The effects of wildfire smoke inhalation can manifest weeks and/or months after our skies have cleared in the form of chronic colds, flu, and upper respiratory infections. Inhalation ozonide therapy is good for any acute upper respiratory infection. Both asthmatics and patients with chronic lung disease can use it. Ozone gas is bubbled through olive oil to the inhaler, which turns it into ozonides molecules that are completely safe to inhale. The ozonides can last for weeks in the human body and have an incredible regenerative effect on our cells and organs, helping to control and eliminate infections, increasing the delivery of oxygen to cells, and stimulating cells to generate more energy.
Community News
Be Still…with Reiki!
Reiki is a gentle but powerful energy healing technique used for relaxation, stress reduction and balance that can promote healing on many levels. It is typically given by ‘laying on of hands’ as you lie on a massage table fully clothed. This higher frequency, positive energy flows through the hands of the practitioner into your energy field releasing ‘energy blockages’ by lifting and transforming lower frequency energies such as worry, fear, anger and anxiety. The deep relaxation experienced with Reiki can have many beneficial effects including more calm/stillness to the body & mind, better sleep, reduced stress & pain and reduction of overwhelm and anxiety.
Ask Your Pharmacist
What is the best diet strategy for weight loss? The answer depends on your weight loss goals. Unfortunately, the evidence is conflicting about what strategies work best. At the end of the day, the best diet for you is the one that you can faithfully follow for a lifetime to help you to reach your optimal weight and allows you to not feel hungry or deprived. Medications can also contribute to weight gain, so have a pharmacist review your medications to ensure a medication is not contributing to unwanted weight.
Snoring?
Snoring is a topic that is well known to many of us and our spouses. If you have tried all of the pillows, mouth guards and gadgets advertised, you may want to try these simple and effective suggestions so that you can get a really good night’s rest.
Here are our choices for the most effective essential oils for snoring. Sage, Thyme, Marjoram, Lavender, and Cedarwood.
Diffusers are really a terrific way to use the following essential oils at night time.
Sage Oil
One of the best things about sage oil is the effect that it can have on the respiratory tracts. It can relieve inflammation, while also helping to quickly soothe sinus infections, making it an effective solution for acute snoring that is caused by a temporary illness.
How to Use – You can blend 5 drops of sage oil in 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and rub it on your chest or neck before going to sleep. This can help clear out your sinuses while you sleep and boost your immune system against the underlying infection. (Also, great for hot flashes 😊)
Another really great way to use this oil is to add 4-5 drops to your diffuser.
Thyme Oil
If your snoring often causes you to wake up multiple times per night, you may need to find a deeper level of sleep! Thyme oil is known to soothe the body and nervous system, leading to uninterrupted and deeper sleep, which is really important if you want to get rid of your snoring.
How to Use – Mix equal parts thyme oil with olive oil and apply it to the wrists and the bottom of the feet before you go to sleep.
You can also add thyme oil to your diffuser for use during the night.
Lavender Oil
This legendary essential oil can be used for everything from sleeplessness to cardiovascular problems and specifically addresses many of the causes of snoring. This oil is among the most popular natural remedies for snoring.
How to Use – Some people choose to place a few drops of this essential oil on their pillow at night to promote clear breathing and stress-free sleep.
Diffusing is one of the most effective ways to use this oil. Add 4-5 drops into your diffuser before bed time.
Cedarwood Oil
By stimulating both the immune and respiratory systems, this oil can quickly counter the factors that lead to snoring. It can reduce inflammation to keep the airways open and calm the mind to deliver higher-quality sleep.
How to Use – This underused oil can be blended with thyme oil, lavender oil and coconut oil then applied to the neck, chest, wrists or feet before bed.
Marjoram Oil
This sinus-clearing oil has been wildly popular in traditional medicine for its ability to stop snoring – often after only a few nights of regular use. Armed with antioxidants and stimulating active ingredients, this oil is closely linked with treatment for sleep apnea, which is one of the main causes of snoring.
How to Use – Mix 4-5 drops of marjoram oil with 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil and apply it to the outer rim of the nostrils, or directly above the top lip. If that is too intense of an aroma, simply apply it to the neck and chest before sleep.
