Author: KG Stiles. LMT, CAT, CBP, RBT

Effective research and clinical evaluation has been done in Germany on the main chemical component, alcohol geraniol found in Geranium oil. The results of these studies show successful treatment for autonomic nervous system imbalances. The autonomic nervous system stimulates our hormonal production and response. Therefore, autonomic nervous system balance is an essential KEY for healthy functioning of the body, mind and emotions.

“Vegetative dystony” is the term used to describe autonomic nervous system imbalance and its accompanying symptoms. Manifestations of autonomic nervous system imbalance include headache, hot flashes, irregular heartbeat, nervousness, depression and anxiety.

According to Dr. Andrew Weil medical vocabulary for imbalances of the autonomic nervous system do not exist in North American medicine. In both Germany and Japan however, two modern day industrial giants, acknowledge the condition and use the term “vegetative dystony.”

Our modern day lifestyle is one of chronic emotional and physical stress brought on by an increasing array of environmental toxins. These two conditions are cited as primary causes for autonomic nervous system imbalances and resulting hormonal disturbances.

There are many varieties of Geranium oil available. Geranium oils from Madagascar are by far the finest available and most researched for their therapeutic effect of balancing hormones. The Bourbon variety of Geranium oil from Madagascar is considered by many to be the most desirable for hormonal balance. Geranium Bourbon has an especially heady and sensual aroma that will energize your senses.

The “poor woman’s Rose Oil” Rose Geranium (Pelargonium roseum) has a fresh, slightly rosy scent and is excellent as a stand alone oil. As with other Geranium oils from Madagascar Rose Geranium mixes well with many oils and its effects are similar.

Geranium oil is known to be useful in regulating physical, mental, and emotional imbalances and has an especially calming and uplifting effect on the emotions. It is helpful for relieving depression, nervousness and fear. Geranium oil is also a first-aid oil that is welcome in any medicine cabinet. Geranium’s tonifying action helps relieve nervous emotional conditions like anxiety, confusion, depression, lethargy, enegy swings and tearfulness.

Geranium oil also gently balances extremes. When you are feeling out of sync try Geranium oil to gently reconnect with yourself. Geranium oil is an effective aid for re-establishing your body’s own natural rhythms.

Geranium oil can be used to help in the treatment of acne, bruises, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, lice, as a mosquito repellant, ringworm, ulcers, breast engorgement, edema, poor circulation, sore throat, tonsillitis, PMS, menopausal problems, stress and neuralgia. Essentialoils.co.za

Women have used Geranium successfully for years to relieve premenstrual conditions and to smoothly navigate the menopausal period. Geranium has been used to treat an assortment of symptoms, including hormonal imbalances, premenstrual tension and a variety of menopausal conditions. The oil also relieves congestion - especially of the breast tissue and improves circulation.

Because Geranium oil is excellent for stimulating and cleansing the lymphatic system, it promotes a healthy immune system. It also promotes detoxification and is helpful for overcoming addiction, constipation, indigestion, fluid retention and it may relieve phlebitis and inflamed hemorrhoids.

Geranium is even excellent as a treatment for all skin types! Its regulating properties make it useful for balancing too oily, dry or combination skin types and also soothes sensitive or irritated skin. Geranium oil is useful for treating the following skin conditions: ringworm%

The primary health component of wine that researchers have uncovered is called resveratrol. It is a compound found in the skin and seeds of grapes and created during the fermentation process. Therefore if the juice is never fermented (as in grape juice) or if wine is made from juice concentrates that contain no skins (as in home winemaking kits), then you will not be receiving much of the incredible benefits of this tremendous antioxidant. In addition, white wine has lower amounts of resveratrol than red wine because the grape skins are removed earlier in the winemaking process.

Apparently, resveratrol exists in the skins as a protective mechanism for the grapes. It is a built in antibiotic to protect the plant against disease and infections and that protective ability carries over to our bodies when we consume it in the right form. Because colder climates have a higher incidence of fungus, grapes grown in colder climates have more resveratrol than their warmer grown counterparts.

