Joint Pain and Exercise

After dropping the kids off at school this morning I headed for the gym for 30 minutes of cardio followed by 30 minutes of pumping iron.  At my age I'm not trying to get a beach body; I just want to preserve the muscle mass that I have.  However, it got me thinking about exercise and pain . . . I'm not in the "no pain, no gain" camp.  My philosophy has always been, if it hurts, then don't do it.  Call me a whimp but I got my fill of pain in high school sports and that was a long, long time ago.

I have noticed that people with joint pain often avoid exercise.  Did you know, however, that exercise can acually help those who suffer from joint pain?  Harvard Health Publications reported that:

” … limiting your movements can weaken muscles, compounding joint trouble, and affect your posture, setting off a cascade of further problems. And while pain relievers and cold or hot packs may offer quick relief, fixes like these are merely temporary.

“The right set of exercises can be a long-lasting way to tame ankle, knee, hip, or shoulder pain. Practiced regularly, joint pain relief workouts might permit you to postpone—or even avoid—surgery on a problem joint that has been worsening for years by strengthening key supportive muscles and restoring flexibility.” (1)

One study demonstrated  that people with rheumatoid arthritis improved their function by up to 30 percent and strength by 120 percent after doing weight training exercises for 24 weeks. (2)  A 30 percent increase in function means that that participants in the study were able to move better after about six months of exercise.

Another study conducted at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University indicated that over 40 percent of men and 56 percent of women with knee osteoarthritis (OA) were inactive. They do not engage in even one 10-minute period of moderate-to-vigorous activity all week.   Surprisingly the authors of this study concluded that, "Despite substantial health benefits from physical activity, adults with knee OA were particularly inactive based on objective accelerometry monitoring. The proportions of men and women who met public health physical activity guidelines were substantially less than those previously reported based on self-reported activity in arthritis populations. These findings support intensified public health efforts to increase physical activity levels among people with knee OA." (3)

I suggest incorporating weight training, high-intensity cardio, stretching, and core work (work those abs . . . it will reduce back pain) into your routine at least three to four times a week.  If you have osteoarthritis in your knee then incorporate exercises that strengthen the quadriceps muscle found at the front of the thigh. In addition, instead of running or other high-impact exercise, opt for non-weight-bearing exercises like swimming and bicycling, my two favorite cardio exercises.

If you experience pain lasting longer than one hour in your joints after exercising then you might consider a visit to a physical therapist or a personal trainer.

I try to avoid anti-inflammatory drugs like analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) to alleviate joint pain.  Popping too many of these pills may lead to serious side effects including kidney and/or liver damage. Here are a few natural pain relievers:

• Astaxanthin – An anti-inflammatory antioxidant that affects a wide range of inflammation mediators,
• Boswellia (boswellin or “Indian frankincense”) – This Indian herb helps maintain a steady blood flow to the joints to promote flexibility and strength in joint tissues.
• Eggshell membrane – Contains elastin and collagen, proteins that promote cartilage health and connective tissue strength and elasticity. It also has growth factor-B, a protein that supports tissue rejuvenation, along with other amino acids and structural components that support the stability and flexibility of your joints.
• Hyaluronic acid (HA) – Is a key component of cartilage.  It works by moving nutrients into the cells and moving waste out. It also helps with water retention for your cells.
• Omega-3 fats – Help reduce inflammation. I like high-quality krill oil.
• Turmeric – The anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin, the pigment that gives turmeric its yellow color, has been found to be as effective as ibuprofen for relieving knee osteoarthritis pain.
• Vitamin D – Cartilage loss in the knees is associated with low vitamin D levels

 See you next time at the gym . . .

References:

(1)  http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/the-secret-to-joint-pain-relief-exercise?e=mkester%40nci.com&j=28081960&l=16278673_HTML&mid=148797&u=323662523&jb=0 

(2)  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19950325

(3)  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21792835

What's All The Fuss About?

Most people today know what it takes to have a healthy body:  good food and water, sufficient sleep, exercise, and a fairly low stress level.  Your brain is part of your body so it needs all of that too.  But, what does it take to have a healthy mind?  In fact, what is a healhty mind?  Is your's healthy?  What about mine?  How would you know?

Daniel Levinson, a meditation researcher graduate student thinks that a healthy mind is one that is able to use all of its mental resource.  Not a bad definition.  He asserts that letting your mind wander from time to time gives it a rest from overthinking, and that meditation may effectively restore the mental balance of a wandering mind.

