Natural Healing Tools

QLink Testimonials for Golfers

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:24:00 +0000

Q Link SRT 3 Pendants for golfers at Natural Healing Tools!

Did You Know...

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:49:00 +0000

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and is essential to good health. In our bones we have around 50% of total body magnesium but in our blood we have only 1% of magnesium. It’s a small part but very important for people’s health. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.

Topical Magnesium is an easy way to get your daily dose of magnesium. Spray oil, gel, lotion and bath flake formulas available!

Microwave Radiation from Cell Antenna and Towers on Oakville Firehouse

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:25:00 +0000

The Ethics of Designer Brains

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:19:00 +0000

The Best Cholesterol Tests to Take

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:52:00 +0000

Aromatherapy: Is it worthwhile?

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:37:00 +0000

What are the benefits of aromatherapy?

Answer

from Brent A. Bauer, M.D. Mayo Clinic

Research on the effectiveness of aromatherapy — the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from plants — is limited. However, some studies have shown that aromatherapy might have health benefits, including:

Relief from anxiety and depression
Improved quality of life, particularly for people who have chronic health conditions

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are typically extracted from various parts of plants and then distilled. The highly concentrated oils may be inhaled directly or indirectly or applied to the skin through massage, lotions or bath salts. Aromatherapy is thought to work by stimulating smell receptors in the nose, which then send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions.

Many essential oils have been shown to be safe when used as directed. However, essential oils used in aromatherapy aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. When applied to the skin, side effects may include allergic reactions, skin irritation and sun sensitivity. In addition, further research is needed to determine how essential oils might affect children and how the oils might affect women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, as well as how the oils might interact with medications and other treatments.

If you're considering aromatherapy, consult your doctor and a trained aromatherapist about the possible risks and benefits.

For aromatherapy oils and diffusers, see the selection at Natural Healing Tools.

New Information Kit for Parents on the Threat of Synthetic Drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

President and CEO Steve Pasierb Addresses Emergence of Synthetic Drugs in Washington, DC; Introduces New Information Kit for Parents

By Cassie Goldberg | February 16, 2012 | 2 Comments | Filed in Our Blog

This morning, The Partnership at Drugfree.or g President and CEO Steve Pasierb co-hosted a working group session with Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy. The session brought together officials from the public and private sector to share information regarding the emerging threat of synthetic drugs and coordinate the Federal, state and local response.

Often marketed as legal substances, synthetic drugs are sometimes labeled as “herbal incense” or “bath salts” and sold in small pouches or packets over the Internet, in tobacco and smoke shops, drug paraphernalia shops, gas stations, and convenience stores.In December, the National Institute on Drug Abuse released new information indicating that one in nine high school seniors had used “Spice” or “K2” over the past year, making synthetic marijuana the second most frequently used illicit drug, after marijuana, among high school seniors. Poison Control Centers operating across the Nation have also reported sharp increases in the number of calls relating to synthetic drugs.

Pasierb also introduced a kit for parents and adult influencers at a media briefing following the group session. The kit houses the tools parents need to talk with their teens about this emerging threat and recognize the warning signs of use. It includes a slidecast about synthetic drugs and a printable guide so parents can present details on what to look for, what the street names are and what the effects of these substances are to others in their community. It is available on the drug guide of The Partnership at Drugfree.org website and is part of a “Parents360″ community education program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

“Synthetic drugs like Spice, K2, and ‘bath salts’ are a serious threat to the health and safety of young people throughout America,” said Kerlikowske. “We will continue to coordinate a comprehensive government-wide response, but we cannot do this alone. Parents and adult influencers must understand the serious threat these drugs pose and act today to talk to teens about the serious health and safety consequences of drug use – in whichever form it may come.”

“The drug scene is constantly changing and we’ve seen this firsthand in calls to our Parents Toll-Free Helpline and reflected in the facts, numbers and stories presented this morning,” said Pasierb. “This is a serious ‘wake-up call’ for everyone about the extent of synthetic drug use among kids, and that’s why it’s so important for parents to educate themselves about changing drug trends so they’ll know what to look for.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org’s new information kit is just one critical way we’re increasing awareness among parents about the dangers of these new substances, as well as giving them the accessible, understandable tools they need to talk with their kids about the risks of using synthetic drugs.”

Why Choose a Cellerciser?

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:52:00 +0000

Buy Cellerciser at Natural Healing Tools! Lifetime Warranty! Free Continental US Shipping!

Stricter Mobile Radiation Norms in India

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:50:00 +0000

(1 February 2012, Sandeep Joshi) Come September 1, 2012, India will have stricter regulations to check electromagnetic radiation emission from mobile phones, a step that would address health concerns and also streamline the handset manufacturing industry.

Accepting the report an inter-ministerial committee, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will notify the new regulations in next few days.

The new regulations are mainly those being practised in the U.S. and European nations that mandate all mobile phone manufacturers to comply with a specific absorption rate (SAR is a measure of the amount of radio frequency energy absorbed by the human body while using a mobile phone) so that radiation does not affect human health. The company will also have to mention SAR value clearly on handsets to make customers aware of it. After concerns were raised following some international health studies, the DoT formed an inter-ministerial committee that recommended that mobile handsets should have SAR value of 1.6 Watts per kilogram averaged over a six-minute period and taken over a volume containing a mass of one gram of human tissue.

The committee also said that mobile handsets manufactured and sold in India or imported should be checked for compliance of SAR limit and no handsets of SAR value above the prescribed standard adopted in India should be manufactured or sold in the country.

Confirming that the new mobile handset radiation guidelines would be out soon, Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot told The Hindu that the government was serious on the entire issue and, therefore, was coming out with strict guidelines to ensure that only safe handsets were sold. “We cannot compromise with health issues…companies found flouting new regulations will be severely penalised. All there regulations are important to streamline the telecom sector that is growing at a fast pace.”

