There's Nothing Fishy about Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is mother nature's richest source of essential fatty acids, containing an impressive 57% alphalinolenic acid and 17% linoleic acid. This profile provides an optimal balance of the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, well suited for human bio-chemistry.

The essential fats, as found in flaxseed oil and fatty acids found in marine animals, have proven effective in the treatment, prevention, and alleviation of many health maladies as validated by numerous scientific studies. Areas of interest include:

• High cholesterol levels,
  
• Prevention of strokes and heart attacks,
  
• Angina,
  
• High blood pressure,
  
• Arthritis,
  
• Multiple sclerosis,
  
• Psoriasis and eczema,
  
• Cancer prevention and treatment.
  

Despite potential hazards associated with fish oil supplementation, these products are frequently recommended for the above conditions.

Many leading health and nutrition authorities believe flaxseed oil holds numerous advantages over traditional fish oil therapy. Potency, purity, reliability and price are reasons cited for their sentiments.

Fish oils have been highly touted for their high percentage of Omega-3 fatty acids and their active component, eicosapantaonic acid (EPA). Yet organic flaxseed oil contains two times the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids as do fish oils. EPA, in human and animal studies, has been found to be reliably metabolically converted from the alpha linolenic acid found in flaxseed oil. In addition, fish oils are completely devoid of the complementary Omega-6 fatty acids. Fish oils do contain, however, arachidonic acid, a precursor to a hormone-like substance that is known to worsen symptoms of ailments associated with pain, inflammation and swelling.

Equally as important as potency is purity. Practically all sources of fish are now known to contain chemical contaminants. The cancer causing pesticide, DDT, has been reported in deep water fishes in areas as remote as the Arctic. These dangerous compounds are fat soluble and stored in concentrated amounts in lipids found in fish. While farm bred fish may seem a solution, they contain still lower percentages of the beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids and may be raised on pesticide laden meal. In comparison, organic flax crops are meticulously cared for, according to strict, third party, organic farming standards. The care and consideration invested in high quality flaxseed oil does not stop here. Reputable brands should be contained in light resistant (opaque) containers and mechanically expeller pressed without the destructive effects of light, heat and oxygen at temperatures below 98 degrees F (body temperature). In contrast, the manufacturing methods employed by the majority of fats and oils producers, including those of fish oils, permanently damage the delicate polyunsaturated bonds fatty acids contain. The resultant "trans-fatty acids" wreak havoc on the human body.

Further, fish oils are typically contained in light permeable bottles and maintained at room temperature for prolonged periods until sold - an interesting concept, considering that the more highly polyunsaturated nature of fish oils causes them to be much more reactive to the ravages of heat, light and oxygen. The harsh processing, handling and packaging methods as well as the higher number of polyunsaturated bonds has proven to result in very high levels of lipid peroxides (a measure of rancidity) in these products.

Perhaps of greatest concern is the possibility of Vitamin A or D toxicity associated with excessive fish oil supplementation. Unlike fish oils, flaxseed oil contains naturally occurring beta carotene which the body may convert to Vitamin A as needed. Thus, needless to say, no risk of Vitamin A or D toxicity exists. Nutritionally, all of the fatty acids necessary for correct metabolic function and optimal health can be metabolized from the essential fatty acids found in flaxseed oil, while this would be physiologically impossible with fish oils.

Perhaps most telling is the cost of fish oils as compared to flaxseed oil to achieve the same therapeutic result. You could expect to pay $70.00 for fish oils versus $12.00 for organic flaxseed oil for a month's supply.

Best of all, no longer does meeting these important dietary needs have to be associated with initiating a gag reflex from taking countless capsules or swallowing a tablespoon of cod liver oil. The fantastic tasting, delicate, nutty flavor of high quality, organic flaxseed oil facilitates a culinary delight when added to your favorite salad dressing or your favorite foods. (Do not heat or cook with flaxseed oil.)

As is true with all polyunsaturated fats and oils products, flaxseed oil is sensitive to harsh manufacturing, packaging and storage methods. As a result, there are only a few brands available that could truly be considered healthful. Use the summary below to facilitate your efforts in obtaining high quality flaxseed oil.

• Products certified third party organic (indicated on label and promotional materials).
  