Meditation is an ancient practice found in many traditions.  Does it do it any good?  Here are the results from a few research studies:

• Pain control -- Meditators reported a 40 percent reduction in pain intensity and a 57 percernt reduction in the unpleasantness of their pain.  Note that Morphine is reported to reduce pain ratings by about 25 percent . . . meditation wins.
• Brain atrophy and dementia -- Meditators exhibited range of brain areas with stronger neural connections than did a control group of non-meditators.
• Depression relapse -- Both meditators and antidepressant users in an 18 month study had a relapse rate of about 30 percent compared to a control group on placebos who had a 70 percent relapse rate.
• Brain structure -- Participants in a meditation program showed increased gray-matter density in the hippocampus and in structures associated with self-awareness, compassion and introspection.  Members of a non-meditator control group did not show the same changes.

Don't know about you, but I like to increase the density of my gray-matter.  Stay tuned for more about how to meditate.

To your health . . .

Reference

Boyce, B.  (2012).  Taking the Measure of Mind.  Shambhala Sun.  March, 2012: 43-49, 81-82.

The Three Treasures and QiGOng

The Three Treasures (San Bao) are usually thought of as body, mind and spirit by QiGong and Tai Chi practitioners.  These three treasures, Jing, Qi and Shen, in Chinese medicine and philosophy are really much more than that. 

Body Qi or Jing may be viewed as the sperm and egg, DNA,  neurotransmitters, and hormones that activate the human body.  These are the most basic and subtle aspects of the human body and are locally present and substantial or physical.  Jing was created at the time of our conception and is nourished by the food and water and the air that we breathe.  Physical activity, for example Kung Fu, is a method for strengthening Jing.

Mind Qi or Qi is non-substantial and somewhat local.  It operates through our memory, emotions, thoughts, intuition and creativity.  Spirit Qi or Shen is non-substantial and non-local.  It is transcendental and hold that pattern of our eternal beings.  You might view it as the eternal or immortal template that is manifest currently in your physical body.

Mind and Spirit reside in the Middle Elixir Field, the Dan Tian.  In Chinese there is only one word for both "mind" and "spirit", shin.  Thus, as a QiGong practitioner I don't view your mind and heart (spirit in the West) as separate attributes.  You have a Mind/Heart. 

The table below summarizes some of the aspects and attributes of Jing, Qi and Shen:

Attribute	Jing	Qi	Shen
Treasure	Earth	Life	Heave
Domain	Body	Hear/Mind	Spirit
Location	Earth	Heart/Mind	Heaven
Elixir	Jing Dan	Xin Dan	Shen Dan
Elixir Field	Sea of Qi Lower Dan Tian	Heart/Mind Middle Dan Tian	Yin Tang Upper Dan Tian
State	Yin	Harmony	Yang
Intention	Heal Body	Clear Mind	Radiate Spirit
Lifestyle Focus	Nutrition/Exercise	Emotional Resolution	Spiritual Practice Meditation
Practice Method	Kung Fu	QiGong	Stillness/Meditation

Recall that Dr. Mehmet Oz on Oprah, advised, “If you want to be healthy and live to one hundred, do Qigong.” 

If you would like to learn more about QiGong please visit my web site at www.Dr-Dave-ND.com and download the free QiGong PDF on my resource page.

Could I Interest You in Some Poison Oak?

If you live on the East Coast you are probably familiar with Poison Oak.  It causes a nasty, blistering rash similar to that of Poison Ivy.  So, could I interest you in some Poison Oak? 

Rhus Toxicodendron is the homeopathic dilution of Poison Oak.  The guiding principal of homopathy is that like cures like.  Consequently the highly diluted (usually 30C) dose of Rhus Tox is a long standing remedy for problems that manifest with burning sensations.  In fact, I have found that Rhus Tox is one of the best treatments for Poison Ivy.

Rhus Tox has also been used to treat both eczema and shingles.  Rhus Tox is indicated for use with eczema when the skin is very itchy and feels better after the application of very hot water.  The itching, burning and blisters of shigles can be relieved with Rhus Tox taken for a few days.

Rhus Tox can also be used to treat the following:

• Arthritis -- when the symptoms appear in the morning and at night and seem to improve during the day with activity, and when symptoms appear before a storm,
• Flu -- when the flu symptoms include stiff muscles and joints,
• Strains -- used when ligaments and tendons are strained (I keep a bottle of Rhus Tox in my gym bag),
• Mosquito bites -- to relieve itching,
• Urticaria (hives) -- to reduce itching and aid the healing of lesions.

