PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

Putting Your Best Foot Forward ©

by Polly Guerin
Nowadays in books and plays and on the fashionable streets of major cities the thin, gravity-defying Stiletto Heel seems to have ensnared more fashion victims than any other footwear style. Yes, they are sexy but difficult to walk in, and most importantly they are threat to maintaining healthy feet. Podiatrists and medical foot specialists are receiving more and more patients with foot problems caused by either the constant wearing of those stilettos or wearing very pointed shoes that squeeze toes into unnatural shapes. High-heeled pumps on the other hand, those closed-toed classics with a sensible ½-inch to 2 ½-inch heels are a better alternative for day wear. When was the last time you had your foot measurements taken? That used to be a common occurrence in footwear stores, but you should check as soon as possible to be sure that you have the right fit. My best advice is to refrain from purchasing shoes just for their fashionable look, but for walking comfort be sure to wear your correct shoe size. The best results when shopping for new footwear is to try on the shoes at the end of the day, after a day of walking, when your feet have reached their normal width and length. Edgar Cayce had a few remarks about some of those nasty foot problems that come from the wear and tear on your feet.

UGLY CALLOUSES AND CORNS BE GONE

Maintaining the good condition of your feet are so essential to supporting your body and a lifetime of walking comfort. Your feet are such a precious part of our anatomy yet we hardly think about their essential role in serving our daily needs. When discomfort occurs and you notice an ugly callous one may rush out to purchase some commercial relief or in more severe cases wind up at the podiatrist’s office. When Cayce was asked, “What caused growth on foot, and what should be used if it repeats itself? In a trance when he gave this reading he responded, “This was from irritation; and that best for the reduction of same, as we find, would be a massage with baking soda, which has been dampened with spirits of camphor. This will be good for anyone having callous places or any attendant growths on feet; for it will remove them entirely!” (276-4) Granted, you may think it easier to just rush out and buy a commercial product, but with a little perseverance you can correct the problem the natural way. Cayce further added, “Bathe the limb from the knee down with warm olive oil. Then apply the saturated solution of spirits of camphor, with bicarbonate of soda. Evenly spread it on, as a very thin layer, see? bandaging this with a thin cloth about the limb and foot, see? Let this remain over the evening, or night see? (3776-13).

UNSIGHTLY AND PAINFUL BUNIONS

I’ve known several women of a certain age who pushed their feet into very pointed too tight shoes to be fashionably au currant. This resulted in unsightly bunions, an inflammation of the big toe, usually resulting in an enlargement of the joint. Not only was this painful but their agony was reflected in their facial expression. So what did the great prophet Cayce say about bunions? One inquirer asked, “What can I do to cure callous or bunion on my left foot? His answer as always was quite simple but it took consistent application to cure the problem. He said, “As we would fine, an application morning and evening (will do it)—not bound on, but massaged thoroughly; and this means not just dabbing on and leaving same, but take three to five minutes of massaging. First, for five to ten days, use common baking soda wet or saturated with spirits of camphor. Then after this has been used until the soreness is removed, use equal parts of Olive Oil and Tincture of Myrrh, and it’ll be like baby’s foot. Massage each of those into the portion where there is a disturbance. (574-1).

PAINFUL FEET

It’s no wonder we often have painful feet. After all these feet of ours were meant for walking and are bound to suffer some kind of discomfort throughout our lives. Cayce had some brilliant thoughts about this problem. “If the feet and limbs give a great deal of trouble, we would apply Mullein Stupes over those areas of the ankle and foot. Put these on hot then bind about with padding or wadding to keep the heat. Apply these stupes at least twice each day. Preferable use green or fresh mullein. This would be bruised, put in very hot water and allowed to stand a few minutes, then dipped out and applied between gauze over the affected area. (2227-3).

