 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
||||||||||
natural health
The delicate, feathery leaf of the yarrow, when applied to any superficial cuts or shaving nicks, will quickly halt bleeding. Herbalists say it’s also good for reducing fevers, taken every few hours as a tea made from fresh leaves. But with any herb, make sure you have the correct variety. In general, Western doctors denigrate herbal remedies, ignoring the fact that many modern medicines (including aspirin and the pill) are derivatives of plants, especially those of South American rainforests.
double trouble
Some people will occasionally suffer a blinding headache at the vital moment during sex, but there’s no need to panic. A sudden vasoconstriction (narrowing) of the arteries to the brain as chemicals are suddenly released by your glands is the cause. If it is a recurring problem, your GP may prescribe a vasodilator, commonly used in high blood pressure treatment. Taken beforehand it may prevent the problem.
why we die
Scientifically, at least, we eventually die because it’s nature’s way. But as scientists have sequenced the human genome, they have located and identified two genes that code for death. In some lower species (caterpillars), it’s been possible to remove these genes so that instead of their dying at 20 days, they live for 120.
many choices
With the wide array of milk products on supermarket shelves, many wonder which is best for health, especially in considering the heart and bones. I believe any low-fat milk is OK, irrespective of brand. It is the most common and richest source of calcium, and it’s high in vitamins, minerals and protein. But if you’re allergic to dairy products, enriched soy alternatives are also OK. These are totally devoid of animal fats—also with a wide range of choices.
good indicator
For some people, self-scratching produces a prominent, red streak. This is because the physical trauma, even though mild, produces histamine, which causes a harmless allergy-type reaction. This is an indicator of a heightened sensitivity. People can be allergic to certain foods and plants, medicines and chemicals—even water, heat and cold. It pays to know your allergies and avoid the cause.
down and dirty
Dirty hands may be helpful rather than hurtful to kids. Interacting with germs, which abound in the air and ground, is part of life. Scrupulous cleanliness means our immune systems receive no exposure to germs, so there’s no build-up of protective antibodies. So don’t panic if the kids get a bit dirty: it’s nature’s way of protecting them in the long term.
good books
Eating disorders such as anorexia, which is often combined with bulimia, are the subject of a huge array of research and reading. GPs will often recommend a book, and the Net also contains useful information. One helpful book is How to Recover from Anorexia (Hale and Ironmonger), which contains stories of successful recovery. And for anyone interested in developing a good vitality routine, bookshops abound with helpful resources. One is Lee Gold’s 7-Day Health and Vitality Plan (Pan Macmillan), a recent publication containing many sensible and simple ideas and recipes.
A: Supplemental vitamins and minerals are perfectly safe, simply being part of nature’s nutrition system. There are various commonly used herbs that are all innocuous, including ginkgo biloba, aloe vera, ginseng and others that are widely used. Some claim they feel better for taking them.
Extract from Signs of the Times, January / February 2003.
Home - Archive - Topics - Podcast - Subscribe - Special Offers - About Signs - Contact Us - Links
Copyright © 2006 Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited ACN 093 117 689
Unassociated
advertisement:
This article comes from a
regular column in
Signs
of the Times.
