Consider these simple tips to boost your immune system:

The easiest and cheapest thing you can do for your health is drink water.   It takes half an ounce of water per pound of body weight to properly hydrate the organs and tissues.  Make sure to drink purified water, the chlorine content in tap water has been indicated to contribute to heart disease and cancer.

Stress is known to suppress the immune system.  High stress jobs weigh down on the immune system, and reduce employees’ resistance to diseases and infection.  See some stress management tips here.

A lot of nutrients are needed to fuel the immune system.  Maintaining a diet rich in raw organic fruits and vegetables is essential for immune health.  These foods provide the body with enzymes and trace minerals that facilitate immune building. 

Processed and canned foods actually hurt the immune system.  Most adults are prone to high consumption of processed foods containing dyes, preservatives, taste enhancers, colors, and MSG (monosodium glutamate), especially at work.  Avoid yeast products such as breads and other moldy foods.  They contribute to yeast overgrowth.  Yeasts produce toxins that weaken the immune system.

Probiotics restore the intestinal flora of the colon and thus provides support for the immune system.  Antibiotics are a no-no, they multiply yeast and therefore compromise the immune system, leading to less and less resistance to diseases and infections.   

One quick and sure way to boost the immune system is by exercising.  Exercise has been shown to boost immunity by 13%.  See our exercise page on more ways exercise can contribute to stronger immunity.

Getting help from nature’s bounty may be necessary for some cases.  Immune stimulating herbs such as Echinacea, Astragalus, and Suma boost the body’s ability to fight infection, while antiseptic, antibiotic, and disinfecting herbs such as Golden Seal, Garlic, Lavender, and Olive leaf directly destroy pathogens that invade the body.  Or a combination of the herbs maybe necessary.

More immune herbs- Bayberry, Catnip, Chamomile, Elderberry, Eleuthero, Red Clover, and Pawpaw.

Limit exposure to toxins.  There are too many toxic substances in our environment not to make any effort to reduce exposure.  There are pesticides, herbicides, household cleaning products, and fungicides.  Live plants such as Boston fern and spider can help absorb these toxins in the air.  Prolonged exposure to high power lines, power substations, computers, TV sets, microwave ovens can be linked to cancer, fibromyalgia, etc.

Adopt these tips to develop a thriving respiratory system:

The most important thing anyone can do for them self is drink water.  A properly hydrated body more readily cleanses itself.  Mucus is not as thick so as to cause congestion of airways; and lymphatic stagnation becomes rare.  In fact, dehydration is one of the root causes of adult asthma. 

Exercise is absolutely critical to lymphatic flow.  Exercise makes things move in the body. Sedentary lifestyles contribute to sluggish lymph systems and hence to respiratory congestions.  The accelerated elimination of toxins from the body via sweating, and high amounts of oxygen inhaled during exercise are enough to change things in the body. 

Deep breathing exercise sessions several times a day ensure proper respiratory function and therefore keep most health problems at bay.  Here’s how to breathe properly.  Contrary to popular belief exercise really does not cause asthma.  Physical exertion is contemporaneous with labored breathing which poses risks for an asthma attack.  It is a risk factor rather than a causative one.  See our “Asthma Scoop” for more on exercise-induced asthma.

For more information on this, refer to “Exercising with asthma” on our exercise page.

Another cool way of exercising the respiratory system is to play a wind instrument.  Wind instruments task our breathing and “teach” the body how to utilize air properly.  They often involve long breaths in and out of the lungs, strengthening the respiratory organs, with one side effect: you make music while you play them! 

Pick any one today such as a trumpet, flute, or my personal favorite, a harmonica.  Harmonicas are so cool; they are portable and easy to play.  See you at the Blues Lounge!

Get some herbal aid.  Herbs are very effective in freeing up the lungs and airways to improve respiratory health.  Our herb of the month, Mullein is king of every respiratory ailment (see more in herbs).  Some herbs such as Capsicum, Garlic and Elecampane decongest mucus from the lungs to improve breathing.  It does not matter much how they are taken; teas, soups, extracts, tinctures, capsules, and even poultices may all remedy respiratory ailments so long as they are natural. 

The herbal relaxant, Lobelia has a profound effect on the respiratory and nervous systems.  Perfect for asthma sufferers (aka “Asthma Weed”).  Lobelia extract + pineapple juice relieves asthma quicker than you can say Lobelia inflata!  It can be rubbed on the feet, especially for kids’ asthma.  Fenugreek, Thyme, Yerba Santa, Marshmallow are other powerful herbs for the respiratory system.  Combinations such as ALJ, FOUR and BREATHE EZ may also be helpful.

My favorite respiratory remedy is the Ancient Chinese secret essential oil blend called Tei Fu.  It consists of several

Zhongfu: acupuncture Lung meridian

essential oils including safflower, menthol, and wintergreen.  Tei Fu Oil  brings amazing relief to respiratory ailments when massaged on the front of the shoulder area; an acupuncture pressure point known as Zhongfu or LU1 (LU stands for lung).

