Sep 21

Improve your health

General No Comments »


A good diet, supplements, a healthy attitude, and rest are all important for staying healthy. Here are some other, more specific health tips you can incorporate into your daily routine:

But there are so many avenues that you can take to boost your own internal fire of health and vitality that don´t involve nutrition and exercise…

Your natural spark improves by relieving pressure off your nervous system through improving your posture and spinal alignment. Chiropractic care is the most effective methods for doing this.

Your brain is the source of your internal spark. Learning how to use your mind differently through the many mental, emotional and motivational techniques available is a sure-fire way to give you energy to burn.

There are even ways to boost the oxygen flow throughout your body that don´t involve exercise such as massage and certain breathing techniques.

Washing yourself with a loofah when you are having a bath or a shower can help improve your capacity and efficiency get rid of waste. Rubbing certain pressure points on your body can even help your body detoxify.

Learning how to improve the quality of your sleep will have a dramatic influence on the amount of energy that you can bring to your working day.

According to Chinese Medicine, your health can dramatically benefit from improving your sex life.

There is an endless list of exercise-fee and diet-free options to boost your energy and vitality. No longer do you have to follow some regimented exercise and diet program that you have to try to squeeze into your fully scheduled life. Now you can develop a healthy lifestyle program that fits into your life, rather than the other way around.

With synergy working with you, you only require small subtle lifestyle tweaks to make a major difference. The good news is that these smaller changes to your lifestyle are easier to incorporate into your busy life than larger changes.

Time is vital in developing a suitable work life balance.

You need time for work, health, family, relationships and fun.The diet and/or exercise only approach to health requires you to invest a lot more time and effort to be effective. This robs you of time for all of your other equally important priorities. Use the synergy of a more varied approach to your health and you will then experience the additional synergy of a true work life balance.

Sep 18

Common herbs for health

Food, General, Herbs No Comments »

Although DAAN sells many herbal products, you should remember that there are many common herbs and supplements that can also provide health benefits:

For centuries, the Chinese have understood the homeopathic benefits of herbs in helping to maintain a healthy body, says Richmond’s Dr. Louise Demorest, acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist.

“Herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat all sorts of ailments and conditions,” says Demorest. “There is a continuum between what is considered medicinal herb and what is considered food. For example, mint is a very common flavouring; however, mint in itself also has medicinal purposes.”

Herbs have never gone out of style. Today, herbs are used as beauty products, home decor accents, pesticides, medications and flavourings.

As herbal infusions, chamomile and calendula (a flower grown locally) are calming drinks that can also be used externally to treat skin problems.

“You can also put either one in a bath to soothe itchy, dry skin and redness,” says Demorest, who has been practising herbology for more than 14 years. “Lavender has grown popular because it’s a wonderful tonic used to ease anxiety and insomnia.” For sleeplessness, many people swear by placing crushed lavender flowers in a sachet and sleeping with it by their side.

Herbs are generally safe for use; even so, Demorest cautions clients about mixing certain types of herbs together. “Although ginkgo biloba is sold over the counter, it would be good to have a herbalist’s advice because it does increase blood circulation to the brain,” she says. “So, if you had a brain tumor or you are on blood thinners you don’t want to take it.”

The risks associated with taking herbs are low compared to pharmaceuticals, says Demorest. That’s because herbs are natural and are easily assimilated in the body. One of the side benefits of herbs is that they also contain nutrients, vitamins and minerals. “In ancient times, people didn’t have vitamins,” she says. “For example, people ingested rosehips because they are very high in vitamin C.”

Sep 18

Siberian ginseng

Ginseng No Comments »

Good information about ginseng, in this case about Siberian ginseng:

For some reason, lately, Eleutherococcus (Siberian Ginseng) has almost vanished from becoming a subject when health tonics for energy and stress issues are discussed. It used to be so common place and for a very good reason; It works!

Why have we almost forgotten about this truly amazing, fast acting, totally safe, and extremely powerful energy booster? I believe a lot of the reason for this is that the FDA had once forced all marketing of this amazing tonic herb to be labeled as “Eleuthero” and to avoid the name of “Siberian Ginseng” on any labels (Siberian Ginseng is much less expensive than Panax Ginseng) Technically this “law” is still in the books.

