ACHS.edu Holistic Health Education

ACHS now offers six graduate certificates for specialized CAM training

2009-07-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

July 23, 2009--The American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) has launched six new graduate certificate programs in the field of complementary alternative medicine (CAM). These new certificates impart graduate-level specialized training with less time and financial commitment found in the more traditional master’s program. ACHS graduate certificates provide healthcare professionals with more in-depth knowledge of holistic health and wellness protocols and the ability to better serve the health needs of their communities.

ACHS graduate certificates require 12 credits of study, or four 16-week courses for completion, and are available in the fastest growing integrative healthcare modalities. ACHS graduate certificates include: Graduate Certificate in Nutrition, Graduate Certificate in Anatomy and Physiology, Graduate Certificate in Complementary Alternative Medicine, Graduate Certificate in Aromatherapy, Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicine, and Graduate Certificate in Botanical Safety.

Today, more and more people are turning to preventative care as a solution to rising healthcare costs. The healthcare industry needs professionals trained in holistic health and wellness protocols, as well as botanical safety and drug and supplement interactions. With an ACHS graduate certificate, healthcare professionals can:

• Enhance their employability and job growth with each specialized certificate.
• Train to meet the growing demand for educated and trusted CAM professionals.
• Learn botanical safety.
• Increase ancillary services offered, thereby increasing clients and income.
• Educate others about wellness and complementary alternative medicine.

Students who enroll in a graduate certificate program will benefit from the same amenities as ACHS Masters of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine students, including access to the extensive Natural Standards and Natural Medicines databases, full text, online journal resources; instructors who are industry experts; highly interactive online classes and instructor-led discussions; and training from the industry-leader in accredited, online holistic health education.

The ACHS graduate certificate programs are open to new students, as well as current ACHS students, and can be completed while pursuing a Masters of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine. For more information and detailed course descriptions, visit www.achs.edu or call ACHS Admissions at (800) 487-8839.

American College of Healthcare Sciences is the only accredited, fully online college offering degrees, diplomas, and career-training certificates in complementary alternative medicine. Founded in 1978, ACHS is committed to exceptional online education and is recognized as an industry leader in holistic health education worldwide. For more information about ACHS programs and community wellness events, visit www.achs.edu, call (800) 487-8839, or stop by the College campus located at 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland OR 97239.

Children and Natural Medicine with Dr. Arianna Staruch, ND

2009-06-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

Natural medicine works with the body's ability to heal itself, according to Dr. Arianna Staruch, ND, who spoke about using natural medicine with children at the American College of Healthcare Sciences on June 8. Natural medicine, Dr. Staruch further explained, helps removed obstacles to health, such as an unhealthy diet or stress, and then supports the body's ability to return to balance.

So, why use natural medicine with children? Teaching children to use natural medicine at a young age helps to establish healthy lifestyle choices through adulthood. In addition, natural medicine remedies are safe, natural supports for everyday problems like the common cold, ear infections, and bumps and bruises.

According to Dr. Staruch, a kid's job is to get sick. Infection is how the immune system learns what is good and bad, and how to respond. Natural medicine works with the body's natural processes to help build a strong immune system.

What does natural medicine include? When working with children, some of the primary natural medicine remedies include use of mild herbs, which can be made into teas, and homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathy is based on the principle of "like cures like." A homeopathic remedy is an "extremely dilute form; normally one part of the remedy to around 1,000,000,000,000 parts of water" (http://abchomeopathy.com/homeopathy.htm). For kids, homeopathics are easy to administer, safe, effective, and non-toxic, Dr. Staruch says. Here are some common homeopathics and their associated uses:

Arnica > for falls, bumps, and bruises
Aconite > First onset of cold
Arsenicum > Digestive upset and diarrhea; chilly; restless
Belladonna > Ear aches and fevers that come on suddenly

Recipe for Calming Tea for Kids
Cat Straw--4 tbs
Chamomile--2 tbs
Peppermint--1 tbs
Catnip--1 tbs

Cover the herbs with 2 cups of boiling water and steep for 15 minutes. Give one or more tablespoons as needed.

Click here to see a complete list of the American College's upcoming community workshops.

Grow your own garden herbs in a few easy steps

2009-05-13T15:00:00.001-07:00

You don't have to have a big garden to grow your own fresh herbs. For those who live in apartments, don't have a backyard, or only like to garden small-scale, most herbs can be grown in ceramic planters.

If that's good news, you'll like what Master Gardener and ACHS Senior Vice President Erika Yigzaw had to say Saturday, May 9, at the ACHS From Your Garden to Your Kitchen Open House.

Although each herb is different, most are fairly easy to grow and use at home. There are just a few key things to remember. 1. Unless otherwise specified, herbs like full sun. 2. Herbs potted into planters should be watered about once a day. 3. Don't over water. As a general rule, water herbs so that the soil remains moist approx. one inch from the top.

Once your herbs are potted, what can you use them for? Most easily, herbs can be used on a meal-by-meal basis and either cooked into hot foods or eaten raw in salads. You can also use fresh herbs to make your own herbal teas and infused oils for cooking and/or body care, as well as herbal medicine infusions and tinctures.

Click here to download free information about making your own herbal remedies, herbal teas, and organic gardening.

Additional tips for growing your own herbs include:

When planting in peet pots, break up the peet and roots before planting.
Do not plant above the base of the plant. Adding a top layer of soil can cause fungus.
To keep bugs from your plants, include a decoy plant in your garden like artichoke.
Before harvesting, find out the best method for that herb (for example, rosemary likes to be plucked, but peppermint can be snipped).

Click here for more information about dried herbs and herbal medicine classes.

Hydroxycut recall begs stricter controls for dietary supplements?

2009-05-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

The voluntary recall of 14 Hydroxycut products by Iovate Sciences has people talking. Should there by stricter controls on dietary supplements?

The Hydroxycut recall was triggered by a consumer warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued May 1. In response, Loren Israelsen, executive director of the United Natural Products Alliance and a member of Nutrition Business Journal’s editorial advisory board said in a Nutrition Business Journal, “This is a big deal for the dietary supplement industry because it will inevitably invite comparison to the ephedra AER [adverse event reporting] episode, and critics of the industry will no doubt call for some review of DSHEA [the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act] as a result."

Ongoing problems with Hydroxycut and similar products have people wondering if supplement regulations should be firmer, which does not seem like a priority for Congress right now. And, until it is, how can consumers protect themselves?

According to Nutrition Business Journal, "consumers bought $1.67 billion worth of weight-loss pill-form supplements in 2007, and Hydroxycut was the top-selling weight-loss supplement brand sold at supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchandise outlets (excluding Wal-Mart). Weight-loss supplement sales have been hurting since the 2004 ephedra ban, and this event is likely to take a hefty toll on 2009 sales."

In other words, we know there is no "quick fix" or instant solution for health challenges, yet, people continue to buy the products. Perhaps consumers can best protect themselves by asking the question, "Why?" Why, when we know so much about the many successful applications of alternative medicines and holistic health do we buy pills? Why do we continue to support "short-term fixes" instead of long-term health when studies show that these choices may, in fact, be hurting us more?

Will this recall of Hydroxycut products influence consumer purchases? Should there be more supplement regulation to protect the consumer? Tell us what you think....

Click here to read the full article in the Nutrition Business Journal.

ABC Executive Director’s Editorial Emphasizes Published Clinical Trials Supporting the Therapeutic Benefits of Leading Herbs

2009-04-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

(April 23, 2009) The March/April issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine features a guest editorial by ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal, in which Blumenthal addresses one of the primary inaccuracies promoted by some critics of herbal medicine: the myth that clinical trial evidence shows many popular herbal preparations to be ineffective.

In his editorial, titled “Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Support the Efficacy of Numerous Popular Herbs and Phytomedicines,” Blumenthal discusses how the public perception that certain herbs do not work has been misled by highly publicized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with negative outcomes. These include RCTs of preparations made from herbs such as St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) to treat symptoms of mild to moderate depression, and echinacea (Echinacea spp.) to deal with upper respiratory tract infections related to colds and the flu.

Blumenthal goes on to cite numerous recently-published systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs in which the above-mentioned herbal preparations were significantly more effective than placebo. In addition, he points out that some trials found herbs to be as effective, and safer, than conventional pharmaceutical medications used for the same purposes. Also included in this discussion are reviews of RCTs of garlic (Allium sativum) for lowering blood pressure, Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) for erectile dysfunction, and hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) for aspects of congestive heart failure.

Blumenthal concludes the essay as follows:

All too frequently, however, glaring exposure in the media of one high-profile negative trial becomes “the conversation,” with the larger body of clinical research, as well as highly relevant epidemiological and other non-RCT-based data, being relegated to a cognitive Twilight Zone. Even critics of CAM and herbal medicine in particular, frequently fall into the trap of taking refuge under the high-profile negative trial in attempts to dismiss an entire herbal category and, by extension, all herbal preparations in sweeping generalizations that would never be countenanced in a freshman-level course in logic, much less the “evidence-based” practice of medicine.

Click here to read a PDF of the editorial is available on the Alternative Therapies website.

Reference
Blumenthal M. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses support the efficacy of numerous popular herbs and phytomedicines. Altern Ther Health Med. 2009;15(2):14-15.

Tricks of the trade: finding the motivation to exercise

2009-04-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

No matter the reason, sometimes you just aren't in the mood for moving and sweating. Whenever this happens to you, try these strategies for working up to the desire to hit the gym:

Remind Yourself of Your Goals - Start thinking about why you started exercising in the first place and what the end results will be. Do you want to lose a certain amount of weight? Get more toned? Have more energy? A quick reminder of why exercise is important to you can be just the motivation that you need to seek out another set of reps.

Plan on Reducing Your Workout – If you feel that you won’t have the energy to do your complete routine, tell yourself that you will just do half of the work out. If you usually jog four miles, plan on just doing two. If you are weight-training that day, focus on just doing the compound exercises while leaving out the isolation exercises. Once you get going, you might discover that you actually have the energy to do your full workout.

Don’t Go Next Time - Give yourself permission to skip the next work out but not this one. If the next work out rolls around and you still don’t feel like going, you actually might be doing yourself some good by skipping it. Feeling consistently turned off by exercise is usually a sign of overtraining, and giving your body more time to rest can actually help you reach your fitness goals faster.

The trickiest part of any exercise plan is motivation. You can know all of the exercises and the proper techniques, but if you aren't inspired enough to get to the gym, it won’t do you much good. Figure out what motivates you most, and make sure that you use that motivation to hold yourself accountable for regular physical activity. I'm not opposed to an occasional self-bribe either. It goes something like this, "If I workout at least 4 times this week, I'm going to treat myself to a spa pedicure next Friday after work." Just make sure that your rewards are not food-based, and you'll be good to go.

Posted to Ode by Amber O’Neal. Reprinted 4/29/09 from the Sustainlane website: http://www.sustainlane.com/reviews/when-you-just-don%27t-feel-like-working-out/D4432QHN7TYBC8QUMAV2PVQPV9JZ

Make aromatherapy herbal body care and culinary oils

2009-04-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

Natural health tips and recipes for making your own aromatherapeutic, healing body care and culinary oils.*

BY: Dorene Petersen, ACHS President

Plants provide us with a rich array of therapeutic ingredients known as active constituents. Many aromatic plants are packed with specialized cells containing essential oils, as well as other constituents that provide healing qualities. Usually these aromatic materials are distilled, which releases the essential oil from the specialized cells.

Distilling essential oils requires specialized equipment. For this reason, most people are not able to distill their own essential oils at home. However, infused oils are a good alternative. Though less concentrated than essential oils, infused oils require much less botanical material than distillation and are well suited for making massage oils, as well as culinary and bath oils.

To make infused oils for personal use at home, you need very little equipment. To prepare an infused oil, you heat a base oil with your botanical material (or herb) over hot water. It is important to pick the best base oil for your infusion, because many base oils have active constituents that can enhance the therapeutic benefits of the infusion you are making.

Base oils, also called fixed oils, are made primarily from the seeds or fruits of plants. Unlike essential oils, however, base oils are non-volatile. (Essential oils are called “volatile” because they readily vaporize when heated at a low temperature; base oils — like almond or avocado oil — do not.)

When making infused oils for personal use, cold-pressed, organic base oils are preferable, because they retain more of their natural elements than heat-extracted oils. Heat destroys antioxidants, which are naturally occurring in oils, and which help prevent the oils from spoiling when they come in contact with air. By contrast, cold-pressed oils already contain vitamin E, a naturally occurring antioxidant that prevents spoiling.

Base oils include:

For massage infusions, almond Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis, aloe vera Aloe barbadensis, and camellia Camellia japonica oils work well.
For bath infusions, apricot Prunus persica, grapeseed Vitis vinifera, and wheat germ Triticum aestivum oils work well.
When making culinary infusions, however, olive Olea europaea, peanut Arachis hypogaea, and sesame Sesamum indicum oils are good base oils. (People with food allergies to nuts should avoid contact with peanut oil.)

