Health Alternative Medicine

Happy Holidays! Yes, the holiday season is upon us now in all ways - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and more. And celebrating takes on a life of its very own it seems. From high-tech parties to small intimate gatherings, in the aftermath, we are faced with recovering from hangovers, feeling of being overstuffed, headaches, weight gain, etc.. "Never again," we say, resolving to change our so-called bad habits especially during our New Years resolutions, often not succeeding for more than a couple of months at most.

There are however, many things one can do to help alleviate the after-effects of partying and indulging, both physical and emotional. Aromas establish and enhance the occasions and alter the mood of your surroundings during party time as well as after. By choosing and blending aromatherapy essential oils and adding it your surroundings, you can easily change the effect from the "'twistin and rockin' the night away" to relaxed, mellow and happy. Here are some oil choices that I would suggest, in combination or singly in an aromatherapy buer, light bulb or ring: geranium, jasmine, sweet orange, clary-sage, rose, bergamot, frankincense, vanilla, ylang ylang, sandalwood, and lavender.

It's a known fact that we do tend to over-indulge during the holidays. Sometimes however, rich and sweet food, alcohol, and other combinations of food that we are offered, tend to take their toll. Too much alcohol consumption can be counteracted to some degree by drinking plenty of water beforehand, which slows down alcohol absorption and helps flush out toxins.

Here is a gentle recipe for the "moing-after" to assist your body to retu to normal: 5 drops Fennel, 3 drops Lavender, 5 drops Sandalwood, 10 drops Lemon. Blend and use 8-10 drops in a bath, inhale 4-6 drops on a tissue, or rub 2-3 drops around your liver area and on the back of your neck. Drink lots of water. To facilitate digestion after the onslaught of rich and sweet foods you can choose from the following essential oils: lemon, mandarin, peppermint, dill, spearmint, ginger, coriander. Slice small pieces of raw ginger into a cup of boiling water and drink - this will help alleviate nausea and general abdominal discomfort. You can also mix 1-2 drops of your chosen essential oil with 1 teaspoon honey, mix with hot water and drink.

On the non-physical side of things, holidays and the tuing of the new year especially, can also be an emotional challenge - depression, anxiety, apathy, boredom, loneliness, and frustration and prevalent for many. One of the great advantages of essential oils is that they not only assist in detoxifying the body, but also help a person to feel and think positively. Even as something simple as feeling guilty for overindulging during the holidays and not being able to stick to your New Years resolutions can have long-lasting effects.

Essential oils can bring down aggression, reduce tension and anxiety, soothe the nerves and help us cope with the myriad of feelings that are produced. One of my favorite recipes to deal with body tension and anxiety includes 10 drops of geranium, 5 drops of lavender, and 15 drops of bergamot. These can be blended together along with 30 ml of your favorite massage oil. Use as a massage oil, in a bath or in a diffuser.

Although aromatherapy oils are by no means cures for any of these situations, Mother Nature's little helpmates certainly can alleviate some of these symptoms and problems. So in the spirit of the New Year, be kind to yourself and may good wishes and smells abound.

Copyright 2005

Olena Gill is a health holistic practitioner and health & wellness coach at The Mind-Body Connection Centre in Errington, BC, Canada. For more information you can visit: http://www.indigocrystalcoach.com or http://www.themindbodyconnectioncentre.com

Aromatherapy is Nature's Medicine in its purest and most essential form. Aromatic Oils are the very soul of a plant. Even a drop or two can produce significant results for your body, mind and spirit.

The increasing respect that aromatherapy commands from the general public, hospitals, and medical centers around the world speaks for itself, as more and more people benefit from this gentle and subtle, yet highly effective therapy.

Whether you use aromatherapy as a stand alone or as a complementary first aid treatment there are several aromatic oils I'd like to recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit.

My recommendations include important details for you to consider when purchasing an oil, such as its Latin Name, Country of Origin, Method of Extraction and Part of the Plant Used. I also list the best oils to consider when creating a synergistic blend.

BLUE TANSY (Tanacetum anuum ~ Moroccan Blue Chamomile) Wild crafted, steam distilled flowers from Morocco.

Blue Tansy's delightful scent is warmly herbaceous with a complex sweetness that to me is reminiscent of apples with a hint of spice. Most people invariably love the friendly and inviting scent of this oil!

