Have you ever noticed your dog or cat wanting to drink from a faucet or hose? Pets typically love running water. An outdoor fountain can be a favorite for your pet at the same time it is adding beauty to your garden or yard. As long as you aren’t using any harmful chemicals to your water this is completely safe. Happy pets typically have equally happy owners, so get ready for some big grins and big barks.
Fountains act as natural humidifiers, adding moisture to a dry room. Humidifiers can be loud and have a buzzing or motor sound. Indoor fountains will humidify the air while you enjoy the soothing sound of running water. Humidifiers can also get mold and mildew build up quickly where a fountain with moving water will not do this. A water fountain can also help your indoor plants by adding extra humidity that is lost when heat or air conditioning units are running.
A historical background to aromatherapy may be found in many ancient cultures. As research shows, in Egyptian civilisation, we find that Immenohthep a famous architect of the Saqqarah Pyramid, physician of the third Dynasty to Pharaoh Djoser, is said to have formulated his medicines from aromatic plants, among them aniseed and cardamom. Reaserch also reveals among the greeks, Hippocrates, considered as the father of medicine, recommended the uses of aromatics as foods and medicines, as well as a fragrant massages for good health. Galen, a physician to the Roman Emperors contributed a great deal to the history of pharmacology. The Galenics methods of prescribing, pays tribute to its originator who about 15 centuries ago provided a reference for the practising physician.
About 1000 AD, Avicenna, a Persian poet, scholar, philosopher and physician wrote his Canon of Medicine and re-invented steam distillation. A chemist named R.M. Gattefosse, is believed to have coined the term ‘Aromatherapie’ sometime in 1937, and his story is now an Aromatherapeutic legend. Gattefosse burnt his hand while working an experiment in his laboratory, and as a reaction to the pain he plunged his hand into a nearby container with essential oil of lavender not knowing the effects. Gattefosse found the pain was lessened, and he had found the healing process more pronounced by accedent, using the application of lavender. Research also shows, a French physician named, Dr. Jean Valnet, promoted the use of essential oils of rosemary, and thyme as antiseptics and for the treatment of battle wounds. After the first world war, he wrote various aromatherapy uses from his findings.
The scientific research papers, and books of Gattefosse, Guenther, Guildemeister and, Hofman, Valnet, and their disciples, confirmed the therapeutic value of essential oils. Research also shows, in the early 1960s a french chemist and cosmetologist named, Marguerite Maury, had been exploring the regenerative properties of essential oils, and the connection between aromatics, and medicinal molecules, was pioneered in England, with the combined usage of essential oils, massage, and other specialised techniques in cosmetology. Marguerite Maurys book titled, The Secret of Life and Youth, is still one of the most respected aromatherapy books today.
How do I maintain my water fountain?
Water fountains easy to maintain. Water level needs to be maintained to prevent damage to the pump. Maintaining the water level in your fountain will help in preserving the life of the pump. To cut down on the natural mineral build up that hard tap water has, we recommend using distilled or reverse osmosis water. Fountains are natural humidifiers for your environment. The amount of water that each fountain consumes daily depends on how dry the air is, and what kind of water fountain you have.
How do I maintain the pump?
The pump must be used while completely submersed in water. The water acts to cool the pump, and maintain the proper operating temperature. Low water levels, and frequently turning the fountain off and on, or poor fountain maintenance will contribute to a shorter pump life span. Pet dander that gets into your fountain water can also accumulate inside a pump and cause it to stop working. A good way to keep this from happening is, to cut end off of pantyhose, slip the pump inside it, and tie off the end tightly with a rubber band.
How often do I need change the water?
Changing the water should occur when the entire fountain is cleaned (Recommended every 2-4 months). It depends on the location of your fountain. If you put your water fountain in direct sun light, the algae will grow faster, and you may need to cleaned the fountain sooner.
How do I clean my water fountain?
