7 Reasons To Grow Your Own Organic Vegetable Garden

During the last decades there has been a change towards
mechanization and homogenization of farming, which uses
pesticides, additives, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers
and mass-production techniques. All this is clearly
affecting mankind’s health, and new diseases are spreading
rapidly amongst humans and animals (bird’s flu being the
most recent one).
The World Health Organization produces reports to show how
the use of chemicals and other products on food, coupled
with the manufacturing processes involved, are actually a
threat for our health.
If you have space for a few pots or even a small piece of
land, it is a wise decision to grow your own organic
vegetable garden. Today I’m presenting you with seven
reasons for doing this:
1. You will have no additives in your vegetables. Research
by organic food associations has shown that additives in
our food can cause heart diseases, osteoporosis, migraines
and hyperactivity.
2. There will be no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers
used. These chemical products are applied to obtain crops
all the time regardless plagues or weather conditions, and
affect the quality of the vegetables. Besides, pesticides
are usually poisonous to humans.
3. Your vegetables will not be genetically modified (GM).
Antibiotics, drugs and hormones are used on vegetables to
grow more and larger ones. One of the consequences of this
practice are vegetables which look all the same and are
usually tasteless. Besides, we end up consuming the
hormones that have been used on the vegetables, with the
potential risks for our health.
4. Eating your own organic vegetables will be much more
healthy for you. They will not contain any of the products
or chemicals named above, and they will be much more
natural than any ones you would find at the supermarket.
Your health will not be at risk because you will then know
that nothing has been added to your vegetables.
5. Your own organic vegetables will be much more tasty.
The use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones and
antibiotics make vegetables grow unnaturally and take the
taste away from them. With organic vegetables, your
cooking will be enhanced as their flavour will show fully.
6. Organic farming is friendly to the environment. Because
you won’t use pesticides or other equally harming products
on your vegetables, you will not damage the soil or the
air with the chemical components.
7. When you grow your own organic vegetables you are
contributing to your own self-sustainability and the
sustainability of the planet. Small communities have been
founded where members exchange products that they grow
naturally, thus contributing to create a friendly and
better place for us all.
In the end, eating organic products only means that we do
not add anything else to them than they would naturally
have. As you can guess, additives, fertilizers, pesticides
or hormones are not components of naturally grown food.
To better care for your health, grown your own organic
vegetables -and a few pots is all you need.

Prenatal Massage

Pains and aches are part and parcel of every pregnancy. Physical discomfort, muscular tensions, headaches, backaches, pains occur due to increase in weight, shifting posture and hormone levels. Pre natal massages aim to improve circulation, alleviate aches and pains, eases muscular tensions and other pregnancy related symptoms, perking up expectant mother’s mood and mental attitude.

Stress related areas which demand attention are back, neck and shoulder. Massaging the legs reduces blood pooling and full body massage to the head/scalp, feet, hands and face area provides relief from tensions and aches. All the areas should be massaged gently and pressure should be applied when needed.

Experienced masseurs pick ways that are safe and effective and provide special pampering and comfort. Prenatal massage offers encompasses a broad range of benefits such as:

– Increases circulation
– Improves digestion
– Reduces fatigue
– Reduces swelling in hands and lower legs, fewer calf cramps
– Eases backaches, headaches, shoulder and neck aches caused due to muscular tension and postures to accommodate the increasing weight.
– Lessens pain in the pelvic/hip area
– Alleviates stress on weight bearing joints such as knees, ankle and lower back
– Promotes relaxation and deep breathing
– Reduces stress hormones
– Decreased insomnia
– Helps in maintaining proper posture

Prenatal massage during pregnancy is beneficial emotionally as it allows soon to be moms to unwind, feel calm, healthy and comforted during the period of physical and emotional stress.

Prenatal massage can be done in different ways. Expectant moms mostly lie on their sides. A newly designed pillow especially for expecting mothers is available. This pillow has deep center cutout enabling the moms to lie flat on their bellies making them relaxed and comfortable. Lying flat on back reduces circulation of blood to the mother and child; pillows are used to keep the mother’s body in elevated position. Body pillows are used for side lying positions too.

After delivery, new moms are under all kind of emotional and physical stress, especially sleep deprivation. Post partum massage is therapeutic, helping the body to return to its normal state by adjusting to the physical and emotional demands of their little one.

Massage is usually safe for most mothers, though it is advisable to check with your doctor prior to getting one. If you have high BP or diabetes, prenatal massage is not recommended. It is ideal that you tell your therapist if you any problems or complications with your pregnancy. Duration of the massage can be anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour. It depends on how much discomfort you are experiencing and how much time you have on hand. Massage once a week during 2nd trimester and twice a week or more during 3rd trimester are ideal.

Manage High Blood Pressure Naturally

In Chinese Medicine, many of the symptoms of high blood pressure, such as pounding headaches, dizziness, and pressure behind the eyes are often related to a pattern of Liver Yang Rising or Liver Heat. It is important to see a physician for proper diagnosis and supervision of high blood pressure, but acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may also be useful for managing your condition. Certain herbs have been shown to have an anti-hypertensive effect. Certain other herbs have been shown to be useful for controlling cholesterol levels and improving cardiovascular function. Acupuncture has been shown to have a general relaxing effect which can be useful in stress related or essential hypertension. In addition, certain points are commonly used in the treatment of patterns that relate to high blood pressure.

