Acupuncture Face Lift

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

This facial rejuvenation is done with tiny acupuncture needles and incorporates whole body techniques, tuina and acupressure massage and herbal applications based on individual needs. Look and feel younger! Improve wrinkles, acne, loose skin, sallow complexion, dry, oily or combination skin, alopecia, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis.

An acupuncture face lift consists of first determining your skin type. An extensive intake is done to learn more about your family history and lifestyle, diet, nutrition and sleep, which all play a major role in how your skin appears on the outside! A facial needle protocol is performed, follow by TuiNa massage, a specific herbal mask designed for your facial type, followed by an herbal toner.

The goal in these treatments are to:

-Improves Skin Texture
-Smooth Fine Lines/Wrinkles
-Encourages Collagen Production
-Decreases Breakouts/Blemishes
-Reduces Puffiness/Inflammation
-Improves Sallow/Sagging Skin

Good skin care is a combination of proper nutrition, good elimination, sleep and exercise. Our external environment is also seen as a cause of stress, which eventually takes it's toll on our face and bodies. Learning how to protect the skin from these outside attackers, can produce great results when combined with the above factors. However, the internal/external environment and its ability to effect any individual is more often than not, determined by the individual's attitude or mind set.

An acupuncture face lift is a series of usually 12 treatments or 2 treatments per week for 6 weeks with the most noticeable improvements appearing about the 8th week. Monthly maintenance treatments can prolong the results for up to 10 years.

Herbal Face Lift

as reprinted from Alternative Answers Yahoogroup

This recipe is too drying for the eye area, so avoid applying it there.

1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup orrisroot
1/4 cup sea salt
2 tablespoons dulse (a kind of seaweed)
2 tablespoons kelp
1/2 cup distilled water
Several strips of 8? by 8? torn bed sheets, gauze, or other clean cotton material

To Make:
1. Sift together the baking soda, orrisroot, and sea salt into a large bowl.
2. In a spice mill, powder the dulse and kelp and add to dry ingredients.
3. Heat the distilled water to boiling, then pour over the dry ingredients.
4. Stir thoroughly.

To Use:

1. Wear a shirt with a fairly low neckline for easy access to your neck and chin.

2. Moisturize the jaw, chin, neck, and cheek area of your face with a light moisturizer or vegetable oil. Dab your face with a cloth to remove any excess oil or moisturizer.

3. Using a wooden spoon, small paint brush or spatula, apply the mixture to the jaw, chin, neck, and cheeks.

4. Immediately wrap the sheets or gauze snugly first around the neck, then from the chin around the head several times, to just below the eyes. Next, wrap sheet or gauze up over the top of the head and under the china few times to secure.

5. Relax and be quiet until the mixture and sheets become dry and tight (approx. 30 minutes). No talking--this will stretch the sheets and keep you from getting the results you desire.

6. Rinse your face and neck with the coldest water you can bear. Notice the surprising softening effects on your skin.

Learning the Language of Feelings

An excerpt from The Feeling Soul - A Roadmap to Healing and Living Mark Linden O'Meara, Soul Care Publishing ISBN: 0-968045928 Available at Amazon.com

Part of self growth and developing self-knowledge involves learning to express the feelings, ideas and thoughts you are having. To describe how you are feeling is a challenge given the fact that language is imprecise, and at times it is difficult to translate body sensations into words. While taking some Chinese lessons, I questioned my teacher about the expression of emotion in Chinese. I was told that there are four basic emotions and the rest are combinations of emotion or impressions we have of our self or others.

The four basic emotions are:

Bei grief, sorrow, mourning
Le joy, cheerfulness, optimism
Nu anger, rage, fury, berating
Xi value, compassion, happiness, love

Other feelings or states such as jealousy and envy are described as impressions we have as a result of our thoughts and beliefs about other people. Some psychologists suggest that your feelings come from your thoughts. Others believe that emotions come from a deeper experience. If we consider the four basic emotions as soul experience and other emotions as impressions from thoughts and beliefs, then we can reconcile the two theories. Recent research using Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans has shown that our emotional centre reacts much faster than your thinking process. Does this mean that the thoughts into emotions theorists are wrong? Not really! It means that we need a more complex model to describe what is going on.. In order to progress in your growth, regardless of the theory, you need to learn to express and communicate your feelings, both the soul and impression kinds.

In my travels to China I learned how precise the Chinese language is compared to the English language. It seems that many of the Chinese expression characters are actually a combination of words. For example the root word bei, which means sadness, can be combined with other characters to mean sad, sorrowful, melancholy, grieved, painfully sad, mixed feelings of joy and grief, compassion, bitter, miserable, sad and worried, grief over the death of a friend, grief and indignation, pessimistic and gloomy, overcome with grief, sad and choking with sobs.

The same goes for the word for happiness, when combined with other words can mean outright glee, overjoyed, not feeling tired of it, buoyant, cheerful, fun, pleasure and contentment. I found that the Chinese language seemed far more robust that our English language. There is also an important phrase ji sheng bei which means when joy reaches its height, sorrow comes in turn, extreme joy begets sorrow. These words of wisdom echo the familiar phrase what goes up must come down. Other phrases more completely described concepts rather than just feelings. A word describing bitterness referred to going through years of suffering, to be full of misery but find no place to pour it out.

Imagine if we could all become more literate and complex in our describing of our feelings. I believe the best improvement in this area would be to try to describe the combination of feelings and the situation or movement that we are experiencing. This would help clarify and give deeper meaning to what you are feeling.

For example instead of saying "I am hurt", try to go deeper. You could say "I am feeling sad and betrayed because I was let down when a promise was broken." This is far more precise and communicative than the words "I am hurt." Learn to be more descriptive! It is difficult to have self-knowledge if you are not in touch with your emotions.

So how do you feel? Take a look inside! Do a self-check; by trying to evaluate which emotions are present and which are not at a given moment. Which emotions have you experienced recently? Which emotions would you like to experience more often? Try combining words to try to express how you are feeling. There is no rule that you can only be feeling one emotion at a time!

