The Detoxifying Benefits of Acupuncture

Going through a detox plan can help rid your body of toxins that can make you sick. Once most people go through a detox and feel better, they’re a lot more determined to take care of their body.

When you live a clean lifestyle, you understand the importance of eating as healthy as possible, exercising and staying on track to good health. Acupuncture is something that can work with your detox program as well as help you continue to feel better once you're finished.

Traditional healthcare acupuncture (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are many reasons for this, with one being that acupuncture can help with mental detoxification as well as physical detoxification. You can practice acupuncture with a certified acupuncturist, or even in the comfort of your own home.

Any time you begin a detoxification program, you may experience some symptoms because of the toxins leaving your body. You might feel differently and not as comfortable if you use a detox plan that completely changes the way that you would normally eat.

Your body sometimes gets stuck in a rut with how you eat and live. When you shake that up, it throws your body out of its normal routine, even if that "normal" is plagued with toxins and not all that healthy.

When going through a detox plan, some people will experience some bowel discomfort such as gas and bloating. You might experience some diarrhea or constipation.

Headaches, muscle aches and fatigue can also be associated with a detox plan. This is because your body has become accustomed to the presence of these toxins and has adjusted to the way they impact your health.

As the toxins are cleansed from your body, you will go through a resetting period and you’ll feel various side effects. Acupuncture can help those side effects not be as intrusive - as well as help the detox itself work better.

What this form of alternative treatment does is restore your body’s balance - the balance that the toxins take from you. The body is a wonderfully crafted thing and it can fight off a host of infections, bacteria, viruses and more when it’s in good health!

Basic Acupuncture. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But the minute your body is out of balance, it creates a disconnect between your mind and body. Acupuncture returns this balance - and with it, returns your natural restorative health powers to your body.

Acupuncture works with detoxification and your body’s own immune system to help you feel whole again. And it does so much more than that. Acupuncture can help alleviate some of the symptoms that are caused by toxins. It can relieve allergies caused by environmental toxins, boost the immune system and stop headaches related to toxins.

These are just a few of the benefits waiting for you when you combine acupuncture with your detox lifestyle.

Here are a few resources to help you learn more:

   

11 Natural Remedies for Scrapes & Bruises

Scrapes and bruises are a part of everyday life - especially in the summer with all the outdoor activities going on. Some of us, it seems, whether we’re accident prone or adventurous or maybe a little bit of both, get scraped up daily.  While there are many handy over-the-counter remedies to clean cuts, reduce swelling, prevent infection and promote healing, there are twice as many natural remedies which accomplish the same thing - without all the synthetic chemicals.  Nature really does take good care of us! 

Let’s look at some natural remedies for scrapes and bruises:*

1. Witch hazel. This plant is actually a deciduous shrub and the bark and leaves are an astringent which can be used to disinfect and to clean skin.  It’s also commonly used to treat sore muscles and swollen tissue. 

Aloe vera (Photo credit: olgaberrios)

2. Aloe vera is a common treatment for sunburns and rashes. A succulent plant grown in warm, tropical climates, it protects and moisturizes the skin - and is also great for treating burns.

3. Arnica Gel, which comes from a perennial in the sunflower family, is excellent for treating muscle aches and bruising, as well as arthritis pain. 

4. Raw garlic.  Despite the very unique and strong aroma, garlic cloves can be used as an antiseptic to disinfect cuts and scrapes.

5. Comfrey, a perennial flower, is used to treat sprains, strains, bruises and broken bones.  The roots of the flower are ground into a poultice and placed on the injured area.

6. Yarrow leaves, when dried and ground into a powder, can be uses to disinfect cuts and scrapes and to stop bleeding.

7. Lavender essential oil, when combined and diluted by jojoba oil or olive oil, relieves pain, burns and bee stings. 

8. Tea tree essential oil, when diluted with jojoba or olive oil, is an antiseptic and antibiotic.  It is great for cleaning minor cuts. 

Thyme. (Photo credit: Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants)

9. Thyme essential oil, when diluted with a base oil like olive or jojoba has both antimicrobial and antiseptic properties.  Use it to clean minor cuts and scrapes and to soothe bruised and sore muscles.

10. Castor oil can be used to treat bruising and reduce swelling. 

11. Calendula oil is used to soothe rashes and minor scrapes. 

In addition to these 11 natural remedies, homeopathic remedies can be designed to treat swelling and bruising, and flower essences can be used to reduce stress and alleviate shock symptoms.  Mother Nature has provided you with a number of gentle and safe first aid remedies.  Create your natural first aid kit today and take advantage of all the healing power that nature has to offer!

