Samovar Tea Lounge, a San Fransisco tea house, has created a 16-part video series called “Passage to Peace: Exploring Tea Culture Today”.

Press the image below to watch the trailer for this online series, which aims to show the connection between drinking tea and inner peace.

Vipassana meditation thickens parts of the brain responsible for awareness and sensation:

Our data suggest that meditation practice can promote cortical plasticity in adults in areas important for cognitive and emotional processing and well-being,” says Sara Lazar, leader of the study and a psychologist at Harvard Medical School. “These findings are consistent with other studies that demonstrated increased thickness of music areas in the brains of musicians, and visual and motor areas in the brains of jugglers. In other words, the structure of an adult brain can change in response to repeated practice.”

Global warming responsible for less sex in the desert:

American prostitutes are offering free fuel after finding that high petrol prices were keeping customers away.

In the Nevada desert, where it is legal to run brothels, truck drivers make up a significant proportion of the men who like to pay to stay awhile.

But with bowser prices making filling the tank of the big rigs which ply their trade on America’s highways almost prohibitively expensive, something has had to give.

The Nevada Brothel Owners Association claim they are bearing the brunt, with revenue in some establishments dropping by up to 45 per cent since the oil crisis began.

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental disabilities afflicting mankind. The current scientific position tells us that the most likely cause of these conditions is a combination of both a genetic predisposition along with acute environmental stress (such as the consumption of harmful junk food, or the ordeals of a divorce). Whatever the actual reasons for a certain episode of melancholy, there are several known brain mechanisms that engage in the regulation of mood, stress, and motivation. I can assume most of us have heard of the infamous neurotransmitters Serotonin, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine. Taking antidepressants (such as Prozac) affect the receptivity of our nerve cells to these molecules, and by doing so these drugs reprogram our brain to behave differently — hopefully, in a more healthy manner.

Recently, other mood-regulating neurotransmitters have been discovered. One of them is Orexin, a peptide which was traditionally mentioned in the field of hunger-regulation. It’s also important in maintaining a state of wakefulness, as can be evidenced by a drug called Modafinil that is used to increase brain levels of Orexin in order to treat people with narcolepsy.

Later this month, a group of researchers in Israel will pronounce the discovery of yet another mood-regulating neurotransmitter. It is called IA (Incensole acetate), and it activates an ion channel named TRPV3. Ion channels are specially-designed proteins that sit on the membrane (the outer layer) of nerve cells, and control the flow of electrically charged particles into and out of the cell — a process that determines whether a certain nerve cell is activated at a certain moment, or not. In other words, molecules (neurotransmitters) that can alter the function of TRPV3 channel change the patterns of our brain activity — and as just mentioned, cutting-edge research from Israel indicates that this pattern of change adjusts the levels of mood and stress.

More specifically, a group of scientists from The College of Judea and Samaria in Ariel, led by Prof. Ester Fride, conducted experiments with the Boswellia plant, which contains the IA molecules. They’ve discovered that this plant does indeed reduce anxiety, without all the pesky side effects of ordinary antidepressants, such as sexual dysfunction and weight gain.

It is interesting to note that the ancient Israelites burnt incense made of the Boswellia plant in the Temple in Jerusalem, since it created a relaxing atmosphere, suited for prayer and rituals. Perhaps as we revert back to ancient remedies, we’ll discover healthier - more organic - solutions to modern maladies.

Picture by Garnet’s Book of Shadows

Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, is a condition in which the body produces too much blood sugar and not enough of the hormone insulin which prevents blood sugars from going too high. Many diabetes sufferers must inject themselves daily with synthetic insulin to enable them to live a near-normal life. Recent research, however, is finding that diabetes can be controlled by a number of natural remedies, in addition to the standard remedies of insulin and special diets.

There are presently more than 20 million Americans suffering from either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and an estimated 6 million more who are not even aware that they may have the condition. The most common symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and urine extraction, blurred vision and lethargy, and sudden and unexplained weight loss. If not treated properly, diabetes can lead to blindness and kidney failure, loss of limbs due to gangrene, and eventually death.

