Health Alternative Medicine

Foot massage or foot reflexology has a Chinese origin. It dates back to more than 3,000 years ago and is used in the prevention and cure of many health ailments.

Some in fact say, foot massage dates back to ancient Eygyptian times due to archaeological findings in cave drawings in Egypt.

The principle of foot massage rests in the premise that the meridian network connects all tissues, organs and cells in our body. Each organ in the body is connected to a specific reflex point on the foot through the intermediary of 300 nerves. A trained foot reflexologist can put pressure on different meridians or energy lines on the sole and side of the feet to determine the cause of illness.

By using pressure to these the reflex points, the foot massage is good for stimulating the activity inteal organs, and to improve blood and lymph circulation. Thus, the top to bottom well being of a person can be made through the foot.

The principles of foot massage is not in congruence with weste allopathic medicine. Weste medicine merely sees the foot as a body part comprising of bones, ligaments and joints.

However, foot massage is fast gaining much popularity and acceptance as an alteative health treatment. Fans of foot massage believe it can cure not only colds and minor ailments, but more serious ailments as well. These ailments include liver dysfunction, constipation problems, chronic headaches, skin allergies, etc.

Like most Oriental medical techniques, foot reflexology is a "holistic" treatment. It concentrates on treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms of one particular ailment.

While Weste medicine promises speedy recovery of all unpleasant symptoms, foot massage therapy can be slow and gradual. A series of visits is necessary to strengthen the body and to bring the body back to balance.

A session of foot reflexology in San Francisco, can set you back as much as US$40-100. Thus, foot massages over a period of time, can add up in terms of costs.

However, for practitioners and believers of foot massage, the cost for good health is well worth it. The alteative would have been money spent in clinics and weste hospitals for prescription drugs and perhaps, invasive surgery.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Caroline Colby is a publisher of information on Massage Therapy. She highly promotes Massage Therapy as a safe, holistic and effective alteative health therapy. For free articles, tips and news updates, please visit her site at www.massage-therapy-central.com.

Recently I came down with a cold, flu, and some heavy chest congestion. My 8-year daughter also became sick.

One of the Natural Remedies I used was Eucalyptus Oil, which helped to reduce the chest congestion and the symptoms of the flu.

Herbalists use this oil to treat colds, coughs, and other respiratory ailments. Eucalyptus helps to loosen phlegm and improve lung function.

The active ingredient in eucalyptus oil is cineol or euclyptol. The oil is a fine decongestant and has strong germicidal and antibacterial effects. Some other uses for Eucalyptus are skin problems, muscle, and nerve pain. It has been used as diuretic, and to lower blood sugar.

Here�s how I use this oil to help me when I have a cold with cough and chest congestion. Just before bedtime, I rub the oil on my chest and throat. Then I wrap a cloth around my neck to keep it warm and to help the eucalyptus to penetrate the skin.

If you have EMU oil, you can add a drop or two of EMU to the eucalyptus oil to help it penetrate your skin faster and deeper. EMU oil has the property of penetrating the skin and moving deep into your tissues and to carry any other substances that are mix with it into the skin.

I use plenty of eucalyptus oil in the rub, but some of you might react to it so just rub a little to see it you will be ok with it. If you use eucalyptus oil with other oils, it becomes less irritating.

Eucalyptus oil can also be used in a steam inhalation to help with colds or flu.You can also mix eucalyptus with tea tree oil and massage your chest and back when you have the flu.

You can also mix eucalyptus with thyme, rosemary and lemon and diffuse it into the room when you are sick with the flu or cold. Only use eucalyptus for the time need to clear you cold. Long-term use of this oil has an effect on the liver.

Do not use eucalyptus oil on children under 6 years.

Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He also writes a newsletter called Natural Remedies Thatwork.com For more information on his writings go to http://www.natural-remedies-thatwork.com/archive.html

The initial consultation may well be the most crucial aspect of hypno-psychotherapy, if not all therapies. Everything from the interpersonal dynamic to the eventual success of the intervention has a basis in this first meeting between the client and the therapist. Indeed, the client�s decision to remain engaged with the therapeutic process will be determined by factors from this early stage. Despite this, it is not possible, or even desirable, to proscribe the process. As a dynamic, evolving interaction, dependent on the individuals involved and the course the therapy is to take, until the consultation begins to take shape it is unhelpful to try to impose too much structure upon it. This view is expressed by the NCHP, as evidenced by the following;

It is, therefore, not possible, or even desirable, to suggest a blueprint which all should follow. (NCHPa)

With this in mind the following discussion will be conceed with one individual�s approach and focus primarily on those features that this author believes are most decisive in fulfilling the aims of a consultation. If it is not wise or helpful to be prescriptive then we can perhaps understand Feltham�s (1997) comment,

�the best we can aim for is practitioners who are honest, conscientious, flexible and experienced enough to offer each client suitably individualised counselling.�

The goal of the consultation is to provide direction for informing therapeutic intervention. At the most basic level there are certain physical factors that are likely to play a role in a successful consultation. For example, a room that is suitably fuished and offers quiet, comfort and provides confidentiality. The exact details will be dependent on the therapist�s style, budget etc and the desires of the client (e.g., temperature, lighting, distance between client and therapist etc).

However, obvious considerations are fuiture that is adaptable to a range of positions and for a range of people, which offers a clear view of the client, a room that is welcoming and so forth. Ideally the consultation and treatment would be conducted in two different rooms so that the client associates one location specifically with the hypnotic process.

The next level for consideration is the initial contact between the therapist and client. Here the knowledge and use of basic counselling and communication skills are paramount. The client must feel that s/he is dealing with a professional who is genuinely interested in and accepting of their situation. Thus, greetings (including checking the client�s name and any other identificatory information the therapist already has), timeliness and other aspects, which signal respect and focus, must be incorporated into the first moments when the clients make their initial appraisal.

