Hosts Ellen Kamhi PhD RN, The Natural Nurse® interviews Jamie Banks.
Who is Jamie Banks?
She is the Executive Director of Quiet Communities, Inc located in Lincoln, MA. Quiet Communities is a 501c3 organization that conducts research, and provides education and outreach to help communities transition to clean, quiet, sustainable, and healthy landscape maintenance practices.
After many years working in health care economics and health outcomes research, she shifted her activities to the area of environmental health and science.
In 2007, she founded Planet Rewards. In 2013, she founded Quiet Communities. She earned her PhD at the University of Kent (Canterbury, UK), in Social Policy (Health Economics/Outcomes) and holds Masters degrees from Dartmouth Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In today’s topic, Jamie Banks talks about the risks of noise pollution, especially to our overall well-being and alternative solutions for a healthy and responsible landscape maintenance.
To listen to the interview, click the player below. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestion, please use the comment section under this post or contact Ellen Kamhi here.
Homeopathic medicine is a whole medical system that originated in Europe and has been practiced in the United States since the early 19th century. Homeopathy is based on three principles: Like Cures Like, Minimum Dose, Individualized Therapy. We will cover the basic tenets of homeopathy and how to integrate homeopathic remedies for safe and effective child care.
If you need a private consultation with The Natural Nurse, Ellen Kamhi PhD, RN, please contact her to set up an appointment.
By CFCF (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia CommonsThe thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ that wraps around the windpipe right behind the ‘Atom’s Apple’. It is the largest of the body’s endocrine glands. The thyroid gland produces several different hormones that are extremely important to the function of a vast array of metabolic processes in the body, including brain development, mood and weight regulation. A surprising number of people have some kind of abnormal function of the thyroid gland. The Colorado Thyroid Disease Prevalence Study tested 25,862 people, and found that over 9% of them had undiagnosed thyroid dysfunctions. This translates to 13 million Americans who may have this problem. In addition, this study researched the link between ‘subclinical’ low thyroid function and high cholesterol levels. Subclinical means that the low function of the thyroid is not discovered through normal tests performed by most conventional physicians.
The thyroid gland plays a key role in weight problems because it controls the body’s overall metabolic rate. When it’s not working properly, it may lead to an array of health problems, including weight gain, arthritis, depression cold hands and feet, dry skin, high cholesterol, chronic constipation and hair loss. Symptoms caused by low thyroid function are so varied, that they can easily be confused with those of other conditions.
The thyroid is the body’s metabolic thermostat, controlling body temperature, energy use, and, in children, the body’s growth rate. The thyroid controls the rate at which organs function and the speed with which the body uses food. When the thyroid is dysfunctional, there are a number of ways that it can seriously impact your weight.
Correct thyroid function keeps the body at a normal, resting temperature of 98.6° F. The thyroid sends chemical messages via hormones to every cell in the body, directing the maintenance of body temperature, heart rate, and muscle movements. When the thyroid is dysfunctional or underactive (hypothyroidism), it sends out fewer hormones, causing metabolism to slow down. When metabolism slows, the body will store rather than burn calories, causing an accumulation of fat.
Low thyroid function also leads to a sluggish digestive system, often resulting in a number of gastrointestinal problems, including constipation, gas and bloating, abdominal pain, and decreased absorption of nutrients. Decreased digestive efficiency may lead to a condition called leaky gut syndrome, in which undigested food particles enter the bloodstream causing allergic reactions and depleting the immune system. Weight gain is one of the potential results of these digestive disturbances. Because low thyroid function causes fatigue and lack of stamina as well as muscle aches or weakness, people with this condition may find it difficult to exercise which is another factor in weight problems.
Thyroid problems have been on the rise due to the increasingly toxic environment in which we live. Exposure to radiation, fluoride (in water and toothpaste), mercury from silver amalgam dental fillings, pollutants (thyocyanide) in cigarette smoke, and chlorinated compounds (found in wood and leather preservatives) are just a few of the many causes of hypothyroidism. Radiation is probably the greatest environmental cause of hypothyroidism and other thyroid problems, including thyroid cancer. PCB’s (Polychlorinated biphenyls) , chlorinated pesticides, and heavy metals such as mercury(which comprises up to 50% of silver amalgam fillings) have been scientifically proven to disrupt endocrine function. Even at low exposure levels during pregnancy, environmental contaminants can interfere with thyroid status in later life. Heavy metals also interfere with an enzyme critical in converting the inactive form of thyroid hormone (T4) into the active form (T3).
Dietary factors that depress thyroid function include synthetic and genetically engineered hormones in meat, dairy products, poultry, and eggs, which block the release of thyroid hormones, and either a deficiency or excess of the mineral, iodine. Although deficiencies are rare in developed countries, excess accumulation occurs due to an overabundance of iodine in commercial salt, baked goods (in dough conditioners) and dietary supplements. Some vegetables that have a wide variety of health benefits, such as raw cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts) contain thyroid inhibitors called goitrogens, that may cause an enlargement of the thyroid gland and inhibit hormone synthesis. However, lightly steaming the vegetables stops the activity of the thyroid-suppressing substances. Soy products, especially if not fermented, may depress thyroid function. Other dietary influences include vitamin deficiencies (particularly vitamins A and B), mineral deficiencies (zinc, copper, iron, and selenium), and excess intake of polyunsaturated fats ,such as soybean, safflower, and corn oils. Alternative medicine practitioners generally begin to treat hypothyroidism by strengthening intestinal health and digestion. To help spark proper thyroid function a combination of specific foods, nutrients, exercises and therapies is needed. Thyroid glandular therapy and thyroid hormone therapy may be indicated.
