At the essence of healing is presence.  The ability of a person to be in the present moment is vital to healing.  This state of presence brings about the realization that the healer is no different than the one needing healing—they are one and the same.  When this is realized, true healing takes place.  The healer does not look onto the patient as “the next case,” the hurt in need for curing, etc.  There can be no judgment in this moment because there is nothing to judge.  Since the healer and the one needing healing are part of the same whole and they are both whole in their own rite, there is nothing but love— love for self, love for the other, and love for the universe.  In this very moment, the patient does not see the physician as someone that has knowledge or the one that holds the magical key.

This presence also creates a space– a space where the patient is free to be him/herself.  In this space, the patient also reveals his true self and the physician feels love and empathy for this self (realizing that this self is the same self that is him).  The physician and patient share a bond of trust, respect, non-judgment, and, most importantly, unconditional love.  These qualities allow for healing to take place in the moment.  From this moment onwards, there is a change in the physician and patient.  They both go on in their lives, being affected by this connection and healing that took place.  They both live happier, more at peace, and more in unison with the Earth’s harmony— creating harmony and peace in their own lives.

It is important to realize that the source of the patient’s original discomfort may or may not have been removed.  However, this source has not been covered up or pushed deeper.  The patient that is healed may and can truly be happy and at peace without the removal of these discomfort-causing symptoms.  So in healing, the patient lives within the reality of each moment without the need to change the reality.  Of course, this reality is constantly changing—so the patient stays present and changes as the reality changes without attachment to change or consistency.  The healed patient can be present with any reality, accepting it for what it is without any desire for the moment to be anything other than what it is.

It is important to distinguish underlying cause for GERD before considering potential ways to alleviate.  There are two major underlying causes of GERD: 1) hyperacidity in the stomach causing access acid to overflow into the esophagus; and 2) hypoacidity which causes laxity of the valve between the stomach and esophagus which allows flow of acid into the esophagus.  As Nurse Practitioner, Marcelle Pick states on WomentoWomen.com, “most patients with GERD or acid reflux are suffering from too little acid, not too much.”

With this in mind, there are foods which general help people who suffer from gastric reflux to feel better and foods that are unquestionably detrimental for those with gastric reflux. Foods which need to be absolutely avoided are: citric fruits such as oranges, strawberries, mangoes, and tomatoes; fried foods, dairy, spicy foods, chocolate, heating foods such as garlic, onions, and ginger; heavy meats, specifically red meat; processed foods, and caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.

The most beneficial foods across the board, regardless of the underlying cause, would be minimally-processed foods.  A diet rich with fruits and vegetables, and whole beans and grains will generally be of benefit. In each category, there are foods that are especially beneficial (Reference: Paul Pitchford):

Grains: brown rice, quinoa

Beans: Mung beans, black beans

Vegetables: carrots, celery, beets, broccoli, kohlrabi, cucumbers, cabbage

Fuit: apples, pears, cherries, blueberries

Seaweeds: kelp, dulse, spirulina, hijiki, arame, and almost any other seaweed

Food allergies/ sensitivities may be at the root of gastric reflux. This generally does not manifest as an allergic reaction but as a low grade reaction internally whose affects are not forthcoming.  If you think this is the case for you, it is best to eliminate any potential allergens for a 6-8 week period and then re-introduce slowly.

From FoodIntol.com:

If you do suffer from gastric reflux, it is most important to figure out whether you are hyper or hypo-acidic and get to the root cause.  The foods beneficial for one may not be beneficial for the other.  Please consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or Nutritionist to get to the root and heal from the inside out.

References:

GastroIntestinal Tract

“Healthy Eating”, Linda Page, MD, Phd, 1997

“Healing with Whole Foods”, Paul Pitchford, 2002

Digestion & Health

Yes and no. Yes, raw foods are great for our bodies. And no, a 100% raw foods diet is not a healthy & balanced way of life. I know, that’s a pretty unpopular position to take in this day where so many health-food gurus are saying raw is the only way.

My position is that of the middle path. For some body types and disorders (kapha types in ayurveda, with parallels in chinese medicine), raw foods are wonderful in certain seasons. For vata body types, raw foods are the worst thing possible! So, granted, in the US where so many are overweight, and have diseases of the slow, heavy, phlegm-y type (kapha), raw foods offer a great antidote. They are an easy way to reduce the excesses of the western life-style and help create balance.

For the other body-types of people and illnesses, raw foods can offer detriment. In my practice, I’ve seen at least a dozen clients who have followed the raw foods diet for many years and come in with complaints of digestive issues– gas, bloating, diarrhea, cramping, etc.

So what’s happened? Well, raw foods, for short periods of time act as a way for the body to cleanse. They offer the high-potency nutrients to clean out our digestive tracts. Prolonged periods of time on such a diet, however, shut down the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. No HCl means the food eaten just sits there and putrifies. So, when one tries to eat something other than raw foods after long periods of following this diet, the stomach cannot handle it. It can’t digest the food and hence causes a myriad of symptoms.

What’s the middle path? The middle path is one that considers YOUR individual body type, the dis-ease or imbalance YOU are dealing with, along with the seasons, and creates a plan that would be most beneficial for you on your healing path.

In general, for healthy living, for a majority of people, it is appropriate to do 80% raw, 20% cooked during the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, the balance should reach to more 50-50 because let’s face it, cold food on a cold winter day does not sound appealing! My humble suggestion, thus, is to not jump on the raw-food bandwagon but to find a happy, balanced, diet and lifestyle for YOU!