To read the full article, including recipes, CLICK HERE.

* The article below originally appeared on the website BlogCritics.org.

Health: what we eat and how much matters

2009-04-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

"Thanks to a new tool called Life Cycle Analysis, scientists can pinpoint much more precisely what foods produce those climate-warming gases, and what stage in their "life cycle" is most carbon intensive," according to an article by Leslie Cole which in the April 21 Oregonian, "Your climate-friendly kitchen." [...] "The results," the article continues, "show some clear steps all of us can take to a more climate-friendly diet."

To build a "low-carbon diet," Cole suggests:

More green, less moo.
To eat green, vegetables should be the focus of your meal. Meat and dairy products should be kept to a minimum, because "livestock products account for more than half of the food sector's contribution to greenhouse gases."

Kick the can.
Food, when thrown into landfills, releases methane gas. Instead, compost food waste and buy only what you need.

Keep it real.
Real foods--or whole foods--are better than processed foods. Eat an apple instead of apple juice, a potato instead of potato chips, because "new research shows that food production, not transportation, takes the heaviest toll on the environment."

Buy foods in season.
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables preserves energy, because "processing requires energy, which uses fossil fuel and creates emissions."

Break your bag habit.
Plastic bags are made from petroleum, so they fill our landfills, landscapes, and waterways without breaking down.

CLICK HERE for more information about holistic nutrition.

Nutritional and Herbal Tips for Women Experiencing Menopause

2009-04-20T15:16:00.001-07:00

Natural health tips and recipes for easing the menopause transition and improving overall health...

The article below originally appeared on the website BlogCritics.org.

BY: Dorene Petersen, ACHS President

Menopause is the natural cessation of menstruation and ovulation, which typically occurs in women ages 40-55. Though menopause is sometimes called the “change of life,” it does not have to change your life in a negative way. Rather, there are many natural strategies you can use to make the transition as smooth and health-promoting as possible.

Nutrition is a big part of everyday life and, for that reason, one of the best tools you can use to control any menopause-related symptoms. Once you know how to select foods that will support your body during menopause, you will feel more in control of what your body is experiencing, but you will also be practicing the best medicine possible — prevention.

Menopause is often associated with stressful symptoms like hot flashes, sweating, irritability, depression, and stomach upset. Why is that? Many naturopathic and allopathic doctors attribute menstruation with the ability to eliminate toxins from the body. Once menstruation ends, toxins have to find new channels and can overload other eliminatory channels. When this occurs, physical symptoms of toxicity appear.

Women cannot stop menopause from happening. But, we can ease the transition with a good nutrition program. There has been a lot of research about the role herbs can play in balancing hormones in the body. Plant saponins, such as the diosgenin found in wild yam, cause a mild balancing response by binding directly to hormone receptors. The following herbs contain beneficial saponins: black cohosh, dong quai, elder, ginseng, licorice, passion flower, and wild yam.

In addition, herbs can supply the extra nutrients needed during menopause. Calcium-rich herbs, for example, support bone health and are easy to incorporate into the daily diet via cooked meals or teas, including: alfalfa, cayenne, chamomile, chives, cleavers, dandelion, dill, parsley, plantain, red raspberry, red clover, rosehip, watercress, and yellow dock.

Additional vitamin and nutrient-rich herbs that can ease menopause include:

Vitamin C (healthy teeth and gums, heart health, and clears out toxins): alfalfa, catnip, cayenne, dandelion, hawthorn, parsley, red raspberry, and rosehips.
Vitamin E (for heart health and arteries): alfalfa, dandelion, kelp, red raspberry, rosehips, and watercress.
Iodine (promotes nerve and brain activity and regulates metabolism): garlic, Irish moss, kelp, mustard, nettle, and parsley.
Vitamin B1 (nervous and digestive system health): cayenne, dandelion, fathen, fenugreek, kelp, and watercress.
Vitamin B2 (eye health): burdock, dandelion, fenugreek, parsley, and watercress.
Vitamin B3 (niacin supports the adrenal glands; deficiency symptoms include insomnia, depression, and irritability): alfalfa, burdock, fathen, kelp, parsley, and sage.

For more information about holistic nutrition, CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Prince Charle's New Detox Product Toxic?

2009-04-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

According to a press release posted March 23 by the American Botanical Council:

On Friday, March 12, ABCNews.com’s Health section published a story on the controversy surrounding detoxification now brewing in the United Kingdom. The American Botanical Council’s Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal is extensively quoted in the article.

The controversy is related to the launch of a new line of herbal products by Duchy Originals, a company that promotes organic and sustainable food production, founded by the Prince of Wales in 1990.^1,2 The new herb line, Duchy Herbals, was launched in January 2009.² So far Duchy Herbals includes an Echinacea-relief tincture (containing the root of Echinacea purpurea), a Hyperi-lift tincture (containing St. John’s wort, Hypericum perforatum), and a Detox tincture containing artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root.

The ABC News article was stimulated by an article in the UK containing criticism by Prof. Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, a widely-cited author of clinical trials and systematic reviews on complementary and alternative medicine modalities, of a detox product.

For the sake of perspective, it is constructive to know that the Echinacea-relief and Hyperi-lift tinctures are the first herbal tinctures produced in the United Kingdom to be registered under the Traditional Herbal Products Directive (THMPD), a recent regulation applying to all European states.² The THMPD allows herbal products to be registered under medicines law. To earn a license a company must submit a complete file to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) containing extensive evidence of a product’s traditional use, safety, and quality.

However, the detox tincture requires no such licensing from MHRA because it is classified as a food supplement. The “detox” product is intended to aid people in the removal of toxins from their bodies. [...]

The article quotes Blumenthal and Dr. Lee as follows:

Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the Austin, Texas-based herbal medicine think-tank American Botanical Council, said that part of the thrust behind the detox movement is the idea that the food supply and environment of today expose people to higher levels of chemicals and pollutants than in the past.

"Many people—rationally or irrationally, correctly or not—believe strongly that they must detoxify their bodies to give themselves that extra edge to get rid of [these chemicals]," he said. "There is probably a healthy and rational basis for some of this, though some people take it a bit too far."

And Dr. Roberta Lee, vice chair of the Department of Integrative Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, said detoxification as a concept may be getting an undeservedly bad rap.

"Detoxification is a natural process that occurs in the body, though it is not labeled as such in the medical profession," she said. "The idea that detox is a silly notion, I think, is a fallacy."

Blumenthal and Lee were further quoted in the article which can be accessed in full here.

References

¹ Childs D. Prince Charles’ herbal products stir controversy. ABCNews.com. March 13, 2009. Available at http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/story?id=7071267&page=1. Accessed March 16, 2009.
² Duchy Originals encourages consumers to adopt an integrated approach to healthcare with launch of duchy herbals [press release]. East Twickenham, London, England: Duchy Originals. January 22, 2009.

ACHS widgets stream up-to-date holistic health news to your site

2009-04-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

Automatically download the latest in holistic health news and events with ACHS widgets--otherwise known as blidgets. We'll take care of the updates. To keep your readers coming back for me, all you have to do is add an ACHS widget to your blog, homepage, Facebook or MySpace page.

For the latest in holistic health news, events, recipes, health tips, articles to watch for, and research developments, download ACHS widgets onto your home page. CLICK HERE to install ACHS widgets:

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Juice therapy: spring cleaning from the inside out

2009-04-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

Before you plant a new spring garden, you prepare the soil. You make sure the soil is healthy, full of nutrients, aerated, well hydrated, and so on. Well, just as we prepare our gardens for the optimal harvest, our bodies benefit from a little spring clean up, and clean out too.

Juice therapy—or juicing—is an all natural, easy-to-use, and affordable way to flush leftover wastes sitting sedentary in your body, dragging you down. Juice therapy helps to flush these toxins from the body, which improves major body functions, as well as overall vitality, energy, healthy skin, and heart health, to name a few benefits.

Here are some common juicing fruits and vegetables, and their potential functions.

Apple: general cleanser, fights infection, and stimulates digestion
Apricot: blood builder, constipation, and skin problems
Lemon: gout, arthritis, laxative, and sore throats (always dilute)
Cabbage: obesity, antiseptic, duodenal ulcers, and constipation
Celery: all arthritic disorders, builds blood, and diuretic

Juice is a relatively mild cleanse and can be done at home daily. One 8-oz glass would be a healthy addition to the daily diet. Why juice? First—when made into juices, fruits and vegetables have concentrated amounts of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. Second—juicing increases the bioavailability of these nutrients. (Bioavailability is the rate at which a substance, in this case the health properties of the juiced fruits and vegetables, are absorbed by the body. In general, juiced fruits and veggies are absorbed by the body at a faster rate than when eaten whole or cooked.)

Juice fresh. Don’t juice, then store for later consumption. Doing this can lead to a loss of minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. You can make juices from fruit combinations or vegetable combinations, but do not mix fruit and vegetables. The combination of fruit and vegetables impairs digestion and limit the assimilation of nutrients.

For more information about a holistic approach to nutrition, CLICK HERE.

Homeopathy for personal health: World Homeopathy Awareness Week

2009-04-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

Spring is here! In some parts of the country, that means plants are starting to bloom and the sun is shinning for the better part of a day. But in other locals, like here, in Portland, Oregon, the ratio of rain to sun still feels about 90-10. It can be difficult to fight that blah! feeling when all you want is a little quality time with vitamin D out of doors.

So, when is feeling blah! something more? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression varies in intensity and duration, and can appear at any stage of life. Symptoms vary, but can include: “changes in mood, with sadness, indifference to things that are usually pleasure, decrease in the usual level of functioning, and often, there are changes in functioning of the function of biological processes like sleep, appetite, energy, and sexual functioning. At times these functions decrease, at other times they will increase. Some people will have increased sleep and/or appetite; others, or at other times, will have decreased sleep and/or appetite (American Institute of Homeopathy).”

There is no single cure or remedy for depression. But—there are homeopathic remedies for people who are suffering with depression and, as fundamental to homeopathy, those particular symptoms of depression are part of the whole picture. In other words, homeopathy is a powerful holistic health protocol because it address the whole person, not an individual symptom or experience.

April 10-16 is World Homeopathy Awareness Week. If you want more information about how to integrate holistic and allopathic health care, now is the time. World Homeopathy Awareness Week is about bringing awareness to a 200-year-old natural health practice.

Events for World Homeopathy Awareness Week will take place in more than 45 countries worldwide. The theme for 2009 is homeopathy for allergies. For information about how to use homeopathy for personal health, or if you are interested in career training, CLICK HERE.

Trilliums in Tryon Creek State Park: A Sunday Hike In The Rain

2009-04-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

This is one of the main trails in Tryon Creek State Park. You can’t tell from the photo, but at the moment it was taken, freezing rain was falling. Moments after setting foot on the trail, I spot the first trillium.

Trillium is an easy plant to identify. It has a single succulent stalk and three leaves. In spring it bears a large white three petaled flower which turns slightly pink as it matures. Finding the flower is not so important to an herbalist, who will appreciate the blooms is spring, but seeks to harvest leaves, stems and roots in the fall. Trillium can be found in moist old-growth of the Pacific Northwest from the Redwoods of California, the coast of B.C., either side of the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington, the northern part of Idaho and the mountains of Alberta, Montana and Wyoming. According to Michael Moore in Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West, “Find a creek starting in the forest, follow it down through the trees to where it begins to broaden out, and you will usually find some trillium.

Trillium, often referred to as birth root, is a member of the Liliaceae family. It is a mild remedy with minimal chronic toxicity. It has historically been used to astringe uterine bleeding, and has been used in treating fibroids. It has many uses according to Peter Holmes. It resolves mucus, damp and congestion and stops discharges and bleeding. It can harmonize menstruation and menopause (it increases progesterone), it can stimulate the uterus to promote labor and delivery. As a ‘cough root’ it is used as an expectorant to resolve thick phlegm in a difficult and dry cough. The fresh root (rhizome, actually) is best to use in a decoction or tincture. Washes and compresses can be used for sores and inflammation. Roots well worth learning about if you live in the Northwest.

What else did I see?

In the same area, I also found coltsfoot, cleavers, salal, Oregon grape, and usnea. No doubt there is much more I did not notice. After all, I was only looking for trillium flowers.

About the Author
Scott Stuart, L.A.c., teaches herbal medicine for the Australasian College of Health Sciences, and practices Oriental Medicine at Outside/In, a Portland, Oregon, social service agency.