Zhongfu is the first point along the lung meridian in Traditional Chinese Medicine; massaging it with Tei Fu Oil may bring relief to many respiratory ailments such as snoring, sleep apnea, and even an asthma attack.

Bee Pollen is yet another miraculous remedy.  It is considered a strong immune stimulant and generator of health.  This is because it helps restore body proteins broken down by toxins and environmental pollutants.  When body proteins break down, histamine is produced; causing several allergic reactions.  Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is convinced that Bee Pollen cured his allergic asthma.  See more on Bee Pollen here. 

Dietary changes are also a must when dealing with respiratory or lymphatic problems.  Heavy consumption of dairy products such as milk, cheese and ice cream is known to cause excess mucus production, as well as slow down lymphatic flow.  Sometimes eliminating dairy completely from diet is needed to find relief.

Allergies to foods such as wheat, peanuts, corn, and eggs are often the culprit of respiratory problems, especially asthma.  A fast maybe needed to determine if a particular food triggers allergic reactions.  A lung function test may also be required before asthma is diagnosed (see “Asthma Scoop” for more details).

While diary may cause congestion, and some other foods may trigger allergic reactions; spicy foods such as cayenne pepper, Ginger, salsa, hot mustard, Garlic and Horseradish aid lymphatic flow and relieve respiratory congestion.  They also aid digestion, and thus improve lymph drainage.  Other herbs that help in this area are Fenugreek, Thyme, Yerba Santa, Marshmallow, and our herb of the month, Mullein.

A 15-minute upper body massage once a week may help relieve breathing discomfort and wheezing by identifying stress and relieving tensed muscles.  This is especially useful for asthma symptoms.  The use of acupressure to relieve respiratory problems is common practice in the Orient.

Regular bowel movement (2-3 times per day) is important for lymphatic health.  Many people require a colon cleanse to ensure proper functioning.  A free colon means a decongested lymphatic system; which in turn frees up the respiratory system.  See “Types of Cleanses” to find out the type of cleanse the may be right for you.

Is it because they are unwilling to change?  Or because high blood pressure show little or no symptoms? Or lack of understanding of its trickling effect?  Blood pressure problems may rise steadily over several years, slipping by undetected only to peak suddenly causing stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and even brain damage.  It is not called the silent killer for nothing!

It seems to me that we have to be preemptive.  Here are some tips to thrive on to dominate your blood pressure:

Dietary considerations:
Maintain a high fiber diet:  it is a proven fact that a high fiber diet is beneficial for combating high blood pressure.  Fiber suppresses appetite, and prevents fat re-absorption.  It helps cleans the arteries and eliminate fats.  Increase intake of nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc), brown rice, and millet.  Fiber may be supplemented with Psyllium or a combination of fibers. 

A balance of plant protein (e.g. tofu, Spirulina), vitamins, and minerals is very beneficial.  You don’t have to turn vegetarian, but high blood pressure is almost non existent among vegetarians.

Four stalks of celery eaten daily has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure.  Or you can try it in our cocktail.  Also, Cinnamon (½ teaspoon daily) over an extended period of time is known to reduce blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol up to 36%.

Lose some weight.  Many systolic pressure numbers have dropped up to 20% when weight is lost.  The good news here is not only killing two birds with one stone, but you do not have to lose a lot of weight.  Five to 10lbs has been significant enough to gain huge results.

Exercise, exercise, exercise.  Exercises such as walking, swimming, and aerobics increase the heart rate and lung activity, thereby increasing the oxygen available to the muscles and heart.  About 3 days a week is fine.  As far as exercise goes, anything is better than nothing.  See some examples on our exercise page or click here.

Stress.  The common factor among high blood pressure sufferers.  It is necessary to take steps to combat stress when blood pressure is high.  See stress management tips here.

Watch out for medications because some are known to slow down heart rate such as beta-blockers or calcium-channel blockers.  Be sure you understand the medication you may be taking.  Obtain a target heart zone from your doctor and work with it.  This is where natural supplements, like herbs, come in.  Herbal supplements can help in every area of the anti-high BP arsenal:

Hawthorn lowers pressure, strengthens veins and arteries.  Cordyceps lowers pressure and reduces platelet aggregation.  Capsicum cleans veins and arteries.  Garlic lowers pressure.  CoQ10 oxygenates cells and enhances circulation.

Combination of Capsicum and Garlic with Parsley- useful in enhancing overall circulation, and in toning and strengthening the heart.  It is useful in stabilizing the blood pressure.  Another combination called GC-X (Garlic, Capsicum, Goldenseal Root, Parsley, Ginger, Eleuthero Root) reduces swelling in vessels.  It is good for addressing the kidneys which is important in dealing with high BP.

Hold the salt.  The national blood pressure guidelines recommend limiting sodium to about 1 teaspoon of table salt.  Use sea salt instead.  It is loaded with minerals that are good for your health.  Substituting with sea salt may drop systolic pressure 2 to 8 points.  Also, herbs can add flavors to foods (here’s how) so that you do not need salt in the first place.  Avoid processed meats and canned foods.

