Health Benefits of Almonds

Eating unskinned almonds may help you fight off colds and flu due to the naturally occuring chemicals found in the skin of the nut (almond skins which have been removed through blancing in hot water have little effect on the immune system).

Research recently carried out in Italy has shown that  “Almond skins are able to stimulate the immune response and thus contribute to an antiviral immune defence.”

The researchers from the Institute of Food Research, whose work is published in the scientific journal “Immunology”, found that even after digestion in a laboratory simulation of a human gut, the almonds skins were still able to increase the immune response. Tests were also carried out on the immune response to infection by the Herpes Simplex Virus 2, which can cause cold sores  and found that almond skin extracts were effective against even this virus.

Almonds have also been shown to lower levels of “bad” cholesterol in the blood.

One way to enjoy unskinned almonds is to roast them with a little sea salt and olive oil.

Hydrolats

Hydrolats have the same attributes as essential oils but are much more gentle and some can be taken internally or used as roomsprays, mouthwashes, eyewashes or for gargling.

One of Suzanne Catty’s suggestions for infant and baby care is Roman Chamomile – use this for soothing and providing relief from teething problems and insomnia.  Another, given by Barbara Payne is for a gargle to stop a cold going onto the chest – gargle with 10ml of myrtle, 20 ml of euclpytus and 20ml of rosemary hydrolats or use in a vaporizer to disinfect the room.

Self Help for Arthritis Suffers

Many people suffer from varying forms of arthritis and there are many self help guides available.  I think this is one of the best websites for all information relating to arthritis and many associated conditions, such as lupus, fibromyalgia and gout.  Information leaflets are readily available and free of charge.

www.arc.org.uk

There is also a link to an evidence based report on the use of complementary therapies and arthritis.

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/complementary-therapies/~/media/Files/Arthritis%20information/Additional%20items/CAM%20Report.ashx

 

 

Seasonal eating

As I’m sure you know, there is a growing trend to eat more seasonal fruit and vegetables, particularly those that locally grown – both increasing the nutritive benefit and becoming more eco-friendly. One useful website with seasonal recipies is www.eatseasonably.co.uk.  Why not have a look?  There are also tips on what to grow if you plant your own veg …..

Acupuncture and relaxation

Researchers at Georgetown University in Washington have completed a study designed to test the effect of acupuncture on blood levels of the protein neuropeptide, which is involved in the response to acute stress.   This is published online in the journal “Experimental Biology and Medicine”.

Although the research was carried out on rats, researchers have advised that the findings could help to explain the sense of well-being many people experience after receiving acupuncture as this reduces the levels of neuropeptide, which has the effect of constricting blood flow to all parts of the body, except the heart, lungs and brain

http://explore.georgetown.edu/news/?ID=61392&PageTemplateID=295

 

 

Ultrasound for bone healing

This is a link to a news article published recently – may be of particular interest to Reiki practitioners!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-15262297

A couple of quotes from the press release:

“It’s a very interesting scientific development and there’s good evidence that
it just vibrates the cells a little which then stimulates healing and
regeneration in the bone.”

Ultrasound waves are used at a slightly different frequency and a slightly
different pulse. Research suggests this encourages cells to remove bacteria,
stimulates the production of new bone cells and encourages those cells to mature
more rapidly.

The benefits of water

A few interesting facts -

• 75% of your body/85% of your brain and 94% of blood are made of water so you can see why it is so important to stay hydrated!
• There is a reduced sensitivity to a lack of water in the body as we get older.
• Dehydration can lead to many other health conditions if ignored.
• Drinking plenty of water does not necessarily mean that you will need to use the toilet more often – strong urine, caused by lack of fluid, is an irritant to the bladder and hence the need to empty it more frequently.

How many of us have felt thirsty but ignored the feeling as it wasn’t convenient to take a drink?  Did you know that the sensations of thirst change to feelings of hunger if ignored – your body is determined to get its fluid somehow!

Eco-friendly shopping bags

There is an increasing awareness about the use of plastic bags for carrying home your shopping and how many of these end up alongside roads and motorways – sometimes for no other reason than they are blown off the refuse collection lorries!

Many people are now looking for alternatives and many of the supermarkets offer a “bag for life” or equivalent.  One option are the Doy Bags supplied by Gifts from Nature which are made from recycled juice cartons – fun, colourful and eco-friendly!

http://www.giftsfromnature.co.uk/recycled%20juice%20carton%20bags.html

 

Yoga for pain relief

A recent study published in the “Journal of Pain” by scientists at York University, Toronto, reported that the regular practice of yoga can help combat pain associated with the debilitating effects of the muscular disorder fibromyalgia.

http://www.dovepress.com/an-eight-week-yoga-intervention-is-associated-with-improvements-in-pai-peer-reviewed-article-JPR

You may wonder why so much of the research regarding complementary therapies seems to be undertaken in America rather than in the UK – this is because there is more funding available!  Also, as American citizens have to pay for all “medical” treatment received, there is more choice as to how they spend their money.  Due to the higher demand for non-mainstream medicine, there is more interest from academics and other interested parties in proving the benefits of these treatments.

Beetroot juice

Although not a recent study (2010), research published by the Queen Mary University of London revealed that the nitrate content of beetroot juice is the underlying cause of its’ blood pressure lowering benefits.  The study, published online in the American Heart Association Journal “Hypertension” found that blood pressure was lowered within 24 hours in people who took nitrate tablets, and people who drank beetroot juice.

http://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/items/smd/31048.html

http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/56/2/274.abstract