Sweet Fennel

Posted on March 12, 2018 by pprincetta

Essential Oil Allies: Sweet Fennel

Fennel essential oil is obtained by steam distilling the seeds of Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce. It is mainly grown and distilled in France, Spain, Germany, Hungary and India for its essential oil.

Originating around the Mediterranean basin, this hardy perennial has been introduced to and naturalized across Eur-Asia, India and North America—adapting to most temperate climates. An ancient plant, the Ancient Chinese, Indian, Egyptian and Roman cultures employed this herb for medicine and culinary uses. According to Grieve: “It has followed civilization, especially where Italians have colonized.”

The Birth of Venus, c. 1485. Uffizi, Florence by Sandro Botticelli

Like many plants from the Apiaceae family, fennel’s seeds have been used for centuries to address digestive complaints (mainly through chewing the seeds, infusions and tinctures). Sweet fennel has also been used to promote lactation, to aide in eyesight, ward off hexes and evil spirits and as a detoxifier/slimming agent (according to Grieve, it was originally called “marathon” by the ancient Greeks, derived from maraino, to grow thin).

Hildegarde von Bingen realized both physical and emotional benefits of fennel: “A person whom melancholy is harming should pound fennel to a liquid and rub it often on his forehead, temples, chest and stomach. His melancholy will stop.” This statement made hundreds of years ago still holds true—fennel essential oil is quite an uplifting and clearing agent. Its volatile oils ease into the mind-body, clearing away the cobwebs so thoughts and creativity may be freely and playfully expressed.

Sweet fennel essential oil shines in the realm of woman’s health, supporting breathing space, spastic pain and uplifting the mood. Fennel is widely used to support digestion but an herbal tincture, infusion of the seeds or chewing the seeds is best used for this versus the essential oil. However there are always exceptions: check out this online French Aromatherapy course to explore the internal use of essential oils, a great way to support digestive issues once you have solid guidelines.

Following are core applications for the essential oil:

System	Core Applications
Reproductive	Balancing to hormones, PMS, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, lack of or reduced sexual drive, lack of or reduced milk flow in lactating woman (fennel tea is indicated or inhalation of fennel e/o), cramps, menopause, perimenopause
Respiration	Anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, spastic coughing
Musculoskeletal & Circulatory	Muscle spasms or cramps, general muscular aches and pains, detoxifier
Nervous/ Psyche/ Emotion	Inflamed mind, difficulty communicating, mental fatigue, expressive, creativity, light-hearted, throat & sacral chakras
Digestion	Massaged onto the abdomen for gaseous cramping, inhaled to promote digestive fire, and quell nausea

Chemistry Highlights: Sweet Fennel essential oil is rich in phenylpropanoids, specifically trans-anethole, which lends to its “anise-like” aroma, and methyl chavicol.

Of note: sweet (dolce) fennel of is not to be confused with the bitter (amara) variety, which is not used in aromatherapy due to its relatively higher content of fenchone and its more “harsh” nature.

Is Sweet Fennel Essential Oil Safe?

Due to its trans-anethole content, fennel essential oil should be avoided by any route (method of application, especially oral) in pregnancy, breastfeeding, endometriosis, and estrogen dependent cancers. Trans-anethole exhibits estrogenic actions. Essential oils with estragole (Methyl chavicol) should also be used carefully (especially internally) for its effect on the blood.

Blending with Sweet Fennel Essential Oil

Fennel stands well on its own and may over-take a blend (depending on country of origin)—start with fewer drops and add more as your blend matures and your olfactory sense sees fit. When blending with fennel, think about the core issue you are trying to address AND how you cook using fennel as it gets along quite well with many other culinary herbs and citrus.

Fennel essential oil swiftly, but sweetly, announces itself: bringing gifts of honey, clear blue skies, open meadows and pollinating insects. It exudes a slightly sweet-floral note, reminiscent of almond and anise confectionary. A bright, clean smell is apparent: memories of seafoam and clean blue water. The dry-down brings an expressive honey-hay aroma that playfully communicates fennel’s memory of its nectar-giving umbels that elegantly looked up at the same sky as you.

Fennel essential oil blends well with: other members of the Apiaceae family (Angelica archangelica, Coriandrum sativum), friends from the Lamiaceae family (Clary sage (Salvia sclarea), Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana), Rosemary ct. cineole (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. cineole), Peppermint (Mentha x piperita), the Zingiberaceae family (Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale)), Citrus oils (Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi), Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)) and florals (Cananga odorata Complete, Pelargonium graveolens, Rosa spp.)

Creating Wellness Products with Sweet Fennel

Supporting Feminine Power

This hormone-balancing massage oil is intended to support women of all ages (except during pregnancy and breast feeding). It features plants from the Apiaceae family and is supported by plants from the Lamiaceae family—these plant families have many powerful feminine allies.

What you need:

1 ounce bottle (I prefer glass, pump-tops)
1 ounce fixed oil of your choice: choose penetrating oils like Sesame (Sesamum indicum), Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum) or Hemp (Cannabis sativa) for pain.
Label
5 drops Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare)
5 drops Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
5 drops Angelica root* (Angelica archangelica)
8 drops Coriander seed (Coriandrum sativum)
12 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

How to make:

Combine the essential oils in the glass bottle, affix the cap and shake to combine.
Allow the essential oils to mingle for at least a few hours
Add the fixed oil(s) of your choice to the bottle
Affix the bottle dispenser and label the bottle

How to use:

A best practice to use powerful oils like these on a protocol: use one week before menses to work with PMS symptoms and during menses for cramping and mood balancing. Then take a break from this blend, until 7 days before menses starts.
Use up to 3 times per day, especially when experiencing cramping.
Apply a small amount of oil to the lower abdomen and pelvic joint-creases.
Massage the oil over your lymph nodes and utilize the hair follicles to help the oils absorb into the body.
*Safety note: Angelica archangelica root has photo-toxic properties. Keep the treated area out of UV/sunlight (and tanning beds) for at least 12, if not 24 hours.

Brighten Your Day with this Mind and Lung Opening Blend

My experiences with this synergy have been absolutely joyous and bright, always quite expansive and dare I say bubbly. Use this synergy of allies for a pick-me-up during any time of the day. Consider using it during meditation and breathing exercises to harness the benefits of these cephalic oils.

Create the synergy in a standard 5 ml bottle equipped with a cap and orifice reducer. Combine the essential oils and let them sit for at least one day. Use as needed for your preferred method of application. I suggest using it in a nebulizing diffuser, an aromatic inhaler or with direct palm inhalation.

10 drops Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce)
8 drops Rosemary ct. cineole (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. cineole)
14 drops Black pepper (Piger nigrum)
12 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
16 drops Lemon (Citrus limon)

Foaming Soap for Spring Cleaning the Soul and Hands

Bring the uplifting, cleansing qualities of fennel to a nourishing and gentle foaming soap base. Create the following synergy of essential oils and add to this recipe.

15 drops Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce)
15 drops Rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
25 drops Lemon (Citrus limon)

Be with the plants in their many forms, take their messages and let them guide you. I bid you much joy in blending and creating.

5 Spices to Warm Your Soul During Winter

Posted on January 13, 2018 by pprincetta

5 Spices to Warm Your Soul During Winter

Spices are the delightfully aromatic plants whose warming scents are a characteristic element of the winter season. In fact, there are five spices that evoke memories of sitting by the fire on cold nights, weekends of playing in the snow, and social gatherings that feature rich seasonal desserts and mulled wine.

A spice is harvested from the root, bark, seed or dried fruit of a tropical plant or tree. The aroma or flavor comes from essential oils. Many spices contain similar essential oils but in different proportions. These oils are released through the physical process of grinding, grating or crushing. The essential oils begin to evaporate after processing and the flavors of the spices will fade over time. In contrast, the original bark, seeds, or berries can often stay fresh for years.

But there is more to these exotic plants than just their sweet or pungent flavors. In ancient times spices were used in almost every aspect of life whether in flavoring and preserving food, to freshen one’s breath, or to being applied or ingested as medicine. Let’s look in more detail at those well-known spices associated with the winter season: allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.

