Hilot

Whether they are Filipinos, who are returning home from work overseas or are migrants coming home for much-awaited family reunions and tropical vacations, they continue to look for the healing touch of the Hilot.

And while it is common among many Filipinos to seek the Western mode of medical treatment for ailments, the Hilot, as a remedy, still retains its esteemed and recognized place in the hierarchy of non-invasive, traditional healing methods.

Hilot is a word from the Tagalog dialect meaning massage-rubbing or touch with soothing strokes. Touch is the modality of Hilot. Initially, one might think it is simply a massage, but Hilot is more. It is energy manipulation.

While many popular massages had predetermined sequences of strokes, Hilot manipulates the electrical charges of the body that creates a biochemical reaction where it is needed. It harnesses bio-energies for balance, harmony, health and wellness. When this is done properly, the biochemical reaction brings balance once again to the body.

What is Hilot?
Hilot is the age-old indigenous Filipino healing practice associated with elderly healers. It is relatively complex way of healing methodology complete with philosophy, health concept, healing concept and healing methodologies. The Hilot Master or Manghihilot could identify body illnesses or areas of energy imbalance in the body through many unconventional methods like pulse reading, hot and cold analysis, phrenology, stool/urine/perspiration analysis. It is the oldest and the most secret arts in the Philippines. Due to the secrecy of the art, very rarely do Manghihilot teach this art to the general public. Most Hilot in the Philippines are either learned from relatives, through hands on practice, or inherited from their forefathers, passing the art from one generation to the next.

Backgroud of Hilot
The practice of Hilot is a part of the Filipino way of life. Traditionally, prior to the popularity of modern medical doctors, the Manghihilot was the health care giver of the community. Like all traditions, it has seen its share of being pushed to the background at the arrival of new methods, new medicines and new technology.

Lately, in the worldwide resurgence of alternative forms of medicine and the research and study of the old ways of healing, Hilot is re-established as the Filipino Healing Art based on scientific- universal and natural laws.

Concept of Hilot
Man is considered healthy or “at-ease” if his faculties (mind, emotion and body) are in harmony with the Universal Law. This harmony sets the phase for the balance and precise combination of the Elements of the body (earth, water, fire and air). The unique combination of the four Elements varies according to man's existing patterns and programs that are called genes. Furthermore, the unique combinations are also dependent on man's lifestyle, culture and environment. This combination has its own individual limitations, and once limitations are violated, imbalances happen. The imbalance is called “dis-ease.”

Imbalances of elements of the body could be corrected by the introduction of changes through; biochemical, neuro-electrical, electro-magnetic and bio mechanical means.

Making of a Hilot
The training of Hilot Practitioners or the Manghihilot involves learning the concepts and philosophy of traditional healing, instilling an individual valuing process and its relevance to Hilot Healing and understanding the body functions. The education of the Manghihilot is holistic, - holistic involving the biological, social, behavioural and psychological aspects of life and living.

A good hilot practitioner would know the type of ailment his client is suffering from just by looking at him and sensing his energy. A good healer can tell if the elements in one’s body—fire, water, earth and air—are in harmony. Fire refers to the body’s electric impulses; water, the blood; the earth, bone and flesh; while air corresponds to the air that one breathes.

To correct the imbalance in the patient’s energy that leads to a distorted metabolism, a healer would have to give the patient a massage to create the desired biochemical reactions that helps the body heal itself.

Spotting a fake Hilot should be easy. Anything that did not conform to the natural law would cause pain, so if one felt sore after a Hilot massage then something was not right.

Tuina & Cupping Therapy for Shoulder

Swedish Massage Redefined

Swedish massage did not originate in Sweden, nor was it created by a Swede. Also, in Sweden there is no "Swedish massage"; instead, massage is referred to almost universally as "classic massage." And in most of Europe the term classic massage is much more prevalent than Swedish massage. But in America, the term classic massage is used very little, while Swedish massage is considered the classic and most basic of all massage methods.

And so the term "Swedish massage" is a misnomer in a number of ways. I don’t know of a massage textbook written during the last 100 years that does not attribute Swedish massage to Peter Henry Ling (1776-1837), a Swede. Setting aside the argument that Swedish massage is a misnomer and would be more historically correct if it were called classic massage, Peter Ling was not the creator of Swedish massage. This may come as a shock to many readers, but it is absolutely true. Peter Ling is not the "father of Swedish massage," because Swedish massage was not a part of Ling’s Swedish Gymnastic Movements nor the curriculum of the Royal Central Gymnastic Institute founded by Ling in 1813.