Many people don’t relate to the name “Eleuthero” as a powerful tonic for energy and stress without the word “Ginseng” on the label so its use was successfully “swept under the rug” as a popular energy tonic, see photos of Siberian Ginseng here: (http://plantcures.com/sibgin.html) . Chalk one up for the FDA on this one; however the purpose of this article is to help undo the harm the FDA has done to healthy energy seeking consumers.

Sep 11

Traditional Chinese medicine for aging

Disease, General No Comments »

Chinese medicine can provide valuable benefits to keep you aging gracefully:

All of the modalities of TCM are based on the same principal of health, which has been used effectively in Chinese medicine for approximately 3,000 years. According to TCM, there are 14 major pathways, called meridians, in the human body. Chinese medicine practitioners believe that these meridians conduct qi, or energy, between the surface of the body and internal organs. It is qi that regulates spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance. When the flow of qi is disrupted through poor health habits, aging or other circumstances, pain and/or disease can result. Acupuncture, massage, tai chi, Qi gong and herbs help to keep the normal flow of this energy unblocked.

By treating every patient as an individual and working to balance qi, TCM can alleviate and prevent many of the health problems experienced by seniors, such as depression, arthritis, memory loss, pain, muscle and joint stiffness, heart problems, diabetes, osteoporosis, insomnia, bladder and kidney problems, and impotence. Acupuncture can help aging bodies by increasing the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids, reducing muscular tension, relieving pain and releasing endorphins. Improved circulation brings fresh oxygen to body tissues, which eliminates waste products from inside the body and enhances recovery from diseases. By keeping the body balanced, acupuncture can both restore and maintain health.

Sep 11

Inside a Chinese herbal store

Herbs No Comments »

Insight into “what’s inside all those jars” in a Chinese herbal store:

Along the walls of herb shops are neatly arranged shelves of jars or miniature drawers in which wondrous remedies for what ails you are stored. For the newcomer this can be intimidating, as the labels are all in Chinese and there are no familiar brand names. There’s not a Bayer or Vicks among them.

“What’s inside those little drawers?” I ask suspiciously. “And how are they arranged – alphabetically or by potency?”

Clara Wong, doctor of acupuncture, tells us at her shop on Smith Street that there are many categories of herbal medicine, and each vendor has a unique system.

There are about 5,000 different species of herbs in existence, and of these about 2,000 are used as medicines. Some are more frequently prescribed than others, and a typical dispensary will stock about 500 herbs.

A visit to an herbalist begins with a consultation about one’s health, including eating and sleeping patterns, followed by the taking of one’s pulse and examining one’s tongue.

The herbal aspect, according to Dr. Wong, accounts for only half the scope of Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine treats the body as a whole, only occasionally targeting a disease – a distinct contrast to Western medicine.

Chinese herbs are rarely taken as a single dose. In a typical transaction, there will be several items packaged for a take-home mix that one boils to a soup or tea.

A slight cold takes at least seven herbs; a serious flu might take 24. The prescription might consist of buds, twigs, seaweed, tree bark, roots and seeds. More exotic products sold in this trade include sea cucumbers, seahorses, lizards, deer musk glands, shark fins, antlers and crocodile bile.

(Hey, if you can handle them in those Harry Potter stories, you can certainly stomach them in a MidWeek feature story.)

A boiled-down concoction is digested so the natural ingredients can do their work in your bloodstream. Sort of the chicken-soup theory of wellness.

“A balance of yin and yang is essential in good health,” according to Letoto. “The concept of harmony is central to Chinese medicine.”

Yin-yang is simply a symbolic way of defining opposite forces that are at work in everything. So if you have a cold, a bowl of hot soup – chicken or herbal – should help.

Chinese believe food and herbal medicines correct yinyang imbalances.

Sep 07

Natural Relief from Menopause Symptoms

Acupuncture No Comments »

Acupuncture is seen as an effective treatment for menopause

Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue and sheer frustration — do these sound familiar? Menopause is a natural transition that is unique for each woman, but for many it comes with a lot of unpleasant symptoms that can disrupt the normal flow of daily life.

Sep 06

Cinnamon’s benefits

Food No Comments »

Cinnamon, though mainly used in food, has many health benefits:

You may be wondering what a spice that has long been associated with the kitchen has to do with promoting good health. Cinnamon (Cinnamon verum) has played an important role in medicinal healing and as a culinary spice.