Natural Healing Tools selection of cell phone protection products.

The Best Diet for You and Your Pets

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:37:00 +0000

Easing Pregnancy with Magnesium

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Buy Ancient Mineral Magnesium Spray Oil at Natural Healing Tools! Other formulas: Gel, Bath Flakes and Lotion. To save 5% (expires March 31, 2012) use Natural Healing Tools Coupon Code: Magnesium2012 at checkout.

Are those vitamins doing more harm than good?

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:49:00 +0000

(The Globe and Mail) For many Canadians, the pledge to get healthier in 2012 starts with a trip to the drug store to load up on vitamins and dietary supplements.

But they may not know those bottles of vitamin D, echinacea or glucosamine likely contain synthetic ingredients, added for a variety of reasons, such as binding pills together or giving them a certain colour, texture or taste.

Many researchers who study vitamins, and members of the medical community, say these ingredients, which can include magnesium stearate, a lubricant that keeps tablets from sticking to machinery, calcium carbonate, often used as a processing aid, or silica, which is used to add bulk to tablets, are perfectly safe.

But a vocal minority is questioning whether the millions of vitamins and supplements made with synthetic additives consumed by Canadians each year have serious health effects. They argue chemical ingredients aren’t meant for human consumption and that taking vitamins cooked up in a lab delivers nowhere close to the nutritional benefits of the real thing.

Critics in the naturopathic and organic communities take issue with vitamins that are produced using a chemical process, which they say block the body’s ability to properly absorb nutrients. The only vitamins people should be taking are those derived naturally from food or plant sources, they argue.

“The whole idea of a synthetic nutrient, it’s an oxymoron,” said Win Treadway, a naturopathic doctor and associate with the Organic Consumers Association, based in Finland, Minnesota. “It really doesn’t make sense.”

That position seems to be gaining traction after a growing amount of research, including a study published last October that found women who took multivitamins were more likely to die earlier than women who didn’t, has cast doubt on the usefulness of vitamins.

Is it time to re-evaluate laboratory-manufactured nutrients and supplements?

Technically, vitamins have been around forever as essential nutrients found in food. But it wasn’t until the 20th century that researchers were able to isolate and produce synthetic vitamins.

Now, Canada’s natural health-product industry is worth $3.5-billion, according to the Canadian Health Food Association, an industry group. The market is also expanding as more food companies add vitamin D, Omega 3 and other nutrients to products to boost their health profile.

But many naturopaths question the wisdom of increasing reliance on taking vitamins made in a lab with synthetic ingredients, arguing they are missing essential naturally-occurring components that are necessary to provide health benefits.

“I believe that our body recognizes the DNA from plants,” said Janine Bowring, naturopathic doctor and formulator for VitaTree Nutritionals, a company that sells supplements derived from natural sources. “If you’re going to ingest something, you should be educated as to what that is, where it came from and what it might be doing to your body in a positive or negative way.”

Dr. Bowring and others believe that vitamins created through chemical processes don’t allow for proper absorption because they exclude vital nutritional elements that can be found only in nature.

They also question the place of synthetic ingredients in vitamins. Joseph Mercola, the controversial physician who runs the popular health site Mercola.com, claims many common synthetic ingredients can cause a litany of health problems. For instance, he says magnesium stearate can damage the immune system.

Gary Leong, vice-president of scientific and technical affairs at Jamieson Laboratories, a major producer of vitamins and supplements, said synthetic ingredients are used in small amounts and that the company “utilizes the most natural ingredients we can find.”

Mr. Leong added that he believes vitamins created in a lab are the same as those found in nature, as long as they have the same chemical structure. But recognizing that consumers are seeking natural substances, the company now creates vitamins using a fermentation process that involves yeast and sugar beets.

Despite all the arguing, there is very little high-quality research that has analyzed whether such claims are true.

“I don’t have any particular concern [with synthetic ingredients],” said Susan Whiting, professor of nutrition in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan. “The poison is in the dose and so you can make a case for lots of things being harmful, but it depends how much [you’re consuming].”

Dr. Whiting said she’s much more concerned with issues related to misleading information, such as vitamins that don’t contain the active ingredients as claimed on their labels, a serious issue that has emerged in the United States.

Brent Bauer, director of the complementary and integrative medicine program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said in an e-mail that the debate largely misses the point that most people don’t need to take vitamins and should instead focus on their diet.

If you eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables each day, it’s unlikely you’ll benefit from taking supplements. At the same time, Dr. Bauer wrote, “if you are eating junk food all day, it is a pipe dream that popping a multivitamin is somehow going to compensate for that fact and magically protect your health.”

Natural Healing Tools supplement selection.

Help Cure Mobile Radiation Through Yoga

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:30:00 +0000

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Yogi yogendra mishra

Mobile Radiation

With an already lengthy list of hazardous necessities and habits that we have cultivated to match the pace of our modern living, one I can argue that you cant live without is your cell phone. No matter what researchers say this device is here to stay. Various researches have highlighted the negative effects of radiation on our body and indicated that these could lead to cancer in extreme cases. However mobile companies and various others reject this notion stating that the period of research is less for a credible result. Various governments have pro-actively taken various initiatives to ensure their citizens remain safe. The French government has made it mandatory that every mobile phone sold in France must provide Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) along with a recommendation to use a hands-free kit.

The claims of these researches have also been backed by the World Health Organization. The ill effects of radiation can be observed even at the cellular level, where complex protein structures are found to be deformed when exposed to radiation. Keeping a cell phone close to head while sleeping can disrupt sound sleep and causes lethargy when the person awakes.

