A first in Brisbane!

That is it : We had our First Sedona Method Support Group last night.
(If you want to know when is the next one is, and you are in a rush, please jump to the end of this post)

So thank you very much for the participants who made it despite the cold. And some of you travelled quite a bit to be there.
And despite the QLD/NSW State of Origin match also last night...
What a competition we had against our little meeting, and I am going to make many of you laugh, I did not know it was on.... Yes, that is how good I am at following these things...

There was a good balance in this sweet little group, of experienced and not so experienced people in the Method. This was really lovely to listen to the sharing of what people gained so far, even the beginners.

This time we did a "group release", ie letting go as a group, with a general framework to release, or let go, giving a chance for each person to let go of what they needed to let go of at that time.

We also described the makings of the Sedona Method in greater details for the new comers, and also paired up, to do some one-on-one releasing, ie one helping the other to let go of whatever situation, feeling, want, etc.., and then reversing the roles.

Remember , you do need to "tell your story" to release. So do not feel threatened that it is prerequiste to the group. Not at all. But if one needs to voice what is going on, that is fine too. We all tend to recognise ourselves in somebody else story quite often.

There is no set format to these meetings. They will take the form each of them need, depending on who is there and what is needed. I have a lot of Hale Dowskin recordings that we can listen to as well.

For the ones who are not very familiar with the Sedona Method yet, if you have the book, this is time to possibly have a read of it. Because it will speed up your growth in it, and you will get even more from the group.

If you do not have the book, I have plenty of stock here. They are reduced to $20 each for participants of the group.
If you prefer the workbook, or any CD, or the Sedona Method Course set of 20CDs + workbook, I have stock of them too, also at reduced price.

Just give us a ring on 3209 8611 or email on info@caringnaturaltherapies.com.au

NEXT MEETING IN ON :

WEDNESDAY 20/07/11

AT 7PM

AT BEENLEIGH EVENTS CTR

CNR CRETE & KENT ST

BEENLEIGH

$5 per person

map link: 

http://www.beenleighregion.com.au/index.php?page=maps&type=1&i=309

Meetings are forthnighlty ie on 03/08- 17/08 - 31/08 - 14/09 etc..

Would you like more hapiness?

The first Brisbane Sedona Method Support Group

is starting next week,

Wednesday 06/07/11 at 7pm,

in Beenleigh

at the Beenleigh Events Ctr,

Cnr Crete & Kent St.
$5 per person

We will be meeting fortnithly, to do  what one does with The Sedona Method, ie, let go of one's feeling(s) at that moment, what we call: "release".

Many people ask me : But what is The Sedona Method?

Hale Dwoskin

Hale Dowskin, the CEO and director of training of  Sedona Training Associates would describe it like that:
A unique, simple, powerful, easy to learn and duplicate technique, that shows you how to uncover your natural ability to let go of any painful feeling, belief or thought in the moment.

For me, it is a way to get away from the nonsense our head can create for us, and it is just such a lovely relief...
I have been to beautiful Sedona twice now to learn more about the Sedona Method. And I find myself privileged to have been able to listen to him talk for days.
And recently we had the lovely Annrika James, visit Brisbane with her husband, Tim McCavitt, for the training offered in May this year..A first!!!

But to be quite honest, I have also listened to a lot of CDs that are available from the Sedona Method. And that everybody can do it.

The goal of the group is to support each participant in gaining the most they can from using The Sedona Method.

For the ones who need something else at home, I will have with me copies of :

• "The Sedona Method" book from Hale Dwoskin
• "The Sedona Method Workbook"
• Many CDs with both Hale Dowskin and Lester Levenston, the founder of The Sedona Method who trained Hale Dowskin, Annrika James and Tim Mccavitt.
• The film "Letting Go"
• All at reduced prices for the group

For what it is worth, I would like to share with you, at this point, some of the reasons quoted as reasons to watch the film "Letting Go", as they are examples of possible benefits from The Sedona Method:

1. You are open to exploring new possibilities that will truly help you
2. You like to laugh and smile and be happy
3. You have yet to realise that you are not the doer ( we are human beings, not human doings)
4. You know there has to be more to life than what you are currently experiencing
5. You'd like to manage your anger much better...

And there are many more if you go to the Sedona website, amongst many other things.. Why not go and have a look? www.sedona.com

You are very welcome to either phone on 3209 8611 or email me on francoise@caringnaturaltherapies.com.au if you want more information.

Foods to fight colds & Flus

I have just received this very interesting article on foods that can be of help to us during the winter months, so have a read...A little technical at times, but you always can skip the big words, or enjoy the science behind it all.

