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Alternative Medicine in the News
December 2009 edition 52
published weekly
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Foot Reflexology Massage Relieves Stress and Back Pain
Reflexology is the exerting of pressure on targeted areas of the feet
(or hands) using the acupressure points found on a reflexology foot
chart. The art is said to have originated in the lands of China, Egypt
and India and has its basis in the belief that reflex points on the
soles of the feet correspond to the various organs and parts of the
body. For example, the inner edge of the foot has points relating to
the spine and back, while the eyes, ears and sinuses are represented on
the pads of the toes. Reflexologists believe that it is possible to
restore health to the body by massaging these points.
Reflexology and Back Pain
Many people complain of back pain
that ranges from niggling discomfort to chronic conditions. Mostly,
this is not the result of injury or trauma. Less exercise, hard
physical work and a generally sedentary lifestyle for many have
contributed to the segments of the population who are virtually
crippled with back problems. According to the World Health Organization, lower back pain is a leading cause of disability in the world.
The first step in addressing back problems through reflexology
is to find a qualified reflexologist who will use specific techniques
to exert deep pressure on the foot area corresponding with the specific
back problem. This may be painful and several sessions may be required
before the condition improves. Sore points are often the most important
ones to work on, since they represent places where energy is blocked. A
gentle spa type massage is probably not going to help much, pleasant as it may be.
Reflexology and Stress
Stress
is sometimes referred to as a "silent killer". Stress is virtually
considered as a normal condition in today's society. Road rage, family
violence and outbursts can often be put down to stress at work or
because of the fast pace of life these days. Reflexologists believe
that a balance of mind-body-spirit is fundamental to well-being. Modern
lifestyles tend to be more insular; the support once offered by a
large, extended family is no longer available to many. The positive
effect of therapeutic touch is recognized as being fundamental to a
feeling of well-being.
A session with a reflexologist to
alleviate stress is a drug-free, non-invasive way of reducing tension.
To help the patient to relax, a practitioner may use some kind of
aromatherapy massage oil or essential oil as part of the treatment. It
is believed to encourage the release of endorphins, the body's natural
feel-good hormones, well documented in their ability to relieve stress.
What to Expect from a Foot Reflexology Session
Reflexology
is not a cure-all and may not help when there are serious underlying
medical conditions. But it can reduce symptoms and aid in healing by
improving lymphatic drainage and circulation, stimulation to the nerve
pathways and muscle relaxation. Exercise, such as swimming or walking
regularly, can aid in reducing back problems by strengthening back
muscles and can also help to alleviate or reduce stress.
http://www.reflexology4backpain.com...
http://www.backpainexpert.co.uk/Ref...
http://www.seiwakai.co.za/html/refl...
[note from Didi: Abha Light has,
according to one client, "the best trained reflexologists in Kenya".
Our trainer, Jaqui Morris, is highly experienced and an excellent
teacher. Abha Light also has reflexologists available at our centre or
for home visits]
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Vaccines and Pregnancy Do Not Mix
From an internet forum: "I got both vaccines [seasonal
and swine flu] on Thursday. I was 9 weeks pregnant. I miscarried on
Sunday. I was told by several doctors to get these vaccines. Now I wish
I followed my gut feeling and not get them at ALL!" This is not an
isolated case.
Here's
another report: "I feel like I had a healthy baby and I caused this by
getting the H1N1 vaccine. My doctors pushed it. I researched online and
there have been many miscarriages after the H1N1 vaccine but they
haven't been reported since it is hard to say what caused the
miscarriages."
She researched online, the only source reporting vaccination tragedies throughout the world.
Lies Under the Light of Truth
First
of all, the Swine Flu is less harmful than a normal seasonal flu.
Research with ferrets, real statistics released by independent
researchers, as well as reports from uncorrupted medical authorities
have confirmed this. The CDC and mainstream media bury that
information. Instead, they circulate alarming false swine flu
statistics.
But one mainstream media outlet, CBS Washington
Unplugged, did inadvertently reveal true swine flu statistics. They had
tried to get information from the CDC about swine flu episodes actually
confirmed. The CDC skirted the issue and stonewalled them.