ERASING ROUGH FEET

The condition of unsightly rough feet or dry feet most often seems to occur in the winter when the cold weather drags us down, but it can happen anytime proper care isn’t granted to the foot. Cayce points out those rough feet can be caused by poor circulation, so one needs to consider proper diet in all conditions that occur in the body. Asked by a seeker, “What causes excessive dryness or peeling of skin on the bottom of feet? Cayce answered thusly, “Poor circulation. Hence the needs for massage of oil rubs, which should include the limbs, of course, and especially the feet. With adjustments in the muscular forces and bursa of the feet (Peanut oil and Olive oil: equal parts. (1770-5) A good massage he suggested included 1/2 pint of Russian White Oil, 2 ounces Witch Hazel, 4 ounces rubbing alcohol, Oil of Sassafras 3 minims and Tincture of Capsici 2 minims. He highly recommended this formula for fallen arches saying, “Massage only the amount the skin will absorb. Shake the solution together, for the tendency will be for the Oil of Sassafras to rise to the top—see? Pour a small quantity in a saucer, and only massage into the feet and to the limbs to the knees, including the knees. And do it yourself. And we’ll be rid of all this trouble, and it’ll help the body in many different ways. It’ll walk ten miles instead of five. (386-3) You may readily ask, “Where can I buy such ingredients as Russian White Oil or Sassafras or Tincture of Capsici and you need go no further than the Cayce Boutique at the A.R.E. Center in New York City, located at 241 W. 30th St., http://www.edgarcaycenyc.org/.

LEG AND FOOT PAIN

For most city dwellers it’s difficult to walk on concrete sidewalks all our life. Invariably at some time or another we’re bound to suffer some leg or foot pain. People who stand on their feet for long lengths of time can also be candidates for foot pain or discomfort. Cayce addresses this issue with the following concoction: To 4 ounces of Russian White oil add 2 ounces of Witch Hazel, 1 ounce of Rub Alcohol, and 3 to 5 minims of Oil of Sassafras. He recommends, “Shake this together. Only use a small portion of same at the time. Begin with the hips and rub down (with upward pressure of the hands). This would be good for anyone that stands on the feet much, or whose feet pain. (555.5)

RELIEF AT LAST

Stimulating and exercising the feet are so easy to do that you can perform simple routines while you lie in bed or standing. You’ll not only feel better an exercise will encourage a peaceful sleep. When asked, “Would you recommend special foot exercise? Cayce offered the following solution, “It would be well if there would be exercise night and morning; night before retiring--but after the massage as indicated, see: and of morning just before putting on hose---after the massage has been given. Stand erect (without anything on the feet, of course). Then raise the arms, gently, slowly over the head---directly over the head. Then gradually rise on the toes. Then as the body relaxes or lowers itself, lower the hands and also—the hands extending in front of the body. Then rock back upon the heels, with hands extended sufficiently to strain or to exercise the bursa of the heel, or those portions of the heel AND the arch, you see, to aid in strengthening. Doing this, together WITH the massage of the properties indicated through heel and arch, and especially over the frontal portions of the foot, we will bring better conditions for same. (1771.3)

BEAUTIFUL FEET

Shall we not give our feet their deserved attention and gentle care? All it takes is application of massage oils and exercise to achieve beautiful feet that you will not only take pride in, but have healthy feet that will provide you with comfort and lasting use throughout your lifetime.

LADYLIKE NAILS A WOMAN'S PREROGATIVE

Awaken Your Sleeping Beauty: Edgar Cayce as told by Polly Guerin

LADYLIKE NAILS

THE HEALTHY WAY
Manicure Make Overs for Beautiful Nails seems to be a top priority with women today not only for good hygiene but for vanity as well. The desire to have attractive nails may refer historically to the old adage that a ‘Lady,’ who led a life of leisure and did not work, was the only one who could maintain such an image. Acquiring beautiful nails is not for the privileged few but available to most all women in the sisterhood of feminine vanity. Career women consider it their prerogative to maintain beautiful nails and so do most other women. However, hygiene is one of the most important considerations when you’re having a manicure. A well groomed hand says a lot about your health and can mirror a wide range of possible problems.