Cell phone Radiation may cause many Chronic and Incurable Diseases. It Disrupts DNA repairs, leads to Genetic Damage, Cell Dysfunction, Rise of Free Radicals in cells, and Cellular Death. The protein censors on your cell membranes are damaged. It causes damages to tissue, organs or organism functions. It causes toxins reaching the blood brain barrier to gain entry into brain. These damage brain cells, and cause brain damage, or brain dysfunction. Increased accumulation of toxins inside the cells causes DNA to die. It results in cellular dysfunction. It also leads to cellular deaths. Glucose ATP reaction is inhibited. This results in loss of energy as the glucose is not properly synthesized. A World Health Organization panel has concluded that cellphones are “possibly carcinogenic,’’ putting the popular devices in the same category as certain dry cleaning chemicals and pesticides, as a potential threat to human health.

The finding, from the agency’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, adds to concerns among a small but growing group of experts about the health effects of low levels of radiation emitted by cellphones. The panel, which consisted of 31 scientists from 14 countries, was led by Dr. Jonathan M. Samet, a physician and epidemiologist at the University of Southern California and a member of President Obama’s National Cancer Advisory Board. WHO’s International Agency for Research of Cancer team that worked on the study included 31 scientists from 14 countries. The results, which found that exposure to cell phones are “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” aren’t entirely shocking but rather sobering more than anything else.

However, this is not a black-and-white or yes-or-no kind of issue. More details are expected to follow soon. What microwave radiation does in most simplistic terms is similar to what happens to food in microwaves, essentially cooking the brain. So in addition to leading to a development of cancer and tumors, there could be a whole lot of other effects like cognitive memory function, since the memory temporal lobes are where we hold our cell phones. The type of radiation coming out of a cell phone is called non-ionizing. In other words it can be seen as a low powered microwave oven.

Side Effects Of Cell Phone Radiations
• Cell phone radiation results in dielectric heating. This means that the tissue around the head is heated by a fraction of a degree. This excess heat is countered by the brain’s blood circulation, but since the eyes do not have any such regulation mechanism, prolonged cell phone use can result in cataracts.
• A British study concluded that there is a risk of acoustic neuroma in the long run for prolonged cell phone use.
• A longer duration of exposure to the radiation slows down the spatial working memory. The inter cellular protein censors seem to have a tough time communicating each other.
• It has also been observed that mobile phone radiation can also lead to electromagnetic hypersensitivity. This results in a burning sensation in the scalp, dizziness, lethargy, headache, irregular digestive system, sleep disturbances and heart palpitations.
• Another side effect is the non-thermal effect. According to a Finnish study, human cells change due to radiation at non-thermal intensity levels.
• The World Health Organization conducted a study in 13 countries, which found that people using cell phone for 10 years have a significantly increased risk of developing malignant tumor. It also found that there is a five-fold increase in brain tumors in children. This can result in an epidemic of cancer for young people later in life.
     High radiation can produce histamine in mast cells, which can stimulate asthma
     The blood cells are also more likely to leak heamoglobin due to prolonged exposure to radiation.
      Efficient of white blood cells.
• High radiation can produce histamine in mast cells, which can stimulate asthma.
These effects can aggravate stress levels in human body. By a regular practice of yogic asanas one can reduces the ill effects of radiations.

How yoga can help
Yoga can provide several healing benefits for people with various types of back pain. For example, yoga can help by:

Healing injured back muscles
Speeding time to recover from an injury
Preventing re-injury
Helping maintain a regular level of daily activities and avoid disability

Among other things, yoga helps ease lower back pain by gently stretching and strengthening the muscles of the lower back and legs and increasing blood circulation, which in turn brings healing nutrients to the injured tissues.

Further Suggestion:
There are now estimated to be 208 million cell phone users in the U.S. alone, 1.9 billion worldwide. Scientists fear we may be on the verge of a health crisis of epidemic proportions. Dr. George Carlo, former chief scientist of the cell phone industry’s $28 million safety research project, predicts 500,000 new cases of brain and eye cancer each year by 2010 attributable to cell phone use (there are currently 30-50,000 cases each year).

Studies have linked cell phone radiation to health problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, brain tumors, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and more. There is a latency period for most diseases and it may take years and more studies before the required weight of evidence is established. But the effects are cumulative and precautions should be taken now before it is too late.

Here are some steps you can take to minimize the effects of Cell phone radiation exposure:

Limit use to essential calls and keep calls short. Even a two-minute call has been found to alter the natural electrical activity of the brain for up to an hour afterwards.
Children should be allowed to use the cell phone in cases of emergency only. Because of their developing skulls, the radiation can penetrate much more deeply.
Wear an air tube headset (not regular wired headset). The regular wired headset has been found to intensify radiation into the ear canal. The wire transmits not only the radiation from the cell phone but also serves as an antenna attracting EMFs (electromagnetic fields) from the surroundings.
Don’t put the cell phone in your pocket or belt while in use or while it is on. The body tissue in the lower body area has good conductivity and absorbs radiation more quickly than the head. One study shows that men who wear cell phones near their groin could have their sperm count dropped by as much as 30 percent.
If using the phone without a headset, wait for the call to connect before placing the phone next to the ear.
Do not use the cell phone in enclosed metal spaces such as vehicles or elevators, where devices may use more power to establish connection. The metal enclosure also acts as a Faraday cage that traps the radiation and reflects it back onto the occupants.
Do not make a call when the signal strength is one bar or less, which means the phone must work harder to establish a connection.
Purchase a phone with a low SAR (Specific Absorption Rate). Most phones have a SAR level listed in its instruction manual. The SAR level is a way of measuring the quantity of radiofrequency (RF) energy that is absorbed by the body. The lower the number the better. (Be aware, however, that studies with RF hundreds of times lower than current SAR limits still show biological effects.)
Use a scientifically validated EMF protection device. There are advanced technologies available nowadays that strengthen your bioenergy field and immune system against the effects of EMF. The EMF radiation causes a problem only when the cumulative effects due to repeated exposure weaken the body’s ability to repair itself. Even when you don’t use the cell phone, ‘second-hand’ radiation and EMF's from other devices can also cause biological stress, so these types of devices are increasingly becoming essential.