* Note: Information provided above should not be considered medical advice. You should consult a qualified medical professional before using any natural remedy.

Natural Remedies for Yeast Infections

It can be a woman’s worst nightmare. They come but don’t want to leave. We are talking about yeast infections. They can occur anywhere, but most commonly in the genital region - and yes, men can get them too! If they plague you, here are some remedies that you might want to try.

Natural remedies are one of the best ways to cure a condition without all of the potential side effects. Modern medicine can be helpful but sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. Home-made remedies use everyday items that can get the job done just as well if not better, and they won’t cost you a lot of money.

Candidiasis (Photo credit: Pulmonary Pathology)

Now back to yeast infections. These are mostly found in the vaginal region. The infection in question is caused by “candida albicans.”

Bacteria and fungus like to have moist, dark places to hide and grow. When the pH of the vaginal area is off balance, this can favor an environment for bacteria to grow and reproduce. That translates into more problems. Until the balance of vaginal flora is returned to normal, the infection will probably get worse.

Recognizing a yeast infection

How do you know if you even have one? A yeast infection occurs in the vaginal area, and men can get them as well; although symptoms often do not occur for men, they can give them to their sexual partners and pass them back and forth, so if you are a man whose partner has a yeast infection, you should get treated too. Characteristics include:

* Itching in the vaginal region
* Sour odor
* Discharge (looks like cottage cheese)
* Painful intercourse
* Painful urination

Preventing yeast infections

As we said before, bacteria need moisture to grow and multiply. In our daily life, sometimes we do things that can contribute to and make us more at risk for yeast infections. Here are a few tips to lower your risk.

* Wear cotton undergarments – Nylon doesn’t breathe as well and can trap moisture. Cotton allows the genital area to breathe.

* Avoid sitting around with wet clothing – This especially goes for wearing bathing suits around all day after swimming. Eventually you will dry but probably not without irritating the vaginal area.

* Stop douching – The vagina contains natural bacteria that are not harmful because they maintain a neutral pH. Douching reduces the helpful bacteria and can dry out the area, leading to yeast infections.

Yogurt (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Natural remedies

* Eat yogurt – This is especially important if your doctor places you on antibiotics. The antibiotics can kill off the good bacteria, leaving the others to thrive. Yogurt contains live cultures to restore balance to the natural flora in the digestive tract as well as the vagina.

* Take acidophilus – This is a probiotic that works the same way as yogurt. It can be taken in pill form or even as an addition in yogurt. For quicker relief, use natural unflavored yogurt as a cream on the affected area to reduce itching.

* Tea tree oil – This is a substance found in nature that has antibiotic and antiseptic properties. It can be used to reduce infection and speed healing when placed on cuts and scrapes. As a suppository, it can help to restore the balance and kill the infection in the vaginal area.

Yeast infections are not pleasant. The itching and burning can be unbearable. Use the above tips and suggestions to keep infections at bay or to cure one that has already started.

The Basics of Homeopathic Healing

Homeopathy has been used for more than 200 years to treat everything from colds and viruses to significant conditions like cancer and post traumatic stress disorder.  It’s based on the theory that the body is the best source of healing for itself.  Let’s take a look at the theory behind Homeopathic healing and how it’s used. 

The Three Principles of Homeopathic Healing

Homeopathy is based on thee main principles.  They include:

Homeopathic substances (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* Like Cures Like
This principle is often seen in the treatment of allergies.  For example if a person is allergic to grass pollen then they will regularly receive injections with a small amount of grass pollen in the solution.  The theory being that they will slowly build up a tolerance for the allergen until they have little or no reaction.  The same holds true for many of our vaccines.  If you’re getting a flu vaccine, you’re receiving a small amount of the flu virus.  Your body recognizes it and defeats it thus, when that particular strain of the flu comes around you won’t get it because your body knows how to combat it.

* Minimal Dose
Homeopathic healing takes the approach of extreme dilution, theorizing that your body doesn’t need to be inundated with an element to adapt and respond.  How diluted are the dosages?  We’re talking about 1 part homeopathic element or remedy and  1,000,000,000,000 parts water (or other inert filler substance).

* The Single Remedy
Have you ever had a cold but didn’t have the cold medication to cover all your symptoms so you took a decongestant, a fever reducer and cough medicine combined to try to make it through the day?  This is the opposite of how homeopathy approaches healing.  Because you’re dealing with having the body heal itself, homeopathy believes that only one remedy is taken - usually it’s the presumed cause of the illness that is the remedy.

