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Nutrition and Hormonal Balance

  Good Morning,  Nutrition and Hormonal Balance As an acupuncturist in the area of fertility, I realize tha...

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Flower Power: Flower Remedies

 

Good Morning!

Flower Power: Flower Remedies

This week I will be discussing the work and energy behind "Flower
Power". Not only is it a phrase from the 60's associated with peace
and the hippie movement, I find the phrase, itself empowering! So
this week I am going to explore the nature of "Flower Power"!

The essence of flowers is a subtle, aromatic and volatile liquid
extracted from the flowers, seeds, leaves, stems, bark and roots of
herbs, bushes, shrubs and trees through distillation. It is a form of
vibrational healing, which works on many levels. Flower remedies are
homeopathic essences, which benefit a specific mental and emotional
state. Below is a small sampling of the power of flowers, with there
color, qualities and patterns of imbalance they treat:

Agrimony: (Agrimonia eupatoria) (yellow)
Positive qualities: Emotional honesty, acknowledging and working with
emotional pain, obtaining true inner peace.
Patterns of Imbalance: Anxiety hidden by a mask of cheerfulness;
denial and avoidance of emotional pain, addictive behavior to
anesthetize feelings.

Beech: (Fagus sylvatica) (red)
Positive qualities: Tolerance, acceptance of others' differences and
imperfections, seeing the good within each person and situation.
Patterns of Imbalance: Criticalness, judgmental attitudes,
intolerance; perfectionist expectations of others; over sensitivity
to one's social and physical environment.

Cherry Plum: (Prunus cerasifera) (white)
Positive qualities: Spiritual surrender and trust, feeling guided and
protected by a Higher Power; balance and equanimity despite extreme
stress.
Patterns of Imbalance: Fear of losing control, or of mental and
emotional breakdown; desperate, destructive impulses.

Clematis: (Clematis vitalba) (white)
Positive qualities: Awake, focused presence; manifesting inspiration
in practical life; embodiment.
Patterns of Imbalance: Avoidance of the present by daydreaming; other-
worldly and impractical ideals.

Elm: (Ulmus procera) (reddish brown)
Positive qualities: Joyous service, faith and confidence to complete
one's task
Patterns of Imbalance: Overwhelmed by duties and responsibilities,
feeling unequal to the task required.

Gentian: (Gentiana amarella) (purple)
Positive qualities: Perseverance, confidence; faith to continue
despite apparent setbacks
Patterns of Imbalance: Discouragement after a setback; doubt.

Honeysuckle: (Lonicera caprifolium) (red/white)
Positive qualities: Being fully in the present; learning from the
past while releasing it.
Patterns of Imbalance: Nostalgia; emotional attachment to the past,
longing for what was.

Impatiens: (Impatiens glandulifera) (pink/mauve)
Positive qualities: Patience, acceptance; flowing with the pace of
life and others.
Patterns of Imbalance: Impatience, irritation, tension, intolerance.

Larch: (Larix decidua) (red), (yellow)
Positive qualities: Self-confidence, creative expression, spontaneity
Patterns of Imbalance: Lack of confidence, expectation of failure,
self-censorship.

Mustard: (Sinapis arvensis) (yellow)
Positive qualities: Emotional equanimity, finding joy in life
Patterns of Imbalance: Melancholy, gloom, despair; generalized
depression without obvious cause.

Oak: (Quercus robur) (red)
Positive qualities: Balanced strength, accepting limits, knowing when
to surrender.
Patterns of Imbalance: Iron-willed, inflexible; over striving beyond
one's limits.

Pine: (Pinus sylvestris) (red- male), (yellow-female)
Positive qualities: Self-acceptance, self-forgiveness; freedom from
inappropriate guilt and blame.
Patterns of Imbalance: Guilt, self- blame, self-criticism, inability
to accept oneself.

Rock Rose: (Helianthemum nummularium) (yellow)
Positive qualities: Self-transcending courage, inner peace and
tranquillity when facing great challenges.
Patterns of Imbalance: Deep fear, terror, panic; fear of death or
annihilation.

Star of Bethlehem: (Ornithogalum umbellatum) (white)
Positive qualities: Bringing soothing, healing qualities, a sense of
inner divinity.
Patterns of Imbalance: Shock or trauma, either recent or from a past
experience; need for comfort and reassurance from the spiritual
world.

Vervain: (Verbena officinalis) (pink/mauve)
Positive qualities: Ability to practice moderation, tolerance, and
balance; "the middle way"; grounded idealism.
Patterns of Imbalance: Overbearing or intolerant behavior; over
enthusiasm or extreme fanaticism; nervous exhaustion from over
striving.

Wild Rose: (Rosa canina) (pink or white) also known as Dog Rose.
Positive qualities: Will to live, joy in life.
Patterns of Imbalance: Resignation, lack of hope, giving up on life;
lingering illness.

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
http://www.peacefulmind.com/homeopathy.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit

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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Alternative Answers for Appetite Disturbances

 


Alternative Answers for Appetite Disturbances

Appetite Disturbances, either experiencing loss of appetite, or having difficulty controlling it, several alternative therapies can help. If you experience a notable change in appetite, you should first consult a physician, to rule out any illness or nutritional deficiencies. Whether you want to stimulate your appetite or control it, changing the way you eat may help.

Appetite loss is the body's defense against ingesting anything that could slow the healing process. Almost any infection can cause a loss of appetite. A passing cold or flu virus could be responsible. So could more serious things like tuberculosis, low thyroid function, diseases of the heart or lungs or liver problems.

Bulimia is an illness characterized by uncontrolled episodes of overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting. Eating binges may occur as often as several times a day. Induced vomiting known as purging allows the eating to continue until interrupted by sleep, abdominal pain, or the presence of another person. The person is usually aware that their eating pattern is abnormal and may experience fear or guilt associated with the binge-purge episodes. The behavior is usually secretive, although clues to this disorder include overactivity, peculiar eating habits, eating rituals, and frequent weighing. Body weight is usually normal or low, although the person may perceive themselves as overweight.

The exact cause of bulimia is unknown, but factors thought to contribute to its development are family problems, maladaptive behavior, self-identity conflict, and cultural overemphasis on physical appearance. Bulimia may be associated with depression. The disorder is usually not associated with any underlying physical problem although the behavior may be associated with neurological or endocrine diseases. The disorder occurs most often in females of adolescent or young adult age. The incidence is 2 in 10,000 people.

Bulimia is a bit different from anorexia because the person with bulimia doesn't avoid eating. Instead, he or she eats a large amount of food then gets rid of it quickly by vomiting or taking laxatives. This is commonly known as "binge and purge" behavior.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder associated with a distorted body image that may be caused by a mental disorder. Inadequate calorie intake results in severe weight loss. The exact cause of this disorder is not known, but social attitudes towards body appearance and family factors play a role in its development. The condition affects females more frequently, usually in adolescence or young adulthood.

