Last Christmas, a client/student/friend was the kind giver of a recipe book on herbal teas.

I love natural remedies, so that book was right up my alley. Frequent readers of this blog know that I grow my own favorite herbs, although the majority of the herbs in my collection still come from my local herbalist shop here in Italy or imported from the US.

I have used the book already many times. That gift brought my  repertoire of self-healing teas up a few notches….

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By now you must be thinking ‘which book???’

This book. It is called Herbal Teas: 101 Nourishing Blends for Daily Health & Vitality and is written by Kathleen Brown and Jeanine Pollak.

It starts of with information about how to work with herbs, and how to create healing teas in general.

Then the book goes on to share recipes from a range of medical and other herbalists to help with a whole range of common health problems, ranging from stress, fatigue, mood swings, PSM, to common colds and respiratory problems.  There are also some recipes for lotions and tinctures.

The last part of the book describes the healing benefits of a long list of herbs from A to Z.
Highly recommended.

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Now , in the depth of winter when many people are a tat bluesy, I thought to share just one recipe from this book, and I am anticipating you will love it.

This herbal blend is called ‘HAPPY SPIRITS tea’. This tea will perk you up no matter how bleak your outlook. Start sipping this gentle, nourishing herbal blend and your mood will soon improve.

Try it. Here is the recipe.

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HAPPY SPIRITS TEA

2 parts lemon balm leaves

2 parts lemon verbena leaves

1 part catnip leaves

1 part oatstraw

1 part passiflora leaves

1/4 part tangerine slices (organic)

1/10 part cinnamon chips

To Brew Your Tea:

Combine all ingredients in a pot with boiling water. Stir well, cover and let it steep for 15 –20 minutes, while covered.

If you find you made more than one serving, keep the rest. Cooled and covered, herbal teas can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

This tea works for me. Let me know if it works for you too.

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Preparing Your Blend:

To simplify life, pre-mix these dry herbs and store them in a glass jar. Then, when you want some ‘happiness tea’, simply take out the herbs for just one cuppa.I find that if I have premixed blends, I will use them a lot more often. There is no waste in the process, as you can just measure and make. Our happiness tea will last a long time this way.

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Where to Buy:

If you have a local herbalist nearby, I’d start there and ask him/her to make the blend for you in a small trial amount. That way you get to try the taste and see if you like it and if this herbal tea works for you.

Ask for a really small amount because tea is very light. It is easy to end up with two years’ worth of supply. Take it from someone in the know.

Once you start making your own teas, there is way back. It’s so much fun, and a lot more economical and healthier than commercial teas.

Then, if/when you love it, consider buying your herbs online from a place like Kalyx.com, which sells Herbs, Foods, Supplements, Aromatherapy oils, Bach Flowers, and Bath & Body products. They carry organics, and a really wide range of health products. They feature good prices, and sometimes even excellent prices for larger quantity packs. Check them out.

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Reference:

This particular recipe was provided by Lynda Lewit, from Soquel, California. Lynda is a public health nurse for Children’s Protective Services. She works in combination with allopathic doctors before suggesting herbal remedies.

The authors of this book:

Kathleen Brown is an herbal teacher, writer, and gardener. She has served as president of the Rocky Mountain Unit of the Herb Society of America and currently lives in California.

Jeanine Pollak has been a herbalist, nutritionist and consultant to businesses and individuals for 20 years. She is the founder of Botanic Adventures and has written several books on herbs.

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Disclaimer: this article does not constitute medical advice. It is meant for people who are overall healthy. In this context, those with ‘minor’ or natural mood disorders such as caused by life’s events, the seasons, PMS or menopause, and the likes,  consider Reiki treatment to help you obtain balance.

For serious mood disorders, please consult a qualified medical doctor. I prefer to work alongside medical practitioners for clients who are mentally unstable.

Copyright , We Are One World Healing – All Rights Reserved. Therapeutic Reiki can promote wellness and improve health. Book your distance healing reiki session today.

70% of women approaching menopause are affected by menopausal symptoms caused by changing hormonal levels in the female reproductive system. The most common symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, loss of libido and vaginal dryness.