Allspice

Allspice (Pimenta dioica) comes from the dried berries of a tree native to Jamaica, Mexico and Central America. The name “allspice” was coined by the English because it has the combined flavor of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. With its peppery flavor it is a common component of Caribbean cuisine and Jamaican jerk seasoning, and in mole sauces, curries and in pickling. In the United States it’s mostly used in spiced cider or mulled wine and in seasonal desserts.

While most other spices came from Asia, allspice was exclusively grown in the Western hemisphere. Imported to Europe it became quite popular. In the cosmetic industry the pimento oil, distilled from the leaves of the allspice tree, is used to boost the scents of fragrances and as a natural deodorizer.

Allspice is a digestive and carminative due to the volatile oil, eugenol. Similar to other spices containing the oil, allspice also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. As a folk medicine, allspice was applied topically for bruises, muscle aches, and rheumatism due to its vasodilating effects on blood vessels. Recent investigations have focused on the constituents of allspice – eugenol, quercetin and Gallic acid – for their antioxidant activity and possible beneficial effects on the incidence of cancer.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum and C. cassia), is harvested from the inner bark of several trees of the genus Cinnamomum, native to India. Cinnamon’s characteristic taste and smell is due to its primary constituent, cinnamaldehyde, an essential oil. Eugenol, copane, cinnamyl acetate and camphor are found in smaller amounts. Used to flavor meat and curry dishes in the East, in the West cinnamon is more typically added to sweet dishes and desserts.

Rich in antioxidants, cinnamon helps reduce free radicals, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, aids in stabilizing lipids and blood sugar, and may have beneficial effects on neurogenerative diseases. Several clinical trials have shown cinnamon cassia to improve glycemic control in patients with pre-diabetes and with high pre-treatment HbA1c levels. These studies show the potential for cinnamon as an add-on therapy for managing type-2 diabetes. However, the zeylanicum species of cinnamon may be a safer alternative to cassia, because it has lower levels of coumarin, a blood thinner.

Cloves

Cloves (Syzyium aromaticum) are the dried flower buds of a tropical, evergreen tree from Indonesia. Historically clove was one of the most prized spices in Europe. A pomander ball, usually an orange studded with cloves, is a traditional Christmas ornament and New Year’s gift. Clove is a curious ingredient in the widely smoked Indonesian cigarettes, “kretek,” which lends a distinctive aroma and flavor when smoked. Commonly used in traditional Indian dishes, clove’s strong, pungent flavor can sometimes overpower other flavors and should be used sparingly.

On the medicinal side, clove’s volatile oils, one of which is eugenol, impart anti-inflammatory and antiviral/antibacterial properties. Frequently employed for a toothache, clove is also helpful for other oral conditions such as gingivitis and halitosis, due to its antibacterial effect. The spice has been used in respiratory conditions, as an expectorant for coughs and to sooth sore throats. Clove is also a rich source of antioxidants supporting the immune system [1].

Ginger

Medicinally, ginger was used for digestive ailments and is known for its calming, carminative effect.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant whose root or rhizome is commonly used cooking as well as in medicine. Originating in Southeast Asia it has become widely cultivated in other countries. Often considered an herb, ginger is technically a spice since it’s the root that’s used. Ginger is one of the main ingredients in the seasonal favorite gingerbread or ginger cookies. Its culinary uses include traditional Indian recipes such as masala chai and curry dishes. Pickled or candied ginger is quite common in Japan and China. And ginger ale was America’s favorite beverage for many years.

Ginger is a good source of vitamin C and minerals including magnesium, copper and manganese. Medicinally, ginger was used for digestive ailments and is known for its calming, carminative effect. Due to its ability to stimulate saliva flow, ginger has been studied as an antiemetic, alleviating motion sickness and morning sickness, and reducing the side effects associated with chemotherapy. Ginger promotes sweating and helps reduce body temperature during fevers. Its stimulating property improves peripheral circulation which may be helpful for high blood pressure. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory activity is potent. Gingerol, its volatile oil compound, is a better inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis than a commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDS), indomethacin [2]. Additionally, recent research is exploring ginger as an anti-obesity agent.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is taken from the fruit kernel of a tropical evergreen tree native to Indonesia. Nutmeg has a special affinity for use in dairy dishes such as custard or pudding, but also in soups and other desserts. Historically this seed was used for stomach ailments, headaches and fevers.

A high-mineral spice, nutmeg is a source of manganese, copper and magnesium in beneficial amounts. Potassium and zinc, as well as several vitamins, are found in smaller quantities. The essential oils of nutmeg have been studied for their antioxidant properties and anti-angiogenic activity. Further investigations revealed anti-bacterial effects from ethanol extracts of nutmeg.

There is a caution in taking nutmeg in a large amount as it has psychoactive effects, acting as a hallucinogen. Although poisonings are rarely fatal, too much nutmeg can have the consequence of convulsions, palpitations and generalized body pain.

Usually spices are consumed from cooking and baking and not taken in large quantities. However, at this time of year, the amounts of confections devoured may constitute a medicinal dose. It’s just a good thing many of the spices are beneficial for the digestion!

Mushrooms

Posted on November 27, 2017 by pprincetta

NOTE: Before reading this post which I hope you do, I would like to preface it by advising when working with mushrooms, consult with a practitioner who is knowledgeable and qualified to advise on how to use and maximize mushrooms to unleash their full healing power-recommending the best mushroom quality money can buy.. It is one thing to state mushrooms cure cancer and another to prove it.

NOTE: Because there is a lot of” BS” out there, it is imperative to use only the absolute best gradient mushrooms available.

Aside from being rich in valuable nutrients such as fiber, vitamins B and C, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium and zinc, mushrooms are also excellent sources of antioxidants, including some that are entirely unique to mushrooms. Ergothioneine and glutathione, both of which are found in mushrooms, are recognized as “master antioxidants” that inhibit oxidative stress. Both are considered important anti aging compounds.

As noted in The Guardian, “… [Scientists think [ergothioneine and glutathione] may help to protect the body against the maladies of old age, such as cancer, coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.” Ergothioneine appears to have a very specific role in protecting your DNA from oxidative damage, while glutathione is important for successful detoxification of heavy metals and other contaminants.

In the U.S., half of the nation’s mushroom crop come from Chester County, Pennsylvania, where indoor farms produce more than a million pounds of mushrooms per day. It’s important to eat only organically grown mushrooms, though, as they absorb and concentrate whatever they grow in, for better or worse. Mushrooms are known to concentrate heavy metals, as well as other air and water pollutants that can defeat their medicinal value.

Mushrooms Offer Potent Immune Support

Mushrooms also contain a number of compounds that modulate and strengthen immune function.This is one reason why they’re so beneficial for preventing and treating cancer. Immune-regulating compounds include not only vitamin D but also long-chain polysaccharides, which have a variety of beneficial properties, including:

Anti-inflammatory
Hypoglycemic
Anti-ulcer
Antitumorigenic
Immunostimulating

Alpha and beta glucan molecules are among the most important polysaccharides. Beta glucan in particular enhances immunity through a variety of mechanisms, many of which are similar to those of echinacea or astragalus root. For example, it binds to macrophages and other scavenger white blood cells, activating their anti-infection activities. The beta-glucan in mushrooms also plays a role in fat metabolism and may help support healthy cholesterol levels.

Mushrooms also contain a number of other unique nutrients that many do not get enough of in their diet, including B vitamins like riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid, as well as copper, the latter of which is one of the few metallic elements accompanied by amino and fatty acids that are essential to human health.

Since your body can’t synthesize copper, your diet must supply it regularly. Copper deficiency can be a factor in the development of coronary heart disease. Other bioactive and medicinal compounds include terpenoids, steroids, phenols, and all of the essential amino acids (they’re especially good sources of lysine and leucine).

