April 2011 ~ I'm Holistic

Nettles & Fenuthyme to the seasonal allergy rescue

9:36 PM Postwriter

Do you get a seasonal cold? One in the spring and one in the Fall? You may be suffering from allergies. In the spring and the fall there are so many allergens in the air from the pollens to the molds. These allergens can attack an unsuspecting person and make them feel like they are coming down with a cold when actually it's your immune response reacting to the allergens. Most Americans eat far too many grains, sugar and dairy all of which are considered an acid forming food.

Realizing that I am not the most technical person I won't bore you with the details. In a nut shell, your body becomes overloaded with jobs to do, or at least that is the way I like to visualize how it works. The human body needs to stay ph balanced and alkaline in order to keep our immune responses at it's highest capability. When you've eaten too many acid forming foods your internal system will start looking for alkalinity. In the process it will steal whatever it can from your body to keep you alkaline, this essentially leaves an opportunity for outside elements to attack an wreak havoc on your now defenseless system.

How do you help yourself through this time? How do you stop it completely?

Eat more greens! Raw fruits and vegetables have enzymes that help your body break food down so your body can easily absorb the nutrients.
Cut out the grains, dairy and processed foods
Eat only organic, naturally raised, no hormones, range free meat products
Take Nettles and FenuThyme
See a Maximized Living Chiropractor

Why NETTLES & FENUTHYME?

1)Nettles - Suggested Use: 2 caps/tablets am & 2 caps/tablets pm during times of seasonal distress. A third dose can be added if it feels like it's not working.

Nettles have been used for centuries to treat allergy symptoms, particularly hayfever which is the most common allergy problem. It contains biologically active compounds that reduce inflammation.

In my own life it has replaced all of my decongestants, antihistamines, allergy shots and even prescription medications such as Allegra and Zyrtec. Nettles offer a beneficial solution without all of the medicated side effects you would get from prescriptions.

It can be used on a regular basis and has a number of other benefits.

Nettles has been studied extensively and has shown promise in treating Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, asthma, bladder infections, bronchitis, bursitis, gingivitis, gout, hives, kidney stones, laryngitis, multiple sclerosis, PMS, prostate enlargement, sciatica, and tendinitis!

Externally it can be used for dandruff or an itchy scalp, treat skin complaints, arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, hemorrhoids and hair problems.

Currently Germany uses stinging nettles as an herbal drug for prostate diseases and as a diuretic. It is also commonly used in other herbal drugs for rheumatic complaints and inflammatory conditions (especially for the lower urinary tract and prostate).

The nettle leaf has many extraordinary healing properties used here as a diuretic, for arthritis, prostatitis, rheumatism, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, excessive menstruation, hemorrhoids, high blood pressure and allergic rhinitis.

In addition, nettle's aerial parts may reduce the amount of histamine that is produced by the body in response to an allergen. An allergen is a substance such as pollen that may provoke an exaggerated immune response in individuals who are sensitive to it. Through this potential action, the aerial parts of nettle may help to reduce allergy symptoms.

2)FenuThyme - (Fenugreek & Thyme) Suggested Use: 2capsules am & 2capsules pm during times of seasonal distress. A third dose can be added if it feels like it's not working.

Fenugreek & Thyme is an herbal combination designed to support the respiratory system. It relieves congestion, reduces inflammation and fights infection. Fenugreek & Thyme contains expectorant properties ideal for treating sinus and lung congestion, and loosens and removes excess mucus and phlegm.

Fenugreek & Thyme is an excellent source of selenium, an antiradiant which helps the body utilize oxygen. Additionally, it is also a natural source of iron, silicon, sodium and thiamine.

Fenugreek contains mucilagins which are known for soothing and relaxing inflamed tissues. Fenugreek stimulates the production of mucosal fluids helping remove allergens and toxins from the respiratory tract. Acting as an expectorant, fenugreek alleviates coughing, stimulates perspiration to reduce fevers, and is beneficial for treating allergies, bronchitis and congestion.

Thyme has been used for centuries for its aromatic qualities. Thyme contains volatile oils that have antiseptic qualities which are ideal for treating infections of the respiratory system. Thyme also contains antispasmodic properties ideal for relieving chronic coughing, muscle spasms and headaches.

The herbal combination Fenugreek & Thyme is beneficial for treating asthma, respiratory tract infections, sinus congestion and various respiratory problems. Fenugreek & Thyme helps build the immune system, calm agitated nerves and tissues, and aid poor digestion.

Benefits
    •    Supports Ear Health
    •    Relief of Occasional Upper Respiratory Discomfort
    •    Helps Soothe Mucous Membranes

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of I'm Holistic, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experiences of I'm Holistic. I'm Holistic encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Qi Gong Energy

4:53 PM Postwriter

Why Qigong... works for me?

