2012 March/April Newsletter
Welcome!
I had to double-check the date when I was typing the header for this page — is it really still March? It seems as if the year is flying by, especially with our unusual weather keeping us on our toes. We have some fantastic guest writers this month: Dr. Emily Miller, ND; Dr. George Savastio, ND; and herbalist Carolyn Kelley. Also, a classic article from the archives about allergies, written and updated by our very own herbalist and pharmacist Greg McCrone. (Not to mention an article about Dr. Oz!) Read on, and enjoy!
Click titles to jump to individual articles, or just scroll down.
JTW Spotlight: It’s Time For A Detoxifying Spring Cleanse!
Guest Authors
Herbalist Carolyn Kelley: Healthy Sweeteners
Dr. George Savastio, ND: Pancha Karma For Chronic Pain
You can sign up to receive newsletter announcements via email at herbalpath.com.
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The Dr. Oz Phenomenon
by Marci Kuegel
There’s one doctor’s name we’ve been hearing a lot lately at the Herbal Path, and that’s Dr. Oz. He’s had a hand in some of the biggest product crazes in the natural products industry — neti pots and acai berries were two memorable hot topics from the past; right now it’s safflower oil and saffron capsules. I’d like to share my take on the Dr. Oz Phenomenon.
What’s So Great About Dr. Oz?
Well, he’s got a big audience. When this man speaks, people hear him. I could talk nonstop for a week about the benefits of antioxidants and not reach as many ears as Dr. Oz talking for five minutes. That means those of us in the natural products business are incredibly lucky that he is supportive of our work; he is raising awareness in a big way. Just the fact that he speaks respectfully about herbal supplements and other “alternative” approaches to health care as opposed to dismissing them entirely or warning people away from them is fantastic.
Even better, I think Dr. Oz truly has a healthier nation as one of his goals. He is encouraging people to take responsibility for their own health, and to see their health as something they can impact with their own actions, choices, and yes, supplements, instead of something that is entirely in the hands of their doctors.
In That Case, What’s The Problem?
The very format that allows Dr. Oz to reach so many people also requires him to continually offer new content. That’s the nature of television; he has to keep people tuning in. A month ago, we were inundated with calls for coconut oil. Two weeks later, people started asking about rice bran oil. Does that mean coconut oil’s no good any more? Of course not — but if Dr. Oz spent every episode reviewing how great coconut oil is, eventually people would get bored and stop watching.
Also, there are limits to the amount of detail that can be explored in a short televised segment. Watching Dr. Oz on tv is no substitute for doing your own research or talking with someone about how a specific product might influence your specific health situation. Sure, the products he talks about are all available without a prescription. But should they be taken in conjunction with blood thinners? Is it safe to take them while pregnant or nursing? What if you have a family history of epilepsy? What age ranges are they appropriate for? If Dr. Oz recommends 100 milligrams, is that of a powdered extract? A solid tablet? A liquid extract in a softgel? Once a day, or in divided doses? With food, or on an empty stomach?
There simply isn’t enough time in a single episode to get through everything, and it would probably be much more boring to watch if he tried. Listening to Dr. Oz is a great way to get exposure to new ideas and new products, but it is still the responsibility of the individual to do their due diligence. In other words, he’s starting a conversation, not providing a shopping list.
Let’s Get To The Big Question: What About Weight Loss?
One of Dr. Oz’s favorite topics seems to be weight loss. It makes sense, because it’s something a lot of people are interested in — there may be no better way to get people to tune in than to offer them the “secrets” of losing weight.
The truth is, there is no secret. Weight loss is hard work, and the keys to success are the same as they’ve always been. Make healthy food choices, manage your stress, exercise, get enough sleep, and drink plenty of water. Of course, that doesn’t mean that supplements can’t be helpful along the way. (After all, most colds will run their course in a week or so, but that doesn’t stop me from taking immune supplements when I start feeling run down.)
Dr. Oz generally focuses on four categories of products for weight loss: Satiety (fiber and good fats), Stress Reduction, Digestion, and Metabolism. All of these categories are great! There are not many people who would argue the statement that each of those four categories can impact weight loss. Unfortunately, it’s not always clear which category a product is in when Dr. Oz is talking about it, which can lead to people doubling or tripling up on supplements that are doing essentially the same thing, while missing some of the other components.
