Fresh Garlic. This strongly antibacterial herb helps kill the bacteria that cause gastric ulcers, can mildly lower blood pressure and VLDL cholesterol levels and can thin blood.

Cinnamon. Another antibacterial herb, cinnamon can be used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throats. It mildly lowers blood sugar levels, enhances digestion and improves peripheral circulation.

Turmeric. As a strong anti-inflammatory herb, turmeric is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It may also help relieve symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel disease.

Sage. Contains a variety of antioxidants and antioxidant phytochemicals. Combined with echinacea sage can help with a viral or bacterial sore throat. It enhances cognitive function and is effective for relieving some symptoms of menopause, especially when combined with the herbs chaste tree and Motherwort.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is recurring pain that can be continuous or intermittent and lasts longer than six months. According to Prescription for Nutritional Healing, headaches, including migraines, as well as backache and arthritis qualify as chronic pain. Often, chronic pain can be better treated by holistic pain management.
Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice. At the core of acupuncture philosophy is the belief that chi, also known as life force or energy, can flow freely or can become blocked at points along meridians. Each meridian, or pathway, is associated with an organ. When chi flows freely, the person experiences wellness. When chi is blocked, different ailments can occur. Acupuncture uses a painless method incorporating needles. They are inserted at designated locations on the body. The ailment determines placement of the needles. Acupuncturists often recommend herbs to aid acupuncture’s healing effects.

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Herbs

Herbal remedies may be among the best-known holistic means to manage chronic pain. Used throughout the ages by cultures around the world, herbs can offer relief for myriad painful conditions. Some of the most popular herbal remedies include angelica, cramp bark, kava kava, rosemary and valerian root. These herbs treat cramps and muscle spasms. Tea can be made with catnip, licorice or wood betony, to name only three herbs, to ease nerve pain and tension. Capsaicin, found in cayenne pepper, can relieve rheumatoid arthritis and neuralgia, among other painful conditions. Butterbur is gaining attention for its effective treatment and prevention of migraine headaches. Seek the advice of an herbalist or an acupuncturist for guidance.
Massage

Massage is body work. A massage therapist manipulates muscles and soft tissues. The therapy can ease muscle pain, headaches and a variety of other chronically painful conditions. Massage allows muscles to relax and promotes lymphatic circulation, which reduces inflammation. Massage encourages blood flow through muscles and can aid sinus drainage. Massage is not appropriate for all people, however, especially those with vascular problems. The many forms of massage used to relieve chronic pain include deep tissue massage, neuromuscular massage, reflexology and shiatsu.
Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapists suggest suffering subjects into a positive state of mind. It creates relaxation, which is fertile territory for receptivity to positive suggestions. A hypnotherapist or a doctor provides a subject with suggestions that distract the mind from its focus on pain. Hypnosis can manage back and joint pain, migraines, and other types of chronic pain. Only use the services of a certified hypnotherapist.

Read more: Holistic Medicine for Chronic Pain | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5166094_holistic-medicine-chronic-pain.html#ixzz1p5t3RGq7

The World Health Organization has predicted that by 2030, more people will be affected by depression than any other health problem. Yet of all the dysfunctions of modern medicine, the way we treat depression may be the worst.

As I outlined in “Are You Depressed, Or Just Human?” normal changes in mood are often labeled as depression, leading to an overdiagnosis of the condition. But even if the patient is truly depressed, the prescribed treatment is almost always limited to a potent pharmaceutical. In other words, a complex, multifaceted problem is frequently treated with an oversimplified, expensive therapy that, sadly, is often ineffective.

The reason? Money. Our profit-driven medical system makes it difficult for doctors to spend enough time with patients to make a correct diagnosis and to craft truly individualized treatments. Also, patients themselves often demand the drugs they have seen advertised, and overworked, harried doctors frequently go along.

There is another reason for this regrettable situation. Many physicians are not trained in other treatment options for depression, though these can be safe, inexpensive and highly effective. So even if both physician and patient favor an alternative to drugs, they often lack the knowledge to employ it.

Whenever I write about mental health and integrative therapies, I am accused of being prejudiced against pharmaceuticals. So let me be clear – integrative medicine is the judicious application of both conventional and evidence-based natural therapies. For some mental health conditions, pharmaceuticals can literally be lifesavers, and they can be all or part of an integrative solution to mental health conditions. The point of integrative mental health is not to exclude pharmaceuticals but to make them one option out of many, so that each patient receives an individualized treatment plan that maximizes reward and minimizes risk. I believe that this commonsense approach will make integrative mental health treatment the preferred modality in the years to come.

At the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, the program I founded in 1994 at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, we’re working hard to promote this. Here are a few of the therapeutic options for depression that we teach.