Keywords: ALLERGY & PAIN RELIEVER Blue Tansy has a high azulene content which gives it a deep, vivid blue color. It can stain so take care! Azulene gives Blue Tansy its characteristic and powerful vascular and bronchio-dialating properties making it a very effective natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory.

Blue Tansy's natural anti- inflammatory action makes it an exceptionally good relaxant. It soothes nervous tension and calms stress and may be used alone or in a blend for relieving muscular soreness, aches and pains, sprains and strains, arthritis, rheumatism and sciatica.

Due to its bronchio-dilating properties Blue Tansy may be beneficial for allergy and asthma sufferers, blending it with Lemongrass will enhance this effect. Its analgesic properties may also help reduce any swelling or itching associated with allergies.

I've had great success using Blue Tansy with clients who have suffered for years from chronic allergic reactions to environmental allergens.

Blue Tansy is also known to relieve bus and inflamed or sun damaged skin. My friend Sylla, owner of Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, used Blue Tansy for relieving the effects of her radiation treatment for cancer.

Aside from a synergistic blend with Lemongrass to enhance its bronchio-dialating properties for asthma sufferers Blue Tansy is yummy alone!

Please join me for part II in this series of articles to lea about the next essential oil I recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit, German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita).

Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary and alteative health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Please consult with your physician regarding your health conces.

KG has utilized essential oils in her energy medicine practice for more than 30 years. During that time she has facilitated healing for thousands of people suffering from personal trauma, illness and injury. Through her unique AromaTest™ system KG formulates essential oil blends that heal.

Please note: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use organic, or ethically wild crafted oils whenever possible.

KG Stiles is a certified aromatherapist practicing in Ashland, OR USA PurePlant Essentials is her line of pure organic and ethically wild crafted essential oils. KG formulates aromatic oils for: colds and flu, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, menopause, anti-aging, skin care and more. KG's DVD & book about her AromaTest system, "Your Aromatic Signature ~ How to Formulate Blends that Heal," are scheduled for release in 2006. Click to see PurePlant Essentials Menu & Essential Oils Kits: Order Pure Organic & Wild Crafted Essential Oils Kit Click to see and order Complete Essential Oils Kit. KG invites you to Subscribe to Health Mastery Ezine to WIN FREE Aromatherapy Products. To lea more visit: Subscribe To Win Contact: KG Stiles at Springhill Wellness Center, 2520 Springhill Drive Ashland, OR USA (541) 941-7315 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KG_Stiles

Twenty years ago the word "detox" meant a trip to the drug rehabilitation center. Today it defines the conscious act of cleaning up our insides down to the cellular level. Preservatives, pesticides, chemicals and radiation treatments spur the health-conscious to detoxify their bodies while making life-long changes that will help keep their cells clear of harmful substances. In today's health-conscious home you are likely to find plenty of fruits and vegetables, raw dairy, grains and legumes – all preservative, pesticide and GMO free – but if you look under the kitchen sink you are also likely to find enough chemicals to wipe out the entire family.

The average American household has 3 – 10 gallons of hazardous, toxic chemicals, most of them sitting in colorful bottles right beneath our sinks. Many common products contain chlorine, alcohol, ammonia, bleach, formaldehyde, and lye. These toxic chemicals can cause allergies, birth defects, nausea, inflammation and buing of the entire respiratory system, confusion, headaches, symptoms of mental illness, and are linked to neurological, liver and kidney damage, blindness, asthma and cancer.

No health-conscious individual wants to consume pesticides, but we ingest them daily through skin contact as well as breathing them directly into our lungs by using commercial products in the home. Approximately 1,400 pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are found in consumer products – many of which are under the kitchen sink.

Checking labels doesn't help. Not only are companies exempt from listing all the ingredients in their bottles of chemical voodoo, but the New York Poison Control center found that 85% of product waing labels inadequately informs consumers of potential dangers, like the deadly respiratory irritant chloramine, which is made by mixing chlorine with ammonia. The Seattle Poison Center alone receives 70,000 calls per year regarding spillage or swallowing of harmful substances in the home, and 1 in 10 children under the age of 6 ends up in the emergency room due to accidental exposure to household products.

Think about it: mopping, spraying, and wiping our homes with toxic chemicals make our attempts at detoxifying our bodies much like trying to punch a hole in water- it doesn't work. A carefully watered and fed plant, for example, will still get sick if its surroundings are contaminated. Why should we be any different?