When I first started practicing Qigong I found it interesting how an exercise could provide me with proof that I am energy and energy is in everything. I never really looked at anything that way before. Now I realize everything is made from energy and when you practice Qigong it helps you to focus your energy on the energy. I have now been practicing Qigong for 6 years now and it always finds a way to help me bring the peace back into my day.

One of the most important lessons I have learned during my journey is that peace, quiet, reflection, time and appreciation are needed in order to fully accept the blessings in my life. For years I have been struggling with health issues and somehow I knew that by giving myself the time to focus my energy then everything else could make itself right, and for me this has come true.

I encourage you to look into Qigong and discover how it might be able to help you find focus on your energy while gracing you with peaceful moments.

What is Qigong?

Qigong or chi kung is the Chinese philosophy and practice of aligning breath, physical activity and awareness for mental, spiritual and corporeal health, as well as the development of human potential. It includes aspects of Chinese martial arts and purportedly the spiritual awakening to one's true nature.

Qi means vital energy. The constant motion and circulation of qi both promotes and indicates balance within the physiology.

Chinese Medicine is based upon this theory, that a continual flow of qi achieves balance. These exercises and practices are commonly referred to as Qi Gong. 'Gong' means method. Qi Gong means energy method or exercises.

Theory

The central idea in qigong practice is the control and manipulation of qi, a form of energy. Similar representations of this qi concept can be found in other cultures for example, Prana in Vedantic philosophy, mana in Hawaiian culture, Lüng in Tibetan Buddhism and Vital energy in Western thoughts. Some elements of this idea can be understood in the term energy when used by writers and practitioners of various esoteric forms of spirituality and alternative medicine. Some elements of the qi concept can be found in popular culture. For example, The Force in Star Wars movies has many qi like qualities.

The concept of qi as a form of pervasive energy is a fundamental pillar of Chinese Philosophy. This energy is considered to exist in all things including the air, water, food, and sunlight. In the body, qi represents the unseen vital force that sustains life. Qigong practice involves the manipulation and balance of the qi within the practitioner’s body and its interaction with the practitioner’s surroundings.The method and ultimate objective for the practice is dependent on the practitioner.

Traditionally, qigong training has been thought of as being esoteric and secretive. Over the centuries, the exchange of ideas between various elements within Chinese society has created a unified overview of qigong practice even though each segment maintains its own detailed interpretations and methods.
A person is considered to have been born with original amounts of qi. A person acquires qi from the food by eating, from the air by breathing and from interacting with their environment. A person becomes ill or dies when the amount or type of qi is unbalanced within the body. The practice of qigong is to regulate and control the qi within the body.

In broad terms, according to Taoist and Buddhist philosophy, the regulation of qi is through three interconnected components: the Mind (心), the Body (身) and the Spirit (靈). For Buddhists, the training of the mind is through meditation, contemplation and special exercises. For some Taoists, the training and regulation also include external agents such as the ingestion of herbs and interactions with others. For Confucius scholars the training involved the principle of cultivating virtue (de or te 德”) with virtue being defined according to a Confucian ideal.

The development of traditional Chinese medicine added more details to the role of qi within the human body. In this system, qi travels through the body along twelve main meridians channels and numerous smaller branches and tributaries. Those main meridians also correspond to twelve main organs: the lung, large intestines, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, urinary bladder, kidney, liver, gallbladder, pericardium, and the ‘‘triple warmer,’’ which represents the entire torso region. The amount and flow of qi is affected by a person’s emotional state which is ultimately related to the Mind, the Body and the Spirit. Most qigong practices use this concept of proper qi flow through those meridians as a basic premise.

All elements within Chinese society accept the importance of “Yin” and “Yang” or balance between complementary principles. This view suggest that two forces are always interacting, opposing, and influencing each other. As a result, it is not possible or desirable to eliminate one of those forces. The ideal situation is to seek a balance between those opposing forces. This concept is also applied in qigong theories. For example, the organs within the body are classified in terms of “Fire” (Yang organs) and “Water” (Yin organs), one of the goals in qigong practice is to balance the qi between those opposing organs. Other theories, such as the Five Elements (Wu Xing, 五行), provide even more details to explain the role and effect of qi within the human body.

Historically, the effect of qigong practice has always been subjective. It ranges from a feeling of calmness and peacefulness to a sense of well being. Throughout history, remarkable claims have also been made as a result of qigong practice. The journey towards self-enlightenment can include descriptions of out of body experiences and miraculous powers for both the Buddhist and the Taoist.For some individuals, qigong training is seen as providing a curative function after extensive training. For martial artists, qigong training is credited as the basis for developing extraordinary powers such as the ability to withstand blows and the ability to break hard objects.