The first category, satiety, is really all about making good choices about what you eat, so you can feel full faster and longer, and allowing you to feel satisfied eating less. Here’s an example of what usually happens when Dr. Oz recommends a product in this category: Let’s say a customer comes in to the Herbal Path and says, “Dr. Oz said Apple Pectin will help me lose weight; is that true?” We can explain that Apple Pectin is a good source of fiber, and that increasing fiber intake (or intake of good fats, like coconut oil) can make you feel more full (increase satiety), thus making it easier to eat less and lose weight. That sounds a lot more complicated than when Dr. Oz was talking about how great it was, and (especially if the customer is already taking a fiber supplement) they wind up feeling like we have cheated them out of a secret weight loss miracle pill. As you might imagine, this is frustrating for all involved.
What about stress reduction? Our customers say: “Dr. Oz says Passionflower will help me lose weight; is that true?” Well, sort of. When a person is experiencing a lot of stress, our bodies may interpret that stress as a signal that we are in (or about to be in) a time of great physical hardship, like a famine. The body will hang on to every calorie and bit of fat that it can, trying to help us survive the hard times. That makes it incredibly difficult to lose weight. Herbal supplements like passionflower and holy basil can help us manage our stress. When we’ve got a handle on stress, that can trip the switch for our bodies to let them know ‘there’s no famine, everything’s fine — go ahead and shed that extra fat!’ But is there a direct connection between taking a pill of passionflower and dropping a pound of weight? No.
Digestion — there are many fantastic supplements to aid our digestion, like probiotics, enzymes, bitters, and more. But the connection between weight loss and digestive aids is purely common sense. If we eat healthy foods, and use supplements like bitters to help us digest them (aka we are better able to absorb the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from our food), then use supplements like triphala and fiber (there it is again!) to help us eliminate waste, we are going to feel better and be healthier. More nutrients and healthy elimination means more energy to get moving and get exercising. The body will have the building blocks it needs to create muscle and keep our systems running smoothly. It makes sense that a healthy, smoothly-running body will have an easier time losing weight.
Metabolism (specifically, increasing metabolism) can take on the allure of being the “magic bullet” of weight loss. Again, it’s just not that simple. For example, there are many potential reasons why a person might have a “sluggish metabolism.” If metabolism has been thrown out of whack by a hormonal imbalance or a thyroid condition, wouldn’t it make more sense to treat the cause than the symptom? And of course, there’s the concern that many things that boost the metabolism are also stimulants, which can have side effects or interact negatively with other things people might be taking. That doesn’t mean there aren’t safe ways for many people to naturally increase their metabolism; it just means that not every product Dr. Oz mentions might be the best one for you specifically.
Cards On The Table: Can Supplements Help You Lose Weight?
My answer is: yes, but not necessarily in the way that people want them to. No supplement is going to work without making the lifestyle changes to support it. (Just like with my cold example — I can take all the supplements I want when I feel that first tickle in my throat, but if I eat junk and don’t rest, chances are I’m still going to get sick.) For some people, just making the lifestyle changes are enough without supplements, but the habit and reminder of taking a daily supplement may provide extra motivation to put in the lifestyle work (sort of like getting a new pair of sneakers, or new piece of exercise equipment). For others, it may take a more serious regimen (potentially including diet, lifestyle, supplements, medications, and/or consulting with doctors and practitioners) to help get everything back on track and start seeing the results you want.
I encourage everyone to look beyond the sometimes sensationalist aspects of Dr. Oz’s show and focus on the positive core message of the Dr. Oz phenomenon: we have the power to make changes in our own health and our own lives. There are healthy, natural options for reaching our goals. Let’s get started!
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Greg McCrone on Allergies: An Herbal Path Classic
by Greg McCrone, RPh
April showers bring May flowers — and blossoms full of allergens and blooms of tree pollen descending upon us. With the climactic change that we have been experiencing here in New England, with temperatures reaching the 80s in March, allergy season will be here sooner than later.
Fortunately we are well equipped at the Herbal Path to address the symptoms of the allergic response with herbs and supplements that have a long history of traditional use as well as scientifically validated research that supports their use. In addition, we can simultaneously support the underlying systems and contributing factors that affect our immune response.
In modern biomedical literature the pathophysiology of the inflammatory cascade due to our allergic response is well documented. Understanding our body’s inability to cope with the allergic cascade and the underlying reasons which often bring on these rapid changes in our bodies is not. Conversely, traditional systems of medicine like Western Herbal, Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic have documented their ability to come to grips with these underlying causes.
