Traditional or Holistic: Which approach will you choose?

I think we can all agree there are limitations within our current medical system.  In fact, some of those limitations may actually be perpetuated by the patient.   Our society has come to expect a pill for every ailment; so when you go to the doctor, you expect a prescription.  A miracle pill that will fix all that ails you.  If you are not given a pill you might get angry, frustrated, feel neglected, or simply go to another doctor who will willingly prescribe a medication to “fix” you.   Our current medical system is quite capable of eradicating some symptoms, once they occur, but there doesn’t seem to be an interest in understanding WHY you are exhibiting that symptom in the first place.  Our traditional medial approach essentially isolates the symptom and divorces it from the context of the whole body.  Symptoms such as a headache, acid reflux, pimples, constipation, eczema, diarrhea, fatigue, canker sores, etc. are your body’s way of telling you something is not right and, essentially, the whole body needs to be examined for vulnerability and re-balanced.  However, when faced with these symptoms, most people run to the doctor for a prescription that only addresses one “symptom” without ever considering WHY the body is behaving in this manner, and then addressing the underlying root cause.

Consider the following scenario: a man gets a stomachache after most meals.  To “treat” this problem he asks the doctor for an antacid (proton pump inhibitor).  The antacid suppresses stomach acid which the body needs for proper absorption and assimilation of nutrients, and for good protein digestion.  Without good absorption and protein digestion many of our body systems, including our immune function, become compromised.   Subsequently, the man starts to get headaches (which may, or may not be a side effect of his antacid).  To “treat” the headache he starts taking aspirin which further irritates his stomach.   Several years later he develops an ulcer for which he takes another medication and eventually has surgery to remove the ulcer.   Meanwhile, he continues taking antacids and eating the same as always. Shortly thereafter, he develops high blood pressure (which is linked to the use of antacids and other such medications) and starts a hypertensive medication for this.  The side effects of this medication include headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, diarrhea, weight gain and impotence.  He also develops numerous musculo-skeletal issues such as; joint pain and muscle cramping which is linked to the fact that his body is not able to absorb certain nutrients due to the use of the antacid medication.  As his physical health declines, his emotional/mental health worsens and his wife leaves him at which point he starts taking anti-depressants.  He eventually has a heart attack and undergoes an operation to repair a heart valve.   Painkillers keep him going as he slowly recuperates.  A few years later he finds himself diagnosed with an aggressive and debilitating auto-immune condition such as; multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, and he wonders what could have gone wrong.  His health has deteriorated so sufficiently that he is no longer able to work.  Let’s backtrack and see how a different approach may produce a different result.  In this scenario let’s start with the assumption that ALL symptoms are a warning signal from the body and that the body can repair itself if we give it what it needs. A man gets a stomachache after most meals.  The man starts to pay attention to what he is eating to see if he can make a connection between food and the pain in his stomach.  He starts to eliminate common inflammatory and allergenic foods and pinpoints his stomach discomfort to dairy and gluten.  He starts adjusting his diet to limit these foods and his stomach discomfort disappears.   As he does not have to take an antacid he is able to properly digest/assimilate nutrients so the rest of his body stays healthy; he is also able to continue digesting protein properly so his immune system stays strong.  When the man gets a headache, instead of masking it with medication, he continues to look for an underlying root cause.  After much investigation perhaps he links it to bio-mechanical dysfunction and starts seeing a chiropractor or massage therapist to address his musculo-skeletal imbalance. Perhaps he connects it to the MSG in his packaged/processed food so he cuts that out of his diet.  Or perhaps he links it to a mild state of dehydration so he starts drinking more water consistently throughout his day.   Now he has eliminated his stomach distress and his headaches.  He is also not taking any pharmaceuticals and is therefore not experiencing any side effects.  His stomach is relaxed, his immune system is balanced, and the likelihood of an ulcer and high blood pressure is greatly diminished.  Because he has eliminated the foods that he is sensitive to, and is eating more whole foods vs. processed and refined foods, his risk of heart attack is also reduced.  Because he feels good, he behaves differently and his marriage remains intact.  His proactive and holistic approach will help ensure he lives well into old age and dies peacefully in his sleep. Which scenario do you prefer?  The body is an amazing and powerful instrument.  It can restore balance and overcome significant infirmity as long as you provide it with the tools it needs to function optimally.  Traditional or Holistic?  It’s your choice.

