The Australasian College of Health Sciences (ACHS) has launched seven new career-oriented credential programs beginning January 2009.
The College developed these one-of-a-kind programs to meet growing industry demand for accessible, holistic health career training. Specially designed to meet the needs of higher education’s fast-growing population—non-traditional students—ACHS now offers greater access to viable CAM-based careers and businesses. As alternative holistic health continues to increase in visibility and desirability, the College will continue to develop course offerings and programs that service the needs of a growing profession.
History tells us that in times of national economic uncertainty, higher education is the go-to solution for professional re-tooling and development. Yet, today, many non-traditional students are unable to attend traditional, daytime classes. The increasingly viable solution is accredited, online education. Students who enroll in one of the Australasian College’s career-oriented credential programs: 1) receive accredited education for a sustainable career in the growing holistic health industry; 2) save money by minimizing transportation costs; 3) and can continue to work while completing their studies, because ACHS courses are available from any computer, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The College’s new career-oriented credential programs include: Certificate in Herbal Retail Management, Certificate in Natural Products Manufacturing, Certificate in Holistic Nutrition Consulting, Certificate in Iridology Consulting, Certificate in Homeopathy Consulting, Certificate in Dynamic Phytotherapy Consulting, and Certificate in Wellness Consulting.
Program graduates will prepare for careers in: holistic health consulting, health food retailing and management, herbal and aromatherapy product manufacturing, wellness and community education, holistic nutrition, professional health care continuing education, and more.
Credential programs range from three to five courses, and can be completed in a minimal investment of one term with full-time, concurrent enrollment.
VA funding is available as of January 2009, which makes it easy for U.S. Armed Forces servicemembers, military spouses, and veterans to maximize their education benefits and invest in their future with a career in holistic health.
Additional course descriptions, registration requirements, and funding information are available through the ACHS Admissions Department. Visit www.achs.edu or call (800) 487-8839, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.
Or, visit achs.edu and click on a specific Department: Aromatherapy, Herbal Medicine, Dynamic Phytotherapy, or Holistic Medicine.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Do-it-Yourself Skin Care a Must, Recipes for Health
Our bodies are comprised of up to 70% water. But, we still need to moisturize daily. Why? Moisturizing keeps water in our skin, and a good, natural moisturizer will also shield your skin from environmental irritants like dust, toxins, and winter weather.
To help keep water in, our bodies produce a natural moisturizer called sebum. But sebum is no longer enough. Most people don’t drink enough water, eat properly, or avoid pollution enough to not need an additional moisturizer.
Remember, even the best or most expensive moisturizers will fall short if you don’t drink enough water. Our skin draws moisture from our bodies, and without it, the skin dries, shrinks, and wrinkles with age. Water also flushes toxins from the system, which results in healthier body systems, and hydrates, which helps with concentration and stress relief.
CLICK HERE for more do-it-yourself natural skin care. Download the ACHS Holiday Recipe Book for personal use or include with your holistic health gifts this holiday season.
To make Body Moisture Oil:
Mix 90 ml of sweet almond oil and 5 ml of jojoba oil. Then add about 20 drops of your favorite essential oils. We suggest:
Pain Free Oil
Essential Oil of Lavender 10 drops
Essential Oil of Rosemary 8 drops
Essential Oil of Peppermint 4 drops
Essential Oil of Ginger 4 drops
Essential Oil of Black pepper 4 drops
Muscle Toner
Essential Oil of Grapefruit 8 drops
Essential Oil of Ginger 4 drops
Essential Oil of Lemon 3 drops
Essential Oil of Cypress 3 drops
Essential Oil of Juniper 2 drops
To print the Body Moisture Oil recipes CLICK HERE.
Complete your one-stop shopping at the Apothecary Shoppe. Do you already receive Apothecary Shoppe emails? If not, call 800-487-8839 to sign up and ask about your $25 gift certificate, available through December 20, 2008.
Like what you're hearing? Click SHARE below and email this article to a friend, bookmark for future use, or....brag about us a little. We'd like that.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Combat Stress and Winter Blahs, Recipes for Health
Relaxation is as fundamental for good health as the food you eat. It is important not to neglect relaxation, regardless of how busy you are.
Attitude and emotion have a significant influence on our health. We live in a stressed out world—just driving to work or reading the newspaper can cause stress. And although we cannot always control what causes us stress, we can control how we deal with stress.
Be proactive. Reacting to stress typically causes more stress. Negative thoughts and worry accumulate in the body, which can lead to aches and pains, dysfunction, and premature aging. What to do? Let go of stress. Aromatherapy is an easy-to-use, at-home technique for stress relief. A few moments of daily Me Time will help you to be your best at all other times.
CLICK HERE for quick and easy aromatherapy suggestions.
Combat your Stress and Winter Blahs with this bath salts recipe—a treat for you and a simple, natural gift for friends and family.
Winter Blahs Bath Salts (more recipes available HERE)
Mix together in a bowl and sift. Add 4T to one full bath.
1c or 8oz Epsom Salts
1/2c or 4oz Sea or Mineral Salts
1/8c or 1oz White Clay
3 drops Essential Oil of Geranium
3 drops Essential Oil of Lavender
2 drops Essential Oil of Lemon
2 drops Essential Oil of Sandalwood
Like what you're hearing? Click SHARE below and email this article to a friend, bookmark for future use, or....brag about us a little. We'd like that.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Green Gift Guide
December 2008 could mark just another holiday season—relatively indistinguishable from the last… Except for the fact that you might be entering the season with a little more motivation to be green and little less cash in the gift-giving reserves.
Which gives you all the more reason to alter—then heed—an old adage: it's the quality of the thought that counts.
This year, spend a little extra time thinking about what you give, how you decorate, and what you serve. Your thoughtfulness will pay dividends, not just to you and your family, but to the planet.When brainstorming gift ideas, think quality over quantity. Money’s tight, so don’t buy just to buy. Sure, fall-back soaps and candles for her and a T-shirt for him are fine, but why not give quality gifts—ones you feel good about buying and giving?
Buy Local. Look in locally-owned stores for gifts. Shopping at mom and pop stores sends your money right back into your city’s or town’s economy. By doing so, you’re encouraging a vibrant and diverse marketplace right where you live rather than supporting a big box store. Bonus points if the gift you buy is also made locally.
Which gives you all the more reason to alter—then heed—an old adage: it's the quality of the thought that counts.
This year, spend a little extra time thinking about what you give, how you decorate, and what you serve. Your thoughtfulness will pay dividends, not just to you and your family, but to the planet.When brainstorming gift ideas, think quality over quantity. Money’s tight, so don’t buy just to buy. Sure, fall-back soaps and candles for her and a T-shirt for him are fine, but why not give quality gifts—ones you feel good about buying and giving?
Buy Local. Look in locally-owned stores for gifts. Shopping at mom and pop stores sends your money right back into your city’s or town’s economy. By doing so, you’re encouraging a vibrant and diverse marketplace right where you live rather than supporting a big box store. Bonus points if the gift you buy is also made locally.
Buy Green. Commit to knowing where the gifts you buy come from, what they’re made of and how they’re made. Plastic products, for example, release harmful toxins into the air in production, leach chemicals into our body when we use them, and stick around for several thousand years once discarded. Try to buy gifts made from sustainable materials that are safe for the gift’s recipient and the planet. Trust us: You’ll feel good about it.
If you’re looking for green toys, check out these Green Toy Company Recommendations.
Still out of ideas? If you can’t think of a good gift to give, could it be because the intended already has too much stuff? If so, why not skip buying him more things he doesn’t need. Give the gift of wellness.
© Sustainlane.com
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Donate two cans to end hunger in your community
ACHS will accept local canned-food donations on behalf of the Oregon Food Bank from December 8-15.
Bring two cans to the Apothecary Shoppe between the hours of 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. If you cannot make it into the Apothecary Shoppe before December 15—or you live outside the Portland metro area—donate to your local food bank.
Food banks always have a short supply during the holidays. This year has proved no exception. As a country, we are experiencing some of the most difficult financial struggles in decades. And as a result, food shortages are at an all time high.
We may not be able to end national hunger single-handed. But, we can end hunger at home. It’s amazingly easy. In fact, for many of us, all it would take is a one-minute trip to the kitchen cabinet—or a few cans of food.
You do great work. We know this about you, the same as we know promoting community wellness is an important part of our work as holistic health educators. Support community wellness this holiday season.
Donate two cans to stop hunger in your community. Then, tell us all about it. Don't worry. It's not self-promotion. It's education. So come on...brag a little!
What are you and your community doing to end hunger locally?
We’d love to hear from you! Click the COMMENT icon below.
Know someone with something to share. Click the FORWARD icon below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us * Facebook * Digg * Reddit * Newsvine * Myspace
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Aromatherapy Gets Personal Boost from Donna Karan
DKNY founder Donna Karan cares about aromatherapy. At least, she cares enough about the possible healing properties of alternative medicine to donate $850,000 to the Beth Israel Medical Center to conduct a year-long experiment combining Eastern and Western healing methods.
According to the October 30 New York Times article, “In One Section of Beth Israel Hospital, Some Patients Are Saying ‘Om,’ Not ‘Ah’”, the experiment, which will be overseen by ultimate yogi Rodney Yee, will test the notion that “yoga, meditation and aromatherapy can enhance regimens of chemotherapy and radiation.”
Karan, who reportedly maintains a daily yoga practice herself, sites her commitment to integrative medicine as the result of the “narrowly limited treatment of her husband, a sculptor, and of Lynn Kohlman, a photographer, model and DKNY fashion director who […] died of brain and breast cancer in September.”
“Over 80% of cancer patients use … some form of complementary or alternative therapies,” said Barrie Cassileth, PhD, chief of the Integrative Medicine Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, in a 2004 article posted on the American Cancer Society website.
Although they do not take the place of Western medicine, Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is being used as a supplement more and more frequently by oncology patients. A cumulative term for several holistic health modalities, CAM includes herbal medicine, homeopathy and aromatherapy, which all prioritize the unique experience of the individual in the treatment of symptoms.
Colleges like the Australasian College of Health Sciences in Portland, Oregon, have experienced a consistent increase in enrollment over the past few years, specifically among heath care workers who want continuing education classes in CAM to integrate into their current work or practice. College President Dorene Petersen says of the trend:
“Health and wellness continue to be the fastest growing industry. ACHS trains holistic health practitioners, but we also work with a lot of health care workers who want more natural solutions to offer their patients. And it works. They’re coming back.”
