Striving4Zen

Before you reach into your medicine cabinet to take care of a headache, stuffy nose, or upset stomach, you might want to consider treating your everyday ailments with natural remedies.

They take a little longer to work than their conventional counterparts, but may prove more effective, according to Body + Soul magazine Senior Editor Terri Trespicio.

She looked into Mother Nature's medicine cabinet on "The Early Show Saturday Edition," noting the surprising healing power of herbal remedies. They could be just what the doctor ordered.

PAIN RELIEF

Mild headaches: Tiger balm. Chinese ointment contains menthol and can ease pain when rubbed into neck or temples.

Arthritis pain: Turmeric, fish oil. All show promise in helping ease pain. Talk to your healthcare professional for dosage.

COLD CURES

Elderberry syrup: Research suggests it can fight the flu and may ease symptoms of cold.

Garlic: What you eat matters! Get plenty of raw or lightly cooked garlic, which contains antiviral compounds. Add thyme to soups and salad dressing.

COUGH

Eucalyptus oil in a pot of boiling water can help loosen phlegm. Just tent a towel over your head and breathe deeply.

Licorice root and marshmallow root can also help calm a cough - look for teas containing these herbs and sip throughout the day. For example, a tea called Organic Throat Coat combines several herbs.

CONSTIPATION

High fiber foods: Eat plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains and beans. Sprinkle some ground flaxseed on cereal or in smoothies. Also, drink plenty of room-temperature water.

Triphala: Herbal supplement from the Ayurvedic tradition that can get things moving. Take supplement as noted on bottle.

ALLERGY

Quercetin: This flavonoid compound, found in apples and onions, can also help fight allergy symptoms. It's preventive, though, so allow 6-8 weeks to build it up in your system. Typical dose: 400 mg twice a day between meals.

Stinging nettle: In tincture, teas or freeze-dried capsules. Consume half teaspoon of tincture three times a day, a month before allergy season. Drink 2-3 cups of nettle tea, or follow directions on capsule bottle.

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Labels: alternative treatments, arthritis, garlic, herbs, holistic healing, Holistic Health, natural therapy, nettles, quercetin, tiger balm

The following is a list of the common symptoms of chronic toxicity. If you suffer from any of the following, detoxifying might be critical for you to get healthy and feel good again:

• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Sinus congestion
• Postnasal drip
• Excessive sinus problems
• Headaches
• Bloating
• Gas
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Foul-smelling stools
• Heartburn
• Sleep problems
• Food cravings
• Water retention
• Rashes
• Skin problems
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Canker sores
• Acne
• Bad breath
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Other menstrual disorders
• Puffy, dark circles under the eyes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble losing weight

Labels: detox, detoxify, holistic healing, Holistic Health, illness, wellness

There are at least six compelling reasons to add intervals to your workout, but don't go skimpy on the recovery portion. It's very important to the whole process.

Coach Jenny, over at Runner's World, likens the recovery period of intervals to sleep. You need sleep to repair your body and rest up for the next day, and you need a chill-out period for your body after pushing it through an intense interval so you can push yourself through another one.

Jenny explains it like this:

. . . the payoff comes when you invest in a proper recovery and run at the target fast pace (and not any faster), your body will adapt and you'll soon be capable of not only running faster with less effort, but the time it takes to recover will decrease as well.

When beginning interval training, use the recovery period to allow your heart rate, circulation, and breathing time to recover so you can attack the upcoming intervals with the same energy. If this means you need to walk between sets, that is fine. But as you repeat your interval training, you will notice that you don't need to run as slowly to recover, nor do you need the same amount of time. Just remember, this change doesn't happen overnight — it's a process.

Love it! Thanks Fit!

Labels: exercise, Holistic Health, interval training, running

World's Healthiest Foods tackled the issue of soy lecithin:

Lecithin is a complicated mixture of molecules that are especially concentrated in egg yolks, soybeans, and wheat germ. Three components are especially plentiful in lecithin. These components are phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, and phosphatidylinositols. Lecithin is found in the cell membranes of all cells, including human cells.

