We constantly have clients that complain of abdominal bloating and distention. This is often caused by gases that build up in the intestines. You might wonder what could cause all of this gas! Some of the possibilities include a lack of fiber in the diet, overeating animal protein, dairy intolerance, or intestinal parasites. Take a look at this article by Josephine Goffe-Gardner, RN, ND to find answers related to abdominal bloating and distention.
Wheatgrass Has Many Benefits!
Incorporating wheatgrass into your health and wellness may prove to be one of the most effective practices known to humans. Health pioneer and “mother of wheatgrass”, Ann Wigmore, experienced this first handedly. Having witnessed her grandmother’s applications of plants, grasses and herbs, when Ann was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 50, she began using wheatgrass as a part of her healing regime along with what is now called the Living Foods Lifestyle ®. Within a year of committing to the lifestyle, Ann was cancer free. Having succeeded in her taking back her health, she continued to focus and learn about the healing properties of wheatgrass. Observation, investigation and promotion of its uses at her reputable co-establisments (the Hippocrates Institute & the Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute) still exists today. At each of these healing facilities, the uses of wheatgrass are taught and implemented along with the Living Foods Lifestyle ® as well as for colon cleansing.
BENEFITS OF WHEATGRASS
-cleanses & builds red blood cells
-improves circulatory system, increasing oxygen supply within the body
-lowers blood pressure;normalizing blood pressure
-contains all the vitamins & most minerals need for human health & well-being
-complete protein, containing amino acids & active enzymes
-70./. crude chlorophyll
-dissolves tumors
-acts as an appetite suppressant because it provides adequate enzymes & nourishment
-improves energy & endurance levels
-anti-aging
-improves sex hormones
-builds muscle
-improves skin & hair
-detoxifies & regenerates the liver
-stimulates healthy tissue cell growth
-detoxifies the lymph system by break down of built up mucous in the lymph,
promoting flow of lymph fluid
-alleviates constipation because it keeps the bowels open & increases the elimination of mucous, crystallized acids and solidified & toxic fecal matter
-treatment of dandruff, eye/ear, vaginal infections, conditions of the skin
USES OF WHEATGRASS
-Drink on an empty stomach, and do not eat for at least an hour afterward.
-Wheatgrass is a diuretic. Drink juice no less than an hour before going to bed.
-Do not drink wheatgrass if you are dehydrated because it is a diuretic. Drink a large glass of water or Rejuvelac first.
-After drinking the juice, rest for a while. Nausea may occur because of it’s detoxification properties so lie down until the feeling passes.
-Drink it slowly.
-Begin with an ounce of juice at a time. Tolerance will likely increase and then you may be able to drink more.
-Do not develop a dependency on it, use it as a substitute for eating properly or as an excuse to indulge in unhealthy habits.
-Enjoy your juice at a time when you will be able to rest, relax and reap the healing benefits. Evening may be the best time for this.
-Try using wheatgrass externally and topically for wounds and burns.
Hope this is all insightful and inspirational information into to the wonderful world of wheatgrass and that you too, are having the craving for a shot of this potent medicine! Be well.
Resources:
http://www.juicing-for-health.
Author: Jen Ramirez
Massage Benefits Those Living With Cancer
Massage Benefits Those Living With Cancer
Is Massage Therapy Safe for People Living with Cancer?
Yes, when practiced by a skilled therapist with background or training in massage and cancer. If this was not covered in their basic training in detail, they should have advanced training in the work.
Massage should be modified to work around side-effects or complications of radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and medications. Blood counts should be considered in massage design, as well. Even after years of survivorship, there are a few simple but critical adjustments in massage therapy, for example, if lymph nodes were removed or treated with radiation, or if bone metastases are present.
Therapists with experience or training are aware of these and other adaptations for cancer treatment. Be sure to see a massage therapist who asks about treatments during the interview and who explains any needed massage modifications.
A skilled therapist will combine a thorough intake process with sound clinical judgement and clear communication about what to expect in the session. She or he will adapt the massage to your needs and requests, fashioning a hands-on session that relaxes, energizes and reduces pain and discomfort.
Can Massage Spread Cancer?
No, it cannot. Massage of a solid tumor site should be avoided, but there is more to a person than a tumor site.
An old myth warned that massage could, by raising general circulation, promote metastasis since tumor cells travel through blood and lymph channels. We now recognize that movement and exercise raise circulation much more than a brief massage can, and that routine increases in circulation occur many times daily in response to metabolic demands of our tissues. In fact, physical activity usually is encouraged in people with cancer; there is no reason to discourage massage or some form of skilled touch. Massage is practiced widely at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and growing numbers of hospitals around the country. Metastasis is not a concern; instead, patients and researchers report countless benefits.
(click to read an excellent article about massage and cancer spread).
How can Massage Benefit People who are Living with Cancer?
Massage has many benefits for people living with cancer. A few are listed, below.
We know some of these from clinical observations, some from controlled research, and some from what clients tell us directly.
Massage Reduces Anxiety
Many clients report being less anxious in general when receiving regular massage. In particular, clients in cancer treatment state that massage eases anxiety before and during uncomfortable procedures and interventions. Research literature reports that massage helps anxiety in patients with cancer and in other populations. In repeated studies of various populations, massage helps reduce depression, as well.(1)
Massage Eases Pain
Recipients of massage therapy express less cancer-related pain, treatment-related pain, and pain related to muscle tension. They claim that massage helps “take the edge off” of acute pain and in some cases relieve it entirely. Although the direction of evidence suggests massage is effective for pain relief,(2), (7) more study is needed to firmly establish the role of massage in pain relief for people with cancer.(3)
Massage Helps Control Nausea
Gentle massage has been shown to reduce nausea in inpatients receiving autologous bone marrow transplant. (4)
In a pilot nursing study, stimulation of acupressure points has been suggested to reduce nausea in patients in chemotherapy.(5)
A small study suggested that massage helped decrease medical costs of managing nausea and vomiting.(6)
Massage may be a viable, low-cost approach to minimizing this difficult side-effect of medication.
Massage Improves Sleep and Eases Fatigue
Again and again, clients tell their massage therapists that massage improves their energy level and helps them sleep better, and clients in cancer treatment are no exception. But sleep can be especially hard to come by during cancer treatment, and cancer fatigue is common and poorly understood—a difficult symptom to treat. People in treatment, often with a high degree of symptom distress, are especially in need of good sleep. At least one study shows massage facilitates sleep.
Cultured Foods Support Digestion and Immune System
Naturally cultured or lacto-fermented foods contain enzymes and bacteria that help digest food and eliminate wastes. They also build up friendly bacteria in the intestines that aids digestion, supports your immune system, and increases the propagation of vitamin B12. They are especially helpful when your digestive system may be sluggish. Cultured foods can help prevent constipation and other digestive problems, and are useful in preventing and treating yeast infections. After taking antibiotics, lacto-fermented foods help to replace the beneficial bacteria that was destroyed by the pharmaceutical.
Not sure how to get cultured foods into your lifestyle? Click here for a great miso pickle recipe.
