Medicine is considered to be any number of objects or energies that can help heal physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual wounds so that you can continue to evolve and grow as a person. Healing crystals are considered to be a very special kind of medicine. The tradition of using crystals in medicine bags extends to cultures throughout time and in all parts of the globe, including Native peoples from North and South America, as well as healers from many African nations, Europe, and Asia.

Medicine bags are worn to enhance the user’s personal power, and to provide the wearer with guidance, healing energy, luck, and protection. Bags and pouches were traditionally filled with objects that were meaningful to the user and, so, were considered to be very sacred. These objects were honored for their role in personal empowerment. In modern times, medicine bags can be used to provide guidance for your spiritual journey, as your sacred medicine objects and crystals help to connect you to your spiritual nature.

The sacred objects used in your medicine bag may include things like crystals, bones, feathers, stones, shells, or any other objects that are meaningful and sacred to you. The objects you choose may represent different aspects of your life, or they may represent parts of yourself that you want to see grow and develop spiritually.

“Medicine bags traditionally contained a clear crystal…because it has memory and can be programmed. Shamans around the world have always utilized the special power of Quartz for healing purposes” (Zerner 18).

By using crystals, Quartz or others, in your medicine bag, you create a source of energy and power to draw upon for healing work, focus, personal growth, or inspiration. You may choose your medicine stones by their appearance (color, shape, texture, etc.), or by the way that they make you feel (how they affect your emotions, your physical body, your way of thinking, or your sense or spirituality). It is suggested that you choose your stones intuitively, but you may also find it helpful to choose healing crystals based on their known properties.

“It is important to honor the stones you select as the ‘ancient ones’ containing the cosmic pulsations of cosmic wisdom” (Zerner 52).

Once you have selected all of the objects for your medicine bag, it should be easy to see how each of these objects reflects an aspect of yourself. You will find that your medicine bag will feel comfortable as it has your own “personal touch.” Ideally, these pieces of yourself should help to provide support, comfort, and personal empowerment as you continue down your life path.
The materials and design of the actual bag or pouch should also be selected carefully, as the energy of the pouch is equally as important as its contents. You may be attracted to work with a particular color of fabric to bring in the healing energy of that color ray; similarly, you may want to embellish your medicine bag with symbols of a particular deity, power animal, or spiritual guide.

After selecting your bag and cleansing your crystals, you should empower your medicine bag. To do this, place your bag and stones in front of you (it is suggested that you do this in sacred space). Pick up one object or crystal at a time, hold it in your hands, and think about why you have chosen it for your medicine bag. Place the object inside of your medicine bag while holding this intention. Once all of your stones and objects are within the pouch, hold it between your hands and visualize it filling with pure, healing light energy from the Universe. You should then thank the bag and its content for playing a role in your personal healing.

You are now ready to wear your medicine bag. You may choose t wear it daily, for special occasions, or during particularly “rough” patches of your life. Alternatively, you may choose to place the medicine bag on your altar, in a sacred space, or to carry it in a purse or pocket.

As you continue your life’s journey, you may find that you want to add or remove items from your medicine bag. This is to be expected, because as you grow and change, your means of support and empowerment will also naturally grow and change. If you are intuitively guided to change the contents of your medicine pouch, you should trust your inner knowing and make adjustments.

“When used with an attitude of honor and respect, the bag and its contents are able to bring the shaman in touch with powers of his or her innermost being” (Zerner 17).

The more you work with your medicine bag, the more it will begin with vibrate to the frequency of your highest good and with the energy of your spiritual self.

Works Cited:

Zerner, Amy & Monte Farber. The Shaman’s Guide to Healing Crystals: Making Medicine Bags & Using Energy Stones. Sterling Publishing. New York, New York: 2010.

*Crystal Healing is not meant to replace conventional medicine, but rather to complement and enhance it. The information within this guide is purely metaphysical in nature and is by no means medical. Crystal Healing should only be used with the understanding that it is not an independent therapy, but one that is a part of a holistic healing approach.
Certified Crystal Healer Ashley Leavy
Phone: (630) 254-4685
E-mail: crystalhealer1@gmail.com
Ashley’s Website
An Online Network of Crystal Healers
Mimosa Books & Gifts Online Shop
Ashley has been drawn to stones since childhood. She has years of professional training & experience and is happy to answer your crystal questions!

Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com

Homeopathy: What It Is

Treating illness with homeopathy is not a new practice. In fact, in many European countries it is no longer considered “alternative” medicine. In France, for example, over 30% of general practitioners prescribe homeopathic remedies. In Britain, the number is well over 40%. Although homeopathy is not as common in America, it continues to gain increasing respect within the medical community and has offered many Americans an alternative form of self-care.

What Are The Benefits?

Quite simply, homeopathic remedies offer a natural approach to healthcare. Its healing method places its emphasis on the ability of one’s own body to heal itself. Homeopathic medicines are natural, effective, inexpensive and are without side effects.

What Are The Basics Of The Homeopathic Philosophy?

The philosophy of classical homeopathy is over 200 years old. Historically, classical homeopathy has become known as a medical system used for a variety of acute and chronic healthcare problems. It works by administering natural “remedies” which reinforce the body’s natural defense system.

This therapeutic method was created by a German physician and chemist, Samuel Hahnemann, at the end of the 18th century. Homeopathy works by using what Hahnemann called “the law of similars.” This law as he defined it, states: “any substance that can cause symptoms when given to healthy people can help to heal those who are experiencing similar symptoms.” We see the truth in this statement very often in our own Western practice. Immunization involves small doses of an agent of illness used to immunize patients against the disease.

Hahnermann took his approach one step further. He recommended giving “medicinal drugs” to “healthy” individuals, then documenting their physiological properties. These tests or “provings” created a baseline of physical, emotional and mental symptoms unique to each “remedy” and the correct dosage (usually very small) which both caused the symptoms and were used to treat the symptom. He catalogued his findings in what is now known as the homeopathic manual: the materia medica.

The Individualized Approach To Treating With Homeopathy

The difference between homeopathic treatment and Western medical treatment, then, lies in its individualistic approach. Instead of isolating and treating just one or two symptoms, homeopathy is individualized by taking into consideration the total physical and psychological characteristics of the whole being.

If we are to return the body to a state of balance from a state of illness, homeopathy rationalizes, we must discover the keys to the language of the body. In homeopathy it is believed, disease comes about as a result of a personal imbalance. Said differently, the physical body, in homeopathic terms, is thought to manifest illnesses from of the subconscious mind.

Treating a patient with homeopathy or what we would consider “constitutional homeopathy,” involves a detailed diagnostic process. It aims to use symptoms as a means to discover cause for the underlying disease. Homeopaths believe that symptoms do not exist in a vacuum. Therefore, symptoms are thought to evolve from a single “constitutional” weaknesses which can then be remedied.

The Process Of Finding The Correct Remedy

Unlike Western medicine, one prescription is not given for each unique symptom i.e. headache, depression, stomach ache. Instead homeopathy uses one single medicine at a time. Some variations do exist and mixtures of homeopathic remedies are created in a “combination” formula. Most often there is a only a small single dose given of any particular “remedy.” The goal here: to stimulate the body to heal itself without overmedication. In homeopathic terms, the medication is “potenizied” or administered in the least possible dose that can illicit a response.

To Further Your Research Of Homeopathy and Homeopathic Medicines, read and review these excellent sources (all were consulted for the research of this article) or visit a practitioner near you!

Cummings, Stephen, M.D., Ullman, Dana, M.P.H. Everybody’s Guide To Homeopathic Medicines. New York: Penguin Putnam, 1997.

Grandgeorge, Didier, M.D. The Spirit of Homeopathic Medicines. California: North Atlantic Books, 1998.

Bailey, Philip, M.D. Homeopathic Psychology. California: North Atlantic Books, 1995.

About the Author: Laura Turner is a natural health practitioner and author. She hosts www.beauty-and-body.com and publishes the New Body News and Wellness Letter, The Online Magazine Healthy People Read. ( www.new-body-news.com ) Subscribe for f.r.e.e. and receive her Special Report: “Take Charge of Your Health!” and check out her latest book: Spiritual Fitness!

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People in our field believe that there are skills that are beyond of a normal person’s point of reference. One of these skills is Clairaudience.

The French word for “Clear Hearing” is clairaudience. This is the psychic power which relates directly to “hearing” things without the use of the physical ears. It can be divided into two different abilities.

The first of these abilities is clairaudience by telepathy. This is when a psychic “hears” information inside their own mind. To these psychics, it is like a voice is speaking to them similar to how the average person can “hear” their conscience speak to them.

This ability includes hearing other people’s thoughts, hearing angelic beings, and hearing teachers and guides. Despite the fact we say the psychic is “hearing” all of this, it’s really more like an internal voice – thus it’s more closely related to thinking as opposed to hearing.

The other ability is called auditory clairaudience and this is the true form of clairaudience. This is hearing non physical information physically with the
human ears when there is no apparent source the information can come from.

An example of this that most people can relate to is when a person hears someone calling their name, and they turn around with nobody to be found.

The person certainly heard with their physical ears their name, but there is no identifiable source for the name to have come from.

This psychic skill is rare, but when mastered it allows the medium or psychic to get insights verbally from the likes of deceased loved ones, spiritual guides, and so forth.

To develop this psychic power takes both persistence and more importantly patience.

The telepathic form of clairaudience is in fact one of the most basic skills that a beginning student of psychic development will learn and discover. It develops naturally through meditation, telepathy games, and chakra work.

Developing the auditory form of clairaudience requires much time unless it’s a talent which the student is naturally gifted with. The development of this paranormal ability requires awareness and working with musical vibrations. Additionally, a focus on developing the throat center is very important.

As with any psychic skill one is learning there are dangers that may be involved. In the case of clear hearing the dangers are mostly related and linked to the feeling of insanity. It’s quite possible for the student to develop this power without learning to control it in which case it will appear as though many voices are talking at the same time. The psychic development student will have to learn to exert their willpower and command the voices (inner or outer) to quiet down or become clearer. In some cases, the psychic student may have to shut off this ability until their own willpower, self confidence, and self control have been built up.

Get free instant access to psychic and shamanic information, new age articles, secrets, and insider information.
Visit my website to Mystic John Culbertson now!

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I attended a small workshop in a lovely old granite farmhouse in Jersey, Channel Islands. The workshop was facilitated by Henry Lee Bolduc from The Edgar Cayce Foundation in the USA. Many people have heard of Edgar Cayce, the sleeping prophet, who while in a trance or meditative state was able to access a vast field of information which helped to diagnose people with illness and the medication they needed as well as advising and predicting events in the future. This information Cayce highlighted was available to all of us, if only we would calm our minds and let go of beliefs as to what is possible.

During this weekend, I was to experience my first past life regression and it was not very glamorous. Being a fair woman, I was shocked to see myself as a native African man, with big black feet. My conscious mind rejected this immediately and it took some time to be willing to go there again! However, during the years of 1993-1995, I again took the plunge, and after years of accelerated learning, studying and actively working on opening up, was able to access much more information. Some of it was incredible. I faced my fear of death, and was able to see the world’s in-between and understand the many challenges I had been facing in relationships. I saw the different roles we had all played out together in the form of karmic lessons in this lifetime. As a result, my view of these people changed, as I was able to forgive them, and see the other side of the story. Although I have studied and worked with many of the metaphysical and esoteric healing modalities all of my life, tome, past life regression is the most powerful and liberating of all of them. Past lives can be accessed through either a hypnotic meditative state. I facilitate my clients into this state using breathing techniques, guided visualisation and intention. Overtime, people are able to access or remember their past lives naturally, through meditation or sudden ‘insights or feelings’. I have learnt that feelings and imagination are the way the soul communicates to us.

Many people ask, “what is the point of looking into the past when you have to deal with the present life and circumstances?’’ I have seen first-hand the incredible miracles that have occurred because of the leap of consciousness, and transformations to individuals lives and health as a result. Many religions (Hinduism, Bhuddism, etc.) believe in the concept of reincarnation, and past life regression can aid in personal growth and healing of people with psychological or physical problems, conscious and unconscious. Reliving or discovering previous experiences or traumas, a person can identify the origin of his/her problem, whether it is a phobia or a disability, Past life regression is helpful in many situations. For example, it can be used to treat phobias which seem to be unconnected to an experience in the current life; to help understand the dynamics of relationships (intimate and non-intimate); to help understand patterns which inexplicably occur in your life (emotional patterns, physical ailments, etc.); to help with trauma or other issues which you have faced in this life, or troubling behaviour and attitude patterns that have persisted over time, despite repeated attempts to change; and to help with illnesses and dis-eases that can be the result of a deeply rooted trauma from the past, i.e. those born with a certain illness or disability.

There are also many positive areas in which past life therapy can help as well. Rather than going after traumatic or troubling memories, they focus on positive experiences. Past life regression can be used to access strengths and accomplishments from prior lifetimes that can be brought forward to increase confidence and effectiveness in the present, or to help re-experience a happy, successful lifetime which can bring a sense of balance and peace when undergoing difficult times, fortifying us to work through our temporary difficulties. Prior lifetimes shared with current loved ones can also be accessed to bring a great sense of reassurance that we are indeed never parted from those we love.

Past life regression can be used to help clarify direction and life purpose by viewing our blueprint for this lifetime. It can also be helpful in accessing the wisdom, peace and guidance that are available from the spiritual realms between lifetimes, where our higher mind and/or guiding ones can assess our progress. This therapy can also be useful in strengthening the clarity of the spiritual nature of our existence.

Some of the most common reasons why people undergo past life regression are:

• Insecurity and fear of abandonment. This is often related to past life memories of literal abandonment, being orphaned,
being sold into slavery, being left to die in times of war or famine, or being separated from loved ones during a crisis.
• Depression and low energy. This can be the result of loss of loved ones, unfinished grieving, suicide memories, or despair as a result of war, imprisonment, massacre or deportation.
• Phobias and irrational fears. These may be caused by all kinds of trauma in a past life such as death by fire, water, suffocation, animals, knives, guns, and natural disasters.
• Guilt and martyr complexes. These commonly stem from past life memories of killing a loved one, sacrificing a child, ordering the death of others, or feeling responsible for the death of others. The deep-rooted belief is “it is all my fault.”
• Material insecurity and eating disorders. Past life memories of starvation, economic collapse, or inescapable poverty may manifest as anorexia, bulimia or obesity.
• Accidents, violence and physical brutality. This can include repetition of battlefield memories from warrior lives, unfulfilled quests for power, or love of adventure. Often this comes out during adolescence, as this is the time many young soldiers or freedom fighters lost their lives.
• Family Struggles. These may be past life scores to settle with parents, siblings and partners, involving betrayal, abuse of power, inheritance injustices and rivalries.
• Sexual difficulties and abuse. People with problems such as frigidity and impotence often have past life stories of rape, abuse or torture behind them. Even cases of incest and abuse may be re-runs of past life patterns where emotional release was blocked.
• Marital difficulties. These sometimes derive from past lives with the same mate in a different power, class or sexual role (e.g. slave and master).
• Chronic physical ailments. This especially includes those born with chronic physical ailments. Headaches and migraines are often associated with intolerable mental choices made in other lives. Throat pain or infections may be due to unspoken thoughts, or being forced to make false statements or confessions after torture, or death by hanging. Unexplained pain may be the result of old physical wounds that have been reactivated in the present due to circumstances from the past.

Very often we are brought into difficult situations to resolve that which has occurred in the past, or in a past life. When we realise that the victims of today have often been the persecutors of the past, our whole perception changes. We are offered the opportunities to transform our judgements, and prejudice towards others religions, gender, cultures and many other differences. When we see what our relationship has been to the enemies of today, and the challenging situation we sometimes find ourselves in, our worlds are lifted to great heights. Healing occurs on many levels and people are united. Two great recent examples of this are the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela. An estimated 87,000 Tibetans were killed, arrested or deported to labour camps after the Chinese leader Mao Zedong invaded Tibet, yet when he died a few years later, the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people prayed and sent him love. When Nelson Mandela – whose people had been killed, tortured and imprisoned – was released after 27 years, instead of seeking revenge on his oppressor, he united his people and Peace was the path chosen.

Unfortunately many people are unable to forgive. In order to forgive, you first have to validate your own experiences of the situation – that of pain, sadness, anger or whatever it may be. You first have to really state your own feelings about the situation and the loss of power, or choice you may not have had in that situation. This can take a while, depending on the degree of hurt and the history with the person or soul involved. Resentment affects your ability to trust, to love, to receive and to fully participate in life. The worst extreme, which I have seen many times, is illness and death. We are all hurt at times by people in life, but it doesn’t mean we still have to have a relationship with them. We can however live in freedom by releasing the chains that bind us to them, through forgiveness. By seeing other pieces of the puzzle, and by recognising that on one level we have chosen this experience for our soul’s growth, it can forever change our perceptions of the experience and of life. In time, we may also appreciate the people who have hurt us, for the gifts they have brought us, the personal changes we have made as a result, and the life that we now live with awareness and purpose.

Dellaina is a visionary therapist from Jersey, an island off the coast of France in Europe. Dellaina has been living and working in the fields of healing, channelling, self/spiritual development and facilitating groups for self and spiritual development since 1995 in Christchurch, New Zealand. She specialises in the treatment of cancer, trauma, emotional and physical healing and holds regular workshops and retreats mainly in and around New Zealand. For more information – Website: www.dellaina.org Dellainas Resource Page: www.rainbowbridge.co.nz/regression.html Examples from Dellaina’s practice: www.rainbowbridge.co.nz/regressionexamples.html

Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com

Shamanic healing describes in essence a group of processes that has been practised throughout the millennia, and throughout every civilisation in the world, which entails for a shaman to travel in non-ordinary realms (quantum realms, other worlds, dreamtime etc) and there, to make changes, learn about the nature of the problem and to bring back resolutions.

Shamanic healing relies at the baseline for any practitioner, or shaman, to be able to contact and understand the underlying “invisible” energetic realities of the world.

Therefore, and although for example soul healing, soul loss and a range of mind healing and incarnational healing activities is what is most commonly associated with shamanic healing, a shaman can also “read plants”, minerals, other forms of energy imprints and match these to the problem at hand.

True shamanic healing is absolutely fascinating and not to be confused with a mind game that used to be played at some length in the “new age communities” of the late 20th century.

The difference between an “imagining” and a true shamanic healing experience is known because it is FELT; further more, when a true shamanic healing experience has taken place, REALITY CHANGES as a result.

For a beginner studying shamanic healing work, it is of the essence to REMAIN REAL at all times.

Humans are easily given to imagination and delusion; and someone who has never experienced an orgasm would probably be hard pushed to explain the difference in the sensations of an orgasm, and a good sneeze.

It is therefore essential for a junior shaman to first of all, learn how to differentiate between what is real and what is just an imagining; this is needed to set the path in the right direction, towards more real experiences and away from disturbing illusions.

The EmoTrance healing system provides this ESSENTIAL assistance at level 1 by focussing on PHYSICAL SENSATIONS related to INVISIBLE occurrences. The body doesn’t lie; and to learn to trust one’s own PHYSICAL responses, to read them correctly and to USE THEM in order to stay on the path of reality and not get lost in illusion is the first lesson, first task of shamanic healing.

In past societies, shamans were put through severe rituals of pain to “ground them in physicality” and to teach them the all important lessons of reality vs illusions; in the EmoTrance healing system, we USE THE EXISTING PAIN of old injuries in the energy system (in the spirit person, in the spirit realms of a human being) to learn these lessons instead – and whilst we do this, we get to HEAL these old wounds at the same time.

This increases the shamans ability to feel, to perceive; it releases their limitations of fear and reversal and it is indeed the first and most important step to moving forward into true shamanic healing at the higher levels of reality.

About the Author: Dr Silvia Hartmann is the Creator of the EmoTrance system of energy healing and the author of “Oceans Of Energy”. A free quality illustrated ebook, “The Enchanted World” which serves both as an introduction for beginners as well as a overview for more advanced energy magicians is available here: silviahartmann.com/enchanted-world/

Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com

The world of Tarot is a wondrous and fascinating place filled with mystical power and interesting legend. How the various tarot decks evolved from their original form to that of the common deck of playing cards is one of history’s best stories, but let’s take a look at some of the most well known cards that make up the old-fashioned tarot deck.

Remember, however, that many different tarot decks contain different cards from one another. Especially in the case of the minor arcana, the “suits” can change from deck to deck. There isn’t any consensus “right” deck, they all have their own powers to help a trained reader divine the future.

·The Fool – One of the best known cards in the tarot deck, the fool can symbolize many different things based on the question asked before the reading. In most cases, the fool brings about such descriptions as “immaturity, adventure, boldness, freedom” and “inexperience.” In history, the Fool has the special distinction of usually having the number zero. While that designation isn’t a uniform assignment across all decks, the Fool is usually seen as either the final trump card, the first trump card or even a completely separate card apart from the other trumps. Modern interpretations of the fool vary from the context in which the card fits into the question asked and the reader, but in most cases, the fool is interpreted as standing for folly and inexperience. It doesn’t necessarily have to have a negative connotation, but it is interpreted that way in most cases.

·Death – One of the most dreaded cards in the tarot deck, but also one of the most misunderstood. The card is only interpreted by the most literal readers as meaning physical death. In almost all cases, the card stands for a change; usually a deep and through change in one’s life. For some, the death card can be a positive if the change interpreted is the death of something negative. The number assigned to the card is 13, of course, an unlucky number in most Western cultures. In modern decks of playing cards, the ace of spades is considered to be the descendant of the death card, and is still referred to as such by many card players.

·The Devil – Card fifteen is also one of the most well known tarot cards. The devil, in most cases, stands for animal lust and vice. It can also be interpreted as a lack of morality and hedonism over other more moderate choices in life. Most readers believe that the Devil card represents a lack of growth or the inability to stop behavior that harms oneself. The card, in most cases, is considered negative, but there is also a large amount of flexibility in the Devil card. The subject receiving the reading may be caught in a particular behavior, but that behavior can change and the impact of the devil can be removed.

·The Moon – Card eighteen of the tarot deck is the Moon. The card is usually associated with the ideas of tension, deception, confusion and anxiety. The Moon is also thought to be associated with doubt, worry, unrealistic ideas and illusion. Most readers interpret the Moon as a lack of vision or purpose in a person’s life. A need to find the right path back to goals and meaning is needed before all is lost. It can also mean that an adventure awaits and to be brave when facing unknown circumstances. In most cases, the Moon has a negative connotation, but not in all.

·The Lovers – Card six in the tarot deck is The Lovers. The card is usually interpreted to mean union, passion and sexuality, as well as bonding, romance and heart. The card is seen almost universally as a positive, a sign that the subject has a positive, warm and healthy relationship in their life. There is a modicum of sacrifice with the Lovers card, the idea that the bachelor life will need to be jettisoned in favor of a caring and fulfilling relationship. The card is considered a positive building block when it comes up during a reading, a sign of good things to come.

·Wheel of Fortune – Card ten is the Wheel of Fortune. It is thought to stand for opportunities, possibilities and destiny, as well as fate, activity and life cycles. There is a strong karmic connection with the Wheel of Fortune card. The idea of “what comes around, goes around” is widely believed to exist within the Wheel of Fortune. The card also represents random chance, with the Wheel most likely standing for all the choices one makes and their positive and negative outcomes.

·Judgment – Card twenty in the tarot deck is Judgment. This is an almost universally positive card that most readers interpret to stand for hope, renewal, redemption and absolution. Even though with Judgment, there is a positive and negative side, this card is almost always thought to be a positive.

The tarot deck is filled with dozens of interesting stories and interpretations. The cards listed here can mean many different things based on the question asked, the interpretation and if the card is reversed or not. The energy and magic of tarot is eternal and it awaits your questions today.

About the Author: Free Tarot Reading www.tarotreadingsecrets.com/personalCards/index.php Make use of the amazing tarot reading to understand and determine your favorable or unfavorable life options, maximize your opportunities, improve personal and family relationships! Take our amazingly accurate Free Tarot Card Reading www.TarotReadingSecrets.com today and learn how you can make wise and informed life decisions!

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The true medical aromatherapists around the globe tell us time and time again: the most effective use of essential oils for health is the combating of infectious illness. Aromatherapy in the US is still mostly relegated to support of the psyche – which it does quite well – but study after study continues to confirm the antibacterial and antiviral effects of essential oils, along with their great compatibility with human physiology. Many protocols (detailed instructions) have been translated and published from the European medical aromatherapy literature – information which you can personally incorporate into your own natural health and wellness program.

For the uninitiated, essential oils are the volatile aromatic compounds distilled from plants. They are the chemicals that give plants their smell; the luscious aroma of a rose or the sharp scent of peppermint. Plants use these chemicals for, among other things, defense from invaders such as bacteria, fungus and viruses. Each plant’s oils have a unique makeup as a result of the plant’s own physiology, natural environment, and its potential microbial invaders. Because of their chemical structure, essential oils are easily absorbed into the human body, passing through cell membranes, then further on into the bloodstream due to their ‘lipophillic’ nature (a structure in alignment with the lipid components of our cell walls). Essential oils can protect us from microbes in many different ways, from keeping the space around us naturally microbe-free, to readying our immune system for defense, to actually destroying the microbes once they’ve entered our bodies.

For starters, lets look at keeping the air and our environment pure and healthy. A cold-air nebulizing diffuser works best for this, as it creates a fine mist of essential oils which disperse throughout your living or work space. Diffusing essential oils into your environment provides three primary benefits: First, the oils are directly eliminating microbes in the air, thus reducing the concentration of live pathogens you may be inhaling or touching at any time and reducing the load on your immune system. Second, most essential oils, and particularly the strong anti-microbial ones, have an uplifting effect on the psyche and a sharpening effect on the mind. Your space will smell nicer, and generally will be more pleasant to be in. This can be very pronounced in certain workspaces where the air can be heavy. Lastly, in many cases, essential oils will actually fortify your own immune system to prevent you from catching an illness in the first place – some studies have shown mammalian cells having increased resistance to microbial invaders after exposure to essential oils. Many single oils can be used for this – Eucalyptus Radiata or Eucalyptus Globulus are excellent all-around choices, as is Ravensara, and the oil of Rosemary of the Cineol chemotype. A popular oil blend can be made using 3 parts clove bud oil, 5 parts lemon oil, 1 and a half parts Eucalyptus Radiata, 1 and a half parts Rosemary Cineol and 2 parts Cinnamon Bark oil. Diffuse these oils to your heart’s content – it’s a wonderful combination!

Next, it’s important to fortify your own immune system. Medical aromatherapists don’t claim essential oils as wonder drugs in this regard – it is important to keep yourself healthy for your immune system to work effectively. Many natural medicine physicians believe it important to keep your own internal ‘friendly bacteria’ in balance for best protection. This can be done by eating a ‘clean’ diet with an abundance of natural and organic foods, and consuming intestinal bacterial support in capsule form (available at almost all health food stores). On the aromatherapy front, the essential oil of Niaouli has been considered by some to be the single most powerful supporter of the human immune system. Niaouli essential oil is distilled from the leaves of the Niaouli tree, native to Madagascar, but now being cultivated in Spain for aromatherapy use. According to Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, one of America’s leading medical aromatherapists, “Niaouli oil is as complex in its composition as it is in it’s uses…One of the fastest-acting and most effective applications of Niaouli is to apply anywhere between 5 and 20 drops to the whole body during the morning shower. This procedure will become entirely holistic if a loofah glove is used and the oil is worked into the skin along the energy meridians. This application…is especially recommended in the flu season, as it stimulates the defense mechanisms of the body.” Niaouli would also be appropriate for diffuser use similar to the Eucalyptus varieties.