Throughout the process it is important to maintain these high standards, not only because it facilitates open and honest exchanges with the client, but also good communication skills help to engender rapport. Communication skills are for the most part considered to be natural, however recent work within medicine and dentistry has begun to highlight the importance of developing an awareness of what makes communication work (see Lloyd, 1996; Fielding, 1995). The skills that are considered important for clinicians to develop and be flexible with for fruitful consultations are;

i) Clarity of language

ii) Audibility & enunciation

iii) Eye contact

iv) Non-verbal behaviour

v) Empathy

vi) Methods of questioning

vii) Sensitivity of questions

viii) Greeting and identity check

ix) Introduction of self and role

x) Respect of patient�s views

xi) Clarification and summarising

xii) Checking understanding and closing

During the hypno-therapeutic consultation the therapist would do well to have had practice in these skills and not rely on their belief that as they are a caring individual, that will naturally make them a good communicator. The NCHP suggest that it is necessary to �like� the client (NCHPb). There are certain issues with this, for example, a therapist might be more likely to be seen to be collaborating with a client�s unhelpful thoughts or behaviours, or there may be complex issues surrounding transference during therapy. Equally it might make certain aspects of therapy more difficult to undergo if one�s relationship with a client is based on liking them, rather than respect for them.

It is certainly true that one can like a person without endorsing their beliefs and behaviour however it does make the therapeutic relationship potentially more complicated than necessary. Traux and Carkhuff (1967) suggest that rather than liking the client it is important to communicate empathic understanding, unconditional positive regard and to be �with� the client.

Although the two previously described issues are important, they are basic to most successful human interaction, i.e., a suitable location and interpersonal skills. Without an awareness of these factors it is unlikely that a therapist will progress with a client to the consultation proper. It is the next step where the therapist�s particular skills come to the fore.

The consultation process is conceed with two primary aims; knowing the person and informing the person. The latter is somewhat less involved and aims to ensure that the client has a clear understanding of the therapist, the nature of hypnosis, and the guidelines within which both are framed. Clients need to know that they are dealing with a trained individual, and how that person will work with them.

This means that they should know the therapist�s qualifications (and perhaps even a method of checking them, such as a telephone number or web address) and their particular philosophy or approach to therapy. Some clients may have experience of preferred or disliked therapies. The client also needs to be clear about the nature of hypnosis, what it is and what it is not, issues regarding loss of control, revealing secrets, not coming out of a trance etc. It might be useful to send such information to clients when they make their consultation appointment and then review it during the first face-to-face meeting.

Such an approach also allows for more detail to be provided than might be suitable during the first consultation, for example some history of hypnotism, information regarding the therapist�s background and training etc). Clients should be made aware of issues surrounding confidentiality, what the limits are, and how they will be protected. The order of presentation of this material is important as people tend to remember the things they have been presented with at the beginning and ends of a session, so the description of hypnosis might best be presented last so that the prospective client has good recall of the details of hypnosis whilst considering whether to come back. It is important to ensure that the client does fully understand this information and again good communication skills will facilitate the process of checking whether this is the case.

Regarding confidentiality, it is my opinion that no sources of information should be contacted (e.g., GPs) without the client�s written consent, and no information passed on to others unless (a) the client gives written consent, (b) a court requires it, or (c) information divulged by the client suggests that s/he is planning to harm her/his self or another. At times this might mean that some clients will have to be referred on, or not accepted for treatment if they deny access to information that the therapist believes is necessary, or they cannot accept the guidelines for releasing information.

Assuming that the therapist is now in the company of a seated, comfortable, informed and engaged client it will be possible to begin to get to know the client. It is important that the therapist remembers that there is both a �client� and a �conce�, and that the two cannot be separated, nor should they be confused. My preferred approach to this stage of a consultation could be termed �unstructured structure�. In essence this means that there are certain key elements that must be covered in the consultation, but the exact order and manner in which this will be achieved is determined by the flow of the consultation. It also means that the specifics of the questions are for the purposes of this paper, by definition, vague because they must tie in stylistically and temporally with the client.

Most important is the client�s reason for coming for therapy � and it must involve some description of

i) The conce

ii) The motivation for change

iii) Why now

The way in which the client describes these three factors provides much detail. For example, the description of a presenting conce, and the language used to describe it, gives an indication of how the person understands and relates to the issue. Epicetus, the stoic philosopher, stated that people are disturbed not by things but by the views they take of them and this view is embodied in cognitive approaches (e.g., Beck, 1964).

Although one might not wish to use cognitive therapies, or one may not be trained in them, all therapeutic philosophies share this central concept that at some level, whether conscious or unconscious, it is how we respond to our world that determines our control of ourselves within it. The concepts and terms the client uses may point toward a familiarity with certain therapies, including hypnosis, and these may suggest routes for the therapist so that s/he can use the client�s familiarity with these concepts in therapy. That is, the therapist can use the client�s already existing �working model�.

The use of language is central to hypnotherapy because we must find methods that can be easily assimilated by clients, which they can understand and respond to. Communicating at the same �level� as the client naturally works in will greatly assist this. Responses to motivation for change and �why now� provide not only extra language information but also insight into how much responsibility the client is taking for change. A person who wants to cease smoking for their own health will be a qualitatively different experience to a client whose partner is badgering them to give up.

Language use and level of responsibility are important because they interact with my philosophical orientation, which is broadly Gestalt. It does not rule out or demand any particular tool, method or philosophical orientation, as these must be determined by the needs and experiences of the client. It does see the therapeutic process as collaborative so that the client appreciates the importance of their active involvement. By being collaborative, therapy will be a transparent, shared process, with a shared agenda and analysis of progress through feedback which the client gradually takes more and more responsibility for through leaing self-hypnosis and the use of tapes (where appropriate), and by taking on certain homework tasks e.g., keeping a diary, experimenting with ideas etc.