This list is not exhaustive but represents different layers of intervention you can do right away to protect yourself and your family. Cell phone radiation (and wireless radiation in general) poses an extreme public health risk that may take years to become fully realized. Some experts go on to say that if estimates are correct, then we are on the verge of a health crisis that could cripple our current health infrastructure. Let’s not wait and find out if this proves true.

Ayurvedic Herbs - Medicine for the Mind, Body and Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:18:00 +0000

Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine that originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, and has become increasingly popular in the west. It treats mind, body and spirit as one, and strives to balance the essential elements that exist in all of us to attain our natural state of pure health. In ayurvedic terms, the body is comprised of three basic doshas, or energies, which are the same ones that make up the entire universe: kapha: water and earth or “phlegm”; Pitta: fire and water or “bile”; and vayu vata: air & space or "wind".

Ayurveda, which means "the science of life" aims to balance these three energies, with Ayurvedic herbs or through managing your lifestyle. Yoga is part of the ayurvedic tradition, too – when you perform some yoga positions, you’re engaging in a physical and spiritual exercise that is rooted in ayurvedic philosophy.

Origins of Ayurvedic herbs

Ayurvedic theory asserts that building a healthy metabolic system, attaining good digestion, and proper excretion leads to mental and physical health. To achieve these Ayurveda uses Ayurvedic herbs, and exercise, yoga, and meditation.
Ayurvedic medicines are actually based on the teachings of the Atharvaveda, one of the four most ancient books of Hindu knowledge, wisdom and culture. Atharvaveda contains 114 formulations or hymns, which are used for treating various diseases. This is the reason why Indians consider ayurvedic medicine to have divine properties. The ayurvedic herbs are said to have come from the Indian God Dhanvantari.

Active reagent of ayurvedic herbs

The active reagent in ayurvedic herbs is the extract. As a traditional medicine, though, most of the herbs used have not yet been tested against a placebo in scientific studies. With some of the herbs, studies showed there was insufficient evidence or there was no conclusive health benefit.

However, two varieties of Salvia have been tested in small trials; one trial provided evidence that Salvia lavandulifolia or Spanish sage may improve word recall. Another suggested that Salvia officinalis or Common sage may improve symptoms in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's.

Remedies

Alopecia – Ayurvedic medicine suggests that alopecia, or hair loss may be slowed by changes to lifestyle and diet that remove stress. It is also believed that a number of Ayurvedic treatments can help hair loss, including Vranashodhan oil, Bhrungraj oil, Amalaki oil, Brahmi oil, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis oil, Vatajatadi oil, Anu oil, and Bhallatak oil.
Arthritis and back pain –Ayurvedic medicine suggests that arthritis is caused by an imbalance of the body’s energies. Different imbalances, either vata, pitta, or kapha, are said to cause different types of arthritis that have different symptoms. If arthritis is due to vata, your joints will crack and pop. They become dry and are not swollen. If arthritis is due to pitta, the arthritis is characterized by inflammation, and may look red and feel hot to the touch. In kapha-type arthritis, the joint is inflamed, but it feels cool and clammy rather than hot. With this type of arthritis, some movement may actually relieve rather than aggravate it. To find out what sort of arthritis you have and the best Ayurvedic way to cure it, it is good to consult an ayurvedic practitioner. Many recommend the herbs Haritaki for vata arthritis, amalaki for pitta and bibhitaki for kapha-type arthritis.
Diabetes – Ayurvedic medicine suggests that diabetes is caused by different imbalances in the body. According to ayurveda, diabetes is a metabolic kapha type of disorder in which diminished functioning of the agni, or your digestive fire (agni in Sanskrit means fire) leads to a tendency toward high blood sugar. Ayurvedic practitioners attack diabetes using a multi-prong approach. First, they address the diet, eliminating sugar and simple carbohydrates, and emphasizing complex carbohydrates. Protein is limited, since excessive intake can damage the kidneys. Fat is also limited because there is often a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, making fat digestion difficult. Then they introduce a cleansing program beginning with herbal massages, herbal saunas and purges for the liver, pancreas and spleen. Some herbs such as and an herbal steam sauna, followed by fasting to cleanse the body. This is followed by an herbal purge for the liver, pancreas, and spleen. Colon therapy is next, first to cleanse the digestive tract and then to reconstitute the system. Some ayurvedic herbs such as shilajit, bitter melon, gudmar turmeric, neem, amalaki, guggul, and arjuna are also used to improve the health of the pancreas and liver.
Stress and memory problems – Along with yoga and diet to improve the general functioning of body and mind, there are ayurvedic herbs that can be used to relieve stress and prevent memory related problems. One such ayurvedic herb is bacopa monnieri (brahmi). This ayurvedic herb is considered to be a neuro-protective herb, i.e. it protects the neurons in the nervous system from degeneration. It can help in improving memory and helps in memory retention. It can also help prevent dementia and age-related mental disorders. Other ayurvedic herbs that can be used for stress and memory problems are Ashwagandha, mulathi, and vacha. These herbs are effective at fighting stress and stress related disorders.