Side effects:  Rhus Tox has few side effects.  However, some people experience an increase in skin irritation (usually those with chronic eczema or arthritis).  This healing aggravation is usually a sign that the remedy is working.  If you are not sure about using Rhus Tox or other homeopathic remedies please consult with a homeopathic practitioner in your area.

To your health . . .

Why Your CoQ10 Supplement May Not Be Working

The many health benefits of taking Coenzyme Q10 like increased energy, improved metabolism, weight loss, cell protection, and better cardiovascular health are already well established.1 In addition, research shows CoQ10 may promote neurological health as well.1

However, many individuals who take CoQ10 supplements don’t experience the expected benefits.  Unfortunately in many cases most of the CoQ10 they are taking never makes it to their cells where it can do the most good.

Most people over 50 have a hard time converting CoQ10 into its usable form. That means that most of the valuable CoQ10 enzyme disappears, making it impossible to give your cells the protection and nourishment they need.

Most brands of commercially available CoQ10 supplements use a cheaper form of the enzyme – known as ubiquinone – that is extremely difficult for your body to absorb.  When you swallow ordinary CoQ10 pills, your body goes through a two-step process to make CoQ10 available at the cellular level.  First, it has to convert the ubiquinone to ubiquinol, the most biologically active form of Co Q10. Only then can you absorb the CoQ10 as a nutrient that can power your cellular metabolism.

Regular CoQ10 Metabolic Process

Regular CoQ10  ---------------------------> Ubiquinol -------------------------------> Bloodstream   (Ubiquinone)                   |                                                      |

                                   Conversion                                       Uptake

The label of your CoQ10 supplement says the pill contains X amount of CoQ10, and it probably does. However, if it is Ubiquinone then only a tiny fraction of that is actually absorbed by your body. The rest is passed as waste, and is in fact wasted – never reaching the cell membranes and walls where it is needed most.

With ubiquinol, your body absorbs up to 8 times more CoQ102 than with ordinary CoQ10 supplements as shown in the graph below:3   When you take Ubiquinol your body is able to avoid the conversion stage and to directly to the uptake process where Ubiquinol enters the bloodstream and become available to your cells.

The many health benefits of taking CoQ10

Increased energy, improved metabolic function, cell protection, better cardiovascular health and weight loss are just a few of the benefits of CoQ10.  Here are some other ways that CoQ10 can help:

• Heart health... according to the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, a number of clinical studies have found CoQ10 promotes cardiovascular health.5
• Blood sugar... an Australian study showed that patients who took CoQ10 were able to maintain blood sugar levels that are already within the normal range.6
• Vision... in a recent clinical trial, taking CoQ10 for a year helped them see more clearly.7
• Cognition... an animal study performed at Johns Hopkins University found that CoQ10 supplementation improves learning and memory.7
• Bronchial Health... researchers in Texas found CoQ10 promotes bronchial health.7
• Gum health... CoQ10 can improve gum and oral health.7
• Clear-headed comfort... in one study, more than 6 out of 10 patients treated with CoQ10 daily reported feeling more clear-headed comfort.7
• Oxidative stress... Accel is a powerful antioxidant, eliminating the free radicals that can cause damage to cell membranes and mitochondria.3
• Skin care... a German study shows that CoQ10 can help reduce wrinkles and protect skin from the damaging effects of too much exposure to sunlight.8

The key is to make sure that you take a CoQ10 supplement that provides more bio-available CoQ10.  Ubiquinol, is available at most well-stocked natural health store and online through places like Swanson Vitamins (I don’t work for Swanson and receive no compensation from them . . . that’s just the source that I use. You can find them at http://www.swansonvitamins.com/CoQ10/_/n-m)  The bottom line . . . if you decide to take a CoQ10 supplement make sure that it will provide you bio-available CoQ10.

References

1 “CoQ10 Health Benefits” September 1, 2008.

2 Hemmi N. Bhagava and Raj K. Chopra. Plasma coenzyme Q10 response to oral ingestion of coenzyme Q10 formulations. Mitochondrion. Volume 7, Supplement 1, June 2007, Pages S78-S88

3 William Fallon. “Has Your CoQ10 Become Obsolete?” January 2007. Life Extensions Magazine.

4 Super Ubiquinol CoQ10. September1, 2008. http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/Item01226/Super-Ubiquinol-CoQ10-100-mg-60-softgels.html

5 Blasi MA, Bovina C, Carella G, Genova ML, Jansen AM, Lenaz G, Brancato R. Does coenzyme Q10 play a role in opposing oxidative stress in patients with age-related macular degeneration? Ophthalmologica. 2001 Jan-Feb;215(1):51-4.

