Traditional Naturopath

Lot’s of people take low dosages of Aspirin daily to ward off possible heart attacks at the behest of their physicians. A new study suggests that even this low dosage of Aspirin is not without concerns. It seems that there can be increased incidence of peptic ulcers in patients that take this low dose Aspirin regimen.

Low Dosage Aspirin and Peptic Ulcers

Herbs that benefit and strenthen the heart include: Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycanthus), Garlic (Allium sativum), and Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca).

Green Tea is a very beneficial beverage. There is research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol. Here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful: cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol levels, cariovascular disease, infection, impaired immune function. Now, a new study indicates that Green Tea Extract can be beneficial to Leukemia patients:

Green Tea Extract and Leukemia

“A new case study by Mayo Clinic researchers provides preliminary evidence to suggest a component of green tea may lead to clinical improvement in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Findings are published online in Leukemia Research.

In the small case study, the researchers report on four patients who appeared to have an improvement in the clinical state of their disease after starting over-the-counter products containing epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an extract of green tea. Three of the four patients met the standard criteria used to define a response treatment for clinical trials. These same investigators had previously shown that EGCG kills leukemia cells from patients with CLL in the test tube by interrupting the communication signals they need to survive. That study was published in Blood in 2004.

‘The experience of these individuals provides some suggestion that our previously published laboratory findings may actually translate into clinical effects for patients with this disease,’ says Tait Shanafelt, M.D., Mayo Clinic hematologist and lead author of the article. Despite these encouraging preliminary findings, he urges caution. ‘We do not know how many patients were taking similar products and failed to have any benefit. We also do not yet know the optimal dose that should be used, the frequency with which patients should take the medication, and what side effects will be observed with long-term administration.'”

Natural Health practioners have long recommended natural sunlight as a beneficial daily “supplement” because sunlight produces Vitamin D in the body. Now, studies show that Vitamin D is an aid to correct pulmonary function. It can help you breathe easier!

Sunlight (and Vitamin D) is Good for the Lungs

“Dr. Rosalind Wright, a professor at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, said the vitamin could be an easy way to boost lung function.

‘Vitamin D would be a relatively simple, low-cost intervention that would likely have high compliance to prevent or slow loss of lung function in susceptible subgroups,’ said Wright, who wrote in an editorial accompanying the study.”

Researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Medicine in Stockholm, Sweden studied the association between tea consumption and ovarian cancer in some 61,000 women ages 40-76. They observed a 46 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer in those who consumed two or more cups per day compared to non-drinkers. Additionally, they found an 18 percent lower risk for each additional cup consumed each day.

Tea and Ovarian Cancer Risk

The benefits of cutting out sodas and sugary drinks in favor of tea is growing in documented support. Try sweetening your tea with natural stevia (in small amounts) as well, for additional benefits such as stronger teeth, increased heart muscle strength, and additional chromium in the diet (which helps control blood sugar!)

Yike! The so-called “safe” pain-killer acetaminophen has now been identified as the leading cause of liver failure!

Acetaminophen and Your Liver

“Many of the people who had accidentally poisoned themselves did so by taking just 10 grams of the medication each day for about three days – the equivalent of about 20 pills per day instead of the recommended eight, an overdose that might be less serious with other drugs. Other people had unwittingly taken two products that both contained the drug (Hepatology, vol 42, p 1364).”

Check out this funny Canadian comedy show parody of what is in a flu shot! People interviewed “on the street” were amazed to hear that vaccines contain mercury, and that, even though companies are required to list ingrediants in foods, the government isn’t required to list what is in a flu shot!

What IS in that Flu Shot?

It is funny… but it does make you think as well!

Direct link to video:

Video

Magnesium is a benefit to bone health. Yet, most Americans don’t get enough. The best way to get it into your diet is fresh, green leafy vegetables. However, supplementation can be a benefit, especially if you are already prone to osteoporosis.

Boost Bone Health with Magnesium!

“In a study of more than 2,000 seniors between ages 70-79, researchers found only 25 percent got enough magnesium. Another interesting number: A patient’s body mineral density (BMD) jumps 2 percent for every 100 milligrams of magnesium he or she consumes daily.” – Dr. Mercola

Naturopathy is a philosophy which encompasses a view of life, a model for living a full life. The word naturopathy is a Latin-Greek hybrid which can be defined as “being close to or benefiting from nature.” Stewart Mitchell, Naturopathy: Understanding the Healing Power of Nature

A traditional, classical naturopath specializes in wellness. That is to say, teaching clients how applying natural lifestyle approaches can act to facilitate the body’s own natural healing and health building potential. The classical naturopath does not undertake to “diagnose” or “treat diseases,” but rather recognizes that the majority of sub-health conditions are cumulative lifestyle effects, and that the underlying cause of what we call “disease” (or, “dis-ease”) is improper diet, unhealthy habits, and environmental factors which cause biological imbalances leading to a weakening of the bodies’ natural defenses and subsequent breakdown in health. The practice of Classical, or Traditional, Naturopathy is not considered the practice of medicine and is currently legal in all 50 states.

The practice of Traditional Naturopathy is recognized as a common occupation at the Federal level (U.S. Congress 1928, 1929, 1930 and 30 Federal Court rulings between 1958 and 1978) and as such it is a profession protected under the 14th and 9th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Several states have also made this stipulation either by statute or in the Courts.

All disease (dis-ease) is a “lack of ease” or lack of homeostasis in the body. What Allopathic (medical) doctors call diseases are only symptoms of a greater underlying problem. Disease is nothing more than a manifestation of our bodies trying to correct imbalances. These Imbalances are due to faulty nutritional patterns, improper rest, stress management and other lifestyle considerations which over time can result in a weakening of the body. By the time disease appears on the scene it is very late in the game!

Our body tells us early on when there is a problem and we can either respond to these “messages” or try to suppress the symptoms the body uses to tell us there is a problem. You can take Tylenol, or other drugs, to suppress the symptoms and they will help for a while but, unless the underlying problem is corrected, eventually the symptoms will no longer be suppressed by these drugs and one will need to take stronger and stronger drugs to quiet the body’s message.

Eventually, if the underlying problem has not been addressed, the body will begin to break down structurally. It is at this time modern medicine is finally capable of diagnosing something is really wrong and offer interventions to fix the structure, but still medical doctors fail to address the underlying problem.

Naturopathy concentrates on identifying destructive aspects of the lifestyle in the early phases, when lifestyle changes can occur to bring long-term benefit. Before symptoms manifest and long before a diagnosis can be rendered, these destructive aspects of our lifestyle can be identified and corrected. Once corrected, the body automatically begins to correct itself. Diagnosing disease and illness is totally unnecessary to correcting the underlying problems which result in disease and illness.

A true healer does not waste his time concentrating on naming diseases but rather on identifying those underlying factors, which if not addressed, will eventually result in the manifestation of disease and illness. These factors can be identified and corrected long before it is even possible to make any diagnosis. Even after a diagnosis is made, the same concepts of healing used by Traditional Naturopaths are equally effective, because once balance is restored the body automatically heals itself!

Most “ol’ time” folk healers know the benefits of Aloe Vera. Particularly as a soothing balm (the gel) on burned skin. However, a lot of people that are interested in natural health and alternative remedies are NOT aware that Aloe Vera can also be taken internally as well!

Aloe Vera (barbadensis miller) contains over 20 minerals, all of which are essential to the human body. The human body requires 22 amino acids for good health — eight of which are called “essential” because the body cannot fabricate them. Aloe Vera contains all of these eight essential amino acids, and 11 of the 14 “secondary” amino acids. Aloe Vera has Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E.

Now, you CAN get too much of a “good thing” in this case, as Aloe Vera is also a purgative in large amounts! But, taken in very small amounts, or greatly diluted with distilled water, it can be as soothing to the internal system as it is to external! Aloe is traditionally described as an Emollient, Purgative and Vulnerary. It is also used for its antibacterial, anesthetic and antiseptic properties externally, and is good to use as a tool for restoration of tissue.

Aloe Vera

There is also excellent research being conducted into other uses for Aloe Vera:

Aloe Vera: Myth or Medicine?

This simple, yet beneficial, plant is truly a treasure trove of health benefits!