Archive for October, 2009

Natural Headache Remedies

October 30, 2009 Written by JP

Alternative remedies are generally best suited for the management of chronic conditions. On the other hand, acute symptoms and medical emergencies frequently require conventional care. If you break a leg, going to the hospital obviously makes much better sense than treating it with guided imagery and an herbal poultice. But with non-life threatening conditions such as recurrent headaches, the side effects associated with long term medication often make natural remedies a more attractive option. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutritional Supplements | 26 Comments & Updates

Bone Brain Connection

October 29, 2009 Written by JP

The connection between mental health and the condition of the physical body is often neglected in modern medicine. One example is the way conventional doctors generally treat bone loss, otherwise known as osteopenia (minor loss of bone density) and osteoporosis (significant loss of bone mineralization). The typical advice given is to take the “recommended daily allowance (RDA)” of supplemental calcium and Vitamin D, hormone replacement therapy and a select group of medications that attempt to “harden” the bones. But one suggestion that I’ve never heard from an allopathic physician is to practice stress management as a way of protecting the skeletal system. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Bone and Joint Health, Mental Health | 8 Comments & Updates

Bee Venom Therapy

October 28, 2009 Written by JP

Bees are invaluable members of the ecosystem. The sustainability of many of the foods we eat is directly dependent upon the pollination provided by these incredibly productive insects. The prospect of being stung by a bumble bee or a European honey bee is quite another story. We avoid being in close proximity to bees and hives because of this very concern. Some people are understandably fearful of the pain associated with stings. A much smaller segment of the population has yet another reason to fret: allergic reactions to bee venom. There are however certain individuals who seek out bees for the express purpose of getting stung repeatedly. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies | 6 Comments & Updates

Serenity Formula Product Review

October 27, 2009 Written by JP

According to the October issue of the AARP Bulletin, 10 of the most popular medications prescribed in the United States are used to address psychological symptoms. In fact, over 243 million prescriptions were written in 2008 alone expressly for this purpose. Anxiety, depression and insomnia top the list of conditions for which these drugs are dispensed. But that startling statistic doesn’t reveal whether or not any natural alternatives were tried prior to the use of these powerful, psychoactive agents. Read more »


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Posted in Mental Health, Nutritional Supplements, Product Reviews | 22 Comments & Updates

Acupressure and Massage News

October 26, 2009 Written by JP

Mind-body therapies such acupressure and massage are entering the mainstream of modern medicine. These non-invasive techniques are proving themselves both in controlled scientific studies and in the “eyes” of health care consumers worldwide. Conventional doctors tend to be more open to these treatments because they’re unlikely to do any harm while, at the same time, they provoke positive feelings. This point of view is a bit dismissive but there’s also some logic to it. Any form of therapy that evokes positive sensations and stimulates beneficial chemical, hormonal and immunological changes in the body is likely to do some good. It doesn’t matter whether you believe in the underlying concepts or philosophy that accompanies the treatment itself. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Heart Health, Mental Health | 21 Comments & Updates

Umcka for Respiratory Infections

October 23, 2009 Written by JP

South African geranium (Pelargonium sidoides) is a medicinal plant that is attracting a lot attention in the scientific community. This cold and flu season may be a good opportunity for this traditional herbal remedy to broaden its reach. There’s a great deal of attention and concern about the H1N1 novel flu virus these days. No one knows how much of an impact this current viral strain will ultimately have. But we do know that upper respiratory infections will certainly affect millions upon millions of people in the coming year alone. Therefore, I think it’s advantageous to know about as many safe and natural resources as possible. These immune boosting supplements may help protect us from the risks that we know about and those that may or may not come to pass. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, General Health, Nutritional Supplements | 7 Comments & Updates

