April 2007

Hello, and welcome to this edition of my Natural Alternatives Newsletter!

I hope you will enjoy reading this issue.

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Nature is the Physician of all Disease ~ Hippocrates
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IN THIS ISSUE:

1) ENERGY AND AROMATHERAPY

2) KNOCK OUT YOUR APPETITE WITH FLAX

3) TEA TREE OIL (Melaleuca Alternifolia)

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1) ENERGY AND AROMATHERAPY
ART OF QI BY DR AMIR FARID ISAHAK

AROMATHERAPY is one of the most ancient healing methods, and is the science of utilising aromatic essences extracted from plants for health and healing. The natural essences are used to balance and harmonise the energies that operate within us, and promote the health of the body, mind and spirit.

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing method that combines the science of essential oils with the art of listening to the body, and applying the appropriate essences to re-harmonise the imbalances. The oils can be sniffed directly, sprayed, taken as inhalation, or more usually, diffused into the air using a burner or diffuser. They can also be used as direct applications to the body, as massage oil, or incorporated into soaps, body care items and even in household sprays and insect repellents.

Using essential oils to freshen your room will add energy to your life, and at the same time, ensure that the dust and dirt become less harmful. This should be preferred to using chemical deodorants that may be harmful and worsen our polluted environment.

Using aromatherapy essential oils for massage on the qi-energy meridians has enhanced therapeutic effects as there is a synergy between the healing power of the essential oils and the beneficial effects of meridian massage.

Because the resources (mostly flowers, herbs, seeds and spices) are readily available, aromatherapy has been practised for thousands of years. However, very little scientific study has been done until recently. So even though the data available does not yet allow aromatherapy to be adopted into mainstream medical practice, which demands evidence-based claims, the available scientific information on the essences, or essential oils as they are known, may surprise you.

Being a medical doctor, I was very sceptical of aromatherapy. My attitude changed after learning through Sufi Healing that aromatherapy was first used by Prophet Sulaiman (King Solomon) and that some Sufi healers still use rose essential oil as the mainstay of their treatments.

The rose is a very special flower. Thousands of flowers are used to extract its essence and it remains the mainstay of Sufi essential oils.

Energy healers know that the essential oils have a very strong life-force (qi) that can influence the various energy systems in the body. Since certain plants have high levels of qi, they are more suitable to be used for healing. Their unique energy profiles would account for the different healing effects seen when essences of different plants are used. Modern technology has allowed the energy profiles to be studied and the profiles for each essential oil can be identified and their healing abilities predicted.

Essential oils

Pure essential oils are painstakingly distilled from flowers, seeds, shrubs or other parts of the plant and kept in special containers as the oils are volatile. It is said that essential oils were the first known medicines. When King Tut’s tomb was opened in 1922, it was reported that 350 litres of essential oils were found.

Many ancient Egyptian scrolls contain various prescriptions using essential oils. In ancient times it was a commodity more precious than gold, and was often exchanged as gifts between kings and emperors. The oils and their uses are also mentioned many times in holy books, especially in the Bible.

Modern day aromatherapy owes its renaissance mainly to the work of the French. Among them was Dr Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who accidentally discovered the healing power of lavender oil in his cosmetic laboratory. He had plunged his burnt hand into the oil thinking it was water, and was surprised to see rapid healing. He continued to apply the oil until it healed, leaving no scar at all. The rest is history?

During World War II, his colleague, Dr Jean Valnet, used essential oils to fight infections when his antibiotics supply ran out, and saved many lives.

To this day, the French remain the leaders in the production and use of essential oils, and therefore also in the production of perfumes and fragrances. However, oils from eastern plants are fast gaining popularity as their healing properties are also being researched.

Scientific evidence for aromatherapy

Modern scientific research has shown that there are several reasons why essential oils can improve our health.

After the war, Dr Valnet and his students did further research and found that essential oils have powerful anti-infective capabilities, improve the immune system, and also enhance the delivery of nutrients into the cells.

More recent studies have shown that they have amazingly high antioxidant properties. We are all familiar with the importance of having enough antioxidants to fight the harmful free-radicals that damage our cells and slowly cause us to age and develop chronic degenerative diseases. We know that fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, and among them, berries have among the highest contents of antioxidants.

The free-radical fighting ability of antioxidants are measured in ORAC units (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). Broccoli and spinach have ORAC values of 890 and 1,260 respectively. The berries (blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and others) have ORAC scores of between 1,200 and 2,400 (highest in blueberry). But the superstar of berries, which is the Ningxia wolfberry or gou-ji, has ORAC value of over 25,000. It is also very rich in life-force. But even the best fruits do not come close to the ORAC power of essential oils. The weakest of them have ORAC values above 2,000. Lavender essential oil has ORAC value of nearly 3,700. Lemon essential oil is over 6,000, lemongrass nearly 18,000, cinnamon bark over 100,000 and, hold your breath – clove essential oil has ORAC power of over 10 million! With that kind of capacity to knock out harmful free-radicals, we should not be surprised at all that essential oils can heal.

