Published Articles
Karyn D’Amour N.D. , Herbalist, NLP & Life Coach, Energy worker and Holistic practitioner since 1999
THE FUTURE IS NOW – OPTIONS IN HEALTHCARE
We commonly hear terms such as holistic health, alternative medicine or complimentary treatment to describe modern approaches to wellness. But what exactly are these and what do they do? One thing they do not do is replace necessary surgery or treat contagious disease. They can however ride side by side with conventional systems to stimulate the body own natural healing process.
In the past decade alone, we are discovering a growing list of non-traditional treatments that benefit many health conditions. Simple approaches like holistic nutrition which advises against processed packaged foods laden with preservatives and chemicals, promotes a return to real foods that feed and nourish the body. Meals specifically planned to target health conditions like allergies, heart disease and diabetes are examples of holistic health at work. Particular foods can heal and a natural practitioner will provide guidance with diets that encourage reversal of many illnesses once thought of as permanent problems.
The use of supplements, referred to as ortho molecular medicine, also targets specific conditions to deliver optimum amounts of vitamins and minerals that meals alone cannot supply.
Plant science, herbalism or phytotherapy is another natural approach to wellness. It refers to using a plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Herbalism has a long tradition of use outside of conventional medicine. It is becoming more mainstream as improvements in analysis and quality control along with advances in clinical research show the value of plant medicine in the treating and preventing disease. Side effects are either reduced or eliminated compared to laboratory chemical medicines that flood the market today.
The use of herbal supplements has increased dramatically over the past 20 years and now commonly recognized herbal supplements are Ginger, for digestion, St Johns Wort, for depression, Echinacea, for the immune system, and Chamomile and Valerian, for sleep, among many others. Homeopathy is another area of natural health that utilizes the vibration of energy derived from plants as well as other lifeforms (animal and sealife) to balance the body’s rhythm and encourage homeostasis. Normally in a liquid or pellet form, homeopathy has a wide range of uses including ease of digestive discomfort in a colicky baby to balancing of hormones.
Naturopaths are generally trained practitioners that use herbs, nutrition, supplements and vibrational energy medicine as their primary tools. Training in breathe work too is an under-estimated super tool for stress management and promotion of inner peace. Since much research has pointed to stress load as a key contributor of illness, adopting strategies to manage and deal with everyday pressures becomes paramount in survival.
Energy work such as Reiki is finding its way into clinics and hospitals due to its beneficial applications for relaxation and pain relief plus its ability to speed up recovery from surgical procedures reducing down time and medication use and their costs. Energy workers use their hands to transmit focused vibrations to resonate with our own natural processes, in turn balancing the chakras and restoring health. Crystal healing is another wonderful tool that is accumulative in nature, unwrapping energy blocks and balancing chakra centers. Vibrational medicine serves to unite mind body and spirit.
Something almost new and wonderful on the horizon is the use of Light or Phototherapy. Now utilized in several hospitals in Japan and other Asian healthcare facilities, FDA and Health Canada approved Red, Infrared and laser pulsed light is taking first place in pain treatments for both acute and chronic conditions. Science has discovered using particular vibrational wavelengths of light, will penetrate deep into the body enabling regeneration of cells and collagen to improve blood circulation. Improved circulation will help move toxins out, reduce inflammation and enhance overall energy while eliminating muscle and nerve pain. Phototherapy can be used to relieve joint stiffness, muscle spasms and recover from sports injuries. As this form of natural healing is examined, it has been discovered to solve a myriad of healthcare concerns such as back pain, sciatica, diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage, fibromyalgia, headaches and skin conditions. Estheticians and dermatologists use phototherapy for acne and anti-aging treatments as well as stimulation of follicles in cases of baldness or thinning hair. Light waves improve blood and lymph flow to help remove fat and waste products which restore our natural immune response and strengthen the body’s overall capability to heal. Penetrating wavelengths of light will only affect cells that are diseased or damaged. Cold lasers of low level light intensity can fine tune the direction of light waves into particular deep areas including bone that require specific treatment. All light therapy is painless, safe and cost effective. Several initial treatments over several weeks have shown remarkable results that leave lasting benefits that continue for 6 months or more of pain free living. In many cases, health issues diminish or vanish all together.
