Benefits of Using a STABILITY BALL in Your Training

An exercise ball allows a wide range of exercises to be performed.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If there is one equipment you should not miss in your training, it is the stability ball. The market comes up with new training tools every now and then. Yet you are not sure if they do work and if they are safe. So for one that is guaranteed to work, use the stability ball.

What Is a Stability Ball?

This is a large and inflatable ball used as an exercise equipment. Despite being air-filled, it is generally heavy-duty and capable to hold 600 to 700 pounds of weight. It is comfortable and gives good support. It perfectly suits the trainee as it easily goes with the structure of the body.

This exercise tool is also sometimes called as the physioball or the Swiss Ball.

The good thing about using the stability ball is it reduces the perception of ‘working’ in training, especially for beginners. It gives some element of ‘play’ as you get rough with the training. It adds some fun and excitement as you advance in the movements and techniques.

Another good point with the ball is that it can be used by anybody. No fitness level is required. It is very portable and lightweight, easy to bring along even when traveling. It is also inexpensive compared to other exercise equipment and it could last for a very long time.

How Stability Balls Came About?

The use of the stability balls for training can be traced in rehabilitation. As early as the 1900’s, physical therapists have been using balls in addressing the neurological disorders of their patients.

Then, in the early 1960’s, Aquilino Cosani, an Italian toy maker, made the ball and sold it, known then as the ‘Gymnastik.’ Two decades after, Cosani came up with a company called Gymnic and became the major supplier of the stability ball to most rehabilitation programs and centers.

The ball then shifted from the rehabilitation to the athletic area, in the 90’s. It was used to condition the body of professional athletes. From then on, the ball became very prominent in the fitness community.

At present medical specialists and fitness professionals very much recommend the use of the stability ball by the public. It serves more than solving physical problems. It is good for preventing you from having one.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Stability Ball?

The stability ball definitely is best to improve the strength of the abs and the lower-backs. It improves as well the functional strength, balance, and flexibility of the body.

1. Proper Alignment

Using the ball during training will test the body to make use of the different parts to maintain the proper balance. The dynamic movements during exercise will improve the natural motor reflexes of the body as different muscles are utilized in movement, especially the ones that are not usually used. The challenge posed by the ball is to maintain balance. As one aims to get the proper balance, the alignment of the body parts is also improved.

2. Great Abs

For people working out to achieve great abs, this ball can definitely target the abdominal areas. The abs and the back muscles are simultaneously moved as you work in your balance. Just imagine the good feeling of having a flat stomach area and you will definitely love this ball.

3. Muscle Strength and Endurance

The stability ball can help in alleviating any back pain and preventing one in the future. As all the major muscle groups are exercised, the muscle tone, strength, and endurance are also improved. Thus it gives the body flexibility, stability, and resistance.

4. Core Stability

This concerns the major muscles that help stabilize and support all of the body movements. This is made up of back and the deep abdominal muscles. With the ball, no matter how ‘deep’ or ‘into the core’ these muscles are, they are still exercised. This is something only the stability ball can guarantee.

5. Stretching

The ball is a good companion during stretching exercises. With this, you can easily move into and move out of different stretching positions.

6. Losing Weight

Of course, with all the good benefits of using the ball, you will not miss out on the aspect of losing weight. With regular exercises and training done with the stability ball, a person can lose some unwanted pounds as the body is firmed.

Health is definitely your most important asset. So do your regular exercises and maintain a healthy diet. Furthermore, have a happy and fun training with the stability ball.

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FENG SHUI for Different Home Areas

Photo  by stoic 

The Chi, a positive energy that brings in prosperity, should always flow freely through different areas in the home. The following are simple feng shui tips for the different areas of the home.

The kitchen

- The stove must be away from the door, but the cook should be able to see the door. If not possible, install a mirror.

- Never position the stove opposite the sink, refrigerator, or dishwasher. A clash of the elements fire and water is not a good idea.

- Keep your cupboard and refrigerator well stocked with food supplies. It implies wealth and abundance.

- Avoid positioning the stove directly in front of a window. Placing the stove on the side of a window is better.

The bathroom or toilet

- Never place the toilet opposite the kitchen. The feng shui fire and water elements will clash in this situation.

- The toilet must not be placed adjacent to the front door. Place the toilet somewhere far away from the front door.

- Avoid positioning the toilet door directly opposite the front door. This may lead to wasted opportunities.