Swedish massage is defined in large part by the original strokes that compose its method: effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (striking), and frictions (rubbing), with vibration added later. The French terms - effleurage, petrissage, frictions (massage a’ frictions) and tapotement - were never used by Peter Ling, by any of his successors nor by the Central Gymnastic Institute. So where did these terms come from?

Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger (1838-1909) is generally credited (by physicians such as Emil Kleen and Richard Hael, who researched the origins of massage and gymnastics) as the man who adopted the French names to denote the basic strokes under which he systemized massage as we know it today, as Swedish or classic massage. Somehow, the term Swedish Movement System was transposed to Swedish Massage System sometime during the second half of the 19th century. Ling’s system was the Swedish Movement System or Swedish Gymnastic Movement System. This may be how he has become incorrectly associated for so long with Swedish massage. When the first books were written about Ling's Swedish Gymnastic System, the writers used the French terms so prevalent since Mezger's use of them. Later writers evidently attributed the French terms to Ling because of this.1

George Taylor, M.D., writing in 1885, uses the terms "clappings, knockings, stroking, kneading, pullings, shakings and vibratings" as the passive movements used by Ling in his Swedish gymnastic system. However, he gives very little attention to describing those movements. This may be explained first because Ling provided no explanations and second by the following passage from Taylor: "But the employment of duplicated [passive] movements, it must be confessed, is attended with difficulties that will prevent their general use as a medical resource. An ordinary course of medical instruction does not confer the necessary qualifications for their successful application; the tact necessary to prescribe and apply them properly is only acquired by long and patient practice, and the labor is excessively severe."

Even so, by 1890 a number of physicians and non-physicians had published books describing in detail with text and illustrations the massage movements we now refer to as Swedish Massage. And Swedish, or classic, massage was used extensively in a number of sanitariums, including the great one run by John Harvey Kellogg, M.D., and other establishments in Europe and North America.

These writings and use of massage movements successfully ended the commingling of massage with any of the gymnastic or movement systems found so prevalent earlier in the century and brought about the advent of massage as a stand-alone therapeutic tool for the first time in its long history. And the first to stand alone were the massage methods systemized by Mezger and expanded upon ever since.

Rawatan Selepas Bersalin

Mengurut, bertungku, ganggang dan bengkung adalah antara ciri-ciri yang menjadi kemestian bagi masyarakat Melayu dalam menjalankan rawatan selepas bersalin. Ini diikuti dengan rawatan dalaman, iaitu dengan menggunakan jamu. Rawatan ini telah lama diamalkan oleh nenek moyang kita di zaman dahulu.

Tempoh rawatan merangkumi 44 hari salepas bersalin. Ia bertujuan memulihkan kembali organ-organ peranakan dan membentuk kembali posisi badan. Terdapat beberapa jenama produk jamu lengkap selepas bersalin termasuk Mustika Ratu, Nyonya Meneer, Nyonya Rogay, Air Mancur dan lain-lain lagi.

Langkah pertama bagi ibu selepas bersalin adalah untuk diurut sebanyak tiga, lima atau tujuh hari selepas lima hari melahirkan cahaya mata, sebaik-baiknya selepas mandi pagi. Ia bertujuan mengembalikan kesegaran badan dan melancarkan peredaran darah. Urutan ini dituruti dengan bertungku atau ganggang selama 40 hari kerana ia membantu mengeluarkan darah kotor, juga mengelakkan kembung perut.

Kedua ialah dengan satu set jamu selapan (lengkap) sama ada serbuk atau pun berbentuk kapsul atau pil. Selepas bertungku atau ganggang, sedikit tapel atau minyak tapil disapukan pada bahagian perut untuk mendapatkan kesan yang positif. Kemudian, perut dilapikkan dengan secebis kain atau tuala dan kemudian diikat dengan bengkung. Amalkan setiap hari selama 40 hari.