Who Can Use Homeopathy?

Homeopathic healing is deemed safe for everyone. This includes pregnant women, children and even babies and the elderly.  Treatment is easy and typically involves, once a diagnosis has been made, taking a powder or small tablet orally.  The tablets are designed to dissolve in your mouth and may need to be held under the tongue for a few seconds until completely dissolved.  While some treatments may require only one tablet taken daily, others may require several tablets each day.  The treatment depends on the diagnosis and the practitioner.

Various homeopathic remedies (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why Use Homeopathic Healing?

Believe it or not, homeopathy  is the second most widely used form of healing in the world. And its popularity in western civilization continues to grow - it is even approved by the FDA, which is an extremely tough thing for a natural remedy to achieve as you may know.  By and large, this success is due to the fact that homeopathy is extremely effective, when properly diagnosed.  It’s also extremely safe and results in virtually no side effects and it can be taken with other medication without the fear of interaction.

Homeopathic remedies are also natural. You’re not putting potentially harmful chemicals into your body. In addition, as more and more people adopt a more holistic approach to healing, it’s much more natural and effective to treat the cause of a problem rather than the symptoms.  Homeopathy treats the cause.

When it comes to healing, homeopathic healing has a long and successful history and a bright future.  To find a skilled homeopathic doctor you can visit one of the many online directories or associations or you can speak to your medical practitioner for a recommendation.

Video: The Importance of Probiotics for Digestive Health

This short video gives a great introduction to probiotics and how and why they are so helpful for promoting good digestive health and immune function. A vast portion of our immune system is located in our gut, so a properly functioning digestive system, colonized with the right bacteria, is essential for overall health - and is something that is sadly lacking in many Westerners on a modern diet. Some have even surmised that unhealthy gut flora is the cause for many of our modern diseases and ailments.

Check out the video to learn more about probiotics and how they work, and why they are so important - and see below for some of the resources mentioned in the video.

Use Probiotics For Better Immune Function, Digestive Health & Less Gas - Dr. Agrios, ND
www.DrAngelaAgrios.com - Probiotics are friendly bacteria that reside in the gut, and they are essential for optimum gut health and immune function. Lack of friendly bacteria in the gut can lead to an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, and once that ...


More Helpful Resources:

  

Video - Natural Remedies to Recover from Cold & Flu Quickly

This short video offers a list and descriptions of several helpful supplements to supercharge your immune system and help you recover quickly from cold, flu, or whatever is ailing you.  I don't know that you'll recover in one day, but using all of these should definitely help cut the duration of your illness at least in half!

Be sure to consult with your naturopathic doctor when starting any new supplementation regimen, so you can make sure you are taking what you need, and avoiding anything that may be harmful to you - for example, some people are allergic to echinacea.

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More Natural Flu Remedies

Every year the flu season comes and goes.  Many hold their breath and hope they don’t get it while others choose inoculation.  Unfortunately, inoculation and hope don’t always protect us from getting the flu.  And if you do get the flu, it can knock you down for up to two weeks.  The good news is that there are several tried and true natural flu remedies.  Let’s take a look at a few of them:

Main symptoms of influenza. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hydrogen Peroxide

Some studies have shown that the flu virus enters the body through the ear canals.  If you’re able to catch your symptoms within the first few hours, try placing a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in each ear every few hours.  The peroxide kills the virus before it has the opportunity to multiply and really take hold.  You may still have flu symptoms for a few days however, that’s much better than the standard two-week recovery period. (I use this regularly anytime I feel like I'm getting sick, and usually I'm better with 3 days or so - not sure if it's due to this remedy or not, but it's a nice change from 1-2 weeks down!) And a bottle of peroxide is pennies compared to flu shots or even most over the counter medications (which only treat symptoms - not the flu itself).

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver, a liquid suspension of microscopic particles of silver, is used as a natural antibiotic and antiviral.  Practitioners believe it has the ability to essentially eliminate an enzyme that bacteria and viruses need to survive in your body.  Like hydrogen peroxide, the best time to use colloidal silver is right when you first notice flu-like symptoms. 

Elderberry

Elderberry, an antioxidant, is commonly used to boost immunity however, studies also show it may work as an antiviral.  This means during flu season elderberry supplements, such as elderberry juice, syrup or capsules, may be able to help you avoid the flu and if you do catch the flu, elderberry may help shorten your recovery time. 

Oscillococcinum. (Photo credit: Paul Jacobson)

Oscillococcinum

Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic product that's manufactured in France and sold in health food stores around the world – particularly during flu season.  Homeopathic comes from the principle that “like cures like." Oscillococcinum is made from extremely diluted parts of the hearts and livers of ducks, which are believed to be particularly vulnerable to influenza viruses. Oscillococcinum is used to shorten the duration of the flu once you’ve caught it - it does not prevent the flu. 

Echinacea

Echinacea, an herbal remedy most often used to prevent and treat colds and flu, has been shown to shorten the duration for flu sufferers.  There are many types of Echinacea, but the leaves, flowers, stems and roots of Echinacea purpurea seem to have the most effect.  It’s typically recommended to take Echinacea, usually in capsule form, every two to three hours immediately after recognizing symptoms.   See Monday's post for more on Echinacea.

North American Ginseng

 “North American ginseng" is a popular natural flu remedy used to shorten the duration of the flu.  However, Ginseng also comes with some serious potential side effects including negative interactions with many pharmaceuticals, estrogenic properties, which can complicate hormone related conditions and other symptoms, and side effects that may cause heart complications among other things.

With any herbs, it’s important to check with your doctor to make sure there aren’t any adverse reactions with any medications you may be on.  Having the flu is one of the most miserable experiences, so it’s nice to know there are so many natural flu remedies available to lessen the symptoms and help you recover as quickly as possible. Keep an eye on this blog throughout cold and flu season for more tips for boosting your immune system and maximizing your health this winter!

Video - An Introduction to Healing Touch Therapy

This video is Part 1 of a short documentary on Healing Touch Therapy, including scientific studies, reactions from those who have participated in this unique and holistic therapeutic method, and even a TV newscast on the topic.

You may think it's all "a crock," or you may find yourself fascinated and intrigued like I was - either way, take a few minutes to check this out and learn a bit more about this new and all-natural therapy that is being used in more and more hospitals across the country - it can be a wonderful, natural, and holistic solution to many issues facing our health, or an excellent complementary therapy to more conventional methods, and it's definitely something to consider if you are facing a health problem of pretty much any kind.

Healing Touch Program: An Introduction to Healing Touch part 1of 2
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How to Manage Anxiety and Phobias Naturally

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. However, when your anxiety or phobia limits you from experiencing life, it’s time to take serious action. Drugs or medications are often prescribed. Yet before you take this step consider managing your anxiety or phobia without medication. Many medications have unwanted side effects, and are essentially very toxic to the brain and body. Natural anxiety-relieving tactics can help you manage your issues without these potential dangers. (Note: If you are experiencing severe depression or suicidal thoughts, you should seek professional help immediately.)

10 Ways to Manage Anxiety and Phobia without Drugs

Image via Wikipedia1) Yoga. Yoga teaches many lessons. You learn to control your breathing. You learn to focus. You learn to relax and connect to your body (which can really tell you a lot if you listen to it). You also learn how strong and capable you are. Combined, this is a powerful tool to manage anxiety. Using what you learn in yoga, you can quickly refocus your thoughts, relax and send fear away. There are yoga classes available everywhere these days, and lots of DVDs as well if you prefer to practice at home.

2) Meditation. Meditation helps you look inward for answers and strength. Like yoga, meditation also teaches focus and controlled breathing. With insight and control you can virtually eliminate anxiety and phobias from ruling your life.

3) Exercise. Exercise boosts endorphins - aka feel-good hormones. These hormones make you feel as if you can accomplish anything. They’re very strong and very positive, and the feeling of well-being in your body will lift your mood mentally as well. (For some suggestions for fun ways to exercise, visit our exercise blog at http://nhlnewfunwaystoexercise.blogspot.com/. )

4) Fresh air. Fresh air and sunshine help clear the cobwebs from your mind. Also, sunshine helps your body produce vitamin D. Vitamin D has been shown to help manage depression and optimize many functions. It simply helps you feel more positive and in control of your life.

5) Cut back on stimulants including sugar and caffeine. Stimulants can actually worsen anxiety and fear. Cut them out of your diet. You’ll be healthier and you’ll feel calmer.

Image via Wikipedia6) Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drugs interfere with your body’s chemistry. They can mess up your hormones, alter your brain chemistry and ultimately change your mood and personality - and not in a good way.