Most women notice early symptoms and signs while still having periods. Typically, in her early 40s, a woman experiences perimenopause: a gradually falling and fluctuating hormone levels. The menopausal transition usually lasts until her mid 50s, and menopause symptoms may last for this entire period, or, sometimes for the rest of a woman’s life.

Crystals as Natural Remedy for Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of life and natural remedies for some of its symptoms are abundant. For example, beyond regular Reiki treatment tune-ups, you can also surround yourself with healing crystals, which each have play a different healing role. 

Not every woman experiences menopause in the same way, and suffer some symptoms with more severity than others.  Therefore, while some crystals are likely to be good for all, you should really intuitively pick the ones that suit you from the collection of stones recommended below. Menopause is meant to be a celebration of a new phase of life, and with the help of some crystals, you might be able to focus more on that aspect of the transition.

Use the crystals as is most befitting to your lifestyle. Either make a Menopause Crystals set-up for your altar, keep selected ones under your pillow, carry some in your purse or pocket, or create a few necklaces and bracelets that help you heal and stop suffering from specific or general unwanted menopause conditions, such as insomnia, depression, forgetfulness, or other hormonal imbalance.

Specifically Helpful Crystal Stones in Menopause

CORE SET OF CRYSTALS FOR MENOPAUSE

For a core set of crystals for menopause*, consider including the following stones:

AMETHYST 

For Insomnia and stress relief.   **

If you can find a crystal made of the combination of Citrine and Amethyst (i.e. an Ametrine), this crystal can both help balance your body as well as cool and sooth you. 

CARNELIAN

Energizing and depression.  Carnelian helps to balance the Sacral chakra, cleanse, clear and emit healing energy to the reproductive system as it goes through this transition.

CITRINE

Aids digestion. Citrine can help to control hot flashes and balance the yin and yang. Working with the Sacral, Solar-Plexus, and Third-Eye Chakras, Citrine can enhance the energy flow between these chakras, ameliorating symptoms of menopause.

Tip: keep a piece of Citrine in your pocket or under your pillow at night.

QUARTZ

CLEAR QUARTZ  helps with concentration and decision making.  It would be wonderful if you can find a double terminated clear quartz crystal: This crystal simultaneously absorbs and emits energy in both directions, which can help you to flow with the transition/change.

SMOKY QUARTZ helps ground with Earth energies and the Root Chakra. Use Smokey Quartz to absorb and transmute the hot flash energy, which will help to cool the body.

LAPIS LAZULI

For Insomnia.  More generally, Lapis Lazuli smoothens mentally and physically transitions.

Lapis Jewelry allows you to always have your healing crystal with you.

MOONSTONE

Balances hormones. Actually, moonstone is a very soothing crystal stone that helps to relieve stress.   Many women like Moonstone for its ability to balance hormonal and menstrual cycles.

ADDITIONAL CRYSTAL STONES FOR MENOPAUSE

Depending on your particular symptoms of menopause, also consider the following other helpful crystals:

• CHRYSOPRASE  : Restless legs **
• FLUORITE  : Helps with concentration
• LEPIDOLITE / LITHIUM: can help to cool  and balance the body
• COPPER:  for balance
• SNOWFLAKE OBSIDIAN: brings about a balance to body, mind and spirit. 

* Note: consider that these crystals might also be suitable if you are approaching menopausal age or have gynecological problems.

** Note: while just one characteristic has been described for each healing crystal, most crystals have a list of healing properties.

Sources: Sapphire Portrush & Healing Crystals

FURTHER READING

Recommended books on Healing with Crystals can be found here in my online healing books list. 

One of the most highly recommended books to be found there is this one, The Crystal Bible.

Further Wellness Ideas for Women in Menopause

How to combat weight gain during menopause:  …. drinking more water, doing more exercise and pumping up on the potassium & calcium …  ~ the full article soon to be released.

Copyright , We Are One World Healing – All Rights Reserved. Therapeutic Reiki can promote wellness and improve health. Book your distance healing reiki session today.