Mushrooms Have Valuable Anticancer Properties

Cordyceps, also called Caterpillar fungus or Tochukasu, has been studied for its antitumor properties. This parasitic mushroom is unique because, in the wild, it grows out of an insect host instead of a plant host. It has long been used within both traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine.

Scientists at the University of Nottingham have been studying cordycepin, one of the active medicinal compounds found in these fungi, as a potential cancer drug.¹⁵ A protein extract from turkey tail mushrooms is also being used to boost cancer patients’ immune function in countries including Japan. Mushrooms may also have direct anticancer effects. For instance:

In a Japanese animal study, mice suffering from sarcoma were given shiitake mushroom extract. Six of 10 mice had complete tumor regression, and with slightly higher concentrations all 10 mice showed complete tumor regression.
In another study, ¹⁸ the lentinan in shiitake mushrooms was found to increase the survival rate of cancer patients. Lentinan also has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and immune-boosting effects
Extracts from maitake mushrooms, when combined with vitamin C, were shown to reduce the growth of bladder cancer cells by 90 percent, as well as kill them
In Japan, the top two forms of alternative medicine used by cancer patients are a mushroom called Agaricus subrufescens and shiitake mushroom extract
Ganoderic acid in reishi mushrooms may be useful in treating lung cancer

Mushrooms Are a Superfood Worth Indulging In

Considering the scientific evidence, it’s easy to understand why mushrooms have been valued for their medicinal properties for centuries. In ancient Egypt, mushrooms were thought to bring long life, and today we know that this may be due to the many beneficial phytochemicals and other compounds they contain.

For example, Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects has the following to say about reishi mushrooms: ” … there are data that support its positive health benefits, including anticancer effects; blood glucose regulation; antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral effects; and protection against liver and gastric injury.”

One dietary analysis found that mushroom consumption was associated with better diet quality and improved nutrition. Other health benefits associated with mushroom consumption include:

• Weight management: One study found that substituting red meat with white button mushrooms can help enhance weight loss. Obese participants with a mean age of just over 48 years ate approximately 1 cup of mushrooms per day in place of meat. The control group ate a standard diet without mushrooms.

At the end of the 12-month trial, the intervention group had lost an average of 3.6 percent of their starting weight, or about 7 pounds. They also showed improvements in body composition, such as reduced waist circumference, and ability to maintain their weight loss, compared to the control group.

• Improved immune response to pathogens: A study done on mice found that white button mushrooms enhanced the adaptive immunity response to salmonella, a common food borne pathogen that can cause food poisoning.

• Enhanced athletic performance and more: Cordyceps is a favorite of athletes because it increases ATP production, strength and endurance, and has anti-aging effects.Cordyceps also has hypoglycemic and possible antidepressant effects, protects your liver and kidneys, increases blood flow, and has been used to treat Hepatitis B.

• Anti-inflammatory effects. Cordyceps are also recognized for their potent anti-inflammatory characteristics, which may be useful for conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, renal failure and stroke damage. One of the active medicinal compounds in cordyceps responsible for many of these effects is cordycepin.

Examples of Medicinal Mushrooms to Add to Your Diet

With all the evidence supporting mushrooms’ medicinal superfood status, I highly recommend adding some to your diet. They’re an excellent addition to any salad and go great with all kinds of meat and fish. “Let food be thy medicine” is good advice indeed, and with mushrooms that is especially true, as they contain some of the most powerful natural medicines on the planet.

Just make sure they’re organically grown, to avoid harmful contaminants that the mushroom absorbs and concentrates from soil, air and water. Also, avoid picking mushrooms in the wild unless you are absolutely sure you know what you’re picking.

There are a number of toxic mushrooms and it’s easy to get them confused unless you have a lot of experience and know what to look for. Growing your own is an excellent option and a far safer alternative to picking wild mushrooms. A few of my favorite health-enhancing mushroom species include:

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): Shiitake is a popular culinary mushroom used in dishes around the world. It contains a number of health-stimulating agents, including lentinan, which has antitumor properties and helps protect liver function,relieve stomach ailments (hyperacidity, gallstones, ulcers), and may lower your risk of anemia, ascites and pleural effusion.

Shiitake mushrooms also demonstrate antiviral (including HIV, hepatitis and the “common cold”), antibacterial and antifungal effects; blood sugar stabilization; reduced platelet aggregation and reduced atherosclerosis.

Reishi (Ganodermalucidum): Reishi is known as Lingzhi in China, or “spirit plant.” It’s also been given the rather telling nickname of “mushroom of immortality.” Reishi has been used medicinally in Asia for thousands of years. One of its more useful compounds is ganoderic acid (a triterpenoid), which is being used to treat lung cancer,³³ leukemia and other cancers.

The list of Reishi’s health benefits includes:antibacterial, antiviral (herpes, Epstein-Barr) and antifungal (including Candida) properties; anti-inflammatory properties; immune system upregulation; normalization of blood pressure; reduction of prostate-related urinary symptoms in men.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): Turkey Tail is also known as Coriolis versicolor, or “cloud mushroom.” Two polysaccharide complexes in Turkey Tail are getting a great deal of scientific attention, PSK (or “Kreskin”) and PSP, making it the most extensively researched of all medicinal mushrooms with large scale clinical trials.

A seven-year, $2 million NIH-funded clinical study in 2011 found that Turkey Tail mycelium improves immune function when dosed daily to women with stage I–III breast cancer. Immune response was dose-dependent, with no adverse effects.

PSP has been shown to significantly enhance immune status in 70 to 97 percent of cancer patients.Turkey tail is also being used to treat many different infections, including aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, E. coli, HIV, herpes and streptococcus pneumonia. It’s also hepatoprotective and may be useful for chronic fatigue.

Himematsutake (Agaricus blazei): Himematsutake, also called Royal Sun Agaricus, is a relative of the common button mushroom. Himematsutake mushroom is attracting worldwide scientific attention due to its remarkable anticancer properties related to six special polysaccharides.

Like many other medicinal mushrooms, this fungus can also protect you from the damaging effects of radiation and chemotherapy. But its benefits don’t stop there. Himematsutake may also help decrease insulin resistance in diabetics, improve your hair and skin, and even treat polio.

NOTE: For more information about the Miraculous Healing Potential of Mushrooms, contact me at [email protected] or 619-231-1778.

Daikon Radish Kidney Drink

Posted on November 15, 2017 by pprincetta

This ancient Japanese remedy is used to treat the kidneys and kidney related problems such as swelling, skin ulcers, low back pain and blood pressure. The kidneys filter the blood–any support we can give them would be beneficial to the entire body.

Ingredients:

1 cup of water
! cup of daikon radish juice

Squeeze juice from grated radish ( a juicer or blender may easily be used). Combine both ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil; remove and let cool to a palatable temperature. Drink 6-8 ounces either first thing in the morning, last before bedtime or both. Should be done a minimum 3-5 days for effectiveness. It would be best to make your drink fresh every day.

NOTE: Cultures who eat radishes on a regular basis, rarely suffer from digestive problems

#77 Detoxificant-Hydrated Bentonite Clay

Posted on October 22, 2017 by pprincetta

Our Detoxificant is a natural and powerful detoxificant derived from bentonite, a mineral-rich volcanic clay.* For centuries, native tribes around the world have recognized the health benefiting properties of bentonite clay. We use a special process to refine the raw bentonite clay to remove mica, dirt and other impurities, in order to concentrate the active detoxifying ingredient, montmorillonite (“mont-mor-ill-o-nite”).* This procedure places montmorillonite into a colloidal suspension and retains its innate negative charge. These properties allow the powerful adsorption (physical binding) of positively charged substances.* (Most metabolic, environmental, and chemical wastes are positively charged.) Montmorillonite possesses the ability to adsorb about 40 times its own weight in positively charged substances present in the alimentary canal.* Because montomorillonite has such strong adsorptive properties and is not digested, it tightly binds toxic material to be excreted.*

History of Use

Bentonite is not a new product. Primitive tribes of various continents have been using volcanic ash for centuries to promote their health.* Primitives used to carry with them a ball of bentonite clay, which they would mix with water. They would dip their food into it before eating to prevent upset stomach.* Liquid bentonite was used for centuries in China for summer for occasional diarrhea.* In 1712, Father Deutrecolle, a Jesuit Missionary, described the clay works in China and mentioned that the clay (bentonite) was used for occasional diarrhea.* For over 60 years, we have made this ancient secret available for modern man. Imagine, a natural clay that can support immune function and detoxify your body – without side effects!*

What is Bentonite?

