Free Live Long Qigong On-line Event

I just received an e-mail about this workshop from The Shift Network and immediately signed up, Thought some of you might be interested in it, too…..

What if growing older didn’t have to be synonymous with a decline in physical health or mental acuity?

What if there was an ancient wisdom system that’s just as impactful today  — full of practices that provide the path to a meaningful, disease-free, graceful life?

During the recent Qigong Summit, celebrated master Robert Peng introduced Jieqi Qigong, which is associated with your vertebrae, and offered a simple movement and meditation practice to improve your spinal health.

On Saturday, April 16, you can join Robert for an energizing one-hour workshop, where he’ll share how Qigong’s 8 Cycles + 312 Meridian Healing Protocol can become your secret weapon…

… helping you age with energy, strength, clarity, and grace — and unlocking your own fountain of youth.

Qigong’s 8 Cycles Movement is a series of gentle Qigong exercises you can safely practice to energize your body, calm your mind, activate your energy centers…

… and massage your internal organs — leaving you feeling nourished and invigorated so you can live a healthier, more vibrant life.

In this free online video event, Live Long Qigong: Uncovering Hidden Connections Between Your Movement, Health & Longevity, you’ll:

• Be guided in the movement practice of Playing the Tai Chi Ball (one of the 8 Cycles Movements), to improve balance between your brain and body, harmonize your yin and yang energy, ease inner emotional turmoil in times of crisis — and nourish your body, mind, and spirit
• Explore the physical, mental, and energetic disconnections that result when the left and right brain hemispheres are out of balance — and how Qigong can empower you to restore this balance
• Discover the Hegu acupressure, part of the 312 Meridian Healing Protocol — and explore how a simple acupressure exercise can ease pain in your head, face, neck, and shoulders
• Learn Qigong’s secret for easing stress, cultivating inner joy, and experiencing contentment, calm, and peace
• Discover how to cultivate and nourish your Qi to achieve balance in your 3 energy centers (or dantians) and your central meridian — the “Four Golden Wheels” that represent the wisdom, love, vitality, and harmony in your life

These modalities can help you feel more connected to others and the world around you, more content with yourself, and more hopeful for the future.

It’s free to attend when you RSVP — here.

Here’s to a happier, healthier you in 2022!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional/your inner knowing before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

The Main Central: Jin Shin Jyutsu Source of Life Flow

Oh, I was so glad to find this article from Astrid at FlowsforLife.com in my inbox recently. I used to do this particular Jin Shin Jyutsu routine/flow on a regular basis, but somehow got out of the habit somewhere along the way. It was always a favorite of mine,…. it helps with so many different things, plus is easy and comfortable to do. I usually did it while lying in bed first thing in the morning, or sometimes before going to sleep at night…or when I would wake up in the middle of night, because it helped me get back to sleep.

If you want to give yourself a little break during the day, try this routine and hold any or all positions that seem pertinent at the time. And as we head into winter, at least in my part of the country, this is a great one for tuning up the body and strengthening your life force energy. Circulation, heart health, thyroid and parathyroid, mental clarity, spine, stomach, metabolism and more….Main Central’s got you covered!

PERSONAL TIP: When doing this routine, make sure you are as comfortable as possible, so you can sink into the full relaxation response Main Central will trigger in your body. Usually my muscles begin to let go and my breathing slows and deepens within a minute or two of starting this “flow.” To make myself extra comfortable, I put a pillow under my right arm to help hold it in position w/ my hand on my head and pull the covers up over it to make sure that part of my body stays warm in the winter. And I use a small Vibes Up therapy teddy bear under my left arm/elbow/wrist, depending on the point being held by my left hand/fingers. What’s cool is the bear not only supports my arm position, but also just so happens to add additional balancing/harmonizing and grounding energies to the body! Good deal!

–

In Jin Shin Jyutsu, the Main Central IS the Source of Life. This is the energy that goes DOWN the FRONT of our body and UP the BACK. Main Central feeds all of our 144,000 energy functions. I liken it to the trunk of the energetic tree.

Be comfortable

To practise Main Central get into a comfortable position. You can do the exercise sitting down, but I prefer to lie down and support my arms (especially my right arm as it’s going to be in the same position for a while) with pillows and cushions. Hold each position for a few minutes each, or as long as you like! Some positions will feel so comfortable, you might spend an hour just in one hold.

There aren’t any rules – just enjoy!

Jin Shin Jyutsu Main Central Exercise

In this exercise, the right hand will remain on top of the head until the last hold when it moves to the coccyx, and the left hand moves down the front of the body as explained.

Top Tip

You can do the whole exercise or just choose the position that feels right for you in the moment. For instance, you might want to clear the head, so you could practice just the first position for a few minutes.

Clear the head

Position 1: Place Right Hand/Fingers on Top of Head
Maintain the right hand in this position during the routine through Positions 1 to 7.
AND
Place Left Fingers between Eyebrows
The Vital Force of Total Being. Revitalizes the deep energy circulation, improves memory, dissipates senility, harmonizes the pituitary gland and the pineal gland, controls blood pressure.

Release the pelvic girdle

Position 2: Place Left Fingers on Tip of Nose
Revitalizes superficial body energy circulation, releases tension in the pelvic girdle and reproductive organs.

Prevent heart attack

Position 3: Place Left Fingers on Center of Chest on the Sternum
Look for the ‘bump’ on the sternum, and place your fingers there. Revitalizes the Thyroid and Parathyroid; helps with facial muscular problems, helps prevent heart attacks, strokes, etc. Regulates metabolism and maintains mental balance. Helps us adapt to our surroundings and situations.

Help the immune system

Position 4: Place Left Fingers between Breasts on Sternum
Revitalizes the immune system for the prevention of cancer, AIDS, etc. Assists in child growth and mental development. Governs reproduction, generative and regenerative functions. Relieves nausea and anxiety. Assists with breathing.

Support the adrenals

Position 5: Place Left Fingers at Base of Sternum
The Controller of Human Destiny. Revitalizes the energy path of the spleen and the adrenals, assists in the secretion of digestive juices and hormones. Gateway to the solar energy system revitalizing the nervous system. Prevents diabetes.

Tone the abdominal muscles

Position 6: Place Left Fingers about an Inch above the Belly Button
Revitalizes abdominal muscle tone and intestinal function.

Strengthen the spine

Position 7: Place Left Fingers on Pubic Bone
Revitalizes the descending energy (down the front). Helps strengthen the spine.

Aid circulation in the legs and feet

Position 8: Right Hand moves from Top of Head to Base of Spine (Coccyx). Revitalizes the ascending energy (up the back), helps circulation in the legs and feet, helps cold and clammy hands and feet. Alleviates menstrual cramps.

Source: https://www.flowsforlife.com/exercise-the-main-central-source-of-life/

Related Self-help Health posts: Prime Mover & Jin Shin Jyutsu

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional/your inner knowing before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Great 4-Minute Exercise Routine + A Facelift?! Yes, Please!

Several years ago I featured an article by Dr. Mercola on the Nitric Oxide Dump routine and it has become one of the more frequently viewed posts, so I thought it might be of interest to a number of you to know about this simplified version I just found out about recently that I’m really enjoying, because it’s so easy to learn and quick to do, plus gives your body a workout where you end up feeling pooped and energized at the same time. HA!

And while you’re catching your breath from one of your 4-minute workout sessions, you can do the JSJ routine for cleaning, tightening and rejuvenating the skin. So in less than half an hour you can really have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being. How does it get any better than that?!

4-MINUTE AT-HOME WORKOUT FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T GET TO THE GYM OR NEED A LIFT

For the past two months, I’ve been testing a four-minute workout routine that promised to give the same benefits as if I’d worked out in the gym for an hour. Created by Dr. Zach Bush, it’s a new version of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The three-to-four-minute workout consists of four basic exercises — squats, tin soldiers, snow angel and military press— which work all 16 major muscle groups. It takes about 4 minutes and I try to do it 3 times a day; on very busy “out-and-about” days, as little as once or twice.

It’s designed to stimulate the release of nitric oxide, which is actually a soluble gas and free radical stored in the lining or endothelium of your blood vessels that can catalyze and promote health.

The results have been impressive. I’ve gotten quite a bit leaner, developed muscle and strength, and lost about 5 pounds, which I’ve kept off easily (no mean feat for my aging self).  Normally, if I go a day without doing my usual 45-minute exercise routine, I start to gain weight;  if I can’t do my regular exercise, I can easily do this routine at home.

