HEALTH Y

By Heenam Kim

Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Sleep disturbance and Brain functionNatural remedies

umber of weeks ago, a middle age woman came to the shop enquiring natural way to help her son in mid 20s, from depression that he was being suicidal due to the relationship break down.

I suggested her that she should try a concoction of natural herbal medicines which consisted of a combination of Shichandra, Rhodiola, Whithania (Ashwagandha), and Californian poppy. The next day, she called me to say that her son, after taking three doses, was feeling amazing. He felt like he was getting back to a normal mindset and was able to return to work. I was overwhelmed of the outcome. Let’s delve deeper into these herbal medicinal properties. Shichandra is an adaptogen which helps the body adapt to stress and promote overall balance. This property makes it potentially beneficial to deal with depression and anxiety. It is believed to support the body’s ability to cope with physical, mental and emotional stressors. Other benefits are detoxification of liver, which is damaged by toxins, alcohol, and medications. It has antioxidant effects which help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body. This protects cells from oxidative stress and potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases associated with aging. Some studies suggest that Shichandra may enhance memory, concentration overall cognitive function and improve mental performance. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which will help with chronic inflammation.

Rhodiola Rosea is a medicinal herb which improves mood and reducing symptoms of depression. It’s adaptogenic properties positively influence neurotrans- mitters like serotonin and dopamine which play vital roles in regulating mood. Moreover, Rhodiola may increase mental clarity, improve focus, reduce mental fatigue and enhance concentration and reduce racing thoughts. It enhances physical and mental stress and support immune function and reduce the negative effects of prolonged stress on the body.

Ashwagandha is also commonly known as Withania, this is an ancient Ayurvedic medicine. It is known for reducing stress and anxiety, by modulating cortisol levels, a hormone produced in response to stress. It improves sleep quality and promotes relaxation which helps with sleep disturbance or insomnia. Some research suggests that it may have neuro-protective effects and support cognitive function and help enhance memory, improve attention and boost overall cognitive which helps for mental clarity and focus. It also has antioxidant properties help neutralise harmful free radicals, it enhances the activity of immune cells, helping body defend against infections and illnesses. It balances hormone which helps improving reproductive health both men and woman and muscle strength.

Californian poppy helps promote relaxation and reduce feeling of anxiety. It has calming effects on the central nervous system without causing drowsiness or dependency. Due to its calming properties, it is used to improve sleep quality and aid in managing insomnia. It may help individuals fall asleep more easily and enjoy more restful sleep. It also has anti-inflammatory effects, antispasmodic and antioxidant effects which play a role in reducing oxidative stress and support overall health.

Combination of these herbs can provide complementary benefits and addressing multiple aspects of mental health.

Use of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and Clinical Hypnosis for

Anxiety and Depression.

Two ladies visited the shop one Saturday morning, concerned about their mother’s mental state. She was suffering from depression and anxiety, and they were worried that her agitation and anger were negatively affecting their father’s health. He was already dealing with health issues of his own. I reassured them that there is a way to improve her current condition. I explained that it would take several sessions.

Their mother came to the session with a doubtful attitude, believing that nothing could help her. However, after the first session, she noticed that she was less angry towards her terminally ill husband, creating a more peaceful environment for both of them. A few days after the second session, she called me and said she was feeling fantastic. I was startled to hear that she only received two sessions, and the change in her was already significant. Her friend made an appointment, inspired by my client’s positive changes. She said ‘If her friend can change, I could change too.’

Two thousand years ago the

Greek philosopher Epictctus stated that ‘People are disturbed not by things, but by the views we take of them.’ So, it is not the events or circumstances themselves that cause us to feel upset or disturbed, but rather the way we interpret and perceive those events. By questioning and challenging negative thoughts or cognitive distortions, we can develop healthier and more adaptive ways of thinking. This process empowers us to cultivate a more positive and resilient mindset, enabling us to cope more effectively with life’s challenges and improve our emotional state.

For further inquiries please see Kim at Bribie Simply Healthy / Bribie Healing Centre. Next to Bribie Island Medical Centre. Ph. 07 3410 0521