Whatever your needs are, there are many choices of natural approaches to good health and wellness beyond that of just taking a pill. The human body is geared toward its own survival so utilizing methods that aid its own response is a very gentle way to optimum enjoyment of life - free from pain and illness. “Living well may not be so much about doing more, as about re-alignment of your life force energy– and becoming who you are”
Feed Your Brain through your Stomach
Vitamins and Mental health - A B1 B12 B6 C D E Folic acid Magnesium Iron Selenium Zinc Manganese Copper
The foods you eat directly affects the performance of your brain. It has been proven that by eating the right food, you can boost your IQ, improve your mood, be more emotionally stable, sharpen your memory and keep your mind young. If you give your brain the right nutrients, you will be able to think quicker, have a better memory, be better coordinated and balanced and have improved concentration. The three key brain foods to boost your brainpower and keep your brain healthy and your mental processes operating effectively are nutritious food, water and oxygen:
A person's food intake affects mood, behavior, and brain function. A hungry person may feel irritable and restless, whereas a person who has just eaten a meal may feel calm and satisfied. A sleepy person may feel more productive after a cup of coffee and a light snack. A person who has consistently eaten less food (caloric energy), than required may, over a long period of time, become apathetic and moody.
The human brain has high energy and nutrient needs. Changes in energy or nutrient intake can alter both brain chemistry and the functioning of nerves in the brain. Intake of food energy and several different nutrients affect levels of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters transmit nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another, and they influence mood, sleep patterns, and thinking. Deficiencies or excesses of certain vitamins or minerals can damage nerves in the brain, causing changes in memory, limiting problem-solving ability, and impairing brain function.
Several nutritional factors can influence mental health, including: overall energy intake, intake of the energy-containing nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats), alcohol intake, and intake of vitamins and minerals. Often deficiencies of multiple nutrients rather than a single nutrient are responsible for changes in brain functioning. In the United States and other developed countries, alcoholism is often responsible for nutritional deficiencies that affect mental functioning. Diseases can also cause nutritional deficiencies by affecting absorption of nutrients into the body or increasing nutritional requirements. Poverty, ignorance, and fad diets also contribute to nutritional deficiencies.
Carbohydrates significantly affect mood and behavior. Eating a meal high in carbohydrates triggers release of a hormone called insulin in the body. Insulin helps let blood sugar into cells where it can be used for energy, but insulin also has other effects in the body. As insulin levels rise, more tryptophan enters the brain. Tryptophan is an amino acid, or a building block of protein, that affects levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. As more tryptophan enters the brain, more of the neurotransmitter serotonin is produced. Higher serotonin levels in the brain enhance mood and have a sedating effect, promoting sleepiness. This effect is partly responsible for the drowsiness some people experience after a large meal.
Protein intake and intake of individual amino acids can affect brain functioning and mental health. Many of the neurotransmitters in the brain are made from amino acids. The neurotransmitter dopamine is made from the amino acid tyrosine. The neurotransmitter serotonin is made from the amino acid tryptophan. If the needed amino acid is not available, levels of that particular neurotransmitter in the brain will fall, and brain functioning and mood will be affected. For example, if there is a lack of tryptophan in the body, not enough serotonin will be produced, and low brain levels of serotonin are associated with low mood and even aggression in some individuals.
Dietary intake of fats may also play a role in regulating mood and brain function. Dietary fats are found in both animal and plant foods. Meats, regular-fat dairy products, butter, margarine, and plant oils are high in fats. Although numerous studies clearly document the benefits of a cholesterol-lowering diet for the reduction of heart disease risk, some studies suggest that reducing fat and cholesterol in the diet may deplete brain serotonin levels, causing mood changes, anger, and aggressive behavior. Other studies have looked at the effects of a particular kind of fat, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils, and brain functioning. Although a few studies suggest omega-3 fatty acids are helpful with bipolar affective disorder and stress, results are inconclusive. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to the optimum performance of your brain. Lack of these fats in your diet can lead to depression, poor memory, low IQ, learning difficulties and many disorders.
Eating a well balanced diet that consists of healthy food, taking time to relax and daily exercise will keep your thoughts clear and your mind fresh.