Having covered these three primary areas it is important to develop a deeper understanding of the client and their conce. This is part of what Palmer and McMahon (1997) have outlined as being the common elements in all assessments.

i) what is the problem

ii) is therapy suitable

iii) is the client suitable (are there contraindications)

iv) what underlies the problem

v) transcultural and gender issues (e.g., differences in verbal and non-verbal behaviour and the recognition that one�s own social/cultural biases (e.g., Ridley, 1995) may influence therapeutic decisions etc.).

In essence we are assessing the fit between a therapeutic framework and a client or presenting problem (e.g., Ruddell & Curwen, 1997). These questions cannot be addressed until the therapist understands the client, unless the presenting problem is one that the therapist does not feel competent or inclined to address.

Often people are not fully aware of the range of factors which can influence their desire to change and those which can be obstacles to change. These factors can be inteal or exteal. It is also useful to contextualise the client, so that the therapist can begin to understand what boundaries there may be in the person�s life that could assist or detract from therapy.

For example, it is important to be sensitive to any disclosures the client might make regarding previous experiences with therapy, early problems that may or may not be what the client sees as a central part of their current conce (e.g., being a victim of physical or sexual abuse, time with mental health issues etc.). Further this extends the exploration of how the person thinks of themselves and their world. Partly it is important to uncover aspects of the client�s personality as there is evidence that compatibility on a variety of personality characteristics is important for the therapeutic relation (e.g., Parloff et al., 1978).

Areas that should be covered here are family and work life, any past, present or continuing problems or difficulties (other than the presenting problem), contacts with other forms of services, and evidence of successes. The issue of contact with previous services contains medical and mental health information so that the therapist is aware of either contraindications for hypnotherapy (e.g., psychotic episodes) or issues that might make certain inductions inadvisable (e.g., asthma). It also includes hypnosis, in case the client has previous experience of hypnosis, whether successful or not. The therapist may be able to discover induction methods that the client is comfortable with, or prefers to avoid, their visualisation capability, IMR etc. If the client has no previous experience then the therapist knows to include specific questions (e.g., favourite �safe place� etc) and even visualisation exercises.

The final area, successes, is important because the therapist may need access to positive material if the client has issues with self-esteem or if s/he plans to link success with the presenting problem with previous successes. It is also useful for the client to know that that are seen as a person with a range of qualities, rather than with a list of defeats, ailments and issues.

Having covered the specific material related to the presenting problem and hypnosis, and the more general areas relating to the individual�s other relevant life experience (and having paid close attention to non-verbal behaviour, language etc) the next step is to focus back to the presenting problem. The therapist needs to know what the precipitating factors are for the thoughts/behaviour that the client wishes to change. Armed with the biographical knowledge, the therapist can supplement the client�s descriptions with specific questions relating to events and situations that the client has previously described (e.g., family, work, past failures, past experiences). This provides useful target areas for change. Additionally the therapist needs to explore the consequences that the client sees as coming from their thoughts/behaviour, both positive and negative as this can inform issues related to a client�s barriers to change, or extra motivations to succeed.

This approach, precipitating factors, behaviours and consequences is found in many therapeutic approaches and is known as ABC (Activating event, Belief (Behaviour), Consequence, e.g., Ellis, 1977).

Part of ABC is looking at underlying beliefs and thinking errors (e.g., catastrophic thinking, dichotomous thinking) which, as the quote from Epicetus suggested, is believed to be the central area for developing problems that a client might wish to change. The reason why these two themes are important is that they identify where hypnotherapy might be useful and how it would be best targeted. For example, if a client comes in claiming to be shy, and they have the underlying belief that they are unlovable that would suggest one course of action, whereas a similar client with a similar issue, but with the thinking error that to overcome their shyness they needed to be assertive and superior at all times would suggest another. The manifestation of the issue under conce cannot be the depth at which the therapist ceases their exploration.

Once the therapist has to their satisfaction gained enough information so that they can form a picture of the client, albeit at a later date, it might be advisable, time permitting, to give the client the opportunity to experience relaxation or mild hypnosis. Particularly in prospective clients who have a fear of the process this might be the aspect that decides if they will engage in therapy.

With the knowledge gained during the consultation the therapist will know whether imagery can be used, and if so what images should be used or avoided. No therapy should be attempted at this stage. It is important for the client to get a �feel� for the therapist and to know if they are comfortable with the methods used, the voice etc. On completion of this (if undergone) the issue of the contact should be raised. Initially the contract should offer a 48-hour period during which the client needs to decide if they want to continue with therapy, with the current therapist, under the framework that the therapist works within.

Also, the client will know the costs and recommended number of visits and can make an informed choice regarding financial commitment, payments, failure to attend etc. The contract should re-iterate the confidentiality clauses, and detail what the client is agreeing to, and cancellation policies etc and provide the client with contact details.

The above description makes it very clear that a detailed consultation will be both time consuming and result in the exchange of much information. Sometimes it is not the explicit information alone which is important but reactions, comments, etc and these tiny details do need to be remembered. How should the therapist do this? There are a number of approaches.

Firstly the therapist might decide to rely on memory, and with practice it is possible to develop the ability to use specific points in a consultation to �hang� other information from, so one remembers a narrative which can later be written down. The alteative is to either take notes or to record the consultation. In the former case there is the issue of attentiveness � is it possible to fully attend to a client and accurately note down all the detail and nuances of a consultation? In the latter there are issues of privacy � how comfortable are clients with the idea that their words are being recorded, even with the knowledge that these recordings will be erased later?

Possibly of all the issues within consultation this is the thoiest. As with other aspects it is probably best to be flexible, and know when one cannot rely on memory alone, and know when one must attend absolutely to the client and thus some mechanical means of recording is required. Although clients might be uncomfortable with being recorded it is likely that they will be less upset with that than with a therapist whose head is constantly in a note pad, or who has remembered some important detail of the life story that the client presented at consultation.

