Tantra Yoga Meditation

Tantra Yoga Meditation

Tantra yoga meditation is often practiced this way: A tantra devotee sits calmly and purifies mind and heart of wayward thoughts and desires. The devotee then senses the life force within his or her being and gradually, through imagination and feeling, directs the life force to rise up the spine, from the tailbone into the neck and then into the forehead. When considerable life force is gathered in the forehead, the tantra yogi, through practice, directs that the life force move out from the forehead and form a body of light and energy three to six feet before him or her. The body of light in front of the devotee is encouraged to become dense and expand until it is as large as a human form.
The tantric yogi then directs love and devotion toward the dynamic body of light which is a profound representation of his or her soul and essence. Usually, after fifteen to thirty minutes of this meditation, the yogi invites the light and energy to slowly return into his forehead and down through the body to the base of the spine. Through practice, amazing renewal is felt through tantric meditation and spiritual awakening is accelerated. The tantric becomes aware that the life force and essence within each person is truly divine; it is from the Lord. The spirit in each one is from God.

Tantra Yoga

The word tantra literally means "expansion." A tantra yogi concentrates on expanding all levels of his or her consciousness to unveil and realize the Supreme Reality. Tantra focuses on the dynamic aspect of divinity called Shakti, or "the Cosmic Mother."
Meditation
Overcoming Negative Habits
Transformations
The tantric devotee strives to attune with the spiritual dynamic energy in order to transform personal limitations and release subconscious blockages.
True tantra yoga is a pure path, but it has been abused by some self-proclaimed adherents. Tantra yoga is not concerned with sexuality, but with the creative force and transmuting this energy into higher channels. Sometimes self-styled teachers have misconstrued the symbolism of tantra yoga into sex practices for men and women.
Rather, the goal of tantra yoga is to awaken and harmonize the male and female aspects within each person in order to spiritually awaken and realize the whole universe as an expression of the Cosmic Mother, the divine life force, or Spirit.

Laya Yoga Centers

The five centers correspond roughly to the main areas of the spine.
One is located in the area of the tailbone. The second center is in the area of the sacrum. The third is located in the spinal cord, back of the navel. Then the heart center, which we have mentioned. The throat center is found inside the spine at the base of the neck, directly back of your collar button.
The first head center is the point half an inch above where your eyebrows meet in your forehead — it’s called the third eye. The second head center is at the crown of your head. Technically, this area is not a center at all, but is considered the main source of spiritual light and energy which is expressed throughout the body. While it is beneficial to sense where your centers are, it is not wise to concentrate on these centers or meditate on any of them without the help of a teacher. Over-stimulation of a center could cause pain, confusion, or intense desires.
On the other hand, most people live on only three levels of consciousness — the material, sensual, and egoic — without ever opening the seven centers which bring higher consciousness. Laya yoga, with a qualified teacher, is an extremely worthwhile endeavor.

Laya Yoga

While you need a teacher to help you learn any form of meditation well, you particularly need the aid of a teacher to learn laya yoga meditation. There are five main energy centers in your spine and two in your head. The laya yoga meditator knows exactly how to locate these centers through the kind training of a teacher. When these centers are found, they function very much like doorways to different realms of higher consciousness.
Through laya yoga meditation, for example, you sense the heart center which is located inside the spine, directly back of the heart. From this point you can expand your awareness and enter into a realm of great, sky blue light (sometimes other colors as well) and discover how easily and readily you can love. Through laya yoga meditation in the heart center you overcome selfishness and self-centeredness. You become able to deal with your fears and worries because of the tremendous strength and insight you gain from the "heart expansion."

Ecstasy Through Mantra Yoga

Ecstasy Through Mantra Yoga

In this ecstatic stage of continuous rapture, you feel that you have arrived home. You sense that this is your true nature — and your true estate, which has been ignored due to the dominance of the mind, the emotions, and the outer world. You will likely have a very pleasant fifteen to twenty minutes in the delight and comfort of your superconscious self; and then the mantram will begin to come out. You will find your higher consciousness wants to come back to the outer world. It wants to express, to touch your life and loved ones. The words of the mantram re-emerge in the mind and you reverse the whole process, going gradually into whisper — and then out loud — chanting.
Ultimately a mantram meditator lives
in the ecstasy of the mantram,
always aglow with the meaning
and spiritual insight of the special syllables.
In order to be sure a mantram is right for you, seek a mantram only from a Guru or Master who is qualified to teach and initiate you.

Mantram Meditation

Generally mantram meditation involves chanting out loud at first until the body is calm and the atmosphere around oneself is serene and pleasant for meditation. Then whisper meditation almost automatically occurs and the life force begins to withdraw inward from "out-loud" chanting to whisper chanting. In whisper chanting the prana, the life force in the body, is balanced and harmonized, preparing the way for a deeper state of serenity — and of the balance of mind and emotions. Whisper chanting easily dissolves and the life force moves even deeper within as you enter mental chanting. Mental chanting is practiced as long as thoughts are occurring to the mind. Whenever the mind is distracted, the mantram is simply chanted in the same area of the mind that the distraction is occurring. The mantram always wins if given a chance.
As the mantram frees you from one thought, then another, and also helps to dissolve distractions, the mantram then begins to reach the border of superconsciousness. Chanting becomes effortless. No effort, nor warding off distractions, is needed. Chanting becomes a pleasure. Peace and gentle joy fill your mind.

A Background on Mantrams

A Background on MantramsTypical mantrams are: Aum, meaning Spirit, the Word of God, which creates, preserves, and transforms; or the Tibetan Buddhist mantram
Aum Mani Padme Hum
which usually is translated as "Om the jewel is in the Lotus Hum;" ** or the Hindu mantram
Asato Ma Sat Gamayo
which means "Lead me from the unreal to the Real." **
There are thousands of mantrams which are mainly from the ancient Sanskrit language. Possibly, in time, mantrams will be in English as well as Sanskrit. What such a development would require is a number of great meditators of modern day to be so attuned to the Lord and so at ease within the realms of higher consciousness that these new mantrams can easily be revealed to them.
All mantrams are the result of a revelation, usually to some deeply meditating adept.

