Homeopathy

We use a variety of integrative medical approaches here at Holistic Women and Families Natural Health Center. One approach that we find highly effective is the use of homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy is a system of treating disease with diluted amounts of substances, that in larger doses, would produce illness in a healthy person.

Homeopathic medicine is a natural approach to healing but it should not be mistaken as herbal medicine. Homeopathic remedies are similar to herbal formulas due to the fact that they are often both made from plant or mineral sources but differ greatly in the process involved in preparing the remedies. Homeopathic remedies are highly diluted in water and "potentiated" so that the end product contains the "memory" of the original substance. The body recognizes the substance and reacts to it with a healing response.

Science has not been able to explain the mechanism of action involved with homeopathic medicine, but both lab experiments and clinical trials are able to demonstrate a biological effect. Homeopathy has a long history of use in Europe and was first used in Germany in the late 1700's. It has been regulated in the US since 1938. It has proven to be an effective means of helping the body heal itself without side effects. Homeopathic remedies are a very safe alternative for young children and pregnant women. The remedies are in ultra high dilutions which makes them non- toxic.

An example of how " like cures like" in homeopathy, is the remedy called Apis Mellifica. This remedy is made from the stinger of the honey bee. When stung by a bee, one would expect pain, redness, and swelling. The remedy is used to treat allergic reactions, swelling of mucus membranes, edema, pain and inflammation. There are hundreds of remedies in different potencies. Always check with your health care provider for the best remedy for your specific presentation of symptoms.

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Low Sodium vs. High Potassium for Lowering Blood Pressure

All salt is not created equal! Eating a diet full of processed/ fast foods packed with tons of sodium isn't a good idea! Salting your freshly prepared whole food with a good quality mineralized salt is a perfectly healthy habit! We need the minerals that a high quality salt provides. (Our fav is Pink Salt)

What about people with high blood pressure? Studies have shown that lowering sodium has only a minimal effect on lowering blood pressure. In addition, an extremely low sodium diet has been found to increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. So lowering your salt intake to the USDA recommended amount of 1500mg may not be a healthy choice.

So what can you do? Eating more potassium rich fruits and vegetables is a healthier way to decrease blood pressure. Potassium is important in transmitting electrical impulses to the heart and has been shown to lower blood pressure. Less than 2% of adult Americans meet the recommended 4700 mg of potassium per day. Optimal amounts can reduce the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, kidney stones and high blood pressure. Many of the high potassium foods are starchy, but these are the perfect carbohydrates to include in your diet. (Limit or eliminate the breads, pasta and cereals instead). Here is a list of high potassium foods and the amount of potassium contained in approximately 1 cup serving. Surprise! Bananas are not at the top of the list! So eliminate processed foods, add liberal amounts of healthy salt to fresh whole foods and enjoy lots of the following foods each day.

Baked potato 897 mg
Steamed spinach 839 mg
Cooked plantain 716 ( a favorite food of ours)
Avocado 708
4 dates 668 mg
Acorn squash 644 mg
Butternut squash baked 582 mg
Parsnips boiled 572 mg
Cooked pumpkin 564 mg
Sweet potato 542
Banana 537 mg
Portobello mushrooms 529 mg
Cooked tomatoes 523 mg
Cooked beets 518 mg
Cantaloupe 427 mg