November 2022

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

I hope you will enjoy reading this issue.

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“The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.” ~Hippocrates

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IN THIS ISSUE:

1) BACH FLOWER REMEDIES AND SHEN NONG RELY ON NATURE AS AN ANTIDOTE TO DISEASE

2) CHRONIC STRESS CAUSES SERIOUS DAMAGE – BUT IS IT REVERSABLE?

3) 5 HOME REMEDIES TO HELP PREVENT SPLIT ENDS

4) UPCOMING NO COST ONLINE EVENTS: CHECK OUT THE LATEST EXCYTING OFFERINGS

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1) BACH FLOWER REMEDIES AND SHEN NONG RELY ON NATURE AS AN ANTIDOTE TO DISEASE
by Cheryl NG and Emma Yu

In ancient and modern medicine, both in the East and the West, it is believed that one’s spirit plays a large role in human health. My teacher once said that when a person is sick, it is often, “70 percent due to spirit and 30 percent due to illness.” I remember when I was researching alternative therapies, I was looking for something that could be used at will without causing any side effects. What I sought was something easy to use, even with children. The therapy turned out to be Bach flower remedies.

Bach flower remedies were designed by British doctor Edward Bach. Bach studied medicine first in Birmingham and then in London, and in 1912 he officially became a doctor. He was a bacteriologist and pathologist who conducted vaccine research in his laboratory. In 1917, after Bach suffered severe bleeding after a seizure, his medical colleagues immediately operated on him, removed a malignant tumor, and told him that he had only three months to live.

Life Saved by Sense of Purpose

When he had sufficiently recovered, the first thing Bach did was return to his lab, hoping to “do as much as he could” on his work for the remaining three months of his life. Three months later, Bach found himself not only alive, but in much better shape than he was before. He was fully convinced that his sense of purpose had saved his life.

In his book “The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies,” (pdf) Dr. Bach said that the mind is the most vulnerable and sensitive part of the human body, and as such it becomes the most evident part of the body to exhibit the disease from its onset to it becoming full blown. It is therefore deemed necessary to pay attention to the condition of the mind, before deciding which drug or drugs to use.

Bach believes that “behind all diseases are our fears, anxieties, greed, likes and dislikes. Let us find them (the emotions), heal them, and after the heal, the sickness will go away.”

The 38 Bach flower remedies use the essence of flowers/other material substances to make an aqueous solution. They are produced by picking the flowers when they are mature, putting them in natural spring water, heating under the sun or boiling, and then filtering. Brandy is added as a preservative and the “mother tincture” is produced. That is, the genuine efficacious medicinal mother tincture.

Each type of flower corresponds to a certain emotion. According to the needs of the patient, one or more flower essences can be selected to improve the patient’s mental state, thereby eliminating the symptoms that appear in the body.

The 39th type of Bach flower remedy is called “Rescue Remedy,” and contains five kinds of flower essences, employed primarily in first aid or emergency cases. Dr. Bach believes that when a person encounters sad news or has an accident and becomes down in spirit, it is easy to become ill. By using Rescue Remedy at this time, Bach says you can correct this mental condition and prevent the body from getting sick.

Magical Effect of Rescue Remedy

I have used the Rescue Remedy on my family members, and every time the outcome was really amazing. The first person was my mother. When I was visiting her, I gave her a bottle of Rescue Remedy to carry with her in case it was needed. One day she called me and said that she had been in a car crash.

Fortunately, the accident was not serious. I asked her on the phone if she had Rescue Remedy with her, and she said, “Yes!” I told her to quickly put a few drops in her mouth. When I saw my mother the next day, I asked her how she felt about taking Rescue Remedy. She said that it was as if everything at the scene had nothing to do with her, and she could remain extremely calm.

Another instance was with a friend of my mother-in-law who had to undergo surgery for colorectal cancer and no doubt was very worried. I asked my mother-in-law to suggest that her friend take Rescue Remedy. As expected, her friend felt relieved, and the operation was highly successful.

One day, my youngest son was playing happily, but suddenly huddled in the corner of the sofa. I asked him what was going on, and he said that his wrist hurt. I couldn’t see any visible sign of injury but put a few drops of Rescue Remedy on his wrist anyway, and before long, he was up and playing again.

This last experience with my son was really amazing. Later, I saw an article on the internet about a similar example of using Bach flower therapy.

There was a lady whose dog became very different after recovering from a disease, and did not like to be touched. It did not even like to cuddle with its owner like a spoiled child as it had before. The owner chose a flower essence, gave it to the dog,  and then went to work in the next room. As soon as she sat down, the puppy walked into the room looking for her and returned to its usual cuddly self.