- Place a huge mirror behind the bathroom sink. But never use the kind that is split in the middle, often seen in bathroom cabinets.

- Make sure that the plumbing fixtures in the bathroom and toilet are not leaking, especially the faucets.

The bedroom

- The bedroom should not be adjacent or opposite to a bathroom or toilet. If this is unavoidable, make sure you keep the bathroom or toilet door closed at all times.

- Position the bed as far away from the door as possible. But make sure you still have a good view of the door from the bed. At the same time, do not place your bed where your feet are pointed towards the door when you are sleeping.

- Mirrors should not be placed where they reflect your image as you sleep. Round and oval-shaped mirrors are ideal, but make sure they are larger than your head.

- Sleeping directly on the floor is not suggested as it does not allow the Chi to flow beneath you.

The stairway

- Traditionally, the favorable number of steps in a stairway is an odd number. A spiral staircase is also a blunder because it confuses the Chi.

- The worst mistake that can happen is when the staircase leads directly to the front door. This leads to the loss of opportunities, and the residents tend to be always rushing, seldom settling in.

- A good way to slow down the flow of Chi outside the front door is to hang a wind chime on the ceiling above the base of the staircase. A heavy figurine at the floor level below may also act helpful.

Lobbies and hallways

- Hallways need to be free of impediments and are needed to be well lit. It should also be clear to anyone where they are to go next in the house.

- A nice piece of art may be hung on the wall to the end of a hallway. However, never place a mirror there; it will only reflect back the entering Chi.

- There should be no hallway in the house that leads directly to a toilet. If it is already there, just make sure the door is closed at all times.

These are some tips to overcoming and preventing Chi flow problems, giving you a harmonious feng shui home.

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The most terrifying archaeological MYSTERIOUS DISCOVERIES

Mummified head of Thutmose II
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Screaming mummies:

During 1886, Gaston Maspero was unfolding the mummies from their sarcophagi and while doing so, Gaston discovered that the head and the feet of the Corpse were bound for quiet few unspeakable reasons. He then gradually looked up and found them screaming and those undead faces were looking directly at him from the back. As the coverings were strange, the bound hands of the mummy and the tortured expression theorized that the body was poisoned and then buried deep in the earth to make it die. When the body is set to be mummified, the jaws should be strapped shut or else it will open naturally during the decaying process and will start screaming permanently. And this is the reason for the discovering of many mummies in the different digs of the world.

The Mass Grave of the Headless Vikings:

The Archaeologists while digging the sides of the old roadway at Dorset unearthed some strange things. They discovered the mass graves which were headless and these were said to be the remains of the 54 Viking mercenary. The archaeologists started to read and study carefully the bones positioning and recorded it, while doing so they noticed some unusual thing it is placed, the arm bones, legs, head, torso and few other parts were all arranged neatly into a separate pile. The theory behind this is that the Viking that was found in the Hellraiser form unleashed a host of the cenobites of the Middle Ages. The Archaeologists have got a substantial theory behind this, they say that the assailants were murdered by themselves and then the corpses were stripped naked by the villagers and then shaved off the heads, buried them as a fun time souvenir. However later the archaeologists modified their findings and said that these bodies would have been sacrificed ritually and in a highly controlled manner, but however, this doesn’t go right with the observed surroundings. 

The Tomb of the sunken Skulls:

The archaeologists in 2009, while excavating the dry prehistoric lake bed at Motala (Sweden), were stunned to see the foundation of some mysterious structures of stone, which was sealed from the bottom of the ancient lake. Instead of turning away to run, they started to dig further and then eventually were able to unearth some mysterious structures like the stone tools, animal bones and the age-old 8000 years old skulls of ten people. All the skulls were of the children, middle-aged people, and elderly people. They even found the eleventh skull which was buried deep in the bottom lakes mud.

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Tying Together the Cycle: Relating the Elements for HOLISTIC HEALING

Representation of the Chinese five elements (wǔxíng).
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In order for one to be balanced and healthy in Chinese traditions, all of the elements in their body have to be balanced.  In order to do this, one must first understand how the elements work together to achieve and maintain complete health.  If you are looking towards nature to find a way to heal, then Chinese medicine can help to define what areas you should be looking at.

Not only is the relationship between nature and the body interchangeable, but there are also ways that Chinese medicine uses this relationship in order to help one gain optimal health.  By taking the five elements and linking them together, as well as applying them to how one is able to live, there is the ability for one to understand how to remain balanced and healthy.

