Help With Menopause

Menopause occurs when the ovaries fail to produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This happens, at an average, around the age of 51. One of the first signs of menopause is the discontinuation or irregularity of monthly menstruation. This can be accompanied by hot flashes. Some women have trouble sleeping or experience vaginal dryness. If you are experiencing these symptoms, there are a variety of ways to make menopause less intrusive in your daily life.

Hot Flash Help and HRT

One of the most frequent complaints of menopause is the hot flash. A hot flash starts in the brain, where the hypothalamus falsely perceives that the woman's body is too warm. It then triggers a cooling-down response which causes the woman's face to flush; her heart may pound faster and she starts to sweat. All of this is followed by a feeling of being cold. Hot flashes don't last very long (approximately a half-minute), but if they are intense or bothersome you can talk to your doctor about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). In HRT women are prescribed estrogen with progesterone or estrogen alone. HRT can also alleviate the vaginal dryness associated with menopause. Be advised that HRT has been shown to increase a woman's risk for breast cancer, stroke or heart attack. So, many women choose to turn to alternative medications to prevent their hot flashes, or simply endure the hot flashes.

Other Helpful Medications

Other drugs that help control hot flashes are Gabapentin, Clonidine and Megestrol, although these drugs are not FDA-approved. Some natural products that have been shown to help relieve the intensity of hot flashes are vitamin E, licorice, primrose oil, quai tea, chasteberry, phytoestrogen, black cohosh and wild yarn. Vaginal estrogen cream can be applied directly to the vaginal area to help with the discomfort of dryness. Some doctors will also prescribe antidepressants such as Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil and Effexor to treat hot flashes. These medications help by decreasing incidents in about 60 percent of women.

Helpful Lifestyle Changes

Certain changes in lifestyle or modified behaviors can also help alleviate menopausal problems. Doctors recommend daily exercise such as walking to keep the body healthy and help with sleep problems. Exercise also helps to prevent heart disease and osteoporosis. A proper diet with plenty of lean protein and vegetables can help keep the body strong and lessen the intensity of symptoms. Doctors also recommend not smoking, especially if patients are undergoing Hormone Replacement Therapy, because this could increase the risk for cardiovascular illness.

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Types Of Finger Warts

Finger warts are typically found around the fingernails, and they can cause pain when they become invasive. Children and young adults are often prime candidates for finger warts since their immune systems are not fully developed. Sometimes, they are called seed warts because a black dot appears on top, which is a capillary vessel that is feeding the wart. Warts can spread to other areas since they are a virus, so avoid contact with other areas when you have an active wart. As of yet, no cure has been found for the virus that causes finger warts.

Common Warts

These appear with a raised cauliflower surface and are spread from contact with another wart.

Flat Warts

These are flat-topped and smooth, and are sometimes seen on the faces of women.

Plantar Warts

Treat Ovarian Cancer

Treat Ovarian Cancer

Statistics suggest that ovarian cancer strikes about 22,000 women annually. A woman's chances of survival hinge on the identification of effective ovarian cancer treatment protocols.

Instructions

1. Consult with your doctor about surgical options. If the cancer has not spread, a doctor may recommend a hysterectomy. Debulking is a surgical procedure used when ovarian cancer has spread to other areas of the abdomen.

2. Visit with a gynecologic oncologist to discuss chemotherapy options. Determine which drugs you'll use and discuss side effects. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy, comprised of two drugs.

3. Review options for chemotherapy administration. Systemic chemotherapy, which is administered orally or through an intravenous line, is good for metastatic cancer since it goes directly into the bloodstream. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which is administered directly into the abdomen through a catheter, is another option that has extended the lives of patients.

4. Talk to your doctor about your eligibility for clinical trials, which involves testing new drugs which may be effective in treating your cancer. There are risks involved and participation doesn't guarantee that you'll get the drug.

5. Schedule regular appointments to have your blood tested after surgery. Blood tests, which reveal levels of the cancer marker CA-125, can reveal if the treatment is working.