• Products extracted by mechanical expeller presses only, below 96 degrees F.
  
• Products contained in opaque (light resistant) containers.
  
• Products recommended by reputable health and nutrition authorities.
  
• Products delivered manufacturer direct to retail health food stores.
  
• Products found in the refrigerated section of health food stores.
  
• Products supported with educationally based supportive materials.
  
• Products extracted without the damaging effects of heat, light and oxygen.
  

The brand most often recommended by leading health authorities is Barlean's Organic Oils of Ferndale, Washington. Renown author and naturopathic physician, Dr. Michael Murray; Dr. Johanna Budwig, considered the world's expert on fats and oils; and the best selling author of Beyond Pritikin, foremost nutritionist, Ann Louise Gittleman, all recommend Barlean's.


References: 1. The Essential Fatty Acids. Saedesai, V.M. (Nutrition in Clinical Practice, August 1992) 2. High Alpha-Linolenic Acid Flaxseed, Some Nutritional Properties In Humans. Cunnane, S.C.;Gangulis. (British Journal of Nutrition, March 1993) 3. Infant Abnormalities Linked to PCB Contaminated Fish. (Vegetarian Times, Nov. 1984) 4. The Presence Of Oxidative Polymeric Materials In Encapsulated Fish Oils. Vijai, K.S., Perkins, E.G. (Lipids, Vol. 26 #1, 1991) 5. Genetic Toxicology Of The Diet. Liss, Alan R. (New York) 6. Health Effects Of Fish And Fish Oils. Ratnayake, W.M.N., Ackman, R.B. (ARTS Biomedical Publishers) 7. Standard Methods For The Analysis Of Oils, Fats And Derivatives. Paquot, C., Hautfenne, A. (Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1987) 8. Nutritional Impact Of Food Processing. Somogyl, J.C., Muller, H.R. (American Oil Chemical Society #4, 1 987) 9. Purchasing High Quality Flaxseed Oil And Other Essential Fatty Acid Products. Beutler, J.D. (Barlean's Organic Oils, 1993) 10. Potential Use Of Flax In Human Nutrition. Cunnane, S.C., Thomas, M.S. (Dept. of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty Of Medicine, University of Toronto)

The Need for Needles ... What Is Acupuncture all About?

While acupuncture is considered an "alternative" treatment in the United States, it has been used in mainstream medicine in China for thousands of years. The treatment is based on the philosophy that there is a life force or energy called qi (pronounced "chee") that flows through channels in our bodies. Each channel connects to one or several organs that govern bodily functions. It is believed that illness results when the normal flow of qi is disturbed. In acupuncture, thin stainless steel needles are inserted at various points in the body in order to unblock or rebalance the flow of qi.

Qi is clearly not a concept rooted in Western science; however, acupuncture has been clinically shown to be effective for pain relief and for easing the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy or post-surgery. It has also shown potential benefits as part of a treatment plan for a variety of other conditions, including:

• gastrointestinal disturbances, such as constipation, diarrhea, and spastic colon
  
• muscular ailments, such as facial tics and tennis elbow
  
• nerve ailments, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica
  
• bone and joint ailments, such as osteoarthritis and tendinitis
  
• respiratory ailments, such as asthma and bronchitis
  
• female reproductive system ailments, such as irregular periods, menstrual cramps, and menopausal symptoms
  
• other conditions, such as addiction, headaches, sinusitis, stroke rehabilitation, and urinary problems
  

A typical visit to an acupuncturist involves answering questions about your health. The acupuncturist will also want to check your pulse (possibly at several points) and have a close look at your tongue. He or she may note your skin's color and texture, your posture, and other physical characteristics that offer clues to your health. You will then be asked to lie still on a padded examining table while the acupuncturist inserts needles into various points of your body. You may not feel anything—at most you will feel a twitch or a twinge of pain that will quickly subside. Once the needles are in place, the acupuncturist may gently manipulate the needles or will leave you to rest for 30 to 60 minutes. You will probably feel very relaxed, and may even nod off for a bit (this is fine as long as you don't roll over). At the end of the session, the practitioner will quickly and painlessly remove the needles.