Mantra Yoga

Mantras (or mantrams) are words, phrases, or syllables which are
chanted thoughtfully and
with growing attention
Background
Meditation
What the Mantram Does Next
Ecstasy Through Mantra Yoga
Mantra yoga meditation involves chanting a word or phrase until the mind and emotions are transcended and the superconscious is clearly revealed and experienced.
Since the mind wanders so much, the music of a mantra easily rescues the mind and brings it back to the object of one’s meditation.
Both the rhythm of it and the meaning of it combine to guide the mind safely back to the point of meditation — the higher consciousness or the specific spiritual focus.

Raja Yoga Meditation

Raja Yoga Meditation
As your consciousness continues to move in your third eye, pastel colors begin to appear in your forehead. Sumptuous, glorious pinks, yellows, whites, blues, indigos, greens, and purples take their turn or play in combination in your forehead. Then, you may think you are seeing fireflies, lightning, or moonlight as your life force becomes more concentrated and more actively prepares you to behold higher consciousness. This process is readying you to experience your true nature as pure consciousness, pure spirit, pure awareness.
And then the light in your forehead blazes brighter than the sun! But, you find it is soothing to look into the awesome light, soothing to behold it. This is the brilliance of your inner light, your essence, revealing itself to you.

Raja yoga, particularly, requires a teacher because it is easy to strain yourself, and it’s also easy to delude yourself into high level hallucinations rather than actual experiences of your higher consciousness.

However, the genuine raja yogi lives in bliss, with his, or her, will surrendered to God. A raja yogi realizes the profound truth of the Biblical passage: If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be filled with light.

Raja Yoga

Raja means royal or kingly. Raja yoga meditation is generally based on directing one’s life force to bring the mind and emotions so into balance that the attention may be easily focused on the object of meditation, or the Lord directly.

Generally, life force is directed to move up and down the spine until it is balanced and the mind and emotions are serenely content. Then awareness is generally directed to move forward into a point in the center of the lower forehead. This meditation point, which is about half an inch above where the eyebrows meet, is called ajna, or the third eye.

When the energy is balanced throughout the brain and body and easily moving forward in the area of the third eye, your mind becomes very calm. While your mind is not passive, it is free of meaningless thoughts, worries, and the bric-a-brac of the subconscious mind. This state usually gives you a very pleasant sense of well being and your mind seems filled with a velvety darkness.

Neti-neti Meditation

Neti-neti Meditation
Neti-neti means "not this, not this."
Whenever a thought or feeling which is not the goal of the meditation — that is, which is not the soul, the inner self — occurs to the mind, the meditator simply says, "Not this, not this," and dismisses the thought, image, concept, sound, or sense distraction.

Any thought, any feeling, is discarded — patiently discarded — again and again if necessary, until the mind is clear and the soul is revealed.

Remember never to meditate in a passive way. This state of consciousness is one of alertness, an amazing application of awareness.

When you get into the habit of "neti-neti," you can also discard worry, doubt, or fear, and become established in the light of your inner self. You can then look back at worries and fears with deep insight and handle them.

Jnana Yoga

Jnana means wisdom or discernment. Jnana yoga is the path of wisdom and jnana meditation is many-faceted.
The main purpose of jnana meditation
is to withdraw the mind and emotions
from perceiving life and oneself
in a deluded way so that
one may behold and live in
attunement with Reality, or Spirit.
One principal way that the "jnani," the yogi of discernment, meditates is to patiently release or put aside all thoughts and feelings until the luminous glow of the soul dawns in the mind and heart and is allowed to do a work of transformation and enlightenment within the rapt meditator.
One way this is accomplished is through the technique called neti-neti.

Karma Yoga Meditation

Karma Yoga Meditation

Karma yoga meditation is:
1.
Consciously surrendering to the Lord the selfish motives that tend to abound within one’s psyche. One seeks to stop working, speaking, acting, or even meditating in a way that is to reward one’s personal desires.
A karma yogi wishes to live for God, or for the higher self — the soul — and not for the ego anymore.
2.
A dedication of oneself: one’s actions, thoughts, words, and feelings are offered to God. The karma yogi has faith that God is the doer, ideally, and that the lower self — the mind, the heart, the hands — are dedicated to God for his purposes.
The individual devotee wishes nothing more than to be an instrument, a servant of the Lord’s love, light, and will.

Karma Yoga

Karma means to do. Karma refers to the universal principle of cause and effect.
For every effect there’s a cause,
and the devotee realizes that he,
in his present life situation,
is experiencing the effects of
a number of causes which
he has entertained and enacted.

He recognizes that for a finer, more fulfilling life he has to change his thoughts and feelings and so express himself through his actions that new causes supplant old habits and attitudes.

Through establishing new causes, he is confident of more beneficial and successful effects occurring to him and his loved ones in life.

Bhakti yoga

Bhakti yoga, or devotional yoga, is the most natural path for those who are dominantly seeking emotional fulfillment and well being.
The "bhakta" usually practices meditation by visualizing, thinking and feeling that the Lord is sitting or standing before him. The bhakta pours out his heart’s love, adoration, and shares his deepest thoughts and concerns with the Lord until a continual flow of awareness moves between devotee and his or her beloved Lord.
This continuous flow of love and life force brings about a superconscious state of awareness which is generally called a mood, or bhava.