Benefits
Essential oil of rose encourages the release of dopamine, a hormone that increases feelings of joy and happiness.
Antidepressant qualities ease nervous tension, stress, depression and grief.
Uplifting and balancing nature supports stopping addictions like smoking.
Sedative qualities calm and relax the nervous system.

Application Options
1. Put a drop on pulse points
2. Drip 15 drops to a nearly full bath for a relaxing, warming experience
3. Diffuse or inhale from a tissue for immediate relief of tension
4. Makes a wonderful personal fragrance.

Label and date your blend.
Store it in a dark place after use, or put your blend in a dark bottle.

Source: Saje
Caution: Pregnant women should always take particular care with aromatherapy, and first read up on which oils are OK and which are not for her condition, before embarking on any oil blending.

Copyright 2008

About the Author

Astrid Lee is Reiki Master Teacher. To learn how Reiki heals and book a Reiki session, visit http://www.TherapeuticReiki.com

Essentially, Cayce viewed depression as a literal “depressing” or inhibition of nerve impulse. In particular, he emphasized the visceral organs (i.e., stomach, liver, etc.) and sensory nervous system as playing key roles in some of the symptoms of depression, including disturbed sleep and appetite, sluggishness and listlessness, headaches, backaches, and more. Toxemia and glandular dysfunctions (most often the adrenal, thyroid and pineal) were also associated with depression.

Traumatic life events, loss of meaning in life and hopelessness are also cited in several cases as a cause of depression. Cayce typically referred to these factors as a failure to establish a spiritual ideal around which to center one’s life. This sense of spiritual malaise could lead to despair, negative mental patterns and eventually to the mild physical symptoms linked to depression.

To treat depression, the Cayce material recommends such therapies as osteopathic or chiropractic treatment, hydrotherapy, constructive mental attitudes, dietary suggestions, and exercise. A major strength of this treatment approach is that it tends to be relatively safe.

Basic Depression Treatment Plan according to Cayce

The following basic treatment plan is suitable for most cases of depression as well as an appropriate maintenance plan to reduce the likelihood of a relapse.

• Improving eliminations is a high priority since toxemia is as one of the most common factors associated with depression. Hydrotherapy (such as colonics and steam baths), osteopathy and chiropractic adjustments, massage, and a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and clean water are the main recommendations in this regard.
• Use of osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments and massage also assist in establishing better coordination between the central and peripheral nervous system. This is important since Cayce consistently portrayed the patho-physiology of depression as a “lapse in nerve impulse.”
• Moderate outdoor exercise for relaxation and improving eliminations.

• Setting ideals is an important intervention for establishing priorities. It is also an excellent means of recognizing and correcting dysfunctional attitudes and beliefs.

• Finally, the spiritual phase of the basic model encourages taking a broader perspective on the immediate situation. Altruistic service provides a sense of interpersonal connectedness which can be extremely therapeutic in the treatment of depression.

By K. Lively

K. Lively works for the Association For Research and Enlightenment, founded by Edgar Cayce in 1931 for the research of transpersonal subjects such as holistic health, ancient mysteries, personal spirituality, dreams and dream interpretation, intuition, and philosophy and reincarnation.

Feature at http://therapeuticreiki.com/blog.

The sensation of time and space is influenced by colors. For instance, the color red increases the rate at which the heart beats and, causing time to appear to pass faster. Green, however, creates an atmosphere of emotional balance. The eyes relax and concentration increases. Imagine yourself walking through a forest and try to experience the feeling. Even blue has the ability to fool the senses. In blue light, for example in the moonlight, it is easy to underestimate the weight and dimensions of objects. Blue has a relaxing effect on muscles and the heart beats slower, it feels as if time has suddenly slowed down.

Quoting the Russian abstract painter Wassily Kandinsky (1886-1944) “In the first instance, color influences our souls”. And most people would agree with him. The appreciation of life and beautiful colors are often related. Caught up in the explosion of colors during a sunrise or sunset, immersed in the turquoise waters of the sea or the sparks and flames of an open fire, you immediately feel the sense of happiness and calm.

