We celebrate 97 year old Marcel Sr.'s new beginning at Pacific Naturopathic Retreat Center in Hawaii

Our personal worlds are never static, ever changing. Just when you think you have all your ducks in order, one of those ducks gets caught up in a whirlpool, as another is swept away by the current.  As we age, the tendency is to throw in the anchor and refuse to budge; to rage at the turbulence; to hang on tight and hope the boat doesn't sink.

As memory fades, there are fewer cues from the past. And as thought processes cloud over, there is an inability to project into the future.  Life is more about endings than beginnings.  There is a comfort in routine, and in the familiar.

How might one be responsive to whatever it is that is occurring, rather than bemoaning what has passed, or worrying about what is to come? Is it possible, in the throws of memory loss, to revisit the experience of a young child, where every moment was a momentous occasion, and every experience was a welcome discovery?  Can one trust enough to celebrate the newness of days which hold no predictability, and actually enjoy the process?

One thing is certain. If our identification is with this transient physical reality we find ourselves in, we are vulnerable to being lost at sea. Those who meditate learn to identify with the source of all being, independent of mind, independent of matter. There is an untouchable stability around which external events swirl. Those who don't meditate may like to practice by saying "yes" in every moment, working with what it is, not wishing it to be other.

The question of the month was regarding self care with flower essences. (See below) There are many essences which might help bring a person into the moment, and celebrate the new beginnings each moment brings. Walnut is the essence for making healthy transitions, and freedom from limiting influences. Bleeding Heart helps release attachments to the past. Honeysuckle helps one learn from the past while releasing it, and brings flexibility and adaptability.  Clematis brings awake, focused presence. Sage brings insight and inner serenity. Oak helps one learn when to surrender. Aspen gives faith when facing the unknown. Borage brings buoyant courage and optimism. These essences, other energy medicines, and scientific affirmations are of immeasurable value in bringing expansive awareness and courageous action to each new beginning.

Thanks to one of our readers for submitting this question. "Please write about self care and care of one's children using flower essences."

Like homeopathy, with which folks are more familiar, flower essences are energy medicine. While conventional medicine relies on a pharmacologic dose for a physiologic effect, energy medicines work within a vibrational reality. It's not the dose of the flower essence, but rather the repetition of the dose that is important. Each repetition serves as a vibrational adjustment, bringing you back to balance again and again.

Flower essences address limitations in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual expression. Using a repertory (I recommend the Flower Essence Repertory by Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz), you can search under conditions such as midlife transitions, mothering, eating disorders  and addictions, and emotional and spiritual states such as depression, loneliness, and lack of faith. Under each category, relevant essences are discussed and differentiated one from the other. When you've found a remedy, you can turn to the back of the book for a detailed discussion of that remedy, with suggestions for other related remedies.

A flower essence may be given as a single essence, or as what I call a bouquet in a bottle, in which related remedies are combined into a single theme oriented formula. Once you have the formula, it is beneficial to name that formula with a name indicating the goal you hope to achieve by taking the remedy, and to devise an affirmation to assist the flower essence drops. In self care, it is easiest to start with single essences.

Flower essences are stabilized in brandy and water, and are traditionally taken at 3 drops under the tongue 3 times daily and as necessary, that is, as you find yourself addressing the issues you are hoping to transform. As the issues change, people often will lose interest in the essence they were taking, and will seek to address the next issue with another remedy. It's a little like peeling the skin off an onion to get to the heart of the onion within.

Flower essences are both safe and powerful for children, adults, and even pets. If the essence is not resonant with your vibrational state, the essence has no effect. A resonant remedy, however, can effect transformation. I have dropped Rescue Remedy (a popular flower essence combination from the Bach Flower Essence line) on the snout of a baby opossum terrorized by a cat, and seen the opossum come back to life. And I have witnessed dramatic change in both adults and children working with flower essences. 

In the 1960's a man named Ram Dass wrote a book called, "Be Here Now' that was central to bringing eastern thought to the west. It was new and 'catchy' and the teaching in the book resonated deeply with many of us. It helped introduce the notion of spirituality (being connected to some divine force larger than just ourselves) to the west.

Two thousand years earlier Jesus is quoted as having said, "But for this moment was I born."

