Practice extreme self-care.Written by Clare Evans
At times when life seems to be getting us down or we’re going through a period of stress and uncertainty, it’s important to take special care of ourselves!- Take time out. If you can get away from your usual environment then do so. Go away for weekend or even a day – do something different or something you enjoy and do it just for you. - Spend time with people you care about. Your friends and family know you best and will be supportive and there for you. It’s wonderful how you find true friends when chips are down. - Treat yourself. Get pampered or whatever allows you to indulge yourself. Book a relaxing massage, get retail therapy, savour a glass of your favourite wine or spend a whole day reading a book. - Look after your body. At times of stress our eating habits change. We’re more likely to reach for packaged or convenience foods. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables and provide your body with vitamins and minerals it needs to be able to deal with stress. Your immune system takes a bashing under stress so look after it as your more susceptible to illness. - Exercise. It’s a great way to get those endorphins going which can help lift your mood and as I mentioned last month - solvitas perambulum – solve it while you walk. The rhythm of exercise and breathing gives your mind time to think. As it’s summer go outdoors and take in some sunshine while you’re at it. - Don’t overdo caffeine or alcohol. It might give a temporary buzz but it will affect your sleep and you need to ensure you’re getting plenty of that too.
| | What is Herbal Medicine? Is it safe?Written by Charlene J. Nuble
Herbal medicine is use of plant and herb extracts for their therapeutic value. Most plants contain and produce chemical substances that aid in healing and other physical treatments. Herbal medicine is oldest form of healthcare and constitutes a key role in development of modern medicine as we know it today. Back when technology was still unheard of, primitive men utilised vast flora around them to fullest extent, observing both plant and animal life and their components, eventually giving birth to herbal medicine. In a study by World Health Organization on herbal medicine use, about 80% of world's populace still rely on herbal medicine to cure certain ailments and about 74% of drugs we use today contain at least one botanical element. For instance, Chinese Herbal Medicine's use of ephedrine to cure respiratory conditions still exists in present time. Ephedrine remains an active ingredient in most of commercial drugs that are being prescribed to relieve asthma symptoms. Herbal medicine is defined by three schools of thought: Ayurvedic Herbalism, Traditional Chinese Herbalism and Western Herbal Medicine. While both Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal medicine have moved on to advanced forms, western herbal medicine remains a part of folk treatments. Herbal medicine is, first and foremost, holistic. It aims to address not just a particular symptom, but also to help whole body rejuventate strengthen itself. And while there is no scientific evidence that all herbal medicines claiming to have healing powers are actually effective, number herbal medicines that have been placed under clinical testing have proved their worth. The list of known kinds includes echinacea, which is used to temper colds, St John's wort, used to treat mild depression (without using Prozac), and hawthorne berries, which help in recovery process from mild heart failures.
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