Untuk mendapatkan mata yang kelihatan bersinar, jernih dan bercahaya, pilis disapukan di bahagian dahi sehingga kering. Param gaya baru pula dilumatkan dengan air hangat secukupnya dapat menghilangkan rasa lesu, letih dan sengal-sengal dan melancarkan peredaran darah sehingga mencegah pembengkakan yang menonjolnya pembuluh darah di kaki ibu selepas bersalin. Hendaklah dilumurkan pada bahagian tubuh yang memerlukan.

Param beras kencur pula dilumatkan dengan air dingin secukupnya dan dilumurkan pada sekujur tubuh. Ia dapat mengurangkan rasa letih, lesu dan memberi rasa sejuk pada badan ibu selepas bersalin.

Jamu dan ubat periuk pula dimakan untuk membersihkan sisa-sisa darah kotor di dalam perut, memulihkan kembali tenaga supaya kelihatan berseri dan lebih bermaya dan melancarkan air susu untuk bayi. Minyak telon pula disapu di perut ibu dan bayi selepas mandi, ia bertujuan untuk mengelakkan angin dan kembung perut.

Dari segi pemakanan, ibu dinasihatkan supaya mengelakkan makanan yang sejuk, berminyak dan berempah, dan lebihkan memakan ulam-ulaman yang terbukti berkhasiat. Meminum air kunyit untuk penyembuhan luka boleh diamalakan selama beberapa hari sehingga luka mengering dan sembuh. Selepas dalam hari, ibu digalakkan memakan kapsul, jamu atau ubat periuk yang berkhasiat.

Shirodhara

Modern lifestyles lead to poor health in many ways. However, the use of simple and natural methods can significantly improve health and vitality. Purification therapy is a unique feature of Ayurveda involving the complete cleansing of body and thereby eliminating vitiated doshas. The technique effectively treats doshic balances in their advanced stages. Vitiated doshas causing blocked channels in a system, which needs purification, approach. Shirodhara is one of the great purification and rejuvenating therapy.

Shirodhara is an ancient Ayurvedic healing practice performed in India for over 5,000 years. The word shirodhara breaks down into two ideas: “shiro,” meaning head, and “dhara,” which means flow. Together they form a concept that aims to bring physical and emotional balance by rejuvenating the spirit and preserving health. This is achieved through a relaxing technique in which warmed oil is poured over a client’s forehead for an extended period of time.

There are specialised forms of shirodhara called tailadhara, ksheeradhara, takradhara and jaladhara.

Shirodhara works primarily on the mental sheath or "manomaya kosha" as it is referred to in Ayurveda. Shirodhara is traditionally used to calm the nerves, harmonize vata constitutions, restore the nerves, release stored emotions, and purify the mind. In Ayurvedic Medicine, it is considered an important tool in the pursuit of higher states of consciousness. Shirodhara has been traditionally shown to help with fatigue, mental exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, some mental disorders, headache, excessive thinking, nervousness, and many other conditions commonly affecting persons in today’s active lifestyle.

Benifits of Shirodhara:
Regular shirodhara enhances blood circulation to the brain, improves memory, nourishes hair and scalp, assists in providing sound sleep and calms the body and mind. Shirodhara is one of the most effective treatments for reducing stress and nervous tension.

Ultimate mental and emotional relaxation therapy
Beneficial for many diseases connected with the head, neck, eyes, ears, nose and throat
Beneficial for many diseases of the nervous system like nerve disorders, facial palsy, paralysis and ptosis (drooping) of the eyelids
Beneficial for curing long standing insomnia and schizophrenia
Beneficial for fits in epilepsy when used in conjunction with other medicines
Prevents hair lose, premature graying and cracking of hair
Relieves headache and burning sensation of the head
Nourishes and rejuvenates the body
Stimulates the nervous system giving sturdiness to the body
Improves digestion
Sharpens the sense organs
Improves the quality of voice
Gives strength to the neck and head
Improves the health of the skin
Cools the body and relieves pain
Invigorates the body and mind and stimulate cognitive memories
Helps relieve fatigue, tension, anxiety, anger, chronic headaches, rheumatism, hypertension, asthma, hair problems and stress
Disperses negative electrical impulses that accumulate at the skull and hairline from stress
Renews the sweetness of life
Rejuvenates the entire face and softens worry lines
Opens the third eye of lord Shiva by this therapeutic Marma based head massage
Activates the pituitary gland
Increases spiritual awareness
Regulates mood and depression disorders
Activates the memory & stimulates the 6 & 7th charka which regulates our breathing patterns
Increases intuition
It improves concentration, intelligence, confidence and self-esteem