Soybeans are sometimes referred to as "goitrogenic" because they contain substances that can interfere with production of thyroid hormones under certain circumstances. These substances are called isoflavones and are naturally occurring substances found in numerous foods that are known to have a variety of health-supportive properties. Especially in the case of women's health surrounding the stage of menopause, isoflavones have been shown to provide risk-lowering benefits in the areas of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.

With respect to potential interference with thyroid function, I want to emphasize the words "under certain circumstances" when it comes to soy foods. Several research studies have repeatedly shown that it only during times of measurable iodine deficiency that soy isoflavones have an unwanted impact on thyroid function. In other words, for individuals who have normal amounts of iodine in their body, the risk posed by soybean consumption appears to be extremely low.

When it comes to soy lecithin, the risk posed is even lower, since lecithin does not contain isoflavones. Those substances are left behind in the unused part of the soybeans when lecithin is extracted from them. For all of the reasons I've described above, I do not have concerns about the use of soy lecithin in processed foods from the standpoint of thyroid function. However, I always prefer whole, natural, organically grown foods (like the soybeans themselves) as a source of nourishment in comparison to processed components like soy lecithin.

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Labels: goitrogenic, healthy diet, Holistic Health, iodine, lecithin, soy isoflavones, soy lecithin, thyroid

Probiotic strains differ in many ways:

Acid and bile resistance

Many probiotics are not able to survive the acid in the stomach and bile in the small intestine to reach the desired location in the gut (in some cases, fewer than 25% can make it through) – look for acid and bile resistant probiotics.

Colonizers vs. transients

Many probiotics are not able to colonize in the gut, they provide health benefits only on their way through the gut. Colonizers multiply and continue to provide benefits when they reach their destination. This is one of the reasons that some probiotics start with very large numbers of bacteria (often less than 25% even make it to the gut) and then the benefits are very transient. Colonizers can multiply from 100 to 200-fold so 5 billion will become 500 billion or more.

Production of enzymes

Some probiotics are able to produce enzymes that aid in digestion – proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulase and lactase. Natural production of digestive enzymes declines with age so it helps to have the microflora produce additional enzymes.

Production of vitamins

Some probiotics are able to produce vitamins to help the user meet nutritional needs. This is particularly important with vitamin B12 since we lose the ability to absorb B12 as we age.

Production of natural antibiotics

Some probiotics can produce other helpful substances like bacteriocins that reduce numbers of harmful bacteria (one example is acidophilin produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1). Certain strains (like DDS-1) can produce hydrogen peroxide that helps to reduce Candida albicans (responsible for yeast overgrowth).

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Labels: bacteria, digestion, digestive enzymes, healthy eating, Holistic Health, nutritional information, Probiotics, vitamin B12

Even beauty brands are taking on “inner beauty” lately.

A growing number of companies have started to explore “nutraceuticals” - water that will clear up your acne, supplements for supermodel-shiny hair - even Henri Bendel is jumping on the bandwagon. They’ve just unveiled a sleek new space to showcase their exclusive partnership with the upscale supplement brand FunctionaLab.

FunctionaLab launched with hundreds of lab-tested and health-concern specific nutritional supplements. From customized programs to antioxidant-boosted elixirs, all are aimed at enhancing outer beauty through inner health.

The space is manned by licensed dietitians who walk you through a 10-minute lifestyle questionnaire aimed at identifying what specific parts of your diet are lacking and what areas of your health and wellness you want to improve.

—MEGAN MCINTYRE

Labels: beauty, cool new product, FunctionaLab, Henri Bendel, Holistic Health, NYC, personal care, supplements

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy that can greatly reduce and relieve pain, bruising, and inflammation if used immediately after a wide range of traumas. It comes in a variety of forms from topical creams to heal and soothe your injuries from outside in, and pills to heal you from the inside out.

The Arnica Bump Stick is in a handy go-anywhere container - keep it in your purse or first aid kit.

You can also buy Arnica oil which is great for soothing sore muscles - use it for massages.

