February is American Heart Month: Make Prevention a Priority

** Note, new 2011 heart disease guidelines for women have been released since this blog posted. The new guidelines include:

• Keeping cholesterol level at 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or less
• Keeping blood pressure at 120/80 mm Hg
• Having a fasting blood glucose under 100 mg/dL
• Recognition that diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis increase heart disease risk in women

For a summary of the 2011 new heart disease guidelines for women, click here.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2009 alone, about 785,000 Americans had a coronary attack. But--there is good news. We can reduce the chance of developing coronary heart disease by making prevention a priority. It’s time!

February is American Heart Month, a national campaign to share information about heart disease and to raise awareness. Do you know the signs? A heart attack may feel sharp and sudden, but many start slowly. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute posted their “Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs” video to help you identify the warning signs.

Whether or not you or a loved one have suffered with heart disease, prevention is a year-round campaign. Download your free ACHS Wellness Guide for more heart health and how-to information!

Hawthorn Crataegus laevigata has traditionally been used to support healthy cardiovascular function. Studies show hawthorn acts on the myocardium. It increases the force of contraction and lengthens the refractory period, increasing coronary blood flow and cardiac output, and reducing oxygen consumption.[1] For more information about the active constituents and medicinal uses of hawthorn, download our hawthorn monograph HERE.

References
1. Chang Q, Zuo Z, Harrison F, Chow MS. (2002) Hawthorn. J Clin Pharmacol, 42:605-12.
2. Pittler MH, Schmidt K, Ernst E. (2003). Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure: meta-analysis of randomized trials. Am J Med, 114:665-74.
3. Schwinger RH, Pietsch M, Frank K, Brixius K. (2000). Crataegus special extract WS 1442 increases force of contraction in human myocardium cAMPindependently. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol, 35:700-7.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. You should always consult with your primary care physician, naturopathic doctor, or Registered Herbalist before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

World Health Organization Developing Traditional Medicine Classification

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced a project to classify traditional medicine. Having a reference of terminologies and classifications for diagnosis and interventions will "assist in creating an evidence base for traditional medicine"[1] and an international "platform" for "the harmonization of data for clinical, epidemiological and statistical use."

The project will begin with the traditional medicine practices and customs of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea that have spread worldwide and will utilize an interactive online platform. Traditional medicine practitioners will use the platform to document the terminology and the concepts they use.

The International Classification of Traditional Medicine (ICTM) "further illustrates WHO’s dedication to aiding traditional medicine’s globalization and integration into worldwide healthcare."[2] WHO's expected outcomes from the ICTM project include objective data on the benefits of traditional data, safety and use, and spending and trends; the ability to study the use of traditional medicine with disease prevention and treatment; and a universal classification system which would allow countries worldwide to base their research on the same data.

References
[1] WHO to define information standards for traditional medicine. Accessed 1/13/11 at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2010/trad_medicine_20101207/en/
[2] Stafford, L. (2011). WHO Developing New Traditional Medicine Classification. HerbalEGram 8(1). Web. Accessed 1/13/11 at http://cms.herbalgram.org/heg/volume8/01January/WHOClassifiesTM.html?t=1294841964

Organic Coconut Oil a Very Effective Skin Support

Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of mature coconut, found throughout tropical climates. Traditionally, the oil has been used as a source of fat in the diet, including as a cooking oil, but did you know the oil also has been tested for industrial uses because of its natural lubricant properties?

Today coconut oil is highly prized for its use in cosmetics and skin care products. In specific, coconut oil has moisturizing and skin softening properties, and well as film-forming properties so the oil "seals in" moisture, so to speak. In addition, coconut oil is often recommended for use with dry skin, sensitive skin, and can even be used to help reinvigorate dry, damaged hair [1] and in lip balms. Recent research even suggests the lauric acid found in coconut oil may be useful with acne[2]!

If you like to make your own natural skin and hair care products, coconut oil is a wonderful, versatile base oil to use. And, it is relatively unscented, which means you can add essential oils for your own custom blend.

Keep your skin glowing for summer and moisturized year-round. Shop for your organic products and essential oils at the Apothecary Shoppe. Free ground shipping for all purchases of 11 oz organic coconut oil made by midnight, August 16, 2010. Just add the code NEW2010 to the comments section of your order at checkout. Visit www.apothecary-shoppe.com

For more information about the benefits of coconut oil, you may want to check out the Coconut Research Center: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/index.htm

References
[1] Rele AS, Mohile RB. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. J Cosmet Sci. 2003 Mar-Apr;54(2):175-92. Accessed online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12715094?dopt=Abstract
[2] Nakatsuji T, Kao MC, Fang JY, Zouboulis CC, Zhang L, Gallo RL, Huang CM. Antimicrobial property of lauric acid against Propionibacterium acnes: its therapeutic potential for inflammatory acne vulgaris. J Invest Dermatol. 2009 Oct;129(10):2480-8. Epub 2009 Apr 23.

