Coconut Milk Whipped Cream

Whipped cream is the ultimate dessert topping but when you try this coconut milk version, you may never go back to the traditional dairy version. Enjoy this on the peach cobbler, baked apples, or simply with a bowl of fresh fruit. Delish!

Ingredients

• 14 oz can coconut cream, or full-fat coconut milk
• 1/4 cup erythritol, or 1 dropperful of pure liquid stevia extract
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

• Chill the can of coconut milk and a medium-size bowl in the refrigerator until cold. When cold, pour the coconut milk into the bowl; add the erythritol. With an electric mixer, whip the coconut milk for 10 to 15 minutes, or until fully whipped. Blend in the vanilla at the end.
• Serve over Grain-Free Peach Cobbler or fresh fruit. Keep any leftovers chilled.

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Kapha can be brought back into balance by eating the right foods. Read below to find out what you can eat to help pacify this dosha.

Fruits

Fruits that pacify kapha will generally be somewhat astringent and only mildly sweet. Dried fruits are acceptable, on occasion, but should only be enjoyed in small quantities because they are so dense and concentrated.

Fruits to avoid are those that are exceptionally sweet or sour (like oranges or grapes), and any that are especially heavy, dense, or watery—like bananas, coconut, dates, melons, pineapple, or plums.

And remember, fruits and fruit juices are best enjoyed alone—30 minutes before, and ideally at least 1 hour after, any other food. This helps to ensure optimal digestion.

Note: this rule does not apply to fruits that we typically consider vegetables (avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.). You will find these fruits listed among the “vegetables.”

Vegetables

Vegetables that pacify kapha will generally be pungent, bitter, and astringent. Most vegetables include some combination of these tastes, so vegetables are an important centerpiece of any effective kapha-balancing diet.

Cooked vegetables are generally easier to digest than raw ones, so it’s best to have raw veggies, salads, and kapha-aggravating vegetables in small quantities and at mid-day when digestive strength is at its peak. Raw vegetables are often more appropriate for kapha in the spring and summer seasons.

The only vegetables for kapha to reduce or avoid are those that are particularly heavy, dense, oily, or watery – like avocado, cucumber, olives, and the other vegetables listed in the reduce or avoid column below.

Grains

Grains that pacify kapha are light, dry, and rough. In general, grains tend to be staples in our diets because they are somewhat heavy and nourishing. But when it comes to balancing kapha, these qualities are best minimized, so reducing grain consumption overall can be a huge benefit.

Avoid grains that are exceptionally heavy, moist, or dense (like wheat, flours, breads, cooked oats, and pastas) as much as possible, and eat smaller quantities of appropriate grains. It often works well to supplement meals with extra vegetables or legumes, which are nutritionally rich, but also more balancing for kapha.

Legumes

Legumes are generally astringent, which is one of the tastes that balances kapha. Kapha can enjoy a wide variety of legumes, but they should generally be well-cooked and well-spiced to make them more digestible. Even well-cooked tofu, tempeh, and warm, spiced soy milk are acceptable. The only beans that don’t work for kapha are simply too heavy or oily to be balancing.

Dairy

Dairy products are best minimized when trying to reduce kapha because they tend to be heavy, unctuous, and can increase mucus production. As a rule, dairy milks should be taken at least one hour before or after any other food.

Ideally, milk is boiled and served hot with a pinch of turmeric or ginger—to make it more digestible and less congesting. Goat’s milk and goat’s milk products are the best options for kapha because they are lighter, but are best in moderation. Almond and rice milks are good substitutes.

Nuts & Seeds

Nuts and seeds tend to be heavy, dense, and oily and are generally not terrifically balancing for kapha. But there are a few types of nuts and seeds that are acceptable in small quantities. When trying to balance kapha, nuts and seeds are best enjoyed only on occasion.

Meat & Eggs

Kapha does best with animal foods that are light and relatively dry (like chicken or freshwater fish), as opposed to those that are heavy, oily, or especially dense (such as beef, pork, or duck). Eating less meat all around is generally beneficial. In fact, kapha can be easily pacified without any animal foods, if your diet doesn’t already include them.

Oils

Most oils are a bit heavy and, well, oily for kapha. However, in very small quantities, the oils in the favor column are acceptable, if they are of good quality. Because toxins tend to concentrate in fats, buying organic oils may be more important than buying organic fruits and vegetables.

When trying to balance kapha, you can minimize reliance on oil by sautéing foods in water instead of oil or by simply steaming them. For those occasions when a tad of oil is needed, the best oils for kapha are corn oil, sunflower oil, or ghee.