Once a bacteria or viral infection has set it, treating it with essential oils can be a little more complex. The difficulty lies in finding the proper oil for one’s particular illness, as some oils are excellent against certain microbial strains, though these same oils may not be the right choice in other instances. Prevention with immune stimulant oils as above is best; however, at the very first signs, application of 10-20 drops to the skin of both Eucalyptus Radiata and Bay Laurel essential oils to the skin in the steam of a shower (so that the skin is more porous) is called for. Eucalyptus can be applied to the chest and back, whereas Bay Laurel should be applied directly to the lymph nodes to support the immune response. The vast majority of individuals will have no sensitivity response to such application – if, however, any skin irritation is noted, apply diluted to 5% in a carrier oil such as olive oil hazelnut oils. Green Myrtle can be used in cases of bronchial infection where Eucalyptus may be found to strong an aroma. Ravensara used in the same manner is called for in cases of colds and flu – it can be a stronger antiviral than the above mentioned oils, and has a pleasing aroma.

In general, Eucalyptus Radiata and Globulus, Green Myrtle and Ravensara can be applied to the skin (dilute if any sensitivity is suspected) or used with a diffuser or inhaler to loosen mucus and support the body’s cleansing process. Rosemary Verbenone is indicated for sinusitis and bronchitis – The medical aromatherapy literature indicates this may be inhaled, applied topically in small amounts, or even ingested (with great caution) one drop two or three times daily. Also, one drop of Bay Laurel can be taken internally at the onset of a sore throat, as it directly supports the lymph system in the area.

When choosing your own self-healing methods as part of your overal natural health and wellness program, it is important to choose the proper modality for each situation. Conventional medicine has it’s place, and should absolutely be employed when it will provide the best results. When it comes to common colds, the results have not been so dramatic. Alternative therapies have offered a reasonable solution, and can be effective if used wisely and with discretion. There are many helpful texts available for the use of essential oils as medicines – Advanced Aromatherapy and Medical Aromatherapy, both by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, are excellent sources for the intermediate to advanced practitioner. Be aware of your own body’s sensitivity to any essential oil and adjust usage accordingly, and seek professional advice whenever necessary.

About the Author: Misty Rae Cech ND is the Director of Wellness at the Ananda Apothecary, a resource for essential oil supplies and information.

Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com

Words are just a part of our lives aren’t they? Why do we need to think about them? When I teach people self-hypnosis, the language they use in self-hypnosis sessions is very important. What’s more, the kind of language used in self-hypnosis can be used outside of formal self-hypnosis too, to enhance your communication with yourself at all times.

The words that you use in and out of self-hypnosis carry a lot of connotation and a lot of deeper meanings for you as they do for everyone. What one word means to one person can mean something completely different to another.

Think about an occasion in your life that was a wonderful occasion; maybe a happy birthday, the birth of a child, a wedding or a celebration, maybe a time when you achieved something, when you succeeded or maybe a time when you felt the full force of joy or love. Really think about that experience. Remember what you saw, remember and think about the sounds that you heard and think about how you know and how you knew you felt so good then. Whereabouts in your body were those good feelings? Now, as you really think about that memory and immerse yourself in it, think about the words that you would use to describe that experience.

These are the words that are going to elicit the most powerful response from within you when you use them in self-hypnosis sessions and when you communicate with yourself at any time.

Have a think about these questions; what words make you feel good? Which words give you good feelings? Make a list of the words that appeal to you. You can use a thesaurus to help.

Ask yourself; how would I like to feel? Here are some good words you may like to use in your self-hypnosis or just to frequent the internal workings of your mind with: Healthy, Peace, Balance, Harmony, Relaxed, Confident, Good, Happy, Powerful, Joyful, Calm, Unison, Assured, Vibrant, Loving, Progressive, Better, Beautiful.

All a bit obvious, I know you get the idea. It is really important though that you do actually use words that have a good meaning to you and make you feel good within your self-hypnosis or just your internal dialogue.

Now, I am going to add a couple of words here for you to think about. Think about the words “more and more” and “increasingly.” These words are going to be important to create growth, power and fluidity in your mind. Let me explain how.

Consider the sentence “as a result of achieving my ideal weight I am happy.” This is a nice way to remind yourself that achieving this particular goal (whatever it might be for you) you are happy. Great. However, we can make that more powerful by changing a rather static “happy” to “more and more happy.” I don’t know about you, but I would never want to think that I ever reached the pinnacle of happiness and could not go any further.

“Happy” is static. In order to supercharge your programmes and the way you utilise language in and out of self-hypnosis, you can mobilise the words and get them moving onwards and upwards for you. You can change “Happy” to “Happier and happier” or “more and more happy” or “increasingly happy” or “progressively more happy” or “more and more appropriately happy.“ Use whatever feels right for you, just use other words to develop and power it up.

Words to avoid: Some of these words may seem fine and feel fine to use for you. I am just giving you ideas and considerations when using these words in and out of self-hypnosis.

When communicating with yourself, my recommendation is that you consider avoiding the following words and types of words; Words that elicit bad feelings. Words that are ambiguous. Words that are limiting, restrictive or disempower you. Words that you are uncomfortable with.

When communicating with yourself, ask yourself these questions: Is there another phrase or word that is better? Is there a word or phrase I find more pleasing? Is there a way in which you can put your energy and power into this suggestion in a better way?

So, firstly, I want to point out some words that can elicit bad feelings: Try, can’t, won’t, don’t, should, shouldn’t, must, mustn’t, jealousy, temper, no, lose, will, sad, difficult, but. I want to point out a couple of these words in particular.

The word “try” sends a shudder down my back. I use this word in therapy often to ensure that people won’t do what I am asking them, for example I might say “try to resist the urge to relax.”

When you are trying to do something, you are not doing it. You build in failure by using the word try. So just remove it from your internal communication.

You will have heard that expression “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” Yuck. Awful stuff. It really should read “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try, and try and try and try and try and try… etc, etc.” You want to do the things you want to do, you want to achieve the things you want to achieve; you don’t want to try and do them or try and achieve them.

