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Holistic Medicine Tips
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Hi, my name is Marina Hanes, the Holistic Medicine Guru at LifeTips.
Enjoy these 70 Holistic Medicine tips. More added weekly! Yoga: My Progress | May 31, 2009
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Yoga: My ProgressLast week I had to miss my yoga class, because my allergies were bothering me, but I still have a few yoga sessions left. So far, I think I have become stronger and more conscious of my body. For example, I notice that when I’m nervous or stressed out, I take shallow breaths. For me, the best part of yoga is breathing. Normally I don’t pay attention to my breaths, but during yoga I get plenty of oxygen, which I think is part of the reason why I feel refreshed afterwards. Treating the RotavirusDepending on how severe the rotavirus is, you may need to visit the hospital for oral rehydration therapy (ORT) or an IV. However, if it’s in the beginning stages, you can try to treat it at home. Unfortunately, since the rotavirus is a virus, the immune system needs to fight it. So while your body deals with the virus, you need to work on keeping it hydrated. Yoga: The Relaxation PartAll of my yoga classes end the same, and the last ten minutes are always the best part. Yoga really makes you get in touch with your body, and you start to feel fulfillment from the simplest things such as tensing and relaxing your muscles. Prevent the Spread of RotavirusThe rotavirus is highly contagious, and it can infect children as well as adults. If you or your child has it, it’s important to keep away from others. Good hygiene is also essential, so cough or sneeze in your arm and wash your hands regularly. Keeping those alcohol-based hand sanitizers nearby is a good idea. Lastly, another way to prevent the virus from spreading is to clean hard surfaces where germs may be lingering, because the rotavirus can live up to 10 days on a table. Healthy DetoxRecently, I went on my first detox. I found the detox system at a local natural food store, and the product was designed for women. I thought it would be a relieving experience, and it did start that way. Dirga PranayamaThe Dirga Pranayama may be a mouthful to say, but it can make all of the difference in the world. This is a three-part breathing exercise, which can be done anytime you’re feeling stressed or confused. This breathing technique can help you focus and relax. Follow the steps below:
Cut Out White Flour & SugarSounds impossible to cut white flour and sugar out of your diet, doesn’t it? Well, our bodies react to everything we feed it, and we don’t always nourish it properly. How do you feel after you’ve eaten a candy bar? Maybe you feel energized but then quickly drop and become tired afterwards. Limiting the types of foods you eat can have a positive impact on your energy level and state of wellness. Set the MoodRelaxing in your home might be hard for you to do, especially if you have children, pets, construction, noisy neighbors, etc. Sometimes you might have no choice but to go somewhere else like the park to find peace and quiet. However, on days when you can’t take off, you can set the mood in your home and meditate. I Love YogaSo far I’ve attended two out of the seven yoga classes, and I’m sad that I only have five more left. There is a mix of beginners and experts, but the instructor has made the class challenging for both. If you’re like I was and think that yoga is too difficult, you need to give it a try first. Regaining Your BalanceWhen is the last time you walked down the edge of a curb or tried to skateboard down your driveway? As we get older, we no longer have time to challenge our body in these ways like we did when we were kids. However, if you’re looking to regain your balance, yoga can help retrain your body. Reduce Stretch MarksWhen you’re trying to rid yourself of stretch marks, start by eating food rich in vitamin E and C or take daily supplements. The particular vitamins help with tissue growth and cell regeneration. Other options include lotions and oils. Cocoa butter is a common solution, but you can create an easy homemade lotion. Mix an ounce of carrier oil and an avocado with 5 drops of lavender essential oil and 3 drops of chamomile essential oil. This mixture promotes the healing of tissue. If you prefer oils, the following are effective: wheat germ oil, rosehip seed oil, Emu oil and grapeseed oil. Curing Razor BurnSensitive skin can be difficult to treat…it might seem like everything you apply to your skin causes a worse reaction. Shaving can easily damage your skin, especially if you have to shave every day. However, instead of suffering through the burning, you can manage the inflammation and irritation naturally. Energizer BunnyQuickly increasing your energy with sugar, caffeine, “miracle” drugs isn’t healthy. These quick fixes put stress on your heart and usually cause you to crash later. Then you’re left feeling exhausted and run down. Herbs offer a safer yet effective way to keep your energy going strong. Natural Pain RelieversMuscle pain can prevent you from getting around, and it’s not an enjoyable experience when you have to rough it out around your home or office with a strained muscle. Time off of your feet is sometimes the best medicine, but what do you do when the pain starts getting to you? Wheatgrass JuiceWheatgrass is a common plant sold at pet stores, and although it’s an excellent snack for cats, it can be an even better addition to your morning juice. Making fresh fruit juice in the morning can help give your body to the boost it needs to start your day. Even though it’s high in natural sugars, your metabolism should be able to burn it off quickly, especially if you drink it at the beginning of your day. Wheatgrass juice is a natural detox, and it can increase your energy too. However, some people have become lightheaded after drinking small amounts of it, so it’s best to start by adding one ounce of wheatgrass juice to your drink. Weight Loss Tips That Make All the DifferenceIf you have a goal to lose weight, you definitely need to be disciplined. To help you shed some pounds, here are a few tips to make you go “hmmm:” Bathtime DetoxDetox drinks and systems can make you a prisoner to your bathroom, but you can have a more pleasant detox simply by taking a hot bath. The hot water helps draw out the toxins from your skin’s surface, which is what happens when you sweat. By adding salt to your bath, you help out the process. Relieve Sun BurnsEnjoying 15 to 20 minutes in direct sunlight between 10 am and 2 pm can be enough to give you sunburn. Did you know that you’re also more likely to experience severe sunburns when it’s cloudy? So in the general scheme of things, no time of day is safe from sunburns. However, if you do end up with red, peeling shoulders, you can treat it naturally. Essential Oils for Sinus InfectionsDuring the first few days of a sinus infection, it can be difficult to breathe. However, diffusing anise or eucalyptus essential oil in your home or office can help you get through the day. Or even drinking tea with these herbs can open your nasal passages. Also, lavender essential oil can be applied to your chest, nose and any swollen lymph nodes. Lavender can relax you, but it also has antiseptic qualities. Causes of Sinus InfectionsA 1999 study showed that fungal organisms were found in the mucus of 96 percent of patients with chronic sinusitis. So what caused these fungal organisms to get into their nasal passages? The hard fact of it is that we breathe in fungus and mold spores all of the time. However, you can make your nose less susceptible to these organisms. Power of a Netti Pot: Prevent Sinus InfectionsNetti pots can be an effective tool to use when you’re trying to prevent sinus infections. They look like miniature watering cans, and they’re simple to use. Some people seem to be afraid of putting water up their nose, but it helps cleanse your nostrils. By mixing salt into the water, it can also aid in killing the infection. All you have to do is remember to tilt your head in the opposite direction (if placing the netti pot into the left nostril, keep your head tilted to the right). The water will pour out of your right nostril. After you have thoroughly cleansed both sides, blow your nose a few times to ensure all of the water is out. I find that using a netti pot while in the shower is more convenient and less messy. Trouble Sleeping?Tylenol PM commercials can persuade you to start using their product to help you get adequate sleep. However, there is always a risk of dependency with these drugs, and it’s not healthy for your body to constantly be exposed to them either. An alternative is to start an evening ritual where you prepare for bedtime. After you have your pajamas on and your face and teeth brushed, drink a hot cup of tea in bed. There are a variety of bedtime teas that promote sleep with valerian, chamomile and other calming herbs. Instead of experiencing that morning “hangover” from the sleeping pills, you can wake up well rested. At Home Stress RelieversFace it…stress is a part of our daily lives. It might hide out for awhile, but you can be sure that it will creep up on you at the most inconvenient times. Some days you might even feel like you can’t escape, but these simple remedies outlined below can give you some relief even if you can’t leave