May 8, 2009—American College of Healthcare Sciences in Portland, Oregon, has been approved as a participating institution in the national Imagine America scholarship program. This scholarship offers veterans with expired military benefits and spouses of active duty servicemembers a one-time scholarship of $1,000 toward tuition. ACHS has been a participant in the Imagine America Military Award Program (MAP) since March 2009 and is pleased to have already awarded three scholarships. MAP, which is sponsored by the Imagine American Foundation, was established in 2004 for any active duty or honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. military attending a career college. Visit www.imagine-america.org for more information.
ACHS Imagine America applicants must enroll in a minimum of six credit hours and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. For additional scholarship eligibility information, please visit www.achs.edu. According to ACHS Dean of Admissions Tracey Miller, the $1,000 scholarship helps “provide a new opportunity for veterans to have successful civilian careers and a much needed tuition assistance option for spouses of active duty servicemembers. The holistic health industry continues to grow and expand, and by providing scholarships like the Imagine America Military Award Program, ACHS is making holistic health career training as inclusive, affordable, and viable as possible.”
The college, which launched seven new career training certificate programs in January 2009, has a clear mission: To provide leadership in holistic health education through comprehensive professional online and on-campus education and high quality natural products with a commitment to sustainable practices and principles. As such, ACHS is the only DETC accredited, fully online college offering degrees, certificates, and continuing education programs in complementary alternative medicine. In addition to the Masters and Associates of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine, the College’s new certificate programs include: certified wellness coach, certified holistic nutrition consultant, and certified herbal retailer, in addition to the Certificate in Aromatherapy, which the college has been providing for more than 30 years.
ACHS prides itself on their flexible, online classrooms, extensive faculty of highly trained industry professionals, and commitment to sustainable practices and principles. For more information about your ACHS education and the Imagine America Military Award application, call ACHS at (800) 487-8839, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., PST. Or, visit the college website at www.achs.edu to request a catalog.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Herbal Medicine chest -for busy moms
We all know that it is important to nourish ourselves by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, making sure we take care or our own needs as moms, and getting plenty of rest.However, sometimes our kids have other plans for us! Whether it is a crying baby that keeps you up all night, over-committing ourselves, or just generally being off balance and on the verge of burnout- herbs can be an excellent ally! Fellow moms often ask me what herbs I like to use during busy or stressful times- below are some of my favorites! All of these herbs are safe to use while nursing and are also excellent for postpartum.*
Nutritive Herbs
- Milky Oats - Milky oats (tincture) will give me instant relief when I am on the verge of burnout and exhaustion, not thinking clearly, moody, and just plain overwhelmed. Milky oats are nourishing for the nervous system and can be taken over a long period of time. I notice the effects immediately, feeling revived and rejuvenated.
- Alfalfa- Alfalfa is packed with nutrients- a great addition to tea!
- Gotu Kola- Commonly used in Ayruvedic medicine, combined in a formula with other nervines, it reduces nervous exhaustion while at the same time promoting mental clarity.
- Nettle- One of the best nutritive herbs. This herb can be used daily. This is a great herb to use to revive yourself if you are feeling drained. The whole plant including the seeds is an excellent remedy for adrenal exhaustion, something a lot of mom's may experience when they juggling multiple tasks and don't take the time for self care. Nettles are
packed with trace minerals and vitamins. - Dandelion- Often thought of as just a weed, dandelion is a wonderful mildly bitter herb that has a long use in traditional herbal medicine as both a food and a beneficial medicinal remedy. Dandelion leaf can be eaten in salads, stir fry, the root roasted can be used as a coffee substitute and the dried root can be added to your tea blends.
- Catnip- this herb will come in handy for both mom and baby. Not only does it have a gentle relaxing effect, it will reduce colic in your baby both through the breast milk, used alone as a tea, or used in a "gripe water" formula. Catnip in a tea along with slippery elm, chamomile, fennel, and infant massage helped my daughter with her colic symptoms tremendously.
- Chamomile- Another great herb for both mom and baby, it is not only relaxing it is a natural anti-inflammatory, and good for nervous tummies. So when your baby begins teething, chamomile is an excellent herb to have on hand to both relax you and your baby. Chamomile will also help with local inflammation of the gums when your baby is teething (apply tincture directly). I like chamomile combined with lavender as a tea for relaxation.
- Lavender- Gentle and relaxing to the nervous system, it is good for insomnia, as well as milk production & the let down reflex, combined with other herbs such as chamomile, fennel, catnip.
- Passionflower- I like this combined with other nervines in a nighttime tea, excellent for relaxation.
- California Poppy- Excellent for anxiety and insomnia.
- Lemon Balm- I like lemon balm combined with other herbs in a tea, the herb gives a general over-all good feeling. Calming effects will pass to your infant through the breast milk if you are nursing. Combines well with milky oats in tincture form.
- Motherwort- This herb is bitter, great for anxiety. I like this herb in tincture form.
- Skullcap- For the mom's with so much on their mind, new changes, over stimulation, a touch of the blues, exhaustion from lack of rest, I think this herb is one of the most valuable. It will nourish & restore your nervous system.
- Vervain- This herb will help when you are irritable and on the verge of the angry "I've had it and I just might lose it" cry. Great to combine with the skullcap and or milky oats in tincture form. Good for the emotional mood swings of PMS-safe to take over long periods of time.
Angie Goodloe graduated from the American College of Healthcare Sciences with her Diploma in Herbal Studies Master Herbalist and Holistic Nutrition Certificate in 2005. She also graduated from the East West College of the Healing Arts in 2003 and currently teaches holistic health courses online. To read more about Angie and her work, check out her blog: http://authenticmama.com/
*This is the opinion and/or claim of the author. It is always recommended that you consult with a primary health care provider before making significant changes to your diet or health care routine.
Herbal medicine chest for busy moms
We all know that it is important to nourish ourselves by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, making sure we take care or our own needs as moms, and getting plenty of rest.
However, sometimes our kids have other plans for us! Whether it is a crying baby that keeps you up all night, over-committing ourselves, or just generally being off balance and on the verge of burnout- herbs can be an excellent ally! Fellow moms often ask me what herbs I like to use during busy or stressful times- below are some of my favorites! All of these herbs are safe to use while nursing and are also excellent for postpartum.*
Nutritive Herbs
- Milky Oats - Milky oats (tincture) will give me instant relief when I am on the verge of burnout and exhaustion, not thinking clearly, moody, and just plain overwhelmed. Milky oats are nourishing for the nervous system and can be taken over a long period of time. I notice the effects immediately, feeling revived and rejuvenated.
- Alfalfa- Alfalfa is packed with nutrients- a great addition to tea!
- Gotu Kola- Commonly used in Ayruvedic medicine, combined in a formula with other nervines, it reduces nervous exhaustion while at the same time promoting mental clarity.
- Nettle- One of the best nutritive herbs. This herb can be used daily. This is a great herb to use to revive yourself if you are feeling drained. The whole plant including the seeds is an excellent remedy for adrenal exhaustion, something a lot of mom's may experience when they juggling multiple tasks and don't take the time for self care. Nettles are packed with trace minerals and vitamins.
- Dandelion- Often thought of as just a weed, dandelion is a wonderful mildly bitter herb that has a long use in traditional herbal medicine as both a food and a beneficial medicinal remedy. Dandelion leaf can be eaten in salads, stir fry, the root roasted can be used as a coffee substitute and the dried root can be added to your tea blends.
- Catnip- this herb will come in handy for both mom and baby. Not only does it have a gentle relaxing effect, it will reduce colic in your baby both through the breast milk, used alone as a tea, or used in a "gripe water" formula. Catnip in a tea along with slippery elm, chamomile, fennel, and infant massage helped my daughter with her colic symptoms tremendously.
- Chamomile- Another great herb for both mom and baby, it is not only relaxing it is a natural anti-inflammatory, and good for nervous tummies. So when your baby begins teething, chamomile is an excellent herb to have on hand to both relax you and your baby. Chamomile will also help with local inflammation of the gums when your baby is teething (apply tincture directly). I like chamomile combined with lavender as a tea for relaxation.
- Lavender- Gentle and relaxing to the nervous system, it is good for insomnia, as well as milk production & the let down reflex, combined with other herbs such as chamomile, fennel, catnip.
- Passionflower- I like this combined with other nervines in a nighttime tea, excellent for relaxation.
- California Poppy- Excellent for anxiety and insomnia.
- Lemon Balm- I like lemon balm combined with other herbs in a tea, the herb gives a general over-all good feeling. Calming effects will pass to your infant through the breast milk if you are nursing. Combines well with milky oats in tincture form.
- Motherwort- This herb is bitter, great for anxiety. I like this herb in tincture form.
- Skullcap- For the mom's with so much on their mind, new changes, over stimulation, a touch of the blues, exhaustion from lack of rest, I think this herb is one of the most valuable. It will nourish & restore your nervous system.
- Vervain- This herb will help when you are irritable and on the verge of the angry "I've had it and I just might lose it" cry. Great to combine with the skullcap and or milky oats in tincture form. Good for the emotional mood swings of PMS-safe to take over long periods of time.
Angie Goodloe graduated from the American College of Healthcare Sciences with her Diploma in Herbal Studies Master Herbalist and Holistic Nutrition Certificate in 2005. She also graduated from the East West College of the Healing Arts in 2003 and currently teaches holistic health courses online. To read more about Angie and her work, check out her blog: http://authenticmama.com/
*This is the opinion and/or claim of the author. It is always recommended that you consult with a primary health care provider before making significant changes to your diet or health care routine.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Swine flu false claims infecting supplement industry
Swine flu false claims are starting to infect the supplement industry. What is the long-term effect of irresponsible marketing, products claiming to "cure" swine flu? Read this blog post by the Nutrition Business Journal for more information:
"The FDA is bracing for an onslaught of dietary supplements and other products making false or misleading claims for the H1N1, or swine flu, virus. A quick Internet search found that a number of U.S. companies are currently touting products they say can prevent or cure the H1N1 virus. In an effort to get out in front of what could be a public relations nightmare and provide fuel for tighter supplement regulation in the future, a coalition of supplement industry trade associations issued a statement today urging supplement manufacturers and retailers to “refuse to stock or sell any supplements that are presented as treating or curing swine flu” and to “refrain from promoting any dietary supplement as a cure or treatment for swine flu.”
"The groups backing the statement are the American Herbal Products Association, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Natural Products Association. In their statement, the groups also noted that “federal law does not allow dietary supplements to claim to treat any diseases, including swine flu” and that they are “unaware of any scientific data supporting the use of dietary supplements to treat swine flu.”
"The statement did note that “there are dietary supplements that have much to offer in terms of enhancing general immune function. However, therapies for the treatment of swine flu should only be recommended by qualified healthcare professionals or public health authorities.”
"Given mounting public anxiety in the United States and beyond over the fast-spreading H1N1 virus, the associations’ action is an important step in encouraging the supplement industry to act responsibly and legally in the face of a potential health crisis. Let’s just hope companies heed their warning rather than put the industry in jeopardy by attempting to milk profits from public fear."
Related links:
Natural Products Foundation Urges full Enforcement of the Law Regarding False Advertising for Dietary Supplements
Industry Making Strides in Improving Tarnished Image of Weight-Loss Supplements
Avian Flu: Consumer Scenarios and Responsible Marketing
© Accessed 5/6/09: Nutrition Business Journal: http://tinyurl.com/dcnuzf
"The FDA is bracing for an onslaught of dietary supplements and other products making false or misleading claims for the H1N1, or swine flu, virus. A quick Internet search found that a number of U.S. companies are currently touting products they say can prevent or cure the H1N1 virus. In an effort to get out in front of what could be a public relations nightmare and provide fuel for tighter supplement regulation in the future, a coalition of supplement industry trade associations issued a statement today urging supplement manufacturers and retailers to “refuse to stock or sell any supplements that are presented as treating or curing swine flu” and to “refrain from promoting any dietary supplement as a cure or treatment for swine flu.”
"The groups backing the statement are the American Herbal Products Association, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Natural Products Association. In their statement, the groups also noted that “federal law does not allow dietary supplements to claim to treat any diseases, including swine flu” and that they are “unaware of any scientific data supporting the use of dietary supplements to treat swine flu.”
"The statement did note that “there are dietary supplements that have much to offer in terms of enhancing general immune function. However, therapies for the treatment of swine flu should only be recommended by qualified healthcare professionals or public health authorities.”
"Given mounting public anxiety in the United States and beyond over the fast-spreading H1N1 virus, the associations’ action is an important step in encouraging the supplement industry to act responsibly and legally in the face of a potential health crisis. Let’s just hope companies heed their warning rather than put the industry in jeopardy by attempting to milk profits from public fear."
Related links:
Natural Products Foundation Urges full Enforcement of the Law Regarding False Advertising for Dietary Supplements
Industry Making Strides in Improving Tarnished Image of Weight-Loss Supplements
Avian Flu: Consumer Scenarios and Responsible Marketing
© Accessed 5/6/09: Nutrition Business Journal: http://tinyurl.com/dcnuzf
Hydroxycut recall begs stricter controls for dietary supplements?
The voluntary recall of 14 Hydroxycut products by Iovate Sciences has people talking. Should there by stricter controls on dietary supplements?
The Hydroxycut recall was triggered by a consumer warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued May 1. In response, Loren Israelsen, executive director of the United Natural Products Alliance and a member of Nutrition Business Journal’s editorial advisory board said in a Nutrition Business Journal, “This is a big deal for the dietary supplement industry because it will inevitably invite comparison to the ephedra AER [adverse event reporting] episode, and critics of the industry will no doubt call for some review of DSHEA [the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act] as a result."
Ongoing problems with Hydroxycut and similar products have people wondering if supplement regulations should be firmer, which does not seem like a priority for Congress right now. And, until it is, how can consumers protect themselves?
According to Nutrition Business Journal, "consumers bought $1.67 billion worth of weight-loss pill-form supplements in 2007, and Hydroxycut was the top-selling weight-loss supplement brand sold at supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchandise outlets (excluding Wal-Mart). Weight-loss supplement sales have been hurting since the 2004 ephedra ban, and this event is likely to take a hefty toll on 2009 sales."
In other words, we know there is no "quick fix" or instant solution for health challenges, yet, people continue to buy the products. Perhaps consumers can best protect themselves by asking the question, "Why?" Why, when we know so much about the many successful applications of alternative medicines and holistic health do we buy pills? Why do we continue to support "short-term fixes" instead of long-term health when studies show that these choices may, in fact, be hurting us more?
Will this recall of Hydroxycut products influence consumer purchases? Should there be more supplement regulation to protect the consumer? Tell us what you think....
The Hydroxycut recall was triggered by a consumer warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued May 1. In response, Loren Israelsen, executive director of the United Natural Products Alliance and a member of Nutrition Business Journal’s editorial advisory board said in a Nutrition Business Journal, “This is a big deal for the dietary supplement industry because it will inevitably invite comparison to the ephedra AER [adverse event reporting] episode, and critics of the industry will no doubt call for some review of DSHEA [the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act] as a result."
Ongoing problems with Hydroxycut and similar products have people wondering if supplement regulations should be firmer, which does not seem like a priority for Congress right now. And, until it is, how can consumers protect themselves?
According to Nutrition Business Journal, "consumers bought $1.67 billion worth of weight-loss pill-form supplements in 2007, and Hydroxycut was the top-selling weight-loss supplement brand sold at supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchandise outlets (excluding Wal-Mart). Weight-loss supplement sales have been hurting since the 2004 ephedra ban, and this event is likely to take a hefty toll on 2009 sales."
In other words, we know there is no "quick fix" or instant solution for health challenges, yet, people continue to buy the products. Perhaps consumers can best protect themselves by asking the question, "Why?" Why, when we know so much about the many successful applications of alternative medicines and holistic health do we buy pills? Why do we continue to support "short-term fixes" instead of long-term health when studies show that these choices may, in fact, be hurting us more?
Will this recall of Hydroxycut products influence consumer purchases? Should there be more supplement regulation to protect the consumer? Tell us what you think....
Monday, May 4, 2009
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.'"
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.'"
Garland chrysanthemum healthy addition to fresh soups and salads
Garland chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum coronarium greens are a traditional addition to chop suey and soup, according to an April 30 article by Vern Nelson in The Oregonian, "Get set for chop suey." An annual that grows from 1-4 feet tall, garland chrysanthemum has yellow flowers and, depending on the cultivar, can also have white tips.
For cooking, Nelson recommends these varieties:
- Broad leaf, which has a mild flavor
- Maiko, which has a vigorous flavor
- Round leaf, which has a milder flavor and bi-colored flowers
- Small leaf, which has serrated leaves
- Tiger ear, which has a strong flavor and broad leaves
To also can eat the chrysanthemum raw in salads [like dandelion], add to "soups containing fresh ginger, or dunk in fritter batter and deep-fry." Nelson says that, "You'll detect flavors of carrot, celery, and juniper in round-leaved cultivars, and mesclun in most cultivars. The species and serrate-leaved varieties have a stronger, sometimes bitter finish [...]. The petals of all varieties have less flavor but look great in salads. The seeds can be sprouted and used in sandwiches or as salad."
To read the complete article, including tips for planting garland chrysanthemum, care, and harvest, click here.
© Nelson, Vern. The Oregonian, "Get set for chop suey." April 30, 2009.
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