Luckily, detoxing the home is easy. All you need to do is get rid of the commercial cleansers undeeath the kitchen sink and replace them with vinegar, baking soda and castile soap. That's it. Age-old, tried and true, these are the ingredients for a healthy, chemical-free home.

Vinegar cuts grease, dissolves mineral deposits, removes mildew, soap or wax buildup, deodorizes, cleans windows and mirrors, is a wonderful fabric softener and hair conditioner - and tastes great in salads. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a useful all purpose cleaner. It can be used as a scouring powder without scratching surfaces; it neutralizes acids, deodorizes, softens water, and polishes metals, jewelry, porcelain and plastic. Baking soda softens fabrics and removes stains and can also be used as a non-toxic underarm deodorant and toothpaste.

Castile soap is a vegetable oil-based soap. Olive oil castile soap works well without drying the skin. Castile soap can be used in place of laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, automatic dishwasher detergent, and as a mild, general cleanser and body soap.

With 2.1 million human poisonings reported to the U.S. poison control centers in 1999 and more than 50% involving children under the age of five, it's no wonder that the numbers are growing in favor of non-toxic homemade cleaners. After all, when was the last time you saw a waing label or poison control number slapped on a bottle of vinegar?

But can these simple ingredients really keep harmful bacteria and germs under control?

Vinegar is a powerful disinfectant. Undiluted vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold and 80% of viruses according to Heinz company spokesperson Michael Mullen. The only reason vinegar is not labeled as a disinfectant is because it would first have to be registered as a pesticide with the EPA - probably not good for sales in the salad section.

We may not be able to protect ourselves from all the harmful substances contaminating our planet, but we do have the power to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals we come into contact with on a daily basis.

The concept of becoming healthy begins in the mind. Once the concept becomes conscious it can expand into action, usually by a change toward a healthier diet. More consciousness will lead the health-wise to detoxify their bodies of accumulated harmful substances. Healthy steps in the right direction. But why stop there? Perhaps when our homes are free of dangerous toxic chemicals we will be ready to take the next step - the vital step toward detoxifying our planet.

Recipes

Each "detox" needs to be adjusted to the individual. In the same way, each home has different needs, so experiment with the recipes below to find out what works best for you.

Air Freshener: Air out your home daily. There is no air freshener like outdoor oxygen – even in Manhattan or L.A. You can also place small bowls of baking soda and/or vinegar around the home to catch unpleasant odors. Simmering your favorite aromatic herb in water will give a nice, overall scent to your home. You can also use essential oils for the same purpose. Use Lavender to relax and ease headaches.

All-purpose cleaner: Every moing I fill my kitchen sink with hot water, a handful of castile soap flakes and a tablespoon or two of baking soda. I use this to wipe down surfaces as well as a pre-wash for the dishes in the dishwasher. A more basic cleaner is simply baking soda in water. The proportions depend on the task at hand.

Oven cleaner: Make a thick paste of baking soda and water. First wipe down the oven with the hot water, soap and baking soda mixture, then scrub out any but spots, and after that apply the paste. Let stand for a few minutes before washing off.

Disinfectant: Plain white vinegar, undiluted. You can also use a couple of drops of tea-tree essential oil in hot soapy water.

Drain Cleaner: Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain, then ½ cup of vinegar to follow. Cover the drain immediately so that the vinegar can react with the baking soda. Then run hot water to flush the drain out.

Floors: A few spoonfuls of vinegar added to the water in the mop bucket will clean all floor surfaces. For linoleum, add a few drops of olive oil, and to buff the old wood floors use equal amounts of olive oil and vinegar and rub in.

Brass and copper: Use lemon juice with a bit of salt. Either rub a lemon slice directly on the metal, or simply rub the mixture in with a soft cloth. If you are not pleased with the results, try a mixture of vinegar and salt instead.

Silver: Aluminum foil sprinkled with salt and baking soda in a bowl of water cleans silver beautifully. Submerge silver in the bowl. Let sit a few minutes, or until the taish has gravitated to the aluminum foil then dry and buff.

Laundry: Replace hazardous laundry detergents with pure castile soap. Adding a ½ cup of baking soda to the wash will help whiten whites and brighten colors. The baking soda also acts as a water softener, therefore boosting the effectiveness of the soap. Add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle as fabric softener. The vinegar also strips away any residual soap left on the clothes. Don't worry, your clothes will not smell like a bowl of salad. Vinegar leaves no odor once dry. Still, I like to add a few sprigs of lavender to the dryer in a small cotton pouch if I don't hang up the clothes to dry outside. You could also add a few drops of essential oil like ylang-ylang with the vinegar rinse if you wish. If you need bleach, try hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine.