Nutritional approaches:

Omega-3 fatty acids: Studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may be helpful in relieving mild to moderate depression. Fish oil is an excellent source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential fatty acid found in nerve and brain tissue. I recommend doses of fish oil supplements in the range of 2,000- 3,000 mg per day of EPA+DHA.

Vitamin D: Deficiency has been associated with depression, as well as a host of other diseases. I now routinely recommend 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, taken with the largest meal.

St. John’s wort: This herbal remedy that has long been used in Europe as a treatment for mood disorders. Standardized extracts have shown an effectiveness greater than that of a placebo in the treatment of mild to moderate forms of depression. It should not be taken with anti-retroviral medications, birth control pills, or antidepressant medications, especially SSRIs such as Prozac or Celexa. Try 300 mg of an extract standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin, three times a day. Its full effect will be felt in about eight weeks.

SAMe: A synthetic version of a derivative of the amino acid L-methionine, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) was judged “superior to placebo and is as effective as tricyclic antidepressants in alleviating depression” in a November, 2002, article by Harvard researchers published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It has the advantage of working more quickly than St John’s wort. Use only the butanedisulfonate form in enteric-coated tablets, or in capsules. Try 400 – 1,600 mg a day on an empty stomach.

B vitamins: The B vitamins, especially folic acid and vitamin B6, may be helpful in mild depression, and B vitamins can increase the efficacy of prescription antidepressants.

In addition, follow an anti-inflammatory diet and include an antioxidant multi-vitamin/mineral supplement to ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs for all the essential nutrients.

Somatic approaches:

Aerobic exercise: For more immediate, symptomatic depression treatment, there is no better method than regular aerobic exercise. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of a daily workout for improving emotional health and boosting self confidence. I recommend 30 minutes of continuous activity, at least five days a week for best results.

Phototherapy: Shorter daylight hours can affect sleep, productivity and state of mind. Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, may help. It uses light boxes emitting full-spectrum light to simulate sunlight. Phototherapy has been shown to have positive results for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), women with severe premenstrual syndrome, bulimics, and as a non-drug treatment for pregnant women and others suffering from depression. A meta-analysis has supported modest benefit when compared to placebo for non-seasonal depression.

Acupuncture: The World Health Organization has recognized acupuncture as effective in treating mild to moderate depression.

Massage: Massage therapy has been shown to relieve depression, especially in people who have chronic fatigue syndrome; other studies also suggest benefit for other populations.

Mind-body approaches:

Psychotherapy: Find a psychotherapist, mental health professional or grief counselor who can help you explore the factors that may be contributing to your depression, and who can suggest methods of understanding and changing habitual thought patterns to facilitate recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be especially helpful.

Other mind-body therapies: Yoga, hypnosis, meditation, mindfulness training, “news fasts” and conscious efforts to socialize and bond with people and companion animals may all be of value, and are low-risk.

I don’t want to trivialize these approaches by implying that they can be adequately conveyed in one blog post – the information listed above is by no means complete, it is meant only as an overview of some therapies for further exploration and inquiry. Also, keep in mind that while depression may be on the way to becoming the most often-diagnosed mental health problem worldwide, integrative specialists are also investigating the diagnosis and treatment of other mental health conditions including anxiety, psychosis, dementia, substance abuse and sleep disturbances.

So for those who seek in-depth knowledge in the broad, burgeoning field of integrative mental health, here are three resources I recommend highly:

Textbook of Integrative Mental Health Care by James Lake, M.D. The prime reference in this growing field. Dr. Lake’s book brilliantly summarizes evidence-based integrative interventions that may be unknown to many physicians.

2010 Integrative Mental Health Conference, March 22-24, 2010, Phoenix, Arizona. This is the first conference of its kind to assemble leaders in integrative mental health, creating a new field and framework in which to promote mental wellness.

The “Depression,” chapter in David Rakel, M.D.’s, excellent reference text Integrative Medicine.

Andrew Weil, M.D., is the founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and the editorial director of http://www.DrWeil.com. Become a fan on Facebook and follow Dr. Weil on Twitter.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #1: Take homeopathic Arsenicum if you feel you have eaten spoiled food. This will help control the discharge without interfere with the elimination of toxins.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #2: If you feel weak and have a burning pain in mid-section take cuprum arsenicosum .
Take 4 charcoal tablets every hour this will absorb the toxins from the body.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #3: Drink blackberry tea for mild diarrhea.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #4: Take cayenne in capsules.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #5:Wild oregano oil is an antibacterial, anti parasitic and anti viral.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #6: Ginger tea can stop cramps and pain. Or take Ginger in capsules.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #7: Drink plenty of fluids, but stay away from caffeine and alcohol. Drinks like ginger ale or carrot juice is good for making the stools less watery.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #8: For decades charcoal has been used for absorbing and expelling intestinal gas. Charcoal may also be used for relieving a variety of ailments, such as indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, high cholesterol and intestinal bloating. Charcoal’s ability to absorb and prevent substances from dislodging or reabsorbing into the body make it a popular choice for detoxifying the liver and kidneys.
Let’s work to save lives.

