Here we are at the end of March 2014! I am still having a hard time writing the correct date and in total disbelief that it is the year of the 40’s! Yep…this is the year that many of my friends are turning 40 and of course I can tell them all how awesome it is. I just finished my 6th of 20 classes at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition and I am very proud to say that so far I have an A+ average. It is amazing what you can do if you are passionate about what you are learning, it just seems to flow.
New Years has long since passed and many of you have made resolutions to improve your health, go to the gym, take more time for you, or maybe quit some unhealthy habit. Today I want to share with you some really great tips to naturally heal your body (help your body heal itself). We often go to the drug store when we are not well, feel pain, or can’t sleep but end up just masking the real problem and often prolonging something that would be over in a few short days. In “Preventative Health Care” I learned many great tips about supplements / herbs that can help to address the symptoms and get to the root of why you might not be feeling well rather than masking the problem.
First I want to mention NSAIDS which stands for Non Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs. NSAIDs are used primarily to treat inflammation, mild to moderate pain, and fever. Specific uses include the treatment of headaches, arthritis, menstrual cramps and more. A few examples are: ibuprofen and aspirin.
Unfortunately approximately 3,200 people die each year due to chronic NSAID use; over the counter medications that are deemed safe and effective. They cause increased risk of GI (gastro-intestinal) complications and also affect stomach lining, increasing intestinal permeability, damaging the microvilli in the intestine, causing allergies, ulcerations and eventually making the pain in the other parts of the body worse as well.
White Willowbark is natural and does the same as Ibuprofen but will not harm your GI tract. Salicylic acid is in willow bark and it is the same thing used in ibuprofen and Tylenol. The use of white willow bark medicinally goes far back to ancient Egyptians and Native Indians who used white willow to decrease inflammation. The Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about white willow’s medicinal uses in 5th century B.C. It can be used for: pain, joint pain, flu, fever.
Magnesium is something that many of us are deficient in and the best way to explain how magnesium works it to talk about muscle contraction (we use calcium) and muscle relaxation (we use magnesium). I think Magnesium is my new favorite and many of my teacher’s favorite as well. Bis glycenate is the form you want to get as it is highly absorbable. Magnesium is great for migraines, aches and pains, neurological issues, insomnia, anxiety, cramps, stress, hyperactive child, muscle spasms and more. I take it every day along with my kids. I use it mostly for aches and pains, Abigail uses it to help her sleep and Nolan uses it to decrease his hyperactive behaviors (stimming behaviors). I also used it today for some serious cramps and it worked great!
Got a migraine? Magnesium (bis glicinate) mixed with White Willowbark .
Do you feel a cold coming on? Goldenseal is one of the most popular herbs on the market today. It was traditionally used by Native Americans to treat skin disorders, digestive problems, liver conditions, diarrhea, and eye irritations. Goldenseal is used for infections of the mucus membranes, including the mouth, sinuses, throat, the intestines, stomach, urinary tract and vagina. Goldenseal and oregano oil together can kill a cold that is coming on.
Antihistamines can cause heart and digestive issues, hallucinations and are also full of color dyes and added fillers. We can get high levels of histamine if your body is in a constant state of fight or flight or if we have food allergies or sensitivities. I use Quercetin which is great for lowering the levels of histamine in the body, repairs the body and boosts the immune system. I use this both for me and Nolan when we have eaten food that we should not have or even if we know we will be eating a food that will not agree with us soon. Quercetin and bromaline together are great.
Natural ways to treat your pain:
Dehydration can cause muscle tightness, trigger headaches, and decrease range of motion. Staying hydrated with water, instead of sugary, high/empty caloric beverages is a must in order to fuel your body. You can also get high levels of histamine in your body if you are dehydrated.
Chiropractors, acupuncture, and massage are all super GREAT!
Exercise produces endorphins, the body’s natural feel good hormone that makes us happy. A body in motion tends to stay in motion; so get up and move and start feeling better today.
Nutrition plays a huge role in how you feel. Consuming foods that are highly processed and contain multiple preservatives and toxins can trigger headaches and cause undue inflammation in the body, triggering a flare up and an increase in your pain symptoms.
Homemade cough syrup: Anyone that is sick – helps with lung issues too and is 1000 x better than store bought cough syrup.
• Warm water
• Manuka honey (anti viral and anti bacterial)
• Lemon (vitamin content)
• Pinch of cayenne
• Grated ginger
• garlic
Ear aches: Olive oil, garlic and mullein (flower from this plant are used). Put in bowl and let sit. Warm up in warm water. Put into ear. Stops any aching and pain.
Baking soda: Great for skin – burn, rash, eczema, psoriasis, inching, burning, pain. Great for Candida outbreaks. Put a few table spoons in the bathtub for skin irritations.
Insect bites: make a paste out of baking soda and water
I know you are now probably thinking…why have we not heard of all these great things before if they are so great? Well, unlike the pharmaceutical companies that have millions and millions of dollars to advertise and make you believe that they are the best, the natural supplement world does not have that kind of money. Most of the time you need to source these things out yourself or hear it from lovely people like me (hee hee). There are many supplements and herbs to talk about but this is a few of the gooders. I do hope that you will be open to try some of the tips I have shared above.
PS – You can find the above supplements at:
-Natures Fare Market
-Choices
-Whole foods
-Pure Pharmacy
-local supplement store
Note: Please check with your Naturopath, MD or pharmacist for dosages and if the supplement you are interested in is right for you.
Love to you all!
xo
Shannon
Movies to check out:
The Beautiful Truth – some GREAT information on cancer…and the TRUTH.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZmV8b1wr10
Killer at Large
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjd3er9vJH0
Great documentary: Sweet Misery
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-usbGZez40
Books to check out:
• Julia Daniluk (Meals that heal inflammation) – I can’t put this book down. Full of great tips to heal the body and great recipes to go with it.
• Wheat Belly – Just went to see the writer (William Davis) present in Langley last week and it was amazing! A must read book!
• Eating Alive II: Ten Easy Steps to Following the Eating Alive System
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to be personal medical advice. Please ask your physician about any health guidelines seen in this blog, as everyone is different in his or her medical needs.