Consultation is neither a science nor an art, but a mixture which must be performed on a social tightrope, where the demands of balance co-exist with the cognitive demands of accuracy in an evolving dynamic. In some sense we know what it is, but essentially we need to know how to do it. However, the complexity, which makes it so engaging, also makes it difficult to define. Perhaps a paraphrased and adopted version of Heisenberg�s Uncertainty Principle is at work here; if you can do a good consultation then you can�t know how to describe it, if you know how to describe it you probably can�t do it.

References

Beck, A.T. (1964). Thinking and depression: II. Theory and therapy. Archives of Genreal Psychiatry, 10, 561-571.

Ellis, A. (1977). The basic clinical theory of rational-emotive therapy, in A. Ellis and R. Grieger (Eds.), Handbook of Rational-Emotive Therapy. New York: Springer.

Fielding, R. (1995). Clinical communication skills. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.

Lloyd, M. (1996). Communication skills for medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

NCHPa (1996). Treatment Schedules. National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy, Nelson: UK. p. 1

NCHPb (1996). Treatment Schedules. National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy, Nelson: UK. p. 4 Palmer, S. and McMahon, G (1997) (Eds). Client Assessment. London: Sage.

Parloff, M.B., Waskow, I.E., and Wolfe, B.E. (1978). Research on therapist variables in relation to process and outcome, in S.L. Garfield and A.E. Bergin (Eds.), Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change. �nd Ed., New York: Wiley. pp. 233-282.

Ridley, C.R. (1995). Overcoming unintentional racism in counselling and therapy: A practitioner�s guide to intentional intervention. Thousand Oaks, CA.: Sage.

Ruddell, P. and Curwen, B. (1997). What type of help? In S. Palmer and G. McMahon (1997) (Eds). Client Assessment. London: Sage.

Traux, C.B. and Carkhuff, R.R. (1967). Towards effective counselling and psychotherapy: Training and practice. Chicagoe: Aldine.

Simon Duff, Hypnotherapist

http://www.hypnotherapies.co.uk

Colonics are one of the best types of medicine. They clean up deposits of old toxemia. Colon cleansing reduces the formation of new toxemia from putrefying fecal matter.

Most noticeable to the patient, a colonic immediately alleviates current symptoms by almost instantly reducing the current toxic load. A well-done enema or colonic is such a powerful technique that a single one will often make a severe headache vanish, make an onsetting cold go away, end a bout of sinusitis, end an asthmatic attack, reduce the pain of acute arthritic inflammation, reduce or stop an allergic reaction.

Enemas are also thrifty: they are self-administered and can prevent most doctor's visits seeking relief for acute conditions.

Diseases of the colon itself, including chronic constipation, colitis, diverteculitis, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, and mucous colitis, are often cured solely by an intensive series of several dozen colonics given close together.

Contrary to popular belief, many people think that if they have dysentery or other forms of loose stools that a colonic is the last thing they need. Surprisingly, a series of colonics will eliminate many of these conditions as well.

People with chronic diarrhea or loose stools are usually very badly constipated.

A century ago there was much less scientific data about the functioning of the human body. Then it was easy for a hygienically-oriented physician to come to believe that colon hydrotherapy were the single best medicine available. The doctor practicing nothing but colonics will have a very high rate of cure and a lot of very satisfied clients. Most importantly, this medicine will have done no harm.

Somehow people of our culture have a deep-seated reluctance to relate to the colon or it's functions. People don't want to think about the colon or personally get involved with it by giving themselves enemas or colonics. They become deeply embarrassed at having someone else do it for them.

People are also shy about farts, and most people have a hard time not smiling or reacting in some way when someone in their presence breaks wind, although the polite amongst us pretend that we didn't notice. Comedians usually succeed in getting a laugh out of an audience when they come up with a fart or make reference to some other bowel function. People don't react the same way to urinary functions or discharges, although these also may have an unpleasant odor and originate from the same "private" area.

The average person has a prolapsed (sagging) transverse colon, and a distorted misplaced ascending and descending colon. In a medical survey done, X-rays were taken after each series of 12 colonics on patients. Most patients experienced so much immediate relief they voluntarily took at least four complete series, or 48 colonics, before their X-rays began to look normal in terms of structure. It also took about the same number, 48 colonics, for the patients to notice a significant improvement in the function of the colon.

The X-rays showed that it took a minimum of 12 colon treatments to bring about a minimal but observable change in the structure of the colon in the desired direction, and for the patient to begin to notice that bowel function was improving, plus the fact that they started to feel better.

Read More at http://www.XTherapist.com

While hands-on healing is probably the easiest of skills to lea, it is also one of the most misunderstood of subjects. In this article, I thought to cover some of the basic elements of hands-on healing and one of my attempts to validate its effectiveness.

If we were to believe the movies, healers are special people who may have been touched by an angel, bo with a mysterious gift, may have had a near death experience, their hands usually glow in the dark, they cause light bulbs to explode, black stuff flies out the mouth, and they seem to always become drained from doing the work. Well folks, what did you expect from Hollywood?

Fortunately, NONE of the above is true. My favorite definition of a "healer" is someone who was sick and got well, and a great healer is someone who was very sick and got well quickly. In truth, you really cannot heal anybody other than yourself. The cells must always heal themselves, and you can't force that to happen. You can no more heal another person than you can digest the lunch that they just ate. Anybody who thinks that they are healing another person is mistaken, egotistical, or delusional.

So what does happen, and why does hands-on healing work? Healing is all about resonance and entrainment. Everything vibrates, and when two things vibrate at different frequencies, there is a tendency for the vibrations to come together. Most often, the slower vibration will rise to match the faster frequency. There are many kinds of examples of entrainment; over time, similarly tuned electric oscillators will match frequencies, disembodied animal hearts when placed near each other and kept alive in a lab will all beat in unison, and when women share a dormitory, over months they will often start menstruating at the same time.