Automatic dishwashing liquid: Dilute castile soap in water (if using flakes). Add any citrus essential oil or combination of oils. Lemon, orange, bergamot and lavender are nice. Store liquid in a bottle and place a tablespoon in the automatic dispenser of your dishwasher. For very dirty dishes, add ½ cup of vinegar to the cycle to cut grease and shine the glassware. I often simply fill the dishwasher dispenser with vinegar and wash at a higher temperature.

Toilet bowl cleaner: Use baking soda as a scouring powder on the inside of the bowl.

Window cleaner: ½ cup of vinegar in a spray bottle filled with water. Use newspaper instead of paper towels for streak-free windows and mirrors.

Marble surfaces: Marble is the only surface where vinegar is not recommended due to its acidic nature. Baking soda sprinkled on marble, then washed up with a wet sponge works well, or you could make a castile soap and baking soda solution as well.

Litter box: add a generous layer of baking soda on the bottom of the litter box to help keep odors at bay. Also spread baking soda on the bottom of the garbage can.

Sources:

http://www.ems.org/household_cleaners/household_toxics.html
http://www.ems.org/household_cleaners/facts.html
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/safe-fs.html
http://www.maripoisoncenter.com/public/household.htm
http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/node/80
http://www.healthychild.com/database/guide_to_safer_cleaners_and_disinfectants.htm
http://getfrugal.com/articles/bakingsodarecipes.html
www.preventcancer.com/consumers/food/cancer_toll.htm

Vida Evenson is a WAHM living on a small Greek island still largely unknown to the outside world. There, she and her family own a holiday villa rental business on a large private lot overlooking the Aegean Sea. She is an avid writer, painter and organic gardener. Vida loves to hear from her readers. Readers can contact her through her website at http://www.aegean-villas.com or at http://www.aegeanliving.blogspot.com

*This is a free article. The author only asks that her signature box remain in tact with any and all sharing, copying, reprinting and publishing of this article*

In Chinese Medicine, diabetes is considered to be a condition of disharmony in the body called Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome. Diabetics can often experience symptoms of severe thirst and hunger while losing weight. The ancient Chinese noticed these tendencies, and identified the condition according to its exteal symptoms, in spite of the fact that they could not determine a person's blood sugar levels at the time. There are many Chinese herbs that have been traditionally used for Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome. The beneficial effects of these herbs for diabetics are now being boe out by mode research being done in China.

One Chinese herb that shows promise in the treatment of diabetes in called mai men dong or ophiopogon. Research done in China has demonstrated that it can potentially stimulate regeneration of cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The cells in this part of the pancreas are responsible for the proper production of insulin, and therefore the proper processing of blood sugar in the body. Stimulating regeneration of these cells can potentially reverse diabetes in adult-onset diabetics.

Another Chinese herb that shows promise for people with high blood sugar is tian hua fen or trichosanthis. Tian hua fen has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in Chinese research studies. It is very commonly used in herbal formulas for diabetics. Other commonly used herbs include astragalus and Chinese wild yam.

An Asian vegetable which is also used as an herb, called bittermelon, or momordica charantia, has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics in studies done in China and in Thailand. This vegetable also may have antibacterial and antiviral properties. In Asia, it is being considered as a potential treatment for AIDS, HIV, and hepatitis C.

There are also other Chinese herbs that can be useful for the many symptoms associated with diabetes. The Chinese herbal formula Ming Mu Di Huang Wan is used in China for the vision problems that diabetics often experience. Other herbs can be used to improve blood circulation and stimulate healing. This can be very beneficial since diabetics often heal more slowly from cuts, wounds, and other injuries and also because they tend to have poorer circulation. Many of these herbs may be beneficial for diabetic neuropathy. Diabetics often have nerve pain or uncomfortable nerve sensations that can be alleviated with the use of herbs. Acupuncture can be beneficial for this as well.

As you can see, although the ancient Chinese could not easily monitor blood sugar levels in diabetics, many of the herbal treatments they used for people who exhibited the symptoms of this condition are being shown to be effective in mode research trials in other countries.