Sweeteners

As the sweet taste is not particularly supportive to kapha, most sweeteners are better avoided. Honey on the other hand – which is dry, light, and heating—is the one exception, when used in small quantities. Honey also scrapes toxins and fat from the tissues, so it benefits kapha on multiple levels.

However, heating or cooking with honey creates toxins, so only raw and unprocessed honey should be used. Foods and drinks that contain refined sugars or corn syrup can be especially detrimental and should be avoided as much as possible.

Spices

Most spices are wonderful for kapha, so feel free to experiment with a wide variety of new and exotic spices. Kapha is the only dosha that can usually handle fiery hot foods. Even if those don’t suit you, a variety of mild spices will help to strengthen the digestive fire and can improve overall metabolism.

In particular, the pungent and digestive qualities of onions, garlic, ginger, black pepper, chili pepper, and cayenne pepper benefit kapha.

The post Kapha-Pacifying Foods List appeared first on The Herb Doctor.

Literally meaning “three fruits,” triphala is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation consisting of three fruits native to the Indian subcontinent: amalaki (Emblica officinalis), bibhitaki, (Terminalia belerica), and haritaki (Terminalia chebula).

Also known as “triphala churna,” it is one of the most popular formulas in Ayurveda and has many health benefits for all three of Ayurveda’s dosha constitutions.

Benefits of Triphala

• Assists natural internal cleansing*
• Gently maintains regularity*
• Nourishes and rejuvenates the tissues*
• Supports healthy digestion and absorption*
• Natural antioxidant*

Triphala is most commonly known for its use as a gentle bowel tonic, being helpful in digestion, and supporting regular bowel movements. The combination of the three fruits has a synergistic effect to bolster many other systems as well.

In addition to the GI tract, Ayurveda uses triphala churna to support healthy respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, reproductive, and nervous systems.¹ Triphala has also been shown to be a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from the damaging effects of free radicals.^{2, 3}

The three fruits involved in making triphala are also known for their individual effects:¹

• Amalaki (Emblica officinalis): Has a cooling effect that manages pitta, supporting the natural functions of the liver and the immune system.
• Bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica): Is particularly good for kapha, supporting the respiratory system as well as kapha accumulations in all systems.
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula): Though having a heating nature, it is still good for all three doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha). Is known for its “scraping” effect, which removes toxins and helps maintain healthy levels of weight.

Triphala and Weight Loss

In conditions of excess weight, triphala can be used as part of a weight loss program that includes a healthy diet and exercise. Proper digestion and elimination are important factors in achieving long-term success in maintaining an optimal body weight.

Triphala churna also promotes healthy eating habits and cravings by supplying the body with the full spectrum of natural tastes. By promoting healthy absorption and assimilation of nutrients, triphala keeps the body feeling properly nourished and balanced.

Triphala and Ayurveda: Traditional Uses

Triphala is recommended and used more often than any other formulation made with Ayurvedic herbs. It is popular for its unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the system while simultaneously replenishing and nourishing it.

In Ayurvedic terms, triphala, used in moderation, is said to have a beneficial effect on all three doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha. It is most well-known for its gentle effects on the bowels, improving peristalsis and cleansing toxic buildup of wastes; but Ayurveda also views triphala as a nourishing supplement known for its ability to rejuvenate healthy tissues, allowing one to age gracefully.

• The Caraka Samhita, one of the main texts of Ayurveda, describes Haritaki as the remover of disease and promotes haritaki and amalaki for rasāyana, or rejuvenation of the body.^{1, 11, 12}
• Triphala churna is also traditionally used as a tonic in hair and eye washes.
• For those with sluggish digestion and buildup of ama, triphala is said to kindle the digestive fire (deepana) and help improve digestion (pachana), allowing one to get the most nutrition from one’s dietary intake.¹
• Culturally, Haritaki is given the highest respect for restoring health. The Medicine Buddha is often depicted with a haritaki fruit held in his hand.¹ It is said to give the blessing of long life, and along with amalaki and bibhitaki, will nurture you like a mother.¹³

How to Take Triphala

Triphala Tea

The traditional way of ingesting triphala is as a tea. This method allows one to taste the herb fully, and taste is considered by Ayurveda to be an important part of the healing process. Taste starts the digestive process, and sends signals to the body as to what to expect, already initiating your body’s own inner pharmacy.

To take triphala as a tea, make a decoction by adding 1/2 teaspoon or open one capsule of triphala powder to a cup of hot water. Stir and allow the tea to cool, and drink.

Triphala churna contains five of the six tastes recognized in Ayurveda (sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and astringent), only missing the salty taste. Perhaps because the Western diet is so lacking in bitter and astringent, these are the two most prominent tastes for most people, which can make drinking the tea somewhat unpleasant initially. Over time, as the system becomes more balanced, it is not uncommon for the taste one perceives to evolve into a sweet experience.