Whatever the case is, it is important to seek medical attention when dealing with an organ like the heart.  It is also important to pace yourself when dealing with blood pressure problems, and allow some time to get it under control.  Being eager to get it under control makes one anxious and therefore, further compounds the problem. 

Remember it is enough to survive blood pressure problems…you must thrive as you get it under control.

Here are a few tips on helping the body in the detoxification process:

Diet – a diet high in dietary fiber aids cleansing.  Friendly bacteria in the gut are fed by fiber, thereby improving detox in the liver and intestines.  This is why most cleanses are high in fiber.  Fiber also helps to bind toxins in the intestinal tract and provide bulk to stool to promote regular and healthy elimination.  See high fiber cleanses (Clean Start, Tiao He Cleanse, and Dieters Cleanse) in “Types of Cleanses”.  Other basic dietary fibers are Slippery Elm and Psyllium.

Exercise – there is no health program or regimen without exercise.  In this age, anyone that does not exercise is headed for a health crisis.  Exercise encourages detoxification, mostly through sweating out toxins.  The skin remains the body’s largest elimination channel.  Even Yoga and Tai Chi have been indicated to help the body detoxify itself.  A good sweat, such as the one provided by running, cycling, and other exercises, has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer.  This is why saunas and steam baths are common in gyms.

Minerals – as the body cleanses itself, minerals are lost along with toxins.  In fact minerals salts such as sodium, calcium, magnesium play important roles in helping things move in the detoxification process.  After a cleanse the body suffers a lack of these nutrients.  One will do very well in attempting to replace minerals during and after cleanse.  In fact, low levels of these minerals are common after heavy sweating, and need to be replaced.  Fruits and vegetables are good sources of minerals.  Or supplementing with Ionic Minerals and Chinese Mineral Chi tonic can also be helpful.

Probiotics – these are friendly bacteria.  It is obvious that we all need to supplement good bacteria; we need about a million strains to one strain of bad bacteria.  When the body cleanses itself, it not only needs good bacteria to enhance the process, it also loses a lot of good bacteria.  The probiotics Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidus, L. acidophilus, L. brevis, L. bulcaricus, and others are helpful during and after a cleanse.  For example, toxins with estrogenic effects are better eliminated from the body with probiotic function, which is boosted by dietary fiber.

Water – the first, easiest, and most important thing you can do to aid the body in the detoxification process is drinking water.  The body uses water to literarily flush toxins out through the colon, skin, and urinary system.  One ounce of water per half pound of body weight is ideal on a regular basis.  To help the body detox itself, a little more is needed.

Chamomile tea makes great hair treatment

The pursuit of prime health is not over until evidence can be seen on the outside.  Hair, skin, face, nails, and feet all have to reflect how you feel on the inside.  Translation: you really do need to look healthy.  Unfortunately, as far as hair care goes gyms do not make sufficient provisions!  Here are some easy, inexpensive ingredients that may help in your hair care adventures.  The best part is they may already be in your kitchen:

Rinse hair with Chamomile tea (two capsules make one cup) to warm tones in blond and light brown hair.

To brighten red hair, rinse with red hibiscus tea.

Create red highlights on brown hair with cinnamon and add warmth with sage and rosemary tea: Add 1 tsp ground cinnamon to 1 cup each of sage and rosemary tea.  Let cool, wash hair.  You can follow up with a lukewarm water rinse.

Add gloss and sheen to curly hair by applying
½ cup warm olive oil + 10 drops Lavender essential oil to hair.
Before washing out oil with herbal shampoo, do the warm snugly wrap treatment.  Here’s how…

Restore natural sheen to wavy hair with this blend:
½ ripe banana + ½ avocado + 1 tsp plain yoghurt + 1 tsp olive oil.  Mash and blend together and apply on hair.  Before rinsing, do the warm snugly wrap treatment.  Here’s how…

Treat straight hair to this oil reducing astringent rinse:
2 to 3 drops Peppermint oil + 10 drops Tea Tree oil + 4 cups warm water.  Caution: very pungent aroma.  It should not be put on any sensitive body part.

Witch hazel is also good for removing excess oil in hair.  Add 1 part witch hazel to 1o parts water.  Dab scalp with mixture using a cotton ball after shampooing.  Rinsing out is not necessary.

Remove styling gel and hair spray build up, and chlorine with baking soda: wash hair with ¼ cup baking soda + 2 cups warm water.

2 Tsp flaxseeds soaked in 1 cup boiled water for about 25 minutes makes styling gel substitute.

Boost hair wash by adding these to 1 cup of baby shampoo or herbal shampoo:
1 egg or 2 Tbsp olive oil or 2 Tbsp almond oil- for dry hair.
2 Tbsp Aloe Vera gel or lemon juice- for oily hair.
¼ cup beer or champagne- for normal hair, beer gives hair a shine by sticking to hair’s surface.

Peppermint: an excellent antifungal for scalp

Mayonnaise, honey, or coconut oil can all act as deep moisturizers.  Boost treatment with anyone of these ingredients with the warm snugly wrap treatment.

