This article first appeared in the Brattleboro Reformer as part of the Post Oil Solutions series on “Building Sustainable Communities.”
One of the least spoken about challenges in a post petroleum age is wellness and healthcare. Our present-day pharmaceutical and medical technology is very much petroleum-based, and hence, much like food transportation and energy, our healthcare [...]
Holy basil (Latin name: Ocimum sanctum), is an Ayurvedic herb originating from the Indian subcontinent. Also known as sacred basil, or by its Sanskrit name, tulsi, holy basil has been revered as the “incomparable one” for thousands of years. For those who consume it regularly, holy basil is believed to strengthen the body and mind, [...]
I love springtime. Not everyone does, though. With the arrival of spring comes the sniffling, sneezing, watery eyes and itching of allergies. These and other spring allergy symptoms come from the overreaction of the immune system to tree pollen drifting through the air. Some of the most difficult and aggressive allergy symptoms seem to accompany [...]
For more than thirty years, I experienced itchy, oozing, rough, red, blotchy, scaly, irritated, cracked skin. Early in adulthood, I was diagnosed with both eczema and psoriasis, probably linked to food sensitivities. I also experienced other auto-immune conditions during that time, including multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and sporadically chronic fatigue (CF).
My shins and calves would [...]
My serious health issues, beginning in early childhood, led me to a lifetime of learning about what is truly natural, healthful, beneficial and free from side effects. Although it has often felt like an arduous road, I am ever grateful for my good health today and for the lessons I’ve learned, the journey I’ve traveled [...]
There are several interesting health myths that have their origins in medical and scientific journals. These myths trickle down to the articles that we read in news journals, alternative health and women’s magazines. These myths stem from the scientific reductionist viewpoint that looks at the isolated parts of the whole as if they were actually [...]
We all deserve, at every age, to experience good health and emotional well-being. Women do so much for everyone else in their lives that we’re becoming a society of frazzled, worn out beings on the emotional rollercoaster. Women, it’s time to take better care of ourselves, nurture ourselves regularly and regain our vibrant health and [...]
Do you ever wake up feeling completely worn out? Did you then decide you just couldn’t face going into work or on with your plans? You are not alone. The statistics in America on work days lost to the effects of fatigue are staggering. People of all ages, from young children to the elderly, are [...]
There are so many myths, misunderstandings and half-truths in the nutrition, holistic health and natural foods industries that it can be very overwhelming, even for the well-educated consumer. It is certainly very difficult to navigate the conflicting information given by doctors, nutritionists, herbalists and the media when you’re looking for answers, especially if you experience [...]
We are certainly a culture of people that like to have lots of ‘things’. But some of the best things in life aren’t things at all. Take, for example, good health. Many people have lots and lots of very nice items like cars, boats and homes, but they experience poor health. Did you ever wish [...]
Hello All,
I am hosting a blog carnival for the first time today, and for those of you who are new to blog carnivals, this is a collection of interesting articles on blog sites from all over the globe that I have reviewed and am passing along for your enjoyment and further health providing education. Namaste.
There is no doubt that the discovery of antibiotics has saved countless lives. When we have a life-threatening bacterial infection, antibiotics may certainly be the answer to winning the battle. But the question has arisen in recent years; are we overusing this miracle drug, jeopardizing our health and ability to fight minor pathogens, in the [...]
Far too many people are finding themselves suffering with chronic, often debilitating, pain. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has stated that an estimated 20 million Americans suffer with various forms of arthritis. Add to this those who experience fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, lupus, stress, anxiety, depression, nerve damage or the latest mysterious condition their doctor [...]
Greater numbers of people are having problems with weak, fragile, aching bones in the last two decades according to statistics. It is well-known that porous bones can lead to falls and sometimes serious injuries. Increases in the number of diagnoses of osteoporosis over the last decade or two are indicators that our bone health as [...]
If you suffer from chronic pain you were probably stunned when you heard that Merck’s Vioxx was being pulled immediately from the market for a considerably increased risk of heart attacks. Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra, were originally believed to be safer than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s), the over-the counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen [...]