This knowledge of the therapeutic effects of colors, not surprisingly has many application. “Color therapy” is the term for the technique of using color to soothe or even heal ailments of the body or soul. Used widely for the treatment of very young children, premature babies, for example, often develop severe forms of jaundice, which are treated with blue lamps. In everyday life, you can make use of the effect of color on your psyche in order to enhance your job satisfaction and well-being. People with high blood pressure, for instance, should have less red in their environment. Headaches can be reduced by getting rid of the color yellow. This is one reason why hospitals, for example, don’t use strong colors, neutral pastel tones create a sense of well-being.

In a hospital’s operating theatres, green is common. Even the overalls worn by the doctors and nurses are green. Green has replaced the more clinical white, since it has been found to calm patients more. Green also counteracts headaches, disturbances of vision and loss of concentration among surgeons and their medical assistants – problems that come out in bright white rooms or attire.

The color green has also found its way into factories and workshops. Potentially dangerous and machines can be painted dark green to give a calming effect and lowering accident rates. The psychology of colors, its knowledge and application is even being applied to the design and fittings of trains. Restrained shades of blue and green are used to give travelers the feelings that they are being carried safely from one place to another, easing tensions and stress due to long distance travels.

To relieve stress and to give your mind better concentration levels and to improve your memory, you might want to paint or decorate your office or study room in gentle shades of green or blue. For children’s play area however, bright colors help make them more creative.

Martin Mak helps people enhance their memory and learning experience with his new program. To find out how you can benefit from his popular free ecourse, visit
=> http://www.mightymemory.com/memoryarticle.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Mak

Thus, lemon essential oil is very beneficial for the body, mind and spirit. Having its origins in India, the lemon tree was first cultivated in Italy around the 5th century. The cultivation of this plant then extended to other countries. In the past, lemon peel has been used to add fragrance to clothing and as an insect repellent. Thus, this useful and therapeutic fruit has been utilized in many ways since ages.

According to Ayurveda, the age-old system of medicinal healing which has been in practice in India, the lemon’s sour taste is useful for regulating and alleviating physical and mental imbalances like constipation, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome, confusion, hyper activity, anxiety, worry, premenstrual cramps, insomnia, and restlessness. It can also be used to relieve emotional imbalances like anger and frustration.

The Romans are reputed to have used lemon to treat stomach disorders and to freshen up the breath. In the past, the British Navy also used it to prevent scurvy. While lemon essential oil has various properties, it is best known for its ability to fight infections, mainly due to its capacity of stimulating white blood corpuscles, which act as a natural defense of the body.

Lemon essential oil is extracted by cold pressing the fresh peel, which gives off the tangy and tart scent of freshly shredded peel. Since lemon oil is obtained from fresh peel, only pesticide-free, organically produced fruit should be used. The best lemon essential oil is reputedly produced in Sicily.

Lemon Essential Oil’s Uses:

Lemon essential oil can be used to treat malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid, syphilis and gonorrhea. However, only qualified medical practitioners or aromatherapists should use it to treat these ailments. Other ailments like bronchitis, flu and stomach infections can also be treated by lemon essential oil. It can also help to reduce temperature. Because lemon is a haemostatic, which means it helps to stop bleeding, the oil can be used to treat cuts and other open wounds. Lemon essential oil is also an effective remedy against gastric ulcers because it counteracts stomach acidity. A high amount of acidity is also thought to be responsible for gout, rheumatism and arthritis, which can be alleviated by lemon oil.

Lemon oil is also used as an effective weight loss method because it increases the metabolism and stimulates fat burning cells. When research was done to learn how lemon oil aroma affects the brain, it was discovered that it stimulates the central part of the hippocampus, triggering rational, left brain thinking. Thus a whiff of lemon oil has the effect of swiftly curbing the emotional reactions that trigger off reaching for second helpings and sweets. Disorders of the digestive system which include the pancreas and liver can also be treated by this oil.

About the Author

For the past 10 years Marilyn Reid has been active as an advocate for Alternative Health Therapies. The author of a soon to be published book on Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Marilyn has been delving into the upstate New York fields of therapeutic Essential Oils for over 7 years. For more information check out, http://www.tarunaoils.com;