6. Consider making appointments with nutritionists, acupuncturists or other alternative therapy experts if you're interested in pursuing alternative or complimentary treatments. Remember that most alternative treatments are not endorsed by cancer specialists.

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Know When My Child Needs A Tetanus Shot

How Do I Know When My Child Needs a Tetanus Shot?

The tetanus vaccine is routinely given to children as part of the recommended vaccination schedule set forth by the Centers for Disease Control. Giving your child this vaccine helps protect him against a possible tetanus infection after an injury where a deep puncture wound is present. It's also important to know symptoms of tetanus and when you should call your doctor.

Immunization Schedule

The CDC recommends giving your child the combination immunization DTaP. This shot protects against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) says that a two-in-one vaccine, DT, protects against diphtheria and tetanus, and can also be given to children 7 and younger. Another option for adults and children older than 7 is the Td vaccine, which also protects against tetanus and diphtheria. However UMMC says that the diphtheria dose is slightly different than that found in the DT vaccine. If your child has had a negative reaction to the DTaP vaccine in the past, discuss these other options with your doctor.

As part of the routine vaccination schedule, the CDC recommends that you give your child the DTaP shot at 2, 4 and 6 months with a fourth shot between the ages of 15 and 18 months. The CDC says that the fourth dose could be given as early as twelve months as long as at least six months have passed since he had the third dose. Your child should have a booster DTaP shot between the ages of 4 and 6 as well.

If you follow an alternative immunization schedule, ask your doctor when your child should have the tetanus shot.

Symptoms

Though children receive the tetanus immunization as a part of the CDC's recommended vaccination schedule, you should know the symptoms of a tetanus infection. According to Dr. William Sears and his wife Martha, authors of the "The Baby Book," tetanus is caused by toxins from bacteria in a contaminated, deep wound. Generally, symptoms appear three to 21 days after exposure and include muscle spasms-particularly in the jaw-and convulsions.

Even if your child has received the recommended amount of tetanus vaccines, call your doctor immediately if your child shows any of these symptoms after he or she has experienced a deep wound.

Treatment

Sears notes that the medical treatment for tetanus in children is the tetanus vaccine, hospitalization and antibiotics. To prevent tetanus, clean any wounds with an antiseptic. Sears does say, though, that tetanus is fairly uncommon.

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Reduce Tinnitus

According to The Head and Neck Center, approximately 36 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, which is a condition that causes a ringing or buzzing in the ears. Causes of tinnitus include allergies, circulation problems, thyroid disease, diabetes and physical trauma. For most people, tinnitus is merely an annoyance and distraction, but for about 7 million Americans, the condition is extremely severe and debilitating. A variety of methods is used to help reduce the symptoms of tinnitus.

Instructions

1. Wear protective earwear when exposed to loud noise levels, which can aggravate tinnitus symptoms.

2. Make dietary changes to help manage your tinnitus symptoms. Specific foods, drinks and supplements can have a positive or negative effect on your condition. Keep a food journal for a few weeks to help monitor your tinnitus symptoms and see if you can make any connections to your diet. Experts also advise patients to avoid excess salt and caffeine.

3. Reduce stress and make sure to get plenty of rest. Tinnitus symptoms are known to be aggravated by stress, anxiety and fatigue.

4. Consider using what is known as a masking device. A masking device produces a "swooshing" sound to help cover up ringing or buzzing in the ears. Masking devices do not actually help lessen symptoms but can provide relief for some patients.

5. Talk to your doctor about prescription medication. According to The Head and Neck Center, prescription drugs are not widely used to treat tinnitus but it is worth discussing with your doctor if other methods fail to help reduce symptoms.

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Ease Depression With Relaxation Techniques

Ease Depression With Relaxation Techniques

Although doctors are not sure exactly what causes depression, there are known risk factors, such as having a family history of the disorder and being under a lot of stress. Treatments may include medication, exercise and diet changes. Some people may also find doing relaxation techniques helps ease their depression. Relaxation techniques may help by reducing stress hormones in the body, changing the brain chemistry and creating a feeling of well being.

Instructions

1. Use visualization. Close your eyes and picture a place where you feel relaxed and happy, such as the beach or mountains. Use all your senses to create the feeling of being there. Imagine what the place you are visualizing would feel and smell like. Visualization can ease depression by creating a feeling of peace and relaxation.

2. Breathe deeply. Breathing exercises can have a relaxing effect on your mind and body. Sit with your back straight and breathe in slowly through your nose. Breathe from your stomach and diaphragm. You should feel your abdomen expand as you inhale. Exhale slowly through your mouth.

3. Learn to mediate. Create a quiet relaxing spot in your home where you will not be disrupted. The purpose is to clear your mind from distractions and relax your body. Sit in a comfortable position and focus on your breathing. Consider keeping your eyes half open and focusing on an object. Recite a mantra to keep your mind from wandering.

4. Do yoga. Not only is yoga good exercise but it also can have a calming effect on the mind. As your body feels more relaxed, depression may ease. Take a yoga class or buy a DVD to learn yoga poses at home.

5. Keep in mind not every relaxation technique will work for every person. Use different techniques until you find one that relaxes you and seems to help ease your depression.

6. Give yourself time. Set aside 20 to 30 minutes a day to practice relaxation techniques. Do the relaxation techniques consistently to help ease your depression. Keep in mind these techniques may take time to learn.

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Health Complications With The South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is a low carbohydrate, high protein diet originally created by Dr. Arthur Agatston and dietitian Marie Almon to help individuals lower their risk for heart disease. It eventually became popular for fast weight loss. The South Beach Diet focuses on selecting the right carbohydrates such as whole grains and specific fruits and vegetables. As with any type of diet, there can be complications associated with the South Beach Diet.

Muscle Fatigue

One complication of the diet can include such things as premature muscle fatigue during physical activity. The body stores carbohydrates as glycogen in the muscles. This helps to provide the energy needed for proper muscle contraction. When the levels of carbohydrates are decreased this can have a negative affect on this process.

Depression

Another possible complication of the South Beach Diet is depression. Diets low in carbohydrates have been linked with low levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness and satisfaction. People on the South Beach Diet have reported increased feelings of depression as well as anger and tension.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are also a possible complication often associated with low carbohydrate, high protein diets such as South Beach. Uric acid and calcium oxalate stones may both form as there is a higher acid load delivered to the kidneys in these types of diets.

Other Complications

Eating carbohydrates throughout the day has also been shown to cause a constant release of insulin, which can make body cells less receptive to the effects. This in turn can lead to insulin resistance that can also lead to diabetes. Another risk to consider is the use of aspartame. The South Beach Diet recommends using sweeteners such as Equal, Sugar Twin and NutraSweet, all of which contain aspartame. Some of the complications associated with aspartame consumption include memory loss, seizures, headaches, and even death in some instances. As with any diet, all health concerns should be discussed with a physician.

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Health Care Nightshift Jobs

The night shift is a time usually associated with empty all-night diners and vacant streets. In many urban areas, however, the city never sleeps and there is work to be done in the wee hours of the night. One of the more crucial professions on the night shift are health care jobs. Health care workers must maintain the same level of expertise at two a.m. as they provide at noon.

Identification

Health care night shift work involves any situation where a health care professional provides patient care after regular business hours. This type of work is mostly delegated to nurses in a hospital setting who triage patients in crisis. It can also include other health care professionals like pharmacists and respiratory therapists. All of these professions provide services that require a level of immediacy in order to stabilize the patient. There are some cases where a patient simply needs to be monitored during the night. Licensed or certified health care workers are not always required in these cases, but these duties are often performed by a certified nursing assistant.

Benefits

Health care workers who work on the night shift are often able to conduct errands that are normally done on the weekends during weekday hours with less traffic. For many health care workers, the night shift allows them to flex their decision making skills in an environment where supervisors are not always available. Health care workers on the night shift provide an invaluable service to the community by ensuring that qualified professionals are available when adverse events affect a patient's stability. When a patient goes into cardiac arrest, for example, time is of the essence. A health care professional is needed immediately.