Garlic

People generally love or hate the taste of Garlic and if you have cooked with it, I am sure you have experienced the dreaded ‘Garlic hands’ after chopping it! Garlic is one of the most ancient herbs that been used since the beginning of documented history, for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Just imagine, in ancient Egypt, Garlic was given to the labourers to maintain their strength and increase productivity whilst building the great monuments of Egypt, and it was found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb when it was excavated in 1922. In ancient Egyptian times Garlic was prescribed as treatment of abnormal growths, malaise, parasitic and insect infections, and circulatory complaints. In ancient Greece, Rome, India and China, as well as by Hippocrates, Garlic was  recommended for the treatment of infections, infestations, male potency, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders as well as ingestion of poisons and toxins. Recent research has validated the therapeutic use of Garlic for many of these historical applications. Garlic has a variety of beneficial effects on the immune system. It induces macrophage phagocytosis, stimulates the release of tumour necrosis factor-

α, interleukin-2, interferon-ү as well as stimulating the proliferation of lymphocytes and the activity of natural killer cells. It has also shown to act against viral infections including rhinovirus and parainfluenza virus.

Feed your children some Garlic too! Research has found that a Garlic preparation prevented non-specific acute respiratory infection in children by 2-4 fold, at a dose of 300-600 mg daily. So what are you waiting for? Throw some Garlic into the pan with your next meal!

Mushrooms

Button mushrooms are an Aussie favourite in cooking and we are using more Field and Swiss Brown mushrooms too. But have you ventured into using the more exotic mushrooms varieties that are no longer a secret of the Asian grocer? Reishi, Shiitake, Enoki, Maitake and Oyster are just of few of the readily available mushrooms that you can add to your diet. These medicinal mushrooms contain long chain polysaccharides called beta-glucans which have been found to be potent immune enhancers. Some of the effects they have on the immune system include increasing phagocytosis, activating macrophages and have an anti-inflammatory effect via the modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Even the good old Button mushroom has been found to have a beneficial effect on immunity. A lot of research is also focused on the anti-cancer potential of mushrooms. Mushrooms can easily be added to stir fries, winter soups, pies, pasta and omelettes.

Red, Yellow & Orange Vegetables

Rich in antioxidant nutrients, lycopene, betacarotene and vitamin C, the red, yellow and orange coloured vegetables are a great support to immune function. Red capsicum contains almost 3 times more vitamin C than oranges and can be used in a wide variety of dishes! Other great nutrient rich vegetables include pumpkin, sweet potato, squash, beetroot, radishes, red onion, chillies and carrots.

Vitamin C increases the number of circulating immunoglobulins, including IgA, IgG and IgM. Supplementation increases the activity of neutrophils, which act to identify and destroy both bacterial and viral pathogens and increase their vitamin C concentrations. Many of these vegetables can be juiced as well as cooked, so get colourful with your vegetables to support your immune health.

Berries

Berries are a rich source of proanthocyanidins, which are potent antioxidants. One berry in particular, Elderberry has been found to inhibit viral binding to cells and reduce the severity and duration of viral infection such as influenza. It can be eaten when fully ripe and traditionally has been made into jams and as an addition to pies! Other berries such as blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackcurrants also contain cyanidins. Blackcurrant has shown to inhibit influenza virus in vitro testing and blackberries protect against inflammation of the lung pleura. A great start to a wintery morning is some organic oats with a mix of these berries on top!

Green Tea

Can you help your immune system with a simple cup of Green Tea? Maybe you can! Green Tea contains catechins and theanine which recently was found to reduce the incidence of influenza infection amongst aged care workers. The authors suggested it may be a useful prophylactic treatment against flu infections. Green Tea catechins may act via inhibition of the endonuclease activity of influenza A virus, affecting viral binding and replication. When selecting Green Tea look for organically produced teas, you may even like to try the more expensive Japanese Matcha Tea. This is a powdered Green Tea, where you consume the whole product, rather than just an infusion.

Resource: Eagle eBulletin

Are all Echinacea products out there the same? What do I need to know?

No. Not all Echinacea products are the same. Far from it.

If you have a cold or flu right now, or another infection, or want to protect yourself with a stronger immune system for this winter ( ie reduce your chances of falling sick with a cold or flu, or recover faster if you are going to fall sick) please read on:

I frequently see patients not getting the results they should be getting from using Echinacea. Why is that?

I am also very choosy when it comes to choosing which Echinacea product I use and recommend in the clinic.Why is that?