Unique features of anorexia are not only the strong desire to be very thin, but also the altered body perception that goes with it. People with anorexia have an intense fear of being fat. When a person has anorexia, he or she hardly eats at all � and the small amount of food that is eaten becomes an obsession. A person with anorexia may weigh food before eating it or compulsively count the calories of everything. It is not unusual for a person with anorexia to also exercise excessively in an attempt to lose weight.

Statistics show the risk factors are seen most often in Caucasians, having an upper or middle economic background, being female, and having a goal-oriented family or personality. The incidence is 4 out of 100,000 people.

Other culprits of appetite loss include anti-histamines, over the counter drugs, pain killers and perscriptions.

Aging itself can take its toll on the appetite. In older people the metabolism slows down, muscle mass decreases and physical ailments impede activity. On top of all this, taste sensations diminish and stomach secretions don't flow like they used to. All of these things contribute to appetite loss.

Controlling your appetite, is another matter. We often eat out of habit, not hunger. People who do try to stop an addictive behavior, such as smoking, often find themselves overeating. One reason is habit: They're used to doing something with their hands and mouth, so they eat. Or they could be battling the misery of nicotine withdrawal with the nurturing pleasure of food. Regardless of the excuse, this lack of control often leads to many health problems. See related topics: weight loss , aging , depression , stress , sleep difficulties , pms , anxiety , thyroid problems , diabetes and smoking .

According to the American Institute of Gastroenterology, the best strategy to promoting good overall health is to eat a balanced, predominantly plant-based and nutritionally dense diet. Most of your daily calories should come from vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans.

Best Balancing Tips

1. Recognize the problem: People with an appetite disturbance often do not recognize or admit that they have a problem. A trusted family members or other individual you believe in can be helpful in making sure that needed care or rehabilitation are received.

2. Determining your needs: Appetite disturbances, eating disorders, depression and anxiety all require a comprehensive diagnosis, in which, the clinician will determine whether the person is in immediate danger and/or requires hospitalization. Nutritional counseling, psychosocial interventions, monitoring, as well as medical care maybe appropriate.

3. Talk Therapies: Individual psychotherapy (especially cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal psychotherapy), group psychotherapy that uses a cognitive-behavioral approach and family or marital therapy can be very effective. Overcome low self-esteem and addressing distorted thought patterns and behaviors are crucial. Families are sometimes included in the therapeutic process.

4. Severe weight loss: requires an inpatient hospital stay, where proper nourishment is given and the person's medical needs are met. In some cases, intravenous feeding is appropriate.

5. Moderate exercise is crucial: for both successful weight loss or for those suffering from anorexia and bulimia. Not only does it help burn excess calories, but by increasing your physical activity you can modify the way your brain regulates hunger, making you less susceptible to food cravings and can increase hormones in order to stabilize mood or anxiety disorders . If exercise is done excessively, in the case of anorexia and bulimia, encouragement of healthy but not excessive exercise is the specific goal in this strategy.

6. The primary goal of treatment for bulimia: is to reduce or eliminate binge eating and purging behavior.

7. The primary goal of treatment for anorexia: is restoring weight lost due to severe dieting and purging.

8. Vitamin Therapy: is a good way to help your body regulate what you may not be getting through your diet or what you are losing through purging and abuse. A good daily multivitamin is the best start.

9. Drink Plenty of Water: Not only will you loss water as you exercise, drinking water makes you feel full, therefore, not as much room for food.

10. Control blood sugar levels: this is a good way to balance your system by eating 5 small high protein meals a day.

11. Limit Animal-based Foods: such as meat and dairy products, which are loaded with saturated fat and cholesterol. Use olive oil or canola oil instead of butter or margarine to reduce your intake of saturated fat and hydrogenated fat (trans fat). Moderate your consumption of fried, salted and smoked foods.

12. Portion Control: Eat portions to satisfy hunger, not to clean the plate. By dinner, if you have complex carbs (potatoes, yams, brown rice�) with your meal; it should be no more than a cup full. Half of your plate should be vegetable. The meat, fish, chicken portion should be the size of your fist. Portion control is the secret to a healthy weight! Avoid coffee, sugar, alcohol.

13. Believe: Your belief system has everything to do with the mental and spiritual aspects of any eating disorder. Fight anxiety with relaxation exercises rather than food. Utilize meditation, yoga, stretching. By creating healthy eating habits and regular exercise, you are sure to lose weight without depriving yourself of nourishing food. And if you continue those good habits after you reach your goal, you will have an excellent chance of maintaining your desired weight and see it more as maintaining a lifestyle as opposed to a diet.

11. Sleep Well: Good quality sleep is important, especially when you are trying to loss weight or recover from anorexia or bulimia. It is most important to go to sleep with a "Quiet Mind". Sleep rejuvenates, detoxes and regulates the body.

12. Overcome Fear: Fear can be an underlining problem in many cases. There are many ways to quiet the mind. Doing 15 to 30 minutes of meditation or yoga can be very helpful. You must allow yourself to be distracted or get into your meditation or yoga and "let go" of the days thoughts...see Meditation. Address your fears or phobias by journaling.

Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/appetite_disturbance.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit


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Saturday, May 18, 2013

Scleroderma

 

Does anyone know of helpful alternative remedies for Scleroderma? What are some options? Suggestions? Recommendations for stopping, maintaining or just living with it? I appreciate in advance.

I have a friend who is now asking for money to help find a cure. She has never looked into alternative measures but if I can make some suggestions through your replys then perhaps she will listen and make some changes other than just listening to her doctors and cramming all the meds they are leading her to and which are obviously not working.

In wellness, Teri


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Thursday, May 16, 2013

Deamateceous earth food grade inquiry

 

Hi all. Has any body used Deamateceous earth for joint inflammation and hbp? I just started taking it for 3 days now and it seems that my knees are not as painful anymore. It is too early to evaluate and so I wanted to know if people has tried it.

They do have a lot of testimonials to what it is great for but I thought it would be better to ask members.

Thank you and any input will be appreciated.
 
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Dreams: Gateway to Self-Discovery - 6-Week Dream Course with Gloria Coelho

 


Dreams: Gateway to Self-Discovery

6-Week Dream Course with Gloria Coelho

6 Thursdays, 4:00 – 6:00 pm, beginning June 6
Dreams, arising from your deepest Self, are an immediate and accessible
way of identifying the questions and solutions most relevant to your
current life circumstances.
Every dream, whether evoking tears of laughter or a heart-throbbing rush
of terror, contains within its symbolism a message both relevant and
vital to your life. Dreamwork provides the key to interpreting this rich
language of metaphor and symbol through which your dreams communicate
their profound wisdom.

The class will focus on:

* Week 1: Ten Precepts of Dreamwork

* Week 2: Techniques for Interpretation

* Week 3: Discerning the Shadow

* Week 4: Jungian Archetypes

* Week 5: Dream Symbols

* Week 6: Dream Incubation (an effective and easy technique for
generating a dream for insight on a given topic)

In addition, each week we will work experientially as a group with
dreams shared in class.