Poem by ACHS graduate bashka jacobs

2009-04-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

yes you are quite right

sometimes it seems as

if the pharmaceutical world

lies beyond a featureless

black glass of impenetrable

voids disconnected from people

and the raw ingredients that

they isolate and refine from

the herbs that they find

all over the world.

the long ago art of using

a pestle and enriching your

understanding from face to

face contact with your client

seems almost gone

but in secret pockets

all around herbalists

who study with other

herbalists pass hand to

hand knowlege of a drop

of this and a pinch of

that to enrich our ability

to help heal with the

fragrences and potions

and teas.

of course i know the miracle

of anti biotics and what

prednisone can do and can

not do. of course i have seen

thier white pills or colorful

gels help people over a

rock within that they could

not have gone around.

but for me the sweet smell

of herbs boiling in a pot

to be inhaled to make

the breath come easier

brings joy

i use flower remedies

they are my medium of

choice but neat dropper

bottles line the shelves

along with books are in

my office sanctuary

far away from new york

where i was born marie

where you reside

yes hope must spring

eternal thats what it

does afterall.

to marie

somewhere on

the east coast

practicing and

learning her craft.

from the crow making

a healing soup

of lemon grass and lime

leaves with ginger

galangal and making

the air redolent

with

Cinnamon.

By: crow bashka jacobs, ACHS

Assessment of Liver Toxicity Cases Associated with Black Cohosh Concludes Lack of Causality

2009-03-31T12:26:00.001-07:00

In the past several years, there have been numerous reports of possible liver toxicity associated with the use of various preparations made from black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Ranunculaceae, syn. Cimicifuga racemosa), popular for treating symptoms associated with menopause.

Although some regulatory agencies and related bodies have reviewed these cases and have announced some preliminary cautions (for example the European Medicines Agency [EMEA]), critical analyses have questioned the causality of such cases.

Pharmacoepidemiological experts from the Teaching Hospital of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt/Main, Hanau, Germany, analyzed case reports which regulators have previously considered "possible" or "probable" in causality with black cohosh.

After analyzing 4 cases:

The clinical analysis and structured causality assessment reveal that in one patient there was no valid evaluation possible due to lack of basic information and the remaining 3 cases had no convincing evidence that the liver diseases were caused by black cohosh. These 3 patients were all treated with steroids for acute drug-induced hepatocellular jaundice and fulminant liver failure. The authors note that there is no evidence of steroids’ benefiting this condition, and that since early antiviral therapy is necessary for herpetic liver disease, steroid therapy should not be considered unless all viral causes have been safely excluded. It is fascinating that the reanalysis of the data showed that the EMEA drew inaccurate conclusions. Vigorous causality assessments using a diagnostic algorithm are essential to determine causality for any severe adverse event.

Click Here to download the complete article review from HerbClip, the American Botanical Council.

© 2009 Teschke R, Schwarzenboeck A. Suspected hepatotoxicity by Cimicifugae racemosae Phytomed. rhizome (black cohosh, root): Critical analysis and structured causality assessment. 2009;16: 72-84: http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/372/review020591-372.html

Spring allergy relief with natural remedies

2009-03-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

Springtime allergies can put a damper on even the sunniest day. But—they don’t have to. If you’ve relied upon store-bought allergy medications in the past—and have been disappointed—this is the season for a more holistic approach to allergies.

Studies show that allergies are often a reaction to a combination of things. For many, budding spring plant life and pollen are irritants. But other, more hidden irritants include: food allergies, environmental irritants (such as, chemical-based cleaners, room sprays, and dryer sheets), and dust.

The good news: There are several alternative products and strategies you can use to sooth your allergies. The benefits: health tools like supplements, herbs, essential oils, and lifestyle modifications are natural, cost effective, and can work fairly quickly to bring relief.

Here are 8 tips for tackling your allergies naturally:

Incorporate native plants into your diet.
Eat 1-2 tablespoons of local, raw honey every morning.
Diffuse peppermint essential oil throughout your home and, or office.
Add fresh herbs to a hot bath and deeply breathe in the steam.
Take supplements, including: echinacea, goldenseal, and vitamin C.
Clean and dust regularly. You don’t have to use chemicals; a steam mop works great.
Exercise. Physical activity strengths the body and boosts immunity. Try to exercise outside in the early morning, before allergens kick up.
Facial massage is a simple way to relive pressure built-up in the sinus.

For more information about holistic nutrition or soothing allergies with homeopathic remedies, visit the Australasian College www.achs.edu.

Growing vegetables relieves stress and financial strain

2009-03-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

When tough economic times hit, our collective money belts cinch tighter and tighter. People stop looking for entertainment out of doors and hunker down for the at-home experience, including eating in.

Yet—there is a silver lining. Although the current economy may cause us to make the move from sidewalk café to sideboard jockey (for a while), there is much to gain along the way. Say hello to stress relief. It may sound counterintuitive—“I’m stressed because everyone is stressed, so I should be frugal and grocery shop and stay home and cook my own dinner.”

But, cooking—and by extension, growing your own food—is an age-old holistic health practice, which promotes relaxation by shifting your focus from mental worry to physical exertion. As anxiety chills, your immune system and cardiovascular systems work better (otherwise known as, “I feel good.”)

It’s a win-win. You feel better AND your wallet feels better, because GIY (grow-it-yourself) gardening gives you fresh vegetables at a fraction of the store-bought price.

How do you get started?

Seed starting. True, you can also save money with month-old plants from your local nursery or home-supply store, but why would you? Seeds are a fraction of the price and produce more of what you want—lots’o’veggies.

One of the best ways to seed start, according to Master Gardener and ACHS Senior Vice President Erika Yigzaw, is with a seedling heat mat. These mats are portable and lightweight (which means apartment friendly), and allow you to bottom water, minimize the risk of mold.

Seed starting, Yigzaw shared at the ACHS Organic Gardening workshop March 21, has several personal and health benefits:

It’s fun and easy.
Fresh, on-hand food.
You know where your food comes from (if you spend a little time researching your seeds and seed starting mix, you can be sure your food is organic, free of synthetic pesticide and chemicals).
Saves money.
Lengthens the growing season.

Start gardening...

Check the Farmer’s Almanac for your region to see when the last frost is scheduled to arrive.
Consult a gardening encyclopedia-type reference to see what veggies will grow best in your area. (In Oregon, the Oregon State University Master Gardener program is a good resource.)
Find your local, organic gardening store, where you can purchase your seeds, seedling starting mix, and seedling heat mat.
Read any and all instructions that come with your products.
When it is time to replant your seedlings into larger containers, re-use household materials like old plastic and/or ceramic planters, bowls, glasses, or tubs.
If you plan to transplant your veggies into larger plots, consult a local expert in advance. If you plan to build a container garden, the Gardener’s A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food is a very user-friendly resource.

Tip: Make sure the container is large enough to avoid root-bound plants. And, you will want to sterilize your containers in a 10% solution of bleach.

For questions about organic, at-home gardening, contact the OSU Master Gardeners or your local organization.

For information about personal nutrition, or holistic nutrition career training, contact the Australasian College of Health Sciences.

Debate over the future of NCAAM takes to the blogs

2009-03-23T12:59:00.001-07:00

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health (NCCAM), which was established about 17 years ago and provides some of the best studies about homeopathy, acupuncture, therapeutic touch, and herbal medicine, is under fire from the scientific community.

Why now? Economics. Scientists are using the nation's economic hardships as a ballast for a negative campaign against alternative and complementary medicine modalities. Their argument: With funding scare, why should the National Institutes of Health fund a "pseud0-science."

We'd love to hear your thoughts about the article below. "Pseudo-science" or viable alternative to rising health care costs and effective, educative tool about prevention?? Hmmmm.......... we wonder.

According to "Critics Object to 'Pseudoscience' Center," a March 17 article in the Washington Post:

The impending national discussion about broadening access to health care, improving medical practice and saving money is giving a group of scientists an opening to make a once-unthinkable proposal: Shut down the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health.

The notion that the world's best-known medical research agency sponsors studies of homeopathy, acupuncture, therapeutic touch and herbal medicine has always rankled many scientists. That the idea for its creation 17 years ago came from a U.S. senator newly converted to alternative medicine's promise didn't help.

Although NCCAM has a comparatively minuscule budget and although it is a "center" rather than an "institute," making it officially second-class in the NIH pantheon, the principle is what mattered. But as NIH's budget has flattened in recent years, better use for NCCAM's money has also become an issue.

"With a new administration and President Obama's stated goal of moving science to the forefront, now is the time for scientists to start speaking up about issues that concern us," Steven Salzberg, a genome researcher and computational biologist at the University of Maryland, said last week. "One of our concerns is that NIH is funding pseudoscience."

Salzberg suggested that NCCAM be defunded on an electronic bulletin board that the Obama transition team set up to solicit ideas after November's election. The proposal generated 218 comments, most of them in favor, before the bulletin board closed on Jan. 19.

NCCAM has grown steadily since its founding in 1992, largely at the insistence of Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), as the Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) with a budget of $2 million. In 1998, NIH director and Nobel laureate Harold Varmus pushed to have all alternative medicine research done through NIH's roughly two dozen institutes, with OAM coordinating, and in some cases paying for, the studies. Harkin parried with legislation that turned OAM into a higher-status "center" (although not a full-fledged "institute"), and boosted its budget from $20 million to $50 million. NCCAM's budget this year is about $122 million.

Research in alternative medicine is done elsewhere at NIH, notably in the National Cancer Institute, whose Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine also has a budget of $122 million.

The entire NIH alternative medicine portfolio is about $300 million a year, out of a total budget of about $29 billion. (NIH will get an additional $10.4 billion in economic stimulus money over the next two years, of which $31 million is expected to go to NCCAM.)

Critics of alternative medicine say the vast majority of studies of homeopathy, acupuncture, therapeutic touch and other treatments based on unconventional understandings of physiology and disease have shown little or no effect. Further, they argue that the field's more-plausible interventions -- such as diet, relaxation, yoga and botanical remedies -- can be studied just as well in other parts of NIH, where they would need to compete head-to-head with conventional research projects.

The critics say that alternative medicine (also known as "complementary" and "integrative" medicine, and disparagingly labeled "woo" by opponents) doesn't need or deserve its own home at NIH.

"What has happened is that the very fact NIH is supporting a study is used to market alternative medicine," said Steven Novella, a neurologist at Yale School of Medicine and editor of the Web site Science-Based Medicine (http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org), where much of the anti-NCCAM discussion is taking place. "It is used to lend an appearance of legitimacy to treatments that are not legitimate."
Beyond the Blogosphere

So far, most of the debate has occurred in the blogosphere. But as health-care reform moves toward center stage, so may this fight.

At a Senate committee hearing on integrative medicine held Feb. 26, Harkin said: "I want to lay down a . . . marker: If we fail to seize this unique opportunity to adopt a pragmatic, integrative approach to health care, then that, too, would constitute a serious failure."

At the hearing, Harkin introduced Berkley W. Bedell, a six-term Democratic congressman from Iowa who retired in 1987 after contracting Lyme disease. Bedell credits alternative therapies for his recovery from that infection and later from prostate cancer. He helped convince the Iowa senator of alternative medicine's promise.

Nevertheless, Harkin said he was somewhat disappointed in NCCAM's work.

"One of the purposes when we drafted that legislation in 1992 . . . was to investigate and validate alternative approaches. Quite frankly, I must say it's fallen short," he told the committee.

"I think quite frankly that in this center, and previously in the office before it, most of its focus has been on disproving things, rather than seeking out and proving things."

Critics say this shows Harkin's lack of understanding of scientific inquiry, which tests hypotheses (with negative results as informative as positive ones) but doesn't intentionally attempt to "validate approaches." NCCAM's current director, Josephine P. Briggs, agrees that hypothesis-testing is the proper function of the center.

"We are not advocates for these modalities," she said last week. "We are trying to bring rigor to their study and make sure the science is objective."

Even so, Harkin was on to something: Most of NCCAM's results have been negative or inconclusive, not positive and encouraging.

For example, a randomized controlled trial of the botanical echinacea published in 2003 found it was ineffective in treating upper respiratory infections (although it did cause more rashes). In a study from last year, neither the Japanese "palm healing" therapy known as reiki, nor sham reiki, reduced the symptoms of fibromyalgia, a chronic pain syndrome. A study in December comparing real and sham acupuncture in 162 cancer patients who'd undergone surgery found no difference in their levels of pain.

At the same time, it's difficult to determine the clinical implications of some of the positive studies.

For example, reiki -- but not sham treatment -- blunted the rise in heart rate, but not the rise in blood pressure, in rats put under stress by loud noise. Therapeutic touch, a different modality, increased the growth of normal bone cells in culture dishes, but decreased the growth of bone cancer cells.

Many NCCAM-funded studies examine not the effectiveness of alternative medicine but its use, and how it affects the interaction of practitioners and patients. The idea that the center is spending lots of money running large clinical trials of such practices as homeopathy and ayurvedic medicine "is a misperception," the director said. She noted that most such proposals lack methodological rigor and aren't approved.