Bhakti Twoness & OnenessGenerally, in this form of meditation — bhakti meditation — there is awareness of relationship, or twoness. The devotee is aware of the Lord and of his own being, and of the relationship between the Lord and the devotee. Sometimes, however, the devotee loses self-consciousness and is aware only of the Lord. Also, at times the bhakta experiences that the Lord’s spirit, or consciousness, moves into the devotee, infilling and indwelling him.
Both in the mood of twoness and in the experience of oneness you are transformed: your character is improved. And, periods of higher consciousness come more frequently. With even greater development, the aspirant who does bhakti meditation lives in a sense of permanent relationship with his divine Beloved!

This permanent relationship is not a static thing. It develops into one exciting dimension of love after another. These relationships are ever-new and ever-refreshing and continue to delight the bhakti yogi throughout life.
The bhakta, also, because of the ease of the mood relationship, is given special ability to experience the deep samadhis and other high states of awareness which other yogis focus upon.

Alternative medicine: Pomegranate

Pomegranate, the seeded apple rich in antioxidants, improves heart health, protects against prostate cancer and slows cartilage loss.

Botanical: Punica granatum (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Lythraceae
Synonym: Grenadier. Cortex granati. Ecorce de Granade. Granatwurzelrinde. Melogranato. Malicorio. Scorzo del Melogranati. Cortezade Granada

Habitat:

The pomegranate is native to Iran and the Himalayas; it has grown wild in the whole Mediterranean region and the Middle East since ancient times.

Description:

Pomegranate is a small five-meter high tree with light brown bark and red buds. The leaves are small, opposite and almost evergreen.

Pomegranate flowers are orange-red, scarlet, white or variegated. Its fruit is crowned with a calyx and contains numerous seeds in juicy sacs.

Part Used Medicinally:

The root, bark, fruit, the rind of the fruit, and flowers.

Constituents:

Pomegranate juice is a good source of vitamin B and C, pantothenic acid, potassium and antioxidant polyphenols.

Punicotannic acid is the chief constituent of the bark which also contains gallic acid, mannite, Pelletierine, Methyl-Pelletierine, Pseudo-Pelletierine, and IsoPelletierine.

Medicinal Uses:

Sour pomegranate is good for the liver and stomach and helps relieve itching.

Sweet pomegranate juice has tonic and diuretic effects. It helps treat jaundice, coughs, hoarseness and increases weight.

Pomegranate is a promising antioxidant, good for reducing several heart risk factors, including LDL (bad cholesterol) oxidation and arteriosclerosis (thickening of the arteries) as well as malignant prostate disease.


The seeds are demulcent.

Pomegranate bark is considered to be an anthelmintic in other words a substance that destroys and expels intestinal worms.

It is also an astringent that has been used to ease chronic diarrhea and dysentery. Combined with opium, the rind is used in diarrhea and chronic dysentery.

It is used as an injection in leucorrhoea. Consuming the powdered bark is good for intermittent fevers. The flowers have similar properties.

As the fruit peel contains about thirty percent tannin, an active astringent substance it is used to control chronic diarrhea and alleviate amoebic dysentery

Pomegranate juice, mainly used as a health drink, is good for prostate cancer or prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes, arthritis and lymphoma. It also has antiviral and antibacterial effects against dental plaque.

Pomegranate possesses antiviral and antiseptic properties, which have been helpful when applied to incisions. When used externally, it is said to be beneficial in cases of skin problems.

Pomegranate's antibacterial effects help treat mouth sores, throat infections and mouth irritations; pomegranate extract significantly improves the clinical signs of chronic periodontitis.

Pomegranate extract has skin-whitening properties; it can suppress UV-induced skin pigmentation when applied topically or administered orally.

Pomegranate is good for weight loss programs because it inhibits fat absorption.

Pomegranate reduces systolic blood pressure.

Preparation:

The infusion of pomegranate flowers or leaves is good for treating diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and migraine.

Consumption of 3.5 grams of pomegranate bark in a glass of water followed by a laxative helps extract worms.

The decoction of pomegranate bark, flower, leaves or stem is constive.

Caution:

A hypodermic injection of pomegranate alkaloids may produce vertigo, muscular weakness and sometimes double vision.

Sour pomegranates should not be used by pregnant and nursing women. It should not be taken in the presence of diarrhea.

Overuse may cause cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

When treating parasite infection pomegranate fruit should not be taken with oil or fats.

PKH/HGH

Alternative medicine: Garlic

Garlic has long been considered as herbal 'wonder drug' due to the marvelous therapeutic effects and healing powers ascribed to it.



Botanical: Allium sativum (LINN.)

Family: N.O. Liliaceae

Synonym: Poor Man's Treacle.



Habitant:



The Common Garlic, a member of the same group of plants as the Onion, is of such antiquity that it is difficult to tracethe country of its origin with certainty.



Description:



Garlic leaves are long, narrow and flat like grass. The bulb is of a compound nature, consisting of numerous bulblets, known as 'cloves,' grouped together between the membraneous scales and enclosed within a whitish skin sac.



The flowers placed at the end of the stalk are whitish and grouped together in a globular head, or umbel, with an enclosing kind of leaf or spathae.



Part Used:



Bulb.



Constituents:



Garlic bulb contains Alliin, enzymes (allinse, peroxidase, myrosinase), protein, minerals, vitamine B and C, lipids, aminoacids, and volatile oil (allicin, diallyl disulfide, linalool and allicin).



The active properties of Garlic depend on a pungent, volatile, essential oil, which may readily be obtained by distillation with water. It is a sulphide of the radical Allyl, present in all the onion family. This oil is rich in sulphur, but contains no oxygen.



The pecular penetrating odor of Garlic is due to this intense smelling sulphuret of allyl.



Medicinal Uses:



In ancient times, Garlic was employed in treating leprosy, and was also believed to have beneficial results in smallpox cases.



Its use as an antiseptic has long been recognized. Ointments and lotions containing garlic are often used to disperse hard swellings. It is also employed as a poultice for scrofulous sores.