And, if you’re looking for more ways to connect with your body and what it’s really asking for, check out Yoga of Eating, by Charles Eisenstein.

What do “Magic Socks” do and what can they be used for?

Since you put on cold wet socks on your feet, your body goes through several cycles trying to dry them. In this process, there is increased circulation to the heart when socks are cold and to the feet when socks are warmed. This to and fro from feet and heart continues through the night, increasing circulation.  Circulation is key for boosting the immune system, so magic socks work wonderfully for that.

Also, energetically, this treatment helps to draw chest/head congestion out towards the feet.

Last but not least, I have personally experienced more restful sleep because of this treatment. Don’t ask me why! I have no idea… it’s just an observation. And, I’ve recommended to others for this reason and they reported that they indeed had better sleep on the nights that they wore the socks.

Conditions that I think to use Magic Socks for:

- cold/ flu/ chest congestion

- headaches

- general immune support for a depressed immune system (for example, as in the case of cancer)

-  anxiety-related sleep issues

What do you need for the treatment?

1 pair of cotton socks

1 pair of wool socks (*very important* that they are wool)

How do you do it?

Take the cotton socks, run them under cold water. Wring out well. Put them on your feet just before going to sleep for the night. Put the wool socks on over them.

What should you expect?

The socks should be dry in the morning.

And, you should be feeling better!

Note: If you’re using this for cold/ flu/ congestion, I suggest using them every night till you are over the acute illness completely and continue doing for another 2-3 days after. This will ensure that you are completely over the sickness rather than having it linger on and on. Also note, if you do this immediately at the first sign or symptom of a cold, you won’t get sick! So, don’t wait till you get sick to try this out.

This whole issue of ‘financial crisis’ has affected so many brothers and sisters on our side of the world.  For me, it has been a bit perplexing.  It seems like a catch-22, how do we find our way out? We have destroyed the environment, beloved Gaia, which we are so dependent on.  The limited resources, unable to be converted into revenue is connected to the economic crash.  Our health (or I would say sickness) has been commodified-  for something that most traditional cultures knew inherently, we have now replaced it and become dependent on drugs.  Because drugs don’t grow in the woods, we can charge outrageous amounts of money for… and hence, as Eisenstein notes, we are “richer” for it.

Reading this article, I had an ah-ha moment. One that helped me connect some dots: Gifting is the solution. We have had this crash because the economy relies on commodifying the non-commodifiables.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could then offer the most valuable things (health, environment, fresh air, clean water, good food, etc) as a gift, without any strings attached- because these things are not always quantifiable in terms of GDPs and monetary gain.

In some small way, I think we’re “creating the more beautiful world our hearts tell us is possible”– right here right now. And by offering a gift of health and healing, maybe in some way we are helping to step outside of that catch-22.  But sometimes, you just know in your heart, this is what feels good. There is indeed A Mysterious Pull of Generosity.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention found parabens in urine samples on study, indicating exposure is present- eventhough products may have very low levels.

A 2002 study showed that the estrogenic activity of parabens is strong enough for it to act as an agent causing growth of breast cancer cells. Other animal studied have demonstrated that parabens bind to estrogen and progesterone receptors in the body.  Although further research maybe useful on larger populations, at this time, there’s enough data to avoid the use of parabens in skin, hair, and body-care products.

In addition, it is best to avoid products that have un-recognizable ingredients.  Most often, it is the ‘chemically’- sounding ones that are not beneficial to health- proven or otherwise.

Resources:
Marchese, M, ND.  Natural Medicine Journal. 2010. page 7-8.

Canola oil is produced by hybridizing rape seed to not have a molecule called erucic acid. Erucic acid is toxic and hence has to be removed before safe for human consumption.  And because of this hybridization, canola is considered to be genetically modified.

On paper, it seems that canola oil is great- it is low in saturated fat, high in oleic acid and omega 3s, and hence, great for the heart.  Going deeper however, most of the Omega 3s actually become rancid via the high heat or oxgenation process used to extract the oil.  As the omega 3s turn into trans fats, they actually increase the risk of heart disease.  In addition, a solvent residue of the oil is hexane– also independently toxic.  Last but not least- rapeseed is the same family as Brassica (broccoli, cabbage, etc) and hence maybe goitrogenic– in high amounts can suppress thyroid function.  And since oils are concentrated, their affects may be more pronounced.

Lastly, the high refinement necessity of canola makes it undesirable.  If unrefined, canola is very bitter, and intolerable by most. Refinement also modify the structure of the omega 3s, as mentioned above, as well as remove the nutrients necessary for its digestion and assimilation in the body.

In conclusion, avoid this oil whenever possible!

Resources:
1) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/01/16/dangers-canola-oil.aspx

2) Paul Pitchford, “Healing With Whole Foods”

Here is a great article about homeopathy.

Changing the health-care delivery system really requires us- as a culture- to look within and ask what we really need.  I know that even the best-case scenario of single payer, which is not even on the drawing table, wouldn’t really solve the deep underlying issue of need for connection, need for community, and essentially, need to recognize that we are all one.  It’s a process that, as a human race, we are unfolding every day… more and more layers are quickly coming off and we’re realizing our deep underlying issues.  Massive increases in cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc all point to the fact that we are quickly coming upon the time when we can’t run away from that—we must heal… and healing on the individual level is a great way to heal on the human level, and evolve as a human consciousness.  This is my calling… one at a time, helping people heal so that we can heal as a race. But, I cannot do this alone- I need you… We need each other… as we all come to live our gifts, we will heal ourselves and the world.  In the meantime, perhaps we better make access to emergency rooms and band-aids easier.