Archive for Big Medicine
June 23, 2008 at 5:07 am · Filed under Big Medicine
I mentioned last time that I started to lose weight by making small easy changes. The first was that I quit a very long habit of drinking Pepsi, I loved the stuff but it is loaded with sugar and acid that my dentist says is worse for my teeth than the sugar. Anyway, I lost 9 pounds from that one change in about 4 months. Besides the weight loss I noticed other changes like the brown spots I had on my face and chest almost disappeared. (I am sure that the extra water helped too) That was good proof to me how much one little change can make.
So what was the next change I made? I started drinking green tea instead of coffee. I had to try several brands before I found one I really liked. It amazes me how one thing can taste so different with different brands, oh well. That change was pretty simple for me and I love coffee! I felt a little better about a month down the road and lost about 4 more pounds. After about three months I started to drink coffee some times like when at a restaurant, but I try to mostly drink tea.
Since that change was fairly a breeze to me, after one month I decided it was time to make another change. So I started to eat one apple everyday. I like the taste of apples once I am eating them but for some reason I never felt like ‘I want an apple, that sounds good’. So I had to make a conscious effort to eat one each day. This along with the extra water I started drinking when I gave up the soda pop made me very regular, if you know what I mean. That’s always a good thing!
Besides weight loss there are always added benefits to eating and drinking healthfully, even the smallest of changes effect everything, you will be amazed once you start. So make the effort today and make that change, you and your body will love you for it! Just do it!
I want to say here that it is extremely important to make these changes slowly and one at a time so you never feel deprived or too ‘out’ of your comfort zone. Also, Remember to find a replacement for what ever you give up or the vacuum will bring you back. Finally, there are things you should never give up; I love sweets, chocolate, YES! Why deprive myself of something I love so much? And how I can do that and still lose weight will be in the next installment.
Written by bonnie–
For more information on healthy weightloss visit our website.
May 27, 2008 at 2:59 pm · Filed under Big Medicine
Good health and healing is available to us by faith in Jesus. It is God’s promise to us when we become Christians. “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by Him and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed.Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV
God created us to have eternal life, which includes health, in the beginning but because of what happened when Adam and Eve sinned against God, our bodies and soul were given over to death and decay. “The man now has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat and live forever.” Genesis 3:22
God has to follow the natural law that He has placed on this earth. Just as trees and flowers and even rocks are subject to decay, our bodies are naturally given over to decay until we die and we become ashes. But when we receive new life in Jesus, we are renewed inside and out. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
However, we still live on the earth and our bodies are still subject to the world’s decay. Just as we need to guard our hearts against sin, we need to guard our bodies against that physical decay.
That’s why it is so important to eat right and take care of our bodies. It’s not wisdom to allow things in our body that are not healthy, just as we wouldn’t allow things in our minds that are not healthy. Moderation is the key.
Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. That’s the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. If it is powerful enough to raise the dead; it is certainly powerful enough to heal you and keep you healthy.
If you haven’t received Jesus in your heart as your Savior, please consider it. Maybe you have been considering it but you are putting it off. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or who you are, God forgives a repentant heart. Don’t put it off any longer;the blessing and healing of God awaits you once you receive His love into your heart.
If you need healing, receive it the same way you received your salvation-by faith! Look up scriptures on healing and declare them over yourself. In most situations, you will not see a “miraculous” healing that occurs instantaneously. It happens, but rarely. God works according to the natural laws that He set in place. He also created our bodies to heal naturally. Our faith and our actions work together to bring healing to our bodies. Even the medical community has given credit to the power of prayer to heal. Think positively about your health situation in your mind and express it through your words by declaring God’s word of healing over yourself.
As you declare God’s word of healing over your life, don’t turn around and say that you are sick. You are are just stomping all over the seed of your faith and you will not receive your harvest of healing. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a doubleminded man, unstable in all he does.”James 3:6-8 NIV
If you struggle with this idea of healing, seek God about it for yourself. We all have the ability to hear from God for ourselves. Just make sure that what you hear in your heart lines up with the word of God. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 NIV God is always positive, never condemns or discourages. God always rewards those who seek Him and He gives wisdom to those who ask for it, “If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5-6 NIV.
Eunice Coughlin is the founder of http://www.healthy-living-for-moms.com,for moms of all ages and stages who seek spiritual and physical health and wellness. Read more about how God heals at http://www.healthy-living-for-moms.com/Faith_healing.html
May 21, 2008 at 1:04 am · Filed under Big Medicine
If you want any weight loss program to work you have to perform “Strength Training”. It’s absolutely imperative during the course of a lifetime not only for weight loss goals but also for general health and well-being.
For years we have been told to diet the excess fat from our bodies and throw in some fast walking to hasten the process. The trouble with this is that the low calorie restricted diet would throw the body into starvation mode, with the body
holding onto the fat and using precious lean muscle tissue for energy.
This would “Lower Your Metabolism” causing greater muscle loss and once the diet was broken the original fat returned, and you would have greater chance of gaining even more fat.
“A Vicious Cycle”
Eventually, your body would become used to the diet and then you will reach a point where nothing was happening.
So what do you do now?
Try weight loss supplements, creams, massage, toning tables, drugs. You should know by now that these don’t work.
There is a better way, it’s simply…
“Strength Training”
Many studies are showing that Strength Training is a superior method for weight loss.
(Ladies, you won’t bulk up by using weights, you don’t have the testosterone to get big and muscular, so don’t worry).
If you don’t incorporate Strength Training into your weight loss program then look forward to “disappointing results”.
The days of strength training three to five days a week in the gym, an hour at a time are long gone. That just doesn’t work. One short strength-training workout a week done at home or in the gym will melt away more fat than you would have ever thought possible.
Fats, Figures and Cardio Work
We’ve already found out that by increasing the functional muscle on your body, you increase your resting metabolic rate. Due to the HIGHER metabolic rate you can now eat MORE calories, which means that you won’t need to starve anymore to lose weight.
In a sense, fewer calories have to be cut back from our daily intake of food and successful dieting (provided that you eat the right foods) will become more likely.
As far as Fats are concerned, they’re burned from the body when cells oxidize to release energy in the form of exercise. When exercise is done slowly to moderately for 20 to 30 minutes, then the majority of energy is TAKEN from the fat stores.
It’s important to understand that the loss of fat comes from fat cells ALL OVER the body, NOT just from one or more specific areas. Therefore, fat reduction of a certain area is not generally possible.
The best exercise for the purpose of fat loss is fast walking either indoors on the treadmill or outdoors. Walk until you are mildly puffing and hold that rate for the allotted time.
If your cardio activities leave you panting or breathless ~ you are going too hard. Your energy will be then coming from your carbohydrate reserves and not from your fat stores.
Nutrition For Weight Loss
Small frequent meals should be consumed during the day each containing a little protein to maintain muscle and energy levels. Foods with vital vitamin and mineral supplements should also be taken on a daily basis.
By decreasing the amount of calories you eat per day to the weight loss amount, you should start losing weight. Don’t go any lower and check the mirror regularly to judge your progress.
If you don’t have an accurate idea of how many calories your consuming a day, how will you know whether you’re overeating or not?
Another word about diets… They’ll send the body into starvation mode; a survival mechanism from long ago when humans faced periods of famine. Cutting back on your calories too low will cause the body to lower its metabolic rate, which reduces
its ability to burn fat.
At the same time, hunger signals increase and we quickly start to crave high-energy foods loaded with fats and sugar. The same foods we are trying to do without.
Here are some great eating tips for you to consider:
Reduce both obvious and hidden fats.
Record food intake to identify problem areas.
Be aware of times when you over eat.
Avoid severe food restriction.
Monitor body fat levels, not weight.
Aim for moderate fat loss (one pound per week)
Gary is the author of several ebooks, including “Maximum Weight Loss in Ten Weeks” - the complete ebook and time-saving solution for burning away unwanted fat, and “Maximum Weight Gain in Ten Weeks” - easy-to-use and follow techniques that serve as a guide to muscle growth without having to “live in the gym”.
Visit Gary’s website at www.maximumfitness.com/
May 3, 2008 at 7:34 pm · Filed under Big Medicine
A recent study has shown that immune stimulation has a significant effect on tumor growth in animal specimens. Safe and effective forms of immune stimulation can enhance cellular immunity, which in turn enhances the activities of T-helper cells and natural killer cells.