Resveratrol is also found in a number of other foods and berries, such a peanuts and blueberries but grapes, particularly winemaking grapes such as Muscadine, are the clear winner. Resveratrol nutritional supplements are either made from the powdered and ground skin and seeds of grapes or more likely they are made from Japanese knotweed which contains a fairly high amount of resveratrol.

Researchers have studied the benefits of resveratrol extensively and found it to be a very potent antioxidant. Mice who take it live longer and essentially become olympic athletes without the training. It can prevent, slow or reverse coronary heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure and aging. According to Wikipedia, resveratrol has been proven in scientific studies to extend the lifespan of worms, mice, and fruit flies. The mice not only lived longer, but the resveratrol actually counteracted the effects of a high fat diet.

As a cancer preventer, resveratrol is most effective in studies when it comes in direct contact with the cancer, such as skin cancer or gastrointestinal tumors. According to resveratrolnews.com, “Other new discoveries show it [resveratrol] does still more — repairs alcohol -damaged livers, slows bone loss (osteoporosis), boosts endurance, promotes hair growth, and re-energizes cells.” In addition, resveratrol also seems to have anti-viral properties and can enhance the benefits of retrovirals use to treat HIV, and has been proven to block the Herpes and influenza virus. It is unclear whether resveratrol needs to be taken orally or topically to enjoy these benefits.

The alcohol itself may offer heart healthy benefits as well, which are not exclusive to red wine.

Various studies have indicated that moderate amounts of all types of alcohol benefit your heart, not just alcohol found in red wine. Some heart-healthy benefits of alcohol include:

• Raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol
• Lowers blood pressure
• Inhibits the formation of blood clots
• Helps prevent artery damage caused by high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol Mayclinic.com

Dr. Mercola has a different take on alcohol because he believes that alcohol is a neurotoxin which damages our brains and that it can easily disrupt our hormonal balance. He does not recommend alcohol in any amounts but suggests we should take our resveratrol in the form of grape skins. He also notes, that unless you know the source of your wine and it is organic, then it may not contain any resveratrol anyway.

If you are interested in adding resveratrol to your nutrition and supplement routine there are a number of great resveratrol products on the market but you might also consider purchasing organic winemaking grapes and making your own. You can also eat grape skins as Dr. Mercola suggests or if you enjoy having a glass of red wine with dinner, then continue to do so but do not start drinking a bottle a night looking for increased health benefits.

By: Jane Arnold

During the past few years, I’ve become more interested in the subject of health and wellness. During this time, I’ve found the amount of information and variety of supplements overwhelming. The rows of jars and bottles that line the shelves at health food stores and supermarkets seems infinite.

I believe that it’s essential, in our pill popping society, to be judicious when choosing to start a new supplement routine. It’s imperative to do research and speak to your doctor or health practitioner before making a final decision.

Every individual needs to assess their own needs and restrictions before choosing a supplement. Personally, I’m in my early 30’s, increasing my exercise levels, and dealing with a bit of mood irregularities and depression. I was already taking a multi-vitamin, but looked into two supplements that I had heard a lot about but had never tried: Evening Primrose Oil and Co-Enzyme Q-10.

Co-Enzyme Q-10 or vitamin Q10, is sometimes referred to as ‘the fountain of youth’. It was identified in the 1950’s and occurs naturally in the body. It protects the body from free radicals, which are nasty chemical elements that can damage the body’s cells. Co-enzyme Q-10 is considered an anti-oxidant that has been prescribed to help treat and prevent various forms of cancer. Found in varying levels in different body organs, the heart happens to have high concentrations of Q10. A deficiency of this energy nutrient can lead to hypertension, angina, and fatigue. It has been shown to increase stamina in athletes, and keeps the cells of the body in good working order.