Enjoy the Essentials

Aside from the diet you feed your mind and body, I can’t think of a more natural and potent therapy to promote your health and wellness than essential oils.  They have been used medicinally for thousands of years.  They are safe and can be used for a variety of conditions, symptoms, and health complaints such as; fighting colds, improving sleep, calming the mind, reducing inflammation, supporting the immune system, enhancing digestion, and detoxifying your home.  You can inhale the oils, apply them topically, add them to your bath, or even ingest them via a capsule or by adding them to your food. 

One of my favorite uses for essential oils is in the home so I can eliminate the harsh chemicals and toxins found in everyday products.  For example, you can make your own cleaning products and room deodorizers by adding a few drops of lavender, lemon, or tea tree oil to baking soda or water.   You can freshen your laundry (dryer sheets are notoriously toxic) by spritzing wet laundry with a mixture of water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  Alternatively, you can add 10-12 drops to a wool sock and put it in the dryer with your laundry.  Personal body products are another way to incorporate the therapeutic powers of essential oils – make your own deodorant with some coconut oil, arrowroot powder, and a few drops of rose, orange, or lavender.  The perfect body scrub can be achieved with coconut oil, organic cane sugar, and an invigorating essential oil like lemon or peppermint.  A facial scrub can be made with a little aluminum free baking soda, a dollop of raw honey and a few drops of skin loving oils like lavender, frankincense, and geranium.  Tea tree oil is an awesome spot treatment for blemishes and less toxic than commercial products.  You can use cinnamon leaf oil, lemon eucalyptus, citronella oil, peppermint oil, or catnip oil as a natural insect repellent;  what a wonderful choice for your family to help protect them from the toxic nature of DEET and other chemical repellents.   Use a diffuser with grapefruit, lemongrass, or thieves to cleanse the air in your home and get rid of odors.

To support sleep try putting a few drops of chamomile, lavender, bergamot, or rose on a cotton ball and dab it over your pillow.   Are you feeling stressed?  Use 10 drops of lavender, rose, orange or ylang ylang mixed with 1 cup of Epsom salts in the bath to calm and ground yourself.  Studies show that simply smelling the oils of rose and orange can trigger the brain to relax. 

For pain, stiff muscles, or inflammation add a few drops of eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, or tea tree to a bit of coconut or almond oil and massage in to the affected area.  You can also use the oils in a compress (5 drops oil per 4 oz. of water – soak a cloth and apply for bruises, aches and pains).  If you are feeling nauseous you can use a drop or two ofmint, ginger, orange, fennel, or lavender in a cup of warm (not hot) tea to help calm the stomach and digestive tract.  If you need to be alert and focused try smelling peppermint, cinnamon, clove, or citrus to boost your energy and heighten your cognition. 

Another great way to use essential oils for physical health is to apply it on acupressure points.  Google vita-flex foot charts or hand charts and learn where to massage the oils for the best therapeutic benefit.     

Remember a little goes a long way and be sure to use only pure, therapeutic grade essential oils. Exercise caution when using with children, just like you would with any commercially purchased products.  It’s also important to note that many essential oils can be irritating to the skin so, it’s important to use them with a carrier oil (coconut oil or almond oil) when using topically.  Most importantly, have fun!  Experiment and share your knowledge with others so they can also benefit from these amazing and powerful substances.

Tending your Garden of Health

I love the metaphor of comparing your health to a garden.  Your health is exactly like a garden; you have to sow the seeds, tend to them lovingly, water and weed your garden, and nurture the soil. When something happens to weaken or diminish the garden (ie: a hail storm, frost, drought, etc.), you have to work extra hard to nurture it back to abundance.  Your physical health is no different.

 Imagine you have a beautiful, healthy tree that you love.   One day, in the middle of summer, you notice the bark is starting to peel away from the trunk and the leaves are turning brown and falling off.  Immediately, you call an expert who specializes in the health of trees.  After examining the tree, the expert recommends painting the trunk brown, painting the remaining leaves green, and stapling additional fake leaves onto the branches to fill it out, giving an appearance of health.  Do we not agree that is a ridiculous and preposterous approach?   If you want a healthy tree you can’t just cover up the problem; we need to dig deeper into the soil and look at the root system to understand why this tree is failing.  And yet, with our own health, we seem to be quite willing to paint the trunk and staple on green leaves in an attempt to “look healthy” without digging deeper to understand the underlying root cause of our unwellness.

 Our traditional approach to health and wellness treats symptoms (ie: painting leaves), but does not address root causes.  In our current medical system we have even gone beyond just painting the leaves and we have started cutting off whole branches and replacing them with artificial ones. Sometimes we don’t even replace them at all but just hope that the tree can somehow mend itself despite the missing parts.  Can this approach really produce a healthy tree or a healthy body? 

 In our bodies, the root system is our gut – otherwise known as the digestive tract.  Before chronic illness, there is inflammation, and before inflammation there is gut dysfunction.  The truth is, most illnesses today, (including conditions that are being diagnosed in epidemic proportions) can be traced back to an injured, irritated, and unhealthy gut. Over 2000 years ago Hippocrates said: “all disease begins in the gut.”  This still holds true today, but sadly, nobody seems interested in building health from the inside out – we all want to paint our leaves. 

 Signs of an unhealthy gut include:

·         Acid reflux

·         Excess phlegm and mucous

·         Gas/bloating

·         Skin disorders

·         Recurring infections

·         Frequents colds/flu

·         Allergies

·         Mood swings

·         Bad breath

·         Yeast infections

·         Fatigue

·         Aches and pains

·         Premature aging

·         Loose stools or constipation

These symptoms can often lead to more chronic and serious conditions.  In our traditional medical approach, however, they are often attributed to the unavoidable wear and tear of daily life.  They are not recognized as signs of an unhealthy gut or as the underlying cause of illness.  The good news is that all of these symptoms can be reversed and resolved through some loving attention to the roots and soil of your garden.

The gut (made up of several organs) is referred to as your “second brain” and it performs a myriad of essential functions that affect every single cell in the body, from the marrow in your bones to the hair and skin on the surface.  This is why gut dysfunction can manifest in the unlikeliest of body parts.  For example, when you notice a rash on your skin you will likely address it with a topical treatment instead of recognizing it as a sign of gut dysfunction.  We are all walking around with damaged guts and, to varying degrees, suffering from the consequences.  But, when we repair the gut, major and minor symptoms start to diminish and we can discover the meaning of true health. 

Repairing the gut starts with your choice of food (essentially the fertilizer for your garden).  The body requires WHOLE foods; live and good quality foods; foods that are as close to nature as possible.  Refined, processed, packaged, and fast food does not nourish our garden and will ultimately contribute to poor gut function.   Increasing your fiber intake is a boon to gut health; think fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, beans and whole grains. Another boost for our inner garden is probiotics; these are found in fermented foods like kimchi, raw sauerkraut, water kefir, miso and plain organic yogurt.   Good intestinal flora is a key contributor to detoxification and keeping our “roots” healthy. 

Good hydration is another must for a healthy gut;  2 litres/day of clean water away from meals will enhance digestion and support elimination.  Stress management and relaxation are also critical for optimal digestion; eating mindfully, meditation, and deep breathing are the equivalent of lovingly weeding and watering your inner garden.  Regular baths in Epsom salts will aid relaxation, promote detoxification, and support gut health.  Avoiding alcohol, rancid oils, trans & hydrogenated fats, preservatives, additives, and artificial sweeteners will also help nurture your roots and make your gut happy.  And, finally, as simple as it sounds, good chewing is critical to your overall digestive health.  Digestion starts in the mouth and good chewing stimulates a cascade of events that are critical to proper digestion, absorption, elimination, and optimal gut function. 

So, remember to tend to your inner digestive garden with love and nurture, and it will reward you with vitality and health!