What
Exactly is Good Nutrition?
Secretly
we all want just a few things in life — none the least
of which is to live a life that is healthy and energetic. One
way to accomplish this is to eat a well balanced diet that
fuels the body to take on life's challenges.
Magnesium
101
Magnesium
is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions
in the body. For a normal life and health, sufficient amount of
magnesium must be taken and maintained by the human body daily.
Ginger
for an Upset Stomach
The
common ginger root used in cooking has been found to alleviate
nausea, indigestion and motion sickness. For motion sickness,
ginger is more effective than the common Dramamine, says the
British medical journal Lancet.
Cranberries
Show Their Strength
When
is the last time you ate cranberries? Was it with a turkey dinner?
With all the research pointing to the amazing health benefits of
this simple berry, shouldn't cranberries be more than a once-a-year
side dish?
Why
Has Yoga Become So Popular?
Did
you know that over 15 million people practiced yoga in 2003, according
to a landmark study by Yoga Journal magazine? And the numbers are
expected to increase dramatically in subsequent years.
Home
Remedy for Coughs
Here are two of my favorites (excerpted
from my book, Gentle
Healing for Baby and Child ... A Parent's Guide).
The first is prepared and consumed right away, while the second
may be prepared and stored in your refrigerator all winter
long.
Candida:
Restoring Balance with Ayurveda
Candida
albicans is a yeast-like fungus that lives in the mouth and throat,
the intestinal tract and the genital tract. Normally, the population
of candida is in healthy balance with other intestinal flora. However,
sometimes its population explodes because of various factors such
as an improper diet, bursts of intense stress or ongoing low-grade
stress that isn't managed effectively combined with poor sleep/exercise
routines or antibiotics or oral contraceptives.
10
Smart Reasons to Use Fish Oil
We
are in the grip of an omega-3 fish oil wave. Every day, more studies
are published showing just how important this nutrient is to us.
Last week, it was children with concentration problems; this week,
it is children with autism.
The
Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners
Back
to school time often means thinking about what to put in your child’s
lunchbox. If you’re like most parents, you’re probably
concerned about the increasing rate of childhood diabetes and obesity.
Homeopathy
and Toxic Exposure
As I have taken steps to live a more natural
lifestyle, I have found that industrial waste is not limited
to the Hollywood-sized vat. Toxins can be found everywhere
(just what your favorite paranoiac wants to hear). Pesticides, vaccines, and
even terrorist tactics involve toxins that — well, hey, they won’t
make your face melt off, but they do pose a myriad of threats to our health.
Building
a Regular Yoga Practice
People
come to yoga looking for various things: peace of mind, stress
reduction, improved concentration and weight loss. Yoga can help
you to accomplish all of this, but "yoga works, if you work!" You
have to do the practices on a regular basis in order to get the
results.
Win
The War Naturally Against High Cholesterol
When
the word "cholesterol" comes to mind some of us may
think of it as deadly. The truth about cholesterol is that
it isn't deadly at all. It's a vital substance. Cholesterol
is actually a very important part of our bodies, because it's
used to form cell membranes and is needed for other functions
in our bodies.
Be
Your Own Herbal Expert: Part 5
Herbal
medicine is the medicine of the people. It is simple, safe,
effective and free. Our ancestors used —and our neighbors
around the world still use — plant medicines for healing
and health maintenance. It's easy.
Be
Your Own Herbal Expert: Part 6
Herbal
medicine is the medicine of the people. It is simple, safe, effective
and free. Our ancestors used —and our neighbors around the
world still use — plant medicines for healing and health
maintenance. It's easy.
Cope
with Poison Ivy
Poison
ivy, western poison oak and poison sumac all have an oil in their
leaves, vines and roots called urushiol. The oil is released when
the plant is bruised. The oil is still active even in dead plants.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 85 percent of
people are sensitive to the oil. Usually within 15 minutes of
contact, the urushiol binds to skin proteins.
Fresh
Ways to Have Fun Outside
Are you looking for fresh ways to spend time with your friends
and family? Outdoor activities getting a little boring, are they?
With your fast-paced life gaining speed all the time, it’s
easy to stick to what’s familiar — but is that any
way to live? Let’s take a few minutes and look at how easy
it is to break out of the same-ole-routine and into the new with
wholesome activities near home and out of doors. Read on to see
why it’s tough to beat having fun with friends and family
outdoors in the fresh air.
Ease
Those Bug Bites with Easy Herbs
Summertime
means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf from Susun S.
Weed's storehouse of natural remedies: Soothe, heal and prevent
bites with safe herbal remedies that grow right where you live:
north or south, east or west, city or country. The best natural
remedies for insect bites are right underfoot.
Breathe
Cleaner Air in Your Home
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concludes that indoor air
quality is one of the top five environmental health risks in the
United States today. They say indoor levels of pollutants can
be two to five times as high as outdoor levels and sometimes more.