Among CAM modalities, aromatherapy is likely the most familiar. And if the Beth Israel Medical Center experiment is a success, one can reasonably assume the tested, healing properties of aromatherapy will become common knowledge.
But many don’t know that aromatherapy has a documented use dating to Egyptian times, where herbs were regularly burnt in public squares to purify the air. René-Maurice Gattefossé (1881-1950), a French chemist and perfumer, is officially credited with coining the term “aromatherapy,” and is known for his research of the dermatological effects of essential oils, which subsequently inspired a number of researchers and writers in the 1950’s and 60s.
Today, industry experts commonly define aromatherapy as “the controlled use of essential oils to promote the health and vitality of the body, mind and spirit.” The largest online information source for the use of aromatherapy and essential oils, AromaWeb, adds that: “Essential oils inhaled into the lungs offer both psychological and physical benefits. Not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but when inhaled into the lungs, the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) can supply therapeutic benefit.”
Like Karan, AromaWeb founder Wendy Robbins attributes her commitment to alternative medicine to personal experience. AromaWeb arose from the desire to create an online resource with accurate introductory information for those seeking more in depth information about the field of aromatherapy.
“Before and after the launch of the AromaWeb,” Robbins says, “I craved to learn as much as I could about aromatherapy so that in turn, I could share that knowledge with others.” Today, Robbins writes articles about aromatherapy and essential oils, which she features on her user-friendly site, the world’s largest and most popular informational aromatherapy site on the Web.
“I feel immensely rewarded,” Robbins says, “that through AromaWeb, I am able to utilize the knowledge and foundation in aromatherapy that I gained from my ACHS coursework to introduce the concepts of holistic aromatherapy to thousands of individuals each year!”
Robbins founded AromaWeb in 1997, and began the Certificate in Aromatherapy program at the Australasian College of Health Sciences in 1999. She graduated in 2000. Robbins is the recent recipient of the ACHS 2009 Famous Alumni of the Year award, which is sponsored by the Distance Education Training Council.
In 1997, the Australasian College was named the first Aromatherapy Education Provider eligible to obtain liability insurance through ABMP. Founded in 1978, ACHS has more than thirty years of experience in holistic health care and is the only accredited, fully only college offering certificates and degrees in complementary alternative medicine in the United States.
When asked about Karan’s commitment to integrative medicine and her donation to the Beth Israel Medical Center, ACHS Founder and President Dorene Petersen said: “ACHS teaches students the value of holistic health care, to work with the whole person, …lack of sleep, diet, personal trauma, etc. Evidence shows us the appropriate use of essential oils [aromatherapy] is a great way to enhance preventative wellness and support daily treatment of chronic conditions like cancer. I think it’s important, what Donna Karan is doing. Supporting the use of CAM in allopathic care as an integrative tool is what wellness and ACHS are all about.”
Share this article:
Del.icio.us * Facebook * Digg * Reddit * Newsvine * Myspace
According to the October 30 New York Times article, “In One Section of Beth Israel Hospital, Some Patients Are Saying ‘Om,’ Not ‘Ah’”, the experiment, which will be overseen by ultimate yogi Rodney Yee, will test the notion that “yoga, meditation and aromatherapy can enhance regimens of chemotherapy and radiation.”
Karan, who reportedly maintains a daily yoga practice herself, sites her commitment to integrative medicine as the result of the “narrowly limited treatment of her husband, a sculptor, and of Lynn Kohlman, a photographer, model and DKNY fashion director who […] died of brain and breast cancer in September.”
“Over 80% of cancer patients use … some form of complementary or alternative therapies,” said Barrie Cassileth, PhD, chief of the Integrative Medicine Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, in a 2004 article posted on the American Cancer Society website.
Although they do not take the place of Western medicine, Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is being used as a supplement more and more frequently by oncology patients. A cumulative term for several holistic health modalities, CAM includes herbal medicine, homeopathy and aromatherapy, which all prioritize the unique experience of the individual in the treatment of symptoms.
Colleges like the Australasian College of Health Sciences in Portland, Oregon, have experienced a consistent increase in enrollment over the past few years, specifically among heath care workers who want continuing education classes in CAM to integrate into their current work or practice. College President Dorene Petersen says of the trend:
“Health and wellness continue to be the fastest growing industry. ACHS trains holistic health practitioners, but we also work with a lot of health care workers who want more natural solutions to offer their patients. And it works. They’re coming back.”
Among CAM modalities, aromatherapy is likely the most familiar. And if the Beth Israel Medical Center experiment is a success, one can reasonably assume the tested, healing properties of aromatherapy will become common knowledge.
But many don’t know that aromatherapy has a documented use dating to Egyptian times, where herbs were regularly burnt in public squares to purify the air. René-Maurice Gattefossé (1881-1950), a French chemist and perfumer, is officially credited with coining the term “aromatherapy,” and is known for his research of the dermatological effects of essential oils, which subsequently inspired a number of researchers and writers in the 1950’s and 60s.
Today, industry experts commonly define aromatherapy as “the controlled use of essential oils to promote the health and vitality of the body, mind and spirit.” The largest online information source for the use of aromatherapy and essential oils, AromaWeb, adds that: “Essential oils inhaled into the lungs offer both psychological and physical benefits. Not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but when inhaled into the lungs, the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) can supply therapeutic benefit.”
Like Karan, AromaWeb founder Wendy Robbins attributes her commitment to alternative medicine to personal experience. AromaWeb arose from the desire to create an online resource with accurate introductory information for those seeking more in depth information about the field of aromatherapy.
“Before and after the launch of the AromaWeb,” Robbins says, “I craved to learn as much as I could about aromatherapy so that in turn, I could share that knowledge with others.” Today, Robbins writes articles about aromatherapy and essential oils, which she features on her user-friendly site, the world’s largest and most popular informational aromatherapy site on the Web.
“I feel immensely rewarded,” Robbins says, “that through AromaWeb, I am able to utilize the knowledge and foundation in aromatherapy that I gained from my ACHS coursework to introduce the concepts of holistic aromatherapy to thousands of individuals each year!”
Robbins founded AromaWeb in 1997, and began the Certificate in Aromatherapy program at the Australasian College of Health Sciences in 1999. She graduated in 2000. Robbins is the recent recipient of the ACHS 2009 Famous Alumni of the Year award, which is sponsored by the Distance Education Training Council.
In 1997, the Australasian College was named the first Aromatherapy Education Provider eligible to obtain liability insurance through ABMP. Founded in 1978, ACHS has more than thirty years of experience in holistic health care and is the only accredited, fully only college offering certificates and degrees in complementary alternative medicine in the United States.
When asked about Karan’s commitment to integrative medicine and her donation to the Beth Israel Medical Center, ACHS Founder and President Dorene Petersen said: “ACHS teaches students the value of holistic health care, to work with the whole person, …lack of sleep, diet, personal trauma, etc. Evidence shows us the appropriate use of essential oils [aromatherapy] is a great way to enhance preventative wellness and support daily treatment of chronic conditions like cancer. I think it’s important, what Donna Karan is doing. Supporting the use of CAM in allopathic care as an integrative tool is what wellness and ACHS are all about.”
Share this article:
Del.icio.us * Facebook * Digg * Reddit * Newsvine * Myspace
ACHS adjunct instructor Deborah Halvorson schools The OC on homemade remedies
Garlic mixed with olive oil may sound like a robust marinade to the uninitiated. But to an holistic health practitioner or aromatherapist, it’s the all-natural way to kill bacteria, kid maladies included. Which goes to show, playing with your food should be a welcome contact sport.
Just ask Australasian College adjunct faculty member Deborah Halvorson, who was recently featured in the November 5 Orange County Register article, “Homemade remedies for sick kids.” Halvorson, a graduate of the ACHS.edu Aromatherapy Practitioner program, teaches online introductory and advanced aromatherapy courses for the Portland-based college, and leads herbal and natural health workshops in Southern California.
According to the article, Halvorson, “a mother of three, first saw the power of alternative approaches when her oldest son was 2.” Suffering from chronic ear infections, she feared her son would need medical intervention. “Halvorson mentioned this to her chiropractor. He said he could manipulate [her son’s] ears to release fluids so bacteria would not grow.” When the ear infections stopped, Halverson became a believer.
Although natural remedies are not a replacement for traditional Western medicine, ACHS President Dorene Petersen wants people to know that there are viable, evidence-based alternatives for people who prefer a more natural approach to wellness. Prevention is best, according to Petersen, but there are also significant benefits to using herbal medicine in the treatment of cold and flu symptoms, including “a direct source of fresh vitamins and minerals, affordability, and easy access.”
With more than thirty years’ experience in the holistic health industry, Petersen, whose credentials include diplomas from the South Pacific College of Naturopathy and the Holistic Institute of Acupuncture in Hong Kong, says, “Health is a slow, cumulative process, built up each day from our daily habits. Rather than just the absence of illness and injury, it is the condition of physical, spiritual, and social wellbeing.” She believes strongly in the use of herbs and natural medicine to attain optimal health, which is a message firmly ingrained in all courses offered by Australasian College. (ACHS is a DETC-accredited and Oregon State approved Institute of Higher Learning. For information on the college, visit their website at www.achs.edu.)
“But,” Petersen says, “that doesn’t mean the sniffles can’t be helped along a bit.”
Here are 3 simple homemade remedies Petersen recommends to keep your friends and family healthy.
1. Horehound
A weed, which commonly grows throughout the U.S., horehound is partial to wasteland and pasture where sheep have grazed. The leaves are oval and ash-green in color, and best collected as the plant begins to flower. Well-known for its effective treatment of all lung troubles and bronchial coughs, horehound is somewhat bitter, and best mixed into a cough drop or syrup form. The many benefits include: a considerable quantity of vitamin C, antibacterial substances, and powerful decongestants. (It is essential to identify weeds correctly before you harvest. For accurate information, take a wild plant identification walk with an expert, or most herbal stores, including the College’s Apothecary Shoppe, will have dried, whole herbs ready for use.)
Recipe: Horehound Cough Syrup
1-cup raw sugar
2-T honey
Juice of 1⁄2 lemon (about 1-T)
1-T sunflower or corn oil
1⁄2-pt horehound infusion
2-3 drops peppermint essential oil to taste
DIRECTIONS: Combine the sugar, honey, lemon juice, and oil over a low heat and simmer until it forms a syrup and thickens. When the syrup has thickened, stir in the horehound infusion. Add peppermint oil and remove from the heat. Bottle and store in the refrigerator.