The good way to remove the water from small fountains is to do it when the water level is low, unplug it, and disassemble the water fountain. You should refer to the original setup instructions to reassemble your water fountain. The easiest way to remove the water from a large fountain is to take an extra pump or the existing pump in the fountain to remove the water from the basin. By attaching a long tube to your pump or extra pump and lowering the pump into the basin, you can then pump the water out of the fountain. Another method of removing the water is through siphoning. Siphoning requires taking a plastic tube and inserting it into your fountain. Now, with the other end, you treat it like a big straw and suck the water up with your mouth. Before attempting this, just be sure that the tube you are using is clean and that you do not drink any of the fountain water as it may contain chemicals, algae and other bacteria. As the water reaches your mouth, you quickly lower the tube into a bucket or other container.
A better way is to fill the tube up with water. Start by filling up a bowl with water, and put the tube under the water completely. Be sure when you put the tube under the water, it fills up 100% with water, and there is no air in the tube. Now hold and plug both ends of the tube with your thumbs, and put one end of the tube in the basin below the water level in the fountain, and one end in a bowl on the floor, then remove your thumbs. If the container is lower than the fountain, gravity will continue to siphon the water out of the fountain. It is recommend for cleaning the fountain by using a small brush or toothbrush, and use a lint free cloth. To clean, use antibacterial dish detergent, and warm water. Unplug, and disassemble your fountain, remove the pump, remove the stone chips, or shells if any, clean out the reservoir, and wipe it dry. Use a colander to clean small or stone chips, or shells. To clean the pump, all pumps can be disassembled and cleaned. Remove the outlet tube, and on some models you can remove the impeller, or on some models remove the side door. You can use a small brush or a Q-tip and clean it out. Rinse well and reassemble your water fountain, fill to proper water level plug it in, and adjust the water flow to suite your needs.
At Water Fountains Decor, we believe on giving you the most information for your water fountain needs!
What is Feng Shui? Feng Shui is an ancient art and science developed over 3,000 years ago in China. It is a complex body of knowledge that reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure the health and good fortune for people inhabiting it.
Feng means wind, and shui means water, and it’s pronounced fung-shway. In Chinese culture gentle wind and clear water have always been associated with good harvest and good health, hence - good feng shui came to mean good livelihood and fortune, while - bad feng shui, came to mean hardship and misfortune.
Feng Shui is based on the term Taoist vision and the understanding of nature, particularly on the idea that the land is alive and filled with Chi, or energy. The ancient Chinese believed that the land’s energy could either make or break the their kingdom, so to say. The theories of yin and yang, as well as the five feng shui elements, are some of the basic aspects of a feng shui analysis that come from Taoism.
The main tools used in a feng shui analysis are the compass and the Ba-Gua. The Ba-Gua is an octagonal grid containing the symbols of the I Ching, the ancient oracle on which Feng Shui is based. Knowing the Bagua of your home will help you understand the connection of specific feng shui areas of your home to specific areas of your life. The feng shui compass, also called lo-pan, and is used to access deeper information about a area, site, or a building. It consists of bands of concentric rings arranged around the magnetic needle. Lo means-everything, and pan means- bowl, which can be interpreted as the key to the mysteries of our the universe.
It is important to understand that there are several different schools of feng shui, as well as a strong culturally specific symbolic aspect of feng shui, that you have to use intelligently. Once you master the basic level of feng shui, you will start seeing powerful results, and will understand why feng shui is extensively used in both home, and office environments all over the world. Feng Shui offers a variety of feng shui ways to improve your life. From the feng shui use of aquariums to attract prosperity, to the feng shui use of crystals and water fountains, from the right feng shui use of colors to the feng shui use of clocks, there are many ways you can improve the energy in your home, or office with feng shui.Water fountains come in many shapes and sizes you can pick one that suits the style of your decor, and is an appropriate size for the place you intend to display it. You can incorporates the materials, shapes, and or colors of the element energies you want to add to your decor. You can adjust the sound of a water fountain by changing the water level, or some water fountains come with an adjustable pump, so you can control the speed of the water flow. You can experiment with the flow to suit your needs.
