LICENSURE & HEALTH REFORM UPDATE.  Licensing efforts continue on the Michigan front, however slowly!  We've had some promising meetings and some opposition, but expect the bill to be introduced in January.  Stay tuned, as we'll need letters of support when that happens.
    On the national level, there are 3 areas that have great potential for naturopathic medicine as a whole.  The first is that the recently passed House health bill includes the entire Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which allows ND graduates to participate in the Indian Health Services Loan Repayment Program.  This grants NDs recognition as primary care doctors serving Native Americans in select areas of the country and receiving student loan forgiveness.   Second, the Senate HELP bill has a provision for nondiscrimination for all health care providers who are licensed by their state.  And third, the HELP bill also provides funding for workforce development that includes complementary and alternative medicine as eligible providers.
   Our national association, the AANP, is actively watching and lobbying for these efforts.  Nothing is certain, of course.  There will be cuts made, deals struck and details tweaked before it's all over.  But any recognition we gain at the federal level adds clout to our state licensing efforts. 
   While it will be some time before any of this trickle-down directly affects WellSpring, we eagerly anticipate the day when everyone understands and has the opportunity to learn to keep themselves healthy in the first place.  May it be so!

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS.  Holidays can be a real challenge to the waistline, causing weight loss to consistently be among the top New Year's Resolutions!  With some attention and planning, however, December weight gain is NOT inevitable!  Keep these suggestions in mind:
   BEFORE THE PARTY - * Eat your regular (healthy, of course) meals during the day.  "Saving up" for the party almost always backfires when we show up starved and eat half the buffet before we know what we're doing!  Consider even eating a light, healthy snack before you go.   * Keep up your regular exercise routine.  Plain and simple, weight gain happens when we take in more than we use up.  Make time to work out or take a brisk walk before you go.  * Be reasonable with yourself about what you're going to eat.  No sense setting yourself up for failure, swearing you'll eat nothing but carrot sticks! 
   AT THE PARTY - * Choose protein and go easy on the sugar and carbs.  Protein stays with you longer, makes you feel fuller and helps regulate blood sugar.  * Easy on the alcohol and punch.  Lots of calories with nothing to fill you up.  * Use a smaller plate.  * Find a place to sit away from the food table to limit grazing.  * If some gooey, iced, stuffed lovely beckons - have a small piece and eat it with complete attention and joy.  Savor each morsel in taste, aroma, texture.  Appreciate your ability to so thoroughly adore that piece - and then appreciate your ablility to stop. 
   AFTER THE PARTY - * No guilt allowed!  If you weren't as perfect as you believe you should have been, revisit that belief and then get right back on your routine of healthy eating and regular exercise.  One "blown" evening isn't THAT big a deal, but we often compound the problem by thinking that we might as well just wait now until January 1 to do anything about it.  Instead be grateful for that opportunity to celebrate with friends and family, that you do make healthier choices most days and that you are able to get up out of bed and take a walk! 

DON'T FORGET THE PACKING PEANUTS.  With the holidays around the corner, if any of you are getting ready to ship packages and need biodegradable packing peanuts, I get them regularly in my shipments and have some to share.  Let me know and I'd be happy to have them reused!

FLU NOTES.  If you aren't sick of hearing about the flu already, just another reference for you.  The November issue of the Atlantic Monthly had a thought-provoking article about the flu vaccine.  You can read it here:  Flu Vaccines    And remember that you do have options should you come down with any upper respiratory infection.  Elderberry has all kinds of positive research behind it and is even pleasant to take!  Wash your hands, eat well, relax and if you're feeling unwell, stay home and get some rest! 

December's "Of the Month" is Myrrh.  Interesting word, isn't it, with a crazy spelling!  One of those words to keep in mind when you're stuck without real vowels in Scrabble!  What exactly IS myrrh, anyway?  For many of us, the only time we think about myrrh is at the holidays when we are reminded of the Magi's gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

Myrrh is the common name for a spiny, deciduous tree native to northeastern Africa.  The Latin name is Commiphora myrrha, but there are a few closely related species, notably Commiphora molmol and Commiphora mukul.  The part of this plant that is used most often is the gum resin.  This resin oozes out of the tree from fissures or cuts in the bark and dries into solid pieces that are a yellow-red color. 