7) Positive affirmations. When you’re experiencing anxiety or fear, use affirmations to change your thoughts. Affirmations are positive statements. They help you refocus. For example, a stressful thought like, “I’ll never get this done in time,” can be changed with a positive affirmation. “I am in control and capable of accomplishing this task in a timely manner.” It may sound simplistic or even cheesy, but it can sometimes help a lot.

8) Visualizations. When you’re in a stressful situation consider using a visualization to help you relax. For example, you might imagine yourself sitting on a grassy hill watching a beautiful waterfall. Choose a visualization that helps you feel relaxed and calm. Go there when you need to.

9) Friends. Friends can be a great help when you’re feeling anxious or fearful. A simple phone call or text can help you relax. Friends are also good for laughter which is one of the BEST tools to combat anxiety - and it's free!  :-)

10) Get help. Finally, if these natural methods are not working for you consider getting therapy. Talk therapy, massage and other professional methods of assistance can help you find balance in your life, naturally.

It is possible and even preferable to treat anxiety and phobias naturally. Medications have the potential for dangerous and unwanted side effects, and can wreak havoc on your mind and your bodily systems. By using some of the methods above, you will learn that you can control your thoughts and live a less fearful and more balanced life. (For more info on balanced living, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com.)

Video - Natural Remedies to Ward Off a Cold

Here is a very quick video with a couple of quick ideas for warding off colds and surviving the flu season ahead, without resorting to drugs and chemical solutions. If you haven't already, you may start to see a barrage of ads for flu shots, as it seems we are inundated with these more every year. However, remember that most of these illnesses can be prevented by good hygiene (frequent hand washing), staying away from sick people (as much as possible), and most importantly, strengthening your immune system (more on this soon), and you don't have to subject your body to these expensive and artificial potions.

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Reduce the Use of Toxic Drugs with Homeopathy

Many conventional drugs are very toxic, and contribute to your toxic load (just listen to some of the side-effects listed in just about any medical ad you see on TV these days - scary stuff!). Many are now looking for alternative remedies that are safer and less harmful to the body. One method that is gaining in popularity is homeopathy, or homeopathic medicine. Homeopathy is an alternative form of medicine that has been used for thousands of years to treat everything from life threatening illnesses to the common cold.  While many people used to modern medicine may find it suspicious, it is still one of the most used types of medical treatment worldwide and is steadily gaining popularity in the western world.

Image via WikipediaHomeopathic medicine is based on three basic principles.  The biggest principle of homeopathy is that like treats like.  Instead of treating based on the disease doctors think you have, treatment is done based on the symptoms you know you have.  The second principle is that there is only one treatment, not two or even ten like a traditional doctor might give you.  The third principle is that everything is given in extremely small doses.

To treat yourself homeopathically, you must figure out all the symptoms.  Once you know your symptoms, you find a substance that causes the exact same set of symptoms and take a small amount of it.  Because you are only taking a very small amount, the substance not only doesn’t harm you, it’s said to cure you, generally long term or even permanently. 

When most people hear about homeopathy, their initial reaction is “no way!”  Treating symptoms with something that causes your symptoms seems totally counterintuitive, but it’s a concept that’s used in modern medicine as well as more ancient cures.  Shots commonly used to treat allergies contain a small amount of whatever you’re allergic to.  Many vaccines contain a small amount of the disease they’re designed to protect against. 

While homeopathic medicine is not only considered effective, it has many benefits over modern medicine.  Like many other natural medical treatments, most homeopathic remedies are totally natural.  While this doesn’t necessarily make them safe, these remedies tend to cause fewer side effects, have little drug interactions, and are generally better for your overall health.

Image via WikipediaHomeopathic medications are also considered better for your body because they work with it. Many modern medicines work to suppress symptoms like fever or coughing. These symptoms are the body’s natural ways to get rid of disease.  Instead of suppressing symptoms, homeopathic medicine works to cure the problem itself while addressing the specific symptoms.

When the right treatment is found, homeopathy is considered very effective.  The big problem is that just like there are thousands of prescriptions and over the counter drugs, there are also thousands of homeopathic remedies as well.  And if you don’t pick exactly the right one, it won’t work. 

While you can buy homeopathic remedies over the counter (in fact, even some main-stream large grocery stores now carry them), just like herbal and other alternative medicines, that doesn’t mean it’s 100% safe to treat yourself.  If you’re serious about this treatment you should speak to a doctor who has experience in alternative medicine or even see a specialist in the area.

Learn More About Homeopathy: