Your Wellness Options - September 2006 Newsletter

Welcome Message

Welcome to our Your Wellness Options newsletter. For those of you who have recently subscribed, I hope you enjoy the newsletter. You will find past newsletter articles published in our Alternative Health and Wellness Article Library.

I hope everyone had had a great September thus far. For me, it was another month that started out at a nice pace and then seemed to dash to the finish. I'm not quite sure where the last week and a half went.

This month I have gone back to past newsletters to finally start writing about those topics I promised I would. So, first on the list is household toxins. Based on the amount of information available, I thought trying to cram or condense it all into one article would not do the topic any justice. Instead, I will disseminate it over the next few months.

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Enjoy the newsletter.

Have a blessed day!
LeeAnn Rahn
editor@yourwellnessoptions.com

An Introduction to Bach Flower Essences Part II - The Seven Helpers
by Misty Cech

The 12-7-19 Method of Bach Flower Classification

Dr. Edward Bach, developer of flower essence therapy, classified the original 38 essences he used in his practice according to the 12-7-19 method: the Twelve Healers, the Seven Helpers, and the Second Nineteen. In part I of this series, the Twelve Healer flower essences were reviewed, along with the underlying theory of flower essence therapy – here we’ll have a look at the rhymes and reasons of the Seven Helpers.

Dr. Bach prescribed one or more of the Seven Helper essences to patients who did not seem to be responding sufficiently to therapy with one of the Twelve Healers. The Twelve Healer flower essences – Impatiens, Gentian, Mimulus, Clematis, Agrimony, Chicory, Vervain, Centaury, Scleranthus, Water Violet, Rock Rose, and Cerato – were developed by Dr. Bach to address what he saw as the imbalances of the twelve archetypal personality types. It is through the vibrational transformation of these imbalances that healing of overlying disease states can, in many cases, be initiated. However, Dr. Bach found there were individuals that did not respond to flower essence therapy with the Twelve Healers; this lead him to the discovery of the Seven Helpers.

The purpose of the Seven Helpers is to address chronically ingrained negative vibrational patterns which may be obscuring the primary personality type. For example, Olive, one of the Seven Helper flower essences, is prescribed for states of exhaustion, where one has been worn out by the struggle of healing or other life event. In this case, it may be difficult to see what the primary personality type of the individual may be, as true fatigue does not let a whole lot else show through - this real weariness may mask other personality traits or patterns.

Or it may be that the chronic state simply prevents progress on the healing path that could otherwise take place. Again, using Olive essence as an example – An individual may clearly be in need of one of the Twelve Healers. Perhaps they live in fear and are in need of Mimulus, and clearing this fear would allow them to heal. However, their fatigue is so great as they do not have the strength to work with these issues – in this case, it may be helpful to use Olive along with Mimulus to offer a more complete support from the flower essence therapy.

The Seven Helper essences can certainly be administered individually as well, particularly if a specific flower essence is strongly indicated. Dr. Bach had also written that if an individual is not responding to other essences, Wild Oat (one of the Seven) may be used: “If ever a case does not respond to treatment, give either Holly or Wild Oat, and it will be obvious which of the other remedies may be required. In all cases where the patient is of the active, intense type, give Holly. In patients who are of the weak, despondent type, give Wild Oat.”

Beyond the original works of Dr. Bach, the Flower Essence Repertory from Flower Essence Services offers descriptions of these seven essences beyond what a physician may see. FES broadens the application of the flowers to include their use for those needing change that may or may not be related to a health condition. This is an important point, as one may have tendencies they may wish to transform, but are at no serious risk. This application of flower essence is encouraged, for any support for personal and ‘soul’ evolution is indeed invaluable. So within the following descriptions of the Seven Helper flower essences, a broad view will be maintained, so that the greatest audience may find a suitable essence.

As always with flower essence therapy, in cases of illness, treatment is not a substitute for proper professional care. It may be the case that an illness may have emotional roots, and that flowers can be of help, but one should not solely rely on self-prescription of flower essences as a cure.

And on to the descriptions…

The Seven Helpers:

Olive – As stated earlier, Olive flower essence is indicated where great fatigue has set in. An individual may be pale, worn out and / or exhausted after excessive worry, illness, grief or other struggle. The individual perhaps feels they do not have the strength to continue; that both their physical energy source has been spent. The Olive remedy allows one to tap into a new source of light, helping one see and feel a rejuvenation that comes from establishing (or re-establishing) a connection to a universal energy. This connection may provide the impetus needed for change in other areas, or may be transformative in and of itself through helping on realize that the etheric ‘spirit’ body and the physical body are inseparable.

Gorse – This flower essence is used where one has lost will due to discouragement, becoming hopeless and resigned to one’s condition. They have perhaps been giving too much energy to the negative possibilities, solidifying this outlook so no progress can be made. This remedy restores hope to such individuals, so they may be able to have a brighter outlook, perhaps more joy, when confronted with life’s challenges.

Oak – The remedy for those committed to over-striving, regardless if that striving is having a positive result. Those in need of the Oak flower essence have great determination and strength, which can be true assets. However, at times it is crucial to balance this force with subtlety and grace. The individual may have even become resigned to the inevitable failure of their endeavor or succumbing to an illness, yet they continue with their efforts. Oak helps restore a balance, allowing one the freedom of letting up or resting when that is in fact what is required. An important essence in today’s hard-striving world.

Vine – For those who see their way as the ‘right’ way or the only way, Vine essence allows an opening in one’s perception for other points of view. An individual in need of Vine may have a domineering personality, insisting that everyone else follow their lead, including health professionals. Such a point of view can lead to great stress when it is perceived do not share the same ideas, and that harm, or at least lack of healing, may come about. Vine essence may soften this selfish nature, assisting one to understand that other points of view may be entirely valid, and in fact, more complete than one’s own. This allows the individual to receive needed support, often a key component in any personal transformation.

Heather – The Heather type appear self-obsessed, talking continually about their own situations and problems. Such persons are in fact truly lonely and often in great emotional pain. They may feel an emptiness or hunger, which they feed from the attention of others. This flower essence helps one make a connection to the Higher Self, finding peace and solace in the unity of all being. This realization helps one overcome the loneliness and disconnection they may feel, drawing on emotional self-sufficiency and true shared relationship with others for assistance.

Rock Water – For those that are too hard on themselves. Being reflective and aware is one thing, to go so far as to limit one’s (and one’s friends and family) enjoyment of life is another. Flexibility and spontaneity are key components to the ‘life well lived’. Further, a rigidity in lifestyle can prevent one from finding joy, an important factor in healing from many illnesses. This essence is sometimes indicated for those beginning flower essence therapy or those who do not see results, as it may assist in opening the soul to the energies of the plant realm.

Wild Oat – Health and happiness are very much connected with one’s ability to find one’s true vocation. Wandering through life feeling a lack of purpose can lead to distressed states, with addictions or despondency being possible results. Wild Oat flower essence may help align one with their true calling, so that both the individual and the greater environment can benefit. When one finds this sense of meaning, there is a strong inner light that can shine forth, supporting one’s own health, and the health of those around them.

These are the Seven Helpers, as categorized per Dr. Edward Bach’s 12-7-19 flower essence method. It is said that with the Twelve Healers and the Seven Helpers, one can support transformation of many vibrational/emotional states. At the same time, it is important to keep one’s mind open to possibilities; there are a great number of researched flower essences available, one’s that may be even more precisely applied to a particular situation. The Healer and Helper essences are however, a fantastic place to start if one is seeking an effective collection of remedies, suitable for the needs of many beings.

Misty is a Naturopath in Boulder, Colorado. She is owner of Ananda Apothecary, a dispensery of Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils and Organic Flower Essences. Misty employs Bach Flower Essences and Remedies in her professional practice, finding them a gentle way to encourage her clients' healing. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Toxic Chemical Spill - The Clean-up Begins!
by LeeAnn Rahn

So, just where is this toxic chemical spill needing to be cleaned-up? Unfortunately for us, it is inside our own homes, creating indoor air pollution (at harmful concentrations for many). How much do you really know about your cleaning products? ...their affect on the environment? ...their affect on your health? ...not to think, what would happen if your child were to ingest it or even spill it on themselves.

Our society has been conditioned to believe we need "new and improved", "extra strength", and "heavy duty" household cleaning products. Convenience also seems to be a similarity amongst many of the most toxic products marketed these days. Convenience is great but at what cost - our health, our Earth, our children?

Many of the chores we use toxic substances for actually have natural substances which can be used instead. Over the next few months we will be looking at a some of the toxic substances many use on a regular basis, as well as, the natural substances we can use to replace them.

Our series will begin with the air we breathe. Many believe to really have a "clean" home, the air they and their guests breathe should be fragrant or "spring breeze" fresh. The fact is most air fresheners only cover-up offensive odors residing within the home. The really sad part is they generally coat the inside of your nose with chemicals that actually desensitize the nerve endings and reduce your ability to use your sense of smell in order to accomplish the "cover-up".

The long-lasting type of air fresheners are even worse. With these air fresheners, chemicals are slowly released into your home over time possibly causing harmful concentrations of chemicals within your home environment.

A study done by the California Air Resources Board, warns the chemical compounds found in air fresheners and other household cleansers and deodorizers, can reach harmful concentrations inside the home. The study stated slow-dissolving air fresheners and toilet bowl deodorizers are more dangerous due to the dichlorobenzene or 1,4-DCB released into the air over a long period of time. If you have any type of lung or breathing disorder you definitely should stay away from air fresheners or deodorizers as the study also notes links to possible lung damage from these products. [1]

Beyond breathing issues, many of the chemicals in air fresheners are known carcinogens and can lead to everything from allergies to cancer. Some of the chemicals attack the central nervous system and can lead to MS, SIDs, Parkinson's Disease, or Alzheimer's Disease. Many of these chemicals, once inside your body, are wisked off to your fat cells (to protect your blood and pH). Realistically, these chemicals can reside within your body forever and accumulate to toxic levels.

So what can you do to "freshen" up your home without resorting to the overabundance of chemical cover-ups? Believe it or not there are quite a few things you can do. Some fall into the "duh" category but others you may not have thought of.

Find the source of the odor and eliminate it!
Open your windows and let in some fresh air from outside for a while - chances are the air within your home is much more polluted than the air outside.
Use a box of opened baking soda in your closets and bathrooms - it's not just for the refrigerator.
Make sure you empty the garbage frequently and sprinkle a little borax in the bottom of the garbage can to prevent mold and mildew.
Place a bowl of fresh lemons in the offensive room.
Use organic pure essential oils - lemon, orange, lavender, or what ever scent you prefer.

Place a few drops on organic cotton balls and place around the house or in a sachet for a more decorative look.
Place a drop or two on a warming ceramic (sits around a light bulb).
Place a few drops in a humidifier or vents.
Place a couple drops into a mister bottle with distilled water and spritz away.
Add a few drops to boiling water.

Simmer herbs and spices.

Simmer cinnamon and cloves or fresh ginger in a pan.
Simmer aromatic herbs like rosemary or basil.
Simmer organic lemons or oranges - cut into sections.

To absorb odors

Place small bowls of vinegar (with or without fresh lemon juice) in the offensive room.
Place a small bowl of pure vanilla in the offensive room.
Place a small bowl of baking soda in the offensive room.
Use volcanic rock - it apparently absorbs odors.
While cooking, boil 1 tablespoon of vinegar in water to help eliminate the odors while cooking.

Add a few houseplants - of the live variety.

Notice what is not on the list? For all you candle lovers out there, chances are, most of the candles in your home are actually making your home environment more toxic. Most candles are made of standard paraffin with either artificial scents or pure essential oils. First and foremost, paraffin wax is a petrochemical. Next artificial scents only add to the chemical pollution problem and under normal circumstances, pure essential oils are great but burn it, and your've turned your aromatherapy into unhealthy by-products. Think of it this way, you may start out with a perfectly healthy vegetable, cook it and most likely it will go from a neutral or alkaline pH to an acidic pH. Now put it on the grill and char it; you've just turned a very healthy food into a carcinogen.

At least, you shouldn't have to worry about lead poisoning any longer. The Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of lead in wicks after 30 years of allowing industry self-regulation (which rarely seems to work). Although, you definitely should still shy away from candles with any type of metal in the wick

You just love your candles; you can't live without them. Apparently beeswax candles made with organic cotton wicks can actually clean the air.

I hope this helps begin your toxic clean-up.

References:
1. Solid Air Fresheners May Cause Lung Damage, http://www.california.org/ALAC/enews.html
2. Fact Sheet: Safe Substitutes at Home: Non-toxic Household Products, http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/safe-fs.html
3. Natural, Homemade, Non-toxic Alternatives to Household Chemicals, http://www.kidsorganics.com/alternatives%20to%20Toxins.htm

Demystifying Hands On Healing
by Richard Gordon

While hands-on healing is probably the easiest of skills to learn, it is also one of the most misunderstood of subjects. In this article, I thought to cover some of the basic elements of hands-on healing and one of my attempts to validate its effectiveness.

If we were to believe the movies, healers are special people who may have been touched by an angel, born with a mysterious gift, may have had a near death experience, their hands usually glow in the dark, they cause light bulbs to explode, black stuff flies out the mouth, and they seem to always become drained from doing the work. Well folks, what did you expect from Hollywood?

Fortunately, NONE of the above is true. My favorite definition of a "healer" is someone who was sick and got well, and a great healer is someone who was very sick and got well quickly. In truth, you really cannot heal anybody other than yourself. The cells must always heal themselves, and you can't force that to happen. You can no more heal
another person than you can digest the lunch that they just ate. Anybody who thinks that they are healing another person is mistaken, egotistical, or delusional.