Beta Glucan has been shown to increase activation of macrophages, lymphocyte production, and natural killer cell activity. Several studies have indicated that Beta Glucan can also increase levels of IL-1, and TNF-alpha, both of which are instrumental in immune system coordination, and can help the body eliminate tumors more efficiently.
The use of Beta Glucan is of special interest to the cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment. This is due to the fact that beta glucans have shown an amazing ability to accelerate recovery in irradiated animal specimens, even when it is given after the radiation dose. It can also stimulate recovery of bone marrow following chemotherapy, something vital to restriction of tumor growth and prevention of infectious complications during treatment.
Although the data provided in this study is still quite premature, and needs to be confirmed with a larger, more controlled trial, it does demonstrate the effectiveness and potential of Beta Glucan as a treatment for cancerous tumors.
Jeremy Maddock is the webmaster of Immune Wellness, your source for high quality information about Beta Glucan and other health products.
April 24, 2008 at 11:48 am · Filed under Big Medicine
With all the knowledge we have theses days, it can be very surprising to see people continue to indulge in habits that are detrimental to their health. In actual fact what this tells us is that addiction is powerful.
Our objective is to learn about smoking. How it affects you. The power of addiction and health implications involved in this habit. Currently it is estimated that over one billion people smoke around the world. Most smokers begin at an early age, generally in there teens. In the past smoking was a recreational function of the rich, but these days that is quite the contrary. Unfortunately the less educated seem to be smoking rather than the educated. The level of education, income and standard of living contribute greatly to the success of quitting smoking.
Here are some interesting statistics from the world health organization. 25.6 million people smoke in the United States.
Among whites 25.1% of men smoke and 21.7% of women smoke.
Among African Americans, 27.6% of men smoke and 18% of women smoke.
Among Hispanics 23.2% men smoke and 12.5% of women smoke.
Among Asians 21.3% men smoke and 6.9% of women.
One out of every five deaths is tobacco related. It is estimated that 400′000 Americans die each year from tobacco.
Smoking is highest among persons living below the poverty level. Education is extremely important in the fight against smoking. Education is not just telling people about smoking. What is needed is dialogue and interaction so that each individual can understand factually the implications.
I talked to a person one time who was very upset that the price of cigarettes is getting increasingly expensive. She felt she was been discriminated against. To her she is addicted and the majority are against her. She felt the fight against tobacco was an attack on her.
Firstly it is poor education that makes her feel this way. Secondly when smoking socially you also jeopardize the health of others. Thirdly the costs to the health system are enormous. Fourthly we as people take things personally. Addiction can bring pleasure temporarily but fatal consequences later. Her challenge was that she wanted to continue smoking and the majorities were making it difficult for her. So when you really get down to it she was concerned about her own pleasures above her health and the health of others.
The choices to continue smoking is yours, but understand that the costs are high for your health and the health of others. No one can deny the dangers of smoking. Quit today.
Learn about living a healthy life in the comfort of your own home with educational Health DVDs. Get some Tips On Stopping Smoking.
Paul Hegarty is the owner of learningfromdvds.com. A guide to educational DVDs with price comparisons, reviews, and free E-books. Read this month’s e-book on “How To Spot A fraudulent Email”. Grab your free copy today.
April 22, 2008 at 7:09 pm · Filed under Big Medicine
Gastric bypass surgery has many forms and can involve stapling and banding of the stomach as well as bypassing a portion of the small intestine. The most popular method today is a combination-approach that staples the stomach into a small pouch while reattaching the small intestine to the pouch forming a Y-shape so patients lose weight both because they eat less and their bodies absorb less of what they eat.
Mini gastric bypass surgery is less invasive than traditional gastric bypass surgery. By using a laparoscope, the surgeon does not have to make any large incisions in the abdomen thus lowering the risk of large surgical scars or hernia. The procedure also differs from other gastric bypass procedures in significant ways.
As opposed to the popular Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure, which staples the stomach to create a small pouch after which a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is then attached to allow food to bypass the lower stomach and first part of the small intestine, the mini gastric bypass is a newer and somewhat simpler procedure. The stomach is similarly stapled but instead of a small pouch, it is formed into a narrow tube, which is then attached directly to the small intestine about six feet from its starting point, thus also bypassing the initial highly absorptive section.
The benefits of Mini gastric bypass surgery are a shorter, less invasive operation and quicker recovery time. Like traditional gastric bypass surgery, mini gastric bypass surgery is only for the morbidly obese who have not been able to lose and maintain weight loss after significant efforts at lifestyle change in the form of diet and exercise.
Gastric Bypass Surgery Info provides comprehensive information on procedure, recovery, cost and complications relating to standard, laparoscopic and mini surgeries. Gastric Bypass Surgery Info is the sister site of Bariatric Surgery Web.
April 19, 2008 at 1:12 am · Filed under Big Medicine
Cancer is a process that has always effected animals, it is just as common in domestic and farm animals, birds and fishes as it is in humans. Western scientific medicine has been effective in minimising infectious diseases. Many of us are living longer and cancer has almost been accepted as a normal feature of the ageing process. But statistics do not bear this out. The incidence of cancer is increasing in all age groups.
Because cancer cells take some time to grow to a stage where they are a large enough mass to be identifiable, it might be 18 months to 3 years, even 30 years before the disease is diagnosed by a doctor. By then we can be more than half-way down the path to a terminal illness. Due to our psychological make-up we are often immobilised by the news.
We tend to minimise it or deny that it has happened to us. We get depressed. ‘Why me?’ A cycle of immobilisation - minimisation - depression often occurs. Those who do break out of it and manage to accept the reality start testing for options, often ‘against the clock’ find out that cancer is an awesome and complex subject providing a great example of opening a ‘whole can of worms’. Information overload, specialist language, ignorance of alternatives, vested interest, lack of co-operation, paradigm gaps, lack of access to specific information or treatment and a host of barriers such as language translation exist that prevent understanding the problem let alone the latest research.
Since an allopathic doctor (Western surgical doctor) is generally the first point of contact for this dis-ease, cancer is mostly treated only with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and more recent biological breakthroughs in hormone treatment. Despite billions spent on research these are basically the same options we had fifty years ago. Essentially the basic treatment of cancer has not changed for many years.
Orthodox treatments for cancer can be brutal and expensive but in the face of scientific medical evidence are the best we have. Solid information on alternatives is confusing, contradictory, unproved and unsupported by current medical models. Many medical doctors view alternatives or complementary approaches with doubt. Those that do endorse them do so mainly because they might enhance the patients quality of life or contribute to palliative care (palliative: ‘relieving pain or alleviating a problem without dealing with the cause’).
Many complementary and alternative practitioners point out that allopathic cancer treatments are only palliative because they treat effects without looking at causes. An example is using pain killers to take away a headache. Although it is highly useful and very convenient it is no guarantee that the headache won’t re-occur. Similarly the orthodox treatment of cancer is more concerned with treating the dis-ease than the patient.
How does it start?
In cancer, a cell, or group of cells, loses touch with where it is in the scheme of things, its ’synergy’, and starts replicating for itself. The word synergy comes from the Greek ’sunergos’, meaning ‘working together’. Synergy is the interaction of two or more agents, that produces an combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects, in this case - us. All the cells in a healthy body work together to give us life. They exist as unique individual cells in their own right but also have a higher function, contributing to the life-form of which they are part. Every one of the two thousand billion cells in our bodies has as many working parts as a passenger airliner so it is quite usual for some of these cells to suffer damage.
We all have the potential for cancer. Even a healthy body carries about 10,000 malignant cells and a fully functioning immune system will remove them. But what do cells ‘get’ that change them, click them out of the whole system of our body to become selfish and self-replicating?
Some doctors refer to this simply as ‘insult’. What happens when you insult a cell so often it gets upset? Just like you or I might do - it gives up on the host and sets out for itself. Our consumer culture is presently rich in ways for us to insult our cells and stress them without us even realising.
The growth begins when oncogenes (controlling cell growth and multiplication) in a cell or group of cells are ‘transformed’ by carcinogens. Cell insult often starts with ‘free radicals’, which are unstable atoms or molecules produced by the body as part of its natural defence against disease. Sometimes the body over-reacts in its production of these and produces more than it needs. Recognised stressors that can spark overproduction include cigarette smoke, smog or pollution, too much ultraviolet light, illness or even too much exercise!
Free radicals contain a negative charge that makes them highly reactive. As soon as they are produced they start looking for other molecules with positively charged particles. The reaction they have on meeting is called oxidisation, and this reaction can have a harmful effect, damaging the D.N.A. inside cells or cell membranes and opening the door for cancer.
