Coping with a loved one's memory loss

At the holidays, millions of Americans will see the changes a year makes in their family. Losing a loved one to dementia can be devastating.full story

We don't usually think of ginger, turmeric and frankincense as medicinals

We don't usually think of ginger, turmeric and frankincense as medicinals. Instead the names conjure up images of a kitchen spice shelf, a tasty curry or an exotic incense.




But these herbs do have a venerable therapeutic lineage. For thousands of years they have been used in Ayurveda (pronounced ay-yur-vay-duh), the traditional medicine of India, to treat arthritis and other ailments. Sometimes, they are combined with Ashwaganda, another Indian herb. Continue Reading >>

Air Humour resides in the colon, ears, bones and nervous system

Air Humour resides in the colon, ears, bones and nervous system. It is in charge of the movement of feces, heart, food, urine and childbirth. It maintains the process of inhalation and exhalation as well as sensual acuity. Its characteristic is dry and cold, season is autumn, time of day is afternoon and early morning, color is blue, flavors in foods and medicines are bitter, (which is cooling and drying), astringent (drying) and pungent (which is light). In its most positive psychological aspects Air humour is responsible for sensitivity while negative aspect is fear and insecurity. Continue Reading >>

Ayurveda teaches that humans consist of three aspects

Ayurveda teaches that humans consist of three aspects: the physical, the subtle and the causal, or body, mind and soul in Western terms. Health, according to Ayurveda is a balanced expression of all these three elements. The Five Elements in Ayurveda are different from the TCM "fire-earth-metal-water-wood", which in Ayurveda is described as "fire-earth-water-air-ether. The elemental systems of both attempt to describe the functional relationship of all phenomena in nature. However, while the more practically agrarian model of the Chinese describe metal and wood, the older more spiritual Indian 'air-ether' description is not equivalent. Continue Reading >>

The unique appeal of Ayurveda is the integration of a Universal spiritual philosophy

The unique appeal of Ayurveda is the integration of a Universal spiritual philosophy which has been largely expunged from the more materialistic "Maoist-styled" TCM.

However, if one considers the pre-Maoist, "Taoism" of TCM that expounds upon the philosophical Yin-Yang paradigm, we can appreciate the equally spiritual basis of TCM which is largely de-emphasized today in mainland China and the majority of North American TCM colleges. Continue Reading >>

Some people thrive as vegetarians and others as meat eaters.

Some thrive on spicy food and others on bland food. Some do well with raw foods and other better with cooked foods. Ayurveda is a path of understand what is right for the individual, not the masses. Ayurveda is neither a statistical form of medicine or a health fad, it is a science, based upon understanding individualized needs and meeting those needs to bring about the best a person can be. Continue Reading >>

Western Medicine acknowledges two principles in the onset of disease

Western Medicine acknowledges two principles in the onset of disease. One is the role of virulence or the strength of a pathogen such as a bacteria or virus. The second is resistance or the ability of the host (the person) to ward off the disease. This second component is called immunity. It is the function of Ayurveda to maximize immunity and defend against disease. These principles are also true on the mental level. Mentally and emotionally, stress is the pathogen. A person’s ability to resist stress is the “immune system” of the mind. Ayurveda not only attempts to maximize physical immunity but also mental immunity. Continue Reading >>

Optimism Can Enhance Your Long-Term Health

Optimism Can Enhance Your Long-Term Health - It's a well-known fact that being optimistic and focusing on emotional wellness seems to reduce stress.... Read more

A Guide to Alternative Therapy Practitioners - Alternative Health Center

A Guide to Alternative Therapy Practitioners - Alternative treatments may be suggested by your family doctor or psychiatrist, or by a specialist in a particular type of treatment.... Read more

The Ayurvedic Specialist examines the patient and also comes to an understanding the pathogenesis (Samprapti)

The Ayurvedic Specialist examines the patient and also comes to an understanding the pathogenesis (Samprapti) of the disease or how the disease unfolded within the body of the patient. By understanding the pathogenesis, the Clinician can develop a treatment plan to reserve the condition. This treatment plan includes both constitutional treatments to address the patients lifestyle and direct treatment to target the compromised area of the body. Continue Reading >>