Wholism
What is a wholistic approach to life and health? As a health concept it has existed for many ages and in many different cultures. Well known outside of North America, it has recently begun to integrate into our modern medical establishment.. In the United States, the first National Conference on Holistic Health was conducted back in 1975. During the past 30 years, treating a person as a ‘whole’ has been recognized and become part of the mainstream health care system both in the US and in Canada.
The approach of a wholistic life refers to the idea that we are all more than just a body. In the case of health, the human body, concepts of nutrition and fitness are viewed as only parts of the whole. .Maintaining good health involves more than just taking care of all the components that make up the physical body—attention must be paid to aspects such as emotional and spiritual well-being as well. The goal is a wellness that encompasses the entire person, the whole person. It is important to handle the three together as in a triangle. This approach in itself is not a method of treatment, but instead an approach to a complete lifestyle.
Practices emphasizing wholistic health like natural therapies, and life coaching teach a person to take an active role in their health whether they are faced with an illness or not. Psycho Immunological research has proven that the workings of the body can affect the mind, and the workings of the mind can affect the body. This means a direct interaction between mind and body insists. Studies also show that our thoughts can directly affect the immune system, our physical defense mechanism. Stress and worries, raising children, illness, finances and aging all contribute to the status of the whole. Learning to manage day-to day stresses by altering viewpoints into positive outlooks, plus learning to make time for ourselves, help address many of the issues that we face today. The key is to maintain a good balance, a solid triangle between the mind, the body and the spirit. If one side is weak, then the tri-shape is lost and illness can develop.
Wholistic health coaching supports all healing and growth processes as well as help to offer a lifetime of ease rather than future dis-ease. Experience true balance in your life and restore your love of living.
Cleaning the Temple
Is cleaning the inside of your body just as important as the outside?
Your body has a built-in detoxification system to eliminate wastes and prevent harmful toxic build-up that can lead to illness or disease.
Toxins can enter the human body through the lungs when we breathe, through the skin by contact, or through the intestines from the food and drink we consume. They are processed so that they can be excreted from the body with other waste material.
Toxicity is of much greater concern in the twentieth century than ever before. With levels of pollution, food additives, chemicals we breathe and ingest, research says that most people can develop toxic overload. This excess will be stored in your body’s tissues or cells and slowly poison the system. Your body can use a little help.
It is normal to have 2 to 3 bowel movements a day. If you don’t, it may be a sign of build-up. Other symptoms include: headaches, allergies, constipation, weight gain, colitis, weakened immune system, fatigue and much more.
Herbal cleansers stimulate the liver, kidneys and the bowels to process more matter, more quickly. Stored-up toxins are purged as a part of this accelerated process. Done properly, it is meant to be subtle and gentle on the system. Therefore, your cleansing must be programmed in stages over several weeks before the body returns to proper elimination.
Routine phyto-chemical (herbal) and nutritional cleansing may also be helpful in prevention by decreasing the risks of developing certain health problems.
Many people who are affected by various conditions have found that cleansing and nutritional supplementation can help increase their energy levels and help their body rejuvenate itself naturally.
Consider giving yourself an internal wash and experience the feeling of clean.
All Living Creatures Have Chakras
Science has proven that our bodies are made up of complex energy systems.
One of those systems is called Chakras. Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means "wheel" or "turning", an energetic centre that spins. This centre is connected to our physical body on one side and to the universe on the other. Each person’s unique energy field is accessed from the Universal Life Force. Chakras receive, assimilate, and express this life force. They are constantly rotating and vibrating and can influence our body shape, glandular processes, chronic physical ailments, thoughts, and behavior.
There are 7 main chakras located along the central line of the body, from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Each one relates to specific physical functions; each energy center also houses our mental and emotional strengths. The first three chakras are concerned with physical and material issues, while the heart chakra onwards is concerned with spiritual issues. The system, in its entirety, works in harmony together.
If one or more of the chakras are blocked, the energy does not flow harmoniously. It will result in an imbalance that affects the whole unit. Our chakras become dysfunctional, not only through being too open but also by vibrating or spinning, sluggishly. If you are out of balance, certain physical, mental and emotional symptoms appear. Reoccurring health issues, even minor ones, are clues. How about your mood? Are you anxious and negative most of the time, emotionally fearful or lonely? We may find are we become ill or accident prone or that our lives are unhappy, unsatisfying or chaotic.