After the five elements have been divided and completely understood, they are all put into the proper alignment and place.  This is known as the Shen Cycle, which translates into the Nourishing Cycle.  When one is completely balanced and healthy, they can use the cycle of the elements to help.  It is said, according to these Chinese medicine principles that water nourishes wood, wood fuels fire, fire makes the earth, and earth yields metal and metal produces water.

Within this same cycle of nourishing, each of the elements can also destroy each other.  This is known as Ko or the Regulating Cycle.  When the opposite elements are combined they cancel each other out. Chinese medicine considers both of these cycles to be the natural order of things.  They can then take this natural order to help either balance out an imbalanced element in one’s body, or help to nourish something that is out of order.

Chinese medicine, at its very roots, carries the philosophy and ideal of combining the natural elements of the earth with healing.  By cycling together the elements, either through nourishing the elements, or canceling them out, it allows one to keep the natural order in their own life.  It is simply understanding when one’s body is in the specific element and understanding how it should respond.  

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CHAKRA MEDITATION Basics

Sahasrara chakra
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chakra meditation is one of the more popular meditation techniques used today. Its philosophy is based upon the discovery or the search of the charkas. A chakra can be considered as an energy point or force in the body that tries to govern different physical, mental and spiritual functions in an individual. It is the practice of awakening the charka in the body that is the aim of chakra meditation.

According to the practice of chakra meditation, there are seven chakras located in the different parts of the body. Each one governs different bodily functions and may also provide different benefits when awakened through meditation. One of the chakra is the Mooldhara or the "root place". This chakra is located somewhere in the cervix in women and in the perineum in men. It is said to govern the skeletal and the excretory system of the body. The Mooldhara may also affect the sense of smell as well as the legs and the cervix. Attributes to it include the basic life force, material attachment, procreation, and response to stimuli of labor for women.

Another of the seven chakras is the Swadhistana or "place of one's abode". It can be located somewhere at the tip of the spinal column. It is said to affect the urinary system such as the kidney and the bladder. Other bodily systems that this chakra may affect include the reproductive system such as the ovaries, fallopian tube and the uterus in women and the testes and prostate gland in men. Attributes connected to this chakra include the sense of taste, the ability to analyze, a balanced sex drive, high fertility and no fear of water.

The third chakra is the Manipura or the "city of sparkling jewels". This chakra is located in the spinal column somewhere in the lumbar junction of the L1 and T12 vertebras. It is said to affect the digestive system, the adrenal glands as well as the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems of the body. This chakra is attributed to power, ego, self-confidence, strength and good assimilation and digestion.

The fourth chakra is the Anahata or "unstruck". This chakra is located in the spinal column somewhere in the center of the chest. It is said to affect the cardiovascular, respiratory system as well as the muscular system. This chakra is attributed to a person's emotions, relationships, love, and ability to express oneself through the arts. If this chakra is afflicted in the body, it is said to lead to respiratory disorders, heart problems, and low immunity. It may also lead to a person having fear of loneliness, experience some form of emotional imbalance and the inability to maintain friends

There is also the Vishudh chakra or "purification".     It is located in the spinal column somewhere at the C7 vertebrae. It is said to affect the thyroid and parathyroid glands, as well as the function of the throat including the voice, ears, sense of hearing. Attributes to this chakra include the transformation of thoughts into speech, better ability to speak or sing, and the acute sense of hearing. If afflicted, this chakra may cause thyroid imbalance, restriction in the voice as well as the inability to comprehend and understand.

The Ajna, or "command" chakra is said to be located in the mid-center of the brain somewhere at the top of the spinal cord. It governs the autonomic nervous system, pineal gland, and the pituitary gland. This chakra is also said to be attributed to the sense of intuition, higher level of mind and wisdom that is beyond normal intellect.

The Sahasrara or the "one thousand" chakra is said to have various positions according to different ancient texts but is usually found at the base of the scalp. It is said to control no specific bodily system but has the overall control of the brain. The knowledge of the seven chakras is the basic in better understanding chakra meditation.

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ASTROLOGY And Its Influences

A horoscope calculated for January 1, 2000, at 12:01:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time in New York City, New York, USA (Longitude: 074W00'23" - Latitude: 40N42'51"). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Taking much of the country by surprise, and causing a great number of negative reactions, was when it became publicly-known that then-president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy not only frequently consulted an astrologer, but based numerous important decisions on astrology, such as Reagan's chances in the 1976 presidential election, and his eventual choice of George Bush as his vice-president.  While governor of California, Ronald Reagan signed into law a new chapter and section of the government code, which granted astrologers the right to practice astrology for compensation.

Even more surprising was learning that a number of previous presidents had also followed this practice as well as such famous world-leaders as Winston Churchill.

Celebrities are also known to believe in and follow the paths of astrology when deciding the course of their careers, often being quite outspoken about their beliefs.  David Coverdale, of the popular group Whitesnake, has commented that he and his wife rigorously follow astrology;  actor Robert Downey, Jr., and singer Britney Spears are also amongst those who consult astrologers on a regular basis.  J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books series, liberally sprinkles astrological symbolism in her material.  "Astrologers to the stars" occasionally become as much in the spotlight of the public eye as the stars who consult them.

If world-renowned politicians and stars in the entertainment industry have been placing so much value on the subject of astrology, is it any wonder that many average Americans are doing likewise?  A recent Harris Poll has concluded that at least thirty-one percent of Americans have some degree of belief in astrology nearly half of these being in the twenty-five to twenty-nine-year-old age group, with the belief in this practice falling to fourteen percent for those over sixty-five years of age.

The highest percentages of American adults who believe in astrology as being  a valid and significant influence in one's life are women, Democrats, and those who have a high school or less education-yet even Benjamin Franklin professed and wrote about his own personal belief in astrology, which illustrates that this subject is by no means limited to any certain categories of individuals and that its popularity is most definitely not new, as it has long been embraced by well-known, respected people in all fields.

Astrology is described as studying the celestial bodies in relation to their influence on natural events and human experiences.  It is called pseudoscience, proven science, superstition, anti-Christian, and a host of other descriptions based primarily on individual viewpoints on the subject.  But for celebrities, politicians, world leaders, and a large segment of the population of average citizens alike, it is frequently a very strong influencing factor in people's lives.

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The Days of Easter

Resurrection - Photo: Pixabay

Lent is a forty-six day penitence season that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.  It is symbolic of the forty days Jesus spent out in the wilderness before his ministry. 

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them of the dust we all return to once we die.

Palm Sunday is one week before Easter and celebrates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.  This begins the Holy Week.  Maundy Thursday signifies the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples.  Good Friday represents the crucifixion, and Easter Sunday celebrates Jesus' resurrection and ascent to heaven.  

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are known as the Easter Triduum or Three Days.

Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday, is when some churches start their celebration of Easter very late in the evening at service called the Easter Vigil.  All lights are extinguished, and a single flame is brought into the pulpit by the minister who takes his flame and lights all the other candles with it.  In some churches, it is customary to share a meal after the lighting of the candles.

Eastertide, or the season of Easter, starts on Easter Sunday and lasts until seven weeks later on the Days of Pentecost.

Easter Sunday is usually celebrated with a sunrise service and highly festive music with brass instruments.  The pulpit of the church is adorned with many Easter Lilies.  Easter Sunday should be that Sunday that follows the first full moon after the first day of spring or the Vernal Equinox.

More importantly, we celebrate these days to relive Jesus' last days:  The Last Supper, The Cross, and His Resurrection into heaven.  

The Martialarm Introduction To CHOY-LI-FUT

Members of the Buk Sing Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu Association from Fremont, California perform a lion dance to welcome the torch's arrival in Justin Herman Plaza.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Choy-Li-Fut is a popular Southern variety of kung-fu in which the opponents oppose from some distance, which necessitates of each the proficient and expert development of long-hand abilities, as well as firm and a solid grounding in the body, though the feet must be versatile. The arms are wielded freely and powerfully in a variety of styles: uppercuts, backfists, roundhouses, and overhead foreknuckle thrusts. The Baat Gaw land, willow leaf double swords, and 18 staff can be used in the aggressive kung-fu variety.

As a Southern Shaolin style with Five Animal techniques, Hung Kuen is a close relative of Choi Lei Fut and is said by some Choi Lei Fut branches to be the variety that Chan Yuen-Wu taught founder Chan Heung.