Remember too, that sometimes you may have no words to describe how you feel. An emotion may be simply a sensation in your body. Sitting quietly, scan your body for tension. I would ask yourself "What am I feeling at this moment"?

Try to use the concept of using multiple words and describing the situation, expectations and what you hoped for, and what could have been done differently to express yourself!

Excerpted from The Feeling Soul - A Roadmap to Healing and Living by Mark Linden O'Meara

Feng Shui Crystal Cures and Remedies

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Infused with energy, air, water, fire, earth....the gifts of the earth that have been provided us, are some of the most healing and nurturing powers of all. Stones and crystals have been apart of this earth since its creation and have played an integral part in its connection between the alignment with the pulse of the Earthbeat and the creatures that walk upon it.

Crystals are a very popular feng shui cure since their natural energies can be used to gently protect, clear and nourish energies within our environment.

Crystals for feng shui purposes are based on their metaphysical properties, mineral makeup, color and shape. The choice depends on which crystalline energy you want to bring into your surrounding space.

The metaphysical properties of crystals shows us how to look at what is beyond the physical or visible recognized fields of human consciousness.

The mineral makeup of a crystal is what gives it power. The combining and layering of earth elements over centuries, makes it's energy, unique. From quartz to copper and calcium to iron, the mineral spectrum is vast, creating an amazing synergy.

The color of a crystal allows us to connect with it on a deeper level. Color enriches every aspect of our lives. The inspiring rainbow of colors can influence the way we feel. The five elements in feng shui all have related colors that can be utilized. Wood: brown, green. Water: blue, black. Earth: beige, brown, yellow. Fire: red, orange. Metal: white, gray. When healing mental, emotional issues, the color of a crystal can be an additional clue in choosing the right gem for the job.

The shape of a crystal is relative to the way we respond to the environment around us. We respond to shapes on a subconscious level, therefore, the shape of a crystal can have an incredible impact. Found in natural clusters and geodes or fashioned into points, towers or tumbled smooth stones, crystal shapes bring continuity and flow to our lives. In nature, there are six crystal families in three dimensions: triclinic, monoclinic, orthorhombic, tetragonal, hexagonal, and cubic.

Crystal at the front door

If the back door is seen immediately from the front door, hang a crystal near the front to slow down the energy from going directly through the home. If there are steps down immediately upon entering a home, hang a crystal above the steps to keep the energy moving up. I like using crystal prisms or Swarovski crystal here, as the many facets divert light energy and play it around the space.

Crystals in the living/family room

A crystal cluster is wonderful in the living room or family room. Clusters of crystals bring a "group" energy to it's surrounding area. They are used to foster protection, cooperation, purification, harmony, friendship, intimacy and to break up negative energy in the environment. Clusters help to keep all life forms energized and clear of heavy or unproductive energy. Clusters in a family room bring together the various family members in harmonious unity. Like a crystal cluster, family members are all connected to a similar base. Some of my favorites include quartz clusters, which help bring clarity of thought and clear intention, citrine clusters, which help encourage communication and aqua aura clusters, which have an energy that can enhance intuition and communication, calm nerves and energize our mental abilities.

Crystals in your workspace

Black Tourmaline (Schorl) is one of my favorite for the workplace as it is the best crystal to use against the ill effects of low frequency and high frequency electromagnetic waves (EMF). It protects against smog, radiation and repels all kinds of negative energy. Great near computers, phones and outlets.

Tourmaline in quartz provides an energy or "solving atmosphere". Used to actualize an innate strength in the body. It helps eliminating "crystalized patterns" in the body which have been destructive in a physical and mental manner, especially in one's business.

Selenite wands and towers are white/clear striated gypsum crystal known to stabilize and help with mental focus, growth, luck, immunity, and raising kundalini energy. Centuries-old record keepers of events and information, these stunning crystals help regulate and soothe emotions, especially good where business is concerned.

Place a clear quartz crystal cluster near your computer to balance out the energies and protect you from high electromagnetic fields (EMF).

Citrine is especially good for the workplace as it helps with problem solving, memory issues, will power, optimism, confidence and self-discipline. It reduces anxiety, fear and depression. Can guide you to harness and utilize your creative energy. Helps us analyze events, develop inner calm and security and makes us less sensitive and more open to constructive criticism. This stone is great with help in achieving goals. Citrine is the stone of abundance. It teaches us the lessons of achieving wealth and prosperity. Not just on a monetary level, but in all aspects of our lives.

Crystals in your bathroom

Water is the dominant element in the bathroom, a very Yin energy. Leaky pipes, open drains and toilet seats can cause Qi energy to move out too fast, taking a wealth of energy with it. Fix leaking pipes and keep toilet seat and shower curtains close. Use a faceted crystal or cluster to disperse an slow down the Qi. Consider using more yang colored crystals such as black, red, orange or yellow together in a bowl.

If you have bathroom door across from the bedroom door or kitchen door, hang a faceted crystal ball in the middle between the two opposing doors.

Crystals in the bedroom

Crystals are wonderful to use in the bedroom. Two of my favorites include rose quartz and jade. Keep no more than two rose quartz in the relationship area of your bedroom or two stones close to your bed. Rose Quartz has a loving, healing energy associated with the heart. It brings about a strong sense and flow of love as its heart-opening properties encourage more self love and the love in an intimate relationship.

The ancient Chinese culture has revered Jade for centuries. Jade is considered the health, wealth and longevity stone. Traditionally, Jade symbolizes the Five Virtues of Humanity : wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage. Therefore, it is used for emotional balance, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, harmony, courage, wisdom, justice, mercy.

No matter what your choices, instinct and intuition will never fail you.

Fibroids and Healing Them Naturally

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Fibroids are nodules of fibrous tissue that can grown anywhere on the body. Uterine fibroids are the most common noncancerous tumors of the female reproductive organs. According to the location of the fibroid in the uterus, they can be divided into three types.

