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Entries in Sam Adkins (11)

Monday
01Mar2010

Top 10 Tips for Health!

DateMonday, March 1, 2010 at 5:38PM

It often occurs to me that if many of us just knew a little bit more about how to move ourselves from ill-health to health, or to move from average health to tip top vibrancy, we would all be happier. I cannot profess to have all the answers, but in this aticle I want to share with you some of the key strategies that I have found from both personal and professional experience, actually make a profound difference, whatever your health starting point might be.   

Before I start with the top 10 tips I have to tell you that I wanted to write at least 20! When you begin to see what changes can be made, and think about information that may just make a difference to the health of other people, it's very hard to decide what to leave out! However, in the interests of keeping my posts short and sweet, here are my 10! 
 
  1. Eat more living and raw foods in your diet and remove processed and refined foods. If you are already aware of the idea of increasing raw food in your diet you will understand that this is because raw food is literally packed with life force, enzymes, water, oxygen, hormones, vitamins and minerals. No-one has processed it or changed it, and it is just as nature produced it. As Karen Knowler says, raw food is "living food for living bodies". Once you start eating it you will immediately notice the difference not only in your physical body, but also on the mental and emotional levels too. The easiest way to give yourself a raw food boost is by raw juicing. 
  2. View yourself as a complex and beautifully balanced system capable of profound healing.Then you will know that when things go awry not only do YOU have the capacity to put it right but that you can do that in a holistic way. 
  3. Recognise that physical, mental and emotional symptoms are signs of an underlying imbalance. Do some work to understand what the underlying imbalance is and what your system is telling you. Once this is a common part of your understanding you will find answers to your health issues in all kinds of interesting places. Here's a tip: the answers do NOT usually lie in the use of pharmaceutical drugs! 
  4. Use complementary medicines such as Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Naturopathy and Nutrition. These medicines support your system  and work with it; and in the case of Homeopathy, provide it with the catalyst to heal itself. 
  5. Combat daily stresses with a routine that does not get put aside when things are busy. Find ways to de-stress and do them regularly. Think of it like changing the oil in your car....if you don't take steps to create balance in your busy life, things will certainly break down over time. 
  6. Learn a new skill from time to time. Even if it's a small thing like cooking a new recipe, or bigger like learning a new language, new experiences allow us to re-experience WHO WE ARE in the world, and act as opportunities to nourish and give back to ourselves. 
  7. Spend as much time as possible with people you love. When you are busy working and with your life, its so easy to feel stretched and your couch becomes your social life. Mutually loving relationships feed our souls. 
  8. Find some beauty everyday. Even in a city, a simple sight of someone's smile, or a bird on a wire can serve to re-invigorate and give a moment's rest to your busy mind. Recognise a moment of beauty, enjoy it and permit it to rest you. 
  9. Look at your health patterns. Do you get sick the same time each year? What are your triggers? What preventative steps can you take to stop this cycle? Sometimes just seeing a pattern helps big changes to come. Homeopaths are expert in identifying patterns and strengthening your immune systems to prevent ill-health. 
  10. Don't wait until you are sick and in crisis to take action on your health! See looking after your self with preventative medicines such as Homeopathy, as an investment in your self, time and money. You are so worth it and it is time to treat yourself as the perfect being that you are!
 
For more information on health and Homeopathy visit The Homeoapthic Coach website and to have an online skype consult with Sam herself go here.
 
Happy Homeopathic prescribing :)  
 
 
If you want regular homeopathic inspiration from The Homeopathic Coach, visit her new blog and join as a member to be the first in line for new tips and offers as they are released! 
© Sam Adkins 2010
Would you like to include this article in your newsletter or website? 
You can as long as you include the following blurb with it:
This article was brought to you by Sam Adkins The Homeopathic Coach who teaches families about healthy living and natural remedies using homeopathic medicine. An internationally renowned expert, her helpful articles are regularly syndicated online.  She publishes the ezine Homeopathy@Home to provide free Homeopathic tips, tools and resources to educate and inspire you to use Homeopathy at home. www.thehomeopathiccoach.com

 

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Tuesday
09Feb2010

Research Proof for Homeopathy

DateTuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:44PM

2009 saw Homeopathy under attack particularly in the UK but also worldwide due to the effectiveness of the internet. There seems to be a small but organised anti-homeopathy lobby who have very loud voices and  the press tend to provide considerable media coverage to their press releases. When there is so much clinical evidence that Homeopathy works, this set of individuals have to practice intellectual dishonesty by literally ignore its existence in order to hold what is a very negative position about this effective medicine. 

