Foods for Better Health & Wellness

Kalee Carson

Alternative Therapies

Before I continue any further along telling you about natural remedies I would like to introduce you to some of the better known Alternative Therapies that are becoming more mainstream in the American culture today. I will be referring to them more as I go forward in my articles and I want to explain a little of what each of them are.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been practiced in China for over 3000 years and is still relied on today as a valuable healing tool. The goal of acupuncture is to create harmony within the body by restoring the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), the life-force involved in all body functions; breathing, heartbeat, metabolism and even emotions. Qi collects in the organs and travels through channels called meridians. Chinese believe that disease occurs when the Qi is halted by injury, cold, heat, or other influences. By redirecting the flow of Qi, acupuncture can help cure disease, prevent illness and restore harmony to the body.

Western medicine practitioners thought at one time that these meridians where the same things as the nerve pathways in the body. They were proven to be a totally different system when radioactive isotopes where injected into acupuncture sites and Gamma-camera imaging followed the isotopes through a series of long duct-like tubules, 11 on each side of the body corresponding to the system they serve.

In China the needles were originally made from gold and silver, but now they are produced from stainless steel and are disposable due to the possibility of infection. The needles are as thin as a hair and range from ¼” to 8” in length.

During treatment the patient takes a relaxed position, usually sitting or lying down. The practitioner will assess the patient by taking pulses, looking at the eyes, asking questions, and measuring breathing. Once they know what needs to be done, the needles are inserted rapidly and virtually painlessly. The patient is then left for about 30 minutes in a relaxing atmosphere for the treatment to work. Multiple treatments may be needed for full desired results.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for physical and psychological wellbeing and health. The practice has been around for at least 6000 years that we know of. Generally the oils are either massaged into the skin or inhaled to get their benefit. Rarely, and with great care, they can be used internally, but this is only done with guidance.

The extracts are distilled from roots, seeds, leaves, peels, and blossoms of plants and can be used for everything from medicinal uses to scenting a room. Ancient people from the Chinese to the Egyptians to the Romans used them for cosmetics, medicines and perfumes, and also for spiritual and ritualistic purposes. It did not become popular in the US until the 1980’s but today you can find candles, aromatherapy burners and oils in many shops and in health food stores everywhere.

During an aromatherapy session you will be asked about your medical history, any problems you may be having and any scents you may like. The therapist will then determine what scents will be helpful for you and you will be given recommendations for inhaled scents, perhaps even a vaporizer. They may also recommend scent combinations to add to your bath water or to use in your home.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda means the “Science of life” it is the healing science of India. It has been practiced for over 5000 years by millions of people to achieve their most optimal health. This is the form of alternative medicine that I personally turn to most often. I am working toward living a completely Ayurvedic lifestyle, but, I am a long way from it yet. It encompasses the whole person physically, mentally and spiritually, for it teaches that if one area is out of balance the body as a whole cannot be healthy.

There are many modalities included in Ayurveda; herbs, diet, colors, aromas, sound, lifestyle recommendations, panchakarma therapies, yoga and meditation. One area that I will mostly focus on is their use of herbs and foods in remedies. I may, in later articles, talk about the chakras or energy centers. There are also things like tantric sex and meditation to address down the way as well. We will get to all of that as we go along.

I can say this, I had a horrible cold this last week and I found an Ayurvedic remedy called the Gold Wellness drink. I used it morning and night for 3 days, I slept comfortably with no congestion at all, and it cut my cold time literally in half! I was amazed!!! I’ve never gotten rid of a cold in a week, never less than 2 for sure!! Ayurveda works!!!

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a system of treating with a highly diluted substance with the idea of triggering the body’s own natural system of healing. It is based on the principle that you can treat ‘like with like’. The theory originated by Hippocrates, but has been in practical use since the 1800’s.

Each substance is diluted sometimes down to as little as 1:32 of its original strength into pills referred to as ‘remedys’. The patient takes these prescribed appropriately for the symptom and they stimulate the body to heal itself.

These remedy’s along with guidelines on how to use them appropriately are available in health food stores across the country. I have found them to be quite useful at times and many of them are quite safe for children and infants as well.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the traditional medicine that has been practiced in China for thousands of years. TCM centers on the concept of Qi, the free flow of the life force that I explained above. To promote the flow of Qi ,TCM practitioners use a range of healing methods. Massage, acupuncture, acupressure (I will talk about this next week) are some of the most common, but diet and herbal remedies prepared from natural sources also affect Qi. TCM physicians typically use tongue and pulse diagnosis.

TCM physicians mix remedies from over 2,000 natural substances, including flowers, bark and herbs. The remedies are administered in the form of salves, tablets, plasters, tinctures, and baths. In addition they also use massage and forms of breathing techniques and meditation.

By paying attention to small things like whether you wake up at the same time each night or food likes and dislikes, you can give your TCM practitioner a lot of helpful information for he or she to aid in their diagnosis.

Self-Healing Techniques

Next week I will talk about some of the self-healing techniques you may have heard of such as Acupressure, Reflexology, Breathe Therapy, and others. I hope you are enjoying learning a little about some of the holistic therapies that are available to you out there. If there is something that looks interesting, check it out more!! You never know, it might just do you some good!!!

Until Next Week, Stay Healthy

Love,
Kalee Carson

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