Mythology.  One Greek myth (in brief) holds that a mother dared to compare her daughter's beauty to Aphrodite which caused her daughter (ultimately) to be turned into a myrrh tree which spawned  Adonis and the resin were the daughter's tears.  In the myths surrounding the Phoenix, myrrh plays an important role as an egg that either contains the ashes of the dead phoenix or its father, depending on the version you read. 

Historical Uses.  As early as the 5th century BC, Egyptians were using myrrh as an embalming agent.  Its use as an incense and perfume is long associated with funerals and cremations to mask the aromas inherent with those events in ancient times.  Some traditions held that burning myrrh chased away evil spirits and some used it an a ritual anointing oil.  It was used as a cleansing agent for everything from purifying women to present to royalty to ridding homes of fleas. Myrrh was a very valuable commodity in ancient Rome, even the most valuable of the 3 traditional Magi gifts, being traded and sold as both resin and oil.
   Medicinally, myrrh has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine, and was introduced into Chinese medicine from Indian writing in about the 8th century AD.  It was used at that time for any number of oral diseases, respiratory problems, female complaints, wounds, blood cleansing and circulation and as a general tonic.

Uses Today.  Today we know that Myrrh is an oleo-gum resin that has astringent and antimicrobial properties.  It is not soluble in water, but can be made into an alcohol tincture or essential oil, or dried and ground into a powder.  The ancients had it right in using it with mouth problems.  It has traditionally been most indicated when the affected tissues are pale, flaccid and there is a generally devitalized nature.  It has a very specific and local action in increasing white blood cells (part of our immune system) in the oral mucosa.  While it stimulates the cleansing action of the mucosal tissue, it also helps normalize its secretion and can help dry up excess mucus production.  It increases capillary blood flow to the local area and also has a direct anti-microbial action.  So, myrrh can be used in the treatment of gingivitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, stomatits and any other "itis" of the nose/mouth/throat.  It is often used directly on a canker sore to promote healing.  It can be used topically for healing on other sores, inflammations and wounds as well. 
   To use in this way, a tincture may be mixed in water and used as a mouthwash/swish or gargle.  Myrrh powder can be rubbed right onto inflamed gums or a canker sore.  The essential oil of myrrh can be put into a carrier oil (like almond, olive or jojoba oil) and put into the nose for sinusitis.  Myrrh is an ingredient in some natural toothpastes and mouthwashes. 
   Myrrh is also still used as an incense and a meditation aid.  The hard resin or powdered form may be burned or the essential oil used in a diffuser for these purposes.
   There is significant interest in one of the related species mentioned earlier - Commiphora mukul.  The common name for this plant is Guggul.  You may have heard about this as a help in blood sugar control and high cholesterol.  This species has high phytosterol levels that likely account for its hormonal actions in these areas.  It is possible that myrrh has some of these properties as well, as you will recall that it had historical use in gynecological problems.  Hormonal actions are all related!  And when using the whole plant or plant part rather than isolated constitutents (as often happens today in the form of pharmaceuticals or supplement preparations), a wide range of actions often benefits the entire patient.  

Contraindications.  Myrrh does have chemical constituents that may be gastrointestinal and urinary irritants.  In fact, large internal doses may cause stomach upset and/or vomiting.  There is some empirical thought that it should not be used in pregnancy, but this is not likely to be a problem when used externally or as a gargle - just don't swallow it! 

So our Of the Month Myrrh is worth remembering beyond December.  Besides keeping the mouth healthy, remember from our October 2nd Tuesday Heart Health class that our oral health plays a direct role in heart health.  If gums are an issue, you might be helping both them and your heart with a regular myrrh swish routine.  That could be a very precious gift, indeed!