 
This article seeks to share some research and clinical trial references with you, so if you want to know more you can go and read them for yourself. The amount of research available is considerable but with the permission of Robert Medhurst from Brauers, I have reproduced some of his information, and this article contains some useful inks for you to look further. 
 
Homeopathy has been around since the late 18th century and was developed by a German chemist. Currently Homeopathic medicines cost very little to produce and dispense, and therefore are not a potential high profit option for pharmaceutical companies. In fact ,when Homeopathic treatment eliminates the need for continued use of pharmaceuticals, this is not good news for drug companies! Interestingly, it has been said that some of the most loud dissenters of Homeopathy are supported or linked to some of the largest pharmaceutical companies. Go figure :) 
 
Unfortunately the negative voices against Homeopathy have excellent support in the media so retractions and articles in response are not sensational and do not get coverage and exposure, so it is important that if you want to be informed about clinical research for Homeopathy, that you have some resources to guide you. 
 
Clinical research comes in several different types and so thanks to the excellent article by Robert Medhurst from Brauers, I have grouped the research into three main types. 
 

Human Clinical Trial Meta Analyses 

 
These are systematic statistical analyses of existing human controlled trials that have met certain predetermined quality criteria. Their purpose is to determine if the research can show a trend exists. 
  • Kleijan et al in the BMJ report that of the 105 clincal trials that met the reviewer's quality criteria, 81 of those trials showed a positive effect for Homeopathy  (BMJ 1991:302:316-323) 
  • Coucherat, et al state, "There is some evidence that Homeopathic treatments are more effective than placebo".  16 studies were evaluated. (European journal of Clinical Pharmocol, 2000, 56,27) 
  • Mathie states, "The weight of evidence currently favors a positive treatment effect in eight areas: childhod diarrhoea, fibrositis, hayfever, influenza, pain, side effects of radio or chemotherapy, sprains and upper respiratory tract infections." 93 studies were evaluated. (Homeopathy 2003 92:84-91) 
  • Barnes J, et al on post operative ileus, "There is evidence that Homeopathic treatment can reduce the duration of ileus after abdominal or gynaecological surgery". 6 studies were evaluated. (Biomedical Therapy, vol XV11, 2 1999, 65-70) 
  • From Bornhoft, et al, "Effectiveness of Homeopathy can be supported by clinical evidence". 74 studies were evaluated. (Forsch Komplementarmed. 2006;13 Sippl 2:19-29) 
  • Linde, et al, "Amongst the high quality studies, positive effects were reported 50% more often than negative effects". 105 studies were evaluted. (Human and Experimental Toxicology, 1994, vol. 13, No 7, 481-492).
 

Individual Human Clinical Trials

These are high quality randomised controlled human clinical trials that have been carried out using Homeopathy. The list is too great to include them all here but access to them can be found on Medline, websites such as the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital and websites such as Homeopathic Doctor and Nutrition Matters.
 
A good example given of this type of study is a placebo controlled randomised trial looking at the use of Homeopathic medicines with 28 patients with allergic asthma caried out by David Reilly and published in The Lancet in 1994. Homeopathy proved superior to placebo (often the anti-homeopathy lobby claims that Homeopathic successes are due to the placebo effect). This trial was so well conducted and designed that The Lancet commented:
"either there is something amiss with the clinical trial  as conventionaly conducted, or the effects of Homeopathic immunotherapy differ from those of placebo.....carefully done work of this sort should not be denied the attention of Lancet readers." (Lancet vol 344 December 10, 1994, p1585)
 