6 Hodgson JM, Watts GF, Playford DA, Burke V, Croft KD. Coenzyme Q10 improves blood pressure and glycaemic control in a controlled trial in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002 Nov;56(11):1137-42.

7 Gazdík F, Gvozdjáková A, Nádvorníková R, Repická L, Jahnová E, Kucharská J, Piják MR, Gazdíková K. Decreased levels of coenzyme Q(10) in patients with bronchial asthma. Allergy. 2002 Sep;57(9):811-4.

8 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10416055

QiGong for Health

To understand what Qigong is it is necessary to understand the meanings of both Qi and Gong. In Qi society Qi is believed to be the energy or life force that permeates the universe. The Chinese were not alone in their belief in a natural force that fills the universe. Many ancient traditions are based on life-force energy. The same energy is called prana in India and Ki in Japan.

There are three types of Qi, Tian Qi, Di Qi, and Ren Qi. Tian Qi, or heavenly qi is the energy that heavenly bodies exert on the earth. This energy includes sunlight, moonlight and the gravitational pull of the moon on the earth that causes the tides. Di Qi or earth Qi is the energy forces that run through the earth. The earth absorbs Tian Qi and in affected by it. Di Qi includes lines and patterns of energy that run through the earth, the earth’s magnetic field, and the heat generated in the core of the earth.

Ancient Chinese believed that wind, rain, and even earth quakes were caused by Tian Qi and Di Qi energy imbalances. These natural phenomena are caused by the movement of energy as it seeks to reach equilibrium. You may have noticed how wind flows from a high pressure area of lower pressure. This is the movement of weather Qi. The patterns and cycles of nature were recorded in the Yi Jing (The Book of Changes), the first text on Qi, written about 2,400 BCE. The Yi Jing identifies Tian Qi, Di Qi and Ren Qi as the three components of the San Cai (the three natural powers).

Human Qi or Ren Qi is affected by Tian Qi and Di Qi. Since you are part of heaven and earth (Dao) you are affected by heaven and earth Qi. The Ren Qi that flows through your body determines your level of health and wellness. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that optimal health can only be achieved when the flow of Ren Qi is balanced and the Qi flows freely. Qigong exercises to control the flow of Qi were perfected over thousands of years of practice and study in China.

Gong, a short form of Gongfu, literally means time and energy. Thus any activity that requires a lot of time and energy to perfect is a gongfu. Qigong is any training or practice dealing with Qi that takes time and energy to master.

To read more about QiGong for health please download my free, 20 page PDF, Qi Gong for Health, on the resource page of my web site at www.dr-dave-nd.com  I am currently editing a YouTube video that shows the Lift-Qi-Up-Pull-Qi-Down exercise explained in the PDF file.  I'll post a note here when it is published.

Doing vs. Being

According to Hofstede’s cultural dimension theory individuals in the United States are the most individualistic in the entire world.  You might say that we are driven.   For me at least that translates into a need to always, and I mean always, be doing something.  If I’m not doing something then I feel like I am wasting time.

We are goal oriented.  Most of us have a series of goals that we want to achieve and when one goal is accomplished we move on to the next one.  I remember when I graduated from Washington State University with a  Ph.D.  That had been my only goal for four years.  Did it.  Accomplished it.  Cross that puppy of the list.  But wait, what do I do now?  I had no other goals in the pipeline and I felt lost.  Quick!  Find another goal.  Tenure at a big research university sounded like a good goal.  Planned that out, did it, and had to look for a new goal.   I wasn’t on a search for meaning in my life, I was just on a search for the next goal.

Having spent years as a computer programmer, systems manager and IT consultant (yup, that was a previous life) I like to plan and organize.  You know the type, completely linear . . . have a plan, work the plan.  That was me.  The number one question was “How?”  I had a goal, now I needed a plan, a how, to get me there.  Never stopped to ask why . . . “Why and I doing this?” and I never, ever asked “What do I really want?”  It was just, I have a goal, how am I going to get there?

I realize now that I slowly morphed from being a human being into a “human doing”.  Sometimes just being is the best thing to be.  I have replace my “How?” question with a new one, “What?”  “What do I want to do?” not, “How am I going to do it.”  I don’t worry about how it is going to happen and rather than constantly trying to swim against the current of my life I let my inner self (higher being, subconscious mind, or whatever you want to call it) take over and work out the details.  When left alone my inner self does a miraculously marvelous job of defining the “what” and then figuring out the “how” and I have transformed back from being a “human doing” into a “human being”.

