October 2009 Archives

One of the superstitions regarding Halloween is that it's believed that the veil between the spirit world and that of mere mortals is so thin ~ that ghosts and spirits can walk among us and on this evening we can actually see them.  For this reason, many people leave food outside their houses in the hopes that it will please the spirits of their loved ones who have passed on ~ this may be one of the theories behind Halloween treats.
    
Some traditions also say that we should bury apples in the garden to nourish the souls of any loved ones who have passed over within the last year.
    
One of the favorites I've heard is to stand in front of a mirror anytime after sunset and make a secret wish.  While staring into the mirror, actually try to 'see' the fulfillment of your wish as you silently whisper what it is to the spirits around you. Your wish should come true in some fashion before this same time next year.  

Finally ~ eat an apple ~  legends has it that eating an apple after midnight on All Hallow's Eve will bring  bushels of fortune and good luck in the year to come.   
    

Do you need a morning cup of Joe to wake up and need sodas or energy drinks to power through the afternoon?  Have you ever wondered what all that caffeine is doing to your brain?
In his book Change Your Brain, Change Your Body, Dr. Amen covers the subject of caffeine in great detail. Caffeine works in the brain by messing with a natural process involving a chemical called adenosine, which is involved in sleep, and adenosine receptors. When adenosine is produced in the brain; it attaches to adenosine receptors, and this causes the brain's blood vessels to dilate, causes neurons to slow down, and induces drowsiness.

When you drink caffeine, however, the adenosine receptors mistake the caffeine for adenosine and bind to it.  When caffeine is attached to the adenosine receptors, it does just the opposite of adenosine.   It constricts the brain's blood vessels, speeds up neuronal activity, and signals your body to go on high alert by producing adrenaline.

This gives you that Java Jolt, which makes your heart beat faster, your breathing become more shallow, and your muscles tense up. It also boosts dopamine levels, which activates the pleasure centers in your brain.

The bad news is that when the effects of the caffeine wear off, you feel sluggish. So you consume more caffeine to re-energize. Soon enough, you are hooked on the stuff. And it may take more and more caffeine to achieve that same feeling.

What happens to the adenosine receptor system when you consume large amounts of caffeine on a regular basis?  For years, scientists have assumed that the adenosine receptor system could learn to compensate for the vasoconstrictive effects of the caffeine.  Not so, according to a new study from a team of researchers at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

The Wake Forest researchers used brain imaging to test the effect of low, moderate, and high caffeine intake on cerebral blood flow.  What they found is that habitually high caffeine intake (about 950mg a day) results in diminished blood flow to the brain, showing that the adenosine receptor system, in fact, does NOT learn to compensate for the effects of caffeine.

After years of studying brain scans, Dr. Amen assures us that reduced cerebral blood flow leads to brain drain. It lowers cognitive function and can exacerbate emotional and mental health problems. It can also wreak havoc with your sleep system and reduce the amount of deep sleep you get at night, leaving you feeling even more fatigued.

If you're addicted to caffeine, try to wean yourself off it. If you want to avoid the fatigue and headaches that come from caffeine withdrawal, do it slowly by reducing your intake each week.

Try boosting dopamine with natural treatments ~ such as intense aerobic exercise.  Green tea or supplements like Rhodiola can also help. Other supplements, such as NeuroRest, that promote relaxation and sleep, can help reset your sleep cycle.

Courtesy of Brain in The News
 Amen Clinics, Inc.

Once Upon a Time ~
With the H1N1 Flu scare, a lot of my colleagues have been sharing Folk Remedies which they have used or heard about over the years ~ I'd like to share some of these with you.

One man told a story about how when he was a kid and in the hospital near dying ~ his Italian grandmother came to the hospital and told a family member to go buy her a large onion and a new pair of white cotton socks.  She sliced open the onion ~ put a slice on the bottom of each of his feet and then put the white cotton socks on him.  In the morning when he awoke they removed the socks.  The slices of onion were black and his fever was gone.  
The following story might have some truth to it and I am going to try it this winter. In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people, supposedly there was a Doctor that visited many farmers to see if he could help them. Many of the farmers and their families had contracted the Flu and many had died.
 