Fibroids can grow underneath the uterine lining (submucosal), within the uterus walls (intramural) or can be found on the outer walls of the uterus (subserosal).

The cause of their growth is unknown. With many of my female patients who have fibroids, it tends to be seen throughout their family history. Often times, their mothers, sisters, aunts or grandmothers have suffered from them as well.

Next to heredity , other causes have been thought to be stress related, improper diet, excessive weight gain and imbalances in hormone levels.

Hormonally, estrogen seems to be part of the problem . When estrogen levels are high during a women's period, this estrogen surge seems to stimulate tumor growth. Therefore, fibroids often grow larger during the menstrual cycle as the uterus engorges with blood, then shrinks after the cycle. They also tend to grow larger during pregnancy and shrink after menopause due to the lack of estrogen.

Symptoms can range between no symptoms at all or a women can experience heavy bleeding, abdominal masses, abdominal pain, pressure against the bladder, bowels or pelvic floor, vaginal discharge, infertility, miscarriage or anemia.

Western medicine looks at several ways to treat fibroids, depending on their size and depending on how much pain or havoc they are causing the body. Western treatments include pharmacological inhibition of estrogen secretion, Progestin supplementation, prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, a myomectomy, or hysterectomy.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we treat fibroids differently, based on the site of the fibroid. Acupuncture and herbal medicine have been found to be more effective than Western medicine (in most cases) as it works to bring the body back into hormonal balance, naturally .

When fibroids are less than 5cm, the success rate with acupuncture and herbs is higer. Although, clinically, I have had success with fibroids that are larger than 5cm and have been able to shrink these fibroids with a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine, diet as well as, lifestyle changes.

Acupuncture treatments are based on the clinical diagnosis of stagnation and/or dampness. Combinations of local and distal acupuncture points are used in order to move energy and blood.

Channels that are focused on include the Conception channel, the Spleen, Stomach, Liver and Kidney channels.

Herbal medicine has long been the apothecary of the world. Folklore and ancient recipes have been past down for centuries. Nowadays, research studies are being done on some of these herbs, herbal combinations and formulas. Formulas most effective for abdominal masses include:

-Chai Hu Shu Gan San with Xie Fu Zuo Yu Tang for Qi and Phlegm Stagnation.

-Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan with Xiao Liu Fang for Blood Stasis.

-Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan for Phlegm Damp.

These formulas have shown to be even more effective when combined with a diet low in fat that minimizes coffee, black tea, chocolate, alcohol and soy based products. The proper formula for you, should be determined by a licensed acupuncturist and/or herbalist only.

The Western Herbal Materia Medica has shown that some herbs are effective for balancing hormone levels. Chaste tree berry has been shown to promote progesterone production by increasing luteinizing hormone.

Linoleic acid, found in omega-6 fatty acid form and linolenic acid, found omega-3 fatty acid form are both essential oils found in fish oil. These two essential oils can reduce estrogen production and are beneficial for women with fibroids. Take 2,000 mg in divided doses (1,000 mg am/pm).

Nutritional considerations are a diet low in fat that minimizes coffee, black tea, chocolate and alcohol.

Limit the amounts of red meat and pork eaten.

Avoid high fat and fried foods. Some women have found that their fibroids decrease when taking up a vegetarian diet.

Changes in lifestyle can also play apart in reducing fibroids.

Increase or add exercise to your life.

Meditation, visualization and simple breathing techniques are all very helpful in relieving stress in our lives.

Holding on to certain beliefs in our lives, may be an improper way of thinking.

Metaphysical expert, Louse Hay suggests that a probable cause of fibroids and cysts is ?nursing a hurt from a partner or a blow to the feminine ego?.

Certainly, these are all options to consider.

References

-Boericke, William M.D., Materia Medica with Repertory, 1927, Boericke & Runyon
-Chevallier, Andrew, The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, 1996, Dorlilng Kindersley Limited
-Gaeddert, Andrew, Chinese Herbs In The Western Clinic, Get Well Foundation 1994
-Hay, Louise, You Can Heal Your Life, Hay House Inc. 1984
-Mehl-Madrona, L. Complementary medicine treatment of uterine fibroids 2002 Altern Ther Health Med 8;2:34-6, 38-40, 42, 44-6
-Richardson, Jack N.D., The Little Herb Encyclopedia (Third Edition), 1995, Woodland Health Books

Fish Oil: The Great Hormone Regulator

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Omega-3's and Essential Fatty Acids .

This incredible essential fatty acid is my number one pick, which benefit every living cell in the body. They are crucial for proper ovulation. Essential fatty acids are found in fish oil, flaxseed oil, pumpkin seed oil, soy products, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, turnips and ruta-bega.

Along with helping ovulatory function, they are a precursor to hormonal regulation and are helping your body to fight off stress and relieve anxiety, tension and even prevent heart disease! Fish that are high in Omega-3 are excellent ways to help your blood stream.

The health benefits of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) have been discussed for years. So it is important to know when you are shopping for omega 3 in fish oil form that you look at the EPA and DHA numbers on the label. Your goal is to find a fish oil that is close to this 1,000 mg number as this is the omega 3 number. I have seen fish oils on the shelf that are 1,000 mg per pill yet they only have less than 350 omega 3's (EPA and DHA). So even if your fish oils is 1,000 mg per pill, you must look at the combined numbers of the EPA and DHA to come as close as you can to this 1,000 mg.

If you supplement with essential fatty acids, be sure you are getting enough. Take 1,000 mg in divided doses, twice a day for a total of 2,000 mg per day.

It is extremely difficult to eat enough fish and other foods in order to get your daily allowance that is beneficial for health. This is why I always tell my patients to supplement their Omega 3's.