When a cell is changed into a tumour-forming type, the change in its oncogenes is passed onto all offspring cells. Hence a small group can become established and then start dividing rapidly. Usually these cells ‘give up’ on their normal specialised task in the body and escape from normal controls such as bodily hormones and nerves.
Cancer has no regard for the condition of its host only the success of its own growth, it is ‘anti-synergistic’ and a parasite to the body, consuming nutrients and contributing nothing. It converts the energies around it to its own use and blocks any attacks by suppressing the body’s own immunity. This immunity self-attack is an emerging pattern in modern diseases.
Cancer cells interact with each other and cells around them. They affect the growth of cells nearby and elsewhere in the body, they change the immune system to benefit themselves, they can avoid or destroy normal body defences such as lymphocytes. They can even persuade the body to grow new blood vessels to feed a tumour.
Cancer cells move seemingly ‘at will’ around the body, dissolving the glue of healthy cell walls to pass through and set-up camp elsewhere, creating metastases (secondary growths) seemingly anywhere. It is a highly complex disease with over a hundred definable types and many variables within each.
Cancer is a form of chaos that grows inside us. It is no wonder this most frightening and mysterious of diseases is immortalised in the ‘dreaming mechanisms’ of our media. Movies such as the Alien series capitalise on our fears of something unknown and unwanted growing inside us.
Cell insult happens in a number of ways and if the right conditions for cancer exist it will start to grow through cell multiplication. Once the cancer growth gets going, and the conditions that engendered it are still present, the growth continues at various rates, depending on the host and what they provide. Cancer grows best in an P.H. acid body with lots of glucose, oxygen and easily accessible nutrients.
Even with immortal cell replication it can take many years before a cancer becomes noticeable. A million cells together create only a small growth. Diagnosis is still difficult at this stage as there may not be any visible evidence of cancer.
This is an extract from ‘Don’t Get Cancer’a new ebook available only at: http://www.simonthescribe.co.uk/don’tget1.html
April 15, 2008 at 8:41 pm · Filed under Big Medicine, Stuff for Kids, The Healthy Way
The method know as 3d ultrasound is used in early pregnancy, it provides 3d images of the unborn baby. Most of the time these ultrasound samples are rapidly captured and joined together and animated to created a 4d scan.
Three dimensional scanning works in a similar manner to the usual ultrasound methods except that the ultrasound scanning pulses can be directed from multiple directions. The ultrasound pulses can be reflected back and captured and provide information to construct a 3d picture in very much the same way as 3d movies. 3 dimesional ultasound scanning was first developed by olaf von ramm and stephen smith in america.
It’s important to understand that sonologists worldwide always pictured 3d images of the body in their minds whilst doing 2d scans. However, until recently it was very difficult to do this kind of reconstruction on on patient information using ultasound scanning. With the advent of ultrasound baby scans for the first time allowed us a peek into the thinking of a sonologist and hence letting us see the images on the ultrasound machine.
3d imaging should utilize ultrasound energy following the same limits as conventional 2d ultrasound to create the 3d images. There is no data to suggest any harm due to 3d ultrasound, its use in none essential situations needs to be undertaken with the understanding of the risks.
April 15, 2008 at 5:28 pm · Filed under Big Medicine
Patchouli’s History and Uses
Ah, Patchouli oil - people seem to love it or hate it. This well know essential oil has a somewhat deserved reputation as the scent of the Hippy generation (according to one source, it’s use began as a mask for the odor of a particularly cherished herb), though it’s traditional use dates back hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Today, Patchouli oil has a well-deserved reputation in aromatherapy, with it’s deep, musky, and sweet odor, and Earth and Fire balancing energy. It is an exotic aroma that can forever leave an imprint on the olfactory memory.
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) is a perennial herb native to Southeast Asia, growing wild in Sumatra and Java at elevations between 3,000 and 6,000 feet - though it’s cultivation is more pervasive in lower tropical jungles. This bushy plant grows to the height of 3 feet, having a strong stem and soft, hairy leaves. For essential oil production, the plant is cut two or three times per year, with the best quality oil derived from leaves harvested in the wet season. The leaves are hand picked, bundled or baled, and allowed to partially dry in the shade and ferment for a few days before the oil is extracted via steam distillation (Patchouli oil is now becoming available as a CO2 extract in limited quantities). The fermentation process softens the plant’s cell walls, easing the extraction of the oil.