Tuition: $175; Members $150. Tuition includes dreamwork binder with
all study materials.

This class is limited to 10 people.

Registration Required.

Register at www.CaritasSpiritistCenter.org
<http://www.caritasspiritistcenter.org/> or call 303.449.3066

Gloria Coelho, founder and director of The Caritas Spiritist Center in
Boulder, has practiced Jungian-based dreamwork for over 20 years, and
has taught courses in dreamwork since 1998. Also a Spiritist healer,
Gloria often utilizes dream interpretation to assist people in their
emotional, spiritual and/or physical healing process.

At The Caritas Spiritist Center

5723 Arapahoe, Boulder, CO 80303

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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Honoring the Goddess

 

Honoring the Goddess

Mother's Day is a nice time to bring awareness to the "mother energy". Honor your mother or a mother you know. Here are some wonderful ways to send loving energy:

1. Light a candle to honor a mother who is living or who has passed.
2. Use a simple ritual to bring love and honor to yourself as a mother, or to give thanks to mother earth.
3. Pay homage to your mother through the power of scent with affirmation candles, essential oil sampler or our sacred anointing oils.
4. Treat your mom to an at home spa session.
5. Invite your mom to enjoy a special seasonal tea blend, created just for her.
6. Consider making her a unique "soundtrack" in honor of who she is. Choose and create music that reminds you of your mom!
7. Choose from one of our many extra special and unique gift baskets designed for every occasion, celebration and budget!
8. Honor your mom with the gift of crystals. Below is a list of great stones to honor the Goddess:


Amethyst:

The stone of spirituality and dream recall. Used for contentment and meditation. Provides common sense and flexibility in decisions. Strengthens and enhances psychic abilities, imagery and mind quieting. Wear when sleeping or when awake to reduce anger, impatience, and nightmares. Most effective on the Brow and Crown Chakra. Amethyst contains the grounding color of red with the energy of blue, which is expanding, spacious and flow of peace. Amethyst is the color that you see in the sky as twilight transitions into night. Amethyst takes you on this transition from the magic time of dusk to a conscious shift into a different place. Crossing this threshold is the lesson of humility, which Amethyst can teach us. This stone can show us how to let go and trust; surrender so that you may see beyond the cycle that consumes your attention; give it all up, so that you can receive more; and bow, that you may become a part of the greater whole. Amethyst is considered a Master Healing stone.

Azurite:

Referred to as the jewel of wisdom or Stone of Heaven. Azurite symbolizes insight and discovery. It is said to increase psychic abilities. Azurite activates the Brow and Throat Chakra for more assertive communication and alertness. It allows for quite, deep access to the subconscious and as a seeing stone offers access to other times, places and lives. Therefore, it is a great stone to assist in astral travel. This great balancer helps those who talk too much and allows for those who to be expressive when they have a tendency to hold back. This opens our psychic intuition and gets us aquainted with our innerselves. It is a stone that stimulates creativity, giving access to a fountain of ideas, images and awareness of things around us.

Moonstone:

This stone honors the Goddess in all women. This stone helps women (and men) to be more comfortable with their gentler feminine/yin receiving side. This stone is also an excellent remedy for overly aggressive females or for men who need to connect to their more feminine/emotional side. Its connection to the moon has been documented for centuries. Because of its shimmering, glossy nature its color plays off the light as does the moon. Like the moon as it waxes and wanes, this reflective stone allows us the lesson that everything is a part of the cycle of change. Moonstone is considered the stone of new beginnings. Moonstone is most famous for balancing our emotional states. Therefore, moonstone is one of the best stones for soothing emotional stress and anxiety. Moonstone helps cool, soothe and calm over-reactions to emotional and personal situations. It allows us greater flexibility and flow with life. Moonstone has been used for protection against the perils of travel. It encourages a lust for life, a youthful attitude and helps us to become comfortable with the aging process and its transitions.

Pearl::

In tune with emotions, water, and women, especially pregnant women, pearls are a symbol of pure heart and mind; innocence and faith. Because it is from the sea, it has watery and lunar elements, therefore it is used for balancing emotions, especially for water signs. Absorbing by nature, this mineral absorbs thoughts and emotions and because of this, must be used with caution. If you feel excessively negative while wearing a pearl, it will hold that energy until it is cleansed. Remember, Pearl is the result of layer upon layer of substance produced to combat irritation. Pearl can cool and soothe. It is very nurturing. If using pearls in conjunction with other gemstones, consider Diamonds to amplify and purify, or Emeralds to bring negative energy out and disperse it. Recommended for occupations as varied as artists, chiropractors, and farmers. Pearl is a cold and independent mineral, which is used, ironically at the Heart, Solar Plexus and Sacral/Spleen Chakra, to stimulate the heart, liver and emotional issues, digestion, immunity weakness and emotional stress.

Phenacite:

Also spelled phenakite, is a powerful, loving, healing, spiritual stone. It is believed to be one of the highest vibrational crystals yet discovered. The clearer the stone, the more intensely it opens the Third Eye, Crown Chakra and Transpersonal Chakra as a white light channel. Hence, its aura clearing abilities are phenomenal! This stone ignites clairvoyance/spiritual communication, meditation, astral travel, as well as life journeys. Helps one to map out a pathway within the dimensions. Energizes meridians and the healing of other stones. It is a powerful crystal for clearing and activating the chakras. It helps one to go further in a trance state and gives a deeper awareness of one's inner structures. Phenacite can be used to amplify the energies of other stones used for healing, and to balance energy within one. It can also alleviate despair and fear including fear of change and lead one to live in love. Phenacite may help one to connect with Angels due to its high frequency and relationship to the Ascending Masters. Phenacite has been associated with Gemini.

Titanium Quartz:

Quartz is infused with titanium and additional metal oxides to form one of the most precious crystals on the planet. It increases lifeforce and vitality, attuning to the highest attribute of the Crown Chakra. It's rainbow colors have been shown to stimulate the entire aura body! An exceptional stone for creativity. This quartz removes blockages and enhancing the flow of creativity due to its intensely visual colors. It has been used for increasing intuition and therefore an exceptional stone for promoting clairvoyance as well as all forms of "seeing". Consider this crystal for assisting in meditation, an alternative medicine career or yogic practice. This crystal appears to stimulate the upward movement of the kundalini and is exceptional for any tantric practice.

Rose Quartz:

Rose Quartz represents love, beauty, peacefulness, forgiving, lovingness, self-love and emotional balance! Rose Quartz works with the Heart Chakra. It is a soft, gentle, soothing stone that warms the heart center. Its value as a nurturing friend cannot be overstated. Neither can it's soothing influence. Helps diffuse negative stimuli and uncomfortable memories. Helps us discover the ability to love ourselves and makes us more open to other people. It is of particular value in helping us to forgive ourselves, hastening self-acceptance. Helps us realize that all change is important, even difficult change. Stimulates love and tender appreciation of all things.

Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/whatsnew.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit


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Flower Power: The Healing Power of Flowers

 

Good Morning!

Flower Power: The Healing Power of Flowers

Dandelion: Dandelion Root can be made into a bitter tea (don't sweeten it, the bitterness is how it works ? you'll get use to it) as an excellent tonic for the liver and blood purifier. Dandelion roots are very high in vitamins and minerals. The common dandelion is an unusually nutritious food. Its leaves contain substantial levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon. Worldwide, the root of the dandelion has been used for the treatment of a variety of liver and gallbladder problems. Other historical uses of the root and leaves include the treatment of breast diseases, water retention, digestive problems, joint pain, fever, and skin diseases. The most active constituents in dandelion appear to be eudesmanolide and germacranolide, substances unique to this herb.

Jasmine: Jasmine is a bold, sweet scent. Jasmine is the greatest aphrodisiac of all. These night blooming flowers are picked at their height to bring out one of the most sexy scents. Associated throughout history with the compassionate Goddess of the Moon, Jasmine, grown along the Nile in ancient Egypt, is represented Isis, the Egyptian Mother Goddess who held the secrets of fertility, magic and healing.

Milk Thistle: Milk Thistle is the best in cleaning our blood and liver and is a traditional way to get our health back on track and revitalize and nourish our entire internal ecological system from the ravages of winter. Milk Thistle is an excellent cleansers for the liver. Cleansing is one of the more important roles of Milk Thistle as it helps to prevent a host of problems our bodies can acquire from internal and external toxic overload.

Patchouli: Patchouli is a sweet, earthy scent. Its smell is intense and spicy. From an energetic point of view, Patchouli, like Jasmine, is warm and yet anti-inflammatory in action. It combines a calmative property with a gentle stimulating effect that uplifts the spirit! Patchouli is a sweet and grounding harmonizing fragrance!

Neroli: Neroli is distilled from bitter orange trees. It has a refreshing, spicy aroma and is known for its sensual, exotic effect. Neroil oil is emotionally unifying and soothes with harmonizing effects. Described as both sensual and spiritual, Neroli helps to restablish the link between a disconnected mind and body. Neroli paves the way for a gradual release and allows us to recall hope and joy!

Rose: The Mother of All Flowers, the Rose has amazing powers of love, trust and self acceptance. Roses are representative of faith, hope and love and has the qualities to restore the very center of one's being. A gentle tonic of the heart, Rose oil's psychological properties lie mainly in its effect on the mind, the center of our emotional being. Rose oil calms and supports the heart and helps to nourish the soul!

Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/aromatherapy.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit


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May is Arthritis Awareness Month: Balancing pH Levels

 

Good Morning!

May is Arthritis Awareness Month: Balancing pH Levels

Arthritis, which means "joint inflammation" is a general term for over 100 different joint disorders with symptoms ranging from mild aches and pains to severe swelling and crippling pain. Your joints, remarkable and elaborate hinges, are cushioned by cartilage. They are held together with various other tissues, including muscles and tendons. Lubrication is in the form of called synovial fluid, which is released by the synovial lining of the joints. Thinning cartilage between the bone results in the bones rubbing together and becoming inflamed. This, in turn, inflames the surrounding tissues, tendons and muscles.

Balancing pH Levels

When the body is too acidic resulting from an intake of acid forming foods, mucus forming, high fat foods, and toxic food residues, disease and infections are encouraged. This is especially true in cases of arthritis and rheumatic situations. Most foods are alkaline by nature, but often the more processed the foods are the more acidic they become. It is important to balance each meal with a ratio of 75% alkaline to 25% acidity in order to maintain better health. Perfect body pH is 6.4, above is alkaline and below is acidic. It is important that your daily dietary intake of food naturally balances your body pH. Balancing the body's pH is achieved by avoiding foods that create acidic conditions in the body, which can help lessen pain and inflammation.

Foods that create acidity in the body include, meat, dairy, hydrogenated fats, wheat and sugar.

Foods that help restore balance include fruits (when eaten on an empty stomach), vegetables and legumes.

Eliminate: butter, all fried foods, margarine, red meat, shellfish, shortenings or tropical oils (such as coconut and palm oils).

Limit foods that have little or no fiber such as ice cream, cheese, meat, snacks like chips and pizza, and processed foods such as instant mashed potatoes or already-prepared frozen dinners. Too much white flour and refined sugar.

Decrease phosphorus foods such as soft drinks, which are high in phosphoric acid, organ meat (liver, kidney), processed meat, which are especially high in phosphorus, fried foods and vegetable oil, which have a high level of omega 6 and can make inflammation worse. Sugar results in poor absorption of nutrients as does antacids, which neutralize stomach acid and result in poor absorption of calcium (heartburn and indigestion are caused by poor eating habits and NOT ENOUGH stomach acid!)


What You Should Avoid:

Research has shown the foods most often thought to aggravate arthritis include:

*corn, wheat, pork, oranges, milk, oats, rye, eggs, beef, tomatoes, eggplant and coffee.

*processed, packed and fast foods. Hydrogenated fats, margarine, shortening, lard, or products made with them such as cookies, pies, and packaged food.

*dairy products, yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, butter and cheeses

*wheat products

*alcohol

Eliminate: butter, all fried foods, margerine, red meat, shellfish, shortnings or tropical oils (such as coconut and palm oils).

Limit foods that have little or no fiber such as ice cream, cheese, meat, snacks like chips and pizza, and processed foods such as instant mashed potatoes or already-prepared frozen dinners. Too much white flour and refined sugar.

What you don't eat may be even more important than what you do eat. Avoid alcohol and sugar, because they tend to worsen the situation.

Curb your caffeine. One or two cups of coffee can work to kick you into gear in the morning, but its benefits usually end there. Too much caffeine (more than 24 oz a day) is just as bad as too much of anything. Drinking it throughout the day for an energy boost can actually backfire. Caffeine makes you feel like you have more energy, but you really don't. Cut back on caffeine to reduce the high and low effect. Excess coffee robs the bones of precious minerals.

Curb your excess protein intake as this can accelerate bone loss. Excess amounts include more than 140 grams of protein per day. 140 grams is equivalent to approximately a pound of chicken beef, pork, fish. This excess causes the body to excrete calcium and increases the rate of loss of minerals and nutrients.

Decrease phosphorus foods such as soft drinks, which are high in phosphoric acid, organ meat (liver, kidney), processed meat, which are especially high in phosphorus, fried foods and vegetable oil, which have a high level of omega 6 and can make inflammation worse. Sugar results in poor absorption of nutrients as does antacids, which neutralize stomach acid and result in poor absorption of calcium (heartburn and indigestion are caused by poor eating habits and NOT ENOUGH stomach acid!)

Reduce Processed and Refined Foods:

Avoid fried foods, white pasta, white rice, full fat dairy, white potatoes, white bread (baguettes, bagels, pita).