Choi Lei Fut is a characterized as a "soft-hard", "external" variety. The curriculum was designed so that anti-Qing rebels may perhaps concisely gain feasible proficiency and still incorporates a wide range of weapons. Several frequent movements have specific sounds interrelated with them for example, "sik" when throwing punches, "yik" when punching from horse riding stance, "wah" was used when using a Tiger Claw and "dik" when kicking hypothetically so that friendly forces may perhaps recognize each other in battle and to force the practitioner to coordinate his breathing habits with his movements.

Choy Lay Fut training could be done in any city in the world and I call you to visit out martial arts directory of Choy Lay Fut to find a school near you!

Depending on the branch of Choi Lei Fut, Choi Fook is said to have been a master either of Southern Shaolin Kung Fu from Fujian province, he was not related to which was started by Choi Gau-Yee and is cited to have the longest range of the five major family styles of the southern Chinese martial arts.

Lei Yau-San, cited to be a student of Jee Sin while others admit him to be a student of Li Sik Hoi-one of the 5 Ancestors of the Hung Mun, Lei Yau-San is known not only as a teacher of Chan Heung, and later discovered of Jeung Hung Sing as well, but as the founder of Lei Ga which, like Choi Ga, is one of the five major family styles of the southern Chinese martial arts.

Fut Ga literally "Buddha family," specializes in palm techniques and for this reason is also known as Buddha family Palm, Buddhist Palm, or Buddha Palm. Monk Ching Cho Woh Seung was responsible for spreading the Fut Ga procedure all over Guandong. Both the left and apt hand are used in attack and defense. Long and short-range footwork is employed.

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Base Carrier Oil For AROMATHERAPY Home Recipes

A bottle of Trader Joe's brand grapeseed oil.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is a quick reference guide for essential oils base carrier for aromatherapy home recipes because essential oils are very concentrated they need to be diluted for some uses, and the best way to do this is by using a base carrier oil. In addition to helping dilute the essential oil a good quality base carrier also helps the essential oils uses to penetrate the skin especially with massage use.

These are some of the most popular base carrier oils for aromatherapy;

• Apricot Kernel Oil - This is a very pale yellow  contains minerals  vitamins, it has a light soothing feel and is easily absorbed with nutrition for the skin.
• Avocado Oil - This is a dark green color  contains vitamins & proteins, lecithin essential fatty acids, which is very good for dry skin, skin irritations;
• Camellia Oil - This is a clear color and contains oleic acid which is an essential fatty acid, that works as a lubrication oil that leaves your skin soft  silky;
• Evening Primrose Oil - This is a pale yellow and contains a high level of gamma linoleic acid, vitamins  minerals which is excellent for treating psoriasis  eczema and increases blood flow to the surface of the skin;
• Grapeseed Oil - The color of this one is almost colorless or pale green which contains vitamins, minerals  protein, and is very light & easily absorbed on you skin;
• Hazelnut Oil - This colour is yellow. It is very rich in vitamins  fatty acids. This is good for restructuring this skin and get the oil into the bloodstream, plus it leaves a soft silky feeling;
• Rosehip Seed Oil - This oil is colorless. It contains a high levels of linoleic  Fatty acids, which is particularly important for tissue regeneration;
• Wheatgerm Oil - This is a yellow to orange colour. It is rich in vitamins, phosphorous, zinc, iron sulphur  essential fatty acids. It is great for nervous systems, skin irritation, scar tissue and stretched skin;

You can also use a 100% pure oil unrefined cold pressed vegetable, nut or seed oils for abasing carrier oils when mixing your essential oils recipes. Not all cold pressed oils are suitable for aromatherapy massage. Some, like carrot, will stain the skin if used neat, and others like olive and sesame are very heavy and will leave you feeling greasy, and some are just far too expensive to be used on there own. But, using aromatherapy you only add a small amount of these oils to the common, nullity purpose base oil because of their special properties. For uses of aromatherapy carrier oils are divided up into two categories. They are Multi-Purpose Oils and Special enhancers.

Multi-Purpose oils are a versatile vegetable oil and used as the main base oils in blends. Used on their own for massage oils or can be enhanced by the adding of small amounts of special enhancers.

Special enhancers are a vegetable oil that is added to the nullity purpose carriers in small amounts to help with troubled skin conditions or as a preservative for a longer shelf life.