The simple routine is easy to do during my day and has proven an energizing break while working; I feel the effect immediately. It’s best to wait at least two hours between sessions, to allow the body to synthesize nitric oxide for subsequent release. ( I put a little sign up on my fridge, and sometimes set a timer, to remind myself to do a session). And for best results, I breath through the nose, not mouth. Over time, as the sequence has gotten easier to do, I’ve added more reps to keep myself challenged.

You can read all about how it works here at Mercola.com. I recommend following Zach Bush’s video at the top of the page as Dr. Mercola, whose info can be excellent, often take things to an extreme. I find his version pushes too hard.

Note: Wary of squats and of pushing too hard, too fast, I took the workout slowly the first few times, listening to how my body was handling it, and gradually increasing the intensity. Listen, listen, listen to your body…

Source: https://improvisedlife.com/2019/03/26/4-minute-at-home-workout-for-when-you-cant-get-to-the-gym-or-need-a-lift/

UPDATE 1/11/22: Need  further motivation to give the routine a try? Check out this 2 min. video of an interview where Dr Bush is asked about this quick, yet highly effective work-out…

Related Self-help Health post: Nitric Oxide Dump

BTW, Dr Zach Bush is one of the most knowledgeable, well-spoken natural health advocates I’ve come across and has given some great interviews on GMOs, and  glyphosate (among other things) and how they are tied to inflammation, leaky gut, autism and so much more. They’re actually worse for our health than I ever imagined. I highly recommend checking out his website and education resources. Here’s just one of the interviews I’ve watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=jWgnkgYtqnw&feature=emb_logo

And now on to the facelift! Here’s an easy to learn Jin Shin Jyutsu flow/hold from Astrid at FlowsForLife.com that has multiple benefits and uses, including rejuvenating the skin ….

Regenerating for the Deep Skin

Imagine if you had your own personal ‘plastic surgeon’?

Well, I am here to tell you that you have a special energy function that helps clean, rejuvenate and tighten the skin.

This is Jin Shin Jyutsu for a facelift!

There is a special energy function that helps regulate the temperature in your body. It also relaxes the muscles in the body, and circulates to clean, purify, and regenerate the deep skin.

All you have to ‘do’ is palm the backs of your calf muscles on the lower legs daily for a magic effect!

I have a friend who practices this hold every morning because she wakes up feeling a bit tight and stiff . She was delighted when I said to her: “No wonder you look so vibrant and so much younger than your age.”

Hold 20 minutes every day for two weeks, and you might find that your friends start wondering what you’ve been doing because you look so good.

Sunburn gone!

A few years ago, I went to the beach on a sunny day. I came home and realized I was quite sunburned. My skin felt tight and very uncomfortable. I decided to put this exercise to the test.

Instead of getting lots of lotions to put on my skin, I practiced the Jin Shin Jyutsu self help exercise below.

I was amazed that, after a few minutes, all the discomfort just melted away. There’s no other way to describe it. Also, the redness and heat dissipated, and I didn’t peel. It was quite extraordinary.

Hot hot hot!

This Jin Shin Jyutsu exercise is also great if your body gets really hot. Because this special energy travels up and down the whole body, it helps cool it! So we all have a natural built-in air-conditioning system. It’s so clever.

Jin Shin Jyutsu for a facelift

Cross your arms. Place the palm of your RIGHT hand (with fingers facing down towards your feet) on the LEFT calf (the fleshy part at the back of the  leg below the knee). Do the same for the palm of the LEFT hand on the RIGHT calf.

If you’re working on someone else, lie them face up and stand at their feet facing their head.

Then place your LEFT palm on their RIGHT calf muscles, fingers facing up towards their head, and your RIGHT palm on their LEFT calf, fingers facing up towards their head.

So when you work on yourself, you cross your arms. When you work on someone else, you don’t.

Note: if you find it difficult to hold this position for a while, try lying on your side. Or just shorten the sessions but do them more often. The time I share with you is a guide. However, the more you do, the more effective this exercise will be!

Simple and effective. But don’t take my word for it. As Mary Burmeister says, “Be your own testimony.”

Source: https://www.flowsforlife.com/magic-exercise-jin-shin-jyutsu-facelift/

See also: Self Help Hold for the Skin Surface

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional/your inner knowing before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Jin Shin Jyutsu For Stiff Neck & Shoulder Pain, Eyes, Detoxification, Arthritis & More + Free 21- Day Perfect Health Series

Oh, I’m so excited to give this new (to me) Jin Shin Jyutsu hold/flow a try. Like the other ones I’ve posted about here, it’s simple, easy to do and helps with multiple things (eyes, neck & shoulder pain, detoxification, osteoporosis, etc)….

A pain in the neck

Using Jin Shin Jyutsu, the neck and shoulders can be released relatively quickly.

It’s about how the energy travels in the body

This is because we all have an energy pathway that crosses the shoulders and hips, traveling up and down the arms into the middle fingers and also traveling up and down the legs doing kind of a “loop de loop” all over the body. This energy also goes round the head and around the chest.

This simple self help exercise does so much

This little gem of a self help hold that I learned and often use, does many things as it
* eases a stiff neck and shoulder pain
* alleviates pain down the arm, in the elbow, in the hand & fingers
* detoxes the body
* helps protect the body against osteoporosis
* eases aches and pains in the body (also fibromyalgia)
* lubricates the joints (so good for knee pain, elbow pain)
* and even helps with all arthritic “projects”/problems
* helps the skeletal structure
* helps the eyes

A gem of a hold

Place left hand over left shoulder and right hand on the left elbow crease. For the other side, place right hand over right shoulder and left hand on the right elbow crease.

Do this self help hold every day for a few minutes to ‘clean’, and within a short time you’ll definitely notice a difference in your neck and shoulders.

If you are working on a project/issue like fibromyalgia, then hold for a minimum of 20 minutes each side or until there is relief.

If you find it difficult to do the side that is tense or uncomfortable, start by working on the other side. So, say the right shoulder and neck hurts. Do the exercise on the left side until you can comfortably do the hold on the right side.

This is one of my absolute favorite holds because it is so simple, yet helps so much! I have used it  many times on myself and in my practice.

In this video, Astrid explains the exercise (actual instructions about the hold start around the 3 minute mark)

Source: https://www.flowsforlife.com/self-help-stiff-neck-shoulder-pain/

You might also like to check out Astrid’s Hands on Self help Mini eCourse and/or her free download self-help guide.

Related Self-help Health posts: Jin Shin Jyutsu  and Prime Mover

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Also, I just found out yesterday that Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey (or “Deeprah” as I like to refer to them :-)) are offering another one of their free 21-day meditation series, and this time the topic/focus is Perfect Health. I always enjoy their series and this one is sure to be filled with lots of wisdom about how to create and maintain conscious well-being. Plus, meditating in and of itself is a great health aid, and Deepak’s voice is so soothing and relaxing to listen to, so I’m definitely looking forward to Feb 3rd . 🙂

You can sign-up here: https://chopracentermeditation.com

  Salud!

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on any future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easier and my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

You Really SHOULD Be Using Calcium Bentonite Clay!

I’ve done several posts about using  triple-swelling calcium bentonite clay and, if you have never used it as a self-help health aid, you’re really missing out. It has so many uses and benefits I think every household should have some on hand. I’ve put together some of the testimonials I’ve received from being on Perry Arledge’s mailing list (she has a new website that offers very high quality clay at  https://www.headtotoeproducts.com and used to offer free seminars on working with clay and is a real expert in the field) to help convince you to give it a try. It really IS amazing what working with this special clay can help with health-wise!

You can use it internally, externally, on your kids, your pet, your garden and more…..

13 Year Illness Gone After A Month On Clay

I am turning 25 in just a few days and have been taking the clay internally three times a day for a month now. I have been sick on and off for 13 years and the traditional doctors could never find a cure for me. I had just accepted that I had a sickly body and a weak immune system. I had bald spots and began fainting at the age of 12, then at 20 I became nauseous all of the time. When I graduated from college, I was so sick that I needed to take some time off before obtaining my masters degree. I began researching different ways to detoxify my body. I started getting colonics, bought an infrared sauna, and eating raw food. But it was only when I started drinking a Calcium Bentonite clay that I started feeling like a normal human being for the first time in 13 years!!! After 3 weeks, I had an energy surge. I started wanting to do things I hadn’t wanted to do in a long, long time…simple things like take a hike with my family. This clay has given me back my passion to live my life to the fullest. Before the clay, I was sick, exhausted, and depressed. Now, I feel alive! People are even saying how good my skin looks! Like I have a glow!! I will, without a doubt, be a lifelong customer. Anytime I have any questions, I just call Perry A. and she answers my calls directly and with such kindness and grace. This clay truly saved my life.

Cat Tumors Disappear with Clay

This summer I participated in one of your teleseminars and submitted a question about whether the clay could heal the large (cancerous-looking) bleeding tumor on my cat’s tail.   When the vet shaved it, it looked like a rotten potato attached to his tail –much bigger than his actual tail, so it could not be removed – so the only thing they could offer was amputation.  Well I did not want to do that unless it meant life or death and there were absolutely no other options, so I started using the clay in the meantime just to stop the messy bleeding.

Well, long story short, my cat cooperated well with me applying the clay and it really helped stop the bleeding.  However, in time an oozing hole developed where the bleeding used to be.  I kept that hole packed with clay, and within an incredibly short time the entire huge tumor had just melted away.  The hole is gone now, there is just a tiny bump left that I can feel at this point.  I continue to apply the clay and will do so until there is no hint anything left but his beautiful tail.  Although my cat was never sick from this, he was acting rather old and depressed, but now he has the energy of a kitten again.

I gave a co-worker a small jar of clay for the same purpose as her cat also had a VERY large tumor on its neck. When I checked back last week, she said her cat’s tumor had completely dissolved and was in fact also completely gone!

For both these cats, the vets had no treatments other than risky or disfiguring surgery with no guarantees.  I am so glad that I had already purchased the clay for some other reason I can’t even remember. I plan to start using it more diligently to improve my health and also the more difficult to treat problem my other cat has with sinus infection and gum irritation.  Thanks so much for helping spread the miracle.  We are ALL so very grateful!!!

Gardening With Clay

I had horrific tomato plants full of psyllid nymphs and cucumbers not doing too well.
I have powdered my plants on March 1st and I can’t see any psyllid anymore and cucumbers are looking okay.

On March 2nd I have powdered carrots, leeks, beetroot with clay, as they had rust.
As per today March 22^nd,  they all are looking good. My Chicory Witloof has got outside leaves rotting so powdered with clay and 3 days ago still had to get rid of wilting leaves, whether the rotting had started before I sprayed and needs longer to stop the process, I don’t know???

All still needs more observation for longer, but sounds good. I took a plastic jar, opened the lid and drilled holes from inside out and I just shake it. It uses a lot of clay and as I have a very cheap source for gardening…whether to put less clay would work might as well? All experimental.

Clay expert Perry A~’s note:  When preparing garden soil mix or potting soil mix, add a generous handful for pots and much more for beds and mix in well.  Plants will grow faster, healthier, with hardy blooms.  It will kick booty on sandy loam non-clay soils.  Not for acid loving plants

Liver Flukes 

I have been having some pain in my upper stomach all the way down to the pelvis area (clearly my gastro system).  What is interesting is that, like you said, the liquid clay will remove parasites.  Well… after several days of 2 oz 2x day and lots of distilled water with lemon, I have had at least 4 bowel movements containing clearly visible organisms that appear to be Liver Fluke parasites.  After that. my pain went away.

Constipated Cat

I did as you suggested, and simply increased the amount of hydrated clay
I mixed 11 year old cats canned food. Tremendous difference! Big nicely formed
‘tootsie  rolls’ two days in a row, and no more vomit. The clay was all it
took. Her energy is way up. A wild ‘bush bunny’ racing around the house!

Stomach Ulcers and Gall Bladder

I just read the book on clay by Perry A~, even read it to my husband, who has frequent episodes of gastric distress from an ulcer. We decided to give clay a try, the next time he had a problem, I gave 2 oz. to him. His problem resolved within moments, to our great relief. Then, a few nights ago, I ate more greasy food than I should have.  I had my gall bladder removed several years, and the doctor told me to go easy on fried foods.  It’s not usually a problem, since I eat very little fried foods.  When I overdo the greasy foods (which has only happened a few times!) I can hardly move for the horrible abdominal pain.  Well, after the success with my husband, as soon as I began to feel discomfort in my lower abdominal region, I decided to try a swig of the clay solution, too, and very shortly, no more discomfort! – Jo Ann A.

Teacher Notices Change after Autistic Child’s First Detox Bath

As a parent of a child affected by autism – I will try anything (safe) to help my son. I figured I’d give clay a try. Oh my goodness – the changes have been incredible! A few days after my son’s first detox bath his teacher asked me if I gave him a “speech pill”! I’m sure you could imagine my excitement.

I personally know the cost of trying to heal a child and when you find something that works, it’s just an incredible feeling. Again I’m just so thankful I was turned onto this product. Thank you for providing help to our children!!!! Have a beautiful day! – Anna W.

Periodontal Disease

I had periodontal disease with several #8 pockets a year ago. In Oct. of 2011, I started brushing with the dry Living Clay twice a day and at night packing those areas with the clay. At my last dental check-up I now have #4 pockets and healthy gums. He also said my teeth were very nice and white!! So happy with this clay. – Cindy P.

Disc Bulge Problem in Back

I have a disc bulge in my lower back and sacroiliitis…One day I had spent five hours in the yard raking and mulching. When I came in I could barely move: sitting, standing and moving from either position were extremely painful. This is typical of my condition. I had Living Clay prepared, but hadn’t used any yet. I took two ounces and ten minutes later, the pain was GONE. I felt fine the rest of the evening. I was stiff when I woke up in the morning and took two more ounces. I had no pain the rest of the day. Typically pain like I had that evening would have lasted at least a week and may have even caused me to miss that following day of work. I am amazed at the power of this product. -Dawn S.

Yellow Teeth

I have had a real problem with very yellow teeth. This is in part because my teeth are naturally not a bright white, but also because I refuse to put fluoride in my mouth, and I go through phases where I drink a lot of herbal tea. I keep my toothbrush soaking in H2O2 and have tried several kinds of homemade concoctions – usually baking soda-based. None had any impact on my yellow teeth. The other day I mixed some dry clay with some baking soda, added a wee bit of H2O2, vegetable glycerin, Stevia power, and essential oil of peppermint. The only real difference was the clay. After 3 days I noticed that my teeth were several shades whiter. I was so happy. I’m still using it and expecting even better results as time goes by.  – Chloie L.

Dental, Cavities, Mouth pH

The most impressive thing that happened to me with the clay dealt with my mouth.  Over the past several years, in spite of meticulously brushing and flossing my teeth, I have had an acidic PH in my mouth and many cavities.  Prior to beginning the clay, I had been diagnosed with 5 more cavities after only 6 months.  I had 3 of them taken care of and then I made an appointment to have the remaining 2 taken care of.

At the time of the first appointment, I had just begun to use the clay powder to brush my teeth (prior to bedtime) and tongue and then after I would rinse, I would put more clay powder on my brush and brush it all over my teeth and around the gum line and let it remain there.  Because of various circumstances, it was another month till I was able to go back to the dentist for my appointment.   When I went in, the dentist and the hygienist were both confused as they looked for the two cavities they were supposed to fill.  They could not find them.  I know that they were previously there because they had used the metal pick and I had felt where they poked into the holes.

I told the dentist about the clay and he said that the area must have re-mineralized.  They were both excited about it and they took down the information for the websites and I recommended Perry A~’s book to them.  I will definitely continue on tooth brushing with the clay as I enjoy stronger, healthier teeth which are also whiter looking.  Thank you for pointing out all the good uses of this product. – Donna J.

End-Stage Liver Disease & Hep C

Just wanted to share a wonderful clay testimony. My niece has End-Stage Liver Disease and is awaiting a liver transplant.

I had the clay sent to her four weeks ago. Her ammonia level was 157, and last week’s blood work showed a level of 93. Also, best news — her Hep C has become inactive during this time. The clay is the only thing she is doing different, so we totally attribute it to that and her strong faith and will to live.

She takes Clay baths twice a day — she covers her body with a Clay mask, allows to dry and then gets into a bath. The severe body itching has subsided. She also makes a poultice over her liver area with Clay and covers with the Miracle II Gel. Will keep you posted. – Elaine S.

Constant Diarrhea

In October 2016, I started to have pretty well constant diarrhea. Saw my GP (Australian name for a non specialist MD.) and she put me on various medications with zero results.
She went on holidays and I saw another GP. She took me off all medications, to see what would happen. Went on unabated and needed a colonoscopy. Then I remembered the clay.

I started to take liquid clay, 3-4 oz, 3 times a day and used hydrated clay on relevant areas, in early February 2017. The diarrhea stopped completely in one and a half days, never to return, and it is now April! Never had the colonoscopy.

I did however have a severe detox reaction, with beetroot red swollen glands under my armpits, so I put clay packs there as well and they too are now history.

PERSONAL NOTE: The part about the swollen glands reminds me of my own experience working with clay. I did the 21 day 3 times a day protocol and started feeling painful little lumps forming under the skin in my armpits, but didn’t really equate it to the clay until I upped the dose as given in the directions when dealing with more serious/long-standing conditions and that seemed to be too much for my body to handle fairly comfortably. The lumps rose to the surface and began oozing pus, with more lumps forming as others would be getting better. 

Not a fun or comfortable experience, to say the least, especially since it was the middle of summer when armpits are more prone to get sweaty. I stopped using the clay for awhile and it actually took several months before things started easing up. But I’ve had a number of health issues and a low level infection and congested lymph for years, so I’m sure that’s part of why I had such an extreme reaction. Even with other types of cleansing and detoxing I’d done, it was like the clay was the only thing that reached things at a deeper level that had been accumulating for a long time. The one good thing is the experience showed me how truly powerful using the clay can be.

FYI, the armpits (and groin) are major areas where lymph collects, so I think that’s why I had the reaction there. But I couldn’t understand why my left armpit was affected so much more than my right one, until I happened to read somewhere that, for some reason, the body naturally has a much greater percentage of lymph nodes and activity there than on the right-side. I’d never realized that before!

Also, if you plan on using the clay for detoxing baths, I highly recommend ordering from Even Better Now for 100% pure sodium bentonite clay, which has the highest cation exchange capacity of any bathing clay tested on the market. It is hypoallergenic and contains no excipients or fillers, and is free of bacteria, viruses, molds or yeasts, and easily disperses in water, with virtually no clumping. Unlike other bathing clays, EBN® Cleansing Clay can be safely rinsed down the drain, with no drain guards or special cleaning or clay dissolving agents required. 

p. s. The above testimonials I listed are just a few I’ve received by being on Perry A’s mailing list. She no longer offers the free webinars, but you can check out her archive of information and sign up to get on her mailing list at the bottom of the site she hosts. She also offers a book and if you end up using her archive or getting on her list, I highly recommend donating a little something to help her defray the cost of the great wealth of information she is offering to people for free.

http://www.bentoniteclayinfo.com/tips_archives.htm

You can refer back to the previous Self-help posts on bentonite clay for multiple ways to use it, but here’s a quick synopsis of the most common ones:

INTERNAL USE – For a single serving, mix 1 tsp of clay with 2 oz of high quality water; shake well and drink. Be sure to avoid using metal containers and measuring spoons when measuring, mixing or storing this liquid.

Multiple servings can be made at once and stored in an air-tight glass or plastic container. When stored properly, the clay will keep indefinitely. Keep out of close proximity to chemicals and strong odors.

FOR BATHS – Sprinkle 1 or more cups of clay into running bath water and stir to keep from clumping

TOPICAL USE – Mix 3 parts water to 1 part clay (use glass on plastic container only!); let stand until clay has fully set and apply as needed to skin, let dry, and then rinse clean. Can be used to sooth irritations, help wounds and burns when applied as a poultice.

Avoid contact with eyes. In the event that irritation occurs or continues, consult a health care practitioner.

Two of the related Self-help Health posts on clay:

The Healing Benefits of Clay

Clay Baths, Packs And More

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information. 

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained health care practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Great Acupressure Resource For Colds, Flu, Sore Throat And MORE!

 

Here’s lots of good self-help information to have on hand from Michael Reed Gach, PhD for using acupressure points for a cold, flu, sore throat and MORE….

 

We’re well into the winter season when it is vital to protect yourself from the wind, cold and dampness. Boosting your immune system with Acupressure and keeping your energy flowing is an effective way to ward off many winter ills.

What you eat is also vital for staying healthy.  Eating too many sweets and cold foods can make your body receptive to catching colds and sore throats.

Tip for Colds & Sore Throats: A tea made from fresh Ginger Root (available in produce markets, not the candy) can provide your body with the warmth to counteract colds and sore throats.  Chop a small handful of ginger root and simmer it for 20 minutes or so.  Use this ginger water to gargle with to relieve a sore throat.  Sweeten with a little honey to drink as a medicinal tea for colds.

When a cold comes on your shoulders may ache. This is when Acupressure shoulder points, just above the tip of your shoulder blades can help. Firm pressure on TW 15 (shown below) is great for immune boosting, stress reduction, and can help to prevent a cold.

When you feel a cold brewing, place tennis balls on the points shown above.  Apply pressure with the weight of your body, whether you’re sitting or lying down.  Placing the balls on a soft pillow or on top of your bed can be helpful.

Breathe deeply as these points are pressed for 2 minutes or so. Let yourself deeply relax with your eyes closed for at least 5 minutes immediately afterward to gain the full benefits, and allow your body’s energy to balance.

Here’s more from Michael on using Acupressure for relieving not only colds, flu and a sore throat, but also headaches, neck pain, arthritis, mental stress and a number of other things….

Acupressure Points for Colds and Flu

Colds are caused by viruses that thrive in your nose and throat when the temperature, acidity, and moisture suit them. When you are run down and your resistance is low, your ability to adapt to environmental changes weakens, making it easier to catch a cold, and the mucous membranes become a perfect breeding ground for viruses. Cold symptoms are the body’s attempt to protect itself from these intruders. When a virus enters your nose, for instance, the body secretes more mucus to flush it away. Because acupressure stimulates your body to expel the virus more quickly, it may seem at first that your cold is worsening. But your body is simply progressing through the symptoms faster than usual. Although acupressure cannot cure a cold, working on certain points can help you get better quicker and increase your resistance to future colds. Acupressure Points for Seasonal Changes Potent point B 36, called Bearing Support, is especially good for stimulating the body’s natural resistance to colds and flu. It’s located near the spine, off the tips of the shoulder blades. According to traditional Chinese medicine, wind and cold enter the pores of the skin at this point.1 The muscles in this upper back area tend to get tense just before a cold or flu takes hold.2 Recently, one of my best friends, a realtor, was suffering from a bad cold with a stuffy nose, a hacking cough, puffiness around his eyes, and a pallid complexion. He hadn’t slept well the previous two nights because of these discomforts and was very tired. After I briefly massaged his upper back, shoulders, neck, and chest, I showed him how to press the decongestion points underneath the base of his skull and on his face. I also told him to drink ginger tea at least twice a day. When I saw John the next day, he told me he had slept soundly and felt much more refreshed. His eyes looked much clearer, and already he was no longer coughing and blowing his nose. Potent Points for Relieving Colds and Flu  Drilling Bamboo (B 2) Location: In the indentations of the eye sockets, on either side of where the bridge of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows. Benefits: Relieves colds, sinus congestion, frontal headaches, and tired eyes. Facial Beauty (St 3) Location: At the bottom of the cheekbone, directly below the pupil. Benefits: Relieves stuffy nose, head congestion, burning eyes, eye fatigue, and eye pressure. Welcoming Perfume (LI 20) Location: On either cheek, just outside each nostril. Benefits: Relieves nasal congestion, sinus pain, facial paralysis, and facial swelling. Crooked Pond (LI 11) Location: At the outer end of the elbow crease. Benefits: Relieves cold symptoms, fever, constipation, and elbow pain; strengthens the immune system. Joining the Valley (Hoku) (LI 4) Caution: This point is forbidden for pregnant women because its stimulation can cause premature contractions in the uterus. Location: At the highest spot of the muscle on the back of the hand that protrudes when the thumb and index finger are close together. Benefits: Relieves colds, flu, head congestion, constipation, and headaches. Gates of Consciousness (GB 20) Location: Below the base of the skull, in the hollows on both sides, two to three inches apart depending on the size of the head. Benefits: Relieves headaches, head congestion, arthritis, neck pain, and irritability. Wind Mansion (GV 16) Location: In the center of the back of the head, in the large hollow under the base of the skull. Benefits: Relieves head congestion, red eyes, mental stress, headaches, and stiff neck. Third Eye Point (GV 24.5) Location: Directly between the eyebrows, in the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the center of your forehead. Benefits: Relieves head congestion, stuffy nose, and headaches.  Elegant Mansion (K 27) Location: In the hollow below the collarbone next to the breastbone. Benefits: Relieves chest congestion, breathing difficulties, coughing, and sore throats. Potent Point Exercises  You do not have to use all of these points. Using just one or two of them whenever you have a free hand can be effective. Lie down on your back or sit comfortably. Step 1 Press into B 2: Use your thumbs on the upper ridge of your eye socket to press into the slight hollow near the bridge of your nose for one minute. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, letting the weight of your head relax forward onto your thumbs. Step 2 Press St 3 and LI 20: Place both of your middle fingers beside your nostrils and your index fingers next to them; gradually press up and underneath the cheekbones for one minute. You can easily teach this step to your child to help relieve nasal congestion. Step 3 Press both LI 11: Bend your arm and place your thumb at the- end of the elbow crease on the outside of your forearm. Curve your fingers to press firmly into the elbow joint for one minute. Repeat on your opposite arm. Step 4 Press LI 4 firmly: Spread your left thumb and index finger apart. Place your right thumb in the webbing on the back of your left hand and your fingertips on the palm directly behind your thumb. Firmly squeeze your thumb and index finger of your right hand together to press into the webbing. Angle the pressure toward the bone that connects with your left index finger, and hold for one minute. Then switch hands. Step 5 Firmly press GB 20: Now close your eyes and place your thumbs underneath the base of your skull, two to three inches apart. Slowly tilt your head back and apply pressure gradually, holding the position for one minute to fully release these important cold-relief points. Step 6 Firmly press GV 16: Place the tips of your middle fingers into the hollow in the center of the base of your skull. Keeping your fingers on the point, inhale as you tilt your head back and exhale as you relax your head forward. Continue to slowly rock your head back and forward, and breathe deeply while you hold this important point for relieving head congestion. Step 7 Touch the GV 24.5: Bring your palms together and use your middle and index fingers to lightly touch the Third Eye Point located between your eyebrows. Breathe deeply as you hold this point for balancing your endocrine system. Step 8 Firmly press K 27: Place your fingertips on the protrusions of your collarbone, then slide your fingers down and outward into the first indentation in between the bones. Press into this hollow as you breathe deeply and visualize the congestion clearing. Potent Points for Relieving Coughing A severe, repeated, or uncontrolled cough can be harmful and you should always consult a physician. Many illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, and chronic bronchitis can become serious if the condition continues unattended.  Sometimes, your physician will find it advisable to attempt to suppress a cough to prevent further irritation of the bronchial tubes. Cough medications may be used, but acupressure can be an effective adjunct therapy. During a coughing fit, many of the large muscle groups in the upper back area can go into a spasm. Specific points on the chest, throat, neck, and upper back benefit the respiratory system, relax your body, and relieve coughs.   Vital Diaphragm (B 38) Location: Between the shoulder blade and the spine at the level of the heart. Benefits: Relieves coughing, breathing difficulties, and respiratory problems. This calming point also helps balance the emotions. Ding Chuan (Extra Point 17) Location: To the side and a little above the vertebra that protrudes at the top of the spine when the head is tilted downward. Benefits: Relieves throat problems, coughing, shoulder and neck pain, and thyroid imbalances. Heavenly Pillar (13 10) Location: One-half inch below the base of the skull on the ropy muscles one-half inch out from either side of the spine. Benefits: Relieves sore throat, stress, burnout, overexertion, and heaviness in the head. Heaven Rushing Out (CV 22) Location: At the base of the throat in the large hollow directly below the Adam’s apple. Benefits: Relieves dry cough, bronchitis, sore throat, chest congestion, and heartburn. Elegant Mansion (K 27) Location: In the hollow below the collarbone next to the breastbone. Benefits: Relieves chest congestion, breathing difficulties, asthma, coughing, and anxiety.  (You do not have to use all of these points. Using just one or two of them whenever you have a cough can be effective.) Potent Point Exercises Although many of the following points can be held while you are sitting, it is preferable to lie down comfortably on your back. Step 1 Hold both K 27 points: Place your fingertips on your chest and firmly press into the indentations directly below the protrusions of the collarbone. This is another point that you can easily teach a child. Step 2 Use tennis balls on B 38: Place two small rubber balls or tennis balls together on a clean carpet. Lie down, placing the balls between your shoulder blades at the level of your heart. Close your eyes and take three long, deep breaths as you continue to press the K 27 points on your upper chest.  Step 3 Firmly press extra point 17: Slowly roll the tennis balls a few inches higher toward the base of your neck. If the tennis balls tend to slip, or you aren’t using them, Simply use both middle fingers to press this important acupressure point at the base of the neck. Step 4 Hold both B 10 points and CV 22: Press B 10 on the upper neck with one hand, using the fingertips. Use your other hand to lightly hold CV 22, an inch below the base of the Adam’s apple, pressing lightly at a downward angle. Close your eyes and breathe deeply as you visualize healing energy soothing your throat. For Sore Throats and Coughing  A small piece of fresh ginger can be one of the most natural and effective ways for soothing a sore throat. Simply place a very thin slice of fresh ginger on the back of your tongue. If your throat is sensitive and the ginger feels hot, use a smaller, thinner piece and place it farther back toward your throat. Keep the ginger in the back of your throat for ten minutes. Repeat with a fresh piece several times a day as needed. A quarter cup of chopped ginger can also be simmered in a few cups of water and used as a tea for soothing coughs and sore throats.

Source: https://acupressure.com/articles/colds_and_flu.htm

Check out Michael’s acupressure.com site for free articles and videos and information about his on-line trainings .

Also search the Self-help Health archives for more posts on preventing and treating colds, sinus congestion, sore throats and the flu. And check out this simple Jin Shin Jyutsu hold for alleviating a sore throat, boosting the immune system and balancing the whole side of your body all at the same time!

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained health care practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

 

A Delightful Way To Fight Chronic Inflammation?

 

This could well become a new favorite for the winter and holiday season and beyond. Sounds yummy AND healthy, ….a combination that’s hard to beat! And be sure you use Ceylon cinnamon in the recipe and for your future cooking needs. I’ve read several articles about how “regular” cinnamon is not only of inferior quality and taste, but also could cause health problems when eaten in certain amounts. Yes, the Ceylon variety is more expensive, but you and your body deserve it! I’ve been using it for several years now and am glad I made the switch.

Get Your Hot Chocolate Fix and Smash Chronic Inflammation at the Same Time

(by The Alternative Daily) Tis the season for crackling fires, snowball fights, and warm and delicious hot chocolate. But, how do you make yours? Do you rip open a package and pour hot water over something that claims to be hot chocolate? Do you splurge at your favorite coffee shop for a “special” hot chocolate drink? What if I told you that there was a hot chocolate delight teaming with health benefits that far surpasses any other hot chocolate you have ever had before in flavor, richness and all around goodness.

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The Ingredients

The superpowers of the ingredients of this creamy and delicious hot chocolate are what make this drink so incredibly nutritious and delicious.

Dark Chocolate

Who doesn’t love dark chocolate? Research shows that dark chocolate can decrease stress and inflammation while boosting immunity and improving your mood and memory.

Dark chocolate is good for your skin

Want protection from damaging ultraviolet rays? Science says, eat more dark chocolate. Cacao beans contain eight times the number of antioxidants found in strawberries. These antioxidants protect skin and combat free radicals that contribute to signs of aging.

Raw cacao is loaded with healthy fats 
The fats that raw cacao contains also support well-being. They include oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that is also found in olive and coconut oils. They also include saturated fats, which the body needs to function properly.

Dark chocolate is good for your heart

Minerals in cacao also contribute to the health of the cardiovascular system. One study, published by Science Daily found that eating 6.7 grams of chocolate per day had a protective effect on heart health.

Dark chocolate improves your mood

Cacao also contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which affects brain chemistry in a similar fashion to falling in love. Cacao has been linked to increasing the availability of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which can elevate your mood and even lessen depression

Turmeric

This superstar spice is gaining quite a following in the alternative health community and beyond. Researchers from all over the world have studied this ancient Indian spice for it’s powerful, seemingly endless list of beneficial properties. In fact, turmeric has been featured in more than 5,600 studies to date, with new findings coming out regularly.

Turmeric is a super inflammation buster

Among its many benefits, turmeric is best known for its ability to treat chronic inflammation, something we all deal with from time to time. The active compound it contains — curcumin — has powerful anti-inflammatory properties similar to over-the-counter medications. Wow!

Scientists are finding an astonishing array of antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, antibiotic, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. As an immune system booster, turmeric is five to eight times stronger than vitamin C and E.

Turmeric contains powerful antioxidants

Studies show that curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, inserts itself into cell membranes where it does a little housecleaning and reorganizing, adding vibrancy to the cell itself. Suddenly a disorganized cell becomes organized, allowing information to flow through it so it can function more effectively. The result of this action increases the cell’s resistance to infection, malignancy and more!

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has certainly earned its superfood designation. What the people of the tropics have known for so very long is finally becoming evident to the masses. Loaded with therapeutic properties, this is one saturated fat you want to include in your diet.

Coconut oil reduces inflammation

Research shows that the antioxidants in coconut oil can reduce inflammation and effectively treat arthritis more effectively than leading medications.

Coconut oil is great for energy

According to research, 50% of fats found in coconut oil are MCTs such as lauric acid that is easily absorbed by the intestine and can be used by the body to make energy.

Coconut oil can protect you from harmful bacteria and pathogens

Coconut oil contains two anti-viral properties, lauric acid, and caprylic acid. Both of these compounds are known for their ability to fight candida overgrowth and bacterial infections. Coconut oil has been found to prevent a number of viruses and pathogens including influenza, herpes, helicobacter pylori, and dangerous protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Coconut oil boosts metabolism

Coconut oil contains medium chain fats that have a thermogenic effect which allows them to increase fat burning when compared to the same calories found in other fats. One study  found that eating just 1 to 2 tablespoons of medium chain fats per day increased energy expenditure by 5% or 120 calories per day. Additional research confirms that when humans replace the fats they are consuming with medium chain fats they burn more calories.

Ceylon cinnamon the bonus spice

This hot chocolate drink contains Ceylon cinnamon, a delicious and health-promoting spice. Ceylon cinnamon is loaded with phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidants. This is what makes this spice one of the most beneficial spices on earth, with powerful antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting powers.

The Recipe

Here is the best dark chocolate recipe on the planet, hand’s down. Your whole family will be asking for seconds. Finally, a hot chocolate you can feel good about drinking.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
• 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. cocoa powder
• 3/4 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. Ceylon cinnamon
• Pinch of black pepper & ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp. local raw honey
• 2-3 tsp. coconut oil

How to make it:

1. Warm the coconut milk until it is just lightly simmering.
2. Add cocoa, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, honey, and coconut oil.
3. Use an immersion blender to combine
4. Top with organic heavy whipping cream (or whipped coconut cream) and sprinkle with more cinnamon and grated dark chocolate.

Enjoy this amazingly delicious and healthy treat!

Source: The Alternative Daily

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Related Self-help Health posts:

Coconut Oil = Yummiest Health Aid Ever!

Turmeric = The World’s Most Important Spice?

Get Your Zing On With Ginger

Why Honey Is STILL The Best Antibiotic

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FYI, you can get most of the ingredients for this recipe at a discount at iHerb.com (use code CJG192 if you are a new customer and spend more than $40 and you will get $5 off your purchase). Plus, there’s no sales tax, shipping is free on orders of $20 or more, you earn loyalty rewards cash, AND you get an extra 5% off on orders over $60. 

Vitacost.com is another one of my favorite on-line places to shop. Great discount prices, ever-expanding inventory, free shipping on $49 and up, and if you are a new customer and use the link on my website you will get a $10 off coupon with your first order of $25 or more. Woo-hoo! 

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained health care practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Inclined Bed Therapy = Help With Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, Alzheimer’s, Varicose Veins, Respiration, Migraines, And MORE!!

 

Here’s something I heard about a number of months ago and was curious to try. I started by adding 2″ to the feet at the head of my bed and then went up to 3″ after awhile, with the plan being to get to at least 4″ inches. I think it did help with things, but found that the higher the bed got, the harder it was to actually get IN bed, since the bed was already fairly high. Plus, when I added more inches, there was actually the tendency for my body to slide down toward the foot of the bed, which felt weird. But then I don’t weigh that much, so that might not be an issue for other people. Anyway, I reverted back to the 2″ and think that even that little bit helps, so you may want to give this a try…..

 

Story at-a-glance

• Raising the head of your bed 6 inches so that your you’re sleeping on a 5-degree incline may improve your blood circulation, metabolism, respiratory, neurological and immune function
• Inclined bed therapy may also ease symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, diabetes, glaucoma, migraines, multiple sclerosis, sleep apnea, acid reflux, edema, varicose veins and more
• In plants, the interplay between gravity and varying density of fluids is what causes the sap to circulate up and down in a perpetual loop. The same mechanism appears to apply to human biology as well, which is the basis for inclined bed therapy
• Sleeping on an incline affects intracranial pressure. Research by a medical anthropologist showed people with migraines were able to eliminate their migraines within a short period of time by sleeping with their heads raised
• Archeological evidence suggests some Egyptians slept on inclined beds, and the head on these beds was 6 inches higher than the foot end

By Dr. Mercola

Oftentimes the simplest strategies pay great dividends. Getting sensible sun exposure and grounding to the Earth are two examples. Sleeping on an incline is another. While few have heard of it, and sleeping on a horizontal surface is a well-established norm, raising the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches so that your you’re sleeping on a 5-degree incline may have a number of benefits, including:

• Improving blood circulation
• Boosting metabolism
• Improving glymphatic drainage from the brain
• Improving immune system function
• Improving respiratory function
• Easing symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, diabetes, glaucoma, migraines, multiple sclerosis, sleep apnea, acid reflux, edema, varicose veins and more

The History of Inclined Bed Therapy

Inclined bed therapy was developed two decades ago by Andrew K. Fletcher, a British mechanical engineer said to have “an avid interest in how things work.” He stumbled upon the theory by studying the circulatory system of plants. In trees, gravity pulls the denser sap from the top of the tree downward, which then forces the more diluted sap at the bottom to rise upward.

In other words, the interplay between gravity and the varying density of fluids is what causes the sap, which delivers nutrients within the tree, to circulate up and down in a perpetual loop.

He wondered if the same mechanism applied to the human body, and experimentation and further research convinced him that it does. In the video above, Fletcher performs a simple kitchen demonstration to show how circulation is caused by density changes in fluids. In private correspondence with Nexus Magazine writer Jenny Hawke, Fletcher explained:

“[C]irculation began long before the heart developed, and this primary circulation continues to assist the heart, providing we take the direction of gravity into account. It works on the principle that blood entering the capillary vessels in the lungs provides the water and carbon dioxide that we evaporate with each breath.

The blood therefore must become denser exiting the lungs, then passes through the heart and is injected back into the main artery, effectively adding denser blood to create a pulsatile flow predominantly down towards the kidneys… [T]he blood entering the venous return from the kidneys is always less dense than the arterial blood flowing to the kidneys. This was a Eureka moment of such magnitude it went off the scale for me and instantly gave birth to Inclined Bed Therapy.”

Proper Incline Position

Similar experimentation was used to determine the ideal incline, which he concluded was about 6 inches, or 5 degrees. In one experiment, varicose veins disappeared after four weeks of sleeping on a 6-inch incline, which he took as a sign that “a positive change in circulation” had been achieved. Interestingly, archeological evidence suggests some Egyptians slept on inclined beds, and a Boston Museum curator confirmed that the incline on one of these historical beds was in fact 6 inches.

Now, it’s important to note that sleeping on an incline is not the same as sleeping on an adjustable bed that allows you to raise the head while the lower portion remains horizontal. Fletcher stresses the importance of lying straight, but on an incline. You’re not looking to sleep in a sitting position where only your torso is lifted.

The alignment of your body is important, as you want your blood to circulate freely throughout your whole body and avoid stress on your hip joint. On his website, InclinedBedTherapy.com, Fletcher lists a number of methods for creating an inclined bed. For example, you can build your own wooden bed frame, or use leg risers or full-length foam wedges.

Inclined Bed Therapy for Diabetes

As you can see by the list above, people who have tried inclined bed therapy have reported improvements in a wide array of health problems. When you consider the importance of blood circulation for the healing and regeneration of your body, this isn’t entirely surprising. In her Nexus Magazine article, Hawke recounts a number of different tests and anecdotal evidence supporting the use of inclined bed therapy for conditions as varied as skin disorders and spinal cord injuries.

In a Micronesian study, inclined bed therapy was evaluated to see if it might benefit people with diabetes. In conclusion, the researchers stated that:

“[S]leeping on an inclined bed seems to help efficacy in reducing blood sugar levels with those who were dedicated in controlling their blood sugar levels. Inclined bed therapy may not be effective alone … [T]o be successful … it is recommended that diabetic individuals need to incorporate sleeping on inclined beds with medication, taking some alternative remedies and changing lifestyles by eating a proper diet and doing enough exercise …

Interestingly, all participants listed other problems including: back pain, edema, difficulty sleeping, frequent night urination, snoring, morning light-headedness and pain in joints. All participants claimed to have noticed improvement in all these problems.”

Acid Reflux? Consider Raising the Head of Your Bed

Acid reflux is another extremely common health problem that may be improved through inclined bed therapy. Another term used for this condition is gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Two of the most common causes of acid reflux are having insufficient amounts of stomach acid and/or having a hiatal hernia — a condition in which a portion of your stomach passes through an opening in your diaphragm, which can cause complications in your esophagus.

It can also lead to GERD, a condition in which acid is coming out of your stomach, where it’s supposed to be. There’s a valve between your stomach and your small intestine called the pyloric valve. When the acid in your stomach refluxes over that valve, it causes symptoms that are very similar to that of acid reflux, heartburn being one of the primary ones. Heartburn is a burning sensation that radiates up from your stomach to your chest and throat.

It occurs when food and stomach juices reflux up into your esophagus, which is the tube that leads from your throat to your stomach. It’s typically most bothersome at night, and tends to occur in connection with certain activities, such as eating a heavy meal, bending over or lifting a heavy object, and lying down, especially when laying on your back. While inclined bed therapy will not cure acid reflux, it may reduce the pain associated with lying down.

Success Stories

Among the success stories included in Hawke’s article is a man who, due to a spinal cord injury, had lost all control over his legs. After incorporating inclined bed therapy with his other treatments, he was eventually able to walk between parallel bars. Other success stories include a young girl with cerebral palsy was also able to stand up for the first time after she’d used inclined bed therapy for eight months, and Terri, a woman with multiple sclerosis, who eventually improved to the point that she no longer needed drug therapy.

Hawke writes, “In a 2015 radio interview, Terri reported that her neurologist had recently told her she would have no need for any further appointments as she was better. He had never seen anyone in this situation get better.” Interestingly, inclined bed therapy has even benefited people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In the case of the latter, the woman reported “instant relief” after the first night.

According to Fletcher, results seem to suggest sleeping on an incline helps boost both metabolism and immune function, which could help explain some of these success stories. Sleeping on an incline also affects intracranial pressure. This was the conclusion of research done by medical anthropologist Sydney Singer. Hawke writes:

“His research is based on a 10- to 30-degree elevation of the head, not the whole body, and some impressive results were found regarding the effects of inclined sleeping on intracranial pressure, in particular research into sleep positions as a possible cause of migraines.

‘To our amazement, we found that the majority of the migraineurs in our study experienced relief by this simple sleep position change! Many had no new migraines, after being migraine sufferers for 30 or more years! The results were very fast, within a few days. And there were very interesting side effects, too. Our volunteers woke up more alert. Morning sinus congestion was significantly reduced in most people. Some reported that they no longer had certain allergies.’”

Potential Brain Benefits

According to Singer, sleeping on an incline may also benefit other brain conditions, including ADHD and Alzheimer’s. Indeed, while not mentioned, it’s possible by altering the intracranial pressure you allow for improved glymphatic drainage. It was long believed that the brain was unable to clean itself out, as the lymphatic system does not include the brain.

More recent research has proven this to be incorrect, showing the brain actually has its own lymphatic system that gets into your brain by piggybacking on blood vessels. Amyloid-beta deposits and other toxins are cleaned out of your brain nightly during deep sleep. This waste-removal system is now known as the glymphatic system.

By pumping cerebral spinal fluid through your brain’s tissues, your glymphatic system flushes waste from your brain back into your circulatory system and onto your liver for elimination. Just about anything that hampers the efficient function of your glymphatic system will promote Alzheimer’s, by allowing waste to accumulate in your brain, and it stands to reason that improving this brain detoxification would help prevent Alzheimer’s and other neurological dysfunction as well.

Are You Ready to Try Sleeping on an Incline?

In addition to sleeping on my back with a pillow to support my neck (opposed to my entire head), as recommended by chiropractor and exercise physiologist Dr. Peter Martone, I also changed my bedframe to one that allowed me to elevate the head of my bed to achieve a 5-degree incline. While I have no health problems that would call for this, I find it helps improve my sleep.

When you first start out, you may want to ease into it by raising the head of your bed just 3 inches. Once you’re used to that, raise it to the recommended 6 inches. Going up to 8 inches, which is the maximum recommended elevation, can be tricky, as you’ll start sliding quite a bit. Also, be aware that in some cases you may experience muscle soreness and/or a stiff neck for the first week or two until your body has adjusted to the new position.

Fletcher also recommends drinking more water than usual, as the elevation will decrease fluid retention and enhance urination. This also means your body’s waste removal will be enhanced, so more water is needed to help flush out toxins. Overall, I believe inclined bed therapy can be of all-around benefit for your health and is well worth a try.

 

Source: https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/02/15/inclined-bed-therapy

More info: http://inclinedbedtherapy.com

https://blog.bulletproof.com/inclined-bed-therapy-sleep/

There are a number of sources for risers…. Amazon Home Solutions, Wal-mart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, etc. The cheapest I found were the CreativeWare™ brand I found on-line at Wal-mart. Be sure you get a style that works with whatever kind of feet your bed has, and I got clear risers, which are less noticeable, if they happen to be showing under the bedskirt.

 

Salud & sweet dreams!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained health care practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

The Cancer-protective Power Of Aspirin! Who Knew?!

 

Wow, I found this information very interesting. I was already aware of how low-dosage aspirin is often prescribed to ward off the possibility of heart attacks and stroke, but had not heard about this aspect/benefit of taking it.  I would be inclined to use white willow bark myself, since I usually prefer the more natural way of addressing health issues, but to each his own. Just be aware that both forms of salicin come with contra-indications, so be sure it’s something your body wants and needs (use kinesiology or muscle testing to find out and/or check with your healthcare practitioner).

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FYI, I read where most white willow bark supplements have a recommended dosage of around 800 mg per day, but according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 240 mg is sufficient to relieve headache pain. And, if researchers are right, this simple supplement should do wonders when it comes to keeping your inflammation levels down and chronic diseases at bay, plus help protect against certain cancers.

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The cancer-protective power of aspirin

(by Margaret Cantwell)  It’s been said that cancer is a disease of the aged.

Yes, young people and middle-aged people get cancer. But if you live decades of your life cancer-free, the older you get, the higher your risk becomes, especially after 65.

Particularly gastrointestinal cancers, like colorectal, gastric, esophageal, liver and pancreatic cancer.

Does that mean you shouldn’t follow all the emerging advice on nutrition, exercise, diets and supplements to keep your body cancer free? It does not.

But when you make it into your senior years — because you did all of those other things — there’s one more thing you can do to reduce your risk of these cancers by almost 50 percent… and chances are your doctor may have already prescribed it…

A low-dose aspirin a day

Millions of seniors take a daily aspirin to ward off risk of heart attack and stroke. If you’re one of them, you have a head start on many of us…

That’s because studies over the last 20 years have brought to light that a daily aspirin may keep certain cancers away.

But the most compelling argument for aspirin’s cancer protection came from a 10 year study led by Professor Kelvin Tsoi from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Professor Tsoi and his colleagues examined 618,884 participants with an average age of 67 years old, of whom 206,295 were daily aspirin users.

The aspirin users had been prescribed the drug for an average of 7.7 years, and the median dose prescribed was 80 milligrams.

According to the researchers, “Long-term use of aspirin showed 24 percent to 47 percent significant reduction on major cancers in the [gastrointestinal] tract.”

Specifically, those who took the aspirin daily were 47 percent less likely to have liver and esophageal cancer, 38 percent less likely to have stomach cancer, 34 percent less likely to have pancreatic cancer — and the risk of colorectal cancer among aspirin users was also lowered by 24 percent.

The powers that be felt so strongly about these results, in addition to the multitude of previous studies, that the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), an influential federal advisory panel on disease prevention, “recommends initiating low-dose aspirin use for the primary prevention of [colorectal cancer] in adults aged 50 to 59 […] willing to take low-dose aspirin daily for at least 10 years.”

How does aspirin protect against these cancers?

Before the USPSTF makes the recommendation for a daily aspirin to the broader population, the researchers want a few questions answered starting with what is it about aspirin that may reduce these gastrointestinal cancers.

Could it have something to do with aspirin’s humble natural origins? If they find it does, I bet you won’t hear much about it, so let me fill you in…

You may have read a post by my colleague Jenny Smiechowski, titled, An herbal aspirin a day keeps disease at bay.

A precursor to the aspirin you know of today, available on any drugstore shelf, the leaves and bark of the white willow tree — known as herbal aspirin — were used to relieve pain and other health issues for almost 2,500 years.

The active ingredient in this centuries old medicinal remedy is salicin, which is naturally converted to salicylic acid in your body.

In a previous study, researchers from the Gladstone Institutes found that salicylic acid suppresses two key proteins in the body, p300 and CREB-binding protein (CBP). These two proteins control other proteins, including those responsible for inflammation and cell growth. Researchers found that by suppressing these proteins, salicylic acid prevents inflammation from damaging your cells — often a precursor to cancer. The researchers also found that the two proteins that were suppressed regulate another important protein—one related to leukemia.

And in another earlier study conducted by researchers at the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, researchers found that a drug called diflunisal, which contains salicylic acid, stopped cancer from spreading and shrunk tumors in mice with leukemia.

Today’s aspirin

Now, the aspirin you find today on drugstore shelves is made of acetylsalicylic acid — a synthetic form of salicylic acid that is easily manufactured and doesn’t have to wait to be converted in your body, like the salicin found in the willow tree bark and leaves.

But, fortunately, like the ages-old version, it appears to be a potential ally in the fight against cancer.

If you’re not already taking a low-dose daily aspirin for your heart health, perhaps as a recommendation by your doctor, or for other reasons, just be sure you don’t have any health issue that would preclude you from doing so.

Aspirin can have its draw backs, including stomach bleeding and isn’t recommended if you have conditions such as active liver disease, a tendency to bleed, suffer from ulcers or bleeding in your digestive track and, of course, an allergy to aspirin. Young people under the age of 20 are advised not to take aspirin because of the threat of Reye’s syndrome, a condition that can result in death. All of this holds true for white willow bark supplements as well.

If you want to see if you’re a good candidate for a low-dose daily aspirin, run it by your doctor. Mainstream medicine relies on such medicines, so surprisingly this is one preventative measure that he probably won’t balk at.

Source: https://easyhealthoptions.com/cancer-protective-power-aspirin/

Looking for some great healthy/healing gift ideas for the holiday season? Then check out my website’s special holiday gifts page; there’s even some free gifts for YOU!

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Natural Ways To Prevent And Treat Gout

 

A few days ago I featured an article about how almonds can help with controlling uric acid and gout. At the time I knew there had to be other all-natural things that would help and made a mental note to do some research on the topic. Then voilà,  there was an article by Danette May in my inbox about which foods to eat and which to avoid when it comes to gout.

Years ago my father was put on a prescription drug for gout, without the doctor first verifying that he actually had gout. He also didn’t tell my father beforehand that once you get on the drug you need to stay on it for the rest of your life. What? No bueno, medical professional! Unfortunately this was back in the time when people didn’t think of questioning a doctor’s diagnosis or plan of treatment, so my father just went along with everything.

The particular drug he was put on comes with a number of potentially serious side effects, all of which he has ended up experiencing, so I’m hoping that by featuring information on natural ways of preventing and alleviating gout, others won’t end up in the same situation my father did.

 

Healthy Hack Lowers Your Risk of Gout by 40%

Most people have heard of gout, but few know what it is.

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by too much uric acid building up in the body.

Uric acid forms when the body breaks down purines found in some foods.

Most of the time, uric acid goes through the kidneys and is passed in our urine. When we have too much for the kidneys to handle, it can build up and travel to our joints.

This causes pain, stiffness and swelling.

There are many factors that can put you at risk for gout, including being overweight or taking diuretics.

Gout also runs in families.

Gout flare-ups are treated with medicine and rest, but there are many ways that you can reduce the chances of having an attack in the first place.

Many of the best gout preventions have to do with food.  If you have gout, there are foods you should stay away from and foods you should eat.

9 Food Fixes for Gout

1. Eat plenty of complex carbs.

Fruits and vegetables are loaded with nutrients and help you keep your weight down. Here’s a good list of carbs you should be eating.

2. Drink lots of of water.

Studies show that when people with gout drink 8 to 16 glasses of water a day, they have fewer attacks.

3. Eat lean proteins or plant based proteins.

Look to foods like Greek yogurt (I like Fage 0%) or almond milk.  These increase the excretion or uric acid.

Protein can also come from lean meat, fish and poultry, but no more than 4 to 6 ounces per day. Stay away from high-fat red meats, fatty poultry and organ meats like liver.

4. Understand Purines. 

Some foods that contain purines are safe, especially beans or lentils which have lots of protein. High-purine vegetables like asparagus, spinach, and cauliflower are good for you too.

HOME REMEDY FOR GOUT

Mix 1 Teaspoon of raw, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg’s Brand is best) in 1 cup of water.

Drink 3 times daily.

5. Avoid seafood  that has high levels of purines.

These include sardines, scallops, tuna, anchovies and herring.

6. Avoid beer and liquors like rum, whiskey and vodka.

These increase uric acid production. Wine does not.

Alcohol also can also lead to dehydration, so it is probably best to cut back or cut it out completely.

7. Get more Vitamin C.

Vitamin C has been shown to lower uric acid levels, so add foods like grapefruit, red peppers and oranges to your daily diet.

8. Snack on cherries.

Some studies have shown that eating cherries or cherry juice concentrate twice a day can cut the risk of having a flare-up of gout by 50%.

Scientists think that the cherries reduce uric acid levels

9. Pour Another Cup of Java.

Drinking 4 to 5 cups of caffeinated coffee has been shown to lower the risk of gout attacks by 40%. And drinking 6 or more cups lowered the risk by 59%.

I don’t recommend drinking that much coffee as it can disrupt your adrenals. I personally drink one cup of coffee per day. Also, make sure you only drink organic.

One of the biggest risk factors for gout is obesity. Weight loss improves insulin resistance and lowers uric acid levels in the blood.

Eating a *healthy diet and adding moderate exercise can go a long way towards improving your health and lowering your risk of gout attacks.

*Personal Note: Don’t forget almonds!

Source: http://danettemay.com/top-10-foods-to-relieve-gout/

Want to know more about gout and uric acid? Go here for an in-depth article by Dr. Mercola, where he questions drinking wine and mentions how staying away from sodas, fruit juice and things with high fructose corn syrup is so important. He also goes into more detail about using cherries and cherry juice…..

Tart cherries contain two powerful compounds, anthocyanins and bioflavonoids. Both of these compounds slow down the enzymes Cyclo-oxyygenase-1 and -2, which helps to relieve and prevent arthritis and gout in your body.⁴³ Cherries, along with strawberries and other berries, are also a rich source of antioxidants. This means they help prevent or repair damage done to your body’s cells by free radicals. The antioxidants replace the free radicals in your body before they can cause any damage. Dr. Wei, a nationally known, board-certified rheumatologist, recalled this story about the powerful effect of cherries on gout:

“Dr. Ludwig W. Blau, relating how eating a bowl of cherries one day led to complete relief from pain, sparked off the interest in cherries in the treatment of gout. Dr. Blau’s gout had been so severe that he had been confined to a wheelchair. One day, quite by accident, he polished off a large bowl of cherries, and the following day the pain in his foot was gone. “(Dr. Blau) continued eating a minimum of six cherries every day, and he was free from pain and able to get out of his wheelchair. Dr. Blau’s research led to many other people suffering from gout who reported being helped by cherries.”

Dr. Wei said that good results have also been reported with strawberries, which may be due to the fact that this food helps your body eliminate uric acid.⁴⁴ There are a number of ways you can enjoy your berries while they go to work benefiting your gout. If fresh cherries are out of season, or if you just want more variety, try concentrated cherry juice.⁴⁵

Cherry juice concentrate can contain about 55 to 60 tart cherries in every ounce. That’s a single recommended serving, so in other words, you’d have to eat 55 to 60 cherries to get the same health benefit (and I don’t recommend eating 55 to 60 cherries, as that is too much sugar… but with a concentrate, you can get the health benefit of the cherries without all the sugar).

And besides cherries, this post by Dr. Axe mentions using celery seed extract, nettles, fish oil, magnesium and proteolytic enzymes as natural remedies for gout. The Natural Society also mentions using bromelain, beet juice, and baking soda. There’s also a foot soak recipe using epsom salt that’s supposed to ease gout mentioned in this Self-help Health post.

FYI, you can find many of the items mentioned in this post, including raw apple cider vinegar, high quality Vitamin C, organic tart cherry juice at any health food store and even some regular supermarkets. However, I always buy mine on-line because it’s much less expensive that way. One of my favorite discount places to shop is iHerb.com; use code CJG192 if you are a new customer and spend more than $40 and you will get $10 off, plus no sales tax, and free shipping, and there’s always extra savings by taking advantage of iHerb’s Trial Offers and Specials sections. 

Vitacost.com is another on-line favorite of mine and each week adds more new items to their inventory. If you are new to Vitacost and make your first purchase through the link on my webpage, you will receive a $10 off coupon. And if you plan on shopping again after that, be sure to sign up for a free acct. at eBates.com. That way you can use the eBates portal to shop at Vitacost (and 100s of other popular stores) and earn cash back on your purchases. Plus, eBates also offers some reward (I got a $10 gift card) when you place your first $25 order at a store through them. How does it get any better than that?!

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easier and my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please not that any information provided here is as a guideline only, and not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine