February 2020

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

IN THIS ISSUE:

1) WHAT ARE EAR SEEDS?

2) BONE HEALTH: REDUCE YOUR RISK OF OSTEOPOROSIS

3) HONEY FOR RADIANT SKIN

4) UPCOMING NO COST ONLINE EVENTS

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1) WHAT ARE EAR SEEDS?
by Leah Groth

It looks like ears have a new trendy accessory for 2020—and they might actually have some health benefits, too.

Ear seeds—the attention-grabbing specks strategically placed in and around the ears—have been making the rounds on Instagram lately among wellness gurus and influencers alike. But it turns out these tiny statement pieces do more than add a little sparkle to your daily look. Here, experts explain what exactly ear seeds are, and how they might benefit your overall wellness practice.

What are ear seeds, anyway?

 
So, ear "seeds" is a term used to describe seeds that come from the vaccaria plant, used in place of acupuncture needles in the ear, Tsao-Lin E. Moy, an alternative and Chinese medicine specialist and founder of Integrative Healing Arts, tells Health.

Those seeds, which are small, hard, round objects, can be applied to different pressure points in the ear with adhesive tape, says Moy. The patient can then press the points where the seeds are and stimulate the acupuncture or acupressure points that way.   

This is a type of auricular therapy—an idea rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). "There are mapping systems located on several areas of the body with the ear being one of them that reflects the whole body and organ system,” says Moy. Ear seeds are placed in areas according to the traditional beliefs of the practice, taking into consideration the individual and what they are being treated for. 

“Ear seeds can magnify the effects of acupuncture points and can be used as a stand alone treatment, or as support for a treatment,” she explains. “The ear is a microcosm of the body, similar to reflexology on the hands and feet it is a way to tap into the nervous system and promote self healing.” 

Mona Dan, founder of Vie Healing, a company that makes ear seeds out of gold-plated magnets, adds that these ear seeds—and their position on pressure points—can help regulate the body's nervous system and reflexes. 

So, what can ear seeds do for the body?

According to Moy, ear seeds, along with other forms of auricular therapy, are used to help relieve back pain, neck pain, weight loss, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, depression, stress and many other conditions.

“When your body is in a parasympathetic state which is the processing state, the body is able to properly function, meaning we digest food better, we think more clearly, we respond better to the environment around us, we sleep better and are able to naturally process inflammation, amongst many other benefits,” adds Dan. “They’re great for stress, anxiety, pain, sleep and digestive disturbances and even more.”

Something to note: Like many forms of alternative medicine, the scientific evidence supporting many of the purported health benefits of ear seeds is limited and often overstated, according to a 2014 systematic review in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 

Moy points out, however, that a few preliminary studies have found auricular therapy to be beneficial. One such study, published in the Clinical Journal of Pain found that, combined with exercise, ear acupuncture can help treat chronic low back pain, while another published in the journal Pain Medicine says it can be helpful in treating acute pain.

As far as whether or not you should give ear seeds a try, they're generally safe to use, since they're noninvasive. The seeds themselves, depending on what they're made of, may also cause irritation if you're too often applying pressure, but overall, they're fine to try if you're looking for a more noninvasive approach to acupuncture.

2) BONE HEALTH: REDUCE YOUR RISK OF OSTEOPOROSIS
By Wayne Jonas M.D.

One of the defining factors of aging successfully is the ability to remain physically active later in life. Being able to engage in day-to-day activities and various social gatherings sets a very clear standard of the health required to have the physical independence so many women desire in their later years.

Specifically, this standard is often represented in our bone health, as strong bones allow you the freedom to continue exercising, they reduce your risk of falls (a major risk factor for death in older people), and they afford you the opportunity to remain involved with friends and your larger community.

And building and maintaining bone health, especially for those in their 60s, means lowering the risk of osteoporosis.

An estimated one in four women in the United States over age 65 has osteoporosis, in which bone breaks down faster than it builds, weakening the structure and increasing the risk of fracture. Indeed, a fracture, often of the hip or wrist, is the first sign of osteoporosis.

Determining if you’re at risk for osteoporosis is the first step. American Bone Health offers a risk calculator that you may find useful, but a special x-ray called a DXA scan, which is a type of bone density scan, is your most thorough resource for identifying if you’re at risk or already have the disease.

The next step is two-fold. You will need first to limit the factors that contribute to a higher risk percentage of such diseases like osteoporosis or its precursor, osteopenia, if possible. Things like smoking or not getting enough calcium or vitamin D are relatively straightforward, but others, such as the use of medications like corticosteroids or extended bed rest from physical inactivity, are frequently out of your control.

However, there are numerous other things you can do to preserve and strengthen the bone you have and prevent fractures. Here are a few to consider as you enter your later years (they may sound familiar):

Eating for Bone Health 

Numerous nutrients are key when it comes to building and maintaining bone strength. Two key ones are calcium and vitamin D. While there are plenty of foods high in calcium, it’s harder to get the vitamin D you need from food alone. And without vitamin D, you’re not getting all the benefits of calcium. The two work in sync, and each needs the other to provide their bone-strengthening benefits.

Food sources of vitamin D include beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks. Milk is fortified with vitamin D. If you supplement, the current recommendations are for 600 IU a day for women aged 51 to 70, and 800 IU a day for those aged 71 and older. Your doctor should also regularly test your blood levels of vitamin D to ensure you’re getting enough—but not too much. Most supplements are combined with vitamin K, another important vitamin for bone health.

Exercise 

When it comes to building bone, you need weight-bearing exercises that force you to work against gravity. While walking, climbing stairs, jogging, playing tennis, etc., can help slow bone loss, they don’t do anything to strengthen the bone. For that, you need exercises in which you move against some kind of resistance, such as lifting weights. Even exercises using your own body weight as resistance, such as pushups and planks, can help.

Strengthening the muscles around the bones is also important. For instance, strengthening your back muscles can reduce your risk of vertebral fractures (which lead to that hunched, stooping posture you see in many elderly women).

Tai Chi and Qi Gong

These ancient Asian practices can be thought of as a meditative movement. They incorporate slow, graceful movements with deep breathing and are known for their ability to improve balance, motor function, functional mobility, step length, and cognition. Practicing either can also reduce your risk of falls. Check your local recreation department, YMCA, or senior center for classes.

As women venture into their later years, staying physically active is crucial to enjoying life and remaining in their best health. Understanding and then lowering the risk for osteoporosis can ensure that bone health is maintained and allow those aged 65 or over to continue the process of successfully aging. And with the approaches described here, you may even be able to build upon your bone health and prevent any dangerous slips or falls.

About the Author: Wayne Jonas, M.D., is a professor of medicine at Georgetown University and the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, as well as a retired lieutenant colonel in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army. In Print: How Healing Works: Get Well and Stay Well Using Your Hidden Power to HealOnline: drwaynejonas.com

3) HONEY FOR RADIANT SKIN

Honey  known as the ‘magic potion’ is just not our breakfast cereal or desert but is used   as   an essential ingredient of women beauty regime since ages for external and internal health of the body. Honey , delicious golden liquid  which is  found in almost every kitchen  is also  present in various beauty products  like  face masks, shampoos, lotions, lip balms etc   due to its ability to give you the natural glow.

Honey has been an integral part of our lifestyle since ages right from culinary uses to treating various infections  .Raw honey which  is  used as a taste booster for several  drinks and  treatment of various diseases  .It    contains  antibacterial properties  which    can be used to  get glowing,radiant  and attractive  skin . As a powerhouse of essential nutrients; honey has indeed been a favorite of the nutritionist, dietitians, beauty experts and naturopaths for reasons well-defined .

Honey, the Nectar of God is the purest form of nature’s goodness. Honey has natural healing,   health and beauty benefits .Honey has natural antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Honey has incredible healing properties. It promotes collagen building and what’s more, it  also  gives youthful radiant and supple skin and slow down ageing by  adding  glow in the appearance .

The skin loses moisture to the environment, when humidity is low. Exposure to the sun, over a period of time, also lowers the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Even chlorinated water depletes moisture and cause dryness. The texture can also become rough and vulnerable to early aging signs. Oily skins can also be short of moisture during the dry season.

Actually, honey is a humectant, and attracts moisture to the skin from the atmosphere. In fact, it is one of the most versatile natural products.

