Expert: Black tea has many health benefits
March 13, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Tea has many health benefits including manganese, good for physical development, and potassium, good to maintain fluid balance, a U.S. food expert said.
Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst, trend watcher and creator of supermarketguru.com, said studies also show tea drinkers are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease than non-drinkers, and a recent study discovered black tea lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Black tea is also packed with flavonoids, antioxidants that help combat free radicals that cause cellular damage and aging.
Flavonoids also help prevent the oxidation of “bad” cholesterol, protect blood vessels from inflammation and inhibit blood clotting. « Read the rest of this entry »
Tai Chi Benefits Patients With Parkinson’s (via New York Times)
February 14, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Tai chi, an ancient martial art characterized by slow, flowing movement and meditation, helps improve balance and movement control for people with Parkinson’s disease.
The finding, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, is the latest study to show the benefits of tai chi for people with chronic health problems. Past studies have shown that tai chi reduces falls and depression among the elderly, and lessens pain for patients with arthritis and fibromyalgia.
In Parkinson’s disease, nerve cells in the brain that produce the chemical dopamine begin to die. Lower dopamine production can lead to tremors, balance problems, stiff facial expressions and muffled speech, among other problems. « Read the rest of this entry »
Alternative Ways to Ease Menopause Symptoms
January 10, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and irritability are just a few of the many linked to menopause. Today, many women are turning toward alternative and holistic solutions in finding relief from painful and troublesome menopause symptoms.
While there is little scientific evidence supporting the long-term effectiveness of many of these treatments, a number of studies on the subject are currently under way. Here are some of the most common alternative menopause treatments:
- Soy. The phytoestrogens — estrogen-like chemicals — in soy may help with hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings, but there is no conclusive evidence. According to family physician and natural medicine specialist Dr. Novey, a combination of soy and black cohosh can be effective in reducing hot flashes in early menopause.
- Ginseng. Novey says ginseng has a stimulant effect and can help with the “brain fog” that some women report in menopause; it also may improve energy. It has no effect on hot flashes.
- Kava. Novey says this herb can help with irritability, but there’s no evidence it decreases hot flashes. He adds it’s possible to get withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the herb. In 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about kava, saying it could damage the liver.
- Dong quai and red clover. These herbs have no benefits in treating menopausal symptoms, according to Novey and NCCAM.
Alternative Medicine Finds Place in Veterinary Offices
November 2, 2011 § 1 Comment
Four-year-old Milo, a pit/boxer mix, was facing surgery on his cruciate ligament. He was held steady as veterinarian Marc Smith placed about 12 acupuncture needles into the dog’s back and aching leg. Smith is one of several veterinarians that are starting to mix Western medicine with Eastern techniques at his practice, Natchez Trace Veterinary Services. Animals find themselves treated with acupuncture, chiropractic and herbals, as well as traditional therapies.
Milo seemed to have great results. “He came out like a champ and went home this morning,” Smith said of the procedure.
Smith is one of many vets that started a traditional practice, only to become curious and try out chiropractic or acupuncture treatments — and has found that alternative medicine on pets has been very effective. His practice is now about 30 percent Eastern treatments, Smith estimates.
Compiling Your Alternative First Aid Kit: Day 13
August 10, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Lavender (lavandula angustifolia) Oil
Lavender oil is one of the most useful alternative remedies when it comes to small issues and general well-being. Have a headache, feeling low, need to chill out? Trying to squelch bad odors? Lavender oil is easy to throw in your bag, and you can rub it on your temple, the pressure points on the inside of your wrists, and under your nose.
Aromatherapy is a simple and effective way to help you maintain emotional balance while on the move. I spray a small amount of lavender oil on my pillow before bed to encourage relaxation and to help soothe me to sleep. As a bonus, it can also deter some insects from biting you, though it’s not recommended as a substitute for mosquito repellent so much as a complement. Just remember never to ingest lavender oil: it is toxic in such a concentrated form.
Source: Matador Life
Dr. Ariel Perez Talks About Functional Oncology Treatment Centers
July 25, 2011 § 1 Comment
In conjunction with the last post on naturopathic and alternative cancer Treatments, I wanted to include this video of Dr. Ariel Perez as he discusses why he brought his innovative Functional Oncology program to Hospital Angeles.
Compiling Your Alternative First Aid Kit: Day 3
July 25, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Cramp Bark (viburnum opulus)
Few things can kill a travel buzz like bad menstrual cramps. Cramp bark is a herbal alternative to over-the-counter painkillers. Cramp bark goes farther than just dulling the pain, it also helps to chill out the muscles that are causing the pain, thereby stopping the cramps. Take it in a tincture.
About cramp bark: this large deciduous shrub can grow as much as 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide. It is native to the moist lowland forests of England and Scotland and naturalized to moist forests of the northern United States and southern Canada. The bark is stripped before the leaves change color in the fall, or before the buds open in the spring. A member of the honeysuckle family, cramp bark bears large white flowers, up to 5 inches across that yield red berries in the fall. The berries are eaten like cranberries, although moderation is recommended. Historically, the berries, once dried, have been used for making ink.
Source: Matador Life
Hospital Angeles’ Five Day Treatment Program for Cancer Support
July 25, 2011 § 5 Comments
Functional Oncology is an alternative cancer program which treats the patient in a holistic and integrated way. It combines treatments and specialists from traditional medicine with a natural and holistic approach — treating the patient as a complete system.
The Angeles Functional Oncology Program in Tijuana is commended for being one of the most innovative, advanced integrative cancer treatment approaches available in the world. The Angeles Day Program for Cancer Support is a process designed to optimally prepare your body, mind and spirit for the best possible outcomes to impending cancer treatment. « Read the rest of this entry »
Compiling Your Alternative First Aid Kit: Item 2
July 21, 2011 § 1 Comment
Goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis)
A powerful antibacterial, antibiotic, and antiparasitical potion. Goldenseal in its powdered form can be applied to open cuts to help them from getting infected. On the road it’s best used in a tincture if you get something funky from dirty water or street food. It can zap parasites and help to keep your intestinal tract free of them. Coupled with echinacea, it can take on more serious colds like strep throat when you are in a pinch.
Source: Matador Life
Holistic Psychology at Sanoviv Medical Institute
July 19, 2011 § Leave a Comment
In conjunction with the prior two posts, here is a video which features further information on holistic medicine, and diagnostics focusing on the root cause of illness, from Sanoviv Medical Center.