Some problems of indoor pollution can be traced to energy efficiency,
according to the Texas Institute for the Indoor Environment at
the University of Texas. A tighter home is good for conserving
energy but bad in terms of air pollution.
Natural
Bug Repellant
I absolutely dread all the chemicals involved in commercial bug
sprays, but I can’t seem to find any natural remedies that
work. Is there anything tried and true? Bugs! Do I respect them
as part of Nature’s miraculous design? Yes. Do I like them?
Not really.
Hobbies
and Crafting: Not Frivolous at All!
Are you looking
for stress relief? No drugs, no meditation? Have you ever thought
about taking up a craft? In fact, doing a craft is a prescription
for good health. And more importantly, you do not need to be good
at the craft to benefit. Imagine feeling more relaxed. See yourself
smiling, pleased with your efforts. All this can be yours, once
you start enjoying a hobby. A craft can be any hand-made project
that you take pleasure in doing — it could be painting,
needle work, knitting, home decoration, woodwork.
Vitamin
E: Not Quite A Magical Cure
To begin, it is an antioxidant.
It tames dangerous free radicals and helps prevent blood clots
and blockages in coronary arteries. Research points to its ability
to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart attacks
and some cancers. Vitamin E is also believed to slow the aging
process and to help nerve conduction. Most importantly, it works
to enhance and even protect vitamin C and Vitamin A. There is
also promising research that vitamin E might help prevent or slow
the onset of cataracts in the eyes.
The
21st Century: The Age of Plastic
Plastic has seeped into nearly every aspect of
modern life. It's molded into our computers, phones, wires, pens,
carpets, flooring, window blinds, water pipes, shower curtains,
kitchen gadgets, credit cards, cars, planes and even our clothes.
The inventory seems endless. We define ourselves as the Information
Age. But archeologists uncovering our mounds of rubble might better
label us the Plastic Age. Many of us have a love-hate relationship
with plastic. On one hand, we're addicted to the affordable and
unbreakable luxuries that plastic offers. Tupperware® alone
transformed the face of leftovers by offering the busy housewife
an idiot-proof, child-proof alternative to glass and ceramic.
Now we can do things in a jiffy — we can even be mindless
in our tasks without reprimand from a broken glass.
7
Ways to Soothe Your Allergies
Spring is here, and allergy
sufferers everywhere are tearing up. The warmer weather invites
us to spend more time outdoors but the red eyes, itchy noses and
nasal congestion make outdoor fun a challenge. Check with your
health care provider to see if any of these supplements can help
ease those uncomfortable symptoms and to make sure they are safe
in your particular situation.
Local
Honey: Can It Alleviate Allergies?
As one who makes his living
by writing about allergies and asthma, I am often asked about
the potential health benefits of using local honey. Here I am
talking about alleviating allergy symptoms, not “curing”
allergies, which is far easier said than done. Honey contains
bits and pieces of pollen and honey. As an immune system booster,
it is quite powerful. In talks and articles and in my books, I
advocate using local honey. Frequently I’ll get e-mails
from readers who want to know exactly what I mean by local honey,
and how “local” should it be. This is what I usually
advise.
The
Arthritis Sufferer’s Diet
Arthritis affects more than
40 million Americans and is referred to as the most common chronic
disease in people over 40. Doctors believe there are over 100
different forms of arthritis, all sharing one main characteristic:
they all cause joint inflammation. What can you do to relieve
the symptoms of arthritis? A lot. There is a great deal of debate
in the medical world about the effects of overall diet on arthritis
and using diet toward alleviating the condition.
Why
You Should Go No ‘Poo
Almost three months ago, I was introduced to the
idea of no longer using shampoo. I was intrigued. After looking
into it somewhat, I figured I didn’t have anything to lose.
So I picked up some baking soda and apple cider vinegar and then
took the plunge. I love the results! There was an adjustment period
where I had to play around with the measurements a bit but I finally
got the hang of it. I have straight-as-a-board, baby-fine hair
that has never held a “do.” After “no ‘poo,”
I don’t even have to use styling products. I just blow dry
and go; my hair now keeps any style. It’s awesome!
Immune
A-Go-Go Soup
Good enough for dinner any
night, this soup is of special benefit for those in the midst
of chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Variations on this soup
are a regular part of my anti-cancer lifestyle.
Ear
Infections and Homeopathy
When my first boy had an
ear infection when he was a baby, I was able to figure it out
by paying close attention to him. No, he didn't really tug on
his ear; he more or less flapped it with his hand, a lot like
a hound dog scratching his ear. But Joey developed a sudden breast
preference and was using the definitive "pain" cry at
night.
I’ve
heard that when using homeopathic remedies, my symptoms will get
worse before they get better. Why is that a
good thing? What's the point? First, may I point out that while
your symptoms do worsen with the correct remedy, in the end, you
actually feel better. You gain mental clarity. I know I get all
foggy when I'm sick, so the mental clarity helps brighten my outlook.
Yoga
for Kids and Parents
“Baby yoga! Baby yoga!”
