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The Most Effective Yoga Bedtime Stretches

by August 28, 2017

Sleep is crucial to the body. If you are depriving yourself of sleep it can cause a world of side effects all throughout your entire body.

Sleep deprivation is no joke. If you’re staying up all night to study for a test you are hurting yourself more than you are helping. However, sometimes it’s not that we are up studying or playing a video game, although I am guilty of both myself. Sometimes we can just lay in bed in darkness for hours and somehow still not be able to sleep! Insomnia is a terrible thing to suffer from, but there are some natural tips to help keep you sleeping.

Yoga is an amazing natural treatment for any health issue you could suffer from. It can treat a variety of different things, including insomnia. Practicing certain stretches before bed can promote relaxation all over your body and make it much easier to fall asleep. It makes you comfy and relaxed. If you are suffering from insomnia all you have to do is practice these simple yoga stretches before bed!

 

How to Reduce Lectins in Your Diet, and Why You Should Consider Doing So

by August 28, 2017

Lectins are a form of protein found in raw legumes and grains that serve the purpose of protecting the plants when growing in the wild. As plants are static and unable to actively defend themselves, they rely upon this passive defense tactic to discourage predators from continuing to consume them after the initial interaction.

They work by causing the predator to experience discomfort in the form of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

How do they do it? They locate specific sugar molecules and cling to the cells. Once this connection occurs, they actually damage the cells, creating small open holes and tears. Throughout all this, the cell is no longer able to communicate with the body’s immune system, leaving it unable to defend itself. This can cause inflammation, irritation and minor damage to the GI tract.

There are some forms of lectins that, when ingested, are strong enough they can paralyze certain bugs!

It is no wonder, then, that it would be best to avoid over consumption of these proteins. While many people make a conscious effort to eat healthy, making decisions based upon the Food Guide Pyramid. This is a well-intentioned approach, however, lectins are often found it ‘healthy’ foods such as certain raw vegetables, beans, and grains. For this reason, it is important to be educated on which foods should be avoided, and which will work to protect the body and promote optimal health.

It is not necessary for you to entirely remove these foods from your diet, as they do contain a number of great nutritional benefits. It is, however, beneficial to limit how often you are consuming these foods.

Foods to Limit:

  • Squash, Pumpkins & Zucchini
  • Beans, Peas, Lentils & other Legumes
  • Nightshades: Vegetables such as Eggplant, Peppers, Potatoes & Tomatoes
  • Peanuts & Cashews
  • In-Season Fruits
  • Corn & Corn-Fed ‘Free-Range’ Meats
  • Grains
  • Casein A1 Milk & Milk Products

Beneficial Foods to Add to Your Diet:

  • Cruciferous Vegetables Including Broccoli, Cauliflower & Brussels Sprouts
  • Olives & Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Sweet Potatoes, Yucca & Taro Root
  • Avocado
  • Leafy Greens Including Romain, Red & Green Leaf Lettuce, Kohlrabi, Mesclun, Spinach, Endive, Butter Lettuce, Parsley, Fennel & Seaweed/Sea Vegetables
  • Asparagus, Garlic, Celery, Mushrooms & Onion

 

 

 

What Do Your Pimples Reveal About Your Health?

by August 28, 2017

Do you find that you are battling breakouts in the same place on your face month after month? While you might simply see this as an inconvenience, the ancient Chinese practice of face mapping points to a deeper underlying cause.

Dating back thousands of years, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine documented the practice of facial diagnosis, relying upon the idea that the face can be used as a map of the health of the body overall, understanding that changes in the condition of the skin in various ‘landmark’ areas on the face can be connected to specific organs and systems within the body. This includes the appearance of eczema, discoloration, broken blood vessels and breakouts.