The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different ~ the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in every room of the home.  The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions.  He took the onion and placed it under the microscope ~ as the story goes, he did find the flu virus in the onion.  Perhaps it absorbed the virus, therefore keeping the family healthy.

I heard similar stories from many practitioners.  One said that a hairdresser in Arizona told her that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop.  To her surprise, none of her staff got sick.

The moral of the story is; buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home.  If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office and on your desk. Try it and see what happens ~ many practitioners swear that they did it in the past and never got the flu.

One last anecdote from Oregon:   "I contacted pneumonia and needless to say I was very ill...I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion ~ put one end on a fork and then place the forked end into an empty jar...placing the jar next to the sick patient at night.  It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs...sure enough it happened just like that... the onion was a mess and I began to feel better."


* Onions are very toxic to dogs and cats so be sure that your pets cannot get at them.

Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) ~ New research shows that a special Acupuncture technique can help ease lower back and pelvic pain in pregnant women.
In a study, women who had pressure needles held in place with tape in their ears for one week, were more likely to experience significant reductions in lower back and pelvic pain than those who had the needles placed at three "sham" points or women in a control group who didn't get real or fake acupuncture.

Pregnant women often suffer from pain in the lower back and pelvis ~ and this can set the stage for chronic pain later on, according to Dr. Shu-Ming Wang of the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

Ear acupuncture might offer a drug-free way to help ease pain in these women. Wang and his colleagues randomly assigned 159 women in the 25th to 38th week of pregnancy to receive real acupuncture, acupuncture delivered to points that would theoretically not affect pain in the pelvic or lower back area, and a control group.  Every woman was also instructed to use self-care as needed, including resting, taking acetaminophen, and applying warm and cold compresses.  All of the 152 women who completed the two-week study reported some degree of pain reduction and improvement in their ability to function.

A 30 percent or greater reduction in pain was reported by 81 percent of women in the acupuncture group.  Improvements in function were significantly greater among women who had real acupuncture compared to those who got the fake version or received no treatment.

A week after the end of acupuncture treatment, 68 percent of those who received the real thing still had a 30 percent or greater reduction in pain compared to the beginning of treatment ~ the only side effect was temporary tenderness in the ear area, reported by one woman in the acupuncture group and three in the sham acupuncture group.

The treatment is inexpensive and it takes about three minutes for the needles to be put in place if an experienced person is doing the job.

In future studies, it would be worthwhile, the researchers say, to explore whether extended continuous ear acupuncture yields a more sustained effect and determine the characteristics of acupuncture responders versus nonresponders.
They call for larger studies to investigate these issues, and to determine whether the treatment has any effect on pregnancy outcome.
 SOURCE: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, September 2009.

Germs are everywhere and if you should forget for a minute, then the media will remind you ~ yet many of the anti-bacterial products are expensive and many are toxic ~ so I'd like to share some tips for the many uses of that old standby ~ 3% Peroxide ~ courtesy of Becky Ransey of Indiana.

1. Take one capful and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily ~ then spit it out - Becky suggests doing this while taking your shower.  No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. Actually the small print says mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of Peroxide to keep them free of germs.
 
3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe or spray it on the counters.
 
4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. For Toe Fungus ~ spray a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on your toes  and then let air dry ~ you should do this at least twice a day.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day.  Becky's husband ~ a doctor ~ has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.  

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses.  It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into a tissue. You could also use a 50/50 mixture in your Netti Pot ~ check my April 30, 2009 post on Nasal irrigation.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry ~ whites only ~ this will whiten them.  If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot ~ let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. You can use peroxide to clean mirrors, and there is no smearing. This is especially important in bathrooms where the mirrors seem to collect germs.

* Please note that there is an expiration date on the bottle ~ replace if expired.