Lyn Menzies is a Mother of 4 - Article Directory: EzineArticles

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A Short History of HERBS

63-Dioscoride B (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The world of today is a world of progress, no one doubts about that. We have managed to do in 200 years of continuous industrial revolution, what we couldn’t do in thousands and thousands of tumultuous history. And yet, with all these technological breakdowns and synthetic substances, artificial food, not to mention the reign of King Plastic, some people still find the power and the wisdom to ask themselves how people in the past remained healthy and fit without nutritional supplements, drugs, even antibiotics. Their secret was that that they used what Mother Nature gave them: the plants to cure themselves. Fortunately, this knowledge hasn’t been forgotten; even if they’re not so widely used, plants have found their place in our civilization.

Dioscorides’ Materia Medica, c. 1334 copy in Arabic, describes medicinal features of cumin and dill. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The story begins thousands of years ago, before the recorded history, when man didn’t know how to write or read, but knew how to follow their instincts. They discovered that certain herbs could alleviate their pains, others could make a wound disappear and others could even kill them. In the course of time, societies developed and with them appeared the means to transmit their knowledge other than orally. 

5000 years ago, in Ancient China, people used rhubarb (Rheune palmatum) as a purgative without knowing anything about the actual active substances they contained. Also, they used Ephedra to treat asthma, even though the substance called ephedrine was discovered much later, in 1887 AD. All oriental ancient civilizations had their insights into the fascinating world of botany, as plants were one of the few elements to which they could resort to healing themselves. The famous king Hammurabi of Babylon (18th century BC) recommended mint to cure constipation and other digestive disorders. Mesopotamian doctors considered that the best time to take a herbal medicine was at night or early in the morning, a principle which is confirmed nowadays by modern studies. The Indians had an entire system of rules, prescriptions, remedies, and practices, called Ayurveda, many of which involved the use of plants. They also had strict rules about when by whom and from where the plants should be collected

People in Ancient Egypt knew and used the castor-oil plant, wormwood, saffron, and oregano to heal and disinfect wounds; they also put coriander in their tombs so that the spirit will remain healthy in his afterlife. There are written records of their use of garlic (especially for the workmen who built the pyramids), indigo, mint, and opium. The Greek and Roman civilizations have made a major contribution to the medical science. Although much of their studies stemmed from other cultures (Mesopotamian, Egyptian), they added precious information and, in time, they became more and more concerned about the diseases and cures as natural and realistic processes, rather than spiritual or magical. Physicians like Hippocrates, Dioscoride, and others have recorded their discoveries; their works would enlighten the pre-medieval civilizations for many centuries after their death. Dioscorides wrote De Materia Medica (1st century AD), which contained a list of hundreds of medicinal plants, along with their description and curative qualities.

The Dark Ages met with a lack of any further recorded herbal studies; the knowledge was probably transmitted from generation to generation – parents taught children, monks, even herbalist taught apprentices. However, there lived a great Persian physician by the name of Avicenna (Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Abd Allah Ibn Sina) who wrote one of the most famous books in the history of medical science: The Canon, which also contained information about how plants should be used and their properties.

In1527, the Swiss thinker Paracelsus demonstrates that only a small part of the plant has an effect upon the human body (1g per 20 kg of a plant), which is what we now call active substance. Later on, scientists have developed methods to isolate these substances.

However, the first complete categorization of all known medicinal plants was printed in a book called Theatrum Botanicum by John Parkinson in 1640 AD. In 1649 Nicholas Culpeper published A Physical Directory, which is considered one of the best herbal pharmacopeia manuals still quoted today. 

As chemistry as a science developed, physicians started to use more and more widely synthetic medicines, such as aspirin, which proved to have side effects. Yet all pharmacists and drug producers confirm the fact that, unlike artificially synthesized substances, medicines extracted from plants are more accessible to the metabolism and friendlier with the human body.

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Natural Remedies for Depression - ESSENTIAL OILS and Thought Processes

Depression (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It's always best to look for the most gentle yet effective way to treat any disorder or disease. The fewer side effects, the better and we've all probably heard of enough stories of the volatile side effects that tend to result from prescription medications, especially those of anti-depressant medications. There are many natural remedies for depression and a number of self-help techniques that you can turn to. Depression is a disorder of your thoughts and if you keep focused on that fact, you can overcome depression by taking back control of your mind.

In writing, it does sound like an easy task to just change your thoughts to more uplifting and empowering things and leave all those negative and joy-stealing thoughts behind, but our mind is a mysterious thing. Our thoughts came from a variety of experiences and influences that we don't even realize, as well as being a result of the chemical make-up of our body. Not an easy thing to control, especially if you've spent most of your life not realizing that you can control your thoughts. The easy part is getting lost in thoughts and letting your mind control your feelings.