Side Effects and Precautions

Not scientifically proven – although there is much anecdotal evidence supporting Ayurvedic medicines and herbs, and it is estimated that up to 80 percent of people in India use it or another form of traditional medicine, much of the scientific studies were inconclusive or they found that the herbs worked no better than placebos.
Side effects. Like any medicine, ayurvedic herbs can have side effects. For example overdosing on aloe juice can cause diarrhea, and dehydration. Taking high doses of licorice root can cause swelling of the hands and feet. It is best if you consult your doctor before proceeding on any ayurvedic herbal option.
Toxic metals: The practice of rasa shastra, or adding metals and other substances, including mercury to the herbs in preparation, has been long been part of ayurvedic medicine. Ayruvedic proponents believe that the toxicity of these materials is reduced through purification processes, which often involve prayers as well as physical pharmacy techniques. A 2008 study of more than 230 products found that approximately 20% of remedies (and 40% of rasa shastra medicines) purchased over the Internet from both US and Indian suppliers contained lead, mercury or arsenic.
Drug interactions – some ayurvedic herbs can have a negative drug interaction with prescribed or over-the-counter drugs. Talk to your doctor before taking any ayurvedic medicines if you are taking any prescription medicines.

Conclusion

Ayurvedic is an ancient system of medicine that combines diet, yoga and ayurvedic herbs. While up to 80 percent of people in India use it or another form of traditional medicine, currently, there is little scientific evidence that its herbs are more effective at treating conditions compared to a placebo. However, ayurvedic treatments emphasize prevention as much as cures. As such, it is a way of using ritual, prayers, cleansing practices and drugs to balance body, mind and soul.

Earth Friendly and Organic Air Fresheners

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

(Green Living) Nobody likes stale, unpleasant odors, but if you're still using traditional air freshener sprays or plug-ins, you're getting more than you bargained for with every whiff. Most of the perfumed sprays, cartridges and candles that line supermarket shelves fill your home with toxic chemicals. Fighting odors with earth-friendly and organic air fresheners is safer for people and pets, and it's healthier for the planet, too.

Why Traditional Air Fresheners Stink

Toxic air fresheners rarely do the job they're supposed to do. Instead of breaking down or neutralizing odors, they simply mask them. Worse still, many air fresheners contain nerve-deadening chemicals that coat your nasal passages and temporarily block your sense of smell. (See References 2) Exposure to these chemicals can cause headaches and nausea or aggravate asthma (see References 3), but one type of chemical found in air-freshening products --- phthalates --- also causes hormonal and reproductive issues, birth defects and developmental disorders. Other toxic ingredients, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene and formaldehyde, cause neurological damage and cancer. (See References 1 and 2)

Shopping for Eco-Friendly Options

Finding plant-based air fresheners these days is fairly easy, and they offer a variety of earth-friendly benefits. Forget about wasting energy with plug-in scented cartridges; greener options come in nonaerosol sprays and are biodegradable. Most eco-friendly odor-eliminating products also shun animal testing and utilize recyclable packaging. Pesticide-free lavender and citrus essential oils are most often used in organic air fresheners. Read the label carefully; just because an air freshener is unscented or claims to be natural doesn't mean it's 100 percent chemical-free.

Making Natural Air Fresheners

Another way to avoid introducing toxins into your home is to make your own air freshener. Fill a spray bottle with purified or distilled water and add several drops of an organic essential oil. Lemon, orange and lavender are popular scents for freshening the home, but you can experiment with your own favorites to create a custom air spray. (See References 4)

More Ways to Clear the Air

The simplest, most effective way to freshen the air inside your home is to open the windows, but you might also set small dishes of baking soda or vinegar throughout the house to absorb offensive odors. Simmering spices such as clove and cinnamon in a saucepan filled with water knocks out cooking odors and adds a delicious aroma to the air. Burning pure soy and beeswax candles with cotton wicks helps to clear the air. Tucking organic herb sachets throughout the house leaves a subtle fragrance. Another natural way to freshen your space is to nurture your green thumb; houseplants significantly improve indoor air quality by removing carbon dioxide and other toxins. (See References 3 and 4)

References

About the Author

Melissa Lewis has worked as a freelance writer since 2004, gaining much of her experience by working in the marketing/PR field. She writes for various websites, specializing in the areas of marketing, home improvement, cooking and pets. Lewis studied English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Generation Rx: Fraccidents

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Environmental Working Group: Guest Post by Robyn O'Brien and Angie Nordstrum

We've all seen (or at least heard of) the movie "Erin Brockovich" in which a bold and fiercely determined mom takes on a chemical company for exposing a small town and the families and children that live there to toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer. It's Academy Award winning material.

And it's happening again.

In a small town in Colorado, 600 yards from three elementary schools and a childcare center, the natural gas industry is about to drill wells and expose hundreds of school children to chemicals that have never been proven safe, for which there is no accountability when it comes to their safe disposal and for which there is no clarity on who would assume liability (and future medical bills) for the health of these children should they become ill.

It's an unprecedented situation, because in the haste to drill, no regulations and no long-term human health studies have been conducted to assess the impact that these processes and the chemicals used in them might have on the health of children.

According to the Denver Post, "the American landscape is dotted with hundreds of thousands of new wells and thousands of drilling rigs, as the country scrambles to tap into this century's gold rush for natural gas.
Drilling companies have developed techniques to unlock these enormous reserves, and energy companies are clamoring to drill.

But the relatively new drilling method -- known as high-volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking -- carries significant environmental risks. It involves injecting huge amounts of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, at high pressures to break up rock formations and release the gas."

Given that the American children have already earned the title "Generation Rx", due to the rates of asthma, allergies, autism, ADHD, diabetes and the fact that cancer is now the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15 (source: Centers for Disease Control), perhaps it is time that we stop and learn a little bit more.

Angie Nordstrum, a mother of a young child with multiple food allergies and asthma, sheds light on what is happening at her child's school:

My son attends the new Red Hawk Elementary in Erie, Colorado. This state of the art green school is a LEED certified building which means that it is complete with geothermal heat system, super insulated building envelope, skylights and displacement ventilation.

The mission of the school is to focus on math, science, technology and integration of the arts by fostering a sense of environmental responsibility by taking care of one's self with healthy eating and exercise and reducing environmental waste. Students begin each school day outside. The school also has a 1,500 square foot garden space. Students and staff will be an integral part of the gardens, with beds for each grade level.

