The Health & Wellness Magazine - Summer 2024 Issue
Content of The Health & Wellness Magazine - Summer 2024
What's On & News
Well the last couple of months have certainly been filled with challenges for many people including us. But with summer getting into full swing and a new year ahead it is a time to look forward to the coming festive season and a new year.
Susan and I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2025
We will be taking a short break starting on Monday 23rd Dec. and we’ll be back on Wednesday the 8th of January
Types and Benefits of Alternative Medicine
by Danny & Susan Siegenthaler
People’s interest in alternative medicine encompasses a wide range of therapies and practices. Here are the most prominent aspects that attract attention:
Types of Alternative Medicine
1. Acupuncture
These traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) techniques involve stimulating specific points on the body, often to manage pain, reduce stress, or treat specific health conditions. Acupuncture uses fine needles inserted into the skin, while acupressure applies pressure instead. Both practices work on the principle of balancing the body’s energy, or “qi,” which is thought to flow through pathways called meridians. Acupuncture is frequently used to manage chronic pain, migraines, and even certain digestive disorders, often alongside conventional treatment.
Note: Dry needling is NOT the same as Acupuncture and has limited if any therapeutic effect.
Herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of healthcare, using plant-based substances for therapeutic purposes. Herbs like turmeric (for inflammation), ginger (for digestion and nausea), and echinacea (for immunity) have gained attention due to both traditional use and recent research. People are drawn to herbal remedies because they’re often seen as gentler and more “natural” than pharmaceuticals. Additionally, they are often accessible, with many herbs available as teas, supplements, or even fresh for culinary use.
Practices such as yoga, meditation, tai chi, and qigong emphasise the connection between the mind and body, with benefits ranging from stress reduction to improved flexibility. Yoga, for instance, combines physical postures with breathwork and meditation, promoting mental calm and physical strength. Meditation and mindfulness practices help with mental clarity, emotional balance, and focus, while tai chi and qigong are slow-motion exercises rooted in Chinese traditions that improve energy flow and balance. These techniques are appreciated for their versatility—they can be performed anywhere and often don’t require special equipment.
Remedial Massage (RM) is a most beneficial therapy when correctly administered: helping to improve blood and lymph circulation, restore normal nerve supply, remove metabolic wastes from body tissues, improve sleep and general well-being, and support normal immune system functions. Known for its immediate relaxation benefits, massage therapy is frequently used in stress management and for musculoskeletal issues.
5. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda
Both TCM and Ayurveda are comprehensive medical systems that use herbal medicine, dietary guidance, and bodywork to address a range of conditions.
TCM involves principles like balancing yin and yang, and it includes practices such as herbal treatments, acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion. These systems are holistic, treating the entire person rather than isolated symptoms, which appeals to those looking for comprehensive health support.
Ayurveda, an Indian system, classifies people into different “doshas” (body types) and prescribes diets, lifestyle adjustments, and herbs accordingly.
Reasons for Interest
– Holistic Approach: Many people are drawn to alternative medicine because it often takes a holistic view of health, addressing both physical symptoms and emotional well-being.
– Self-Management: Alternative therapies empower individuals to take control of their health through self-care practices.
– Dissatisfaction with Conventional Medicine: Some individuals turn to alternative options when they feel that traditional medical treatments have not met their needs or when they seek complementary approaches alongside conventional care.
– Cultural Influences: Traditional practices from various cultures, such as Ayurveda from India or Traditional Chinese Medicine, have gained popularity globally, influencing people’s choices in healthcare.
The above aspects of alternative medicine appeal to people due to their focus on natural solutions, prevention, and personalised approaches, as well as the emphasis on treating root causes rather than only addressing symptoms.
Care for Your Skin from the Inside Out?
by Danny & Susan Siegenthaler
Beauty is more than skin deep and so is the treatment and care of your skin. The products you use to help your complexion, reduce those unwanted wrinkles and blemishes, are not going to fix underlying health problems affecting your skin. For example, if you are suffering from a condition, say a hormonal imbalance, which is causing you skin problems, you cannot expect even the best and purest skin care product to have a long term effect of improving your skin, unless you are addressing your underlying health problems at the same time.
There are many pathologies (health problems) that can adversely affect your skin, ranging from hormonal imbalances, stress, dehydration, high blood pressure, fever, fungal infections, viral and bacterial infections, allergies, to various organ pathologies such as kidney and liver disease, and the list goes on.
Natural skin care products are not designed to treat systemic disease, they are natural products that are designed to help you retain healthy vibrant skin and help to protect your skin from external and environmental effects. They cannot reduce your stress levels, or adjust your hormonal imbalances, or reduce your high blood pressure – and they are not intended to do those things, even though, when you read some of the adverts in beauty magazines, you would think they could cure death itself.
Herbal extracts and teas, on the other hand, do work on systemic problems such as stress, high blood pressure, circulatory disorders, hormone imbalances, blood impurities, liver disfunction, constipation, diarrhoea, diverticulitis, and so on.
Skin care from the inside out, using herbs, is a great addition to promote healthy, vibrant looking skin. For example, using dandelion tea/coffee is a good approach to promote liver and kidney functions; green tea is a well-known source of anti-oxidants. Echinacea has great immuno-stimulant effects and lavender, chamomile and many other herbs help you to relax and reduce stress.
It’s a simple concept – feel great and you’ll look great.
It is critical that when you aim to achieve better looking skin, you consider looking at your general overall health as well as carefully considering which natural skin care products you choose.
There are many herbal teas available at health food stores and natural therapy outlets that will help you maintain or even regain good health. Below is a list of teas and herbs you can use to beneficially influence your health and in turn promote healthy skin from the inside out.
Stress:
Generally, stress can cause you difficulties with sleep, make you more irritable, elevate your blood pressure and tends to make you frown and frowning leads to those unwanted wrinkles…
Stress is the single most nominated cause of disease and just about every disease can have stress as its cause…
Herbs such as the ones listed below, can have a positive, calming effect and reduce the effects of stress caused by day-to-day ‘stuff’. Chamomile, Lavender, Passionflower, Hops and others, are great first steps to help you calm your nerves and reduce the feelings of agitation often associated with stress.
Insomnia:
Apart from systemic diseases, anxiety (stress) is the number one reason for insomnia; a stress which we can all do without. Insomnia is a very real problem for many people and will in turn cause you more stress – it’s a vicious circle that needs to be broken.
Herbs similar to the ones used to reduce stress are helpful in promoting a good nights sleep. They include:
Chamomile, Lavender, Passionflower, Hops, Valerian, …
Hormonal Imbalances:
Hormonal imbalances, such as Menopause, Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), The Pill etc. can all cause a variety of problems. Your skin may become blotchy, suddenly develop middle-aged acne, or you may develop dry skin, skin allergies or other symptoms.
You will need to consult a qualified herbalist in order to get the correct herbal treatment to avoid interfering with the pharmaceutical drug you may be taking.
Herbs that may be helpful include: Dang Gui, Ginseng, Evening primrose, Vitex agnus castus (Chaste tree berry), Black cohosh, and others. However, before you rush out and get some of these herbs, make sure you consult a qualified herbalist. I cannot stress this enough, because more often than not you will need a detailed assessment of your health issues and the herbal prescription you require will be a combination of herbs in specific ratios that are not available on the supermarket shelves.
Remember, that your skin does eliminate toxins, and in some cases, if your kidneys or your liver are not doing their jobs well enough, some of these toxins will be eliminated via the skin. This can cause acne, boils and many other skin problems, which are partly addressed by using good skincare products, but you will not fix the underlying problems or weaknesses. These have to be addressed using either, herbs, diet or orthodox treatments, or maybe a combination of approaches.
Pain:
Most people experience pain at least once in their life and it’s not a nice experience. Pain is often a warning by your body to let you know something is not right and you should heed this warning and find out why you are getting the pain – especially, if it persists for any length of time, or reoccurs on a frequent basis.
For this article, we’ll assume that the pain is of a non-pathological nature. That is, your headaches, back pain, chest pain or stiff neck is caused by stress, bad posture or anything other than a systemic disease.
Herbs that are beneficial in the treatment of pain include: White willow bark (Aspirin was originally made for this herb), Hypericum (St. John’s Wort), and many others, depending on the type of pain and its location.
Treating pain can get very complex and involved, because it can be due to so many different causes. The best approach is to get some professional help if taking White willow bark or Hypericum does not work. One of the most effective treatments for pain is Acupuncture.
The health of your skin is a good indicator of the internal health of your body. As I said earlier – if you feel great, you’ll look great and that is the key.
A WORD OF CAUTION
Herbs are powerful medicinal substances. They have potent, medicinal properties, which can also do you harm if used incorrectly or under the wrong circumstances or dosage.
Before you start to take herbs, I would strongly advise you to consult a professional, qualified herbalist. You will get good advice, the right combination of herbs for your specific needs and therefore much better results. And you’ll save money in the process.
If you are taking any Prescription drugs, make sure you speak with your health care professional to avoid adverse interactions.
Here Are Some Of Our Most Popular Products
Wildcrafted's Healing Cream
Treats minor skin injuries, cuts and bruises
Read more...
Wildcrafted's Arnica Cream
Helps to rapidly clear bruising and swelling
Read more...
Wildcrafted's Comfrey Plus Cream
Treats traumatic injury to nerves, joints, bone, muscles and more
Read more...How to Handle Ongoing Stress, Anxiety and Worries Using Non-pharmaceutical Techniques
by Danny & Susan Siegenthaler
Managing ongoing stress, anxiety, and worries naturally can be incredibly effective and is often a multi-faceted approach. Here we look at some holistic strategies that are known to help.
1. Mindfulness and Meditation Practices
-> Mindfulness Meditation: Practice being in the present without judgment. It helps train your mind to stay focused and reduces the power of anxious thoughts. Keep in mind that you cannot change the past and the future is as yet unknown. The only place you can actively affect is the ‘Here & Now’.
-> Breathing Exercises: Techniques like 4-2-4 breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 2, exhale for 4) help calm the nervous system and decrease stress.
-> Body Scan Meditation: This is a mindfulness exercise where you focus on each part of your body, releasing tension systematically.
2. Physical Activity
-> Yoga: A gentle practice that combines movement, breath, and mindfulness. Certain poses, like child’s pose or legs-up-the-wall, promote relaxation.
-> Regular Exercise: Even brisk walking releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters.
-> Tai Chi and Qi Gong: Slow, deliberate movements that also focus on breath and mindfulness, great for reducing anxiety and building mental clarity.
3. Herbal and Nutritional Support
-> Adaptogens: Herbs like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and holy basil help balance stress hormones like cortisol.
-> Chamomile and Lavender: Both herbs are gentle relaxants and can be taken as tea to calm the mind and body.
-> Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish oil or flaxseed, omega-3s support brain health and have been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms.
-> Magnesium: Known as the “relaxation mineral,” magnesium can be taken as a supplement or through magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, and seeds.
4. Lifestyle Adjustments
-> Reduce Stimulants: Caffeine can heighten anxiety and interfere with sleep. Try reducing or replacing it with herbal teas.
-> Create a Sleep Routine: Good sleep is vital for managing stress. Set a consistent bedtime, create a calming pre-sleep routine, and avoid screens before bed.
-> Limit Exposure to News: Staying informed is important, but overexposure to negative news can increase anxiety. Set boundaries on when and how much news you consume.
5. Journaling and Creative Expression
-> Gratitude Journaling: Writing down things you’re grateful for can reframe your perspective and reduce worry.
-> Stream-of-Consciousness Journaling: Write freely about your worries and concerns; it helps you get thoughts out of your mind and onto paper.
-> Creative Outlets: Engage in activities like painting, music, or crafting that focus your mind and bring joy.
6. Social Support and Connection
-> Talk to Friends or Family: Sharing what’s on your mind can be incredibly relieving.
-> Spend Time in Nature: Natural settings help reduce cortisol levels, promote calm, and encourage a sense of peace.
-> Volunteer or Practice Acts of Kindness: Helping others can be a powerful way to feel more grounded and less focused on personal worries.
7. Grounding Techniques for Immediate Relief
-> 5-4-3-2-1 Exercise: Name five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you hear, two things you smell, and one thing you taste. This is helpful for grounding yourself during anxious moments.
-> Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Tense and release each muscle group, moving through your body to release tension.
-> Visualisation: Imagine a calming place or scene; use this image when you feel overwhelmed.
Combining these techniques over time can make a significant impact on stress and anxiety. Regular practice is key, as natural therapies often have a cumulative effect. Let me know if you’d like more specific guidance on any of these!
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Did you know a bear has 42 teeth
Did you know an ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain
Did you know lemons contain more sugar than strawberries
Did you know 85% of plant life is found in the ocean
Did you know rabbits like licorice
Did you know a lobsters blood is colourless but when exposed to oxygen it turns blue
Did you know goldfish can see both infrared and ultraviolet light
Did You Know?
Did you know armadillos have 4 babies at a time and are all the same sex
Did you know reindeer like bananas
Did you know the longest recorded flight of a chicken was 13 seconds
Did you know birds need gravity to swallow
Did you know a cat has 32 muscles in each ear
We hope you enjoyed our latest Edition of The Health & Wellness Magazine. We are always open to constructive feedback and ideas for future articles. If you have a particular topic you would like us to cover relating to yoga, alternative medicine, meditation, etc., please let us know and we will include it in an up coming Magazine
Namaste.