When two things are in proximity and vibrating at different frequencies, there are three possible outcomes: Either the higher frequency will match the lower one, the lower one will match the higher one, or they will meet in the middle. Practitioners of hands-on healing ideally lea to hold a high vibration in their hands, and then through biological entrainment, the differing frequencies will match up. With effective techniques, a practitioner can lea to hold an extraordinarily high vibration, influencing and the person in need of healing to match the vibration of the practitioner. When done correctly, the practitioner NEVER becomes drained form doing the work. Most often the practitioner feels emotionally uplifted as a result of doing the work.

In my efforts to validate hands-on healing, I met with Dr. Elmer Green, considered by many to be the father of biofeedback. Dr. Green had been aware of my work for the last 20 years through my first book, and was enthusiastic when I let him know about my new work I had named Quantum-Touch.

Thanks to a suggestion from him, within two weeks I was on a flight to Springfield, Missouri to see Dr. Norman Shealy. Dr. Shealy was trained as a neurosurgeon, is the author of numerous books, is the founding President of the American Holistic Medical Association and was the doctor who tested, introduced and taught classes with Dr. Carolyn Myss. Being quite the skeptic, it seems appropriate that he lives in Missouri.

When I arrived, Dr. Shealy asked me to work on members of his staff. One woman had shoulder pain, another back pain, and a third had neck pain. These were all relieved in less than ten minutes each. Norm then decided it was time to put this technique to a bigger test. After I explained to him that each person has the ability to hold a resonance that can allow bones to spontaneously glide back into alignment with only a light touch, he led me to a room where a 88 year old woman was in a great deal of pain suffering from osteoporosis. One of her hips was massively higher than the other, and she could barely walk. There were three physicians in the room, and they were taking her history for about thirty minutes. When it was time to demonstrate what I do, I asked the elderly woman to stand up and I gently placed my hands on her hips with absolutely no pressure, and started to run the energy. Running energy involves the use of specific breathing and body awareness exercises to raise one's vibration. This energy has been described by numerous cultures for thousands of years - it is most commonly called prana, chi or ki. In about 10 minutes the woman's hips had completely evened out and she could now walk without pain.

I explained that when the body receives a high vibration, it responds in whatever way it chooses, in order to accelerate the healing process. Quantum biologist, Glen Rein, Ph.D. from NY has found that healers were capable of affecting the very winding of DNA. In order to accomplish this, healing must first begin on a quantum, or subatomic level and work its way though the rest of the body. From the DNA to the molecules, cells, tissue, organs and even the position of bones - they all respond to the powerful vibration of our love as expressed through the life-force energy that comes through our hands.

On the way back to his ranch that evening, I asked Dr. Shealy if he was impressed with the healing sessions that day. He said, "No. I think some of the people you worked on might have liked you a little, or may have even been open to what you were doing� No, I want to see how this works on my most difficult chronic pain patients� people with 20 or 30 years of constant chronic pain who have not been helped by any traditional or alteative modality. If you can help these people, then I'll be impressed."

At this point I knew I would need help. Since group healing sessions are synergistically more powerful than individual sessions, I taught Dr. Shealy and three members of his staff to run energy. Each patient received a one-hour group session, and in every case his patients experienced between 30% and 70% reduction of their pain. What made the results all the more surprising was the news I received a week after I retued home. Dr. Shealy told me that the pain relief was lasting in all of these patients. At this point, Dr. Shealy told me that he was impressed and agreed to write the foreword to my new book, calling Quantum-Touch, "The first technique that may truly allow us all to become healers."

If I leave you with a few parting thoughts, I'd like you to know that hands-on healing is real, natural, and an easily leaed, basic human skill. And finally, hands-on healing clearly shows us that our love is far more wondrous and powerful than any of us know.

Copyright 2005 Richard Gordon - http://www.quantumtouch.com/

You can lea hands-on healing by reading Richard Gordon's new book, "Quantum-Touch: The Power to Heal," by watching a video workshop, or by attending a workshop in your area. For more articles on healing, visit http://www.quantumtouch.com

The evening primrose oil which we use is extracted from the seeds of Oenthera biennis, a plant native to North America. The evening primrose plant resembles a primrose but is related to the willow herb group.

This oil is called evening primrose oil and it is believed to have many health benefits. There is much documented evidence on the benefit of evening primrose oil. To begin with, evening primrose oil is a source of the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic (GLA) evening primrose oil with the evening primrose oil benefit is recommended for a variety of reasons.

Fatty acids play an important role in the production of prostaglandin's. Virtually every system function is affected by prostaglandin's including the regulation of inflammation and pain, blood pressure and hormone production. Evening primrose oil taken daily can help to maintain good health.Prostaglandins also play a role in metabolizing cholesterol as well as the dilation of blood vessels.

Evening primrose oil users report a general health improvement.Linoleic acid is usually converted by the body into prostaglandin. However a deficiency of vitamin C or an illness such as diabetes or heart disease can inhibit this process. In these cases, taking a supplement of evening primrose oil has shown excellent results.

Evening primrose oil has proven its efficacy in relieving rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Several studies on the evening primrose oil benefit and arthritis show promise. Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis experienced significant improvements within six months of evening primrose oil usage and enjoyed the evening primrose oil benefit.

Through evening primrose oil usage, joint tendeess and swelling was reduced by 42 percent, another benefit of evening primrose oil. Pain was often lowered by 22 percent while taking evening primrose oil. In many cases users of 1.5 to 2.8 grams of GLA daily were able to reduce their use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, showing the evening primrose oil benefit.

Incorrect prostaglandin production is linked to premenstrual tension and evening primrose oil has proven helpful. PMS sufferers might be deficient in prostaglandin E1 and lacking the evening primrose oil benefit. Evening primrose oil may increase the body's ability to produce E1.Reports from several inteational study groups interested in the effects of evening primrose oil show a dramatic improvement of PMS symptoms while taking evening primrose oil.

The evening primrose oil benefit occurs when premenstrual depression, headaches, bloating and irritability are lessened. Taking evening primrose oil also reduces breast tendeess and pain. Lethargy and vagueness are aided by the properties in evening primrose oil. PMS sufferers also show a mood elevation while using evening primrose oil.

Another role played by fatty acids, such as occur in evening primrose oil, is examined in relation to high cholesterol. Studies over a 4 month period show that supplements of evening primrose oil decreases triglyceride levels by 48 percent and evening primrose oil increases HDL by 22 percent.HDL is known as the 'good cholesterol' and should be present is certain amounts. Evening primrose oil also reduces 'bad cholesterol' and brings evening primrose oil benefit.

Evening primrose oil also helps to clear up skin problems such as acne. Evening primrose oil is used inteationally for evening primrose oil benefits. Benefits of evening primrose oil are suggested by several scientific trials and include premenstrual syndrome, fibrocystic breast pain, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and ulcerative colitis.

Evening primrose oil may help with menopausal symptoms. Evening primrose oil can be used by pregnant women. Evening primrose oil is one of the most popular health supplements on the market. Many people claim to have been aided and relieved of various health problems while taking evening primrose oil. There is a vast amount of evidence available to show that evening primrose oil lives up to many of its claims.

Copyright 2005 Health-Focus

Resources offering Evening Primrose Oil

Last week the media circus surrounding the flu vaccine reached a crescendo.

Half of all the flu vaccine supply is not available this year!

Why? Because the British company that supplies half of the U.S. flu vaccine supply was shut down by health officials.

Does it really matter?

Unless you are under 2 or over 65 and are in poor health, It doesn�t matter.

Because of the flu vaccine shortage The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have said that healthy people under the age of 65 should do without a flu shot.

Gee, that�s what we just talked about.

So even if there were enough flu vaccines, why would You be urged to get one?

The CDC just said that healthy people under the age of 65 can do without a flu shot.

Those of you who take care of your immune system Year �round don�t have anything to worry about.

The question you want to ask yourself is �Do I really want to have a live vaccine injected or inhaled into my body when my immune system is not in the best of shape?�

Before you decide just how easy this decision is to make, Let me explain a few things which will make the decision a little easier.

This years� flu vaccine is tailor made from LAST years� flu strains, so it is not going to be as effective against THIS years� flu strains.

Are you aware of all the additives in the flu vaccine and vaccines in general?

These additives are all highly toxic to the human body, let me show you �

The biggest problem you face with flu shots is that you are being injected with a number of toxic additives.

How would you like to have antifreeze injected into Your body? Don�t worry, they call it ethylene glycol. Makes it sound better doesn�t it?

Anyone for aluminum? (it�s only to promote Antibody response) Or formaldehyde? (to kill Viruses).

Here�s the best one � a mercury derivative (used as a preservative), called Thimerosal.

Are there safer alteatives to vaccines?

Of course there are. Let�s go over some of the most effective proven, safe and natural ways to keep your immune system healthy no matter what season it is.

Are you aware that you can do one simple thing to easily boost your immune system?

Lose the sweets. That�s right, sugar compromises the immune system.

Eat a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits and fresh organic meat protein.

Here�s another one � wash your hands more often.

As many people are walking around with colds, you may be shaking hands and touching things others have.

How about those zinc gluconate lozenges you can get at any drug store? These are not only highly effective when you have already caught a cold, but also to keep Your immune system strong when those around you are sick.

Naturally, supplements and herbs have been effective for thousands of years as a proven remedy to ward off colds and flu.

And here is a list of proven natural and effective Homeopathic remedies.

Vitamin C � Be sure to get a natural form of this one

And also make sure it contains bioflavonoids to help absorption.

A good natural multi-vitamin

Echinacea

Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) which is available in liquid, tablet and capsule form.

Olive Leaf Extract

Black Elderberry Extract

And finally, as long as you are cooking, cook with plenty of fresh garlic.

These are all simple and inexpensive remedies for maintaining your best health all year long.

Naturally, the more of these remedies you combine, the more healthy benefits you will receive.

You can easily stay healthy by taking action now.

Sources:

Health Sciences Institute e-alert �Flu vaccine shortage�,
October 6 , 2004, Jenny Thompson

Health Sciences Institute e-alert �This week�,
October 8 , 2004, Jenny Thompson

About The Author

Lee Cummings has been helping people solve real problems and feel better with proven nutrition for over 4 years. Lee publishes the montly LC Nutrition newsletter. For a No cost Report - mailto:report@lc-nutrition.com.

Discover proven nutrition information visit: http://www.LC-Nutrition.com; leeman@lc-nutrition.com

Music, more than entertainment, has played an instrumental role in healing and harmonizing the mind, body and spirit. For thousands of years, the Vedic culture has used sound and music for body and mind balancing, health enhancement, healing promotion and encouragement of heightened awareness. The Greek mathematician, Pythagoras theorized that music diminished and even eradicated negative energy and emotions. Mode studies explicitly show that specific sounds and music do in fact, have documented, measurable and multiple healing benefits. Today's medicine understands that all bodily functions, like breathing and pulse, work cyclically and rhythmically. It is these rhythms that are influenced and synchronized with certain music and sound pattes.

Music therapy, my favorite being classical, has become widly recognized since the early 1950s. Used for pain, migraines, cancer, stress, upset stomach, fatigue, depression and other, multiple disorders; music therapy can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, stress and anxiety. Most recently, music has been found to bolster the immune system and assists in harmonizing the symmetries in right and left frontal lobes of the brain, (in the case of mental disorders).

