A: Many patients ask about the packaging, but most of that is recyclable. Perhaps of greater concern is the possibility of contact lenses becoming contaminant-ridden microplastics over time, which can end up in farmland or watersheds after entering a wastewater treatment facility. This happens when contact lenses are tossed down the sink or toilet. Microplastics are a concern because they can easily pass through filters and can accumulate in waterways, with wildlife mistaking them for food. Putting them in the trash is the better option.

It’s officially cold season, and not just for people. While dogs can’t “catch” a cold from their humans (the viruses that cause colds in people are generally species-specific), many viruses do infect dogs, such as canine adenovirus type 2, canine respiratory coronavirus, and canine parainfluenza virus. It’s important to see your veterinarian if your dog is ill, but the HB Naturals Cold & Congestion Essential Oils Blend is a natural and effective remedy to be used in conjunction with traditional veterinary care. The natural ingredients found in this product include Eucalyptus radiata, Cinnamomum camphora (Ravintsara), Melaleuca quinquenervia bs. viridiflora (Niaouli), and Cannabis sativa (hemp seed) oil.

Did you know that the Influenza, flu, viruses can spread easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or having face-to-face contact? The virus can also spread when a person touches tiny droplets from a cough or sneeze on another person or object and then touches their eyes, mouth or nose. Since influenza can spread so easily, vaccinations are a prudent step toward reducing the likelihood of illness and spreading the virus to those that may be more vulnerable to the illnesses caused by the virus such as children and the elderly. Frequent hand washing also helps to reduce the spread.

Ozonotherapy or Prolozone Therapy is the use of medical-grade ozone, a highly reactive form of pure oxygen, to create a curative response in the body. The body has the potential to renew and regenerate itself. When it becomes sick, it is because this potential has been blocked. The reactive properties of ozone stimulate the body to remove many of these impediments, allowing the body to do what it does best – heal itself. Ozone also helps with detoxification and enhances brain function. It activates the immune system and can stimulate damaged joints and degenerative discs to help regenerate, as well as can dramatically reduce or even eliminate many cases of chronic pain.

It’s officially cold season, and not just for people. While dogs can’t “catch” a cold from their humans (the viruses that cause colds in people are generally species-specific), many viruses do infect dogs, such as canine adenovirus type 2, canine respiratory coronavirus, and canine parainfluenza virus. It’s important to see your veterinarian if your dog is ill, but the HB Naturals Cold & Congestion Essential Oils Blend is a natural and effective remedy to be used in conjunction with traditional veterinary care. The natural ingredients found in this product include Eucalyptus radiata, Cinnamomum camphora (Ravintsara), Melaleuca quinquenervia bs. viridiflora (Niaouli), and Cannabis sativa (hemp seed) oil.

Reiki has been found to be a complementary therapy that can play an important role in a patient’s post-operative care.   A research study done in 2000 at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut indicated that Reiki improved patient sleep by 86%, reduced pain by 78%, reduced nausea by 80%, and reduced anxiety during pregnancy by 94%.   The deep relaxation experienced can also improve circulation by allowing more blood flow to areas that are currently being treated.

Over 800 hospitals in the USA now include this energy therapy as a regular part of their patient service programs, often with their own Reiki-trained physicians, nurses, and support staff!

Dr. Mehmet Oz, one of the most respected cardiovascular surgeons in the States, makes use of Reiki practitioners before, during and after surgery and says, “Reiki has become a sought-after healing art among patients and mainstream medical professionals.”

There are also a number of well-designed, reputable scientific studies that have been done that provide evidence showing Reiki has a therapeutic effect on the body, not just a psychological one.

Even so, for every scientific study, there seems to be exponentially more anecdotal references to this fact as more and more people discover for themselves Reiki’s beneficial effects pre and post surgery.

• Stress/anxiety reduction
• Less medication needed
• Improved sleep
• Better appetite
• Less nausea
• Earlier discharge from hospital
• More positive outlook
• Reduction in side effects from drugs/procedures

Nature spirits ensure your plants and trees are healthy and robust. To attract elementals, stop using chemicals, plant flowers, create a safe space for them to dwell, and communicate with them. Sit quietly, turn off your left brain analyzer, bring your consciousness in, and ask a plant what they would like you to do for them. A plant or elemental will answer you. Do this short meditation daily, and eventually you will receive their messages and be able to see them. The elemental kingdom is here to protect the earth, work with us, and give us benefits too numerous to detail here.

All foods and beverages we consume have constituents that our body can metabolize and utilize along with metabolic constituents that we cannot utilize. The small percentage of metabolites that cannot be utilized is known as ASH. This residual ash from our digestive process is either acidic or alkaline, and the pH of the ash may differ from the pH of the original food or beverage. Stored in fat, acidic ash accumulation in the body results in low cellular oxygen levels. Together these two conditions invite disease of all sorts. Like lemons, kombucha is acidic before digestion but produces alkaline ash.

Acupuncture for Digestive Problems. Acupuncture can safely and effectively treat many digestive disorders, such as IBS, chrohns and colitis, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, heart burn, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, and other inflammatory conditions. It does so by helping to nourish organs that are related to the digestive system, which can reduce stomach and pancreas inflammation and improve overall digestive function. Certain acupuncture points will be focused on, including those that can help speed up metabolism, reduce the secretion of gastric acid, regulate intestine function, bring stomach acid to a normal level, and increase the contraction and relaxation of the gastrointestinal muscles to ease any digestive issues.

Place ½ cup of roasted sesame seeds, squeeze ½ lemon, 1t sea salt and ¼ cup olive oil in a food processer. Blend until paste. Add; 5 cloves crushed garlic, ½t cayenne pepper, 2T chili flakes, ½t black pepper, squeeze in the other ½ lemon, and 1 can drained & rinsed organic chickpeas. Blend and slowly add approx. ¼ c water to the consistency. Garish with paprika.

In holistic healthcare, inflammation is often recognized as a root cause for many chronic and acute conditions. The four major signs of inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, and pain. Using food as medicine can be very effective for management of chronic inflammation symptoms. The first step is to minimize foods in the diet that promote inflammation, which include sugar (including honey and high-sugar fruits), grains, and processed vegetable oils like canola oil and peanut oil. The next step is to focus the diet on high quality, nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, high quality animal protein, turmeric, and healthy fats.