***Please write in and let me know if you have other uses for Peroxide.

For years we've been reading that Wine has lots of health benefits ~ and just when we started to relax and feel comfortable promoting health with each glass of wine served and shared ~ along comes Mark Stengler, ND to throw a wet blanket over the party.
He writes about a newly identified concern for Wine Lovers.  A recent British study points out that there are high levels of heavy metal contaminants in many wines ~ and they are definitely not good for your health.  Excess intake of metal contaminants is associated with an increased risk for Neurological problems, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Oxidative stress associated with the consumption of metals
is known to raise the risk for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Cancer.

The Answer may be in the Grapes and Not in Our Stars ~

In a review of data published in scientific journals, scientists at Kingston University, in the United Kingdom, looked at the concentrations of hazardous metal ions (including copper, vanadium, manganese, nickel and lead) in Red and White Wines from 16 countries in Europe, the Middle East and South America. They evaluated them according to a formula devised by the US Environmental Protection Agency called the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), which measures risk based upon established upper safety limits for toxic chemicals. The researchers found that the majority of wines (both red and white) placed well above the EPA's level of acceptable risk, based on what an individual would take in from an average daily consumption of one glass of wine (which they measured at 8.5 ounces).
Not surprisingly, levels of contaminants were closely linked with geography.  For instance, metal ions in several Hungarian and Slovakian bottles were more than 300 times higher than accepted safety standards. On the other hand, Wines from Argentina, Brazil and Italy consistently contained low metal levels, therefore posing no metal-related safety concerns.  Scientists don't know yet exactly how it happens that metal ions work their way into wine and why this varies from country to country, but contributing factors may range from soil and vineyard sprays to yeast, processing and packaging.   * These results appeared in the October 29, 2008, issue of Chemistry Central Journal.

Imbibe at Your Own Risk ~
If you consume Wine regularly, Dr. Stengler recommends that you get your blood levels tested by a holistic doctor for toxicity. Some people filter out metals from blood more effectively than others.   He suggests that you choose Organic Wines or sip vintages from the countries where metal contaminant levels are clearly documented as low.  As previously mentioned, Argentina, Brazil and Italy have low levels. Data on metal content of US wines is not yet available.  

My friends are surely going to shoot this messenger ~

I recently came across an article by author Clyde Crumpacker citing studies stating that a common viral infection, affecting between 60 and 99 percent of adults worldwide, could be a cause of high blood pressure.

One in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, and because there are no known symptoms, nearly one-third of these individuals are unaware of their condition. Often dubbed "the silent killer," uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure.

The researchers found that the viral infection alone led to an increase in high blood pressure, and when combined with a high cholesterol diet, the infection actually induced atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) in a mouse aorta.

A member of the Herpes virus family, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) affects all age groups and is the source of Congenital Infection, Mononucleosis, and severe infection in transplant patients.  By the age of 40, most adults will have contracted this virus, though many will never exhibit symptoms. Once it has entered the body, CMV is usually there to stay, remaining latent until the immune system is compromised, when it then reemerges.

In the first portion of the study, the scientists examined four groups of laboratory mice.  Two groups of animals were fed a standard diet and two groups were fed a high cholesterol diet. After a period of four weeks, one standard diet mouse group and one high cholesterol diet mouse group were infected with the CMV virus.

Six weeks later, blood pressure was measured and among the mice fed a standard diet, the CMV-infected mice had increased blood pressure compared with the uninfected group. But even more dramatically, 30 percent of the CMV-infected mice that were fed a  high cholesterol diet ~ not only exhibited increased blood pressure, but also showed signs of having developed atherosclerosis.

"This strongly suggests that the CMV infection and the high cholesterol diet might be working together to cause atherosclerosis," says study author Clyde Crumpacker. In order to find out how and why this was occurring, the investigators went on to conduct a series of cell culture experiments.

Their first analysis demonstrated that CMV stimulated production of three different inflammatory cytokines: IL6, TNF, and MCP1 in the infected mice, indication that the virus was causing inflammation to vascular cells and other tissues.  CMV led to an increase in expression of the renin enzyme, which has been known to activate the renin-angiotensin system and lead to high blood pressure.