Although moderate exercise and sugarless diets are recommended to diabetes sufferers, especially those afflicted with what is known as Type 2 diabetes, or the one involving increased blood glucose levels accompanied with lack of natural insulin, the use of a number of natural remedies is now being found to cause improvement to diabetes sufferers. Some of these remedies include fenugreek seed; kelp reduces blood sugar levels; pycnogenol: a powerful antioxidant that is derived from a species of pine tree in France and other European countries. Pycnogenol has been shown to help repair the damage to the eye’s retina caused by too much blood sugar. Other herbal remedies include mulluca root: used to treat diabetes as well as other physical ailments such as high blood pressure and skin diseases; bitter melon: reduces blood sugar levels in a manner similar to insulin; alpha lipoic acid: reduces blood glucose levels by increasing insulin function, and a soup-like preparation from the leaves of the oleander plant which is also said to be good against some forms of cancer.

In addition to herbs such as the ones mentioned here, foods such as apples and almonds, and those containing Omega 3 fatty acids are also said to be beneficial.

It must be advised though to never rely on natural remedies alone without advice from a physician who is familiar with natural herbal remedies. Along with using these remedies, it is important to adhere to a strict diet that avoids fatty foods and foods high in sugar content. By augmenting these natural herbal remedies to a regime of exercise and strict diet, diabetes sufferers may be able to rely less on insulin injections in order to maintain a normal life.

Sources: Natural News, Wikipedia ; Picture by Islets of Hope

Recent communicated articles and press releases concerning a newly discovered phytonutrient, derived from a species of micro-algae has been showing up on various media and internet networks that deal in health and nutrition products. The nutrient, known as astaxanthin is being touted as being high in antioxidants (as much as10 times higher than other carotenoids) and is said to be excellent for a number of physical health problems, including prostate glands in men and pre-cancerous conditions in female breasts.

Astaxanthin is said to be derived from a micro-algae called Haematocuccus, and is red in color. The red color in this algae and phytonutrient is said to be what causes certain species of Salmon to have that appealing pink color. Astaxanthin is a concentrated anti-oxidant that is claimed to prevent damage to body cells caused by free radicals – the byproduct of energy created by oxygen reaching cells each time we breathe.

While astaxanthin is found naturally in smaller quantities, when synthesized into a concentrate, it is said to do wonders for improve egg production in animal species like chickens and fish – especially salmon. It is claimed that salmon which are fed food containing this phytonutrient were able leap far higher and further than those who were given the supplement. And chickens given astaxanthin are said to live longer and produce better quality eggs.

So why might there be problem with this kind of nutrient; especially after all the claims to it’s health qualities? Like many other health supplements, this product is currently being promoted on on-line marking websites and is not yet available in health food and health supplement stores. This usually adds a lot of money onto the price of the product due the way it is marketed, i.e. by direct or multi-level marketing campaigns where the price of the product is made more expensive due to many people being involved in the “pyramid” sales structure.

From a health standpoint, it must be determined that the product has been tested and certified to be acceptable by organizations such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (it has been approved by the FDA as a food coloring), especially in light of a number of health supplements and vitamins coming from countries such as China being found to be unsafe for human consumption.

There are a lot of tested and certified health supplement products currently on the market, and many of them are available at large chain stores such as GNC, and even ones like Costco and Wall Mart. If astaxanthin turns out to live up to all that is being said about it, then it should eventually be available at well known retail and discount establishments; and not just via online marketing.

Source: Natural News ; Picture by: Wikipedia

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects millions of people all over the world, including more than two million in the US alone. Types of epilepsy, once called the “ailment of royalty” range from mild “Peti-Mal” seizures which are usually a momentary lapse of concentration, to severe or “Grand-Mal” seizures such as the type suffered by Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, in which the sufferer looses all bodily control, including control of urination and defecation.