2. Garlic
Although an Asian native, garlic is easy to cultivate and found most places, and wild garlic is especially found in poorly drained soil in the Pacific Northwest. Organically grown garlic is said to be more effective medicinally because of the presence of enzymes that are not found in garlic grown on chemically fertilized soils. Daily use of garlic has been found to keep the nose and lungs clear of mucus. Small, daily amounts are best taken as a fresh food ingredient.
Recipe: Cold and Flu Support
1⁄4-oz rosehips
1⁄4-oz parsley
1⁄4-oz rosemary
1⁄4-oz thyme
1⁄4-oz garlic
1-pt water
DIRECTIONS: Mix the rosehips, parsley, rosemary, and thyme together. Crush the garlic and add. Bring the water to a boil and add to the herbs. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes and then drink one cup three to four times during the day. Store in the refrigerator for up to eight hours. Children can take one tablespoon every hour. Adults can take two to four tablespoons every hour.
3. Blackberry
A common plant found in cooler climates worldwide, Blackberry has prickly foliage, a white rose-like flower, and dark juicy berries. The roots, leaves, and berries can all be used; although, kids find the berries most tolerable, and they can be purchased frozen year-round in your local natural foods grocery store. The main benefit is a high level of vitamin C.
Recipe: Blackberry Support
DIRECTIONS: Add whole berries to grain cereals, like oatmeal, eat as a stand-alone snack, or use as a special treat on top of homemade vanilla ice cream.
* DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified licensed health care provider. Any recommendations are for educational purposes only and are believed to be effective. However, since use of any material by others is beyond the control of Australasian College of Health Sciences, no expressed or implied guarantee as to the effectiveness of this information can be given nor liability taken.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us * Facebook * Digg * Reddit * Newsvine * Myspace
Just ask Australasian College adjunct faculty member Deborah Halvorson, who was recently featured in the November 5 Orange County Register article, “Homemade remedies for sick kids.” Halvorson, a graduate of the ACHS.edu Aromatherapy Practitioner program, teaches online introductory and advanced aromatherapy courses for the Portland-based college, and leads herbal and natural health workshops in Southern California.
According to the article, Halvorson, “a mother of three, first saw the power of alternative approaches when her oldest son was 2.” Suffering from chronic ear infections, she feared her son would need medical intervention. “Halvorson mentioned this to her chiropractor. He said he could manipulate [her son’s] ears to release fluids so bacteria would not grow.” When the ear infections stopped, Halverson became a believer.
Although natural remedies are not a replacement for traditional Western medicine, ACHS President Dorene Petersen wants people to know that there are viable, evidence-based alternatives for people who prefer a more natural approach to wellness. Prevention is best, according to Petersen, but there are also significant benefits to using herbal medicine in the treatment of cold and flu symptoms, including “a direct source of fresh vitamins and minerals, affordability, and easy access.”
With more than thirty years’ experience in the holistic health industry, Petersen, whose credentials include diplomas from the South Pacific College of Naturopathy and the Holistic Institute of Acupuncture in Hong Kong, says, “Health is a slow, cumulative process, built up each day from our daily habits. Rather than just the absence of illness and injury, it is the condition of physical, spiritual, and social wellbeing.” She believes strongly in the use of herbs and natural medicine to attain optimal health, which is a message firmly ingrained in all courses offered by Australasian College. (ACHS is a DETC-accredited and Oregon State approved Institute of Higher Learning. For information on the college, visit their website at www.achs.edu.)
“But,” Petersen says, “that doesn’t mean the sniffles can’t be helped along a bit.”
Here are 3 simple homemade remedies Petersen recommends to keep your friends and family healthy.
1. Horehound
A weed, which commonly grows throughout the U.S., horehound is partial to wasteland and pasture where sheep have grazed. The leaves are oval and ash-green in color, and best collected as the plant begins to flower. Well-known for its effective treatment of all lung troubles and bronchial coughs, horehound is somewhat bitter, and best mixed into a cough drop or syrup form. The many benefits include: a considerable quantity of vitamin C, antibacterial substances, and powerful decongestants. (It is essential to identify weeds correctly before you harvest. For accurate information, take a wild plant identification walk with an expert, or most herbal stores, including the College’s Apothecary Shoppe, will have dried, whole herbs ready for use.)
Recipe: Horehound Cough Syrup
1-cup raw sugar
2-T honey
Juice of 1⁄2 lemon (about 1-T)
1-T sunflower or corn oil
1⁄2-pt horehound infusion
2-3 drops peppermint essential oil to taste
DIRECTIONS: Combine the sugar, honey, lemon juice, and oil over a low heat and simmer until it forms a syrup and thickens. When the syrup has thickened, stir in the horehound infusion. Add peppermint oil and remove from the heat. Bottle and store in the refrigerator.
2. Garlic
Although an Asian native, garlic is easy to cultivate and found most places, and wild garlic is especially found in poorly drained soil in the Pacific Northwest. Organically grown garlic is said to be more effective medicinally because of the presence of enzymes that are not found in garlic grown on chemically fertilized soils. Daily use of garlic has been found to keep the nose and lungs clear of mucus. Small, daily amounts are best taken as a fresh food ingredient.
Recipe: Cold and Flu Support
1⁄4-oz rosehips
1⁄4-oz parsley
1⁄4-oz rosemary
1⁄4-oz thyme
1⁄4-oz garlic
1-pt water
DIRECTIONS: Mix the rosehips, parsley, rosemary, and thyme together. Crush the garlic and add. Bring the water to a boil and add to the herbs. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes and then drink one cup three to four times during the day. Store in the refrigerator for up to eight hours. Children can take one tablespoon every hour. Adults can take two to four tablespoons every hour.
3. Blackberry
A common plant found in cooler climates worldwide, Blackberry has prickly foliage, a white rose-like flower, and dark juicy berries. The roots, leaves, and berries can all be used; although, kids find the berries most tolerable, and they can be purchased frozen year-round in your local natural foods grocery store. The main benefit is a high level of vitamin C.
Recipe: Blackberry Support
DIRECTIONS: Add whole berries to grain cereals, like oatmeal, eat as a stand-alone snack, or use as a special treat on top of homemade vanilla ice cream.
* DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified licensed health care provider. Any recommendations are for educational purposes only and are believed to be effective. However, since use of any material by others is beyond the control of Australasian College of Health Sciences, no expressed or implied guarantee as to the effectiveness of this information can be given nor liability taken.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us * Facebook * Digg * Reddit * Newsvine * Myspace
Monday, December 1, 2008
Oil of the Month
Anise, Pimpinella anisum, commonly called sweet cumin, is from the Apiaceae family (formerly Umbelliferae). All plants in the Apiaceae family carry their oil in their seed and have an affinity with the digestive system.
Therapeutic actions of anise include: analgesic, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antiestrogen, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aperitive, bactericidal, bronchodilator, carminative, digestant, disinfectant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticide, nervine, stimulant, stomachic, and tonic.
(Anise is not the same as star anise oil. These two plants are very different botanically.)
Anise is December’s featured essential oil for ACHS’s Oil of the Month Club. As member, each month you will receive 5 ml of the oil of the month and an insert describing your oil in detail, as well as recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural health lifestyle. Oil of the Month is available through the Apothecary Shoppe at www.apothecary-shoppe.com.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us * Facebook * Digg * Reddit * Newsvine * Myspace
Therapeutic actions of anise include: analgesic, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antiestrogen, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aperitive, bactericidal, bronchodilator, carminative, digestant, disinfectant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticide, nervine, stimulant, stomachic, and tonic.
(Anise is not the same as star anise oil. These two plants are very different botanically.)
Anise is December’s featured essential oil for ACHS’s Oil of the Month Club. As member, each month you will receive 5 ml of the oil of the month and an insert describing your oil in detail, as well as recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural health lifestyle. Oil of the Month is available through the Apothecary Shoppe at www.apothecary-shoppe.com.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us * Facebook * Digg * Reddit * Newsvine * Myspace
Winter Foods
It is [almost] winter on the west coast and typically rainy and blustery today. I am glad to be at my desk and not outside in the elements. Our harvest days are nearly done for the year, and we are grateful for a bountiful yield from the garden. There is something incredibly gratifying about eating a meal grown largely on-site.Bruschetta made with baguette of red fife wheat, topped with local goat cheese, a slice of our wicked pickled garlic, and our own tomatoes chopped fine.
Phyllo squash pie, using two kinds of squash, eggs from our neighbor, and parmesan cheese from Italy because sometimes you just have to.
Oven roasted potatoes, Yukon gold and Russian blue varieties. Kale and collards sauteed with minced ginger and tamari. Green salad with three kinds of lettuce, chrysanthemum leaves, and parsley.
And why am I telling you this, apart from to make your mouth water?
Because, if you are interested in health, if you are interested in healing, then you are interested in food. Good food, locally sourced, sustainably grown, and prepared and eaten with pleasure is a foundation stone of good health.
Although my husband Thierry and I grow medicinal herbs on our 7-acre farm as well, we feel that we derive most of our own healing from eating healthy food. But fear not! You don’t have to cook a fancy 3-course meal to eat a healthier diet. Try these simple, time saving diet tips to increase your nutrition quotient:
• Cook a big pan of beans once a week and freeze in plastic tubs.
• Keep a selection of interesting sauces, dips, mustards, and marinades. Any simple piece of fish or chicken can be quickly marinaded, then either oven baked or seared on the barbecue.
• Buy a stacking dehydrator, then when fruits and tomatoes are cheap you can but a lot and dry them.
• Always aim for having five colors on your plate.
• Try a new food every time you go shopping—something you have never had before. Or commit to cooking one new dish per week.
Chanchal Cabrera, MSc, MNIMH, AHG, is the faculty chair in Botanical Medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster. For information about internships with Chanchal, visit achs.edu, click on Alumni, and scroll down to Mentoring and Apprenticeships for Herbalists.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us * Facebook * Digg * Reddit * Newsvine * Myspace
Health Freedom Update by Kimberly Sharples, HHP
The election is over. I would encourage you to meet your state Senator and Representative and start to build a relationship with them. Talk to them about how they feel about health freedom and maybe they will help you to pass a health freedom law in your state!
