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

Tai chi is often described as “meditation in motion,” but it might well be called “medication in motion.” There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems.

Tai chi is easy to learn and you can get started even if you aren’t in top shape or the best of health. In this low-impact, slow-motion exercise, you go without pausing through a series of motions named for animal actions or martial arts moves. As you move, you breathe deeply and naturally, focusing your attention — as in some kinds of meditation — on your bodily sensations.

Tai chi differs from other types of exercise in several ways. The movements are never forced, the muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, the joints are not fully extended or bent, and connective tissues are not stretched. Tai chi can be easily adapted for anyone, from the most fit to people confined to wheelchairs or recovering from surgery.

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Labels: exercise, holistic healing, meditation, muscles, tai chi

Abdominal bloating is a very common symptom with a wide variety of causes, from something as simple as gas to something as serious as cancer. The list of common causes is long and includes overeating, gas, constipation, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, pregnancy, and premenstrual stress syndrome.

There are as many as 413 possible causes for bloating! Most causes are simple and can be treated with dietary or other lifestyle changes like avoiding gas causing foods, eating smaller meals, or recognizing lactose intolerance.

Gas causing foods include beans, dairy, spinach, potatoes, fatty or rich foods, carbonated beverages and many more. For a more complete list, check out the Gas Prevention Diet, which also provides strategies for avoiding the gas inducing culprits. One of the most importantly under recognized conditions in adults is lactose intolerance, which can cause bloating, gas, and/or diarrhea.

Serious causes of bloating are by far less common, but should not be forgotten, especially in cases of long standing bloating that is not improved with simple changes in diet or lifestyle. Serious causes of bloating can include a variety of tumors, parasitic infections, celiac disease (gluten intolerance), and inflammatory bowel disease. Long standing bloating or bloating with other symptoms such as weight loss, weight gain, pain, nausea, or vomiting should certainly raise concern.

Thanks!

Labels: bloating, gas, healthy diet, holistic healing

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

Wrinkles are a fact of getting older, but there are several actions we can take to slow down the signs of aging. Living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding cigarettes, and wearing sunscreen will prevent you from aging prematurely, and standing on your head could also help keep your skin looking fresh.

Yoga poses that involve positioning your feet over your head, known as inversions, allow blood to flow to your head and improve circulation. Performing inversions can help relieve headaches and depression, increase upper-body strength, and also naturally reduce your wrinkles if practiced regularly. Don't just take it from me; here's what Countess LuAnn de Lesseps (of The Real Housewives of New York) said about her skincare regimen.

I do a yoga headstand every morning. I don't do Botox. Headstands are great for getting the circulation going and giving tone to your muscles in the face.

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Labels: aging, benefits of yoga, blood flow, botox, headstand, holistic healing, inversions, skin care, wrinkles

• Butterbur. The herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus), which comes from a European shrub, shows potential for relieving seasonal allergy symptoms. In one Swiss study, butterbur was just as effective as the antihistamine Allegra for reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
• Quercetin. This flavonoid, which is found naturally in onions, apples, and black tea, has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown in research to block histamines.
• Stinging nettle. The roots and leaves of the stinging nettle plant (Urtica dioica) have been used to treat everything from joint pain to prostate problems. Although some people use freeze-dried stinging nettle leaves to treat allergy symptoms, there isn’t much research to show that it works.
• Nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation with a combination of warm water, about a quarter-teaspoon of salt, and a quarter-teaspoon of baking soda may help clear out mucus and open sinus passages. You can administer the solution through a squeeze bottle or a neti pot -- a device that looks like a small teapot.

Just because a treatment says “natural” doesn’t mean that it is safe. Some herbal remedies can cause side effects or can react with medications you’re taking. Talk to your doctor before you start taking any herb or supplement.

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Labels: allergies, butterbur, herbs, holistic healing, nasal irrigation, natural therapy, neti pot, nettles

Tuina (Tui Na) is an Oriental Bodywork Therapy that has been used in China for 2,000 years. Tuina (Tui Na) uses the traditional Chinese medical theory of the flow of Qi through the meridians as its basic therapeutic orientation. Through the application of massage and manipulation techniques Tuina (Tui Na) seeks to establish a more harmonious flow of Qi through the system of channels and collaterals, allowing the body the naturally heal itself.

Tuina (Tui Na) methods include the use of hand techniques to massage the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body, acupressure techniques to directly affect the flow of Qi , and manipulation techniques to realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships (bone-setting). External herbal poultices, compresses, liniments, and salves are also used to enhance the other therapeutic methods.

In a typical session, the client, wearing loose clothing and no shoes, lies on a table or floor mat. The practitioner examines the specific problems of the client and begins to apply a specific treatment protocol. The major focus of application is upon specific pain sites, acupressure points, energy meridians, and muscles and joints. Advanced Tuina (Tui Na) practitioners may also use Chinese herbs to facilitate quicker healing. Sessions last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Depending on the specific problems of the client, they may return for additional treatments. The client usually feels relaxed but energized by the treatment.

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Labels: acupressure, chi flow, Chinese Herbal Healing, herbs, holistic healing, massage, Qi, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tui Na, Tuina

For thousands of years, ginseng root has been one of the most popular and revered medicinal herbs in Asia. True ginseng, which goes by the scientific name Panax ginseng, is believed to have a rejuvenating effect on the whole body. In fact, the botanical/genus name Panax means “all-heal” in Greek, sharing the same origin as the word “panacea.”

The Chinese word for ginseng literally means “man root” because of the root’s characteristic forked shape that resemble the legs of a human. In Chinese mythology, Ginseng represents the human form, and has both physical and spiritual attributes. To learn more about this fascinating herb, download this article “Demystifying Ginseng.”

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Labels: Chinese Herbal Healing, ginseng, herbs, holistic healing, Panax ginseng, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce light cold-pressed vegetable carrier oil (such as apricot kernel).
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree or New Zealand tea tree (Manuka) essential oil
• 2 drops bergamot essential oil*
• 1 drops geranium essential oil

or without bergamot:

• 1 ounce light cold-pressed vegetable carrier oil (such as apricot kernel).
• 12 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree or New Zealand tea tree (Manuka) essential oil
• 1 drops geranium essential oil

Special Precaution: *Avoid exposure to the sun for at least 12 hours after applying this oil since bergamot is a phototoxic oil. There is a special version of bergamot that you can get called "bergaptene free" that eliminates the phototoxic properties of the oil.

Directions: Pour the selected carrier oil into a very clean bottle (amber glass is best) and then add the essential oils and tightly close the bottle. Roll the bottle to gently mix the oils for a minute or two. Apply a small amount to the face, neck or back, but be certain to avoid the eyes, lips, nostrils and inside the ears. Gentle roll the bottle before each use to ensure the essential oils are properly mixed.

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Labels: acne, essential oils, holistic healing, natural products, natural therapy

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