All these properties of honey make it an ideal natural cosmetic ingredient. For one thing, it suits all skin types. Being a natural humectant, it draws moisture to the skin and even improves the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture. It relieves dryness, even in extremely dry and dehydrated skins, making the skin soft and smooth. As it contains valuable vitamins, minerals and enzymes, it nourishes the skin when externally applied. It also stimulates, tones and tightens the skin, giving it a fresh and radiant glow.

One of the easiest way to use raw honey is to apply directly on the face in circular motion and keep it in natural environment for half an hour and later wash it off with luk warm water to get supple , soft and attractive skin.

Raw honey  unclog pores while simultaneously moisturize dry  skin.

If you have dry skin, apply honey daily and wash it off with plain water after 20 minutes. You can also mix honey with a few drops of orange juice. Apply this on the face for 20 minutes and wash off with water.

Artificial exfoliators often cause your skin to go red and may cause irritation.   Since raw honey crystallizes over time,  the tiny granules act as a gentle exfoliant.

Mix two spoons honey with one spoon baking soda . Gently rub it on various parts over skin  and rinse it well .Baking soda offers light exfoliation while the honey soothes and smooths the skinWarm the honey in your hands by rubbing it between your fingers first, then apply it directly on the skin in circular motions. Leave it on for a few minutes before massaging it off with wet towel.   And since it's antibacterial, you can use it for your daily face wash.

For dry skin, you can also mix half a teaspoon honey, one teaspoon rose water and one teaspoon dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Remove after 20 minutes with water.Add one-quarter cup of honey to your bath water to relieve dryness and soften the skin on the body.

Once you start dealing with dry winter skin, turn to honey to soothe. Mix two tablespoon of raw honey in hot water mug and let honey dissolve in it completely .Pour the mixture in tub of warm water to soak for 15 minutes  and then add a cup of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda for your final 15 minutes to help rid your body of dead skin cells without irritation.  

Honey suits both oily and combination skin. For oily skin, mix honey with egg white and apply on the skin daily, washing it off after 20 minutes with plain water. Egg white has a cleansing effect, reducing oiliness, while honey will soften the skin and nourish it. If you have a combination skin, apply honey by itself on the entire face, as it would suit both oily and dry areas. 

Honey can also be used on pimple-prone skins and even if there is a severe acne condition. In fact, people with acne often suffer from superficial dryness and flaking of the skin . Mix one teaspoon honey with yogurt and apply on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. It would relieve dryness and also soothe and nourish the skin. Both honey and yogurt have a healing effect on acne.

If you’re suffering from a breakout,  application of honey on skin clear  out any blockages or clogged pores . Apply raw honey on the acne - prone areas. Leave it for 15 – 20 minutes and rinse it off with tap water. Alternatively mix honey with tea tree oil /lavender oil for additional cleansing.Take mixture on cotton wool pad and apply on the face and open areas of skin gently in circular motion and wash it off after half an hour to treat  chronic skin conditions .

Mix three parts honey and one part  pure cinnamon and warm the mixture slightly using low flame . Apply to your skin and leave the mixture on for 15  minutes. Rinse off completely using warm water. Don’t use if you’re allergic to cinnamon.

   
Honey can be useful in face masks, for all skin types. Mix wheat bran (choker) or oatmeal with honey. Rose water can be also be added. Mix into a smooth paste and apply on the face. Wash off when it is dry or after 20 minutes. This mask may be used two or three times a week to keep the skin soft, supple and youthful.

Honey is extremely moisturizing and regular usage will improve your complexion and give it attractive and radiant look.  But since honey has exfoliating properties, it lightens dark spots on your face by eliminating dead skin cells which makes your skin lifeless and dry .Mix one tomato  juice  with a teaspoon of honey and massage it gently for some time and leave it to dry naturally and then rinse it off with clean fresh water to reduce skin tanning and brighten skin conditions . The enzymes in honey go deep into the skin and moisturize it from within .You can use it twice a week .

Add 1 tsp honey to one of the lemon halves. Rub the cut side all over your face. Let it sit 5 minutes and then rinse with warm water. 
The author is international fame beauty expert and is called herbal queen of India

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From Fight-or-Flight to Inner Resilience: Energy Medicine Yoga to Release Stuck Energy & Heal Trauma, Anxiety, and Stress

For more information and to see more 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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