When things are not going right in your life, whether it is your love life, your career or your bank account, you are probably not receiving a steady flow of positive energy.
Monotony or patterned behaviors through work or lifestyles can create stale energy. Even being surrounded by negative people or environments can create blockages or stagnation in our personal energy flow. As we move forward in our lives, many of us are losing the balance and harmony due to demands and expectations. All this stress in our daily lives affects our energy centres and they can become blocked.
Since the Chakras receive and transmit energy, which affect aspects of our lives, having them balanced is important. When all seven chakras are spinning in harmony, at the same speed, the system runs smoothly, as a single mechanism. Balanced chakras centers allow your life energy to flow naturally creating a healthier outlook and creating an ease of life. You feel everything is going well for you. When energetically balanced, feeling good, relaxed and happy, we possibly pre-empt the onset of disease.
This smooth flow of energy is the basis of Chakra Healing.
When we release the stale energy from the body, it can undo any tightness, stiffness, even pain and replace it with fluidity. Chakra healing can help the most stressed-out person regain their sense of calm and inner serenity regardless of what is going on around them.
In energy medicine practitioner trained in manipulating the flow of energy can assist you in getting misaligned chakras functioning properly. Many energy healers will be able to perceive your chakras and whether each one is balanced or not. It may take one or more appointments with a practitioner to get your energy levels up to par.
Crystal Healing – The chakras resonate at different frequencies which are associated with different colors and energies that correspond to the physical body. Crystals work on the same principle. The energy becomes amplified through the unique molecular structure of natural crystals and helps to simulate, balance or relax the chakra frequency. Energy workers use specific stones on the body or worn as jewelry to restore balance.
Reiki - uses light touch and energy to heal the body. The practitioner transfers universal energy through the palms, to each of the chakra centers. A Reiki Treatment radiates a glowing feeling of energy that flows around the body and through the chakras, treating the whole body. As energy works its way through blockages, it removes stress and negativity from the body that cause health concerns.
What would be the benefits one may expect from a healing session? Feeling more confident, relaxed, grounded and optimistic as well as physically healthy. With successive treatments, people report feelings of being more connected, compassionate, having a fulfillment and purpose in life, and an ability to attract their desires with fewer struggles.
To maintain balance there are a variety of actions you can take to help keep your chakras open and functioning properly. These include specific yoga like movements as well as eating certain foods groups that are associated with each of the 7 chakras.
Modern Herbal Medicine
Today’s new buzz word is Phytomedicine, which means the use of plants to enhance wellbeing. Herbal medicine may seem to have given birth only recently but it actually has a very long tradition of use outside of conventional medicine. Once upon a time, herbalism used to be the backbone of healing. Ancient doctors methodically collected information about herbs and developed well-defined pharmacopoeias to treat a variety of ailments. Dating back over 5,000 years from Egypt, China, and India, written evidence of herbal remedies and their uses have been found. Indigenous cultures such as African and Native American also used herbs in their healing rituals. Herbology was a central part of both Western and Eastern medicine through to the 1600s, and these works played an important role in the development of the science of Botany. In the early 19th century, when chemical analysis first became available, scientists began to extract and modify the active ingredients from these ancient plants. For 100 years now, chemists have been making their own version of plant compounds and, over time, the use of herbal medicines declined in favor of drugs. Almost one fourth of pharmaceutical drugs are derived from botanicals, others are purely chemical. However it is becoming apparent that medicine that tries to copy the active elements in nature, doesn’t measure up to the actual plant itself, which includes supporting elements of its own. In many cases, scientists aren’t sure what specific ingredient in a particular herb works to treat a condition or illness. Whole herbs contain many ingredients that work together to produce a beneficial effect. Modern medicine considers herbalism as a form of alternative medicine, an alternative that’s returning to its ancient recognition. In the past 20 years, public dissatisfaction with the cost of prescription medications, and possible side effects, has led toward interest in returning to natural or organic remedies. A combination of improvements in analysis along with advances in clinical research, promoted a rebirth of herbalism. As a result the use of herbal supplements has increased dramatically over the past 15 years. Today, the World Health Organization estimated that 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some part of their primary health care.