Du'a mohon kemurahan rezqi dan ilmu manfaat

Para ibu bapa yang mempunyai anak-anak yang masih belajar digalakkan supaya membaca du'a-du'a ini sebelum belajar; sekurang-kurangnya sekali atau 3 kali. Dan untuk sesiapa yang kesempitan, sama dalam perniagaan atau pekerjaan, bacalah du'a-du'a ini sebanyak yang termampu. Terutma ketika duduk di dalam kedai atau pejabat. Du'a ini juga berupaya untuk menyembuhkan penyakit dengan izin Allah, insyaAllah. Semoga usaha anda berjaya, Amin.

بِِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّانَسْئَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَقَلْبًا خَاشِعًا وَيَقِيْنَا صَادِقًا وَدِيْنًا قَيِّمًا وَرِزْقًا وَسِعًا وَعَمَلاً صَالِحاً وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ وَحَسْنُ الْخَاتِمَةِ

Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Pengasih
Wahai Tuhan, aku mohon ilmu yang munafaat dan hati yang khusuk dan yakin yang benar dan agama (Islam) yang kuat dan rezqi yang luas dan amal yang soleh dan pemyembuh daripada setiap penyakit dan kematian iman.

بِِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

اَللَّهُمَّ رَبِّ زِدْنَا عِلْماً نَافِعًا . اَللَّهُمَّ زِدْنَا رِزْقًا حَلاَ لاً طَيْباً.

Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Pengasih.
Wahai tuhan tambahlah aku akan ilmu yang munafaat. Wahai tuhan tambahlah akan aku rezeki yang halal lagi baik.

Kiwi

Kiwi fruits are rich in many Vitamins, flavonoids and minerals. In particular, they contain a high amount of Vitamin C (more than oranges), as much potassium as bananas and a good amount of beta-carotene.

Studies in Italy, though, performed on 6-7 year old children, have also demonstrated additional health benefits to the respiratory tract. In particular, children that were fed 5-7 portions a week of citrus and kiwifruits had 44% less probability wheezing compared to children eating less than once a week.

Shortness of breath was reduced by 32%,night time cough by 27%, severe wheeze by 41%, chronic cough by 25%, and runny nose by 28%. This results is not only traceable to the content in Vitamin C or Potassium, but in substances which are still largely unknown contained in kiwi fruit.

These substances are most likely flavonoids that help protect our cells from oxidative damage, and are therefore considered very helpful in protecting our DNA from mutations and damage.

Protection from Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
A series of studies published by the Archives of Ophthalmology have proven that consuming 3 or more servings of fruit per day (including kiwi fruits) can reduce by 36% the risk of developing an eye-related disease called ARMD (the primary cause of vision impairment in adults), if compared to people who only consume 1.5 servings of fruit per day.

The study was conducted on 110.000 women and men and lasted several decades. Surprisingly, the study found that while vegetables were not correlated with an improved resistance to the disease, fruits containing high amount of Vitamin C,A and E (the most common antioxidant vitamins) helped significantly in protecting against ARMD.

Anti Oxidant properties of Kiwi Fruit
It is important to note that kiwi fruits contain a remarkable amount of Vitamin C, E and A. Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that has been proven to protect our body from free radicals, dramatically improving the health of individuals who consumed it regularly against all kinds of disease, from cardiovascular problems to cancer and obesity.

Vitamin E has been proven to have similar effects, but is fat-soluble and thus is complimentary to Vitamin C in its functions. Kiwi fruits contain both these vitamins in high amount, which help protect our body against free radicals from all fronts.

Kiwi fruits have a high fiber content
The high content in dietary fiber helps improving diseases such as diabetes, by controlling sugar levels, and cancer color, since fiber binds to toxic compounds in the colon and helps us expel them.

Fiber has also been proven to reduce cholesterol levels, improving the conditions of patients with cardiovascular diseases and lowering the probability of heart attacks.