So
they surveyed all 50 USA state medical laboratories themselves. The
results were that most states had confirmed five percent or less of
reported cases as swine flu. Most labs reported half or more cases were
not any kind of flu! So much for hysteria.
Dr. Michael Bronze of
the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, stated on WebMD that
the actual risk of pregnant women getting hospitalized for swine flu
infections is one in 300 thousand.
The Australian/New Zealand's
flu season was surveyed by American epidemiological statisticians. The
data from around the middle of that flu season indicated that pregnant
women are 99.97 percent sure of avoiding hospital care for any flu.
Of
those few admitted and held in ICU 7.7 percent died. Not a high figure.
And even those few had other health complications prior to being
infected with the swine flu.
Vaccinations Are The Real Danger.
According to Dr. Russel Blaylock, retired neurosurgeon and author of Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills,
various studies have proven that artificially stimulating the immune
system causes a cytokine immune reaction that damages the forming brain
of a fetus.
Throw in thimerosal mercury additives as well as
formaldehyde and other toxic materials delivered in the vaccines. These
circulate through the fetus if a pregnant woman is vaccinated. The
child can become prone to seizures, autism, schizophrenia, and a host
of other neurological problems.
There is the case of Desiree
Jennings, the young Washington Redskins cheerleader who was diagnosed
with dystonia by doctors at John Hopkins and Fairfax Inova. They
determined her dystonia, which caused chronic severe spasms and partial
paralysis, was a reaction to her seasonal flu shot.
Right, she
wasn't pregnant. She was also active and healthy. But her story links
the miscarriage stories to Dr. Blaylock's conclusion, "The bottom line
is vaccinating a pregnant women is vary hazardous to the mother's
health as well as the baby."
As for miscarriages, there has been
a history of sterilization agents planted surreptitiously in vaccines
intended for women in developing countries. Some vaccines were examined
and recovered before further damage could be done. More at - http://www.naturalnews.com/026907_f...
And now special flu jab centers are being set up for pregnant women here?
Sources for this article include:
Organic Health: Shocking H1N1 Vaccination Miscarriage Stories
http://organichealthadviser.com/arc...
SwineFlu -- One of the Most Massive Cover-ups in American History
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/a...
Dr. Blaylock: Vaccine Dangers to Pregnant Women and Small Children http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/headli...
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Ghana Homeopathy Project
Subject: Fw: Good news - Ghana Homeopathy Project Dear friends,
Sometimes people ask me to give an update on what we are doing in Ghana.
Well....we have been doing a lot of good work and achieving
fantastic results (just thought I would cheer you up). We now have
three centres open - in Accra, Kumasi and Mafi-Seva in the Volta region. We
have just had two Indian homeopaths there for nearly one month, teaching,
supervising clinics, seeing patients under a tree in small villages, meeting
with government officials etc, etc. It was a very productive month with our
coordinator Linda Shannon there as well. As usual, our plea for funds to pay
for the Indians' flights were generously supported by so many people - a
heartfelt thank you from the UK team. Our new long term volunteer is
Richard Pitt who is staying possibly for one year. Richard (Director of the
Pacific Academy of Homeopathy - San Francisco) seems to have settled quickly
and is already making good progress with our plans to start a training
programme for Ghanaians.
Thank you. Blessings,
Grace
DaSilva-Hill
Treasurer and Trustee
[note from Didi: The GHP is a sister project of Abha Light, based with Ananda Marga projects in Ghana. Didi went to help launch the project in 2006]
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Phthalate warning: Medications contain chemicals that "feminize" unborn baby boys
In a bombshell finding that has far-reaching implications for society and culture, scientists at the University of Rochester
have found that phthalates -- the chemical found in many vinyl and
plastic products -- tends to "feminize" boys, altering their brains to
express more feminine characteristics. The study has been published in
the Journal of Andrology.
Phthalates are found in vinyl
products (including vinyl flooring), PVC shower curtains, plastic
furniture and even in the plastic coating of the insides of dishwashing
machines.