Processed food can rob your food of nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to fight off stress and promote good health. Try to buy whole foods, unprocessed foods and try and stay away from "instant" foods, preservatives, artificial flavors, saturated fats, refined foods, hydrogenated food and MSG.

Reduce Sugar Intake:

Too much sugar can rob our body of essential nutrients. Simple carbohydrates from baked goods, pastries, most crackers and cookies, white sugar and sweets, soda and sweeten juices must be limited to a very small portion or completely removed from the diet. Synthetic sweeteners (Saccharin, aspartame, NutraSweet) can also be a culprit.

Food additives, such as colors, flavor enhancers, stabilizers, and preservatives. Some of the main additives include sulphites, benzoates, and colors prefixed with FD &;C.

If you think certain foods may be making your arthritis worse, try to eliminate them from your diet, one at a time until you feel improvement. Just remember that arthritis symptoms tend to come and go, and relief could be coincident, try eating the trouble food again to if it causes symptoms.

Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/arthritis.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit


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Re: May is Arthritis Awareness Month: Balancing pH Levels

 



As far as I am concerned, I have also changed my problem with arthritis.  I still have some pain, but since I don't eat "night shade vegetables (potatoes, green leafy vegetables, eggplants, tomatoes-- all vegetables that I love!) and any kind of sugar, no processed foods, I can handle my arthritis...  I have other health problems--hypothyroidism and serious hot flashes--and find most relief with avoiding certain  foods.  Of course, there is not much variety left  and I have to cope with eating what does not affect me adversely.
Ingrid

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

This is a case of RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, A boy Y.SANDEEP of age 17 yrs came to my clinic with joint pains, used allopathic steroids for 8 months without relief. He has wasted 8 months of precious time by roaming aroung allopathic hospitals.His father spent more than one lakh rupees on his treatement He lost hope for his recovery and very much irritable with pains. He discontinued his studies due to RA.He does not believed small Homeopathic pills will produce cure for long lasting joint pains. But his father is very much convinced by my counselling and he is stick on to Homeopathic treatment. I have tried many more remedies without success. Finally based ` ANGER WITH PAINS' symptom I gave him a dose of ARUM METALLICUM 200c -4pills which worked wonder in this case. Following is the summery of the case follow up.

Thanks,
Dr.Devendra Kumar Munta MD(Homeo)


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Flower Power: The Color of Flowers

 

Good Morning!

Flower Power: The Color of Flowers

About a week ago, my mom shared with me a story about the time she was in the hospital. One of her dear friends came to visit and brought her a single hydrangea flower in a vase...the thing was, the flower was black! My mom, although not sharing her feeling of unease with her good friend (who was unaware of the effects of the flower and its color) shared with me, that it was one of the most disturbing events she could recall.

Color affects every moment of our lives although our color choices are mostly unconscious. Color has a great emotional impact on a person that comes out via the clothes we chose to wear, decorations to fill our homes, personality, foods we choose to eat, flowers we surround ourselves with and many more ways.

It is possible to introduce colors to different areas of daily life to give off more energy, soothing affects, stimulate appetites and sexual motivation or even give a place a clean atmosphere. I asked thirty males from the ages of fifteen to sixty what color bra they would like to see their dream girl wearing to find out what colors are the most sexually stimulating. As I predicted, out of thirty, fourteen chose black, while four chose pink, red, blue and white were also chosen by three each and gray and purple were each favored by one person a piece. I also conducted an experiment to see what colors were stimulating on appetites. I added food coloring to make one flavor of Jell-O turn red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, and pink. Out of fifteen total people, seven chose red, purple and pink were chosen by three a piece, and orange and green were chosen by one each.

Color-Flower Psychology

Blue can either be a calming color or a depressing color, depending on how much one is surrounded by it. Blue most always has a pleasant association. Blue also is associated with a cool, cleansed, relaxed, calm, hopeful, protected, reassuring, trusting and accepting feeling. It inspires mental control, clarity and creativity. Blue has a direct effect on the autonomic nervous system, which helps calm and soothe humans. However, subconsciously it affects us because we associate blue with the night sky, so it makes us feel calm as though we are being soothed by the night sky. On the other hand, dark blue is sedative and too much can give off a feeling of depression. Blue is also an appetite suppressant. This is believed to be that due to the fact that nature does not create a blue food other than blueberries, therefore we do not have an automatic appetite response to blue. Actually, in a decorative perspective, blue is a spacious color that is most suited for deep thought and relief from a stressful, hectic life. If you wear blue, you may feel self-reliant, sensitive or intelligent. It promotes a good imagination and a practical approach to life by feeling responsible for others. Blue wearers are normally quite independent yet feel the need to be surrounded by tenderness, love and affection. In the survey of bra color selection, the three that chose blue, possibly feel the need for love and affection.

Brown is a direct color of nature so it gives off an earth feeling that brings us comfort and support. However, fans of brown are known to often keep emotions to themselves and retreat from fear of the real world. These people sometimes suffer from a lack of self-worth. These people like brown because it helps them with their troubles and it gives them a sense of stability and alleviates insecurity. People who wear brown are normally honest, sensuous and protective because of their desire to be emotionally secure and accepted. They strive for a structured life and they appreciate the fine pleasure of life.

Orange is widely known as the attention grabber and the stimulator of the mind and body. Orange is an anti-depressant color that lifts spirits by giving off feelings of security, warmth, joy, creativity, fun, humor and independence. Like brown, orange frees and releases emotion and alleviates self-pity and self-worth and the unwillingness to forgive. Physically, orange stimulates the sex organs and has an incredibly beneficial effect on the digestive system. Wearers of orange are action-oriented, often impatient, independent and self- motivated. They have a high energy level and tend to be active and competitive. Being surrounded by orange is mentally and physically stimulating and can make a person feel warm, secure and comfortable, though very few people choose to decorate in orange.

Purple is a color of mixed messages coming from both red and blue. Purple is mostly associated with those who are sexy, powerful, and sophisticated. For the people who favor this color are typically dramatic, spiritual, creative, intuitive, inspirational in beauty and art, protective, and wrapped up in a fantasy. Purple balances the mind, brings peace and combats fear. However, fans of purple can be arrogant at times, for they have little interest in lesser people and are only interested in the best of everything. This is probably why the one person who chose a purple bra did; because he takes great interest in only the very best.