Gugulipid, an Ayurvedic herb that has been used in India for over 2,500 years, is helpful for supporting the thyroid. Studies have shown that gugulipid stimulates thyroid function. Gugulipid is often available as an extract standardized to 2.5-5% guggulsterones. Yoga, Tai chi and Castor Oil packs can also be used in a thyroid healing protocol. . Proper nutrition combined with regular exercise can help restore a weakened thyroid, and lead to weight loss as well!
Ellen Kamhi PhD RN, The Natural Nurse®, can be heard on radio daily. She is the author of several books, including Weight Loss, The Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide.
Dr. Kamhi has been involved in natural health care for over 4 decades. She answers consumer questions and has a private nutrition consultation practice. www.naturalnurse.com 954-418-2388
FACTS: Castor oil comes from the castor bean- which is poisonous!
Castor Bean Plants are also called “The Palma Christi”
Castor Oil was recommended for healing by the famous psychic, Edgar Cayce
The Castor bean is the seed of an herbaceous plant which is cultivated in the temperate climates, often as an ornamental. It grows from 3-10 feet tall. Its native cousins in Asia, Africa and the West Indies can grow to 30-40 ft high! The plant itself is quite poisonous; a child can die from ingesting a single castor bean. However, the light yellow oil pressed out of the bean is safe to use, since the toxic constituents remain in the seeds. The castor bean plant is also known as The Palma Christi, or Hand of Christ, due to the shape of the leaves and its healing properties. Castor oil is mentioned in the ancient Egyptian medical scrolls, the Codex Ebers. The Egyptians used castor oil as a laxative for cleansing the bowels and as a scalp rub to make hair grow and shine. The well known laxative effect is probably due to the active constituent ricinolein, which is a mild irritant to the large intestines. Many senior citizens probably remember their Grandparents reaching for the Castor oil at the first sign of illness.
Throughout history, castor oil has enjoyed popularity as a healing substance. Dr. Forest Clinton Jarvis in his 1958 best selling book Folk Medicine, describes many medicinal uses of castor oil. “Apply it to moles, warts and skin ulcers to remove or lessen the blemishes. Or, rub a small amount on the hair and eye lashes to make them more luxuriant”. Castor oil rubbed into sore joints and muscles right prior to heat application treatment reduces the pain and swelling of rheumatism.
Edgar Cayce, the famous American psychic who lived in the 1940’s, spoke often about the use of a castor oil pack. This is a gentle treatment suggested by Cayce for non-malignant ovarian fibroids and cysts, breast swellings and cysts, headaches, liver problems, constipation and other ailments involving elimination.
Making a Castor oil pack…
Materials :
Organic castor oil, Undyed wool flannel, a heating pad or hot water bottle, a plastic sheet, and some terry cloth towels.
Directions:
1)Soak the flannel in warmed castor oil and then place it onto the body over the area you wish to treat.
2) Cover the flannel with a piece of plastic. A small garbage bag works fine for this.
3) Place the heating pad over the plastic. Keep it on a warm setting. You may choose to use a hot water bottle instead of the heating pad.
4) Cover all of this with a towel to keep the surface you are laying on from becoming soiled and to keep in the warmth. Fasten the towel around you with a safety pin, or use an ace bandage to secure everything in place.
5) Relax completely for one to two hours before removing the entire pack. The procedure is an excellent stress reducing modality and feels soothing. It can be used for all ages, except for placing it on the lower abdomen of a pregnant woman.
If you do the treatment over your abdomen, it may cause some mild cramping sensations over the right upper quadrant. This may be an indication that the Castor oil is stimulating the liver and Gallbladder. This is quite normal, so don’t be alarmed. Also, You may have a loosened bowel movement several hours after the pack. Again, this is quite a normal occurrence. AVOID IF PREGANT, unless the midwife or obstetrician directs you to do so/; as castor oil can begin and accelerate labor or cause premature miscarriage.
So, the next time you want a time honored, gentle healing method that is guaranteed to soothe and smooth, reach for the castor oil. You’ll find it, as you reach into, The Natural Medicine Chest.
Ellen Kamhi PhD, RN, The Natural Nurse®, can be heard on radio daily. She is the author of several books, including THE NATURAL MEDICINE CHEST. Dr. Kamhi has been involved in natural health care for over 4 decades. She answers consumer questions and has a private practice. www.naturalnurse.com 954-418-2388. Dr. Kamhi will be lecturing at CUNY group meeting on Wed Feb 4 th, 7 pm, at GP-A in the Clubhouse. All CV residents are invited.
She is the Executive Director of Quiet Communities, Inc located in Lincoln, MA. Quiet Communities is a 501c3 organization that conducts research, and provides education and outreach to help communities transition to clean, quiet, sustainable, and healthy landscape maintenance practices.
The Castor bean is the seed of an herbaceous plant which is cultivated in the temperate climates, often as an ornamental. It grows from 3-10 feet tall. Its native cousins in Asia, Africa and the West Indies can grow to 30-40 ft high! The plant itself is quite poisonous; a child can die from ingesting a single castor bean. However, the light yellow oil pressed out of the bean is safe to use, since the toxic constituents remain in the seeds. The castor bean plant is also known as The Palma Christi, or Hand of Christ, due to the shape of the leaves and its healing properties. Castor oil is mentioned in the ancient Egyptian medical scrolls, the Codex Ebers. The Egyptians used castor oil as a laxative for cleansing the bowels and as a scalp rub to make hair grow and shine. The well known laxative effect is probably due to the active constituent ricinolein, which is a mild irritant to the large intestines. Many senior citizens probably remember their Grandparents reaching for the Castor oil at the first sign of illness.
Making a Castor oil pack… 