Treating the body’s imbalance prior to the onset of allergy season is the best approach to lessening the severity of allergic symptoms. Using adaptogenic herbs (American Ginseng, Rhodiola and Schisandra) and polyphenolic compounds (Turmeric, Green Tea & Grape skin) strengthen the endocrine system and allow the immune response to function properly. Our old friends the Essential Fatty Acids (Hemp, Flax, Udo’s Choice, and Fish Oils) are “essential” for building less over-reactive cells that line our sinus passageways and respiratory system. They are required by our endocrine system to manufacture specific prostaglandins which balance our over active inflammatory response when the histamines are released by our mast cells.
This remarkable approach to assist our body in mounting a healthy response can be curative and will reap many side benefits instead of “side effects”. Instead of our bodies out of balance immune reaction and a cascading inflammatory response which can lead to respiratory infections and a miserable spring, we can enjoy a walk in the woods.
Many of our good customers have purchased Neti pots in years past, ever since it was promoted by Dr Oz on the Oprah show. Ayurvedic medicine has recommended this sinus and nasal cleansing for hundreds of years and countless patrons of the Herbal Path have remarked how it has changed their life and perhaps helped them avoid sinus surgery. It’s a great way to clean your nasal passages nightly of allergens and pollen that we snuff up all day long. I make a neti wash tea with Marshmallow, Elder and Yarrow that can be added to the saline wash.
Choosing an appropriate supplement may seem a little daunting with all the choices on the Herbal Path’s shelves. Tinctures, teas, and many combinations of tablets or capsules are available. Some are single compounds, like Nettles, Quercetin, N-acetyl Cysteine, Elder flower and Eyebright and others contain multiple combinations of the some of the same herbs as well many supportive vitamins, minerals, and nutrients (Sinus Take Care, Aller-Aid or Allertonic).
Friend and renowned author David Hoffmann once remarked “when in doubt use Nettles”. Susan Weed refers to Stinging Nettle as “green milk”. With over 100 constituents isolated from Nettles, I believe the best products are fresh, whole, freeze- dried or tinctured plant. These processes preserve the plant chemistry and guarantee ample amounts of active constituents such as acetylcholine, serotonin, histamine, and Quercetin. One study found 58% of the patients suffering from allergic rhinitis (allergies) reported moderate to significant relief of symptoms when taking freeze-dried Nettles. We have several brands of excellent Nettles: Gaia, Oregon’s Wild Harvest and Eclectic.
Nettles are one herb I use on a daily basis and have for many years. Herb Pharm’s Nettles and Eyebright tincture (now renamed Pollen Defense) is my choice for allergy symptoms. I use it nightly and sometimes many times a day. It has other very supportive herbs including Goldenseal, Horseradish, and Yarrow. Again there are a half dozen other wonderful tinctures to choose from such as Quantum, Avena, Herbs Etc, and Gaia.
Quercetin is a plant bioflavonoid and has been shown to prevent mast cell degranulation (which will cause the cascading allergic response) and histamine release. One study showed Quercetin to inhibit histamine release by 52-77%. Nettles and many other plants contain this bioflavonoid but Megafood has a Quercetin with added Phenolic fruit extracts from citrus, cranberry, and blueberry.
A detoxifying amino acid, N-acetyl cysteine has been found to enhance our body’s ability to remove accumulating toxins, including the gunk and mucous that builds up in our lungs and sinuses. It can be purchased separately but Oregons Wild Harvest has a nice product with NAC, Quercetin, Nettles and Vitamin C called Aller-Aid.
There are handfuls of products at the Herbal Path that provide supportive and effective symptomatic relief of sinus, respiratory and skin allergies. Let us be your guides to unravel the mysteries of the healing powers of our brothers and sisters of the plant kingdom. Many of us personally know growers, harvesters, formulators, and manufacturers of our products and the intentions of all those involved — along with the magic of plant chemistry (and supported by real science!) — bringing to our shelves a variety of products that often work very well and have proven to be safe.
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It’s Time for a Detoxifying Spring Cleanse!
by Dr. Emily Miller, ND
Spring is nearly upon us! For many, it is time to open the windows, let in the fresh air, and begin the arduous task of spring cleaning. It is time to empty the cabinets, clean out the basement and attic, and turn our homes into clean peaceful spaces. At this time of organizing our external world many of us look within and also feel a need to cleanse our bodies, purging all of the toxins and unwanted fat that has accumulated over our winter of hibernation and holiday. Understanding our body’s natural ability to cleanse and detoxify is a vital part of every Detoxification Cleanse.
First I would like to suggest a metaphor that reflects the most current thinking on the concept of a “cleanse”. When I was young, my town had an annual tradition celebrating the concurrent spring cleaning purge that accompanied the coming of Spring. This day was affectionately known to the kids in town as “big trash day”. Once per year all the residents of the town would rid their homes of all the unwanted items that the trash collection service would not normally collect and at the end of each driveway were mountainous piles of tires, lawnmowers, lumber, and other toxic substances. I remember a sense of satisfaction reclaiming a formally inaccessible corner of the attic or basement.
Our current paradigm around cleansing suggests to us that we are to engage in one tremendous “big trash day” to purify our blood and liver and reclaim the internal spaces within ourselves to experience optimal health. Cleansing, for many people, refers to a set period of time that they set aside for detoxification. Although this can be very beneficial and I encourage annual or seasonal cleansing, I invite you to take a new perspective and consider instead, how you can feel healthier and more radiant on a daily basis. Instead of prescribing a single product or regimen, I try to encourage my patients to understand the natural physiological cleansing process of the body. If you understand how your body detoxifies itself then you will be able to incorporate cleansing into your daily life. In actuality, your body is working hard on detoxification every day of your life.
Our body is designed to naturally rid itself of toxins and excess fat. We call these physiological pathways “detoxification and metabolism pathways” and the organs responsible are the “organs of elimination”. Our skin, kidneys, liver, colon, and lungs are among the most effective organs at eliminating toxins from our body. When designing a Cleanse it is important to consider each of these organs and how they work.
The skin is our largest and strongest organ of elimination. Our skin eliminates toxins through sweat. Incorporating exercise and/or sauna into your cleanse can be one of the most effective ways to detoxify the body. The kidneys and urinary tract are also very important in the elimination process, and are responsible for creating urine, which is another pathway of detoxification. Increasing our daily water intake is vital to a good cleanse for both the skin and the kidneys. I usually encourage my patients to drink half of their body weight in ounces of fresh pure water daily, particularly when cleansing.
Our gastrointestinal and biliary tract is incredibly effective at detoxifying the body and our food. Increasing both soluble and insoluble fiber in the diet while eating healthy nutrient-dense foods help to bind cholesterol and toxins and remove them from the gut. This is an integral part of every Cleanse. Your naturopathic doctor or nutritionist can help you decide if fasting or juicing might be ideal for your particular body and situation. Regardless of the cleansing diet that you choose, regular bowel movements are critical for a strong cleanse.
Our liver is the most well known organ of detoxification and for good reason. The liver is the powerhouse of metabolism and breakdown, of our food, medications, alcohol, hormones, and every other metabolite that enters or is made within the body that has the potential to be toxic. Restoring, healing, and stimulating the liver are essential components of an effective detoxifying Cleanse. Luckily, there are many herbal medicines and supplements that can help with this but not all are created equal. Milk Thistle, Cynara (Artichoke), Yellowdock, and Burdock are wonderful detoxifying herbs and the first actually aids in the healing and restoration of your liver! In choosing a product for your liver, seek the guidance of a naturopathic doctor or herbalist in your area.
Finally, the organ known least for detoxification is the lungs. Our lungs detoxify our blood with every breath that we take by changing our blood pH and gas concentrations. Slow, deep, intentional breathing sessions support our body’s process of elimination. Meditation and yogic breathing can be beneficial not only in teaching us how to breathe but to facilitate the process of detoxifying other aspects of our life, such as negativity and criticality, especially of ourselves.
There may be many products that may be helpful in your cleanse this season, many containing various forms of fiber, greens, and detoxifying herbs. It is important to get help from your doctor in determining which product would best suit your goals. The Herbal Path staff, nutritionists, and herbalists may also be good resources when choosing products.
Lastly, the most important part of a detoxification protocol is how quickly to proceed and how to end it. Supporting our organs with rest and with the practices listed above is an essential part of the cleansing process so that your body can handle its toxic load. In other words, if your body is the bathtub and your organs of elimination are the drain, we want to support the drainage so that we do not get a back-up of toxins in our blood stream. This can be even more dangerous then living with the toxins embedded in your tissues! This is why having your healthcare provider on board is so important and also why it is important to find a natural health doctor or nutritionist that can support you in the process.
Towards the end of your cleanse, it is important that you continue with some of the supporting practices listed above as you introduce your old way of eating and living back into your life. My hope for you, is that you will find that you feel so healthy, energized, and radiant that you choose to let go of old habits that no longer serve your health, and take on new habits that help you to feel great all year round!