In the news recently, you may have heard of something called "fracking" or "hydraulic fracturing". It is a drilling process used by the natural gas industry to extract natural gas from beneath the ground.

And there are health and safety concerns about it. Despite provisions in the Clean Air Act, there is something called the Halliburton Loophole that allows the gas companies to inject proprietary mixtures of methane, ethane, liquid condensate, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the wells. Some of the VOCs that are used in the mixtures have a significant impact on health and include benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene.

Health effects of exposure to these chemicals include neurological problems, birth defects, and cancer. Other symptoms may include bloody noses, asthma, GI distress, diarrhea, dizziness, migraines, nerve pain, neurological disorders and skin rashes. These health risks pose a potential threat to children.

Yet despite these concerns, drilling is beginning on eight natural gas wells less than 600 yards from our school, Erie Elementary, Erie Middle School and Exploring Minds Childcare Center. Yes, three schools and a childcare center are about to be exposed to an unprecedented experiment in children's health.

Will the school nurse will be seeing dozens of sick children in her office. What health issues will these students have in 5 years? In 10 years?

The companies will begin the drilling process in the next couple of weeks. It will be visible from my son's classroom. The only access to the site will be from the road which runs right in front of the school. Let me repeat that, "The only access to the site will be from the road which runs right in front of the school" because while there is another road that is actually closer to the drilling site, this road cannot be used for drilling transportation because the chemical-carrying trucks are not allowed to cross railroad tracks on the course of their path.

At what point are children more valuable than railroad tracks? The trucks transporting the chemicals cannot cross the railroad tracks but they can transport toxic chemicals right in front of the entrance to our school?
Erie is an old coal mining town. There are parks and ball fields built on top of these mines for kids to enjoy all over our town. Our school garden sits on top of an old mine. We don't want our children to be the canaries in the natural gas coal mine.

Please visit:

EWG: Natural Gas Industry Hides Risks of Fracking from Landowners

Natural Resources Defense Council: Steps to Keep You and Your Family Safe from Fracking

Sign On: Request a Moratorium on Oil and Gas Drilling Near Schools in Colorado

"What You Need to Know About Natural Gas Production"

Gasland: The Movie

Blue Green Alliance: Chemicals in the Environment

Fracking Across the United States: Learn about "Fraccidents" and How to Protect Your Loved Ones

Robyn O'Brien is the founder of the AllergyKids Foundation and Do Good, a small consulting company, and she has delivered TEDx talks as well as inspiring messages to thousands of people around the country, including entrepreneurs, Congressional offices, corporate professionals, mothers' groups, schools and universities. She also serves on the EWG Board of Directors.

California Sets Trends in Health Regulations

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:00:00 +0000

(CNN) -- Beyond skateboards, Silicon Valley and hippies, California has a trendsetting streak of a different kind.

The state has been first to pass major public health initiatives that have spread throughout the country. California was first to require smog checks for clean air, pass anti-tobacco initiatives and bike helmets laws.

While these laws were met with skepticism and ridicule, they've often become standard practice in other states. The Golden State was first to ban smoking in workplaces, bars and restaurants in 1998. Now similar rules exist throughout the country.

Some advocates tout the state as a forward-thinking vanguard in which its health and safety laws are routinely emulated by other states.

"There have been progressive legislations in tobacco, environment and obesity prevention," said Mark Horton, a lecturer at the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health. "In some respect, the rest of the country looks to California as a laboratory for moving forward with those various types of initiatives."

But some critics liken the Golden State to a nanny state. California has 151,002 health and safety laws.

"It never ends," said Laer Pearce, who works in public affairs in Orange County. "Every year, several hundred bills come through and dozens of them tell us how to live our lives."

Starting in January, 760 new California laws went into effect -- for example, the importing of shark fins is prohibited, student athletes are required to have medical clearance after suffering a head injury, teens are banned from using tanning booths and the sale of caffeinated beer is forbidden.

There's a perception that California has "more folks who are health-oriented and more health-minded," said Horton, former director of the California Department of Public Health.

It's not just workout fanatics hanging out at Muscle Beach, Sierra Club members hiking mountains or the uber-health-conscious touting organic foods. Californians in general tend to have healthier habits, ranking 10th for physical activity, fourth for healthy blood pressure and fifth for a diet high in fruits and vegetables compared with other states, according to America's Health Rankings.

Californians have a stake in their health and the environment, because they want to enjoy the state's natural landscape, said several people interviewed for the article.

"What brings many people to California is the climate and the culture," said Matt Rodriquez, California's Secretary for Environmental Protection. "That means people who do come here have an interest in preserving ... a beautiful environment, clean air and clean water."

The willingness to innovate in health laws is part of the California's culture, said Marice Ashe, founder and executive director of Public Health Law & Policy in Oakland, California.

"You see that in technology innovation in Silicon Valley, there's a lot of sharing of ideas and resources that lead to major breakthroughs." A similar vibe exists in public health because there is a high concentration of medical, public health and law schools and organizations exchanging ideas, she said.

Since California started allowing ballot initiatives in 1911, its voters have swept in many several pioneering health laws.

In 1986, the state's voters passed a ballot initiative requiring information on products if they contain chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm. Products like electrical cords and Tiffany-style lamps carry statements: "WARNING: This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling."
One of California's biggest examples of its influence on public health law is tobacco regulation. In 1988, voters approved a proposition to become the first state to tax cigarettes to fund a tobacco control program. Ten years later, California banned smoking in public places such as trains, planes, buses, workplaces and restaurants. Now, about half of the states have similar policies about smoking in public places.

California became a guide for developing anti-smoking policies, said Lawrence Green, who formerly served as the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health.

