Chronic Fatigue, or Get Drowsy Often

There are many causes of chronic fatigue. It is important to assess whether or you ar getting enough sleep. There are a number of dietary causes of fatigue including a diet that is high in refined sugars, multiple mineral and vitamin deficiencies and a person who is consuming the standard Western diet with too much coffee, alcohol and processed foods.

Other cause include low adrenal function, low thyroid function, food allergies and / or digestive dysfunction.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

You'll Never Know

Tendency to Need Sunglasses

The ability of the pupil to adequately constrict in the presence of direct light is partly under the influence of the adrenal glands. Many people with poor adrenal health will display a paradoxical pupilarty response to direct light. Instead of constriction, the pupil of the eye will first constrict a little and then dilate. This is an indication of adrenal fatigue. It is important to remember that contact lenses can increase a person’s sensitivity to light. There may be neurological reasons for the eyes that so not restrict or accommodate in the presence of direct light.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Aspirin / Ibuprofen

Aspirin and ibuprofen are painkillers that provide temporary relief for minor problems. If you take painkillers on a regular basis for headaches and aches and pains, it is important to remember that they are not getting at the primary cause for the pain, and are just masking the symptoms. For instance, if you take pain killers regularly for headaches, would it not be more effective to find out the cause of the headaches rather than relying on a band aid to cover up the symptoms?  

Unfortunately the use of aspirin or ibuprofen use does not come without potential side effects: stomach irritation, stomach bleeding, and ulcers, and increased intestinal hyper-permeability that can lead to allergies. These drugs also have effects outside of the role in relieving pain. Aspirin will knock out the clotting ability of your platelets, and will depress your body temperature thus preventing the body from mounting a fever if needed to deal with infections. Additionally all drugs are essentially toxins to the body, and need to be detoxified and eliminated by the liver and kidneys, causing increased stress on these already overworked organs. 

In many cases increasing the levels of essential fatty acids in the diet can go a long way in helping with pain and inflammation, the reasons why many people resort to pain killers such as aspirin or ibuprofen in the first place. 

Many times identifying key imbalances in the body can make a huge difference in the amount of painkillers you may need for your condition.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Foods You Should Eat Everyday

Bach Flower: Heather

Heather And Self-Obsession

The Bach flower remedy Heather is the essence of sympathy and concern for others so you know that when a person is completely the opposite of this, he needs Heather and he needs it badly. You’ll know when this flower essence is needed because the self obsession is so obvious. I, me and myself in thought, word and deed is what characterizes these people. Most of us know people like this and they are usually never counted as belonging to one’s friends circle.

Physical

He can talk and talk and then talk some more. He never stops and it is always about himself. He’ll come into a group at a party or get together and he’ll very quickly hijack the conversation and steer it towards himself. He hates being alone and he loves company basically because he wants a
listening ear. He loves being the center of attention and if people quietly slip away from the group he is monopolizing, he’ll look around for a new group to bore. They tend to make a nuisance of themselves and have been known to physically hold on to you to make a point and you need to be really rude before they let go. Heather makes listeners out of these compulsive talkers.

Mental

His mind revolves around himself. He judges and sees everything from that perspective. He likes to dominate with words and he cannot think that everyone around him will not be interested in him and everything that concerns him. The gamut of his interests is himself, his work, his possessions and he just can’t see beyond that. All that he reads and thinks has something to do with him and this makes him exaggerate his successes as well as his failures. This self-obsession also makes him stretch the truth a bit, not really in a willful, lying manner but because he always makes himself to be more important than he is and this can change his memories.

Emotional

He gets terribly upset and hurt when he finds that people shun him and he honestly cannot understand why. There is something rather simple and child like about him even when he is so self centered. In all fairness, he will help someone who needs help but he will also talk about it to everyone making it out that he is a hero. This makes him an emotional drain for anyone he comes into contact with. Heather takes away this ‘I’ factor and makes him empathize more with people.

Spiritual

He is too self-obsessed to ever give himself over to a higher power. He sees himself as the center of the universe not as one of its creatures and this makes it hard for him to be very spiritual in the true sense of the word. His universe is small and comprises everything around with him as the center.
Heather makes him relax and see the beauty of everything around, feel the beauty within his soul apart from himself.


Reference: Bach Flower Remedies by Shalini Kagal (2012)
Website: http://ohmtalk.com
e-mail: shalini.kagal@gmail.com

Foot Reflex Points

Changed Jobs

A recent change in your working environment is a source of significant stress of our body.

