Acupuncture Presentation at Merging Hearts

Acupuncture in the 21st Century

January 11, 2015 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - 

$5.00
Educational Event | with Michael Vahila, LAC, LMT

Learn about the history and philosophy of acupuncture. We’ll look at how it works, how it is being used in modern times and how it can help you.

ANCIENT MEETS MODERN

In all health care systems there must be a way to evaluate the current state of health. Traditionally, acupuncture uses tongue and pulse to help determine the state of the patient. Over 70 years ago, Dr. Nakatani developed a system that graphically shows how the energy flows in the body.The Acugraph Meridain Imaging System takes advantage of the computer to quickly and graphically show the results. We’ll take a look at the energy of volunteers from the audience.

East Meets West

People in America are still in the process of integrating the “wisdom of the East” into our culture. Western medicine has made great advances in reliving suffering but still comes up short for many people. Come learn about a time tested, natural option for pain, chronic conditions and difficult to treat issues.

Michael Vahila, LAC, LMT

Michael is a National Board Certified Acupuncturist and Licensed Massage Therapist.  In addition to his private practice, he has been teaching massage therapy at Stark State College for over 15 years. On Sunday, January 11, he’ll be sharing the benefits of acupuncture from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Merging Hearts.

For more information contact:  Michael Vahila, LAC, LMT, 330-477-0777

Details

Date:

January 11, 2015

Time:

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Cost:

$5.00

Event Category:

Healing

Event Tags:

acupuncture, group, massage

Venue

Merging Hearts Holistic Center

3751 Burrshire Drive NW, Canton, OH44709 United States

+ Google Map

Phone:

330.451.6214

Website:

http://merginghearts.orgMerging Hearts Holistic Center is a non-profit educational and cultural community offering opportunities to nurture the mind, heal the body and awaken the spirit.

Merging Hearts Holistic Center a non-profit 501-C3. A free-will donation of $5 is suggested for most events & classes at the center. All donations are tax deductible.

Money: Master the Game by Tony Robbins

I don't usually write about money.  My practice is about physical health.  But the reality is, you can't be truly physically healthy if you are not also mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially healthy.

So by way of encouraging you to put a little thought into your financial health, I'd like to recommend a book.  Money: Master the Game is an excellent place to start.  It will save you time and money by taking advantage of the insights Tony Robbins shares.

I've learned the hard way that many of the suggestions Tony doles out are true.  I've paid high fees in mutual funds, chased performance in managed funds, started saving too late, failed to create a plan and be committed consistently to it.  I know I'm not alone in this.  Financial information is contradictory and confusing.  Everybody has a point of view.

There is no "spoiler alert" here.  I won't even begin to boil down the 600 pages for you.  I'll just encourage you to take your time, read it and ACT on it.

So while this is not in my scope of practice to consult with you on money, let me refer you to an expert; Tony Robbins.

Reiki 1 Class January 2015

I've been teaching Reiki since 1993 and have had the honor of teaching hundreds of people in NE Ohio.  I will be offering a Reiki 1 seminar 

Saturday, January 3, 2015  from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 

Sunday, January 4, 2015  from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Learning Reiki was the impetus for me to change directions in my life from music teacher to healing arts. I still feel it is the foundation in my work as an acupuncturist and massage therapist. It is truly a gift.

What initially attracted me was the possibility of doing self treatment. Little did I know it would become a powerful force for many wonderful avenues of growth in my life.

A new year is coming up.  I can't think of a better way to start it than with adding a wonderful energy to support all aspects of your growth.

Reiki (pronounced ray’-key) is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Energy. The Usui System of Reiki was born out of the experience and dedication of Dr. Mikao Usui in the late 1800’s. It provides a means of accessing and focusing this energy for personal well-being and growth.

Reiki helps balance physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy. It is a powerful tool for health and wellness, stress reduction and self-care. This natural healing art supports the body’s ability to heal physical ailments and may open the mind to the root causes of disease and pain.

Reiki can be effectively incorporated into the healing arts practiced by massage therapists, nurses, counselors and physicians. Anyone can easily learn to use this holistic tool to create balanced wellness in life.

In the First Degree weekend seminar you will learn the history of Reiki, how to treat yourself and others, and the five precepts of Reiki. This is a relaxed, experiential workshop with time practicing and sharing your experience.

Course fee is $250 and may qualify for CEU's for health professionals. 

Give me a call at 330-477-0777 for more info.

Auriculotherapy

The good folks at Miridia Technology do excellent client education.  Here is a reprint from their Auriculotherapy series.

What is Auriculotherapy?

Auriculotherapy gets its name from the "Auricle" which is the anatomic name for the external ear.

Auriculotherapy techniques use special locations, or points, on the skin of the ear to diagnose and treat pain and medical conditions of the body. This method is used world wide by tens of thousands of practitioners to bring effective relief for a wide variety of conditions, including pain, dysfunction, injuries, addictions, and internal disorders.

Depending on the country and practitioner, Auriculotherapy is sometimes also referred to as Auricular Medicine, or Auricular Acupuncture.  Whether used in conjunction with another treatment or by itself, auriculotherapy is often effective when other treatments have failed, or in conjunction with other treatment types. Best of all, auriculotherapy is safe, non-invasive and has no side effects.

Where did it come from?

Auriculotherapy has been used as a form of health care for thousands of years all over the world. Ancient records from China, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia all indicate treatments applied to the ear for a variety of problems. In fact, the world-wide custom of wearing decorative ear rings may have originated as an early form of auricular health care.

Modern auriculotherapy got its start in the early 1950's when a French neurologist named Dr. Paul Nogier observed the occurrence of scars on the ears of patients who were successfully treated by French lay practitioners for back pain. He investigated these ear scars and found this type of treatment had a very high success rate.

Dr. Nogier then spent his career researching and developing the map of reflex points on the ear, based upon the concept of an Inverted Fetus arrangement. He eventually discovered over 200 auricular points and their corresponding effects.

Today Auriculotherapy research continues, with major advancements in the study and placement of ear reflex points, as well as scientific documentation of this technique's effectiveness. Auriculotherapy is now accepted worldwide as a valuable and effective procedure for many conditions.

Facts about Auriculotherapy

As research has uncovered more information about this amazing therapy, certain interesting facts have emerged. Let's look at a few examples:

Stimulation of certain points on the ear changes the cardiac pulse within a few seconds.
Auriculotherapy tends to not only eliminate pain, but also stimulate healing of the affected body part.
It is possible to locate problems in the body with up to 75% accuracy, merely by examining the ear.
Experienced practitioners report an 86% success rate using auriculotherapy to help patients quit smoking.
Auriculotherapy treatment for drug addiction provides a substantially lower relapse rate than non-auricular addiction treatments.

Auriculotherapy is a natural complement to many types of healthcare, including acupuncture, chiropractic, western medicine, naturopathy, physical therapy and even psychotherapy. Auriculotherapy is often helpful for many health conditions, both physical and mental and nearly any body part can be treated from the ear.

Some of the most successful uses of Auriculotherapy include the areas of addiction, pain management, musculoskeletal injuries, mental health, and internal disorders, though it has been successfully applied to nearly any problem imaginable. Published protocols are available for several hundred specific problems.

What should I expect?

Your auriculotherapy treatment will begin with your practitioner's examination of one or both of your ears. Examination techniques include probing for tender areas or testing with an electronic device. Specific charts of common points related to your condition will likely also be consulted and compared with your exam findings.
When your practitioner has identified the reflex points applicable to your condition, treatment will begin.

Possible treatment techniques, include acupressure, acupuncture with tiny needles, laser stimulation, electrical stimulation, colored light therapy, or even heat therapy. Most types of treatment are relatively comfortable and brief. If your practitioner opts to use acupuncture needles, they will be small, sterile, and usually painless.
Regardless of the treatment technique used, auriculotherapy is extremely safe and natural. The only known side effects of auriculotherapy are all positive and include enhanced mood, better sleep, and even decreases in non-related symptoms.

Auriculotherapy treatment often takes effect within a few seconds or minutes, and may be effective for days, weeks, or even longer. Some conditions may respond to only one treatment, while others may require multiple treatments. Your practitioner will give you a better idea of how many treatments are expected for your particular condition.

Your practitioner may also attach temporary beads or tacks to your ear to provide continued stimulation over the course of several days. If so, you'll be given specific instructions about how to use these items and when to remove them.

How can I get more information?

Call Vahila Acupuncture and Massage Therapy at 330-477-0777

Chronic Pain and Aging

A good part of my acupuncture practice is patients over 60.  (I'm almost 60 myself!)  They often present with many complex conditions in addition to their pain. 

Diabetes, cancer, and other conditions are present and yet they need additional support for their pain.  Often I'm asked if there is evidence that acupuncture will help them.  Here is a study from PubMed to address that question.

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2014 Nov 5. [Epub ahead of print]

Effective chronic low back pain and knee pain treatment with acupuncture in geriatric patients.

Cevik C1, An I L A2, Işeri SO3.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The most common disease of the older age group in Turkey is degenerative articular disease and pain associated with the disease. Analgesics and physical therapy are preferred treatment for geriatric chronic pain but suffering from multiple medical and nutritional problems in old ages can limit treatment options with analgesics due to an increased risk of adverse effects and drug interactions.

OBJECTIVES:

We aim to show the effect of acupuncture on back-pain and knee-pain treatment of elderly people.

METHODS:

The study includes 34 patients, 24 female and 8 male. The mean age was 69.0417 ± 8.95 years for females and 73.12 ± 8.95.24 years for males. Every two days for a total of 10 sessions acupuncture treatment to Yintang, Ht 7 (Shenmen), LI 4 (Hegu), Ki 3 (Taixi) and Ki 6 were found to significantly reduce pain scores of patients.

RESULTS:

Mean back pain scores (8.8696 ± 1.546) and mean knee pain scores (9.1304 ± 1.4239) of patients were reduced significantly to 2.1739 ± 1.466 and 1.455 ± 0.7; p< 0.001 respectively after the acupuncture treatment.

CONCLUSION:

These are important results as they give rationale to use acupuncture treatment widely in chronic low back pain and knee pain in the geriatric group of patients to reduce the side effects of polypharmacy in elderly.

Acupuncture and Menopause

People often ask if there is any research to validate acupuncture.  There is an enormous volume of research.  Below is a study on acupuncture and menopause.

A comparison of acupuncture and oral estradiol treatment of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Wyon Y, Wijma K, Nedstrand E, Hammar M.
Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Linkoping, Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of electro-acupuncture with oral estradiol and superficial needle insertion on hot flushes in postmenopausal women. 

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms were randomized to electro-acupuncture, superficial needle insertion or oral estradiol treatment during 12 weeks, with 6 months' follow-up. The number and severity of flushes were registered daily and the Kupperman index and a general estimate of climacteric symptoms were completed before, during and after therapy. 

RESULTS: In the electro-acupuncture group, the mean number of flushes/24 h decreased from 7.3 to 3.5 (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Eleven of the 15 women had at least a 50% decrease in number of flushes (with a mean decrease of 82%). 

Superficial needle insertion decreased the number of flushes/24 h from 8.1 to 3.8 (p < 0.001). In seven out of 13 women, the number of flushes decreased by at least 50% (mean decrease 83%). In the estrogen group, the number of flushes decreased from 8.4 to 0.8 (p < 0.001). The decrease in number of flushes persisted during the 24-week follow-up period in all treatment groups. 

The Kupperman index and the general climacteric symptom score decreased, and remained unchanged 24 weeks after treatment in all groups (p < 0.001).

Electro- acupuncture decreased the number of flushes/24 h significantly over time, but not to the same extent as the estrogen treatment. No significant difference in effect was found between electro-acupuncture and the superficial needle insertion. 

CONCLUSION: We suggest that acupuncture is a viable alternative treatment of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.
.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 15497904 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

Headaches: Acupuncture With Meds

Results of a published British study show that acupuncture combined with drugs works better than conventional medical treatment alone to treat chronic headaches, many of which are migraines. 

Researchers tested 401 patients who reported having headaches several days every week. 

They found that those who received the combination of acupuncture plus drugs reported fewer and less-intense headaches than those who were given drug treatment only. Those who participated in the acupuncture group had up to 12 treatments over three months.

At the end of the study, researchers noted that the patients who had acupuncture claimed 22 fewer days of headaches per year, used 15-percent less medication, made 25-percent fewer visits to their doctors, and lost fewer work days than the other group.

Results of the research were published in the March 15, 2004, online issue of the British Medical Journal. 

We use a multi-faceted approach to headaches using acupuncture, massage therapy and patient education.  For evaluation and treatment call 330-477-0777.

Acupuncture in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

If you suffer from the pain or fatigue associated with fibromyalgia, you may want to consider receiving acupuncture. A Mayo Clinic study suggests that this traditional Chinese therapy can temporarily relieve muscle discomfort, loss of energy, anxiety and other symptoms of fibromyalgia. 

The good news is that researchers are suggesting that ongoing acupuncture may offer lasting relief to some patients who aren't helped by traditional treatments for fibromyalgia, such as antidepressants, stress management and aerobic exercise. 

Here is the study published in PubMed:

Mayo Clin Proc. 2006 Jun;81(6):749-57.

Improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms with acupuncture: results of a randomized controlled trial.

Martin DP1, Sletten CD, Williams BA, Berger IH.

Author information

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To test the hypothesis that acupuncture improves symptoms of fibromyalgia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We conducted a prospective, partially blinded, controlled, randomized clinical trial of patients receiving true acupuncture compared with a control group of patients who received simulated acupuncture. All patients met American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia and had tried conservative symptomatic treatments other than acupuncture. We measured symptoms with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Multidimensional Pain Inventory at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 1 month and 7 months after treatment. The trial was conducted from May 28, 2002, to August 18, 2003.

RESULTS:

Fifty patients participated in the study: 25 in the acupuncture group and 25 in the control group. Total fibromyalgia symptoms, as measured by the FIQ, were significantly improved in the acupuncture group compared with the control group during the study period (P = .01). The largest difference in mean FIQ total scores was observed at 1 month (42.2 vs 34.8 in the control and acupuncture groups, respectively; P = .007). Fatigue and anxiety were the most significantly improved symptoms during the follow-up period. However, activity and physical function levels did not change. Acupuncture was well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects.

CONCLUSION:

This study paradigm allows for controlled and blinded clinical trials of acupuncture. We found that acupuncture significantly improved symptoms of fibromyalgia. Symptomatic improvement was not restricted to pain relief and was most significant for fatigue and anxiety.

So, if you need additional support for Fibromyalgia, give us a call at 330-477-0777 for a personal evaluation and treatment.  We have extensive experience treating this challenging condition.

Rapid Release Technology

Vahila Acupuncture and Massage Therapy now has a revolutionary pain relief treatment.  This new therapy uses High Speed Compression waves which emanate at a frequency that resonates with scar tissue adhesions.   Scar tissue adhesions are dense leftover tissue from repetitive stress, injury or surgery, that leaves “spot welds” in tissue that shouldn't be connected.  This can result in chronic pain and limit range of motion.

This is a new era in pain treatment technology.   The best part about it is that it is quick, painless and provides lasting results.  It also allows us to treat conditions that we were previously unable to help.

In addition to relieving pain, the device also initiates the “Tonic Vibration Reflex” which instantly relaxes muscle fibers, releasing spasms and cramps as well as relaxing tight muscles.  This Rapid Release (TM) therapy device is the only device on the market that works at a speed sufficient to trigger the Tonic Vibration Reflex.

The tiny stroke and multiple treatment heads on the device makes it comfortable to use just about anyplace on the body.  It generally feels like a rigorous massage and is tolerable by anyone who likes massage.  We think that is feels great and we use it on ourselves regularly.

If you have had a difficult to treat condition, give us a call at 330-477-0777 to see if Rapid Release Technology will help.

Click here to see more at the Rapid Release website.

Reiki Seminar January 2015

I've been teaching Reiki since 1993 and have had the honor of teaching hundreds of people in NE Ohio.  I will be offering a Reiki 1 seminar 

Saturday, January 3, 2015  from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 

Sunday, January 4, 2015  from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Learning Reiki was the impetus for me to change directions in my life from music teacher to healing arts. I still feel it is the foundation in my work as an acupuncturist and massage therapist. It is truly a gift.

What initially attracted me was the possibility of doing self treatment. Little did I know it would become a powerful force for many wonderful avenues of growth in my life.

A new year is coming up.  I can't think of a better way to start it than with adding a wonderful energy to support all aspects of your growth.

Reiki (pronounced ray’-key) is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Energy. The Usui System of Reiki was born out of the experience and dedication of Dr. Mikao Usui in the late 1800’s. It provides a means of accessing and focusing this energy for personal well-being and growth.

Reiki helps balance physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy. It is a powerful tool for health and wellness, stress reduction and self-care. This natural healing art supports the body’s ability to heal physical ailments and may open the mind to the root causes of disease and pain.

Reiki can be effectively incorporated into the healing arts practiced by massage therapists, nurses, counselors and physicians. Anyone can easily learn to use this holistic tool to create balanced wellness in life.

In the First Degree weekend seminar you will learn the history of Reiki, how to treat yourself and others, and the five precepts of Reiki. This is a relaxed, experiential workshop with time practicing and sharing your experience.

Course fee is $250 and may qualify for CEU's for health professionals. 

Give me a call at 330-477-0777 for more info.

Castor Oil Packs

What is Castor Oil?  Castor oil has a long history of traditional medical use dating back to ancient Egypt. Castor oil is derived from the castor bean (Ricinus communes.)

What is a Castor Oil Pack?  A castor oil pack involves the use of cloth soaked in castor oil which is placed on the skin. It's used by some alternative practitioners to enhance circulation and to promote the healing of the tissues and organs underneath the skin.

How is a Castor Oil Pack Made?  Castor oil packs are made by soaking a piece of flannel in castor oil and placing it on the skin. The flannel is covered with a sheet of plastic, and then a hot water bottle is placed over the plastic to heat the pack.

A castor oil pack can be placed on the following body regions:

The right side of the abdomen. Castor oil packs are sometimes recommended by alternative practitioners as part of a liver detox program.

Inflamed and swollen joints, bursitis, and muscle strains.

The abdomen to relieve constipation and other digestive disorders.

The lower abdomen in cases of menstrual irregularities and uterine and ovarian cysts.

Safety  Castor oil should not be taken internally. It should not be applied to broken skin. It should not be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or during menstruation.

Materials

Undyed wool or cotton flannel large enough to cover the affected area
Castor oil
Plastic wrap cut one to two inches larger than the flannel (can be cut from a plastic bag)
Hot water bottle
Container with lid
Old clothes and sheets. Castor oil will stain clothing and bedding.

Method

1. Place the flannel in the container. Soak it in castor oil so that it is saturated, but not dripping.

2. Place the pack over the affected body part.

3. Cover with plastic.

4. Place the hot water bottle over the pack. Leave it on for 45-60 minutes. Rest while the pack is in place.

5. After removing the pack, cleanse the area with a dilute solution of water and baking soda.

6. Store the pack in the covered container in the refrigerator. Each pack may be reused up to 25-30 times.


Edgar Cayce frequently suggested castor oil packs for a wide variety of conditions.  You can learn more about him at http://www.edgarcayce.org.

Bach Flower Essences

What are They?  Developed by Dr. Edward Bach in the early 1930's, these homeopathic remedies gently balance emotions that can give rise to physical and mental symptoms. Go to bachflower.com for more information.

My experience with them is that they can help take the edge off strong emotions or stress. 

How to Use: Put 2 to 4 drops in a glass of water and sip throughout the day or take directly under the tongue.

Choosing the Essence: Read through the brief descriptions and check the ones that apply to you. You may use up to 6 at a time. Choose only the ones that seem most relevant for you at the time. There are many books on the subject that provide more information on these remedies.

Agrimony One who wears a cheerful, carefree mask to conceal troubles, rarely imposing their problems on others. Finds arguments distressing. May turns to alcohol, drugs, food or work to escape pain.

Aspen When vague fears suddenly and unexpectedly arise for no apparent reason. For apprehension. 

Beech If the habits, idiosyncrasies, or differences of others are annoying. If critical of others and unable to see past their faults. For intolerance.

Centaury For difficulty' saying no. If you often deny yourself for the sake of others. Always tries to please others. Easily exploited.

Cerato For lack of confidence in making decisions. If you turn to others for input and are often misguided.

Cherry Plum For the fear of impulsively doing something known to be wrong. Feeling out of control. For some compulsions and obsessions.

Chestnut Bud For one who repeatedly makes the same mistakes, and never learns from the past. If you repeat destructive patterns of behavior and/or relationships.

Chicory If you need to be over-involved in the lives of others, constantly wanting loved ones nearby. Possessive.

Clematis For one who withdraws into a fantasy world to escape present unhappiness. Feeling dreamy, drowsy and preoccupied. Enjoys sleep.

Crab Apple For poor self-image. If ashamed of physical condition and/or appearance. For feelings of shame and uncleanness. For cleansing.

Elm If feeling overwhelmed and burdened by responsibilities. If feeling down because a task seems too difficult and not within anyone's power to complete.

Gentian If easily discouraged by small problems that cause you to hesitate, doubt yourself and feel depressed. If you tend to make "mountains out of molehills." Pessimist.

Gorse When feeling hopeless and in despair. Giving up - believing nothing can be done.

Heather Need to constantly talk about oneself with anyone who will listen. Often unhappy when alone for any period of time. Uninterested in what others have to say.

Holly For hatred, jealousy, or envy that stems from a strong need and desire for more love. Suffering within - often with no real cause for this unhappiness.

Honeysuckle For one who dwells too much on past happiness, lost loved ones or ambitions that never came to pass and never expects to be happy again.

Hornbeam If one doubts that they have the strength, mentally or physically, to carry on normal daily activities, yet they always manage to get things done. For fatigue and tiredness often due to boredom.

Impatiens For quick decision makers impatient and irritable when dealing with those slower than themselves. Prefer working alone at their own pace.

Larch If you lack confidence in yourself or your abilities. For feelings that you cannot do as well as others. If expectations of failure leads to insufficient attempts to succeed.

Mimulus When fearful of something found in everyday life. For example, fear of the dark, public speaking, heights, growing old and being alone, etc. Phobias.

Mustard For feelings of gloom or despair that come and go with no known reason. Feeling overshadowed by a dark cloud.

Oak For "fighters" who never give up despite illness or hardship. Even in the face of a lost cause. Strong "plodders" whom others depend on.

Olive For feelings of mental and physical exhaustion, as a result of suffering under adverse conditions such as an illness or ordeal. Everything seems an effort. Vitality is drained. Nothing brings enjoyment.

Pine For feelings of guilt. For those who blame themselves for the mistakes of others. If never content with one's efforts or the results. Often perfectionists.

Red Chestnut Excessive worry about the well being of others. Constantly anticipating the worst will happen to them.

Rock Rose When feeling very frightened or terrified. Effective in the event of an accident, emergency, or sudden illness.

Rock Water For those who are too hard on themselves. Following a way of life or religion strictly, denying oneself life's pleasures to set an example for others.

Scleranthus If making up your mind is difficult and you are unable to decide between two things. For mood swings. For the feeling of being "out of balance."

Star of Bethlehem For the trauma experienced during or after receiving serious or sad news, loss of a loved one, or fright following an accident. For refusing to be consoled. For traumas of the past. Grief.

Sweet Chestnut If you feel like you've reached the limits of your endurance. Great mental despair when anguish seems to be unbearable.

Vervain If you feel a burning need to convince and convert others to your ideas. When over enthusiasm sabotages efforts, hindering rather than helping.

Vine For the confident, capable, self-assured that are often thought to be demanding and domineering. Born leaders.

Walnut Useful for those experiencing periods of transition and adjustments to new beginnings. Assists in adapting to new environments and situations such as divorce, new job, or move. Can protect you from other peoples' negativity, peer pressure or the strong influence of another.

Water Violet For those who are independent, capable, and self-reliant. Loners, who often appear aloof. Others find them remote, unapproachable and difficult to befriend.

White Chestnut If experiencing unwanted recurring thoughts and mental arguments that play continuously in your mind like a broken record and often causes sleeplessness.

Wild Oat For those feeling frustrated because of the feeling that they need to do something with their lives but they have no certain direction. "Lost souls" who have yet to find their niche in life.

Wild Rose If resigned to drift through life, making no effort to improve your situation or find joy. "Stuck in a rut". Quietly accepting what life has in store.

Willow For those suffering from adversity or misfortune which is felt to be unjust. Resentful, self-pitying and often bitter.

Rescue Remedy A combination of 5 of the essences: Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, cherry Plum, Rock Rose and Clematis. It is useful for general stress, emergencies and first aid. Also available in topical
cream, lozenges and a spray bottle.

Disclaimer: The above information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for conventional medical advice or treatment. Consult your doctor.

Aromatherapy for Headaches and Migraines

Headaches are on of the most common ailments.  They are not caused by a deficiency of aspirin or Tylenol.  There are many causes, but muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and sub-occipital muscles, are often aggravating factors.

Massage therapy can be very helpful.  Also, self massage with some essential oils can be soothing. 

• Fill a small glass, 1oz. jar or bottle approximately 2/3 full with Almond Oil or other carrier oil.

Add:
• 6 drops Lavender Oil
• 6 drops Clary Sage Oil
• Cover and shake. Check the fragrance of the oil.

To use: Apply to temples and areas of pain and tension. Massage lightly. 

Other aromatherapy oils for headaches:

• Peppermint
• Jasmine
• Eucalyptus

• Melissa

• Rosemary 


Feel free to use any other oils you find helpful.  If headaches are persistent, consider seeing a professional massage therapist or acupuncturist for more specific suggestions and treatments for your headaches.  Trigger points often cause headaches and a professional can treat them effectively.

Foods to Soothe Cold and Flu

It's that time of year and many people come down with the annual cold or flu.  In the spirit of "let food be your medicine" here are 3 delicious recipes  that will soothe your symptoms.  Of course, see your doctor if symptoms are severe.

Let's start with a variation on an old standby; chicken soup.  While it would be great to make it from scratch, when you are feeling under the weather, it may be easier to start with a can of organic chicken soup or broth.

Souped up Chicken Soup to Help Boost the Immune System

• 1 can organic chicken soup

• 3 slices of Astragalus.  If you can't find the raw herb you may be able to find Astragalus tea in a health food store.  Brew a strong cup of the tea and add it to the soup.

• 1 tsp. olive oil

• a few shiitake mushrooms 

• 1 tsp. chopped ginger or a 1/2 tsp. of dried ginger powder
• 1 to 4 cloves of garlic
• simmer 30 minutes until the mushrooms are done

Dry Cough Pear and Almond Soup

• 5 ripe pears
  
• 2 quarts of water
  
• honey
  
• fresh mint leaves
  
• 4 handfulls of almonds (chopped)
  

Cut pears in half and remove stems and seeds. Chop into small pieces. Combine pears, almonds and water in medium sized saucepan. Bring to boil, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Add honey and mint to taste. Drink one to two cups daily to enhance the Lung function and prevent dry coughs. 

Cold Relief Soup

• 2 cloves of garlic
  
• 1 chopped scallion
  
• 1 Tbsp. miso paste
  
• 4 cups of water
  
• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger
  Add all ingredients, bring to boil, simmer for 15 minutes. Drink 1 cup every hour. You will begin to sweat.
  
  Bon appetite'
  
  
  Sources: Chinese Home Remedies. Wang, L., New Page Books, 2005. Secrets of Healing. Ni, Dr. M., Avery Press, 2008.