In the early 1980s, the Chinese scientific community attempted to verify the principles of qi through external measurements. Initially, they reported great success suggesting that qi can be measured as a form of electrical magnetic radiation. Other reports indicates that qi can induce external effects such as changing the properties of a liquid, clairvoyance, and telekinesis^. Those reports created great excitement within the paranormal and para psychological research communities.

However, those reports were severely criticized by the conventional scientific community both within China and outside of China. The main criticism from the conventional scientific establishment about qigong research is the lack of application of the principles of the scientific method notably the absence of scientific rigor, the small sample sizes, the uncontrolled testing environment and lack of reproducibility. In addition to those criticisms, the public acceptance of paranormal properties arising from qigong practice contributed to social unrest.
As a result of those controversies, the emphasis on qigong research within Mainland Chinas has changed from externally verifying the existence of qi to focus on effects on health and as a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine without any reference to other aspects of traditional qigong practice.
In contrast, Western society has accepted the spiritual elements of qigong practice and pays homage to its rich past. The Buddhist, Taoist, TCM or Martial Arts origins are recognized and used as justification for its effectiveness. Given this acceptance, qigong practice becomes an important tool for improving one’s health.

Similar to the subject of efficacy of Traditional Chinese medicine, the chasm between the Eastern tradition of qi and the Western scientific viewpoints are not insurmountable if the analysis is limited to the effect on qigong practice on biological processes without demanding a material interpretation of qi.

There is convincing argument to view as the concept of qi as a metaphor for certain biological processes.The effectiveness of qigong can also be explained in terms of concepts more familiar to Western medicine such as stress management, biofeedback and neurology.

Resources:

Wikipedia

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of I'm Holistic, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experiences of I'm Holistic. I'm Holistic encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

My Favorite Cleanses

5:48 PM Postwriter

When I started on my quest to reverse the disorder in my body, I bought books, I combed the internet, I polled others and then I went to work at a health food store where I learned about some of the best cleanses and easiest ways to detox your body.

All of these methods were very effective and brought very little stress to my already stressed out body. The trick is to only eat fruits, vegetables and occasionally fish while you are doing a cleanse. All other foods can take you away from your cleanse and can actually hender your cleansing process. Because I was focused on the yeast cleanse during all of my cleanses I eliminated all sweet fruit and sweet vegetables. Sweet fruit would be oranges, tropical fruits, bananas, peaches, pears, raisins and plums. I mainly eat grapefruit, lemon, lime and any berries. Sweet veggies include carrots and tomatoes. By eliminating the sweet fruits and veggies you help your body cut down on the amount of sugar being processed. Sugar creates havoc all by itself, even the "good" kind, especially in a body full of inflammations. While it is important for me to eliminate the possibility for candida (yeast) to grow it is even more important to me to cut back on any foods that might create inflammations. Inflammations for me means my endometriosis might have a reason to speak up and pain from endo is just not worth the sugar intake for me.

Here is a list of each cleanse I did:

Yeast cleanse first because it gave me immediate results (took 5 months to get rid of the candida, but candida is the cause of many of our disorders). For more information on candida you can find it on mercola.com or google it.

Gallbladder cleanse

Lemon and Olive oil before bed (you can get a recipe for this online) Drink it right before bed and lay on your side
Gallstonex - by Solaray (follow the bottle)
Probiotics (1 daily - Natren or Garden of Life)
Chlorophyll (2x's daily - liquid)
Nutrition stick with Yeast cleanse diet

Kidney and Liver Cleanse

Milk Thistle (follow the bottle - liquid)
Marshmallow root tea ( 1 tsp to 1 tblspn in a cup of hot water - heat the water add the marshmallow - blend in a blender and drink - tastes like lima bean :) )
Dandelion root (tablespoon in the am/pm)
Total Kidney Cleanse - by Solaray (follow the bottle)
Probiotic (Natren or Garden of Life - 1 time a day)
Chlorophyll (2 x's daily - liquid is best)
Nutrition - stick with yeast cleanse diet

Heavy Metal Detox and Colon Cleanse

Sonnes #7 (follow direction on bottle)
Chlorophyll (2 x's daily)
Psyllium Husk (follow bottle) or Castor Oil
Probiotic (Natren or Garden of Life)
Nutrition - stick with yeast cleanse

DO NOT do any of these cleanses unless you are living a reasonably healthy lifestyle. There are no shortcuts to real health! Taking sudden and extreme action could make you feel worse, not better. A probiotic can help you make it thru the most challenging days of your cleanse. Prepare by taking some time off and make sure that you have the support of your family and friends. This blog is intended to help offer natural, holistic solutions that have helped many and in no way replaces the need for medical attention. If you have an emergency you should always consult your physician.