To treat certain health conditions, acupuncture may be more effective if the needles are warm. The acupuncturist achieves this by lighting a small bunch of dried mugwort herb and holding it above the needles (the burning herb never touches the body). This technique is called moxibustion. Another way to heat the needles involves attaching electrical wires to the needles and running a weak current through them. You may feel a mild tingling sensation with this method.

The number of acupuncture treatments recommended by your acupuncturist will depend on the nature of your illness and your overall health. For example, you may need just one treatment for a sprained ankle but weekly or bi-weekly treatments over several months for a chronic illness. The first visit usually costs between $60 and $110; follow-up visits run $30 to $80. An increasing number of insurance companies now cover some level of acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture can be safely combined with prescription drugs and other conventional treatments. It's important, however, for your primary healthcare provider to know about the acupuncture you are receiving in order to monitor the treatment. Some acupuncturists may decline to treat women who are pregnant.

For a list of certified acupuncture practitioners, look on the Web at www.nccaom.org (or send $3 check or money order to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, 11 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314). You can also get a list of physicians in your area who perform acupuncture by calling the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture at 1-800-521-2262.

Calming Herbs: Therapeutic Uses

While in the process of examining underlying issues which trigger symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, etc., there are many herbal remedies that can provide relief from these symptoms, and, unlike many prescription drugs, allow us to function at our everyday tasks.

The following are brief descriptions of some calming herbs, their uses, and side effects (if any). They each can offer us symptomatic relief in our times of distress.

Kava - is a central nervous system depressant. It acts in the limbic system (the seat of emotion). Occasional use for symptoms of anxiety and/or sleeplessness is an appropriate use for Kava. High dosages over prolonged periods can be irritating to the liver.

Passionflower - is more sedative than Kava. One of Nature's best tranquilizers, its uses include anxiety, insomnia, and as an anti-spasmodic, it can be used to treat symptoms of asthma. Passionflower is not appropriate for use during pregnancy.

Valerian - is used as a gentle, safe, sleep aid. It is the herbal treatment of choice for nervous tension and panic attacks. Although it may cause headaches with prolonged use, there are few side effects other than its disagreeable smell and taste.

Skullcap - was originally used as a remedy for the symptoms of rabies. Although there is little scientific research available, it is popularly used to relieve nervous tension and menstrual cramps. Its relaxing effect makes it useful in the treatment of seizures, hysteria, and epilepsy.

St. Johnswort - is a mild tranquilizer that is safe for short term use. It increases dopamine levels in the brain (which affects emotional stability). Its uses include relief of emotional stress, anxiety, and irritability. Prolonged use may produce toxicity and may also make the skin light-sensitive. Current studies are ongoing to examine the possible anti-viral activity of St. Johnswort.

Chamomile - is a mild sedative. Its calming effect on smooth muscle tissue has made it a traditional remedy for nervous stomach and colic. It interacts well with passionflower. Chamomile is from the same family of plants (daisy) as ragweed, so people with ragweed allergies must be careful to avoid chamomile products.

Wild Oats - is a natural relaxant. It is used to treat chronic and acute anxiety. As it strengthens the entire nervous system, it is an appropriate remedy for exhaustion, when accompanied with depression and stress.

Catnip - is a member of the mint family used mainly as a children's remedy. It is a mild sedative and is commonly used for children's nervousness and insomnia. Its anti-spasmodic activity can prove effective against cramps, upset stomach, and colic.

When your next period of distress arises, you might find it helpful to look into using one of the calming herbs. They are available in tea, capsule, tincture, or extract form. Talk to a knowledgeable person at any health food store to determine which herb in what form is appropriate for you. Then, relax, and sleep well.

Homeopathy: Treating Cause, Not Symptoms

Research Grounds Hypotheses

The word "homeopathy" comes from the Greek words homeo and pathos, meaning "similar" and "suffering", respectively. From the time that Dr. Hahnemann coined the word 200 years ago, homeopathy has been maligned and vilified, and homeopaths have been charged as liars and frauds. All this occurred in spite of 200 years of therapeutic successes. What is it about homeopathy that arouses these passions? What are the doctrines and therapies that, even today, defy comprehension? What secrets of nature did Dr. Hahnemann tamper with?