Bach’s research on vaccines was going quite well, but he was not satisfied with the kind of treatment that focused solely on the disease rather than looking at the person holistically; so he applied to the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital to try a new approach. He started his subsequent vaccine research by adopting the concept of homoeopathy and developed seven drugs using the same principle. With these successes he also gained a certain reputation in the homoeopathy industry, and a lot of people nicknamed him “the second Hahnemann” (the German doctor who invented homoeopathy).

However, even with homoeopathic treatments, Bach was still working with bacteria, and he was eager to find other, purer, treatments that reduce the reliance on the products of disease in medicine. He began collecting plants, especially flowers, in the hope of developing a range of gentler treatments.

In 1930, Bach abandoned his lucrative vaccine clinic in London, intending to spend the rest of his life finding a new drug system from nature. In the process, he used his talent as a healer and his intuition, to find the right mix of plants to use in a nosode.

After repeated experiments, Bach discovered that the top of the flower is exposed to the most sunlight, so it is also the part with the most energy, and provides all the vitality it needs. In 1934, Bach developed the last 19 kinds of flower essences one after another when he was in a painful mental condition. Every mental condition he suffered during that time simply provided him the added impetus to find the corresponding flower essence to relieve his pain.

Just one year after completing the research and development of the flower essence series, Bach died in November 1936.

Shen Nong Looking to Eliminate the Plague

The story of Dr. Bach reminds me of a similar person in ancient China: Shen Nong (Farmer God).

Shen Nong is a great god who appeared in the period when Chinese civilization was on a path towards farming (from simple animal herding). He is one of three emperors in ancient China who taught his compatriots the skills of growing rice and understanding herbal medicine. He is known as the god of agriculture and the ancestor of medicine.

Tasting medicine himself was Shen Nong’s most commendable practice. Sima Zhen of the Tang Dynasty wrote in his “Complementary History of the Three Emperors’ Chronicles” that Shen Nong “used the ochre to whip the herbs and tasted all kinds of them, and then there was medicine.”

It is said that Shen Nong had an ochre-coloured whip, and after whipping an herb, he could immediately tell from its scent whether it was poisonous or not and whether it had cold or warm medicinal properties.

In order to further identify the nature, taste, smell, and function of medicines, Shen Nong tasted all kinds of herbs  himself, and then recorded all the herb’s medicinal properties in detail, and determined what each was suitable for treating. He tasted hundreds of herbal medicines almost every day, and even “encountered 70 types of poisons in one day.”

Fortunately, it is said that Shen Nong’s body was exquisite and transparent, and the internal organs could clearly be seen  from the outside. With such a unique physiognomy, not only could people observe the effects of herbal medicine on the human body, but also know a poisoned site and find a way to quickly detoxify it.

As Shen Nong travelled all over the mountains, he tasted wheat, rice, millet, beans, and sorghum and realized they could be used as food, so he taught people to plant them, and they later became the five grains. In total, he discovered 365 kinds of herbal medicines and wrote “Shen Nong’s Materia Medica,” to help ordinary people cure diseases.

After further research, it was discovered that Shen Nong’s real purpose of tasting the herbs was to find a cure for the plague. The earliest extant Han nationality epic, “The Biography of Darkness,” described this sad history, “At that time, the plague was widespread all over the country, and no one was left alive in every village.

“Shen Nong, with all the good intention to treat the disease, tasted all kinds of herbs and worked hard to enter the mountains and forests.” “Over the 100 years under his reign, epidemics broke out frequently. He could not bear to see the suffering of the people, so he went deep into the mountains and forests to test all kinds of herbs for medicinal use to save the people. The process was full of blood and tears and in the end Shen Nong tested hundreds of herbs, found the right antidotes, and removed the plague.”

Both Shen Nong and Dr. Bach believe there is an antidote in nature to relieve human diseases and pain. Their belief, and success, should provide inspiration to people today.

There are numerous claims that Bach flower remedies have a kind of placebo effect, which is akin to improving mood or helping the body perform in a better state using meditation. Perhaps Dr. Bach did not live long enough to share the in depth application of flower therapy that he discovered. However, Dietmar Kramer, a German therapist who studied the application of Bach flower remedies in detail, believes that Dr. Bach’s discovery is not a trivial matter, and mentioned that Dr. Bach had used flower therapy to treat some severely ill patients. I remember reading similar opinions, and one article said that Bach used different flower essences to cure two patients of diabetes. With that in mind, Kramer hopes to continue Dr. Bach’s flower remedies research and learn more about their application.

Bach flower remedies are an energy medicine. Kramer shows in his book the patient’s Kirlian photograph (image of light released by an object in an electrified field) before and after using a flower remedy, from which we can see how the energy distribution is changed. If you are interested, you can check out Kramer’s book online.