The state also has a long history of limiting air pollution. California was the first state to ban a chemical used in laundromats called perchloroethylene, prohibit leaded gasoline, require smog checks and reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The state's air resource board passed another rule in January requiring reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and putting more zero-emission vehicles on the road.

California, home to more than 37 million people and the world's ninth-largest economy, has major clout.
"It's a large and powerful state, it can challenge national industries and has done so," said Green, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine.

In certain cases, California laws have gone too far, according to the courts. Last year, the Supreme Court struck down a California law that would have banned selling violent video games to children. The state asserted that it had a legal obligation to protect children from graphic interactive images, but the court ruled the law violated the First Amendment.

"As far as red states and blue states go, it's probably the largest blue state with more progressive attitudes towards issues around public health," Green said. "And some cities, San Francisco and Los Angeles, have been passing some of the laws at municipal level, that lays the ground for state legislation."

California's cities often grab headlines with health-oriented initiatives. The City of Los Angeles recently passed a law requiring all adult film workers to use condoms to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Pornography filmmakers have responded by threatening to move elsewhere.

Santa Clara County, located in northern California, became the first to ban fast- food restaurants from handing out give free trinkets with their kid's meals in 2010. San Francisco quickly passed a similar law and New York City's leaders have also indicated interest.

But California does not rank as one of the healthiest states, according to America's Health Rankings. It ranks in the middle, at 24, when the health of its residents is compared with other states. California came in as the worst for air pollution and near the top in cancer deaths (sixth), infant mortality (fifth) and occupational fatalities (fourth).

Because California houses more than 10% of the U.S. population, it may not be fair to compare a state with such a huge, diverse population with one that's more homogenous and smaller, like Vermont, which ranks as the healthiest state.

"The amount of cultural and income diversity in the state, the huge size of low-income population puts health equity to test here," said Ashe, a lawyer who specializes in public health issues. "We are not the healthiest state despite innovations; we have challenges that we embrace and try to offer solutions."

Pearce, author of "Crazifornia: Tales from the Tarnished State" said all the regulations have hurt California's economy. The state has lost manufacturing jobs and companies because of too much regulation, he said. For years, California has faced budget shortfalls, and its governor, Jerry Brown, is now calling for tax increases in sales and high-end income.

"It's a love-hate," Pearce said about his views of California. "There's so much to the government, it drives me a little crazy."

Ashe said people who blame regulations for economic woes don't see the bigger picture.

"People love to beat up on the nanny state and point a finger at regulation," said Ashe. For example, she said that not regulating air quality means more people would have health problems such as heart disease and asthma.

"If we don't do something, we are costing the state untold billions of dollars," she said. "It'd be worse without protection."

Natural Health Tip #12: Shop at the Local Farmer's Market

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:33:00 +0000

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

You've heard the hype about complementary and alternative medicine. Now get the facts.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Complementary and alternative medicine has never been more popular. Nearly 40 percent of adults report using complementary and alternative medicine, also called CAM for short. Doctors are embracing CAM therapies, too, often combining them with mainstream medical therapies — spawning the new term "integrative medicine." But what is CAM? This guide explains the ABCs of CAM.

What are some examples of complementary and alternative medicine?

Exactly what's considered complementary and alternative medicine changes constantly as treatments undergo testing and move into the mainstream. To make sense of the many therapies available, it helps to look at how they're classified by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the agency that funds scientific research on complementary and alternative medicine:

Whole medical systems
Mind-body medicine
Biologically based practices
Manipulative and body-based practices
Energy medicine

Keep in mind that the distinctions between therapies aren't always clear-cut, and some systems use techniques from more than one category.

Whole medical systems

A system isn't just a single practice or remedy — such as massage — but many practices that center on a philosophy, such as the power of nature or the presence of energy in your body. Examples of whole medical systems include:

Ancient healing systems. These healing systems arose long before conventional Western medicine and include ayurveda from India and traditional Chinese medicine.
Homeopathy. This approach uses minute doses of a substance that causes symptoms to stimulate the body's self-healing response.
Naturopathy. This approach focuses on noninvasive treatments to help your body do its own healing and uses a variety of practices, such as massage, acupuncture, herbal remedies, exercise and lifestyle counseling.

Mind-body medicine

Mind-body techniques strengthen the communication between your mind and your body. Complementary and alternative medicine practitioners say these two systems must be in harmony for you to stay healthy. Examples of mind-body connection techniques include meditation, prayer, and relaxation and art therapies.

Biologically based practices

Examples include dietary supplements and herbal remedies. These treatments use ingredients found in nature. Examples of herbs include ginseng, ginkgo and echinacea, while examples of other dietary supplements include selenium, glucosamine sulfate and SAMe. Herbs and supplements can be taken as teas, oils, syrups, powders, tablets or capsules.

Complementary and alternative medicine

Manipulation and body-based practices

These methods use human touch to move or manipulate a specific part of your body. They include chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation and massage.

Energy medicine

Some complementary and alternative medicine practitioners believe an invisible energy force flows through your body, and when this energy flow is blocked or unbalanced you can become sick. Different traditions call this energy by different names, such as chi, prana and life force. The goal of these therapies is to unblock or re-balance your energy force. Energy therapies include qi gong, therapeutic touch, reiki and magnet therapy.

Why are some doctors hesitant about complementary and alternative medicine?

Many conventional doctors practicing today didn't receive training in CAM therapies, so they may not feel comfortable making recommendations or addressing questions in this area.

However, as the evidence for certain therapies increases, doctors are increasingly open to complementary and alternative medicine. At the same time, doctors also have good reason to be cautious when it comes to complementary and alternative medicine. Conventional medicine values therapies that have been demonstrated through research and testing to be safe and effective. While scientific evidence exists for some CAM therapies, for many there are key questions that are yet to be answered.