Dr. Hahnemann was a careful investigator. His years of study of the ancient texts reaped a generous reward. He found his answer in the writings of Hippocrates: Through the like, disease is produced, and through the application of the like, it is cured.

Over the next 5 years, with the help of medical students and friends, Dr. Hahnemann tested his remedies and developed the principles that remain intact today. In 1810, when he published his Organon of Medicine he presented to the world a new and audacious notion of healing called homeopathy.

Homeopathy is based on the existence of an innate healing energy that promotes and protects our health. This energy initiates our defense mechanisms in response to adverse conditions and then controls and guides the natural healing process. Because of this energy, the body has the ability to heal itself. Dr. Hahnemann called this energy the "vital force". This vital force is the agent of cure.

What homeopathy does is to treat the individual according to his or her own discomforts by pushing the organism in the same direction the vital force is trying to go. Conventional medicines tend not to be healing, curative agents. In fact, many modern medicines can actually retard healing and alter the nature of the disease to make it more difficult to treat. What the body needs are the favorable conditions to affirm its restorative powers that through negligence or indifference created an environment for disease to flourish. Homeopathic remedies assist the attenuated vital force to promote any self-healing.

Modern Medicines Do Fail

Three to five percent (depending on what study one reads) of all hospital admissions are the result of some adverse drug reaction (ADR) or an iatrogenic (physician-induced) disease. From more than 30 million annual admissions, more than 1 million are caused by some physician-prescribed medication.

Treating Cause -- Not Symptom

No person, ever, has died from a homeopathic remedy, but many have been cured. Where the weakened organ needs assistance, it is the homeopathic remedy that initiates recovery. Paracelsus said: "The remedy restores the health, thus the illness departs."

Homeopathy does not actually concern itself with a germ or a bacterium or the names of diseases because homeopathy does not treat a disease. Disease is, after all, a combination of disordered functions that overcome an individual when the internal energy is disturbed and the vital force is compromised. What homeopathy does is to treat the individual according to his or her discomfort. For example, homeopaths treated cholera successfully, long before it was known that the actual cause was a bacterium. During the 19th century, there were seven severe epidemics in America, the most serious in 1832. The death rates in the regular hospitals were five times those of the homeopathic hospitals. The same results were found overseas. In London, in 1854, following an outbreak of cholera, Parliament authorized a commission to see which treatments were more effective. What they found was that whereas the regular hospitals had a death rate of 59 percent, the homeopathic hospitals had a rate of only 16 percent.

What homeopathy treated was not cholera but headache, malaise, diarrhea, anorexia, icy coldness of the body, convulsions, staring eyes, sunken face, and so on. These symptoms pointed to a homeopathic remedy, which was most often camphora or Veratrum album. These are remedies that often give healthy people headaches, diarrhea, and other symptoms typical of cholera when ingested during homeopathic "provings", the so-called Hahnemann clinical trials. These provings were designed to ascertain the symptoms caused by the remedies so those symptoms could be sought in the patient's history and assure that the correct remedy was chosen.

Even earlier, in 1812, while in Paris, Dr. Hahnemann treated scarlet fever using only belladonna. With no knowledge of streptococci, he treated only the red hot skin and the feverish, yet thirstless, state. Realizing that belladonna caused the same symptoms, it was, following his theory, the obvious remedy.

To Dr. Hahnemann, it was quite clear that to find the appropriate remedy, one must get the total picture of the patient. To find the cure, find the remedy; to find the remedy, find the symptoms. All symptoms, even the most trivial, are important, and sometimes it is the most trivial that become the most important. This is because the body can exhibit disease and sickness in an infinite number of ways, each representing an effort to heal. These symptoms are a direct effect of the cause, sometimes appearing as a non-beneficial side effect and sometimes beneficial, as in fever. For example, Hippocrates wrote: "Fever is a beneficial phenomenon and it is not to be suppressed; instead, it is intensified by the application of hot water and hot baths."

In today's health arena, it is the symptoms that are treated as the disease, but in homeopathy, they only accompany the disease. The dermatologist will treat skin eruptions and dermatitis with steroids without pausing to consider that such eruptions are, in fact, guideposts to treating and curing a condition that is still submerged. Our skin cannot speak, but it tells us, nonetheless, that there is an internal problem waiting to be solved.

