sandpaper hands

[BDraw]

Yep, that's how I would describe them. Any clue why? I've been mostly raw since Oct (04), 100% raw since mid July (?). I use coconut oil as lotion.

Wondering if it is the coconut oil? Anybody else experience this?

[beauty4ashes]

I wish I could be of more help. I am interested because I have dry skin too. I was going to say maybe it's because you are in Montana now. I live near Houston Texas where it can get pretty humid. I know I'm stating the obvious. You've probably already thought of this. Is the coconut lotion helping? Can you tell me which kind you use, I need help!

[Arky]

Are you consuming adequate essential fatty acids (EFAs)?

Although one should be very careful not to overconsume fats in the diet, it is equally as important to consume adequate amounts of these, since cells membranes are dependents upon them (as are certain anti-inflamatory prostaglandins, the entire central nervous system - there's a whole host of elements in the body that require EFAs).

Flax seeds, nuts, seeds, fish oil (vegans excepted), blue/green algaes etc. all contain various proportions of EFAs.

A truly excellent book on this subject is Udo Erasmus's Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill. I highly recommend you buy this book at the earliest possible opportunity. It will open your eyes to the astounding contribution fats make to the workings of the human body and will explain which fats, and in what proportions, are specifically useful to a healthy human physiology.

Topical application of coconut oil is great, but you will still be fighting a losing battle unless you ensure adequate internal intake of EFAs.

Also ensure you are consuming enough water - dehydration, or inadequate hydration, will lead to poor skin elasticity and general lack of softness and suppleness of the largest organ of the body.


J.

[BDraw]

Emily -- when I first came to MT, oh my gosh, I didn't know ones hands could get so dry. My fingers and thumb bleed, especially in the winter. Back then I consumed lots of flax seed. I made a kind of granola out of it. It was wonderful, but since going raw, I have lessened up on the flax. I know that works. I'll have to convert my receipe. The coconut oil I use was the one I found at the health food store. It smells so good. It is Organic Coconut oil by Spectrum.

Arky -- thanks for the advice. I'll look for the book. I do tend to eat lots of nuts, so much so that I am trying to cut back. Maybe that is why I've turned to sandpaper. The weird thing is that yes, my legs are dry, but not to the degree as my hands, they don't itch, which I was accustomed to back in my really dry days. It seems to be just my hands that are so bad. That is why I am puzzled.

Once I get beyond the fast I am now on, I will up the nut and flax seed consumption again. I was just reading so much about eating too many nuts and I knew I was guilty. But then again, I have not gained weight. Maybe, just maybe that is my answer. Thanks!

[beauty4ashes]

question. I asked this question about flax seeds awhile back but I still don't know the answer. I need to get that book. I bought Udo's oil a long time ago. Years ago, but decieded it's more economical to grind up flax seeds. Arky do you know if it's better to grind dry flax seeds or soak them in water until they get all gelled up and then blend them up and drink it. It seems to me that you could assimiltate them easier if you soak them first.
Thank you BDRAW for telling me about the coconut oil. I am so jealous that you live in Montana now. Where in Texas did you live? Montanna is beautiful for sure although I haven't had the pleasure of actually being there. I've never lived in such a cold environment though and I'm afraid I'd turn into a popcicle and every muscle and nerve in my body would clamp up and freeze on me. I would love to live there part time though.

[Arky]

That's a tricky one!

Soaking is generally a good thing.

Flax seeds require something like 4-5 times their volume to be consumed at the same time, in water, owing to their tendency to absorb water once consumed. i.e. if you consume a cup of flax, you'd be wise to drink 5 cups of water at the same time.

However, some people claim that the EFAs in flax are so volatile that they begin to deteriorate as soon as 15 minutes after grinding, particularly if exposed to light or heat.

If you do wish to soak them, therefore, you should only do so in an air-tight container (filled as close to its maximum capacity as possible, to eliminate as much oxygen from the container as possible), and keep in the fridge during the soaking process.

Personally, I grind my flax and consume it immediately, either subsequently blended with my smoothie or sprinkled on my salad (in the latter instance, the salad is already water-rich, but I consume a good quantity of water, too, breaking the general rule not to consume significant amounts of liquid when eating (it allegedly impedes the action of digestive enzymes, which rather challenges smoothies, too, actually - which just goes to show that there's never a perfect arguement for anything in nutritional circles!)


J.

[solarliving]

I am pretty sure you don't need to soak the flax seeds.

You can grind 1-2 tblsp. up in a coffee bean grinder then stir in a glass of water. I have read this in many books, and have been doing it for over 3 months now. The book recommended is a good one, I also suggest it.

[Pink_Berry]

my skin gets really REALLY dried out when i use coconut oil!!

ive tried different brands.. and everything... my skin just doesnt like it.

internally its good for me tho.


try a different lotion for your hands.

[levamssg]

I'm prone to dry skin ... and when I'm working with mud/plaster/drywall/paint etc., it gets really bad - like its going to flake right off. I use olive oil with a few drops of rosemary in it. Only takes a drop or two, rub it between the palms of your hands then on the back. It goes right in and makes a huge difference.

I use it in the shower every day, too -- again, takes less than a tsp for your entire body ... rub it in, rinse off - your skin will be sooooo soft.

and, as mentioned already, make sure you are getting enough fluids. I eat lots of fruit, but also make sure I drink water during the day as well.

[BDraw]

Pink-Berry,

Thank you for posting your experience with coconut oil. I am just about to believe I have the same problem. Maybe I will try the olive oil, (thanks levamssg) though the thought of smelling like olives does not excite me, and I have no clue where to find rosemary oil in this little town.

Once I tried the emu oil (before raw) and it did do havoc on my hands. The idea was to put it on my daughter with exzema. The lotion formula caused her exzema to flare up. The pure oil caused me to flare up. Strange! I was thinking about putting the coconut oil on her -- not anymore!

So the coconut oil goes back into the kitchen!

[beauty4ashes]

All of this is tricky, I mean trying to follow every little rule and soaked, sprouting dehydrating just to get a meal 3 days from the first step. This all gives me a headache. I have not been succesful on the lifestyle and need to focus on why.
Arky I have heard that from so many years from so many sources too about the water thing. So I try not to drink much while I'm eating but there is that question of the recipes like cauliflower soup where you add water. Which leads me to the conclusion that you can't do this perfectly and the stress of worrying about the little things your doing wrong is worse then adding water to a green smoothie. I have a baby who's crying and making her way over to me, as soon as I pick her up she's giong to pound on the computer so I'll finishe this post later. Ill definitely grind the flax and stir in water so I don't get the oxegenated effect with to much light. What a pain!

[beauty4ashes]

Yikes. That emu oil sounds very antagonistic to the skin. Thanks for sharing that. I hope your daughter's ezcema clears up. My son has little bumps on his upper arms and I'm wondering if that is a form of ezcema. He use to get that red rash behind the knees that was ezcema when he was a toddler.