Risk Factors

While there are benefits to working the night shift as a health care professional, this scenario is not always best. Health care professionals with young families in need of supervision may face challenges when covering a night shift. Nighttime child care is significantly more expensive. Families may also run into quality of life issues if activities that would normally take place during evening hours have to be curtailed due to work requirements. Working the night shift as a health care worker requires concentration and performance may be affected if there is stress related to a family situation.

Theories/Speculation

In times of economic crisis, health care jobs become more attractive and the employment pool becomes larger. The higher pay that is offered for many health care jobs on the night shift will dwindle to nothing. Employers will determine that they can receive the same level of worker without offering additional financial perks.

Types

Health care workers on the night shift are limited to a few types of health care facilities. Hospitals are the main facility, and hospice centers and nursing homes also need health care workers on the night shift. Sitters will be able to perform their job in the patient's home.

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Increase Your Stamina And Speed Endurance In Sports

Do you want to increase your ability to play harder for longer periods of time? Do you want to be able to run fast for a longer period of time? Take it from a guy like me who is an undersized football player and has to rely on speed, strength and explosiveness to tackle hard and chase down running backs from my strong safety position. This article will give you tips and advice on increase your speed endurance and stamina

Instructions

1. You have to practice on your running technique first and foremost. This is important because teaching yourself run will help you run more efficiently which will help conserve your stamina for late in the game. You need to work on driving off the balls of your feet, staying relaxed when you run, and having a high knee lift. You also need to pump your elbows straight back behind you and front of you, not across your body.

2. Perform high intensity training as if you are actually playing in a game. You should train how you would play. The best exercises to accomplish this are exercises like plyometrics, and resisted agility drills. Have a trainer or one of your teammates resist you manually or with training bands while you perform various agility drills related to your sport. You can learn more about these exercises under the resources column at www.stack.com

3. Another important training method you have to incorporate is running longer distances at an all out effort. Go to a track and practice sprinting 400 and 500 meter dashes as fast as you can. Work on your technique and maintaining good running form. This will boost your speed endurance tremendously. It will also challenge mentally as you have to will yourself to run these distances at such a fast pace.

4. Constantly get stronger in the weight room. You will do much better on your playing field if you are strong and explosive. This is because your muscles will be more resilient against fatigue and hold up longer in sports. You need to add variation in your training program to really give your muscles a great workout. You should train very heavy with a lot of weight and a 1-5 rep range and you should also do light weight for a whole lot of reps. This will develop stamina and strength as well as muscle endurance.

5. Make sure you are performing sports related movements on a daily basis at full speed. You need to practice the movements required for your position. This will make you more efficient at what you do and increase your stamina. When it becomes second nature to you, you can take the mental element out of what you have to do on your playing field and just go out there and play. You will be less mentally tired thus preserving your stamina.

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Polio

In the early to middle half of the 20th century, polio was a condition that spiked to nearly epidemic proportions. Toward the end of the century, polio was nearly eradicated. It now only exists in certain undeveloped countries. Due to the development of vaccines, polio can be prevented.

Features

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a viral illness that can attack the central nervous system and cause paralysis. Although polio may affect anyone of any age, it is most common in infants and children. Polio may be asymptomatic, meaning that there are no apparent symptoms. There are three forms of symptomatic polio: Abortive polio usually produces flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, fever and upper respiratory illness; non-paralytic polio may produce symptoms of neck stiffness and light sensitivity; and paralytic polio can cause muscle paralysis and even death.

The Facts

In abortive and non-paralytic polio, the virus is usually confined to the digestive tract and does not move beyond the stomach. Patients suffering from this type of infection normally make a full recovery within a week to two weeks. In paralytic polio, the virus enters the blood stream and attacks the nerves. Paralysis of affected muscles may occur. Polio is usually transmitted through contact with infected stool and lack of hand washing. It may then be passed from person to person through fluids such as nasal secretions or contaminated water.

Identification

Polio is usually diagnosed through blood tests. There is no cure for polio once it has been contracted. People suffering from paralytic polio are treated for symptoms such as pain, fever and muscle stiffness to make them as comfortable as possible. If breathing muscles are affected, they may need the aid of respiratory devices to help them breathe. It is possible for patients affected by paralytic polio to gain some control over their affected limbs, but most often there is partial or complete paralysis of the affected muscles.

Effects

The most obvious and effective way to combat polio is through prevention. Jonas Salk developed a vaccine to prevent polio, and the injections became widely available to the public in 1955. Albert Sabin soon followed up with an oral vaccine in 1964. Since the development of the polio vaccines, the incidence of polio has been greatly reduced and by the latter portion of the 20th century was practically non-existent in the United States.

Function

It was discovered that in a small number of people the oral vaccine could actually produce the polio virus. The Center for Disease Control made the decision to only use the injected form of the vaccine in order to prevent such cases from occurring. It is recommended that four doses of the polio vaccine be given to children at the ages of 2 months, 4 months and again between 6 to 18 months followed by a booster shot between the ages of 4 to 6 years.

Significance

Although polio still exists in some countries in Africa and Asia, the World Health Organization continues to work toward eliminating the disease completely. It is advisable for adults and children traveling to other countries to contact their physician to see if they are in need of a booster shot. Polio can still be transmitted from person to person if contacted in areas where it is still a concern.

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Shaman Wisdom & Shaman Healing

The practice of shamanism is derived from ancient spiritual and healing rituals, typically passed from one generation to the next via oral tradition. Shamanic wisdom and healing typically entail the shamanic practitioner's having participated in many shamanic journeys in which the shaman leaves her physical body. The shaman many accomplish this feat by entering a deep, ecstatic trance that permits her to encounter spirit helpers. These entities impart knowledge and energy upon the shaman.

Features

Traditional shamans utilize lucid dreaming to explore the subconscious and provide healing. This journey may involve ascending upward to the heaven or downward to the underworld. It can also lead to parallel physical realities. This process, also known as shamanic flight, is a way for a shaman to make contact with sources of healing energy and spiritual guidance. In turn, the shaman uses knowledge to help and heal others who are on the shamanic path.

Significance

Shamanic healers held a prominent role in past societies, fulfilling the role of metaphysician, magician or priest. Shamanic wisdom about human consciousness and the universe's cosmology allows the shaman to act as a connector between the everyday world and the world beyond our physical realities. A shaman is a figure who lives on the edge of reality and society, which often requires personal sacrifices.

Misconceptions

The word shaman has been adopted by many contemporary healers; it is important to clarify that one can study shamanism without being a shaman. Earning the title of shaman demands training, practice and service to the community. Most shamanic healers train with a mentor and have entered into a state of shamanic ecstasy several times. Formal training includes studying shamanic techniques, learning the names and roles of spirits, studying the genealogy and mythology of the group the shaman serves, and mastering any special languages required.

Function

Shamanic healers employ ceremonies and rituals to divine the best energy medicine for a particular ailment. A healing session may begin with a dialogue between the patient and the shaman, followed by an examination in which the shaman centers upon the area of dissonance within the patient. The shamanic healer uses one of several techniques to disengage the aberrant form of energy. Among these techniques are divination, which entails a reading of the subject's luminous energy; soul retrieval, which heals a pain or loss in the soul by giving the patient soul elements or a power animal; a soul retrieval ceremony; extraction, which removes intrusions on a patient's spirit; and past life regression therapy, which uses past lives or dreams to heal a karmic rift.

Effects

Shamanic healing and shamanic wisdom are considered beneficial to a person's energy. The goal with shamanic rituals is to use ancient healing traditions to resolve problems. However, shamanic knowledge is always evolving and changing to address the needs of the time.