The word “Will” is another one to avoid if you can. Will is not actually happening, it is something you will do rather than actually are doing. It never occurs. You know, you can put almost any sentence together with the word will in and simply remove that word to make it more progressive and positive for your self-hypnosis requirements. Have go at doing that. (I realise that there is likely to be at least one wiseguy who now uses the word as in “last will and testament” yes, very clever. I have not heard that one before.) Here are a couple of examples; “As a result of stopping smoking I will be healthier.” Now becomes; “As a result of stopping smoking I am healthier.” “I will successfully achieve my goals” is transformed into “I successfully achieve my goals.” Here we have just removed it to make it more progressive. You see, it is those finer distinctions that I refer to often that can really make a difference to the way you use language, and you may as well really use it more and more powerfully while you are in the state of self-hypnosis.

Lots of people tell me that they want to “Lose” weight. I always tell them that no one loses when they come to see me. Think about what else you lose in life. Generally, it is things that you would rather have kept like your keys or your wallet. You generally lose things that you want to find again. Lose has many negative connotations. Instead of losing weight, reframe it with the words “achieving and maintaining the size, shape and weight that pleases me.” This is much more progressive.

Finally for this section, I want to mention the word “But.” This word can often be seen to be negating what has come before it; I would really like to come out tonight, but I have to wash my hair. Of course I really love you, but I need to pursue my career. I had a great time, but that guy sitting next to me was rude.

This might not always be the case for you; however, it is for you to be aware of when addressing your own unconscious mind in and out of self-hypnosis.

Secondly, I recommend that you really do avoid using words that are putdowns. They don’t really have a place in self-hypnosis or your mind at all. Avoid the following words and words like them:

Untidy, Dirty, Smelly, Ugly, Stupid, Lazy, Hopeless, Disliked, Unkempt, Smelly, Idiot, Embarrass, Ridiculous. I know you know lots more. I don’t really like even having to write these in this article. Your internal dialogue and self-hypnosis sessions are better without these words.

This next set of words is for you to keep aware of and avoid if you feel they limit you or your programme in any way. I am referring to words that are absolutes. These are words that have no flexibility, that are final. For example: Always, totally, closed, never, finish, impossible, definitely, completely, death, cancelled. You may for example, state in a self-hypnosis session or tell yourself that you never smoke again. Which is fine and good for some people. However, you may have one too many glasses of sherry at Christmas and have a sneaky puff on your friend’s cigar. Now this does not make you a regular smoker again, however, it has negated the sentiments that you told yourself. It has made yourinternal communication to yourself less credible to you because you wrote that you would never smoke again and you just did, albeit only one puff, by writing that you would never do it, you leave no flexibility and you leave no room for interpretation of particular circumstances that may arise.

That may be fine with some, just bear it in mind. I mentioned the subject earlier within the guidelines for writing programmes and that is the notion of ambiguity. With self-hypnosis and when communicating with yourself in your own mind in other ways, it is best to avoid words that are ambiguous. Words such as; Maybe, Desire, Growth, Positive, Negative, Normal, Whole.

You might well use the expression that your desire to stop smoking is increasing. Again, this sounds fine on the surface. However, do you want your desire to stop smoking to increase or your actual ability to stop smoking to increase? If you only increased your desire to stop smoking, it might become a very frustrating experience. Also, you might want to consider referring to your personal growth increasing. It could be referring to something growing on your body somewhere!

Think about the word normal. Who is to say what that is? Do you know specifically what you mean when you refer to anything as being normal? If you are going to use the word normal, I would recommend that you define what that means to you also, be specific about it or just substitute it for the word usual if you can.

Finally, on the topic of words, I would like to point out to you the use of the “Able.” It is one thing being able to do something; it is another to actually do it. If you are going to increase your ability with something, then also ensure you do it.

I realise that this article has offered up many considerations so far with self-hypnosis use of language and internal dialogue. These are just that; considerations.

You can allow yourself to find the right solutions and methods for you. As you get more and more used to being in self-hypnosis or just communicating with yourself more prgressively and discovering the kind of suggestions and words that have the most powerful effect for you, then you can fine tune your use of them.

Adam Eason’s best selling book “The Secrets of Self-Hypnosis: Harnessing the Power of Your Unconscious Mind” can be found at amazon or any good online book store.

About the Author: To receive Adam’s amazing bi-monthly newsletter, packed with modern, innovative, psychological tips, techniques and information visit www.adam-eason.com You’ll also receive a free instantly downloadable hypnosis session to enjoy at home.

Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com

There are literally hundreds of martial arts available for you to practise and all of them can have significant health benefits for you. In this article we will consider possible martial arts you could consider and also just what health benefits you could get from regular practise of them.

What Martial Arts are Available?

When most people think of martial arts they think of things like karate and judo. These are usually quite physically demanding and are great for improving overall fitness, for help with self defence and also for aiding control of the mind and body. However if you want something a little less demanding then you could consider a martial art such as Tai Chi, Daoyin or Qi Gong. These tend to use much slower and lower impact movements than judo. They will also incorporate elements such as deep breathing and meditation which in themselves can have significant health benefits.

Benefits of Martial Arts

One of the things that all martial arts have in common is that they teach a person to take control over their minds and bodies. This means they could have significant benefits for people suffering from conditions such as anxiety and stress. This control can make a person feel more empowered and so can help to raise self confidence and self-esteem.

In addition all martial arts will help with your overall fitness and in fact in a study it was found that people in their 40s and 50s who regularly practised a martial arts had a much higher level of fitness over their counterparts who did not practise a martial art.

One important thing related to the lower impact martial arts is they can help with your posture as well as increasing your range of motion. For this reason it is believed that Tai Chi and similar martial arts could be very beneficial for people suffering from arthritis and similar conditions. They can help in more than one way. Firstly it can help to increase the range of motion and so helping someone with arthritis to increase what they are able to do. In addition it is also thought to improve the state of mind of an arthritis sufferer and so helping them to deal with their condition in a much more positive way.