The relative ease of it’s cultivation, and it’s high oil yield keeps the price of true Patchouli essential oils relatively low. It is important to note however, Patchouli is one of the few essential oils that improve with age (others being Frankincense, Cedarwood, Sandalwood and Vetiver), and that a properly aged Patchouli oil is much more desirable than a fresh one. Over time, the oil looses a harshness that many find distasteful, and adds a sweet top note. As it ages, the oil turns from light yellow to a deep amber, with the aroma becoming smoother and more rich. Principal constituents of the oil include: Patchoulol (25-35%), Alpha-Bulnesene (12-20%), Alpha-Guaiene + Seychellene (15-25%), and Alpha-Patchoulene (5-9%).
Perhaps first due to it’s power as a moth repellent, the aroma of Patchouli was pervasive in cloth and clothing exported from India in the 19th century. The scent became an indicator of true ‘Oriental’ fabric, so much so that English and French garment makers were obliged to scent their imitation products with Patchouli to ensure their acceptance in the domestic marketplace. Beyond its use for preventing holes from being eaten in one’s cloting, Patchouli oil has been used for centuries in traditional medicine in Malaysia, China and Japan. Primarily indicated for skin conditions, Patchouli may be of benefit in cases of dermatitis, eczema, acne, dry chapped skin, and other irritating conditions, along with dandruff and oily scalp conditions. As a cell rejuvenator, it may help in healing wounds and reducing the appearance of scars. It is considered an excellent remedy for insect and snake bites, and has been used as a fumigant and rubbing oil to prevent the spread of fevers and to strengthen the immune system.
Aromatherapy and Perfumery Uses of Patchouli Oil
Patchouli oil is considered an excellent base note and fixative in perfumery, being a component in many famous perfumes. As a fixative, it slows the evaporation of other, more volatile oils so that their aroma may be released over a longer period of time. A little patchouli can be used in natural perfume blends, adding that special deep and earthy aroma. It mixes well with many essential oils, with almost all common oils being mentioned across a variety of sources - these include Vetiver, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Myrrh, Jasmine, Rose, Citrus oils, Clary Sage, Lemongrass, Geranium and Ginger.
In Aromatherapy, Patchouli is considered a great balancer, relaxing yet stimulating, particularly relevant for conditions of weak immunity where overwork and anxiety have left the individual in a susceptible state. It is said to bring the three principal forces at work within the body - the Creative at the navel, the Heart center, and transcendental wisdom a the crown - into harmony.
Patchouli oil may also relieve the strain of those with excessive mental activity who may feel ‘out of touch’ with their body and sensuality. It has been considered a relaxing aphrodisiac, and can be helpful for those with impotence, frigidity, and sexual anxiety that are products of mental anguish. Patchouli combines this aphrodisiac effect with an antidepressant one, uplifting the mind with it’s sweet, warm, spicy scent.
As if this were not enough, Patchouli is thought to be a bringer of prosperity and abundance. Perhaps by allowing one to open to these possibilities energetically, the oil is used in ceremonies and prayers by those in need of financial or other type of infusion in their lives. One may simply close their eyes, imagine the abundance they need, and inhale the oil’s aroma for a few seconds.
For a few simple blends, try:
3 parts Patchouli and 1 part Rosemary Cineol. This is a wonderfully uplifting blend combining the deep earthiness of Patchouli with the invigorating aroma of Rosemary. This can certainly be worn as a perfume, or used in a diffuser.
When the going gets tedious, try brightening with 3 parts Coriander, 2 parts Patchouli and 1 part Bergamot. This may uplift the spirits and remind one of the joy to be found in life.
For the sensually insecure, try 1 part Geranium, 1 part Patchouli and 1 part Bergamot. A beautiful yet simple blend for getting comfortable in one’s own skin.
It may take a little education, but many who claim to have a dislike for Patchouli may truly enjoy it when finally getting to sample a properly aged or beautifully blended oil.
Misty Rae Cech is a Naturopath and Yoga teacher in Boulder, Colorado. She is a fan of Patchouli oil as a fragrance and for it’s aromatherapy applications. She is the owner of Ananda Apothecary, a source of alternative medicine products.