Triphala is usually taken on an empty stomach, most commonly in the evening before bed. Some prefer to take it first thing in the morning, especially if taking it at bedtime makes one urinate at night.

Triphala Capsules

A common amount to take would be two capsules (1000 mgs) before bed or upon rising in the morning. This can be a more convenient method, especially for those that travel a lot, have a shortage of time, or do not like the taste of triphala tea.

Triphala liquid extract

Triphala liqui.d extract provides an alternative method of taking triphala. It’s convenient, easy to assimilate, and has a long shelf life. This extract is made from the same certified organic fruits used in making the herbal tablets and is extracted using non-GMO, gluten-free grain alcohol.

A typical dose is a dropper full (about 30 drops) taken in 1–2 ounces of water or juice, one to three times daily, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Modern Research

Studies have shown that triphala not only supports the GI system—it also also bolsters a healthy immune and cardiovascular system.⁷ It positively affects normal cell life cycles⁴ and promotes healthy lipid and cholesterol levels.⁵

It has also been shown to have powerful antioxidant effects, protecting cells from the damage of free radicals.^{2, 3} The result is thought to be largely related to the vitamin C content frequently contained in amalaki,^{7, 9, 10, 14} which some sources believe to be one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C in any food.¹

Other research shows that the vitamin C may have been misidentified, and the antioxidant effect may be attributed to the tannins/polyphenols unique to the herbs used in making triphala.^{3, 10} Regardless, it has been shown to produce an antioxidant effect, and in accord with Ayurvedic principles, this is related to the synergistic/holistic effects of the components of all three fruits.

Side Effects

Triphala is a natural detoxifying formula. As part of the cleansing process, it is not uncommon for toxins to be released from the deeper tissues and enter the bloodstream on their way to being ushered out of the body. When many toxins are released at once it can prompt a “healing crisis.” For some people, this can manifest as a headache, a rash, or nausea, in addition to gas, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

Since triphala supports healthy elimination, it is not uncommon to experience looser motions than usual. All of these reactions can be byproducts of cleansing. If your cleansing experience becomes too intense, you can stop taking triphala until the symptoms subside and restart using less, or simply reduce the amount you are ingesting. If the symptoms recur, it is best to stop use and consult a practitioner.

Contraindications

Contraindications can include diarrhea, dysentery, and if you are pregnant or nursing. There are no known drug interactions with the herbs that make up triphala.^{1, 6} Some studies do report findings that would advise caution in people taking blood-thinning medicines,^{7, 8} as it may affect platelet function.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, if your stools are dry and hard, consider using haritaki in place of triphala.

The post Triphala: A Balancing Formula for Detoxification and Rejuvenation* appeared first on The Herb Doctor.

Similarly, the ancient Chinese found the heart to be the most important organ, as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) refers to it as the “ruler” of all other organs. The Greek philosopher Aristotle likewise concluded that the heart was the most important organ in the body.¹

Heart structure and function

Today we know that the heart, which is roughly the size of a fist, has four chambers with two atriums and two ventricles. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from veins, which is then pumped to the right ventricle. Before being pumped to the left atrium, the blood is sent to the lungs where it is oxygenated. From here, the blood is pumped to the strongest chamber, the left ventricle, which creates contractions that create blood pressure to pump blood throughout the body.

Blood flows through from the right side of the heart to the left. Two types of valves, atrioventricular and semilunar, ensure that the blood flows in the correct direction. After moving through the aorta, blood circulates throughout the body, providing nutrients and oxygen to tissues and removing carbon dioxide as well as other wastes.²

Energetic relationships

The heart is energetically connected with your wisdom teeth (even if they have been removed), top 2 vertebrae in your spinal cord, top 5 vertebrae below your spinal cord, and the vertebrae above the lumbar section of the spine. It’s also connected with the Pericardium and Heart TCM meridians. This means that the health of these vectors should also be considered when looking at the heart, stressors and vice-versa.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the heart is also believed to house the Shen, which is thought to be the center of all physical and mental activities. The Shen is related to the emotions of anger, sadness, joy, fear, grief, worry, and apprehension. It’s also said to have a regulating effect on other organs. In particular, the heart has a strong connection to the tongue. As such, problems with speech like speaking too quickly or having difficulty speaking at all may indicate a heart imbalance, according to TCM.³

Additionally, there is evidence that the heart generates an electromagnetic field that penetrates every cell in the body. This field is several times bigger and hundreds of times stronger than the electromagnetic field produced by the brain. This has led some physicists to believe that this field actually carries information to and synchronizes other systems throughout the body, which is similar to the TCM concept of the heart’s function. Research conducted by the institute of HeartMath also suggests that emotional states and stressors, specifically, are communicated throughout the body via this electromagnetic field.⁴

Heart-healthy activities

There are a number of activities, foods, and nutritional products that support heart health. Since excess weight has been linked to unhealthy blood sugar levels and high blood pressure, getting enough exercise and avoiding extra calories is recommended.