If you are diabetic and you are taking medication to control your blood sugar levels, it is best to have your blood sugar monitored while taking these herbs, and have your doctor adjust the dosage of your medications accordingly, so your blood sugar doesn't drop too drastically. It is likely that you will eventually be able to taper off of the herbs and medication, until you can control your disease primarily through diet and exercise.

Dr. Farah Khan, DOM is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She offers information and products related to different health conditions at her web site at http://www.yinessence.com. Her product, GlucoSupport, can be found at http://www.yinessence.com/catalog/item/1142101/1374330.htm.

A new cure is in the town, it is creative cure. Although it is here from ancient time, however it is coming back to cure especially in recent times. Here is example of Chennai based MV Krishnan, an air force retiree in his 60's. He is suffering from Parkinson's disease. His life has no purpose, until his daughter, a sculptor-artist, introduced him to painting. It has not only revived his sense of purpose, but also helped tame his involuntary movements. When his painting exhibition three year back drew gasps of admiration, then it is clear what alteate healing can do.

The life-affirming pleasures of creativity and art making, like finished works of art, can reinforce and enhance self-esteem and physical, mental, and emotional well being. The use of thumb and forefinger in painting or drawing is believed to kindle brain related acupressure points, offering a mean of escape from mental or physical stress and pain through concentration and involvement. According to American Art therapy Association, art therapy includes all kind of art therapy or creative art therapy. It includes visual arts, dance, drama, music and poetry.

The guiding principle is that subconscious feelings and disturbed thoughts find a comfortable outlet in art. There is research going on to support all these facts. However there are lot of studies are published in renowned jouals which supports the creative cure by using various ways of art. According to the art therapist, with an increase in the emotional distress faced by people these days, the popularity of art therapy is going up. Art therapy attempts to unlock our body's capacity to communicate through the use of creative movements, therapy revealing hidden emotional and triggering self-expression.

Though the art emerged as a formal therapy only in the 1930s, the idea dates back to ancient shamanism, Sufi, mysticism and Greek tragedies. "Beautiful objects and brilliancy of colour," wrote Florence Nightingale, "are actual means of recovery". Art therapy is useful to all ages where the primary need is emotional care. This is very useful way for children for express themselves, as limited verbal capacities make it difficult for them to convey traumatic experiences. Their natural mode of communication is playing it out rather than taking it out. Art therapy provides use a good alteative for treating our emotional distress and make our life more purposeful.

http://www.geocities.com/arvindkatoch1
http://www.bloxster.net/truthforeveryone

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia can make you extremely ill, exhausted and weak. It means you only have a fraction of the waking hours that most people enjoy - and even those waking hours are often spent feeling ill, exhausted and with brain fog.

But you **can** do something in your day - it just may not be much...

... so all you have to do is 'focus your light' - focus your energy!

Most healthy people have oodles of energy - but many don't focus on anything in particular and so they don't feel that they get anything done.

In essence, many people - healthy or otherwise - sadly lack direction. They lack focus...

Even the tiniest amount of energy - directed every day (or every other day or basically, when you feel well enough) towards a goal - in the end, and after time, forms a huge result.

No matter how much energy you have - if you focus that little amount of the energy on working from home - setting up your own project - you will get there. After all...

... the snail wins the race!

It's not a question of:

"But how can I make money? I have nothing to sell!" - that's the one objection pretty much every Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia sufferer that I have talked to, initially comes up with.

I say 'initially' because after I've explained to them the different ways in which they can make money online, something 'clicks'...

All you need is a computer, the Inteet, and a passion about something. ANYTHING!

We live in a world where knowledge is KING. People are hungry for knowledge - and everyone - EVERYONE - knows something about SOMETHING.

It might be about how to manage 3 kids during the holidays. It might be about your faith in a religion or about spirituality. It might be about your interest in history, pets, makeup, knitting, fishing, model planes, sport, massage, quilting, sewing, gardening, computers, chess, cooking, traveling, cars...

You might know about ways to entertain toddlers and young kids (for baby-sitters and young mothers). You might know about how to be super organized - or maybe you're good with numbers?

You may know a lot about your local area - its history - or great places to go out to - or beautiful nature trails in your area. You may know about an area you visit often on holiday...

What matters is that you know about something that you can write about - that you can either sell in the form of an e-book (easier than you think), or that you can put on your own web site (also easier than you think), to attract visitors.

Having your own web site on a topic you are passionate about is the BEST way to generate long-term income - if you do it properly.

The point is that YOU know SOMETHING about SOMETHING that SOMEONE ELSE wants to lea about! YOU have knowledge - that someone else is looking for!