Red is the most powerful of all the colors because of its ability to stimulate the heart and blood circulation so that it raises heart rates. Red is known for its high arousal in all perspectives of the body for it is a sexy, dynamic, daring, vital, powerful, warm, sensual, determined, courageous, angry, impatient and ambitious color. It always has a pleasant association because it helps people overcome negative thoughts although too much red can cause a person to become impatient. Red is a color that is often preferred by the economically stable, secure and the risk-takers. Studies even show that people are more daring to gamble more while under red lighting. Impulsive, excitable, energetic, sexual, courageous and extroverted are ways of describing people who enjoy wearing red. They are ambitious and want things to happen as soon as they say the word. They want to be the best and can be insensitive to others feelings to be the best or the center of attention. Actually, if you make a habit of wearing red it may indicate that you place importance on sexual desire and eroticism. And we all know that most guys place importance on sexual desire and eroticism and that is why ten percent of guys chose red in the bra survey. Also, studies show red stimulates appetite more than any other color, and that explains why seven out of fifteen people chose red as their favorite color Jell-O

Pink and Violet have a gentle stimulation of heart and blood circulation. Just as pink is nearly red, pink nearly has the affects of red, just not so radiant. It elicits simple emotions such as unselfish love, kindness and consideration. It is emotionally soothing and calming, warming, cheerful and nurturing colors that lessen the feelings of irritation and aggression by surrounding us with a sense of love. A study has even been conducted to show that pink has a subduing effect on violent prison inmates. People who enjoy wearing pink are typically affectionate, sympathetic and understanding. They often need the support of others and can often times be child-like. Pink takes on traits of red and white; therefore it is still a sensuous color while being quite innocent. This combination makes pink quite a sexual color, therefore it is self-explanatory as to why four out of thirty guys chose pink as their choice in bra color. And since it has traits of red, the most appetite stimulating of colors, five percent of people chose pink as their favorite color Jell-O.

Green is the color of freshness, peace, freedom, relaxation, security and laziness. It can represent optimism, yet it also represents envy and sickness. Because it is the color of life and vegetation, it helps us to connect with the empathy of others and nature. Green has a balancing quality that regulates our circulation so it is physically and emotionally good for the heart, so we should seek green under stress. Wearers of green are often cautious, quiet, and humanistic and are the types to just observe life and not actually get involved in the action. However, when a green-lover must get involved, they will proceed cautiously to be able to fully control the situation.

Yellow is the warmest, most cheerful, happiest, brightest and most uplifting of all the colors. It stimulates the brain making people alert, clear-headed and decisive. Because it helps aids the brain in these activities, it would be a good idea to decorate an office in yellow so that the worker could do his or her best thinking. It also aids in the powers of discrimination, memory, clear thinking, decision making, good judgment, organization, assimilation of new ideas and ability to see other perspectives. A person that wears yellow is someone that is easily approachable because they seem stimulating, spontaneous, interesting and lively to others, and normally are. However, yellow-lovers desire to find greater happiness, which implies minor conflict in which release is needed.

Black is a very powerful color because of its mystery, dominance and the fact that it is the most sophisticated of all colors. Black is associated with silence, infinite and feminine life-force (passive, uncharted and mysterious.) It is also associated with mourning by the blue-collar and middle aged; however, it is well liked by the wealthy. This is possibly due to the fact that black is the most popular color in formal clothing, that is worn mostly by the upper class. The wearers or black are often strong-willed, opinionated, disciplined and independent. Guys admire these qualities in women and find them sexy. That is why the majority, fourteen of thirty, guys chose black bras on their dream girls. People who love black reject help of others, and feel the need to renounce everything. But this may be due to the fact that they have a little way to go until maturity and are using black to cloak yourself while you discover your true identity. Black is a color that is very popular in clothing; especially formal clothing because it makes things look smaller, meaning it makes people look thin. However, it is not especially smart to make black the dominant color in a room because it will give the room the same affect and could also give a person a negative frame of mind.

White is the color that is always associated with cleanliness, purity, coldness and peace. It gives off the aura of freedom and openness. However, too much white can be cold and isolating or can give headaches and cause eyestrain. White contains all the colors of the spectrum; therefore it shows that people who wear white have a positive, well-balanced, optimistic personality. They also seek a lifestyle free of pressure. White is the most pure color, and this is why ten percent of guys chose white bras. Many males' dream girls are very innocent and pure; therefore they associate a pure girl with a white bra.

At last, gray is the color of individuals. It gives off the impression that you are self-sufficient and have good self-control and prefer to be uninvolved. Gray is associated with independence, self-reliance, and acts as a shield from influence. However, gray gives off a negative feeling and can make a person who is around this color frequently, feel lonely and self-critical. Gray takes on many of the characteristics of black and white since it is a combination of the two.

In the end, color subconsciously plays a vast role in the psychology of humans. It can be a major persuasion factor in our emotions, and they can seriously uplift or bring us down, especially if a person associates a color with one particular idea. However, naturally, color has the same general affect on people.

Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/oils.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit





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Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Anti-aging Therapies: 5HTP or 5-hydroxy-tryptophan

 

Good Morning!

Anti-Aging Therapies: 5HTP or 5-hydroxy-tryptophan

5-HTP is the precise precursor of serotonin. This is often used in the place of SSRI drugs and L-Tryptophan and may help in serotonin deficiency related conditions such as severe depression, epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia, weight loss and addiction. Also studied for PMS, migraine and chronic tension headaches. 5-HTP comes from an extract of Griffonia simplicifolia . Used traditionally in African medicine to inhibit diarrhea, vomiting and constipation, and as an aphrodisiac. The extraction process uses alcohol and produces an oily solid. The oily extract is then purified into a dry solid. 5-HTP can also be made synthetically in the laboratory. The final product is the same as the one made by the body.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that must be taken in through protein containing foods since the body can not synthesize it. Of the eight essential amino acids, tryptophan is the least common, accounting for only about one percent of protein content, and it is used up rapidly by the body. About ninety-percent is used in protein synthesis. The rest is divided between serotonin production and niacin production, which requires 60mg for every 1mg of niacin produced. However, 5-HTP is only used in serotonin production. 5- hydroxytryptophan is also able to pass through the blood-brain barrier easily, unlike tryptophan, which can only pass through the barrier by using the same transport molecule that carries leucine, isoleucine, and valine.

Considerable research has been conducted on the activity of 5-HTP which includes:

Mood enhancer: Dysregulation of serotonin metabolism in the central nervous system has been shown to affect mood. 5-HTP helps to normalize serotonin levels and thus positively affect mood. In a double-blind study using objective assessments of mood, researchers in Zurich reported significant improvements in mood with 5-HTP. (Psychopathology 24:53-81, 1991)

In a separate double-blind, multi-center study in Germany, researchers reported significant improvements in both objective and self-assessment indices of mood. (Arch Psychiat Nervenkr 224:175-186, 1977)

Sleep: Many studies have shown that depletion of serotonin results in insomnia, which is reversed by administration of 5-HTP. Soulairac and Lambient reported that 100 mg of 5-HTP resulted in significant improvement for people who complained of trouble sleeping (Ann Med Pychol 135:792-798, 1977). As serotonin is metabolized to the hormone melatonin, another way of increasing melatonin is through administering 5-HTP. Melatonin is known to help regulate the sleep cycle.