Summary of Kiwifruit Health Benefits
Eating kiwi fruit is clearly a healthy choice, and it is particularly useful in these cases:

Prevents Asthma
Prevents wheezing and coughing, especially in children
Protects our DNA from mutations
Provides a healthy amount of antioxidants and vitamins
Helps prevent colon cancer thanks to a high fiber content

A Baby is a Miracle

This little tiny baby
Was sent from God above
To fill our hearts with happiness
And touch our lives with love
He must have known
We'd give our all
And always do our best
To give our precious baby love
And be grateful and so blessed

Am I too Controlling?

Still Pond Your personality isn’t dominated by an excessive need to be in control. You are likely to be comfortable with your feelings and tolerant of other people. You realize that you are imperfect, and therefore you understand the failings of others. It is easy for you to let events take their own course, and surprises don’t throw you off balance. You probably place a high value on spontaneity and the expression of emotions.

Fun quizzes, surveys & blog quizzes by

Cardamon

Action: Antitussive, Carmative, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Stimulant & Stomachic
Taste: Hot
Parts Used: Seed

Application: Cardamon is known for its stimulating qualities and soothing effects on the gastrointestinal system. The tea is taken all over the world for flatulence, bloated stomach, sluggish digestion, irritable bowel syndrome and gastritis. Cardamom is widely used as a cough supressant, as as well to treat colds, bronchitis, asthma and laryngitis.

Preparation: Pound dried cardamon seeds. Take 2 tbsp in warm water or in herbal tea after meals. For cough, drink tea or suck whole seeds.

Athlete's Foot

Itching between the toe fingers is the most common symptom of athlete’s foot. After sometimes moist and white lesions develop between the toe fingers. There may be burning sensation, blisters and inflammation. There may be pungent smell from the toe. There may be redness and scales on the toe. Moist and damp conditions are suitable for the growth of the fungus causing athlete’s foot. They mostly occur on feet because shoes and commonly visited places like swimming pool, showers, bathrooms and so on provides the suitable environment for the fungus to grow. You can get infected by sharing socks or shoes with an infected person. Sometimes you may get infected through pets because they carry the fungus on their fur.

Prepare a solution of water and white vinegar – one part of white vinegar to four part of water; soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes twice day. Sprinkle some baking soda between your toe fingers and rinse your feet after fifteen minutes. It is as effective as an expensive antifungal powder. Rub tea tree oil between your toe fingers, it has antifungal properties. For immediate relief from itching or burning, soak your feet in an antiseptic mouthwash like Listerine. Corn starch is effective in soaking moisture, so keep your toe fingers dry by sprinkling some corn starch on them

Avoid eating baked products and products that have high yeast content in them. Avoid alcohol, sugar, cola drinks and grains. Eat a healthy and a balanced diet, avoid processed foods. Your diet must include fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. Avoid fried and greasy food. Garlic has a good antifungal property, eat raw garlic or include it in your diet.

Always keep your feet dry. Use hair dryer to dry your feet rather than towels. Use some antiperspirant to keep your toe fingers dry. Use antifungal powder rather than antifungal cream. Use cotton socks. Clean your shoes from inside using a paper or a cotton cloth. Use only natural fiber footwear. Use mild soaps and avoid deodorant soap.

Fatigue

Rosemary 2 drops
Lavender 2 drops
Peppermint 2 drops

blend with 20 ml carrier oil for massage

Use in a massage or in a burner to relieve fatigue, after a hard day at work

Health; redefined

Health is an ill-defined term. In the West, people tend to concepualise health as " black or white". You are healthy unless you have a disease. Many people even go to a doctor with some conditions that the doctor cannot succesfully diagnose as a disease, and the doctor will discharge them saying: “You are in the pink of health to me."

I feel it is more useful to look at health as a grayscale of say 1 to 100 - 1 being almost dead and 100 being incredibly healthy. In this way a person can always be motivated to get healthier. As a person progresses down the scale to ill health, that is when they start to have diseases that a doctor can identify such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis etc… Many of these conditions could have been prevented had the person looked at health in the way of getting healthier way before they get ill.

So that begs the question of what exactly is health?

According to Ayurveda, the oldest existing medical system in the world, health can be seen from several different layers. At the core of health is spiritual health. Spiritual health can be defined as living a life that is in harmony with your true purpose in life. It can also be defined as a life in service of someone or some cause greater than just yourself. Another aspect to spiritual health is to lead a life that does not cause harm to other living beings. This is why in Ayurveda a vegetarian diet is recommended for spiritual health even if in a few rare cases it may be better for a person’s physical health to eat meat. Spiritual health is more important than physical health, but it is also the basis of all the other forms of health such as emotional and mental health.