The bottom line is that in Herbal Medicine (which of course Echinacea is part of), choosing a quality product involves a lot more than just a high level of certain ingredients.
Factors that contribute to a good product are :

• The quality of the raw product
• The quality and care during manufacturing ( if one is not careful, a lot of the goodness of the plant can be lost during processing)
• The grouping of herbs together in a formula ( we talk of the "synergy of herbs": Working together, they enhance each other further)
• The main ingredients
• The quantity of the ingredients, ie to provide a health outcome (therapeutic level)
• The capacity for these ingredients to be absorbed
• The safety of the product

But other important aspects need to be considered:

• The type of product: Liquid herb? tablet? Homeopathic remedy - tablet or liquid? Tea? or even a spray?
• The dosage: This will vary a lot with your current state of health, age, diet and lifestyle
• ie typically what a herbalist would assess.

Also in the background you have to be aware that:

• Unfortunately some herbs can be substituted for another less costly one for example. This means then that you would not be getting what you think you are getting.
• Or the herb may have a less potent herb mixed with it, even a pharmaceutical ( we call this adulteration).
• Finally the manufacturer could have started with a poor quality crop in the first place, like you could have for example poor strawberries looking like strawberries, but not tasting like one...I definitively know that feeling....

You have seen different botanical names of Echinacea on bottles. How can that be?

Well there are primarily three Echinacea:

1. Echinacea angustifolia, used by Native American tribes, and adopted by the Eclectics, a group of doctors in the US in late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is worthy to note that they were using only the roots of the plant.
2. Echinacea purpurea, put on the map by a German herbalist, Madaus, who found it easier to grow and used the juice of fresh aerial parts of the plant.
3. Echinacea pallida considered less active.

The traditional Echinacea angustifolia root was prepared with a high percentage of alcohol, drawing a high concentration of very important ingredients for us humans: the Alkylamides.
The fresh Echinacea purpurea, in contrast contains very low levels of Alkylamides.

Why are we so interested in the level of Alkylamides?
Because scientific research has shown in vitro (in the laboratory), in vivo (in human) and in clinical studies that the Alkylamines are the ones helping the response of our white blood cells ( macrophages, Tcells and natural killer cells) to for example a viral or bacterial infection.
Interestingly the Alkylamides are the only ingredients found in the blood after ingestion of Mediherb Echinacea Premium .

Scientific research has also shown that the Echinacea purpurea alkylamides were broken down by the body faster than the ones from Echinacea angustifolia. It was also shown that when taking the two herbs together, the rate of degradation of Echinacea purpurea slowed down.

So what does that mean for YOU, the end user?

• Look for the word root in the Echinacea product you are looking for.
• Choose a mixture of Echinacea angustifolia AND Echinacea purpurea roots
• If using a liquid extract, enjoy the tingling sensation in the mouth, as the more tingling, the more Alkylamides in the product. This will not be present in a tablet form however.
• Discuss the dosage with somebody trained in Herbal Medicine who can guide you on what is right for you right now, which could be different, in a week's time, or in a few months time.

What do I recommend in my clinic?

I like prevention: So building up a strong army of white blood cells nicely primed to fight for you during the winter, is a nice feeling, isn't?
To achieve this, I strongly recommend:

• Mediherb Echinacea Premium tablets, a very reliable superior quality product, containing Echinacea angustifolia and purpurea root extracts, giving a good level of alkylamides.

• I use the Mediherb Liquid Echinacea angustifolia and purpurea extract if I want to mix it with other herbs for whatever reason.

• Sometimes I recommend very high doses for possibly only a couple of days in an acute situation (for ex: just started a cold. And I mean JUST started). Don't wait for tomorrow to find out if you truly have a cold or not. Because if you have a cold, by tomorrow, the "bugs" will have taken a strong hold on you, and it will be more work to get rid of them...

• If somebody has a history of falling sick regularly, we will need to continue with some Echinacea for possibly months, and no there is no issue in doing that.

• Because extracts may contain pollen proteins, people having a tendency  to allergic reactions to flowers from the daisy family (compositae) should exercise caution. having said that I have a lot of asthmatics benefiting greatly from Echinacea treatment without any side effects.

•  If you are not already acting on building up your immune system, this is definitively the right time to start, and do so at a nice gentle dose through out the winter.
• And if you were to come down with something, you are all set at home with what you need. All you need to do is increase the dose.
• If you are travelling anywhere, especially if you are going by plane, I cannot recommend enough to take some Mediherb Echinacea tablets with you. Planes are are a wonderful place for sharing bugs... have you noticed?