The most interesting of studies in music therapy is that of an experiment conducted years ago. The music experiment compared the effects of classical music to rock and roll music on plant growth. Intriguingly, the classical music helped the plants to grow faster; whereas the rock music actually deteriorated the plant's growth. Similarly, classical music has the same effect on humans as it does on plants. Amazingly, patients who listened to Mozart had a whopping 10-15 point increase in IQ. Given this information, it might encourage one to go out and buy the latest Beethoven on compact disc. Today, one doesn't have to attend an orchestrated concert to hear it. Most outlet stores, even Inteet stores sell classical music to the general public.

I realize that many persons listen to fad music, pop, country or rock, but I used to be one of those people; before I dove into classical music firsthand. The most profound effects of classical music, that I have personally discovered, is the phenomenal reduction of heart rate and respiratory rate it induces. When listening to classical music, I am "lifted" in spirit, mind and body. Like a feather takes to the sky, I feel freer, more relaxed and in tune with my higher self. Perhaps, if you get a chance, take a fifteen minute break from life. Pick up Mozart, Beethoven or some other classical music CD, pop it in your stereo, close your eyes and let the music set you free! Tell us about your experience. Did it make you feel more relaxed, inspired and/or rejuvenated? Holistic Junction would like to hear from you today.

� Classical Music Therapy All Rights Reserved by C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot

C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot is the Public Relations' Director & Writer for Holistic Junction -- Your source of information for Holistic Practitioners, Massage Therapy Schools, Healing Arts Schools, Alteative Health Education, Insightful Literature and so much more!!

This traditional time for dieting has in recent times become a time of media hype around the benefits of detoxing. The benefits of raw fruit and vegetables stare at us from the magazines at the supermarket check out whilst in our basket we have a pile of comfort foods and a feeling inside that we will try start the detoxing next week. Well it�s better to wait until spring or a more traditional and natural time would be Easter.

It�s not to say that you can not shift a few pounds and feel better in January through eating the right food for the time of year and fresh fruit and vegetables are still on the top of the list for good health and vitality. They can be eaten in soups and warm fruit drinks, stews, risottos or steamed and grilled. It�s just not appealing to start eating summer fruits and salad in winter. Foods should be eaten in the correct season. Think winter root vegetables, stewed apples and blackberries, warm food that is filling not light food that is unsatisfying. All that said if you are determined to have a go at detoxing I would recommend a light fast around the time of the New Moon.

Yes this is the bit where everyone laughs but the new moon offers a natural light energy that is supportive to fasting. Also it gives us a chance once a month to let the system rest and begin to live more in harmony with the luna energy.

The tides are goveed by the effects of the moon, fisherman understand the force and know when to fish according to the moon time. Gardeners know that at different times the air has a different quality to it and some days are better for planting, watering or cutting than others. I would like to see this knowledge brought into our 21st century and out of the realms of witchcraft and folk lore and that we begin to respect the natural time of the luna cycle and live with change instead of the unreal expectation that we can be the same each day.
. There is a lot to be said for ritual and anyone who has started a fast or detox programme will have been advised to prepare and take a month in the process for full benefits. If we use the luna cycle you will repeat the patte each month to maintain maximum health benefits which include not just weight loss but will also give you a new and dynamic energy.

The effects of the moon at each stage.

THE NEW MOON

On the day of the new moon the body�s capacity for detoxing is at it�s highest. You can not see the new moon, in diaries it will be marked as a black dot. I interpret this as the moon being empty (not full). We are at out lightest weight in the 28 day cycle and feel better. It�s a great time for breaking bad habits and starting a fresh. Any strong withdrawal symptoms are generally kept at bay at this time. Mentally people tend to react more calmly - think of the opposite when the moon is full, when the �lunatic� within us is in full force.

At this time set aside time to have a quiet 10 minutes or meditate. Think of the moon as an empty gold fish bowl and you are going to fill this bowl with positive energy, thoughts and attainable goals, remember to throw some love in there we can all do with a little more. If you are wanting to give up a bad habit this is a great time. Focus on the bad habit and pay no attention to opinion around you, if you choose to give something up don�t keep asking for a reason, just do it. The new moon will support the new time.

THE WAXING MOON

This is a time for regeneration, absorbing and supplying. The waxing moon supplies, plans, absorbs, builds up, breaths in, stores energy, gathers strength, promotes rest and recovery. The closer to the full moon the more powerful the force.

During this two week period you build up strength. Go back to the gold fish bowl. All that you put in it will enhance you. You are pouring new energy into the bowl - when you look at the moon you will see the light pouring in. This is a time to eat good healthy food. Your body absorbs all the nutrients easily and stores them for the time of fasting. It�s a time when you will become heavier but do not think it�s licence to eat more. Be aware of the natural force - you are filling up so make sure it�s good stuff you are bringing into yourself. When you repeat this cycle after a full detox the benefits will be greater, so improving your health each month. Strengthening more effectively. Deficiencies can also be remedied more easily whilst the moon is waxing as minerals and vitamins are more easily absorbed.

THE FULL MOON

You are now at the strongest force and the body will absorb all kinds of substances well including artificial additives that are in our food. Water accumulates easily and we are full - at our most heaviest.

A good time to fast for a day is on the full moon. The system can afford to take a rest.

THE WANING MOON

As the moon goes from full back to new this is the period when detoxing is at it�s most beneficial and easy to do. Retu to the concept of the gold fish bowl. At full moon it is full - marked in the diary as a circle. Now the moon is waning it is beginning to empty. There is a natural flushing out of the system. This is a fourteen day period towards the new moon when the success rate for detoxing will be at it�s greatest. Now having prepared the body with ingredients that are healthy and nourishing you continue but feeling lighter than the previous week when the moon was forcing the storing up and holding of water. You will feel lighter after the full moon and the process will be easy. This statement is worth remembering.

The waning moon detoxifies and washes out, sweats out and breaths out, dries, consolidates, prompts to action and the expenditure of energy. The closer to the new moon, the more effective the force.

This is it. As you reach the new moon and ready to fast for 1 day at that time it will be attainable and beneficial, you will feel new.

When you start the process again and live in harmony with this cycle you will feel the benefits of adding and building up new health and well being in an on-going way.

Remember to rely on your own instincts and less on the authority of another. Use common sense and trust your own instinct.

This article was written on the 26th January 05 and refers to Moon Time by Johanna Paungger and Thomas Poppe for some of the references. The main article is original and comes from my practising and teaching yoga and own experience of living with the moon cycle � Lisa Askem January 2006

Lisa Askem, Yoga Teacher http://www.Benditlikelisa.co.uk. Member of http://www.WomenWorking4Women.co.uk.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils to treat medical conditions, to alleviate psychological ailments, for cosmetic purposes, and to reduce stress. The essential oils of aromatherapy have the power to enhance both your physical and mental state.

Essential oils are extracted from living plants and trees. When essential oils are used appropriately, most can be used at home safely, enjoyably, and with beneficial effects. Keep the following seven things in mind if you want to try aromatherapy at home.

(1) Most essential oils should never be applied directly without diluting them. Only lavender and tea tree oil are exceptions to this rule.

(2) Essential oils are flammable, so use extreme caution around flames and heat sources. If you use a buer to diffuse the oil, put water in the buer first. The essential oil will enter the air as the water evaporates.

(3) Essential oils are for exteal use only. On very rare occasions, a qualified aromatherapist may prescribe essential oils by mouth. Some essential oils can be very toxic if swallowed. Even essential oils that have a therapeutic effect when diluted in certain oral treatments (like mouthwash) should not be swallowed.

(4) Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.

(5) If you want to use essential oils during pregnancy, on babies, or with young children, please seek the advice of a trained, qualified aromatherapist first.

(6) If you are using essential oils as part of homeopathic or herbal medicine treatment, get advice from homeopathic or herbal medicine practitioners as well as from an aromatherapist.

(7) Some medical conditions require a doctor's care, and not all medical conditions benefit from aromatherapy. Always check with your doctor first before undertaking aromatherapy for the treatment of any medical condition.

Following these seven principles for safe aromatherapy will help your experience with aromatherapy to be both enjoyable and beneficial.

Art Tuer blogs about essential oils at http://essential-oil-organic.blogspot.com and writes about stress management at http://www.relaxationemporium.com.

Dandelion
(Taraxacum Officinale)

Medicinal Part: Plant

Description: The dandelion is a perennial plant found, to the dismay of many, almost everywhere.

Properties and Uses: Aperient, Cholagogue, diuretic, stomachic, tonic. Dandelion has two particularly important uses: to promote the formation of bile and to remove excess water from the body in edemous conditions resulting from liver problems. The root especially affects all forms of secretion and excretion from the body. By acting to remove poisons from the body, it acts as a tonic and stimulant as well.1

I was in my early teens before I discovered that most people considered the dandelion a weed. All I remember is being rousted out of bed extra early on Sunday moings to collect dandelion leaves in the park, before the sun dried the dew from the leaves. �Only pick the leaves without flowers,� my Godmother would remind us. Dandelion was invariably the main ingredient in the salad for Sunday night dinner.

Dandelion leaves have a wonderful, slightly bitter flavor, and when mixed with more traditional greens such as romaine or iceberg lettuce, add a more robust flavor to the salad. The leaves should be picked before the plant flowers for the best flavor.

Dandelion leaves also make an excellent tea. It is especially useful for flushing excess fluids from the body, but unlike conventional diuretics, dandelion does not leach potassium from the body. Its rich potassium content replaces that which the body looses.2

1. The Herb Book, by John Lust, Benedict Lust Pub., May 1974
2. The New Age Herbalist, Richard Mabey, Michael McIntyre, Pamela Michael, Gail Duff, John Stevens. Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1988

M.K. Welty hosts an informational website on herbs, herbal remedies and herbal gardening. For more great tips on Using Herbs and Herbal Gardening visit, http://www.UsingHerbs.Com

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.

GERMAN CHAMOMILE (Matricaria recutita) - Certified Organic, Steam Distilled Flowers, both England and the USA grow and distill lovely oils.

German Chamomile is a lovely shade of deep blue - like Blue Tansy it can stain, so take care. Its aroma is deeply melodic and sweet. It reminds me of fresh mown hay!

Keywords: CALMING & ANTI-INFLAMMATORY As an Anti-inflammatory German Chamomile is my first choice when treating inflamed, irritated skin!

It acts as a sedative or pain reliever, for "angry" situations and feverish conditions including, bus, cuts, inflamed joints, migraine headache, teething pain, toothache, injuries, sprains, and swelling, as well as various aches and pains, arthritis, colic, cramps and stress related complaints.

A very relaxing and peaceful oil, German Chamomile quiets the mind and body by calming emotional feeling states. German Chamomile summons sleep and is excellent for insomnia.

Use it to relieve tension or stress-related headaches and intestinal spasms. A revitalizing and comforting tonic German Chamomile stimulates the production of red blood cells and is known to relieve aches and pains.

Good results have been reported for relieving distinctly feminine complaints like irregular menses, premenstrual tension, or menopausal upsets, as well as cystitis, rheumatic type pain and loss of appetite.

A highly respected oil for over 3,000 years, German Chamomile has a long history of helping skin conditions, such as dermatitis, boils, acne, rashes, eczema and psoriasis.

It regulates the skin's natural sebum production and is outstanding for balancing dry, itchy or flaky skin conditions, as well as treating too oily or dry skin and sensitive skin types.

German Chamomile is effective when used in a carrier oil for direct application to your skin. Use it in a blend for soothing inflamed skin such as acne or barber's rash. Because of its benign nature Chamomile may be used as a remedy for diaper rash.

Try a synergistic blend of German Chamomile with any of the following aromatic oils: Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Neroli, Petitgrain, Sandalwood, or Vetiver.

Please join me for part III in this series of articles to lea about the next essential oil I recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit, Eucalyptus globulus.

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