NATUREZONE'S HEALTH TALK Vol 6

SOME INTERESTING FACTS......

* 90% of Staphylococcus aureus strains (which cause blood poisoning, wound infections and pneumonia ) are now resistant to penicillin and other similar drugs.

* 57% of Canadians favor Alternative Medicine compared to only 40% of Americans, (according to a survey conducted by Maclean's magazine and CBC News in late 1997.)

* Scientific evidences prove that Silicone breasts implants can lead to autoimmune diseases. Silicone is a biologically active and toxic substance.

INSOMNIA: SOMETHING TO SLEEP ON. Inability to fall asleep can be a most annoying problem. Causes are varied, ranging from hormonal imbalances, side effects of drugs, caffeine in Coke, coffee or tea, to emotional tensions, worries and mental anxiety. Sleep is essential to our overall well- being. During sleep, there is activation of our parasympathetic system that initiates repair of the body, failing this physical aging ensues. Hence the phrase" Beauty sleep" was coined with intent. Measures to tackle this problem are :

1) Limit coffee or regular tea intake to one cup a day in the morning. Having a herbal tea (like St. John's Wort Tea or Chamomile Tea) 1 hour before bedtime would be helpful.

2) Make a small pillow with Hops and Rosemary to sleep on. These herbs promote relaxation.

3) Have a warm bath in the evening. Add half a cup of sea-salt and half cup of baking soda to bath-water and soak for 20 mins. Do not use soap during bath.

4) For a longer standing problem, we recommend 3 tablets of Hyland's Calm forte 1 hour before bed OR 2 capsules of Valerian Root 300mg before bed.

5) Listen to light instrumental music while lying in bed. For the classics, we recommend Mozart, Bach or Chopin otherwise try any of Danny Wright’s music.

6) Accupressure point for insomnia. Follow from the tip of the little finger (palmar side) down to the wrist and press down on the point on the outer side of the tendon there. Hold for 10 sees. and repeat 3 times for each hand.

SINUSITIS. Pressure headaches. Mucus-clogged head. Mucus overload. Inflamed nasal passages. Post nasal drip. Runny nose. Difficulty breathing. Facial swelling. Facial pain and pain behind the eyeballs. Loss of smell and taste. Bad breath. Infected yellow discharge from nostrils or expectorated. Sounds familiar?? Especially if you are plagued by sinus problems. Sinusitis is frequently a viral and/or bacterial infection, often triggered by an allergy condition. Some tips to conquer that sticky problem :

1) Take one freshly squeezed lemon in 8oz. of purified water every morning for a week to thin out the mucus secretions.

2) Grate a tablespoon of fresh horseradish root with drops of lemon juice and eat it. Be prepared to expel lots of mucus so be close to the washroom when doing this.

3) Avoid Starchy food, red meats, dairy products, caffeine and refined sugars. Include lots of garlic and onions in your diet. These act as natural antibiotics. Shiitake mushrooms are beneficial as they stimulate the immune system. Also try using wasabi as a condiment as it is helpful in clearing up the clogged sinuses.

4) Take Zinc 50mg a day to boost your immunity and help the tissues heal.

5) To de-congest, add 4 to 5 drops of Rosemary or Eucalyptus oil to a pot of boiling water and inhale the vapor. Alternatively you can add the same to your warm bath water and soak for 20 to 25 mins. Put 2 drops of tea tree oil on your pillow and sleep on it for clear morning sinuses.

6) During an acute phase, a hot sauna or steam therapy with Camphor and Eucalyptus oil for 20-25 mins. daily is recommended to speed up the de-toxification process. Take Bioforce's SINNA (homeopathic) drops or tabs. to check inflammation and congestion.

7) Accupressure point. Press on groove next to the nostril on each side and hold for 20 secs. Repeat 3 times. Then inhale slowly and deeply and exhale for 8 times.

8) Lastly but not the least. Watch your emotions. Negative emotions harbored within can aggravate the problem. Check for repressed anger, resentment, or fear.

HYPERTHERMIC THERAPY : PUTTING THE HEAT ON. Infra-red Sauna, Steam therapy and Hot baths constitutes Hyperthermic therapy. Over-heating or raising the body's internal temperature is a powerful natural healing tool against illness. Fever is actually the body's natural immune response to rid itself of harmful pathogens and to restore health. The raised body temperature in hyperthermic therapy speeds up metabolism, inhibits the growth of viruses and bacteria and literally burns the invading organism with heat. The skin in overheating therapy acts as a '"third kidney" to eliminate wastes through perspiration. The raised metabolic rate also enhances the vital organs' and glands' functions which in turn promotes and supports the Immune system. For optimum results, take a sauna or steam therapy once a week. Finish each session with a cool shower rinse without soap to remove toxins excelled through the skin. Those with heart or lung problems should check with their physicians before taking these therapies.