Fight itchy scalp with natural antifungal, thyme: steep 2 tsp of fresh or dried organic thyme covered in a cup of hot water for 20 minutes.  Sift out herb and wash hair with tea.  Other herbal supplements effective in this area include Aloe Vera gel, essential oils of Peppermint, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus and ancient Chinese secret oil blend, Tei Fu.

Dandruff rinse:
Mix 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar + 4 cups lukewarm water, and rinse hair.  Apple cider vinegar is alkaline based and so helps balance hair’s natural pH to fight off dandruff.  Add 3 drops Tea Tree oil to 2 cups water and use the mixture for a warm snugly wrap also. 

Zinc is another effective dandruff controller.  It slows down dandruff regeneration on the scalp.  Jojoba oil (pronounced ho-ho-ba) is yet another effective dandruff control remedy.  A few drops lightly massaged into hair and scalp after shampooing helps cleanse and moisturize the scalp.  Rinsing hair with sage tea also fights dandruff.

Hair lice?  Try this: work a few drops of Tea Tree oil into hair and scalp, cover with a shower cap overnight to suffocate lice.  Your spouse may have to sleep on the couch on this one!  Also, essential oils of Lavender, Eucalyptus, and the ancient Chinese secret blend, Tei Fu will each do the trick.

Prevention: Load up on garlic for a short period.  Your blood becomes toxic to lice.  They can’t feed on your blood; they bailout from your abode!  Garlic oil may be taken orally or worked on hair overnight if you and your family can deal. 

All blood-feeding organism hate garlic.  Every last one of them: lice, ticks, fleas, leaches, mosquitoes, and even vampires can’t stand garlic!  Offer it to your guests during Halloween just in case!  The antioxidant germanium in garlic oil gives them a run for their…you get the idea!   Black walnut is also effective for fighting parasites, and improving skin appearance.

Garlic: nature's antibiotic

However, after they die the eggs they laid may hatch and infestation may reoccur.  Then you may want to try a different approach like a 10-day cleanse with an herbal parasite cleanse in the likes of Para-cleanse or Artemesia Combination.

There you have it: everything you need to have beautiful and powerful locks.  How you style it…you decide.  Whether you wear it long or short, wavy or curly we have no say, just remember this: it is not enough to survive…you must thrive!!!

The key is hydration, even in cases where the person has been vomiting or has diarrhea.  Often people reduce water intake when they suffer diarrhea.  On the contrary, the body loses a lot of water in the loose stool and so needs replacement.  However, care should be taken not to drink a lot of water at once.  It is a common error for thirsty people, athletes inclusive, to drink a glass or two of water in an attempt to quench their thirst. 

This is not a good idea as the water saturates the bladder and eventually rids the body of vital mineral salts and other nutrients. Small sips in eight to 15 minute intervals are ideal.  This gives the body ample time to absorb and utilize the water taken in without having to stress the bladder, kidneys and other organs.

In cases of heavy sweating such as during arduous exercise or extreme heat exhaustion, it is necessary to replace electrolytes.  An excellent source is Recovery Drink Mix. 

Dehydration can be addressed naturally: nothing replaces mineral salts lost in perspiration and cools the body like celery juice.  However, care must be taken as celery is one, if not the most treated vegetable today.  Organic celery is recommended because of this.

Did u know?

In early Olympic games, celery was awarded as winners’ prize?  It was considered the best thing to rejuvenate athletes after a long run or some other strenuous competitive event.  I wonder what second and third place winners got!

Celery juice is nature's most refreshing cocktail

Of course, here at Bushman Fitness, we do not subscribe to fancy sports drinks loaded with artificial sugars, sweeteners and dyes.  Natural is what we recommend, just like the bushmen in Africa.  Try these:

Celery and pineapple juice – cools body, fights pain and inflammation, plus replaces mineral salts.

Celery and gelatin – a high sodium and protein cocktail that eliminates thirst and is great for joints.

Black cherry or pomegranate juice – mixed with equal parts water “teaches” the body how to hold water.  They both sort of deal with the problem before it is encountered.  They should be consumed for extended periods of time for the body cells to “learn” to retain moisture.

These plants have mastered the art of using the least bit of water absorbed from the soil to grow.  They go as far as having enough water for their fruits.  The chemical compounds in their juices are absorbed into our cells and enable  the cells mimic their actions. 

Caution: only recommended for athletes, and those in arid areas with limited water supply.  May constitute harm to person prone to edema.

Celery and cucumber – high sodium and silicon cocktail that cools the body like no other.  Just remember “cool as a cucumber”!

Our herb of the month, Licorice is a terrific herb that helps the body deal with thirst.  Chew on its sweet roots or take capsules to combat thirst.  See more on Licorice on our herb page.

Potassium could be helpful to balance bodily fluids and support kidney function.  Another helpful strategy is to enhance antioxidant function on a cellular level.  Alpha Lipoic Acid can help with that.  It has the ability to regenerate itself and other antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E to fight free radicals and increase energy flow to the brain and muscles during exercise.  Very handy for the physically active!  Also useful during dehydration periods.

