RECESSION-PROOF HEALTH AND VITALITY

© 2010 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Dec 10.

JUST FOR HEALTH by Luke Terry, Licensed Acupuncturist

As the recession wears on, some rather counter-intuitive trends have emerged. One would think that decreased economic activity would result in a decrease in American’s health for the average person.

That turns out to be false! According to John de Graaf of the Solutions Journal, the average American’s health has actually improved overall during the recession. Yes, it’s true that on the whole, people are working less and earning less, but they’re also driving less, smoking less, and eating less bad restaurant food. In addition, they’re spending more time with family & friends, exercising more, sleeping more, and gardening more. ??These healthy choices are decreasing the mortality rate. In fact, for every percentage point increase in unemployment, mortality decreases by about a half a percent. The largest improvements have been a big dip in traffic deaths, which has declined by 25%, and an increase in gardening, up 40%. Such a great silver lining!

On the other side of the coin, families who have experienced the loss of a job or income do experience more stress, and in some cases, rates of suicide amongst the unemployed has grown. One’s best defense is a good offense – developing a strong, positive attitude, a sense of personal well-being that is unconditional and not connected to external circumstances, these things can all bring deep happiness and health. This strategy can improve your own health, and as your health improves, we gain positive energy that helps everyone and everything around us.

As our economy retools and becomes more resilient, our best strategy is always to improve our own personal health and adaptability. Proven strategies to build deep inner vitality include a healthy, simple diet, regular exercise outside in the sun, strong social connections, and a lasting commitment to self-improvement.

Herbal medicine gives us one such avenue. We can build health & vitality by building our Qi energy, by strengthening our immune system, nervous system, and adrenals, by improving sleep quality and duration, by improving digestion and metabolism. These goals are all easily attainable through the use of herbal medicine.

For best results, contact a qualified herbal medicine practitioner in your area, or better yet, educate yourself on the ancient and yet timeless art and science of using botanical substances to build vibrant health from within.

Check out the MASTER HERBALIST PROGRAM, Luke Terry, L Ac, Dipl. Ac, MTOM, Clinical Director, Rachel Lord, RN, President & Dean of Students, Just for Health School of Reflexology & Healing Arts. 303-320-4367. Next training starts February 2011.

Approved and Regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.

REFLEXOLOGY - FEET FIRST

© 2010 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Aug 10/Sep 10.

JUST FOR HEALTH by Rachel Lord, RN, Master Herbalist, Nationally Board Certified Reflexologist

Do your feet hurt?  Or do you know someone whose do?  This is one of the most common complaints that folks have.  And no wonder.  We stuff our tootsies in all kinds of shoe shapes, pound them on concrete and asphalt, stand and walk on them all day—and then wonder how come they hurt!  Additionally, we use our hands constantly and then don’t get where that carpal tunnel came from.

Reflexology is a type of  bodywork that addresses feet foremost, but also hands and ears. It is a science that maps out the reflexes to the whole body on all three places.  By pressing specific areas on them, every organ, gland and body part is affected in a positive manner.  It is a lot like acupuncture, in that you can work an organ from far away without actually touching it.  It clears energy meridians or pathways.  Remove a blockage in one place and you have opened up the whole energy line.  Once that happens, pain disappears; the body returns to balance.

What does a good Reflexologist do? First she/he inspects your feet and hands.  A skilled practitioner can help with actual foot and hand problems as well as accessing the reflexes. That means things like carpal tunnel, bunions, sprains, achy arches, heel pain, neuropathy can be relieved. Then there’s the relaxation aspect. A skilled Reflexology treatment can put you into “la la land”.  And we all know the benefits of relaxation.  That in itself helps the body heal and spirals up the immune system.

Ear Reflexology came from France.  Both Reflexologists and acupuncturists use ear points.  This is another way to access the entire body.  There is something about getting your ears gently worked that evokes profound relaxation. So when you get a treatment, don’t leave out the ear part.

Just writing this article makes me want to rush out and get a treatment.  It can’t be beat!  Maybe you would like to become a Reflexologist, provide such amazing work and get paid for it too!

Sat, Sep 25, 2010, FREE 10-MINUTE REFLEXOLOGY SESSIONS at Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore. Presented in celebration of World Reflexology Week and sponsored by the Associated Reflexologists of Colorado (ARC) to increase awareness about Reflexology. ARC members will be on hand to give free Reflexology sessions, plenty of TLC and to answer your questions about Reflexology. 12 – 5 PM, FREE.

PROFESSIONAL FEET, HAND and EAR REFLEXOLOGY PROGRAM Rachel Lord, Director “Just for Health School of Reflexology & Healing Arts” 303-320-4367, justforhealth7@gmail.com, www.justforhealth.net

Approved and Regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board and the American Reflexology Certification Board.

FRESH GINGER FOR THE FIRST INKLING OF COLDS AND FLU

© 2009 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Dec 09/Jan 10.

JUST FOR HEALTH by Rachel Lord RN, Master Herbalist

GINGER RHIZOME
(Zingberis officianale Rosco)

Picture a nice warming tea on a cold day. Sweat it out. Move germs along to the exterior before they get lodged in. This is what Ginger Rhizome (Zingberis officinale Rosco) can do. Pungent, hot and dis- persing fresh Ginger is just the ticket when you‘re thinking some version of “Uh oh, my head hurts a little and my throat is thick.”

So get thee to the grocery store and pick up some Fresh Ginger Root in the produce section, so you will have it on hand when you need it. Put it in a zip lock baggy. It stores nicely in the freezer for a long time.
Chinese wisdom says that fresh ginger promotes sweating and the dried tincture or tea expels interior cold. Ginger root has a natural affinity towards the respiratory and GI systems. It‘s a no-brainer for a cold coming on, with or without a little stomach upset to boot.

Primary Actions of Ginger:

Anti-inflammatory/Analgesic: Inhibits formation of inflammatory prostaglandins leukotrine and throm- boxanes. Inhibits release of substance P (for pain) much like the capsaicin in Cayenne.

Expectorant and Anti-Bacteria/Viral: Will kill germs and get up phlegm.

Anti-emetic: Reduces nausea.

Increases Circulation: Anti-platelet.

Diaphoretic: Warms the body, creates sweating. Helps maintain body temperature and inhibits sero- tonin-induced hypothermia.

Brew Some Fresh Ginger Tea: (as the need arises) One cup of tea (8 oz) Grate one teaspoon of fresh or fresh frozen ginger. (If some peels get in, that‘s a good thing). Simmer root in a little over eight ounces of water for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. If you like, add some grated fresh orange peel or a few peppermint leaves. Strain. Add honey to soothe the throat and give some bug killing action. Yum.

Daily Dose: 3 cups. Make up enough for a day. Triple above recipe. Store in glass jar in fridge and reheat as needed.

Safety: This is a very mild herb with few contraindications. Safe in pregnancy and lactation. Some- times used for ―morning sickness‖. Slight anti-platelet activity. Best used short term for immediate symptom relief.

Other tidbits: Used as a pungent spice and medicine for thousands of years. The whole fresh root is called ―Green Ginger‖. Its use is recorded in Sanskrit and Chinese texts and is documented in ancient Greek, Roman and Arabic medical literature. Was probably one of the first cultivated plants ever. Grown in India, China, Jamaica, Haiti and Nigeria.