Source: Huffington Post UK

 

In an article for the Integrative Naturopathic Medical Centre, Dr. Karen Lam, a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine outlined the history of facial mapping. After discussing its Chinese roots, she went on to describe how this technique was adopted by other areas in the world, writing:

“Face reading has had a long history in the Western world too; the Greeks were known to study physiognomy (the art of determining characteristics from features of the body) with writings from both Plato and Aristotle. Acupuncture was partly developed as a method to enable doctors to treat conditions found without touching their patients directly. This was designed to maintain etiquette for the royal household as the great Emperor, his Empress and concubines were able to dream of eternal beauty and life, whilst experiencing regular face mapping and acupuncture renewal.”

While the practice of face mapping does outline specific areas on the face, it is important to note that it is highly individual. There exists enough predictable similarities to outline a basis for diagnosis, however (like many forms of modern medicine) this may not apply in the same way for everyone. While the appearance of acne and breakouts can signal deeper problems, they may also be a sign of environmental conditions or an allergic reaction to a skincare product.

There are five zones that are highly focused on, each corresponding to an element in the Chinese 5-Element network including earth, fire, water, wood, and metal. Each of these zones can, in turn, be connected with an area of the body, such as a specific organ or group of organs. Understanding these connections will empower you to understand what your face is trying to tell you!

The Forehead

The forehead is the one associated with the element of fire. It is connected with the heart and the digestive system, specifically the small intestine, gall bladder, and liver. A breakout in this area may indicate that you are struggling to break down and digest certain foods. Try focusing on what foods you are eating, eliminating processed and high-fat foods from your diet.

Discoloration in the area of the forehead, specifically a bluish-green coloration, may indicate an imbalance within your heart. This may also be a sign of a heart attack, and should be taken seriously!

The Nose

Connected with the element of earth, the nose is also connected with the digestive system, however focusing more on the stomach, pancreas, and spleen. A breakout on your nose is usually a reflection of your recent dietary choices. Have you recently given in to cravings for fast food, spicy foods, deep-fried foods or overall fatty food choices? That is often all it takes to welcome pimples! You may also be experiencing diarrhea, constipation and/or indigestion.

Redness along the bridge of the nose may be a sign of too much alcohol in your system. If you notice this, try to limit your alcohol intake and it should clear up. It may also be an indication of increased levels of stress and concern. This may be a sign that you need to find balance in your life.

The Chin

Including not only the chin but also the indentation located above the lips, this area is ruled by the water element. The chin itself is associated with the bladder and kidneys, along with the body’s hormonal system, where as the philtrum, the area above the lips, is associated with the prostate and genitals in men, and the uterus and ovaries in women.

If you are experiencing discoloration or blemishes along the philtrum, this may indicate a source of concern in the reproductive organs. If you are prone to breaking out during your menstrual cycle, the chin and philtrum are where you will likely experience it.

As changes in this area are often associated with the hormonal system, ensuring that you are eating properly and getting plenty of rest may help you to control blemishes and breakouts.

 The Right Cheek

The right cheek is connected with the metal element and is closely associated with the lungs. If you are currently experiencing a cold or respiratory bug, or there is one coming on, you may see blemishes, redness, mild acne or a small patch of eczema as an early warning sign.

The health of your lungs can be highly impacted by the quality of the air you are breathing. If you spend some time in an area with poor air quality, such as an indoor area without proper ventilation, or a larger city you may notice that you are experiencing redness and pimples in this area. Those individuals who suffer from asthma or allergies may also find that these are to blame. Try breathing exercises to get this under control.

The Left Cheek

Ruled by the wood element, the left cheek is associated with the liver and gallbladder. If you are experiencing liver problems, such as fatty liver disease, you may notice that you have areas of redness running along the cheek next to the bridge of your nose.

If you notice yellowish patches under your left eye and across the cheek, you may find that you are currently dealing with the presence of gallstones, or that you are experiencing high cholesterol. If you work to better manage your cholesterol levels, you should see this discoloration fading.

Redness, rash, scaling or bulging veins may also indicate pent up anger and frustration, which in turn lead to high blood pressure. As high blood pressure can lead to a number of other difficulties, this sign should be taken seriously.