Cohort Studies

These are observational studies analysing quality of life, clinical or other outcomes that have come about as a result of some specific invention.
  • A study by Spence et al found that of 6544 consecutive UK National health Service patients treated with Homeopathy 70.7% reported positive health changes, with 50.7% recording their improvement as better or much better. (Complement Ther Med 2007 Jun:15(2):128-38) 
  • Marian, et al in a 2008 study found that "Overall patient satisfaction was significantly higher in Homeopathic than conventional care. Homeopathic treatments were perceived as low risk therpay with 2 to 3 times fewer side effects than cinventional care". 3126 patients were involved in this study. (BMC Complement Atern Med. 2008 Sep 18;8:52) 
  • A study by Van Wassenhoven, et al found that "patients were very satisfied with their Homeopathic treatment, both they and their physiscians recorded significant improvement. Costs of Homeopathic treatment were significantly lower then conventional treatment, and many previously prescribed drugs were discontinued." 782 patients were involved in this study. (Homeopathy. 2004 Jan;93 (1):3-11)
 
These studies cited above are a small sample of the homeopathic research available. Even without this research, the fact that Homeopathy has been in constant use as a system of medicine for over 200 years and is in fact, (according to Contemporary Paediatrics, May 2003, 20,97) the world's second most popular form of healthcare with millions of satisfied users just speaks for itself! 
 
Happy Homeopathic prescribing :)  
 
 
 
If you want regular homeopathic inspiration from The Homeopathic Coach, visit her new blog and join as a member to be the first in line for new tips and offers as they are released! 
© Sam Adkins 2009
Would you like to include this article in your newsletter or website? 
You can as long as you include the following blurb with it:
This article was brought to you by Sam Adkins The Homeopathic Coach who teaches families about healthy living and natural remedies using homeopathic medicine. An internationally renowned expert, her helpful articles are regularly syndicated online.  She publishes the ezine Homeopathy@Home to provide free Homeopathic tips, tools and resources to educate and inspire you to use Homeopathy at home. www.thehomeopathiccoach.com

 

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Wednesday
04Nov2009

The Health Benefits of Meditation

DateWednesday, November 4, 2009 at 8:32AM

If you are reading this as a person who regularly meditates then you will not be suprised how amazing the therapeutic benefits of meditation can be. If by contrast you do not currently meditate, I hope this article will help you to consider learning how to begin. 

What is meditation? 

To newcomers, meditation sounds like something that only 'enlightened souls' practice, that is not really for the ordinary person! However this could not be further from the truth. If I had my way I would have it on the primary school curriculum in all countries as it is a skill that once learnt can have undeniable benefits to your health and sense of well-being. 

In essence it is an opportunity to actively concentrate on your own thoughts and your sense of your self. Meditation is a sustained effort of concentration in which you can calm both your body and your mind.

What are the main known physiological benefits?

  • Slows heart rate 
  • Decreases respiratory rate 
  • Lowers blood pressure 
  • Decreases blood levels of stress hormones 
  • Increases the feel-good substance seratonin, low levels of which are associated with depression, obesity and insomnia 
  • Helps post operative healing 
  • Decreases muscle tension 
  • Reduces pre menstrual tension 
  • Reduces headaches 
  • Reduces chronic and acute pain 
  • Improves insomnia

How might meditation achieve this?

Certain hypotheses have arisen from the scientific research about how these amazing benefits might be achieved. Just to get technical for a moment I want to explain a bit about our nervous system.

There is a part of our nervous system called the autonomic system, that governs the involuntary processes in the body such as respiration and heart rate. This autonomic system is divided into the Sympathetic nervous system that helps the body prepare for fight or flight; and the Parasympathetic nervous system that causes the blood vessels to dilate, the blood pressure to go down and the heart rate and respiration rates to decrease. 
 
Stress triggers the release of certain hormones that are part of our 'fight and flight' response. These hormones push up our blood pressure and cause the heart rate to rise, which is all well and good if we need to run from danger. However, it is common to release stress hormones when there is no sudden danger and this means our bodies are in a constant flight mode. Regular meditation disrupts the production of these unnecessary hormones and their effects, and this can result in you not only feeling calmer but being physiologically calmer. 