Appetite: Food intake is thought to suppress appetite through the production of serotonin from the amino acid tryptophan. Because it is an intermediary in the conversion process of tryptophan to serotonin, 5-HTP may reduce appetite in a similar manner as food intake, but without the calories. In a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects taking 5-HTP lost significant weight compared to control subjects. A reduction in carbohydrate intake and early satiety were seen in the 5-HTP group. (Am. Jrl. Clin. Nutr 56:863- 867, 1992)

Fibromyalgia: Studies show that 5-HTP enhances serotonin synthesis, which increases pain tolerance and sleep quality. Patients with fibromyalgia have reported an improvement in symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and somatic pain (number of painful areas and morning stiffness).

Seasonal Affective Disorder: Serotonin production increases with light, meaning the darker the day is, it is not utilizing seratonin into action. Some symptoms include depression, marathon napping, low self-esteem, obsessiveness over little things, irritability, shyness, and panic attacks. People with seasonal affective disorder may also sleep poorly (although for many hours), partly because they don't have enough serotonin to convert to the sleep substance melatonin.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and people generally recover completely around April or May - once the days become longer. I always recommend light therapy first and then supplementation. However, there are things you can do yourself that can help boost serotonin levels.

*Subject yourself to bright indoor light. This is the key to seasonal affective disorder treatment. A 300 watt bulb within three feet for 20 minutes three times a day can help, although the boost in serotonin may be temporary.

*Exercise. This is very hard to do when caught up in the seasonal affective disorder cycle. But if you can force yourself to start, 15 to 20 minutes of dancing to the radio or fast walking can reduce a sweet tooth and improve mood.

*Eat wisely. This means, pushing away the leftover cake and eating sensible carbs to stimulate serotonin. Sweets and simple carbs, like white rice and white bread, quickly raise blood sugar, flood you with insulin, and then drop you in a hole. Eating wisely also means watching the caffeine, which suppresses serotonin. If you must drink coffee, save it for after the meal.

*Protein should be eaten three times a day. Another good rule is to eat four cups of brightly colored veggies a day. Vegetables are carbs, but the kind that work into your system slowly.

*Vitamin B-6 helps convert 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5HTP) into the mood chemical serotonin, and it also helps in making dopamine. Aim for roughly 2 to 10 milligrams a day if you supplement. B-6-rich foods include bell peppers, cranberries, turnip greens, cauliflower, garlic, tuna, mustard greens, and kale. 5HTP standard dosage ranges between 50-100 mg.

Side Effects

Rare side effects are generally mild and include mild nausea, heartburn, flatulence, feelings of fullness, and rumbling sensations. These side effects are often reduced after extended treatment (four to six weeks).

Drug Interactions

A case of scleroderma-like (hardening of the skin) illness has been reported in a patient taking L-5-hydroxytryptophan and carbidopa (medication often used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease). An earlier case reported a similar interaction between carbidopa and 5-HTP. This interaction may be due to an alteration in tryptophan metabolism. More research is needed but it is advisable to avoid 5-Hydroxytryptophan if you are currently taking carbidopa.

Individuals taking antidepressant drugs, including MAOIs (such as Nardil or Parnate) and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (such as: Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) should consult with their physician before taking 5-HTP.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Vitamin D: Are You Getting Enough Sun Exposure

 

Vitamin D: Are You Getting Enough Sun Exposure
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Fifty percent of women around the world are at risk of having weak and soft bones, which can potentially lead to deformed legs. This condition is known as "rickets" in children, and "osteomalacia" in adults. The primary cause of this disease is vitamin D deficiency.

Have you seen the animated series "Heidi, Girl of the Alps", which was based on a popular children's story "Heidi"? In the story, Heidi's friend named Clara was also suffering from weak muscles and rickets. She eventually became stronger after being with Heidi for sometime in the mountains. She was cured by getting exposed to sunshine and goat's milk!

## Vitamin D Deficiency and Rickets Cases is On the Increase Worldwide

Rickets is more prevalent in girls than in boys. At present, new reports show that there is definitely a widespread case of vitamin D deficiency phenomenon. If left untreated, muscle weakness, and bone and leg deformity may occur. There is also a risk of getting bedridden.

## How to Treat Vitamin D Deficiency

Remember the old adage "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? Since rickets is predominantly caused by vitamin D deficiency, I bet that you already know the corresponding remedy. Yes, that's right. Vitamin D deficiency can be treated simply by getting adequate exposure to sunlight, which sometimes called "sunshine vitamin"!

## Can You Only Get Vitamin D from the Sun?

Eating foods rich in vitamin D, taking vitamin D supplements, or drinking milk, juices, and other beverages fortified with vitamin D, are the other major sources of vitamin D, which can prove helpful especially in the winter.

During the summer, though, sunlight exposure is still the best way to get vitamin D.

In just 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure every day, your body is capable of converting the sunlight to considerable amount of vitamin D.

Later in this article, we'll let you know how you can have sun exposure without the risk of sunburn, wrinkles, and freckles.

## Is Your Baby at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency and Rickets?

Actually, babies seldom need vitamin D supplements. Babies who need these supplements need them mainly because of insufficient sun exposure.

Below are the three main factors that can put your baby at risk of developing rickets:

1. Breast-fed babies whose mothers are exposed to very little sunlight or are not exposed to sunlight. Remember, the amount of vitamin D in breastmilk depends on the mother's vitamin D status. If the mother has no adequate sunlight exposure or is not consuming supplements or foods containing vitamin D, then the baby needs to get enough sun exposure.

2. Mother and baby have dark skin. People with darker skin pigmentation will usually require up to five times more sun exposure than those with lighter skin to get the same amount of vitamin D.

3. Baby cannot get sun exposure. This happens if you live in far northern latitudes, where solar radiation is quite weak throughout the year.

## The Secret Cure is in the Palm of Your Hands

"I'm afraid of getting sunburnt, wrinkles, and freckles, from sunlight exposure. What should I do?"

It is not necessary for you to stay under the sunlight until your skin burns to get the necessary supply of vitamin D per day.

According to our studies, it is not even necessary for you to expose your entire body to the sunlight (ultraviolet rays). In fact, each exposure can only last 15-30 minutes, all by just exposing the palm of your hands.

Yes, you read that right. Exposing only the palm of your hands for 15 minutes to 30 minutes to the sunbeam will give enough energy to your body to produce vitamin D!

By doing this, your body can absorb vitamin D much more effectively while protecting your face and skin at the same time.

Of course, you should not use any sunscreen or sunblock cream as these will only disrupt vitamin D synthesis.

Alternatively, you can buy an ultraviolet ray bulb, and you can expose the light directly to your palm. This method is very helpful especially for elderly people.

I'm pretty sure you've never heard of this technique before. You should be lucky today after reading this article.

In addition, we also recommend you to take vitamin D-rich foods, too such as:

- Tuna fish
- Mackerel
- Dried whitebait
- Dried mushrooms
- Enokitake (golden needle mushroom)

Getting adequate sunlight exposure and eating vitamin D-rich foods together with the PYRO-ENERGEN therapy will make you free from various diseases and conditions.

