Five ways to use the essential oil of lime

 

Lime

Citrus aurantifolia

The wonder lime

 A wonderful bright oil that has been used for centuries to heal. The essential oil of lime is an antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral and promotes restoration. The essential oil of Lime has been used in the past for stomach aches, infections, the common cold, sore throats and fevers.

The essential oil of lime has been used to promote physical energy, protection and purification during spiritual and psychic ceremonies.

 The scientific reason that the essential oil of lime is so effective is because of its high concentration of monoterpenes. This chemical makeup makes the essential oil of lime an excellent detoxifier and with the d-Limonene the essential oil of lime provides anticancer properties, antibacterial properties, antifungal properties and antiviral properties. The essential oil of lime can be considered stimulating and works well on tired muscles.

 Here are five ways that you can use the essential oil of lime:

 1.  Smell: the essential oil of lime has a wonderful smell that will refresh you and has been used to decrease fatigue, improve mood, reduce anxiety and improve concentration. The essential oil of lime can be place in a diffuser or a couple drops added to a candle.

2.  Acumedicine: Applying the essential oil of lime to various energy points will provide relief from a large number of problems including:

• Sore throat
• remove wrinkles
• improve anxiety
• improve the lymphatic flow (decrease the amount of toxin in the body)
• strengthens nails
• calms
• improves broken capillaries

3.  Massage: blend the essential oil of lime with lavender or rosemary and almond oil and you have the perfect massage oil. An oil that will detoxify, improve immune function and relax the soul.

4.  Sore throat: 10 drops essential oil of lime and one teaspoon of raw honey. Ingest every 4 hours and this will soothe a sore throat and reduce cough. The purifying ability of the essential oil of lime will strengthen the immune system, kill pathogens and improve detoxification leading to decreased time being sick.

5.  Fever: the essential oil of lime will reduce fever. Apply five drops of the essential oil of lime to a cold compress and place on the forehead of the person with fever.

 

Safety

 The essential oil of lime is phototoxic. Do not expose yourself to the sun if you have used the essential oil of lime for 24 hours.

The essential of lime is a potent and natural healing therapy and can be used safely for many conditions.  Although the essential oil of lime does create photo toxicity it is an effective therapy for many conditions and has proven itself over time.  Take the time to add the essential oil of lime to you essential oil first aid kit today. 

 

References

Abundant health (2011) Modern essentials a contempary guide to the therapuetic use of essential oils.

Clarity (2011) Lime. Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairity/

Lawless, J. (1995) The illustrated encyclopedia of essential oils. Element Books.

Tisserand, R. (1995) Essential oil safety: A guide for health care professionals. Churchill Livingstone

 

The North Shore Institute of Healing can answer any questions that you may have regarding essential oils and healing.  Please contact us at nsihinfo@gmail.com or leave a comment.

How to improve your diabetes the simple way

 A person with diabetes can control their glucose level through four major factors: diet, exercise, drugs and alternative medicine. By manipulating these four major factors you can completely control your diabetes and according to new research actually reverse diabetes.

Diet

Diet can alter diabetes symptoms and progression radically. A diabetic should eat a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. This means that you should be eating chicken, pork and turkey on a regular basis to help control your diabetes. You should also be using a whey protein product a least once per day because there are so many health benefits in whey protein. As a diabetic you should reduce breads, potatoes, rice, pasta, fruits, soda and other carbohydrates because these food products break down quickly to sugar and alter your glucose levels. So to recap this portion on diet: protein good carbohydrates bad.

As a diabetic you should eat several small meals per day. I recommend that my diabetic patients eat 5- 6 times per day. This would include a good breakfast followed by a protein shake about 2 hours after breakfast. Lunch is next followed by another protein shake and then dinner. A final snack can be eaten if you are up 2-3 hours after dinner. Glucose levels will change just be eating smaller meals giving the diabetic fewer symptoms.

