The classic to protect the feet As old as humanity

ISSUE 2 · 2015
DER CHIEMSEE
FUSS
VITAL
Das Bayerische Meer
Seite 3
PRESSURE SPOTS AND ULCERS
Wrong shoes are often the
cause
Page 2
Gewinnen Sie!
20 GEHWOL-Produktsets
Seite 4
WHAT IS …
thyme oil?
INFORMATION FOR THE WELL-BEING OF YOUR FEET
Page 2
Photo: Lorenz Kerscher, Penzberg
GOING BAREFOOT
As old as humanity
Serious barefoot walkers swear that there is
nothing better for foot health. Before civilisation
started enclosing the feet and bedding them on
shoes, going barefoot was normal. But humans
have forgotten it. Even worse: Over time, various myths and errors arose about it.
The Austrian empress Elisabeth, known as Sissi, bothered her entire court. She liked going barefoot so much
that she even ignored official habits. After the Spanish
ceremony, for instance, an empress had to wear a different pair of shoes for every festive occasion at court.
But her urge to go barefoot followed an entirely natural
impulse.
Through the stubble field
She would have liked to do what seems impossible to
many people and therefore became a myth: “As a child,
I ran across a stubble field. I can no longer do that now.”
This is incorrect. While children‘s feet naturally have a
thicker epidermis and the bones are not yet fully formed,
adults can also regain the natural protective skin of their
feet. But the epidermis or sole skin must not be equated
to callus. Callus usually forms due to friction and pressure, e.g. due to incorrectly fitting shoes or wrongly
applied strain. This protective layer has no circulation
and can be easily removed.
Protected against injury
Barefoot walkers seldom have a problem with callus.
Going barefoot activates the “foot intelligence”. This
means that the perception for the foot and what is
underneath it increases. In this way, malpositions or
unpleasant strains are immediately equalised. Dangers
are more likely to lie in objects lying around, such as
glass shards or nails, and hitting the feet on edges and
corners. Here as well, though, a well-practiced barefoot
walker is at lesser risk, since the feet are automatically
Those who regularly walk barefoot don‘t mind various
types of ground such as stones or fir needles.
lifted higher when walking, and the roll which follows
does a better job of pressure distribution.
More susceptible to diseases
It is said that barefoot walkers get more bladder and
kidney inflammations, but this is also untrue. These disorders are caused by viruses and bacteria. They are
permanently in our bodies and are kept at bay by the
immune system. If it is weak, illness can develop. Walking
barefoot tends to strengthen the immune system, since
the venous pumping effect is greater. This is important
for the circulation and therefore, the supply of oxygen
and nutrients to the cells. The same effect also prevents
cold feet, which allegedly occur when barefoot. Of
course the lower extremities can freeze on cold days or
in snow. But the body automatically counteracts this
with more movement, increasing the described venous
pumping effect to produce warmth.
Warts and foot fungus
The opinion that barefoot walking increases the risk of
foot fungus is also stubbornly maintained. But two
effects provide protection here. For one thing, the foot is
permanently ventilated, preventing a warm, humid climate. And for another, walking barefoot strengthens the
skin barrier which provides protection against the penetration of microbes into deeper skin layers. This also
lessens the risk of a wart-causing virus spreading.
Many myths and errors can therefore be refuted. Those
who want to encourage a natural gait and do more barefoot walking again need patience. It can take a year to
strengthen the skin of the foot soles and get used to
being able to walk without footwear almost anywhere:
an investment which pays off in the long term for the
feet and for one‘s health.
Photo:
T. Linack
GEHWOL FOOT CREAM
The classic to protect the feet
It has reliably protected stressed feet and strongly
stressed skin since nearly 150 years. Based on a proven
recipe, it is constantly adapted to the newest scientific
knowledge: GEHWOL FOOT CREAM is the classic
among foot creams. Hikers, skiers, craftsmen who wear
protective boots, or people whose feet are generally
exposed to severe strain value its reliable effects. The
cream not only protects against burning feet as well as
sores and blisters, but also prevents fungal foot infec-
tions and foot sweat. Its disinfecting essential oils
ensure that nuisance foot odour is lastingly removed.