What exactly is herbal medicine and what can it do? Also referred to as botanical medicine, it is a healing system based on the use of whole plants by using its seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, stems and/or flowers. Plant extracts can be applied to the skin or ingested as teas/ tisanes, tinctures (the result of extraction of active ingredients into water), decoctions, syrups and powders. Research has shown the value of herbal medicine in the treating , preventing, and alleviating conditions such as allergies, asthma, eczema, cold/flu, arthritis, headaches, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, mental and physical stress, pain and depression, among others. Popular herbal remedies include:
Aloe used topically for minor burns, sunburns, skin irritation or inflammation Arnica used topically for bruises, sprains, sore muscles and joints Chamomile tea ingested for upset stomach, heartburn, indigestion and colic Comfrey in a topical poultice only, for bedsores, diabetic ulcers Dong Quai for women and Ginseng for men and women, to improve health and stamina. Echinacea ingested for colds, flu, sore throat Garlic ingested to possibly reduce cholesterol and blood pressure Ginger ingested for nausea and motion sickness and as an anti-inflammatory Mullein ingested for chest congestion and dry, bronchial coughs Passionflower ingested for non-sedating relaxation Peppermint tea ingested for indigestion, nausea and other digestive problems Tea Tree oil applied topically for fungal infections of the toenails and fingernails Tumeric ingested to combat inflammation and protect against cancer and Alzheimer's disease Valerian ingested for anxiety or sleeping problems.
Around the world - Herbalists, chiropractors, naturopaths, pharmacists, and some medical doctors, all may use herbs to treat illness. Naturopathic physicians are trained in herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, and lifestyle counseling. They may recommend an herbal remedy for a specific health problem or to address whole health from a holistic perspective.
What is the future of herbal medicine? Since interest in herbal medicine has skyrocketed, it is being taught more in medical schools and pharmacy schools. More health care providers are learning about the positive and potentially negative effects of using herbal medicines to help treat health conditions. In Vancouver Canada, Dominion Herbal College, started in 1926, was the first school of herbal medicine to offer clinical level studies in North America. Its founder, Dr. Nowell, taught Botanical Medicine to medical doctors prior to 1918 when such medicine was accepted by the medical profession. Since its inception, the college has grown and produced many learned herbalists in this country. Worldwide involvement in plant research has made discoveries in disease prevention and reversal. Clinical trials of certain plants with certain characteristics show much promise in treating cancers especially, breast and pancreatic. To date - 2 million men in the United States use Saw palmetto for the treatment of BPH, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Ginkgo biloba has been used to treat circulatory disorders and may be especially effective in treating dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) and shows promise for enhancing memory in older adults.
It appears that the future of herbalism and the changes of approach towards good health will be a natural step in the right direction.
Have You Had Your Subtle Body Checked Lately?
Today there is a steady increase in holistic health care practices. One such practice, Reiki, appears to have taken the lead into mainstream approaches. This Japanese method, that began several thousand years ago, was then introduced to the western world around 1975 and spread worldwide. Traditionally it has been used to relieve physical pain and promote relaxation. Categorized as an energy medicine, Reiki also speeds up healing from injury or recovery from surgery.
Energy healing like Reiki has gained wider acceptance in the medical allopathic world by incorporating treatments in clinics and hospitals around the globe. Since the mid 1990s, major hospitals in Australia, New Zealand, South America, Asia, Great Britain, United States and several in Canada offer these services.
Reportedly over 1000 hospitals in the US find Reiki to be of great benefit to their patients and have trained staff available. Doctors report Reiki to be useful to treat infections, injuries, chromic illness and musculoskeletal pain. Its use shows a reduction of post-surgical pain by 78% and improved sleep by 86%. These reports show strong evidence to support Reiki as a beneficial therapeutic form of healthcare.
According to the Karolinska Institute on chronic pain syndromes, musculoskeletal disorders have risen markedly in the past 15 years. Professor Lundberg explains that the mechanism of pain can stem from psychological mental stress, whether at work or home, contributing to physical pain. Working at a desk, lifting, even driving, while rushed or while mentally pressured, induces physical tension causing less blood flow to the muscles. Extended periods under these conditions can create a situation of pain. Too many times, pain sufferers complain that their doctors have no explainable reasons for their pain.
The key here seems to be ‘unwind and relax’ with regular mental pauses.