Garlic syrup is an invaluable medicine for common colds, asthma, hoarseness, coughs, difficulty in breathing, and many other lung disorders, especially in chronic bronchitis, on account of its expectoration powers.



Rubbing its crushed-mix with lard on the chest and between the shoulder-blades has proven to relieve whooping-coughs.



An infusion of the crushed bulbs, taken before and after every meal, is said to have a good effect on epilepsy.



A clove or two of Garlic, pounded with honey and taken two or three nights successively, is good in treating rheumatism and artheriosclerosi.



The diuretic effects of garlic treat edema and prevents its future accumulation. When sniffed it revives patients suffering from hysteria.



Garlic juice made by boiling the crushed bulbs in milk is used as a vermifuge. Raw garlic is used to treat acne.



There is evidence that it can help lower cholesterol levels. Allicin may prevent the production of artery clogging cholesterol.



Garlic can cut the risk of pre-eclampsia (raised blood pressure and protein retained in the urine) during pregnancy. It can also help improve the birth-weight of babies destined to be too small.



Modern science has shown that garlic is a powerful broad-spectrum antibiotic. As the body does not build up resistance to garlic, its positive health benefits continue over time.



It is the only antibiotic that can actually kill bacteria and at the same time protect the body from the poisons causing infection.



Allicin, the garlic's main biologically active component, has an antimicrobial and cardioprotective effects and is used to alleviate cardiac pain.



Garlic also has antifungal effects. Allicin disables dysentery-causing amoebas and can even be a natural mosquito repellent.



Studies have shown that garlic has a powerful antioxidant effect.



It helps digestion, keeps the coats of the stomach healthy.



Garlic has always been known as an aphrodisiac and from a medical point of view it can significantly improve blood circulation.



Much information has been published regarding the role of garlic in cancer especially stomach and breast cancer. It is well known that garlic can strengthen the immune system which is vitally important for fighting cancer.



Recent findings support a growing body of evidence that garlic works as an anti-carcinogen in both cancer prevention and treatment.



Preparations:



Raw garlic juice diluted with water, put on sterilized Sphagnum moss swabs, and then applied to the wound has antiseptic effects. It is used on infected wounds, acne, warts and varices.



2 grams of dried garlic powder used daily is shown to be effective in treating high levels of blood sugar and cholesterol.



Garlic syrup, made by boiling the bulbs till soft, adding an equal quantity of vinegar, and then sugaring and boiling down to syrup, was a popular remedy for asthma and non-inflammatory coughs for many years.



Caution:



Raw garlic is very strong, so eating too much could cause irritation or digestive tract damage.



Some people are allergic to garlic. Symptoms of garlic allergy include skin rash, fever and headaches.



Garlic can also disrupt anti-coagulants, so it is best avoided before surgery.



A harmful interaction between garlic supplements and anti HIV/AIDS drugs has been reported in many studies.



Garlic makes the retina more sensitive to strong light.



Pregnant women and those breast feeding should not use garlic, as it may result in cardiac discomfort in the fetus or infant.



Garlic odor can be countered by consuming a tea spoon of honey, raw parsley or an apple.



PKH/HGH

Terrific Turmeric

Terrific Turmericby author Michelle Lynde, ClH

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used for centuries as a spice, food preservative, food colouring, and fabric dye.
India, China, and Southeast Asia have valued turmeric as a medicine for hundreds of years. In Ayurvedic medicine, the 5,000-year-old natural healing system of India, turmeric is used as a cleansing herb for the whole body and as a remedy for minor wounds, poor digestion, arthritis, jaundice, inflammation, and pain.
Traditional Chinese practitioners have used turmeric medicinally for liver and gallbladder disorders, respiratory congestion, promotion of digestion and assimilation, improving blood circulation, regulating menses, and helping heal bruises and sprains. Based on these and many other traditional uses, researchers are now beginning to realize the importance of turmeric’s anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anticarcinogenic actions and its liver-protective properties.
Characteristics
Turmeric is a member of the ginger family, grown and commercially harvested in India, Asia, and other tropical countries. The thick, cured rhizomes contain protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and yellowish orange volatile oils called curcuminoids that are responsible for the biological activity of turmeric.
A Beneficial Derivative
Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid derived from turmeric and is best known as an anti-inflammatory. It is sometimes formulated with bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme found in pineapple, to increase absorption and enhance its anti-inflammatory action. This combination should be taken on an empty stomach 20 minutes before meals or between meals.
In rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, animal and human studies have shown that curcumin is as effective in reducing inflammation and swelling, with fewer side effects, as hydrocortisone or phenylbutazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication. The recommended dosage of curcumin for inflammatory conditions is 400 mg to 600 mg three times a day.
Digging Deeper
Curcumin is being studied in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. An ongoing study is examining the safety, tolerability, and absorption of curcumin to determine its potential effect on cognition, behaviour, and daily function of Alzheimer’s patients.
Researchers are also evaluating curcumin for its antiviral and antibacterial actions and as a preventive agent and treatment option for stomach ulcers, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, and HIV/AIDS.
Anticancer Agent
Turmeric shows real promise as an anticancer agent due in part to its antioxidant activity. Several recent studies demonstrate that the frequent use of turmeric has been linked to lower rates of breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer.
Laboratory tests conclude that curcumin may prevent the development of tumours and slow the spread of cancer cells. Currently, clinical trials are under way to assess the efficacy of curcumin in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
In addition, curcumin is often recommended to protect healthy cells from the harmful effects of radiation and chemotherapy, without reducing the effectiveness of these treatments.
Spice Up Your Veggies
Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer in men with new cases being diagnosed every year. The good news is scientists at the State University of New Jersey recently tested curcumin and phenethyl isothiocyanate, a naturally occurring substance abundant in cruciferous vegetables, and found that this combination significantly reduced tumour growth and the cancer’s ability to metastasize in mice implanted with human prostate cancer cells. Best of all, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, turnips, and cabbage taste delicious when spiced with turmeric.
Further Dietary Assets
Some of our best cholesterol fighters can be found right in our own kitchens, and turmeric is no exception. Studies show that curcumin can lower LDL levels of cholesterol, increase the beneficial HDL levels, and reduce the production of cholesterol gallstones.
Turmeric is also a potent liver herb. Many herbal practitioners believe that turmeric is comparable to milk thistle for treating hepatitis and improving liver function. Turmeric stimulates the liver’s production of bile to help break down fats. It improves peristalsis, the rhythmic contractions that move food through the intestinal tract, and increases glutathione, a powerful substance present in the liver that helps detoxify and eliminate pesticides, heavy metals, and harmful chemicals.
Turmeric can be consumed often and generously in the diet, although prolonged use may cause stomach upset for some. It adds a mild, slightly bitter, peppery flavour and a golden yellow colour to curry dishes, rice, chicken, fish, vegetables, and lentils. Turmeric can also be taken as a tincture, in capsules, and as a powder blended in water or juice.
The next time you are preparing your favorite meal, consider spicing it up with a healthy dose of turmeric.
Michelle Lynde, ClH, is a clinical herbalist, aromatherapist, researcher, and writer in Coquitlam, BC. skyislandherbals.citysoup.ca
Source: alive #294, April 2007