In addition, some practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine make exaggerated claims about curing diseases, and some ask you to forgo treatment from your conventional doctor. For these reasons, many doctors are conservative about recommending CAM therapies.

Why is there so little evidence about complementary and alternative medicine?

One reason for the lack of research in complementary and alternative treatments is that large, carefully controlled medical studies are costly. Trials for conventional therapies are often funded by big companies that develop and sell drugs. Fewer resources are available to support trials of complementary and alternative medicine. That's why NCCAM was established — to foster research into complementary and alternative medicine and make the findings available to the public.

Talk to your doctor about risks and benefits of complementary and alternative medicine

Work with your conventional medical doctor to help you make informed decisions regarding complementary and alternative treatments. Even if your doctor can't recommend a specific practitioner, he or she can help you understand possible risks and benefits before you try a treatment. It's especially important to involve your doctor if you're pregnant, have medical problems or take prescription medicine. And don't stop or change your conventional treatment — such as the dose of your prescription medications — without talking to your doctor first. Finally, be sure to keep your doctor updated on any complementary and alternative therapies you're using, including herbal and dietary supplements.

Improving Your Aerobic Capacity

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:30:00 +0000

Harvard Law School Food Law Society Hosting a Raw Milk Debate

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:26:00 +0000

(The Weston A. Price Association) At one time, everyone drank raw milk. But with the invention of pasteurization and its alleged safety benefits, consumption of raw milk in this country almost completely disappeared. In fact, in some states it is illegal to sell raw milk. But a growing segment of the population is clamoring for increased access to raw milk, citing its nutritional benefits and recently discovered inbuilt safety mechanisms. Opponents are skeptical of such nutritional claims and believe the safety risks of unpasteurized milk are simply too high.
Join the Food Law Society as we present a debate covering the legal, health, and nutritional merits of raw milk.

The participants are:

Fred Pritzker, Pritzker & Olson Law Firm
Dr. Heidi Kassenborg, Director, Dairy & Food Inspection Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
vs.
Sally Fallon Morell, President, Weston A. Price Foundation
David Gumpert, Author, The Raw Milk Revolution

When: Thursday, February 16, 2012, 7:15 pm – 8:45 pm

Where: Harvard Law School, Langdell South Classroom.
Harvard Law School's street address is 1563 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138.

For those who can't attend in person and are interested in watching the livestream, information will be posted on our organization's website, http://www.foodsoc.org.

The video will also be archived on this YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/HLSFoodLawSociety.

New Report Calls for Protecting Children and Expectant Mothers from Cell Phone Radiation

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:21:00 +0000

(EMF Safety Network) Environment and Human Health, Inc. (EHHI) released a cell phone environmental report calling for tougher standards to regulate cellular technologies—especially for children and pregnant women.

EHHI reviewed hundreds of peer-reviewed studies that examined the potential health threats associated with cellular device use, along with the regulatory standards that have been adopted by the U.S. and other nations.

John Wargo, Ph.D., professor of Environmental Risk and Policy at Yale University and lead author of the report, said, “The scientific evidence is sufficiently robust showing that cellular devices pose significant health risks to children and pregnant women. The weight of the evidence supports stronger precautionary regulation by the federal government. The cellular industry should take immediate steps to reduce emission of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from phones and avoid marketing their products to children.”

EHHI President Nancy Alderman said, “Children between the ages of 8-18 spend an average of 7.5 hours per day—nearly half their hours while awake—on smart phones, computers, televisions or other electronic devices. Exposures to electromagnetic radiation are increasing most rapidly among the youngest in our society, as service providers focus their advertising on children and educational markets.”

Dr. Hugh Taylor, coauthor of the report, summarized his concerns regarding neurological effects from cell phone radiation. “The human brain is especially susceptible to numerous environmental insults that can produce irreversible damage during critical periods of nervous system development between conception and full maturity. A number of peer-reviewed studies reported changes in the nervous systems of rats, mice and humans following exposure to cell phone radiation. These include diminished learning, diminished reaction time, decreased motor function, reduced memory accuracy, hyperactivity and diminished cognition.”

Taylor explained differences in exposure between children and adults, “The thinner skulls of young children permit cell phone radiation to penetrate brain tissues more deeply than occurs in adults. Devices stored in pants pockets while in standby mode can expose rapidly developing reproductive organs to radiofrequency energy. Storage in shirt pockets will increase exposure to breast tissues. Children’s and fetuses’ rapidly developing nervous systems, more rapid rates of cell division, longer potential lifetime exposure, and longer average use per day all heighten their risks of adverse health effects.”

Wargo cautioned, “Cell phones have enjoyed exceptional freedom from government oversight and control to protect against health and environmental hazards before cell phone devices are marketed. There are no enforceable standards to limit human exposure to cell phone radiation. While the U.S. does not require any regulations to restrict advertising or warnings against use of cellular devices by pregnant women or children,
many other nations do.”

Nancy Alderman, president of EHHI, summarized the group’s recommendations. “The government must take greater responsibility for testing cellular technologies before they are marketed to assure their safety, their proper disposal and to educate the public about safe patterns of use.”

Full text EHHI of press release

Natural Healing Tools Cell Phone EMF Protection Shields.

"Our Health is Not for Sale" - Stop Smart Meters!

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Natural Healing Tools EMF protection products.

Olive Oil Storage Jar

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Not a blizzard, but projected for 1' of snow today.

Plan is to create an olive oil bread dipping oil. The NHT Violet Glass Bottle looked really nice by the window with the snow on the trees. Unfortunately, the camera couldn't capture that deep violet. Had to resort to holding the jar up to the light fixture to show how beautiful the glass really is.

Microwave Radiation Affects the Heart: Are the results real or due to interference?

noreply@blogger.com (Natural Healing Tools) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:06:00 +0000