The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 times a week, or at least 25 minutes of high-intensity aerobic exercise 3 days a week, or a combination of the two. Along with this, they also recommend some type of muscle-strengthening activity at least twice a week.⁵

Arm exercises in particular are believed to be especially good for the heart. Particular exercises recommended by Chinese Medicine Living are clenching fists, reaching for the sky, knee pushes, and tranquil breathing & teeth clenching.⁶

Excess stress is also bad for the heart. Some effective ways to reduce stressors in addition to exercising include positive self-talk, listening to music, laughing, meditating, and eating right.

Heart-healthy nutrition

Not all foods are created equal when it comes to promoting a healthy heart. Some of the most beneficial foods for the heart include antioxidants such as blueberries and oranges. The heart, of course, is associated with the color red, and it’s interesting that most red-colored foods such as tomatoes, watermelon, beets, red beans, and apples also benefit the heart.

As many are rich in tocotrienol vitamin E, most nuts are also great for the heart. You may also be pleased to hear that dark chocolate can have a positive effect on your heart. A recent study found that a 60-70% cocoa content in chocolate can lower the risk of strokes and heart attacks.⁷

Of course, there are thousands of nutritional products on the market that can support the heart as well. However, making the best decisions when choosing these products can be a difficult proposition.

The heart stressor Virtual Item

The heart Virtual Item is a key biomarker that’s automatically scanned in the Balance software and can be included in Select and Elite scans. Scanning this Virtual Item can help you make better decisions when it comes to heart health and overall wellness.

Along with other biomarkers included in a ZYTO scan, the heart is scanned as a stressor Virtual Item to determine if it’s in range or out of range. A balancer scan is then done to determine which Virtual Items bring the heart (if it is out of range) and other out-of-range items back into range.

The heart is in the Organs, Organs & Emotions, and Organs Glands & Systems categories in the ZYTO software, and will show up in the Organs chart of your ZYTO Report. By looking at the Vectors tab, you can see the parts and systems that are energetically connected with the heart, which we mentioned earlier. If several of these vectors on the heart circuit are out of range, it may be something you’ll want to ask more questions about and consider further.

Other stressor Virtual Items related to the heart are also available for scanning in the ZYTO Library for Select and Elite customers. These Virtual Items include:

• Chakra Four (Heart)
• EAV Heart Meridian
• The Heart and Lung Disharmony
• Heartbeat
• Heart Weakness
• TCM – Heart Meridian

Heart balancer Virtual Items

The balancers scanned to bring the heart and other out-of-range stressors back into range may include supplement, herb, essential oil, service, food, or affirmation statement Virtual Items. The benefit of doing this scan is that you will be provided with individualized information to help you choose the optimal nutritional products and services based on the body’s preference, or what we call biological coherence. This eliminates much of the guesswork when it comes to supporting your heart health and your overall wellness and reducing stressors on the body.

Sources:

1.“A History of the Heart.” Stanford University. Web.Stanford.edu

2.Lewis, Tanya. “Human Heart: Anatomy, Function, & Facts.” Live Science. Livescience.com.

3.Suttie, Emma. “The Heart in Chinese Medicine.” Chinese Medicine Living. Chinesemedicineliving.com.

4.McCraty, Rollin. “Heart-Brain Connection.” Quantum Life Source. Quantumlifesource.com.

5.“American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults.” American Heart Association. Heart.org.

6.Suttie, Emma. “The Heart in Chinese Medicine.” Chinese Medicine Living. Chinesemedicineliving.com.

7.“9 Best Foods for Your Heart.” Daily Health Remedies. Dailyhealthremedies.com.

The post Spotlight Stressors on the Heart appeared first on The Herb Doctor.

Did you know that February is National Heart Month? It is, so let’s talk about your heart and some of the choices you can make to maintain a healthy life.

We all know that your heart is a pump that moves blood through your arteries and veins. We also know that a healthy heart makes for a happier life and that diet and exercise are important to keeping your it in tip-top shape.

Meridians

It’s also true that your heart is related to other parts of your body. For example, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the heart meridian is a channel through which energy flows. This energy is called Chi, and the heart meridian is named after the heart because that’s the major organ to which it’s most closely associated.

All meridians have a partner, or a pair. The heart meridian is paired with the small intestine meridian. This means it is energetically very close to your digestive system. Through these energetic channels, your heart is also connected to the vertebrae in your upper back. These are called your upper thoracic vertebrae.

Teeth

Your heart is also closely connected to your third molars, your wisdom teeth.

You might be thinking, “I don’t have any wisdom teeth. They were pulled a long time ago.”

That’s okay; you still have the area where the teeth used to be, and the energetic channel connects to that area. These relationships are known as vectors and knowing them can give you better ideas for keeping your heart healthy.

Other Tips

Now that you’re aware of these vector relationships, here are a few tips:

• Chiropractic adjustments will keep your thoracic vertebrae properly aligned.
• Daily brushing and flossing and regular dental checkups will make your heart happy.
• Acupuncture will keep your meridians open and your Chi flowing properly.
• Don’t forget a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Wellness involves the entire body and knowing how you’re vectored helps you make better decisions for life.

The post Discover How Vectoring Your Heart Health with Zyto Improves Your Body appeared first on The Herb Doctor.

My intention with this article is to give you a quick and simple understanding of what neuropathy (specifically peripheral neuropathy) is, what causes it, and options for treating it. The great people at WebMD, Foundation For PM, and the U.S. Department of Health And Human Services have published in-depth pieces on the science and medicine surrounding this topic. I reference them a lot, but I don’t want to simply reiterate their work. My goal is to distill this definition down so everyone, even my 10 year old cousin, can understand it.

What is the Peripheral Nervous System?

Let’s start with what nerves are. Your nerves make up your nervous system (easy enough right?). More specifically, your peripheral nerves make up your peripheral nervous system (okay a little harder, but I’m with you). Peripheral nerves are simply the nerves not located in your brain or spinal cord (those two make up your central nervous system). So the nerves in your hands, feet, legs etc, these are all peripheral nerves. And all these peripheral nerves throughout your body create your peripheral nervous system (PNS). Your PNS is a vast communication network between your brain and your body.

So when a peripheral nerve takes in sensory information, like when your hand touches a coffee mug, it quickly sends all that information up to your brain. Is your coffee mug too hot, too heavy, too full? Your hand doesn’t know, so it sends all the information about that coffee mug up to your brain. Your brain then quickly analyzes the information, and sends commands back to your body telling it what to do. It sends those commands through your peripheral nervous system.

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy happens when there is a breakdown of this communication between brain and body. You can think of peripheral neuropathy as a blanket term that covers many different conditions caused by damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

As you can imagine, this communication between your brain and your body extend far beyond your morning coffee. The messages sent from your brain to your peripheral nerves “help control everything from our heart and blood vessels” to digestion, urination and even to our bones and immune system (NIH). Without the brain sending these signals through the PNS, we wouldn’t even be able to move. Our muscles wouldn’t know to contract, which is basically how we walk, run, move our arms etc. And as you likely know, when wires get crossed, things can really go awry. This is how your feet may feel like they’re burning when they’re really not.

Symptoms of Peripheral Nerve Damage

There are over 100 types of peripheral neuropathies that affect all types of nerves. As such, symptoms range across the board. For example, patients with damage to their motor nerves will most likely experience issues with muscle weakness. In contrast, someone with damage to their autonomic nerves may experience symptoms like excessive sweating, problems regulating blood pressure or issues with their gastrointestinal system. And damage to sensory nerves can cause an even broader set of symptoms, since sensory nerves carry out an even wider range of functions.

Most people with peripheral neuropathy will experience damage to two or all three types of nerve fibers. Doctors call this polyneuropathy. You might hear something like “autonomic neuropathy” or “predominately sensory neuropathy” to classify the leading offender.

Now since this website is mostly focused on symptoms related to sensory nerve damage, like burning feet and tingling hands, let’s dive further into the sensory nerve category:

Sensory Nerve Damage: Large and Small Fibers

There are two types of sensory fibers, large and small, which manage different types of sensory experiences.

Damage to large sensory fibers can limit the ability for people to sense what they’re touching and vibrations. This makes simple tasks more difficult. Imagine getting dressed without being able to sense the buttons.

Small Fibers: That Feet Burning Feeling

On the flip side, smaller fibers are known for sending pain and temperature sensations to the brain. As you can guess, damage to these small sensory fibers is what often causes a painful misfire. Damage to these nerves can cause your feet to feel like they are burning, or trigger severe pain from something as soft as a blanket.

The majority of polyneuropathies are “length-dependent”, meaning the farthest nerve endings are the first to develop symptoms. They also experience the most pain. This explains why most people feel neuropathy pain in their feet first, maybe they’re hands, as they’re the farthest nerve endings from your central nervous system.

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Leading Cause of Polyneuropathy

Diabetes is the most common cause of polyneuropathy. 60-70% of diabetes patients have mild to severe damage to their motor, autonomic, and sensory nerves. As we saw above, these nerve damages create feelings of burning feet, along with numbness, tingling, and other pains or weaknesses. Diabetes is not the only disease though, autoimmune diseases like Guillain-Barré syndrome, Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can cause neuropathic pain. As with any autoimmune disease, the body is attacking itself. In this case, it’s attacking it’s nerves specifically, like with Guillain-Barré, or it’s surrounding tissues like with Sjögren’s.

Leading Cause of Mononeuropathy

A physical injury is the most common cause of mononeuropathy. Which, opposite of polyneuropathy, means damage to a single nerve. Something like a car accident, sports injury, slipping on ice, medical procedures – these are all traumas that can lead to nerve damage. Less traumatic injuries, like arthritis or repetitive actions, can constrict nerve pathways and lead to neuropathic pain. Carpal tunnel syndrome, something we’ve all heard of as we spend countless hours at the computer, is just another type of mononeuropathy. Years of repetitive typing on keyboards can cause the nerves in our wrists to compress. Like we need another reason to get up and walk around throughout the day right?! Ergonomic keyboards and ergonomic offices in general may help prevent Carpal Tunnel too.

Other Causes

Cancer and chemotherapy can cause peripheral neuropathy. Tumors can press on nerve fibers, damaging them. Some chemo medications can cause “chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.” It’s specific to which drugs are taken, and something to talk with a doctor about.

Nutritional issues, like too little B12 or too much B6, are the most common vitamin imbalances to cause polyneuropathy. But toxins and alcoholism are known to cause neuropathy pain as well.

Anything that decreases oxygen supply to the peripheral nerves can lead to damage and neuropathy pain. Blocked or narrowed arteries from things like high blood pressure or fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) and smoking or diabetes can be the culprits. Or if blood vessel walls thicken it can impede blood flow as well and cause nerve damage. You’ll want to learn more about vasculitis for that one.

Infections from viruses like West Nile, Herpes and HIV can cause neuropathy pain. It’s estimated that about 30% of people with HIV develop peripheral neuropathy. Even the virus that causes the chicken pox, or a tick bite carrying Lyme Disease are known to cause neuropathic pain.

While most neuropathies are acquired through one of the causes above, some people can also inherit neuropathy from their parents. There’s a good chance you already know if you’re going to develop a hereditary neuropathy though, as the most severe cases show up in infancy or childhood. Some young adults may develop mild cases from gene mutations (inherited or not), but it’s rare.

Treating Peripheral Neuropathy

Just like the wide-range of neuropathy symptoms, there are a wide range of neuropathy treatments. The right one depends on the type of neuropathy, the location of the nerve damage, and the severity of the pain or symptoms. Many people are able to manage their neuropathy pain without invasive treatments like medications and surgeries. It all depends on the specifics for each person, but let’s run through some leading home remedies for treating neuropathy pain:

Home Remedies

• If a neuropathic pain is caused by lifestyle habits like smoking or poor diet and exercise, then changing those behaviors is neuropathy attack strategy #1. We’ll be adding our favorite resources to help with those strategies soon.

• In addition to diet and exercise, we’ve seen first hand how quickly and widely the socks from VoxxLife help relieve neuropathic pain. Their socks have a special technology in them that send a message up through the Peripheral Nervous System to the brain. The brain then decodes the message and sends commands back down through the PNS. Those commands help the body regulate pain, and balance, among other things. This clinical study found that 941 out of 1,000 diabetes patients reported significant neuropathic pain relief from wearing the Voxx socks.

• Other home remedies and lighter-touch treatments include:
  • Orthopedic shoes like these ones from: Orthofeet (available on Amazon)
  • Splints like these, especially for carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Practices to cope with pain like massages and meditation. I’m a huge fan of the Calm App if you haven’t tried it yet.

Other Remedies

If none of the above help, then medications and cremes may be a person’s next line of attack. However, in some cases, like with protruding discs, often called pinched nerves, a surgery may be the best option.

It all comes down to a person’s individual situation, but hopefully one of the less invasive home-remedies will help.

Feel Better

If you have any questions on peripheral neuropathy, the socks, or other home remedies, don’t hesitate to reach out! And if you have peripheral neuropathy pain or it feels like your feet are burning, we hope you feel better soon! Let us know if you try the socks and how they work for you. (Voxx offers a money-back guarantee by the way).

Top Sources Referenced & For Further Reading: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Peripheral-Neuropathy-Fact-Sheet & https://www.foundationforpn.org/ & https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4398900/

The post My Feet Are Burning! Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy appeared first on The Herb Doctor.

Benefits Of Better Beauty Sleep

Do the benefits of beauty sleep really make a difference for more beautiful skin? The answer is a resounding YES!