How would any of our lives be different if we actually greeted each moment telling ourselves, "But for this moment was I born; be here now?" Imagine the possibility if you saw every single event in your life as an opportunity to grow, to expand, to become more of what you think you want to be, rather than seeing it as an obstacle to overcome.

We often don't get to consciously choose how our lessons or opportunities appear. Some are easier (new job, new baby, new life partner) than others (divorce, illness, death). But what if we transformed how we thought of the 'whats' in our lives and said from this time forth I will see everything that comes to me as an opportunity, as a stepping-stone, rather than as a stumbling block.

If we see every moment as a blessing, a gift, handed to us personally so we can become all of who we thought we wanted to be ... more conscious, more loving, filled with gratitude, abiding with a sense of deep inner peace, then we will be living every moment to its/our fullest potential, and all will be well.

Dr. Shanti Rubenstone, M.D., practices Transformational Medicine at Pacific Naturopathic.  To schedule an appointment with her, please phone 650-917-1121.

Next month: Wellness vs. Health

 Airport Scanners:

Why You Should "Opt Out" for the Pat Down Instead.  

While I was on the mainland in November, there was a big flap in the media about the enhanced TSA pre-flight security screening involving the use of body scanners and "enhanced pat downs." 

Although government scientists say that airport scanners administer radiation "1,000-times less than a chest X-ray," there's more to the story. Radiation damage depends on the volume of tissue exposed. Chest X-rays and gamma-radiation from outer space is diffused over the entire body so that the dose to the skin is extremely small. We also know that certain groups of people are at a much higher risk than others. These include babies, small children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with impaired immunity (those with HIV infection, cancer patients, people with immune deficiency diseases, and people with abnormal DNA repair mechanism, just to name a few).

In addition, as we grow older, our DNA accumulates a considerable amount of unrepaired damage.  In these cases, even low doses of radiation can trigger the development of skin cancers, including the deadly melanoma. Also of concern is exposing the eyes, since this could increase one's risk of developing cataracts.

Dr. David Brenner who heads Columbia University's Center for Radiological Research, says that radiation produced by the scanners is twenty times higher than the official estimate. Physics professor Peter Rez at Arizona State University supports Dr. Brenner's claims. He points out that there is a real possibility that a body scanner could malfunction, concentrating unsafe amounts of radiation on one area of the body. "The scary thing to me is not what happens in normal operations, but what happens if the machine fails. Mechanical things break down, frequently."

Other researchers are also concerned.  An independent group of University of California at San Francisco physicians from the radiology and diagnostic imaging fields expressed "serious concerns" about the "dangerously high" dose of radiation to the skin by these "backscatter scanners," as they are called. The majority of radiation generated by airport scanners is concentrated on the surface of the skin and a few millimeters into the skin. Ultra radiation-sensitive tissues close to the surface of the skin include the testes, eyes, breast tissue, and circulating blood cells.

Other high-level cancer researchers, biophysicists, and radiology experts suggest that an immediate moratorium is needed on the use of the scanners in order to carry out a second independent evaluation to determine that the scanners really are safe, our government, which is supposed to protect us from these kinds of dangers, should listen. In the words of late President Ronald Reagan: "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.'"

The most common sentiment echoed by researchers is that the body scanners have not received a proper medical review. They suggest setting up an independent panel to review the safety concerns posed by the scanners, a highly reasonable suggestion for a piece of technology that will be scanning millions of people a year.

Even pilots have been urged by their unions to opt out of the new body scanners at the airports due to radiation concerns. Should frequent travelers be concerned, as well?

 Find out more about Dr. Marcel's work with men at:

Herbs are a specialized form of life created by nature to help heal ourselves and the planet. This beneficent kingdom is a true gift from the mind of God, supplying the earth with food, beauty, medicines for healing, inspiration, and so much more.

I have always enjoyed the blessing of a natural affinity with the herbal kingdom, appreciating and respecting the healing bounty that this realm has to consciously share with humanity.

It is hard to believe that a day goes by that we do not in some way ingest an herb, use one topically (on the skin), or in some other manner. Numerous vegetables are herbs and so are spices, and many fruits and grains also have medicinal qualities. Many traditional products these days are made from or contain herbs. These include: shampoos, hair conditioners, skin creams, ointments, cosmetics, soaps, perfumes, flea and bug repellents, cleansers, laundry detergents, fertilizers, candles, room deodorizers, aromathreapy, teas, medicines, and so on.