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Low Estrogen Symptoms

Estrogen is not just one hormone, it is a series of hormones with similar characteristics. Both men and women produce estrogen. However, people mostly think of them as female hormones because they are produced by women in much larger amounts than in men. When they are in low supply in women, many parts of the body can be affected, causing symptoms.

Hot Flashes

Hot flashes and night sweats are probably the most commonly known symptoms of low estrogen. These may come and go in intervals.

Weight Gain

Pounds seem to gather around the abdomen and waist area. Weight is put on easily and more difficult to take off when the body is low in estrogen.

Bladder Control

The bladder does not seem to be able to hold as much liquid and contain it as long. Many women find that they must wear some kind of protection in order to keep from embarrassing seepage.

Hair Loss

Hair may begin thinning. More hair left behind in the shower may visible. The eyebrows might start to thin.

Facial Hair

Bristly whiskers may begin appearing on the chin, but in a more sporadic manner than is visible in a man's beard.

Dry Skin

The skin, especially on the face, arms and legs become dry and sometimes flaky.

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Home Cure For My Dog'S Bad Breath

Don't feed your dog old bones or food scraps.

There are a variety of causes of bad breath in dogs. Plaque buildup, tooth decay and infection are just a few of the likely causes. It is important to take your dog to the vet to rule out any serious problems. In the meantime, however, you can treat bad dog breath at home. In addition to maintaining good oral hygiene for your dog, feeding the animal homemade dog biscuits a couple of times a day will also help to curb bad breath.

Instructions

Oral Hygiene Care

1. Brush your dog's teeth at least once a day. Apply a dab of dog toothpaste to your finger and rub it over the dog's gums for about one minute. Use a small circular motion, starting at the gum line and working your way over the teeth. Once your dog is accustomed to brushing with your finger, progress to using a dog toothbrush.

2. Spray dog mouthwash into the animal's mouth. Pour the mouthwash into a clean spray bottle if it is not already in one. One or two sprays is all that is needed to freshen the mouth and kill bacteria. Make sure this is a product for dogs and not for human use.

3. Keep your dog's water bowl clean with fresh water. Change the water several times a day to ensure that no food scraps or other debris are in the water.

4. Keep chew toys readily available for your dog. Chewing on these toys will help to remove plaque from the teeth, thereby decreasing bad breath. Wash the chew toys regularly.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

5. Combine 2 cups of rice flour, 1 tbsp.of activated charcoal and 1 tsp. of salt into a bowl. Set the bowl aside.

6. Place ½ cup of freshly chopped parsley, 1/3 cup of freshly chopped mint, 3 tbsp. of vegetable oil and 1 egg into a separate bowl. Use a hand mixer to thoroughly combine the ingredients.

7. Add the dry mixture gradually to the wet mixture, using the hand mixer on low speed.

8. Stir in 2/3 cup of milk to the mixture. Use a spoon to thoroughly combine the ingredients until a thick dough forms.

9. Grease a cookie sheet. Drop tablespoons of the dough onto the cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.

10. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Allow the biscuits to cool. Store them in a covered container in the refrigerator.

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Healing Properties Of Labradorite

Healing Properties of Labradorite

Labradorite is a gray feldspar mineral that occasionally has brilliant flashes of color that are suggestive of the aurora borealis. This remarkable effect is also called schiller or labradorescence. The flashes tend to be blue, green, and yellow, and can only be seen when the stone is moved to catch the correct angle. The primary producer of this mineral is Labrador, Canada, from which the stone got its name. When mined, the stone has a gray color, but the crystals can be transparent or translucent.

History

Labradorite was first discovered by Moravian missionaries in 1770, although older Inuit peoples speak of a legend where a brave Inuit warrior struck the stone with his spear and created the northern lights, according to Technology Info Mine.com. As noted by Mineral Miners.com, Labradorite is said to reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness. It cleanses the psyche of negative thoughts and feelings. It is associated with regulation of the metabolism and assisting with digestion. It is also used to encourage healing of eye problems.

