Now that the celebration of American Thanksgiving has passed, many find themselves in the midst of the biggest shopping period of the year in preparation for the next holiday! (source, source) Some may have become jaded that the spirit of the season has been overshadowed by consumerism. Regardless of religion or ethnicity, however,...
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Boswellia Bewilderment- Choosing the Right Frankincense Oil
Last week I continued with my second tip on making the holidays less stressful by highlighting the emotional and physically soothing aspects of essential oils. I discussed how essential oils are unique in that their odor has an instantaneous effect on our brain’s perception, shifting our mood, and balancing the stress response. Yet, their...
Holistic Tips for a Calmer, Brighter Holiday with the Soul-full Scents of Essential Oils
May Your Days Be Merry and Less Hectic In order to help you have a calmer and brighter holiday, I am creating a series of articles that provides you with tools, tips, and resources for a less stressful season. These posts will provide information on how to soothe the brain and body during these...
Holiday Stress on the Brain and the Soothing Aromas of Essential Oils
Holidays can signify cheer and celebration while simultaneously demanding more than usual. These additional stressors can have systemic effects that can cause havoc and a slew of symptoms. Ever hear the phrase, “stress makes you stupid?” Guess what, it’s a scientific truth! In my latest post, I explore the biochemistry of stressed out brains...
Social Connections and Environment Shape Our Genes and Behavior
The interest in the field of epigenetics has increased rapidly over the last decade. Attention to this subject now spans across many scientific specialties, and even into mainstream. (source, source) This is due to the powerful paradigm shift it entails. Epigenetics, the study of how environmental factors interact with our genes, has verified...
The Dangers of Choosing Diets and Exercise Over Relationships and Connections
Using “food as medicine” and lifestyle choices to impact health outcomes can be helpful. Yet, when taken to the extreme these tools can cause harm. When health and fitness are viewed as a moral issue, damage to relationships and unhealthy thoughts and cultural norms can ensue. For several weeks, I’ve been sharing evidence that...
How Culture, Beliefs, and Perceptions Alter Hormonal Symptoms in Menopause and Effect Overall Health
Many integrative health followers are becoming more comfortable with the fact that optimizing lifestyle and nourishment can result in better health outcomes. Furthermore, essential oils’ lovers everywhere are also enjoying the advantage of their drops of superpower to optimize their cellular functions. Still, few have contemplated how one’s culture impacts wellness through its influence...
Essential Oils as Powerful Support for Immune Health for the Fall and Into the Holidays
In my latest blog, I discuss five reasons why essential oils are my favorite wellness tool for natural immune support. These include: They have multiple, yet selective actions. They protect our bodies without harming them (or our microbiome). The many side-benefits of using essential oils. Their ability to address the underlying causes and...
An Introduction to a Cultural and Mind-Body Perspective on Health, Hormones, and Menopause
In the past few weeks, my focus on hormones has taken us on a journey of viewing endocrine and reproductive health from an integrative, naturopathic, and functional medicine perspective. I’ve explored the effects from even tiny shifts in these chemical messengers. With the slightest alteration, these powerful single molecules have system-wide impact that goes...
The Complexities and Caveats of Using Synthetic and Bioidentical Hormone Replacement
In my recent post, I provided three essential points to balancing hormones using a holistic, naturopathic, and functional medicine approach. I highlighted: the caveats to assessing hormonal levels, shortcomings with laboratory measurements, and the (imperfect) evaluation of dosages for any intervention the missing role of hormone metabolism in assessment addressing the root cause of...