When a person is under a lot of stress, normal organ functions become compromised. The adrenal gland, which produce hormones that provide the stress response, are especially vulnerable. If a stress continues over a long period of time, the adrenal eventually begin to weaken in their ability to keep up, and symptoms of the adrenal hypo-function appear. The class is repsone to a stressful situation is the “fight of flight response”. The blood supply to skeletal and heart muscles, brain, skin and lungs increases. The body evolved to use the “fight or flight response” very infrequently. Unfortunately in our modern lifestyle our body has to deal with Fight or Flight type responses to stressful situation on a regular, if not daily basis. During this response the blood supply to the kidneys, liver, stomach, and intestines diminishes. As a result, digestion, detoxification, and elimination are reduced.

Stress also increases your nutritional requirements. Increased stress leads to a increased demand for B vitamins, zinc, and Vitamin C. It is important to replace these either via the diet or through nutritional supplementation. Some people handle stress by over-eating, with cravings for ice cream, sweets, candy, and other food with low nutritional value. Unfortunately, the intake of these high sugar, high calories and low nutrient food will only exacerbate the problem, and may lead to other health problems.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Have You Ever Had a Herniated DIsc?

A history of herniated disc is an indication of a general need for connective tissue support. balancing the overall structure of the body is essential and a general protocol for supporting the connective tissue is important.

The following is a list of nutrients that are useful for healing connective tissue:

1. Vitamin B12
2. Glucosamine hydrochloride
3. MSM
4. Vitamin B6
5. Vitamin C complex
6. Calcium and magnesium
7. Essential fatty acids
8. Chondroitin sulfate

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Bach Flower: Gentian

Gentian And Pessimism

The Bach flower remedy Gentian is, in its positive state, a supreme sense of faith – in God, in life, in self. However, in the negative state, it spells
pessimism, negativity and the cup-half-empty syndrome. A person who needs Gentian will only see the negative side of things, no matter how much he tries not to.

Physical

There’s a slight droop to his shoulders, his eyes don’t light up even when he hears something positive and he tends to avoid company when he feels too negative about things. If he does succumb to any infection, things could get worse simply because he expects them to and doesn’t make the
effort to get better. Gentian gives him hope to look forward with optimism.

Mental

He feels his life is in a bad way and things can only get worse, not better. So he looks at life with a jaundiced eye, always choosing to be unhappy rather than happy and contented. This naturally makes him gravitate to the unhappy areas in life and things just get worse. Gentian makes his mind look up and be more optimistic.

Emotional

This negative attitude does not really make for good relationships. Any little argument or fight and he sees the relationship as crumbling and falling apart. Any small cloud on his emotional horizon is seen as a huge impediment so any relationship just spirals to a break up very soon. He also tends to be drawn to other negative people and this doesn’t help. Gentian helps him relax and see the positive side of things – and it helps him to ignore the little negative moments.

Spiritual

He finds it difficult to have faith and constantly questions. With Gentian, he is filled with a simple, overflowing faith that opens out the floodgates of optimism. Once this happens, more and more positive opportunities will present themselves to him and he can vibrate to the frequency of his
higher self. The self that was created to live in a state of joyfulness.

Reference: Bach Flower Remedies by Shalini Kagal (2012)
Website: http://ohmtalk.com
e-mail: shalini.kagal@gmail.com

Water, Tap

The quality of municiple tap water is questionable. Recent reports have indicated that many municipal water authorities are in violation of clean water standards. Significant levels of organic and inorganic chemical such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers and lead have been found in musical water supplies. Unfortunately many of these pollutants are difficult to get rid of using the common purification methods that are in place in many areas of the country today.

Tap water contains pollutants such as fecal coliform bacteria, parasites, other water born pathogens. It also contains chlorine and in some cases fluoride, both of which are toxic to the body. It is bet to filter your tap water before consuming it.  Good, hgh quality water filtration system is a sound and healthy investment. Methods such as reverse osmosis, distillation, charcoal filtering and demonization are acceptable methods of water treatment.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Depression During Periods

Depression during the period is often a sign of magnesium deficiency or low thyroid function. There has been some interesting work done that postulates low serotonin levels in some women after ovulation and into menstration.  Low serotonin levels are linked to depression. There is evidence that estrogen levels have some impact on serotonin levels in the body.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Bach Flower: Elm

Elm And Inadequacy

The Back flower remedy Elm is great in the lives of strong and responsible people when they have their occasional moments of inadequacy or weakness. In general, those who might need Elm usually do not need it on a continuing basis – they need it  occasionally when they hit the potholes  of exhaustion and weakness on a road that they usually travel with a great deal of hard work, courage and strength.

Physical

Elm people are capable and usually hold positions of responsibility and power. They come up in any organization by the sheer don't of hard work
and they can be thoroughly relied on to get any job done. They never shirk their responsibilities and it is only when there is far too much work for them to manage that they show signs of not being able to cope. A few doses of Elm is all it takes to get them up and going again. Elm also makes them see that there are some things that are simply too much for them to handle – so maybe they should leave it to be done later or get more hands on the job.

Mental

For the most part, Elm people are optimistic and altruistic. They take things in their stride and if there is one fault, they think that they can handle anything - not in a proud, boastful way but in a very practical way. This sometimes means that they bite off more than they can chew simply because they did not view it with objectivity. When they find that they cannot cope, there is a momentary feeling of depression and if this is allowed to continue, they may just lose their self confidence. With a few
doses of Elm, they regain the mental strength to cope with whatever needs to be done.

Emotional

Very often, the Elm person relies on himself a little too much and this can lay him open to hurt. He thinks if he does things well, emotionally, too, things will go the way he expects them to. Moderation is something that Elm teaches him – that and the objectivity to see things as they are and not expect them to be what he wants them to be. Elm has been called ‘psychological smelling salts’ and the moment a person like this feels low, he should take a dose of Elm to feel good again. Elm really is a great revitalizer even in matters of the heart.

Spiritual

Many Elm people will offer to do a lot when it comes to their church or their religious place of worship. Very soon, they find that everyone else just passes on any work to be done to them and there comes a time when it can be overwhelming. To prevent being at the receiving end of others’ laziness and not to feel a sense of despair, a few doses of Elm will help you feel much better.


Reference: Bach Flower Remedies by Shalini Kagal (2012)
Website: http://ohmtalk.com
e-mail: shalini.kagal@gmail.com

Margarine

Margarine is a man-made, chemically altered fat. Margarine was developed as the great healthy, easy-to-spreads cholesterol free, alternative to butter, because it was made out of vegetable oil. Unfortunately margarine is none of these. It is not even a food.

Margarine is 100% hydrogenated oil and is full of trans fatty acids. A type of unnatural, man-made fat that have been linked with the following health problems:

1. Cancer: high levels of trans fats have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
2. Trans fats have been linked with increased platelet stickiness, which is associated with coronary heart disease.
3. Pain and inflammation becomes much worse for people who eat hydrogenated fats.
4. Trans fatty acids block the body’s  production of naturallly occuring anti-inflammatories.
5. Trans fats are a source of immune system problems. They are incorporated into the cell membrane, where they increase cell memebrane permeability making them more susceptible to infection.
6. Trans fats block the body’s ability to metabolize and use the essential fatty acids, causing muscle fatigue and skin problems.

The body does not know how to deal with trans fatty acids, as they are a new introduction into the food chain. We do not have the mechanisms to digest them and they tend to hang around the body for a very long period of time. The half-life for trans fatty acids is 3-4 months, it takes 3-4 months for the body to decrease in half the level of a recently ingested trans fatty acid.

People are under the impression that eating margarine will cause them to be healthier. Nothing could be further from the truth. Butter, used in moderation, is by far the most acceptable and healthy choice. Margarine will cause an essential fatty acid defieciency.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Anemia Unresponsive to Iron

An anemia that is not responsive to iron may be a sign of digestion and / or absorption problems. The person may not be absorbing the supplemental iron due to a low amount of stomach acid. Also, many doctors may give iron for an anemia before considering its true cause. An anemia that is unresponsive to iron may be due to some other nutritiional defieciency, especially B12 and folic acid. Vitamin B12 required adequate stomach acid for its absorption. Zinc defieciency has been associated with hydrochlorhydri and should therefor be assessed.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Bach Flower: Clematis

Clematis And Concentration

The Back flower remedy Clematis is one that brings focus and concentration to a person when it is needed. People who need these are in a dreamy state quite out of tune with the world. They live in a dream world of their own making, forsaking the present to live in a dream-like future in their mind. They are rarely conscious of what is going on around them and even though they might be conscious of what is happening for a while, they drift back into their world of imagination very soon. Unlike the distracted, hyperactive person who is usually a pain, these people are just not present in any way except physically.

Physical

They are there with you or at least their bodies are but they hardly notice what you are saying or doing. You might have to repeat instructions or ask
questions a couple of times before anything penetrates. Their eyes have an unfocussed, glazed look and they tend to have a pale complexion. They bump into things when they walk and when they fall ill, they just lie back and rarely want to get better.

Mental

There’s no ambition, no clear plan for the future and no time management. You cannot give them something to do and expect it to be done on time. They are usually not a part of the rat race and function better at their own pace and in their own business. They never push themselves forward and
go with the flow in a rather yielding way. Tomorrow is that wonderful dream in their head – why should they worry about it or work towards it?

Emotional

They might get emotional inside their head but they usually don’t outside. They are rather passive and there is no feeling in what they do – most of it is mechanical and done because it has to be done. Inside their head, they have a fertile imagination and they feel, see and smell the colors, the designs, the textures. With Clematis, they start getting more focused, they come out of their dream world and they see the beauty around them. They make wonderful artists, writers, photographers and fashion designers if Clematis is allowed to work gently on them, drawing them out. It might take time but it happens.

Spiritual

In a way, these people are deeply spiritual but their spirituality is not of the practical kind. Clematis makes them aware of people and things around them and slowly, they see the wonder of the present, not the mirage of a future inside their head. Clematis, while helping them concentrate also makes them feel in touch with themselves and be happy about it. It does not make them forget who they are inside – it augments that wonder inside so it flows out.


Reference: Bach Flower Remedies by Shalini Kagal (2012)
Website: http://ohmtalk.com
e-mail: shalini.kagal@gmail.com

Eat Fast Food Regularly

We live in a fast food society with many demands on our time. Unfortunately choices we make with our time have long term impacts on our health. The choice to use fast food on a regular basis is one of these.

On of the major concerns of fast food is the type of oils and fats used to prepared and cook the food. Deep-fried foods and hydrogenated fats are the mainstay of fast food. Both of these will have long-term repercussions on health. Hydrogenated fats are a source of trans fatty acids. A type of unnatural, man-made fat has been linked with the following problems:




1. Cancer: high levels of trans fats have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
2. Trans fats have been linked with increased platelet stickiness, which is associated with coronary heart disease.
3. Pain and inflammation becomes much worse for people who eat hydrogenated fats.
4. Trans fatty acids block the body’s  production of naturallly occuring anti-inflammatories.
5. Trans fats are a source of immune system problems. They are incorporated into the cell membrane, where they increase cell memebrane permeability making them more susceptible to infection.
6. Trans fats block the body’s ability to metabolize and use the essential fatty acids, causing muscle fatigue and skin problems.

Fast foods ar high is calories, and refined sugars, but low in active vitamins and minerals. The body has to metabolize the meal by robbing its stores of nutrients, leading to low energy, and nutrient deficiencies.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Gas Prices 1939

Weakness, Dizziness

Weakness and dizziness are classic signs of low functioning adrenal glands. The adrenal glands provide the initial control of blood pressures when you first stand up. If the adrenals are not functioning well, you will complain of dizziness, especially when standing up. The adrenal glands need further assessment.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.  

Basic Reflex Points of the Hand

Fried Foods

Fried foods refer to regular consumption of commercially prepared fried or deep-fried foods. Sautéing or stir-frying food is a little olive oil is not a problem. The problem for our health is the nature of the oil that is used for commercial frying. It is usually hydrogenated oil that sits around for a long time, is changed infrequently and is a source of oxidized fats. Any fats that is subjected to high heat for long periods of time will become oxidized or rancid, forming free radicals, which are then consumed.

The body not only have to deal with the intake of free radicals but also large amounts of hydrogenated fats, which are a source of trans fatty acids. A type of unnatural, man-made fats that has been linked with the following health problems:

1. Cancer: high levels of trans fats have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
2. Trans fats have been linked with increased platelet stickiness, which is associated with coronary heart disease.
3. Pain and inflammation becomes much worse for people who eat hydrogenated fats.
4. Trans fatty acids block the body’s  production of naturallly occuring anti-inflammatories.
5. Trans fats are a source of immune system problems. They are incorporated into the cell membrane, where they increase cell memebrane permeability making them more susceptible to infection.
6. Trans fats block the body’s ability to metabolize and use the essential fatty acids, causing muscle fatigue and skin problems.

Most foods that are fried or deep-fried can be prepared in other ways: broiling, baking, or grilling. All sources of hydrogenated fats must be cut out of the diet. It is a type of food that is not compatible with health.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Beta Blockers

Beta-blockers are drug for high blood pressure that blocks the boding of a substance called epinephrine to a particular cellular receptor known as a beta-receptor. The effect is to reduce the heart rate and decrease the ford of contraction in the heart. Some common beta-blockers include Secretal, Tenormin, Lopressor, Levatol, and Inderal. Beta blockers are also used to treat angina, and certain arrhythmias in the heart. In these cases beta blockers are not only ineffective but may actually contribute the condition they are trying to prevent.

The common side effects of beta blockers include:

• Cold hands and feet
• Impaired mental function
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Reduce libido and impotence

Beta blockers reduce the amount of blood being pumped by the heart, which reduces the amount of blood and oxygen to the extremities, hence cold hands and feet and impotence. Beta blockers will also increase cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels.

It is important to remember that drugs are toxins to the body, and put extra stress on the liver and kidneys, the two organs that get rid of the drugs from the body. 

DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS DRUG SUDDENLY, as this may cause sever withdrawal symptoms including headaches, increased heart rate, and dramatic increased in blood pressure. Always tale to you prescribing physician before stopping your beta blocker or any other drugs.

High blood pressure is a condition that responds well to diet, lifestyle, and supplemental treatment.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Bach Flower: Chestnut Bud

Chestnut Bud And Repetitive Mistakes

The Bach flower remedy Chestnut Bud is the essence that learns from experience and past mistakes and never repeats them, However, when it is absent in a person, you’ll see that he keeps repeating the same mistakes over and over again. It’s almost like he has no memory of it, much like the movie 50 First Dates. Those who observe him will wonder how on earth someone can never seem to learn from his mistakes but the person does it almost unconsciously and it’s like watching a clip from a movie being rewound and replayed over and over again.

Physical

Take a look around and you’ll find many people you know who fit into this category. It can be quite exasperating and you can’t help but wonder why
on earth someone could be so stupid. It could be someone driving a car and turning and scraping the fender at the same spot ever so often. Or it could be a cricketer who gets out to the same ball innings after innings. Or a child who gets the same spelling or math problem wrong time after time. After a few doses of Chestnut Bud, you’ll begin to see the difference. The change to normalcy could be slow but it’s sure.

Mental

It’s almost as though when he makes a mistake, there’s a memory blackout in his mind. When he repeats a mistake the next time, the world can see he’s repeating it but for him, it’s a first time. There’s almost no record of the experience which teaches the mind a lesson not to do it again. Or
maybe the mind for some reason rejects the memory of the experience without allowing it room to be lodged in the conscious or the subconscious. Chestnut Bud allows the wisdom of experience to operate and the mind then remembers and sends out a message for a mistake not to be repeated.

Emotional

You’ll see it very often in matters of the heart. A woman falling in love with the same kind of loser every time. Or worse, going back again and again into the arms of an abuser. Or a man who cannot resist the wiles of a gold digger and falling for the same type time after time without learning
his lesson. It’s almost as though there are no emotional lessons learned from failure or from past hurts. Chestnut Bud makes a person more discerning and objective the second time around. Once bitten twice shy kicks into operation.

Spiritual

It’s the same story when it comes to religious or spiritual matters. It’s as though these people are caught on a circular treadmill that goes round and round, never getting off even while they are not happy. They join religious groups, get exploited and still keep on coming back for more. These are the kind of people who very easily get drawn to cults and never leave – or even if they do, they go back. Chestnut Bud helps them see more clearly and judge what’s good for them or not depending on what their experience has been.


Reference: Bach Flower Remedies by Shalini Kagal (2012)
Website: http://ohmtalk.com
e-mail: shalini.kagal@gmail.com

You Decide

Sea, Car or Airplane Sickness and Motion Sickness

The most common reason for motion sickness is a disturbance to equilibrium in the organs of balance in the inner ear. It is also a sign of the need for live and gallbladder support.

Lifestyle Changes
1. Read or listen to music while traveling and try to keep eyes from outdoor scenery as it flashes past.
2. Sip steamy, hot drinks or hold moist, hot towels against the nose when traveling - dry air in vehicle dries out the nasal passages.
3. Sipping ginger tea.



Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Fragile Skin, Easily Chaffed, as in Shaving

Fragile and friable skin is a common sign of bioflavonoid deficiency, liver congestion, and thiamin need. In Chinese medicine the skin is an expression of the liver. Treating the liver congestion and providing the correct nutrients can go a long way to helping clients with Thie complaint.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing