Kellie Green.comOnline health & Wellbeing magazine

Insomnia

Sleep is an essential part of good health. A good night’s sleep can help you feel good, look healthy, work effectively and think clearly.

But sleep is not always so easy to come by. If you sometimes have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you’re not alone. A 1991 Gallup study found that more than one-third of all Americans suffer occasional or chronic insomnia.

People often are surprised to learn that daytime drowsiness is not an inevitable, harmless byproduct of modern life, but rather a key sign of a sleep problem that could be disastrous if not treated.

Recent figures show that nearly a quarter of the population regularly cannot go to, or remain asleep, and every year doctors write out more than 14 million prescriptions for sleeping tablets.

The causes of sleeplessness are many and varied. ‘It can be due to a medical condition, such as chronic pain from rheumatism or arthritis,’ says Professor Jim Horne, who runs the Sleep Research Laboratory at Loughborough University. ‘Or it can be chemical, as a result of drinking tea, coffee or alcohol. Chronic or long-term insomnia is often associated with depression or anxiety, and environmental factors certainly contribute.’

And sleepless nights, staring wild-eyed into the darkness, are worse than bad dreams,

For too many people–most of the population at one time or another–a good night’s sleep is an elusive goal. The consequences of fatigue from chronic sleeplessness include accidents in the car and at work, a dramatically increased risk of major depression, and worsening physical illness.

Immediate relief is available.After checking the clients medication or diet isn’t causing the problem, I usually start my clients or on occastion myself, on a remedy of Black eyed susan and crowea which eases the mind of over activity worry and chatter. I almost always combine it with basic yoga, always making sure that the person can pyshically do yoga first. It is rare that this combonation dosen’t work.

When it doesn’t I will always go into deeper emotional issues that the person has and address these with other Essences and emotional realese techniques, usually still encouraging the use of yoga or similar gentle exercise.

Are you questioning the need to take antibiotics for every minor complaint, but are not sure of the alternatives? Read on.
People used to die from infections that a course of antibiotics would have cured, and still do in third world countries today. Antibiotics were hailed as a miracle cure when they were discovered for this very reason, and as a nurse I have seen them work wonders on many occasions. However as a herbalist I also know that there is a price to be paid when you take them. It is the intention of this article to explain what that price is and what you can do about it in order to enjoy the best of both worlds and the best of health. 
I am personally opposed to the use of antibiotics for every little thing, but they most definitely have their place, especially when other treatments aren’t working as strongly or as quickly as they need to. That said, it makes good sense to limit antibiotic use for several reasons. The first is the ever worsening problem of antibiotic resistance, something which is of increasing concern in medical circles. 
RESISTANCE

Antibiotic resistance is when a bacteria mutates so as to become unaffected by an antibiotic that previously would have killed it. This has been a big problem in hospitals for decades and new (stronger) antibiotics need to be developed constantly in order to keep ahead of the cleverness of the bacteria. These stronger antibiotics also often have stronger side effects. Using natural alternatives to pharmaceutical antibiotics will help slow this trend. 
If you do need to take doctor prescribed antibiotics, commit to it fully. Make sure you complete the entire course, even if you feel completely recovered and still have some pills to take. Antibiotics work by vastly and rapidly reducing the number of bacteria  infecting you. A few days into treatment you can feel pretty much better, but still have a reasonably high count of the bacteria (which have been weakened but not killed by the antibiotics you have been taking). If you stop before the course is complete you allow these bacteria to recover, and when they do they will be resistant to the antibiotic and so will their offspring. You also run the risk of the infection flaring up again and needing another lot of (perhaps stronger) antibiotics to get on top of it.
ALLERGIES

If you overuse an antibiotic there is a small possibility that you become allergic to that antibiotic, preventing you from using it in the future. Make no mistake, antibiotics are very effective at treating infections, especially big ones. No-one ever wants to think they may have a serious accident or health crisis, but if you ever do it is best to have as many treatment options open as possible and that includes a wide range of antibiotics. 
THRUSH

The other major issue with taking antibiotics is that they don’t discriminate between good bacteria and bad bacteria – they kill the lot. So if you are taking antibiotics by mouth they will kill all the good bacteria in your bowel. You need these good bacteria to properly digest your food (and so get the goodness out of it) and help kill off the germs that cause food poisoning. They also help keep yeast, fungus and parasite populations under control. If you take antibiotics you need to replace them – with one bottle of good quality acidophilus + bifidus at the recommended dosage for every course of antibiotics. Otherwise you run the risk of getting thrush and / or Candida. 
Yoghurt contains acidophilus and bifidus, but not in the very high amounts available in supplements. You would need loads of it for many months to undo the damage of just a single course of antibiotics. By all means yoghurt is brilliant to support your population of good bowel bacteria, but use it as a maintenance food rather than a cure for thrush or Candida. 
Green Essence www.medicinalherbsfowomen.com/product/ABFE-24 for two weeks is also useful for helping to rebalance your bowel flora after antibiotics.
For some mysterious reason, natural remedies know good bowel flora from bad and only target harmful bacteria; one of the wonders of using nature’s pharmacy. Thrush and irritable bowel syndrome never occur following herbal antibiotic treatment; in fact herbs are very effective for treating both these complaints. 
NATURAL IMMUNITY

