It’s both! Tea tree, also known by its Latin name melaleuca, was once used to make medicinal tea. Now, it’s frequently used for its essential oil, of which there are three common types. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree essential oil) has antibacterial and medicinal properties and is used for a variety of conditions such as lice, body odour, cold sores, and foot fungus. Melaleuca quinquenervia (niaouli essential oil) has similar disinfecting properties to tea tree essential oil, but is gentler on the skin. Melaleuca cajuputi (cajuput essential oil) actually has similar properties to eucalyptus and lemon oils.
Community News
Travel Tip: Cindy Knows Travel
Traveling, for most, is an exciting and enlightening activity filled with rich experiences and a plethora of surprises. But it can also present challenges, especially in the context of maintaining one’s wellness routine. I recently had the opportunity to travel to Marrakesh, Morocco—a totally outside-the-box trip that I was equal parts excited and nervous about. Morocco, as a whole, has never been at the top of my bucket list. Keeping up with my healthy habits is relatively easy when I’m in, say, Costa Rica or the Virgin Islands, but Morocco presented new challenges. Here are five things you should know when travelling to a country like Morocco: 1. Pack healthy snacks. 2. Download a few meditations. 3. Indulge in a spa treatment. 4. Hydrate all the time. 5. Be flexible and kind to yourself.
Feeding Pets While Travelling
Dog and cat owners, if you are planning a vacation this summer with your pet, remember to take along ample food for your furry friend! Always use the same food you use while at home – don’t switch brands when away to try to save luggage space, as this will likely cause you and your pet incredible grief. Call ahead to your destination to see if there is a retail store in the area that sells your pet food – this would be the smart way to save luggage space and to keep your pet happy and, most importantly, healthy!
Prolozone Helps Heal Colitis
Ozone therapy can be used very successfully on a regular basis for even the worst colitis cases, because it enhances circulation and provides an oxygen-rich environment for cellular rejuvenation. It can remove toxic deposits from the intestines and colon, restore acid/alkaline balance, and improve nutrient assimilation. For Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, it is an important adjunctive therapy to a good nutritional program, combined with detoxification procedures. Since ozone therapy is a biological response therapy, similar to homeopathic therapy, the success of the treatment is dependent on the practitioner’s skill and judgment.
Keeping Up-to-Date with Vaccinations
While we often think about the immunization of children, in recent years, there are more and more vaccinations for adults. According to the ImmunizeBC website (immunizebc.ca), as we get older, some of our vaccination protection may wane or there may be some vaccinations available now that were not available when we were children. The list of available vaccinations is long. Whether you need a booster shot or a first immunization will depend on factors such as your age, job, health, and immunization history. Check on your immunization status and, if needed, get your vaccinations updated today.
Developing with Nature in Mind
An intimate relationship with nature is built into the human psyche; a clean and positive environment affects our physical body, mind, intuition, and higher self. Spirituality has the power to check greed, it elevates one’s consciousness, and it opens our eyes to the beauty of nature (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar). Locally, greed is predominant, as developers and civic leaders have no connection with nature or animal protection. People move to our valley because of the beauty, but our beauty is fast disappearing. It is time to make a stand and develop with nature in mind. It can and must be done.
Kombucha and Liver Health
In April of 2009, an abstract was published on PubMed.gov titled, “Hepatoprotective and curative properties of Kombucha tea against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity”. This study was performed by the Department of Biotechnology at Bharathiar University in India. The study evaluated and compared hepatoprotective and curative properties of kombucha tea, black tea, and enzyme processed tea against CCl4-induced toxicity, using male albino rats as an experimental model. All three of the tea preparations showed potential to revert the induced toxicity, yet kombucha tea was found to be more efficient than the other teas were. Fermentation-generated antioxidant molecules were suspected as the reason.
Straight to the POINT!
Sports injuries are very common amongst people with active lifestyles. Many professional sports teams have acupuncturists on staff to decrease healing times and resolve stubborn ailments. But the use of acupuncture to treat acute injuries from intense or repetitive physical activity began centuries ago. It was and still is one of the primary means of quick healing for the ancient martial arts. Specific acupuncture styles and techniques were developed to stop pain and dramatically increase recovery time. This tradition continues today, and its use has expanded into competitive athletics that result in similar injuries.
Ask The Expert
Q: What are the best sunglasses to get this summer?
A: Sunglass lenses can be optimized for vision, comfort, protection, and performance. For instance, prescription polarized lenses in a brownish tint with anti-reflection properties and UV/blue light filters would be great to use for long road trips as well as spending time on the water on sunny days. Another thing to think about is frame choice – some frames give more coverage than other frames do, and a properly fitted frame will be a better investment than a trendy one that doesn’t fit well or hold the prescription lenses adequately.
Underactive Stomach – Hypochlorydria
Symptoms of an underactive stomach include bloating and gas, diarrhea and/or constipation, undigested food in the stool, candidiasis, chronic dysbiosis (imbalanced gut flora), and mineral deficiency (most commonly iron and zinc). Individuals may also experience increasing food sensitivities/allergies; nausea after taking supplements; weak, peeling, cracked fingernails; and dull hair or hair loss as a result of stomach acid deficiency. Improving symptoms of an underactive stomach can be done using raw, unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar. Add one tablespoon to a cup of room temperature or hot water (cold water inhibits digestion), and drink it 15 to 30 minutes before meals.
Book Club: Making a Good Brain Great
By Daniel Amen, MD. When our brains work right, we work right. But the brain is easily injured. A bump on the head, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition can all have long-term consequences leading to problems with attention, mood and even dementia. Dr. Amen shares his exciting insights into protecting, repairing and maintaining our brains with good nutrition, supplements and special exercises. A great read!