This fatty acid is exceptional for any woman who is trying to get pregnant as it helps to balance horomone levels. But, I highly recommend this essential fatty acid for:

-cardiovascular health
-skin health
-high blood pressure
-arrhythmias
-inflammation
-immune support
-joint health
-digestive health
-mood disorders
-poor memory
-poor circulation

As far as its benefits, they can be felt in a matter of a few weeks, but 90 days is a better indicator of its power! To keep your oil fresh and long lasting, keep your fish oil in the refrigerator. This will also help you if you have a tendency to burp up the taste of the oil. This is what I use in my practice...

Flower Power: Flower Remedies

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

This week I will be discussing the work and energy behind "Flower Power". Not only is it a phrase from the 60's associated with peace and the hippie movement, I find the phrase, itself empowering! So this week I am going to explore the nature of "Flower Power"!

The essence of flowers is a subtle, aromatic and volatile liquid extracted from the flowers, seeds, leaves, stems, bark and roots of herbs, bushes, shrubs and trees through distillation. It is a form of vibrational healing, which works on many levels. Flower remedies are homeopathic essences, which benefit a specific mental and emotional state. Below is a small sampling of the power of flowers, with there color, qualities and patterns of imbalance they treat:

Agrimony: (Agrimonia eupatoria) (yellow)
Positive qualities: Emotional honesty, acknowledging and working with emotional pain, obtaining true inner peace.
Patterns of Imbalance: Anxiety hidden by a mask of cheerfulness; denial and avoidance of emotional pain, addictive behavior to anesthetize feelings.

Beech: (Fagus sylvatica) (red)
Positive qualities: Tolerance, acceptance of others' differences and imperfections, seeing the good within each person and situation.
Patterns of Imbalance: Criticalness, judgmental attitudes, intolerance; perfectionist expectations of others; over sensitivity to one's social and physical environment.

Cherry Plum: (Prunus cerasifera) (white)
Positive qualities: Spiritual surrender and trust, feeling guided and protected by a Higher Power; balance and equanimity despite extreme stress.
Patterns of Imbalance: Fear of losing control, or of mental and emotional breakdown; desperate, destructive impulses.

Clematis: (Clematis vitalba) (white)
Positive qualities: Awake, focused presence; manifesting inspiration in practical life; embodiment.
Patterns of Imbalance: Avoidance of the present by daydreaming; other-worldly and impractical ideals.

Elm: (Ulmus procera) (reddish brown)
Positive qualities: Joyous service, faith and confidence to complete one's task
Patterns of Imbalance: Overwhelmed by duties and responsibilities, feeling unequal to the task required.

Gentian: (Gentiana amarella) (purple)
Positive qualities: Perseverance, confidence; faith to continue despite apparent setbacks
Patterns of Imbalance: Discouragement after a setback; doubt.

Honeysuckle: (Lonicera caprifolium) (red/white)
Positive qualities: Being fully in the present; learning from the past while releasing it.
Patterns of Imbalance: Nostalgia; emotional attachment to the past, longing for what was.

Impatiens: (Impatiens glandulifera) (pink/mauve)
Positive qualities: Patience, acceptance; flowing with the pace of life and others.
Patterns of Imbalance: Impatience, irritation, tension, intolerance.

Larch: (Larix decidua) (red), (yellow)
Positive qualities: Self-confidence, creative expression, spontaneity
Patterns of Imbalance: Lack of confidence, expectation of failure, self-censorship.

Mustard: (Sinapis arvensis) (yellow)
Positive qualities: Emotional equanimity, finding joy in life
Patterns of Imbalance: Melancholy, gloom, despair; generalized depression without obvious cause.

Oak: (Quercus robur) (red)
Positive qualities: Balanced strength, accepting limits, knowing when to surrender.
Patterns of Imbalance: Iron-willed, inflexible; over striving beyond one's limits.

Pine: (Pinus sylvestris) (red- male), (yellow-female)
Positive qualities: Self-acceptance, self-forgiveness; freedom from inappropriate guilt and blame.
Patterns of Imbalance: Guilt, self- blame, self-criticism, inability to accept oneself.

Rock Rose: (Helianthemum nummularium) (yellow)
Positive qualities: Self-transcending courage, inner peace and tranquillity when facing great challenges.
Patterns of Imbalance: Deep fear, terror, panic; fear of death or annihilation.

Star of Bethlehem: (Ornithogalum umbellatum) (white)
Positive qualities: Bringing soothing, healing qualities, a sense of inner divinity.
Patterns of Imbalance: Shock or trauma, either recent or from a past experience; need for comfort and reassurance from the spiritual world.

Vervain: (Verbena officinalis) (pink/mauve)
Positive qualities: Ability to practice moderation, tolerance, and balance; "the middle way"; grounded idealism.
Patterns of Imbalance: Overbearing or intolerant behavior; over enthusiasm or extreme fanaticism; nervous exhaustion from over striving.

Wild Rose: (Rosa canina) (pink or white) also known as Dog Rose.
Positive qualities: Will to live, joy in life.
Patterns of Imbalance: Resignation, lack of hope, giving up on life; lingering illness.

Flower Power: The Healing Power of Flowers

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Dandelion: Dandelion Root can be made into a bitter tea (don't sweeten it, the bitterness is how it works ? you'll get use to it) as an excellent tonic for the liver and blood purifier. Dandelion roots are very high in vitamins and minerals. The common dandelion is an unusually nutritious food. Its leaves contain substantial levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon. Worldwide, the root of the dandelion has been used for the treatment of a variety of liver and gallbladder problems. Other historical uses of the root and leaves include the treatment of breast diseases, water retention, digestive problems, joint pain, fever, and skin diseases. The most active constituents in dandelion appear to be eudesmanolide and germacranolide, substances unique to this herb.

Jasmine: Jasmine is a bold, sweet scent. Jasmine is the greatest aphrodisiac of all. These night blooming flowers are picked at their height to bring out one of the most sexy scents. Associated throughout history with the compassionate Goddess of the Moon, Jasmine, grown along the Nile in ancient Egypt, is represented Isis, the Egyptian Mother Goddess who held the secrets of fertility, magic and healing.