Alternative Medicine: Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that has been used as an alternative medicine for more than 2000 years. The Indians use turmeric in all their cooking and also as a home remedy for various skin diseases.
Turmeric is an effective treatment for inflammation of the throat, stomach, lungs and intestines.
It is an antispasmodic for stomach and menstrual cramping.
It is used to treat cough, bronchitis and asthma.
Turmeric is also an effective anti-depressant to counter depression.
It is a valuable antiseptic for burns and cuts.
In Ayurveda medicine it is used to treat bleeding problems, hysteria and epilepsy.
It is also an effective treatment for gallstones, heartburn and stomach ulcers.
Turmeric helps to prevent osteoporosis and control bone loss.
Turmeric is safe and has fewer side effects than some common pain killers. It is best taken on an empty stomach to get its full potential. Avoid taking turmeric with prescription drugs for blood thinning.
Turmeric is gaining popularity everyday as an alternative medicine when more people are aware of its healing properties.

Alternative Medicine:Onion

Onion is not just a herb but also an alternative medicine. In ancient Egypt onion was used extensively both as a food and a natural remedy. Many of us are not aware of the medicinal properties of the onion.

Onion is useful in the prevention of dyspepsia and flatulence.
It is used to treat bleeding hemorrhage.
It is often used in the treatment of urinary and teeth problems.
Onion is known to be an effective remedy for anemia.
It acts as a stimulant for the whole body to increase vigor and energy.
The juice from an onion cleanses the digestive system.
Onion juice can cure stomach complaints.

You can easily include onions in your daily meals or salads. Onion is best eaten raw to get its full potential as an alternative medicine.

Alternative Medicine: Olive Leaf

Olive leaf has been used as an alternative medicine since the times of Prophet Ezekiel. It is derived from the evergreen olive tree around the Mediterranean. Olive leaf is a potent natural antibiotic to fight viruses, bacteria, fungi and yeasts.

It is an effective treatment for shingles and skin infections.
It reduces bad cholesterol.
It can lower high blood pressure.
It is used to treat hyperglycaemia and diabetes.
It is effective for colds, flu, herpes, throat infections, ear infections and eye infections.
It boosts the immune system and can help chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers.

Olive leaf can be taken as capsules, tea or tincture. To get the desired benefits at least 500mg of olive leaf is recommended on a daily basis. It is safe to be taken over a long period. Olive leaf does not have the side effects such as thrush or diarrhoea associated with some synthetic antibiotics. However, pregnant or nursing women should avoid taking olive leaf as an alternative medicine.

Alternative Medicine: Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is an alternative medicine best known for the treatment of an enlarged prostate. Clinical studies have shown that it works on the prostate gland to maintain a healthy prostate. However, saw palmetto is also beneficial for other health complaints.

It is an expectorant and effective in treating bronchitis, coughs, asthma and chest congestion.
Saw palmetto treats hair loss and baldness in both male and female.
It is an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.
It is a diuretic and a treatment for bladder problems.
It helps with hormone imbalances, pelvic pain and decreased sex drive.

Saw palmetto is available in the form of capsules, tablets and liquid. The standard dosage is 320 mg per day. Saw palmetto is safe, non-toxic and inexpensive. It is not known to react with any drugs. Today saw palmetto remains a popular alternative medicine for prostate care.

Alternative Medicine: Hyssop

Hyssop is more than just a condiment but also an alternative medicine. In ancient times it was used to preserve meat and as a natural remedy.
Hyssop purifies the blood, improves circulation and lowers blood sugar level.
It is an expectorant and an effective treatment for lung inflammation, bronchitis, congestion, colds and coughs.
Hyssop is used with horehound as a treatment for sore throats, asthma and laryngitis.
It relieves arthritis, anxiety and skin disorders.
It is also used to treat jaundice
It is a booster for the immune system.
It sedates and calms the nervous system.Hyssop is available as capsules, extract, tea and tincture. As hyssop does not cause any side effects its use is highly recommended by doctors. It is a very valuable alternative medicine that is less known to most people.

Alternative Medicine: St John’s Wort

St John’s wort has been used as an alternative medicine since the times of ancient Greece. Today it is used commonly for the treatment of depression and anxiety. St John’s wort can reduce the degree of severity in depression sufferers.

In Germany St John’s wort is used extensively by prescription as a natural remedy. The effects of the herb will not be felt until after taking it for a few weeks. St John’s wort is available as capsules, tablets, teas and extracts. It is safe and does not have the side effects associated with taking prescription drugs. These side effects include dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth and headaches.

Pregnant women should avoid taking St John's wort. It is unsafe to take St John’s wort with some prescription drugs such as anti-epileptic medication. St John’s wort could interact with the medications.

Studies have shown that this herb is also effective for external applications. It is good for healing wounds; lessen scarring and reducing wound inflammation. St John’s wort is truly an alternative medicine that is effective for both internal and external uses.

Alternative Medicine: Papaya

Papaya is not only a tropical fruit but also an alternative medicine. In Traditional Chinese medicine it is often used as a remedy for digestive complaints. In Hawaii papaya is also used as a home remedy for different ailments.
Papaya aids digestion.
It can lower cholesterol levels.
It eases constipation.
Green papaya is effective for digestive and stomach complaints.
Raw papaya juice removes parasites from the intestines.
Paste made from papaya roots is effective for toothaches
It is an anti-inflammatory and useful in treating fungal skin infections, dandruff, psoriasis, bacterial skin infections and leprosy.
Papaya is generally eaten as a fruit and vegetable. It is safe and does not cause any allergies. Pregnant and nursing women can safely eat them. Many people are not aware that papaya is such a useful alternative medicine.

Alternative medicine: Apple

The many health benefits attributed to apples have given rise to the ancient saying that eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Botanical: Pyrus malus

Family: N.O. Pomaceae

Synonym: Wild Apple. Malus communis.

Habitat: The temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Description: The 5 to 12 meter tall apple tree is deciduous. Its simple oval leaves are alternately arranged with acute tips. The flowers are white with a pink tinge which gradually fades. The centre of the fruit contains five carpels arranged in a five-point star.

Part Used Medicinally: The fruit and the bark.

Constituents:
Apple has 80 to 85 percent water, 5 percent proteid, 10 to 15 percent starch and sugar, and 1 to 1.5 percent acids and salts. All apples contain varying amount of the organic malic and gallic acids, vitamins A and C, pectin and iron.

Medicinal Uses:

Fresh apple is rich in vitamins, and is used to treat scurvy. Apple is sedative and tonic. It is used to treat diabetes and lower the blood cholesterol. It also has antiseptic and anti-rheumatismal effects and may help with heart disease, and weight loss. Apple's high content of vitamin C as well as other antioxidant compounds reduces the risk of colon, prostate and lung cancers. Its fiber content helps regulate bowel movements.

A group of chemicals in apples protect the brain from damages triggering neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinsonism. Apple consumption can act as an excellent dentifrice. It also pushes back the gums so that the borders are cleared of deposit. It's malic and tartaric acid content helps individuals with liver disorders. Apple acids not only make the fruit itself digestible, but also help with the digestion of other foods. Its sugar is predigested and enters the blood rapidly to provide the body with energy and warmth. Apple juice, without sugar, reduces the stomach acidity and corrects sour fermentation.

Consuming ripe, sour, juicy apples at bedtime cure constipation and some cases of insomnia. Regular apple consumption prolongs life span. The glucoside extracted from apple bark and root, is effective in treating diabetes. Apple bark decoction is used to treat intermittent fevers. Cooked apples make a good homemade remedy for sore throats, fevers, eyes inflammation and erysipelas. Apple consumption appears to promote hair growth. It may also delay aging and skin wrinkles. A polyphenol compound extracted from unripe apples has an inhibitory dose-dependent effect against cholera toxin and can treat diarrhea.

Apple is a rich source of flavonoid and can improve lung function in asthmatics and lower the incidence of coughing and breathlessness in COPD patients. It may also prevent the development of carcinogenic substances in the bladder, lung and prostate. Consuming apples is related to a decreased risk of thrombotic stroke and heart attack mortality. Apples play an important role in reducing the risk of a wide variety of chronic disease and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in general. In India, physicians prescribe apple cider vinegar in combination with the herb Gotu Kola to help revitalize the skin. When mixed with honey it improves digestion. It is antibacterial and anti-fungal and boosts the immune system. It also fights respiratory infections, sore throats and nasal discharges.

Apple cider vinegar is good in individuals suffering from arthritis because it breaks down calcium deposits in the joints while remineralizing the bones. Apple cider vinegar is a good remedy for food poisoning, urinary tract infections and lowering high blood pressure. It is also a good source of potassium for diuretic users.

preparation

Eating 2 to 3 unpeeled red apples 3 times a day, is an effective treatment for diarrhea. Consuming unpeeled yellow apples before sleeping or in the morning is a good remedy for constipation. Eating 1 or 2 yellow apples after each meal will also lower the blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Eating green apples helps the liver function.

Caution

Eating too many apples especially when cooked may cause amnesia. The fruit's malic acid erodes tooth enamel over time. The seeds, which contain small amounts of amygdaline, a cyanogenic glycoside, are mildly poisonous, but only chewing a large amount can cause toxic effects.

PKH/HGH

Alternative medicine: Orange

Orange is not only a rich source of different vitamins and minerals but also an excellent treatment for colds and chronic bronchitis.

Botanical: Citrus

Family: N.O. Rutaceae

Synonym: Citrus vulgaris, Citrus Bigaradia, Citrus aurantium amara, Bigaradier, Bigarade Orange, Bitter Orange, Seville Orange, Portugal Orange, China Orange, Citrus dulcis.

Habitat: Oranges originated in Southeast Asia, India, Vietnam or southern China.

Description: Orange trees are evergreens, seldom exceeding 9 meters in height, with oval and glossy leaves and white fragrant blossoms.

The fruit is technically a hesperidium, a kind of berry. It has oval to sphere-shaped orange to red-orange fruit with leathery, porous skin. Different varieties include sweet, sour and mandarin orange and tangerine.

Part Used Medicinally: Fruit, flowers, peel.

Constituents: The fruit is a good source of vitamin C, A and B, growth hormone, calcium, potassium, copper, zinc and manganese. It is low in fat and saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol free. The peel contains volatile oil, three glucosides, hesperidin, isohesperidin, an amorphous bitter principle, Aurantiamarin, aurantiamaric acid, resin, etc.

Medicinal Uses:
The rich in vitamin orange is tonic. The infusion of dried orange blossoms or leaves is used as a mild nervous stimulant and a hysteria and seizure treatment. Orange juice is good for constipation and coughing. Orange oil is mainly used as a flavoring agent, but can be used to treat chronic bronchitis like turpentine oil. It is also used in treating microbial and fungal inflammation as well as skin cancers. Orange peel is used to treat appetite loss and gastric disorders. The powdered peel is topically used to treat malignant breast cancer ulcers, hemorrhoid and uterus prolapse.

Preparation: - Bitter orange peel tincture - Bitter orange flower water is often used to improve the flavor and aroma of medicine - Bitter orange and flower peel is mainly used to add to the flavor of sedative mixtures - Bitter orange peel tea or pericarp is commonly taken in the evening to improve sleep. Bitter orange and valerian are a good combination, however the two herbal teas should be prepared separately and mixed before use. Valerian tea should be prepared in the morning (allowed to steep in cold water). A cup of valerian tea is added to fresh hot bitter orange tea in and consumed before bedtime.

PKH/HGH

Alternative medicine: Grapefruit

Grapefruit, the 'forbidden fruit' of Barbados is recommended for lowering blood cholesterol levels due to its fat metabolism effects.

Botanical: Citrus paradisi

Family: N.O. Rutaceae

Habitat:Grapefruit is believed to be native to Jamaica.

Description:
It is a sub-tropical citrus tree, originally named as the 'forbidden fruit' of Barbados.
The evergreen grapefruit tree can grow to a height of 5-6 meters.
Grapefruits are round with thin yellow or yellow with a pinkish hue peel. It is more or less acidic, sweet, and fragrant.

Part Used Medicinally: Fruit

Constituents:

Grapefruit is a rich source of many nutrients and phytochemicals; it is a good source of vitamin C, pectin fiber, and the beneficial antioxidant lycopene.
A cup of unsweetened grapefruit juice has 95mg of vitamin C.
It contains considerable amounts of carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and fiber.
Pink and red varieties are high in beta carotene, a vitamin A precursor.
Grapefruit seed has low antioxidant properties.

Medicinal Uses:

Grapefruit lowers cholesterol.

It contains bioflavonoids and other plant chemicals which protect the body against cancer and heart disease.
Grapefruit seed extract is a strong antimicrobial.
Grapefruit flower essence helps overcome insomnia.
Grapefruit pulp is an effective treatment for urinary disorders.
Leaf extractions have antibiotic activity.
Grapefruit stimulates the appetite and is used for its digestive, stomachic and diuretic qualities.
Daily consumption of grapefruit helps alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory disorders.

Caution :

Allergic individuals to citrus fruits are likely to react to grapefruit.
Scientists believe the daily consumption of a quarter of grapefruit is associated with a 30% increase in breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women.
Grapefruit often increase the effective potency of several drugs by blocking a special enzyme in the intestines, which may lead to toxicity and other side effects.
Taking such medications along with grapefruit juice can damage organs or impair their normal function.
Reported drug interactions with the fruit include:
Statins (Baycol (Cerivastatin), Mevacor (Lovastatin), Lipitor (Atorvastatin), Zocor (Simvastatin)),
Antihistamines (Ebastine, Seldane (Terfenadine)),
Calcium Channel Blockers (Blood Pressure Drugs) (Nimotop (Nimodipine), Nitrendipine, Plendil (Felodipine)),
Psychiatric Medications (Buspar (Buspirone), Halcion (Triazolam), Tegretol (Carbamazepine), Valium (Diazepam), Versed (Midazolam)),
Intestinal Medication (Propulsid (Cisapride)),
Immune Suppressants (Neoral (Cyclosporine), Prograf (Tacrolimus)),
Pain Medication (Methadone).

PKH/HGH

Chiropractor or miracle

Chiropractic is from Greek words meaning done by hand. It is grounded in the principal that the body can heal itself when the skeletal system is correctly aligned and the nervous system is functioning properly.
To achieve this, the practitioner uses his or her hands or an adjusting tool to perform specific manipulations of the vertebrae. When these bones of the spine are not correctly articulated, resulting in a condition known as subluxation, the theory is that nerve transmission is disrupted and causes pain and illness manifested in the back as well as other areas of the body.
Chiropractic is one of the most popular alternative therapies currently available. Some would say it now qualifies as mainstream treatment as opposed to complementary medicine. Chiropractic treatment is covered by many insurance plans. It has become well-accepted treatment for acute pain and problems of the spine, including lower back pain and whiplash. Applications beyond that scope are not supported by current evidence, although there are ongoing studies into the usefulness of chiropractors for such problems as ear infections, dysmenorrhea, infant colic, migraine headaches, and other conditions. Patients continue to visit chiropractors with complaints of headaches and pain or injury to the neck, middle back, arms, or legs.

Benefits
Most people will experience back pain at some time in their lives.
A 2002 review reported that lower back region pain accounted for 68 percent of patient visits to chiropractors.
Injuries due to overexertion and poor posture are among the most common. Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, options for treatment may include physical therapy, rest, medications, surgery, or chiropractic care.
Chiropractic treatment carries none of the risks of surgical or pharmacologic treatment. Practitioners use a holistic approach to health, which is appreciated by most patients. The goal is not merely to relieve the present ailment, but to analyze the cause and recommend appropriate changes of lifestyle to prevent the problem from recurring again. They believe in a risk/benefit analysis before use of any intervention.
The odds of an adverse outcome are extremely low. Chiropractic has proven in several studies to be less expensive than many more traditional routes such as outpatient physical therapy. Relief from some neuromuscular problems is immediate, although a series of treatments is likely to be required to maintain the improvement.
Spinal manipulation is an excellent option for acute lower back pain, and may also relieve neck pain as well as other musculoskeletal pain. Although most back pain will subside eventually with no treatment at all, chiropractic treatment can significantly shorten the time it takes to get relief. Some types of headache can also be successfully treated by a chiropractor.

YOGA and BENEFITS

The term yoga comes from a Sanskrit word that means yoke or union. Traditionally, yoga is a method joining the individual self with the Divine, Universal Spirit, or Cosmic Consciousness. Physical and mental exercises are designed to help achieve this goal, also called self-transcendence or enlightenment.
On the physical level, yoga postures, called asanas, are designed to tone, strengthen, and align the body. These postures are performed to make the spine supple and healthy and to promote blood flow to all the organs, glands, and tissues, keeping all the bodily systems healthy. On the mental level, yoga uses breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (dyana) to quiet, clarify, and discipline the mind. However, experts are quick to point out that yoga is not a religion, but a way of living with health and peace of mind as its aims.

Benefits

Yoga has been used to alleviate problems associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, migraine headaches, asthma, shallow breathing, backaches, constipation, diabetes, menopause, multiple sclerosis, varicose veins, and many chronic illnesses. It also has been studied and approved for its ability to promote relaxation and reduce stress. On the other hand, some researchers are now questioning claims that yoga is beneficial for such conditions as carpal tunnel syndrome.As of late 2002, yoga is increasingly recommended for dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and other disorders in premenopausal women, in Europe as well as in the United States.
Yoga can also provide the same benefits as any welldesigned exercise program, increasing general health and stamina, reducing stress, and improving those conditions brought about by sedentary lifestyles. Yoga has the added advantage of being a low-impact activity that uses only gravity as resistance, which makes it an excellent physical therapy routine; certain yoga postures can be safely used to strengthen and balance all parts of the body. A study published in late 2002 summarized recent findings about the benefits of yoga for the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems.
The review noted that yoga is still viewed as a “trendy” form of exercise rather than one with documented medical benefits.Meditation has been much studied and approved for its benefits in reducing stress-related conditions. The landmark book, The Relaxation Response, by Harvard cardiologist Herbert Benson, showed that meditation and breathing techniques for relaxation could have the opposite effect of stress, reducing blood pressure and other indicators. Since then, much research has reiterated the benefits of meditation for stress reduction and general health. Currently, the American Medical Association recommends meditation techniques as a first step before medication for borderline hypertension cases. Some 2002 studies indicate that yogic meditation by itself is effective in lowering serum cholesterol as well as blood pressure.
Modern psychological studies have shown that even slight facial expressions can cause changes in the involuntary nervous system; yoga utilizes the mind/body connection. That is, yoga practice contains the central ideas that physical posture and alignment can influence a person’s mood and self-esteem, and also that the mind can be used to shape and heal the body. Yoga practitioners claim that the strengthening of mind/body awareness can bring eventual improvements in all facets of a person’s life.

Naturopathy and Naturopathic medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a branch of medicine in which a variety of natural medicines and treatments are used to heal illness. It uses a system of medical diagnosis and therapeutics based on the patterns of chaos and organization in nature.
Naturopathy is founded on the premise that people are naturally healthy, and that healing can occur through removing obstacles to a cure and by stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities.
The foundations of health in natural medicine are diet, nutrition, homeopathy, physical manipulation, stress management, and exercise.Naturopaths are general practitioners who treat a wide variety of illnesses. They believe in treating the “whole person”—the spirit as well as the physical body—and emphasize preventive care. They often recommend changes in diet and lifestyle to enhance the health of their patients.
Benefits
Naturopathic medicine is useful for treating chronic as well as acute diseases. It is sometimes used in conjunction with allopathic care to enhance wellness and relieve chronic symptoms, such as fatigue and pain. A naturopath treats a wide range of health problems, ranging from back pain to depression. A naturopathic physician will spend extra time interviewing and examining the patient to find the underlying cause for a medical problem.
Emotional and spiritual symptoms and patterns are included in the assessment. The naturopath often spends more time educating patients in preventive health, lifestyle, and nutrition than most M.D.s.

Massage and Therapy

Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body.

Benefits

Generally, massage is known to affect the circulation of blood and the flow of blood and lymph, reduce muscular tension or flaccidity, affect the nervous system through stimulation or sedation, and enhance tissue healing. These effects provide a number of benefits:
• reduction of muscle tension and stiffness
• relief of muscle spasms
• greater flexibility and range of motion
• increase of the ease and efficiency of movement
• relief of stress and aide of relaxation
• promotion of deeper and easier breathing
• improvement of the circulation of blood and movement of lymph
• relief of tension-related conditions, such as headaches and eyestrain
• promotion of faster healing of soft tissue injuries, such as pulled muscles and sprained ligaments, and reduction in pain and swelling related to such injuries
• reduction in the formation of excessive scar tissue following soft tissue injuries
• enhancement in the health and nourishment of skin
• improvement in posture through changing tension patterns that affect posture
• reduction in stress and an excellent stress management tool
• creation of a feeling of well-being
• reduction in levels of anxiety
• increase in awareness of the mind-body connection
• promotion of a relaxed state of mental awarenessMassage therapy also has a number of documented clinical benefits.
For example, massage can reduce anxiety, improve pulmonary function in young asthma patients, reduce psycho-emotional distress in persons suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease, increase weight and improve motor development in premature infants, and may enhance immune system functioning.
Some medical conditions that massage therapy can help are: allergies, anxiety and stress, arthritis, asthma and bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive motion injuries, chronic and temporary pain, circulatory problems, depression, digestive disorders, tension headache, insomnia, myofascial pain, sports injuries, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

alternative medical science

alternative medical science