Yoga is a spiritual science that has been practiced for thousands of years in India and for over a century in the United States. While the ultimate goal is to achieve a transcendental state, the tools of yoga can be used to alleviate ailments of the body and mind and to improve the day-to-day lives… Read more »
Summer adventure led me to one of the youngest islands in the world – Iceland. This frontier land of fire and ice, as Icelanders call it, is also a land of wonder and astonishing silence. The absence of trees covering most of the volcanic land mass results in few birds chirping, creating a void that… Read more »
Acupuncture has been used for more than 3,000 years to treat eye disease. By inserting tiny needles into the skin (not in the eyes or eyeball), the therapy can help preserve vision for those with a wide range of eye conditions including dry eyes, eye floaters, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. When the macular begins… Read more »
One of the most important questions asked by patients when they start a course of treatment is how long the regimen will take and how many sessions they will need to get the relief they seek. Naturally, this depends on what condition is being treated, whether it is headaches; neck, back, shoulder or foot pain;… Read more »
In your mind’s eye, is the grass greener at times in your neighbor’s backyard? Do you get green with envy thinking about someone else’s car, spouse, partner, wealth, or happiness? I recently observed a holiday called Shavuot, or the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai a mere 3,329 years… Read more »
Helicobacter pylorus (H. pylori) is a bacterium of the stomach also known as Campylobacter pylori, which can be a factor in the development of ulcers in the stomach. Gastric acids begin to erode the stomach lining causing inflammation and creating an open sore (ulcer). H. pylori infection is a strong risk factor for certain types… Read more »
Do you know someone who uses hemp oil and touts its health benefits? Have you heard of CBD oil and wondered if it would be good for you? If so, read on to learn more about this herbal agent and its wide range of benefits. Hemp is a plant in the cannabis family. It is… Read more »
When I was a young girl my mother worked with pottery. Glazed bowls and vessels that looked earthy and imperfect adorned countertops. She stressed the importance of finding imperfect beauty in art and nature. I vividly remember a time she purchased a vase from an artist while a customer next to us was looking for… Read more »
As of 2016, the dietary supplement industry hit $122 billion and it continues to grow. You can get supplements just about anywhere now, from Amazon and your grocery store, to your pharmacy and doctor’s office. It is becoming more and more difficult to differentiate what you need, if it is safe for you, and if… Read more »
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are areas of energy that surround electronic devices. Your body has electrical and magnetic fields so it can conduct nerve and muscle impulses. Because of this conductive potential, EMFs generated by electronics are attracted to the human body and affect people by increasing voltage beyond the optimal range. These invisible currents provide… Read more »
As a recent desert transplant, I have been surprised about the routine and conventional approaches to pest management in our area. Many of us are subject to monthly exterior spraying in our communities and have monthly contracts with exterminators, regardless of whether extermination is actually needed. Conventional pesticides and insecticides contain toxic ingredients that can… Read more »
Each season, I place framed quotes in my workplace employee breakroom that are motivating or thought provoking in nature. Last November I was in a hurry to get everything in in order, so I didn’t spend significant time in choosing these new quotes which I framed and displayed on the walls. Ironically, one quote had… Read more »
A snowbird friend recently returned home from a shorter than usual season here in the desert. I asked her how their season was and she replied, “It felt short. It’s the transitions that kill me!” The statement really struck a chord as to how changing locations can hold so many challenges. As I thought about… Read more »
A couple of years ago 28 students and staff at Coachella Valley High School were evaluated by emergency crews after reporting symptoms ranging from stomach aches and nausea to headaches and sore throats. The culprit was an organic herbicide used on nearby agricultural fields. We have been told over and over that organic is better… Read more »
It has been over 100 years since Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist, first described a patient with the advanced neurodegenerative brain disease that today bears his name. Since that time, Alzheimer’s disease has been without an effective treatment. That may be changing. Recent research under the direction of Dale Bredesen, MD, being conducted jointly… Read more »
The gut is intrinsically tied to our emotions. Experience tells us we can have a “gut wrenching” moment after seeing a traumatic event, or “butterflies” in our stomach on the first day of a new job. Another old adage we are told is “not to ignore our gut instinct.” But is there truly a connection?… Read more »
NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen) is an essential coenzyme found in all living cells. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps to eliminate free radicals and remove lactic acid build up in our muscles. When we are young, we produce a lot of NADH in our cells; however, as we age, we cease to produce… Read more »
These simply meditation practices work whether you are walking, hiking, riding a bike, or sitting. 1: Grounding & Opening Start by bringing your awareness to the soles of your feet. Visualize these energy centers opening and growing roots deep into the earth, going down and out to stabilize you. Then bring your awareness to the… Read more »
Sinusitis is an uncomfortable condition that can be caused by a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, or can arise from an allergic reaction to pollen, grass cuttings and food allergies. Sinusitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinus cavities which are located behind the nose and above the eyes. This inflammation causes… Read more »
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, often about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It is a nervous disorder that affects literally millions of people and is characterized by a state of distress and apprehension. Anxiety can present itself in many different ways from mild worry to physical manifestations… Read more »