Many spices and herbs, commonly found around the house, can be used for herbal healing to fight infection, sanitize and heal wounds, improve brain power and detoxify the body.  Be warned that many of these herbs have essential oils in them which are toxic in high doses so should especially be avoided during pregnancy.  Consider the following:

• Rosemary is my favorite for herbal healing. It is called the herb of remembrance (or the herb of chicken) because it increases blood flow to the brain increasing memory, focus, concentration and mental endurance. Take the dried or fresh leaves and steep them like you would tea.  Rosemary is also one of nature’s best antioxidants as it helps prevent cell damage and helps the liver function to detoxify the body.
• Tumeric is another easy way to help detoxify the body.  Also, to decrease inflammation in your joints or muscles or anywhere in the body, put 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a couple ounces of warm water and drink it quickly.  If you don’t like the taste, add some cinnamon or chase it with your favorite fruit juice.  This bright yellow powder is used as a clothing dye, so be careful, it will stain your clothes!
• Cayenne is a strong, topical pain neutralizer.  Use this spicy, red powder for pain and inflammation of any kind: joint pain, muscle pain or nerve pain.  Combine 1 part cayenne powder with 5 parts flour, add some water until it becomes a thick paste and spread it on to a piece of fabric.  Fold the fabric so the cayenne paste is in the middle.  Apply this to the sore area for 15 minutes maximum, watching for redness or burning. Also, sprinkle some cayenne in your socks to keep your feet cozy on cold days.
• When you’ve got that sensation in the back of your throat as if you’re about to get sick, chew on some sage leaves.  The essential oils in the leaves are antimicrobial and should prevent the infection.  A pure form of the essential oil can be put in some water and gargled.  Also, crush the leaves with a mortar and pestle then wrap them in sterile gauze and apply to scrapes and cuts to clean the wound.
• Parsley can be used for speedy herbal healing of wounds, bruises, stings and bites.  Crush the leaves of this breath freshening garnish then wrap them in some sterile gauze and apply directly to the skin.

As you can see, herbal healing is possible from your own home – it’s effective and inexpensive!

Naturopathic medicine is a safe, effective and natural approach to you and your family’s health.  Naturopathic doctors can and will empower you to live a healthy lifestyle while treating and preventing disease.  Find more information on the services I offer at Arbour Wellness Centre at Nanaimo Naturopathic Doctor.

Everyday we hear reports that the US population is becoming increasingly overweight, and just as often we are faced with a confusing array of diets, pills and other products, all claiming to help us lose weight. Most of these products are not grounded in sound nutrition. Recently, the benefits of weight loss through water fasting have been touted by certain health-conscious groups, However research does not support this claim.

Before beginning any type of diet, it is a sensible thing to determine if one is really overweight. It is easy to recognize excess weight, however there is a distinction between overweight and being obese. An overweight person is one who has a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9, while an obese person is one with a BMI of 30 or more.

Some people become overweight because of compulsive eating or food addiction. Drinking copious amounts of water will not help a person lose weight if he/she is constantly eating lots of fried foods and sweet things. During a water fast, a person drinks only water when thirsty. Water fasting is undertaken for spiritual reasons among several religions. Traditionally, Roman Catholics do a water fast before receiving Holy Communion. Muslims and Jews all fast at certain times of the year during special observances, while Christians fast whenever they feel like it.

Some people engage in water fasting as a means of detoxifying the body, with weight loss as its ultimate goal. It is believed that water fasting helps the body to heal and detoxify faster than juice fast. The idea behind this is that less energy is used in digesting food, freeing up energy for the release of toxins. However, doctors and dietitians warn against this practice, saying that the human body is capable of losing toxins through the skin, liver, colon and kidneys. They say that extended water fasts are harmful as the body loses vital nutrients; they also slow down the metabolism.

Proponents of water fasting attribute several health benefits to this type of fast. Among them are:
a. More energy
b. Healthier skin
c. Improved sleep
d. Elimination of headaches
e. Elimination of stored toxins and
f. Weight loss

Another reason given for water fasting is that more fat is burned during a water fast as the body has to draw on its stored fat for energy after the first few days of fasting. Finally, it is advised that water fasting is more effective when accompanied by physical and emotional rest. If this is not possible, then a juice fast is recommended.

Those who find the taste of water boring can drink carbonated water. There is no calories added and there is both neutral and flavored carbonated waters available.

Water by itself is essential to life. We cannot live without water, but like everything else it must not be overdone. Dietitians and nutrition experts maintain that the only way water can help a person lose weight is if they substitute water for high-calorie drinks and foods. While fasting may have some health benefits, the key to these benefits is moderation, and, as always, if in doubt consult your medical practitioner.