Milk Thistle: Milk Thistle is the best in cleaning our blood and liver and is a traditional way to get our health back on track and revitalize and nourish our entire internal ecological system from the ravages of winter. Milk Thistle is an excellent cleansers for the liver. Cleansing is one of the more important roles of Milk Thistle as it helps to prevent a host of problems our bodies can acquire from internal and external toxic overload.

Patchouli: Patchouli is a sweet, earthy scent. Its smell is intense and spicy. From an energetic point of view, Patchouli, like Jasmine, is warm and yet anti-inflammatory in action. It combines a calmative property with a gentle stimulating effect that uplifts the spirit! Patchouli is a sweet and grounding harmonizing fragrance!

Neroli: Neroli is distilled from bitter orange trees. It has a refreshing, spicy aroma and is known for its sensual, exotic effect. Neroil oil is emotionally unifying and soothes with harmonizing effects. Described as both sensual and spiritual, Neroli helps to restablish the link between a disconnected mind and body. Neroli paves the way for a gradual release and allows us to recall hope and joy!

Rose: The Mother of All Flowers, the Rose has amazing powers of love, trust and self acceptance. Roses are representative of faith, hope and love and has the qualities to restore the very center of one's being. A gentle tonic of the heart, Rose oil's psychological properties lie mainly in its effect on the mind, the center of our emotional being. Rose oil calms and supports the heart and helps to nourish the soul!

Flower Power: The Color of Flowers

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

About a week ago, my mom shared with me a story about the time she was in the hospital. One of her dear friends came to visit and brought her a single hydrangea flower in a vase...the thing was, the flower was black! My mom, although not sharing her feeling of unease with her good friend (who was unaware of the effects of the flower and its color) shared with me, that it was one of the most disturbing events she could recall.

Color affects every moment of our lives although our color choices are mostly unconscious. Color has a great emotional impact on a person that comes out via the clothes we chose to wear, decorations to fill our homes, personality, foods we choose to eat, flowers we surround ourselves with and many more ways.

It is possible to introduce colors to different areas of daily life to give off more energy, soothing affects, stimulate appetites and sexual motivation or even give a place a clean atmosphere. I asked thirty males from the ages of fifteen to sixty what color bra they would like to see their dream girl wearing to find out what colors are the most sexually stimulating. As I predicted, out of thirty, fourteen chose black, while four chose pink, red, blue and white were also chosen by three each and gray and purple were each favored by one person a piece. I also conducted an experiment to see what colors were stimulating on appetites. I added food coloring to make one flavor of Jell-O turn red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, and pink. Out of fifteen total people, seven chose red, purple and pink were chosen by three a piece, and orange and green were chosen by one each.

Color-Flower Psychology

Blue can either be a calming color or a depressing color, depending on how much one is surrounded by it. Blue most always has a pleasant association. Blue also is associated with a cool, cleansed, relaxed, calm, hopeful, protected, reassuring, trusting and accepting feeling. It inspires mental control, clarity and creativity. Blue has a direct effect on the autonomic nervous system, which helps calm and soothe humans. However, subconsciously it affects us because we associate blue with the night sky, so it makes us feel calm as though we are being soothed by the night sky. On the other hand, dark blue is sedative and too much can give off a feeling of depression. Blue is also an appetite suppressant. This is believed to be that due to the fact that nature does not create a blue food other than blueberries, therefore we do not have an automatic appetite response to blue. Actually, in a decorative perspective, blue is a spacious color that is most suited for deep thought and relief from a stressful, hectic life. If you wear blue, you may feel self-reliant, sensitive or intelligent. It promotes a good imagination and a practical approach to life by feeling responsible for others. Blue wearers are normally quite independent yet feel the need to be surrounded by tenderness, love and affection. In the survey of bra color selection, the three that chose blue, possibly feel the need for love and affection.

Brown is a direct color of nature so it gives off an earth feeling that brings us comfort and support. However, fans of brown are known to often keep emotions to themselves and retreat from fear of the real world. These people sometimes suffer from a lack of self-worth. These people like brown because it helps them with their troubles and it gives them a sense of stability and alleviates insecurity. People who wear brown are normally honest, sensuous and protective because of their desire to be emotionally secure and accepted. They strive for a structured life and they appreciate the fine pleasure of life.

Orange is widely known as the attention grabber and the stimulator of the mind and body. Orange is an anti-depressant color that lifts spirits by giving off feelings of security, warmth, joy, creativity, fun, humor and independence. Like brown, orange frees and releases emotion and alleviates self-pity and self-worth and the unwillingness to forgive. Physically, orange stimulates the sex organs and has an incredibly beneficial effect on the digestive system. Wearers of orange are action-oriented, often impatient, independent and self- motivated. They have a high energy level and tend to be active and competitive. Being surrounded by orange is mentally and physically stimulating and can make a person feel warm, secure and comfortable, though very few people choose to decorate in orange.

Purple is a color of mixed messages coming from both red and blue. Purple is mostly associated with those who are sexy, powerful, and sophisticated. For the people who favor this color are typically dramatic, spiritual, creative, intuitive, inspirational in beauty and art, protective, and wrapped up in a fantasy. Purple balances the mind, brings peace and combats fear. However, fans of purple can be arrogant at times, for they have little interest in lesser people and are only interested in the best of everything. This is probably why the one person who chose a purple bra did; because he takes great interest in only the very best.

Red is the most powerful of all the colors because of its ability to stimulate the heart and blood circulation so that it raises heart rates. Red is known for its high arousal in all perspectives of the body for it is a sexy, dynamic, daring, vital, powerful, warm, sensual, determined, courageous, angry, impatient and ambitious color. It always has a pleasant association because it helps people overcome negative thoughts although too much red can cause a person to become impatient. Red is a color that is often preferred by the economically stable, secure and the risk-takers. Studies even show that people are more daring to gamble more while under red lighting. Impulsive, excitable, energetic, sexual, courageous and extroverted are ways of describing people who enjoy wearing red. They are ambitious and want things to happen as soon as they say the word. They want to be the best and can be insensitive to others feelings to be the best or the center of attention. Actually, if you make a habit of wearing red it may indicate that you place importance on sexual desire and eroticism. And we all know that most guys place importance on sexual desire and eroticism and that is why ten percent of guys chose red in the bra survey. Also, studies show red stimulates appetite more than any other color, and that explains why seven out of fifteen people chose red as their favorite color Jell-O

Pink and Violet have a gentle stimulation of heart and blood circulation. Just as pink is nearly red, pink nearly has the affects of red, just not so radiant. It elicits simple emotions such as unselfish love, kindness and consideration. It is emotionally soothing and calming, warming, cheerful and nurturing colors that lessen the feelings of irritation and aggression by surrounding us with a sense of love. A study has even been conducted to show that pink has a subduing effect on violent prison inmates. People who enjoy wearing pink are typically affectionate, sympathetic and understanding. They often need the support of others and can often times be child-like. Pink takes on traits of red and white; therefore it is still a sensuous color while being quite innocent. This combination makes pink quite a sexual color, therefore it is self-explanatory as to why four out of thirty guys chose pink as their choice in bra color. And since it has traits of red, the most appetite stimulating of colors, five percent of people chose pink as their favorite color Jell-O.

Green is the color of freshness, peace, freedom, relaxation, security and laziness. It can represent optimism, yet it also represents envy and sickness. Because it is the color of life and vegetation, it helps us to connect with the empathy of others and nature. Green has a balancing quality that regulates our circulation so it is physically and emotionally good for the heart, so we should seek green under stress. Wearers of green are often cautious, quiet, and humanistic and are the types to just observe life and not actually get involved in the action. However, when a green-lover must get involved, they will proceed cautiously to be able to fully control the situation.

Yellow is the warmest, most cheerful, happiest, brightest and most uplifting of all the colors. It stimulates the brain making people alert, clear-headed and decisive. Because it helps aids the brain in these activities, it would be a good idea to decorate an office in yellow so that the worker could do his or her best thinking. It also aids in the powers of discrimination, memory, clear thinking, decision making, good judgment, organization, assimilation of new ideas and ability to see other perspectives. A person that wears yellow is someone that is easily approachable because they seem stimulating, spontaneous, interesting and lively to others, and normally are. However, yellow-lovers desire to find greater happiness, which implies minor conflict in which release is needed.

Black is a very powerful color because of its mystery, dominance and the fact that it is the most sophisticated of all colors. Black is associated with silence, infinite and feminine life-force (passive, uncharted and mysterious.) It is also associated with mourning by the blue-collar and middle aged; however, it is well liked by the wealthy. This is possibly due to the fact that black is the most popular color in formal clothing, that is worn mostly by the upper class. The wearers or black are often strong-willed, opinionated, disciplined and independent. Guys admire these qualities in women and find them sexy. That is why the majority, fourteen of thirty, guys chose black bras on their dream girls. People who love black reject help of others, and feel the need to renounce everything. But this may be due to the fact that they have a little way to go until maturity and are using black to cloak yourself while you discover your true identity. Black is a color that is very popular in clothing; especially formal clothing because it makes things look smaller, meaning it makes people look thin. However, it is not especially smart to make black the dominant color in a room because it will give the room the same affect and could also give a person a negative frame of mind.

White is the color that is always associated with cleanliness, purity, coldness and peace. It gives off the aura of freedom and openness. However, too much white can be cold and isolating or can give headaches and cause eyestrain. White contains all the colors of the spectrum; therefore it shows that people who wear white have a positive, well-balanced, optimistic personality. They also seek a lifestyle free of pressure. White is the most pure color, and this is why ten percent of guys chose white bras. Many males' dream girls are very innocent and pure; therefore they associate a pure girl with a white bra.

At last, gray is the color of individuals. It gives off the impression that you are self-sufficient and have good self-control and prefer to be uninvolved. Gray is associated with independence, self-reliance, and acts as a shield from influence. However, gray gives off a negative feeling and can make a person who is around this color frequently, feel lonely and self-critical. Gray takes on many of the characteristics of black and white since it is a combination of the two.

In the end, color subconsciously plays a vast role in the psychology of humans. It can be a major persuasion factor in our emotions, and they can seriously uplift or bring us down, especially if a person associates a color with one particular idea. However, naturally, color has the same general affect on people.

Bridging the Gap with Flower Remedies

by Linda Webber

Dr Edward Bach understood that where there was ?dis-ease? in the body, there was lack of harmony within the personality. As a respected and highly successful medical practitioner, he felt that the conventional forms of medical treatment for his patients were inadequate, and often presented a new set of symptoms to be dealt with. He spent many years researching vaccines and found that these, too, had unwanted side-effects. A highly sensitive person himself, Dr Bach began working with Samuel Hahnemann, the Father of Homeopathy, but found this form of treatment also lacked what he was seeking ? a completely natural form of treatment with no side-effects whatsoever.

Dr Bach firmly believed that Nature held the answer, and refined his work with homeopathy. He came to the realization that the finer vibration of the plant, the essence of the flower, could be captured in a homeopathic-type preparation where the imprint of the flower?s healing properties were captured in the water and potentised by the sun?s life-giving energy.

Many people are familiar with Rescue Remedy?, Dr Bach?s most popular flower remedy formula, yet feel their understanding of Flower Therapy is quite limited. Through our common understanding of flowers and their meanings, we all know more than we realise.

In the Language of Flowers, we know that the rose represents love. In the language of Flower Therapy, the flower essences of the Rose family relates to aspects of love. The colour of a flower also provides indications of its properties. Purple flowers relate to spiritual energy and the crown chakra, whereas red flowers are often related to action and more physical aspects of life.