Bentonite is a natural clay mineral formed in the extreme heat and pressure of a volcano. In ages past, it was blown into the sky by volcanic action, and sifted down to earth to help impregnate the soil with its 25 – 35 trace minerals. Sometimes it accumulates in layers or veins from which it is presently mined. Although bentonite contains a rich amount of minerals, there is no evidence that we can absorb any of its mineral content. Anyone who tries to sell the product on the basis of the minerals in it is only guessing.

Many products on the market use bentonite in a raw and unprocessed form. However, our bentonite is different. In making our Detoxificant we start with the highest quality bentonite (U.S.P. Grade), and mix it with purified demineralized water. During our exclusive and secret process, the mica and impurities are removed, and the purified montmorillonite is put into a liquid colloidal-gel state. The product is sterilized and subjected to independent laboratory analysis for heavy metals and microbiology, ensuring a substance suitable for internal use and detoxification. It works better simply because it is better.

Bentonite should never be packaged in plastic. Because of its extreme drawing properties, bentonite can leach petrochemicals from plastic bottles. That is why Springreen only packages #77 Detoxificant in inert glass bottles.

The Expert’s Opinion

Dr. Robert T. Martin is a mineralogist and one of America´s outstanding authorities on bentonite. According to his research, its action is due to five characteristics:

It has a large and varied mineral content.
It has a negative electrical attraction for positively charged particles. In the human body, various toxic poisons are positively charged.
Seen under a high power microscope, bentonite is composed of extremely minute rectangular particles in the shape of a credit card. The wide surfaces are negatively charged and the edges are positively charged. Therefore, its adsorptive power is many thousand times more negative than positive.
The very minuteness of its particles gives it a large surface area in proportion to the volume used, enabling it to pick up many times its own weight in positively charged particles.
To obtain maximum effectiveness in the human body, it should be put in a liquid colloidal-gel state. This is why we do not keep it as powder or put it into a tablet form to save shipping costs.

Dr. Martin stated that one gram (1/28 ounce) of our product has a surface area of 800 sq. meters. This is 40 times that of its commercial competitors. The larger the surface area, the greater its power to pick up positively charged particles (toxins). An edition of the Dispensatory of the United States of America states:

“In aqueous suspension, the individual particles of bentonite are negatively charged, this resulting in a strong attraction for positively charged particles and being responsible for the ability of bentonite to clarify such liquid as contain positively charged particles of suspended matter.”

Since bentonite has such strong adsorptive powers, its consumption could theoretically render unavailable some nutrients, as certain vitamins, by adsorbing them from the alimentary canal. However, independent experiments designed to find out how much such adsorption might adversely affect the growth and health of experimental animals indicated no ill effects when the intake of bentonite was 25% of the total diet. (Reference: Annals of the N.Y. Academy of Science, Vol. 57, page 678). Our product is mostly water, with only a small proportion of bentonite. In order for the bentonite in our product to reach a toxic level (i.e., 50% of the total diet) it would be necessary to consume a 3-year supply each day for an extended period of time.

Montmorillonite is classified as a hydrated aluminum silicate. But, it is very different from the aluminum used in cooking utensils, deodorants and other preparations. The aluminum molecule is integral to the structure of montmorillonite, and cannot be removed by normal digestive processes.

A perfect accompaniment to #77 Detoxificant is our #79 Intestinal Cleanser. Mixed together in juice, this Cleansing Drink offers the scrubbing and roughage benefits from soluble and insoluble fiber from psyllium, and the detoxification properties of bentonite.

This product is a key component included in our 7 Day Cleansing Program kit

Recommended Dosage: For average adults, take 1 tablespoon. For others, take 1 teaspoon for each 50 lbs. body weight.

Directions: Take 2 doses per day. The first one in warm water upon rising in the morning; the other undiluted at time of evening meal. It is important to drink plenty of water between meals to assist in elimination. It can also be taken in conjunction with #79 Intestinal Cleanser in juice or water. May be taken as long as desired.

Literature: “The Value of Bentonite for Diarrhea,” “Hydrated Bentonite,” “Our Bentonite Products,” and “Addressing the Aluminum Issue in Detoxificant”

Our DETOXIFICANT product is offered only as a nutritional adjunct insofar as it has a cleansing action, and not for any disease, ailment or other specific condition of ill-health. Nothing stated above shall be construed as a claim or representation that such product constitutes a cure, palliative or ameliorative for any such disease, ailment or condition.

Our #77 Detoxificant is liquid packaged in a one quart, recyclable amber glass bottle that ensures potency and freshness.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Breast Cancer Info & Links

Posted on September 30, 2017 by pprincetta

I have so much to say regarding Iodine and Breast I thought I would send yet another e-mail to emphasize the importance of preventing breast cancer at all cost. This e-mail has just one attachment and five excellent links

As most of you already know I do all I can help my females understand Breast Cancer which includes shoving Iodine down their throats as well as strongly recommending the Breast Study Saliva Test for Hormones every 2-3 years. Iodine decreases the ability of estrogen to adhere to estrogen receptors in the breast

Theoretically we all should get our nutrients from food. Seaweeds have the highest Iodine content but unlike the Japanese, American do not eat seaweeds such as Nori, Wakame, Kombu or Dulse. I am attaching a list of foods high in Iodine to this e-mail

Because you cannot depend on diet alone to provide Iodine, I use two of the best products available.

1. Edgar Cayce Detoxified Iodine: 2-4 drops in water once or twice daily ( many of you already use this)

2. Iodoral 12.5 mg: 1 per day x 3 weeks then 1 tab 3x weekly–decreasing gradually

Additionally, I have been recommending the Iodine Patch Test and the Betadine Douche (which in and by itself decongests congested breasts), since the beginning of time.

Here is link from Christiane Northrup whom I have known since her days at Philadelphia Methodist Hospital (now Jefferson’s Methodist Hospital).

Also, here is a list of published articles from Dr. Guy Abraham—the master researcher for Iodine /Breast

Also here is a link to the Iodine Project which is nothing short of spectacular.

Being a proponent of Thermography examination of the breast, here is an article about

‘The Hidden Dangers’ of Mammograms Every Woman Should Know About”

Please do me a huge favor by passing on this information to everyone you know even though you may think they are not the type to be interested,– you never know…

New Liver/Gallbladder Info.

Posted on August 27, 2017 by pprincetta

Throughout the entire 40 years of practice my patients continually hear me say “drain the liver/ clear the gallbladder” This piece from New Human not only speaks to one of the best products for this BUT adds excellent educational material on both these organs. I really want you to understand the importance of these two organs.

Ultra GL is guaranteed to be the most potent Gallbladder/Liver conditioner and detoxifier available in the world. Ultra GL is especially useful for conditions where the liver gets stressed due to the toxicity of certain chemicals. Ultra GL also assists in normal functioning liver cells in that it has antioxidant properties that support liver cell integrity as well as assists in preserving existing liver strength when dealing with many overwhelming challenges. We must keep in mind; the liver is the largest internal organ and it is important the liver is functioning on a normal level when it is responsible for performing more than 500 different functions. Various nutrients are required in order for the liver detoxification to be carried out successfully. An adequate supply of key antioxidants is essential to prevent further liver damage. Milk thistle, vitamin C, selenium, beta carotene, vitamin E, and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) are all powerful antioxidants which are helpful in liver detoxification. Amino acids such as, SAM-E, Arginine HCL, and many others play an important role in liver health. The B vitamins, including riboflavin and niacin, also aid in liver detoxification. Ultra GL contains these and much more in its “Multi-Dimensional” form guaranteeing it to be the most potent formula available on the market today!

Benefits:

Glucose Regulation
Immune System Health
Enzyme Production And Storage (Improved Digestion)
Glycogen Production And Storage
Improved Filtration (For Nutrients and Your Blood)
Increased Energy Levels

Symptoms:

Nausea
Malaise
Vomiting
Fatigue
Loss of Appetite
Itching
Yellow Coloring Of The Skin Or Eyes
Pain In The Top Right Of The Stomach
Dark Urine

Importance of The Gallbladder

Another important part of our body is the gallbladder. We have to recognize that the gallbladder detox system is closely related to our liver. It is a small pear-shaped sac that is on the lower side of the liver. Its main function is storing and concentrating bile. So what does bile do? It is made by the liver and used in the small intestine. It helps to emulsify fats, lubricate the intestines, and made our stool a brownish color. Water and minerals are absorbed from the bile and so it becomes darker in color. The preferable color of bile is walnut brown and therefore, stool should not be too light in color which indicates the lack of bile in our body. Toxins are eliminated by the liver and passed through the bile. Then it is concentrated within the gallbladder where the toxins entrapped in the bile are later excreted from the body through the stool. Therefore, the gallbladder’s importance is very much correlated with the function of the liver in its cleansing of toxins. However, the gallbladder detox system can be congested if we do not maintain proper diet or keep it healthy. Firstly, we have to know that the gallbladder has always been an easy target for the development of gallstones. With this in mind we have formulated Ultra GL to detoxify both the liver and the Gallbladder on “Multi-Dimensional” levels for maximized healing on every level possible.

JUST WHAT DOES THE LIVER DO?

The liver is considered by most naturopathic doctors to be the definitive organ in the human body that, based on its health and overall functioning, determines how healthy a person FEELS. This connection between the health of the liver and a person’s general feeling of well-being is why so many naturopathic doctors usually begin a diagnosis of a patient with liver testing. Located just under the rib cage on the right side of the abdomen, the liver is the largest and one of the most important organs in the human body. It performs hundreds of tasks in every minute of everyday, more than any other organ, including the brain. It is constantly filtering, detoxifying, synthesizing, and processing a wide variety of physiological substances. Without a healthy, well-functioning liver, it is easy to become overly-toxic, which can lead to chronic fatigue, a general feeling of sickness and often times depression. The liver is so vital of an organ that a human being cannot survive more than 24 hours without its proper functioning. The liver is involved in all of the most critical systems in the body, including the nervous, immune, endocrine, digestive and circulatory systems and any weakness or debility in the liver impacts every other organ system. In addition to its endless detoxification work, the liver is also the main organ that produces energy to our bodies. It does so by regulating carbohydrate and protein metabolism, hormonal activity, fat burning, and blood sugar. Because of the liver’s role in your body’s metabolism, flushing it out periodically, not only helps you feel much healthier but it also makes it easier for you to maintain an optimal weight.

NOTE: :Recommendations are 1 teaspoon 1-2 x daily allowing one 8 ounce bottle to last anywhere from 24-48 days. My professional opinion–, this is a life saving product worth looking into.

There are two additional Gallbladder posts on this website

Gallbladder Flush

Gallbladder

Statin Drugs: Worse Than We Thought?

Posted on June 3, 2017 by pprincetta

Statin Drugs: Worse Than We Thought?

“Pharmacological evidence and clinical trial results support the interpretation that statins stimulate atherogenesis by suppressing vitamin K2 synthesis and thereby enhancing artery calcification. Statins cause heart failure by depleting the myocardium of CoQ10, ‘heme A’ and selenoproteins, thereby impairing mitochondrial ATP production. In summary, statins are not only ineffective in preventing CHD events but instead are capable of increasing CHD and heart failure.”

—Harumi Okuyama et al., 2015

The authors of a paper in Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology didn’t hold back in their scathing condemnation of statin drugs. The abstract alone is quite an indictment of these drugs: “In contrast to the current belief that cholesterol reduction with statins decreases atherosclerosis, we present a perspective that statins may be causative in coronary artery calcification and can function as mitochondrial toxins […] the epidemic of heart failure and atherosclerosis that plagues the modern world may paradoxically be aggravated by the pervasive use of statin drugs. We propose that current statin treatment guidelines be critically reevaluated.”

Controversy over the use of statin drugs is nothing new. The FDA acknowledges that these agents increase risk for development of type 2 diabetes (such as was shown in the METSIM cohort), possibly due to inhibition of protein prenylation, an important step in proper insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells. This is alarming, considering statins are often prescribed in lock-step with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, owing to the cardiovascular complications that typically result from this condition. If statins come with a risk for elevated blood sugar—and Mayo Clinic informs the public that they do—then it seems counterproductive for patients trying to lower chronically elevated blood sugar to take a drug that does the opposite.

Moreover, ironically, frequent statin use is associated with acceleration of coronary artery calcification among type 2 diabetics with advanced atherosclerosis. This finding fits in with numerous studies showing that while statins are effective for lowering LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), a reduction in LDL-C doesn’t automatically translate into improved cardiovascular outcomes or reduced mortality. For example, use of torcetrapib, an inhibitor of cholesteryl ester transfer protein, “resulted in an increased risk of mortality and morbidity of unknown mechanism.” (Emphasis added.)

“Since the introduction of statins to clinical medicine in 1987, several kinds of statins were reported to be effective in lowering LDL-C and also preventing CHD events (mostly in 1990s). However, unfair and unethical problems were associated with clinical trials reported by industry-supported scientists, and new penal regulations on clinical trials came into effect in 2004. After 2004–2005, all clinical trials, performed by scientists relatively free of conflict of interest with pharmaceutical industries, reported that statins were effective in lowering LDL-C but no significant beneficial effects were observed for the prevention of CHD.”

So if the point of statin drugs is to reduce serum cholesterol levels in order to protect cardiovascular health, but statins don’t always do this—and may, in fact, exacerbate existing damage and trigger new pathologies—then why are they still so widely prescribed?

Other alarming “side effects” of statins Mayo Clinic and FDA cite are cognitive impairment, confusion, fuzzy thinking, memory loss and forgetfulness that “span all statin products and all age groups.” FDA acknowledges that “the symptoms were not serious and were reversible within a few weeks after the patient stopped using the statin” – but how often do physicians advise patients to discontinue statin use?

The potential neurological and cognitive effects of statins are especially troubling considering that higher cholesterol later in life is associated with reduced risk for dementia. Older individuals with higher serum cholesterol have better cognitive function than those with lower cholesterol, leading researchers to write, “low cholesterol may serve [as] a clinical indicator of risk for cognitive impairment in the elderly.” This seeming “paradox” or “reverse epidemiology” is not limited to cognitive function. High LDL-C is inversely associated with mortality in most people over 60 years, which has researchers questioning the validity of the cholesterol hypothesis overall, and calling for a re-evaluation of guidelines that recommend reduction of LDL-C in the elderly.

After decades of low fat diets and demonization of dietary fat, we now understand that the “French paradox” and “Spanish paradox” aren’t paradoxes, and that fat—including saturated fat—is not anathema to good health. So perhaps higher cholesterol being protective later in life is not a paradox at all, nor is it “reverse epidemiology.” Maybe we have simply been very wrong about cholesterol all along—at least in some ways.

The Expert Reviews paper discusses additional mechanisms by which statins may directly contribute to cardiovascular damage, such as inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K2, which is required for activating enzymes that control calcium trafficking in the body—that is, depositing it into bones and teeth and keeping it out of soft tissues, such as arterial walls. Another key mechanism is, of course, inhibition of CoQ10 synthesis and the resultant impairment of the electron transport chain leading to decreased ATP production. This may be responsible for the well-known symptoms of fatigue and muscle pain and weakness frequently reported among statin users. The implications are not trivial: “Statins have been demonstrated to decrease the concentration of mitochondria in muscle, oxidative phosphorylation capacity and skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA levels. In view of this obvious skeletal muscle toxicity, it would be naïve to assume that statins would not likewise negatively impact the much harder working heart muscle cells, which have exceedingly high ATP requirements.”