Your own immune system becomes strong by being used – just like muscles do. Fighting things off on your own or with the assistance of herbs helps to strengthen your immune system and build up your natural immunity to things. 
HERBAL ANTISEPTICS

Topical antiseptics include Lavender Essential Oil (always use diluted) and Calendula www.medicinalherbsforwomen.com/product/OINT02  
HERBAL ANTIBIOTICS

It takes three years to train a herbalist. Herbs have strong actions in the body and, like pharmaceutical drugs, need to be prescribed by people who know how they work, what to give, when to give it, how much to give and for how long. In short, it is not a good idea to self diagnose or self prescribe. 
If you would like to use herbal antibiotics instead of pharmaceutical antibiotics, book a consultation with a qualified herbalist, who will know the best herbs for your situation and whether they have a good chance of working or if it is at the point where you need to take drugs.
There are very effective herbs for systemic infections. These include herbs that can boost your own natural immune response, and for staphylococcal, streptococcal, fungal and viral infections. 
There are also herbs, available only to professional herbalists, that support specific areas in the body. Herbs are available to treat infections in all the organs including the lungs, reproductive organs, kidneys, bladder, liver and bowel, but the strongest (most effective) are not sold over the counter. 
Herbal remedies are certainly an option in most cases and it is worth seeing a professional herbalist to make you up an individual remedy. This often costs less than you would expect, usually about the same as a trip to the health food shop (where you may or may not get what you need after self-prescribing or on the advice of a shop assistant who may or may not be qualified). It is also comparable to the combined cost of a trip to the doctor and chemist.
Antibiotics definitely have their place, but ideally should be reserved for really big infections requiring drastic measures. Every day infections, even fairly severe ones, can be and are successfully treated with herbs without the unpleasant side effects of pharmaceutical antibiotics. Herbs, properly taken, will completely remove the infection and restore the affected area to full health and enhance natural immunity for the future.

Please note that the information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified health professional. Under no circumstances should you self diagnose or self treat – if you are unwell, it is important that you seek assistance from a doctor or qualified herbalist.”
Linn Wiggins. R.N. Dip Herb Med.

Editors notes: I personally use Linn’s herbs and advice, she knows what she is talking about. This is especially good for all those in fear of the dreaded swine flu. Prevention is the best cure and if your immunity is high you are less suseptable to these kind of outbreaks.

There are many diseases for which no vaccination is available. Against these we are left with only one defence – our own natural immunity. Now more than ever, with new diseases emerging and antibiotic resistance at an all time high, it is important for you to know how to support your body’s inbuilt immune system. Here are some simple natural steps you can take. 

CLEAN LYMPHATICS
Your lymphatic system picks up metabolic wastes and environmental toxins from throughout your body and excretes them through your skin or bowel. When your “glands are up” (your lymph nodes are swollen) this is a sign they have gathered an amount of toxic waste (i.e. they are doing their job). When you get sick your lymph nodes help isolate the infection. As the infection passes they should slowly and safely excrete their wastes. Unfortunately, in modern times we have many toxins in our body that it was never designed to deal with, so the lymphatic system is often permanently congested and sluggish. Exercise helps pump lymph and clean this system through sweating. If you don’t sweat or your sweat smells or you are showing a lymphatic rosary in your iris, your lymphatic system needs cleaning. Specific herbs can achieve this. This detox mix helps cleanse both your lymphatic system and blood:
http://www.medicinalherbsforwomen.com/product/herb09″

The Australian Bush Flower Essence ‘Bush Iris’ can also support the lymphatic system energetically http://www.medicinalherbsforwomen.com/product/ABFE-14

HEALTHY BLOOD

“Dirty blood” is a naturopathic term referring to blood laden with waste products. Iron deficiency can contribute to this. Good iron levels are necessary to oxygenate all the cells in the body and to burn out infection. The long term effects of low iron levels are potentially very serious. Vegetarians, those who don’t eat a lot of red meat, and women who menstruate heavily are most prone. If blood tests show low iron or haemoglobin levels, natural iron supplements are recommended. Synthetic iron tablets often cause constipation and are not as readily absorbable by your body.

TRY HERBAL ANTIBIOTICS
Like any part of the body, the immune system gets stronger the more it is used. “Use it lose it” definitely applies here. Over use of antibiotics can lead to a lazy immune system, antibiotic resistance and / or yeast overgrowth (thrush and candida). Combine this with a weak immune system and the outlook can be grim if a really serious infection occurs. There are many very effective herbal medicines for bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Other herbs can be used to stimulate the immune system when necessary. No resistance seems to develop against herbal remedies and they support the healing process rather than suppress it. Even in medical circles, stress is now known to lower immunity. Your adrenal glands must be healthy for you to mount an effective response against any challenge – including disease. Stress, worry and anxiety all deplete your adrenal glands. There are many herbs and flower essences which act as adrenal tonics and assist during times of stress. Flower essences include Black-Eyed Susan www.medicinalherbsforwomen.com/product/ABFE-07 and also Macrocarpa www.medicinalherbsforwomen.com/product/ABFE-36
Remember to take time out to relax with family, friends and hobbies. Live and work somewhere you like, with people whose company you enjoy. Live joyfully.

