health briefs
Homeopathic Calendula Cream for Radiation Burns Homeopathic calendula cream is made from the dried flower petals of the garden marigold which contain flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Calendula is very soothing when applied topically to the skin and helps to calm redness, itchy skin, and soothe rashes associated with radiation burns. It is estimated that a woman born today has a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime and 95 percent of patients experience some degree of radiation burns during treatment. Despite the evidence, the majority of medical centers have not yet integrated calendula cream as part of their medical protocol for radiation treatment. In a clinical trial of Calendula Officinalis compared with Trolamine, 254 patients that applied calendula cream twice daily or more to irradiated areas, reserchers reported, “Calendula is highly effective for the prevention of acute dermatitis of grade 2 or higher and should be proposed for patients undergoing postoperative irradiation for breast cancer,” with fewer treatment interruptions. For the treatment of radiation burns, apply a thin layer of calendula cream to the affected area two to three times a day. Do not apply calendula cream three hours before radiation therapy and avoid using it on tattoo marks scheduled for radiation therapy until the treatments are finished.
Dr. Heidi Weinhold completed a four-year doctoral program in naturopathic medicine at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, has a private practice in Canonsburg and is available for naturopathic consultations. For more information, call 724-941-7701 or visit DoctorHeidi.net.
Try Ayurveda for Optimal Health Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga. This ancient healing system dates back to India over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda looks at the whole body, the subtle body energy and the individual’s ability to connect with the divine and laws of nature. In Ayurveda, health lives in the digestive tract. One must nurture the agni, or digestion, to maximize overall health. The first step in practicing Ayurveda is to determine our dosha, or ayurvedic constitution by taking an Ayurvedic assessment or quiz found online or through local ayurvedic practitioner. Most of us have a predominant dosha (there can be more than one) and are predisposed to certain illnesses or conditions. The doshas are pitta, kapha and vata. Ayurveda teaches us how to balance the doshas) and correct imbalances in the body and mind by addressing diet first. There are six tastes that we must incorporate into our diet daily: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent. Depending on the dosha, it is important to choose foods that soothe our digestive system and help to balance the gut. Ayurveda is strongly connected to nature and the elemental energies. Pitta is associated with fire. To pacify pitta, we need to cool the fire in our body by eating more cooling, anti-inflammatory foods and engage in low-intensity exercise, particularly in summer months. Kapha is associated with water and earth. Kaphas tend to need more energy and may choose foods and exercise that are more warming and stimulating. Vata is associated with air and space. Vatas tend to have sluggish digestion, so like kapha, choose foods that are warming. Vatas are particularly sensitive to cold seasons and dry air. For optimal health, the rule of thumb is to eat seasonally, connect with the earth elements in daily life and in a yoga practice.
Ayurvedic specialist Jenny Dayton, E-RYT, YACEP, the owner of Jenny Dayton Yoga, offers indoor and outdoor therapeutic yoga lessons, Ayurveda and aromatherapy sessions. Virtual options are available. For more information, call 724-550-3661 or visit JennyDaytonYoga.com. See ad, in Resource Guide. 6
Pittsburgh, PA
NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com
