Does "Crystal Healing" Really Works?

Do you believe me that when we talk about being healthy, we not only mean about the physical aspect but also the emotional, psychological and the spiritual aspects? If so, then health correlates with wellness as well. And, this health-wellness state can be achieved in so many different ways.

And one of the countless ways people seek wellness, is through "Crystal Healing". This form of healing dates back to as far as the times before Christ was born. Its original roots were unknown but there were close accounts that it came from those of the ancient pagans and Wiccans or nature worshippers of Europe and even in parts of India and China. Indians in Canada and in the Americas also practice this form of therapy.

Crystal Healing simply means a form of alternative therapy that uses crystals or gemstones. The crystals are placed in strategic places on the body in which we call as the chakras. These chakras is derived from the Hindu term which means spiritual energies. According to the teachings there are seven chakras in our body.

Here are the following:

1. Base or Root chakra (last bone in the spinal cord, coccyx)
2. Sacral chakra (ovaries/prostate)
3. Solar plexus chakra (navel area)
4. Heart chakra (heart area)
5. Throat chakra (throat and neck area)
6. Brow or Third eye chakra (pineal gland or third eye)
7. Crown chakra (Top of the head, 'soft spot' of a newborn)

These spiritual energy centers have different colors associated with it. Red relates with the root chakra, orange with the sacral chakra, yellow with the Solar plexus chakra, green with the heart chakra, blue with throat chakra, indigo or purple with the third eye chakra, and white connects with the crown chakra. Some crystal healers place same color crystals to the chakras on the client's body to enhance energy flow. These crystals are said to balance the flow of energies in our body. It is also believed that negative energies are channeled out from the body, which are believed to cause a disease, and to enable the positive energies to enter into the body thereby relieving physical ailments.

Although there is no scientific explanation and proof that Crystal healing works, numerous personal testimonies of people healed are very widespread over the world. They stated that they have been feeling better after such therapy session. In some parts of the World, professional nurses and doctors are even trained to do this kind of alternative therapy. The crystals/gemstones are said to have vibration frequencies that are present according to the stones' shapes, interconnecting the earth's and the person's energy field. In crystal healing, the crystal is said to strengthen or realign the distorted human 'psychic' or cosmic energy by directing vibrations to the body.

Crystal Healing must not be relied upon as the only form of therapy. Prescribed medications and other treatments must not be disregarded just because one is feeling better after a Crystal Healing therapy session. We must always remember that these are just one of several treatment options that we can use. Behind these energies and crystals, is the ultimate Source of every living and nonliving thing in this world. Faith in God, Allah, or the Higher Being is still very significant.

References:
1. http://www.allabouttheoccult.org/crystal-healing.htm
2. http://www.journeyinpro.com/blog_images/chakras.jpg
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra

A Few of My "Anti-Aging" Tips

Everyone of us is searching for the “fountain of youth”, the everlasting drink from the eternal water. We want to defy aging. Thus we keep on looking for the eureka best anti-aging product in the planet. But you know, there are really simple and natural tips on how to look and feel younger. There are some basic tips for anti-aging. These cannot only help you to be young, but can also shield you against a variety of age-related diseases and complications.

Exercise

This is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Keeping your body in good shape helps to prevent many diseases and disabilities and may also significantly slow down the aging process. Exercise strengthens the heart muscle, lowers the blood pressure, and helps to maintain weight. Not only that it strengthens your bones and reduces the chances of getting osteoporosis. It also builds endurance, flexibility and boosts your metabolism.There are many simple and effective workouts like walking, jogging, biking, and even dancing. Effective strength training can be accomplished by using light weights a few times a week.

Natural Skin Care

Though there are countless skin care products today, most of them are not necessary to maintaining youthful skin. Regular cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing are all important for keeping your skin in good shape without resorting to extreme treatments such as Botox surgery or injections. There are many natural products available, and natural ingredients, which are beneficial to the skin, such as honey, oatmeal, lemon juice, and almond oil, which can be used in homemade treatments.
Other helpful anti-aging tips for the skin are the following:
- Avoid excessive use of cosmetics, as many of them can contain potentially dangerous chemicals. Wearing too much makeup can also clog pores and stops the skin from breathing.
- Drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day. Hydrated cells are plump and healthy.
- Take cool showers as too much heat can damage the skin.
- diet rich in fruits and vegetables that contain many natural antioxidants.

Diet

The best anti-aging diet is one that is high in antioxidants and low in sugars, fats, and artificial ingredients or other additives. One popular method is a restricted calorie diet, where caloric intake is limited in order to slow down aging. The only hurdle in this kind of diet is maintaining sufficient intake of other nutrients at the same time.

