The Power of Service to Others

Service Is Its Own Reward

A true World Server strives to have a mind that is balanced at all times. This requires keen enthusiasm for disinterested, selfless service: Be kind to all. Love all. Serve all. Be generous and tolerant towards all. This is the way to purify both heart and mind, and to help forge the path to world enlightenment.
By performing acts of service, the heart is purified. Egoism, hatred, jealousy, the idea of superiority, and all similar qualities become purged and disappear; humility, pure love, sympathy, tolerance and mercy are developed in their place. The server comes to feel oneness and unity, in touch with all life.
The person who serves the world also serves the self. Only by first reforming oneself can the whole world become reformed. The greatest service that can be rendered is to impart knowledge of truth, as the basic cause of all human suffering is unconsciousness.
True service also purifies the mind, and can be a tool for self-knowledge. This practice requires non-attachment to outcome and that all actions be dedicated to the highest good, with the awareness that all of life is good.
.
When we give up ego and work merely for the sake of humanity, then even eating, walking, talking, sleeping, breathing and answering calls of nature become joyous activities. Great joy exists in approaching work this way because there is no personal investment in it.
How is this freedom accomplished? When we perform any action, it’s important to go inside and become centered. In this space of equanimity of mind, it is possible to understand the fundamental principles that govern all we do, and many of the outside forces become clearer and more manageable.
There is certainty in the practice of right work. Even a small amount of service to the community or to the poor brings forth its own rewards and advantages. Then, we will again be propelled to do some more good actions by the forces of our impressions of the original action. This is a key detail of the way that service evolves.
While the unconscious cannot conceive of doing work without some personal gain, the World Server attains inner spiritual strength and power by performing selfless motives and practices. Gradually, as we serve society, the glory and splendor of unselfish work is understood.
Synthesis is from
Science of Yoga, Volume 1: Karma Yoga
by Swami Sivananda, Sivananda Press, Durban, South Africa

Commit to Service for our second WorldWide Holistic Day, Oct. 2nd. Commit to hold or attend a workshop, class in your community. When hearts and minds are joined for good, our points of light will illuminate the World!

Why Breastfeeding Babies Saves Lives

Why Breastfeeding Babies Saves Lives

http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/

Blogger’s note: Breast feeding is a natural, biological process that is beneficial for both mother and child.

Breastfeeding protects babies
Early breast milk is liquid gold – Known as liquid gold, colostrum (coh-LOSS-trum) is the thick yellow first breast milk that you make during pregnancy and just after birth. This milk is very rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby. Although your baby only gets a small amount of colostrum at each feeding, it matches the amount his or her tiny stomach can hold. (Visit How to know your baby is getting enough milk to see just how small your newborn’s tummy is!)
Your breast milk changes as your baby grows – Colostrum changes into what is called mature milk. By the third to fifth day after birth, this mature breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein to help your baby continue to grow. It is a thinner type of milk than colostrum, but it provides all of the nutrients and antibodies your baby needs.
Breast milk is easier to digest – For most babies — especially premature babies — breast milk is easier to digest than formula. The proteins in formula are made from cow’s milk and it takes time for babies’ stomachs to adjust to digesting them.
Breast milk fights disease – The cells, hormones, and antibodies in breast milk protect babies from illness. This protection is unique; formula cannot match the chemical makeup of human breast milk. In fact, among formula-fed babies, ear infections and diarrhea are more common. Formula-fed babies also have higher risks of:
Necrotizing (nek-roh-TEYE-zing) enterocolitis (en-TUR-oh-coh-lyt-iss), a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in preterm infants.
Lower respiratory infections
Asthma
Obesity
Type 2 diabetes
Some research shows that breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of Type 1 diabetes, childhood leukemia, and atopic dermatitis (a type of skin rash) in babies. Breastfeeding has also been shown to lower the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Return to top
Breastfeeding during an emergency
When an emergency occurs, breastfeeding can save lives:
Breastfeeding protects babies from the risks of a contaminated water supply.
Breastfeeding can help protect against respiratory illnesses and diarrhea. These diseases can be fatal in populations displaced by disaster.
Breast milk is the right temperature for babies and helps to prevent hypothermia, when the body temperature drops too low.
Breast milk is readily available without needing other supplies.
Return to top
This from Wikipedia:

Groups such as the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) and Save the Children claim that the promotion of infant formula over breastfeeding has led to health problems and deaths among infants in less economically developed countries.[3][4] There are four problems that can arise when poor mothers in developing countries switch to formula:
Formula must normally be mixed with water, which is often contaminated in poor countries, leading to disease in vulnerable infants.[5] Because of the low literacy rates in developing nations, many mothers are not aware of the sanitation methods needed in the preparation of bottles. Even mothers able to read in their native tongue may be unable to read the language in which sterilization directions are written.
Although some mothers can understand the sanitation standards required often do not have the means to perform them: fuel to boil water, electric (or other reliable) light to enable sterilisation at night. UNICEF estimates that a formula-fed child living in disease-ridden and unhygienic conditions is between six and 25 times more likely to die of diarrhea and four times more likely to die of pneumonia than a breastfed child.[6]
Many poor mothers use less formula powder than is necessary, in order to make a container of formula last longer. As a result, some infants receive inadequate nutrition from weak solutions of formula.[7]
Breast milk has many natural benefits lacking in formula. Nutrients and antibodies are passed to the baby while hormones are released into the mother’s body.[8] Breastfed babies are protected, in varying degrees, from a number of illnesses, including diarrhea, bacterial meningitis, gastroenteritis, ear infection, and respiratory infection.[9][10][11] Breast milk contains the right amount of the nutrients essential for neuronal (brain and nerve) development.[12] The bond between baby and mother can be strengthened during breastfeeding.[10] Frequent and exclusive breastfeeding can also delay the return of fertility, which can help women in developing countries to space their births.[13] The World Health Organization recommends that, in the majority of cases, babies should be exclusively breast fed for the first six months.[14]
Advocacy groups and charities have accused Nestlé of unethical methods of promoting infant formula over breast milk to poor mothers in developing countries.[15][16] For example, IBFAN claim that Nestlé distributes free formula samples to hospitals and maternity wards; after leaving the hospital, the formula is no longer free, but because the supplementation has interfered with lactation, the family must continue to buy the formula. IBFAN also allege that Nestlé uses “humanitarian aid” to create markets, does not label its products in a language appropriate to the countries where they are sold, and offers gifts and sponsorship to influence health workers to promote its products.[17] Nestlé denies these allegations.[18]

Blogger’s note: Contaminated baby products continue to sicken and kill infants worldwide. The Melamine contamination in China sickened and killed hundreds of babies. Similac recently made a voluntary recall of some of their products.

Before subjecting any infant to contaminated formula, water, and bottles,
Education about the benefits of breast feeding should be foremost.

The Best Herbs for the Home.

The following is an excerpt from the article Herbal Mastermind by Beth Davis. It features a bio of David Winston, one of the premier herbalists in the country. For more information go to HerbalTherapeutics.net.
Ginger. Its multitude of uses makes this a favorite. It helps with gas, bloating and upset stomach. Steam and inhale to help with allergies. Combine with honey and lemon for an excellent sore throat remedy.

Fresh Garlic. This strongly antibacterial herb helps kill the bacteria that cause gastric ulcers, can mildly lower blood pressure and VLDL cholesterol levels and can thin blood.

Cinnamon. Another antibacterial herb, cinnamon can be used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throats. It mildly lowers blood sugar levels, enhances digestion and improves peripheral circulation.

Turmeric. As a strong anti-inflammatory herb, turmeric is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It may also help relieve symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel disease.

Sage. Contains a variety of antioxidants and antioxidant phytochemicals. Combined with echinacea sage can help with a viral or bacterial sore throat. It enhances cognitive function and is effective for relieving some symptoms of menopause, especially when combined with the herbs chaste tree and Motherwort.

Treatment for Chronic Pain that Works!

Chronic Pain is debilitating for mind, body and spirit. Chronic pain can be the result of disease such as fibromayalgia, or surgeries, or it can be the result of emotional or spiritual trauma. Whatever the root, it is difficult to deal with. Conventional medicine often deals with chronic pain by administering pain killers. Too often such treatment leads to addiction which only ultimately compounds the problem. Currently, I have a client with chronic pain syndrome. JJ’s pain is the result of multiple surgeries. Prescription medicine to control his pain left her an addict. Treatment for addiction has helped her dependence on prescription drugs and she has sought alternative treatment. She receives weekly sessions of acupuncture and Reiki. Initially, she was only able to get a few hours of relief. Now, she can almost manage the week. Because the acupuncture and Reiki have settled her anxiety and pain, she has begun to make other changes in her life. She now is able to exercise and is interested in her diet. As a result she is sleeping better and has lost some weight, both of which have helped to lesson her pain. Most importantly, her mind set has changed. She once reported she will always have to live with pain; now she looks forward to being pain free.
Below is information on a more holistic approach to chronic pain from EHow: Print this article

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is recurring pain that can be continuous or intermittent and lasts longer than six months. According to Prescription for Nutritional Healing, headaches, including migraines, as well as backache and arthritis qualify as chronic pain. Often, chronic pain can be better treated by holistic pain management.
Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice. At the core of acupuncture philosophy is the belief that chi, also known as life force or energy, can flow freely or can become blocked at points along meridians. Each meridian, or pathway, is associated with an organ. When chi flows freely, the person experiences wellness. When chi is blocked, different ailments can occur. Acupuncture uses a painless method incorporating needles. They are inserted at designated locations on the body. The ailment determines placement of the needles. Acupuncturists often recommend herbs to aid acupuncture’s healing effects.

Sponsored Links
Relief From Back Pain

Reclaim your life with a 30-minute groundbreaking back pain procedure.
NorthAmericanSpine.com/Back_Pain
Herbs

Herbal remedies may be among the best-known holistic means to manage chronic pain. Used throughout the ages by cultures around the world, herbs can offer relief for myriad painful conditions. Some of the most popular herbal remedies include angelica, cramp bark, kava kava, rosemary and valerian root. These herbs treat cramps and muscle spasms. Tea can be made with catnip, licorice or wood betony, to name only three herbs, to ease nerve pain and tension. Capsaicin, found in cayenne pepper, can relieve rheumatoid arthritis and neuralgia, among other painful conditions. Butterbur is gaining attention for its effective treatment and prevention of migraine headaches. Seek the advice of an herbalist or an acupuncturist for guidance.
Massage

Massage is body work. A massage therapist manipulates muscles and soft tissues. The therapy can ease muscle pain, headaches and a variety of other chronically painful conditions. Massage allows muscles to relax and promotes lymphatic circulation, which reduces inflammation. Massage encourages blood flow through muscles and can aid sinus drainage. Massage is not appropriate for all people, however, especially those with vascular problems. The many forms of massage used to relieve chronic pain include deep tissue massage, neuromuscular massage, reflexology and shiatsu.
Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapists suggest suffering subjects into a positive state of mind. It creates relaxation, which is fertile territory for receptivity to positive suggestions. A hypnotherapist or a doctor provides a subject with suggestions that distract the mind from its focus on pain. Hypnosis can manage back and joint pain, migraines, and other types of chronic pain. Only use the services of a certified hypnotherapist.

Read more: Holistic Medicine for Chronic Pain | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5166094_holistic-medicine-chronic-pain.html#ixzz1p5t3RGq7

How to Treat Depression in a Holistic Manner

One of the aftermaths of disaster of any kind is depression and post traumatic stress. Most health care professionals will focus on the immediate physical problems which are abundant at the time of the disaster. Mental and emotional issues can linger on for years. Dr. Andrew Weil gives some excellent advice for treatment in the following article from the Huffington Post.

The World Health Organization has predicted that by 2030, more people will be affected by depression than any other health problem. Yet of all the dysfunctions of modern medicine, the way we treat depression may be the worst.

As I outlined in “Are You Depressed, Or Just Human?” normal changes in mood are often labeled as depression, leading to an overdiagnosis of the condition. But even if the patient is truly depressed, the prescribed treatment is almost always limited to a potent pharmaceutical. In other words, a complex, multifaceted problem is frequently treated with an oversimplified, expensive therapy that, sadly, is often ineffective.

The reason? Money. Our profit-driven medical system makes it difficult for doctors to spend enough time with patients to make a correct diagnosis and to craft truly individualized treatments. Also, patients themselves often demand the drugs they have seen advertised, and overworked, harried doctors frequently go along.

There is another reason for this regrettable situation. Many physicians are not trained in other treatment options for depression, though these can be safe, inexpensive and highly effective. So even if both physician and patient favor an alternative to drugs, they often lack the knowledge to employ it.

Whenever I write about mental health and integrative therapies, I am accused of being prejudiced against pharmaceuticals. So let me be clear – integrative medicine is the judicious application of both conventional and evidence-based natural therapies. For some mental health conditions, pharmaceuticals can literally be lifesavers, and they can be all or part of an integrative solution to mental health conditions. The point of integrative mental health is not to exclude pharmaceuticals but to make them one option out of many, so that each patient receives an individualized treatment plan that maximizes reward and minimizes risk. I believe that this commonsense approach will make integrative mental health treatment the preferred modality in the years to come.

At the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, the program I founded in 1994 at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, we’re working hard to promote this. Here are a few of the therapeutic options for depression that we teach.

Nutritional approaches:

Omega-3 fatty acids: Studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may be helpful in relieving mild to moderate depression. Fish oil is an excellent source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential fatty acid found in nerve and brain tissue. I recommend doses of fish oil supplements in the range of 2,000- 3,000 mg per day of EPA+DHA.

Vitamin D: Deficiency has been associated with depression, as well as a host of other diseases. I now routinely recommend 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, taken with the largest meal.

St. John’s wort: This herbal remedy that has long been used in Europe as a treatment for mood disorders. Standardized extracts have shown an effectiveness greater than that of a placebo in the treatment of mild to moderate forms of depression. It should not be taken with anti-retroviral medications, birth control pills, or antidepressant medications, especially SSRIs such as Prozac or Celexa. Try 300 mg of an extract standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin, three times a day. Its full effect will be felt in about eight weeks.

SAMe: A synthetic version of a derivative of the amino acid L-methionine, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) was judged “superior to placebo and is as effective as tricyclic antidepressants in alleviating depression” in a November, 2002, article by Harvard researchers published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It has the advantage of working more quickly than St John’s wort. Use only the butanedisulfonate form in enteric-coated tablets, or in capsules. Try 400 – 1,600 mg a day on an empty stomach.

B vitamins: The B vitamins, especially folic acid and vitamin B6, may be helpful in mild depression, and B vitamins can increase the efficacy of prescription antidepressants.

In addition, follow an anti-inflammatory diet and include an antioxidant multi-vitamin/mineral supplement to ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs for all the essential nutrients.

Somatic approaches:

Aerobic exercise: For more immediate, symptomatic depression treatment, there is no better method than regular aerobic exercise. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of a daily workout for improving emotional health and boosting self confidence. I recommend 30 minutes of continuous activity, at least five days a week for best results.

Phototherapy: Shorter daylight hours can affect sleep, productivity and state of mind. Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, may help. It uses light boxes emitting full-spectrum light to simulate sunlight. Phototherapy has been shown to have positive results for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), women with severe premenstrual syndrome, bulimics, and as a non-drug treatment for pregnant women and others suffering from depression. A meta-analysis has supported modest benefit when compared to placebo for non-seasonal depression.

Acupuncture: The World Health Organization has recognized acupuncture as effective in treating mild to moderate depression.

Massage: Massage therapy has been shown to relieve depression, especially in people who have chronic fatigue syndrome; other studies also suggest benefit for other populations.

Mind-body approaches:

Psychotherapy: Find a psychotherapist, mental health professional or grief counselor who can help you explore the factors that may be contributing to your depression, and who can suggest methods of understanding and changing habitual thought patterns to facilitate recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be especially helpful.

Other mind-body therapies: Yoga, hypnosis, meditation, mindfulness training, “news fasts” and conscious efforts to socialize and bond with people and companion animals may all be of value, and are low-risk.

I don’t want to trivialize these approaches by implying that they can be adequately conveyed in one blog post – the information listed above is by no means complete, it is meant only as an overview of some therapies for further exploration and inquiry. Also, keep in mind that while depression may be on the way to becoming the most often-diagnosed mental health problem worldwide, integrative specialists are also investigating the diagnosis and treatment of other mental health conditions including anxiety, psychosis, dementia, substance abuse and sleep disturbances.

So for those who seek in-depth knowledge in the broad, burgeoning field of integrative mental health, here are three resources I recommend highly:

Textbook of Integrative Mental Health Care by James Lake, M.D. The prime reference in this growing field. Dr. Lake’s book brilliantly summarizes evidence-based integrative interventions that may be unknown to many physicians.

2010 Integrative Mental Health Conference, March 22-24, 2010, Phoenix, Arizona. This is the first conference of its kind to assemble leaders in integrative mental health, creating a new field and framework in which to promote mental wellness.

The “Depression,” chapter in David Rakel, M.D.’s, excellent reference text Integrative Medicine.

Andrew Weil, M.D., is the founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and the editorial director of www.DrWeil.com. Become a fan on Facebook and follow Dr. Weil on Twitter.

A Killer of Children, Easily Cured.

Diarrhea is not a topic of pleasant conversation, but it is one that needs to be addressed. Diarrhea kills more children than Aids, malaria and measles combined. The elderly and sick also fail prey to Diarrhea.
Most of the deaths from Diarrhea are attributable to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene.
All of these conditions are the secondary effects of a natural disaster. Many times the water systems become polluted, or sanitary living conditions become compromised. Infectious diseases soon follow, with diarrhea becoming the outcome of many of them.
Perhaps the easiest solution to this problem is to boil water when one is uncertain as to its potability.
Fluids lost during diarrhea need to be replaced so that dehydration does not occur.
is an excellent source for treatment of diarrhea.
The following are homemade remedies from the article
Home Remedies for Diarrhea we recommend:

Home Remedies for diarrhea #1: Take homeopathic Arsenicum if you feel you have eaten spoiled food. This will help control the discharge without interfere with the elimination of toxins.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #2: If you feel weak and have a burning pain in mid-section take cuprum arsenicosum .
Take 4 charcoal tablets every hour this will absorb the toxins from the body.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #3: Drink blackberry tea for mild diarrhea.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #4: Take cayenne in capsules.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #5:Wild oregano oil is an antibacterial, anti parasitic and anti viral.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #6: Ginger tea can stop cramps and pain. Or take Ginger in capsules.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #7: Drink plenty of fluids, but stay away from caffeine and alcohol. Drinks like ginger ale or carrot juice is good for making the stools less watery.

Home Remedies for diarrhea #8: For decades charcoal has been used for absorbing and expelling intestinal gas. Charcoal may also be used for relieving a variety of ailments, such as indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, high cholesterol and intestinal bloating. Charcoal’s ability to absorb and prevent substances from dislodging or reabsorbing into the body make it a popular choice for detoxifying the liver and kidneys.
Let’s work to save lives.

Power Herbs to Fight Cancer

AyItkc9cvuo
Watch Dr. Judy’s Seeger’s inspiring video and learn about herbs that fight cancer!

Honey, ancient food, modern day miracle.

This is an excerpt from an article found at:http://www.worldwidewounds.com
Nearly every country worldwide has bees and honey.
This is a tremendous product to have in your emergency kit!

Honey is an ancient remedy for the treatment of infected wounds, which has recently been ‘rediscovered’ by the medical profession, particularly where conventional modern therapeutic agents are failing. There are now many published reports describing the effectiveness of honey in rapidly clearing infection from wounds, with no adverse effects to slow the healing process; there is also some evidence to suggest that honey may actively promote healing. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to have an antimicrobial action against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi. However, further research is needed to optimize the effective use of this agent in clinical practice.
Box 1: Practical considerations for the clinical use of honey

The amount of honey required on the wound relates to the amount of fluid exuding from the wound diluting it. The frequency of dressing changes required will depend on how rapidly the honey is being diluted by exudate. If there is no exudate, dressings need to be changed twice-weekly to maintain a ‘reservoir’ of antibacterial components as they diffuse into the wound tissues.

To achieve best results the honey should be applied to an absorbent dressing prior to application. If applied directly to the wound, the honey tends to run off before a secondary dressing is applied to hold it in place.

Honey will not soak readily into absorbent dressings. Soaking is facilitated by warming the honey to body temperature and/or adding 1 part water to 20 parts honey to make the honey more fluid.

In some situations a ‘blister’ of honey can be held on a wound using an adhesive film dressing. Honey can be used to treat cavity wounds in this way, although this approach is not suitable for heavily exuding wounds.

For moderately to heavily exuding wounds, a secondary dressing may be needed to contain seepage of diluted honey from the primary dressing. An occlusive dressing such as polyurethane film is best, as an absorbent secondary dressing tends to draw the honey away from the wound surface.

A low-adherent dressing helps prevent the honey dressing sticking to the wound in cases where this is a problem. This dressing is placed between the wound and the honey dressing, but must be porous to allow the antibacterial components of the honey to diffuse freely into the wound bed.

Alginate dressings impregnated with honey are a good alternative to cotton/cellulose dressings, as the alginate converts into a honey-containing soft gel.

Any depressions or cavities in the wound bed need to be filled with honey in addition to using a honey-impregnated dressing. This is to ensure the antibacterial components of the honey diffuse into the wound tissues.

Honey can safely be inserted into cavities and sinuses. It is water-soluble and easily rinsed out; any residues are bio-degradable (honey filtered in processing does not contain any foreign bodies). For sinuses with small openings a catheter on a syringe filled with honey is an effective way of applying honey.

Since infection may lie in the tissues underlying the wound margins, honey dressings need to extend beyond the inflamed area surrounding a wound.

If you were to make a 72 hour emergency kit, what herbs, holistic materials would it include?

I found this article, and I thought this community of readers could do better.
What would you suggest in an emergency preparedness kit? What herbs, poultices, etc would you have at the ready for an earthquake, hurricane, terrorist event? Share your thoughts!

12 Questions Everyone Should Know How to Answer

You’ve heard the spiel and probably even taken the class—the one that shows you how to magically pack 3-days worth of food into a milk carton that will become your most prized possession in the event of an emergency. Flipping on the news you can even see how that little carton could take the edge off of tragedies like hurricanes and earthquakes occurring around the world.

But is it really just as simple as stockpiling non-perishable food in a milk carton, or buying a bucket-o’-preparedness at a retailer to make sure everything will be all better when disaster strikes?

Certainly the above are proactive steps, but if you want to know where you are on the emergency preparedness scale, start by answering the following questions…

In event of an emergency do you know where to go and who, exactly, should meet you there?
If you are unable to communicate by phone, how (or where) will you communicate messages?
Do you have a 72-hour kit?
Does the kit include any comfort foods or foods you actually enjoy eating?
Do you have a 72-hour water supply (suggested amount is a gallon a day per person)?
Does your kit include clothes for all seasons or do you rotate the clothes seasonally?
Does your 72-hour kit include a First Aid kit?
If you take any medications or have any allergies, are dosages of those medicines included?
Are your kits and water easily accessible and easy to carry?
Have you stored alternate shelter in an easily accessible location (tents, sleeping bags, etc.)?
If you have a pet, is it included in your preparedness plan and is its food included in your kit? (Hint: experts are now suggesting that you evacuate with your pets knowing that pets will not be allowed in human shelters.)
Can you prepare your food without the aid of a modern stove or oven?
Being able to answer the above questions is key to retaining some sort of confidence should tragedy occur. Granted, they’re not fun questions to ponder on, but they are empowering once answered.

Let’s say tomorrow at 1:00 in the afternoon while the kids are in school and adults are at work, a fire/flood/tornado/ earthquake strikes. Going home is not an option, everyone is told to stay either where they are or evacuate.
What do you do? What does your family do and how do you reconnect?

Many people, especially parents, can shy away from discussing subjects like this for fear of traumatizing their children. They imagine discussing in somber tones what the children should do if mom and dad are crushed by a falling ceiling or tagged by a stray power line.Not necessary.

Preparedness saves lives, it could save yours.

Wonderful Herbal Article by Steven Taormina

Natural Health and Longevity Resource Center

(Wonderful article to restock your herbal closet.)

Top Ten Best-Researched Herbs

by Steven Taormina

Beautiful to behold in nature, many plants have been used medicinally for thousands of years. Here are ten proven medicinal herbs that scientists have tested in clinical studies. Few people are aware of the multitude of scientific studies done on plants. This information should not be used as medical advice.

Garlic
“If we were to design a drug that had perfect properties according to what we know about heart disease and associated risk factors, we couldn’t improve on garlic,” says Amanda McQuade-Crawford, herbalist and director of the Ojai Center of Phytotherapy in Ojai, Calif. Regular use of garlic is associated with the prevention of cardiovascular disease, she explains. Garlic raises protective HDLs (high-density lipoproteins), while it lowers harmful LDLs (low-density lipoproteins) and triglycerides (blood fats). Garlic is also known to help lower high blood pressure, she says. Garlic aids in cancer prevention by raising the body’s level of glutathione transferase, a liver enzyme known to detoxify the body of carcinogens, says McQuade-Crawford. In China, researchers found gastric cancer was reduced where garlic intake was high. Other researchers have noted improved helper/suppressor ratios of T-cells in AIDS patients who take garlic. Proven to work against various micro-organisms including bacteria resistant to antibiotics, garlic is known to be antifungal and antiviral, she adds.

Hawthorn
The berries of this flowering shrub are best used for the heart, says McQuade-Crawford. Hawthorn aids the heart’s pumping action by opening the coronary arteries to nourish the heart muscle. The herb can also slow a rapid heart rate and strengthen a failing heart. Hawthorn usually lowers high blood pressure, especially a raised diastolic high blood pressure, and it benefits low blood pressure due to weak heart muscles with arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm).

“Hawthorn takes a long time to do its best — six months or longer. In the style of a true herbal tonic, it can be taken safely and effectively over time for its best effects,” notes McQuade-Crawford.

Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba extract from the ginkgo tree has been shown to benefit visual function by improving microcirculation to the eyes especially among patients suffering from senile macular degeneration, a common condition thought to involve free radical damage, says Steven Schechter, N.D., author of Fighting Radiation & Chemical Pollutants With Foods, Herbs &Vitamins (Vitality, Ink).

More than 280 scientific studies indicate standardized ginkgo extract prevents and/or benefits ailments such as vertigo, tinnitus, inner ear disturbances, memory impairment, ability to concentrate, anxiety, depression, neurological disorders, senility, circulatory disorders, edema and Raynaud’s disease (a vascular disorder). Ginkgo extract improves the quality and increases the quantity of capillary circulation, thus increasing blood flow to the brain, heart and tissues in organs and glands, Schechter says. In addition, he notes, the flavonoids in ginkgo are potent free radical scavengers.

Ephedra
Also known in Chinese as ma huang, ephedra may be the world’s oldest herb cultivated for medicinal purposes, dating back nearly 5,000 years, says McQuade-Crawford. It’s commonly used in cold formulas as a decongestant.

“Ephedra is a great bronchial dilator,” McQuade-Crawford says. It helps asthma sufferers by opening the sinus passages and has an antihistamine effect which aids chronic and acute allergies. Ephedra also acts as a circulatory stimulant to blood pressure and heart function; it elevates blood pressure. Ephedra’s main constituent is ephedrine, which increases adrenaline secretion in our bodies. The boost you get from ephedra stimulates certain glands, muscles and tissue functions, while it suppresses others.

“In the long term, ephedra’s adrenaline overdrive can lead to chronic stress and even to degenerative disease,” warns McQuade-Crawford. She notes this is important for people using ephedra for dietary weight loss or “pep pill” purposes because the effects of ephedra linger in the body long after the herb is gone. “Ephedra shouldn’t be used with drugs for the heart or for the lungs and never with antidepressant drugs. It’s not for use with the weak or the ill and when used long term, dosages should be conservative,” McQuade-Crawford cautions.

Licorice
Licorice has been most recently researched as an antiviral and in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulceration, explains McQuade-Crawford. Its soothing, anti-inflammatory and relaxing actions help smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract on contact. “Licorice gets into a painful, contracted, tight digestive tract and coats the raw places, relaxes the clenched-up muscles and acts as a local anti-inflammatory,” she says. Licorice also increases bile secretion. Licorice is indicated for any gastrointestinal ulcers, including mouth ulcers. The root is indicated for chronic coughs and bronchitis as a soothing decongestant. It’s also indicated in small amounts to reduce sugar cravings.

The Chinese often use licorice to improve the taste and the effects of other herbs in complex formulas. Japanese research has shown licorice to decrease high testosterone levels in women with ovarian cysts and to increase their fertility. Large amounts of licorice or long-term use raises blood pressure in some people.

Bilberry
A strong antioxidant, bilberry benefits your circulatory system, eyes, heart and brain, and helps generate overall good health, says Schechter. Bilberry fruit contains a type of flavonoid called anthocyanosides, which are responsible for increasing flexibility of capillaries and increasing blood flow.

Research shows that standardized extract of bilberry can enlarge range of vision and improve sharpness of images, enhance ability to focus, and improve blurred vision, eyestrain and nearsightedness. Bilberry extract also helps strengthen coronary arteries and helps prevent atherosclerosis and venous insufficiency, which causes swollen ankles and feet. “Since adding bilberry to my own health program, I’ve noticed my muscles seem to recover slightly faster, I experience less muscular pain and my vision has improved from 20/100 to approximately 20/50,” says Schechter.

Echinacea
Decades of research prove echinacea’s value for aiding the immune system, Schechter explains. Studies have determined echinacea’s ability to activate white blood cells and stimulate the regeneration of the cellular connective tissue and the epidermis. Schechter notes that echinacea’s infection-fighting properties stem from its ability to neutralize a harmful enzyme involved in the infection process. Echinacea also increases two vital components of your immune system that consume and eliminate invading organisms and foreign particles.

German studies have shown echinacea extract contains proteins that help protect noninfected cells against viral infections, one reason why echinacea is regarded as an influenza preventor. Another German study found echinacea effective in allergy treatment because it helps prevent tissue inflammation due to harmful foreign toxins.

Milk Thistle
“I consider standardized milk thistle seed extract the most beneficial herbal product for liver detoxification, regeneration and protection, and, in general, one of the most universally necessary herbal products for the 1990s,” says Schechter. He notes that the stress of toxins from chemical pollutants, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, tobacco smoke, drugs and different forms of radiation have cumulative side effects that need to be addressed.

More than 120 scientific studies have shown that milk thistle extract regenerates, regulates and strengthens liver functions. Because free radicals attack the liver, primarily the fat tissue in the liver, the antioxidant qualities of milk thistle are extremely beneficial. Milk thistle stimulates your body to produce superoxide dismutase, which is one of two primary antioxidants the body can manufacture.

Astragalus
Astragalus has been used as an immunity booster in China for nearly 4,000 years, according to Rob McCaleb, founder of the Herb Research Foundation in Boulder, Colo. Astragalus extracts can increase immune system efficiency by increasing immune activity. One study found that astragalus extracts could increase the impaired immune function of blood cells up to and sometimes beyond normal cell ability.

According to Planetary Herbology (Lotus Press) by Michael Tierra, N.D., astragalus helps strengthen digestion, raise metabolism, strengthen the immune system and promote wound healing. It can also treat chronic weakness of the lungs, shortness of breath, low energy, prolapse of internal organs, spontaneous sweating, chronic lesions and deficiency edema.

Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the most widely studied herbs, having been the subject of more than 3,000 scientific studies to investigate how ginseng helps improve a person’s physical and/or mental performance, notes McCaleb. Studies have shown ginseng helps increase memory and learning by improving circulation. It’s also been shown to reduce cholesterol and protect the liver from toxins. Ginseng, according to Tierra, is known to strengthen the lungs, nourish body fluids and calm the spirit. It may be used for shock, collapse and heart weakness, as well as for promoting longevity and increasing resistance to disease.

A Japanese study showed cancerous liver cells could be reverted to normal cells in a Petri dish culture when treated with Panax ginseng extract. Siberian ginseng has also been shown to stimulate the immune system.