RISKS AT NAIL SALONS

To satisfy demand, in big cities there’s a plethora of nail salons, but caution is advised that you check that these pop up salons are truly adhering to safety and board of health standards regarding implements and sanitary conditions. The use of non-sterilized instruments can lead to infection. In an accredited salon, manicure make overs each week can maintain and even prevent nail problems. In most beauty salons, the beauticians may attempt to trim the cuticles. This is harmful to your nails because it is the cuticles, which protect your nails from germs and bacteria. Instead ask the beautician to only, push the cuticles back with an orange stick. Better yet, the beautician should ask you first whether you want the cuticles cut before proceeding.

Nail Absurdities

When it comes to nail length some women like to go to extremes. Obviously some nails need to be longer to accommodate space to decorate with designs or works of art. I wonder when I see such extended nails on a woman what kind of work can they possibly perform with such extended appendages? Such a person must be an extrovert and if attention is what they want to achieve those decorated nails do the job of attracting attention. Nail lengths were probably at their most absurd during the Ming dynasty or 14th-17th China, when Mandarin royalty thought it the height of elegance and their prerogative to grew their nails up to ten inches long. With such extreme appendages these royals were completely helpless and needed servants to feed, bathe and dress them. Obviously they could not do any work, hence they led a vacant lifestyle that today we might considered the ultimate in decadence.

Nails Mirror Your Health

The foremost requirement for healthy nails concerns proper diet, and good elimination and circulation, which according to the Edgar Cayce's readings are essential for the growth and maintenance of good nails. The eminent psychic advises that particular attention should be paid to obtaining adequate amounts of calcium and minerals in your diet. When severe conditions occur it is best to check with your doctor, because such nail problems as ridges, white spots, discolorations can be warning signs of heart disease, kidney or thyroid metabolism problems. Many older women may notice that their nails become yellowed with age but this may be a warning sign of decreased circulation or undiagnosed heart or lung disease.

Common Nail Problems

In ancient times a doctor would merely check your nails, eyes and tongue to determine what treatment to ascribe to your condition. Fortunately modern medicine similarly can offer medication to normalize the nails’ appearance. When a woman inquired “What can I do to keep my fingernails from splitting?” Edgar Cayce replied, “Add the vitamins necessary so that the glandular forces and specifically the thyroid, are improved. Take a few drops of Atomidine occasionally, say once a month in half a glass of water before the morning meal, or three to five days. Also massage the fingernails with Atomidine. It may stain for at first, but it will get the system going better and we will find this will be different. (2448-1) Cayce also suggested the use of Castor Oil pack treatment to improve the condition of problem nails.

NAIL BITING HABIT

It’s hard to believe that aside from children forming the bad habit of nail biting many grown women have developed a nail biting habit, which may be caused by anxiety and stress. When Cayce was asked “What can I do to correct the nail-biting habit?” he replied, “This is the effect of nervousness---from the gnawing that has been indicated that has been existent for some time in the system, see? And with these corrections, and with the tendency for the body to watch or be careful with self, this (habit) may be eliminated. For, if we take away the cause, the habit is more easily changed. For we correct habits by forming others! That’s everybody! (475-1) Obviously, Cayce means that by examining the cause that is driving the nail biting habit it can be addressed mentally or physically and eventually eliminated.

Natural Product Care

Purchasing expensive nail care products may be your choice, but you do not have to spend a great deal of money to improve the appearance of your nails. The main task is patience, time and effort applying natural products to create beautiful nails. The products mentioned here Atomidine and the Castor Oil packs can be purchased at the Cayce A.R.E. center in New York City, www.edgarcaycenyc.org. Most important in nail care is consistency in the treatment. When cuticles become hardened in winter or irritated due to work-related conditions just apply some warm Castor Oil and rub it into the nails and massage the hands with same. For best results do this at night before retiring.

Beautiful nails are your finest showcase of a healthy and lady-like appearance.