How to Treat Tonsil Stones Naturally

by August 28, 2017

Affecting approximately 75% of tonsillitis patients, tonsillitis, or tonsil stones, are incredibly common, however, most Americans aren’t even aware of their existence! These stones are caused when debris within the mouth becomes lodged in the tonsil and hardens with time. While largely harmless, the most common symptom is highly undesirable – Bad Breath!

A 2009 study set out to better understand the actual makeup, creation, and impact of tonsil stones. It concluded that the chemical makeup of the stones could be compared to that of dental plaque responsible for gum disease and cavities. Starting off relatively small, if left untreated they can continue to grow over time, and can become an ideal location for bacteria to grow and thrive.

The only proven way to prevent the condition is the complete removal of the tonsils through surgery, eliminating the tissues where the debris can collect. While doctors may recommend this surgery for some patients, such as those who experience repeated causes of infection and inflammation in the tonsil area, it isn’t the answer for everyone. Knowing the symptoms, and how to treat it, will allow you to be prepared to manage the condition should it arise.

 

Bad breath isn’t the only symptom of tonsillitis. Also, watch for pain or discomfort in the throat, difficulty swallowing, ear pain, inflammation of the tonsils and the presence of a white debris. While some abnormally large tonsil stones may require medical intervention and surgery, most cases of tonsillitis can be treated naturally at home.

 

Try These 6 All Natural Treatment Options for Tonsil Stones:

  1. Cotton Swab: Wet the end of a cotton swab then use it to gently loosen any visible tonsil stones by pressing directly around them. Do your best to push the stone forward so that you can spit it out, rather than allowing it to go down the throat. Be sure to rinse with water afterward to remove any remnants of the stone.

 

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 8 ounces of warm water. Gargle this solution 1-3 times daily to break down the debris that causes the stones.

 

  1. Coughing: A simple, energetic cough can work to loosen the tonsil stone. In fact, before any signs or symptoms are presented many people discover they have tonsil stones by coughing one up.

 

  1. Oil Pulling: Swish a tablespoon of oil (coconut oil, sesame oil or olive oil) around the mouth for approximately 10 to 20 minutes, spitting it out afterward to fight bacteria and loosen any tonsil stones.

 

  1. Garlic: Garlic possesses antibacterial properties that will work to fight the bacteria within the tonsil stones. Consuming a single glove of garlic daily will help to fight the bad breath caused by tonsillitis.

 

  1. Salt Water: Gargling with salt water is one of the best-recognized ways to treat tonsil stones. Mix half a teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water and gargle multiple times each day.

Image courtesy of The Independent. 

6 Signs of a Pinched Nerve In Your Back

by August 28, 2017

Intense leg and lower back pain is an awful thing to suffer from. It keeps you from doing what you want to do, sleeping, or basically any day to day activity.

Leg pain is awful. Once your legs start to constantly hurt your overall health will decline because it keeps you from performing any physical activity. You need to have healthy legs to get up and be active, or every component of your body will begin to weaken. If you suffer from intense leg pain consistently, you’ve probably been told it was just growing pains or something, and to basically get over it. Easy for someone who doesn’t understand how painful it is to say. Your leg pain could be a direct side effect of a pinched nerve.

Our spinal cords are covered in spinal nerves that send and receive constant impulses and communications. There are so many nerves along our spinal cord and it is easy for one of them to get pinched. If one of these nerves gets pinched it can cause a world of pain, shooting down from your back, lower back, to your legs. A pinched nerve is under a great amount of pressure. It often comes from surrounding bone or soft tissues. It will cause the nerve to lose its ability to send a receive inaccurate signals. This causes the nerve to be falsely triggered, releasing the pain.

Here are some signs that you have a pinched nerve:

Dull Sensation 

When you have a pinched nerve in your back it can feel like a dullness, almost numb. This is because the pinch impairs normal sensory perception. It causes an almost radiating numb feeling.