your home. Self Foot MassageLearning the basics of reflexology can get you back up on your feet in no time. Plus, it positively affects other organs in your body. First, buy scented massage oil that contains almond or jojoba. This will enable you to keep smooth strokes when rubbing your feet, and it will also soften the skin. Start by massaging the middle of your foot and work in circles to the outer edge. Don’t neglect the top of your foot, heel or toes. This can be a relaxing ritual to do before bedtime. To learn more about foot massage check out foot reflexology or Swedish massage books or sites on the Internet. Lower Blood PressureMany factors can affect your blood pressure. Some include weight, activity level, tobacco use, sodium and potassium intake, stress, alcohol consumption, age and genetics. You might eat well and be slim, but you can still have high blood pressure due to one of the factors above. Sweeten It UpAre you looking for a healthier sweetener than sugar? Try Agave nectar because it’s natural and contains no artificial sweeteners. The nectar is similar to honey in consistency, and it’s derived from the Agave plant. You can use the nectar in drinks (tea, coffee, etc.) and food (bread, muffins, etc.). Because it’s low in calories and has no chemicals this is a healthy option for children and adults. Another natural sweetener called Stevia is also a safer option for those with diabetes. Wake Without CoffeeCoffee is fine in moderation, but you can cause acid wear on the lining of your stomach and severely disrupt your digestive system by drinking it all day. A healthier alternative is drinking black tea. These teas are invigorating, and depending on what fruits or herbs enhance its flavor, they can give you the kick you need to start your day. Malty black teas are perfect with whole grain muffins or dippy eggs and toast. Plus, teas are a natural diuretic and will help your body flush out any toxins. This will definitely enable your body to start each day with a clean slate. Treating UTIsUrinary tract infections (UTI) are common and easily cured, but you need to treat them so they don’t develop into a more severe infection. Any of the following herbs can be used to treat your UTI: Goldenseal Root (antimicrobial), Uva Ursi (antiseptic), Cleavers, Marshmallow Root and Usnea Lichen, Buchu and Corn Silk (helps increase urine flow), or Horsetail (astringent and heals tissues). After you have chosen which herb you would like to try, find it in tea or capsule form. Since Cleavers is specifically known to treat UTIs, you should try this one or the Marshmallow Root and Usnea Lichen first. After an Acupuncture TreatmentAfter every acupuncture treatment, you’re going to feel different. Depending on what the acupuncturist worked on, you might be tired or energetic. It’s important to listen to your body’s energy level, which is why you should schedule your appointment so you have time to relax if you feel it necessary. Before an Acupuncture TreatmentBefore going to your first acupuncture treatment, it’s important to mentally prepare yourself. Acknowledge the fact that needles will be involved, but don’t let it take over your mind and cause you to fear the experience. Yes, you will be nervous, but you will soon find out that it’s more relaxing than painful. Really the only pain occurs when the acupuncturist manipulates the needle. This occurs after the needle has been inserted. Sometimes you feel a tingly or pinching sensation because it has stimulated a nerve. Essential Oil PrecautionsEssential oils have powerful properties, and each one can be used in a variety of ways. However, in order to use them properly, you have to follow some safety and health precautions. Tea Tree Oil Zaps ZitsTea tree oil is an essential oil can be used as an antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial or fungicide. Because of its drying properties, it can effectively shrink blemishes and prevent you from breaking out. Opt for Natural DeodorantsDid you know that traditional deodorants contain aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium? Aluminum is an effective antiperspirant, and it often makes up 25 percent of some deodorants. However, aluminum may have some health risks associated with it. Although it has not been proven, aluminum may be to blame for increasing estrogen levels in women and causing breast cancer. If you want to be completely sure that the deodorant you’re applying is safe, choose a natural one that contains organic ingredients and scents. Some brands include Trader Joe’s, Tom’s of Maine, Burt’s Bess and Dr. Hauschka, and you can sometimes find these at your local grocery store.
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