Life is much better now that I work to live, rather than live to work.

To your health . . .

Stress Relief

After teaching three classes and sitting through a 90 minute faculty meeting this afternoon I was ready for some stress relief . . . the kind that comes from a bottle.  No, not that kind of a bottle!  I was thinking about Rescue Remedy followed later, once the boys are all in bed, with a good meditation session.

Rescue Remedy is probably the most popular of all of the Bach Flower Remedies.  It contains five flower essences:

• Chery Plum -- for feelings of desperation
• Rock Rose -- to ease terror, fear or panic
• Impatiens -- to soothe irritability and adjitation
• Clematis -- to conteract the tendency to drift away from the present
• Star of Bethlehem -- to address the mental and physical symptoms of shock

I really needed some Clematis after the faculty meeting had drug on for over an hour and I realized that I was physically present in the meeting but that my mind was far, far away.  About fifteen minutes later I felt the need for Impatiens after had I started to count how many minutes of my life have been wasted in non-productive meetings.  Oh well, the meeting finally ended.

Rescue Remedy can be used to help create a safe mental sanctuary.  It is often used after an accident, argument, trying event or even surgery.  It is the only Bach Flower Remedy that is taken neat, that is, straight from the bottle.  Although you can add four drops to a glass of water I prefer to place four drops under my tongue.  You can follow up by adding four drops to a glass of water and sipping it until you feel better.  After using Rescue Remedy to help you overcome stress or shock you might want to review the other Bach Flower Remedies in one of my earlier posts and create a combination to help you move forward.

You can purchase Resuce Remedy from any well-stock natural health store or make your own by adding 2 drops of each flower essence to 1 fluid ounce of brandy. 

To your health . . .

Constiwhat?

Yup, you read that right.  This blog is about that dirty little problem called constipation.  For many people today's SAD (standard American diet) is full of processed food with few fresh vegetables and fruits and too much animal protein, dairy products and too much vinegar, pepper, salt and spices.  This results in a diet that is low in fiber and with insufficient fluid intake.  The result can be chronic constipation.

The most common approach to treating constipation is to pop a couple of laxitives in the evening and to hope that everything will come out fine in the morning (pun intended).  This approach of treating the symptom rather than the underlying problem can result in overreliance on laxatives.  The more you take, the more you need . . . and it becomes a vicious circle.  In addition to resuting in overreliance, the constant use of laxatives can damage the body.  In particular the excessive use of stimulant laxatives can damage the nerve endings in the intestines, thus increasing the need for constant laxative use.

What do to?  Here are a few suggestions:

1. Increase the fiber intake in your diet.  How about a high-fiber breakfast cereal in the morning (I eat mine with fresh orange juice rather than smothered in milk . . . may sound strange but it is yummy) and a fiber drink in the evening.
2. Reduce your SAD intake and eat more high fiber foods
3. Drink lots of water.  I suggest that you get a stainless steel water bottle, one that holds at least 500 ml of water, and drain it at least four times a day.
4. Avoid all stimulant laxatives
5. Consider homeopathic remedies for the relief of occasional symptoms:
1. Lycopodium -- usually used when there is flatulence but no need for a bowel movement for a long time
2. Nux vomica -- for constipation that alternates with diarrhea
3. Sepia -- when the belly feels full
4. Opium -- when there is no desire (physical not mental) for a bowel movement
5. Causticum -- for stich-like pain accompanying a bowel movement
6. Bryonia -- for large, hard, dry stools with congention in the abdomen causing distension and a burning feeling in the rectum
7. Alumina -- when there is not desire for a bowel movement until the rectum is full.

While not a pleasant topic, proper elimination of waste from the body is crucial for optimal health.  Eliminating toxins and waste from the body is just as important as providing our bodies with high-quality, nutritious foods.

To your health . . .

Spring Cleaning

Spring is almost here . . . and it really felt like it yesterday.  We went hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains yesterday in 60+ temperatures and, even though today we are under a winter storm advisory and expect to get about 7 inches on snow in the next 24 hours, the weather yesterday got me thinking about Spring cleaning.


There are only two things that we can't control, our genetics and acts of God.  Other than those two, we are all, at least in part, responsible for what happens to us and for our conditions in life.  For example, the body that you live within today is the result of your genetics, potentially some acts of God, and the decisons that you made in the past.  Think back over the past year . . . how often did you make the choice to get some exercise or to eat more fruits and vegies and less fast food?  If you consistently made healthy choices in the past chances are good that you are healthy today. 