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2) CHRONIC STRESS CAUSES SERIOUS DAMAGE – BUT IS IT REVERSABLE?
By Emma Loewe

While feeling stressed out from time to time is to be expected (and healthy in many cases), prolonged periods of stress can lead to a surge in proinflammatory proteins called cytokines. In small doses, these proteins keep us healthy. But in excess, they do more harm than good and can predispose us to conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

They can be so damaging that Rajita Sinha, Ph.D., the founding director of the Yale Stress Center, estimates that anywhere between 25 and 40% of illnesses are directly stress-related.

The impact of chronic stress is also written in our cells. We're now pretty sure that chronic stress and inflammation reduce the length of telomeres—structures that protect DNA—and shorter telomeres are a sign of older biological age.

Reading about how stress expedites the aging process and contributes to disease is no fun. But not all hope is lost: As researchers learn more about all the ways chronic stress harms the body, they're also finding that some of the damage can be mitigated, if not reversed, with relatively simple lifestyle tweaks.

Research on reversing the damage of chronic stress.

When Aoife O'Donovan, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of California–San Francisco (UCSF), set out to study how stress affected cell aging, she expected to find a linear relationship. "Just like chronological aging only goes in one direction—you never get younger—we thought biological aging was the same," she says on a call with mbg.

So O'Donovan and her team were surprised to find that telomeres may be more resilient and dynamic than we give them credit for. "We can have situations that accelerate the aging of our cells—but then we can also stop those processes and maybe undo or partially reverse some of those effects," she explains. Ongoing research continues to find that we may be able to lengthen telomeres through lifestyle changes—promising news for anyone who has ever gone through a prolonged period of stress, anxiety, or trauma.

4 WAYS TO REBUILD AFTER A STRESSFUL PERIOD.

The four science-backed strategies for recovering from chronic stress are simple but by no means easy—especially if you're still in the middle of a stressful period. Eating well, sleeping well, exercising, and socializing are much more doable when things are going well, but Sinha says they require a lot of energy and attention during hard times.

"Survival mode is all about surviving at this moment, but recovery is about long-term thinking... We have to get out of that short-term thinking—but it's brutally difficult," O'Donovan reiterates, so giving yourself grace as you try to make these things a priority is key.

You also don't have to wait until stress hits to practice these healthy habits. As you build them up over time, you'll give yourself a buffer against stressful events in the future and the tools needed to more quickly recover moving forward:

1. Exercise regularly.

In one of the early studies on chronic stress and telomere length, O'Donovan and some of her colleagues at UCSF focused on the impact of physical activity.

The study asked 63 healthy postmenopausal women to record their levels of perceived stress and exercise. They found that those who experienced heightened stress and did not exercise were more likely to have shorter telomeres. In exercisers, perceived stress appeared to be unrelated to telomere length.

Longer-term follow-up research has also found a link between exercise and telomere length, causing O'Donovan to conclude that "physical activity is one of the most powerful resilience agents that we have."

2. Sleep well.

Sleep is our time to recover from the day—stressors and all. And without adequate rest (seven to nine hours a night in most people), research shows that telomere length tends to decrease (in men, at least). Getting enough sleep, on the other hand, seems to help us recover from some of the excess inflammation spurred by stress. Unfortunately, sleep usually takes a hit during stressful periods. To help give your body the rest it needs, check out these sleep-psychologist-approved tips for falling asleep when the mind is racing.

3. Eat a healthy diet.

A well-balanced plate packed with plants, fermented foods, fiber, and anti-inflammatory spices may not be what the mind wants following periods of high stress, but it's what the body needs. Like exercise, a healthy diet can reduce inflammation and seems to play a protective role in telomere health.

4. Seek social support.

Finally, people who have larger social networks and feel fulfilled in their relationships tend to have lower levels of inflammatory proteins  and be less at risk for biological aging. "Being socially integrated makes us feel more secure and safer," O'Donovan says. "Prioritizing those social interactions can really benefit our health."

On the other hand, lower socioeconomic position is tied to increased inflammation—which is why O'Donovan says the No. 1 thing we can do to ease the burden of chronic stress in society is to advocate for policy change.

The bottom line.

We've long known that exercising, sleeping well, eating well, and fostering a fulfilling social life can make us healthier and more resilient in the face of stressors. And now, research suggests they may even help us recover from chronic stress events that actively harm our health.

About the author: mbg Sustainability + Health Director Emma Loewe is the Sustainability Health Director at mindbodygreen and the author of Return to Nature: The New Science of How Natural Landscapes Restore Us. She is also the co-author of The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide To Ancient Self Care, which she wrote alongside Lindsay Kellner.

Learn about meditation and about Reiki for stress relief.

3) 5 HOME REMEDIES TO HELP PREVENT SPLIT ENDS
By Sneha Das

Split ends occur when your hair lacks adequate moisture or nourishment. Excessive use of chemicals or styling tools like hair curlers and straighteners can lead to split ends. Exposure to pollution, heat, and dust can also take away the moisture from your hair. While trimming and oiling your hair can help prevent it, here are five home remedies to get rid of split ends.

Food for hair: Egg yolk hair mask

Egg yolk acts as a superfood for your mane and helps cure dry and frizzy hair, giving it a healthy shine. Packed with essential vitamins and protein, it prevents split ends by strengthening the hair strands. Mix together egg yolk, olive oil, honey, and almond oil, and apply this mask to your hair. Wait for 30-45 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

Age-old remedy: Coconut oil hair massage

This age-old remedy of massaging your hair with coconut oil will not only reduce split ends but will also moisturize and nourish your mane. It will also make your hair grow faster, thicker, and longer. Massage warm coconut oil into your hair, including the tips. Cover your hair with a shower cap for 30 minutes. Wash off the oil with normal water.

Stimulates sebum production: Papaya hair pack

Loaded with vitamin A and other essential nutrients, papaya stimulates sebum production and keeps your hair follicles strong, moisturized, and nourished. It repairs damaged hair and promotes growth while preventing split ends. It also revitalizes your hair and makes it shiny. Mix together mashed papaya and yogurt, apply it to your hair and keep it on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with normal water.

Hair moisturizer: Honey hair mask

Packed with emollient and humectant properties, honey acts as a great hair moisturizer and prevents a dry scalp. It smoothens and strengthens the hair follicles and adds shine and luster to dull hair. The antibacterial properties of honey also keep your scalp clean and fresh. Mix together honey, curd, and olive oil and massage it onto your hair. Wash off after 20-25 minutes.

Nourishes hair: Aloe vera hair pack When it comes to reducing split ends, aloe vera is one of the most effective remedies you can try. It acts as a natural moisturizer and repairs damaged hair. The proteolytic enzymes in aloe vera eliminate dead cells on the scalp and promote hair growth. Extract the gel out of aloe vera leaves and apply it to your hair. Wash off after 30-40 minutes.

About the author: Sneha Das is a lifestyle writer at NewsBytes. She had started her career with NewsBytes and her work has focused on national and lifestyle news. She has previously worked as an intern with The Sakal Times, The Logical Indian, and 91.9 Friends FM. She has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Calcutta.

4) UPCOMING NO COST ONLINE EVENTS: CHECK OUT THE LATEST , EXCITING OFFERINGS

I am excited to invite you to check out the following online events:

You can sign up even when the event is over or you are not able to attend. You will get access to the recording.

Beyond the Veil Summit , October 31 – November 4 ;This summit gives you access to revered wisdom traditions and practical modern teachings that encourage you to embrace the grieving process, bringing closure, peace, and acceptance in the arenas of death and the afterlife. Expect to emerge transformed — without fear of the unknown holding you back from embodying your fullest expression of this amazing life you’ve been given.

7 Keys to Navigate the Sea of Consciousness & Accelerate Your Innate Mediumship Skills :Tuesday, December 6

 Rediscover the Generosity, Generativity & Awe of the Winter Solstice Through Long-Lost Celtic & Christian Rituals . On Tuesday, October 18, with Alexander John Shaia, PhD, ritualist and teacher of mystical spirituality, you’ll explore where Celtic and Christian rituals have converged throughout time to create our most beloved Christmas traditions — and learn long-lost practices for reconnecting with the Earth and the sanctity of the holiday season. 

The Kinēsa™ Process — Move Into Your Freedom: Experience the Healing Power of a New Synthesis of Feldenkrais®-Inspired Somatic Movement, Ancient Visdom & Modern Science: Lavinia will guide you through an introduction to this life-changing work — and give you a taste of the benefits that are possible by guiding you through a seated Kinēsa movement practice that uses Attention to transform painful Sensations and Emotions into freedom, flexibility, and relief. 

The Hidden Key to Receiving Accurate Higher Guidance & Clear Intuition: Open the Lesser-Known Alta Major Chakra to Enhance Your Health & Improve Your Life

Activate Your Body’s Miraculous Healing Abilities Using the Language of Energy

Beyond Trauma to Healing & Happiness: Thrive in Life by Removing the Roadblocks That Impede Your Post-Traumatic Growth

Discover the Science Behind Your Heart’s Intelligence: Experience a Heart Coherence Practice to Shift from Stress & Negativity to Calm & Wellbeing. 

Supercharge Your Chakra Practice: How to Heal Your Energy Centers & Unleash the Full Power of Your Life Force.

For more information and to check out other upcoming courses and events go here. New programs are added frequently.

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PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!

Thank you for reading.

Livia
www.natural-health-and-healing.com

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 advises 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.