Tip: If the cream is applied several millimeters thick, its
special recipe of medicinal specialised soap, vaseline,
lanolin and talcum creates a protective layer against
mechanical irritations such as soreness due to
rubbing.
Well-creamed foot when
hiking mean protection
against blisters.
Photo: GEHWOL
AVOIDING PRESSURE SPOTS AND ULCERS
Wrong shoes are often the cause
Healthy people usually notice pressure spots and injuries on the feet relatively quickly because they hurt.
Diabetics are more susceptible to foot problems due to
their illness. Undiscovered and untreated pressure
spots can quickly develop into ulcers in them. In the
majority of cases, the reason is nerve damage (polyneuropathy), which is triggered by diabetes. This makes the
feet insensitive to pain, pressure and temperature. The
skin on the feet often has less circulation and is
drier, callused and brittle. If the function of
the skin nerves is disturbed, the gait may
also change. This puts more strain on particular areas on the foot soles. This may
result in callus weals, since the callus
thickens in response to the strain. The
untreated weal, in turn, intensifies the influence of pressure on the underlying
tissues. Finally, there is a risk of a
wound forming.
fotolia | Lars Christensen
Our feet are among the most strongly stressed
body areas. The entire bodyweight is on the
foot soles with every step. Badly fitting shoes
can quickly result in unpleasant surprises, such
as pressure spots and wounds. Diabetics in
particular constantly hear: Pay attention to
your feet...and your shoes!
Diabetic feet at special risk
According to the current GEHWOL Diabetes Report,
many diabetics do not even know that they have to give
special attention to their feet. And: Too few pay attention to well-fitting shoes and socks. There are signs on
the shoes which indicate that they are the wrong ones:
a worn inner liner, soles and heels which are worn off at
an angle, but also traces of secretions. If in doubt, an
orthopaedic shoemaker should assess the shoes for a
correct fit. Since weals increase pressure on the subdermal tissues, pressure relief measures also include
good, regular foot and callus care. This is important,
and not just for diabetics.
Well cared...
This includes daily foot inspection and care at home,
but also visits to a foot expert. Foot care professionals
can competently advise their patients and recognise
changes in the skin and nails early on. Excess callus is
also properly removed. To keep the feet nicely supple
and resistant, it is recommended to apply a foot care
product to dry skin once and very dry skin twice daily.
GEHWOL med Lipidro Cream is suitable for this, not
just for diabetics. Their high quality ingredients such as
sea buckthorn and avocado oil balance the lack of lipids
and moisture, restoring the balance of the skin’s protective functions. Urea binds water in deeper skin layers as
well. This softens callus, preventing excessive new formation.
...and well cushioned
To keep the shoe from squeezing ...
the heels should not be too high (women: max. 4
centimetres, men: max. 3 centimetres).
the material should be made from actively breathing,
soft leather and have no sharp eyes, interfering
seams and other uneven areas.
socks which are not too tight or constrictive should
be worn. Preference should be given to socks
made from actively breathing cotton without inside
seams. Pull them tight so that they fit without wrinkles.
WHAT IS...
new shoes should ideally be bought in the early
afternoon, when the feet have been “walked warm”,
but have not yet - as in the evening - swelled too
much. Always break in new shoes well, and specifically examine the feet for redness and pressure
spots in this phase.
it should be tied so that it gives a sufficient hold, but
does not generate any painful pressure spots.
the feet should be kept dry, for damp skin softens
and becomes more sensitive. Also, ventilate and
change the shoes daily.
endangered skin areas are covered with adhesive
bandages or treated with pressure relief articles.
thyme oil?
might even help against acute bronchitis, since this
labiate relaxes the bronchial muscles and also has
pain-relieving effects.
Thyme grows locally, prefers dry ground, and
was already in use in ancient Egypt. The spice
also provides useful services in foot care as a
highly pure plant oil with many valuable ingredients.