 Exercise

Every diabetic should exercise at least 3 times per week. This would mean that you and your diabetes get out and do something for 45 minutes. Yes, I said anything, walk, run, swim, golf, tennis, bike…..just do it for 45 minutes and be consistent every week. Exercise changes diabetes two ways: it reduces body fat and increases lean muscle mass. Increasing your muscle mass and reducing your body fat will decrease your glucose levels and improve your diabetic symptoms. So get out and do something!

 Drugs

Pharmaceuticals can reduce your glucose levels and improve your diabetes. If you have decided to use pharmaceutical medicine as a treatment it is imperative that you take your medications as instructed and consistently every day. By maintaining a consistent regimen and taking the proper dose you will improve your diabetic symptoms. If you experience any symptom that is unusual contact your doctor!

 Alternative medicine

 Alternative medicine has many choices for the diabetic. These choices will improve symptoms and help the body heal and possibly cure your diabetes. Some alternative medicine therapies that you should consider as a diabetic are: acupuncture, manipulation, massage, aromatherapy and nutrition.

Acupuncture will help balance the energy in your body and return your body to a state of well being thus reducing your diabetic symptoms. There are several energy therapies that can improve your diabetes besides acupuncture that include: acupressure, massage, reflexology and Reiki.

Manipulation will allow the normal nerve energy to be restored to its natural balance. This allows the organs to function appropriately and improve your diabetic symptoms.

 Massage will improve diabetes by improving the lymph flow of the body and its ability to remove toxins. Massage will promote normal energy flow throughout the body and improve diabetic symptoms.

Aromatherapy for diabetes is the practice of using essential oils to improve diabetic symptoms. This is a fascinating topic that has produced some great research in the last few years. Essential oils will heal, balance and help control your diabetes naturally and without side effects. I encourage all my patients to use essential oils at home to improve their diabetes because it is so simple to do. You can simply smell the oils by heating them or using a diffuser or you can use some essential oil internally to improve your diabetic symptoms. If you would like more information on essential oils please contact the office at 808-679-9880 for a consultation.

 Using nutrition to improve your diabetes is simple and inexpensive. There are several therapies that you can use to improve diabetes safely and quickly. I encourage patients to consider nutrition because most need to replace the nutritional items in their bodies that they lack. Chromium is a simple nutritional product that can reduce your blood sugars and diabetic symptoms quickly. This product is a rare element that helps improve glucose levels and it is inexpensive to purchase. Nutritional consultations are available either in office or online to anyone that would like to know how nutrition could help reduce their diabetic symptoms. Simply call 808-679-9880 for an appointment or to schedule your online consultation.

 Understanding the four factors of diet, exercise, drugs and alternative medicine can alter the progression of your diabetes and change your life. The best thing to do for your diabetes is anything. Pick one thing and change it. Change the way you live life, eat, exercise and use nutrition and you will feel better and look better and decrease your diabetic symptoms.

How to manage your diabetes

Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes the key is to manage the diabetes appropriately to limit the chronic problems. Diabetes management begins with understanding the type of diabetes that you have, the treatment option that you have chosen to treat your diabetes and learning how to maintain and improve your glucose level.

First, let us discuss your glucose level. The glucose cycle of diabetes is affected by two major physiological factors: how much glucose is entering your blood and how much insulin your body is producing to control glucose levels. If you can understand this simple concept then managing your diabetes becomes much easier. A person with diabetes can control their glucose level through four major factors: diet, exercise, drugs and alternative medicine. By manipulating these four major factors you can completely control your diabetes and according to new research actually reverse diabetes. It is important to understand that you keep your physician informed of all the factors that you are manipulating especially if you are taking pharmaceuticals. The reason is that if you are taking pharmaceuticals you could easily drop your glucose below a safe value and cause dizziness, blurred vision, headache and even lose consciousness.

If you are going to manage your diabetes and live a normal life you will have to make a decision to alter the way you live your life. Diabetes management is something that you must do everyday and requires that you monitor your glucose several times per day. Your glucose levels will change with the things you eat, the amount of stress that you have and the amount of exercise that do. You should keep a log of your glucose readings and here is a great template for excel that you can use:

Image Source Page: http://www.myexceltemplates

Since you have diabetes you will need a good glucose monitor. There are several on the market and you should get the one that you feel most comfortable with using. I encourage patients to use the meter that requires the least amount of blood to check your glucose.