The next layer of health is your mental and emotional health. Dr Bach, from the UK, recognised the importance of this level of health when he introduced his 38 flower remedies to the world in the 1930’s. He believed that mental and emotional health imbalances usually lead to physical diseases and that Nature had given people remedies that could help their mental and emotional health. This is where the idea of the Bach flower remedies, such Rescue Remedy, came from.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda too, recognise the importance of this layer for optimum health. In TCM for instance someone who gets angry a lot can easily get liver problems. Too much sadness affects the heart. Herbs, acupuncture, exercises and lifestyle changes will bring a person back into balance.

The last layer of health is physical health. If a person is spiritually and emotionally healthy, then physical health is usually a lot easier to come by. This is the level where diet and exercise plays a part. There are many people who just emphasise this level of health. For example, sports enthusiasts and bodybuilders. Sometimes these people suddenly get cancer or drop from a heart attack and people wonder why. It is usually because they have been out of balance on the deeper layers of health.

So which activities can I engage in, in order to stay healthy?

On a spiritual level of health activities such as meditation and prayer help one to understand their true life purpose as well as generally get them more in touch with deeper aspects of themselves. Following practices of ahimsa, or non-violence, also enhances a person’s spiritual health. Taking a caring rather than judgmental attitude towards our fellow living entities will also enhance a person’s spiritual health.

Another aspect of spiritual health is service. It is the nature of the human being to serve someone other than themselves. Spiritual service of some sort will also be a major component in health.

On a mental and emotional level there are many practices than can be beneficial. Meditation and prayer again plays a role here, with calming the mind and getting rid of anxiety. Massage plays a big role in promoting a deep sense of relaxation and in getting rid of deep-seated stress and old emotions. Walking in a peaceful place such as a beach or in the forest allows the mind time to digest the many thoughts that overwhelm it during normal daily activities. Listening to peaceful music and having peaceful colours around will also help. As I mentioned earlier, the Bach Flower Remedies and other flower essences can play a big role in helping bring people back balance on an emotional and mental level. In Ayurveda, eating food more of a sattvic nature will help calm the mind. Sattvic foods are vegetarian and dairy foods that are fresh, preferably organically-grown, and avoid strongly stimulating herbs such as garlic , onions and chilies except in the case of a disease such as a cold or flu, where these herbs are very useful. Overuse however will cause too much rajas, or passion in the mind.

For mental and emotional health it is also important to know one's limits and not push our minds and bodies too hard for too long. Proper rest is important and not overworking or neglecting ones family relationships.

From a physical health point of view, exercise, stretching, nutrition and massage are the basis of good physical health. Obviously other activities such as not smoking, taking drugs and not having too toxic an environment are also very important.

Exercise in general stimulates blood and lymph flow that keeps the circulation going. A person should combine strength building exercises with flexibility-increasing exercises. One of the best and most ancient forms of exercise is yoga. Yoga involves stretching and opening up the body as well as stimulating blood and nerve supply throughout the body. Yoga benefits a person’s health on a physical, mental and emotional level and can be adapted to suit all ages and levels of fitness. Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese practice similar to yoga that is also very good for health.

Nutrition is one of the most important factors involved in overall health of the body. Nutrition is a vast subject and filled with many conflicting philosophies. However, in most ancient and current opinions the basis of a good diet is a balanced diet of whole foods that are organically-grown. In my view, specifics of what diet is best for you are best approached by learning your Ayurvedic prakruti (constitution), and then making your diet support and nourish your constitution. So what foods may be helpful for one person may actually aggravate another person, and that is why some people may diet for a long time but have no success.

Lastly, receiving a massage on a regular basis is one the other best things a person can do to stay healthy or to increase their level of health. Traditional Javanese massage, or other forms of deep tissue massage and or acupressure are some of the best forms of massage that get in and unblock the blockages in the flow of Qi in the body as well as get deep seated muscle tension out of the body. Many people who have held tension for years in their body can feel 20 years younger after receiving a good deep massage. Most people need quite a few massage treatments to get them to the stage where there is no tension in their body, and then will need a treatment between once a week and once a month to maintain a tension-free body. Some people in stressful jobs may benefit from more than one massage a week.