This is not intended as an across-the-board condemnation of statin drugs. These medications may be warranted in some cases and there are patient groups for which they may be beneficial. But the increasingly worrisome “side effects” – which are not really side effects at all, but are direct consequences of disrupting the mevalonate pathway – warrant exercising caution with the prescription pad. If it’s determined—if—that a patient’s cholesterol level is directly harmful to their health, there are alternative methods to lower it that are free of the problematic aspects of statins.

How to Stimulate the Vagus Nerve

Posted on May 23, 2017 by pprincetta

Over the years and most recently, I have posted a number of articles and posts about the Vagus Nerve and its connection to Heart, inflammation, Microbiome Gut, Brain, Memory, Cognition etc. This article written by Jordan Fallis, provides excellent information and perspective allowing you the opportunity to remain healthy.

How to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve for Better Mental Health

January 21, 2017 Jordan Fallis

“By developing an understanding of the workings of your vagus nerve, you may find it possible to work with your nervous system rather than feel trapped when it works against you.”

— Dr. Arielle Schwartz, Clinical Psychologist

Stimulating my vagus nerve has played a key role in the management of my mental health over the years.

What exactly is the vagus nerve?

Originating from the Latin word “wanderer”, the vagus nerve lives up to its name as the longest nerve in the entire body. As the tenth cranial nerve,the Vagus is a major player in the parasympathetic (rest & digest) nervous system connecting your brain to the heart, gut (intestines and stomach) heart and lungs influencing heart rate, breathing ,memory, cognition and a host of other conditions.

Vagal tone

Vagal tone is an internal biological process that represents the activity of the vagus nerve. The tone of the vagus nerve is key to activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Vagal tone is measured by tracking your heart-rate alongside your breathing rate. Your heart-rate speeds up a little when your breathe in, and slows down a little when you breathe out. The bigger the difference between your inhalation heart-rate and your exhalation heart-rate, the higher your vagal tone. Higher vagal tone means that your body can relax faster after stress.

What is high vagal tone associated with?

High vagal tone improves the function of many body systems, causing better blood sugar regulation, reduced risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure, improved digestion via better production of stomach basic and digestive enzymes, and reduced migraines. Higher vagal tone is also associated with better mood, less anxiety and more stress resilience. One of the most interesting roles of the vagus nerve is that it essentially reads the gut microbiome and initiates a response to modulate inflammation based on whether or not it detects pathogenic versus non-pathogenic organisms. In this way, the gut microbiome can have an affect on your mood, stress levels and overall inflammation.

What is low vagal tone associated with?

Low vagal tone is associated with cardiovascular conditions and strokes, depression, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive impairment, and much higher rates of inflammatory conditions. Inflammatory conditions include all autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, endometriosis, autoimmune thyroid conditions, lupus and more).

How do we increase vagal tone?

But what you really need to pay special attention to is the “tone” of your vagus nerve.
Vagal tone is an internal biological process that represents the activity of the vagus nerve.

Increasing your vagal tone activates the parasympathetic nervous system, and having higher vagal tone means that your body can relax faster after stress.

In 2010, researchers discovered a positive feedback loop between high vagal tone, positive emotions, and good physical health. In other words, the more you increase your vagal tone, the more your physical and mental health will improve, and vice versa (5).

“It’s almost like yin and yang. The vagal response reduces stress. It reduces our heart rate and blood pressure. It changes the function of certain parts of the brain, stimulates digestion, all those things that happen when we are relaxed.”

— Dr. Mladen Golubic, MD, Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic

What’s interesting is that studies have even shown that vagal tone is passed on from mother to child. Mothers who are depressed, anxious and angry during their pregnancy have lower vagal activity. And once they give birth to their child, the newborn also has low vagal activity and low dopamine and serotonin levels (1-3).

Your vagal tone can be measured by tracking certain biological processes such as your heart rate, your breathing rate, and your heart rate variability (HRV). When your heart rate variability (HRV) is high, your vagal tone is also high. They are correlated with each other.

You can increase your HRV by using the EmWave2 device. Some researchers actually use the EmWave2 to measure vagal tone in their studies.

NOTE: If your vagal tone is low, don’t worry – you can take steps to increase it by stimulating your vagus nerve. This will allow you to more effectively respond to the emotional and physiological symptoms of your brain and mental illness.

Stimulating the vagus nerve and increasing vagal tone has been shown to help treat a wide variety of brain and mental health conditions, including:

Depression
Anxiety disorders
Alzheimer’s disease
Migraines
Fibromyalgia
Tinnitus
Alcohol addiction
Autism
Bulimia nervosa
Personality disorders
Heroin seeking behaviour
Poor memory
Mood disorders in the elderly
Multiple sclerosis
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Severe mental diseases
Traumatic brain injury
Chronic fatigue syndrome

For people with treatment-resistant depression, the FDA has even approved a surgically-implanted device that periodically stimulates the vagus nerve. And it works (6-9).

But you don’t need to go down that route.. You can enjoy the benefits of vagus nerve stimulation naturally by following these 13 steps.

1. Cold Exposure

Acute cold exposure has been shown to activate the vagus nerve and activate cholinergic neurons through vagus nerve pathways (10).

cold-exposure-shower-baths-How-to-Stimulate-Your-Vagus-Nerve-for-Better-Mental-Health-brain-vns-ways-treatment-activate-natural-foods-depression-anxiety-stress-heart-rate-variability-yoga-massage-vagal-tone-dysfunction

Researchers have also found that exposing yourself to cold on a regular basis can lower your sympathetic “fight or flight” response and increase parasympathetic activity through the vagus nerve (11).

I often take cold showers and go outside in cold temperatures with minimal clothing.

Try finishing your next shower with at least 30 seconds of cold water and see how you feel. Then work your way up to longer periods of time.

It’s painful to do, but the lingering effects are worth it.

You can also ease yourself into it by simply sticking your face in ice cold water.

2. Deep and Slow Breathing

Deep and slow breathing is another way to stimulate your vagus nerve.

It’s been shown to reduce anxiety and increase the parasympathetic system by activating the vagus nerve (51-52).

Most people take about 10 to 14 breaths each minute. Taking about 6 breaths over the course of a minute is a great way to relieve stress. You should breathe in deeply from your diaphragm. When you do this, your stomach should expand outward. Your exhale should be long and slow. This is key to stimulating the vagus nerve and reaching a state of relaxation.

The best way to know if you’re on the right track is by using the EmWave2 device. It’s a biofeedback device that assist you in pacing your breathing. I previously wrote about the benefits of using the device here.

3. Singing, Humming, Chanting and Gargling

The vagus nerve is connected to your vocal cords and the muscles at the back of your throat.

Singing, humming, chanting and gargling can activate these muscles and stimulate your vagus nerve.

And this has been shown to increase heart-rate variability and vagal tone

I often gargle water before swallowing it. This is discussed more in Dr. Datis Kharrazian’s book, Why Isn’t My Brain Working?

4. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is another alternative treatment that has been shown to stimulate the vagus nerve (46).

ear-acupuncture-How-to-Stimulate-Your-Vagus-Nerve-for-Better-Mental-Health-brain-vns-ways-treatment-activate-natural-foods-depression-anxiety-stress-heart-rate-variability-yoga-massage-vagal-tone-dysfunction

I’m a really big fan of auricular acupuncture. Auricular acupuncture is when needles are inserted into ear. I’d recommend trying to find a health practitioner in your area who provides it, especially if you’re weening off psychiatric medication. It really helped me the first time I came off antidepressants. I was surprised.

Research shows that ear acupuncture stimulates the vagus nerve, increases vagal activity and vagal tone, and can help treat “neurodegenerative diseases via vagal regulation” (45).

In my experience, ear acupuncture is more effective than regular acupuncture. I’m not sure why. I’ve just personally noticed more benefits from ear acupuncture.

I also use this acupuncture mat at home to relax before bed.

5. Yoga and Tai Chi

Yoga and tai chi are two “mind-body” relaxation techniques that work by stimulating the vagus nerve and increasing the activity of your parasympathetic “rest and digest” nervous system.

Studies have shown that yoga increases GABA, a calming neurotransmitter in your brain. Researchers believe it does this by “stimulating vagal afferents”, which increase activity in the parasympathetic nervous system (13-18).

Researchers have also found that yoga stimulates the vagal nerve and therefore should be practiced by people who struggle with depression and anxiety (19).

Despite all the great research, I’m personally not a big fan of yoga. A lot of people swear by it but it’s just not for me. I prefer tai chi.

Tai chi has also been shown to increase heart rate variability, and researchers think this means it can “enhance vagal modulation” (20).

6. Probiotics

It’s becoming increasingly clear to researchers that gut bacteria improve brain function by affecting the vagus nerve (27).

probiotics-bacteria-How-to-Stimulate-Your-Vagus-Nerve-for-Better-Mental-Health-brain-vns-ways-treatment-activate-natural-foods-depression-anxiety-stress-heart-rate-variability-yoga-massage-vagal-tone-dysfunction

In one study, animals were given the probiotic Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, and researchers found positive changes to the GABA receptors in their brain, a reduction in stress hormones, and less depression and anxiety-like behaviour.

The researchers also concluded that these beneficial changes between the gut and the brain were facilitated by the vagus nerve. When the vagus nerve was removed in other mice, the addition of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus to their digestive systems failed to reduce anxiety, stress, and improve mood (25).

Another study found that the probiotic Bifidobacterium Longum normalized anxiety-like behavior in mice by acting through the vagus nerve (26).

I personally take the probiotic Prescript Assist. It’s my favourite probiotic.

But it doesn’t contain Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium Longum, which were used in the above studies. Here is one probiotic supplement that contains both. This one also contains both.

I previously wrote about some other ways you can increase the good bacteria in your gut. You can read about that here.

7. Meditation and Neurofeedback

Meditation is my favourite relaxation technique and it can stimulate the vagus nerve and increase vagal tone.

muse-headband-meditation-how-to-Stimulate-Your-Vagus-Nerve-for-Better-Mental-Health-brain-vns-ways-treatment-activate-natural-foods-depression-anxiety-stress-heart-rate-variability-yoga-massage-vagal-tone-dysfunction

Research shows that meditation increases vagal tone and positive emotions, and promotes feelings of goodwill towards yourself (22, 23).

Another study found that meditation reduces sympathetic “fight or flight” activity and increases vagal modulation (21).

“OM” chanting, which is often done during meditation, has also been shown to stimulate the vagus nerve (24).

I couldn’t find any research demonstrating this, but in my experience, neurofeedback significantly increased my heart-rate variability and vagal tone as measured by my EmWave2.

Now that I’m done neurofeedback, I use the Muse headband to meditate. Similar to neurofeedback, it gives you real-time feedback on your brainwaves. I previously wrote about it here.

8. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that your body cannot produce itself. They are found primarily in fish and are necessary for the normal electrical functioning of your brain and nervous system.

salmon-How-to-Stimulate-Your-Vagus-Nerve-for-Better-Mental-Health-brain-vns-ways-treatment-activate-natural-foods-depression-anxiety-stress-heart-rate-variability-yoga-massage-vagal-tone-dysfunction

They often appear in most of my posts because they are so critical for brain and mental health and affect so many aspects of wellness.

They’ve been shown to help people overcome addiction, repair a “leaky brain”, and even reverse cognitive decline.

But researchers have also discovered that omega-3 fatty acids increase vagal tone and vagal activity (35-37, 40).

Studies shown that they reduce heart rate and increase heart rate variability, which means they likely stimulate the vagus nerve (34, 38, 39).

And high fish consumption is also associated with “enhanced vagal activity and parasympathetic predominance” (35).

This why I eat lots of wild-caught salmon and supplement with this krill oil.

9. Exercise

I’ve already discussed how exercise increases your brain’s growth hormone, supports your brain’s mitochondria, and helps reverse cognitive decline.

But it’s also been shown to stimulate the vagus nerve, which may explain its beneficial brain and mental health effects (28).

exercise-How-to-Stimulate-Your-Vagus-Nerve-for-Better-Mental-Health-brain-vns-ways-treatment-activate-natural-foods-depression-anxiety-stress-heart-rate-variability-yoga-massage-vagal-tone-dysfunction

Many brain health experts recommend exercise as their number one piece of advice for optimal brain health.

This is my exercise routine:

Lift heavy weights 1-4 times per week
High-intensity interval sprinting 1-2 times per week
Walk as much as I can (ideally 30-60 minutes every day)

Walking, weightlifting and sprinting are the best forms of exercise, but you should choose a sport or exercise routine that you enjoy, so that you’ll stick with it consistently.

10. Zinc

As I’ve discussed before, zinc is an essential mineral for mental health, especially if you struggle with chronic anxiety.

One study shows that zinc increases vagus nerve stimulation in zinc-deficient rats (41).

It’s estimated that 2 billion people in the world are deficient in zinc, and six different studies show that subclinical deficiency of zinc impairs brain function in children and adults (42-44).

zinc-oysters-How-to-Stimulate-Your-Vagus-Nerve-for-Better-Mental-Health-brain-vns-ways-treatment-activate-natural-foods-depression-anxiety-stress-heart-rate-variability-yoga-massage-vagal-tone-dysfunction

So, if you struggle with a brain or mental health disorder, it’s quite possible that you’re deficient.

Some of the best food sources of zinc include oysters, grass-fed beef, pumpkin seeds, cashews, mushrooms and spinach.

However, I still recommend at least short-term supplementation to ensure you get enough. I regularly supplement with zinc picolinate, one of the most absorbable forms of zinc, especially after any alcohol consumption. You can get it here or here.

It’s also available in this high-quality multimineral.

Check out my previous post about zinc and copper if you’re interested in discovering more steps you can take to increase your zinc levels.

11. Massage

Research shows that massages can stimulate the vagus nerve, and increase vagal activity and vagal tone (31-32).

massage-How-to-Stimulate-Your-Vagus-Nerve-for-Better-Mental-Health-brain-vns-ways-treatment-activate-natural-foods-depression-anxiety-stress-heart-rate-variability-yoga-massage-vagal-tone-dysfunction

The vagus nerve can also be stimulated by massaging several specific areas of the body.

Foot massages (reflexology) have been shown to increase vagal modulation and heart rate variability, and decrease the “fight or flight” sympathetic response (29).

Massaging the carotid sinus, an area located near the right side of your throat, can also stimulate the vagus nerve to reduce seizures (30).

I personally get a massage from a registered massage therapist every couple of months.

12. Socializing and Laughing

I’ve already discussed how socializing and laughing can reduce your body’s main stress hormone.

Laughing-socializing-How-to-Stimulate-Your-Vagus-Nerve-for-Better-Mental-Health-brain-vns-ways-treatment-activate-natural-foods-depression-anxiety-stress-heart-rate-variability-yoga-massage-vagal-tone-dysfunction

And now I’ve learned that they are likely doing this by stimulating the vagus nerve.

Researchers have discovered that reflecting on positive social connections improves vagal tone and increases positive emotions (47, 48).

Laughter has been shown to increase heart-rate variability and improve mood (49).

And vagus nerve stimulation often leads to laughter as a side effect, suggesting that they are connected and influence one another (50).

So my advice is to hang out and laugh with your friends as much as possible. Although I should probably be taking my own advice here, as I’m an introvert and often avoid socializing too much.