If you don’t know who your legislators are, you can look at this website: www.votesmart.org. You will need to enter your nine-digit zip code. If you don’t know your nine-digit zip code, you can find this at http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
Some states have updated information from last month, so be sure to check the updates out below.
Please remember that each state has different laws and regulations regarding what you can and cannot do when it comes to complementary and alternative health care.
There are currently six states that have health freedom laws. These are: Minnesota, California, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Idaho. If you live in one of these states, you need to know the laws regarding health freedom, what you can and cannot do, and what disclosures you may need to provide to your clients.
There are 15 states and the District of Columbia that license or regulate naturopathic physicians. If your state is one that regulates naturopathic physicians, you need to know what that law says in regards to what you can and cannot do. These states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia. Minnesota just passed a registration bill for naturopathic physicians that should take effect July 1, 2009.
There is a yahoogroup that was just set up for those interested in health freedom across the United States. Just send a blank email to: FYHF-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
NATIONAL HEALTH FREEDOM ORGANIZATIONS
- Coalition for Natural Health: www.naturalhealth.org or Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
- Health Keepers Alliance: www.healthkeepers.net
- Citizens for Health: www.citizens.org
- Sunshine Health Freedom Foundation: Contact person: Troy Bledsoe at herbalsurvival@cox.net or www.sunshinehealthfreedomfoundation.com.
- National Health Freedom Action/Coalition: www.nationalhealthfreedom.org
HEALTH FREEDOM INFORMATION
CANADA
The Canadian Parliament adjourned for the summer without debating or passing bills C-51 and C-52, bills that could have overturned long standing legal precedent protecting Canadians’ health freedom. For more information, click here.
CALIFORNIA
Prop 65 is proposed regulation that wants to classify all beneficial nutrients with above-RDA potencies as cancer-causing agents under unless proven otherwise.
For more information, please go to this website.
COLORADO
Colorado was successful in stopping a monopolistic naturopathic physician bill. A Health Freedom bill was also introduced, but was not successful. A Massage bill was introduced and passed. This bill contained exemptions for those who do energy work such as Reiki.
Colorado For Health Freedom has a yahoo group you can join by sending a blank email to CO4HFG-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You can also contact Kimberly Sharples at kimberlysharples@msn.com or 719-390-1979.
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Health Freedom Coalition: Craig Respasz at crepasz@hotmail.com.
IDAHO
Just when we thought Idaho was settled, Senate Bill 1425 was introduced by the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on February 11, 2008. The bill, as introduced, would have transformed the law from what was an agreeable, accommodating law under which all natural health practitioners benefited, to a restrictive licensing law favoring “naturopathic physicians.” The bill progressed quickly through the Senate and The Coalition jumped into the fray with both feet to protect the language in the bill that allowed for multiple pathways to licensure. With the help of the Idaho Coalition for Natural Health and others, the bill was amended, thus minimizing the effect on the law in Idaho. We will continue to monitor the activities of the Board of Naturopathic Medical Examiners as they work towards promulgation of rules.
For more information, contact Boyd at: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org. You can also visit the website for Idaho CNH at: http://www.naturalhealthidaho.org/.
IOWA
Iowa introduced Health Freedom language in 2008, but was not successful. To learn more about the Iowa Health Freedom Coalition, you can access their website: www.iowahealthfreedom.org.
LOUISIANA
Louisiana’s focus this year was to introduce a total Health Freedom Bill in the 2008 Louisiana Legislative Session. They held a statewide membership meeting in March with 3 excellent speakers: Senator Sharon Weston Broome (Sponsor of the bill), Dr. John Baker, head of LSU Law School (health freedom advocate), and Boyd Landry, Executive Director of CNH.
They also held several statewide meeting to attract new members as well as enlighten the member that reside outside the Baton Rouge area of their intentions to introduce a bill in this year’s 2008 session; as well as meeting with legislators at the Capitol Rotunda several times.
They hired a Lobbyist to work with us to amend Acts 655 and 334, which were bills we passed in the 2006, and 2005 sessions. With lobbyist Kathy Chittom and Senator Broome’s influence, they were able to pass a bill in this year’s 2008 Legislative Session. The Governor signed the bill into law at the end of June (Act No. 524). They now feel as though Louisiana finally has a Total Health Freedom Bill.
Their board meets the last Monday of each month, and they have a conference call number for those who cannot attend in person.
If you live in Louisiana and would like to help, please contact Cynthia Reed, ND, President of the Louisiana Health Freedom Coalition at 225-756-8400 or herbs-etc@cox.net.
MARYLAND
Maryland introduced a health freedom bill in 2008, but it was not successful. Contact Dr. Mishra for more information regarding Health Freedom in Maryland: mishra13505@yahoo.com.
MINNESOTA
A Naturopathic Physician registration bill was passed in Minnesota that will not go into effect until July 1, 2009. During this time a Naturopathy Work Group has been assigned to study the regulation of Naturopathic Doctors. Their recommendations must be turned in no later than December 15, 2008, and the Commissioner of Health will report these findings to Legislators by January 15, 2009. You can read about this bill and work group here.
Another group has formed in Minnesota - Minnesota Advocates for Complementary and Alternative Practices, MNACAP. The President is Katie Murphy, and you can email her at: 4healinginsights@comcast.net.
MONTANA
Montana has a health freedom group that wants to introduce a Health Freedom Bill next legislative session. For more information, you can contact: Debra Kimmet deb@debkimmet.com or 406-251-9704 or visit their website.
NEW JERSEY
A Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure bill has just been introduced in New Jersey and been referred to the Senate Commerce Committee. This bill could limit nutritional advice to only those dietitian/nutritionists licensed by the state of New Jersey. You can view the bill here. Please contact me for more information: kimberlysharples@msn.com.
NEW YORK
There were three restrictive bills introduced in New York, which could have prohibited traditional naturopaths from practicing. Boyd Landry with CNH worked at killing these bills and they are monitoring legislation for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009. You can contact Boyd for more information: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org.
NORTH CAROLINA
There was restrictive naturopathic medicine bills introduced this year in NC. Fortunately, these bills died in committee. The North Carolina Citizens for Healthcare Freedom has a health freedom bill introduced and they are hoping for it to be heard in the long session, starting in January. At this time they need assistance with signing petitions (on their website), volunteering and donations. For more information, you can go to their website: www.ncchf.org. Their contact person is Claiborne Holtzman: Claiborne@ncchf.org.
OHIO
The Ohio Sunshine Health Freedom Coalition has introduced a health freedom bill, H.B. 580. You can read the bill here. The OSHFC Steering Committee recorded a phone call updating the Ohio situation. If you would like to listen, please call 641-715-3409 and enter PIN 288597#. They are also asking for help in calling, Emailing or faxing members of the committee that the health freedom bill is assigned to. To learn more, please contact Linda Murray: hertouch@juno.com or go to their website: www.ohiosunshinehealthfreedom.info.
TENNESSEE
Two identical restrictive licensing bills were entertained this session. Fortunately, both of these bills died in committee. They expect similar legislation to be introduced in 2009. For more information, please contact Boyd Landry at: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org.
TEXAS
The Texas health freedom bill author, Rep. Frank Corte, has filed HB 40, their 2009 health freedom bill. The bill text can be viewed at the following link: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/.
They also have discovered that the Texas Dietetic Association has hired a lobbyist to attempt to push through their exclusionary licensing agenda for the 2009 legislative session. They will need your help to defeat this legislation that could take away practitioners rights to give out nutritional advice.
There are installments of “WAKE UP AMERICA” on their website, on the right side under “Recent Posts.” Their website has been updated so please visit www.texashealthfreedom.com to see the “WAKE UP AMERICA” video series and other health freedom information.
Texas needs volunteers and donations--If you can help, please visit their website or contact Peter McCarthy at texascam@earthlink.net.
VIRGINIA
The Certified Natural Health Professionals of Virginia Health Freedom Group is collecting signatures to oppose HB 784, the monopolistic naturopathic physician bill. You may hold the original signed letters or send them to the Virginia Chapter of Certified Natural Health Professionals at P.O. Box 316, Chesterfield, VA 23832-0005.
They will use these letters to demonstrate opposition to any naturopath licensure bill that might be introduced in the 2009 session. If you have questions regarding the gathering of signatures on these letters or their strategy please contact Becky Hanks at the Herb Basket at 804-862-HERB (4372) during the daytime on Tuesdays through Saturday. To learn more, please visit their website: www.cnhpva.org.
WASHINGTON
Washington has a health freedom bill introduced, Senate Bill 6886, and was referred to the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee. To read this bill, go to: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/.
Preserve your Freedom of Choice in health care! 2009 Health Freedom Advocacy Day.
Our freedom to choose the type of health care and health practitioners that we want is in jeopardy! Come and advocate with legislators. We’ll help you! Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, 10 am-4 pm - Cherberg Bldg, Rooms A/B/C. For more information, go to the Washington Health Freedom website: http://healthfreedomwa.org/, email healthfreedom.wa@gmail.com, or call 360-357-6263.
WISCONSIN
Act Now! The Wisconsin Health Freedom Coalition (WIHFC) is a grass roots lobbying organization dedicated to preserving health care access for natural therapies and access to nutritional information in Wisconsin. These freedoms are under threat by special interest groups lobbing in Madison.
Check out their website http://wihfc.com/about_us.htm to read about the upcoming introduction of our exciting Consumer Health Freedom and Access Act. This proposed legislation would protect the rights of Wisconsin Citizens to access natural, herbal and alternative health care.
Also, please check out the website http://wihfc.com/about_us.htm to read about the WDA (Wisconsin Dietetic Association) proposed legislation that would limit your access to nutritional information. WDA seeks licensure to monopolize nutritional information that is bought and paid for by large corporations, which are interested in profit and not your health. Unfortunately we have to solicit for donations http://wihfc.com/donate.htm.
If you are able to help, please contact Syncha Maniscalco at syncha@gmail.com or go to www.wihfc.com.
Kimberly Sharples, HHP
Health Freedom Activist
kimberlysharples@msn.com
(719) 390-1979
Share this article:
Del.icio.us * Facebook * Digg * Reddit * Newsvine * Myspace
Sprouts Farmers Market teams with ACHS for training
Portland, OR — November 12, 2008 — In this economy, more Americans than ever are taking action to avoid costly medical expenses.