In the next post I will talk about the four major factors that you can manipulate to control and reverse your diabetes.

Can my bisphosphonate medication increase my risk of fracture?

 

Osteoporosis is a serious problem and can lead to an increase in fractures that in turn lead to decreased quality of life and sometimes even death. The pharmaceutical community has developed a class of drugs called bisphosphanates that are suppose to reduce osteoporosis.

Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that inhibit the resorption of bone. Bisphosphonates are used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Common bisphosphonate drugs are: Fosamax, Boniva, Reclast and Actonel.

Side effects of bisphosphanates: osteonecrosis, increased risk of esophageal cancer, increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, increased femoral shaft fracture. There are some links to irregular heart rhythms with fosamax and reclast (Sahelian).

 A recent study report in the February 23, 2011 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association talked about a finding that treatment with a bisphosphonate for 5 years or longer was associated with an increased risk of a particular type of fracture. Although the study found that the risk was low for a fracture it did still exist. Bisphosphonates actually inhibit the resorption of bone and thus interfere with the normal cycle of bone building and breakdown. Should we actually change what the natural rhythm of the body? Are we more intelligent than the Creator? We are not! Patients should be made aware of the fact that bisphosphanates can actually increase the risk of a particular type of fracture. They should also be informed of the significant side effects associated with this drug. I am talking about sitting the patient down and actually discussing the side effects not just telling them to read the insert. There are several natural methods to increase bone mass without causing the harmful side effects of bisphosphanates. Natural medicine can increase bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Natural medicine can help you prevent osteoporosis and many other health problems. If you are taking bisphosphonates and would like more information please contact us at:

North Shore Institute of Healing

Phone: 808-679-9880

email: nsihinfo@gmail.com

 

Reference:

Laura Y. Park-Wyllie, Muhammad M. Mamdani, David N. Juurlink, Gillian A. Hawker, Nadia Gunraj, Peter C. Austin, Daniel B. Whelan, Peter J. Weiler, Andreas Laupacis (Feb. 23, 2011) Bisphosphonate Use and the Risk of Subtrochanteric or Femoral Shaft Fractures in Older Women. JAMA 305(8): 783-789.

Sahelian, R., (n.a.) Bisphosphonates side effects, osteonecrosis, safety, danger, caution. Retrieved from http://www.raysahelian.com/bisphosphonate.htmlI

 Appointments are available to discuss bisphosphanates or any other pharmaceutical or natural product at North Shore Institute of Healing.

Lavender

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Lavender

Lavandula

 

Lavender oil is a wonderful oil that has been used for decades to relieve stress and anxiety however, lavender has many uses for the family first aid kit. Lavender oil can be placed in the first aid kit to relieve all sorts of minor injuries from cuts and burns to anxiety and stress. Aromatherapy and topical application makes lavender oil a versatile tool for any family.  Lavender is easy to use because it can be applied directly to the skin without a carrier oil.   

 Latin: Lavandula comes from lavare which means to wash. This name may have been given because lavender was used in baths to help cleanse body and spirit.

Lavender uses: antiseptic and mental health,  headache, migraines, depression, anxiety emotional stress upset stomach urinary disorders, flu cold, cough, asthma, sinus congestion, tonsillitis, laryngitis, acne psoriasis, wounds, cuts burns, lice,  increases circulation, stomach pain, colic, vomiting, diarrhea, improves immunity

 Where lavender is found: Native to mountainous zones of the Mediterranean where it grows in direct sun and in the stony environment. Lavender is currently found in Europe, Australia, and the United States. It is a short shrub that grows to about 24 inches.

Lavender aromatherapy: nervous tension, aggression, stress, concentration, hysteria, soothing, anxiety, balance

Lavender blends well with: cedar wood, chamomile, lemongrass, mandarin, orange, peppermint, tangerine, tea tree

 

Research:

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Lavender flower. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:226–229.

Henley DV, Lipson N, Korach KS, et al. Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;356(5):479–485.