Since depression can be attributed to a chemical imbalance in the body, it is helpful to find some natural remedies that will alter your chemical processes to produce more serene, uplifting and calm thoughts. Essential oils are a gentle and effective way to treat a variety of your body's ailments. They can be used with a carrier oil for a massage, a few drops can be added to a bath or they can be used in a diffuser. There are quite a lot of impure essential oils being marketed today that may still have some aroma but will not have the potency to aid in the re-balancing of the body. Check your local health store as well as a variety of online sources to locate reputable essential oil manufacturers. Young Living Essential Oils is a quality manufacturer and has an excellent website with valuable information about essential oils and company practices. Some essential oils used for depression are lavender, bergamot, clary sage, orange, and ylang-ylang.

Along with various other natural substances, you can treat depression by changing your thought processes. Whether you use prescription drugs or natural therapies, you will eventually have to use this method to avoid falling into the "depression trap" again. There are a number of different ways to change the way your mind thinks and depending on your personality, some will work better than others. Try out all that you can to see what resonates the most with you, and then stick with one or more as part of your daily routine. Some examples of resources to change your thought patterns are subliminal audio, meditation, affirmations, hypnotherapy, reading resources and spiritual nourishment. These are just some resources that you can look for to give yourself that paradigm shift to get rid of depressed thoughts for good.

Medications are not a necessity to treat depression. Perhaps in some situations, it may be necessary to take medications, at least for a period of time, but I believe from my own experience and of hearing the victories from others, that we all have the power to alter our own minds and have them work for us instead of against us. Check out the natural remedies for depression and don't ever give up on empowering yourself to live the life you were meant to live - depression free!

Article Directory: EzineArticles

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Colored Diamonds

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Color Treated Diamonds

Many people are starting to favor the fancy, vivid colored diamond gemstones over the traditional transparent, or white, diamond. Some diamonds are found in their natural colors when they are mined, others become colored by gemologists and jewelers during a treatment process. In order to make them more affordable to the average consumer, companies have begun color treating diamonds of lower grades in order to take a less desirable yellow or brownish tinted diamond and make it into a beautiful, brightly colored diamond.

Colored diamonds can be treated by a process called irradiation, which uses a high heat system to alter the color of a diamond. Other diamonds are treated by painting.

Fancy Colored Diamonds

While many diamonds are inspected and valued based on their colorless qualities, there are people who prefer the fancy colored diamonds that come in vivid hues of greens, yellows, reds, pinks and all the different colors in between.

Some colored diamonds are that way naturally. If a diamond has nitrogen in it, it often has a yellow tint to the stone. If the gemstone has been affected by radiation, the gem may turn green.

Other colored diamonds have been treated to obtain their color, and this allows people with lower budgets to purchase the fancy colored diamonds. Gemologists have found ways to alter the colors of diamonds to get any shade or hue desired.

The grading process for colored diamonds is slightly different than that of the transparent diamond. First, a colored diamond is graded based on the primary hue, the blue or pink or red color that makes up the majority of the color of the diamond. Second, they are graded based on the intensity of that color. A very intense, naturally colored diamond is rarer than a less intense diamond, and therefore more expensive. A treated diamond will cost less than a naturally colored diamond in most instances.

Synthetic Diamonds

Most diamonds are found and mined by miners, but more recently, scientists have come up with ways to create synthetic diamonds. While a synthetic diamond is still a “real diamond”, they are created within a laboratory instead of by nature in a mine.

Colored Diamond Names

Because fancy colored diamonds come in so many different shades, it can sometimes be difficult to interpret the name of the color of the diamond. Often, you'll find two colors labeling the shade of a diamond, such as greenish blue. Each name has a primary color description, and some have a secondary color description. If a diamond is called “blue diamond”, you can tell it will be a blue shaded diamond gemstone. If the diamond is called “greenish blue”, you may wonder what that means. Is the diamond blue, or is it green? The color that is described with the “ish” at the end is considered the secondary color, and the other color, in this case, blue, becomes the primary color. So a greenish blue diamond is mostly blue, with specks of green seen throughout the stone. If you come upon a diamond labeled “brown-red”, then the diamond will have equal amounts of both colors seen through the stone.

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