So what does happen, and why does hands-on healing work? Healing is all about resonance and entrainment. Everything vibrates, and when two things vibrate at different frequencies, there is a tendency for the vibrations to come together. Most often, the slower vibration will rise to match the faster frequency. There are many kinds of examples of entrainment; over time, similarly tuned electric oscillators will match frequencies, disembodied animal hearts when placed near each other and kept alive in a lab will all beat in unison, and when women share a dormitory, over months they will often start menstruating at the same time.

When two things are in proximity and vibrating at different frequencies, there are three possible outcomes: Either the higher frequency will match the lower one, the lower one will match the higher one, or they will meet in the middle. Practitioners of hands-on healing ideally learn to hold a high vibration in their hands, and then through biological entrainment, the differing frequencies will match up. With effective techniques, a practitioner can learn to hold an extraordinarily high vibration, influencing and the person in need of healing to match the vibration of the practitioner. When done correctly, the practitioner NEVER becomes drained form doing the work. Most often the practitioner feels emotionally uplifted as a result of doing the work.

In my efforts to validate hands-on healing, I met with Dr. Elmer Green, considered by many to be the father of biofeedback. Dr. Green had been aware of my work for the last 20 years through my first book, and was enthusiastic when I let him know about my new work I had named Quantum-Touch.

Thanks to a suggestion from him, within two weeks I was on a flight to Springfield, Missouri to see Dr. Norman Shealy. Dr. Shealy was trained as a neurosurgeon, is the author of numerous books, is the founding President of the American Holistic Medical Association and was the doctor who tested, introduced and taught classes with Dr. Carolyn Myss. Being
quite the skeptic, it seems appropriate that he lives in Missouri.

When I arrived, Dr. Shealy asked me to work on members of his staff. One woman had shoulder pain, another back pain, and a third had neck pain. These were all relieved in less than ten minutes each. Norm then decided it was time to put this technique to a bigger test. After I explained to him that each person has the ability to hold a resonance that can allow bones to spontaneously glide back into alignment with only a light touch, he led me to a room where a 88 year old woman was in a great deal of pain suffering from osteoporosis. One of her hips was massively higher than the
other, and she could barely walk. There were three physicians in the room, and they were taking her history for about thirty minutes. When it was time to demonstrate what I do, I asked the elderly woman to stand up and I gently placed my hands on her hips with absolutely no pressure, and started to run the energy. Running energy involves the use of specific breathing and body awareness exercises to raise one's vibration. This energy has been described by numerous cultures for thousands of years - it is most commonly called prana, chi or ki. In about 10 minutes the woman's hips had completely evened out and she could now walk without pain.

I explained that when the body receives a high vibration, it responds in whatever way it chooses, in order to accelerate the healing process. Quantum biologist, Glen Rein, Ph.D. from NY has found that healers were capable of affecting the very winding of DNA. In order to accomplish this, healing must first begin on a quantum, or subatomic level and work its way though the rest of the body. From the DNA to the molecules, cells, tissue, organs and even the position of bones - they all respond to the powerful vibration of our love as expressed through the life-force energy that comes
through our hands.

On the way back to his ranch that evening, I asked Dr. Shealy if he was impressed with the healing sessions that day. He said, "No. I think some of the people you worked on might have liked you a little, or may have even been open to what you were doing… No, I want to see how this works on my most difficult chronic pain patients… people with 20 or 30 years of constant chronic pain who have not been helped by any traditional or alternative modality. If you can help these people, then I'll be impressed."

At this point I knew I would need help. Since group healing sessions are synergistically more powerful than individual sessions, I taught Dr. Shealy and three members of his staff to run energy. Each patient received a one-hour group session, and in every case his patients experienced between 30% and 70% reduction of their pain. What made the results
all the more surprising was the news I received a week after I returned home. Dr. Shealy told me that the pain relief was lasting in all of these patients. At this point, Dr. Shealy told me that he was impressed and agreed to write the foreword to my new book, calling Quantum-Touch, "The first technique that may truly allow us all to become healers."

If I leave you with a few parting thoughts, I'd like you to know that hands-on healing is real, natural, and an easily learned, basic human skill. And finally, hands-on healing clearly shows us that our love is far more wondrous and powerful than any of us know.

Copyright 2005 Richard Gordon - http://www.quantumtouch.com/
You can learn hands-on healing by reading Richard Gordon's new book, "Quantum-Touch: The Power to Heal," by watching a video workshop, or by attending a workshop in your area. For more articles on healing, visit http://www.quantumtouch.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/