A physician and kidney specialist who never used alternative medicine in her practice, Briggs said "mind-body management for pain control and stress reduction" is a large topic of the research at the moment, with mindfulness, meditation, yoga and tai chi all under study.

"Some of the way these approaches work is through 'positive expectancy,' which is part of a placebo effect," she said.

Indeed, many of NCCAM's critics view complementary medicine as nothing more than the placebo effect dressed up in a dozen different costumes.

Carlo Calabrese, a researcher at the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Ore., one of the country's five naturopathic medical schools, isn't one of them. But even if one were to concede that view, he thinks the field is still worth studying.

Although the overall effect of therapies such as homeopathy and acupuncture may be small, individual response can be large. The route to the placebo effect -- if that's what it mostly is -- also varies in method and efficiency.

"What can be done to generate a better placebo? Why isn't that an interesting and valid area of investigation?" said Calabrese, who was on NCCAM's advisory council from 2004 to 2007. "Here we have a totally harmless intervention that seems to get a better result in some people than others. Why wouldn't you want to study that?

© The Washington Post March 17, 2009: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/16/AR2009031602139.html

Obamas to Plant Vegetable Garden at White House

2009-03-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON—Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch of the South Lawn on Friday to plant a vegetable garden, the first at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets— the president does not like them—but arugula will make the cut.

While the organic garden will provide food for the first family’s meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at a time when obesity and diabetes have become a national concern.

“My hope,” the first lady said in an interview in her East Wing office, “is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities.”

Twenty-three fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington will help her dig up the soil for the 1,100-square-foot plot, in a spot visible to passers-by on E Street. (It is just below the Obama girls’ swing set.)

Students from the school, which has had a garden since 2001, will also help plant, harvest and cook the vegetables, berries and herbs. Virtually the entire Obama family, including the president, will pull weeds, “whether they like it or not,” Mrs. Obama said with a laugh. “Now Grandma, my mom, I don’t know.” Her mother, she said, will probably sit back and say: “Isn’t that lovely. You missed a spot.”

Whether there would be a White House garden had become more than a matter of landscaping. The question had taken on political and environmental symbolism, with the Obamas lobbied for months by advocates who believe that growing more food locally, and organically, can lead to more healthful eating and reduce reliance on huge industrial farms that use more oil for transportation and chemicals for fertilizer.

Then, too, promoting healthful eating has become an important part of Mrs. Obama’s own agenda.

The first lady, who said that she had never had a vegetable garden, recalled that the idea for this one came from her experiences as a working mother trying to feed her daughters, Malia and Sasha, a good diet. Eating out three times a week, ordering a pizza, having a sandwich for dinner all took their toll in added weight on the girls, whose pediatrician told Mrs. Obama that she needed to be thinking about nutrition.

“He raised a flag for us,” she said, and within months the girls had lost weight.

Dan Barber, an owner of Blue Hill at Stone Barns, an organic restaurant in Pocantico Hills, N.Y., that grows many of its own ingredients, said: “The power of Michelle Obama and the garden can create a very powerful message about eating healthy and more delicious food. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say it could translate into real change.”

While the Clintons grew some vegetables in pots on the White House roof, the Obamas’ garden will far transcend that, with 55 varieties of vegetables—from a wish list of the kitchen staff— grown from organic seedlings started at the Executive Mansion’s greenhouses.

The Obamas will feed their love of Mexican food with cilantro, tomatillos and hot peppers. Lettuces will include red romaine, green oak leaf, butterhead, red leaf and galactic. There will be spinach, chard, collards and black kale. For desserts, there will be a patch of berries. And herbs will include some more unusual varieties, like anise hyssop and Thai basil. A White House carpenter, Charlie Brandts, who is a beekeeper, will tend two hives for honey.

The total cost of seeds, mulch and so forth is $200, said Sam Kass, an assistant White House chef, who prepared healthful meals for the Obama family in Chicago and is an advocate of local food. Mr. Kass will oversee the garden.

The plots will be in raised beds fertilized with White House compost, crab meal from the Chesapeake Bay, lime and green sand. Ladybugs and praying mantises will help control harmful bugs.

Cristeta Comerford, the White House’s executive chef, said she was eager to plan menus around the garden, and Bill Yosses, the pastry chef, said he was looking forward to berry season.

The White House grounds crew and the kitchen staff will do most of the work, but other White House staff members have volunteered.

So have the fifth graders from Bancroft. “There’s nothing really cooler,” Mrs. Obama said, “than coming to the White House and harvesting some of the vegetables and being in the kitchen with Cris and Sam and Bill, and cutting and cooking and actually experiencing the joys of your work.”

For children, she said, food is all about taste, and fresh and local food tastes better.

“A real delicious heirloom tomato is one of the sweetest things that you’ll ever eat,” she said. “And my children know the difference, and that’s how I’ve been able to get them to try different things.

“I wanted to be able to bring what I learned to a broader base of people. And what better way to do it than to plant a vegetable garden in the South Lawn of the White House?”

For urban dwellers who have no backyards, the country’s one million community gardens can also play an important role, Mrs. Obama said.

But the first lady emphasized that she did not want people to feel guilty if they did not have the time for a garden: there are still many changes they can make.

“You can begin in your own cupboard,” she said, “by eliminating processed food, trying to cook a meal a little more often, trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables.”

Click here to read the original article.

© New York Times March 18, 2009 By: Marian Burros

Homeopathy for food allergies: Treatment for Peanut Allergies Shows Promise

2009-03-17T08:55:00.000-07:00

A March 15 article in the New York Times, " Treatment for Peanut Allergies Shows Promise," talks about the practical applications of homeopathy. Although the article does not use the term homeopathy specifically, it does describe a study in which the treatment for a peanut allergy "uses doses of peanuts that start as small as one-thousandth of a peanut and eventually increase to about 15 peanuts a day."

The article then goes on to describe how in a pilot study at Duke University and Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, "33 children with documented peanut allergy have received the daily therapy, which is given as a powder sprinkled on food. Most of the children are tolerating the therapy without developing allergic reactions, and five stopped the treatment after two and a half years because they could now tolerate peanuts in their regular diet. But four children dropped out because they could not tolerate the treatment."

The article cautions that this specific treatment for peanut (and other food-related allergies) is not ready for home use, yet homeopathics have been in the U.S. since the 19th century, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Homeopathy is based on the principle of "like cures like," and involves, "giving extremely small doses of substances that produce characteristic symptoms of illness in healthy people when given in larger doses," (NCCAM).

Three main concepts of homeopathy include:

1. Homeopathy stimulates the body's defense mechanisms and processes to prevent/treat illness.

2. Treatment involves giving very small doses of substances called remedies that, according to homeopathy, would produce the same or similar symptoms of illness in healthy people if they were given in larger doses.

3. Treatment in homeopathy is individualized (tailored to each person). Homeopathic practitioners select remedies according to a total picture of the patient, including not only symptoms but lifestyle, emotional and mental states, and other factors.

Homeopathy training is often completed as part of a naturopathic training, and individual courses can be taken to adjunct to another holistic health practice, such as holistic health practitioner or nutritionist. In addition, with accredited holistic health training, there is growing opportunity to work in the complementary alternative medicine field, to provide whole person care.

For more information about homeopathy training, go to: http://www.achs.edu/course-desc.aspx?pid=24&id=4

For more information about studies involving peanut treatments for peanut food allergies, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/health/16peanuts.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=peanut&st=cse

To read more about homeopathy, visit the NCCAM website at: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/homeopathy/

Protect CAM and Health Freedom: HealthRevolutionPetition.org

2009-03-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

Health freedom is one of the primary challenges faced by the U.S. today. Though we aren't all suited for frontline politics, the health freedom fight does not have to be all or nothing. There are many ways we can influence, and accomplish, change from our homes and from within our communities. Such as:

1. Ask your employer about natural medicine insurance alternatives.

2. Honor and protect your personal health first.

3. Be a grassroots promoter: Scour your community for the services you want. If they don't exist, ask for them. If they do exist, help to promote natural medicine and CAM services, and the longevity of the businesses that provide them.

4. Support community wellness education.

5. Familiarize yourself with health freedom laws in your state.

6. Help HealthRevolutionPetition.org to reach their goal of 100,000 signatures.

HealthRevolutionPetition.org is a new, grassroots petition that demands revolutionary changes to the health care system in America. It includes reforms of the FDA, drug company advertising, school lunch programs, coverage of natural therapies, and much more. See it and sign it online at HealthRevolutionPetition.org.

Maca: new insights on an ancient plant

2009-03-03T09:14:00.001-08:00

The author [of the article "Maca: new insights on an ancient plant," T. Hudson], a naturopathic physician and professor at the Natural College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, reviews the Peruvian herb maca (Lepidium peruvianum), which she has been prescribing for more than 15 years for common perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms. She examines the different types of maca, history of maca research, the health benefits of maca, and clinical evidence of its efficacy.

The maca species L. meyenii grows all over several South American countries, but the recently differentiated Peruvian maca species L. peruvianum grows only in Peru. In the early 1960s, Peruvian scientist, Gloria Chacón, PhD, presented a dissertation on maca root, which led to the eventual identification of over a dozen different Peruvian maca phenotypes as well as identification of the regions in Peru where these phenotypes grow. L. peruvianum has 13 different phenotypes corresponding to different colors, some of them containing unique DNA profiles and distribution patterns of active constituents, says the author.

Earlier, in 1843, the species L. meyenii had been described by botanist Gerhard Walpers. However, Dr. Chacón suggested, and herbalists around the world have agreed, that the cultivated maca of Peru (L. peruvianum) is a unique species. L. peruvianum is now accepted by many as the species name for medicinal maca from Peru. Though it may be confusing, says the author, "it is critical for a practitioner to investigate the source of the maca used as from Peru and/or ensure it is identified and labeled as L. peruvianum."

Maca has been found to be rich in minerals (with high concentrations of calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, silica, manganese, copper, zinc, vanadium, and others) and also contains thiamine, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, proteins, carbohydrates, lignans, glucosinolates, phytosterols, and alkaloids.1 The alkaloids in its root are believed largely responsible for its traditional healing use, possibly benefiting the endocrine and reproductive systems by influencing such disorders as chronic fatigue, anemia, and infertility, and aiding in enhanced stamina and "female hormone balance."1

Traditionally used as an adaptogenic plant, maca aids the body in dealing with physiological, biochemical, and psychological stressors. Its adaptogenic properties represent an alternative approach to managing symptoms of menopause, says the author. Researchers theorize that maca stimulates hormonal reserves by strengthening the body's ability to regain and maintain hormonal homeostasis in the face of stressors.2 Other adaptogens have been used by herbal and alternative practitioners for years, but the extent of maca's effects on the range of menopausal symptoms has not been documented in studies of these other adaptogenic herbs. According to the author, this suggests that maca may be unique in its adaptogenic menopausal effects.

The author cites research on perimenopausal and menopausal women using two grams daily of a proprietary maca product (Maca-GO™; Natural Health International; San Francisco, CA), which found that maca can increase the body's production of estrogen and lower its levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone. It also helped alleviate numerous menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, insomnia, depression, and nervousness.2 Other research cited, which was conducted on the composition of various powdered preparations of maca root, reported that the herb does not contain plant estrogen or hormones. Some researchers suggest that maca's therapeutic actions rely on plant sterols stimulating the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, and ovarian glands, and therefore also affecting the thyroid and pineal glands.3 As such, says the author, maca tends to treat menopausal symptoms as a whole and not any one specific menopausal symptom.

The author reports that the most common symptoms of menopause she sees in her patients are hot flashes, mood swings, and low energy. She prescribes Maca-GO, one gram twice a day, for perimenopausal and postmenopausal patients, and reports an onset of benefits within two to three weeks, although some patients require treatment for two to three months (depending on the patient's overall health and prior prescription history). Benefits include a remarkable reduction in the number of hot flashes, an overall improvement in mood (less depression and irritability), and increased energy levels.

Much research is still needed, says the author, to clarify the role of exogenous estradiol (via prescription) versus endogenous estradiol (produced by the body) in general, and, specifically, for patients in whom exogenous estrogen is questionable or even contraindicated. With confusion and inconsistency looming over the benefits and risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, "it behooves us to seek the lowest dose and the most gentle, least invasive approach to achieve the identified goals—whether these be relief of symptoms, prevention of bone loss, or protection of cardiovascular health," writes the author. Maca research should influence the optimal strategy for treating the symptoms of menopause, especially when trying to minimize unnecessary long-term exposure to exogenous estrogens.