Brain Disorders

Perhaps because of its unique flashes and unusual coloration, labradorite is strongly associated with brain processes. It clarifies thinking, acts to reduce thinking errors, assists with brain and mental health disorders, and is identified with encouraging positivity, prosocial behavior, cooperation, and bringing thoughts and feelings into balance. Because of these processes of strength-giving, it is valued and used to combat sensations of weakness, both physical and emotional, and to assist in the manifestation of goals. By clarifying thinking, the stone is thought to reduce the impulsive actions caused by false illusions, and for this reason, it is considered to be a very powerful stone.

Merkabahs

Labradorite has also been discovered in Finland, but Canada remains the center for production of quality labradorite stones. Raw labradorite stones of golf-ball size or larger are shaped by hand in India into merkabahs (said to be an ancient Egyptian term meaning "rotating fields of light"), according to Healing Crystals.com. Merkabahs are tetrahedron forms that match the sacred geometry shape of the human energy field. Healing work done with labradorite merkabahs delves into healing of the psyche and emotional states, strengthening the intuitive, and assisting individuals in transformative realizations on their paths toward enlightenment.

Benefits

Chief among the attributes generally given to labradorite is its ability to calm, center, and ground the person holding or wearing the stone. This feature is experienced as protective and welcoming, like a natural shield against negativity from people and circumstances. It allows the individual to displace anxiety-producing thinking with pragmatic and reasoned cognition. For this reason, many people wear labradorite when they know they are approaching a situation or individual who is operating in a stressed state. The calming effect of the stone allows the individual to retain control and not be drawn into inappropriate responses. This is understood as a type of self-learning given by the stone to its wearer, assisting, aiding, or even healing impulsivity processes that produce self-injury.

Significance

Practitioners and enthusiasts of gemstone therapy often collect a series of stones that they feel are essential tools in the promotion of healing and wellness. Labradorite is among those stones that are identified as strongly useful, as well as beautiful.

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Healing Power Of Salt

Healing Power of Salt

Salt has been known for its healing properties for centuries. There are several forms of salt, all with varying properties and propensities for healing.

Types of Salt

Salt comes in various chemical combinations. Table salt is sodium chloride. Other types of salt are magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, bromide and sulphates.

Benefits of Salts

Magnesium chloride is used to promote healing and has anti-allergic elements when used topically.

Potassium chloride regulates the moisture level in your skin. Sodium chloride relieves stiffness and muscle cramps. Calcium chloride works under the skin as a corrective tissue building block.

Bromide acts as a soother for skin, body muscles and nerves. Sulphates are a natural disinfectant and found in certain vitamins.

Dead Sea Salt

Dead Sea salt is a mixture of salts with many benefits. It can be used to relieve acne and skin irritations, hives, psoriasis, dry and cracked skin, Rheumatologic conditions, muscle aches, stress and insomnia. Dead Sea salts are dissolved in water and used as a soaking bath.

Other Healing Uses of Salt

Salt packs have been used for years as a remedy for swelling and pain relief. A hot compress made with salt is said to reduce inflammation and infection.

Conclusion

Salt is a natural ingredient with few side effects. Used topically or in a bath, salt has many healing properties that can benefit you. There are many websites that offer recipes or products to use at home for many conditions.

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Meditate With Healing Crystals

Crystals can heighten your meditative experience by providing different kinds of healing energy. Many Eastern religions believe the body has energy centers, or wheels of energy, called chakras. Each chakra corresponds to different organs and energies in the body. Different types of crystal are also believed to heal different organs and energies within the body. Here you will learn place the crystals on your chakras, and enhance your meditation.

Instructions

Placing the Stones

1. Place the hematite, which is your black stone, on your base chakra. Your base chakra is in the pelvic region.

2. Lay the carnelian stone, a reddish-orange stone, on your spleen chakra. The spleen chakra is between your base chakra and belly button.

3. Place the yellow citrine stone on your solar plexus, which is just above your belly button. The solar plexus is considered your "center."

