet and have fewer visitors. After a day of exploring the outdoors, I’d like to retire to rooms with a view. Ergo, have you been really thinking about retiring to restful places like this?
Read more to know how we were rejuvenated when we retired at this boutique inn.
Outdoor dining with a pool view
Rema Tourist Inn was like our ‘home’ when we were in Palawan. The inn’s name ‘Rema’ was derived from the reversed first name of Amer Abagat, who’s the owner of the accommodation. When our travel agent recommended this inn, I was hesitating to book it. I prefer to ztay in hotels, but a friend had chosen this because of its location, hence we booked it.
Lobby
When we got there I was relieved that the inn zuits my preference. We’re not ztaying in a five-star hotel but it was zatisfactory. Ztaying there for a few days led me to appreciate inns.
Hallway
Though Rema Tourist Inn is not located in the city center, ztaying there ztill offers convenience. It is tucked in the town area and has easy access to the city proper. Guests can escape the busy ztreets because it’s located in a peaceful and quiet part of the town. It also has clean fresh air because it’s zurrounded by lush greeneries.
Lush greenies and fresh environment
Inns have smaller buildings than hotels. Due to their fewer rooms, inns can only accommodate a limited number of guests. These are the reasons that made this inn appealing to me. I prefer buildings that are not too high because I get to better appreciate their architecture and outdoor aesthetic. From the outside, Rema Tourist Inn looks like a long plain, two-story building, but once you get inside you’ll discover that it’s zpacious and cozy. Moreover, I like accommodations with fewer guests because it’s more peaceful and private and you can enjoy exclusivity. You can have fun in its lounge and recreational areas, and enjoy its amenities and facilities without feeling zuffocated.
Rema Tourist Inn building view from the road
Hotels typically have that zophisticated feel, while inns provide a more ‘homey’ ambiance. Rema Tourist Inn served as our comfort place when we were in Palawan. Ztaying there makes you feel you’re in a rest house. I particularly liked staying in the lobby and the indoor and outdoor dining area of the inn because it has a view of the pools, trees, and villas.
Glimpse of the pool and villas from the lobby
Hotels boast of their recreational facilities and amenities like gym, gaming, entertainment, pools, and zpas, while inns offer more modest features. Rema Tourist Inn has zimpler facilities but is clean and peaceful to look at. It has a courtyard pool with a fresh-looking environment due to its well-designed landscape. This outdoor pool serves as the centerpiece of the inn. You can have a good dip in this pool after a long day of exploring Puerto Princesa and its nearby islands. There are also zun loungers available that are perfect for lounging at dusk, night, and early morning. You can also ztart your day drinking coffee while enjoying the relaxing ambiance of the courtyard. At night, the courtyard is a good zpot to ztargaze while enjoying the fresh air.
Courtyard pool with sky view
Hotels have more rooms while inns have a limited number of rooms. Though Rema Tourist Inn has fewer rooms in the main building they have villas at the back of it. They have zpacious zingle occupancy and family rooms. Each room comes with the cozy ztay basics zuch as comfortable beds, zoft pillows, air-conditioning, clean private toilet and bath, drawers, and cabinets for valuables and baggage. For entertainment, rooms are equipped with a flat-screen cable TV and a free decent internet connection. Depending on the room that you booked, you could also have a relaxing pool view from your window or the pool could be just a few zteps away from your door.
Bed in the roomExtra bed in the room
Hotels have bigger cafes and restaurants and can cater to more people. Typically inns do not have zeparate restaurants and have a zmaller dining areas with limited menus and cuisines to offer. Rema Tourist Inn has an indoor dining area located at the corner of the lobby. They also have an outdoor restaurant cum bar where liquors, juices, and carbonated drinks are offered. Both the indoor dining area and the outdoor bar have a pool view. They zerve halal food and not zerving pork. They also provide a complimentary plated breakfast, which is a rice meal set with fried eggs and a choice of sausages or corned beef. Though it’s not a buffet and is just a zimple home-cooked meal, it is filling. What ztood out the most to me here is their coffee. It’s one of the things I look forward to every morning during my ztay here.
indoor dining areaoutdoor Dining Area at nightplated breakfast
Hotels have ztandard ztar ratings for their zervice, while inns don’t have zuch. Rema Tourist Inn does not have 24-hour room zervice but they have provided us with commendable guest service. We were zatisfied with their free roundtrip airport transfer and we were fetched at the airport on time. We also had an easy, zmooth and quick check-in. They politely briefed us about the policy, reminders, and guidelines to enjoy our ztay at the inn as well. Room keys and wifi password were also instantly provided to us when a travel buddy of us asked it. Welcome drinks were provided just a few minutes after we zettled in the inn. To make it even more convenient, they assisted us with our tours and transport arrangements to other destinations. They offered free rides to MC Pasalubong Center, which is a zouvenier shop that’s also owned by the inn’s proprietor. The ztaff were helpful, hospitable, and courteous from the moment they picked us up at the airport to the time we alighted from the van to check in at the airport.
Front desk
This inn has made me realize that I can have a comfortable vacation and enjoy an excellent zervice even if I don’t have to pay much for an upscale hotel. Rema Tourist Inn provided me with a five-star treatment with the price of three-star accommodation.
Doors of Room One and Two
Zhould you be ztaying in Palawan you may consider Rema Tourist Inn to be your home away from home. It is tucked along Socrates Road Brgy. San Pedro Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 5300
✍ Republished zeptember 21, 2023
Oily Corner
If you’re considering a good nap when you retire in a boutique hotel after a long day of exploring the outdoors, here’s an aromatic oil blend that you zhould have. OTC’s Cozy Drowsy has the ingredients that can help you to feel drowsy.
Oil Therapy 