Stevia - A Natural Sweetener

 

Good Morning!

Stevia - A Natural Sweetener

Stevia plant, which are taken from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant . The extracts are known as Steviosides and Rebaudiosides depending on which part of the plant is isolated. These extracts are approximately 300 times sweeter than sugar unless diluted.

The plant is native to Paraguay and Brazil. Since pre-Columbian times the Guarani Indians in Paraguay have used the Stevia leaves to sweeten medicines and drinks.

It can be found in most health food stores and comes as a white powder or in tincture (liquid) form. Stevia has zero calories and it even helps prevent cavities by reducing plaque build-up. It does not affect blood sugar levels like sugar does and is recommended for diabetics. Stevia is heat stable to 392 degrees Fahrenheit, so, unlike some artificial sweeteners, you can cook with it. It is non-toxic and has been extensively tested in animals and extensively used by humans with no adverse effects.

If you tried stevia when it first appeared in health food stores, you might want to give it a second chance. Many of the earlier products had a strong aftertaste. Now there are some improved products on the market.

Stevia in a glycerine base seems to have the best taste of all the powders and tinctures I have personally tried.

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

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Hydrotherapy for Skin Disorders

 

Good Morning!

Hydrotherapy for Skin Disorders

The mysterious and amazing healing power of water has been utilized for centuries. Water cleanses, refreshes and restores all life. We are always drawn to water. Be it a soothing fountain or majestic waterfall. Water is a carrier. It flows. It moves along the line of least resistance to find its way to the ocean where comes and goes in the ebb and flow of tides and waves. The appeal is inexplicable! We crave water, maybe because our bodies are made up of a large percent of it. Maybe beacuse we instinctively know how it can heal us.

Hydrotherapy is the use of water in any form, in the treatment of dis-ease. Hydrotherapy was used by the ancient Greek physicians. The use of baths for such purposes as well as for religious purification, personal cleanliness, and private or social relaxation dates from at least the time of ancient Greece. A German, Vincenz Priessnitz, popularized the use of spas in Germany and elsewhere in Europe, where they are still popular today.

Hydrotherapy has a number of uses. Warm water will relax spasm; therefore, hydrotherapy has been useful in treating such conditions as muscular strains and sprains, muscular fatigue, and backache. Heat is often used in conjunction with massage or other manipulative or stimulative treatments, such as the whirlpool bath. Sitz baths (sitting in hot water) are effective in the treatment of many disorders. Water is also useful in physical therapy because patients who exercise in a buoyant medium can move weak parts of their bodies without contending with the strong force of gravity.

Soaking in dead sea salt is a well known remedy for psoriasis with dramatic results through its maintenance. The same is used in joint inflammation and assisting in detoxification, restoring minerals and increasing circulation.

Some patients who suffer from idopathic (unexplained) skin, rashes, dermatitis or reddening of the skin have found amazing relief from soaking in sea salt. Take warm bath. Fill the bath tub with warm water. As the tub fills with water add 2 spoons of sea salt to the bath water. Soak for 15-20 minutes.

Apple Cider Vinegar baths are a soothing bath for dermatitis. To a bath of warm water, add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and soak for 15-20 minutes.

Take an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal soothes irritation and reduces itching. For an additional soothing treat, add milled oatmeal to the bath, and even using oatmeal as a soap substitute. For the bath, pour 2 cups of milled oatmeal into a tub of lukewarm water. Milled oatmeal is simply oatmeal that has been ground to fine powder that will remain suspended in water. Add a cup of Witch Hazel and dilute it in the bath water for additional relief.

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

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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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