If you place a water fountain by your front, or rear entrance with an indoor, or outdoor water fountain, to activate kan gua - career. Make sure the water fountain flows toward your entrance, not away from it. You want all that good chi to come into your life, and not flow away, out of it! Be sure to maintain your water levels as it evaporates, to avoid possible pump damage if the water level gets too low. This will depending on your enviroment, the size, and type of your water fountain you have. You may need to fill your fountain once a week, or every few days. If you plan on being away for a few days, its best to unplug your water fountain while you are gone, this will protect your pump from damage, by running it dry. In doing this your water fountain pump will last you years to come!
The Yin Yang Theory is one of the main theories of feng shui. According to the Yin-Yang theory, everything in the universe consist of two opposing, but deeply interconnected forces, Yin- meaning feminine, and Yang- meaning masculine. The interaction of these two feng shui forces create the essence of all life surround us. Expressed in feng shui colors, Yin energy is represented by the color and Yang energy is represented by color. As your home needs a harmonious feng shui energy in order to support you, it is important to understand the application of the yin yang theory on a practical level.
Yin is a passive energy, witch is the feng shui energy of silence, that is deep darkness, and slow and relaxed movements. Yin energy is the predominant energy at night when you go to sleep, or when you need to relax and revive your energies.
Yang is a active energy, witch is the feng shui energy that is characterized by strong, vibrant sounds and colors, bright lights, upward moving energy. You experience Yang energy almost always in a busy environment, at a party, celebration, or driving on the freeway.
One cannot exist without the other, positives need negatives, just like the day will loose the essence of a day without the presence of a night, sound without the silence that precedes it, and hot temperature without cold temperature. The Yin Yang energies cannot exist in separate isolation, they define each other as opposites, as one is the condition for the other’s existence.
In the Western world we tend to experience an imbalance of feng shui energies. We live in a constant flow of the very active, and busy lives. Yang feng shui energy and often weak, or even missing feng shui energy of Yin- the relaxed and nourishing one. Creating a home that will reflect the feng shui Yin Yang balance is very important for your mind and sole. There will always be one quality of energy that is dominant depending on the use of the space, but you need the represent both positives and negatives in your environment. Here are some examples below.
Yin energy in your home like in your bedroom, needs the relaxing Yin energy in order to heal you, so it is crucial to elimate all the dominant Yang feng shui elements, like your TV, exercise equipment, or office items. While the Yin energy needs to be the predominant energy in your bedroom like thinking about relaxation, cocooning, sensuality, and sleep. You also need a slight presence of Yang such as deep red candles, sexual images, a light color to balance the deep colors. The same principle applies to your other rooms, like your bathroom.
Yang energy in your home like, the family room, the living room, and the kitchen are definitely feng shui spaces that will benefit from a stronger presence of Yang energy. In these areas it is advisable to go for bright worm rich colors, energetic music, and you can add a variety of feng shui elements that will contribute to an active quality of energy like a table top water fountain, family photos, books, games, various media, and maybe a home office. Even though the Yin, or relaxing element, is not the dominant one in these feng shui spaces, you still need to have it for balance. Think deep colors, relaxed and comfortable seating, images with soothing energy.
Buy having a harmonious balance of both Yin and Yang feng shui energies in your home, will create the quality of energy you need to live a healthy and bountiful life. The best representation of the interaction of Yin and Yang is the Tai Chi symbol, a perfect circle with two contrasting colors, black and white, creating the circle of life together and each containing inside itself the essence of the opposite energy forces.
Indoor and tabletop fountains became very popular in the last several years. The appeal is easy to see, and the sound of water gently falling into water is soothing to the relieve stress, and a fountain adds freshness, and humidity to the environment, and over conditioned indoor air. Soon tabletop fountains were everywhere. The latest innovation to the standard water recirculating fountain is the addition of a mister, or fog maker, this will cause a mist to form on the surface of the pool of water that looks and acts like low lying fog. Some misting fountains include underwater lights with changing colors, to give the mist an magical glow. You can buy fountains that come with misters, or you can add a mister to your existing fountain. Because the ultrasonic vibrations produce negative ions, a misting fountain will purify an area the same way that an ionic air purifier will. Mist fountains are a perfect accessory if you have allergies or asthma. Since there’s nothing in the fountain or the mist but pure water, you needn’t worry if your kids are fascinated by the mist, or by your curious cat. You can even use a mist maker in a fishpond. The fish will enjoy it and will congregate around the device, and hide under the layer of the mist.
Be careful where you place your mist fountain, the mist is water, and condenses. You may find that tendrils of mist may flow out over the rim of your fountain’s bowl, so don’t place a misting fountain on an antique table without protecting the surface first. This should be careful in any case, since all water fountains do occasionally splash a little to a degree. You should follow the directions for care of your misting fountain, and how it needs occasional cleaning to work properly. Enjoy the gentle soothing mist of water as you watch your mist fountain!
You could be thinking do water fountains really make a good stress reliever. If you think about it for a minute, from the very moment of life as human beings are created, we are conditioned to be soothed by water. When we start in the womb, with it’s umbilical sac full of fluid gently coushioning us, as we spend nine months of life growing and preparing to enter the world. Relaxations products, such as recordings, regularly feature the sounds of water to help ease away the tense and stress in our lives. The most common stress reliever activities are bathing, or showering, relaxing in a jacuzzi, go swimming in the pool or the ocean. And people regularly have fantasies or taking tropical vacations, or living near water.
Water fountains provide a logical progression in the same pattern, and now you can keep it on every day if you want, it doesn’t make you water logged, and you don’t have to move from your town that you live, or spend lots of money to travel to some exotic island to experience the benefits. It’s been proven that when you’re relaxed, your blood pressure and heart rate drop and you think more clearly. The benefits couldn’t be clearer, and makes sense that water fountains can be fantastic for stress relief, and relaxation from the high pressures of life, providing a better way to incorporate spirituality, and peace of mind. So if you are looking at a water fountain for stress relief and relaxation, you’ll want one that has a soft soothing sounds. Typically water fountains will produce even water flow, and the water will have the short distance to fall. Water fountains that have adjustable pumps, will help you control the flow and sound of the water to suit your needs.
Life is and can be stressful and hectic. When the stresses of everyday life become too intense, a water fountain would be nice to have a way to relax and escape for a short time. One of the best stress relievers is the soothing sounds of water flowing. Here is a way to use water to help you lower your stress levels. By adding a water fountain in your home or office, a water fountain with the peaceful sounds of flowing water is a great stress relief, and can help promote relaxation.
What is Aromatherapy and its benefits?
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils to heal and revitalize the body and mind. These essential oils are distilled or cold pressed from plants and flowers. Essential oils represent what nature prizes most, pure energy and vital force which enlivens the plant. These precious essential oils heal and enliven body, mind and spirit by enhancing your senses!
Aromatherapy is the practice of using volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well being. Essential oils, the pure essence of a plant, have been found to provide both psychological and physical benefits when used correctly and safely. The essential oil profiles area states over 90 different essential oils. Absolutes, Co2 and Hydro-sols are also commonly utilized in aromatherapy. Although essential oils, Co2 extracts and absolutes are distilled in different manners, the term essential oil is sometimes used in writing as a blanket term to include Co2s and absolutes. In addition to essential oils, aromatherapy encourages the use of other complementary natural ingredients including cold pressed vegetable oils, jojoba that is a liquid wax, hydrosols, herbs, milk powders, sea salts, sugars, an exfoliate, clays, and mud’s.
Oils extracted by the Co2 or carbon dioxide, method are commonly called “Co2s” for short. In short, Co2s are extracted by pressurizing carbon dioxide until it becomes a liquid. The liquid carbon dioxide then acts as a solvent on the natural plant matter and the essential oil content then dissolves into the liquid Co2. Afterwards, the Co2 is brought back to natural pressurization, the Co2 evaporates back into its gaseous state and what is left is the resulting oil. Co2s are often labeled as essential oils as opposed to absolutes since no trace of a harmful solvent will remain in the final product. Cos have an advantage over essential oils because none of the constituents of the oil are damaged by heat. Co2s are usually thicker than their essential oil counterparts and often smell closer to the aroma of the natural herb. Co2s have been said to contain additional constituents than what is extracted from the same plant using steam distillation. This would seem to make sense since Co2s generally are thicker oils and often seem to have a more rounded aroma.
The Benefits of an Aromas and Inhaling Essential oils that are inhaled into the lungs offer both psychological and physical benefits. Not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but when inhaled into the lungs, the natural constituents, naturally occurring chemicals, can supply the reputing benefit. Diffusing eucalyptus essential oil to help ease congestion is a prominent example. If not done correctly and safely, however, the use of essential oils can have severe consequences. In addition to therapeutic benefit at the emotional and physical level, essential oils are helpful in other applications. Essential oils can be used in indoor Water Fountains, household and laundry cleaners. Some oils act as a natural insect repellent and pesticide that you can add to outdoor Water Fountains. You may recall using citronella candles during the summer time to keep mosquitoes away. Citronella essential oil is the ingredient in the candles that is responsible for repelling the mosquito’s. Essential Oil Blends, Essential oils can be blended together to create appealing and complex aromas. Essential oils can also be blended for a specific therapeutic application. Essential oils that are carefully blended with a specific therapeutic purpose in mind may be referred to as an Essential oilsssyngery. A synergistic essential oil blend is considered to be greater in total action than each oil working independently.
What are natural essential oils Aromatherapy oils? Depending on the species or type of plant, essential oils are extracted from the petals, leaves, roots, buds, twigs, rhizomes, wood, bark, resin or fruits. In a few cases, every part of the plant growing above ground is used. There are several ways of obtaining the oil, the most common being steam distillation. This involves putting the plant material in a large, closed container, known as a vat, and forcing steam through it. The heat and pressure release the tiny droplets of essential oil from the plant, which then rise with the steam, out through the spiral tube. This cools the steam and turns it back into a liquid, the essential oil, being generally lighter than water, it will float on the top and can be skimmed off. Uses for Aromatherapy Essential Oils are Water Fountains, soap making, candle making, massage oil, essential oil diffusers, essence, perfume making, synergies.
Why you should not use the natural essential oils, Aromatherapy Oils, or fragrance oils directly on the skin? These natural oils are highly concentrated oils and are too strong to use directly on the skin. Essential oils, aromatherapy oils are similar to medications and should not be over used and never used directly on the skin. It is suggested that you wear rubber type gloves while mixing these oils. They should never be taken internally. Keep these oils out of reach of your children and pets!
Facts about negative ions.
Discovered by, Lenard in 1915 found that when water is atomized, noticed on impact of a water droplet, the negative and positive charges are separated molecules which are torn from the surface of the water bear a negative charge small negative ions where as large drops or the entire mass of water are positive. This provided an unexpected explanation for the refreshing, invigorating effect of residences close to a waterfall or spring, or even after rain. Some of these reactions which improve well being and physical and mental capacity have since become known, and studied. Negative ions accelerate the oxidative degradation serotonin where as positive ions have the opposite action and inactivate the enzymes which break down serotonin. An increase in the serotonin level five hydroxytryptamine produces, tachycardia, a rise in blood pressure, bronchospasm going as far as asthma attack, increased intestinal peristalsis, contractions and dilations of the intestines to move the contents onwards, increased sensitivity to pain, increased aggression. A decrease in the serotonin level is calming and increases defenses against infection, as proven with influenza ‘the flu’. Negative ions produce an increase in hemoglobin, oxygen affinity so that the partial oxygen pressure in the blood rises but the partial carbon dioxide pressure decreases. This results in reduced respiratory rate and enhances the metabolism of water soluble vitamins. In addition, negative ions produce an increase in PH and, in particular, an increase in the secretory performance of the mucosa with an increase in ciliary movement in the airways.
According to the studies of Fleischer and Pantlitschko, negative ions probably also improve blood flow by increasing the release of proteolytic enzymes with fibrinolytic activity. Wordens studied the adrenals of golden hamsters kept under the same experimental conditions. The adrenals of animals treated with positive ions weighed 33% less than the adrenals of animals treated with normal respiratory air. On the other hand, the weight of the adrenals from golden hamsters treated with negative ions was 29% higher. Olivereau found a 30% enlargement of adrenals in rats after 20 days of treatment with negative ions. This finding suggests that the ability of the adrenals to produce glucocorticoids is reduced by positive ions and increased by negative ions.
Considerable increase in vital capacity were observed by M.A. Vytchikova and A. Minkh in 1959, with the maintenance of blood sugar and blood oxygen levels. Thus, in a group of nine sports students, Minkh found that ergometer endurance was increased by 260% in 32 days compared with a normal control group following the inhalation for 15 minutes daily of air enriched with 1.5 million negative small ions per centimeter. Even before the 1976 Olympics, air ionization in the sleeping quarters of team members was used to improve performance in sports centres in the USSR and the GDR, M. Jokl, Prague. Studies by Altmann in 1975 clearly show that the performance of school children can, for example, be considerably increased by changing the electrical conditions of the rooms. Comparable effects have also been achieved by the use of ionized air.
According to the latest information in the fields of medicine, biology and meteorology, it can be definitively established that atmospheric ions have a biological effect. Atmospheric electrical factors are a component of our environment and we humans are clearly affected by electro-ionic microclimates to a far greater extent than previously imagined. This finding acquires particular significance since, as a result of artificial air conditioning, atmospheric pollution, buildings, air-conditioning units, heating, electrical installations, and plastics civilized man spends 50 to 100% of his time in an unnaturally charged electroclimate. In cities, in closed rooms and in cars, etc., the proportion of small negative ions in the atmosphere is markedly reduced compared with undisturbed nature. An atmosphere with an excess of negative ions, such as frequently arise under open sky, usually induces a complete vegetative turn around within twenty days. In the curative phase of this total turn-around, the vegetative nervous system is normally restored and the course of infectious diseases is essentially attenuated, weakened, and, healing is accelerated.
The Truth About Negative Ions Water fountains do more than just simply look good. While the shear size and impressiveness of many of the most famous natural fountains in the world are nothing short of breathtaking, there is scientific evidence of other phenomenon at work as well. Ever notice the feeling you get when standing next to a large waterfall, or active mountain stream, or even a rocky ocean shore? This is due to a group of air particles known as negative ions. Despite the connotations of their name, negative ions in fact, have very positive effects on us. Perhaps in your youth your mother urged you to go out and get some fresh air? Turns out it is more than just an old wives tale. A negative ion is an oxygen ion with an extra electron attached. They are produced through disturbances in water molecules like fast flowing rivers and indoor fountains. The vigorous feeling you get when breathing country air or standing to view the Niagara Falls, is caused by negative ions. Negative ions have been proven to have a beneficial impact on health and mood by affecting the serotonin levels in the brain. Negative ions also cling and bond with impurities found in the air they occupy, acting as natural air purifiers. Conversely, positive ions are responsible for the grogginess people often feel cooped up in an office or after a long drive in a closed car. Because negative ions are produced in large quantities by flowing water and sunlight, air in rural areas has many hundreds of times more negative ions than air in a large metropolitan zone. The air around the Niagara Falls and other similarly turbulent water sources, for example, can contain anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter. Compare this number to that of a stuffy car or office, which can contain zero to at most a few hundred per cubic centimeter. The correlation between the number of negative ions and the overwhelming general moods found in these places is telling.
Now with the explanation of the negative charge from the rupturing of the water molecule, we can see how the atomizing process is a highly desirable effect to bring about. Improving negative ion count, however, is a very simple task. This information is more than sufficient evidence that, negative ions produced by having a indoor water fountain can drastically alter the invisible quality of air in any room it is introduced to. The small decorative table top water fountains which cascade or spray are not only visually appealing, but also provide the pleasing sound of moving water, that relaxes you, can be a good investment for your home, or office!