In This Issue

Happiness Boosters Recommended by Dr. Bernie Siegel

Bernie S. Siegel, MD, is a retired surgeon and well-known proponent of alternative approaches that heal the body, mind and soul. He originated "Exceptional Cancer Patients", a form of individual and group therapy. He is also the author of several books, including 101 Exercises for the Soul: A Divine Workout Plan for Body, Mind, and Spirit (New World Library) and the best-seller Love, Medicine & Miracles (Harper).

He says that in everyday life, it's easy to lose touch with your soul which he defines as the authentic self that lies deep within you. he says that your soul needs regular attention because it enables you to live with enthusiasm, vigor and joy. It also increases your ability to overcome difficulties that you encounter in your life.

These are his recommendations on how to strengthen your soul:

• Get rid of the clutter in your life.
Release some of the negativity of the past, and make room for emotional growth by periodically cleaning your environment and letting go of belongings.

• Access your creative side.
Take up painting, writing, sculpting or other creative endeavors. He says that by expressing your creativity it distracts you from emotional and physical pain. It also helps bring to the surface anything that is trapped within you so that you are able to heal emotionally and physically.

• Define your fears.
He says that by specifically defining your fears, you can come up with solutions so you don't feel so powerless and frightened by them. So, if you're afraid of losing your job, for example, dig deeper to find what that really means. Perhaps you're afraid that you'll end up homeless. If so, you can take steps to secure your home, such as setting aside enough savings to cover your mortgage for a year.

• Get regular massages.
Bernie Siegel says that being touched is therapeutic for your body and soul because it releases muscle tension, enhances the immune system and suppresses pain. So, find a massage therapist, or exchange massages with your partner. Touch can also be a tool to enhance your relationship.

• Focus on the joyful.
All too often, we remember painful experiences like the annoying client or the traffic jam, rather than the happy moments. He suggests that you carry a small journal to record happy moments in your life. Also share funny stories at dinner, watch funny movies and listen to comedy CDs while driving.

• Carry your baby picture in your wallet.
He suggests that it will elicit feelings of joy when you look at it. you can remind yourself that even though you're all grown up, there's still a happy, lovable child inside.

• Find your chocolate - and eat it, too.
Chocolate, particularly the dark variety, stimulates the release of natural endorphins that boost your mood. If you don't like chocolate, find "your chocolate" -whatever makes you feel good when you're feeling low. It could be music, gardening, reading or talking with a loved one.

Human Influenza Virus Inhibited by Oil of Oregano

Long recognized in traditional botanical medicine as an ally in preventing and treating infectious diseases, especially common colds and respiratory infections, oregano oil is proving effective in inhibiting and eradicating a number of human viruses.

The latest in a series of preclinical studies by Dr. M. Khalid Ijaz shows that wild oregano oil alone and in combination with the oils of cumin, sage, and cinnamon, can markedly reduce the virulence of human influenza virus A2. This study follows earlier experiments showing that these two products can completely block replication of human corona virus, the pathogen associated with Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome (SARS).

To test the efficacy of these medicinal oils against influenza, Dr. Ijaz added 0.5 ml of viral inoculum containing human influenza virus A to solutions containing 1% concentrations of the herbal oils. The viral cultures were exposed to the medicinal oils for varying time periods ranging from 2 to 20 minutes and then inoculated into embryonated chicken eggs (a common medium in viral virulence tests).

Exposure of the virus to the Oreganol for 10 minutes reduced the number of viable infectious particles from 10 million per ml to 100,000 per ml. A 20-minute exposure futher reduced the number to just under 15,000 per ml.

Early Detection of Autism Now Possible

Jessica Brian, co-director of the Autism Research Unit at the Child Development Center in Toronto, Canada says that early signs of autism may be detected in high-risk children as young as 12 months who exhibit key behaviors associated with the disorder, such as lack of eye contact with parents, problems following an object visually and reduced social smiling.

Until recently, parents had to wait until a child was two or three years old before he/she could be assessed for autism. A new research tool can identify these early signs of autism in babies who have a sibling with the disorder.

More research is needed to evaluate whether screening is reliable this early in the general population. Earlier detection may lead to earlier intervention and improved outcomes for these children.

Jessica Brian, PhD, Cpsych is coauthor of a study of 150 infants, including 19 infants with early signs of autism, published in International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience.

Did you know?

• Peppermint Oil and Clown's Mustard are good for IBS
Enteric-coated Peppermint oil and Clown's Musard are clinically demonstrated natural alternatives to the over-the-counter drugs prescribed by many doctors. They have significant scientific research behind them. Both have been demonstrated to benefit individuals with IBS.


• Honeycomb prevents hay fever.
Honeycomb works as a desensitizer and antiallergen says Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen, experts on folk medicine. They say that about two months before hay fever season begins for you (and that depends on which plants you are allergic to) chew a one-inch square of local honeycomb for 10 to 15 minutes (then discard) twice a day. They recommend purchasing honeycomb from a local beekeeper or at your neighborhood health-food store. They caution people who are allergic to bee stings or honey to consult a physician first.


• Kids at Risk for Heart Disease
A recent study of the eating habits of 621 school-age children, presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association showed that those who eat out four or more times a week were more likely to develop cardiovascular risks, such as higher blood pressure, lower “good” cholesterol and changes in other markers for heart disease and diabetes, than children who eat out less often. The study was lead by Karen Olson, RN, BSN, nurse and executive director of the Cardiovascular Research and Education Foundation in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Heart attack rates have declined in cities that have banned smoking in public places. For Example: After Pueblo, Colorado, banned smoking in restaurants, bars and other public places, the number of heart attacks fells by almost 30%. Statistics show that thirty-five thousand Americans die of heart disease caused by exposure to second-hand smoking.

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In Good Health.
Pamela Nathan

The Maker's Diet will change your life for the better ... check out ... www.makersdietdistributor.com