This is my daughter’s chant any time she reaches over to
place her hands in front of her toes, in essence doing the toddler
version of downward facing dog. I fantasized about doing yoga
with my children before becoming pregnant, but I never pictured
it like this.
Sage:
More Than Poultry Stuffing!
The wise gardener who planted
salvia officinalis has an abundance of sage for valuable
medicinal use. Prepared as an infusion (1 teaspoon of the herb
steeped 15 to 30 minutes in a covered cup of boiled water), sage
has a multitude of applications.
The
Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy
Holistic healing has come out of the closet over
the years with an approach to integrative medicine that combines
the best of traditional healing and western medicine. Regardless
of whether you practice both traditional medicine and holistic
medicine or only one, holistic concepts are becoming more respected
and recognized. The truth is, we wouldn’t be here if it
weren’t for the holistic medicine our ancestors once used,
so it makes sense that we infuse their expertise into our lives
today.
Breathe
to Stop Pain and Relieve Stress
Do you ever stop and think
what an amazing thing our breath is? Probably not. Most of us
never give it a thought. It is something we take for granted.
Rarely do we stop and think about how it, along with our souls,
is our life force and without it we would not be alive.
The
Health Benefits of Chocolate
Good news: Research says you can have your cake
and eat it, too — as long as that cake is chocolate. For
centuries, chocolate has been used to treat diseases and maladies
such as depression. Civilizations from Mexico to Europe have hailed
chocolate as an aphrodisiac. The U.S. government officially recognized
its virtues in World War II, making the chocolate candy bar standard
issue for the military.
Natural
Care for Varicose Veins
Our circulatory
system is made up of a complex web of arteries and veins. Our
arteries carry oxygen rich blood to the cells of our bodies, while
the veins are designed to pump oxygen-poor blood back to the heart.
This is accomplished through a series of one-way valves that do
not allow blood to flow backwards into the vein.
10 Ways to Cut Cholesterol Naturally
When most
people think of cholesterol, they think of the waxy fat-like
substance that is found in many of the foods we eat. Although
cholesterol is often feared, the truth is that your body needs
cholesterol for a number of different things. For example, it
is used in the manufacture and maintenance of strong cell walls,
it is critical for hormone and vitamin D production and it even
is used to coat the nerve cells in the body.
Enough
Calcium Without Cow’s Milk??
Now that your child is done with breastfeeding
or bottles, how can you make sure she’s getting all the
nutrients she needs? We know that children need calcium to build
strong bones. Cow’s milk is a good source of calcium and
a natural choice for many parents. But
can your child get the same amount of calcium without cow’s
milk? The answer is a resounding yes, as long as you know what
to look for.
10
Quick Tips to Save the Planet and Your Health
Many
of the common, everyday chemicals in your home can contribute
to not only harming the environment but your health as well. Symptoms
such as headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, anxiety, depression,
nervousness, fatigue, irritability, inability to concentrate,
hyperactivity, joint and muscle pain and many more can be the
result of these chemicals.
Eating
to Cure Your Eczema
But while it’s true that food allergies can trigger eczema
flare-ups, eliminating allergenic foods doesn’t address
the root of the problem.
The
ABCs of Treating Your Kid’s Excema
Eczema is
a common, recurring skin condition characterized by a dry, flaky,
itchy rash, which can affect different parts of the body. Its
appearance may vary depending on its severity and topical location.
Another commonly used term for this condition is atopic dermatitis.
Let
the Sun Shine
Tired of spending your entire summer in the shadows?
Some scientists are now saying that a moderate amount of sunshine
is good for you, and shunning it altogether could actually increase
your risk of cancer.
I have three children, and it seems like someone
is always sick at our house.
Is
there any thing I can do nutritionally to help keep my
family healthy and illness-free?
Now
We Need to Supplement with Vitamin D?!?
In April of 2003, the American Academy of Pediatrics
issued new guidelines for preventing rickets and vitamin D deficiency
in children. Because cases of rickets continue to be reported,
the AAP recommends that all children receive a vitamin supplement
containing 200 IU of vitamin D daily, unless they drink at least
17 ounces of either vitamin D-fortified milk or infant formula.
Avoiding
Bladder Infections
Most of us are
not used to thinking about our body's maintenance beyond eating
three square meals a day, getting proper exercise and drinking
bottled water. But as we age, bladder health becomes more important,
especially for women. So much can happen, between childbirth
and infections, that a woman needs to know how to take care of
herself.
Sleep
Are
You Getting Enough Sleep?
Ayurvedic Tips for Restful
Sleep
Sleep Tips for Teens
Exercise
How Do I find
a qualified yoga teacher?
Exercise Made Simple: My "Golden" Gym
Get Moving! Don’t
Put Off That Workout
Meditation on the Move
Internal
Cleansing
Internal Spring:
Out With the Old, In With the New!
Sweep Your Colon Clean: An Herbal Intestinal Broom
Ayurvedic Internal Cleansing for Good Health