Honey is an ancient remedy for the treatment of infected wounds, which has recently been ‘rediscovered’ by the medical profession, particularly where conventional modern therapeutic agents are failing. There are now many published reports describing the effectiveness of honey in rapidly clearing infection from wounds, with no adverse effects to slow the healing process; there is also some evidence to suggest that honey may actively promote healing. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to have an antimicrobial action against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi. However, further research is needed to optimize the effective use of this agent in clinical practice.
Box 1: Practical considerations for the clinical use of honey

The amount of honey required on the wound relates to the amount of fluid exuding from the wound diluting it. The frequency of dressing changes required will depend on how rapidly the honey is being diluted by exudate. If there is no exudate, dressings need to be changed twice-weekly to maintain a ‘reservoir’ of antibacterial components as they diffuse into the wound tissues.

To achieve best results the honey should be applied to an absorbent dressing prior to application. If applied directly to the wound, the honey tends to run off before a secondary dressing is applied to hold it in place.

Honey will not soak readily into absorbent dressings. Soaking is facilitated by warming the honey to body temperature and/or adding 1 part water to 20 parts honey to make the honey more fluid.

In some situations a ‘blister’ of honey can be held on a wound using an adhesive film dressing. Honey can be used to treat cavity wounds in this way, although this approach is not suitable for heavily exuding wounds.

For moderately to heavily exuding wounds, a secondary dressing may be needed to contain seepage of diluted honey from the primary dressing. An occlusive dressing such as polyurethane film is best, as an absorbent secondary dressing tends to draw the honey away from the wound surface.

A low-adherent dressing helps prevent the honey dressing sticking to the wound in cases where this is a problem. This dressing is placed between the wound and the honey dressing, but must be porous to allow the antibacterial components of the honey to diffuse freely into the wound bed.

Alginate dressings impregnated with honey are a good alternative to cotton/cellulose dressings, as the alginate converts into a honey-containing soft gel.

Any depressions or cavities in the wound bed need to be filled with honey in addition to using a honey-impregnated dressing. This is to ensure the antibacterial components of the honey diffuse into the wound tissues.

Honey can safely be inserted into cavities and sinuses. It is water-soluble and easily rinsed out; any residues are bio-degradable (honey filtered in processing does not contain any foreign bodies). For sinuses with small openings a catheter on a syringe filled with honey is an effective way of applying honey.

Since infection may lie in the tissues underlying the wound margins, honey dressings need to extend beyond the inflamed area surrounding a wound.

12 Questions Everyone Should Know How to Answer

You’ve heard the spiel and probably even taken the class—the one that shows you how to magically pack 3-days worth of food into a milk carton that will become your most prized possession in the event of an emergency. Flipping on the news you can even see how that little carton could take the edge off of tragedies like hurricanes and earthquakes occurring around the world.

But is it really just as simple as stockpiling non-perishable food in a milk carton, or buying a bucket-o’-preparedness at a retailer to make sure everything will be all better when disaster strikes?

Certainly the above are proactive steps, but if you want to know where you are on the emergency preparedness scale, start by answering the following questions…

In event of an emergency do you know where to go and who, exactly, should meet you there?
If you are unable to communicate by phone, how (or where) will you communicate messages?
Do you have a 72-hour kit?
Does the kit include any comfort foods or foods you actually enjoy eating?
Do you have a 72-hour water supply (suggested amount is a gallon a day per person)?
Does your kit include clothes for all seasons or do you rotate the clothes seasonally?
Does your 72-hour kit include a First Aid kit?
If you take any medications or have any allergies, are dosages of those medicines included?
Are your kits and water easily accessible and easy to carry?
Have you stored alternate shelter in an easily accessible location (tents, sleeping bags, etc.)?
If you have a pet, is it included in your preparedness plan and is its food included in your kit? (Hint: experts are now suggesting that you evacuate with your pets knowing that pets will not be allowed in human shelters.)
Can you prepare your food without the aid of a modern stove or oven?
Being able to answer the above questions is key to retaining some sort of confidence should tragedy occur. Granted, they’re not fun questions to ponder on, but they are empowering once answered.

Let’s say tomorrow at 1:00 in the afternoon while the kids are in school and adults are at work, a fire/flood/tornado/ earthquake strikes. Going home is not an option, everyone is told to stay either where they are or evacuate.
What do you do? What does your family do and how do you reconnect?

Many people, especially parents, can shy away from discussing subjects like this for fear of traumatizing their children. They imagine discussing in somber tones what the children should do if mom and dad are crushed by a falling ceiling or tagged by a stray power line.Not necessary.

Preparedness saves lives, it could save yours.

(Wonderful article to restock your herbal closet.)

Top Ten Best-Researched Herbs

by Steven Taormina

Beautiful to behold in nature, many plants have been used medicinally for thousands of years. Here are ten proven medicinal herbs that scientists have tested in clinical studies. Few people are aware of the multitude of scientific studies done on plants. This information should not be used as medical advice.

Garlic
“If we were to design a drug that had perfect properties according to what we know about heart disease and associated risk factors, we couldn’t improve on garlic,” says Amanda McQuade-Crawford, herbalist and director of the Ojai Center of Phytotherapy in Ojai, Calif. Regular use of garlic is associated with the prevention of cardiovascular disease, she explains. Garlic raises protective HDLs (high-density lipoproteins), while it lowers harmful LDLs (low-density lipoproteins) and triglycerides (blood fats). Garlic is also known to help lower high blood pressure, she says. Garlic aids in cancer prevention by raising the body’s level of glutathione transferase, a liver enzyme known to detoxify the body of carcinogens, says McQuade-Crawford. In China, researchers found gastric cancer was reduced where garlic intake was high. Other researchers have noted improved helper/suppressor ratios of T-cells in AIDS patients who take garlic. Proven to work against various micro-organisms including bacteria resistant to antibiotics, garlic is known to be antifungal and antiviral, she adds.

Hawthorn
The berries of this flowering shrub are best used for the heart, says McQuade-Crawford. Hawthorn aids the heart’s pumping action by opening the coronary arteries to nourish the heart muscle. The herb can also slow a rapid heart rate and strengthen a failing heart. Hawthorn usually lowers high blood pressure, especially a raised diastolic high blood pressure, and it benefits low blood pressure due to weak heart muscles with arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm).

“Hawthorn takes a long time to do its best — six months or longer. In the style of a true herbal tonic, it can be taken safely and effectively over time for its best effects,” notes McQuade-Crawford.

Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba extract from the ginkgo tree has been shown to benefit visual function by improving microcirculation to the eyes especially among patients suffering from senile macular degeneration, a common condition thought to involve free radical damage, says Steven Schechter, N.D., author of Fighting Radiation & Chemical Pollutants With Foods, Herbs &Vitamins (Vitality, Ink).

More than 280 scientific studies indicate standardized ginkgo extract prevents and/or benefits ailments such as vertigo, tinnitus, inner ear disturbances, memory impairment, ability to concentrate, anxiety, depression, neurological disorders, senility, circulatory disorders, edema and Raynaud’s disease (a vascular disorder). Ginkgo extract improves the quality and increases the quantity of capillary circulation, thus increasing blood flow to the brain, heart and tissues in organs and glands, Schechter says. In addition, he notes, the flavonoids in ginkgo are potent free radical scavengers.

Ephedra
Also known in Chinese as ma huang, ephedra may be the world’s oldest herb cultivated for medicinal purposes, dating back nearly 5,000 years, says McQuade-Crawford. It’s commonly used in cold formulas as a decongestant.

“Ephedra is a great bronchial dilator,” McQuade-Crawford says. It helps asthma sufferers by opening the sinus passages and has an antihistamine effect which aids chronic and acute allergies. Ephedra also acts as a circulatory stimulant to blood pressure and heart function; it elevates blood pressure. Ephedra’s main constituent is ephedrine, which increases adrenaline secretion in our bodies. The boost you get from ephedra stimulates certain glands, muscles and tissue functions, while it suppresses others.

“In the long term, ephedra’s adrenaline overdrive can lead to chronic stress and even to degenerative disease,” warns McQuade-Crawford. She notes this is important for people using ephedra for dietary weight loss or “pep pill” purposes because the effects of ephedra linger in the body long after the herb is gone. “Ephedra shouldn’t be used with drugs for the heart or for the lungs and never with antidepressant drugs. It’s not for use with the weak or the ill and when used long term, dosages should be conservative,” McQuade-Crawford cautions.

Licorice
Licorice has been most recently researched as an antiviral and in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulceration, explains McQuade-Crawford. Its soothing, anti-inflammatory and relaxing actions help smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract on contact. “Licorice gets into a painful, contracted, tight digestive tract and coats the raw places, relaxes the clenched-up muscles and acts as a local anti-inflammatory,” she says. Licorice also increases bile secretion. Licorice is indicated for any gastrointestinal ulcers, including mouth ulcers. The root is indicated for chronic coughs and bronchitis as a soothing decongestant. It’s also indicated in small amounts to reduce sugar cravings.

The Chinese often use licorice to improve the taste and the effects of other herbs in complex formulas. Japanese research has shown licorice to decrease high testosterone levels in women with ovarian cysts and to increase their fertility. Large amounts of licorice or long-term use raises blood pressure in some people.

Bilberry
A strong antioxidant, bilberry benefits your circulatory system, eyes, heart and brain, and helps generate overall good health, says Schechter. Bilberry fruit contains a type of flavonoid called anthocyanosides, which are responsible for increasing flexibility of capillaries and increasing blood flow.

Research shows that standardized extract of bilberry can enlarge range of vision and improve sharpness of images, enhance ability to focus, and improve blurred vision, eyestrain and nearsightedness. Bilberry extract also helps strengthen coronary arteries and helps prevent atherosclerosis and venous insufficiency, which causes swollen ankles and feet. “Since adding bilberry to my own health program, I’ve noticed my muscles seem to recover slightly faster, I experience less muscular pain and my vision has improved from 20/100 to approximately 20/50,” says Schechter.

Echinacea
Decades of research prove echinacea’s value for aiding the immune system, Schechter explains. Studies have determined echinacea’s ability to activate white blood cells and stimulate the regeneration of the cellular connective tissue and the epidermis. Schechter notes that echinacea’s infection-fighting properties stem from its ability to neutralize a harmful enzyme involved in the infection process. Echinacea also increases two vital components of your immune system that consume and eliminate invading organisms and foreign particles.

German studies have shown echinacea extract contains proteins that help protect noninfected cells against viral infections, one reason why echinacea is regarded as an influenza preventor. Another German study found echinacea effective in allergy treatment because it helps prevent tissue inflammation due to harmful foreign toxins.

Milk Thistle
“I consider standardized milk thistle seed extract the most beneficial herbal product for liver detoxification, regeneration and protection, and, in general, one of the most universally necessary herbal products for the 1990s,” says Schechter. He notes that the stress of toxins from chemical pollutants, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, tobacco smoke, drugs and different forms of radiation have cumulative side effects that need to be addressed.

More than 120 scientific studies have shown that milk thistle extract regenerates, regulates and strengthens liver functions. Because free radicals attack the liver, primarily the fat tissue in the liver, the antioxidant qualities of milk thistle are extremely beneficial. Milk thistle stimulates your body to produce superoxide dismutase, which is one of two primary antioxidants the body can manufacture.

Astragalus
Astragalus has been used as an immunity booster in China for nearly 4,000 years, according to Rob McCaleb, founder of the Herb Research Foundation in Boulder, Colo. Astragalus extracts can increase immune system efficiency by increasing immune activity. One study found that astragalus extracts could increase the impaired immune function of blood cells up to and sometimes beyond normal cell ability.

According to Planetary Herbology (Lotus Press) by Michael Tierra, N.D., astragalus helps strengthen digestion, raise metabolism, strengthen the immune system and promote wound healing. It can also treat chronic weakness of the lungs, shortness of breath, low energy, prolapse of internal organs, spontaneous sweating, chronic lesions and deficiency edema.

Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the most widely studied herbs, having been the subject of more than 3,000 scientific studies to investigate how ginseng helps improve a person’s physical and/or mental performance, notes McCaleb. Studies have shown ginseng helps increase memory and learning by improving circulation. It’s also been shown to reduce cholesterol and protect the liver from toxins. Ginseng, according to Tierra, is known to strengthen the lungs, nourish body fluids and calm the spirit. It may be used for shock, collapse and heart weakness, as well as for promoting longevity and increasing resistance to disease.

A Japanese study showed cancerous liver cells could be reverted to normal cells in a Petri dish culture when treated with Panax ginseng extract. Siberian ginseng has also been shown to stimulate the immune system.

Your darkest hour may be the moment you make your greatest contribution, for then you are in the crucible where miracles are born.

When times are hard you might relate to Robert L. May’s tragic and inspiring true story of the making of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Many people are overjoyed when they hear this story, and surprised they’d never heard it before…

Right in the midst of the Great Depression, Bob struggled to keep it together through Christmastime. His wife was dying of cancer, the medical bills were piling up and his 4 year old daughter was depending on him to be strong. Brokenhearted, desperate and overwhelmed with medical expenses, Bob was given the job to write an uplifting children’s “animal story” for a department store called Montgomery Ward. This was to be a Christmas promotional coloring book.

How do you write a jubilant children’s story when your heart is breaking and your life is collapsing?

Bob didn’t have the luxury of failing, so he focused on the two things that brought him strength … his daughter and his triumph over his difficult childhood. Bob was always different and never seemed to fit in. He was what some might call a Wayseer.

Despite his difficult childhood, Bob got through college, married his loving wife, was blessed with his beautiful little girl and was grateful to have work to support his family during the Great Depression. But it was all short-lived. His wife Evelyn’s bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and Bob and his daughter were forced to live in the Chicago slums. Evelyn was going to die within a year.

Bob struggled to give hope to his little girl, but he could barely afford to buy her a Christmas present. Bob had to use what little he had to work with to transform their lives – even if just for a moment – into something positive and hopeful.

Inspired in part by his daughter’s fascination with the deer at the local zoo, Bob chose a reindeer to be the focus of the story he would tell and retell to his grieving daughter. Her favorite name for this reindeer was Rudolph, and so it was.

The character he created was a misfit just like he was. Out of the imagination of a man at his breaking point, somehow Bob found the grace to tell a story that shed a light of hope and optimism in the face of adversity.

When he finally shared his heartfelt story with the supervisor in the catalog copy department of Montgomery Ward, his story was rejected. The supervisor didn’t like the red nose because he associated red noses with drinking and drunkards.

Most people would have acquiesced and given their boss whatever they wanted, because it was the Great Depression and Bob had little energy left to fight. However, Bob was no stranger to adversity. Instead of acquiescing to the man controlling his only source of income, Bob pushed back. This wasn’t just a red nosed reindeer. This was the precious creation that he shared with his daughter and his dying wife. This story was the thing that brought them comfort during the most difficult moment in their lives. He would not let it go.

Bob brought in an illustrator to depict an innocent red nosed reindeer that would appeal to children and parents alike in order to show the Wards catalog supervisor the merit of Bob’s vision. With that illustration and a good amount of spine, Bob convinced the supervisor to go with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and Bob was paid for his book.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was an astonishingly huge success. Wards ended up distributing more than six million copies of the Rudolph book.

But that is not where the story ends…

A major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print a new version of the book. Wards held the copyright, because they already paid Bob to write it, so Bob would receive no royalties. Bob’s wife had died by then and Bob was left with nothing but a mountain of medical expense debt and his daughter to take care of.

In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the president of Wards gave all the rights back to Bob May, so he could benefit from his own creation. The book became a best seller.

Many merchandising deals followed and Bob became wealthy, all from a little story he created in the crucible of his darkest hour to comfort his grieving daughter.

But there’s more…

Bob’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph.

The song was turned down again and again, but after not giving up, Gene Autry recorded “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and it was released in 1949 to become a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of “White Christmas.”

The simple gift of love Bob May created to comfort his daughter years ago kept on returning back to bless him and his family over and over.

“Love is a living energy that when released into the world goes on and on forever blessing everyone it reaches.”

Bob experienced the truth of that statement, just like we all can. Remember, your darkest hour may be the moment you make your greatest contribution, for then you are in the crucible where miracles are born.

There are many reasons people become overweight – hormone imbalances, slowed metabolism, overeating, poor nutrition and lack of exercise are some of the most common.

Using acupuncture to tackle weight loss is a multi-pronged approach.

Pinning Down the Benefits
The rationale for using acupuncture for weight control is based in the premise that weight gain could be the result of disturbed energy flow to and from the regulating center of the brain, called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining “homeostasis” or functional balance that allows the body to run like a finely tuned instrument. It is the body’s dispatch center that regulates hormones and neurochemicals, and helps to control body temperature, circadian rhythm, thirst and hunger.

Of particular interest is the ability of acupuncture to influence obesity hormones. Research measuring the effectiveness of acupuncture for weight loss found treatments increased ghrelin, a hormone that controls meal initiation and decreased leptin, the hormone that regulates fat storage and metabolism.

The guiding principal is that acupuncture can power up any other weight control strategy by curbing appetite, quelling cravings, boosting metabolism, improving digestion, regulating obesity-related hormones and enhancing the way nutrients are used. It also strengthens the function of the liver, the organ that produces many chemicals critical for digestion, processing nutrients and breaking down of fats. Acupuncture may also increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach to help people know that they are full.

Earmark of Acupuncture
To pinpoint the Qi for effective weight control, acupuncturists take aim at 4 acupuncture points on the ear – the hunger point, Shen Men point, stomach point, and endocrine point. A few tiny sterilized needles are inserted along these invisible channels to decrease the “heat” generated along these meridians and to stimulate centers that trigger the release of neurochemicals and hormones.

During some courses of treatment, the needles are covered with tape so that they can be left in place for a few days. Patients later remove them at home or during follow-up visits to the acupuncturist. Some practitioners may also use “ear seeds” that patient wear home that can be massaged periodically to help with difficult-to-control urges.

Guidance For Using Acupuncture For Weight Loss
Choose a qualified practitioner – Most states require that acupuncturists be licensed to assure that they have completed the necessary education and training standards to practice. You may see L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist) following his or her name. Acupuncturists may also be medical doctors or other medical professional who have completed a postgraduate program of study.
Complete a full course of treatment – Acupuncture for weight loss is best achieved with 10 treatments delivered over a few weeks.
Follow a comprehensive weight-loss plan – Acupuncture should be used alongside a comprehensive weight-loss plan, like the Dr. Oz Diet that includes healthy food choices coupled with exercise.
Don’t Confuse Treatments — Although ear stapling is loosely based on the concept of acupuncture, it is an imprecise method that uses surgical staples that penetrate the cartilage of the ear, which is know to promote infection.

She has walked the walk of the sick and has managed to turn her life around and now is a healthy, energetic, charismatic teacher and healer.

She works with the meridians to clear energy blocks and revitalize the system.

Please take a moment to watch her in action!

You can read about it at my site http://www.heartsbeat.org.

I offer Reiki 1, 2, and Master/Teacher level as well as Reiki drumming.

I do travel to do classes if there is enough interest.

worldwideholisticday@gmail.com if you are interested.

Lu

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Lu

I hope you all had a wonderful, exciting and glorious Worldwide Holistic Day!  I myself attuned 7 people to Reiki 1, one of whom was pregnant.

We had her baby dancing!  The event was just joyous!  I heard from other places who had wonderful turnouts and people made appointments to learn more.

We have collectively joined hearts and minds to come closer to the tipping point!

Blessings and abundance to all of you worldwide who participated.  We will see you again next year!  Namaste, LU

Worldwide Holistic Day is her brainchild and she is dedicated to getting it started and making it grow year after year. “I’m hoping it goes viral,” she says, which can happen when a good idea hits the Internet.

She chose Oct. 2 because it’s Ghandi’s birthday. Why Ghandi? Because he said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Pierro explains, “That’s a pretty good call to action.”

When she put out the word, “there was some confusion” among practitioners who thought she was organizing “the Woodstock of holistic events,” instead of the decentralized but coordinated global effort she envisions.

So far, about 20 practitioners have agreed to take part, some as far away as Spain and England, and a few right here in Hunterdon.

Pierro herself will be at the Unity Spiritual Center near Pattenburg giving free Reiki instruction from noon to 4 p.m. She explains that Reiki is not massage; it is a hands-on healing system that balances the body’s “chakras” or energy centers. (Call 908-730-8792 to register.)

Veronica August’s Bellewood Wellness Center at 511 Route 614 in Pattenburg will offer free samples of several modalities at an open house that observes the special day along with its 10th anniversary, from noon to 4 p.m. Of Worldwide Holistic Day, August says, “How amazing that there isn’t one already!”

Free samples will include massage therapy, yoga, acupuncture, holistic food, EFT (emotional freedom technique) and Jin Shin Jyutsu (a non-manipulative stress reliever involving energy pathways).

Dr. Nancy Erb, a psychotherapist at 109 Main St. in Whitehouse Station, will also participate.

Pierro does not see holistic health treatments as alternatives to modern medicine, but as complementary to it. She tells of a friend who beat stage four lung cancer after combining chemotherapy with Reiki, essential oils and massage. “I would tell her she had more health cells than sick ones,” Pierro recalls. Besides their direct curative value, holistic treatments can enlist the mind of the afflicted person as “a powerful tool in healing.”

Organizing and promoting Worldwide Holistic Day is “my spiritual practice” says Pierro, who expects “not a dime” to come her way because of it. “What really kicked it off for me were all those people suffering after earthquakes (in Haiti, Chile and Japan).… Holistic intervention can help reduce pain and suffering.… In times of crises, holistic therapies can be the on-the-ground first response. Holistic therapies can help reduce trauma, lower blood pressure and prevent bleed out.”

Pierro encourages all holistic practitioners to join the Worldwide Holistic Day movement by visiting her web site, http://www.lupierro@wordpress.com. And if you know of one anywhere in the world, she hopes you’ll invite them to join, too.

“When you have people all over the world doing the same thing with the same focus, you connect them for positive changes,” says Pierro.

http://vimeo.com/19228246

2.Toucanfoods.com

Toucan Foods connects people to information, food, and products that will help the world eat better and live healthier. Natural health news and resources, healthy recipes, nutritional supplements, wellness gifts, care packages, and healthy snacks. Get healthy naturally and help us start an evolution!

3.Unity of Bellewood, NJ

Unity is a wonderful community of loving people.  They have agreed to host a Free Reiki 1 class on Oct. 2nd. The class will be approximately 4 hrs. and begins around noon.  Lu Pierro, founder of WWHD will preside.

Unity Spiritual Center
453 Bellwood Ave.
Asbury, NJ 08802
Office 908-730-8792
Fax – 908-730-8546

4.PANACEA-Healing for Body and Sole ( www.panaceahealing.com ) and Coaching2Create (www.coachingwcreate.com ) are offering free reflexology and energy healing mini-sessions, meditations and lectures on October 1, 2011 to celebrate World Wide Holistic Day. The event will be held at 101 River Rd in Canton, CT.

5. Bellewood Wellness Center.. offering free samples of many modalities on Oct. 2nd.

Have you planned to give a free workshop, demo, lesson on Worldwide Holistic Day?  If so send us the stats and see your info posted HERE.

8.MAKING THE CHANGE ——– ” (WHAT HOLISTIC THERAPY CAN DO FOR YOU)” !

For The Well-being Of The Mind, Body, Spirit & Soul

Free Taster Sessions.

Elizabth McQuillan
Whispers Professional Hairdressing Salon
83, Beal Lane, Shaw, Oldham, Lancs, OL2 8PH

9. Pat Cicerone , Reiki sample, see HeartBeatReiki.org ( Oct.2)

10.  Dr. Nancy Erb,

I want you to be part of the butterfly effect..  the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions; where a small change at one place in a nonlinear system can result in large differences to a later state. For example, the presence or absence of a butterfly flapping its wings could lead to creation or absence of a hurricane.

I want your flapping your wings, sharing your positive, life-affirming energy with the world to raise the vibration of all of us.. we are intimately connected you and I, whether you are living in Malaysia, or Korea, or the Antartic.. We are one.

If you are not a holistic person, then spread the word, spread your ether wings with posting this site on your webpage, tell your friends about it, share our video, be part of the change you wish to see in the world.   Your life will be the better for it, and so will someone else’s life on our planet, Earth.  Namaste!

For those who wish to participate in Worldwide Holistic Day. 1. The beauty of the day is you teach where you are. 2. Go towww.lupierro.wordpress.com and download the template for a press release and use it with your local paper. 3. Have your class or workshop.
4. Let me know ahead of time and I will post your link on my blog.
5. Take pictures and upload them so we can share!
Namaste! The world awaits you.

http://vimeo.com/19228246

2.Toucanfoods.com

Toucan Foods connects people to information, food, and products that will help the world eat better and live healthier. Natural health news and resources, healthy recipes, nutritional supplements, wellness gifts, care packages, and healthy snacks. Get healthy naturally and help us start an evolution!

3.Unity of Bellewood, NJ

Unity is a wonderful community of loving people.  They have agreed to host a Free Reiki 1 class on Oct. 2nd. The class will be approximately 4 hrs. and begins around noon.  Lu Pierro, founder of WWHD will preside.

Unity Spiritual Center
453 Bellwood Ave.
Asbury, NJ 08802
Office 908-730-8792
Fax – 908-730-8546

4.PANACEA-Healing for Body and Sole ( www.panaceahealing.com ) and Coaching2Create (www.coachingwcreate.com ) are offering free reflexology and energy healing mini-sessions, meditations and lectures on October 1, 2011 to celebrate World Wide Holistic Day. The event will be held at 101 River Rd in Canton, CT.

5. Bellewood Wellness Center.. offering free samples of many modalities on Oct. 2nd.

Have you planned to give a free workshop, demo, lesson on Worldwide Holistic Day?  If so send us the stats and see your info posted HERE.

8.MAKING THE CHANGE ——– ” (WHAT HOLISTIC THERAPY CAN DO FOR YOU)” !

For The Well-being Of The Mind, Body, Spirit & Soul

Free Taster Sessions.

Elizabth McQuillan
Whispers Professional Hairdressing Salon
83, Beal Lane, Shaw, Oldham, Lancs, OL2 8PH

9. Pat Cicerone , Reiki sample, see HeartBeatReiki.org ( Oct.2)

10.  Dr. Nancy Erb,

Sivananda says:  All life is one. The world is one home.

All are members of one human family.

All creation is an organic whole. No

Man is independent of this whole.  Man

Makes himself miserable by seperating

Himself from others.  Separation is death.

Unity is eternal life.

Review our little video and join your fellow brothers and sisters for Worldwide Holistic Day.  Namaste.

http://vimeo.com/19228246