Colds & Flu

People often get colds and flu during extreme cold and hot weathers. The symptoms include runny nose, cough, chesty congestion, headache, aching body and sometimes fever.

Colds are said to be "water-air" conditions, which builds up excess of cool moisture, resulting in congestion and runny nose, and at the same time it may suffer from excess "air", which reduces "gastric fire", leading to chills, loss of appetite, and/or poor digestion.

The best natural remedy for colds is ginger.

Combine the following:

Ginger 1 part
Cinnamon 1 part
Lemongrass 2 parts

Steep 1 teaspoon of this remedy for about 10 minutes in 1 cup of hot water, strain and add honey for sweetness if preferred. This simple herbal tea will help with cold, congestion and flu.

Reflexology

Reflexology is an art and science that is based on the principle that there are minimaps of the entire body mirrored on the feet, hands and ears. Pressure applied to specific points on these minimaps helps to create balance within the body, soothing the nervous system, improving circulation and reducing stress.

It is a science as it requires careful study, practice, a sound knowledge of techniques, anatomy and physiology, pathology and skill, but is also an art as the reflexologist has to work with focused intention, dedication, patience and loving care.

Reflexologists use a holistic approach to healthcare. They do not diagnose or treat for a specific illness but regular sessions help to create optimum conditions to allow the body the best chance of healing itself naturally. Acute conditions may improve with one or two sessions but more chronic conditions will take your body longer to heal.

Benefits of reflexology:
Stress reduction
Deep relaxation
Increased energy
Pain reduction or elimination
Improved circulation
Healthy internal balance
Natural detoxification

Although there is no exact historical record, the earliest evidence of reflexology dates back to early Egypt in the form of a pictograph in the tomb of a medical doctor, second to the king, around 5,00o years ago. From here the knowledge of reflexology traveled to Greece, Arabia and Europe through the Roman Empire. In the east the history can be traced from India to China and then onto Japan.

In 1917 William H. Fitzgerald M.D. an ear, nose and throat specialist in the United States developed vertical zone theory of the human body and proved that applying pressure on a specific area on one part of the feet or hands had an anesthetic effect on another area in the body. In 1924 Joe Shelby Riley MD further developed this theory by dividing the vertical zones into horizontal zones, his work also included the ear.

Foot and Hand Reflexology was further developed by Eunice D. Ingham, a nurse and physiotherapist who worked with Joe Shelby Riley, in the 1930s and 1940s. Ingham claimed that the feet and hands were especially sensitive, and then mapped the entire body into "reflexes" on the feet. It was at this time that "zone therapy" was renamed reflexology.

Although some reflex points on the outer ear were known in Ancient China, Ancient Mediterranean countries as well as in the Dark and Middle Ages of Europe it was not until 1957 that a map representing the human body was discovered in the outer ear by another MD - Dr Paul Nogier in France. This map was generally verified in China in 1959 - discovering some differences but may similarities and has been used for Acupuncture and Acupressure since this time.

Chi Nei Tsang

Chi Nei Tsang (Chinese "Chi" meaning energy, and "Nei Tsang" meaning internal organs) is a traditional Chinese system of healing massage that utilises the five elements of Traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on the navel centre of the body; conditioning the organs to work more efficiently.

It originated in Taoist monasteries to help monks detoxify, strengthen and refine their bodies in order to carry the high energy required to perform the highest levels of spiritual practices. Chi Nei Tsang is a unique internal organ therapy using applied Qigong to help create balance of body, mind and spirit.

It addresses all the vital systems of the body: digestive, respiratory, lymphatic, nervous, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and muscular. A Chi Nei Tsang session includes coaching in breathing, nutrition, visualization, and self-manipulation promoting the ethic of self-responsibility and breaking the cycle of dependency in a practical manner.

Che Nei Tsang frees the blockages in the abdomen and guides the healing energy through the entire body. The benefits of Chi Nei Tsang include:
Get rid of abdominal pains
Digest and assimilate better
Eliminate regularly
Breathe more fully and effortlessly
Release physiological and emotional blockages
Detoxify and strengthen weak or damaged organs
Correct old chronic structural problems that resisted other treatments
Boosts immunity

Live in rooms full of light
Avoid heavy food
Be moderate in the drinking of wine
Take massage, baths, exercise, and gymnastics
Fight insomnia with gentle rocking or the sound of running water
Change surroundings and take long journeys
Strictly avoid frightening ideas
Indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements
Listen to music


A Cornelius Celsus

Ginger

Scientific name: Zingiber officinale
Action: Advujent, Analgesic, Antiemetic, Anti-inflammatory, Antirheumetic, Antiseptic, Antitussive, Aphrodisiac, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Expectorant, Stimulant, Tonic
Taste: Hot

Internal Application: Ginger is the quintessential panacea in many traditional medicine pharmacopoeia. As a hot herb, ginger is a powerful stimulant, especially for the digestive tract. It is the herb choice for stimulation of digestion, and is used to combat flatulence, indigestion, gastritis, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, sluggish digestion, nausea and vomitting. Ginger tea is also used in colds, congestion, sore throat, fevers, nausea, seasickness, mouth sores, hemorrhoids, and beri-beri (vitamin B1 deficiency), earning it the reputaion as a cure-all. Traditional healers give ginger tea to mothers immediately following birth to promote health and rapid recovery. Ginger also acts as galactogogue, encouraging production of breast milk. Ginger is used as an adjuvant in many herbal preparations in order to lessen side effects and increase potency of other herbs, and is the most frequently used herbs in this preparation.

Preparation: Decoction from one thumb-length (about 5g) fresh ginger, finely chopped, grated or mashed. Boil 10-15 minutes; drink after meals. For cough and cold, add lemon juice.

Topical application: Ginger has a powerful antiseptic action and may be used topically for bacterial and fungal skin infections, parasites and acne.

Preparation: Mash fresh ginger and make a paste. Apply topically to skin. For sores within the mouth, gargle with ginger tea and pinch of salt.

The Law of Pure Potentiality

The source of all creation is pure consciousness. Pure potentiality seeking expression from the unmanifest to the manifest. And when we realize that our true Self is one of pure potentiality, we align with the power that manifests everything in nature.

I will put the Law of Pure Potentiality into effect by making a commitment to take the following steps:

1. I will get in touch with the field of pure potentiality by taking time each day to be silent, to just Be. I will also sit alone in silent meditation at least twice a day for approximately thirty minutes in the morning and thirty minutes in the evening.

2. I will take time each day to commune with nature and to silently witness the intelligence within every living thing. I will sit silently and watch a sunset, or listen to the sound of the ocean or a stream, or simply smell the scent of a flower. In the ecstasy of my own silence, and by communing with nature, I will enjoy the life throb of ages, the field of pure potentiality and unbounded creativity.

3. I will practice non-judgment. I will begin my day with the statement, "Today, I shall judge nothing that occurs", and throughout the day I will remind myself not to judge.

from chopra.com

The Warrior Within

Awaken your inner wisdom, vision and spirit. These grounding blends will uplift and empower you as you grow in the process of awakening the warrior within. Known to nurture willpower and alleviate feelings of loss of self-esteem, they will bring you a positive and empowering energy, helping build the confidence to break out and embrace your own energy.

Warming
3 drops Clary Sage
3 drops Vetiver

Cooling
3 drops Pine
3 drops Cypress

by Judy Chapman

Ayurvedic Eye Exercises

The following exercises will stregnthen your eyes:

First, blink the eyes rapidly several times. Then, with the eyes open, move your eyes in this pattern:
up and down
side to side
diagonally from top left to bottom right
diagonally from top right to bottom left
clockwise in a circle
counterclockwise in a circle

Hold your arm outstretched in front of you. Look at the tip of your index finger, and gradually bring the finger close to you, following it with your ryes, until it touches your "third eye", between the eyebrows.

Look at the tip of your nose, and then towards your "third eye".

Finally, close your eyes tightly, then release. These exercises are beneficial for improving the circulation of eccentric muscles of the eyeball.

After finishing the exercises, or anytime your eyes feel tired or strained, rub your palms vigorously together for a few seconds to generate some warmth, then place them lightly over your eyes. Feel how soothing the warmth is. Keep them there for a minute or two to strengthen and nourish your eyes.

by Vasant Lad, BAMS, MASc