“Heart disease. Cancer. AIDS. As unbelievable as it might sound, each of these deadly diseases often responds to a coenzyme Q10, a little known nutrient that can make a big difference in your health. Granted, such “cure all” statements leave people wondering whether CoQ10 is just the latest panacea of the month. Rest assured: the benefits of this nutrient are well documented in the medical journals. It’s one of the most frequently prescribed heart “drugs” in Japan and widely used in Europe-and one company even owns the patent for the CoQ10 treatment of AIDS.”
TheNutritionReporter.com

As a bonus there is also evidence to suggest Co-enzyme Q-10 can help to prevent gum disease. I look at this supplement as an oil change for my body. It helps with regular maintenance and keeps me energized. My sister is a chiropractor and this was the one supplement she highly recommended. A recommended dose for daily maintenance is 30 mg, three times per day. Keep in mind that Co-Enzyme Q-10 is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

“But the reason it’s particularly good for women–perhaps even the number one supplement for women–is because it appears to help prevent breast cancer. A recent Swedish study found that 39 percent of the female study participants with breast cancer also had low blood levels of co[Q.sub.10].” Findarticles.com

I’ve recently learned about and started using another supplement called Evening Primrose Oil. This supplement is ideal for women and can help with the symptoms of PMS, ease arthritic joint pain and swelling, prevent diabetes, help skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and exzema, protect against the effects of aging, counter female infertility, and nourish nails, scalp and hair. Evening Primrose Oil is pressed from the seed of the Evening Primrose flower. It it chock full of the fatty acid GLA or gamma-linoleic acid which exerts anti-inflammatory and other healing actions.

Our own bodies produce GLA which aids in prostoglandin production. Prostoglandins are required for proper cell function and rejuvenation, but need to be restored regularly. Everyday stresses on the body such as aging, high cholesterol, alcohol use, poor diet can lead to a deficiency in prostoglandin, and it has been shown that good GLA levels can help the production of this hormone. Usually 3 doses of 1000mg per day is recommended, but check with your doctor or health practitioner.

“While the evening primrose itself may be unknown to many, the benefits of evening primrose oil for a variety of health problems are renowned, particularly for women’s health. Three of the most common complaints it has been known to relieve are premenstrual syndrome (PMS), fibrocystic breasts, and menopausal symptoms.” FindArticles.com

Perhaps you don’t need every supplement you’re currently taking, or maybe there are areas of your health that need more attention. Assess your individual needs, research the product and speak to your doctor or health practitioner. Take control of your health!

Buy: Nature’s Bounty CoQ10
Buy: Puregels Evening Primrose Oil

Jane Arnold is a freelance writer and part-time health buff. You can get more health and beauty tips at her website at: http://www.girlyside.com/girlyside.html The website is a girl’s guide to health, beauty, love and leisure. Sign up for the free newsletter at http://www.girlyside.com/newsletter.html

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

If our heart, arteries and veins are lined with various waste products such as salts and fatty acids, then the volume of blood which can pass is diminished and the ability of these vessels to expand and contract is severely limited. Thus we have conditions such as arteriosclerosis, high and low blood pressure, heart blood flow deficiency and general circulatory deficiency.

Natural Effective Solutions for Circulatory Problems:

1. Carefully observe guidelines for healthy eating. Avoid cooked oils as much as possible (except for coconut oil), white flour, meat, white sugar, and any foods, which have been over processed or have chemical additives.

2. Eat whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits and a little raw unheated vegetable oil each day.

3. Occasional fasting helps to purify the blood vessels. One could fast on apples, pears or brown rice or do a juice fast for a few days. If one wants to do a longer fast, consult your doctor. Fasting on grapes is considered one of the most effective ways to purify the blood.

4. Vitamins and antioxidants help with better circulation: A, C, E, and Lecithin, B complex (especially B3, B2).

5. Alternating hot and cold baths help the blood flow to penetrate into all parts of the body. In general finishing with a cold shower helps stimulate circulation. Consult your doctor as to whether this is for your specific case.