 Lavender. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com

Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia Miller). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturalstandard.com

 

If you would like more information about lavender oil or essential oil therapy please feel free to contact us at:

North Shore Institute of Healing

Phone:  808-679-9880

Email:  nsihinfo@gmail.com

Consultations to discuss how lavender and other essential oils can improve your health are available. 

 

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Eucalyptus

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Eucalyptus

eucalyptus globulus

Eucalyptus: antibacterial, anti fungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti inflammatory and decongestant

One of the most powerful antiseptics of its class and tends to improve with age.

 Eucalyptus is a stimulant and will increase cardiac action.

Eucalyptus the healing oil from Australia. This is a wonderful oil that should be in every home and emergency kit. A very powerful antiseptic and antibiotic that can be used for all sorts of scrapes. A little bit applied to the scrape will help reduce the chance for infection and start the healing process. Another way the Eucalyptus is used is through a vapor rub. Simply mix a few drops of eucalyptus with jojoba or sweet almond oil and apply it liberally to the chest when a loved one is experiencing bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia or just a common cold. You can reapply the rub every four hours. The aroma of the eucalyptus will open the sinus and allow easier breathing. Additionally, the lungs will open and allow the mucus to move and be expelled for coughing.

Here are a few other ways that eucalyptus can be used:

• Eucalyptus: antibacterial, anti fungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti inflammatory and decongestant
• One of the most powerful antiseptics of its class and tends to improve with age.
• Eucalyptus is a stimulant and will increase cardiac action.
• Eucalyptus can be used as a antiseptic gargle.
• Eucalyptus provides some malarial protection
• Eucalyptus can be liberally applied to the chest when mixed with a carrier oil in cold, bronchitis and pneumonia
• Eucalyptus can be used to as an antiseptic for a wound.
• Eucalyptus has been used in treating burns
• Eucalyptus is good for treating insect bites and stings
• Eucalyptus is good for relieving muscle aches and pains. As a strong anti inflammatory and analgesic eucalyptus is perfect for tired sore muscles.
• Eucalyptus is good for mental exhaustion either inhaled or applied as a spritz
• Eucalyptus can be used to treat fever
• Eucalyptus has been used in all animals with severe infections and parasitic skin infections.

 Side effects:

• In large doses eucalyptus can be irritating to the kidneys
• Should not be used if experiencing high blood pressure
• Eucalyptus should not be used internally without the advice of a healing professional
• Do not use eucalyptus when taking homeopathic remedies.

Eucalyptus will blend well with: cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, lemongrass

Aromatherapy attributes: stimulating, cooling, balancing

 

 If you would like to learn more about Eucalyptus or other essential oils please contact us at:

North Shore Institute of Healing

Telephone:  808-679-9880

Email:  nsihinfo@gmail.com

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Can Ecstasy help cure cancer?

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An article was published on August 18, 2011 that announced that a modified form of Ecstasy could kill certain cancer cells 100 times better than Ecstasy itself. We have known that Ecstasy has anti-cancer qualities but with the modification of the drug it becomes much more powerful. This new discovery is exciting for those with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma because if offers hope that a cure may be discovered one day.

Ecstasy is a drug that produces emotional and social effects on those that take it. It can reduce anxiety and produce a sense of well being when taken. Ecstasy is a criminal offense to possess in most countries for recreational use however, one day modified Ecstasy may be used to treat certain cancers.

Professor John Gordon lead author said:

 

“Together, we were looking at structures of compounds that were more effective. They started to look more lipophilic, that is, they were attracted to the lipids that make up cell walls. This would make them more ‘soapy’ so they would end up getting into the cancer cells more easily and possibly even start dissolving them.

By knowing this we can theoretically make even more potent analogues of MDMA and eventually reach a point where we will have in our drug cabinet the most potent form we could.”

Professor Gordon also stated that, “this is an enormous step forward in their quest for an effective treatment for those with some forms of blood cancer. While we would not wish to give people false hope, the results of this research hold the potential for improvement in treatments in years to come.”

 

Dr. David Grant, Scientific Director of Leukemia & Lymphoma Research, a UK charity that helped fund the study stated, “the prospect of being able to target blood cancer with a drug derived from Ecstasy is genuinely exciting proposition. Many types of lymphoma remain hard to treat and non-toxic drugs which are both effective and have few side effects are desperately needed. Further work is required but this research is a significant step forward in developing a potential new cancer drug.”

 

Additional studies will continue on the effects of Ecstasy on cancer cells. The next step will be to test the drug on animals and then if favorable move to human trials.

 

Reference

Nordqvist, C. (2011 Aug 21) Modified Ecstasy compounds have powerful anti-cancer properties. Medical News Today.
Wasik AM, Gandy MN, McIldowie M, Holder MJ, Chamba A, Challa A, Lewis KD, Young SP, Scheel-Toellner D, Dyer MJ, Barnes NM, Piggott MJ, Gordon J. (2011 Aug 18). “Enhancing the anti-lymphoma potential of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (\\’ecstasy\\’) through iterative chemical redesign: mechanisms and pathways to cell death.” Invest New Drugs

Omega Fatty Acids Reduce Risk of Diabetes

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Omega Fatty Acids found to reduce risk of diabetes

In the August edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition there was an article about omega fatty acids and how they can reduce your risk of diabetes. This is another great documented finding that confirms what we as alternative practitioners have preached for the last 20 years.  Using omega fatty acids on a daily basis can reduce your risk of diabetes and decrease your risk of cardiac disease, improve joint function and much more.   As part of your wellness plan omega fatty acids should be included every day.  The interesting thing about this article is that it found that both fish and non marine omega fatty acids will reduce the risk of diabetes.  This is another great finding that allows those who do not want to use fish products to continue to use omega fatty acids to improve their health.   Hopefully this study will encourage more medical doctors to prescribe omega fatty acids to patients with risk factors of developing diabetes.

 

 Reference:

Brostow DP, Odegaard AO, Koh W-P, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids and incident type 2 diabetes: the Singapore Chinese Health Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2011;94:520–6.
Djoussé L, Biggs ML, Lemaitre RN, et al. Plasma omega-3 fatty acids and incident diabetes in older adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2011;94:527–33.
Villegas R, Xiang Y-B, Elasy T, et al. Fish, shellfish, and long-chain n–3 fatty acid consumption and risk of incident type 2 diabetes in middle-aged Chinese men and women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2011;94:543–51.
Feskens EJM. The prevention of type 2 diabetes: should we recommend vegetable oils instead of fatty fish? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2011;94:369–70.

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Feverfew and ginger gives relief to migraine patients

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The search for the magic treatment of migraines continues with millions of dollars of research looking for the special formula. Meanwhile Cady and colleagues investigated a sub lingual preparation of fever few and ginger as a possible abortive of migraines with and without aura. The results were favorable of the feverfew and ginger for aborting migraines and alleviating both migraine pain and non pain migraine symptoms when compared to the placebo. 32% of the patients taking the feverfew and ginger preparation were pain free in 2 hours and 64% had no pain or mild pain at 2 hours compared to the placebo.

The most common side effect of the feverfew and ginger preparation was oral numbness and nausea.

Now how does feverfew and ginger compare to a pharmaceutical migraine medication? Imitrex tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults. There were 3 randomized, double blind , placebo-controlled studies that evaluated Imitrex in the treatment of migraine headaches. In all 3 trials patients achieving headache response 2 and 4 hours after treatment was significantly greater among patients receiving Imitrex tablets at all doses compared to those who received placebo. The percentages are as follows: 52% had no pain or mild pain with imitrex at 2 hours and 67% at 4 hours. .