It is with these basic, yet often traditional uses of flowers, that we are further able to understand the Essence of the plant. For example, Aloe as a herb is used to treat hot and inflamed physical conditions and as a flower remedy Aloe helps those who are ?hot-headed? to maintain a cool and calm disposition, and assists in cooling the body. The leaves of Aspen quiver, as if trembling, even on the stillest of days. The flower remedy of Aspen is for the vague and unknown fears, the thoughts of ?what if?? Those who need Aspen display these characteristics in their behaviour.

The Doctrine of Signatures, the ancient system of recognizing a plant's properties by observing its shape and form, also gives indications of the qualities of a flower's essence. Yarrow and Dill flowers resemble umbrellas, and both remedies are protective to the aura and the senses. As the Kangaroo Paw flowers, it blooms from a tight-lipped mouth to an elongated throat that reaches out and opens up to you. The essence of the plant encourages one to communicate openly and with a welcoming spirit.

More clues to the qualities of a flower's essence can be found in its name. Water Violet reminds us of the shrinking violet, and is for those who are shy and reserved. Impatiens is the flower remedy for impatience, not just on the physical level, but for impatience on a soul level. This remedy is said to be Dr Bach?s personality type as he was constantly working long hours to research his findings, driven by a pure desire to find a holistic healing system for his patients.

Dr Bach's foundation work on Flower Therapy has opened the doorway for many practitioners to expand upon his research, understanding and development of flower remedies. There are those who believe that Dr Bach?s original set of flower remedies cover every aspect of emotional, mental and spiritual imbalance. I believe had he lived a longer life he would have brought into being many more remedies for our use today.

Many are also are of the opinion that we would benefit most by taking remedies made from plants that are indigenous to the country and area in which we live. With modernization we find that very few of us live in our native country, therefore I feel we cannot limit ourselves to one range of remedies.

It has been my personal experience that the Bach flower remedies have a gentler impact than those of the Australian bush. Why? If you look at the weather conditions in both countries, England?s weather is quite mild and making a flower remedy takes longer due to the lack of intensity in the heat of the sun. Australia?s landscape, its diversity and its weather, is by contrast quite dramatic. The indigenous Peoples of Australia also have a very strong affinity with the land on which they live. I have found through years of using and preparing a variety of flower remedies, that the harsher the environment, the more punch the flower remedy will have. For some, like Dr Bach, this impact may be too great. My personal experiences with many of the Australian native flower remedies are that they have quite a dramatic physical impact, whereas the English flower remedies are ?softer?.

Being a sensitive person like Dr Bach, I find myself drawn to particular plants for the making of its essence. It is not surprising to see how these remedies are being called into being as they have their time and place in our society to balance the needs of today.

Linda Webber, Sacred Space Essentials 2006

Linda Webber, who lives in Bellingen, Australia, is a certified Bach Flower Remedy Practitioner of 16 years, experienced in Dr. Bach's original remedies and her own range of Flower and Vibrational Essences for people, their pets, and plants. Founder of Sacred Space Essentials, Linda is dedicated to the research and development of Flower Remedies and Vibrational Therapy. Her vision is to promote the everyday use of flower and vibrational remedies to enhance all aspects of the life we live. Visit her website for further information, products and services on Flower Remedies. She is also available for Personal Consultations.

http://www.sacred-space.com.au
info@sacred-space.com.au
PO Box 367 Bellingen NSW, 2454 Australia
Ph: + 61 2 6655 0676

The Healthiest Foods On Earth

by Jonny Bowden, Forbes.com

The most important consideration in constructing a healthy diet: Eat whole foods that have had minimal processing.

What is the best diet for human beings?

Vegetarian? Vegan? High-protein? Low-fat? Dairy-Free?

Hold on to your shopping carts: There is no perfect diet for human beings. At least not one that's based on how much protein, fat or carbohydrates you eat.

People have lived and thrived on high-protein, high-fat diets (the Inuit of Greenland); on low-protein, high-carb diets (the indigenous peoples of southern Africa); on diets high in raw milk and cream (the people of the Loetschental Valley in Switzerland); diets high in saturated fat (the Trobriand Islanders) and even on diets in which animal blood is considered a staple (the Massai of Kenya and Tanzania). And folks have thrived on these diets without the ravages of degenerative diseases that are so epidemic in modern American life-heart disease, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis and cancer.

In Pictures: The Healthiest Foods On Earth

The only thing these diets have in common is that they're all based on whole foods with minimal processing. Nuts, berries, beans, raw milk, grass-fed meat. Whole, real, unprocessed food is almost always healthy, regardless of how many grams of carbs, protein or fat it contains.

All these healthy diets have in common the fact that they are absent foods with bar codes. They are also extremely low in sugar. In fact, the number of modern or ancient societies known for health and longevity that have consumed a diet high in sugar would be ... let's see ... zero.

Truth be told, what you eat probably matters less than how much processing it's undergone. Real food-whole food with minimal processing-contains a virtual pharmacy of nutrients, phytochemicals, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and healthful fats, and can easily keep you alive and thriving into your 10th decade.

Berries, for example, are phenomenally low in calories, high in fiber and loaded with plant compounds that improve memory and help fight cancer. Studies have consistently shown that nut-eaters have lower rates of heart disease. Beans are notorious for their high fiber content and are a part of the diet of people-from almost every corner of the globe-who live long and well.

Protein--the word comes from a Greek word meaning "of prime importance"-is a feature of every healthy diet ever studied. Meat, contrary to its terrible reputation, can be a health food if-and this is a big if-the meat comes from animals that have been raised on pasture land, have never seen the inside of a feedlot farm and have never been shot full of antibiotics and hormones.

Ditto for raw milk, generally believed to be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet by countless devotees who often go to great expense and inconvenience to obtain it from small, sustainable farms. Wild salmon, whose omega-3 content is consistently higher than its less-fortunate, farm-raised brethren, gets its red color from a powerful antioxidant called astaxathin. The combination of protein, omega-3s and antioxidants makes wild salmon a contender for anyone's list of great foods.

Another great food: eggs-one of nature's most perfect creations, especially if you don't throw out the all-important yolk. (Remember "whole" foods means exactly that-foods in their original form. Our robust ancestors did not eat "low-fat" caribou; we don't need to eat "egg-white" omelets.)

There are really no "bad" vegetables, but some of them are superstars. Any vegetable from the Brassica genus-broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale-is loaded with plant chemicals called indoles, which help reduce the risk of cancer.

In the fruit kingdom, apples totally deserve their reputation as doctor-repellents: they're loaded with fiber, minerals (like bone-building boron) and phytochemicals (like quercetin, which is known to be a powerful anti-inflammatory and to have anti-cancer properties). Some exciting new research suggests that pomegranate juice slows the progression of certain cancers. Other research shows it lowers blood pressure and may even act as a "natural Viagra."

Tea deserves special mention on any list of the world's healthiest foods. The second most widely consumed beverage in the world (after water), all forms of tea (black, oolong, white, green and the newer Yerba Matte) are loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Some types (green tea, for example) contain plant chemicals called catechins which have decidedly anti-cancer activity.

Finally, let's not forget members of the Alliaceae family of plants-onions, garlic and shallots. Garlic has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties; hundreds of published studies support its antimicrobial effects as well as its ability to lower the risk of heart disease. A number of studies have shown an inverse relationship between onion consumption and certain types of cancer.

A healthy diet doesn't have to contain every one of the "healthiest foods on earth," but you can't go wrong putting as many of the above mentioned foods in heavy rotation on your personal eating plan.

About the Author:Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S., is a board-certified nutritionist and the author of seven books on health and nutrition, including The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy and The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth.

Born to be Free

by Dzogchen Ponlop, Author of Rebel Buddha: On the Road to Freedom

Rebel Buddha is an exploration of what it means to be free and how it is that we can become free. Although we may vote for the head of our government, marry for love, and worship the divine or mundane powers of our choice, most of us don't really feel free in our day-to-day lives. When we talk about freedom, we're also talking about its opposite, bondage, lack of independence, being subject to the control of something or someone outside ourselves. No one likes it, and when we find ourselves in that situation, we quickly start trying to figure out a way around it. Any restriction on our life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness arouses fierce resistance. When our happiness and freedom are at stake, we become capable of transforming ourselves into rebels.

There's something of a rebellious streak in all of us. Usually it's dormant, but sometimes it's provoked into expression. If nurtured and guided with wisdom and compassion, it can be a positive force that frees us from fear and ignorance. If it manifests neurotically, however, full of resentment, anger, and self-interest, then it can turn into a destructive force that harms oneself as much as it does others. When confronted with a threat to our freedom or independence and that rebellious streak surfaces, we can choose how to react and channel that energy. It can become part of a contemplative process that leads to insight. Sometimes that insight comes quickly, but it can also take years.

According to the Buddha, our freedom is never in question. We are born free. The true nature of the mind is enlightened wisdom and compassion. Our minds are always brilliantly awake and aware. Nevertheless, we're often plagued by painful thoughts and the emotional unrest that goes with them. We live in states of confusion and fear from which we see no escape. Our problem is that we don't see who we truly are at the deepest level. We don't recognize the power of our enlightened nature. We trust the reality we see before our eyes and accept its validity until something comes along - an illness, accident, or disappointment - to disillusion us. Then we might be ready to question our beliefs and start searching for a more meaningful and lasting truth. Once we take that step, we're starting off on the road to freedom.

On this road, what we free ourselves from is illusion, and what frees us from illusion is the discovery of truth. To make that discovery, we need to enlist the powerful intelligence of our own awake mind and turn it toward our goal of exposing, opposing, and overcoming deception. That is the essence and mission of "rebel buddha": to free us from the illusions we create by ourselves, about ourselves, and those that masquerade as reality in our cultural and religious institutions.

We start by looking at the dramas in our life, not with our ordinary eyes, but with the eyes of dharma. What is drama and what is dharma? I guess you could say drama is illusion that acts like truth, and dharma is truth itself the way things are, the basic state of reality that does not change from day to day according to fashion or one's mood or agenda. To change dharma into drama, all you need are the elements of any good play: emotion, conflict, and action a sense that something urgent and meaningful is happening to the characters involved. Our personal dramas may begin with the 'facts' about who we are and what we are doing, but, fueled by our emotions and concepts, they can quickly evolve into pure imagination and become as difficult to decipher as the storylines of our dreams. Then our sense of reality becomes further and further removed from basic reality itself. We lose track of who we really are. We have no means of telling fact from fiction, or developing the self-knowledge or wisdom that can free us from our illusions.

The above is an excerpt from the book Rebel Buddha: On the Road to Freedom by Dzogchen Ponlop. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Copyright © 2010 Dzogchen Ponlop, author of Rebel Buddha: On the Road to Freedom

Author Bio

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is a widely respected teacher known for his skill in making the full richness of Buddhist wisdom accessible to modern minds. He is also a poet, visual artist and city-dweller, based in the United States for two decades. He devotes much of his energy to developing a vision of a genuine Western Buddhism that is free from the cultural hang-ups that distract us from the Buddha’s essential message of wakefulness. Born in 1965 in northeast India, Rinpoche was trained in the meditative and intellectual disciplines of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism under the guidance of many of the greatest masters from Tibet’s final pre-exile generation. He is the founder and principal teacher of Nalandabodhi, an international network of Buddhist practice centers, and Nitartha International, an educational non-profit devoted to the preservation of Buddhist literature and art. Nalanda West, Center for American Buddhism, in Seattle, is currently the primary seat of his educational and spiritual activities in North America.