6. Dress warmly so as to allow your blood vessels to be relaxed and let blood flow.

7. Swimming in the sea all year long helps to keep the circulation flowing and the body vital. One must be regular. If you cease for a period of time, your body will lose its ability to adapt to the cold water in the winter.

8. Nettle tea and beating the extremities with nettles is a folk remedy for increasing circulation to the extremities. This may be painful while doing it, but it brings results.

9. Reflexology massage can be used to bring circulation to organs, which cannot be affected by other means. By massaging the reflex point on the bottom of the foot we are able to bring blood flow to the various interior organs, so as to revitalize them.

10. Swedish muscular massage can be used to bring better blood flow to the various extremities.

11. All forms of movement and activity are helpful, i.e. running, walking, dancing, swimming, playing, sports and yoga. These are a must for those with poor circulation.

12. Breathing facilitates the return of the blood through the veins to the heart. When we breathe deeply and slowly, we help the blood to return to the heart an also move the lymph through the system. Deep breathing every day is an essential for those with circulatory problems.

13. When we relax the blood vessels, our blood flows freely to the various parts of our body. We tend to obstruct the free flow of blood through unconscious tensing of the various muscles and also the blood vessels themselves. Relaxation is essential for healthy circulation. Perform deep relaxation daily, imagining the blood vessels opening and the blood flowing freely to the parts of the body which have insufficient circulation.

14. Various forms of heat, such as hot compresses, hot water bottles, and electric heating pads can be used to increase the circulation momentarily to various parts of the body.

15. Physical Exercises

• The abdominal area is considered the furnace of the body, where heat and energy are produced. Sluggishness and tension in this area can impede our general flow of energies and also blood. Thus, you will need to do a number of exercises to stimulate and vitalize the area of the abdomen.
• The endocrine system regulates our overall metabolism. You would do well to learn and employ specific exercises for rejuvenating and harmonizing the endocrine system.
• Add other exercises for the various joints such as the shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, hips, knees, ankles and toes according to where you need better circulation. Even if our problems are located at the extremities such as with the fingers and toes, we have to open up all the other joints, which come before them. Although the symptoms may be in the extremities, the cause may be in one of the preceding joints. It is usually at the joints that the circulation gets blocked.
• Ensure good circulation to the brain by lying on your back next to a wall and placing your feet up on the wall, so that the blood flows into the lungs gaining oxygen and then into the brain oxygenating and bringing nutrients to all the cells of the brain. This is essential for the pituitary and hypothalamus and thus for the endocrine and autonomic nervous system and thus for all bodily and mental functions.

16. Observe to see if emotional factors are involved. You may have an unconscious holding and a need for control of feelings or expression, which is also restricting the free flow of blood. If you are suppressing your emotions, learn to express them in effective and positive ways (without hurting others).

When we care for our body and mind, they serve us much more efficiently.

May you be well on all levels of your being.

For more about creating natural health go here http://www.HolisticHarmony.com/archives/health/
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There have been alarming new reports that there has been an unexpected drop in male births. In fact a quarter of a million fewer boys have been born in the in the last 30 years in the USA and Japan. While this may may not seem particularly significant to your interest in detoxification, scientists are linking the phenomenon to exposure to and body accumulation of hormone mimicking pollutants.

Hormone mimicking toxins or gender benders, as they are often known, appear not to be easily eliminated naturally through the body’s detox pathways. They build up and interfere with the way your glandular system functions. This may contribute to painful and distressing conditions such as endometriosis, dysfunction of ovaries, infertility, miscarriages, excessive menstrual bleeding as well as estrogen driven cancers.

These pollutants which include pesticides, dioxin and methylmercury from many industrial sources as well as seafood are thought to be related to the fall in sperm counts and increasing testicular cancer especially in young males. Unborn male babies may more sensitive to the effects of these hormone mimicking pollutants than females and may result in more deaths around the time of birth. The ratios of male to female births are particularly skewed in areas that are close to petrochemical plants.

