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Victoria Anisman-Reiner's BlogPosted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner I've just returned last week from a trip to Sedona, Arizona. It's a truly amazing place. In addition to the beautiful scenery of amber-red rock formations and spiny green plant life, the city is overflowing with healers, alternative health specialists, massage therapists, teachers, hikers, retreat leaders and more. It's a perfect spot for a learning vacation or a spiritual retreat: the city of Sedona is dappled with energy centers known as "vortexes" or "vortices" which are said to enhance healing energy, meditation and spiritual practice. For more information on Sedona's vortex energy, see this week's article: Vortex Energy of Sedona Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner Greenpeace reports that Monsanto, the genetically modified food giant most blacklisted by health food junkies and environmentalists alike, has decided to stop producing the bovine growth hormone rBST. BST or "bovine somatotropin" is a hormone naturally produced by lactating cows, but rBST ("recombinant BST") is produced by genetically engineered E. coli with cow genes. rBST is then used to increase milk production in cows. rBST has been banned in Canada since 1998 (though it still arrives in unmarked GM food products), and companies including Starbucks, Safeway and Kraft have recently removed any rBST-tainted milk from their foods. For more information, see Greenpeace's Good News for Canadian Consumers... See also my article, Genetically Modified Foods: The Debate Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner A recent study done at Rutgers University in New Jersey hits on a link between certain skin moisturizers - containing artificial ingredients such as mineral oil and sodium lauryl sulfate - and an increase in skin cancer in mice. Although the lead researcher claims that "we don't really know what ingredients in these creams" increased cancer risks, it seems clear that the synthetic ingredients in these creams are largely at fault. For more information on the study, see the Health News article by Drusilla Dyess. Related reading: Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner In my non-writerly day job, I deal face-to-face with the public. I've always been sensitive to smells, particularly aromas of perfume, hairspray, and cologne; anything with a synthetic chemical fragrance, even less-than-pure essential oils, can trigger headaches and nausea. After a great deal of work to cleanse my system - cleansing and removing toxins has been known to decrease sensitivity and reactivity to allergies such as those to scents, pollen and dust - and energy work to clear my allergies, I haven't reacted to perfumes in years - until recently. Doing crowd control this past weekend, I was overwhelmed with the scents around me. It's possible I need to do another cleanse - in fact, I was planning on starting one in the next few weeks - but it's equally possible that the perfume industry has upped its ante. The chemicals in perfumes have included toxic preservatives, aroma enhancers and stabilizers for years; why wouldn't they add more to this chemical soup if they felt it increased the scent, or extended the length of perfume's fragrance? All I've got is speculation, but to those who have been having increased reactions recently to new perfumes: I'm with you. Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner Those who've been reading this blog for a while may remember earlier mentions of the Toronto Energy Psychology Conference - an annual event featuring healers, teachers and experts from many fields related to psychology, energy, healing, and personal growth. This year's theme is "Science and Consciousness", and features speakers including Gary Schwartz, Ph.D., Joyce Hawkes Ph.D., and Amit Goswami, Ph.D. The EPC runs October 24 to 26, 2008, with pre- and post-conference workshops occuring on the days before and after the main event. More information on the conference will be coming soon; in the meantime, visit the Energy Psychology Conference website for details or to register. More information: Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner There's an obvious discrepancy between natural approaches that preach preventive self-care and the medical industry that thrives off of people getting sick. In the contemporary system, everyone from doctors to drug companies to lab rats make their fortunes by selling medicine and treatment to those suffering from illness. Only a fraction of medical procedures are in response to injuries or unavoidable problems that could not have been prevented - as we now know - with better diet, supplements, and exercise. So what does the idea of socialized health care - something that most Americans would agree with in principal, and that we Canadians pride ourselves on - teach us about taking care of our health proactively, to prevent disease? It doesn't. Even if getting sick is horrible and the wait for treatment is outrageous, so long as "disease" care is free, the system is doing nothing to instill better health care principals. We need education about preventative medicine as much as we need medical treatment in emergencies. I'm not sure how to fix the system, but there it is: the paradigm that's keeping Canadians, at least, in the dark ages with regard to health. Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner A recent report by Dr. Joseph Mercola discusses claims by the Environmental Working Group that most sunscreens contain toxic chemicals that do more harm than good. Some of the ingredients in mainstream brands may even be carcinogenic. What's more, Mercola says, the "benefit" of sunscreen in the form of UV protection is often limited to the "safe" UVB rays - the kind skin needs in order to produce vitamin D. The more dangerous UVA rays are not blocked by most sunscreens, no matter their SPF. Advertising claims that sunscreen will protect skin from the sun's harmful rays may lead to greater sun exposure. What does Mercola suggest? Using safe, natural sunscreens and practicing a degree of common sense around the sun. To read the original posting: Four out of five sunscreens may be hazardous to your health... Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner From Medieval Europe to the banks of the Nile in Ancient Egypt, humans have been using herbs and essential oils to repel insects for thousands of years. Now research reported on June 24, 2008 by the New York Times suggests that eucalptol, one of the chemical components of eucalyptus, is especially effective at warding off mosquitos. The article begins with the claim that Listerene - containig 1% eucalyptol - is an effective mosquito deterrent. It may be true, but Listerene's effectiveness is shortlived. The mouthwash's chemical soup is mostly water and alcohol, so it evaporates too quickly to be useful for long. Natural sources of eucalyptol, on the other hand, are rather more effective. Eucalyptus oil, reported to be up to 75% eucalyptol in some varieties, also clings a bit longer than mouthwash. Lemon eucalyptus is mentioned in particular in this article, but other varieties are also known for their insect-repelling power. Blue eucalyptus is particularly long lasting. Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner Although the toxins present in personal care products are becoming common knowledge, there's another source of dangerous chemicals in your shower: plastic shower curtains. A new report from the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) titled "Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell" warns that chemicals "gassing off" of new plastic shower curtains (and other plastic products) may contain potential carcingens, eye, nose and throat irritants, and toxic chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, liver problems, reproductive problems and more. The hazardous chemicals released into the air by shower curtains include volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), phthalates, dioxin, organotoxins, and more. According to CHEJ, "Some of these chemicals cause developmental damage as well as damage to the liver and central nervous, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Some can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans." (Source: ABS-CBN News Online) Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner Common jargon would have you believe that GMO or "genetically modified organisms" are a new development in the world of farming, but it isn't so. For as long as agriculture has existed, farmers have modified the genetic makeup of food and commerical crops: from livestock to crops grown for grain, vegetables, tea or fiber, humans have altered the genetic code of living things we use by selectively breeding strains of dairy cattle, or only growing particular varieties of oats or beans. So to say that GMO foods are a new development is unclear - because although we have selectively bred a crop, such as wheat, for certain qualities (inevitably related to the genetic code), selective breeding and growing is a far cry from the kind of genetic modifications we are seeing in labs today. Lab research into genetic modifications involves "pasting" a short strand of genetic code from one organism into another, and observing the impact as the new "genetically modified" organism develops. This research has resulted in plant crops that produce their own pesticides, and pigs whose waste is less toxic to the environment (contains less phosphate). Yet the long-term impact on the organism's health - and on the health of the humans eating those crops - is unknown. How is this different from "naturally" bred GMO's? It's a matter of extent. While wheat has been extensively altered by agriculture, the changes in its genetic structure are fairly minimal and are modifications that could have happened without human intervention, given the right circumstances and enough time. The changes laboratories are making - such as splicing E. coli genes into pigs - are unlikely to have occurred in nature, and represent a much larger change in the gene. Whether or not this change is hazardous may remain unknown for years to come. Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner Part and parcel of the greenwashing seen on supermarket shelves is the over-use of the words "organic" and "natural." Despite restrictions on what percentage of content must be organic or "natural" (unmodified) in order for these words to be used on labelling, there are some pretty dodgy cases where the words are used inappropriately... There are a few words in the English language that mean one thing in one context and something entirely different when they're found in a different setting. Organic, unfortunately, is one of those words. "Organic," in the food and supplement industry, means crops that are grown with no synthetic chemical herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, or artificial fertilizers. "Organic" chemistry, on the other hand, means molecules that are made up mostly of carbon and hydrogen. I've seen products on health food store shelves - mostly in the hair and personal care aisles - that use the word organic in obviously misleading ways, to suggest that the products are natural when in fact all they are describing is the chemistry of synthetic molecules. It's a pet peeve and something I find almost humorous. One more reason to educate ourselves about what's in the food, medicine, and personal care we use. Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner I've been reading, recently, more about the kinds of success stories some people are having by using essential oils - specifically, therapeutic-grade oils - with their pets. Dogs with allergies, bad-tempered cats, budgies off their feed and losing feathers, horses with injuries and sprains - all of these and more seem to respond only positively to real* essential oils. (*Nota: Most essential oils sold in stores are not pure and are NOT SAFE to apply to animals or to use ourselves. See the above link on therapeutic grade oils for details.) Even though their bodies are built differently from ours, there is a real overlap in the natural treatments that are effective for most animal species. Sometimes I think it's pretty darn amazing that the same herbs will work to relieve indigestion in an adult human, a baby, and for my dog, cats, and more. Natural Animal Care:
Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner When it comes to healing circles, I've seen both the good and the bad. The really fascinating thing about energy work groups is how they seem to magnify energy - not only the intentional, beautiful energies that the group leaders talk about, but also the crazy, the self-destructive, the manipulative, and the energies of those who would use or drain other people if they are given their way. Sometimes, the source of the problem is obvious, but sometimes it is the most erudite, calm-seeming person who is the unstable factor harming others in the circle. Healing circles offer the potential for us to connect with other human beings and work in synergy to create great energy, and often an experience of the divine that is greater than ourselves. But they also afford an opportunity to unscrupulous people, or to those who simply don't know themselves well enough to control their own energy and how it affects others. One of my teachers, Donna Eden, spoke at an Energy Medicine training several years ago about how detrimental healing circles can be to someone who is too weak, open or vulnerable to protect themselves from other people's energy. All the toxic energy of everyone in the circle, she says, can fly to one weakened or sick individual - so be very careful who you share your energy with! I suppose it all comes down to this: If you leave your coven every week feeling cheerful, uplifted and energized, then you've done well. If you find, however, that you consistently feel drained, tired, grumpy, sad, doubtful or angry after leaving a meditation group, I would seriously recommend you ignore whatever your head might be telling you about how wonderful these people seem, and find another place to shine. Read the article: Healing Circles: Good or Bad? Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner A quick news bite to update you on my earlier posting about the possibility of Health Canada citing Bisphenol A ("BPA") as a toxic chemical: The actual news is not quite so good. Health Minister Tony Clement declared yesterday that BPA is to be banned from baby bottles, but will be allowed in water bottles, can liners, and other products. "We have concluded that early [childhood] development is sensitive to the effects of bisphenol A," Clement said Friday, but that "the migration of bisphenol A into food and beverage products from polycarbonate is not a concern." Health Canada intends to work with industry to find an alternative liner for baby food cans, but does not acknowledge any health risk of bisphenol A for adults. News source: Vancouver Sun, April 19, 2008. See also: The Quest for Clean Water and my earlier blog post on BPA Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner I posted an article earlier this week entitled The Quest for Clean Water in which I mentioned bisphenol A ("BPA"), one of the chemicals that leaches into water (and other foods) from plastic bottles (and other plastic dishes, glasses, storage containers...). According to the latest news, bispenol A may soon be listed by Health Canada as a dangerous substance - making environmental and health history. As today's Globe & Mail has it, this decision "will amount to one of the most important regulatory decisions regarding a single chemical in decades," and will put pressure on other countries to acknowledge the risks associated with BPA. Bisphenol A is a "hormonally active chemical" found in almost all plastics and in metal can liners, where it can leach into foods and beverages. Industry maintains that BPA is safe at small concentrations, but concerns about its impact on human health continue to grow. Some experts say it mimics naturally occuring estrogen and according to the 2006 National Geographic Green Guide, animal studies indicate that BPA may cause infertility, cancers, and hyperactivity. Health Canada's decision on bisphenol A is slated to be released tomorrow. Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner Our bodies are naturally attuned to shed toxins all the time, cleansing poisons and metabolic wastes (such as urea and carbon dioxide) out of our systems. But sometimes, particularly when we eat foods that have synthetic ingredients or that don't contain complete nutrition, this process can use a little help. The best time of the year to do a cleanse is traditionally the springtime, as the Earth renews itself and our bodies turn toward fresh produce, outdoors air and sunshine to refresh us after the long winter indoors. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of ways to cleanse. Which approach to cleansing you take depends on your goals, commitment level, and your individual body and health. Read on for a look at a few of the options:
Finally, please see my earlier blog post of May, 2007, Thoughts on Cleansing, debunking some of the most popular and dangerous myths about cleansing. Is cleansing the same as fasting? Is cleansing dangerous? The truth might surprise you. Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner I had a conversation about allergies last week with several people who knew next to nothing on the subject (but thought they did - groan!!). The trend of the discussion was, "Oh, those poor people with allergies. It's too bad there's nothing you can do about it." Sometimes it seems like I'm living in a different world from the one most people inhabit: in my world, much as I respect the danger of anaphalactic allergies, there are things that can be done for even the most severe of reactions. I grew up with dozens of allergies to food, animals, and all kinds of chemicals. By avoiding the foods I reacted to, I was eventually able to reintroduce them to my diet... after ten years! I now know there are quicker and more effective ways to remove allergies:
The last option, strange as it sounds, seems to be the most effective. I've had it done on my allergies, including my sensitivities to chemicals, and it has worked wonders in eliminating the reactions I used to get to perfume, sugar, and more. I've used dowsing to treat serious allergies to fish and pollen, and EDxTM energy psychology for an allergy to MSG, and seen allergies lessen and vanish. There are options. Allergies don't have to be a "life sentence"! Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner I just brought home a new puppy! And this time around, I thought I'd try the one holistic vet in Toronto that I keep hearing about - East York Animal Clinic. The East York Clinic is halfway across the city from me, but I expect it's worth the effort. I took my last dog to the veterinarian nearest to home. At first, I was impressed by their manner and the way they seemed to thoughtfully consider the holistic pet remedies - essential oils, a natural parasite cleanse, homeopathics for his separation anxiety, garlic for fleas - that I used to treat him. Eventually, though, I got tired of having to justify and explain every time I didn't want antibiotics or a parasite drug and wanted to use a homeopathic remedy or something else natural instead. The entire process began to remind me of going to the doctor (back when I was a kid and our family doctor, completely oblivious to holistic medicine, used to give us a hard time for... well, as I recall, just about everything). Yuck! So I figured I'd try the holistic vet at East York Clinic this once. We had our first appointment yesterday evening and it went well - the doctor recommended probiotics and has qualms about vaccines, just as I do. I'm still thinking over the advice he gave me about canine diets. Good signs, in my books! For more information on my approach to natural pet care, see Alternative Medicine for Pets Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner After years of debate and discussion between holistic health warnings and the medical nay-sayers, a ruling has finally agreed that thimerosal in vaccines helped to cause autism in a Georgia girl. The trouble is, the media is spinning Hannah Poling's case as if it isn't so. A pre-existing mitochondrial disorder is being named as the actual cause of her "autistic symptoms," which the thimerosal may have only exacerbated. It's entertaining at best, and chilling at worst. Yes, there are intervening factors - there are always intervening factors - but it seems clear that, if it's been ruled that vaccines are responsible for Hannah' Poling's "autistic symptoms", then they are responsible for her autism. How not? There is a great post on the subject on Ginger Taylor's "Adventures in Autism" blog: Spinning the Hannah Poling Case. For details on the ruling, see: Autism and Vaccines: Hannah Poling Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner In 2007, the World Wildlife Fund of Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald created Earth Hour. 2.2 million people shut off their lights for an hour on the evening of March 31, 2007 in recognition of the drain our energy consumption places on the Earth and the role each of us can take to slow climate change. In 2008, Earth Hour