Share on Facebook: http://bit.ly/vitamin-sun-exposure

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About the Author:
Junji Takano is a Japanese health researcher involved in electromedicine. In 1968, he invented PYRO-ENERGEN, the only electrostatic therapy machine that effectively eradicates viral diseases, cancer, and diseases of unknown cause.
Free newsletter: http://www.pyroenergen.com/newsletter.htm
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Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article within your website, blog, or newsletter as long as the entire article remains the same as well as the "About the Author" box.

http://www.pyroenergen.com/


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Recipes: Lemon/Pepper Water for Arthritis

 

The GREAT alternative remedy for arthritis of the knee joint is:

Juice of a ripe lime with water, (and, if desired, sugar to tase,) with a pinch of freshly powdered pepper added, taken every morning.

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.


Sunday, May 5, 2013

Essential Oils For Back Pain Management

 

Good Morning!

Essential Oils For Pain Management

Acute and chronic pain effects over 100 million people in the United States each year. While pain is best known and characterized as subjective, meaning only the person who is experiencing it can explain what it feels like, pain is often called the Universal equalizer. Pain affects people differently. What may be perceived as only a minor nuisance to one person, may be completely debilitating to someone else. Pain is a warning that something isn't quite right. Pain is not a disease in itself but the result of an underlying condition or due to injury. Pain is not just a physical sensation or psychological event, but a combination of these and other components.

Back pain can be caused by a variety of situations such as accidents, musculoskeletal disorders, improper lifting, bending, sports activities, misalignment of the vertebrae and/or disease. It can also appear out of nowhere with no obvious cause. A viral illness may possibly be a cause, or emotional trauma, such as fear or resentment. In the vast majority of cases, pain is caused by stasis of blood resulting in muscle spasm, trauma and immobility.

The pain may be acute or it may develop slowly over a matter of hours or days out of a minor discomfort. In acute form, back pain can render a person helpless, enabling them to get up from a sitting or lying position or to even feed, wash, or dress themselves.

In the vast majority of cases, acute back pain comes from muscle spasm. Many people with acute back problems think they are suffering from a slipped disc, pinched nerve, spinal subluxation, or a torn ligament or muscle, when in fact intense muscle spasm is the sole or primary cause. Spasm of back muscles is maintained by a nervous reflex through the spinal cord that sets up a vicious cycle: spasm and inflammation lead to more spasm and inflammation. Although the cycle can develop due to injury, the ultimate cause is often in the brain, which can interfere with muscle physiology through the spinal cord.

Pain is a vicious cycle: spasm and inflammation lead to more spasm and inflammation. Although the cycle can develop due to injury, the ultimate cause is often in the brain, which can interfere with muscle physiology through the spinal cord. Chronic (long term) and acute back (and neck) pain are common expressions of stress and emotional stress. This demonstrates the true complexity of the mind/body interaction. Many times it is the brain's distortion of muscle function that sets us up for pain by preventing muscles from responding freely to physical stresses.

Acute pain can result from disease, inflammation, or injury to tissues. This type of pain generally comes on suddenly, for example, after trauma or surgery, and may be accompanied by anxiety or emotional distress. The cause of acute pain can usually be diagnosed and treated, and the pain is self-limiting, that is, it is confined to a given period of time and severity. In some rare instances, it can become chronic.

Chronic pain is widely believed to represent disease itself. It can be made much worse by environmental and psychological factors. Chronic pain persists over a longer period of time than acute pain and is resistant to most medical treatments. It can often cause severe problems for patients.

In assessing pain, a useful approach is to assess pain intensity (sensory), pain relief (cognitive), pain location, pain distress (affective), behavioral patterns or other similar sensory aspects of pain.

Essential Oils for Pain

Some of the best remedies for pain are in the form of essential oils! Helpful, are essential oils of basil, clove, camphor, menthol, eucalyptus, ginger, black pepper, wintergreen and peppermint, rosemary oils and are all beneficial for pain management.

Basil: contains several antioxidants in its volatile oils that act just like some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and Celebrex. When isolated at high enough concentrations these oils worked as well as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin in research trials.

Camphor is a white transparent waxy crystalline solid with a strong penetrating pungent aromatic odor. As an antimicrobial substance, camphor is readily absorbed through the skin and produces a feeling of cooling similar to that of menthol and acts as slight local anesthetic. In larger quantities, it is poisonous when ingested and can cause seizures, confusion, irritability, and neuromuscular hyperactivity. Found in our Muscular/Pain Remedy Blend.

Clove: this intense oil, most commonly used to relieve dental pain and infection, is also used to dissolve the eggs deposited by intestinal worms. It is delicious but overwhelming in both smell and taste. It is an antiseptic, carminative, warming, and very aromatic oil.

Eucalyptus: reduces pain, spasms and inflammation, and stimulates local blood circulation and the removal of waste products and toxins from the tissues. It is used to treat muscular aches and pains, strains, sprains, and other traumatic injuries of the muscles, ligaments and tendons. It also helps to reduce nerve inflammation and pain and is useful for the treatment of the various kinds of neuralgia such as sciatica. Eucalyptus reduces pain and inflammation due to chronic arthritic conditions. It also has a mild clearing and stimulating effect on the mind which helps to reduce fatigue.

Ginger: This rich, spicy oil so often used for nausea also helps normalize blood pressure either by raises blood pressure by restricting external blood flow, or lowers it by dilating surface blood vessels. This oil is warming and an antiseptic.

Menthol is actually a compound obtained from peppermint oil or other mint oils or made synthetically. Menthol has local anesthetic and counterirritant qualities. It is contained in nonprescription products for short-term relief of minor sore throat and minor mouth or throat irritation. Menthol is also contained in combination products used for relief of muscle aches, sprains, and similar conditions. Menthol is often used with other ingredients such as camphor and eucalyptus for pain relief. Menthol is considered an antidote for many homeopathic remedies and should be avoided by people taking them. Found in our Muscular/Pain Remedy Blend.

Peppermint: acts as a muscle relaxant, particularly in the digestive tract, and it can also reduce the inflammation of nasal passages and relieve muscle pains. When massaged into the skin, peppermint oil plays an innocuous trick on the nerves: It stimulates those that produce a cool, soothing sensation and desensitizes those that pick up pain messages.

Rosemary: Studies show that this oil improves general circulation.

Tea Tree: has a wide range of topical applications and is commonly used to treat skin and respiratory infections. Surprisingly, the oil is active against all three categories of infectious organisms: bacteria, viruses and fungi. Tea tree oil is an effective treatment for many skin conditions, such as cold sores, the blisters of shingles and chicken pox, verrucae, warts, acne, large inflamed spots and nappy rash. It is also effective against fungal infections, such as ringworm, athlete's foot and thrush, as well as dandruff--a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis.

Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/aromatherapy.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit