Exercise Eases Stress – Exercising produces endorphins, which can bring a sense of wellbeing. Even simple stretches can break relieve tension. The world looks much better after a walk around the block.

Rescue Remedy – Rescue Remedy is a combination of five flowers — cherry plum, clematis, rockrose and start of Bethlehem — in an alcohol base. Drops placed on the tongue bring almost instantaneous temporary relief from panic, fear, or worry. It’s great in an emergency and works equally well for people and many animals.

Soothing Smoothies – A homemade fruit smoothie calms me right down when I’m a little out of sorts. Whether it’s warm milk or a grilled cheese sandwich, everyone has a favorite comfort food. Some foods, like turkey or scallop stew, contain chemicals that physically relax the body. Sometimes it’s a memory or an association that brings relief, like tomato soup when you were home from school with a cold. Many people find comfort in chocolate, even though it’s actually more of a stimulant than a relaxant.

Whisper the Word – A mantra is a word or saying that, when repeated to yourself, has the power to change your state of mind. Various religious beliefs have formal practices related to mantras, but you can choose your own consoling words or phrases. An affirmation, which is a positive statement about yourself, can have a similar effect. Imagine saying “I am safe and calm” when you feel anxiety starting to rise. Practicing affirmations or mantras when you are relaxed will help you remember them at stressful times.

Pet a Pet – Pets make us feel safe and loved. Petting a dog reduces blood pressure. Watching kittens play can make a bad mood disappear. It’s a fact that pet owners require much less medical care for stress-related problems than people who do not have pets. You can’t pet fish, but just watching them swim around and around in an aquarium is relaxing. That’s why clever doctors and dentists have fish tanks in their waiting rooms.

Benefits of Breathing – Quick intakes through the nose followed by slow exhalations through the nose or mouth have an immediate soothing effect. You can sustain relaxed breathing by paying attention to the rise and fall of your chest and diaphragm. Inhale, pause, exhale, pause. In a short time, your breathing will naturally become slower and shallower, that is, more relaxed.

Sing a Song – My niece and nephew calm their baby sister with a song. They sing, “It’s okay Annie; it’s okay today. It’s okay Annie; it’s okay today.” My elderly mother now sings the song to herself to relax. The soothing words, the repetition, and the memory of hearing and seeing the much-loved children sing bring my mother back to the moment, which is, in fact, okay.

Acupuncture is a highly effective and gentle treatment for hundreds of health problems. It is a well-respected pain reliever, even used as anesthesia for surgery. Acupuncture can relieve gastrointestinal disorders, chemotherapy nausea, soft tissue problems, headaches, lung congestion, menstrual cramps, backache, asthma,  emotional problems, and many other disorders. Acupuncture can also treat obesity, insomnia, and certain types of infertility.

Acupuncture works by restoring and balancing the flow of energy in the body, which is often disrupted by physical, mental, or emotional problems or by environmental circumstances. Called chi (pronounced “chee”), this energy is the vital force behind all life.  Stimulating the chi enhances the body’s ability to maintain good health.

The most common method for restoring chi is by inserting very thin, sterile, stainless steel needles into specific points along meridians, which are invisible pathways in the body.  Over 460 acupuncture points are located along 12 meridians. The acupuncturist may choose to manipulate the needle in place to further stimulate the points. Needles usually stay in place for 15-30 minutes while the patient rests. The acupuncturist decides which points to stimulate based on observation of the patient (especially the tongue), discussion with the patient, and palpation of the pulses of the left and right wrists. Treatment usually takes place over several weeks or months.

Cupping is another type of acupuncture treatment. The acupuncturist heats a glass cup from the inside to create a vacuum, and then places the cup on acupuncture points on the body. Cupping improves circulation and relieves discomfort from congestion, swelling, or pain. It is particularly effective for easing low back pain; reducing sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries; and relieving fluid in the lungs. Cups are left on the body for five to fifteen minutes, resulting in a round bruise that lasts for a few days. While cupping is generally safe (as is acupuncture as a whole), it should not be done over cramps, convulsions, or ulcerated sores; when the patient has a high fever; or over the low back or abdomen of pregnant women.

Tags: Acupuncture

White Flower Oil, also known as White Flower Analgesic Balm, provides temporary relief from muscle and joint aches and pains, backache, arthritis, sprains and strains, bruises, and neck aches. This deep heating balm relaxes muscles and increases blood circulation. A few drops on the temples and neck relieve headache and fatigue. It also soothes itching from light burns and insect bites.

The typical dosage is several drops rubbed into affected areas three times a day. White Flower Oil may also be mixed with massage oil for a penetrating heat. It can be inhaled directly to help clear nasal and sinus congestion. A few drops in hot water will also ease congestion when inhaled. To relieve dizziness from pain or motion sickness, rub the oil on the nose, ear, and neck so the aroma can be inhaled.

White Flower Oil is not like other liniments or balms. It is made entirely of oils from naturally-occurring aromatic herbs. The traditional formulation is 40% wintergreen, 18% eucalyptus, 15% peppermint, 15% menthol, 6% camphor, and 6% lavender.

A few words of caution: White Flower Oil is not recommended for use with children, and should be kept out of their reach. It should not be used on thin, broken, or irritated skin. Discontinue use if irritation develops. Do not put a tight bandage on areas treated with White Flower Oil. Keep it away from the eyes and do not ingest it. Dangerously high levels of methyl salicylate, the active ingredient in wintergreen, can result from excessive use.

Cat’s Claw is a tropical vine from the rain-forest and jungle areas in South America and Asia. Many cultures refer to the plant as the Sacred Herb of the Rain Forest and when you consider it’s many uses you can understand why the so deserving title.

I very much doubt that there is anyone out there who doesn’t wish to know how to reduce their risk of cancer or how to protect ourselves from toxins and pollutants, how to boost their immune system to fight off new viral strains and bacterial diseases, not to mention the ability to aid in the prevention of premature aging and degenerative diseases. Cat’s claw was traditionally used by Peruvian natives in a variety of applications. They apply it’s leaves for headaches, use teas for infections including influenza, and have placed plants in antipyretic baths for fevers. In Peru Cats Claw is now a protected resource.

Cat’s claw can be taken in many forms including a dry powdered form that is usually available in gelatin capsules; compressed tablets; a decoction or tea; or a liquid suspension. Some experts feel that cat’s claw extracts have not yet proven their potency and therefore they recommend taking reliable sources of the plant which use the inner bark of the vine. The alkaloid content of some plants can vary significantly because of many differing factors, so only reputable sources of cat’s claw are recommended to be purchased.

Many studies that have taken place in Europe have shown that cat’s claw has extremely low toxicity, even when it is taken in large doses. Anyone who has had a transplant or any pregnant or nursing women should not take cat’s claw. Taking cat’s claw can potentially cause diarrhea or adjust bowel consistency in some people.

So what does science say about this miraculous herb? Well to be honest there are no surprises when I tell you that they state there is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether cat’s claw works for any health problem, including arthritis, HIV, or cancer. Small studies in humans have shown a possible benefit of cat’s claw in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but no large trials have been done.

Well they are not ruling it out are they and how many times can you recall watching the news and these so called studies are telling us that something we enjoy or take one minute is bad for us and then the next it is good for you and has actually been found to cure some sickly disease. I for one will be adding Cats Claw to my morning routine of healthy supplements.

For optimum effect they should be used in pairs, a male stone (crystallized) and female (smooth). The owner and founder of Boji stones claims that using them can aid in physical balancing and the healing of a variety of physical conditions. Those who are sensitive to vibrations of stones note an immediate sensation of energy when the rocks are held.  It is claimed that the Boji’s are held together by the energy within them which can be augmented by the loving attention of their owners, and if the stones are neglected they will gradually turn to dust.

When using Boji stones for balancing the body, use the male on the left hand side of the body and the female on the right side, for healing the male stone should be placed to the left of the weakness. When using a pair of Boji’s, start by holding them as you would two magnets.  While holding them in your fingers, move them back and fourth from each other. If you do not feel a slight pushing and pulling sensation, turn one Boji over and repeat until you feel this slight sensation.  The way they are facing each other when you get the strongest feeling is the side of the Boji that you lay on the body. 

Boji’s are not magnetic, but they have a balanced polarity and do work best when the polarity is set correct. By applying a Boji to a hurt area on the body it takes away pain and you will heal faster. You don’t have to believe in the Boji for them to work. If considering a purchase of true Boji Stones always check to see if it has the Certificate of authenticity which is issued by Karen Gillespie. Want to purchase some? Check Availability Here..

Tags: boji+stones, alternative+healing