No matter what part of the body is affected, it is ultimately the patient who must provide the critical clues. The homeopath might ask the most arcane questions to get a picture that the ordinary physician would ignore. He might ask, are you thirsty or not? Do you prefer cold or hot drinks? Do you desire company, or would you rather be left alone? Does noise or music bother you? Depending on the answers, different remedies are required.

For generalized muscular pain, the frequent choice of physicians is either Tylenol 3 (McNeil, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania) (with 30 mg of codeine) or Darvocet-N 100 (Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, Indiana). In homeopathy, before any remedy is suggested, one must first ask, "Are you better still or moving about," for if the pain is less when still, the remedy might be bryonia, and if the pain is less on motion, the remedy might be Rhus toxicodendron.

Treatment cannot be a one-size-fits-all rationale because different things are going on in the body. Because our eyes cannot penetrate the skin, we cannot know why people respond differently, but it is the difference in response that leads to the remedy.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Homeopathy recognizes several categories of symptoms. The common symptom gives the patient the most discomfort at the moment. It is whatever distress brought that person to see a physician, whether it be actual physical pain or emotional stress. The general symptom relates to the general sense of well-being. Does the patient feel weak, exhausted, sleepless, emotionally drained? The homeopath asks, "how do you feel?" and then listens closely to the response. It is here that the mental symptoms are the most important.

There are particular symptoms that reveal what happens to the patient that is different at a given place or time. "Does the condition exist only at a particular time of day? Is it only when you sleep on the right side? How do you react to thunderstorms?"

Finally, there are modalities. Here the questions are: "What makes your condition better or worse? Are you better with cold drinks or hot drinks? Are you better with the windows open or closed? Are you better or worse eating, drinking, walking, standing, sitting?"

Dr. Hahnemann believed that of all symptoms, the mental symptoms were the most critical. He looked for the hatreds, the fantasies, the fears, the dreams, the patterns of sociability or withdrawal, of domination or timidity, of irritability or patience, of arrogance or compassion, of serenity or internal anguish. The homeopath looks for the ability to concentrate, for signs of forgetfulness, delusions, dissatisfaction, sadness, apathy, depression, and suicide. He or she must then find a remedy that parallels the physical and mental signs.

Homeopathy does not label individuals by a disease. Because each individual patient is matched by a set of physical and emotional patterns to a remedy, the patients are termed "pulsatilla" or "chamomilla" patients after the remedies they seem to need.

Hands-On Healing: The Metamorphic Technique

Within the last decade Medical science has become increasingly aware that both experiences in the womb and at birth can affect us for all of our life. During the nine months of gestation, our potentials are established. Unfortunately, as we move through these formative stages, the blocks to these potentials are also established. We will function with these blocks in place until they are brought into our awareness and released. In the 1960s, an English naturopath, Robert St. John, developed from reflexology what he first called "prenatal therapy," then later the Metamorphic Technique or Metamorphosis.

He came to realize there are different "maps" on the feet--physical (as in reflexology), psychological, and a "time" map that includes our prenatal experiences, even before conception. Metamorphosis is a way of reeducating the subconscious mind. The practitioner acts solely as a catalyst much in the same way as the earth is a catalyst for the growth of a seed. There are no impositons or expectations. The practitioner trusts that the person's own Life Force will do the healing on all levels: spiritual, physical, emotional, behavioral and environmental--whatever is needed at the time. In the Metamorphic Technique, contact is established through the practitioner who lightly touches the spinal reflexes on the feet, hands and head. The feet represent the moving center of the body and how it moves through life and change. They indicate how we are supported, if we are grounded, and what direction we choose. The hands represent how we handle life and its changes, how we give and receive. The head which is the creative, thinking center, represents how we think about life, change, and how we create. By working on these areas, primary patterns and attitudes, present since conception, are contacted and loosened so that the healing Life Force may flow freely. Channels blocked by genetic or karmic influences are opened. In this way a true transformation of unwanted life patterns is facilitated. Robert St. John formulated his own "maps" of the feet, tracing relationships between areas of the foot, other parts of the body, and even topics of conversation! He noted that many people would begin to talk about mothering, nurturing, and birth when he worked about the heel area.