The same way, the body that you will have a year from now will be, to a large extent, the product of the decisions that you make today and tomorrow. So, make healthy decisions from today forward to build a healthy body tomorrow.


 The Spring cleaning that I was thinking about yesterday while we hiked along a mountain stream had two parts.  First, to clean the cobwebs out of my mind and to replace some old thoughts and ideas that aren't serving me very well with some new ones.  For example, last night while doing my evening meditation I went back to the phrase, "Every day in every way I am getting stronger and better."


The second part of my spring clean is to do a semi-annual cleanse.  Cleansing is a quick and efficient way to detox the body.  Just like we all like or need an occassional treat (mine is a piece of chcolate once in a while) we also need an occassional detox.  Detoxing is the foundation upon which we can build a stronger and healthier body and one with a better immune system.  Detoxing reduce the toxic load within our bodies.


If you can committ to it, a weekly, 24 hour cleanse is ideal.  However, just to get your started why not try it once?  I expect to be pretty snow-bound today so here is my 24 hour plan.  Give it a try and please, write and let me know how it worked for you if you tired it too:


Upon Waking:  One large glass of warm water with a slice of organic, unwaxed lemon.


Breakfast:  One large glass of hot water with a slice of organic, unwaxed lemon .  Follow this with a cup of ginger tea (one inch of freshly grated ginger and 1 teaspoon of honey in a cup of hot water).


Mid-morning:  One large glass of warm water with a slice of organic, unwaxed lemon.


Lunch:   One large glass of fresh vegi jucie (tomato and celery) and a large cup of ginger tea.


Mid-afternoon:  One large glass of warm water with a slice of organic, unwaxed lemon.


Supper:  Fresh, organic kiwi and pinaple juice (run two kiwi fruits and half a pineapple through your juicer) and guess what . . . another cup of ginger tea.


Evening:  Juice four large oranges and place the OJ in a blender with a small handfull of almonds, blend together and enjoy a glass of orange almond drink.  (Almonds are the only nuts that are not acid forming in the body).


Bedtime:  Drink a warm cup of camomile tea with a teaspoon of organic honey.

The Smell of Spring

Winter this year in Central Virginia has been warmer than usual and very dry.  As a result, everything is dry and brown and I can't wait for the spring rains and for plants returning to life.  I was reminded of how much I miss the aroma of spring when my son cut his finger and rather than squeezing some antibiotic cream from a tube on his finger I grabed my bottle of Tea Tree oil and put a drop on his finger.  Tea Tree essential oil, like all essential oils, is an antiseptic.  Not only that, it smelled so good.


This got me thinking about essential oils so I opened up all of my oil storage boxes (three wooden boxes) and began to smell different oils.  Essential oils contain aldehydes, phenols, oxides, esters, keytones, alcohols and terpens as well as many other chemical compounds. While all essential oils are anticeptics, individual oils may also have analgesic, fungicidal, diuretic, or expectorant properties. 

Essential oils operate on the body on pharmacological, physiological, and psychological levels.  On a pharmacological level essential oils act on the body in ways that are similar to drugs.  However, they act slower and in a more sympathetic way and with fewer side effects.  It is important to be careful with some essential oils, especially if one is pregnant or has a number of other medical conditions. 


On a physiological level, different oils seem to have affinities for different parts of the body. For example, rose has an affinity for the female reproductive system; in general spice oils benefit the digestive tract; and Juniper Berry oil has an affinity for the urinary tract (in another blog I'll show you how we make Juniper tincture from the Juniper berries that we collect in the fall).

Finally essential oils can have psychological effects.  For example, chamomile is relaxing, citrus oils like grapefruit are refreshing, and rosemary is stimulating.


If you would like to learn more about the use of essential oils then you might check out our book, An Introduction to the Art of Armoatherapy, at http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/an-introduction-to-the-art-of-aromatherapy/14736018?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1

However you use them, essential oils smell wonderful.  And for me today they were a reminder that spring is around the corner and pretty soon nature will come alive with colors, sounds, and smells.

Bach Flower Remedies

Edward Bach (1886-1936) entered medical school in London in 1906 at the age of 20 and graduated five years later. He practiced conventional medicine from 1912 until 1919 when he joined the staff of the London Homeopathic Hospital as a pathologist and bacteriologist. Impressed with the work of Hahnemann, the father of homeopathic medicine, he developed seven nosodes (homeopathic remedies) from the seven types of bacteria that he had associated with chronic illness. At the same time he noted that patients with the seven different types of intestinal bacterial pathogens exhibited particular personality types or temperaments. He began to prescribe his nosodes solely by observing the patients’ personality types and temperaments.