There's also Arnica ointment, gel, or lotion if you have a bigger area that's hurt - you can rub it all over.

Arnica also comes in pill form which is great to take before surgery since it can help relieve pain and reduce swelling and bruising.

Thanks Fit!

Labels: arnica, holistic healing, Holistic Health, homeopathic, pain

Just like what you eat can influence how you feel, how you feel can influence the quality of nourishment that you gain from the foods that you eat. The following are some of the ways in which mood and nourishment are interrelated.

When you feel stressed a cascade of different stress hormones (including glucocorticoids) can be released. These chemical messengers have modulating effects upon a variety of body systems that can impact nourishment. All of us feel stressed at certain moments, but if this stress has become an ongoing, chronic part of our life, the impact on our nourishment can become problematic.

Nutrient depletion and blood sugar regulation

One of the outcomes of chronically increased glucocorticoid levels is potential depletion of certain nutrients, including zinc, potassium, and B-complex vitamins. What this means is that if you experience chronic stress, you will want to pay special attention to these nutrients in your diet. Stress hormones, if excessively secreted over a prolonged period of time, can interfere with the functioning of insulin and promote insulin resistance. Stress can create blood sugar imbalances that have a host of outcomes upon the body, including reducing the ability of cells to be nourished by the glucose provided in the diet.

Having low moods, or experiencing depression, may also impact nourishment. Chronic depression is associated with a variety of nutrient deficiencies, including that of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, choline, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. A person experiencing ongoing depression would want to take special steps to adjust his or her meal plan in relationship to these particular nutrients.

Benefits of a relaxing meal

In addition to looking at how mood affects nourishment from a biochemical perspective, you can also look at this question from the perspective of personal experience. Think about a recent meal that you ate while being stressed, angry, or anxious. Now think about a meal that you ate when you were relaxed, peaceful, and happy. Chances are in the latter experience you felt better, more vitalized, and more nourished from the foods you were eating and were therefore enjoying the true fulfillment and nourishment from those foods. Remember that your mood is something you don't just experience on an emotional and psychological level, but something that also takes places in your muscles, nervous system, and circulatory system. All of those body components impact your digestion and nourishment.

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Labels: depression, digestion, food and mood, Holistic Health, insulin, living holistically, nutrients, stress

When it comes to working out, all hours of the day are not created equal.

Check it out:

MORNING:
Best for: Yoga. Your ability to perform is lowest in the morning; better to keep your exercise less intense in the a.m. hours.
Going long: When your core temperature gets high, fatigue sets in. Your inner thermometer is lowest now, so you will take longer to overheat.

AFTERNOON:
Best for: Smashing the competition.
Time for the smackdown: Some moves requiring accuracy, like your tennis serve, are most precise around 2 p.m., when it's easiest to get energized and your focus is sharpest.
EVENING:
Best for: Getting strong. Your core body temp is highest in the early evening, so your muscles will warm up more easily and you can work harder.
Scoring: For the same reason, this is also when you have the most power to make explosive movements, such as those used in soccer or volleyball.

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Labels: exercise, Holistic Health, muscles, tennis, working out, yoga

While some people have an innate ability to understand plants, not all of us were born with a green thumb. And now, with more folks turning to home gardening as a source of free produce and herbs (and potentially even longevity), we want to catch up.

Enter the EasyBloom Sensor, a user-friendly device that eliminates the need for trial and error.

Just put the sensor in your "garden" (whether that's your backyard or a pot on your windowsill) and it will gather environmental data like soil, light, temperature and humidity. After 24 hours, plug it into your USB drive and find out the best plants for that environment, how to care for them, and how to revive dying plants.

On top of that, the website lets you search an extensive plant database, make notes and log data to keep track of your progress. Before you know it, you'll find yourself with a living, breathing, and maybe even edible result.

Thanks!

Labels: cool new product, EasyBloom Sensor, garden, gardening, greenery, Holistic Health, innovative, plants

Want to improve your health? Start by focusing on the things that bring you happiness. There is some scientific evidence that positive emotions can help make your life longer and healthier.