Healthy Fast Food Breakfast

October 22, 2009 Written by JP

Most nutritionists agree that a hearty breakfast is an integral part of a healthy diet. But many people avoid morning meals either because of a lack appetite or a scarcity of time. I can’t personally relate to the absence of hunger, but I can understand not having the time to prepare and eat a proper meal on the go. That’s why I’ve devised a few simple recipes that help me to sidestep these pitfalls. These “breakfasts on the go” are dairy-free, low in sugar and nutrient dense. I also happen to think they’re quite delicious. Read more »


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Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Recipes | 7 Comments & Updates

Patient Power

October 21, 2009 Written by JP

I wish doctors were able to follow new developments in medicine much like investors track the stock market. Unfortunately that’s not possible for most physicians. There simply isn’t enough time to run a successful practice and adequately pursue the most cutting edge research. That’s why I encourage you to share the information found on this site with others and with your health care team. Doing so can help your doctor stay current in a way that he or she might not be able to otherwise. Read more »


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Posted in Food and Drink, Mental Health, Nutritional Supplements | 2 Comments & Updates

Natural Liver Protection

October 20, 2009 Written by JP

The word “detoxification” is frequently mentioned in holistic circles. Perhaps the most important organ involved in this process is the liver. Without it, the body could not handle exposure to alcohol, environmental contaminants, junk food and even medications. The liver is responsible for promoting healthy blood (via the production of albumin and clotting factors) and combats fatigue by storing fat as an source of energy. Furthermore, it also aids in the absorption of life promoting nutrients such as CoQ10, Vitamins A, D, E and K. Simply put, without a properly functioning liver, one cannot live a vigorous life. Read more »


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Posted in Detoxification, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements | 39 Comments & Updates

Green Tea Mood

October 19, 2009 Written by JP

Last week I described how Vitamin D was quickly becoming a major player in the landscape of modern medicine. Green tea is likewise gaining popularity in the medical literature. Exploring the benefits of Camellia sinensis provides a rather unique opportunity. Millions upon millions of people drink this beverage on a daily basis. This affords researchers fertile ground upon which they can conduct large population studies, in addition to more controlled experiments. Read more »


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Posted in Food and Drink, Mental Health, Nutrition | 7 Comments & Updates

Vitamin D Headlines

October 17, 2009 Written by JP

If you took a poll that asked people to identify the most popular vitamin in the world, you’d likely find that Vitamin C tops the list. But if you posed that same question to researchers who are currently conducting scientific studies, their answer would almost certainly be Vitamin D – and I’m not just referring to researchers in the field of nutritional science. Specialists from all over the medical map are expressing an interest in the role that the “sunshine vitamin” may play in conditions ranging from asthma to cardiovascular disease to diabetes, and even lesser known conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These days, the scientific literature is simply lit up with references to ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3).

Read more »


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Posted in Bone and Joint Health, Nutritional Supplements, Women's Health | 13 Comments & Updates

Meditation and Cancer

October 15, 2009 Written by JP

There are few things in life that are more devastating than being diagnosed with a malignancy. Over 12 million new cancer cases were recorded worldwide in 2008. According to the World Health Organization, those numbers appear to be growing. In 1975, nearly 6 million people were diagnosed with cancer. In 2000, that number grew to 10 million. By the year 2030, it is estimated that more than 20,000,000 people will have to deal with this reality. On this site, I regularly report on natural therapies that will hopefully offer protection from this unwelcome fate. But it’s also important to have resources available if cancer becomes a personal issue for ourselves or someone we love. (1) Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Mental Health | 11 Comments & Updates

Health News for Women

October 14, 2009 Written by JP

Menopause is a time when many women begin to think about health issues that extend well beyond “hot flashes”. Every woman experiences this time of life in a different way. For some, the hormonal shift that occurs can profoundly influence quality of life in waking hours and even during sleep. Others are more fortunate and get through this period with only mild “reminders”. But what all women have in common are the physiological changes that are taking place, whether they feel them or not. Read more »


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Posted in Heart Health, Mental Health, Women's Health | 6 Comments & Updates