If you would like to share your success story with us please email us at purejoynaturals@gmail.com
Please do not use this information as a substitute for medial care.
Food as Medicine for Inflammation
In holistic healthcare modalities such as naturopathy, nutrition, and herbalism, inflammation is often recognized as a root cause for many chronic and acute conditions. The four cardinal signs of inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, and pain, and these symptoms can depend on both the severity and location within the body. Inflammation can be easily detectable in acute injury such as a superficial wound or sudden sprain, where the area quickly swells and the pain is obvious. However, within certain systems, inflammation can be hard to detect.
It is certain that inflammation is linked to chronic pain from arthritis, gout, carpal tunnel, and other physical injury to the joints or muscles. Additionally, it contributes to digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis. Autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and psoriasis are also effected. Emerging research is suggesting that inflammation within the brain can contribute to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Symptoms of the above conditions (and more) can often be managed, if not put into remission, by controlling this marker of disease.
For management of both pain and other chronic symptoms associated with inflammation, using food as medicine can be very effective. The first step is to minimize foods in the diet that promote inflammation. This includes any form of sugar – cane sugar, molasses, honey, maple syrup, agave, date syrup, dried fruit, and high-sugar fruits such as tropical fruits and melons.
Grains pose a similar issue, and also contain anti nutrients such as lectins, which further exasperate inflammation.
Next on the “avoid” list is processed vegetable oils, including refined sunflower oil, canola oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, and rice bran oil. These oils are extremely high in omega 6 fatty acids, are extracted using chemical solvents, and are often rancid or mildly toxic, all contributing to inflammation.
Focusing the diet on high quality, nutrient dense foods is key. Consume ample amounts of local, seasonal vegetables, smaller amounts of fruits, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, high quality animal protein (grass fed beef, pastured pork, free range chicken and eggs, wild seafood, organ meats), and healthy fats from avocados, coconut oil, olives, and high quality saturated fats, such as tallow, pastures lard, and grass fed butter.
Another “food as medicine” approach to treating inflammation is using natural anti inflammatory foods and herbs. These foods include omega 3 rich foods such as fish, cod liver oil, and shellfish. In addition to omega 3’s, you may consider incorporating bone broth into your daily diet. Bone broth contains minerals, fat soluble vitamins, and anti inflammatory amino acids such as glycine and proline.
Numerous anti inflammatory herbs are available to use in cooking, elixirs, teas, and capsules. Turmeric be added to bone broth with a tablespoon of grass fed butter, and a pinch of both sea salt and black pepper. Alternatively, a paste of turmeric, coconut oil and black pepper can be made, to take by the teaspoonful twice daily. Note that although turmeric is natural, herbs are powerful drugs and should be treated as medicine. Individuals on blood thinners or other medication should check with their healthcare provider first.
Many conditions can be managed or improved by addressing inflammation, the root cause of many chronic health problems. This can be done through proper nutrition and implementing anti inflammatory foods and herbs.
Who thinks about suicide?
How common is it to think about suicide? About a plan to stop your life; to die and leave all of this? Do you suddenly find yourself thinking about suicide and wonder how you got there? Well, you’re not alone. Many people report they think about suicide and possible plans. It is estimated that 5% of the Canadian population has thoughts of suicide at one time or another (ASIST BC Crisis Centre). Does that mean we’re all depressed? Or doing such a bad job of managing of our lives that we need to escape?
No. We are certainly not all depressed and most people with depression do not die by suicide or think about it all the time….and no, most of us may have one or two things in our lives we are struggling with, but our life overall is normal and acceptable. Thinking about suicide may start with thinking of a way to escape difficulty, sorrow, shame or guilt. Loss of people we love, relationships, jobs and money are all possible reasons to want to escape the feeling and the problem. We are wired to find solutions to our problems and for most of we naturally reach out, talk to someone, and together we have the ability to find solutions other than death. Some people, however, do not have someone that will listen to them when they mention their thoughts of suicide as a way to end the problem.
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. I urge you to become aware of the commonness of thinking about suicide and seriously listen to someone that is hinting or talking about suicide, ending it all, or not having a choice. We absolutely cannot make someone suicide by asking them if they are thinking about killing themselves. Think about yourself. If you have had thoughts of suicide, it started long before someone asked about it. It was your idea – not theirs. Let’s try to prevent a suicide by LISTENING to someone’s story, and trying to find a solution other than death.
Barbara Gilmore is a registered counsellor in Victoria BC region that discusses suicide in your life. Why did someone die? Why do I want to die?
Barbara Gilmore
Clinical Counselling CPCA#3625
Be Still…with Reiki!
Do you have a hard time relaxing or getting a good night’s sleep? Are you always on the go and feel you barely have time to breathe? Does it feel like your mind and your body are constantly ON and unable to be still?
Try Reiki!!! Reiki brings a deep relaxation to the mind and body that is hard to experience in other practices when first starting out on your road to better health. It is hard to relax when you just can’t get still!
Reiki is a gentle but powerful energy healing technique used for relaxation, stress reduction and balance that can promote healing on many levels. It is typically given by ‘laying on of hands’ as you lie on a massage table fully clothed. This higher frequency, positive energy flows through the hands of the practitioner into your energy field releasing ‘energy blockages’ by lifting and transforming lower frequency energies such as worry, fear, anger and anxiety.
This deep relaxation experienced with Reiki can have many beneficial effects such as:
- More calm/stillness to the body and mind
- Better sleep
- Increased clarity
- Improved decision-making
- Reduction of overwhelm and anxiety
- Reduction of stress and pain
- Opening to more love & compassion
- Shifting of old perceptions
- Dissolving of old habits/beliefs
- Increased intuition and trust in life
Many of these effects are immediate and last for days after your session and others are cumulative. A great thing about Reiki is that you can learn to do it yourself for your own personal healing and it works well with any other practice you are doing or therapy you are receiving. Give it a try today and find the stillness you need for better health!
Gut Feeling
Poor gut health has been linked to fatigue, mood disorders like depression and anxiety, and a variety of conditions associated with nutrient deficiencies, such as anemia. Fibre is a great way to keep things regular and increase the elimination of toxins and waste from your digestive tract. Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and grasses. If reaching the recommended 10 servings of vegetables per day seems unattainable, consider adding a greens powder to your daily routine to make things easier. Look for a product that is gluten-free, contains probiotics, and is juiced, as this maintains enzymes that improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients. By optimizing your gut, you can nourish your cells and boost your energy so you can fully dive into your favourite summertime activities!
Cassie Erwin, Enerex Botanicals Ltd. enerex.ca
Travel Tip : Cindy Knows Travel
Most of us tend to stray from our normal healthy routine when on a trip, and personally, I’m okay with that. But when I’m en route to my destination, that’s a different story. On travel days, whenever possible, I try to avoid eating foods that make me feel lethargic and bloated. It can be difficult to fight the temptation to stop at fast food restaurants in the airport, load up on unhealthy treats to snack on mid-flight, or over-caffeinate to prepare for your trip. But all it takes is a little planning to avoid these common pitfalls so that you step off the plane feeling refreshed, healthy, and ready to start your adventure!
Benefits of Aromatherapy Jewelry
Aromatherapy can be so effective at helping you feel better that people have come up with enormously creative ways to take advantage of its benefits. Aromatherapy diffuser bracelets and necklaces enable you to inhale the essential oil molecules on the go. This can help you be stimulated and energized, or focused and calm throughout the day. Add a drop of your favourite essential oil or blend to your bracelet or necklace before you leave home, and you are ready to enjoy the benefits. Feeling your jewelry around your wrist or neck will remind you to take a relaxing breath throughout the day. Enjoy!
Gut Feeling
Did you know that you can fight fatigue and depression by adding leafy greens, colorful fruits, and whole grains to your diet? Foods that are rich in natural nutrients will boost your gut health and eliminate toxins from your digestive tract. Another way to add leafy nutrients to your diet is through a greens powder. Look for a product that is gluten-free, contains probiotics, and is juiced, as this maintains enzymes that improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients. By optimizing your gut, you can nourish your cells and boost your energy so you can fully dive into your favourite summertime activities!