The feminization process happens during pregnancy when
phthalate exposure causes hormone disruptions in the unborn baby. This
chemical feminizes males by disrupting the action of the hormone testosterone.
In
this recent study, researchers found a strong correlation between the
types of toys that male children play with and the level of phthalates
found in their mothers when they were pregnant. Researchers discovered
that boys exposed to high levels of phthalates in the womb tend to
avoid playing with cars, trains or toy guns. They also avoided rough
play, instead preferring more feminine toys and activities. (Barbie?)
Phthalates used in pharmaceutical coatings
What very few people know about phthalates is that they are used in the coatings of pharmaceuticals to create "enteric" coatings. This means that many people taking certain pharmaceuticals are unknowingly eating phthalates. If expectant mothers take such pharmaceuticals during pregnancy, they may then feminize their unborn male babies.
How do we know phthalates are used in pharmaceuticals? This Google Books link (http://books.google.com/books?id=e7...) shows a page from the Handbook of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Formulations: Over-the-counter products. In it, a recipe is given for manufacturing a clear enteric coating. The ingredients are:
Acetone
Purified water
Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Phthalate
Vanillin
Acetylated Monoglycerides
Alcohol
This combination of highly toxic chemicals is cooked, stirred and then used to coat pharmaceutical pills that people actually swallow!
This article continues at http://www.naturalnews.com/027514_phthalates_feminization.html
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Avocados offer remarkable benefits for skin health
Avocados are Mother Nature's skin moisturizer. With their healthy
fats and phytonutrients, they offer remarkable benefits to human skin
-- both when eaten and when used topically.
Here, we present a
collection of supporting information about avocados from some of the
top authors and personalities in the natural health industry, including
David "Avocado" Wolfe himself.
Check out the quotes below, then pick up some avocados for yourself. They just help you save your own skin!
Avocados and healthy skin
For
an excellent skin complexion, rub one or more of the following items
against the skin two to four times a week: papaya pulp, avocado,
cucumber, spirulina, fresh noni fruit and/or aloe vera. For dry skin,
rub hempseed oil, jojoba oil and MSM lotion directly into the skin.
This will alleviate dryness quickly. Or use avocado on the skin
directly. Avocado oil is similar to our skin's oil.
- The Sunfood Diet Success System by David Wolfe
Treat
yourself to an avocado facial. Beauty, they say, is only skin deep.
Luckily, avocado has moisturizing power to help make your skin more
beautiful. For years, people have used avocado as a natural facial
treatment, especially for dry skin. It's easy to do in your own home.
Just remove your makeup and wash your face with warm water
and soap or your favorite cleanser. Mash some avocado and mix it with a
little milk or oatmeal and apply it to your face. Leave it there for 10
minutes, then rinse it off with lots of water.
- Eat and Heal (Foods That Can Prevent or Cure Many Common Ailments) by the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
Eating
half an avocado every other day would probably help your own
cholesterol drop some. A rather remarkable twofold approach towards
relieving the itchy misery of psoriasis is by eating half of an avocado
daily and applying an extra-rich cream of chamomile
flowers extract to the skin. The oils in the avocado will work
internally towards the surface of the skin, soothing deep muscle inflammation. The oils in CamoCare Soothing Cream help the skin to literally repair itself from the damage done by psoriasis.
- Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs by John Heinerman
There's
more to avocado than guacamole. Its oil is actually patented as a
treatment for some forms of dermatitis and arthritis. According to
Aubrey Hampton, author of Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care, long-term
treatment with avocado oil helps relieve eczema. I'm not surprised, as
avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, D and E, all of which help maintain healthy skin. I suggest applying it directly to any itchy, red or irritated areas.
- The
Green Pharmacy: New Discoveries in Herbal Remedies for Common Diseases
and Conditions from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing Herbs by James A. Duke, Ph.D.
Avocado
oil has been used extensively for its ability to heal and soothe the
skin. This use is based on the high hydrocarbon content of the pulp and
oil, which may help dry skin. Avocados are frequently included in health
diets, and recent evidence suggests they are effective in modifying
lipid profiles. In a randomized study, women chose either a diet high
in monounsaturated fatty acids enriched with avocado or a high
complex-carbohydrate diet. After 3 weeks, the avocado diet resulted in
a reduction in total cholesterol level from baseline (8.2%).