But to produce good health, positive emotions may need to be long term. In other words, thinking positive thoughts for a month when you already have heart disease won’t cure the disease. But lowering your stress levels over a period of years with a positive outlook and relaxation techniques could reduce your risk of heart problems.

Read more...

Labels: happiness, Health, Holistic Health, living holistically, positive outlook, relaxation, study

STRAIN	TARGETS	HOW IT WORKS	PRODUCT PICK	HOW MUCH?
Acidophilus CL 1285	Overall digestion	Balances gut flora	Bio K+CL 1285 Original Fermented Milk	Contains 100 billion CFUs* per 3.5-oz. bottle. Drink 1/4-1 bottle/day.
L. acidophilus DDS-1	Stomach cramps and gas triggered by lactose intolerance	Produces enzyme lactase and hydrogen peroxide	Natren Mega Vegi-Dophilus	Contains 2 billion CFUs per teaspoon. Start with 1/8 tsp/day and increase to 1 tsp/day.
L. rhamnosus GG	Immune system	Balances gut flora; inhibits growth of harmful bacteria	Culturelle	Contains 10 billion CFUs per capsule. Take one daily.
L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14	Vaginal yeast infections	Inhibits bacteria growth and yeast	Jarrow Fem-Dophilus	Contains 5 billion CFUs per capsule. Take one daily; increase to 2/day as needed.
L. plantarum 299v	Pain and constipation associated with IBS	Balances gut flora	Good Belly Multi-Probiotic Fruit Drink	Contains 20 billion CFUs per 2.7-oz. container. Drink one daily.
Saccharomyces boulardii	Antibiotic-provoked diarrhea	Balances gut flora	Florastor	Contains 5 billion CFUs per capsule. Take 6/day.
*Colony forming units Source

Labels: bacteria, digestion, healthy living, Holistic Health, Probiotics

Check out MSN's list of nine immunity-boosting foods to help prevent colds and other illnesses this winter. None of it's exactly shocking news, but it's always good to have a reminder, especially when you're sitting on the couch watching Lost and eating shortbread like...

Here's the rundown:

1) Water, eight to 10 glasses a day
2) Probiotic-containing yogurt
3) Vitamin A-filled sweet potatoes
4) Tea
5) Chicken soup
6) Zinc-heavy beef
7) Mushrooms
8) Fish and shellfish
9) Garlic
10) Oats and barley

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Labels: colds, eating healthy, healthy diet, healthy food, Holistic Health, immunity

Peruvian research shows that Maca improves the function of neurotransmitters and increases libido, improves memory, and increases oxygen in the blood.

What is raw Maca powder?
Maca is a radish-like perennial that grows at high altitude in an environment of intense sunlight, high winds and freezing temperatures in the upper elevations of the Andes Mountains in Peru. Maca root was domesticated about 2000 years ago by the Incan culture who regarded the root as a very valuable commodity. Native Peruvians have traditionally utilized Maca since before the time of the Incas for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. Maca Root is an important staple in the diets of the people indigenous to the region since it has the highest nutritional value of any food crop grown there. The Root of the Maca plant is a true adaptogen with very positive and beneficial effects on the human body.

RAW MACA POWDER is HIGH OCTANE fuel for maximizing physical or emotional performance at home or on the job. Raise your daily vitality and sense of well being through the roof with this amazing superfood that restores and revitalizes our energy reserves by providing nourishment deep at the core of the body's endocrine system. This Amazing and potent Super-food is a gently dried and powdered raw organic root that tastes great can be used creatively in smoothies, deserts, drinks or straight into the mouth with a squirt of flax seed oil!

Partial list of benefits:
- Increase Physical Energy and Daily Stamina.
- Key Nutrients to Support Libido and Peak Sexual Functioning
- Helps Promote Physical and Emotional Well Being by Providing Key Nutrients for Hormonal Balance for Men and Women of All Ages
- Nutritional Support for Healthy Menopause Transition.
- Increase Mental Clarity and Focus

More about Maca

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Labels: Holistic Health, hormones, maca, maca root, natural health, natural products, neurotransmitters, Peru, superfoods

Despite all the innovations in modern cookware, including non-stick surfaces and anodized aluminum, we believe that your healthiest cookware choices are those that use classic materials such as stainless steel and cast iron. What you want to look for when evaluating the healthfulness of cookware is whether the material that it is made from carries much toxic risk and how likely the cookware materials are to leach into the food during cooking.