In addition the practise of martial arts is thought to aid sleep so that it can be helpful for insomnia, it also helps reduce blood pressure, improves the immune system and reduces bone loss particularly in women who are post-menopausal.

Conclusion

It is clear from the above that there are a large number of benefits from practising martial arts. However there are a lot to choose form so it is important that you do not give up if you don’t get on with the first one you try. We would recommend doing some research first to find the one that you think suits you best. Then it is a good idea to find a teacher who is experiences but is also someone you can get on with. Alternatively you could find a DVD where you can learn many of the techniques at home however it is often easier with a teacher showing you where you are going wrong. It is also important to remember to practise regularly. If you can set aside 20 minutes each day to practise your martial art you will get the maximum benefits.

This article has been supplied by alternative therapies directory. You can also find more information on our Tai Chi page.

Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com

Meditation is gaining mainstream acceptance as a beneficial preventive health program. Once thought of as only for eastern monks practicing in remote caves in the mountains of India, today everyone from busy executives to students are enjoying the practical results of daily meditation.

Meditation is one of the better-studied alternative therapies, and it has been shown to provide a wide range of health benefits. More and more doctors and hospitals are recommending meditation as an effective stress buster and useful support for patients of heart disease and many other chronic and acute conditions.

Meditation can help you “Take a 20 Minute Vacation” without physically going anywhere. Plus it is proven to provide a range of excellent health benefits such as preventing premature aging and lowering cholesterol… and with today’s “meditation technologies” that you will read about below, meditating is much easier than you may think!

The effectiveness of meditation comes from the fact that one can achieve a state of deep relaxation in just a few minutes. When we settle down into a state of deep relaxation, the body and mind are refreshed and revitalized. This gives us many good effects that are both immediate and long lasting.

Health Benefits of Regular Meditation Include:
Lower Blood Pressure Better Sleep Anti-aging Less Anxiety Faster healing Decreased substance abuse Lower Cholesterol Stronger Immune Response

Meditation, Stress and a Healthy Heart
The results above have been demonstrated in many rigorous scientific studies, a few of which are mentioned below. Researchers have found that meditation lowers levels of stress hormones. In fact, by decreasing the level of one such hormone – epinephrine — meditation has been shown to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood and therefore help arteries to remain clear. Reduction of stress hormones also supports the healthy functioning of the immune system.

This reduction in stress hormones may be explained by the relaxed state that comes about through meditation. Electroencephalograph (EEG) studies of the brain in those who are meditating show that meditation boosts the intensity of alpha waves – associated with quiet, receptive states — to levels not seen even during sleep. This relaxed state combats anxiety, and this is confirmed by research which has found lowered levels of lactic acid in the blood. (High levels of lactic acid are associated with anxiety.) Another effect of meditation is that breathing slows, so the body uses less oxygen.

Meditation has been found to be particularly helpful for the heart. Meditators have been found to have improved blood circulation, as well as a lowered heart rate, which places less demands on the heart.

A 1998 study published in Psychosomatic Medicine showed that people who practiced transcendental meditation (TM) had lower levels of lipid peroxide than those who didn’t. Lipid peroxide can contribute to atherosclerosis and other chronic diseases associated with aging. A 1999 study published in the same journal showed that people who practiced TM had lower blood pressure immediately after meditating than did the control group.

Help for Fibromyalgia, Psoriasis, IBS, and More
A 1998 study in Alternative Therapies showed that meditation helped decrease symptoms such as pain and sleeplessness in patients with fibromyalgia, a disease characterized by muscle pain, fatigue, and mild-to-moderate depression.

In a 1998 study at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, psoriasis patients who listened to a mindfulness meditation audiotape during their ultraviolet light therapy experienced faster healing than those who had the light therapy alone.

Meditation has also been associated with a longer life span, better quality of life, fewer hospitalizations, and reduced health-care costs. It has also shown promise as an adjunct therapy in relieving mild depression, insomnia, tension headache, irritable bowel syndrome, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), as well as in controlling substance abuse.

Meditation is Easier Than You Think!
With such overwhelming evidence of the benefits of meditation, why isn’t everyone meditating?

Often the obstacle is that meditation is thought to be difficult and requiring years of practice to become “good at it.” The reality is that there are many different styles of meditation and many are very easy to learn and bring benefits from the start. Some people even find ways to meditate on their own, setting aside a quiet time to sit and “simply be.” Usually, however, some instruction is needed.

There are books, CDs, classes, and websites which offer instruction in meditation. There are many different styles of meditation, and finding the right meditation for you may take some trial and error. It’s important to find a method which feels natural, easy and relaxing.

An excellent way to experience the benefits of meditation without having to learn a specific practice is to use a guided meditation CD. We designed our Pure Relaxation CD [B1] to offer an easy way for anyone to experience the “meditative state” in which the mind “lets go” and the body relaxes. Tested and recommended by members of the National Health & Wellness Club, this highly acclaimed CD has given many people an easy way to relax.

The essence of successful meditation is relaxation. The health benefits can easily be seen to result from a state of relaxation in mind and body. Anything that you can do which relaxes you deeply can be thought of as meditation. Whatever way you choose, we encourage you to start and wish you peace of mind and the very best of health!

About the Author: This article was provided by the world’s #1 most popular and trusted holistic living e-newsletter — FREE to you right now at www.SixWise.com! The old way of thinking: “holistic living” pertains only to personal health. The new way of thinking: “holistic living” means prevention of the negative and adherence to the positive in all SIX practical areas of life: relationships, finances, career, home environment, safety and health. With the SixWise.com e-newsletter, you will get holistic wisdom from the world’s top experts in all six of these areas — completely FREE with a simple sign-up (and a guaranteed no-spam policy!) at www.SixWise.com.

Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com