Essential oils have long been shown to have antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties. These have been validated by recent scientific studies and have given rise to safe, natural alternatives to chemical drugs in the fight against microbes and other infections.

Apart from being able to trap harmful oxygen free-radicals, essential oils have the unique ability to use the oxygen molecules to help transfer nutrients across the cell walls, into the cells, and even into the cell nuclei. Thus it mops up harmful radicals while at the same time enables the cells to feed and become healthier and stronger to withstand any further damage, and to perform their functions well.

But the most fascinating discovery is that essential oils have the highest known bio-electric frequency. Bio-electric and energy studies have shown that the healthy human body has a frequency of about 62-68 Hz. When there is infection or disease, the frequency becomes low.

Cancer patients have frequencies around 40Hz. The immune system and disease-fighting ability of the body can be restored by increasing the frequency to higher levels.

And amazingly, essential oils are the champions among all natural substances in this aspect. Their high frequencies make their presence incompatible to infections, apart from restoring the health of the body (which can happen quite fast after inhaling the essential oil).

And the highest frequency of all known natural substances belongs to the Rose oil, at 320 Hz. Didn’t I tell you that the rose is a special gift from God to us? The next time you get a rose, don’t forget to eat it too!

Dr Amir Farid Isahak is a medical specialist who practises holistic medicine and has been teaching qi gong for more than 10 years. He is the former president of the Guolin Qi Gong Association, Malaysia. You can e-mail him at starhealth@thestar.com.my The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles.

More about Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy and Chakra Health.

2) KNOCK OUT YOUR APPETITE WITH FLAX

Flaxseed is full of omega-3 fatty acids and it is an excellent source of fibre. As an addition, the essential oils in flax do wonders for your skin.

Flaxseed looks similarly as a sesame seed, but darker in colour and it can be used in different ways.

In order for the nutrient to be released, it must be ground or milled. Eat four to six tablespoons daily, alone, mixed in a jus, yogurt or buttermilk, or you can sprinkle it in food. Milled flaxseed is great in hot or cold cereals, salads, or in shakes.

The omega-3 essential fatty acids found in flaxseed also help increase the metabolic rate and energy levels. They help promote normal brain function, and may improve mood and emotional state.

3) TEA TREE OIL (Melaleuca Alternifolia)

The remarkable properties of tea tree oil have long made it a popular choice for the treatment of a wide range of complaints.

Facts about Tea Tree Oil

Native to Australia, Melaleuca alternifolia is not commercially grown outside Australia. Aboriginal Australians have used tea tree oil for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years to treat coughs, colds, aches, headaches, and burns.

Tea tree oil was used by Australian soldiers to treat infections during the First and Second World Wars. Tea tree oil is active against all three varieties of infectious organisms: Bacteria Fungi and Viruses.

Tea tree oil contains chemicals called terpenoids, which give it its unique antiseptic and antifungal qualities. Beneficial to all skin types (dry, sensitive, oily, etc.) and does not alter normal cell growth and rejuvenation.

Healing Powers of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is also effective for treating bug bites minor wounds Acne Athlete's foot Dandruff Vaginitis Thrush Periodontal disease As an antiseptic Boils Lice Eczema Psoriasis Yeast infection

Other uses Tea Tree Remedies

Foul Breath? Try adding 3 drops of tea tree oil to water and use as mouthwash twice daily. Or add a few drops to toothpaste before brushing.

Body Aches? Rub pure tea tree oil into muscles. Or add 3-5 drops to warm bath and soak for relief.

Congestion? 2 drops of tea tree oil in a bowl of steaming water. Cover head and inhale for 5-10 minutes.

*As with any oil, it is wise to do an allergy test by swabbing some of the oil on the inner arm. If the skin becomes red, swollen, or itchy, do not use it on other parts of the body. Tea tree oil should not be taken orally.

Source: The Global Healing Center

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!

Thank you for reading.

Livia P.
www.natural-health-and-healing.com
Brampton, Ontario, Canada

P.S. If you have a comment or suggestion, just reply to this e-mail. Your feedback is important to me.

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This newsletter is for educational purposes only. It is your right to educate yourself in health and medical knowledge, to seek helpful information and make use of it for your own benefit, and for that of your family. You are the one responsible for your health. You must educate yourself in order to make decisions in all health matters. My views and advices are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medicine, but simply a help you to make educated changes in order to help your body heal itself. If you have a medical condition or concern you should consult your physician.