This places Reiki in a perfect position as a safe natural treatment since it both promotes relaxation and relieves pain.
So what would someone expect when they book a Reiki appointment? A complete treatment takes place fully clothed, while lying down, or from a comfortable chair if lying flat isn’t possible. Professional Reiki practitioners will have a dedicated space in an area that is both quiet and serene. The process will be explained while questions about your health are asked. Remember to mention any conditions that exist presently as well as those in the past. The practitioner will place their hands, gently and strategically, on specific areas of the body and hold them in place for roughly 5 – 10 minutes at each spot. Starting with the head and ending at the feet with special consideration to areas of immediate concern.
The experience with Reiki may be subtle like a sense of heat or a refreshing coolness from the palms of the practitioner. The most common experience is an immediate release of stress. Feedback from regular users say they feel refreshed, “I think I feel asleep”, “I felt as if I were floating”, or “my pain is gone”.
Reiki is cumulative in action becoming deeper with each treatment. Most people notice other changes of well-being too, better restful sleeps or a clarity of mind.
The body and mind also become accustomed to relaxing more easily.
Four sessions spaced over a few weeks is the regular recommendation. In the case of an acute health situation, treatments over consecutive days may be recommended.
For many people, regular Reiki appointments have become part of their plan for long term health care. Consider making it yours.
Help, It Hurts
Words everyone learns early on from the first skinned knee in childhood. Words, as we get older, that sometimes becomes the central theme of our lives. Pain can range from mild to severe, from occasional to constant. By definition, there are 2 types of pain. Acute pain begins suddenly and is usually due to circumstances including surgery, falls, broken bones, burns/cuts, toothache, labor and childbirth. It can last days, weeks or up to several months.
Chronic pain may originate initially from injury, trauma or infection, even cancer, and may take the form of headaches, back pain, inflammation, joint pain, and neuralgia. Pain may also be psychogenic, without any evidence of physical injury. While chronic pain persists much longer sometimes despite a healed injury, pain signals can chronically remain active, in some cases, for years.
Beyond the pain itself, additional physical effects can arise, such as limited movement, stiff muscles, lack of energy or motivation. Emotional effects may include depression, anxiety, fear of re-injury, or anger. Both physical and emotional effects can impede a person’s ability to return to work, to regular life, sports or leisure activities. For the estimated 100s of millions of sufferers worldwide, having pain defined, offers of facts and explanations, do little to bring relief. So what does? How has pain been conventionally treated? To date treatments have involved drugs, nerve blocks and/or physical therapy. Each of these has its proper place in the medical cupboard but as a whole these treatments put significant strain on the body and may even exacerbate the pain in the long run.
Thankfully today, alternatives exist. A growing new hope on the horizon is vibrational energy medicine. Not a placebo or a Band-Aid to pain but something more naturally restorative. Techniques like Therapeutic Touch, Quantum Touch and Reiki apply energy non-invasively through the laying of hands, stimulating and adjusting the flow of vital life-force energy and associated healing through the body’s natural systems. Reiki, with origins in Japan, has been used successfully for stress relaxation, tension relief, accelerated healing, and pain reduction. People who undergo chemotherapy have claimed that Reiki sessions lessened the severity of nausea and recovery time while also promoting inner peace. Back pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, headaches, menstrual pains, and more are also reportedly relieved by Reiki. With the many associated problems and long term side effects of conventional medications, it is no wonder there is growing interest in complementary and alternative treatments for pain management. According to the Canadian Reiki Association, the number of practitioners and the demand for treatment has grown exponentially over the past 5 years. Scientific studies are showing that Reiki provides verifiable pain relief.
Vibrational energy medicine treatments are now offered in several hospitals and clinics across Canada as a solution to both acute and chronic pain. Here in Montreal, there are a few dozen working practitioners (listed on reiki.ca) to help manage pain or simply promote relaxation from physical and mental stress. No one should have to live with day to day pain. With new awareness and treatments, hopefully they won’t have to any longer.
What is LifeStyle Coaching?
Life Coaching is a process that enables you to get from where you are now to where you want to be. Life coaching works well for people who are in a transition phase of their lives. The aim of this form of counselling is for personal development and self-improvement.
A holistic approach that recognizes how one area of your life impacts upon another and though careful review of its aspects, it will lead to improvement of your health and help put your life into perspective
If you are ready for change, Life Coaching can help you to: ·
Reassess your life goals and develop an action plan ·
Bring balance back between you work and home life ·
Identify your core strengths and maximize your true potential ·
Help you deal with difficult and stressful situations at work or home ·
Make it easier for you to make difficult decisions ·
Help you to prioritize projects and timelines ·
Help with time management ·
Simplify life to reduce stress and increase productivity ·
Improve your relationships and give you greater control of your life
Life Coaching is a practical tool for personal exploration and development. A Life Coach can unlock and release the potential within their clients, to bring about major positive improvements
Not Tonight Honey, I have a Headache
No need to use that old expression when Mother Nature has you covered.
Introducing, Tanacetum partenium, a member of the Asteraceae family of plants. That familiar family with daisy like flowers. This particular one also goes by the name of Feverfew. Research in this paper contains information on the plant’s history, its uses and how to cultivate it from seed.
It can be recognized by its flower, a small yellow center surrounded by white petals arranged in a dense flat-topped cluster, on a plant of medium height, between 6-18 inches. Blooming takes place from July to October (webinfo-Dave’s Garden)
Native to southeastern Europe, the leaves of this pretty perennial are light green and appear feathery. They alternate on the stem with a slight upward turn and hairy undersides. They produce a strong, sometimes unpleasant scent as well. (Guide to Herbal Medicine, Brigitte Mars, page 134)
Its Latin name meaning “immortal” was derived from its long flowering time and far reaching in its uses which began centuries ago, in the times of ancient Greece
Its history is deep and well documented as to the many healing and medicinal uses Feverfew has expressed over the centuries. From Europe, Asia and into North America, Feverfew has gained its solid reputation as a remedy for the common headache.
Women know to use it during their cycles whenever premenstrual head pressure or abdominal cramping occurs. The reason is now known to be due to a substance that was isolated called parthenolide, (Herbal Drugstore L. White, S. Foster) which can lessen spasms in soft tissue.
Migraine sufferers also took notice of this remarkably healing herb back in the early 1980’s. Subsequent studies at the time evaluated Feverfew’s effectiveness of not only treating migraine headaches but also reducing the frequency of migraine occurrences leading researchers to include it as a preventative solution for regular sufferers. It has since been recognized as a safe alternative to conventional drugs. An adult dose can be anywhere between 50mg – 100mg depending on the severity and treatment progression. The remedy can be taken at onset of the head pain or cramping in any soft tissue.
Today, it is more well-known and marketed for headache relief than for any other issue. However in ancient times, feverfew was used for many more medicinal remedies. For instance, due to its anti-inflammation and anti-histamine properties, it has been invaluable to allergy sufferers as well as a common cold relief. Arthritic joints and pain of rheumatism was lessened by herbal wraps made by soaking cloths in a solution of the flowers and leaves then applying as compresses. Same methods were also used for tooth swelling and bruising. According to WebMD, “Feverfew is sometimes applied directly to the gums for toothaches or to the skin to kill germs”.
Although the flowers are considered edible, they generally are used only in flavouring of pastry and wine.
Since the plant can produce an essential oil, Feverfew has also been used to scent perfume or burned as incense for spiritual cleansing. The flowers themselves if rubbed onto the skin, can act as an insect repellent. In ancient times, small sachets of feverfew were put together to leave amongst clothing and linens as a deterrent against moths and others bugs.
Other common names are: Featherfew or Bachelor’s Buttons. An easy plant to grow, Feverfew germinates quickly. The seeds are very fine and most easily planted in small peat pots filled with damp, loamy soil. Sprinkle a few seeds into the pot. Spray water to keep the seeds moist as poured water may dislodge the seeds. Place in a sunny window. Signs of the feverfew germination should appear in about two weeks.
Those allergic to ragweed should use with caution as feverfew is a close cousin. Since Feverfew can prevent blood from lumping together or clotting, contraindications for anyone using blood thinners or recently out of surgery is advised. Always consult with a health care provider if you are on any medications or prior history of severe illness.
In conclusion, Feverfew seems like a good herb to grow, dry and keep on hand for many different uses and easy application. An all-natural effective treatment for the whole family.