Happy Cleansing!
Dr. Emily Miller, ND
For more information on health and wellness see Dr. Miller’s Blog at www.dremilymiller.com. To make an appointment with Dr. Miller to design a detoxification protocol or discuss other health issues call (603) 235-2735. Look for Dr. Miller’s letter in the next Herbal Path Newsletter!
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Healthy Alternatives to Sugar
by Guest Author Carolyn Kelley, Herbalist and Owner of InJoy Organics
You have heard about the negative effects of sugar, right? It really is a fact, as much as we would like it not to be! And agave, which is a fructose, is even worse for the body because of the way it is processed through the liver. All sugar has a negative effect on our whole body, including weight gain, the heart and immune system, and much more, causing all sorts of disruptions and diseases. (Check out www.mercola.com for more information on this subject.) And, of course, chemical alternatives are even worse.
Everywhere we look we find sugary treats, even in health food stores! People love sweets, crave them, so how do we address this pervasive problem? As a nation, we are addicted to sugar. It makes us feel good…for the moment!
Ok, I can’t save the world, but I can help in my own way. Eat wholesome foods, lots of vegetables, some fruits, beans, nuts and seeds, and meats and fish. Stay away from all GMOs, processed foods, (many have hidden sugars as well as chemicals) and foods with labels you can’t understand. As you eat wholesome foods, you will find your sugar cravings will decrease.
Herbal Energetics has developed some products that are sugar free, sweetened with herbs and erythritol, (which we consider the best alternative to sugar that we can find. 90% passes through the body, unchanged through the kidneys.) We have developed some ways to satisfy that sweet tooth and add other health benefits at the same time.
First is our For the Love of Hot Chocolate mix. Not only can you make a yummy hot cocoa, but also a candy! To make the candy just mix equal amounts of melted unrefined coconut oil and the cocoa powder and let it harden. That’s it! Really. It stops sweet cravings and has many, many health benefits as well. Now, you can use your creative imagination and add items like coconut flakes, seeds and nuts. Make it fun and involve the children too. For the cocoa, you can use your creativity here too. I love it with raspberries added. What a treat that is. Sometimes for a special treat, I add a dollop of whipped cream to which I have added the For the Love of Hot Cocoa power to sweeten.
Next is the Cinnamon Herb Sweet. Cinnamon has many health benefits for the whole body. [It lowers LDL cholesterol, helps regulate blood sugar, reduces yeast infections, inhibits bacterial overgrowth, reduces cancer cells, reduces pain, is an antioxidant, has anti-clotting properties, boosts cognitive function, and is a source of manganese, iron and calcium.] No wonder it is so popular. Easy to sprinkle on apples, nuts, or plain yogurt, and gluten free, sugar free, yeast free bread or in squash soup and curry recipes. Again, use your imagination. That makes it fun and empowering.
And then there are the all-herbal vitamin Cs: Chai C and Citrus C. Vitamin C is essential for our continued health and these 2 powdered mixes have yummy herbs and spices without any chemicals and are sweet without sugar. Try the Chai C with half milk of your choice and half water. I like it with sugar free coconut milk. It is a lovely warm satisfying beverage. The Citrus C is good with cool water and great for children too. They can be added to smoothies or yogurt or applesauce as well. Some people add the Chai C to the For the Love of Hot Chocolate mix!
Herbal Energetics Intention Tea, Enchanted Mushroom Elixir is a delightfully mild sweet spicy taste and truly good for the whole body, to tone, strengthen, combat all toxins and microbes, promote well being, increase longevity and deeply satisfy.
We carry Erythritol even though we do not make it because it is difficult to find in stores. It can be used like sugar in some recipes, although we don’t encourage baking lots of sweet products like cakes and cookies. Sometimes as a special treat, they have their place. Now there are many non-gluten flours to use like arrowroot, potato starch, and tapioca. Usually oatmeal and rice flours can be tolerated. For some people spelt, although it contains gluten, can be tolerated and adds the gluten necessary to hold products together. I suggest that you use several different flours in recipes.
As we become more conscious about how diet affects our health, we have to look at the facts. We find that there are many foods and toxic substances to avoid. GMOs are everywhere and meats, vegetables and fruits full of chemicals too. They look great, but looks are deceiving. I cringe every time I go into a grocery store and see what people put into their carts without a thought! The more we use healthy natural ways to eat and sweeten our foods, the more we will find all of our food uplifting and truly satisfying.