The Bible makes reference to the use of aromatic cinnamon in Proverbs 7:17-18 where the lover’s bed is perfumed with aloe, myrrh and cinnamon. In Songs of Solomon 4:14, the author describes the beauty of his beloved, cinnamon scenting her garments like the smell of Lebanon.

Cinnamon was used in Egypt as an embalming agent, a product that was considered more precious than gold. Its warming qualities made cinnamon essential to traditional Chinese medicine and its energy-based medical systems.

As its popularity grew, mediaeval Europe heavily relied on cinnamon. It was a product in great demand and became one of the first commodities traded regularly between the Near East and Europe.

Diabetics

Type Two diabetics will be happy to know that cinnamon may significantly improve their ability to respond to insulin, normalising their blood-sugar levels. Studies are currently under way by the United States Agricultural Research Service to demonstrate that less than half a teaspoon per day of cinnamon reduces blood-sugar levels in persons with Type Two diabetes. Several persons in Jamaica have already experienced the benefits of reduced blood-sugar levels by using cinnamon.

Some persons question the toxicity of regular use of cinnamon. However, results of a study published in the December 2003 issue of Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice reported that cinnamon enhanced muscle cells for better insulin utility.

Another study reported in the January 28, 2004 issue of the same magazine that including cinnamon in the diet of Type Two diabetics will see a reduction in blood-sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and other risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Sep 06

Cleansing with Chinese herbs

Disease, General No Comments »

An interesting article about how traditional medicine from various cultures use herbs to cleanse your system:

According to Dr. Page, the traditional Chinese medicine practitioner reduces toxicity by using herbs that reduce inflammation, detoxify the blood or liver, and reduce and move phlegm. Then he or she looks to tonic herbs, such as ginsengs, to nourish and restore balance to the body. The driving force in traditional Chinese medicine is to achieve optimum health through lifestyle means before an illness occurs.

By using herbs, exercise, aromatherapy, heat therapy, and meditation, Chinese practitioners prevent illness and help their patients enjoy optimum health. An invaluable treasure of Chinese culture, tai chi chuan, is an exercise designed to release stress and promote relaxation. Incorporating this ancient discipline of meditative movements in a daily ritual will-according to those who practice it-stimulate the body’s internal cleansing system and aid in the body’s natural detoxification process.

Aromatherapy’s detoxification properties are reported to be endless. Marcel Lavabre, author of Aromatberapy Workbook, suggests drawing a bath and adding four drops grapefruit essential oil, three drops lemon oil, two drops juniper oil, two drops cypress oil, and one drop red thyme oil. Lavabre insists that this combination will strengthen the circulatory system and “fluidize” the blood.

Sep 03

How ginseng can help keep you healthy

Ginseng No Comments »

An interesting article about how ginseng can help keep you healthy:

Historically, ginseng has been considered a cure-all by herbalists and said to perform as a medicinal tonic for everything from baby gripe to impotence. Today, the white root is increasingly being used as an energy booster, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant due to its saponin content and capacity to increase circulation and balance the system — plus it enhances sexual function in both men and women.

Ginseng grows wild in China and other East Asian countries and has been used for well over 5,000 years for its legendary physical restorative properties. The North American species was first found growing wild in 1716 near Montreal by a French Jesuit priest. Native Indians of the time used ginseng (gisens) for digestive, bronchial and pain problems.

Ginsengs are classified as adaptogens — agents that help the body adjust to negative stress levels. And there is a difference between the various species. North American ginseng is used when a yin (cooling or neutral) effect is desired for the body, whereas the Asian ginseng is said to have a yang (warming) effect on the body and is used for shorter time periods. North American ginseng is said to act as a restorative tonic for fatigue, while Siberian ginseng works on the adrenals to pump up the body’s immune system. The leaf is used to regulate blood sugar levels.

“Asian ginseng is more stimulating than North American ginseng,” says Danette Steele, who has been a clinical herbalist for 20 years. “For a person who is depleted or has been ill for a long time,” she adds, “an Asian ginseng wouldn’t be my first choice in terms of boosting their energy levels. It may be too stimulating.” Instead, she recommends a more gentle adaptogen, such as an Indian ginseng (Withania somnifera), which is gentle enough for children and can help people sleep.

Check out DAAN’s ginseng products and some more information we’ve put together about ginseng here.

 
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