There have been recent studies made concerning the effect of diet on epilepsy, including following special diets which are low in sugars and other carbohydrates, especially what are known as “junk foods”. While these diets have not been proven to be completely effective to relieve the severity of epileptic seizures or prevent them altogether, studies concerning nutrition and its effects on epilepsy are showing that it is possible to relieve the severity of these seizures by changing one’s nutrition.

Nutritional recommendations for epilepsy suffers include eating and drinking the juice from raw, green leafy vegetables, beets, carrots, and other vegetables with high vitamin content (see our Natural Diet section). Add raw milk and cheese products, raw seeds and nuts, plus soy protein to your diet, plus bio-type sour milk yogurts, especially organic yogurts. Switch to using olive oil instead of other vegetable oils, including taking at least two tablespoons of high quality virgin olive oil a day. Instead of eating large meals three times a day, it’s better to eat several smaller meals and never large amounts of food at night. It’s also recommended not to drink large amounts of liquids at once, especially at meals, as this can bring on seizures.

Certain items such as coffee and tea containing caffeine, refined sugar, alcoholic beverages, fried foods and excessive animal protein should be substantially avoided; as well as using artificial sweeteners, especially Aspartame.

A number of beneficial vitamins and minerals should also be taken by epilepsy sufferers, including Vitamin B complex, Vitamin B-3 (niacin), magnesium, Folic and Pantothenic Acid, calcium and zinc.

It is also very important to engage in a moderate exercise program to improve blood circulation, especially to the brain. And most important, stress must be avoided as much as possible.

Epilepsy sufferers usually take a number of medications which, if taken together with other drugs, such as birth control pills and medications to control conditions such as hypertension and asthma may interact with epilepsy medications. By following the above diet recommendations, it may be possible to reduce the amount of epilepsy medications required as well as the frequency and severity of the seizures.

Source: NaturalNews.com

Hypnosis, from the Greek word hypnos, or sleep, is the science of inducing a sleep-like trance in people in order to either obtain information, or assist persons bring hypnotized by using suggestion to induce them to don actions as per command or per suggestion. For this reason, hypnosis of often referred to as “the power of suggestion”. Although hypnosis has been inexistence for more than two millennium it has only recently been seriously considered as a valuable tool to assist people suffering from a variety of psychological disorders, including chronic and acute stress, sleep disorders, phobias, shyness and “stage fright”, traumatic experiences, work and study problems, and many others.

Although it was used by a number of well known psychologists and psychoanalysts, including Sigmund Freud, it was only fully accepted as a therapeutic science in 1958 by the American Medical Association. Scientific research has proven that not everyone can actually be hypnotized, and that it is virtually impossible to force a subject to be hypnotized against his will. Those who do respond well to being hypnotized generally are put into what is known as a clinical hypnotic state in a matter of 10 to 15 seconds. Once in a state of hypnosis, it can be either deep or shallow, depending on the reason for inducing the person into being hypnotized, as well as the psychological state of the individual prior to being hypnotized.

Before the innovation of reliable means of anesthesia, hypnosis was used to prepare patients for undergoing surgical and dental procedures. It is still used to prepare patients psychologically prior to undergoing serious medical treatments and procedures, including many for treating forms of cancer. The science has also proven to be useful for helping cure people suffering from various forms of psychological disorders, including amnesia, serious fears and phobias, and for those who have been involved in serious accidents, wartime traumas, and other situations in which people were subjected to acute trauma and stress.

One of the more interesting uses of hypnosis is that involving theory called “hyper suggestibility” in which the hypnotic therapist helps a patient concentrate to a series of suggestions that are formulated to help him respond to certain stimuli. The hypnotherapist helps the subject use more intense forms of concentration to focus on the desired goal.

Although forms of hypnosis is also used for entertainment , it should not be practiced by those who are trained in the science; and people willing to subject themselves to being hypnotized by one who is using it to entertain audiences, are subjecting themselves at their own risk.