Bisphenol A is a common estrogen mimic and is ingested by practically everyone who eats canned foods or drinks from a can or hard plastic water bottles. The substance is used in the linings of food and drink cans as well as dental cements. Plastics have revolutionized our lives but scientists are beginning recognize that we may now be paying the price of convenience. Bisphenol A levels were found to be 3 times higher in women who had miscarriages and dysfunction of their ovaries than other women.

Recently blood samples taken from the cord blood of newborns were found to contain 287 industrial pollutants many of which were found to be toxic to the brain and nervous system. 180 are known to cause cancer. 208 were found to cause birth defects in animals. As usual the plastics industry is disputing the research findings in spite of a lawsuit being brought against 5 manufacturers of plastic baby bottles.

The facts surrounding this story only go to heighten the fact that we have to be careful what we put into our bodies and the bodies of our young children and how important it is to ensure that we try to detox them. Couples thinking of having a baby should be particularly concerned with detoxing their bodies prior to even trying to conceive.

The best pre-conceptual care programs insist on 6 months preparation for both parents or a minimum of 3 months. Men often wonder why they should be included but the quality of the sperm as well as the quantity is influenced by chemicals in the body as well as the nutritional status.

Mercury is not the only toxin lurking in oily fish. Scientists have just discovered that diabetes may be linked to the toxic chemicals DDT and PCB’s that pollute the seas and accumulate in oily fish. Studies have shown that the people with the highest levels of chemicals in their bodies are more likely to develop this disease.

Here my 10 top tips for avoiding these gender benders and the havoc they bring to your hormone health.

1) Examine the recycling symbol on the bottom of plastic water bottled if you reuse them. The colorful hard bottles with a #7 favored by many may leach Bisophenol A into the liquid. A #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), #4 or #5 should be fine. #1 is for one time use only as the plastic breaks down with further use. Use glass bottles where possible.

2) Check all your plastic food containers as well and store food, especially oily food, in glass or ceramic dishes.

3) Eat an organic diet where possible but always a balanced wholefood one.

4) Avoid the 7 fruits and 5 vegetables that according to recent research from the Environmental Working Group in Washington consistently have the highest level of pesticide residues - peaches, apples, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, and grapes that are imported from outside the United States and Canada, sweet bell peppers, celery, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes..

5) Concentrate your diet on the 6 fruits and 6 vegetables with the lowest pesticide residue - pineapples, mangoes, kiwi, bananas, papaya, onions, sweet corn, asparagus, sweet peas, cabbage, and broccoli.

6) Avoid oily fish and replace your omega 3 essential fats with supplements that are guaranteed pure and free from chemicals and toxic metals.

7) Avoid toluene in some nail polishes and perfumes, DEHP in many perfumed products, the preservative parabens in personal products and use only organic or products containing natural ingredients.

Only use plastic babies bottles that are designated Bisphenol A free or use glass ones. Avoid plastic teething rings and prevent babies from chewing on other plastic toys.

9) Avoid bleaches and other chemical based household cleaners. Use environmentally friendly ones instead.

10) Follow regular detox programs and include foods that support the liver sulfation pathways - broccoli sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, onions and garlic. Also include a good liver detoxification support supplement and consider DIM (Diindolylmethane) or Cacium -D-Glucarate supplements to help balance estrogen and detoxify the estrogen mimics. Get the advice of a nutritional doctor, naturopath or nutritionist if you have serious problems with your hormones.

It is recognized that some people have a better capacity for the detoxification of chemicals than others but by avoiding chemicals as much as possible and following regular detox programs many hormonal conditions can be prevented or considerably improved.

To learn much more about detoxification get my brand new Free Report at http://www.thedetoxspecialist.com.

(c) Sandy Halliday 2007

Sandy Halliday, a former nurse, is a nutritionist and health researcher with over 20 years experience in various methods of detoxification. She is passionate about the prevention of disease and aging and the improvement of many health conditions with regular, effective detoxification. http://www.thedetoxspecialist.com

Buy the Book: The Detox Box
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