Upon further meditation, he realized that "mother" implied the presence of "father" and surmised that the masculine principle would be at the opposite end of the foot in the big toe. He realized that between these two areas the stresses formed at conception could be pinpointed. St. John maintained that predispositions, established at the moment of conception would color the gestation period and influence a person's whole life. The moment of conception, according to St. John, is when everything if fused together: the genetic material and karmic patterns, all the "unfinished business" that we have decided to work through in this lifetime. If stress is heavy during the gestation period, the developing child can get "stuck in time," and the Life Force within them can be blocked. During a one-hour, weekly session, 40 minutes is usually devoted to the feet. The rest of the time is given to the hands, head and spine, though this may vary upon the recipient's needs. Sessions are extremely relaxing. People often feel energized and integrated after a single session. Some people go into a deep meditation-like state where there is total quiet and peace. It is in these moments that the deepest parts of ourselves can be accessed in total freedom. As we move into the 21st century, it is beneficial to resolve past patterns that we no longer need in order to heal ourselves. The Metamorphic Technique allows this healing to take place in a gentle way. Once healed we can be free to create a new humanity and a new planet Earth.

Homeopathy: Answers to Some Basic Questions

Homeopathy is system of therapy which gently stimulates healing. In homeopathy, everyone is seen as a complete and whole person. Symptoms are recognized as that person 's best effort at healing. The pattern of these symptoms is what determines the homeopathic remedy needed to stimulate healing.

Homeopathic treatment reaches all spheres of the person, including the mental, emotional, and physical levels of being. We define health and "dis-ease" as any limitation of freedom in a person's life. Any symptom, whether mental, emotional, or physical, which limits a person from being freely creative in his or her life, is viewed as significant in homeopathy.

What is a Homeopathic Remedy and How Does It Work?
About 200 years ago, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, was working to discover how medicines work. At that time, Chinchona bark was used to treat malaria. Although he did not have malaria, Hahnemann decided to take some Chinchona bark himself. H e found that while he was taking it he got malaria-like symptoms. When he stopped taking it, the symptoms went away. He then found that if he diluted the bark to remove any toxic effects and "energized" of "potentized" it by shaking, it would still caus e temporary symptoms if he took it for awhile.
Further testing showed that these very dilute doses would stimulate healing in a person with the same pattern of symptoms. This principle held true for every remedy Hahnemann tested. After testing the remedy in healthy people to discover its symptom pat tern, he was able to stimulate healing in an ill person with these same symptoms. He called this discovery the "Law of Similars." There now are nearly 2,000 remedies derived from mineral, plant, and animal sources.
The remedies act to stimulate the natural healing processes within the person. They do not merely suppress or control symptoms. There is no "drug" effect: therefore, there are no real side effects. The remedies are powerful but nontoxic and cannot caus e any actual damage. No one knows exactly how a homeopathic remedy works, only that it does work. Of course, no one knows exactly how an aspirin works, either.

How is a Remedy Selected?
Each person is carefully assessed according to his/her unique pattern of symptoms at the mental, emotional, and physical levels. This totality of symptoms gives an overall "picture" of the "disease" in the person. A remedy is selected which best matches the overall pattern or totality of the symptoms. For a chronic illness, the initial evaluation may take 1 1/2 hours. If the remedy "picture" is not clear, the homeopath may need further study or even another visit to find the best remedy.

What Can be Expected to Happen After the Remedy is Given?
The remedy is usually given as a single dose dissolved under the tongue. Because it stimulates the "vital force" of the body towards healing, the changes are usually gentle and subtle. When the healing forces are stimulated, about 40% of people will not ice a temporary increase in some symptoms. This is a sign of strong healing action. Another good sign of the healing process is a temporary return of some old symptoms.

How Long Does Treatment Take?
The length and speed of the healing process depends on many factors, including heredity, severity and length of illness, current and previous medications, level of ongoing life stresses, etc. In general, the treatment is usually at least a few months and can last up to a few years.
Follow-up is critical. For chronic illnesses, follow-up intervals vary from four to six weeks early on to several months later on. Acute illnesses may require follow-up even every few hours until healing is well established.