Cellular Energy also works in similar fashion, energizing the body in the cellular level.  The Chinese formula, HY-C is especially helpful for fighting thirst.  Formulated with herbs like Schizandra, Licorice and asparagus, HY-C treats symptoms associated with fluid loss due to frequent urination, night sweats, and also hot flash.

In cases of chronic dehydration, seek professional help as it could be symptoms of a more serious condition or underlying ailment.  Contact an herbalist for more suggestions.

Healthy bones transcends way beyond chugging down vats of yogurt and chewing on sea shells everyday!  Here are six vital keys to mull over as far as healthy bones are concerned:

Diet:
The key to healthy bones is to provide the bones with the nutrients they are made of, and otherwise need to rebuild themselves.  Though bones achieve sturdiness from calcium and phosphorus, macro minerals like magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulphur are integral components in bones.  Also, trace minerals such as iron, molybdenum, copper, zinc, fluoride, selenium, chromium, silica, manganese, iodine, and cobalt are crucial to bone health.

Soups made from stocks are rich in nutrients for healthy bones.

One way of getting all these minerals is regular consumption of stocks from chicken, fish or beef.  Homemade is the way to go here, people.  That way you avoid unnecessary additives, and harmful dyes, plus you can throw in some good herbs and vegetables (stock recipe).

Good calcium
Calcium is important to bone health.  What’s more important is its source.  The body finds it difficult to breakdown poor or unnatural sources of calcium, and so they do the body more harm than good.  The body deposits indigestible calcium in joints and ligaments.  This calcium deposit or accumulation (calcification) causes pain and stiffness in the joint.

Calcium from live natural sources is best for bones.  For example, dark green leafy vegetables (e.g. kale, spinach, turnip greens, collard greens, Chinese cabbage, alfalfa sprouts, dandelion greens) pink salmon, sardines, black strap molasses, organic yogurt, calcium-rich herbs such as Valerian Root, White Oak Bark, Pau d’ Arco, Kelp, Horsetail, Bayberry, Damiana, Hydrangea, Chlorella, Devil’s Claw, Alfalfa.

Milk, cheese, and ice cream are not good calcium sources.  If they were, countries with high dairy consumption will have fewer cases of osteoporosis.  More so, Asian and African countries with almost zero dairy consumption still have strong healthy bones.

Vitamin D is also important for calcium absorption.  That is where supplementation comes in.  Herbal formulas such as Skeletal Strength, HSN-W, and Herbal CA contain a good balance of vital minerals and vitamins that ensure proper calcium absorption into cells and tissues.

pH balance
Proper pH balance is essential to bone health.  The body is constantly breaking down old bones and rebuilding new ones.  This requires nutrients such as calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium.  In an acidic body (i.e. when acidic foods are consumed, or toxins make the body acidic), the body draws these alkaline nutrients to balance its pH.

The body maintains a pH range

This causes a loss of essential nutrients in the bones, and thus affect bone strength.  Sodas, coffee, alcohol, and cheese are very acidic, and therefore have this effect on bones and overall health.

Drinking water and liquid chlorophyll helps the body rid acids, and bring it back to alkalinity.

Exercise
Inactivity makes bones weaker.  Exercising for bones does not have to be grueling.  Light exercises such as walking put a little stress on the bones and make them stronger in response to the stress.  Also, exercise stimulate muscle growth.  Muscles protect bones and cushion joints, especially knee joints which support body weight and take poundings up to 1,200lbs from daily activities.

Make sure to seek professional advise and maintain proper form during exercise, you don’t want to strain the bones and joints you are trying to strengthen.

Posture and alignment
Bad posture or poor alignment puts stress on bones and causes problems with the body’s structural system to create wear and tear.  Posture and structural alignment are important to skeletal health.  Slouching on a chair, not standing straight, the way you hold your feet, your gait, and positions during sporting activities and exercise all count towards shaping your posture.

How we sit affects our skeletal system.

Bad posture creates problems that cause arthritis and other poor bone developments.  Standing and sitting up straight protects joints from the neck to the knees.  Good posture also helps guard hip joints and back muscles.
Posture is also important when lifting and carrying.  For example, strapping both shoulders when using a backpack, instead of slinging it over one shoulder.  Carrying  unbalanced weight puts more stress on joints.

Guys, please remove your fat wallets (or should I say purses!) from your back pockets before sitting down, especially while driving in your car.  It creates alignment problems for the spine.  Imagine a trucker doing that.  Sitting on a wallet while driving can have the same effect on the spine as a workout injury or auto accident, no matter how small the wallet is.  Oh here’s an idea:  have same sized wallets on both pockets!

Did U Know?
Chiropractors believe that the spine is in perfect alignment when hands are held up.  Who knew praising the Lord with “hands lifted high” is actually good for the body?!

Massage or chiropractic care can also be helpful for structural problems.  There are other useful systems for aligning the physical structure, such as Rolfing, the Alexander technique, and others which you may wish to consider.

Detox
Our bodies are exposed to toxins from foods, chemicals, and environmental pollutants.  These toxins make the body become acidic and mounts a considerable load of stress on the bones, especially air pollution.  Though it is difficult to avoid air pollution, regular detoxification is a good idea.  Regular detox is good for bone and overall health.

One cheap and easy way of detoxifying the body of environmental toxins is using herbal detox formulas such as Enviro-Detox, Tiao He Cleanse, and All Cell Detox.  Getting a Bio-Cleanse is also another effective way of ridding the body of harmful chemicals.

We have to learn to manage the effects of stress so that it does not cause damages. Check out these stress management tips to thrive on:

Drown your stress and anxiety. Drinking water helps the body feel calm and promotes better sleep. Dehydration affects the nervous system and so increases stress levels.

Drink to your stress

Coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol causes dehydration, stresses the adrenal glands, impair liver function, inhibit neuro-transmitter production, suppresses digestion, and raises blood sugar levels. Stay away from them.

Say wuuusah! Take a deep breath. Deep breathes supply the brain with oxygen which helps it function properly and deal with stress. Practicing deep breathing for up to five minutes about twice a day is known to reduce stress levels.

Stop and smell the roses. Literally, smelling the roses or other flower essences has been shown to relief stress. English homeopath, Edward Bach based his blend of five flower essences, “Rescue Remedy” on this principle. He used it to remedy many emotional problems including shock. Distress Remedy is a homeopathic blend with the five essences of Rescue Remedy plus other homeopathies that can train the senses to better handle stress. It is a good avenue to practice your deep breathing!

Proper nutrition. The importance of proper nutrition cannot be overemphasized. There are foods that help us deal with stress. Antioxidants and essential fatty acids. The body uses nutrients to fuel the stress response and so depletes us of vital nutrients. Fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and deep sea fish such as salmon and mackerel supply these nutrients.

Vital nutrients are hard to get enough of, so supplementing them is a good way to go. Other supplements that help with stress are B Vitamins. They feed the nervous system and produce energy. A proper blend of B Vitamins, Vitamin C, and other herbs will provide adrenal support, calm the nerves, and boost energy while allowing the body stay relaxed. Such a perfect blend can be found in Nutri-Calm.

Did u know?
A pleasurable experience does the body more good than a stressful experience does harm. This is according to Dr. Paul Pearsall, author of The Pleasure Prescription.

Making time for physically pleasant experiences daily, such as listening to music, or feeding birds at the park, activates the parasympathetic nerves and relaxes muscles and calms the body.

Spoil yourself. Give yourself a treat. Hit the spa, get a massage, or attend a musical recital. Pleasure enhances health, energy and emotional well-being. It promotes relaxation and triggers healing. Dinning at a very expensive restaurant does may increase stress when you get the bill!

Spa treatments are made to deal with stress

Adaptogen is the answer to chronic stress. They help the body deal with stress. You guessed it, our herb of the month, Astragalus is an adaptogen. So are Eleuthero, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Suma and Schizandra.

However, adaptogenic blends offer a wider spectrum in dealing with chronic stress.

5HTP is one blend of herbs that help metabolism pathway, a precursor to the neuro-transmitters triptophan, seratonin, and melatonin. Most successful anit-depressant are formulated on the same action.

Adaptamax is one of such blends. It reduces stress, improve immunity and counteracts fatigue, while promoting a relaxed and positive mood.

Adrenal Support, as the name implies nourishes depleted adrenal glands, metabolizes protein, and regulates insulin production. It is a must-have for dealing with sleeplessness, fatigue, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic inflammation.

Chinese Mineral Chi Tonic is a powerful blend of nine herbs used in TCM to boost and maintain balance in the body’s energy system. It is sure to provide adrenal support, energize the body and promote overall health in periods of stress.

Another adaptogenic formula is Nervous Fatigue: a blend Chinese herbs that helps relieve stress, promote digestion and restful sleep. It is especially useful for those who are stressed in the day but can’t sleep at night.

SAM-e is a chemical compound that is so effective in dealing with stress that it is prescribed in Europe. Some say it is good for “everything”! It has been shown to elevate the mood, and reduce inflammation by helping the liver detoxify. It has only one side effect: weight loss. No stress management regimen should be without SAM-e.

To help maintain clear thought under stress and boost energy during stressful situations, Suma Combination is your choice. It consists of the herbs Eleuthero, Suma, Ginkgo, and Gotu Kola. There is virtually no kind of stress that cannot be put on a leash with this quadruple herbal combo.

Exercise is the magic bullet for stress. For stress you want to make sure you are getting some sun and fresh air. Exercise outdoors as much as possible. Exercise is liberating. It works it improves focus and clarity, increases blood and oxygen circulation, relieves tensed muscles, improves stamina, energy, promotes better sleep and restoration, and strengthens the immune and nervous systems.

A good laugh can also help the body handle stress. When you are stressed hit the comedy aisle of your video store, and get yourself a heavy dose of “The Three Stooges” or “Tom and Jerry”. Don’t be ashamed to laugh out loud even if you may be by yourself!

Music is another way of dealing with stress. Any music would do, as long as you like it. ACDC might work for some (hard to imagine), while Nora Jones may do the trick for others.

Relaxation. Watch animals in the wild, they all find time to relax. Planning to relax is a way to combat stress. A nap, gardening, sculpting, or doing a jigsaw puzzle may all count toward relaxation.

Watching fish swim may help calm nerves

No one can tell you about the benefits of good night’s sleep or a mid afternoon nap. Your body says “Thank you, sire”!

Watching swans at the lake, or fish swim in an aquarium or pond, even a good view of the ocean or waterfall (even if it is a mere picture) also have huge relaxing effects on the nerves and body. No wonder the Bushmen never stress, they have great views at their disposal.

Spirituality. Prayer and worship, and all involved in spirituality is known to have profound effects on lowering stress levels. Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard University referred to it as the “faith factor”. Taking time daily to pray and read the bible is an essential component of a well-rounded stress management prgram, concurs Dr. Keith Sehnert, author of “Stress/Unstressed: How you can Control Stress at Home and on the Job”.

Releasing worries to God in prayer surely reduces stress levels.

One Purdue study of 1,473 people suggested that those who regularly prayed, read religious literature, attended church or synagogue, and are considered active in their religious faith had half the health problems as non-practicing people. Translation: spirituality has an almost unequaled power to relieve stress by providing an inner sense of calm and tranquility. Alleluia!

Let me add that reading the bible at bed time is the best cure for insomnia I know! I dare you to read all of Psalms 119 in one night!

The first best thing you can do for general health and fitness is to remove the old stuff inside you. Also, making sure there are no blockages in the digestive tract. Cleansing the body is one sure way to take off the pounds and keep them off.  Most times, weight around the stomach area is due to congestion.  That means food is not digested and eliminated like it should. Therefore, the body is not getting nutrients from food.

A Dieter’s Cleanse for a start is a good way to ensure healthy elimination and digestion, as well as maximizing nutritional benefits from the food you eat. Food Enzymes and Everybody’s Fiber are other good supplements to support nutrient absorption and waste elimination.

There are no restaurants in the Kalahari! The Bushmen prepare their own meals. Eat at home instead of out. That’s what those cooking shows are all about. “When you prepare it, you have total control over what is in the food, you can make it exactly how you like it, and better for you than in restaurants, where you have no idea what is in the food,” says Ellie Krieger, RD, host of the Food Network’s Healthy Appetite and author of The Food You Crave.

Eat fresh. Go for raw fruits, nuts, and vegetables. They were created to be eaten raw. Cooking removes a lot of nutrients from them and the body does not benefit from them all that much. Fruits and nuts are packed full of good fats and antioxidants with loads of benefit to health.

Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! There is nothing the human body requires more than exercise. After air, food, and water, that is. See the Bushman’s Top 7 Exercises that deliver great results.

Read your food labels and search for good fats. The good fats are the monounsaturated fats, such as those found in nuts (pecans, pistachios, and almonds), and oils (olive, canola, and peanut oils). They lower LDL cholesterol without affecting the good HDL cholesterol. Plus, you get a good supply of much needed fat in your diet.

Don’t miss the EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids). The Omega 3s and 6s. They lower cholesterol, clean out arteries, reduce risk of heart disease, reduce inflammation, enhance the immune system, and improve cardiovascular function. They are not called “essential” for nothing! They can be found in fish oils (salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, etc), flaxseed oil, . Hard to get enough? Can’t stand the smell or taste? Supplement them so you don’t have to smell or taste them. Super Omega 3 and Super GLA Oil Blend are good essential oil supplements.

Keep a high metabolism. A high metabolism is essential for calorie burn, and therefore weight management. It ensures calorie burn even at rest. How bout that? Burning calories to loose weight in your sleep! See ways to boost your metabolism in our Metabolism 101: get a grip on yours.

Portion control. Number tip in weight management. Eat only what you need, not what you want, or can! Everything in moderation. Try using smaller dinner plates so you feel you are eating a full plate and therefore not need anymore. Another trick is to eat slowly, savor your meal: listen to slow music, turn the TV off, practice deep breathing while eating: it aids digestion. Eat a lot of good fats with your meals, it makes you feel full quicker.

Substitution. Healthy substitution is the name of the game! Substitute sodas and sweet tea with water and homemade fruit juices. Try fruit-sweetened ketchup instead 0f the regular kind. Use natural sweeteners; ditch the artificial sweeteners, the refined sugars and all those small colorful table packs.

Natural sweeteneres such as Honey, Agave, Xylitol, Real Maple Syrup, Date Sugar, Beet Sugar, and Brown Rice Syrup contain B-vitamins and other nutrients that the body needs to process sugar. This makes treats prepared with them more satisfying to the body, and so you eat less of them.  Or tame your sweet tooth with Licorice Root herb.

Did u know?
There is more refined sugar in ketchup than in vanilla ice cream. One cup of ketchup (serving size) has 54.6 grams of sugar, while one cup of vanilla icecream (two servings) contains 30.4 grams of sugar.  Though no one eats a bowl of ketchup for dessert, it increases sugar intake when used as a condiment.

Make vinaigrettes substitutes for salad dressings. Salad dressings are packed full of calories and all those things you can’t even pronounce! Make your own vinaigrette. Again, you control what goes into your vinaigrette.

Choose healthy deserts. Make salads your desert, instead of the cheesecakes and the brownies. Substitute ice cream with plain yogurt. Frozen yogurt, soy ice cream, rice ice cream are all good substitutes for the regular kind.

Substitute the regular white bread with whole grain breads. Whole grains are always more beneficial than refined. Most grocery stores carry a wide variety of whole grain products, such as whole grain spelt flour, wheat pastry flour, oat flour, buchwheat flour, and brown rice flour. Try them for making cookies, cakes, brownies, and breads with natural sweeteners.

Society today is growing more and more energy hungry. Numerous energy supplements are continually popping up everywhere. From grocery stores, pharmacies, to gas stations there are racks upon racks of energy bars at check-out counters, countless bottles of energy supplements, energy drinks of all sorts of names, shapes, colors, and taste. Everyone seem to want more energy whether they be men, women, young or old.

Here are a few tips on getting energized naturally:

Food is the biggest source of energy for man. Food is supposed to provide fuel for the body to burn and function properly. A high carbohydrate diet is essential to high energy production. The low-carb craze is recommended for people with a rather sedentary lifestyle, so they do not store calories not used.

The active person needs energy, and carbs provide that needed energy. The mechanism of digested carbs, oxygen and blood flow provide millions of energy boosting molecules to cells and tissues to energize the body to take on daunting tasks. The lack of energy suffered by people with a poor diet is hardly news.

See The Bushman’s “Fitness Secret Weapons 2 Thrive On” for more on energizing foods.

The human body is composed of 75% water. Without water we can hardly function. The blood needs water to transport nutrient to sites where they are needed, the brain needs water to function. Make sure to stay adequately hydrated if you are looking to boost energy. Sip water all day (weight in pounds and water in a 2:1 ratio), adding an extra 20oz per hour of exercise.

You also want to make sure you are replacing your body with electrolytes during exercise. When we exercise, we sweat. In sweat is some electrolytes lost, so replacing the body with electrolytes help prevent against cramping and injury and therefore allow for minimal interruption to energy production. Herbal liquid, Colloidal Minerals is an excellent source of electrolyte replacement. It is turbo fuel to cells and tissues for energy production. Stay away from sodas, they are made of carbonated water that depletes oxygen in the body and drains energy.

Adding a little sea salt to your water also does that. So, before stacking up sports drinks in your pantry, make sure to read the ingredients label carefully to know exactly what you are getting. Many sports drinks contain dyes, preservatives and other nutrients that compromise the goal of energy boosting. Instead try our Ultimate Green Zone, it is easily metabolized into energy and helps promote proper bodily functions such as waste elimination.

Breathing is another key to energy generation. The organs and cells of the body need oxygen to function properly. As a matter of fact, the muscles need to be supplied plenty of oxygen during exercise, if not the brain shuts everything down before you hurt yourself. The brain itself shuts down without adequate oxygen. That is why we yawn, the brain triggers such an act to draw more oxygen to it.

It is amazing that something that comes naturally, that we do unconsciously still needs to be learned. Proper breathing is almost always overlooked. Lets do a session right now! Seat up straight, place finger tips on belly button. Take a deep breath and release. If your shoulders raised when you inhaled you did it wrong. Your stomach is supposed to rise not the shoulders. Martial artists and singers practice and use this proper breathing technique. It generates energy from your very core. We all can benefit from proper breathing techniques.

Stretching ensures proper blood flow to every area of the body. More blood means more nutrients and better functioning of organs. Stretching also improves flexibility, which is necessary for strength and better performance in range of motion. Everflex, is a supplement that promotes joint health and enhances flexibility. See The Bushman’s guidelines on stretching in our exercise page.

The best for last: Sleep. Sleep and rest are the most important and neglected aids to energy production in society today. A well rested body is an energized body. That is why sleep was created, for us to rest and recharge. The continued outbreak of energy pills and supplements make it clear that energy is much needed in our fast paced world. People are always on the go, claiming that life is more hectic than it once was. Is this true? Or we just want to believe that? Priority rules: which is higher on your priority list, well rested which translates into more energy and better immune function, or low energy and a compromised immune function due to lack of sleep?

Make time to rest, to sleep. If you wake up in the morning with an alarm, you are not getting enough sleep. The Bushmen do not have alarm clocks, they wake up well rested. I know you think you have a lot to do. Consider this, they will not get done if you are not energized, so prepare yourself for the tasks ahead by getting enough sleep. Herbs such as Chamomile, Kava Kava, and Valerian ensure you experience a deep, uninterrupted sleep, to wake up energized without the morning drag, even if you sleep for a short time.