Oral Supplements

One of the best tips for anti-aging is to use vitamin/mineral supplement. The vast majority of Americans are not able to get the nutrients they need to go through their diet alone. Taking supplements cannot replace a bad diet, but it can provide a valuable boost.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are nutrients, which protect your cells under oxidation. This causes the cells to become old. Since the deterioration of cells is responsible for many of the effects of aging, antioxidants are especially important as an anti-aging treatment. Some of the best nutritional antioxidants are Vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, selenium, Coenzyme Q10, and flavonoids. These are found in many anti-aging nutritional products of vitamin supplements.

De-stressing

Your emotional health can also have a large effect on your physical condition. Too much unhealthy stress can lead to a number of problems, including unstable emotions, exhaustion, inability to concentrate, lack of sleep, digestive problems, stiff muscles, headaches, allergy or asthma attack, frequent colds, infections, and skin problems. These are many things you can do to relax. Talking to someone and having the support of family and friends can also help you to reduce stress and maintain a positive attitude.

Active Lifestyle

Staying active is very important for maintaining good health and keeping up energy. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to many health problems like heart disease. Doctors recommend an average of 60 minutes of physical activity a day, which can include running on the treadmill to simply doing house chores, can do wonders already.

Laughing

Part of being healthy is having a positive outlook on life. Keeping humor in your life is an easy- and funny way to fight aging. Laughter can keep your body more open to healing. Research shows that laughter can lower blood pressure and relieve fear in uncertain situations.

Resorting to Herbs

Herbs are one of the most popular forms of alternative therapy today. Many types of herbs have been found t0 have many anti-aging benefits. Popular anti-aging herbs include ginseng, ginkgo, and grape seed extract. They should always be used with extreme care, as many can cause negative side effects when used incorrectly or when mixed with other medications.

Chocolate

One of the best anti-aging secrets is chocolate as this can actually be good for you. Studies have shown that cocoa may help to lower your blood pressure, as well as help in keeping your body flowing and your heart healthy. Chocolate also contains large amounts of flavonoids, plant compounds that prevent blood clots. Chocolate also promotes the secretion of endorphins, which make us feel good, and contains serotonin, which actsw as an anti-depressant.

Why is Caviar considered as one of the most luxurious entree of the Rich and Famous

This type of food has always baffled me of why you will have to pay such a significant amount of money, when you want to eat this course. This prompted me to write such article, because of President Arroyo's recent brush with the media and the prying eyes of the public, due to her lavish dinner at a first class french restaurant "Le Cerque" in NYC of which one of the meals served was caviar, and the total meal price was reportedly more or less $20, 000.
But enough of politics...
Let us go deeper into the rich history of caviar. Caviar has its Italian roots but eventually is derived from the Persian word "khaya"which simply means ''egg". Persians also call it the "cake of power" to which they eat it in stick form in the form of elixir. This then influenced the major parts of Europe such as Russia, Scandinavia, Italy, France, and even Spain. According to Wikipedia, the harvest and sale of black caviar has been banned since August 1, 2007 in Russia, and has been extended for up to 10 years, but the scientific research and artificial breeding on the black sturgeon are exempted. This may be due to the inhuman practices involved in the harvesting of ovaries from the female caviar fish which involves stunning the fish at its head and then collecting the ovaries by C-section and then sewing it to keep the poor creature alive.
In Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, caviar is sold much cheaper which is made out of mashed and smoked cod roe and used as a sandwich filling. In France, they call it "Caviar de Lysekil" or creamed smoke roe to which Lysekil originated from the name of a Swedish coastal town to where this type of caviar may have originated. There is also the Danish small lumpsucker caviar to which it is sold in small glass bottles. Other red-colored varieties can also be found. Other expensive sturgeon alternative caviar also came from a vendace, a common whitefish found in parts of Finland, Sweden, and Russia.
In Spain, caviar farms are established in the outskirts and in the mountainous regions. Caviar is one of the many favorites of the Royals and noblemen. It is never absent during weddings, feasts, and other special occasions. In this modern technological era, caviar is collected from fish without invasive procedures, a process called "striping". Caviar is rich in vitamin A, vitamin B12, lutein, iron, selenium and other essential nutrients. A word of caution to those people who constantly watch their blood pressures, this meal is also rich in LDL (low density lipoprotein) or the bad type of cholesterol. So eating in moderation is always a plus!

References:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/caviar