…. as much as you can afford to buy and have time to grow. The much higher life force from plants and animals being nurtured on good quality soil, using traditional farming practises, is well worth the extra expense. Mass produced food is grown in tired soil, stimulated with chemical fertilisers to grow fast, and sprayed with toxic chemicals to control pests. Some is also genetically modified to look good, travel well and last a long time on the supermarket shelf. The end result has dramatically lowered nutritional value. The cost of organic food is the true cost of (nutritious) food. The true cost of non organic food is chronic sub health and the recent alarming rise in serious diseases in western society. Every step of processing food lessens its nutritional value. So use as much whole, organic food as time and budget permit and cook it yourself. It’s the only way to really know what you are eating.

LIMIT ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
They increase the work your liver, kidneys, skin, lungs and lymphatics have to do. Take a serious look at every cleaning product and personal care item in your house. If you can’t eat it, don’t breathe it or let it touch your skin. Many natural products do just as good a job as their chemical equivalents and using them does you, your children, your grandchildren and the environment a huge favour. Copyright Linn Wiggins. Wholistic Herbalist. http://www.medicinalherbsforwomen.com

It’s true. Scientists at universities have proven you can lose weight safely without pills, without exercise, without extra costs and without low-calorie diets!

But you have to trick your brain into telling your body when you’re full so you don’t overeat. That’s done with potent foods that make you feel full while burning fat and tasting great.

In 36 Potent Foods to Lose Weight & Live Healthy, you will discover:

a fruit that melts away the fat and leaves you feeling satisfied longer
Michigan State University found certain types of bread actually reduces your appetite
University of Florida found this fruit helps dissolve fat and cholesterol
people think this vegetable puts on the pounds but St. Helena Hospital found you can achieve rapid weight loss
this miracle from Asia makes your metabolism run on high and even lowers cholesterol
what the Roman gladiators ate for strength – it wasn’t meat!
these sweet tiny fruits will satisfy the “sweet tooth” in all of us so we don’t eat empty calories
and more…

And best of all, you can find all the 36 Potent Foods in your grocery store.

No crazy over-priced supplements
No starving yourself
No stressing over weight loss because these work naturally

Here is the first part of the first chapter to let you know more about the book.

If you’re overweight, you are not a bad person. You’re simply overweight. But it’s important to lose the extra pounds so you’ll look good, feel healthier and develop a sense of pride and self-esteem. Once you’ve lost the fat, you’ll need to maintain your weight.

In this booklet, you’ll discover how to lose 10 pounds a month – a nice, safe loss of about two or two-and-a-half pounds a week – painlessly. You’ll feel satisfied and more energetic than in the past without feeling deprived.

Most Americans pack on those extra pounds by eating the wrong things. Changing these poor eating habits is the key to long-term success. Knowledge – along with the right food – is the key.

When humans lived in caves, they didn’t know anything about preserving and storing food. They spent all their waking time and energy hunting and gathering food. When they had it, they gobbled it down fast. Instead of storing food in pantries or cupboards, they stored energy in their bodies in the form of fat to burn during periods when there was little or nothing to eat.

Each year, it was absolutely vital for them to put on a good layer of fat during the warm sprint and summer months. That was the only way they could guarantee their survival during the lean and mean winter months.

And since women bore the young, they needed more energy to sustain themselves and their babies, and that meant they were usually heavier.

Even though we no longer live in caves, we have inherited and maintained this basic mechanism for fat storage from our hunting and gathering ancestors.

Each one of us is born with a certain number of fat cells. How many of these fat cells you possess depends on genetics. If you have a lot of fat cells, maybe your ancestors were the biggest people in the tribe, which was a good thing because they had the best chances of survival.

You can never get rid of fat cells, but – unfortunately – you can add to them. Depending upon what you eat, your body will manufacture new far cells. And like those you were born with, they never go away.

That doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be fat once you put on extra pounds. It is possible to shrink fat cells. That’s what happens when you lose weight. You burn up the fat stored in those big fat cells. Think of them as balloons. Burning off the fat inside them has the save effect as letting the air out of a balloon.

A good weight loss program requires a certain amount of intake restriction – the consumption of fewer calories. You burn off the fat by eating less fat and becoming more active.

To guarantee a lifetime of weight-control success, you have to change the type of foods you eat, so that you ingest less fat and still get the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, protein, fat and carbohydrates your body needs to thrive.

Extremely low-calorie diets may help you shed pounds quickly, but they’ll lead to failure in the long run.

That’s because humans are genetically protected against starvation. During food shortages, our bodies slow down our metabolisms and burn less energy so we can stay alive.

Download the rest of the book here for free next week when you become a part of our membership site.
Best of all you can try the membership for 1 month for free.
See you on 20 May when the membership site goes live.