Tag Archives: holistic

The Best Herbs For Pain Relief

Those who suffer from an injury or chronic pain will know how it feels to have tried almost everything to relieve their pain. Every medication, special mattress, wrap, and back support that is on the market (or so it seems!). An interesting alternative is working these marvelous pain-relieving herbs into your cooking. Feel better – naturally!

herbs 

Ginger: Long used in Chinese culture, ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Also used to calm and settle upset stomachs, ginger is incredible for reducing osteoarthritic pain!

Red Pepper: Including both cayenne and chili, you’d never guess that red peppers are a crucial and often overlooked component of pain relief. Red pepper can help, as when a heat increase is felt in the body, VR1 (the body’s vanillin receptor 1) changes its shape and signals nerve cells to feel heat as well, fooling the brain into relieving your pain signals.

Oregano: Oregano is a triple threat in that it is anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Long used in the Mediterranean for its natural healing properties, many who suffer from muscle spasms or arthritis swear by it!

Clove: If you have sensitive teeth and suffer from toothaches, look no further. Cloves are frequently a main ingredient in many dental products intended for pain relief. This is because cloves are host to numerous antiseptic, anti fungal and anesthetic properties.

Liquorice: Not the type that your Grandma kept in her candy bowl, liquorice is a longtime source of pain relief. In addition to blocking and preventing inflammation, liquorice has also been known to quell anxiety and nervous disorders.

 

What will you be whipping up tonight with your newly learned arsenal of natural, pain reliving herbs? Share your recipes with us on our Facebook page!

Acupressure Techniques To Try

Many of us feel that painkillers like Advil or Aspirin can feel like unnatural cures that are foreign to the body. Acupressure can be a great alternative to pills, and may be useful in treating an array of maladies.

hand massage

Nausea: If you’re experiencing nausea, take your wrist in between your thumb and your index and middle fingers. Place your thumb on the inside of your wrist approximately two finger-widths down from the top crease. Make sure your middle and index fingers are on the opposite side of your wrist. Firmly press together.

Stiff Neck: Gently place your fingers behind your ears and move down and inwards until you find the indention at the top of your jaw. Use your middle and index fingers to press firmly on these  pressure points on both sides of your neck. Slowly close your eyes and tilt your head back until the pain starts to subside.

Sinus Pressure: Place your index fingers on either side of your nose. Gently press on the creases where your nose and cheek meet, just outside of your nostrils. Hold this for up to 3 minutes.

Grogginess: Use your middle and index fingers to firmly press against the back of your knees for a quick energy boost. For a real jolt of energy, lightly tap the top of your head, directly in the centre. Then, use your thumb and index finger to massage the same spot behind your knees, followed by the middle of your foot.

Are you familiar with acupressure and have some techniques you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them on our Facebook page!

How To Detox Your Home

Man in living room

You know what they say: your home is your castle. So why allow bad energy to cluster and crowd in your sacred space? Chemicals can be found in air freshener, plastics, furniture and other foreign substances that pollute the air in our homes. Though air purifiers are an effective option, sometimes the best route is a holistic one. Here are some options to help naturally detoxify your home:

Bamboo

When bamboo is baked at very high temperatures, it transforms into a charcoal-like substance. Charcoal is excellent at absorbing not only odours, but also potentially hazardous chemicals like ammonia. These are called ‘bamboo briquettes’ and are an excellent environmentally friendly option that has been used throughout Asia for hundreds of years.

Plants

In addition to adding a lovely burst of green to your home, plants also help to clean the air in your house – sometimes in as little as a day! Houseplants are capable of removing tricky toxins such as cigarette smoke and even carbon monoxide. In fact, NASA scientists conducted a study to demonstrate the incredible power of plants in the detoxification of air. Wondering what the top three plants were? English ivy, golden pothos and boston fern!

Beeswax

100% real beeswax candles clean the air while they burn. As the candles burn, they create negative ions, which neutralize positive ions (allergens and airborne toxins) and produce a similar cleansing effect to houseplants. Remember, only 100% beeswax candles will work (most candles actually add to the toxicity of the air in your home).

Himalayan Salt Lamp

These lamps are exactly what they sound like – large chunks of Himalayan salt with a small light bulb placed inside. As the light bulb heats up the salt and gently releases salt particles, the salt particles neutralize toxins in the air and eliminate unpleasant odours. Additionally, many find the warm, glowing light of the salt lamp to be very therapeutic.

Preventative Measures

  • Remove shoes when entering the home
  • Use green/eco-friendly cleaners
  • Filter your water
  • Be conscious of purchasing synthetic materials throughout the home

 

Do you have helpful tips for detoxifying the home? Feel free to share them with us on our Facebook page!