Good for the feet
In medieval knights‘ tourneys, it was customary for
noble ladies to tie thyme twigs to their favourites‘
armours. When embalming bodies, the ancient Egyptians used essences with thyme due to its antimicrobial
effects. One can scarcely imagine modern cuisine without thyme as an aromatic spice. It refines, meat, fish
and vegetable dishes. In ancient Greece, physicians
used thyme as a medicinal herb and treated respiratory
tract disorders, since it liquefies mucus and loosens
coughs. Today, studies are investigating whether thyme
Orthopaedic insoles and custom shoe adaptations for
confectionery shoes (e.g. in the form of rolling aids and
added sole rigidity) and, when necessary, customised
special made-to-measure footwear from an orthopaedic shoemaker can provide pressure relief as well. A
pressure or gait analysis can furthermore be done for
this purpose. Finally, the specialist will check whether
pressure is wrongly applied to the feet.
The medicinal herb also renders good services in foot
care. Together with other essential oils, such as rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus and lemon grass, the thyme
in GEHWOL FOOT CREAM reduces sweat production
to normal levels, stops the excessive bacterial degradation of foot sweat, and disinfects the foot, protecting it
against inflammation and fungal foot infections.
fotolia | Tiramisu Studio
it should have the right size: not too tight, not too
pointed, sufficiently wide and long, with a wide
entry. There should also be space to put in insoles
if required.
Polymer-gel pressure-relief articles from GEHWOL can
protect sensitive feet to avoid or equalise pressure
spots. For instance, the soft, highly-elastic cushions
provide walking relief to those suffering from hammer or
ball toes (hallux valgus) or from corns. Similar cushions
also protect the frontal foot and the heel. They are very
skin friendly, form fitting and adapt to any foot shape.
Professional pressure relief and good friction protection
is also provided by so-called silicone orthotics. These
aids are individually custom-made to measure by podologists or medical foot care pros for their patients.
Thyme lends the right touch not only to meat,
fish or vegetable dishes, but also to foot care.
Good aroma
True thyme (Thymus vulgaris) grows as a waist-high
shrub and has an aromatic odour. It flowers from May to
October, particularly on rocky hillsides and dry grasslands in central and eastern Europe. The essential oil of
the plant is harvested especially in Turkey, where about
70 percent of world production takes place.
Well filtered
It takes about eight hours to filter out the approx. one to
two and a half percent of the oil using water steam distillation. This oil is deemed particularly rich in useful
ingredients. One of the most important ingredients is
thymol, which is known for its disinfectant, fungicidal
and bactericidal effects.
DER CHIEMSEE
Das Bayerische Meer
Photo: Florian Werner
Photo: ChiemseeAlpenland Tourismus
fotolia |
Tristan3D
Wie im Märchen: Schloss Herrenchiemsee,
erbaut nach dem Vorbild von Versailles.
des Sonnenkönigs ließ Ludwig II. das Schloss nach
dem Vorbild von Versailles nachbauen. Ein Highlight ist
der imposante Spiegelsaal: Er geriet mit seinen 23
Großspiegeln sogar größer als das Original. Ein Paradeschlafzimmer, ein Prunktreppenhaus sowie barocke
Wandgemälde zeugen von der Schönheit seiner Zeit.
Das Schloss kann ganzjährig besichtigt werden, ebenso
wie das darin ansässige „König Ludwig II.“-Museum.
Der Chiemsee, Deutschlands drittgrößter Binnensee, ist ein wahres Naturjuwel. Um ihn herum
finden Besucher nicht nur Moore, Almen und idyllische Landschaften, sondern auch authentisches Brauchtum. Die wohl bekannteste Sehenswürdigkeit ist das von Ludwig II. errichtete
Schloss Herrenchiemsee auf der Herreninsel.
Es waren Mönche und Nonnen, die sich als Erste in die
traumhafte Region rund um den 82 Quadratkilometer
großen Chiemsee verliebt hatten. Die Nonnen lebten
bereits im 7. Jahrhundert auf der Fraueninsel, die Mönche
siedelten sich wenig später auf der Herreninsel an. Die
Benediktinerinnen des Klosters Frauenwörth fertigen noch
heute per Hand eine Köstlichkeit an: das „süße Gold“.
Dabei handelt es sich um Marzipan, das ohne Konservierungsstoffe mit einem Schuss Chiemsee-Kräuterlikör
hergestellt wird. Die Fraueninsel ist ein ganz besonderes
Kleinod ohne Verkehrslärm. Auch als die „Insel der
Maler“ bezeichnet, ist sie mit ihren ungefähr 300 Bewohnern eine der ältesten Künstlerkolonien Europas.
Idylle, Kunst und Steckerlfisch
Auf der Fraueninsel lohnt sich ein Spaziergang durch das
pittoreske Fischerdorf. Dort laden Biergärten, eine traditionelle Inseltöpferei und 1.000 Jahre alte Linden zum
Verweilen ein. Ein bequemer Uferweg führt in 20 Minuten
einmal rund um die Insel. Eigenes Bier wird hier übrigens
auch noch gebraut. Ein Schmankerl für den Gaumen ist
der Steckerlfisch, traditionell eine gefangene Renke
oder Brachse aus dem See. Der Fischer bestreicht dazu
den ausgenommenen Fisch mit einer Marinade aus Öl,
Gewürzen und Knoblauch und spießt ihn der Länge
nach auf lange Holzstöcke. Dann grillt er ihn über der
Holzkohleglut. Rund 30 Fischarten tummeln sich im
Chiemsee – einem der saubersten Seen Deutschlands.
Mit dem Schiff zum Schloss
Ganzjährig bringt die Chiemsee-Schifffahrt Besucher von
den Häfen Prien/Stock und Gstadt auf die Frauen- und
Herreninsel oder auch rund um den See. Im Sommer
werden noch weitere Orte am Chiemsee angesteuert.
Auf der Herreninsel liegt das wohl bekannteste Ausflugsziel des Chiemgaus, das Schloss Herrenchiemsee.
Es wurde von König Ludwig II. von Bayern erbaut und ist
von einem weitläufigen Park mit Brunnen- und Gartenanlagen umgeben. Wer dorthin nicht laufen mag, kann auch
bequem mit der Kutsche fahren. In seiner Verehrung
Einen Besuch wert ist ebenso das Augustiner-Chorherrenstift (Altes Schloss). Als Ludwig II. 1873 die Insel als
Standort für sein neues Schloss erwarb, richtete er im
sogenannten Konventstock (Ostflügel) der Klosteranlage
Privaträume ein, die bei einem Museumsrundgang besichtigt werden können. Dort sind auch die Werke der
Chiemseemaler ausgestellt. Und: Im Speisezimmer
konzipierte damals der Verfassungskonvent 1948 das
Grundgesetz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Mit dem Rad um den See
Radfahrer können den Chiemsee an einem Tag auf einer
Strecke von 60 Kilometern umrunden. Auch für Segelfreunde ist er ein Eldorado. Doch nicht nur die äußerst
erholsame Berg- und Seeluft, sondern auch das reichliche Vorkommen an natürlichen Heilmitteln wie Moor,
Schwefelthermalwasser, Jodthermalsole und Naturheilverfahren wie die Kneippkur zeichnen die Region rund
um den Chiemsee aus. Nicht zu vergessen ist auch die
Nähe zu den über 60 bewirtschafteten Almen, die das
Herz vieler Wanderer höherschlagen lassen.
i
Mehr Informationen:
Chiemsee-Alpenland
Tourismus GmbH & Co. KG
Felden 10 · 83233 Bernau am Chiemsee
Telefon: 08051 96555-0
info@chiemsee-alpenland.de
www.chiemsee-alpenland.de
GEHWOL LEG BALM
Who doesn’t know it: After a long work day while standing or sitting, our legs are extremely tired; our feet are
swollen after car trips, and we generally get too little
exercise. Pregnant women also often suffer from leg
problems, which get even worse in the hot summer
months. And: Those who want to do something for their
leg health have to get active! This is the only way to
really get the calf muscle pump going, whether it’s with
sports or just regularly using the stairs. A massage with
soothing GEHWOL Leg Balm provides further relief for
stressed legs and feet. It contains allantoin, an active
substance from horse chestnut, which smoothes the
skin and accelerates cell regeneration. The veins are
also strengthened. Panthenol and bisabolol, the active
substance of chamomile, are soothing. Together with
hamamelis, the medicinal herbs relieve irritation and
refine the skin’s appearance.
The pores are drawn together by the mild tannins and
essential oils of hamamelis, which is also called witch
hazel, for a tighter, more youthful appearance. Skin
impurities and foot fungus are also prevented. Overall,
one quickly experiences an all-round freshness sensation. The easily distributed balm with its pleasant scent
deodorises the feet. It is recommended to massage the
balm into the still damp skin after a foot bath or shower
for a warmly pleasant, silky soft feeling!
Balm for the legs:
relax with your daily
care ritual!
Photo: GEHWOL
GEHWOL Leg Balm counteracts tired legs and feet
with natural power: Selected, matched medicinal
herbs of horse chestnut, chamomile and witch hazel
strengthen the veins and ensure a pleasant sensation of freshness every day.
fotolia | Photographee.eu
Soothing care for supple skin
FOOT MYTHS: A WOMEN‘S CONCERN
Men have problems too
In ancient China, it was regarded as chic when women had the smallest possible feet. Very often,
female nobles therefore had their foot bones broken and the feet tightly tied off to increase their
chances of marriage. Singer Mariah Carey owns 10,000 pairs of shoes, and Victoria Beckham
sometimes books a separate hotel room for her high heels. Maybe such stories are what makes
foot matters a women’s concern.
Wrong! Women suffer from foot problems more often
than men, but it‘s not only a women‘s matter. An estimated 20 percent of men over 40 have foot problems.
This was shown by a Boston University study. While
men tend to develop flat feet, women have weaker connective and support tissues. This may cause the crosswise arch to drop, resulting in sunken/spread feet or ball
toes.
Ball toes are only caused by high heels
Wrong! Aside from genetic predisposition, wearing
excessively tight shoes is the main cause for developing
hallux valgus - which is a malposition of the large toe
joint. By the way, men also suffer from the most common foot disorder. High heels do cause ball toes, but
they also cause claw or hammer toes. After all, walking
in high heeled shoes is similar to walking downhill. The
foot slips down, weight shifts from the heel to the frontal
foot, and increases pressure on the foot pads. Foot
deformities as well as back pain are often the price paid
for fashionable looks in chic, but uncomfortable shoes.
One only has to pay attention to good shoes in
old age
fotolia | Belodarova
Foot problems, only in women
Wrong! Those who constantly wear incorrect shoes
such as high heels in their younger years increase their
risk of developing foot malpositions and pain when they
become elderly. One should also pay attention to good,
actively breathing materials such as leather when buying shoes.
PREISRÄTSEL – JETZT MITMACHEN UND GEWINNEN
20 GEHWOL-Produktsets für gepflegte Füße und Beine
So geht’s: Finden Sie heraus, welches imposante Schloss in Oberbayern seit dem Tod seines berühmtesten Bewohners von Millionen
von Menschen besucht wurde und außerdem
ein französisches Vorbild hat. Dann können Sie
je ein sechsteiliges Set mit hochwertigen
­GEHWOL Fuß- und Beinpflegepräparaten sowie dazu ein kuscheliges Handtuch gewinnen.
Der Sommer steht vor der Tür und Ihre Füße und Beine
sehnen sich nach Erfrischung. Mit den GEHWOL Pflegepräparaten sind Sie bestens gerüstet: Der GEHWOL
Frische-Balsam hilft müden, brennenden und stark beanspruchten Füßen dank natürlichem Pfefferminzöl und
Menthol wieder auf die Sprünge. Den kühlenden Effekt
unterstützt auch GEHWOL pflegendes Fußspray. Es
desodoriert und schützt wirksam vor Fußpilz. Ein Pfel-
GEHWOL Softening Balsam
GEHWOL Frische-Balsam
GEHWOL pflegendes Fußspray
GEHWOL Perlmutt-Peeling
GEHWOL med Nagelschutz-Stift
zusammen mit einem kuschelig weichen Handtuch
gebalsam für seidenweiche Füße und Beine ist der
GEHWOL Softening-Balsam. Milch und Honig sowie
tiefenwirksmes Hyaluron machen die Haut geschmeidig
und glatt. Wertvolles Perlmuttpulver, feine Zuckerkristalle und massierende Wachskügelchen im GEHWOL
Perlmutt-Peeling entfernen sanft und gründlich abgestorbene Hautzellen. Natürlich dürfen abschließend
auch schöne Nägel nicht fehlen: der GEHWOL med
Nagelschutz-Stift pfegt, schützt und macht sie elastisch.
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