Are your toes being deformed by confining shoes? Well, ideally we should all be going barefoot when we can and wearing shoes with wide toe boxes otherwise. To begin to undo the damage done by wearing stylish shoes and to get some relief from bunions and hammer toes, try “yoga toes”. I like to wear them when I’m taking an Epsom salt bath–very relaxing way to give your toes some attention!
Herbal Support for Body’s Defenses
Michael and Monica attended a seminar last week in Pennsylvania given by world renowned Austrailian herbalist researcher /clinician Kerry Bone entitled “Defending the Human Fortress”. In a nutshell his practical take home message was that there are some special herbs/phytochemicals that protect and strengthen cells. Current research suggests that in this era of antibiotic-resistant infections daily use of these substances is very important, along with good nutrition, to protect not only against infection, but also cancer, heart disease and other chronic disease processes. Here are the key herbs/foods:
- green tea
- turmeric
- resveratrol (as a nutritional supplement)
- rosemary
- garlic
- ginkgo
- the brassica family of vegetables
Make use of this information daily by including the easy things like garlic (freshly crushed is best), rosemary (best extracted in olive oil or taken as an alcohol extract pill), drinking green tea, and eating broccoli, kale, collards, radish, or cabbage. Turmeric, ginkgo and resveratrol are easist to take as nutritional supplements. We have Kerry Bone’s MediHerb products offered through the company Standard Process available at our office; they offer many of these herbs/phytochemicals in combination form. Please call the office if you have questions!
Fountain of Youth Exercises
We discovered the book “Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth” by Peter Kelder over 20 years ago and have marvelled at the strength and flexibility these exercises impart to those who do them regularly. We now instruct our patients to do them as part of an advanced active physical rehabilitation. They are valuable for re-establishing normal fluid ranges of motion of the spine and extremities. We recommend the youtube video or the book for complete instructions for those wanting to add them to their fitness routine. If joint restrictions are a problem, chiropractic care may be in order before the exercises can be performed without pain or discomfort.
Stop Mandatory Vaccination
Have you heard that the Supreme Court has granted vaccine manufacturers immunity from liability for vaccine-related injuries? Learn more at the National Vaccine Information Center’s site . NVIC has been advocating for informed choice regarding vaccination for decades and they need our help. Please consider contributing to them and spread the word to friends and family. We must not allow mandatory vaccination of any kind. Thank you for your support.
Help for Aging Eyes
For several years now we have been recommending to our patients vision programs from the Cambridge Institute for Better Vision. Their program for presbyopia is especially effective, easy, and improvement is often immediate–it’s possible to avoid needing reading glasses. Eyes can get “stuck” in dysfunction just like joints. While chiropractic works to improve joint function, these simple eye exercises work to improve eye function. The eyes need nutritional support also; we recommend nutritional supplements and changes in diet based on an individual’s history and lab tests–taking a separate eye supplement is generally not necessary.
Holy Basil or Tulsi Tea For Sore Throats
According to a native of India whom we happened to meet here in Roanoke, people in India chew the leaves of holy basil to get rid of sore throats. Apparently, holy basil grows like a weed in parts of India so it is readily available. Here in Roanoke, we may not have access to live plants most of the year but we can drink the tea made from dried leaves all year long.
For most Americans, the herb can be grown during the summer months, harvested in the Fall, and dried for use during the winter months. It is an attractive, aromatic annual with leaves that are pleasant to chew raw but also make a delicious tea once dried. The tea is available in stores as “Tulsi tea”. Holy basil also is known to bolster the immune system, improve digestion, provide a calming effect, and balance blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It is a real plus that it tastes good too.
Next time you get a tickle in your throat or you are exposed to a cold, don’t forget to make some holy basil tea.
Pesticide Guide
We recommend organically grown foods but it pays to know which fruits and vegetables are safer to eat if they are not organically grown. This information is from the Environmental Working Group. For more,visit their website.
The fruits and vegetables that are not recommended because of higher levels of pesticides used to grow them, the “dirty dozen”, are: celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, kale/collards, potatoes, imported grapes.
The “clean 15” are safer if not organic and include: onions, avocado, sweet corn, pineapple, mangos, sweet peas, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potato, honeydew melon.
Keep in mind that most papaya, soy, and corn is GM (genetically modified). We recommend avoiding all GM foods. Therefore, it’s best to consume these foods only when they are organically grown because the organic standard currently excludes GM foods. Since some form of soy is used in many processed foods, great vigilance in label reading is required to avoid non-organic soy.
Neti-Mist Natural Sinus Spray
Neti-mist is a new sinus spray for those with congestion, sinus problems, and frequent colds. It doesn’t take the place of the neti pot–the mist can be used before the wash to deeply loosen mucus. It’s also very helpful when travelling, especially on airplanes to prevent colds. The ingredients are all natural, non-drying (alcohol-free), and safe for long-term use. We have it available at our office for your convenience.
Homeopathic Ointments for Injuries
We continue to be amazed at the effectiveness of homeopathic ointments such as Traumeel for muscle/joint pain and inflammation, and bruising and other acute injuries. No medicine cabinet should be without it. For children it is the perfect “boo-boo medicine”–just don’t put it on an open wound because it stings.
Don’t put up with being plugged up!
While many people are constipated and know it, many others have “sluggish bowels” and don’t know it. Human physiology is such that eating a substantial meal causes the whole intestine to contract in waves–so a bowel movement would be a natural consequence after eating a meal. Ideally, one would have 2-3 bowel movements a day as long as 3 meals a day are being eaten. Less than that may allow toxins that the body is trying to eliminate through the bowel to be re-absorbed. Grandmothers used to give enemas or castor oil to children to prevent colds–maybe they knew something after all. In general, people feel better when their guts are not sluggish.
The bottom line: be aware and be proactive. Pay attention and allow time to answer the call. If there is no call, get busy assisting gut function. Look to dietary fiber mostly from vegetables and fruits and some whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds (added fiber is not necessary), plenty of liquids including lemon water, and avoid refined grains (white flour or “wheat flour”). Flax tea is very helpful–here’s how to make it. Place 1 Tbsp. of whole flax seed in a cup and pour 12 ounces of boiling water into the cup and stir. To add flavor, put an herb tea bag in there also. Let steep for 30 minutes and strain. Drink the flax tea daily. Finally, a daily practice of 5 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing while lying on the left side (encourages breathing through the right nostril) is a yoga practice helpful for getting the gut moving.
