by victor Chikaleke
Some time ago - actually up until the very recent past - I used to have very dry and rough skin. It became a matter of concern to me. I wondered why it was so. For a long time, even from childhood, I had had this problem but it wasn't as bad as it ultimately became a few months or years ago. I saw I needed to solve this problem. So what did I do? I tried different options. I got a 'good' body cream with collagen which I was told helps to moisturize the skin. But this didn't work. I decided to go natural. So what did I do this time? I bought baby Vaseline thinking its natural petroleum oil will do the magic, but this also did not work. I tried Shea Butter (which the Yoruba call ori) but this also did not work. In fact, this one seemed to aggravate the matter because I applied it wrongly. As I began to learn the truth about Health Reform, I saw that to have a healthy skin, I must be putting the right things into my body. So far I had been focusing on what I put ON my body and not on what I put IN my body. I realized that a healthy and well moisturized skin is dependent on not only one factor but on a chain of factors. This realization marked a new beginning in my life.
What is this chain of factors I discovered? It is called the 8 Laws of Health acronymed - NEW START. I will briefly share on how my reform in the N-E-W became the beginning of the restoration of my radiant black skin.
1. Nutrition: In the past, I used to be very undernourished or malnourished due to my poor diet. But when I began eating very healthy plant-based meals consisting of whole grains, wholesome fruits, nuts and vegetables (home-grown), I saw changes. These became my daily meal. The essential nutrients in these foods which contribute immensely to the health of the body had been lacking in my skin cells and this had made the skin dry and rough. My body was begging for essential nutrients (vitamins and minerals) but instead of giving it those, I kept loading it with junks.
2. Exercise: In the past, I used to work under the hot sun for several hours without any protection for my face. I didn't realize that I had been scorching my skin and worsening its condition. When I changed environment, I began gardening and farm work in a more intelligent way; working early in the cool of the morning and putting on a hat if I had to remain under the sun. By the way, I just got a larger hat!
3. Water: This is another area where I flawed greatly! I didn't used to drink enough water for many years. And when I did, I did at the wrong times. My body cells being often dehydrated were not having enough water. That is one reason my skin cells were dry and looking shrinked. They were crying for water! And instead of giving them water, I gave them more body creams/lotions. When I learned the truth about the power of water and began practicing by drinking sufficient amounts before and after each meal, I began noticing a clear change. Today, my skin is back to life! Thanks to God and His simple laws of health. Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust in God are the remaining 5 factors which I now also live by. They are all contributing their quotas to the restoration of my health. I want to encourage you reader to live by the 8 laws of health and your health shall be renewed. Believe me, in these 8 laws lie the solution to ALL health problems.