ACHS names Michael Edwards, Director of Thee Wellness Institute, DETC Famous Alumni award winner for 2010

Congratulations to Michael Edwards, DETC Famous Alumni award winner for 2010!

The DETC Famous Alumni award honors distance education graduates who meet select criteria or academic records and the quality of their contribution to their chosen profession and society in general.

Michael, who graduated with a Certificate in Nutrition, Bodycare, and Herbalism, says, “The first acceptance I had at ACHS made a big difference to me, and it motivated me to read and teach as often as possible. I feel I’m doing my share to give people back control of their health.”

Since completing his Certificate, Michael has completed his master’s degree and launched Thee Wellness Institute (previously The NC Health and Wellness Institute), specializing in preventative health programs and natural products for the community. Edwards also worked as the Clinical Health Educator at Cherry Point Marine Base before accepting the position of Education Program Manager at Patrick Air Force Base. While in this position, Edwards has developed several health-promoting programs and has led motivational wellness classes for thousands of service members in the U.S. Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard.

Read Michael's complete profile here: http://www.achs.edu/alumni/alumni-spotlight.aspx?spid=43

For more information about the DETC and this award, check out www.detc.org.

Going Green: E-tips for Aromatherapy Awareness

By Kayla Fioravanti, Registered Aromatherapist
Back to School with Aromatherapy

Every school year I add another essential oil to my arsenal of therapies I use to deal with the "sickies and ickies" that the kids pick up at school. My kids are totally healthy all summer long but once they hit the classroom it seems the germs accumulate overnight. With aromatherapy we encounter less and less sick days as the years go on. There are several lines of defense that a mother can take. It takes a combination of being proactive and reactive to get through a school year successfully.

Back to school haircuts is the first indicator that it is time to add Tea Tree essential oil to the kids shampoo for lice prevention, because prevention is the best medicine for lice. My family has witnessed a lot of head lice outbreaks, but we have avoided being involved by adding just 1-2 drops of Tea Tree essential oil per ounce of shampoo and conditioner. In addition, whenever there is an outbreak at school I always make sure to apply Tea Tree through their hair. I simply get a few drops of Tea Tree essential oil onto my finger tips and run my hands through their hair from root to tip. [...]

Avoiding illness is critical for our children because they suffer from asthma. Any respiratory ailment sends their asthma into overdrive. Treating the air in our car and home for their asthma relief has become common place in our household. I developed the essential oil blend Breathe Green using Sweet Basil, Rosemary, Laurel leaf, Peppermint, Ginger, Eucalyptus, Ravensara and Lemon to respond to their immune and respiratory needs. A few days after I first blended Breathe Green I dispersed it into the car and successfully averted an Emergency Room trip. That was my first indicator that I was onto something with the Breathe Green blend. Last school year we used it in combination with asthma medications to successfully avoid respiratory infections, urgent care and emergency trips which had been the norm in the past.

On the first day of school I always carry a bottle of lavender with me to school. Everyone knows me as the aromatherapy lady so no one questions my lavender scented hand coming to touch the head of their teary anxiety ridden child. A simple method of helping moms and kids who are struggling with separation anxiety is to hand them a tissue with subtle scents of Lavender transferred from your fingers. It works every time not only does the Lavender calm the child but the interruption of the crisis helps to dissipate anxiety.

>> Want more information about aromatherapy? Check out our Introduction to Aromatherapy classes

>> Read Kayla's full-length article on the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy blog

ACHS now offers six graduate certificates for specialized CAM training

July 23, 2009--The American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) has launched six new graduate certificate programs in the field of complementary alternative medicine (CAM). These new certificates impart graduate-level specialized training with less time and financial commitment found in the more traditional master’s program. ACHS graduate certificates provide healthcare professionals with more in-depth knowledge of holistic health and wellness protocols and the ability to better serve the health needs of their communities.

ACHS graduate certificates require 12 credits of study, or four 16-week courses for completion, and are available in the fastest growing integrative healthcare modalities. ACHS graduate certificates include: Graduate Certificate in Nutrition, Graduate Certificate in Anatomy and Physiology, Graduate Certificate in Complementary Alternative Medicine, Graduate Certificate in Aromatherapy, Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicine, and Graduate Certificate in Botanical Safety.

Today, more and more people are turning to preventative care as a solution to rising healthcare costs. The healthcare industry needs professionals trained in holistic health and wellness protocols, as well as botanical safety and drug and supplement interactions. With an ACHS graduate certificate, healthcare professionals can:

• Enhance their employability and job growth with each specialized certificate.
• Train to meet the growing demand for educated and trusted CAM professionals.
• Learn botanical safety.
• Increase ancillary services offered, thereby increasing clients and income.
• Educate others about wellness and complementary alternative medicine.

Students who enroll in a graduate certificate program will benefit from the same amenities as ACHS Masters of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine students, including access to the extensive Natural Standards and Natural Medicines databases, full text, online journal resources; instructors who are industry experts; highly interactive online classes and instructor-led discussions; and training from the industry-leader in accredited, online holistic health education.

The ACHS graduate certificate programs are open to new students, as well as current ACHS students, and can be completed while pursuing a Masters of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine. For more information and detailed course descriptions, visit www.achs.edu or call ACHS Admissions at (800) 487-8839.

American College of Healthcare Sciences is the only accredited, fully online college offering degrees, diplomas, and career-training certificates in complementary alternative medicine. Founded in 1978, ACHS is committed to exceptional online education and is recognized as an industry leader in holistic health education worldwide. For more information about ACHS programs and community wellness events, visit www.achs.edu, call (800) 487-8839, or stop by the College campus located at 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland OR 97239.

ACHS now offers six graduate certificates for specialized CAM training

July 23, 2009--The American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) has launched six new graduate certificate programs in the field of complementary alternative medicine (CAM). These new certificates impart graduate-level specialized training with less time and financial commitment found in the more traditional master’s program. ACHS graduate certificates provide healthcare professionals with more in-depth knowledge of holistic health and wellness protocols and the ability to better serve the health needs of their communities.

ACHS graduate certificates require 12 credits of study, or four 16-week courses for completion, and are available in the fastest growing integrative healthcare modalities. ACHS graduate certificates include: Graduate Certificate in Nutrition, Graduate Certificate in Anatomy and Physiology, Graduate Certificate in Complementary Alternative Medicine, Graduate Certificate in Aromatherapy, Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicine, and Graduate Certificate in Botanical Safety.

Today, more and more people are turning to preventative care as a solution to rising healthcare costs. The healthcare industry needs professionals trained in holistic health and wellness protocols, as well as botanical safety and drug and supplement interactions. With an ACHS graduate certificate, healthcare professionals can:

• Enhance their employability and job growth with each specialized certificate.
• Train to meet the growing demand for educated and trusted CAM professionals.
• Increase ancillary services offered, thereby increasing clients and income.
• Educate others about wellness and complementary alternative medicine.

Students who enroll in a graduate certificate program will benefit from the same amenities as ACHS Masters of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine students, including access to the extensive Natural Standards and Natural Medicines databases, full text, online journal resources; instructors who are industry experts; highly interactive online classes and instructor-led discussions; and training from the industry-leader in accredited, online holistic health education.

The ACHS graduate certificate programs are open to new students, as well as current ACHS students, and can be completed while pursuing a Masters of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine. For more information and detailed course descriptions, visit www.achs.edu or call ACHS Admissions at (800) 487-8839.

American College of Healthcare Sciences is the only accredited, fully online college offering degrees, diplomas, and career-training certificates in complementary alternative medicine. Founded in 1978, ACHS is committed to exceptional online education and is recognized as an industry leader in holistic health education worldwide. For more information about ACHS programs and community wellness events, visit www.achs.edu, call (800) 487-8839, or stop by the College campus located at 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland OR 97239.

Who are ACHS students?

Jennifer Exum is a student in the Diploma of Holistic Health Practice at ACHS. After completing her education, Jennifer wants to own and operate a wellness clinic. To help facilitate her goal, in addition to Jennifer's ACHS training, she is also working toward a Certificate of Proficiency in Business Management at a local community college, which will teach her how to plan, build, and maintain a successful small business.

Jennifer's primary area of interest is the prevention and management of disease through wellness protocols. During the course of her program with ACHS, she will study holistic nutrition, anatomy and physiology, and holistic pathology and protocols, to name a few.

To learn more about the accredited Diploma of Holistic Health Practice from ACHS, go to www.achs.edu and click on Holistic Medicine.

Jennifer is pictured above with ACHS President Dorene Petersen in the ACHS Botanical Teaching Garden.

Obama sees alternative medicine as a practical avenue for prevention

During an April 29 Town Hall meeting in Arnold, MO, President Barack Obama said, "We should do what works," expressing his openness to including complementary alternative medicine (CAM) in the U.S. healthcare system.

Obama went on to say, “I think it is pretty well documented through scientific studies that acupuncture, for example, can be very helpful in relieving certain things like migraines and other ailments—or at least as effective as more intrusive interventions.”

According to a press release on the Nutraceuticals World website, "The response followed a question posed by a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist, who asked the president how alternative medicine would fit into his new healthcare system."

The press release goes on to say:

"'I think one basic principle that we know is that the more we do on the prevention side, the more we can obtain serious savings down the road,” he added after commenting directly on acupuncture. President Obama also stressed the importance of changing the current logic of the healthcare system, which focuses only on reducing costs in the near-term.

“Reimbursement for healthcare provided by CAM practitioners not only would support the health of the public,” said Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association, Silver Spring, MD, “it represents a significant opportunity for products used and prescribed by CAM practitioners and a major step forward in the development of an innovative and wellness-based healthcare system.'"

To read the original press release on the Nutraceuticals World website, click here.