4. Lay the amazonite and rose quartz, the green and pink stones, respectively, in the center of your chest so that they are aligned with your heart. This is your heart chakra.

5. Place the blue lace agate on your throat chakra in the center of your throat.

6. Put the amethyst, the purple stone, on your third eye chakra. The third eye is located between your eyes, on your forehead.

7. Place the crystal quartz on the pillow behind your bed. This is your crown chakra.

Crystal Meditation

8. Breathe in and out slowly until it feels like your body is sinking into the floor. Visualize your heartbeat slowing down and your body beginning to float.

9. Imagine a sun above your head and a bright white light emanating all around you. Visualize a gold and silver cord twining down your spine and into the earth like the roots of a tree.

10. Visualize a red flower, like a lotus, opening at your base chakra. Imagine the flower opening wider and wider and a wheel of red light circling toward the sky. Breathe in the white light from the sun through the center of the flower, let it collect any problems you are having at home, and imagine them being released as you breathe out the white light through the center. You will repeat this for each chakra.

11. Imagine a bright orange flower opening at your spleen chakra. Breathe the white light from the sun in and out through the chakra, and imagine it releasing any physical pain in your body.

12. Open a yellow flower at your solar plexus, or center. Use the white light to release problems with self-esteem, or energy. Visualize the white light filling your body with energy and willpower.

13. Visualize a green flower with a pink center opening at your heart chakra. Here you can release negative emotions and negative energies in your relationships.

14. Imagine a blue flower opening at your throat chakra and a blue light twirling towards the sky. Breathe in the white light of the sun until the center of the throat chakra becomes a white light. Release problems with creative expression or communication as you breathe the light out.

15. At your third eye, open an indigo flower in your imagination. Awaken your intuition and psychic abilities by breathing in the white light.

16. Visualize a silvery white lotus opening at your third eye. Use the white light to connect to the universe. Visualize all the colored energies of the chakras creating a rainbow around you.

17.Gently close each chakra by visualizing the flowers closing and disappearing into your body one by one. Begin with the crown chakra, and work your way down. Feel all the chakras spinning in perfect unison. Open your eyes when you're ready.

Tags: white light, opening your, your body, base chakra, stone your, Breathe white

Home Remedies For Migraine Headaches

The headache associated the chronic condition known as a migraine can be debilitating. An extreme migraine can put a person off her routine for hours, days and, in some cases, weeks. No wonder that so many different kinds of home remedies have erupted to go alongside the traditional pain relievers that may or may not work. It is the unpredictability of pain relievers to treat migraine headaches that usually sends suffers looking for alternative treatment; some people are willing to try anything to make the ache go away.

Magnesium

One of the physiological causes of migraine headaches is the spasming of blood vessels located in the head with the resulting pain that accompanies the firing of the nerves. Taking magnesium supplements serves to maintain vessel tone, while also ensuring that nerves don't fire. If the nerves don't fire, there is no pain. Patients with a known deficiency of magnesium who have been advised to take supplements have report fewer migraines and reduction in the severity when they do occur. Recommended dosage is 1,000 milligrams right before bed.

Riboflavin

Riboflavin is one of those vitamins commonly found in healthy amounts in breakfast cereals, which is how most people become familiar with it. By taking 200 milligrams of riboflavin in supplement form, or an equal amount consumed naturally on a daily basis( though that would a lot of cereal), people have reported the number of headaches suffered on a monthly basis to be much lower.

Feverfew

Feverfew is perhaps the hottest thing in herbal remedies for migraine headaches today. Interestingly, feverfew has always been hot stuff in the world of herbal healers for centuries and possibly millennia. Only now, however, is the full power of feverfew hitting the mainstream. Just 125 milligrams of feverfew leaf a day has been reported to significantly lower frequency and severity of migraine headaches in study participants.

Although there is no evidence that combining magnesium, feverfew and riboflavin increases the ability to stave off migraine pain, there is no reason not to experiment with certain combinations, either.