tag:www.naturalawakeningsnj.com,2005:/categories/roots?page=2Roots Roots | Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey Page 2Healthy Living Healthy Planet2024-03-27T17:40:48-07:00urn:uuid:19867c7e-427a-4411-b2d9-f66ec99f6ca02019-12-01T05:56:24-08:002024-03-27T17:40:48-07:00What Is Herbal Medicine?2019-12-01 05:55:40 -0800Kristy Mayer<p>By Robert Sena</p>
<p>Herbal medicine has been founded on the experience that the organism is a functional unit, under the directing influence of a self-regulating, self-correcting life force, a microcosm of the macrocosm of the planet. Herbal Medicine practitioners make decisions based on the energy pattern of the human organism, using energy of plants to balance the human energy back to homeostasis and fluidity. With this being said, it is extremely important to understand that within herbal therapeutics, an herbalist does not treat specific diseases, they treat the person that has the disease. Methods used, such as pulse diagnosis, tongue evaluation, appearance, skin, smell and voice are studied. These ways of understanding how diseases appear may seem primitive, but often, returning to and listening to the body is what has been neglected in the first place and is a big part of why the current ailment is manifesting. </p>
<p>The tongue attaches to the heart and is accepted in Traditional Chinese Medicine to geographically depict the current state of all five major organs in our body (heart, lungs, liver, kidney, spleen and stomach). This is one of many useful tools an herbal practitioner may use to confirm a patient’s evaluation upon the end of a session. Herbs like to be paired with each other and work much more effectively when formulated instead of being taken as a simple, or just one herb by itself. An herbalist formulates recipes, by tincture, glycerite (non-alcohol) or tea to be taken internally for three weeks minimum and changes the formula according to a patient’s progress. They curate formulas that work synergistically for a specific person—increasing the likelihood of reaching wellbeing and bringing the person into homeostasis.</p>
<p>Taking control of a person’s health not only means being diligent in seeking recovery, but it also means maintaining the freedom to have options. A system is in place where individuals lack choice in what is best for the individual. Alternative medicine and its benefits are currently not a part of Western mainstream medicine. Therefore, it is inevitable to lack the information and freedom to alternative choice. As complex organisms, these ailments are almost always multi-layered. Herbs are complex in their phytochemistry, as is a person’s biology. When natural bio-rhythms of the seasons are aligned, a person can see themselves open to a whole new experience of the human condition.</p><p><br></p><div><img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/659256/fill/0x0/ROOTS_RobertSena_VIP_WhatIsHerbalMedicine_Dec2019.png?timestamp=1575208491"></div><p> </p>
<p><i>Robert Sena is a Master Herbalist, having completed his studies at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in Ithaca, New York. He is currently studying at the David Winston School of Herbal Medicine. Sena also offers his expertise at Valley Integrative Pharmacy each week. </i></p>
<p><i></i><br></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:754636dc-484b-40c8-8482-3afde1badc912019-11-01T14:16:20-07:002020-01-21T14:29:21-08:00Roots: Restore Health with Ashwagandha2019-11-01 14:16:19 -0700Kristy Mayer<p>by Dr. Michael La Mastro<br></p>
<p>When looking for a botanical to rejuvenate and restore health, consider ashwagandha<i> (withania somnifera)</i>. This revered Ayurvedic tonic is known to positively impact mood, memory, cardiovascular and metabolic health. <br></p>
<p> In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is considered to be a rasayna, a Sanskrit word meaning “path of essence”. Rasayanas stimulate the body toward health by boosting energy levels, immunity and intelligence as well as fight disease.</p>
<p> Research supporting its benefits is growing. A recent study of men participating in resistance training showed improvement in muscle mass and strength with a decrease in oxidative stress compared to placebo. In a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial ashwaganda was shown to significantly reduce the severity of symptoms in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder.</p>
<p> The minimum dosage by which ashwaganda was observed to be effective was at 125mg daily, but greater benefits were observed at increased dosages.</p>
<p> In healthy adults subjected to mental stress, treatment with ashwaganda was observed to reduce hypertension, fasting, blood sugar, triglycerides and low-density lipid proteins (LDL) cholesterol. This success was accomplished with dosages as low as 125mg twice daily.</p>
<p> Ashwaganda has been shown to be effective and well tolerated in human studies, however, it is a member of the night shade family and concerns should be exercised for individuals with documented night shade sensitivity.</p>
<p> As seasons change our bodies may experience many challenges to our moods, energy levels and immunity. It is at these times that we look for additional support in the area of a supplement or other intervention. The addition of this adaptogenic herb to regular exercise, rest and a balanced diet may be the solution to help maintain vitality through the winter. </p><p><br></p><p>GOOD TO KNOW</p><p>An ancient stress-buster. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb, which means it promotes homeostasis in your body and enhances its ability to deal with stress. When we are stressed, we pump out more of the hormone cortisol, and studies show that ashwagandha can reduce the amount of it by as much as 26%.<br></p><div><br></div>
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<p><i>Dr. Michael La Mastro is a holistic practitioner and owner of Be Well Live Well Health & Wellness Center located at 66 Woodport Rd., in Sparta. For information, call 973-729-7803 or visit DrLaMastro.com. </i></p><div><i><br></i></div><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>