So if you want to make a positive step for the winter, act now,

and call us on 3209 8611.

Mediherb Echinacea tablets are always in stock at the Clinic.

Each container is normally $38.10 for 60 tablets.
REDUCED to $35.00 until 30/06/2011

• With children, I mostly go for the Heel homeopathic remedies: They all love them. They ask for them, thinking they are little sweets. So parents love them to...We have the choice of several approach here, depending on what is happening, so I probably need to leave this to another day.

There is of course more to possibly help the immune system, for example Zinc, and good bacteria.

But I will cover that in other posts. This one was long enough, wasn't it?

Top of Echinacea flower



References:

Bone Kerry, 2003. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs. Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient.

Mills Simon & Bone Kerry, 2000. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy - Modern Herbal Medicine

Graduation Day

They say pictures are better than words: So here is it.... 20 May 2011.

I did not think that this celebration day of my Bachelor of Naturopathy was going to be such a special day really, because this is only a pretty simple ceremony after all.
But it turned out to be really very very special, and I truly felt an incredible weight lifting up.

I guess I had been pushing to get to this point for a very long time:
It started in 1970 when I started Medical School in Paris, and went on for 5 years there, being a sweet little med student, not contemplating anything else then than becoming as good a Doctor as she could.
Then I left it all behind when I came to live to Australia, got married and my beautiful daughter was born. I remember the Dean of the Faculty was not very impressed...

Queensland Medical School did not want to give me any credit for my years in Paris, when I contacted them. So I turned my back to them and started a new life:
I kept very busy for nearly 20 years, primarily as a representative of major medical equipment companies. This was extremely interesting, challenging and demanding. And I was still in the field I was comfortable in: Health.

But, funny enough, when I was gathering information for my daughter on possible tertiary education possibilities, I came across this Natural Therapies College, and talked to them.
Next I was starting my massage training part time, and the following year I was a full time student again, focusing on what was an Advanced Diploma in Naturopathy then.
3 years later I was starting my Naturopathic Clinic in Tanah Merah.

The Bachelor only became available then. So no problems I decided, I will do the last year part time.
But this last year took 10 years!!!! Et every year stressing on how much longer it would take..

Between my time in the Clinic and changes in the curriculum over the years, extending the requirements further and further, it felt like this carrot would never be mine....

So how many years of study do I reach now, I am loosing count: I can round it to the equivalent to 9 years full time, but in reality it has been in my life continuously in the last 14 years, after the original 5 in Paris.

So thank you to everybody for listening to me all this years . You have also all helped me in becoming who I am now. I am very fortunate that I have 10 years of practice behind me now, even if the mortar-board was on my head only last week.

So enough with my story now. Next blog will be on a naturopathic insight. What about something useful for the winter?... See you soon.

So you have decided to see a Naturopath. What's next?

Introduction
In my eyes, and in many people's eyes, selecting a health care practitioner is an important decision and can be key to ensuring that you are receiving the best health care. So to help you, you will find below answers to frequently asked questions about selecting a Naturopath, such as issues to consider when making your decision and important questions to ask the practitioner you select.

Key Points.
• Make a list of Naturopaths and gather information about each before making your first visit. Ask basic questions about their credentials and practice. Where did they receive their training? What Qualifications  do they have? How much will the treatment cost?
• Check with your insurer to see if the cost of therapy will be covered.
• After you select a practitioner, make a list of questions to ask at your first visit. You may want to bring a friend or family member who can help you ask questions and note answers.
• Come to the first visit prepared to answer questions about your health history, including injuries, surgeries, and major illnesses, as well as prescription medicines, vitamins, and other supplements you may be taking.
• Assess your first visit and decide if the practitioner is right for you. Did you feel comfortable with the practitioner? Could the practitioner answer your questions? Did she/he respond to you in a way that satisfied you? Does the treatment plan seem reasonable and acceptable to you?

How do I choose a practitioner?
• Ask someone you believe to be knowledgeable about Naturopathy if they can recommend a practitioner for the type of therapy you are seeking.
• Ask if your therapy will be covered by insurance.

• Contact a professional organization for the type of practitioner you are seeking. (for example ANTA: Australian Natural Therapists Association). Often, professional organizations have standards of practice, provide referrals to practitioners, have publications explaining the therapy (or therapies) that their members provide, and may offer information on the type of training needed.

I have located the names of several practitioners. How do I select one?
Begin by contacting the practitioners on your list and gathering information.
• Ask what training or other qualifications the practitioner has. Ask about his/her education, additional training. If you contacted a professional organization, see if the practitioner's qualifications meet the standards for training for that profession.
• Ask if there are diseases/health conditions in which the practitioner specializes and how frequently s/he treats patients with problems similar to yours.
• Ask if the practitioner believes the therapy can effectively address your complaint and if there is any scientific research supporting the treatment's use for your condition.
• Ask whether there is a brochure or Web site to tell you more about the practice.
• Ask about charges and payment options. How much do treatments cost? If you have insurance, does the practitioner accept your insurance? Even with insurance, you may be responsible for a percentage of the cost.
• Ask about the hours appointments are offered. How long is the wait for an appointment? Consider whether this will be convenient for your schedule.
• Ask about office location. If you are concerned, ask about public transportation and parking. If you need wheelchair access, ask if this is available.

• Ask what will be involved in the first visit or assessment.
• Observe how comfortable you feel during these first interactions.
Once you have gathered the information, assess the answers and determine which practitioner was best able to respond to your questions and best suits your needs.

I have selected a practitioner. What questions should I ask at my first visit?
The first visit is very important. Come prepared to answer questions about your health history, such as surgeries, injuries, and major illnesses, as well as prescriptions, vitamins, and other supplements you take, your diet and lifestyle. Not only will the practitioner wish to gather information from you, but you will want to ask questions, too. Write down ahead of time the questions you want to ask, or take a family member or friend with you to help you remember the questions and answers. Here are some questions you may want to ask:
• What benefits can I expect from this therapy?
• What are the risks associated with this therapy?
• Do the benefits outweigh the risks for my disease or condition?
• What side effects can be expected?
• Will the therapy interfere with any of my daily activities?
• How long will I need to undergo treatment? How often will my progress or plan of treatment be assessed?
• Will I need to buy any equipment or supplies?
• Could the therapy interact with conventional treatments?
• Are there any conditions for which this treatment should not be used?

How do I know if the practitioner I have selected is right for me?
After your first visit with a practitioner, evaluate the visit. Ask yourself:
• Was the practitioner easy to talk to? Did the practitioner make me feel comfortable?
• Was I comfortable asking questions? Did the practitioner appear willing to answer them, and were they answered to my satisfaction?
• Was the practitioner open to how both Naturopathy and Conventional Medicine might work together for my benefit?
• Did the practitioner get to know me and ask me about my condition?
• Did the practitioner seem knowledgeable about my specific health condition?
• Does the treatment recommended seem reasonable and acceptable to me?
• Was the practitioner clear about the time and costs associated with treatment?

Can I change my mind about the treatment or the practitioner?
Yes, if you are not satisfied or comfortable, you can look for a different practitioner or stop treatment. However, as with any conventional treatment, talk with your practitioner before stopping to make sure that it is safe to simply stop treatment - it may not be advisable to stop some therapies midway through a course of treatment.

Discuss with your practitioner the reasons you are not satisfied or comfortable with treatment. If you decide to stop a therapy or seek another practitioner, make sure that you share this information with any other health care practitioners you may have as this will help them make decisions about your care. Communicating with your practitioner(s) can be key to ensuring the best possible health care.

Will insurance cover the cost of a Naturopath?
Many Insurers are available in Australia. The amount of coverage offered varies depending upon the insurer. Before agreeing to a treatment that a Naturopath suggests, you should check with your insurer to see if they will cover any portion of the therapy's cost. Even with insurance, you are likely to be responsible for a percentage of the cost of therapy.

References:

Thomas, Pat, 2002. What Works What Doesn’t: the guide to alternative healthcare

Ballantine, 1999. The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Day 1 of a New Naturopathic Blog

Welcome

My name is Marie-Francoise, but I will be nice and let you call me Francoise as everybody has, since I moved to Australia from Paris, 35 years ago....
I have been planning to create a blog for quite a while now.. So here we are .
This is the entrance of my Clinic. Many of you already know it of course, but some of you won't. So come into my world.

As a Naturopath there are so many things that pass me continuously. I very often say to myself: This needs to be mentioned to people.. and then time goes by and it joins the pile of others I have shared with only a few.
So thank you to all my patients who have been so patient (no joke here).
I hope that this way I will be able to communicate the clinical "pearls" that I know, use, learn or just read about.
If you read this in an email I sent you, you can opt to get a direct feed established.
If you read this after an enquiry on Natural Therapy Pages, you are welcome to do the same and/or contact us to get more information about us.
So aurevoir (goodbye) for now.
Francoise