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Pancha Karma For Chronic Pain
by Guest Author Dr. George Savastio, ND, of Elemental Medicine
Pancha karma is the method of deep tissue cleansing that is an integral part of Ayurvedic Medicine, the traditional natural medical system of India. In addition to being a heavenly, spa-like experience, it is an extremely powerful tool in the prevention and treatment of disease and pain. As such, it is suited for practically all people in all but the most debilitated state of health, and we routinely employ it at Elemental Medicine in the treatment of a great variety of conditions. In this article we will briefly describe the treatment and its use for chronic pain conditions such as chronic Lyme disease, autoimmune arthritis and fibromyalgia. While we do not claim it to be a miracle cure, we have seen it provide pain relief for patients that have tried many other avenues of both mainstream and alternative care without achieving the desired results.
As usually practiced here in the USA, pancha karma consists of four consecutive treatments as follows:
It begins with abhyanga, a full body massage using heated sesame oil, into which have been infused different herbal combinations using an ancient method in which a strong tea containing the herbs is slowly evaporated under a layer of oil using a low fire. As the water steams away, the herbs are transferred into the oil. We use a couple of different formulas imported from India, one suited more for cleansing, and another reserved for areas of pain and inflammation. The massage is done using a lot of oil, as the goal is to vigorously work the oils into the tissues so that the herbs can begin the cleansing process. This treatment is a wonderful experience and treatment for pain in its own right, but it is just the beginning.
Next comes Shirodhara. This treatment has to be experienced to be understood. It consists of streaming a thread of gently warmed oil over the “third eye”, an important energy center located just above the area between the eyebrows related to the function of the nervous system and mind in the Ayurvedic system. The oil is infused with herbs that calm the nervous system and release tension that might otherwise block the free flow of toxins out of the body. In addition to its role in pancha karma, shirodhara is also a marvelous standalone treatment for conditions of anxiety and insomnia.
Following Shirodhara, the patient moves up just a few inches on the table so that the head can rest comfortably on a headrest while a steam tent is lowered over the body for swedana, a wonderful steam bath. At this point, the toxins have been loosened up by the massage, mobilized by the herbs, and encouraged to flow by the shirodhara. Now it is time to release them by sweating them out through the pores. The steam bath lasts 20 minutes, and heat is adjusted according to individual comfort.
Lastly comes basti. Now that the surface toxins have been released, our attention moves deeper into the body. Basti is applied in the same way as an enema, but with a different purpose and function. The basti consists of a mixture of sesame oil, warm water, and a special herbal preparation. It uses a relatively small amount of fluid in comparison to the enemas with which you may be familiar, and the goal is to attempt to retain the enema fluid for up to two or more hours to allow the oil to nourish and lubricate the colon while the herbs are absorbed into the bloodstream. The job of the herbs is to enter the circulation, gather ama (the Ayurvedic conception of the sticky toxic matter that is a primary contributor to disease states), and bring it back to the colon for eventual release once the enema fluid is expelled from the body. This treatment has profound effects on conditions throughout the body, especially pain, as it cleanses and balances vata (the Ayurvedic conception of the Air element, considered as the primary source of imbalance).
Pancha karma is traditionally performed during the change of seasons in India. Time is set aside by the patient to devote exclusively to cleansing and healing, often from seven to twenty-eight consecutive days during which daily responsibilities are set aside. While this is ideal, it is rarely practical in modern America, and Ayurvedic practitioners have learned to be more flexible. Our most dramatic results have been seen when patients devote an entire week to daily treatments. During this time, it is best to fast on the Indian dish Kicharee exclusively to allow the digestive tract to rest while maintaining strength and nourishment.
Many people find that they can’t devote an entire week away from responsibilities, and this doesn’t preclude them from benefitting from pancha karma. We have seen great success when people can schedule a few hours a week for four or more consecutive weeks. Best results for continued success naturally come when the patient is following a clean, natural diet of whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, legumes and animal protein as required. No therapy can give continued relief from pain conditions when the diet doesn’t support health and balance, or quickly “re-toxes” after the detox.
Pancha karma treatments also work well as standalone treatments and in combination with other natural therapies such as acupuncture, spinal manipulation and CranioSacral therapy, all of which are provided at Elemental Medicine. Many patients find that they prefer just the massage and steam, and we still see positive effects. For more information, please contact us in Dover, NH, at 603-516-3696, email us at info@elemed.co or visit our website at www.elemed.co (that’s .co, Not.com!).
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