Employers are seeing the value in having trained employees to help consumers make informed and safe choices. One such company is Sprouts Farmers Markets. With 31 stores in Arizona, California, Texas, and Colorado, Sprouts corporate has demonstrated their commitment to consumers by partnering with Australasian College of Health Sciences (ACHS) to ensure Sprouts employees have up-to-date credible knowledge.
“Our customers have let us know that health and nutrition information is important to them and Sprouts answers the call,” said Patti Milligan M.S., R.D., C.N.S., Corporate Nutritionist for Sprouts Farmers Market. “Sprouts is committed to providing credible nutrition information to its customers and, as part of that continuing commitment, we have well-trained educators in each region,” continues Milligan.
Sprouts partnered with ACHS, to educate their vitamin department staff, with at least one representative in each region completing accredited training through ACHS.
“Sprouts has developed a knowledgeable team dedicated to educating customers on the best products for their personal health and wellness, creating incredible value for their customers,” said Tracy Miller, ACHS Dean of Admissions. “ACHS graduates have completed rigorous, dynamic and up-to-date training in holistic nutrition.”
Founded in 1978, ACHS has more than thirty years of experience in holistic health care. In addition to DETC-accredited, distance learning programs, ACHS has developed a 21st-century Corporate Training program, which emphasizes education, engagement, and high-quality customer service. Corporate Training partnership with ACHS ensures customized and consistent continuing education, assists with secondary sales, and builds employee and customer confidence.
Visit www.achs.edu and click on College Calendar for event times and to sign up.
About Us
Founded in 1978, the Australasian College of Health Sciences has more than 30 years of experience in holistic health care. At present, the College works with more than 10,000 students in 60 countries to educate and train skilled professionals in complementary alternative medicine.
ACHS is the only accredited, fully online college offering diplomas in complementary alternative medicine in the United States. As such, the College specializes in providing their students with comprehensive, professional and engaging distance education and the most up-to-date CAM research available. ACHS graduates have gone on work as teachers and writers, consultants and holistic health care practitioners, researchers, etc.
For specific information about courses, accreditation, faculty and events, go to www.achs.edu.
College Admissions and the Apothecary Shoppe are open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., PST, and can be reached at 800-487-8839.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us * Facebook * Digg * Reddit * Newsvine * Myspace
Friday, November 21, 2008
What's This? "FDA Regulation Changes Threaten the Supplement Industry". Not again!
Just as we are gearing for the thanksgiving holidays, with our minds on big turkeys and vanishing retirement funds, I was alerted to the following. I wanted to be sure you had seen this alert and given the FDA your feedback: Visit http://www.healthfreedom.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=598&Itemid= to read about how the "FDA Regulation Changes Threaten the Supplement Industry".
The comment period ends November 25, so there is very little time for us all to make our voices heard. I urge you to read this information and give the FDA your feedback. HealthFreedom.org has a form you can use to submit your comments. There is also one at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/568/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26269
Without wanting to sound paranoid - we all need to remain alert to ensure our rights as consumers and practitioners are retained. I wouldn't be so alarmed if there were not quite so many of these "sneaky" attempts to restrict dietary supplements (this includes herbs) that we know help keep us well! Now that we're all going to need to save our pennies and avoid rising health care costs by staying well, why on earth would the FDA be trying to restrict dietary supplements being moved across state lines if they have been shown in scientific studies to WORK? Does this make sense to anyone?
Its late, so perhaps I am missing something, but am I the only one who gets cross that these big changes that affect consumer rights get buried in regs? Does the FDA think no one will notice?
Best wishes
Erika
The comment period ends November 25, so there is very little time for us all to make our voices heard. I urge you to read this information and give the FDA your feedback. HealthFreedom.org has a form you can use to submit your comments. There is also one at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/568/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26269
Without wanting to sound paranoid - we all need to remain alert to ensure our rights as consumers and practitioners are retained. I wouldn't be so alarmed if there were not quite so many of these "sneaky" attempts to restrict dietary supplements (this includes herbs) that we know help keep us well! Now that we're all going to need to save our pennies and avoid rising health care costs by staying well, why on earth would the FDA be trying to restrict dietary supplements being moved across state lines if they have been shown in scientific studies to WORK? Does this make sense to anyone?
Its late, so perhaps I am missing something, but am I the only one who gets cross that these big changes that affect consumer rights get buried in regs? Does the FDA think no one will notice?
Best wishes
Erika
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Natural Health Holiday Open House Draws PDX Crowd November 15
Portland, OR—More than 40 people filled the ACHS Apothecary Shoppe College Store Saturday, November 15 for a free community wellness event. The College hosts several events a year with themes like lavender distillation and HerbDay, which emphasize seasonal tips for holistic wellness.The November 15 event marked the College’s 5th Annual Holiday Open House. The three-hour demonstration featured several easy-to-make, all-natural holiday gift ideas and an extensive question and answer period. The College also set up several tables where, after the demonstration, participants were invited to make hand butters and sugar scrubs on the spot.
The Open House lingered into the late afternoon to accommodate the larger than expected turnout. In addition to several College students and alumni, about half the participants were from the greater Portland community with some attendees coming all the way from Ohio and Vancouver, BC.
“It’s great,” Heather Baley, ACHS Registrar, said about those in attendance. “We love to visit with our students and grads. But we’re also really happy when the community comes to our events. […] We want …to get information about wellness out there in a fun and practical way.”
Over the course of the afternoon, Tracey Miller, ACHS Dean of Admissions, demonstrated how to make an herb sugar scrub, aromatic body sprays, and aromatherapy room sprays. (All of the recipes are in the ACHS Holiday Recipe Book, available to download for free on the Apothecary Shoppe website. CLICK HERE.)
For those who were not able to attend in person—or simply want a refresher—all of the Open House demonstrations will be available on ACHStv soon. To watch the videos, go to: http://www.youtube.com/achstv.
For more wellness tips and natural, easy-to-make holiday gift ideas get a free download of the College’s Holiday Recipe Book on the Apothecary Shoppe website. CLICK HERE.
Packaging for your favorite gifts: Click here to view the Apothecary Shoppe's comprehensive stock of unique packaging for your holiday gifts.
To see more Open House photos, visit us on Facebook.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
The Open House lingered into the late afternoon to accommodate the larger than expected turnout. In addition to several College students and alumni, about half the participants were from the greater Portland community with some attendees coming all the way from Ohio and Vancouver, BC.
“It’s great,” Heather Baley, ACHS Registrar, said about those in attendance. “We love to visit with our students and grads. But we’re also really happy when the community comes to our events. […] We want …to get information about wellness out there in a fun and practical way.”Over the course of the afternoon, Tracey Miller, ACHS Dean of Admissions, demonstrated how to make an herb sugar scrub, aromatic body sprays, and aromatherapy room sprays. (All of the recipes are in the ACHS Holiday Recipe Book, available to download for free on the Apothecary Shoppe website. CLICK HERE.)
The main lesson here: Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. “Common household items make wonderful gifts when mixed with essential oils and herbs,” said Baley. “Purchase essential oils that speak to you, and you can combine them in several ways to make custom blends. I like to share my creations with family and friends and always keep a room spray at my desk, when I need a little Aromatherapy.”
For those who were not able to attend in person—or simply want a refresher—all of the Open House demonstrations will be available on ACHStv soon. To watch the videos, go to: http://www.youtube.com/achstv.
For more wellness tips and natural, easy-to-make holiday gift ideas get a free download of the College’s Holiday Recipe Book on the Apothecary Shoppe website. CLICK HERE.
Packaging for your favorite gifts: Click here to view the Apothecary Shoppe's comprehensive stock of unique packaging for your holiday gifts.
To see more Open House photos, visit us on Facebook.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
Monday, November 17, 2008
Killing the flu with soup-ok why?
Well, you know it is that time of year again when the lines at the local market are filled with patrons with watery eyes and hacking coughs. They fill their baskets with various cold and flu medicines and tonics in hopes to shorten the life span of their newest infection. As well the bulletin boards of nearly every place I have visited lately has posters asking me to attend their "FLU CLINIC" which free flu shots for all! They decorate the signs with excited phrases implying we will die without the vaccine and the clinic setting will be a party of sorts. Wooohoo let's go prevent the flu!
Now I know a lot of people do find the flu vaccine important and make sure each and every season they obtain the newly released demon fighter to the even newer strain of the virus which is sifting through the country, city by city claiming victims behind every shadowed doorway. As for me, I do not get the flu vaccine and actually do buy into the fact is it a lot of propaganda and hysteria fueled by the large drug corporations which get government funding to hand out this magic vile of chemicals. I could go on about the conspiracy theory but I am saving the delicious details for my insane memoir when I am the ripened age of 75 and have nothing better to do with my time than explain the evils of large companies and the government set to protect us work hand and hand to .....oops ok I said i would not get into it, sorry.
So, if you are like me and do NOT receive the flu vaccine OR you have received the golden elixir yet somehow come down with the flu anyway, what do you do? Well, we all know the right steps to prevent it but in case you need a refresher of the top 3. Go over these again before you are in demand of lotion coated tissues and decongestant sleep.
1) WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! Yes, it is simple. WASH YOUR HANDS. Always. Not in an OCD way but come on, do you really know what you have touched today when you pet the cat or picked up the local newspaper at the corner store? Germs, that is what you picked up. So wash them off. Good rule of thumb is softly hum the royalty free tune of "Happy Birthday" while you scrub away the evil mongers which cling to the crevices of your fingers and hands.
2) SLEEP! Sleep 6-8 hours at night, Reset that immune system and give your body the tools it needs to fight germs. You are ill equipped for flu battle if your body is trying to repair the normal daily break down of the body. Sleep it off!
3)Vitamin C. Seriously, the orange juice industry has been selling this delight to us for decades. Vitamin C helps boost the immune system and prevent colds. I touched on this previously from the vitamin article. So, if the flu season is upon you stock up your body with vitamin C.
So, let's say you did all of those things but that crafty virus STILL managed to infect your body. What now? What do you do to speed the flu along and regain your composure before all the skin on your nose wears off and your lungs ache from the coughing.
Zinc supplements are a good first choice. Zinc deficiency has been shown to lower ordinary immune system function in healthy individuals. Conversely zinc supplementation has been shown to increase natural killer cells in our body. (did you know we have killer cells? The come out when we are sleeping...ninja cells!) According to the American Journal of Nutrition zinc works as an antioxidant, increasing antibody production. Heck zinc even helps increase the skin barrier so germs have a harder time getting in. Good choice for when you are already down for the count and other germs are sent out invites to come to your immune system is down party. Protein rich foods contain high levels of zinc. So make sure your chicken soup is more chicken than soup!
Garlic contains allicin which has been shown in studies to shorten the duration of a cold as well as prevent colds in healthy individuals vs a placebo. However, keep in mind cooking kills a lot of this power so look for a supplement with garlic or you can use raw garlic in your diet. I love to chop raw garlic up finely and toss it in my cottage cheese along with other raw veggies like peppers and onions. It is a wonderful dip and prevents the unwanted affection of strangers if you happen to exhale near them. You can also dice the raw garlic and use it as a topper for that chicken soup!
Capsicum peppers have been shown time after time to increase immune function as well as warm the body. Adding a dash of hot pepper to that soup will really add a nice warming affect to the body and each bite will clear those nasal passages and for a brief moment make you forget that you are sick.
Catnip is also reported to treat the common cold as well as influenza and anxiety. If you are like me anxiety sets in when you become ill because you know all the details of your job will not be done while you are down for the count and all that work will be there...waiting. So sipping catnip tea while watching those old movies on AMC will relax you and work to fight all the internal demons. It also helps induce sleep which can only help you at a time like this.
So , if you can't prevent it then you can help the body to fight it. Arm yourself with some spicy chicken soup (click for recipe) and some relaxing catnip tea. When it has run it's course and you are finally back on your feet...remember to wash your hands!
Now I know a lot of people do find the flu vaccine important and make sure each and every season they obtain the newly released demon fighter to the even newer strain of the virus which is sifting through the country, city by city claiming victims behind every shadowed doorway. As for me, I do not get the flu vaccine and actually do buy into the fact is it a lot of propaganda and hysteria fueled by the large drug corporations which get government funding to hand out this magic vile of chemicals. I could go on about the conspiracy theory but I am saving the delicious details for my insane memoir when I am the ripened age of 75 and have nothing better to do with my time than explain the evils of large companies and the government set to protect us work hand and hand to .....oops ok I said i would not get into it, sorry.
So, if you are like me and do NOT receive the flu vaccine OR you have received the golden elixir yet somehow come down with the flu anyway, what do you do? Well, we all know the right steps to prevent it but in case you need a refresher of the top 3. Go over these again before you are in demand of lotion coated tissues and decongestant sleep.
1) WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! Yes, it is simple. WASH YOUR HANDS. Always. Not in an OCD way but come on, do you really know what you have touched today when you pet the cat or picked up the local newspaper at the corner store? Germs, that is what you picked up. So wash them off. Good rule of thumb is softly hum the royalty free tune of "Happy Birthday" while you scrub away the evil mongers which cling to the crevices of your fingers and hands.
2) SLEEP! Sleep 6-8 hours at night, Reset that immune system and give your body the tools it needs to fight germs. You are ill equipped for flu battle if your body is trying to repair the normal daily break down of the body. Sleep it off!
3)Vitamin C. Seriously, the orange juice industry has been selling this delight to us for decades. Vitamin C helps boost the immune system and prevent colds. I touched on this previously from the vitamin article. So, if the flu season is upon you stock up your body with vitamin C.
So, let's say you did all of those things but that crafty virus STILL managed to infect your body. What now? What do you do to speed the flu along and regain your composure before all the skin on your nose wears off and your lungs ache from the coughing.
Zinc supplements are a good first choice. Zinc deficiency has been shown to lower ordinary immune system function in healthy individuals. Conversely zinc supplementation has been shown to increase natural killer cells in our body. (did you know we have killer cells? The come out when we are sleeping...ninja cells!) According to the American Journal of Nutrition zinc works as an antioxidant, increasing antibody production. Heck zinc even helps increase the skin barrier so germs have a harder time getting in. Good choice for when you are already down for the count and other germs are sent out invites to come to your immune system is down party. Protein rich foods contain high levels of zinc. So make sure your chicken soup is more chicken than soup!
Garlic contains allicin which has been shown in studies to shorten the duration of a cold as well as prevent colds in healthy individuals vs a placebo. However, keep in mind cooking kills a lot of this power so look for a supplement with garlic or you can use raw garlic in your diet. I love to chop raw garlic up finely and toss it in my cottage cheese along with other raw veggies like peppers and onions. It is a wonderful dip and prevents the unwanted affection of strangers if you happen to exhale near them. You can also dice the raw garlic and use it as a topper for that chicken soup!
Capsicum peppers have been shown time after time to increase immune function as well as warm the body. Adding a dash of hot pepper to that soup will really add a nice warming affect to the body and each bite will clear those nasal passages and for a brief moment make you forget that you are sick.
Catnip is also reported to treat the common cold as well as influenza and anxiety. If you are like me anxiety sets in when you become ill because you know all the details of your job will not be done while you are down for the count and all that work will be there...waiting. So sipping catnip tea while watching those old movies on AMC will relax you and work to fight all the internal demons. It also helps induce sleep which can only help you at a time like this.
So , if you can't prevent it then you can help the body to fight it. Arm yourself with some spicy chicken soup (click for recipe) and some relaxing catnip tea. When it has run it's course and you are finally back on your feet...remember to wash your hands!
Friday, November 7, 2008
American Botanical Council Turns 20
Austin, TX -- On November 1, the American Botanical Council (ABC) observed its 20th anniversary. The independent nonprofit research and education organization was established in 1988 by Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal, along with noted ethnobotanist James A. Duke, PhD, and renowned pharmacognosist Norman R. Farnsworth, PhD.
Dr. Duke is retired from a 30-year career at the United States Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Farnsworth is still Research Professor of Pharmacognosy and Senior University Scholar at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
According to Dr. Duke, "Respect for herbal medicine has grown geometrically, thanks in large part to ABC and its peer-reviewed journal HerbalGram. Twenty years of ABC have markedly improved public perception of some of the world's best medicines-herbal medicines."
Prof. Farnsworth said, "ABC may be the primary force promoting a reasonable and responsible perspective on the emerging science on herbs and medicinal plants. There is no way to adequately measure the significant contribution ABC has made to the health of American consumers."
"ABC was initially created as a vehicle to take HerbalGram, then a newsletter, to another level of publication -- a full-color, magazine-journal format," noted ABC's Blumenthal.
To read the full article, click here.
We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
Dr. Duke is retired from a 30-year career at the United States Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Farnsworth is still Research Professor of Pharmacognosy and Senior University Scholar at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
According to Dr. Duke, "Respect for herbal medicine has grown geometrically, thanks in large part to ABC and its peer-reviewed journal HerbalGram. Twenty years of ABC have markedly improved public perception of some of the world's best medicines-herbal medicines."
Prof. Farnsworth said, "ABC may be the primary force promoting a reasonable and responsible perspective on the emerging science on herbs and medicinal plants. There is no way to adequately measure the significant contribution ABC has made to the health of American consumers."
"ABC was initially created as a vehicle to take HerbalGram, then a newsletter, to another level of publication -- a full-color, magazine-journal format," noted ABC's Blumenthal.
To read the full article, click here.
We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
Thursday, November 6, 2008
USA Today explores 'alternative medicine roots'
According to an article in USA Today, "Iraq returns to its alternative medicine roots," the U.S. invasion of Iraq opened the door to illegal pharmaceuticals, of which 70% are reportedly fake. In response, the Iraqi people are (re)turning to their indigenous natural health and alternative medicine solutions. Yet, it's hard to discern if there is surprise in this or blame or concern or.... what?
To read the full-article and reader comments (including mine), click here.
You don't have to be a member to read the posts, but you may to add a comment. Not a member? We invite you to post comments here to share comments with the larger holistic health care community.
To read the full-article and reader comments (including mine), click here.
You don't have to be a member to read the posts, but you may to add a comment. Not a member? We invite you to post comments here to share comments with the larger holistic health care community.
'Homemade remedy for sick kids' article features Deborah Halvorson
ACHS faculty member Deborah Halvorson was featured in a November 5 article in the Orange County Register called "Homemade remedies for sick kids." Halvorson is pictured with her daughter, Hazel, making chest balm in her kitchen. In the article, Halvorson credits her belief in natural remedies to personal experience, and shares some great tips for keeping your kids healthy this year, including a recipe for vapor balm.
To read the full-length article, click here. Show your support for ACHS faculty! Be sure to leave a comment on the OC Register site AND here. We're looking forward to reading your recipes for fall wellness!
ACHS Faculty Deborah Halvorson in OC Register
ACHS faculty member Deborah Halvorson was featured in a November 5 article in the Orange County Register called "Homemade remedies for sick kids." Halvorson is pictured with her daughter, Hazel, making chest balm in her kitchen. In the article, Halvorson credits her belief in natural remedies to personal experience, and shares some great tips for keeping your kids healthy this year, including a recipe for vapor balm.
To read the full-length article, click here. Show your support for ACHS faculty! Be sure to leave a comment on the OC Register site AND here. We're looking forward to reading your recipes for fall wellness!
We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
Monday, November 3, 2008
Four Holistic Nutrition Educators Now Certified
Phoenix, AZ – In this economy, more Americans are doing self-care as health care to avoid costly medical expenses. In making sure Sprouts employees have up-to-date credible knowledge, they have sent a representative from each region to become certified.
“Our customers have let us know that health and nutrition information is important to them and Sprouts answers the call” said Patti Milligan M.S., R.D., C.N.S., Corporate Nutritionist for Sprouts Farmers Market. “Sprouts is committed to providing credible nutrition information to its customers and, as part of that continuing commitment, we have well trained educators in each region,” continues Milligan.
Sprouts partnered with Australasian College of Health Sciences (ACHS), to educate their vitamin department staff. “Sprouts has developed a knowledgeable team dedicated to educating customers on the best products for their personal health and wellness, creating incredible value for their customers,” said Tracy Miller, ACHS Dean of Admissions. “ACHS graduates have completed rigorous, dynamic and up-to-date training in holistic nutrition."
Founded in 1978, ACHS is recognized as an industry leader in holistic health education worldwide. Flexible, online programs, highly qualified faculty, diverse student body, and commitment to exceptional online education are the foundation for ACHS's reputation. For more information about nutrition and homeopathy courses offered at ACHS, click here.
We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
“Our customers have let us know that health and nutrition information is important to them and Sprouts answers the call” said Patti Milligan M.S., R.D., C.N.S., Corporate Nutritionist for Sprouts Farmers Market. “Sprouts is committed to providing credible nutrition information to its customers and, as part of that continuing commitment, we have well trained educators in each region,” continues Milligan.
Sprouts partnered with Australasian College of Health Sciences (ACHS), to educate their vitamin department staff. “Sprouts has developed a knowledgeable team dedicated to educating customers on the best products for their personal health and wellness, creating incredible value for their customers,” said Tracy Miller, ACHS Dean of Admissions. “ACHS graduates have completed rigorous, dynamic and up-to-date training in holistic nutrition."
Founded in 1978, ACHS is recognized as an industry leader in holistic health education worldwide. Flexible, online programs, highly qualified faculty, diverse student body, and commitment to exceptional online education are the foundation for ACHS's reputation. For more information about nutrition and homeopathy courses offered at ACHS, click here.
We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
Friday, October 31, 2008
Peppermint: Herb of the Month
Now Peppermint is one of the most popular herbs used in today’s society.
A summer-growing, perennial aromatic herb, peppermint is a hybrid of Mentha spicata (spearmint) and M. aquatica (watermint). The plant grows wild throughout Europe and North America in moist areas and is thought to be of Mediterranean origin.
The leaves and stems of peppermint contain volatile oils that give the plant its pungent fragrance and taste. The oil contains menthol, which is responsible for the sensation of coolness that is characteristic of peppermint.
Today, the peppermint plant is commonly added to cough and cold remedies because of its high menthol content, which provides a sensation of coolness and easier breathing. © HerbalGram. 2006; 72:1,4-5 American Botanical Council.
Peppermint is November’s featured herb for ACHS’s Herb of the Month Club. As member, each month you will receive a new herb of the month package, including 8 oz of the herb of the month and an informational pamphlet. We would also love for you to discover the power and purity of our therapeutic, organic peppermint essential oil. Click here for your sample with your Herb of the Month purchase.
A summer-growing, perennial aromatic herb, peppermint is a hybrid of Mentha spicata (spearmint) and M. aquatica (watermint). The plant grows wild throughout Europe and North America in moist areas and is thought to be of Mediterranean origin.
The leaves and stems of peppermint contain volatile oils that give the plant its pungent fragrance and taste. The oil contains menthol, which is responsible for the sensation of coolness that is characteristic of peppermint.
Today, the peppermint plant is commonly added to cough and cold remedies because of its high menthol content, which provides a sensation of coolness and easier breathing. © HerbalGram. 2006; 72:1,4-5 American Botanical Council.
Peppermint is November’s featured herb for ACHS’s Herb of the Month Club. As member, each month you will receive a new herb of the month package, including 8 oz of the herb of the month and an informational pamphlet. We would also love for you to discover the power and purity of our therapeutic, organic peppermint essential oil. Click here for your sample with your Herb of the Month purchase.
November Announcements & Events
How Do You Clear the Air?
For the newly “green,” Yes! Magazine runs a column in each edition called YES! But how?, which includes practical tips for eco-friendly, sustainable living. Our favorite: Grow your own fresh air.
Tell us. What are the best ways you’ve found to clear the air? Post your comments to ACHS’s new Facebook site, located at www.facebook.com, and scroll through our upcoming events. Not a member? Sign up to post comments, become a fan, and receive evites to free community wellness events.
ACHS Pledges Renewable Energy
As of September 2008, ACHS has extended their commitment to sustainability and pledged their participation to PGE’s Save More, Matter More program. In replace of traditional power, ACHS pledges to use renewable power, which makes use of clean wind to save energy, cut costs, and help the environment. For 20 examples of how you can reduce your carbon footprint, visit the About page of our website.Dept. of Veterans Affairs Approves M.S.
Effective July 11, 2008, the Department of Veterans Affairs approved ACHS as an Institution of Higher Learning. This approval of the school was followed by approval of ACHS’s fully online career training and Associate’s degree programs. Approval for the Master’s degree was granted October 29, 2008. For information on VA Benefits and the MASCAM degree program, call 800-487-8839.ACHS 5th Annual Holiday Open House
Join Australasian College of Health Sciences on Saturday, November 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for our holiday open house. Activities include making natural gifts such as bath salts and scrubs, blending holiday scents, and tips for winter wellness. Event is free and open to the public; space is limited. To RSVP, call 503-244-0726.
November 15 Registration Deadline
Save money when you lock in 2008 rates. January is sure to bring New Year’s, new resolutions, and, unfortunately, new rates for the 2009 academic year. Save yourself money when you register today. November 15 is the registration deadline for courses beginning January 19; after the deadline, registration will be on a space-available-basis only. To register, call 800-487-8839.Apprenticeships for Herbalists
ACHS students will be offered preferential placement in herbal apprenticeship opportunities with Chanchal Cabrera, MSc, MNIMH, AHG, the faculty chair in Botanical Medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster. Practical training will include gardening, harvesting, and processing herbs.For information, visit our website, click on Alumni, and scroll down to Mentoring and Apprenticeships for Herbalists. Interested parties can contact Chanchal directly at chanchal@chanchalcabrera.com.
We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
Herb of the Month
Now Peppermint is one of the most popular herbs used in today’s society.
A summer-growing, perennial aromatic herb, peppermint is a hybrid of Mentha spicata (spearmint) and M. aquatica (watermint). The plant grows wild throughout Europe and North America in moist areas and is thought to be of Mediterranean origin.
The leaves and stems of peppermint contain volatile oils that give the plant its pungent fragrance and taste. The oil contains menthol, which is responsible for the sensation of coolness that is characteristic of peppermint.
Today, the peppermint plant is commonly added to cough and cold remedies because of its high menthol content, which provides a sensation of coolness and easier breathing. © HerbalGram. 2006; 72:1,4-5 American Botanical Council.
Peppermint is November’s featured herb for ACHS’s Herb of the Month Club. As member, each month you will receive a new herb of the month package, including 8 oz of the herb of the month and an informational pamphlet. We would also love for you to discover the power and purity of our therapeutic, organic peppermint essential oil. Click here for your sample with your Herb of the Month purchase.
Have some more tips? We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
A summer-growing, perennial aromatic herb, peppermint is a hybrid of Mentha spicata (spearmint) and M. aquatica (watermint). The plant grows wild throughout Europe and North America in moist areas and is thought to be of Mediterranean origin.
The leaves and stems of peppermint contain volatile oils that give the plant its pungent fragrance and taste. The oil contains menthol, which is responsible for the sensation of coolness that is characteristic of peppermint.
Today, the peppermint plant is commonly added to cough and cold remedies because of its high menthol content, which provides a sensation of coolness and easier breathing. © HerbalGram. 2006; 72:1,4-5 American Botanical Council.
Peppermint is November’s featured herb for ACHS’s Herb of the Month Club. As member, each month you will receive a new herb of the month package, including 8 oz of the herb of the month and an informational pamphlet. We would also love for you to discover the power and purity of our therapeutic, organic peppermint essential oil. Click here for your sample with your Herb of the Month purchase.
Have some more tips? We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
Perchlorate fuels concerns over drinking water
Forget BPA. There might be rocket fuel in your water.
The Environmental Protection Agency [recently announced] that it has no plans to remove perchlorate, a chemical in rocket fuel that has been linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women, newborns and young children and interferes with normal brain development in babies, from drinking water.
The chemical has been leaking from military bases and defense and aerospace contractors’ plants for decades and has been found in the drinking water, groundwater or soil in at least 43 states, according to the Washington, D.C.–based non-profit research organization the Environmental Working Group.
Congressional Democrats and environmentalists blasted the administration’s decision. “The health and well-being of millions of breast-fed babies are being ignored by EPA so the defense industry and their agents in the Pentagon can avoid cleaning up the mess they’ve made,” said Environmental Working Group Senior Scientist Anila Jacob, M.D.
To read the full-length article, go achs.edu and click on News and Events, or click here.
Copyright © 2008 The Natural Foods Merchandiser
Have some more tips? We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
Food Companies, Retailers Avoid Clones
In a gesture that organizers hope will end the cloned foods controversy, 20 American food companies and retailers have stated they will not use cloned animals in their products.
Nonprofit activist organizations the Center for Food Safety and Friends of the Earth announced September 3 that manufacturing behemoths Kraft Foods, General Mills, Nestlé and Campbell Soup Co. have pledged to avoid cloned animal ingredients.
Retailers that have agreed to the noncloning pledge include Albertsons, SuperValu and Harris Teeter. Washington-based PCC Natural Markets, the first retailer or manufacturer to sign the pledge, also won’t allow products from cloned offspring in its stores.
But despite these companies’ good intentions, “there is truly no way to be 100 percent sure” they’re not using ingredients from cloned animals or their offspring, said Gillian Madill, a genetic technologies campaigner with Friends of the Earth. Because the U.S. Food and Drug administration allows cloned-animal ingredients [...], it’s difficult for companies or retailers to follow an animal all the way through the supply chain, she said.
As a result, Madill said the goal of the FOE/CFS cloned food initiative is to “try to destroy the market before it exists. We don’t want to get into a situation like [genetically modified organisms], where they were out there before anyone could stop them becoming a full-scale process.”
To read the full-length article, go achs.edu and click on News and Events, or click here.
Copyright © 2008 The Natural Foods Merchandiser
Nonprofit activist organizations the Center for Food Safety and Friends of the Earth announced September 3 that manufacturing behemoths Kraft Foods, General Mills, Nestlé and Campbell Soup Co. have pledged to avoid cloned animal ingredients.
Retailers that have agreed to the noncloning pledge include Albertsons, SuperValu and Harris Teeter. Washington-based PCC Natural Markets, the first retailer or manufacturer to sign the pledge, also won’t allow products from cloned offspring in its stores.
But despite these companies’ good intentions, “there is truly no way to be 100 percent sure” they’re not using ingredients from cloned animals or their offspring, said Gillian Madill, a genetic technologies campaigner with Friends of the Earth. Because the U.S. Food and Drug administration allows cloned-animal ingredients [...], it’s difficult for companies or retailers to follow an animal all the way through the supply chain, she said.
As a result, Madill said the goal of the FOE/CFS cloned food initiative is to “try to destroy the market before it exists. We don’t want to get into a situation like [genetically modified organisms], where they were out there before anyone could stop them becoming a full-scale process.”
To read the full-length article, go achs.edu and click on News and Events, or click here.
Copyright © 2008 The Natural Foods Merchandiser
BPA Linked to Diseases in Adults
On September 16, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration convened a panel of experts and defended its draft conclusion that the plastics chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, is safe, the Journal of the American Medical Association released a study showing a potential link between high levels of BPA and a variety of diseases. BPA is found in hard plastics and can linings, and the FDA’s own estimates suggest that formula-fed babies ingest 12.5 times more BPA per pound of body weight than the average adult.
The JAMA study doesn’t demonstrate a causal link between BPA and disease states, but British researchers studying BPA levels in the urine of almost 1,500 adults found that those with the highest levels were twice as likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes, and liver-enzyme abnormalities as those with the lowest levels.
Previously, consumer activists have relied upon animal studies when questioning the safety of BPA. Those studies show that the chemical, in lab animals, affects the prostate and reproductive systems and acts as an estrogen mimic in the body, potentially leading to early puberty, cancers and behavioral problems. [...] The FDA has continued to insist the chemical is safe.
To read the full-length article, go achs.edu and click on News and Events, or click here.
Copyright © 2008 The Natural Foods Merchandiser
Have some more tips? We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
The JAMA study doesn’t demonstrate a causal link between BPA and disease states, but British researchers studying BPA levels in the urine of almost 1,500 adults found that those with the highest levels were twice as likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes, and liver-enzyme abnormalities as those with the lowest levels.
Previously, consumer activists have relied upon animal studies when questioning the safety of BPA. Those studies show that the chemical, in lab animals, affects the prostate and reproductive systems and acts as an estrogen mimic in the body, potentially leading to early puberty, cancers and behavioral problems. [...] The FDA has continued to insist the chemical is safe.
To read the full-length article, go achs.edu and click on News and Events, or click here.
Copyright © 2008 The Natural Foods Merchandiser
Have some more tips? We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.
Know someone who would be interested? EMAIL this story below.
Share this article:
Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine Myspace
November Health Freedom Update
Monthly Column From Kim Sharples, HHP, 2008 AlumniIt’s election time! How many of you know who your personal Senator and Representative are? Have you talked to them? Do they support Health Freedom? Now would be a good time to ask. It’s important to try to build a relationship with your legislators so they will know who you are, if and when you need to contact them about an important bill they will be voting on.
If you don’t know who your legislators are, you can look at this website: www.votesmart.org. You will need to enter your nine-digit zip code. If you don’t know your nine-digit zip code, you can find this at http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp.
Please remember that each state has different laws and regulations regarding what you can and cannot do when it comes to complementary and alternative health care.
There are currently six states that have health freedom laws. These are: Minnesota, California, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Idaho. If you live in one of these states, you need to know the laws regarding health freedom, what you can and cannot do, and what disclosures you may need to provide to your clients.
There are fifteen states and the District of Columbia that license or regulate naturopathic physicians. If your state is one that regulates naturopathic physicians, you need to know what that law says in regards to what you can and cannot do. These states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia. Minnesota just passed a registration bill for naturopathic physicians that should take effect July 1, 2009.
National Health Freedom Organizations:
- Coalition for Natural Health: www.naturalhealth.org or Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
- Health Keepers Alliance: www.healthkeepers.net
- Citizens for Health: www.citizens.org
- Sunshine Health Freedom Foundation: Contact person: Troy Bledsoe at herbalsurvival@cox.net
- National Health Freedom Action/Coalition: www.nationalhealthfreedom.org
HEALTH FREEDOM INFORMATION
CANADA
The Canadian Parliament adjourned for the summer without debating or passing bills C-51 and C-52, bills that could have overturned long standing legal precedent protecting Canadians’ health freedom. For more information, click here.
CALIFORNIA
Prop 65 is proposed regulation that wants to classify all beneficial nutrients with above-RDA potencies as cancer-causing agents under unless proven otherwise.
For more information, please go to this website.
COLORADO
Colorado was successful in stopping a monopolistic naturopathic physician bill. A Health Freedom bill was also introduced, but was not successful. A Massage bill was introduced and passed. This bill contained exemptions for those who do energy work such as Reiki.
Colorado For Health Freedom has a yahoo group you can join by sending a blank email to CO4HFG-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You can also contact Kimberly Sharples at kimberlysharples@msn.com or 719-390-1979.
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Health Freedom Coalition: Craig Respasz at crepasz@hotmail.com.
IDAHO
A Senate bill was introduced that could have transformed an accommodating law to a restrictive licensing law. CNH and the Idaho Coalition for Natural Health was able to amend the language, minimizing the effect of the law in Idaho. For more information, contact Boyd at: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org.
IOWA
Iowa introduced Health Freedom language in 2008, but was not successful. To learn more about the Iowa Health Freedom Coalition, you can access their website: www.iowahealthfreedom.org.
LOUISIANA
Louisiana’s focus this year was to introduce a total Health Freedom Bill in the 2008 Louisiana Legislative Session. They held a statewide membership meeting in March with 3 excellent speakers: Senator Sharon Weston Broome (Sponsor of the bill), Dr. John Baker, head of LSU Law School (health freedom advocate), and Boyd Landry, Executive Director of CNH.
They also held several statewide meeting to attract new members as well as enlighten the member that reside outside the Baton Rouge area of their intentions to introduce a bill in this year’s 2008 session; as well as meeting with legislators at the Capitol Rotunda several times.
They hired a Lobbyist to work with us to amend Acts 655 and 334, which were bills we passed in the 2006, and 2005 sessions. With lobbyist Kathy Chittom and Senator Broome’s influence, they were able to pass a bill in this year’s 2008 Legislative Session. The Governor signed the bill into law at the end of June (Act No. 524). They now feel as though Louisiana finally has a Total Health Freedom Bill.
Their board meets the last Monday of each month, and they have a conference call number for those who cannot attend in person.
If you live in Louisiana and would like to help, please contact Cynthia Reed, ND, President of the Louisiana Health Freedom Coalition at 225-756-8400 or herbs-etc@cox.net.
MARYLAND
Maryland introduced a health freedom bill in 2008, but it was not successful. Contact Dr. Mishra for more information regarding Health Freedom in Maryland: mishra13505@yahoo.com.
MINNESOTA
A Naturopathic Physician registration bill was passed in Minnesota that will not go into effect until July 1, 2009. During this time a Naturopathy Work Group has been assigned to study the regulation of Naturopathic Doctors. Their recommendations must be turned in no later than December 15, 2008, and the Commissioner of Health will report these findings to Legislators by January 15, 2009. You can read about this bill and work group here.
Another group has formed in Minnesota - Minnesota Advocates for Complementary and Alternative Practices, MNACAP. The President is Katie Murphy, and you can email her at: 4healinginsights@comcast.net.
MONTANA
Montana has a health freedom group that wants to introduce a Health Freedom Bill next legislative session. For more information, you can contact: Debra Kimmet deb@debkimmet.com or 406-251-9704 or visit their website.
NEW JERSEY
A Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure bill has just been introduced in New Jersey and been referred to the Senate Commerce Committee. This bill could limit nutritional advice to only those dietitian/nutritionists licensed by the state of New Jersey. You can view the bill here. Please contact me for more information: kimberlysharples@msn.com.
NEW YORK
There were three restrictive bills introduced in New York, which could have prohibited traditional naturopaths from practicing. Boyd Landry with CNH worked at killing these bills and they are monitoring legislation for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009. You can contact Boyd for more information: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org.
NORTH CAROLINA
There was restrictive naturopathic medicine bills introduced this year in NC. Fortunately, these bills died in committee. The North Carolina Citizens for Healthcare Freedom has a health freedom bill introduced and they are hoping for it to be heard in the long session, starting in January. At this time they need assistance with signing petitions (on their website), volunteering and donations. For more information, you can go to their website: www.ncchf.org Their contact person is Claiborne Holtzman: Claiborne@ncchf.org.
OHIO
The Ohio Sunshine Health Freedom Coalition has introduced a health freedom bill, H.B. 580. You can read the bill here. The OSHFC Steering Committee recorded a phone call updating the Ohio situation. If you would like to listen, please call 641-715-3409 and enter PIN 288597#. They are also asking for help in calling, Emailing or faxing members of the committee that the health freedom bill is assigned to. To learn more, please contact Linda Murray: hertouch@juno.com or go to their website: www.ohiosunshinehealthfreedom.info.
TENNESSEE
Two identical restrictive licensing bills were entertained this session. Fortunately, both of these bills died in committee. They expect similar legislation to be introduced in 2009. For more information, please contact Boyd Landry at: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org.
TEXAS
In 2005 Texas Health Freedom Coalition played a crucial role in protecting Texas consumer access to the services of the complementary and alternative health practitioners in Texas. They are hoping to introduce health freedom legislation. For more information, go to their website: www.texashealthfreedom.com or contact Peter McCarthy: texascam@earthlink.net.
VIRGINIA
The Certified Natural Health Professionals of Virginia Health Freedom Group is collecting signatures to oppose HB 784, the monopolistic naturopathic physician bill. You may hold the original signed letters or send them to the Virginia Chapter of Certified Natural Health Professionals at P.O. Box 316, Chesterfield, VA 23832-0005.
They will use these letters to demonstrate opposition to any naturopath licensure bill that might be introduced in the 2009 session. If you have questions regarding the gathering of signatures on these letters or their strategy please contact Becky Hanks at the Herb Basket at 804-862-HERB (4372) during the daytime on Tuesdays through Saturday. To learn more, please visit their website: www.cnhpva.org.
WASHINGTON
Washington has a health freedom bill introduced, Senate Bill 6886, and was referred to the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee. There is an upcoming meeting: Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008 6:30-8pm at the Olympia Timberland Library. To read this bill, click here. For more information, go to the Washington Health Freedom website: http://healthfreedomwa.org/ or email healthfreedom.wa@gmail.com or call 360- 357-6263.
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin fought against a dietitian/nutrition bill in 2008 that would have restricted nutritional advice. This bill is expected to be re-introduced in 2009. The Wisconsin Health Freedom Coalition is planning on introducing a health freedom bill next session. If you are able to help, please contact Syncha Maniscalco – syncha@gmail.com or go to their website for more information: www.wihfc.com.
Kimberly Sharples, HHP
Health Freedom Activist
kimberlysharples@msn.com
719- 390-1979
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)