Impaired Motor Coordination

 We get stuck doing a lot of motor activities for extensive amounts of time because of our 9-5 work schedules. So if you type, walk, stand, or run often in your work it might cause some issues with our nerves.

Muscle Weakness 

Muscle longevity depends on muscle mass and contraction. When motor nerves are pinched it gets in the way of this, causing muscle weakness.

Radiating Pain and Spasms

 That radiating pain I have been talking about for so long is one of the most prominent symptoms of a pinched nerve. Pinched peripheral nerves can even induce muscle spasms. Multiplying things by two.

Pain and Burning

 A pinched nerve can not only cause pain, but it causes a burning sensation too. You can feel like in your feet, legs, thighs, or lower back. This occurs when the pain is at the root of a sensory nerve

Insomnia

 Can’t sleep at night? You might not be able to sleep because of this pinched nerve. A pinch nerves can cause you to be rolling and tossing over all night long trying to get relief from it. You might not even notice that’s why you’re tossing and turning.

11 Warning Signs of Dehydration

by August 28, 2017

Our bodies are complex machines that need taking care of and regular maintenance just like a car does. Just like a car needs oil, our bodies require water to be able to function.

Water is essential to our bodies. It is an essential supplement to consume, and without it, things will start to go south. When you become dehydrated a whole world of side effects are imposed on you. Dehydration can be the root of all evils, and even the most complicated of health issues can be solved by simply increasing your water intake. Most people these days are not consuming adequate water amounts. It might even be why we are so unhealthy. Did you know that 25% of all kids and teenagers don’t include water in their fluid intake at all? Yeah: it’s that bad. No wonder we are all so unhealthy.

Like I said before, water is essential to any part of good health. If you are dehydrated you will experience side effects like no other health issue. If you are not regularly consuming water it puts you at risk for basically every health issue. Think you’re not drinking enough water? Check out these 11 signs of dehydration you might let slip past you.

Bad Breath – Sometimes bad breath can be an indicator of a poor water intake. If you aren’t getting enough water you will be able to tell by your breath. If brushing your teeth does not take care of the breath issue, then try increasing your water intake.

Dry Skin – Dry skin is a major sign of dehydration, and I’m sure you can see why. With little hydration, our body has to properly utilize the little bit of water it has. Sadly, our skin gets left out because it needs it more for other organs.

Muscle Cramps – “The hotter you get, the more likely you are to get muscle cramps, and that’s a pure heat effect on the muscles. As the muscles work harder and harder, they can seize up from the heat itself. Changes in the electrolytes, changes in the sodium and potassium can lead to muscle cramping as well,” according to John Higgins, MD.

Fever and Chills – If your body is severely dehydrated you will experience major fever and chills. Cold sweats are a huge side effect of dehydration.

Food Cravings – If you are waking up during the night craving a twinkie like a primal animal something probably isn’t right. Sweet cravings, and salty cravings are both side effects of severe dehydration.

Headaches – Dehydration can cause headaches because your brain sits in fluid to keep it from hitting your skull. The fluid sac your brain sits in can become depleted from dehydration, thus causing headaches.

Dark Yellow Urine – When you are dehydrated you will not be using the bathroom very frequently. Also, when you finally do use the bathroom your urine is a dark yellow and even almost brown sometimes.

Your Back and Joints Hurt – Aches and pains are major signs that you are dehydrated. If you are experiencing constant aches and pains, especially in your back, you might be dehydrated. This is because our body’s cartilage is made up of over 80% water.

High Blood Pressure – High blood pressure is a sign of dehydration because your blood becomes thicker, making it harder to pump around the body.

High Cholesterol – A lack of hydration will also cause your cholesterol to spike. This is because there is no fluid replacement for salt and other substances we consume.

You Can’t Think Clearly – Mass dehydration will even cause you to become confused. If you just feel like you aren’t thinking like yourself you might be dehydrated. It can even cause your brain to shrink.

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