Jobless mom feeling holiday gift guilt

There won't be any packages under Annette Peterson's Christmas tree this year, and she's not alone. Psychiatrist Patrice Harris said the new financial reality will be hard on many families, and she urges families to re-focus their expectations. full story

East vs. West

Given such promising results, are these herbs worth a try? The answer depends on whom you ask.
If you ask a Western-trained medical doctor, you're likely to meet with skepticism. Many doubt the effectiveness of herbs in general. Others feel they don't know enough about herbs and other botanical therapies to give an opinion. "If I were an expert, I'd comment. But most of us are just guessing," says rheumatologist Justus Fiechtner MD, of East Lansing, Mich. Continue Reading >>

Medicines and herbs that are demulcent, emollient, warmly diaphoretic, nervines, antispasmodic, warming and carminative

Medicines and herbs that are demulcent, emollient, warmly diaphoretic, nervines, antispasmodic, warming and carminative are appropriate for treating Air imbalances. They are also particularly amenable to the internal and external application of herbal medicated oils. Castor oil because of its thick viscosity, is considered the strongest oil for treating excess vata conditions. Herbs and substances that are bitter and astringent such as cascara bark and bayberry bark, increase Air, while those that are sweet and demulcent, such as slippery elm, marshmallow root and comfrey, ameliorate it. The primary Panchakarma therapy (see below) for Air derangement is the use of medicated oils usually applied externally.

Like the five Elements, the Three humours serve both as a general description of all physical manifestation

Like the five Elements, the Three humours serve both as a general description of all physical manifestation but more specifically relate to the physical body. Health is described as a balance of all three bodily Humours. All therapies and medicines which mostly include plants but also medicines from the mineral and animals kingdoms (Ayurveda is historically 'pre-vegetarian') are also classified according to their heating and cooling energies, the six flavors (biochemical activity) and their influence on the Three Humours. Continue Reading >>

Both TCM and Ayurveda are based upon a universal concept

Both TCM and Ayurveda are based upon a universal concept expressed in nature in bi-polar terms called Yin-Yang in TCM and Shiva-Shakti in Ayurveda. As a result, all diseases, medicines (mostly herbs) and therapies are similarly classified bi-polarly as "heating or cooling", "strong or weak", and so forth. Continue Reading >>

Is what is right for one person, right for everyone?

Is what is right for one person, right for everyone? Not according to Ayurveda. Ayurveda views each person as unique with individual needs. We may all be human but we have slightly different physiologies and emotional tendencies. Continue Reading >>

Disharmony of any kind, physical, mental, emotional or spiritual

Disharmony of any kind, physical, mental, emotional or spiritual is the cause of disease from an Ayurvedic perspective. Disharmony occurs when a person is out of tune with the environment or other people. In order to maximize the healing capability of the body, the Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist (C.A.S.) helps their clients reestablish harmony through learning to follow a healthy lifestyle. Continue Reading >>

Mind-Body Connection - Alternative Health Support Group

Chat with other members coping with Alternative Health and Mind-Body Connection The mind can have a powerful effect on the body. Some popular mind-body interventions include yoga, t’ai chi, meditation, and prayer. Which have you used? Discuss them here.... Read more

A Guide to Alternative Therapy Practitioners - Alternative Health Center

A Guide to Alternative Therapy Practitioners - Alternative treatments may be suggested by your family doctor or psychiatrist, or by a specialist in a particular type of treatment.... Read more

The cause (Nidanam) of digestive disease lies in our actions

The cause (Nidanam) of digestive disease lies in our actions. By indulging our sense of taste in an unhealthy manor we upset the balance of the bodily doshas. Vata is upset by cold, dry and light foods such as raw vegetables. Pitta is upset by warm, oily, light foods such as deep fried vegetables and Kapha is upset by cold, heavy, moist foods such as cold ice cream and yogurt. In addition, taking foods in an improper manor can be even more harmful than choosing inappropriate foods. Healthy food taken in the wrong way will still cause digestive disease. Continue Reading >>

• vata
• pitta
• kapha