Quick Tips to Improve Your Self-Perception
by Cheryl Conklin
We tend to be our own worst critics. Sadly, this truth applies to many aspects of our lives, from imposter syndrome to body dysmorphia and everything in between. When we learn to love ourselves for who we are, then we can begin to see ourselves as we truly are – and likely how other people have seen us all along. So if you’re interested in changing the way you see and think about yourself, then follow these tips from Whole Life Style naturotherapies to start feeling your best!
Reclaim Your Time
Your time is your most valuable asset, and it’s also the one you have the least of. When you feel as though everyone has the biggest chunks of your time, you won’t have the energy to invest in yourself. Look for ways to reclaim more of the hours that belong to you. Analyze how you use time, where and at what. How much screen time aside from work do you spend in one day, or time spent in transit between home and work? Consider working close to home or if possible, remote at home and ditch the commute entirely. If heading into town, consider the train that will provide stress free time to organize your thoughts, your day and the month in advance. One smart move: schedule online payments and regular orders, digitize more.
Use programmable kitchen ware like crock pots to get dinner going before you arrive home. Importantly too, learn to say no.
Seek and you shall find, an extra hour or more each day to focus on yourself, eat healthier foods, exercise, sleep, or simply spend time with those you love.
Talk to a Therapist
Therapy has many benefits, and you don’t have to drive to a counselor’s office to enjoy the cathartic brain purge and guidance you will receive from a licensed therapist. Look for an online option that allows you to receive services virtually in a private and secure setting. You won’t have to commit to two sessions each week, and you can choose from professionals all over the country. As an added benefit, you’ll save time, and most provide a 15-minute-or-less initial consultation.
Wear Better-Fitting Clothing
Well, we have nothing against leggings and T-shirts. But, if you want to feel more confident and look the part, invest in great clothing. And great clothing doesn’t necessarily mean “fancy”—a functional t-shirt counts, too! Feeling better about yourself starts with feeling good about what you wear.
Spend Time Outside
When you are feeling depressed, it is easier to see yourself in a negative light. Fortunately, something as simple as getting out into nature can lift your spirits and brighten your mood. Add exercise to that equation and you will be on your way to a healthier mindset in no time. And you don’t have to train for a marathon for these practices to work. If you live in an area with a high walk score, meaning you can easily walk to various businesses, then make it a point to take breaks and walk somewhere instead of driving. Whether it’s going to pick up your daily coffee, grabbing a few groceries, or just strolling around the block, you’ll begin to feel better and see your day in a new light.
Change Your Makeup
Makeup is meant to enhance the way we look so that we can present our most confident selves to the world. If you’re wearing makeup that dries out your skin or accentuates things like pimples and dark circles, it’s time to make a change.
Try Herbal Remedies
It is hard to feel confident when we don’t feel good. If you are bothered by digestive issues, low energy, or lack of focus, then herbal remedies may help you. Whole Life Style and Mother Moon offer a variety of phytotherapy options to help you feel your best.
Organize Your Home
Organizing your home does more than keeping it clean, it also reduces stress. Spend some time cleaning out the closet, cabinets, and other storage spaces. This will not only make it look better, but you’ll also feel better about the things you don’t have cluttering up your space. A few ideas here are to hang your clothing according to color and season and Closetful of Clothes suggests investing in an over-the-door shoe rack to get things off the floor.
Smile More
Smile. Did you notice that the muscles in your face instantly felt more relaxed? You may have even felt a twinge of joy, even if you really didn’t mean to be happy. Smiling does something to you from the inside out. Without getting into the technical, Verywell Mind notes that smiling triggers hormones that make you feel good and strengthen the immune system, reduce pain, and increase endurance.
Drink More Water
If you’re currently sipping on coffee or soda, it’s time to head to the kitchen and pour it out. Turn on the tap instead, and drink your way to fewer wrinkles. Water is especially crucial in maintaining skin elasticity – less skin damage, and better skin tone.
Find Strategies that Help You Feel Your Best
You don’t have to do every one of these to look good and feel good. But, each of these actions – including finding ways to optimize your work-from-home time and wearing comfy and versatile clothing – can help improve your self-perception by helping you feel better or highlighting your best features. Nobody deserves to feel anything less than glamorous, and every small step you take to get you there we’ll have a big impact on how you interact with the world and how it feels to go into it.