Scientific Studies

As always I like to share any good science behind claims for health benefits.

The first studies into meditation were done in the late 1930's and showed remarkable changes in heart rate during meditation. More recently the University of Massachusetts did a study with 22 anxiety prone volunteers, 20 of which showed a marked improvement after an 8 week meditation class. All these studies clearly rely on each participant not only complying with the meditation practice in the study but it also assumes that every individual's meditation is equally effective (which is unlikely!). There was also a recent study on the effect of meditation in reducing headaches in which 72% of participants reported a moderate-great improvement after learning and practising meditation regularly. 


If you want to learn more about the scientific studies behind meditation, I suggest you dip into Michael Murphy's well referenced research summary.   

When should I meditate? 

Like anything that is new, it helps when you are learning, to do it very regularly.

When I learnt to meditate I did it for 20 minutes daily at the same time and in the same place. There is something very habitual about our brains and utilising the familiarity of the same time, place and same position really helps to cue your system that you are about to meditate.

The usual excuse for not meditating, is that we don't have time. If this sounds like you then get up 30 minutes earlier and do it while the rest of your house is asleep. The benefits you will gain from the meditation far out-weigh the potential tiredness you think you will feel from losing that extra 30 minutes of sleep. Trust me......it's true.

My Meditation Guidelines

Find a Quiet Location: Being in a quiet spot helps when you are learning to meditate but once you are up and running you will find that you are able to meditate anywhere. It also means that you will be able to enjoy meditation outdoors such as at the beach or in the park, and this has great overall benefits. 


Use a Comfortable Posture: If you are trying to relax in a position that is uncomfortable you will end up getting frustrated. I lie down to meditate when at home and sit when doing it outdoors. If you have trouble falling asleep when you meditate I would advise sitting but ensure that your body feels relaxed and supported with cushions. You can sit on a cushion and up against something or just sit in a comfortable chair with your bottom well back to allow your spine some space to extend. 


Focus Your Attention: Meditation is not about emptying your mind of thoughts so much as it is about bringing your awareness to how actively engaged your mind is. Taking your attention to the breath and observing how it goes in and out all of its own accord is an easy way to bring focus to your meditation. When you find your mind is wandering away into your day ahead or your worries, notice that this has happended and bring your inward attention back to your breath. Some people find it useful to have a mantra (a phrase that you repeat) that they say inwardly over and over;  others use a visualisation to create a sense of peace.This can be as simple as imagining yourself in a peaceful place such as a beautiful white sandy beach and listen to the waves breaking on the shoreline as you walk gently along the sand. 


Be Passive: Mediaition is not rocket science and it certainly does not need to be either difficult or complicated. If you have to try you are doing too much. Think about meditation as a non-judgmental space where you can be just who you are and everything is OK. It is a moment of allowing and acceptance rather than anything more active. 


Have an Open heart: When you begin to meditate reglularly you will slowly begin to be more conscious of the interaction of yourself and others around you. Just as being kind to yourself is important when you start to meditate, you may also find that the open heartedness that you begin to show yourself will also grace the others in your life.


 As Eckhart Tolle says in his book "Practicing The Power Of Now"  


" As you go about your life don't give 100% of your attention to the outside world and to your mind. Keep some within." 


Happy Homeopathic prescribing :) 

 
If you want regular homeopathic inspiration from The Homeopathic Coach, visit her new blog and join as a member to be the first in line for new tips and offers as they are released! 


© Sam Adkins 2009
Would you like to include this article in your newsletter or website? 
You can as long as you include the following blurb with it:


This article was brought to you by Sam Adkins The Homeopathic Coach who teaches families about healthy living and natural remedies using homeopathic medicine. An internationally renowned expert, her helpful articles are regularly syndicated online.  She publishes the ezine Homeopathy@Home to provide free Homeopathic tips, tools and resources to educate and inspire you to use Homeopathy at home. www.thehomeopathiccoach.com

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Thursday
22Oct2009

Homeopathy for Tropical Climates Video 

DateThursday, October 22, 2009 at 8:30PM

Tropical climates place interesting demands on our bodies due to high heat and humidity. Whilst experiencing these conditions recently in Thailand, I decided to make a new video in my Homeopathy Made Easy Series which is designed to provide free and easy Homeopathic information for all kinds of conditions.