Getting enough quality beauty sleep is a critical element of a glowing complexion. Because as you sleep, your body can focus on repairing and recovering, which leads to an extensive list of sleep benefits for your skin. So, when it comes to your beauty and skin care routine – getting your ‘beauty sleep’ may be the closest thing to the fountain of youth.

The optimal amount of shut-eye for a healthy adult is 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night. Unfortunately, it can be hard to get enough sleep regularly. Work and family obligations can often take a toll on your sleep schedule. It can be even harder to get the ideal amount of quality rest if you face high-stress levels in your life. But don’t fret, there are several simple lifestyle changes you can make to beat sleeplessness and help you get quality sleep.

Here is the truth about beauty sleep and how you can experience more of this rejuvenating sleep – so you can look and feel your best when you wake up every morning.

Sleep: A ‘Fountain Of Youth’

Simply put, sleep is like diving into the fountain of youth. It provides the conditions for your body needs to repair and revitalize. There are five sleep stages – 1, 2, 3, 4, and REM. These five stages combine to create a single sleep cycle. And, each sleep cycle takes around 90 minutes to complete. Ideally, we should experience five total sleep cycles each night. For example, during deep sleep, your body and mind are rejuvenated at the cellular level, restoring strength and function throughout your body.

REGULATES HORMONES

Sleep has a regulating effect on balancing hormones. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can negatively affect your body’s ability to regulate hormones. For example, lost sleep can lead to increased stress and high blood pressure. As you sleep, you experience lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and higher melatonin levels (the sleep hormone).
During deep sleep, the body produces hormones like growth hormone (GH) and anti-inflammatory cytokines. One of the many vital cytokines and GH processes is to repair your body’s tissue by regenerating cells. Overall, hormonal fluctuations experienced during your sleep cycles help you get beauty sleep and promote graceful aging.

DETOXIFIES MIND

Sleep stages detoxify your mind when brain waves during deep sleep trigger cerebrospinal fluid to cleanse the mind of toxins—washing in and out like waves. Additionally, deep sleep is a time for organ systems to get rest and your immune system to repair finally. These processes are just a few of the many repair functions occurring while we sleep.

As you can see, getting good sleep is like diving into a ‘fountain of youth.’ It is essential to revitalize the body, mind, and skin.

Indicators of Good Sleep

AMOUNT OF SLEEP

It’s natural to rouse and roll over in the middle of the night at the end of a sleep cycle when you are in light sleep. If you fully wake, it should typically take less than 20 minutes to fall back to sleep.

NATURAL WAKING

In the morning, you want to ideally wake without the alarm clock. Also, if you wake at the same time every morning, it will help program your internal circadian rhythms to adjust your sleep cycles – no more needing to hit the snooze button.

DAYTIME ALERTNESS

Ultimately, the best indicator of a good night’s sleep is whether you feel refreshed when you wake up from 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Additionally, throughout the day, you are alert, maintain good concentrate, and don’t need to take any naps.

Beauty Sleep

Beauty sleep is more than just getting enough sleep cycles – it includes maximizing the revitalization process. It is about getting the right kind of good sleep, so you can wake up looking and feeling radiant. By creating optimal conditions for your body to perform the incredible tasks it’s designed for, you can get more beauty sleep — and enjoy the benefits of the ‘fountain of youth’ effect. Create optimal conditions through:

HYDRATION

Your skin benefits from sleep hours by healing itself from the damage caused during the day. Your body’s thermostat and lying flat increase the blood flow to your skin to help repair damage. However, to reap the benefits of increased blood flow to the skin requires you to be well hydrated. Maintaining adequate hydration will help in optimizing conditions so you can get some beauty sleep.

NUTRIENTS

As blood flow delivers Growth Hormone to the skin to stimulate collagen production, your body needs the right bioavailable nutrients. For example, Vitamin C is an essential cofactor in the synthesis of collagen. To support healthy connective tissue, you can combine a few supplements at bedtime. Vitamin C Fizz, Whole Body Collagen , and Skin, Hair & Nail Support can provide the building blocks necessary to support optimal conditions in your body for producing healthy connective tissues.

CLEANSING

Clogged pores can prevent skin from breathing overnight. Get the most during the night hours, when your skin is busy renewing and restoring, by cleansing your skin before bed. Also, choose skin care products that optimize this recovery period so that you wake up with healthier skin!

MOISTURIZING

As you sleep, you continue to sweat and lose water. Optimize your skin’s ability to maintain moisture levels by staying hydrated, sleeping with a humidifier, and applying a moisturizer before you get into bed. Natural skin care products that are pH-balanced provide the perfect conditions for beneficial rehydration and anti-aging effects.

Set The Stage

FINISH TASKS

Take tasks to a point you feel comfortable letting them go until tomorrow. If you have several things lingering, make a list and agree that they can wait until tomorrow – most of the time, they can wait. Aim to finish up 60 to 90 minutes before bedtime, so you have time for the following steps.

ELECTRONICS OFF

Turn off all electronics at least 30 minutes before bedtime. No computers, cell phones, iPads, TVs, etc.. Also, dime the lights in your room. The shift in light exposure will help signal your brain to start producing melatonin, the hormone you need to maintain high-quality beauty sleep.
If you’re a bedtime reader, read printed materials or get a shield that goes across your Kindle/e-reader that shifts the light to a more sleep-friendly version.

BEAUTY RITUAL

Start by removing makeup, brushing teeth, flossing, applying face treatments, and whatever else you need to do to prepare yourself for bed (like a relaxing bath). Think of this as a pampering process. Tip: Wash your face and body before bed to help hydrate skin. But, since water has a high pH level, use a mildly acidic product after washing to restore an ideal pH to your skin and ensure a night of good skin repair.

RELAXATION

Take a bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil and Epsom salt. Or practice meditation; write in a gratitude journal; use any relaxation technique that works for you. Baths are great because when you get out, the change in your body temperature from hot to cool helps signal your brain to release melatonin.
Enjoy a cup of herbal tea an hour or two before bedtime to relax. Herbal teas containing hops, passionflower, lemon balm, wild oats, chamomile, or valerian can help promote relaxation.

RESTFUL ENVIRONMENT

Set the stage and ensure your bedroom is comfortable, cool, and pitch black. Light is one of the most significant factors to prohibit good beauty sleep because it prevents or reduces melatonin production through the night.
Tip: The best temperature for optimal sleeping is near 65 degrees.
Ensure you have a mattress and pillow that provide adequate support and keep your body in proper comfortable alignment, as well as bedding that is soft and welcoming.

CONSISTENT ROUTINE

Having a routine can help improve your sleep. Plan to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day/night to support your body’s circadian rhythm. Allow yourself enough time for at least 7 hours of uninterrupted beauty sleep.

COUNTERACT SLEEPLESSNESS

The #1 contributor to poor sleep and sleeplessness is feeling emotionally upset, such as feeling stressed and anxious. These emotions can prevent you from entering a rejuvenating deep sleep. Engaging in stress management can help alleviate emotional upset – while these other tips can help you counteract sleeplessness.

MENTAL RELAXATION

Try guided imagery, progressive relaxation, counting techniques, and other practices to release anxiety and ease you into sleep. The 4-7-8 method is a simple technique to try – Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and then exhale through your mouth for 8 seconds, then repeat until you fall asleep. The 4-7-8 method combines relaxation breathing with a mental task like counting that helps quiet the mind enough for you to drift off to sleep.

WHITE NOISE

Try adding some background noise, such as a wave sound machine or a fan. White noise is essentially a blanket that muffles any sudden change in sound consistency that might cause you to wake, like the sound of a car passing by or the heating/AC kicking on in the middle of the night.

AVOID DISRUPTOR

Avoid alcohol and sugar within an hour of bedtime. Alcohol may help you fall asleep initially, but like sugar, it will disrupt your sleep later on in the night. Also, reduce the amount of caffeine you consume and stop drinking it after lunchtime. Caffeine interferes with the process of falling asleep and prevents getting into a deep sleep.

EXERCISE TIMING

Regular moderate exercise (like hiking, swimming, and yoga) helps relieve tension in the body. Some people find that moderate exercise in the late afternoon or evening helps them relax and sleep better. However, be mindful of participating in vigorous activity (like running) too close to bedtime – or you may have trouble sleeping. If you have sleeplessness, switch up your routine to finish exercising 5 to 6 hours before bedtime.

MELATONIN CAUTION ⚠️

Many people pop melatonin as though it were a simple supplement, but there is a reason OTC melatonin has been banned for years in many countries. Melatonin is a hormone, so use caution with supplementation.

If you’re considering taking a melatonin supplement, you can start with 0.5 to 1 mg before bed. If that doesn’t do the trick, you can try going up to 5mg. But, it’s wise to check with your healthcare provide to look for the underlying cause of your sleep issues.

If you need sleep support, melatonin can help change your circadian rhythm to reset your internal clock. It can be especially beneficial after a daylight savings time change or travel. To give it time to kick in, take melatonin 60 to 90 minutes before bedtime.

Sweet Dreams

Beauty sleep is essential to recharge your body and mind completely. Quality sleep is like magic – it refreshes and leaves you feeling energized, optimistic, and alert. In the long run, beauty sleep will help manage stress, ward off infections and assist in graceful aging.
Here’s to enjoying more beauty sleep—Sweet dreams!

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