The point is that the only thing you need to bring to the table is passion and the motivation to work...

...which won't actually feel like **work** when you're doing something you love anyway!

And the great thing about working on your own project is that you can work WHEN you want, for HOW LONG you want, and on WHAT you want.

If you can only manage 25 minutes one day, then that's 25 minutes more than you would have done if you had done nothing! If you can manage 2 hours on another day - even better! If you can't manage to do anything another day, then so be it!

It doesn't matter because you have no-one to answer to but yourself! Because it's YOUR project!

YOU set the pace...

... focus your energy and you can have your own income-eaing web project in months.

This is so important that I'm going to repeat it!!!

Focus your energy and you can have your own income-eaing web project in months!!!

And remember - nowadays you don't even need to know how to code a web site to succeed online. It really is easier than you might think! Find out more about this here:

http://www.sleepydust.net/running-your-own-website-is-easier-thank-you-think.html

And if you'd like to lea more about the different ways in which you can make money when you run a web site (as briefly mentioned above in this article), visit:

http://www.sleepydust.net/different-ways-you-can-make-money.html

And good luck! This is the beginning of a fantastic jouey!

Copyright, Claire Williams, 2004-2005. All Rights Reserved.

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The article above may be freely reproduced provided that:

(1) you only mail to a 100% opt-in list; (2) ALL links are

LIVE hyperlinks (3) the article is published in its entirety

including the title, copyright notice, & the author's

bio & resource box (which must be placed directly below

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Claire Williams is editor of sleepydust.net and has suffered from Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome since 1995.

She created sleepydust.net to help ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia sufferers deal with their condition - from handling their money worries, to recovering from their illness.

To lea more about working from home when you are chronically ill or disabled, visit:

http://www.sleepydust.net/WORK-FROM-HOME.html

A Bach Flower Therapy Introduction and the 12-7-19 Method of Bach Flower Essence Classification:

Dr. Edward Bach, developer of flower essence therapy, classified the original 38 essences he used in his practice according to the 12-7-19 method: the Twelve Healers, the Seven Helpers, and the Second Nineteen. In part I of this series, the Twelve Healer flower essences were reviewed, along with the underlying theory of flower essence therapy – here we'll have a look at the rhymes and reasons of the Seven Helpers.

Dr. Bach prescribed one or more of the Seven Helper essences to patients who did not seem to be responding sufficiently to therapy with one of the Twelve Healers. The Twelve Healer flower essences – Impatiens, Gentian, Mimulus, Clematis, Agrimony, Chicory, Vervain, Centaury, Scleranthus, Water Violet, Rock Rose, and Cerato – were developed by Dr. Bach to address what he saw as the imbalances of the twelve archetypal personality types. It is through the vibrational transformation of these imbalances that healing of overlying disease states can, in many cases, be initiated. However, Dr. Bach found there were individuals that did not respond to flower essence therapy with the Twelve Healers; this lead him to the discovery of the Seven Helpers.

The Purpose of the 'Seven Helper' Flower Essences:

The purpose of the Seven Helpers is to address chronically ingrained negative vibrational pattes which may be obscuring the primary personality type. For example, Olive, one of the Seven Helper flower essences, is prescribed for states of exhaustion, where one has been wo out by the struggle of healing or other life event. In this case, it may be difficult to see what the primary personality type of the individual may be, as true fatigue does not let a whole lot else show through - this real weariness may mask other personality traits or pattes.

Or it may be that the chronic state simply prevents progress on the healing path that could otherwise take place. Again, using Olive essence as an example – An individual may clearly be in need of one of the Twelve Healers. Perhaps they live in fear and are in need of Mimulus, and clearing this fear would allow them to heal. However, their fatigue is so great as they do not have the strength to work with these issues – in this case, it may be helpful to use Olive along with Mimulus to offer a more complete support from the flower essence therapy.

The Seven Helper essences can certainly be administered individually as well, particularly if a specific flower essence is strongly indicated. Dr. Bach had also written that if an individual is not responding to other essences, Wild Oat (one of the Seven) may be used: "If ever a case does not respond to treatment, give either Holly or Wild Oat, and it will be obvious which of the other remedies may be required. In all cases where the patient is of the active, intense type, give Holly. In patients who are of the weak, despondent type, give Wild Oat."

