Sprinkle

Sprinkle 

Confetti of verse sprinkled across these pages like strings of broken ribbons. Reflections through the

 years like picture albums. 

In a corner collecting dust through time. A perfection, dressed in black velvet where anything goes.

 Pressed tight into a triangle beneath your feet. Wrapped in a sea of true blue, making dreams a reality.

 In the morning light, wake to greet the sun with the vibe in a pocket where the scent of lavender plays.

 There's a storm that goes around the universe that dwells within the heart.
 
And sometimes it seems as if no one really cares to know what's living there 

then once in a while, the spirit is allowed to roam free.

Herbalism, an alternative form of medicine

 

Herbalism refers to the study or use of parts of plants for example roots and leaves as medicine to treat illnesses. Throughout history, people have relied on herbs for wellness. Some research on herbs used to treat specific diseases had been done and documented.

 

Herbs have been used since ancient times. We find that the Chinese have collected and written information on how herbs work on different people for the past 2000 years (Leung, 2006). Back in the day, Africans and Native Americans used herbs for healing rituals and cosmetic purposes. This knowledge of healing with herbs has since been passed down to their children and grandchildren.

 

Pharmaceutical drugs originated from herbs. When chemical analysis became available to scientists, they started extracting some parts of plants to make pharmaceutical drugs.

 

The use of plants to treat ailments is increasingly becoming more popular. The World Health Organisation has estimated that approximately 80% of people are relying on herbal medicine in the early stages of illnesses (WHO, 2005). The reason people have been opting for herbs is that they are not happy with the high prices of pharmaceutical drugs for example in the United States. People also believe that herbs are better than manufactured forms of medicine (Bandaranayake, 2006). Herbalism is now becoming more popular also because of improvements in clinical research and quality control.

 

 

The way herbs work is not yet completely understood. This is because scientists do not know of the specific components that treat particular illnesses. Herbs contain many components which combine to help treat different illnesses. The environment in which herbs grow also determines their effectiveness.

Herbs help when used appropriately. However, it is important to take note that some herbs are inappropriate for people with certain medical conditions. Some cannot be used at the same time with certain pharmaceutical drugs.

 

References

Bandaranayake, W. M. (2006). “Quality control, screening, toxicity, and regulation of herbal drugs,” in Modern Phytomedicine. Turning Medicinal Plants into Drugs, eds I. Ahmad, F. Aqil, and M. Owais (Weinheim: Wiley-VCHGmbH & Co. KGaA), 25–57. doi: 10.1002/9783527609987.ch2

Leung AY. Traditional Toxicity Documentation of Chinese Materia Medica—An Overview. Toxicologic Pathology. 2006;34(4):319-326.

Kelly K. History of medicine. New York: Facts on file; 2009. pp. 29–50.

Moquin B, Blackman MR, Mitty E, Flores S. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Geriatr Nurs . 2009 May-Jun;30(3):196-203. Review.

Toplak Galle K. Domestic medicinal plants. Zagreb: Mozaic book; 2005. pp. 60–1.

WHO. (2005b). National Policy on Traditional Medicine and Regulation of Herbal Medicines. Report of a World Health Organization Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO

 

Yoga for Mental Health

photo by: Roman Klačanský Photography

Mental health has always been an inherent part of a person’s wellbeing yet it is today with omnipresent stressors that it is put to a test more than ever before. We are experiencing the highest rise in chronic stress, anxiety, and depression since the beginning of an era hence no wonder people are seeking solutions. Here is why yoga, an ancient Indian practice, has proven to be so effective in this struggle.

YOGA DECREASES ONE’S SYMPATHETIC RESPONSE WHICH IS FOLLOWED BY MULTIPLE BENEFITS

The human nervous system is divided into two compartments: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The first one is responsible for the so-called „fight-or-flight” response that is activated when we are under pressure and have to make some effort. Meanwhile, the latter is predominant when we are more relaxed and in no potential danger. Numerous studies have shown, by measuring sympathetic markers like amylase, that yoga extraordinarily lowers a person’s sympathetic response both short- and long-term. This, on the other hand, entails a combination of benefits both in the nervous and the hormonal systems. The brain gets signals to stabilize one’s heart rate and breathing rate as well as lower blood pressure, all of which are excessively high when in distress. At the same time, it decreases the levels of stress hormones like cortisol in the blood which only puts one in a calmer mood.

YOGA ALLEVIATES THE SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION

Accordingly, since yoga detangles the chaotic processes in our bodies when under stress, it should mitigate the symptoms of chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. As expected, it has been confirmed in copious research. In all studied groups the levels of stress, anxiety of any kind, and depressive symptoms were notably lower and the participants experienced their minds to be much clearer and more focused. Additionally, their sleep patterns improved what happens to be a significant change when battling the mentioned conditions. Undeniably, yoga positively affects everyone’s mental health and improves their quality of life.

DO SOME YOGA YOURSELF!

Yoga does not have to be hard - it is for everyone to benefit from. Here are three of some of the most relaxing hip openers as an incentive for you to try more.

• FROG POSE

Start from all fours and lower your forearms to the ground, shoulder-distance apart. Move one of your knees to the side until you feel the stretch, keeping your shin on the ground. Then, let your second leg do the same. Adjust the stretch to your needs and liking.

• PIGEON POSE

From Downward Dog, step your leg forward. Place your shin on the ground, perpendicular to your arms just behind your hands. Lower yourself to the floor while keeping the second leg straight. Either keep your spine erect or lay with your forehead on the ground to deepen the stretch.

• THE MOST RELAXING TWIST

Lay flat on the floor with your arms on the sides of your trunk. Bring one of your knees to your abs. Grab it with the opposite hand and pull it to the opposite side of your trunk. Keep the second arm straight on the opposite side of the bent leg. Look into that direction as well. Stay in that position for as long as you wish to. Enjoy. Repeat with the second leg.

References:

Derebail Gururaja, Kaori Harano, Ikenaga Toyotake, and Haruo Kobayashi; Effect of yoga on mental health: Comparative study between young and senior subjects in Japan

1. Catherine Woodyard; Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life

2. Ledetra Bridges, LMSW and Manoj Sharma, MBBS, MCHES, PhD; The Efficacy of Yoga as a Form of Treatment for Depression

3. Masoumeh Shohani, Gholamreza Badfar, Marzieh Parizad Nasirkandy,Sattar Kaikhavani, Shoboo Rahmati, Yaghoob Modmeli, Ali Soleymani, and Milad Azami; The Effect of Yoga on Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Women