Imitrex Side effects:

• Risk of myocardial ischemia and or infarction and other adverse cardiac events
• Risk of cerebrovascular events and fatalities
• Vasospasm
• Increased blood pressure
• Corneal opacities

• Atypical Sensations: Frequent were burning sensation and numbness. Infrequent was tight feeling in head. Rare were dysesthesia.
• Cardiovascular: Frequent were palpitations, syncope, decreased blood pressure, and increased blood pressure. Infrequent were arrhythmia, changes in ECG, hypertension, hypotension, pallor, pulsating sensations, and tachycardia. Rare were angina, atherosclerosis, bradycardia, cerebral ischemia, cerebrovascular lesion, heart block, peripheral cyanosis, thrombosis, transient myocardial ischemia, and vasodilation.
• Ear, Nose, and Throat: Frequent were sinusitis, tinnitus; allergic rhinitis; upper respiratory inflammation; ear, nose, and throat hemorrhage; external otitis; hearing loss; nasal inflammation; and sensitivity to noise. Infrequent were hearing disturbances and otalgia. Rare was feeling of fullness in the ear(s).
• Endocrine and Metabolic: Infrequent was thirst. Rare were elevated thyrotropin stimulating hormone (TSH) levels; galactorrhea; hyperglycemia; hypoglycemia; hypothyroidism; polydipsia; weight gain; weight loss; endocrine cysts, lumps, and masses; and fluid disturbances.
• Eye: Rare were disorders of sclera, mydriasis, blindness and low vision, visual disturbances, eye edema and swelling, eye irritation and itching, accommodation disorders, external ocular muscle disorders, eye hemorrhage, eye pain, and keratitis and conjunctivitis.
• Gastrointestinal: Frequent were diarrhea and gastric symptoms. Infrequent were constipation, dysphagia, and gastroesophageal reflux. Rare were gastrointestinal bleeding, hematemesis, melena, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal pain, dyspeptic symptoms, dental pain, feelings of gastrointestinal pressure, gastritis, gastroenteritis, hypersalivation, abdominal distention, oral itching and irritation, salivary gland swelling, and swallowing disorders.
• Hematological Disorders: Rare was anemia.
• Musculoskeletal: Frequent was myalgia. Infrequent was muscle cramps. Rare were tetany; muscle atrophy, weakness, and tiredness; arthralgia and articular rheumatitis; acquired musculoskeletal deformity; muscle stiffness, tightness, and rigidity; and musculoskeletal inflammation.
• Neurological: Frequent were phonophobia and photophobia. Infrequent were confusion, depression, difficulty concentrating, disturbance of smell, dysarthria, euphoria, facial pain, heat sensitivity, incoordination, lacrimation, monoplegia, sleep disturbance, shivering, syncope, and tremor. Rare were aggressiveness, apathy, bradylogia, cluster headache, convulsions, decreased appetite, drug abuse, dystonic reaction, facial paralysis, hallucinations, hunger, hyperesthesia, hysteria, increased alertness, memory disturbance, neuralgia, paralysis, personality change, phobia, radiculopathy, rigidity, suicide, twitching, agitation, anxiety, depressive disorders, detachment, motor dysfunction, neurotic disorders, psychomotor disorders, taste disturbances, and raised intracranial pressure.
• Respiratory: Frequent was dyspnea. Infrequent was asthma. Rare were hiccoughs, breathing disorders, cough, and bronchitis.
• Skin: Frequent was sweating. Infrequent were erythema, pruritus, rash, and skin tenderness. Rare were dry/scaly skin, tightness of skin, wrinkling of skin, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and skin nodules.
• Breasts: Infrequent was tenderness. Rare were nipple discharge; breast swelling; cysts, lumps, and masses of breasts; and primary malignant breast neoplasm.
• Urogenital: Infrequent were dysmenorrhea, increased urination, and intermenstrual bleeding. Rare were abortion and hematuria, urinary frequency, bladder inflammation, micturition disorders, urethritis, urinary infections, menstruation symptoms, abnormal menstrual cycle, inflammation of fallopian tubes, and menstrual cycle symptoms.
• Miscellaneous: Frequent was hypersensitivity. Infrequent were fever, fluid retention, and overdose. Rare were edema, hematoma, lymphadenopathy, speech disturbance, voice disturbances, contusions.