Using these two criteria, we'll explore why stainless steel and cast iron are your best choices. But first, let's review why aluminum, copper, and non-stick cookware are types we choose not to use.

Cookware to avoid

Aluminum cookware

Cookware made from materials that carry with them substantial risk of toxicity, even if research shows relatively little leaching of their toxic substances, should automatically not be considered to be among your best options. We would put aluminum cookware into this category. In the past five years, we've seen over 100 studies about aluminum and disease. This metal has consistently been placed in the top 200 health-jeopardizing toxins by the ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We realize that many improvements have been made in aluminum pots and pans with the advent of anodized aluminum (in which a thicker aluminum oxide layer is created on the surface of the pan). Yet, we still recommend avoidance of aluminum cookware due to the potential toxicity of aluminum itself.

Non-stick cookware

Pots and pans with non-stick coatings are another type of cookware we would put into this category of toxic materials risk. The non-stick coating industry started out with Teflon in 1946 but has since grown to include many other coatings including Silverstone, Tefal, Anolon, Circulon, Caphalon and others. Products like Caphalon actually combine aluminum with non-stick materials by subjecting anodized aluminum to a polymer infusion process.

Copper cookware

Pots and pans made from 100% copper fall into a slightly different category. Even though it is also a metal on the ATSDR priority toxin list just like aluminum, copper is an essential mineral that is currently deficient in many U.S. diets. Its essential nutrient status makes it different from aluminum, and some people include it as a desirable cookware material for this reason.

We take a somewhat conservative approach here since we don't like the idea of cooking directly on a copper surface due to potential (however slight) risk of copper toxicity. Adults need approximately 900 micrograms of copper per day, according to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) established by the National Academy of Sciences. The Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) for copper is about 10 times that amount, at 10,000 micrograms (the same as 10 milligrams). While you're very unlikely to get that amount of copper migration from your cookware into your food (even under highly acidic conditions that increase leaching), we prefer to avoid all possible risk.

Recommended cookware

Stainless steel

With stainless steel, you get a cooking surface that can include some less risky materials than aluminum or non-stick coatings (such as the essential minerals iron, chromium, and manganese). It is is also more stable and less prone to leaching. While some research has expressed concern about leaching of chromium from stainless steel, this mineral is both essential and currently deficient in the diets of many U.S. adults. Based on the research, we believe the health risk here is less than the risk posed by leaching of another essential mineral, copper, from the surface in a 100% copper pan.

Stainless steel pans often have an inner core of aluminum or copper (and some have a copper-clad bottom). The reason this is done is because these two metals are very efficient heat conductors. Since the aluminum or copper is sandwiched between layers of steel and neither come in contact with the food, we think that these types of stainless steel cookware are fine to use.

What some cite as a concern for stainless steel is the leaching of nickel, a potentially toxic metal fairly high up on the ATSDR list of priority toxins. Yet, because the alloy (combination of metals used) in stainless steel cookware is more stable than other cookware materials you are less likely to have any leaching, of any metal, including nickel. An exception would be stainless steel pots and pans that have been damaged by harsh scouring with an abrasive material like steel wool. Provided that you take good care of your stainless steel cookware and keep the cooking surfaces intact, we believe you are making an excellent choice in cookware with this material.

Cast iron

Cast iron is also a cookware material we really like. When properly seasoned, the surface itself is great for cooking, and when material does leach from cast iron, it's an essential mineral (iron) that many of us can easily incorporate into a healthy day of mineral intake. For some individuals, cast iron cookware can actually make a very important contribution to health. An exception would be individuals who may be at risk of iron overload. If you already have plenty of iron in your diet, in your bloodstream, and attached to storage proteins in your cells, you do not want to be adding leached iron from cast iron cookware.