"Viruses have the ability to turn on human genes and, in this case, the CMV virus is enhancing expression of renin, an enzyme directly involved in causing high blood pressure," says Crumpacker. When the scientists inactivated the virus through the use of ultraviolet light, renin expression did not increase, suggesting that actively replicating virus was causing the increase in renin.

"What our study seems to indicate is that a persistent viral infection in the vessels' endothelial cells is leading to increased expression of inflammatory cytokines, , which are leading to increased blood pressure."

We are back to the subject of inflammation ~ we need to decrease inflammation in our bodies and to work on preventing viruses when we can and taking supplements that help to keep certain viruses dormant ~ more on that  ~

*Clyde Crumpacker, et al. Cytomegalovirus Infection Causes an Increase of Arterial Blood Pressure. PLoS Pathogens. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1000427.

I'm a little late on this post ~ It would have been fitting if I'd written this before the Adirondack Balloon Festival ~ but it's still helpful information.
The Chinese believe that there's a great Dragon in the Sky that will help you to realize your dreams. 
But first you must send those wishes out in a specific way.  Take a Red, Yellow, White, Pink or Lavender colored helium-filled balloon and tie it with 9, 18 or 27 inches of Red Ribbon.  Write your wish on the balloon with a New black felt-tip pen that you buy especially for this occasion. Only one wish per balloon.  Be specific and concise when you write out your wish.  Then on a slightly windy day when the sun is not too bright, release the balloon into the sky ~ continue to watch it as it flies higher until it slowly vanishes from sight.  As the balloon disappears ~ visualize your wishes being fulfilled.  Then, after you can no longer see your balloon on the horizon, know that the Sky Dragon has swallowed it and will now begin to actualize this wish for you. Of course, feel free to release as many balloons as you WISH ~ just one wish per balloon.  

The Monkey must be more tolerant this month.  You will feel negative ~ but you must not give into those feelings.  Friendships will be tested this month. Your investment luck is low so be very careful with your money.  Along with those negative feelings you're having ~ your love live will be vulnerable.  Try not to argue over trivial issues.

A great month for the Rooster. Good Luck comes from all directions ~ bringing Happiness that lasts.  You need to be out in the world to make sure that you don't miss any opportunities. To get a promotion in your career you must be proactive.  You will reap what you sow.

A Dangerous month for the Dog ~ a Chance of being Robbed or Cheated.  You  could  suffer some sort of financial loss ~ Do not take risks.   If your bedroom is in the Northwest of your home ~ Move out ~ Sleep in another room.  Be very careful that you do not break the law ~ even innocent, you could become a scapegoat.  Your love life is complex ~ avoid a love triangle.

The Boar needs to be careful this month to avoid being mugged or having their purse snatched.  There is a real possibility of losing money or being cheated.  Be careful whom you trust this month.  Love luck is average ~ you could be tempted by an office romance.  Mixing work and pleasure could be a disaster.

* If you don't know your astrological sign ~ check the May 19, 2009  post

*Astrological characters by WOFS

Misfortune is back.  The Dragon must be cautious ~ Lie Low and Wait till next month to start your projects up again.  Be careful that you don't get sick  Young Dragons will tend to feel insecure ~ wear a Jade Dragon pendant to boost your Luck. Spend your time building friendships.

On October  8, 2009 we will enter the 9th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This is the year of the Earth Ox and is considered a well-balanced year.  The Chinese believe that it is always better to prevent bad luck from occurring than to try to reverse it ~ so it's helpful to know what to expect.

The Rat needs to be careful this month as misfortune is to be expected. Do not take any risks or make major plans this month. As if things could not look worse ~ Money Luck is also poor.  The elderly or frail rats must take care and it  is very important that they not sleep or spend time in the North area of their home or office.  In love you could be disappointed or worse ~Broken-hearted.

Just a Mediocre Month for the Ox.  Although you have many resources this month to accomplish what you want ~ there is danger from people who are jealous or envious; or who feel that you wronged them in the past and they are out for justice or revenge.  This month ~ Neutralize your Karma by doing Good Deeds and Charitable Works.  Just  keep a low profile.  Success, Wealth, and Power can be yours ~ but celebrate quietly.