The history of herbs goes back to the beginning of the world where they were used for food and medicine by people and animals alike. As civilization developed, many herbs were recognized not only as food and medicine, but as sacred gifts from nature and were employed in healing and religious ceremonies. This practice is still alive today. In this country, several of the most widely used herbs are sage, frankincense and lavender.

Why do herbs work the way that they do? That's a question consistently asked. There are a number of reasons. First of all, they are natural. The human body thrives best on natural substances. When the right ones are used correctly, they will have no side effect.

Herbs were designed by nature to help the body stay healthy. For most imbalances created in the body through devitalized and chemically grown food, stress, polluted environment, and the like, nature has already provided some form of nourishment through herbs that may prove helpful in restoring the natural state of health.

Herbs are composed of nutrients that include: vitamins, minerals, alkaloids, resins, tannins, flavonoids, essential oils, mucilage, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and the elements that comprise life and keep us healthy.

Herbs absorb easily into the system while many other substances used for healing do not.

However, it is important to be aware that many herbs, including some of the most important ones that we use on a daily basis, may have unwelcome side effects if taken in too great an amount. The appropriate dosage of herbs works best.

All of the herbal formulas I co-create and produce are tonic in nature. This means that their main action is to feed and strengthen the body rather than stimulate it. When the body is in a state of stress, the last thing it needs is to be overly provoked, attempting to make it function in a particular manner. This only leads to further strain on the body, which is the exact opposite of the desired healing environment.

If the body is stressed, the logical way to proceed is to help alleviate the tension by supporting those bodily functions which are affected. When the pressure on those organs, glands, etc., has been helped by feeding them with the necessary nutrients, then they may begin their process of healing.

All of the herbal tonic formulas I have designed do not overly activate any already-weakened organs. A tonic formula works directly on a metabolic level, seeking to strengthen the metabolism by rebuilding the affected organs or tissue through the cellular structure. This means we may use the same formula for either a hypo or hyper condition. If a formula does not work for both a hypo and a hyper condition, it is not a true tonic and only stimulates the tired organ. We will never get the same effect from an over-energizing formula as we will from one that is a genuine tonic. Tonic herbology is the basis for all of the truly great systems of plant healing from around the world.

Elijah Free is a Master Herbalist who designs and produces all of his own herbal products for his healing practice. He is an herbal product designer for Ridgecrest Herb Co. Elijah also holds a patent for his herbal fibromyalgia formula. To contact Elijah, please either call the clinic at 650-917-1121 or e-mail at elijah@rapidpainelimination.com.

Pacific Naturopathic Hawaii Retreat:  Renew, Revitalize, Heal

The Perfect Place for Respite From the Cold Weather

The Hot Tub at Pacific Naturopathic Retreat

These are exciting times at Pacific Naturopathic Retreat Center. As many of you know, early last year we received a permit from the County of Hawaii to function as a healing retreat center. In the process of finalizing the permit, we are building a handicapped accessible entry and bathroom facility for the View House, our primary guest accommodation. So for those of you who have asked whether you could bring an elder or less mobile family member with you, the decision will soon become easier.

 

In the meantime, you may or may not know that, in addition to operating as a simple vacation rental for your rest, recuperation, and enjoyment, we also have many health related services available. When Drs Connie and/or Marcel are on site, we have a full range of naturopathic services including wellness visits and colonic therapy and various other hydrotherapy treatments, in addition to the infra red sauna and hot tub/cold tub which are always available.

 

Whether Drs Connie and Marcel are on site or not, our retreat center staff can arrange for on site massage therapy, astrological readings, and other requested services.

See our websites for more details. Phone 808-775-1505 for reservations, or email
 

hawaiind@BigIsland.net

 www.hawaiipeacegardenvacationhouses.com
 

www.naturopathicretreatcenter.com

Click HERE to Visit Our Hawaii Retreat on

Because we would like to make this newsletter responsive to you and your needs, you are invited to send health questions you would like to see addressed to us at

pacificnaturopathic@gmail.com   

We would also like to invite you to share with other readers your experiences of health remedies that have worked surprisingly well for you.