The bottom line

Our favorite all-around cookware pieces are those made from stainless steel or cast iron.

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Labels: aluminum, cast iron, cookware, Holistic Health, non-stick cookware, stainless steel cookware, Teflon

Essential oils effectively penetrate skin thanks to their small molecular size and lipid solubility. Here’s what they can help heal.

1. Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens): varicose veins, sore throat, excessive menstruation.
2. German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): bruises, inflammation, pain, sprains, tension.
3. Eucalyptus (E. globulus): congestion, inflammation, colds, flu, chickenpox, shingles, herpes.
4. Lavender (L. angustifolia): acne, bee stings, bruises, headaches, insect bites, rash, sprains, sunburn.
5. Lemon (Citrus limonum): digestive tonic, sore throat, detoxification, lymphatic congestion.
6. Marjoram (Oreganum majorana): insomnia, menstrual cramps, sore muscles.
7. Rose (Rosa damascena): liver and digestive tonic, vascular tonic, menstrual aid, grief.
8. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): headaches, fatigue, hangover, constipation, muscle aches, circulation.
9. Spearmint (Mentha spicata): indigestion, nausea, headaches, fatigue, fever, sinu-sitis, poison ivy.
10. Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): athlete’s foot, burns, warts, acne, cold sores, flu, insect bites.

Formulating with Essential Oils

Many of the following massage formulas combine 20 drops total essential oils with 2 ounces of carrier oil. All these combinations are given in drops, and these formulas are suggested for external application only. Follow the guidelines for inhalation or specific instruction as noted, either blending these oils or using as single essences.

• Anxiety or stress: 7 geranium, 5 lavender, 4 lemon, 1 rose
  
• Burns: 20 drops lavender in 1 ounce aloe vera juice or gel
  
• Constipation: 7 marjoram, 13 rosemary (massage abdomen)
  
• Cough: 5 cypress, 5 eucalyptus (as an inhalation)
  
• Fatigue: 15 rosemary, 5 lemon
  
• Hangover: 5 carrot seed, 5 rosemary, 3 peppermint, 2 rose, 5 helichrysum (massage over liver)
  
• Injury: 5 lavender, 5 German chamomile, 3 geranium, 2 tea tree, 5 helichrysum (in calendula-infused oil; best for impact injuries such as bruising)
  
• Insomnia: 15 Lavender, 5 lemon, 5 marjoram (add 8 drops of the blend to a full bath or use as massage oil along spine)
  
• Menstrual cramps: 5 clary sage, 5 marjoram, 5 geranium, 2 rose, 5 lavender (massage abdomen, hips and lower back)
• Sinus congestion: 3 tea tree, 2 rosemary, 3 eucalyptus (as an inhalation or chest rub)
  
• Sore throat: 12 clary sage and 13 sandalwood (massage); gargle with one drop each cypress and lemon in water
  
• Stress: 5 chamomile, 10 lavender, 5 marjoram
  
• Stings or insect bites: 10 tea tree, 10 lavender
  
• Ringworm: 5 geranium, 5 tea tree, and 1 peppermint in oil, applied directly
  
• Muscle Strain: 5 rosemary, 3 eucalyptus, 5 marjoram, 7 lavender

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Labels: essential oils, holistic healing, Holistic Health, natural therapy

	WHAT IT DOES	HOW TO USE IT
Cypress	Among its other benefits, this vasoconstrictor can diminish the appearance of varicose veins over time if used every day.	Add 2 drops to a hot footbath to control perspiration and odor; place 6 drops in a full bath for arthritis, asthma, and cramps; or blend 2 drops into 1 ounce of massage lotion and apply to skin.
Eucalyptus	Ideal for treating most respiratory problems and relieving muscle tension, eucalyptus loosens flu-related congestion.	To make a natural vapor rub, add 1 ounce melted beeswax to 1½ cups sweet almond or vegetable oil; pour into small containers. Mix in 30 drops of essential oil per ounce of base, shake, and let it harden. Apply to chest and back.
Geranium	Less expensive than rose oil, geranium relieves PMS symptoms, stress, and anxiety. It also helps clear up eczema, treats burns, and repels insects.	Mix 5 drops into a hot bath or blend a few drops with massage lotion and apply to skin.
Jasmine	Use this antidepressant oil to ease muscle pain, relieve tension and nervousness, and soothe coughs.	Add 1-2 drops to a hot bath.
Mandarin	A mild sedative, mandarin has a peaceful effect and is safe for children.	Add 7-10 drops to a bath; add 3 drops to a humidifier.

Labels: essential oils, Holistic Health, natural therapy

Question:
Which aperture of the body reflects the internal organs related to excretion and assimilation?
Anus, urinary tract, ears, nose, or mouth?

Answer: Mouth.

See the Picture at Right to find the corresponding body parts.

A- the tip area reflects the rectum and the descending colon.

B- the peripheral area reflects the large intestine.

C- the middle region corresponds to the small intestine.

D- the back edge region relates to the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, and pancreas.

E- the near back region corresponds to the stomach.

F- the back region ('the root of the tongue') reflects the esophagus.

G- the underside of the tongue reflects the quality of blood and lymph circulation in each corresponding area.

Your tongue accurately reflects the state of your digestive system- from rectum to esophagus, including the stomach, small intestines, colon (large intestine), pancreas, spleen, liver and gall bladder.

Imagine, you don't need a battery of tests to find out what part of your digestive tract is in stress. You can diagnosis the whole GI tract and corresponding organ integrity all in one easy view- just stick your tongue out.

As a whole the tongue reflects the condition of the digestive system and the organs associated with blood, nutrient assimilation, and excretion. You can also see how 'hot' or how 'cold' your internal organs are. Therefore it has a high value as a diagnostic tool.

Specific sections of the tongue mirror the condition of particular parts of the digestive system and the digestion related internal organs.

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Labels: ayurveda, Holistic Health, living holistically, tongue, tongue diagnosis, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Basil can protect against the harmful effects of aging, according to research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

Holy basil, (Latin name Ocimum sanctum), is a close relative of the herb commonly used in Western cooking. Native to India, its extract has long been used in the ancient system of Ayurvedic medicine practiced in India and other parts of Asia as a rejuvenation drug, to promote a youthful state of physical and mental health.

In the first formal study of the herb, pharmacy researchers found that holy basil extract was effective at actively searching for and eliminating harmful molecules and protecting against damage caused by some free radicals in key organs such as the heart, liver and brain.

The researchers, led by Dr Vaibhav Shinde from Poona College of Pharmacy, Maharashtra, India, studied the herb for anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties.

Dr Shinde said: "The study validates the traditional use of herb as a youth-promoting substance in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. It also helps describe how the herb acts at a cellular level."

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Labels: anti-aging, ayurveda, basil, free radicals, herbs, Holistic Health, holy basil. tulsi

Often called ginger root, this spicy Asian flavor enhancer is actually a rhizome — an underground, horizontal-growing plant stem. Much more than just a zesty accent to baked goods and sushi, ginger contains potent compounds that help quell inflammation, ease nausea, and potentially lower blood pressure.

Eat it

To soothe osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, mince about ¼-inch slice of fresh ginger and add to food every day. Or mitigate hypertension and relieve motion sickness by taking ginger in capsule or tincture form. Talk with your health care practitioner about an appropriate dose.

Drink it

Combat a queasy stomach or morning sickness with simple ginger tea. Place one or two ½-inch slices of fresh ginger in a mug of hot water. Let steep for a few minutes, and drink.

To eliminate gas, sip nonalcoholic ginger beer — as opposed to conventional ginger ales, which often don't include any fresh ginger.

Rub it on

When massaged into skin, ginger creates a warming sensation that helps increase circulation, soothe sore joints, and relax muscles. Plus, antioxidants in ginger boost skin's ability to fight free radicals. Mix a couple of drops of ginger essential oil into a carrier oil and knead into problem areas.

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Labels: arthritis, ginger, healing with food, Holistic Health, living holistically, rhizome