The Tiger also is in danger  from those who are jealous. When things go well ~ celebrate quietly or the celebration will be over quickly. Do not attract attention ~ quietly study and improve your job skills and you may receive a promotion.  It's not a bad month ~ but it's sad that you have to keep your joy a secret ~ for now.

Check back for Part II ~

* If you don't know your astrological sign ~ check the May 19, 2009  post

*Astrological characters by WOFS

         ~Way Back Then ~

I consider hair a serious subject.  I'm a natural Redhead and as anyone with a Redheaded child knows - Red hair draws a lot of attention. When you're very young old ladies pat you on the head  ruffling your hair ~ When you're old enough to go to school classmates tease you ~ some nastier than others ~ to a certain extent your Red hair defines you.  I will never forget an old Brill Cream commercial (yes I remember Brill Cream) ~ a man was typing a complaint letter to Brill Cream and I am paraphrasing this as time has played with my memory:  "Dear Brill Cream, you said that if I used your product I would meet a beautiful Blonde or Brunette ~ but all I ever got was a Redhead!  Then in walks this drop dead gorgeous Redhead ~ if they tried that ad today they'd be sued. 
As an actress and model I was featured in commercials and ads for Clairol ~ L'Oreal ~ Breck ~Alberto VO 5 and many more. A bad hair day could mean a loss in income ~ so I consider myself somewhat of an expert when it comes to hair products ~ I still research and I try them all.

Stay with me ~ this post does include Chinese Medicine and Health.  In Chinese Medicine Kidney Energy represents our DNA ~ it shows the state of our Health  and the Kidneys are said to Flourish in the Hair ~ it is much more involved and more complicated but this gets us started.  Once I produced a commercial for a client from Hong Kong and the client felt that our male actor's hair wasn't thick enough ~ we had to get a hairpiece for him to make it look fuller.  The hair piece resembled a scalp so after the commercial I mounted it on the foot of my bed - kept it there for years till a dog got it.

In the West we also look at hair to determine one's health.  The hair usually shows what was happening in your body several months or even weeks before.  It may be coincidence ~ but have you noticed how many elected male politicians have thick  hair? 

So today I'd like to talk about the products we use on our hair. While the sulfates and other surfactants used in most commercial hair care products may not kill you, they will wreak havoc on your hair shaft and scalp.  Sulfates, etc. are typically used by the hair and body care industry as a cheaper way to create lather. While sulfates, surfactants, and harsh detergents break down the dirt and oils that make hair look greasy and dirty, they also strip out all the natural oils and beneficial bacteria that your hair and scalp need to stay shiny and healthy.  The result?  Dry, damaged, frizzy hair, often accompanied by an itchy, flaky scalp.

I have discovered the Beauty Society Salon for organic, non-toxic, healthy hair. ...  in Malta, New York.  PH: 518.899.7570 ~ William and Cristina Connolly Proprietors.   They use All Natural, Non-toxic & Organic Professional Hair Products & Services.  They sell La Vida Dulce shampoo bars ~  yes Bars ~ all-natural, sulfate and detergent free for you and your pets.  I love them and my dogs like the bars as they are easier to control and  helps to keep soap suds out of their sensitive eyes.
                                                                                  

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To quote the experts:  "All La Vida Dulce shampoo bars contain coconut oil. Coconut oil has been used as a hair care product all over the world with great results. Its high amount of lauric acid, capric acid and vitamin E make for a great hair conditioner and hair strengthener.  Coconut oil is a fabulous styling product when used in bar form.  When the oil on the hair cools and sets, it leaves the hair bouncy and in place with a thicker, fuller feeling head of hair."
 
La Vida Dulce shampoo bars are their own blend of saponified oils. They use organic oils when ever available ~ but always 100% pure essential oils; and if they do use fragrance it's phthalate free.  Their products are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.    http://www.lavidadulcebeauty.com/index.html

Look ~ every society realizes that the condition of your hair is a reflection of your inner health ~ but we also know that chemicals and toxins can be absorbed through the skin ~ so why take a chance.