13. Intermittent Fasting

On most days, I don’t eat breakfast at all, and then “break my fast” by eating my first meal of the day around 2 or 3 p.m. That means I eat all my food for the day within an 8-hour window.

intermittent-fasting-How-to-Stimulate-Your-Vagus-Nerve-for-Better-Mental-Health-brain-vns-ways-treatment-activate-natural-foods-depression-anxiety-stress-heart-rate-variability-yoga-massage-vagal-tone-dysfunction

There are many health benefits to doing this. As I’ve discussed before, intermittent fasting can boost your brain’s growth hormone, improve mitochondrial function, and may help some people overcome brain fog and cognitive decline.

Research also shows that fasting and caloric restriction increase heart rate variability, which is an indicator that it increases parasympathetic activity and vagal tone (33).

The best way to start fasting is simply by eating dinner around 6, not eating anything after that before bed, and then eating a regular breakfast the next day. That should give you about 12-14 hours of fasting time.

Conclusion

You don’t have to be controlled by your body and mind. You have the power to tell them what to do.

By stimulating the vagus nerve, you can send a message to you body that it’s time to relax and de-stress, which leads to long-term improvements in mood, wellbeing and resilience.

Increasing my vagal tone has allowed me to overcome anxiety and depression, and better manage them when they arise.

Overall, I hope you implement some of the above steps into your daily life, and they allow you to live more optimally.

Live Optimally,

Jordan Fallis

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First of all, the vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body which originates in the brain as cranial nerve ten, travels down the from go the neck and then passes around the digestive system, liver, spleen, pancreas, heart and lungs. This nerve is a major player in the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the ‘rest and digest’ part (opposite to the sympathetic nervous system which is ‘fight of flight’).

Vagal tone

The tone of the vagus nerve is key to activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Vagal tone is measured by tracking your heart-rate alongside your breathing rate. Your heart-rate speeds up a little when your breathe in, and slows down a little when you breathe out. The bigger the difference between your inhalation heart-rate and your exhalation heart-rate, the higher your vagal tone. Higher vagal tone means that your body can relax faster after stress.

What is high vagal tone associated with?

What is low vagal tone associated with?

How do we increase vagal tone?

In the article above, vagal tone was increased through a device that stimulated the vagus nerve. The good news is that you have access to this on your own, but it does require regular practice. To some degree, you are genetically predisposed to varying levels of vagal tone, but this still doesn’t mean that you can’t change it. Here are some ways to tone the vagus nerve:

Slow, rhythmic, diaphragmatic breathing. Breathing from your diaphragm, rather than shallowly from the top of the lungs stimulates and tones the vagus nerve.
Humming. Since the vagus nerve is connected to the vocal cords, humming mechanically stimulates it. You can hum a song, or even better repeat the sound ‘OM’.
Speaking. Similarly speaking is helpful for vagal tone, due to the connection to the vocal cords.
Washing your face with cold water. The mechanism her is not known, but cold water on your face stimulates the vagus nerve.
Meditation, especially loving kindness meditation which promotes feelings of goodwill towards yourself and others. A 2010 study by Barbara Fredrickson and Bethany Kik found that increasing positive emotions led to increased social closeness, and an improvement in vagal tone.
Balancing the gut microbiome. The presence of healthy bacteria in the gut creates a positive feedback loop through the vagus nerve, increasing its tone.
Qigong, Tai Chi, Yoga, Chill Out, (added by Dr. P)

The implications of such simple and basic practices on your overall health, and in particular on inflammation are far-reaching. If you suffer from an inflammatory condition, digestive upset, high blood pressure or depression, a closer look at vagal tone is highly recommended. We’ve known for years that breathing exercises and meditation are helpful for our health, but it is so fascinating to learn the mechanism by which they work. I hope this short article has inspired you to begin a meditation practice, as it has for me, and also to look for other means to manage the body’s inflammatory response.

NOTE: Chiropractic Adjustments are infamous for stimulating the Vagus Nerve as it passes close to the Cervical 1 Vertebrae (Atlas)

Additional Links:

How to Stimulate the Vagus Nerve for Better Optimal Health

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Dramatically Reduces Inflammation

Here’s how stress in your brain may cause heart troubles

Transcendental Meditation

Full Catastro phe Living written by the developer of this technique Jon Kabat-Zinn

I have asked my folks to purchase the book Human Heart/Cosmic Heart by Thomas Cowan MD to further their understanding of how the heart works and what we can do to prevent America’s # 1 killer heart disease

References:

Forsythe P, Bienenstock J, Kunze WA.Vagal pathways for microbiome-brain-gut axis communication. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2014;817:115-33.

Kok, B, Fredrickson, B, Coffey, K, et al. How Positive Emotions Build Physical Health: Perceived Positive Social Connections Account for the Upward Spiral Between Positive Emotions and Vagal Tone. Psychological Science 2013 24: 1123

Cholesterol Buzz

Posted on January 23, 2017 by pprincetta

To a great degree, the battle of dietary recommendations for cholesterol and other fats have hinged on the belief that serum cholesterol levels are a direct predictor of cardiovascular disease. Despite the broad awareness and even larger acceptance of this theory, science still struggles to authenticate this claim. Dietary cholesterol and saturated fats do, indeed, influence serum cholesterol levels, but is that truly a good predictor of cardiovascular risk? If history has any say in the matter, decades of fat-free marketing, food products, and diet plans haven’t seemed to curtail the mortality rate, and cardiovascular disease still remains the number one cause of death in this country. Dietary guidelines continue to push for an increase in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in place of saturated fats, but again, this advice is rooted in the so-called improvement in serum cholesterol ratios, resulting from this shift in dietary fat, even in the absence of cardiovascular improvements. We have even explored the effects of replacing saturated fats with carbohydrates on cardiovascular risk factors, and not surprisingly, that has not yielded positive results either. In fact, replacing saturated fats with carbohydrates has worsened cardiovascular risks by increasing small, dense low-density lipoprotein particles, which are more indicative of cardiovascular events than large LDL particles, which are produced by dietary saturated fats.Slowly, studies are emerging with fresh ideas pointing to oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction – not hyperlipidemia – as major risk factors in cardiovascular disease. These same factors are associated with insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes, making an obvious connection between the epidemic of deranged blood sugar levels and cardiovascular dysfunction – a.k.a. the phenomenon of metabolic syndrome. So why doesn’t the mainstream mindset focus on restricting inflammatory foods and processed foodstuffs that increase oxidative stress, in favor of antioxidant-rich produce and fiber-filled legumes? Why has the focus persistently been upon cholesterol?

As alternative health care practitioners already know, it is high time that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stop demonizing eggs and begin targeting some of the commodity crops for the cardiovascular mortality rates in this country. When 1032 participants were studied for 5 years in the prospective, population-based Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study, it was found that “egg or cholesterol intakes were not associated with increased CAD risk, even in ApoE4 carriers (i.e., in highly susceptible individuals)” and yet, recommendations to limit these items have been central to American dietary guidelines for decades. At the same time, evidence points to dietary sugars as being a more influential factor on cardiometabolic risks, independent of obesity. The OmniCarb study, one of the largest studies “to test effects of high- versus low-GI diets in the context of moderate- and low-CHO diets” showed that higher total carbohydrate consumption, rather than glycemic index, contributed more negatively to cardiovascular risks. In an era and nation where carbohydrate and sugar consumption has extended beyond the ceiling level, why isn’t the focus shifting to these food groups? Studies on the effects of carbohydrates on cardiovascular disease have been strangely stifled, but to the keen observer, this should not come as a surprise. After all, grains and sugar are commodity foodstuffs heavily subsidized by the government, so who would fund studies that would link these foodstuffs to America’s top cause of mortality?

While we can be thankful that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has finally taken the long overdue step of acknowledging that cholesterol and eggs are not a health trap, and changing dietary guidelines accordingly, it will take years to remove long held beliefs regarding cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, the next time a patient proudly exclaims that their doctor has given them a “clean bill of health” based on a standard lipid profile, a prime opportunity stands waiting for you to re-educate, one patient at a time.