 

To catch the whole series so far go here. Homeopathy Made Easy Video Training

 
In my new video I have  covered the four main conditions that could commonly arise in Tropical climates:

  1. Sunstroke and Heatstroke 
  2. Dehydration
  3. Insect bites
  4. Sunburn

With each condition I provide self-help information and the best and most commonly available Homeopathic solutions to these problems.

Watch the video right here, but don't forget to comment and rate it:)
 
Thank you in advance for watching! 
Happy Homeopathic prescribing :) 

 

 

 

Sam signature
 
If you want regular homeopathic inspiration from The Homeopathic Coach, visit her new blog and join as a member to be the first in line for new tips and offers as they are released!

© Sam Adkins 2009
Would you like to include this article in your newsletter or website?
You can as long as you include the following blurb with it:

This article was brought to you by Sam Adkins The Homeopathic Coach who teaches families about healthy living and natural remedies using homeopathic medicine. An internationally renowned expert, her helpful articles are regularly syndicated online.  She publishes the ezine Homeopathy@Home to provide free Homeopathic tips, tools and resources to educate and inspire you to use Homeopathy at home. www.thehomeopathiccoach.com
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Wednesday
16Sep2009

Want to be your OWN Homeopath?

DateWednesday, September 16, 2009 at 11:22AM


Special Training Announcement!

I have got some excellent news for you from The Homeopathic Coach HQ!

As I mentioned in my last post on First Aid Homeopathy home-study training, it's important to know how to select a world class Homeopathy course. The key questions you need to ask yourself are:   

 

  • Does the material speak to you in a way that you find accessible and easy to understand? 
  • Does it have a Homeopathic kit so you have all the tools you need to get started afterwards? 
  • Transparency:  Does the course make its content crystal clear? 
  • Does it provide a tutoring/marking option so you can check if your understanding is correct? 

You can apply these checks to any type of homestudy course and I hope you will! 

Homeopathy First Aid Correspondance Training available NOW

Of course it will be absolutely NO surprise to you that I can now offer what I believe is the BEST First Aid Homeopathy training course anywhere. I personally didn't write this course. (Although I would be very proud if I did!)  It comes from the internationally renowned School of Homoepathy in the UK who have been providing Homeopathy correspondance courses (as well as face to face courses) for over 20 years now. In fact, yours truly trained at their school many years ago! This long experience means they really know what makes an excellent homestudy course at an affordable price. They provide the best material and train the best Homeopaths! .....Well I would say that wouldn't I?

 
So, what is in the First Aid Course package?

  • Homeopathy First-Aid Course manual
  • Course DVD: Learn as if you are in the classroom! 
  • The book, "Get Well Soon" 
  • The book, "Homeopathy, A Rational Choice in Medicine" 
  • The homeopathic remedy kit and cream (28 Homeopathic medicines!) 
  • Discount vouchers for further study 
  • Discount vouchers for additional Homeopathic medicines 

 

How long does it take to study?


You can complete the First Aid course in as little as 1 month (or you can take longer- it's totally up to you!) 
 
Interested in finding out some more information?  Go here!  

Do you also provide Advanced and Professional Homeopathy Training? 

The First Aid Training is just the beginning as I now offer courses right up to Advanced, as well as Professional standard, so you can train where ever you are to become a fully qualified professional Homeopath recognised by all the main professional Homeopathy bodies in the world. 



I am VERY excited about these excellent training courses. Do feel free to call me on +61420 800725 Monday to Thursday Sydney time 9am-5pm OR email me for more information. Go to this page for a summary of ALL the Homeopathic Training that I offer!


Your very own 'excellently trained' Homeopathic Coach......lol!
 

Sam Adkins - The Homeopathic Coach

 

 

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