One commonly used herb for symptoms and patterns related to high blood pressure is Tian Ma or gastrodia rhizome. Research in China has shown it to be useful in the treatment of symptoms related to high blood pressure such as dizziness, numbness of extremities, tinnitus, headaches, and pain behind the eyes. It may have a sedative and tranquillizing effect. It has been shown to have usefulness for renal hypertension and essential hypertension. Another useful herb is Ye Ju Hua or chrysanthemum flower, which has been shown to have a prolonged effect of lowering blood pressure through peripheral vessel dilation. It has also been shown to increase blood flow to the heart. Another herb that is used to clear Liver Heat and is commonly used to treat eye problems that may be beneficial for high blood pressure is Xia Ku Cao or prunella. Chinese research has shown that it has a moderate vasodilating effect. These herbs are often used in combination by practitioners of Oriental Medicine in the treatment of patterns related to high blood pressure.

Other herbs may be useful for improving heart and circulatory function. They may also help reduce cholesterol. Shan Zha, or hawthorn berries, have been shown to reduce cholesterol when taken for six weeks or more. It is often used in China to improve circulation and to treat angina pectoris. Another herb that is commonly used in China for cardiovascular problems is Dan Shen, or Salvia. It has also been shown to reduce cholesterol. It also may improve microcirculation in the body. In China, pills of Dan Shen are used in the treatment of angina and in the treatment of coronary heart disease. It also may help promote repair and regeneration of tissues by increasing the body’s metabolism.

Certain acupuncture points are also known to be useful in the treatment of patterns related to high blood pressure. Large Intestine 4 is a point that many people know can help to control headaches. It is on the back side of the hand in between the thumb and index finger. It is also commonly used point for blood pressure related patterns. Another point at the vertex of the head, Du 20, is also commonly used. An acupuncturist or Chinese herbalist always takes an inventory of symptoms, along with looking at a person’s tongue and feeling a person’s pulse in order to determine the specific combination of points and herbs that a person needs. Different people with high blood pressure are treated differently depending on the pattern they present.

During my time in China, I did clinical rounds in the cardiology department at the Chengdu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Modern drugs and diagnostic equipment were used hand in hand with Chinese herbs and acupuncture in order to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmias, heart enlargement, and stroke. I even saw Chinese herbs, such as Dan Shen, being given in intravenous and in injectable form. The conditions were diagnosed using modern science and traditional Chinese diagnosis. Drugs were used for symptom control and for emergencies. As people’s condition improved with the use of Chinese herbs and acupuncture, their doctors slowly adjusted the dosage of drugs that they received. The results I saw were better than either form of medicine could have achieved alone. We do not have the benefit of experiencing such a deep synthesis of modern medicine and ancient techniques yet in the West. Nevertheless, I believe that as people learn more about the benefits of Asian medicine, we may someday come close to achieving a more integrated system of care in the West that will be more clinically effective, more cost effective, and result in fewer side effects.

Mountain Climbing – Guard Against Common Ailments

Are you interested in taking up the exhilarating and exciting sport of mountain climbing? Some avid climbers liken it to a religious experience. There are dangers you need to be aware of so you can enjoy this sport safely.

Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS is a common ailment for climbers. AMS occurs when you breathe in air at high altitudes with decreased oxygen levels. The mildest symptoms of AMS are headaches and fatigue but more serious cases can result in fluid in the lungs and brain.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema or HAPE is much more serious than AMS and breathing will become very difficult which can be fatal.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema or HACE is similar to HAPE. Fluid builds up in the brain and as it swells from the fluid and pressure builds your judgement is impaired. This can also be fatal.

All of these altitude related ailments have similar symptoms and signs but with varying degrees depending on the altitude. Dizziness can be dangerous especially in steep and uneven terrain. Insomnia is another dangerous result and slows your reflexes and thinking. Nausea and fever is not as serious but it can lead to dehydration which has other dangers associated with it.

The severity of these altitude related risks can be lessened by climbing slower and keeping hydrated. If you’re climbing above 8,000 feet or your rate of ascent is more than 1,000 feet per day then you should bring an oxygen bottle to supplement the lack of oxygen. Also avoid drinking alcohol since this will cause dehydration.

To relieve mild headaches you can take a pain reliever but for insomnia do not take a sleep aid. It will cause more harm and won’t help you sleep. If your body doesn’t adjust to the altitude and symptoms subside then error on the side of caution and descend.

Frostbite is another common danger when climbing at high altitudes. It occurs when skin tissue is damaged by prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. An early sign of frostbite is a needle pricking sensation and the pain gets worse as the exposure increases. Severe cases can lead to amputation to it’s important to keep warm. Wear insulated gloves and refrain from taking them off even if it makes climbing difficult. Insulate your feet and waterproof them to keep out moisture. Since a great amount of heat can be lost through your scalp make sure you wear a hat that fully covers your head and ears.

Climbing is an enjoyable and rewarding sport but precautions must be taken to lessen your chances of injury.