Beyond the original works of Dr. Bach, the Flower Essence Repertory from Flower Essence Services offers descriptions of these seven essences beyond what a physician may see. FES broadens the application of the flowers to include their use for those needing change that may or may not be related to a health condition. This is an important point, as one may have tendencies they may wish to transform, but are at no serious risk. This application of flower essence is encouraged, for any support for personal and 'soul' evolution is indeed invaluable. So within the following descriptions of the Seven Helper flower essences, a broad view will be maintained, so that the greatest audience may find a suitable essence.

As always with flower essence therapy, in cases of illness, treatment is not a substitute for proper professional care. It may be the case that an illness may have emotional roots, and that flowers can be of help, but one should not solely rely on self-prescription of flower essences as a cure.

And on to the descriptions…

The Seven Helpers:

Olive – As stated earlier, Olive flower essence is indicated where great fatigue has set in. An individual may be pale, wo out and / or exhausted after excessive worry, illness, grief or other struggle. The individual perhaps feels they do not have the strength to continue; that both their physical energy source has been spent. The Olive remedy allows one to tap into a new source of light, helping one see and feel a rejuvenation that comes from establishing (or re-establishing) a connection to a universal energy. This connection may provide the impetus needed for change in other areas, or may be transformative in and of itself through helping on realize that the etheric 'spirit' body and the physical body are inseparable.

Gorse – This flower essence is used where one has lost will due to discouragement, becoming hopeless and resigned to one's condition. They have perhaps been giving too much energy to the negative possibilities, solidifying this outlook so no progress can be made. This remedy restores hope to such individuals, so they may be able to have a brighter outlook, perhaps more joy, when confronted with life's challenges.

Oak – The remedy for those committed to over-striving, regardless if that striving is having a positive result. Those in need of the Oak flower essence have great determination and strength, which can be true assets. However, at times it is crucial to balance this force with subtlety and grace. The individual may have even become resigned to the inevitable failure of their endeavor or succumbing to an illness, yet they continue with their efforts. Oak helps restore a balance, allowing one the freedom of letting up or resting when that is in fact what is required. An important essence in today's hard-striving world.

Vine – For those who see their way as the 'right' way or the only way, Vine essence allows an opening in one's perception for other points of view. An individual in need of Vine may have a domineering personality, insisting that everyone else follow their lead, including health professionals. Such a point of view can lead to great stress when it is perceived do not share the same ideas, and that harm, or at least lack of healing, may come about. Vine essence may soften this selfish nature, assisting one to understand that other points of view may be entirely valid, and in fact, more complete than one's own. This allows the individual to receive needed support, often a key component in any personal transformation.

Heather – The Heather type appear self-obsessed, talking continually about their own situations and problems. Such persons are in fact truly lonely and often in great emotional pain. They may feel an emptiness or hunger, which they feed from the attention of others. This flower essence helps one make a connection to the Higher Self, finding peace and solace in the unity of all being. This realization helps one overcome the loneliness and disconnection they may feel, drawing on emotional self-sufficiency and true shared relationship with others for assistance.

Rock Water – For those that are too hard on themselves. Being reflective and aware is one thing, to go so far as to limit one's (and one's friends and family) enjoyment of life is another. Flexibility and spontaneity are key components to the 'life well lived'. Further, a rigidity in lifestyle can prevent one from finding joy, an important factor in healing from many illnesses. This essence is sometimes indicated for those beginning flower essence therapy or those who do not see results, as it may assist in opening the soul to the energies of the plant realm.

Wild Oat – Health and happiness are very much connected with one's ability to find one's true vocation. Wandering through life feeling a lack of purpose can lead to distressed states, with addictions or despondency being possible results. Wild Oat flower essence may help align one with their true calling, so that both the individual and the greater environment can benefit. When one finds this sense of meaning, there is a strong inner light that can shine forth, supporting one's own health, and the health of those around them.

These are the Seven Helpers, as categorized per Dr. Edward Bach's 12-7-19 flower essence method. It is said that with the Twelve Healers and the Seven Helpers, one can support transformation of many vibrational/emotional states. At the same time, it is important to keep one's mind open to possibilities; there are a great number of researched flower essences available, one's that may be even more precisely applied to a particular situation. The Healer and Helper essences are however, a fantastic place to start if one is seeking an effective collection of remedies, suitable for the needs of many beings.

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Misty Cech ND is a practicing naturopath. She uses Bach flower essences and essential oils with her clients. The first part of this article is at www.anandaapothecary.com.