Conclusion:

It appears that feverfew and ginger prepartion is less effective than Imitrex when comparing the two studies. Feverfew/ginger had a 32% success rate and Imitrex had a 52% success rate at two hours and at the 4 hour mark feverfew/ginger had a 64% success rate and Imitrex had 67% success rate. Although Imitrex appears more effective at relieving migraines there are significant side effects that could occur including death! So if you have migraines start by trying to abort them through the use of feverfew and ginger or acu-medicine or some other form of alternative medicine. If alternative medicine does not work you could always use pharmacological preparations.

 Reference

Cady, R. K., Goldstein, J., Nett, R., Mitchell, R., Beach, M. and Browning, R. (2011), A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Sublingual Feverfew and Ginger (LipiGesic^TMM) in the Treatment of Migraine. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 51: 1078–1086. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.01910.x

If you would like to speak to one of our healers about migraines or headaches call

North Shore Institute of Healing at

808-679-9880 or email nsihinfo@gmail.com.

More antidepressants being prescribed in the United States

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Dr Dawn Hamilton tweeted this article the other day and after reading it I felt that it was important to share it with all of you. http://www.internalmedicinenews.com/news/mental-health/single-article/nonpsychiatric-prescribing-fuels-rise-in-antidepressant-use/8a560f9536.html.

 

The main storyline of the article is that antidepressant prescriptions are on the rise and not just for depression. Many providers are now using these medications for off label uses and to treat some newly defined problems. Now as many of you know I am not against the use of medications however I against just prescribing for the sake of prescribing. Many of the patients that are receiving antidepressant medications for things like diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia could have better options to pursue if their doctor would just tell them. Now I am sure that there are patients that have tried every alternative out there and just did not respond and finally someone gave them an antidepressant and things improved. This is great and great for the patient! However, we all know that this is not the case most of the time. Many times the patient goes to the doctor with a complaint of fibromyalgia and the doctor just whips out the prescription pad because the doctor knows this patient will take a lot of time.

 

Here are a few stats that you might find interesting about antidepressants.

• In the United States alone antidepressant sales were over 11 BILLION dollars in 2010.
• Antidepressants are the third most commonly prescribed drug class in the United States according to Ramin Mojtabai, M.D., Ph.D. Of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
• Four out of five physicians prescribing antidepressants are not psychiatrists.
• Antidepressants are more commonly being prescribed for non psychiatric conditions.

 

 

Antidepressants are now being used for headaches, tiredness, nonspecific pain, smoking, premenstrual tension and abnormal sensations. Each of these symptoms can be treated effectively with alternative medicine without side effects. In fact a patient is probably more likely to see a reduction in symptoms or complete resolution of symptoms when using alternative medicine.

 

Antidepressant medication carries significant side effects. According to Consumerreports.org (http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/Antidepressants_update.pdf) antidepressants can have the following minor side effects that usually go away in time or are short lived:

• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headaches
• nausea
• sweating
• tremors

 

and then there are the more serious side effects that can be annoying or dangerous according to the same report by Consumerreports.org:

• drowsiness or confusion
• panic or dread
• increased thoughts of suicide
• insomnia
• loss of libido
• nervousness
• agitation
• weight gain

 

These are just a few of the side effects!

 

Now lets say you come to North Shore Institute of Healing with the same symptoms. The treatments that we use might give you the following side effects:

• a feeling of health
• increased energy
• happiness
• a since of joy
• a desire to tell others about the success you have had at getting rid of your symptoms

 

Yes I know these are quite the same side effects that antidepressants give but you could actually get rid of your symptoms and be healthier and happier. If you want more information, have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment please contact us at the following:

Phone: 808-679-9880

email: nsihinfo@gmail.com

 

Thank you again Dr. Dawn Hamilton for the great update. As always we appreciate your input and dedication to health, wellness and success. You may visit Dr. Dawn Hamilton on twitter at:

Dr.Dawn_Health

 

 

Related articles

• Antidepressants Overprescribed in Primary Care (psychcentral.com)
• Too Many Non-Psychiatrists Prescribing Antidepressants? (blisstree.com)
• Americans’ Use of Antidepressants on the Rise (nlm.nih.gov)