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Rhodiola rosea.

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naturopathy rhodiolaRHODIOLA – an amazing herb for increased energy, stamina and mental performance.

Rhodiola rosea also known as rose root, golden root, arctic root and Russian rhodiola, is native to cold northern alpine regions, and is a hardy plant which thrives on rocky slopes. It has been used for centuries in Northern Europe and Scandinavia.

Rhodiola possesses tonic and stimulant properties that increase resistance to stress and disease. It is traditionally believed to give strength and stamina and is known to increase attention span as well as work productivity, providing a dramatic boost in energy levels, increased memory and mental performance. It has been commonly used to treat long-term illness and tiredness due to infection, mood elevation, mental alertness, sports performance, impotence, liver problems and as adjuvant treatment of cancer.

Recent studies have shown that Rhodiola may also be useful in the treatment of binge eating, nicotine withdrawal, erectile dysfunction and infertility.

At Health In The Bay, our Naturopaths use a herbal extract of Rhodiola in liquid herbal medicines which are custom blended for patients. One of the great benefits of mixing a number of herbal remedies into a formula is that it can be made to suit individual requirements. The many beneficial actions of Rhodiola can be enhanced by combining with other suitable herbal medicines. For example:

  • Rhodiola combines well with other herbs that increase resistance to stress and disease such as Siberian ginseng and Withania.
  • Rhodiola combines well with other herbs for Depression and nervous debility such as St John’s Wort and Skullcap
  • Rhodiola combines well with other herbs for male sexual dysfunction such as Tribulus and Saw Palmetto
  • Rhodiola combines well with other herbs for menstrual disorders such as female reproductive tonics Paeonia and Dong Quai
  • Rhodiola combines well with other herbs to make brain tonic and study mixes such as Bacopa and Ginkgo
  • Rhodiola combines well with other herbs for liver problems that protect and restore liver function such as Schisandra and St Mary’s Thistle.

A word of caution: Rhodiola use is not advised for depressed patients with hysteric and phobic symptoms as may occur with bipolar disorder. Concurrent use of stimulants such as caffeine is best avoided. It is important to consult with a qualified Naturopath or herbalist before taking Rhodiola.

 

Naturopathic approach to alleviating morning sickness in pregnancy

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natural-pregnancyMorning sickness is the acute, transient nausea associated with pregnancy. ‘Morning sickness’ is a misnomer – it may occur at any time of the day, though it most commonly occurs soon after waking. It is thought to be caused by increased levels of oestrogen being produced by the placenta and/or by increased levels of human chorionic gonadotropin. Morning sickness usually starts in the first month of the pregnancy, peaking in the 6th week, and continuing until the 16th week. For 50% of all sufferers, it ends by the 16th week of pregnancy. For the other half, it may take up to another month to get relief but some women will have morning sickness off and on for their entire pregnancy.

 

Risk factors

Some women suffer terribly from morning sickness, while others sail through with minimum nausea. The following factors are thought to play a part in morning sickness:

  • An increase in the circulating level of the hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen levels may increase by up to a hundredfold during pregnancy.
  • An increase in human chorionic gonadotropin.
  • Low blood sugar during pregnancy.
  • An increase in progesterone relaxes the muscles in the uterus, which prevents early childbirth, but may also relax the stomach and intestines, leading to nausea.
  • Intake of alcohol, sugar, oils and meat, which have been postulated to cause a natural trigger of morning sickness in the body as a way of discouraging ingestion of less healthy foods.

 

Signs and Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of morning sickness include

  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Retching, belching, vomiting of sour fluid
  • Poor digestion with abdominal distension exacerbated by eating
  • Poor appetite
  • Fatigue—especially after meals

 

Diet and Lifestyle tips to help alleviate morning sickness

  • Pregnant women are making the greatest nutritional investment of their lives. It is important to ensure adequate nutritional intake by eating a diet based on fresh, organic wholefoods, incorporating protein, fruit, vegetables, good fats and high fibre foods.
  • Avoid an empty stomach. Eating small regular meals helps to maintain energy levels and may prevent morning sickness.
  • Don’t overeat – large meals can drain energy. Instead of eating three big meals per day, try six mini-meals to spread your kilojoule intake more evenly. This will result in more constant blood sugar and insulin levels.
  • Ginger, in capsules, tea, ginger ale or ginger beer.
  • Peppermint leaf tea, can help relieve nausea and morning sickness or gas.
  • Raspberry leaf tea, also relieves nausea, however is recommended after the first trimester only.
  • Fulfil food cravings.
  • Drink plenty of water – a dehydrated body functions less efficiently.
  • Eat iron rich foods – make sure diet includes iron rich foods such as lean red meat.
  • Ensure adequate, regular, and consistent amounts of sleep each night.
  • Effective relaxation is essential – try techniques such as yoga or meditation.
  • Maintaining a reasonable work and personal schedule is important.
  • Address chronic pain and/or depression.
  • Cut down caffeine.
  • Some women find that aromatherapy can help – with essential oils of lemon, lime, orange and peppermint (a few drops in a vaporiser) can ease nausea.

 

The Low-Down On Cholesterol

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cholesterolCholesterol is a type of fat that is carried around in the blood. It performs useful functions in the body and is a major building block for cells and many of your hormones, including oestrogen, testosterone and cortisol. Cholesterol is also important for the synthesis of vitamin D, as well as bile acids which aid in the digestion of fats. Our bodies manufacture cholesterol but it can also be found in foods containing saturated fats. It is important to check your cholesterol levels regularly. Even though our bodies need some cholesterol, having high cholesterol can be bad for your health and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

 

The Good vs. The Bad Cholesterol

HDL and LDL are letters that you may have seen before on a blood test, and your Practitioner will be interested in reviewing these to monitor your health. But what do they mean? Your total cholesterol is made up of two types of cholesterol, often referred to as “good” and “bad” cholesterol.

  • High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is essentially the “good” form of cholesterol. It carries cholesterol from the tissues to the liver to be broken down and excreted. HDL helps to decrease cardiovascular risk.
  • Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) is often referred to as the “bad” form of cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol can leave cholesterol deposits in the arteries, increasing the risk of the coronary artery disease known as atherosclerosis.
  • It is important to keep your HDL:LDL ratio in balance; aim towards having higher levels of the “good” and lower levels of the “bad” cholesterol.

High cholesterol is a complex issue and genetics definitely play a key role in many cases but for a wide variety of people the following suggestions can make an enormous difference, and for those who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol it is important to make lifestyle and dietary changes that benefit your heart and cardiovascular system even if they don’t necessarily make a huge difference to your actual cholesterol levels.

 

Natural Support For Cholesterol

Liver Tonics : Making sure the liver is working optimally is extremely important when trying to lower cholesterol. An initial liver detox would be an excellent start, but a general liver tonic that includes the herbs Cynara, dandelion root, milk thistle and fringe-tree would be of great benefit.

  • Polymethoxyflavones: Also known as PMFs, these natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds found in citrus peel assist in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Research has shown that nobiletin and tangeretin, the phytochemicals found in PMFs, may assist in lowering LDL levels by reducing synthesis and increasing the clearance of LDL cholesterol.
  • Tocotrienols: Tocotrienols are members of the vitamin E family. These antioxidants also increase the clearance of LDL cholesterol and reduce the body’s production of LDL.
  • Krill oil: The oil from the crustacean, krill, has been shown to be beneficial for cholesterol balance, particularly by supporting HDL levels.
  • Fish oil: 2 g to 4 g of combined EPA/DHA has been shown to decrease triglyceride levels and is beneficial for heart health.

 

Six Tips For Optimal Cardiovascular Performance

Take on these tips for eating and living to support healthy cholesterol and cardiovascular health:

  • Follow the Mediterranean diet. People eating this diet rich in essential nutrients and antioxidants have the lowest rates of cardiovascular disease in the world.
  • Reduce saturated fats by choosing lean meats. Eating too much saturated fat may increase your weight and cholesterol levels.
  • Eliminate detrimental trans fats found in many fast foods, fried foods and packaged baked goods.
  • Cut down on sugary refined carbohydrates and processed food. These foods often contain ‘hidden sugars’ that can be converted to fat when supply is high.
  • Weight loss. If you are overweight, losing extra weight will help to lose the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Your Practitioner can recommend a clinically-proven weight loss program and targeted supplements to assist healthy weight management.

 

Depression

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DepressionContemporary research suggest there are several factors linked to depression. If depression runs in the family, then this increases the risk of experiencing depression at some stage of life. Our biological make up can also influence depression; for instance , the can be genetic and neuro chemical influences that increase the likelihood of depression such as a pre disposition for lower levels of serotonin. The way a person thinks, makes meaning of themselves and the world and their self talk can also influence depression. Absolute thinking like “ things will never get better” or “ I always end up in this place” can also increase the likelihood of depression.

Our approach to depression includes CBT where we challenge the thinking and beliefs that may contribute to depression, as well as work with the stuck energy and emotions within the person , which when released, can assist in moving out of depression.

 

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

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Health In The Bay Frozen ShoulderSigns/Symptoms

  • Frozen shoulder is characterised by stiffness and restriction of movement leading to a high degree of shoulder joint immobilisation (passive and active movements).
  • In most cases there is also some localised pain that can also cause secondary pain in the neck and trapezius muscle.
  • Patients are generally unable to raise their arm above 45 degrees and often any movement that involves external shoulder rotation inhibits pain.
  • Pain at night is often more severe, and a secondary side effect of frozen shoulder is insomnia.
  • It is most common over the age of 40 and more prevalent in woman.
  • Symptoms can often last from 5 months to 3 years, but healing time can be reduced with appropriate therapy, stretching and preventative techniques.

 

Causes

  • It is most commonly caused by thickening and contraction of the joint capsule – the connective tissue around the bony structures of the shoulder joint. There can also be a lack of synovial fluid in the joint
  • Can be caused by injury, however, it may also be a secondary symptom of thyroid, metabolic disease, stroke and auto-immune disease. Higher incidence in smokers. In many cases, there is no recognisable cause.
  • In Eastern medicine – deficient cases, there is a lack of nourishment (Ying Qi), leading to tendon/muscular weakness. In excess cases, wind/cold/damp/injury penetrates the shoulder joint causing local Qi/Blood stagnation in the channels (often Colon/Small Intestine channels). Can also include Gall Bladder, Lung, Triple Heater and Pericardium channels.

 

Treatment

  • Aims to reduce pain, increase recovery time, increase range of movement and prevent worsening of symptoms.
  • Western medicine treatment aims to reduce pain and inflammation with anti-inflammatory drugs, and if particularly severe, steroid injections are used. Chronic painful issues are sometimes treated with surgery.
  • The most effective method of recovery is to continue a full range of movement within the joint to prevent further joint stiffness and muscle loss/weakness. Therefore, physical therapy generally involves range-of-motion exercises. Functional exercises should include moving the diseased shoulder in abduction, adduction, internal rotation and external rotation – morning and night.
  • Other therapies that can be effective are massage, acupuncture, herbal linaments and stretching. Common acupuncture points include SI9,10, LI4, 11, 14, 15.