What is the Patient's Role in Homeopathy?
Homeopathy demands a great deal from the patient. Each illness is unique to the individual. Diagnostic labels (such as diabetes, colitis, etc.) have little use in recommending a remedy. The patient must be aware of and relate to the homeopath all sens actions and feelings, even those which may seem peculiar or unimportant, at all three levels (mental, emotional, and physical) in order to help arrive at the one best remedy for that particular time.
Homeopathy demands patience, perseverance, and commitment. It is not a quick-fix therapy, although it may result in dramatic improvements. The progress of healing in chronic illness can be slow with ups and downs. The long-term results are usually very gratifying, with an elevation in a person's over-all level of health and well-being.

What Are the Chances of Being Helped and What Are the Risks?
As in any therapy, there can be no guarantees. Homeopathy can potentially help any problem at any level (mental, emotional, or physical) except for physical mechanical obstructions and irreversibly damaged tissues. Experience has shown that more than 80 % of people can be helped by homeopathy.
Because healing can be slow and gentle, another "risk" is giving up too soon. A small percentage of people must wait up to six months to see positive results. There are also people whose vitality is so low that the remedy may not be able to stimulat e complete healing. However, even these people can usually benefit from treatment.

What Can Interfere With Treatment?
Treatment may be interfered with or be unsuccessful if a person stays in an environment which is very stressful or "toxic". This may include certain substances known to cause severe reactions to the system, such as chemicals or even certain foods. Ongoi ng emotionally stressful situations may also interfere. Many homeopathic remedies are available in health food stores. These are intended for use in acute illnesses and will work very well if given correctly. Some words of caution: Because these remedies powerfully affect the "defense mechanism" of the body , they should be used only sparingly and after considerable study as to their proper use. Overuse can make it almost impossible to stimulate healing in a chronic disorder. "Acute" remedies shouldn't be taken when a person is under homeopathic care for a chronic disorder unless recommended by the homeopath since some remedies complement each other and some don't work well together.

Anxiety and Stress At Holidays

With the holidays coming, we are usually running in many directions. We may be planning parties, deciding which gifts to buy, and packing for our holiday vacations to travel to see the families we may see only once or twice each year. Along with the feelings of joy, we often experience feelings of anxiety. Stress hormones trigger anxiety. These hormones rob the body of vitamins and minerals, which can also lead to dehydration.

But did you know, you can counteract many of the physical effects of anxiety with some very simple changes in your diet. Eating foods that you associate with pleasure or safety may ease your mind, but some nutrients can influence chemicals in the brain and body to reduce the intensity of the body's reactions.

Anxiety is a form of fear that is based on anticipation. When our body expects a threat, the endocrine system pumps adrenaline, a hormone that increases the heart rate and blood pressure. Cortisol, a steroid hormone, can sustain the feelings of stress for long periods of time. Anxiety also causes the liver to release an over abundance of sugar to provide the body with energy. When you are anxious, your heart beats faster, your muscles tighten, and your breathing becomes irregular. All of these take a toll on the body. It depletes important nutrients such as vitamin C.

Research has also proven that when the body is under constant strain, levels of nutrients in the blood drop as much as a third. Over time, this can lead to exhaustion and lower your immune system.

While foods and herbs can't take away the cause of the anxiety, they can keep your body stocked with the nutrients that influence chemicals in the brain to help you stay calm. So what can you consume to counteract the ill effects of stress and anxiety?

To start, stay away from added sugar, which may leave you feeling more frantic. Cut back on caffeine, which can trigger anxiety symptoms, and increase your heart rate. Carbohydrates help raise levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that promotes feelings of calmness. Try apples, bananas, raisins, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, corn, and whole grains like breads, cereals, and pastas.

Magnesium is depleted during periods of anxiety, so include spinach, yogurt, nut and soy products.

Vitamin B6 is important to your immunity and also boosts levels of dopamine, a natural relaxant in the brain. Foods rich in B6 include: chicken, nuts, legumes and bananas.

Take Vitamin C tablets, and eat citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, and broccoli.

Vitamin E is vital to immune function and can be found in wheat germ, corn, nuts, seeds and olive oil.