goes global, with people all over the world signing up to participate - in events, or from home - in the hour-long energy shutdown on March 29, 2008. Earth Hour has been criticised for misrepresenting the amount of energy saved on March 31, 2007 as well as for implying that one night of decreased energy usage makes a real difference in fighting global pollution and resource consumption. Regardless, the project seems worthwhile simply for the amount of attention it has drawn and for bringing these issues back into the spotlight. Earth Hour promotes energy-saving initiatives that can be used year-round, as well as during the event itself. Learn more: Lights Off for Earth Hour Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner Chemicals in personal care products are old news: we all know that most shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, perfume, cologne, cosmetics, baby powder and more contain all kinds of synthetic ingredients. But the jury is still out on how severe the impact of these ingredients on our health will prove to be. If you, like me, believe that chemicals like SLS, DEA, talc, toluene, aluminum oxide, and synthetic colors and fragrance are a serious risk to our health and the health of our children, you may be interested in the current series of articles about the facts, hazards and alternatives to toxic skin care and personal care products:
See also the blog post about Phthalates and Children's Health. Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner Even as stores are pulling PVC products from their shelves and California drafts a new law that will ban certain toys and baby care products, a study by Sheela Sathyanarayana, M.D. at the University of Washington indicates that babies and infants may carry a serious amount of chemical phthalates. The study observed 163 infants and compared phthalates in their urine against use of chemical-laden baby shampoos, baby powder, PVC toys, fragrances, and other products. Every baby examined had phthalates present in urine; over 80% had more than one type. These results are worrisome becuase phthalates are found in almost every commercial infant care product - and their effects may be damaging to the reproductive system in early development. In pregnant rats exposed to phthalates, genital birth defects were common in male babies. There is some concern about the effect of phthalates on humans, not only in utero, but during early childhood development. Infants have an important hormonal "checkpoint" at three months of age, which can be affected when phthalates or other hormone disruptors are present. Other studies indicate that exposure to phthalates may increase sinus trouble, allergies, and eczema. The American Chemistry Council has criticised the study, and the Fragrance Materials Association of the United States has responded by claiming that not all phthalates are the same. Johnson & Johnson says the only phthalate found in their products, DEP, is safe. Yet it seems that there is cause for concern. Plastics with a "3" recycling code are usually PVC plastic, containing phthalates which may leach into food or upon contact - especially if they have been boiled or, possibly, microwaved. Personal care products are not required to identify phthalate contents on the label, so it's a good idea to avoid anything but natural products and read labels very carefully. Read more on toxic skin care ingredients... Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner It's been a fairly wretched week. I'd been blaming a persistent sore throat and headache on my thyroid gland: with my family history, when I get neck or throat symptoms and start feeling depressed, it seems self-evident to blame low thyroid. And then I remembered the apartment I lived in about a year and a half ago, where I was told the water was filtered-- and believed it until I got hit by these same symptoms. Tight, swollen throat that feels worse instead of better when I drink plenty of water. Headache, nausea, grumpiness. My water filter needed replacing. When I moved in January 2007, I bought an awesome countertop water filter made by General Ecology. (I've been meaning to write about water quality ever since.) They told me I'd need to replace the filter after about a year, so I'm right on schedule. Trouble is, the filter casing is tricky to open. Skip forward ten minutes. If anybody had been in my kitchen, they would have seen me sitting on my kitchen counter, propped against the side of the fridge, struggling to hold the base on the filter casing still between my legs as I pulled the "lid" up with both hands. I finally got it. Water flowed from the case, soaking one pants leg, the kitchen counter, and a good portion of the floor. Three minutes later, I had replaced the old filter with the new one. I turned on the tap to test it, only realizing I had forgotten to replace the vacuum seal when water sprayed, showering my kitchen for the second time. On the plus side, I now know how to get the cover off: run water through with the airtight seal removed. Cover all surfaces in waterproofing first. Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner I was walking my dog in early November, slipped and took a tumble face-first onto pavement, badly bruising both knees. They were healing, slowly but surely, until the beginning of January when they started to feel painful once again...
But the point of this post - of course - is that after a few days of pain, I wised up and started applying oils to my knees more frequently, four or five times a day. I used a couple of blends ("Valor" and "Relieve It"), but the oils I was applying most often were single oils: my old favourite, Peppermint, and one I don't use often at all, Pine. Peppermint is great for pain relief. It is soothing and cooling, helps take down inflammation and relieves stress on sore muscles and joints. Pine is fabulous for rebuilding torn muscles and ligaments and is also great for pain relief. Today, after applying these oils for most of the past week (and tapering off in the last day or so), my knees feel almost 100%, and I'm not noticing any pain climbing stairs. For the 1,674,389th time, I'm very grateful to have these essential oils in my life! Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner A recent British study has come out with some surprising information: Grapefruit, it seems to suggest, may be a risk factor in breast cancer. Grapefruit has long been recommended for its health benefits: it is high in vitamin C, potassium, vitamin A, and other vitamins and minerals. It is touted for its ability to help with cleansing and weight loss. It is ranked as a "neutral" citrus fruit (neither very good nor very bad for health) by many alternative health practitioners: grapefruit is lower glycemic than oranges, but not as ideal for health as lemons. But... a factor in breast cancer for postmenopausal women? The researchers say, "There is evidence that grapefruit, an inhibitor of CYP3A4, increases plasma estrogen concentrations. Since it is well established that estrogen is associated with breast cancer risk, it is plausible that regular intake of grapefruit would increase a woman's risk of breast cancer." The study has been criticized in some circles for using conventionally grown grapefruits. Given the amount of research into the dangers of pesticides, and the kind of heavy pesticide use that goes into growing citrus fruits, it seems possible and even likely that the estrogen effects observed in the women eating a lot of grapefruit are due to chemical pesticides, and not the fruit itself. Here's hoping the follow-up study compares organic to conventional grapefruit consumption, so we get some real answers. Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner The top five articles of 2007 are here! 5. Indigo Kids and Crystal Children The sensitive, intuitive, troubled children who have been making new age headlines. What are indigo and crystal kids? What kinds of natural options can help them to grow up healthier and fulfill their inner drives for peace and accomplishment? 4. Sugars: The Good Part one of a mini-series of articles entitled, "Sugars: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." It's a given that white sugar is no good for us; what are some of the options? Healthier alternatives for sugar include agave, stevia, maple syrup, honey and more. 3. Dietary Cleanses There are several types of cleanse. One of the simplest - yet most difficult to follow - involves nothing more than changes to diet including juicing, fiber, increasing water intake; info on pH cleanses; raw food diets; and more. 2. The Master Cleanse This formerly little-known cleanse was popularized in 2007 by Beyonce Knowles and her crash diet for the film Dreamgirls. Today, the Lemon Cleanse or Master Cleanser is one of the most searched-for terms in natural health. Beyond the media's myths and accusations of fad dieting, learn the real truth about the lemon cleanse. And the most popular natural medicine article, by a long shot, is... 1. 10 Ways to Boost Immune Health The immune system affects almost every aspect of health - and is affected by almost everything you do. 10 simple, natural tips to strengthen your immune system to avoid getting sick or shake off a cold. Best wishes for a healthy, flu-free winter season and a happy new year! Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner As part of a massive overhaul to the site and its designations, Natural Medicine has been moved from "Wellness and Style" (now "Home and Style") to its new home in the Health and Wellness section of Suite101. ...And we're very happy to be here! I hope that all the awesome Natural Medicine contributing writers and our loyal readers will stick around long enough to explore our new location. If you've already looked around, you might have noticed that the Herbal Medicine section has been eliminated while herbs and herbal medicine are in the process of being made a category under Natural Medicine. More changes are yet to come! |
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