- Guide to Popular Natural Products by Ara Dermarderosian
Throughout Central and South America
the avocado is not only consumed with great relish, but also highly
regarded for its extremely nourishing properties. It is a favored
saying among the Maya Indians inhabiting the Yucatan Peninsula and the
highlands of Guatemala that where avocados
grow, "hunger (or malnutrition) has no friends." Too many of us think
only of avocados in the traditional Mexican sense of guacamole. But
among the Mayan the avocado is considered to be a food which keeps the joints of the body moving freely and the skin young and supple.
- Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Juices by John Heinerman
The
expressed oil of the avocado seed nourishes and maintains skin tone. It
softens rough, dry, or flaking skin and, massaged into the scalp,
improves hair growth. Avocado is very nutritious and makes an excellent
baby food. Indigenous to Central America, avocado is widely cultivated for its fruit in tropical and subtropical areas, including Israel, Spain, and South Africa. It is propagated from seed. The leaves are harvested as needed, and the unripe fruit is picked when fully grown.
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by Andrew Chevallier
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Abha Light Launches our
Natural Therapy Centre
Treatment, Open Classes, Personal Sessions
 Abha Light has been training professionals in alternative medicine healthcare
for 10 years at our Abha Light College of Natural Medicine. At our main
offices, we have put together a great team of practitioners to serve you. We will work together in giving
you the best healthcare. You can choose what therapy you wish to take, or
allow us to determine the best course of therapy for you. Therapies we offer: - Homeopathy Medicine
- Herbal
Medicine
- Naturopathy &
Nutrition
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Lymphatic Drainage
- Reflexology
- Reiki
Energetics
We also run open classes and personalized sessions
in: - Yoga
- Tai chi Chuan & Qigong
- Meditation
- Personal Stress Management
Call us
for an appointment for alternative medicine treatment of your health issues or
for just a relaxing massage. |
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Emaxhealth.com
Ray Collins Good Life Letter
Hpathy.com
Zeus Info Service
What the Doctors won't Tell You
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You don't need your appendix, right? Wrong!
The appendix is a small, tube-like organ located in the lower right
area of the abdomen and attached to the first part of the colon.
Researchers have theorized this seemingly superfluous bit of our
internal body is simply a remnant of the time when early humans ate a
huge amount of plant matter. The appendix, the theory goes, once helped
with fermentation and digestion of all that roughage ancient hominids
consumed. But when it comes to modern-day humans, mainstream medicine
says the appendix
has no known function and is virtually useless.
However, the latest
research suggests it is this idea that should be thrown away -- not the
human appendix.
Sure, an appendix can sometimes become blocked and inflamed, a condition known as appendicitis.
And if not treated, an appendix in this state can rupture and spread
life-threatening infection into the body. So, following their belief
the appendix is nothing but a potential liability, doctors are often willing and even enthusiastic about removing a perfectly healthy appendix.
A case in point: a study by University of Miami gynecologists and obstetricians, published in 2003 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology concluded the removal of an appendix (a procedure dubbed an appendectomy) at the time of "benign gynecologic procedures does not increase postoperative complication rates or length of hospital
stay." So, based on the fact cutting out a healthy appendix didn't
result in longer hospital stays or more immediate post-surgery
problems, the doctors recommended routinely including appendectomies in
all abdominal hysterectomies in order to avoid any possibility of
appendicitis in a woman's lifetime.
But what if the appendix has
remained in humans for thousands upon thousands of years for a reason?
What if your appendix helps sustain health?
What if it is better to keep all your original parts -- including
organs -- when possible, and that includes your appendix? There's
growing evidence the appendix isn't just a useless piece of tissue. And
new research is showing it could, in fact, play an important role in
keeping the gastrointestinal tract healthy and the immune system strong.
Recently,
scientists have found evidence the appendix may play a role in helping
the immune system by maintaining internal flora found in the human gut
known as symbiotic bacteria.