Bach did not like using pathogen-based nosodes and began to use herbs and plants in place of intestinal bacteria in homeopathic remedies. After using flowers as the basis for developing several homeopathic remedies he sold his medical practice and in 1930, at the age of 43, he left London for the English countryside. Over the course of the next six years he developed 38 flower remedies and the more well know Rescue Remedy. Dr. Bach died at the age of 50 in 1936.

Dr. Bach’s Philosophy

Dr. Bach’s philosophy about healing and life are set forth in his short book, Heal Thyself. The crux of his philosophy is summarized in two statements:

·         “The main reason for the failure of modern medical science is that it is dealing with results and not causes . . .

·         Disease is in essence the result of conflict between Soul and Mind, and will never be eradicated except by spiritual and mental effort.” (Centre, 1997, 9-10)

As an N.D. I believe that the body has the wisdom and knowledge to heal itself, give appropriate rest and nutrition.  The body, mind and soul want to be in harmony.  I think that Dr. Bach envisioned such a change process when he wrote:

“The prevention and cure of disease can be found by discovering the wrong within ourselves and eradicating this fault by the earnest development of the virtue which will destroy it; not by fighting the wrong, but by bringing in such a flood of its opposing virtue that it will be swept from our natures." (Centere, 1997, 18)

Dr Bach felt that the correction of mental attitudes could treat a disease at the energetic level before it became grossly pathological, thus halting the disease process before it becomes physical, and assisting the healing process when a disease does become physical. This ability, according to him, results because the mental (psychological or emotional) component of dis-ease may cause the physical problem. Disease can only be treated when the cause is removed; any other treatment only masks the underlying problem.

Flower Remedies

Dr. Bach developed the flower remedies from his understanding of homeopathy. However, the flower remedies differ from homeopathic medicine in several important ways. Homeopathic medicines are prepared according to the Law of Similars that states that a homeopathic medicine that causes the symptoms of a disease in a well person will cure the same symptoms in a person who is not well. Flower remedies are not formulated according to this law. Flower remedies are harmless and will not cause adverse reactions or symptoms in the user.

Homeopathic medicine is prepared using extreme dilution, as are flower remedies. In addition, homeopathic medicines are also prepared using a specific rhythmic method that imparts energy to the medicine. Flower remedies are not so prepared.

In the course of his work Dr. Bach identified 38 different flowers and the emotional or psychological states that they affected. You can download a free PDF questionnaire from the resource page on my web site (www.dr-dave-nd.com) that can be used to identify appropriate flower remedies. As you read the statements in the questionnaire you will be able to identify the mental state that each flower remedy treats. Dr. Bach was never concerned with why the flower remedies work, just that they work.

Given a modern view of quantum or vibrational healing we might postulate that the link between illness and personality that Dr. Bach observed results from the development of dysfunctional energetic patterns within subtle bodies. We know that Dr. Bach felt that disease resulted from a soul-mind conflict.  The vibrational energies of the flower remedies help realign the personality (mind) with the energies of the Higher Self or subtle bodies.

As issues are cleared, new problems or concerns may surface; consequently the specific flower remedies needed by a client change over time. Thus you may want to reuse the questionnaire from time-to-time. For example, a person with weight issues may indicate frequent self-image problems (Crab Apple), a feeling of hopelessness and despair (Gorse), and a feeling of guilt because of overeating (Pine).  A week later, the feelings of hopelessness and guilt may be gone, only to have been replaced with feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities (Elm) and a need to find some direction in life (Wild Oat). When this happens you may want to prepare a new flower remedy formulation.

Reference

The Dr. Edward Bach Centere, The Bach Flower Remedies, Revised Edition, New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1997.

Longevity

A recent United Nations report identified life expectancies by country.  If you live in the United States and think that we came out on top then think again.  Here are the top ten countries:

Rank     Country
1            Japan
2            Hong Kong (PRC)
3            Iceland
4            Switzerland
5            Australia
6            Spain
7            Sweden
8            Israel
9            Macau (PRC)
10          France (metroplolitan)

So, where is the United States you ask?  It was number 38, yes you read that right, number 38 on the list.  That means that there are 37 other countries in the world today where you would live longer.  I expect that for you to live longer in any of those 37 countries you would have to give up the SAD (Standard American Diet) and eat like the locals.  Not a bad idea . . . and one that you can implement here quite easily.

Here are my recomendations:

1.  Eat close to the farm.  I don't mean that you should move to a farm, or even become the farmer's next-door neighbor.  Rather, eat food that is as natural and minimally processed as possible.

2.  Move.  No, not to the farm.  Just move your body.  Move for at least 30 minutes a day.  If you are like then you spend way too much time just moving your fingers in front of a computer screen.  Move your whole body.  My daily goal is 30 minutes of cardio on a bike (stationary or moving depending on the weather), and 30 minutes of weight lifting.  That daily hour is my gift to myself. 

3.  Drink and then drink more.  I don't mind if you have a glass of red wine with your dinner (how do you think the metroploitan French ended up in the top ten).  However, please make sure that you drink at least eight big glasses of purified water a day. 

4.  Reduce stress.  The United States, according to a number of studies, is the most individualistic county in the world.  I translate that as the most competitive.  For example, when at the gym I am usually aware that the people on both sides of me are looking at my screen to see what level I'm at and how many RPMs I'm pumping.  They feel the need to at least match, if not exceed whatever level I'm at.  Consequently I have taken to covering the screen on my bike with a towel . . . I know what level I'm at.  One good way to reduce stress is through meditation.  Another great way is to use movement as a meditation tool.  Tai Chi and Qi Gong are two great ways to move and meditate (reduce stress) at the same time.  Check the resource page on my web site for a free PDF downloadable Qi Gong manual.

5.  Maintain a healthy weight.  Both a low-carb, high-protein diet and a high-carb, low-protein diet (Japanese diet) seem to work as long as you avoid simple carbs (I avoid white foods like bread, pasta, white rice, and white potatoes because they are all high glycemic foods, and anything containing high fructose corn syrup - HFCS).  Did you know, for example, that white bread has a higher glycemic index, 70, than does a Mars Bar, 65.  Lentils on the other hand have a glycemic index of only 28.  Did you have a bowl of corn flakes for breakfast?  Corn flakes have a glycemic index of 84, ouch.

So, once again, my top five suggestions are:

1.  Eat close to the farm
2.  Move your body
3.  Drink lots of purified water
4.  Reduce stress
5  Maintain a health weight.


I'll be posting more about HFCS in the near future so stay tuned.

The Sugar Buzz

You may have heard or seen the recent buzz about sugar on the internet and in news reports.  It's pretty interesting and the science behind it can be compelling. Robert Lustig, MD, Laura Schmidt, PhD, MSW, MPH, and Claire Brindis, DPH, research colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), argue in the February 2, 2012 issue of Nature ("Public health: The toxic truth about sugar", 482, 27–29) that sugar’s potential for abuse, coupled with its toxicity and pervasiveness in the Western diet, make it a primary culprit of this worldwide health crisis.  


They contend that the health hazards associated with sugar consumption are similar to those of alcohol.  In case you have forgotten, alcohol is made by distilling sugar.   Some researchers have already pointed out that worldwide consumption of sugar has tripled during the past 50 years, therefore possibly leading to an “obesity epidemic”.  For example, take a look at the increase of sugar in coke:

• The original Coke bottle in 1915 contained only 6.5 ounces of liquid.  Assuming someone consumed 1 bottle per day, that would be equivalent to eating 8 pounds of sugar per year with an assumed rate of 3,500 calories per pound   If you don't want to do the math, that's 28,000 calories per year.  Want to exercise that off with me?
• In 1955, the bottle size was upped to 10 ounces, which translates to 13 pounds per year under the same assumptions.
• In 1960, the 12 ounce can of Coke can was introduced in 1960 and it translates into the consuption of 16 pounds of sugar per year if you only drink one Coke a day.
• In 1992, the 20 ounce plastic bottle was introduced, which translates to 26 pounds of sugar per year (91,000 calories per year) .
• A supersize fountain drink with 44 ounces would translate into 57 pounds per year.   The next time you are in a grocery store count 11+, 5 pound bags of sugar, and then think about eating that much in a year . . . yuck!

Unfortunately obesity is just one possible symptom of sugar’s toxicity, which goes further than simply being high in calories.  To find out the other ways that sugar affects for body take a look at Dr. Lustig's video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffoOeW5wZ9s&feature=player_embedded&noredirect=1 it is really worth the 5 minute investment of your time.

If you want to know more, after viewing the YouTube video, then get a copy of Samantha Quinn's book, The Real Truth About Sugar: Dr. Robert Lustig's "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" (Volume 1).  It is available for about $11 (paper back, or a free Kindle edition from Amazon.  I'm sure that you can also find it at Barnes & Noble and most other book sellers.  this book provides a full summary and analysis of Dr, Lustig's video.  Friends, this really is a must read!