The author also includes a sidebar on current supply issues relating to the commercial use of maca. "Some of the product previously and currently available in the United States may contain less than a therapeutically useful dose" and "may not contain the appropriate combination of phenotypes to elicit the desired gender-, age-, and symptom-related physiological responses, or the product may simply contain the wrong plant." She recommends that practitioners check into the ethics of the companies selling and manufacturing maca products.

References

1Chacon G. Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon). 1st ed. Lima, Peru: Grafica Mundo; 2001.

2Meissner HO, Mscisz A, Reich-Bilinska R, et al. Hormone-balancing effect of pre-gelatinized organic maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical response of early-postmenopausal women to maca in a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover configuration, outpatient study. Int J Biomedical Sci. 2006;2(4):375-394.

3Walker M. Effect of Peruvian maca on hormonal functions. Townsend Lett. Nov 1998:18-22.

Review by Shari Henson. © HerbClip 2009: http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/371/review020391-371.html

RE : Hudson T. Maca: new insights on an ancient plant. Integrative Med. Dec 2008/Jan 2009;7(6): 54-57.

Should the FDA have more regulation over dietary supplements?

2009-03-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

Following the release March 2, 2009, by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) of a report on the oversight and regulation of dietary supplements (FDA Should Take Further Actions to Improve Oversight and Consumer Understanding), the Natural Products Association (NPA) released the following statement from Executive Director and CEO David Seckman.

"The Natural Products Association appreciates having the opportunity to be included in the GAO's review of dietary supplement regulation, particularly regarding the recent implementation of adverse event reporting and good manufacturing practices. Our initial impressions regarding the four key recommendations of the report are as follows.

"Contrary to opinions stated in the report, the FDA already has a great deal of information about individual dietary supplement products and their manufacturers. The dietary supplement industry has cooperated by registering all manufacturing facilities under bioterrorism regulations that went into effect more than five years ago. Additionally, the NPA is currently working with the government to create a database of all dietary supplement labels to augment this information.

"We also take issue with the implication that the FDA has limited power to remove products from the marketplace. In fact, although the agency has had scant reason to do so, it has exercised its ability to take products off the shelves it deemed a health risk.

"While we supported legislation to establish mandatory adverse event reporting for dietary supplements and over-the-counter drugs, we still believe that reporting should be limited to incidents that are serious. If the FDA's resources are already stretched, as the report indicates, then adding to this burden by mandating that any complaint be dealt with by the agency does not make sense.

"We support further guidance clarifying how the FDA determines when an ingredient is considered 'new' to the marketplace and what evidence is needed to document safety. Likewise, we are in favor of the agency clarifying when it believes products should be marketed as conventional foods versus dietary supplements.

"One of the fundamental principles of DSHEA [Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994] is providing consumers with more information so that they can make informed decisions to maintain and improve their health. So we are in agreement that the FDA should work with stakeholder groups to educate consumers about the safety, efficacy and labeling of dietary supplements.

"There is little scientific data regarding underreporting of adverse events and the data that are cited are not specific to dietary supplements, but represent all FDA-regulated products, including pharmaceuticals, a category that accounts for more than 460,000 reports annually.

"As we told the GAO, we believe regulations governing the manufacturing of dietary supplements enhance the FDA's ability to ensure the safety and purity of these products. These long-awaited regulations, more than 12 years in the making, were greeted with enthusiasm from industry. Likewise, the industry supported the law establishing mandatory adverse event reporting for dietary supplements. However, we disagree with some aspects of how the FDA has implemented this law. Specifically, we told the GAO the following:

1. The changes to dietary supplement regulation exceed the mandate of the law, especially in regarding to prefatory warning language on product labels.

2. The substantial added expenses to dietary supplement manufacturers to redesign and replace their product labels due to the AER law, upwards of $200 million according to the FDA's own estimates, should have been proposed through a formal rulemaking process, not a guidance. Additionally, the FDA is not allowing adequate time for manufacturers to re-label their products in this case, only one year. Previous regulations of this magnitude have allowed manufacturers a reasonable three years to implement label changes.

We are also concerned about the availability of adverse event reports submitted to the agency and how they will be reported to the public . This has yet to be adequately addressed by the FDA.

"As we have in the past, the association supports adequate funding for the FDA to do its job in regulating dietary supplements. This includes fully implementing the law, DSHEA, and taking appropriate enforcement action against those who break it."

Obama Calls for Health Care Reform in 2009

2009-02-26T12:47:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON (CNN)--President Obama pledged Tuesday night to cure Americans from what he called "the crushing cost of health care," saying the country could not afford to put health-care reform on hold.

President Obama tells Congress Tuesday night: "I have no illusions this will be an easy process."

"This is a cost that now causes a bankruptcy in America every 30 seconds. By the end of the year, it could cause 1.5 million Americans to lose their homes," Obama said in his speech to a joint session of Congress.

Obama pointed to the increasing number of uninsured and rapidly rising health-care premiums, which he said was one reason small business closed their doors and corporations moved overseas.

Obama's prescription for health-care reform included making "the largest investment ever" in preventive care, rooting out Medicare fraud and investing in electronic health records and new technology in an effort to reduce errors, bring down costs, ensure privacy and save lives.

"I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process," the president said, adding that he was scheduling a gathering next week of "businesses and workers, doctors and health-care providers, Democrats and Republicans."

"The cost of health care has weighed down our economy and our conscience long enough. So let there be no doubt, health-care reform cannot wait, it must not wait and it will not wait another year," Obama said to a standing ovation.

The president also said Americans would see a cure for cancer "in our time." Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, died of ovarian and uterine cancer at 52.

Obama made health-care reform a central theme of his presidential campaign and promised not only to achieve universal health care in his first term, but also to cut the average family's health care health-care costs by $2,500.

In his speech Tuesday, he placed health-care reform alongside education and energy reforms as central pillars of his recovery plan.

An estimated 45.7 million Americans are uninsured, and for those with coverage, and health-care costs have been rising four times faster than wages, Obama said.

The average cost of family health-care coverage more than doubled from 1999 to 2008, from $1,543 to $3,354, according to a report by the Institute on Medicine released Tuesday.

During his speech, Obama touted changes in the health-care system already passed in his month-old administration as part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"Already, we have done more to advance the cause of health-care reform in the last 30 days than we have in the last decade," he said. "When it was days old, this Congress passed a law to provide and protect health insurance for 11 million American children whose parents work full-time."

Signed into law on February 17, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act also includes $87 billion to bolster state Medicaid programs and offers a 65 percent subsidy for nine months to help the unemployed pay for their COBRA coverage.

COBRA allows the unemployed to pick up the payments and continue the health insurance coverage they had with their former employer. The subsidy would help an estimated seven million Americans, according to a congressional estimate.

The president's health-care message was applauded by Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, a national organization for health care consumers.

"President Obama is absolutely correct that the nation's economy and the federal budget deficit cannot be fixed without meaningful health-care reform," Pollack said in a statement.

© 2009 CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/24/obama.health.care/

Gwyneth Paltrow shares seven-day detox on her site goop.com

2009-02-23T10:09:00.000-08:00

The February 22 New York Times featured an article in the Style section about a relatively new website called Goop, nourish the inner aspect.

The originator of the site is Gwyneth Paltrow. Although most known for her work as a movie actress—and more recently for her marriage to musician Chris Martin from Coldplay—Paltrow launched Goop.com last September to provide readers with short, blog-style entries about positive thoughts, parenting anecdotes, and healthy living tips, to name a few categories.

But perhaps most interesting and useful for the holistic health practitioner is an entry posted under the “Make” category called “Detox.” Here Paltrow tells her readers that: “You can detox easily and effectively while you continue to eat as long as you are cutting out the foods and other substances that interfere with the detoxification process. Make sure you check with your doctor before you start any detox. Drink A LOT of water.” All sound advice.

Paltrow also includes a user-friendly seven-day meal plan for detox, including recipes for dishes like Salad with Carrot and Ginger Dressing, Detox Teriyaki Chicken, and Steamed Salmon and Greens. All of the recipes include nutrient-rich foods easily prepared in 30 minutes or less, including downloadable PDFs to store in your dietary toolbox or holistic health library.

For the full recipes, and more information from Paltrow’s personal doctor, go to: www.goop.com.

Tested a recipe? Would you recommend it? Tell us what you think.

Have a response to the site in general, share with the community. We look forward to hearing from you.

Photo © LA Times: latimesblogs.latimes.com

Aromatherapy Can Help PTSD

2009-02-11T10:27:00.001-08:00

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event. Typically, this event threatens serious physical danger or involves physical violence. Following this experience, it would not be out of the ordinary for someone to feel scared, confused or angry. However, if these feelings continue long-term and become disruptive to your daily activities, you may be suffering from PTSD.

In a given year, about 7.7 million American adults suffer from PTSD. Although it was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, PTSD can result from common events, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or personal assault.

It is estimated that among veterans, the rate of PTSD is somewhere between 14 percent and 33 percent. Not every person who experiences a traumatic event will experience PTSD, and not every Soldier will either, but being aware of possible symptoms and stressors could help with treatment and prevention.

In the past, PTSD has commonly been treated with pharmaceuticals or some type of mood management therapy. Today, information about alternative treatments is becoming more widespread and research has substantiated the historical use of aromatherapy for depression. Why not for PTSD?

Aromatherapy means: the use of aromas for their healing properties. The documented use of essential oils goes back to Egyptian times, where herbs were burnt in public squares to purify the air. Today we know that lemon essential oil, for example, can be used to lift mild depression. We also know that aromatherapy is a natural, less invasive treatment for chronic afflictions. And compared to most pharmaceuticals, aromatherapy is typically less expensive and more accessible.

Many people with PTSD get better over time, but about 1 out of 3 experience PTSD as a recurring challenge. Use of aromatherapy has many advantages in these cases. If used correctly, they have minimal to no adverse effects when used over time. Aromatherapy is also a healthy alternative for those opposed to long-term use of prescription drugs, and essential oils, when diluted and applied to the skin (or inhaled), can be absorbed into the bloodstream for almost immediate results.

Essential oils are distilled directly from plants. The term “essential” is applied to these oils because they contain the fragrant part of the plant. Essential oils are powerful and concentrated. Many should not be applied to the skin in their undiluted form. Rather, essential oils should be diluted with almond or apricot oil, which lend additional nutrient and antioxidant health benefits.

Aromatherapy expert, Dorene Petersen, President of the Australasian College of Health Sciences, said her college store carries organic certified oils because “it’s important to have the highest quality oils available. Essential oils are extracted from plants, which absorb toxins in their environment. Certified organic essential oils are free of contaminants and pesticides; a purer oil means greater health benefits.”

When treating chronic challenges like PTSD, a consistent routine is important. The recommended solution is a combination of wellness protocols such as holistic nutrition and aromatherapy. A balanced, natural foods diet is the greatest tool we have to maintain healthy physical and psychological functions. When regularly added into the diet, aromatic herb plants that contain essential oils will boost immunity, circulation, and metabolism, among other things. For example, chamomile, which has been found to soothe low levels of stress and depression, can be made into a tea, and geranium, which is commonly used to stabilize emotions, can replace vanilla in baking recipes.

To complement a healthy diet, here are some suggestions for simple, yet effective uses of aromatherapy at home. First, undiluted essential oils can quickly be diffused into the air on a room-by-room basis. Second, you can drop essential oils directly into a relaxing bath or foot soak. (Some oils are more potent than others; until you know how the oil will react with your system, less is more.) Or, try replacing commercial cleaners and air fresheners with essential oils and sprinkling a few drops in and around drains, trashcans, and pillowcases.

Before using aromatherapy as a PTSD protocol, consult with a Registered Aromatherapist, which can be located through the Aromatherapy Registration Council Web site: www. aromatherapycouncil.org.

The Australasian College of Health Sciences is the only DETC-accredited, fully online college offering continuing education, certificate, diploma, and degree programs in complementary alternative medicine with aromatherapy and holistic health majors. For more information about aromatherapy and the college, visit www.achs.edu.

CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the complete article.

© 2009 Article originally appeared in the February edition of Military Spouse Magazine

ACHS Announces Wednesday Brown Bag Lecture Series

2009-01-30T18:20:00.001-08:00

Starting on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, ACHS will be offering a weekly lecture series from 12-1 pm at our campus in Portland.

This will be a 50-minute brown bag lecture series on a variety of topics. These lectures are free to ACHS students and graduates and only $10 for the public. To reserve your place, please call 503-244-0726.

Our first lecture will be on Iridology with ACHS President and Holistic Health Expert Dorene Petersen:

Did you know that by looking at the texture of your iris you can evaluate your own or your client's health potential. When you study iridology you can analyze the overall constitution. This is a great tool to help you formulate wellness protocols. You can also see inherent weaknesses before they actually manifest as symptoms in the body.

This lecture is an introduction to the history, theory and philosophy of Iridology.