These bacteria live in symbiosis (meaning they maintain a close
ecological relationship) with other organisms in the digestive tract.
For example, symbiotic bacteria may work together to help break down
fiber containing foods and they may also help produce vitamins.
In a study published October 22nd in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology,
researchers from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and
Arizona State University concluded that the appendix does have a
purpose. It is a highly specialized organ that has been maintained in
mammalian evolution
for 80 million years or more. The reason? To harbor symbiotic bacteria
essential for health. The scientists call the appendix a kind of
"safe-house for symbiotic gut microbes" that probably evolved to
preserve health-protecting internal flora during times of
gastrointestinal infection. "This function is potentially a selective
force for the evolution and maintenance of the appendix, and provides
an impetus for reassessment of the evolution of the appendix," the
scientists stated.
For more information
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/...
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddis...
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Hidden Secrets of Aloe Vera: Naturally Treat Acne and Many Other Skin Conditions
It has been proven that aloe vera can be used to treat acne, with improvements seen in as little as one week. Acne sufferers can see a remarkable improvement by simply breaking an aloe vera leaf and applying the watery gel to the acne lesions. It should be noted that aloe vera does not "cure" acne, but it greatly reduces the swelling, inflammation and redness associated with acne. Further, if you use the aloe vera every day, it will help prevent acne outbreaks. In addition to treating acne, the hidden secrets of this simple plant are being used for the treatment of many other skin problems.
To increase the vitality of your skin, drink some freshly-squeezed organic aloe vera juice daily. To make aloe vera juice, simply pick the largest leaves from an aloe vera plant in the afternoon, clean away all dirt and debris and process the leaves in your juicer. It is recommended that you drink between 2-4 ounces, twice a day. For added flavor, you can mix the aloe vera juice with some organic carrot juice.
Aloe vera has long been used to treat wounds and burns and to improve the appearance of the skin. This miraculous plant is being used to treat everything from stomach ailments to cancers. According to Father Romano Zago, aloe vera is now being used to cure cancer, and his simple recipe, which utilizes the entire aloe vera leaf, is comprised of three ingredients. This formula has been successful in treating thousands of cancer sufferers.
Some Simple Homemade Remedies Using Aloe Vera:
Acne Treatment - Rub the gel on the affected area twice a day. Your acne will improve within one week.
Body Rub - Cut open an aloe leaf, remove the gel out and rub it all over your body. Rinse off the gel after twenty minutes and feel the difference.
Cold Sores - Apply aloe vera to cold sores twice daily. The symptoms will be resolved within one day and cured within one week.
Diaper Rash - After a warm bath, massage the affected areas with aloe vera gel. You will see results within three days.
Eczema - Create a paste using the leaves of the aloe vera plant and apply to dry skin three times daily. You will see results in one month.
Skin Cancer - Apply the gel liberally to all affected areas. You will see results in three months.
Skin Wounds and Abrasions - Rub the gel onto wounds or abrasions twice a day. Improvement and healing will be observed within three days.
Power-Packed Energizing Green Smoothie Recipe:
1 cup of water
1 cup of spinach
1 banana
1 pear or any fruit you desire
1 leaf (enough to make 2-4 ounces of juice) of an aloe vera plant (the whole leaf)
1 tablespoon of raw honey
2 tablespoons of ground olive leaf
For a delicious, energizing green smoothie, blend all the ingredients for one minute and enjoy.
Warnings and Precautions for Using Aloe Vera:
1. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use the exterior portion of aloe vera leaves for treating ailments or creating drinks.
2. People who have hemorrhoids, ulcers, diverticulosis, colitis, Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome should not use aloe vera without first consulting a physician.
3. Be cautious when using aloe vera as a laxative, as it may cause digestive problems.
http://www.lef.org/abstracts/codex/...
?http://health.howstuffworks.com/alo...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera
http://www.mamaherb.com
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Medical Disclaimer:
The information contained within does not take the place of medical diagnosis or
prescription. See your health care provider in case of sickness.
Editorial Disclaimer: Publication of these articles are to promote food for thought. The opinions expressed in these articles may not be the opinion of editors.
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