Schedule of upcoming lectures:

February 4: Introduction to Iridology with ACHS President Dorene Petersen

February 11: Introduction to Homeopathy with ACHS Instructor Dr. Matt Zorn, ND

February 18: Cheap & Effective Community Marketing for the Holistic Practitioner by ACHS Director of Marketing Kate Harmon

February 25: Writing Press Releases with ACHS Communications Manager Lauren Shapiro

All lectures will be videod. Highlights of the lecture will be available on the ACHS TV Channel on YouTube with full videos available in selected online classrooms for ACHS students. Be sure to subscribe to the ACHS YouTube Channel online here to receive notification when a new lecture is available.

Also, keep an eye on your email for an invite to join the ACHS Holistic Health Tip of the Week Google group to receive weekly announcements about upcoming lectures and additional tips for personal health and wellness! You can also view the ACHS Events calendar online here.

We look forward to seeing you on-campus!

Green Gift Guide

2008-12-08T10:10:00.000-08:00

December 2008 could mark just another holiday season—relatively indistinguishable from the last… Except for the fact that you might be entering the season with a little more motivation to be green and little less cash in the gift-giving reserves.

Which gives you all the more reason to alter—then heed—an old adage: it's the quality of the thought that counts.

This year, spend a little extra time thinking about what you give, how you decorate, and what you serve. Your thoughtfulness will pay dividends, not just to you and your family, but to the planet.When brainstorming gift ideas, think quality over quantity. Money’s tight, so don’t buy just to buy. Sure, fall-back soaps and candles for her and a T-shirt for him are fine, but why not give quality gifts—ones you feel good about buying and giving?

Buy Local. Look in locally-owned stores for gifts. Shopping at mom and pop stores sends your money right back into your city’s or town’s economy. By doing so, you’re encouraging a vibrant and diverse marketplace right where you live rather than supporting a big box store. Bonus points if the gift you buy is also made locally.

Buy Green. Commit to knowing where the gifts you buy come from, what they’re made of and how they’re made. Plastic products, for example, release harmful toxins into the air in production, leach chemicals into our body when we use them, and stick around for several thousand years once discarded. Try to buy gifts made from sustainable materials that are safe for the gift’s recipient and the planet. Trust us: You’ll feel good about it.

If you’re looking for green toys, check out these Green Toy Company Recommendations.

Still out of ideas? If you can’t think of a good gift to give, could it be because the intended already has too much stuff? If so, why not skip buying him more things he doesn’t need. Give the gift of wellness.

Donate two cans to end hunger in your community

2008-12-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

ACHS will accept local canned-food donations on behalf of the Oregon Food Bank from December 8-15.

Bring two cans to the Apothecary Shoppe between the hours of 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. If you cannot make it into the Apothecary Shoppe before December 15—or you live outside the Portland metro area—donate to your local food bank.

Food banks always have a short supply during the holidays. This year has proved no exception. As a country, we are experiencing some of the most difficult financial struggles in decades. And as a result, food shortages are at an all time high.

We may not be able to end national hunger single-handed. But, we can end hunger at home. It’s amazingly easy. In fact, for many of us, all it would take is a one-minute trip to the kitchen cabinet—or a few cans of food.

You do great work. We know this about you, the same as we know promoting community wellness is an important part of our work as holistic health educators. Support community wellness this holiday season.

Donate two cans to stop hunger in your community. Then, tell us all about it. Don't worry. It's not self-promotion. It's education. So come on...brag a little!

What are you and your community doing to end hunger locally?

We’d love to hear from you! Click the COMMENT icon below.

Know someone with something to share. Click the FORWARD icon below.

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Aromatherapy Gets Personal Boost from Donna Karan

2008-12-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

DKNY founder Donna Karan cares about aromatherapy. At least, she cares enough about the possible healing properties of alternative medicine to donate $850,000 to the Beth Israel Medical Center to conduct a year-long experiment combining Eastern and Western healing methods.

According to the October 30 New York Times article, “In One Section of Beth Israel Hospital, Some Patients Are Saying ‘Om,’ Not ‘Ah’”, the experiment, which will be overseen by ultimate yogi Rodney Yee, will test the notion that “yoga, meditation and aromatherapy can enhance regimens of chemotherapy and radiation.”

Karan, who reportedly maintains a daily yoga practice herself, sites her commitment to integrative medicine as the result of the “narrowly limited treatment of her husband, a sculptor, and of Lynn Kohlman, a photographer, model and DKNY fashion director who […] died of brain and breast cancer in September.”

“Over 80% of cancer patients use … some form of complementary or alternative therapies,” said Barrie Cassileth, PhD, chief of the Integrative Medicine Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, in a 2004 article posted on the American Cancer Society website.

Although they do not take the place of Western medicine, Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is being used as a supplement more and more frequently by oncology patients. A cumulative term for several holistic health modalities, CAM includes herbal medicine, homeopathy and aromatherapy, which all prioritize the unique experience of the individual in the treatment of symptoms.

Colleges like the Australasian College of Health Sciences in Portland, Oregon, have experienced a consistent increase in enrollment over the past few years, specifically among heath care workers who want continuing education classes in CAM to integrate into their current work or practice. College President Dorene Petersen says of the trend:

“Health and wellness continue to be the fastest growing industry. ACHS trains holistic health practitioners, but we also work with a lot of health care workers who want more natural solutions to offer their patients. And it works. They’re coming back.”

Among CAM modalities, aromatherapy is likely the most familiar. And if the Beth Israel Medical Center experiment is a success, one can reasonably assume the tested, healing properties of aromatherapy will become common knowledge.

But many don’t know that aromatherapy has a documented use dating to Egyptian times, where herbs were regularly burnt in public squares to purify the air. René-Maurice Gattefossé (1881-1950), a French chemist and perfumer, is officially credited with coining the term “aromatherapy,” and is known for his research of the dermatological effects of essential oils, which subsequently inspired a number of researchers and writers in the 1950’s and 60s.

Today, industry experts commonly define aromatherapy as “the controlled use of essential oils to promote the health and vitality of the body, mind and spirit.” The largest online information source for the use of aromatherapy and essential oils, AromaWeb, adds that: “Essential oils inhaled into the lungs offer both psychological and physical benefits. Not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but when inhaled into the lungs, the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) can supply therapeutic benefit.”

Like Karan, AromaWeb founder Wendy Robbins attributes her commitment to alternative medicine to personal experience. AromaWeb arose from the desire to create an online resource with accurate introductory information for those seeking more in depth information about the field of aromatherapy.

“Before and after the launch of the AromaWeb,” Robbins says, “I craved to learn as much as I could about aromatherapy so that in turn, I could share that knowledge with others.” Today, Robbins writes articles about aromatherapy and essential oils, which she features on her user-friendly site, the world’s largest and most popular informational aromatherapy site on the Web.

“I feel immensely rewarded,” Robbins says, “that through AromaWeb, I am able to utilize the knowledge and foundation in aromatherapy that I gained from my ACHS coursework to introduce the concepts of holistic aromatherapy to thousands of individuals each year!”

Robbins founded AromaWeb in 1997, and began the Certificate in Aromatherapy program at the Australasian College of Health Sciences in 1999. She graduated in 2000. Robbins is the recent recipient of the ACHS 2009 Famous Alumni of the Year award, which is sponsored by the Distance Education Training Council.

In 1997, the Australasian College was named the first Aromatherapy Education Provider eligible to obtain liability insurance through ABMP. Founded in 1978, ACHS has more than thirty years of experience in holistic health care and is the only accredited, fully only college offering certificates and degrees in complementary alternative medicine in the United States.

When asked about Karan’s commitment to integrative medicine and her donation to the Beth Israel Medical Center, ACHS Founder and President Dorene Petersen said: “ACHS teaches students the value of holistic health care, to work with the whole person, …lack of sleep, diet, personal trauma, etc. Evidence shows us the appropriate use of essential oils [aromatherapy] is a great way to enhance preventative wellness and support daily treatment of chronic conditions like cancer. I think it’s important, what Donna Karan is doing. Supporting the use of CAM in allopathic care as an integrative tool is what wellness and ACHS are all about.”

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ACHS adjunct instructor Deborah Halvorson schools The OC on homemade remedies

2008-12-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

Garlic mixed with olive oil may sound like a robust marinade to the uninitiated. But to an holistic health practitioner or aromatherapist, it’s the all-natural way to kill bacteria, kid maladies included. Which goes to show, playing with your food should be a welcome contact sport.

Just ask Australasian College adjunct faculty member Deborah Halvorson, who was recently featured in the November 5 Orange County Register article, “Homemade remedies for sick kids.” Halvorson, a graduate of the ACHS.edu Aromatherapy Practitioner program, teaches online introductory and advanced aromatherapy courses for the Portland-based college, and leads herbal and natural health workshops in Southern California.

According to the article, Halvorson, “a mother of three, first saw the power of alternative approaches when her oldest son was 2.” Suffering from chronic ear infections, she feared her son would need medical intervention. “Halvorson mentioned this to her chiropractor. He said he could manipulate [her son’s] ears to release fluids so bacteria would not grow.” When the ear infections stopped, Halverson became a believer.

Although natural remedies are not a replacement for traditional Western medicine, ACHS President Dorene Petersen wants people to know that there are viable, evidence-based alternatives for people who prefer a more natural approach to wellness. Prevention is best, according to Petersen, but there are also significant benefits to using herbal medicine in the treatment of cold and flu symptoms, including “a direct source of fresh vitamins and minerals, affordability, and easy access.”

With more than thirty years’ experience in the holistic health industry, Petersen, whose credentials include diplomas from the South Pacific College of Naturopathy and the Holistic Institute of Acupuncture in Hong Kong, says, “Health is a slow, cumulative process, built up each day from our daily habits. Rather than just the absence of illness and injury, it is the condition of physical, spiritual, and social wellbeing.” She believes strongly in the use of herbs and natural medicine to attain optimal health, which is a message firmly ingrained in all courses offered by Australasian College. (ACHS is a DETC-accredited and Oregon State approved Institute of Higher Learning. For information on the college, visit their website at www.achs.edu.)

“But,” Petersen says, “that doesn’t mean the sniffles can’t be helped along a bit.”

Here are 3 simple homemade remedies Petersen recommends to keep your friends and family healthy.

1. Horehound
A weed, which commonly grows throughout the U.S., horehound is partial to wasteland and pasture where sheep have grazed. The leaves are oval and ash-green in color, and best collected as the plant begins to flower. Well-known for its effective treatment of all lung troubles and bronchial coughs, horehound is somewhat bitter, and best mixed into a cough drop or syrup form. The many benefits include: a considerable quantity of vitamin C, antibacterial substances, and powerful decongestants. (It is essential to identify weeds correctly before you harvest. For accurate information, take a wild plant identification walk with an expert, or most herbal stores, including the College’s Apothecary Shoppe, will have dried, whole herbs ready for use.)

Recipe: Horehound Cough Syrup
1-cup raw sugar
2-T honey
Juice of 1⁄2 lemon (about 1-T)
1-T sunflower or corn oil
1⁄2-pt horehound infusion
2-3 drops peppermint essential oil to taste

DIRECTIONS: Combine the sugar, honey, lemon juice, and oil over a low heat and simmer until it forms a syrup and thickens. When the syrup has thickened, stir in the horehound infusion. Add peppermint oil and remove from the heat. Bottle and store in the refrigerator.

2. Garlic
Although an Asian native, garlic is easy to cultivate and found most places, and wild garlic is especially found in poorly drained soil in the Pacific Northwest. Organically grown garlic is said to be more effective medicinally because of the presence of enzymes that are not found in garlic grown on chemically fertilized soils. Daily use of garlic has been found to keep the nose and lungs clear of mucus. Small, daily amounts are best taken as a fresh food ingredient.

Recipe: Cold and Flu Support
1⁄4-oz rosehips
1⁄4-oz parsley
1⁄4-oz rosemary
1⁄4-oz thyme
1⁄4-oz garlic
1-pt water

DIRECTIONS: Mix the rosehips, parsley, rosemary, and thyme together. Crush the garlic and add. Bring the water to a boil and add to the herbs. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes and then drink one cup three to four times during the day. Store in the refrigerator for up to eight hours. Children can take one tablespoon every hour. Adults can take two to four tablespoons every hour.

3. Blackberry
A common plant found in cooler climates worldwide, Blackberry has prickly foliage, a white rose-like flower, and dark juicy berries. The roots, leaves, and berries can all be used; although, kids find the berries most tolerable, and they can be purchased frozen year-round in your local natural foods grocery store. The main benefit is a high level of vitamin C.

Recipe: Blackberry Support

DIRECTIONS: Add whole berries to grain cereals, like oatmeal, eat as a stand-alone snack, or use as a special treat on top of homemade vanilla ice cream.

* DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified licensed health care provider. Any recommendations are for educational purposes only and are believed to be effective. However, since use of any material by others is beyond the control of Australasian College of Health Sciences, no expressed or implied guarantee as to the effectiveness of this information can be given nor liability taken.

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Oil of the Month

2008-12-01T11:40:00.001-08:00

Anise, Pimpinella anisum, commonly called sweet cumin, is from the Apiaceae family (formerly Umbelliferae). All plants in the Apiaceae family carry their oil in their seed and have an affinity with the digestive system.

Therapeutic actions of anise include: analgesic, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antiestrogen, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aperitive, bactericidal, bronchodilator, carminative, digestant, disinfectant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticide, nervine, stimulant, stomachic, and tonic.
(Anise is not the same as star anise oil. These two plants are very different botanically.)

Anise is December’s featured essential oil for ACHS’s Oil of the Month Club. As member, each month you will receive 5 ml of the oil of the month and an insert describing your oil in detail, as well as recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural health lifestyle. Oil of the Month is available through the Apothecary Shoppe at www.apothecary-shoppe.com.

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Winter Foods

2008-12-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

It is [almost] winter on the west coast and typically rainy and blustery today. I am glad to be at my desk and not outside in the elements. Our harvest days are nearly done for the year, and we are grateful for a bountiful yield from the garden. There is something incredibly gratifying about eating a meal grown largely on-site.

Bruschetta made with baguette of red fife wheat, topped with local goat cheese, a slice of our wicked pickled garlic, and our own tomatoes chopped fine.

Phyllo squash pie, using two kinds of squash, eggs from our neighbor, and parmesan cheese from Italy because sometimes you just have to.

Oven roasted potatoes, Yukon gold and Russian blue varieties. Kale and collards sauteed with minced ginger and tamari. Green salad with three kinds of lettuce, chrysanthemum leaves, and parsley.

And why am I telling you this, apart from to make your mouth water?

Because, if you are interested in health, if you are interested in healing, then you are interested in food. Good food, locally sourced, sustainably grown, and prepared and eaten with pleasure is a foundation stone of good health.

Although my husband Thierry and I grow medicinal herbs on our 7-acre farm as well, we feel that we derive most of our own healing from eating healthy food. But fear not! You don’t have to cook a fancy 3-course meal to eat a healthier diet. Try these simple, time saving diet tips to increase your nutrition quotient:

• Cook a big pan of beans once a week and freeze in plastic tubs.
• Keep a selection of interesting sauces, dips, mustards, and marinades. Any simple piece of fish or chicken can be quickly marinaded, then either oven baked or seared on the barbecue.
• Buy a stacking dehydrator, then when fruits and tomatoes are cheap you can but a lot and dry them.
• Always aim for having five colors on your plate.
• Try a new food every time you go shopping—something you have never had before. Or commit to cooking one new dish per week.

Chanchal Cabrera, MSc, MNIMH, AHG, is the faculty chair in Botanical Medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster. For information about internships with Chanchal, visit achs.edu, click on Alumni, and scroll down to Mentoring and Apprenticeships for Herbalists.

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Health Freedom Update by Kimberly Sharples, HHP

2008-12-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

The election is over. I would encourage you to meet your state Senator and Representative and start to build a relationship with them. Talk to them about how they feel about health freedom and maybe they will help you to pass a health freedom law in your state!

If you don’t know who your legislators are, you can look at this website: www.votesmart.org. You will need to enter your nine-digit zip code. If you don’t know your nine-digit zip code, you can find this at http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp

Some states have updated information from last month, so be sure to check the updates out below.

Please remember that each state has different laws and regulations regarding what you can and cannot do when it comes to complementary and alternative health care.

There are currently six states that have health freedom laws. These are: Minnesota, California, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Idaho. If you live in one of these states, you need to know the laws regarding health freedom, what you can and cannot do, and what disclosures you may need to provide to your clients.

There are 15 states and the District of Columbia that license or regulate naturopathic physicians. If your state is one that regulates naturopathic physicians, you need to know what that law says in regards to what you can and cannot do. These states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia. Minnesota just passed a registration bill for naturopathic physicians that should take effect July 1, 2009.

There is a yahoogroup that was just set up for those interested in health freedom across the United States. Just send a blank email to: FYHF-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

NATIONAL HEALTH FREEDOM ORGANIZATIONS

Coalition for Natural Health: www.naturalhealth.org or Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
Health Keepers Alliance: www.healthkeepers.net
Citizens for Health: www.citizens.org
Sunshine Health Freedom Foundation: Contact person: Troy Bledsoe at herbalsurvival@cox.net or www.sunshinehealthfreedomfoundation.com.
National Health Freedom Action/Coalition: www.nationalhealthfreedom.org

For questions or more information about health freedom in your state, please feel free to contact me: kimberlysharples@msn.com or 719-390-1979.

HEALTH FREEDOM INFORMATION

CANADA
The Canadian Parliament adjourned for the summer without debating or passing bills C-51 and C-52, bills that could have overturned long standing legal precedent protecting Canadians’ health freedom. For more information, click here.

CALIFORNIA
Prop 65 is proposed regulation that wants to classify all beneficial nutrients with above-RDA potencies as cancer-causing agents under unless proven otherwise.
For more information, please go to this website.

COLORADO
Colorado was successful in stopping a monopolistic naturopathic physician bill. A Health Freedom bill was also introduced, but was not successful. A Massage bill was introduced and passed. This bill contained exemptions for those who do energy work such as Reiki.

Colorado For Health Freedom has a yahoo group you can join by sending a blank email to CO4HFG-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You can also contact Kimberly Sharples at kimberlysharples@msn.com or 719-390-1979.

CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Health Freedom Coalition: Craig Respasz at crepasz@hotmail.com.

IDAHO
Just when we thought Idaho was settled, Senate Bill 1425 was introduced by the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on February 11, 2008. The bill, as introduced, would have transformed the law from what was an agreeable, accommodating law under which all natural health practitioners benefited, to a restrictive licensing law favoring “naturopathic physicians.” The bill progressed quickly through the Senate and The Coalition jumped into the fray with both feet to protect the language in the bill that allowed for multiple pathways to licensure. With the help of the Idaho Coalition for Natural Health and others, the bill was amended, thus minimizing the effect on the law in Idaho. We will continue to monitor the activities of the Board of Naturopathic Medical Examiners as they work towards promulgation of rules.

For more information, contact Boyd at: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org. You can also visit the website for Idaho CNH at: http://www.naturalhealthidaho.org/.

IOWA
Iowa introduced Health Freedom language in 2008, but was not successful. To learn more about the Iowa Health Freedom Coalition, you can access their website: www.iowahealthfreedom.org.

LOUISIANA
Louisiana’s focus this year was to introduce a total Health Freedom Bill in the 2008 Louisiana Legislative Session. They held a statewide membership meeting in March with 3 excellent speakers: Senator Sharon Weston Broome (Sponsor of the bill), Dr. John Baker, head of LSU Law School (health freedom advocate), and Boyd Landry, Executive Director of CNH.

They also held several statewide meeting to attract new members as well as enlighten the member that reside outside the Baton Rouge area of their intentions to introduce a bill in this year’s 2008 session; as well as meeting with legislators at the Capitol Rotunda several times.

They hired a Lobbyist to work with us to amend Acts 655 and 334, which were bills we passed in the 2006, and 2005 sessions. With lobbyist Kathy Chittom and Senator Broome’s influence, they were able to pass a bill in this year’s 2008 Legislative Session. The Governor signed the bill into law at the end of June (Act No. 524). They now feel as though Louisiana finally has a Total Health Freedom Bill.

Their board meets the last Monday of each month, and they have a conference call number for those who cannot attend in person.

If you live in Louisiana and would like to help, please contact Cynthia Reed, ND, President of the Louisiana Health Freedom Coalition at 225-756-8400 or herbs-etc@cox.net.

MARYLAND
Maryland introduced a health freedom bill in 2008, but it was not successful. Contact Dr. Mishra for more information regarding Health Freedom in Maryland: mishra13505@yahoo.com.

MINNESOTA
A Naturopathic Physician registration bill was passed in Minnesota that will not go into effect until July 1, 2009. During this time a Naturopathy Work Group has been assigned to study the regulation of Naturopathic Doctors. Their recommendations must be turned in no later than December 15, 2008, and the Commissioner of Health will report these findings to Legislators by January 15, 2009. You can read about this bill and work group here.

Another group has formed in Minnesota - Minnesota Advocates for Complementary and Alternative Practices, MNACAP. The President is Katie Murphy, and you can email her at: 4healinginsights@comcast.net.

MONTANA
Montana has a health freedom group that wants to introduce a Health Freedom Bill next legislative session. For more information, you can contact: Debra Kimmet deb@debkimmet.com or 406-251-9704 or visit their website.

NEW JERSEY
A Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure bill has just been introduced in New Jersey and been referred to the Senate Commerce Committee. This bill could limit nutritional advice to only those dietitian/nutritionists licensed by the state of New Jersey. You can view the bill here. Please contact me for more information: kimberlysharples@msn.com.

NEW YORK
There were three restrictive bills introduced in New York, which could have prohibited traditional naturopaths from practicing. Boyd Landry with CNH worked at killing these bills and they are monitoring legislation for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009. You can contact Boyd for more information: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org.

NORTH CAROLINA
There was restrictive naturopathic medicine bills introduced this year in NC. Fortunately, these bills died in committee. The North Carolina Citizens for Healthcare Freedom has a health freedom bill introduced and they are hoping for it to be heard in the long session, starting in January. At this time they need assistance with signing petitions (on their website), volunteering and donations. For more information, you can go to their website: www.ncchf.org. Their contact person is Claiborne Holtzman: Claiborne@ncchf.org.

OHIO
The Ohio Sunshine Health Freedom Coalition has introduced a health freedom bill, H.B. 580. You can read the bill here. The OSHFC Steering Committee recorded a phone call updating the Ohio situation. If you would like to listen, please call 641-715-3409 and enter PIN 288597#. They are also asking for help in calling, Emailing or faxing members of the committee that the health freedom bill is assigned to. To learn more, please contact Linda Murray: hertouch@juno.com or go to their website: www.ohiosunshinehealthfreedom.info.

TENNESSEE
Two identical restrictive licensing bills were entertained this session. Fortunately, both of these bills died in committee. They expect similar legislation to be introduced in 2009. For more information, please contact Boyd Landry at: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org.

TEXAS
The Texas health freedom bill author, Rep. Frank Corte, has filed HB 40, their 2009 health freedom bill. The bill text can be viewed at the following link: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/.

They also have discovered that the Texas Dietetic Association has hired a lobbyist to attempt to push through their exclusionary licensing agenda for the 2009 legislative session. They will need your help to defeat this legislation that could take away practitioners rights to give out nutritional advice.

There are installments of “WAKE UP AMERICA” on their website, on the right side under “Recent Posts.” Their website has been updated so please visit www.texashealthfreedom.com to see the “WAKE UP AMERICA” video series and other health freedom information.

Texas needs volunteers and donations--If you can help, please visit their website or contact Peter McCarthy at texascam@earthlink.net.

VIRGINIA
The Certified Natural Health Professionals of Virginia Health Freedom Group is collecting signatures to oppose HB 784, the monopolistic naturopathic physician bill. You may hold the original signed letters or send them to the Virginia Chapter of Certified Natural Health Professionals at P.O. Box 316, Chesterfield, VA 23832-0005.

They will use these letters to demonstrate opposition to any naturopath licensure bill that might be introduced in the 2009 session. If you have questions regarding the gathering of signatures on these letters or their strategy please contact Becky Hanks at the Herb Basket at 804-862-HERB (4372) during the daytime on Tuesdays through Saturday. To learn more, please visit their website: www.cnhpva.org.

WASHINGTON
Washington has a health freedom bill introduced, Senate Bill 6886, and was referred to the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee. To read this bill, go to: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/.

Preserve your Freedom of Choice in health care! 2009 Health Freedom Advocacy Day.
Our freedom to choose the type of health care and health practitioners that we want is in jeopardy! Come and advocate with legislators. We’ll help you! Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, 10 am-4 pm - Cherberg Bldg, Rooms A/B/C. For more information, go to the Washington Health Freedom website: http://healthfreedomwa.org/, email healthfreedom.wa@gmail.com, or call 360-357-6263.

WISCONSIN
Act Now! The Wisconsin Health Freedom Coalition (WIHFC) is a grass roots lobbying organization dedicated to preserving health care access for natural therapies and access to nutritional information in Wisconsin. These freedoms are under threat by special interest groups lobbing in Madison.

Check out their website http://wihfc.com/about_us.htm to read about the upcoming introduction of our exciting Consumer Health Freedom and Access Act. This proposed legislation would protect the rights of Wisconsin Citizens to access natural, herbal and alternative health care.

Also, please check out the website http://wihfc.com/about_us.htm to read about the WDA (Wisconsin Dietetic Association) proposed legislation that would limit your access to nutritional information. WDA seeks licensure to monopolize nutritional information that is bought and paid for by large corporations, which are interested in profit and not your health. Unfortunately we have to solicit for donations http://wihfc.com/donate.htm.

If you are able to help, please contact Syncha Maniscalco at syncha@gmail.com or go to www.wihfc.com.

Kimberly Sharples, HHP
Health Freedom Activist
kimberlysharples@msn.com
(719) 390-1979

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Sprouts Farmers Market teams with ACHS for training

2008-12-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

Portland, OR — November 12, 2008 — In this economy, more Americans than ever are taking action to avoid costly medical expenses.

Employers are seeing the value in having trained employees to help consumers make informed and safe choices. One such company is Sprouts Farmers Markets. With 31 stores in Arizona, California, Texas, and Colorado, Sprouts corporate has demonstrated their commitment to consumers by partnering with Australasian College of Health Sciences (ACHS) to ensure Sprouts employees have up-to-date credible knowledge.

“Our customers have let us know that health and nutrition information is important to them and Sprouts answers the call,” said Patti Milligan M.S., R.D., C.N.S., Corporate Nutritionist for Sprouts Farmers Market. “Sprouts is committed to providing credible nutrition information to its customers and, as part of that continuing commitment, we have well-trained educators in each region,” continues Milligan.

Sprouts partnered with ACHS, to educate their vitamin department staff, with at least one representative in each region completing accredited training through ACHS.

“Sprouts has developed a knowledgeable team dedicated to educating customers on the best products for their personal health and wellness, creating incredible value for their customers,” said Tracy Miller, ACHS Dean of Admissions. “ACHS graduates have completed rigorous, dynamic and up-to-date training in holistic nutrition.”

Founded in 1978, ACHS has more than thirty years of experience in holistic health care. In addition to DETC-accredited, distance learning programs, ACHS has developed a 21st-century Corporate Training program, which emphasizes education, engagement, and high-quality customer service. Corporate Training partnership with ACHS ensures customized and consistent continuing education, assists with secondary sales, and builds employee and customer confidence.

Visit www.achs.edu and click on College Calendar for event times and to sign up.

About Us

Founded in 1978, the Australasian College of Health Sciences has more than 30 years of experience in holistic health care. At present, the College works with more than 10,000 students in 60 countries to educate and train skilled professionals in complementary alternative medicine.

ACHS is the only accredited, fully online college offering diplomas in complementary alternative medicine in the United States. As such, the College specializes in providing their students with comprehensive, professional and engaging distance education and the most up-to-date CAM research available. ACHS graduates have gone on work as teachers and writers, consultants and holistic health care practitioners, researchers, etc.

For specific information about courses, accreditation, faculty and events, go to www.achs.edu.

College Admissions and the Apothecary Shoppe are open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., PST, and can be reached at 800-487-8839.

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Natural Health Holiday Open House Draws PDX Crowd November 15

2008-11-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

Portland, OR—More than 40 people filled the ACHS Apothecary Shoppe College Store Saturday, November 15 for a free community wellness event. The College hosts several events a year with themes like lavender distillation and HerbDay, which emphasize seasonal tips for holistic wellness.

The November 15 event marked the College’s 5th Annual Holiday Open House. The three-hour demonstration featured several easy-to-make, all-natural holiday gift ideas and an extensive question and answer period. The College also set up several tables where, after the demonstration, participants were invited to make hand butters and sugar scrubs on the spot.

The Open House lingered into the late afternoon to accommodate the larger than expected turnout. In addition to several College students and alumni, about half the participants were from the greater Portland community with some attendees coming all the way from Ohio and Vancouver, BC.

“It’s great,” Heather Baley, ACHS Registrar, said about those in attendance. “We love to visit with our students and grads. But we’re also really happy when the community comes to our events. […] We want …to get information about wellness out there in a fun and practical way.”

Over the course of the afternoon, Tracey Miller, ACHS Dean of Admissions, demonstrated how to make an herb sugar scrub, aromatic body sprays, and aromatherapy room sprays. (All of the recipes are in the ACHS Holiday Recipe Book, available to download for free on the Apothecary Shoppe website. CLICK HERE.)

The main lesson here: Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. “Common household items make wonderful gifts when mixed with essential oils and herbs,” said Baley. “Purchase essential oils that speak to you, and you can combine them in several ways to make custom blends. I like to share my creations with family and friends and always keep a room spray at my desk, when I need a little Aromatherapy.”

For those who were not able to attend in person—or simply want a refresher—all of the Open House demonstrations will be available on ACHStv soon. To watch the videos, go to: http://www.youtube.com/achstv.

For more wellness tips and natural, easy-to-make holiday gift ideas get a free download of the College’s Holiday Recipe Book on the Apothecary Shoppe website. CLICK HERE.

Packaging for your favorite gifts: Click here to view the Apothecary Shoppe's comprehensive stock of unique packaging for your holiday gifts.

To see more Open House photos, visit us on Facebook.

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American Botanical Council Turns 20

2008-11-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

Austin, TX -- On November 1, the American Botanical Council (ABC) observed its 20th anniversary. The independent nonprofit research and education organization was established in 1988 by Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal, along with noted ethnobotanist James A. Duke, PhD, and renowned pharmacognosist Norman R. Farnsworth, PhD.

Dr. Duke is retired from a 30-year career at the United States Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Farnsworth is still Research Professor of Pharmacognosy and Senior University Scholar at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

According to Dr. Duke, "Respect for herbal medicine has grown geometrically, thanks in large part to ABC and its peer-reviewed journal HerbalGram. Twenty years of ABC have markedly improved public perception of some of the world's best medicines-herbal medicines."

Prof. Farnsworth said, "ABC may be the primary force promoting a reasonable and responsible perspective on the emerging science on herbs and medicinal plants. There is no way to adequately measure the significant contribution ABC has made to the health of American consumers."

"ABC was initially created as a vehicle to take HerbalGram, then a newsletter, to another level of publication -- a full-color, magazine-journal format," noted ABC's Blumenthal.

To read the full article, click here.

We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.

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ACHS Faculty Deborah Halvorson in OC Register

2008-11-06T10:22:00.000-08:00

ACHS faculty member Deborah Halvorson was featured in a November 5 article in the Orange County Register called "Homemade remedies for sick kids." Halvorson is pictured with her daughter, Hazel, making chest balm in her kitchen. In the article, Halvorson credits her belief in natural remedies to personal experience, and shares some great tips for keeping your kids healthy this year, including a recipe for vapor balm.

To read the full-length article, click here. Show your support for ACHS faculty! Be sure to leave a comment on the OC Register site AND here. We're looking forward to reading your recipes for fall wellness!

We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.

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Four Holistic Nutrition Educators Now Certified

2008-11-03T12:44:00.000-08:00

Phoenix, AZ – In this economy, more Americans are doing self-care as health care to avoid costly medical expenses. In making sure Sprouts employees have up-to-date credible knowledge, they have sent a representative from each region to become certified.

“Our customers have let us know that health and nutrition information is important to them and Sprouts answers the call” said Patti Milligan M.S., R.D., C.N.S., Corporate Nutritionist for Sprouts Farmers Market. “Sprouts is committed to providing credible nutrition information to its customers and, as part of that continuing commitment, we have well trained educators in each region,” continues Milligan.

Sprouts partnered with Australasian College of Health Sciences (ACHS), to educate their vitamin department staff. “Sprouts has developed a knowledgeable team dedicated to educating customers on the best products for their personal health and wellness, creating incredible value for their customers,” said Tracy Miller, ACHS Dean of Admissions. “ACHS graduates have completed rigorous, dynamic and up-to-date training in holistic nutrition."

Founded in 1978, ACHS is recognized as an industry leader in holistic health education worldwide. Flexible, online programs, highly qualified faculty, diverse student body, and commitment to exceptional online education are the foundation for ACHS's reputation. For more information about nutrition and homeopathy courses offered at ACHS, click here.

We’d love to hear from you! Click COMMENTS below.

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ACHS Featured in AHHA's Good News Column

2008-09-09T09:19:00.001-07:00

ACHS's announcement of achieving the first and only accredited and state approved online Associates and Masters degrees in Complementary Alternative Medicine was featured in the May 2008 issue of the American Holistic Health Association's (AHHA) newsletter.

Read about ACHS's achievement in the Good News column of AHHA's newsletter online here.

ACHS Announces new English Composition Courses

2008-09-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

New English Composition Courses at ACHS

ACHS is delighted to announce the launch of its new English Composition courses, with the first class starting November 17, 2008.

“Required for the ACHS Associate of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine degree program, English composition is also vital for anyone in the holistic health industry,” says Co-Education Director Erika Yigzaw. “Many graduates have enjoyed success authoring books, magazine articles, blogs, e-magazines, and newsletters. The English Composition classes will strengthen students’ skills for their career and provide vital life skills in English composition.”

The English Composition classes use ACHS’s dynamic online classroom format, with extensive interactive multimedia activities and peer to peer and instructor interaction. ACHS has worked with international publisher Pearson Education to develop the online content for these user-friendly yet content rich courses, and we are sure they will delight both new and existing ACHS students.

View more information about these accredited, fully online English Composition courses online:

ENG 101 English Composition I
ENG 201 English Composition II

ACHS is also delighted to welcome new faculty to ACHS to teach the English Composition classes, the first of which is Sarah Louise.

Sarah Louise holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, an LL.B., and 24 graduate hours toward a Ph.D. in English/Creative Writing. She also teaches online writing courses at DeVry University and Baker College and comments that “these online classes have been among the most enjoyable experiences of my career.” She has developed and taught courses in English Composition, Literature, Technical Writing, Writing the Research Paper, Developmental English courses, Business Writing, and Creative Writing at Northern New Mexico College as well as the University of New Mexico. She has also directed the writing lab at Northern New Mexico College, which provides computer-assisted learning, individualized tutorial aid, mentoring, and study groups.

Additional faculty appointments to meet the expected demand for these courses are pending and will be announced shortly.

ACHS Welcomes Herbalists Susan Belsinger & Tina Marie Wilcox's Creative Herbal Home Workshop to the ACHS Campus

2008-09-01T09:36:00.003-07:00

The Creative Herbal Home Workshop featuring Susan Belsinger & Tina Marie Wilcox

Wednesday, September 10, 11 am to 3 pm.

So, you know about using essential oils for aromatherapy. Wouldn’t you like to learn many other ways to use herbs and essential oils in your everyday life? Then this fun and inspiring class is just what you need!

Join authors Susan Belsinger and Tina Marie Wilcox, authors of The Creative Herbal Home, while they discuss using herbs and essential oils to create “green” household cleaning products, insect repellents, care for the gardener, first aid preparations and how to make herbal spa products.

This workshop is divided into two parts:

The use of herbs in everyday life, where Susan and Tina will show you some of their favorite herbs and demo how to make a variety of products. Includes hands-on experience of making an herbal sugar scrub, preparing an herb-infused oil (featuring Herb of the Year Calendula) , and blending your own herbal bath bag.

Demo and lecture about using essential oils to create herbal spa products as well as how to use essential oils for household uses. You'll create your own blends for an aromatic spritzer, an apple cider vinegar for cleaning house or toning skin and also therapeutic bath salts.

This enthusiastic, entertaining and exciting workshop will give you confidence and know-how to lead a healthier, happier, and greener lifestyle! Recipes and handouts are included with the workshop. A book signing will follow the workshop and the Apothecary Shoppe will be open offering herbs, essential oils, equipment and supplies that we used in class.

Don't miss the opportunity to learn in-person with Susan Belsinger & Tina Marie Wilcox.

Class cost: $50, includes supplies. Space is limited. Be sure to register by calling 503-244-0726 or register securely online here to reserve your place today!

Note: This is a non-credit workshop.

Featured herb of July

2008-07-17T15:14:00.001-07:00

The open house may have passed (and was great fun) but we don't stop there! :) Be sure to take a look at the featured herb of the month!

July Herb of the month:
Uva Ursi
Uva Ursi is a common plant in the Northern hemisphere, being found in barren, mountainous locations in Europe, Asia and America. You have to go above 3000 feet to find this indigenous herb growing wild in the US. The Native Americans used this herb for a smoking mixture, called kinnikinnik. It is of the same family as the Strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo, and Trailing Arbutus, Epigaea repens.

When you order the Featured Herb of the Month you will receive a new herb of the month package. This package includes 8 oz bag of the herb of the month and an insert, describing your oil in detail with recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

You also may wish to become a prepaid member of the Herb and/or Oil of the Month Club lasting 20 months:
Herb of the Month Club
Oil of the Month Club
You will receive a beautifully designed 3 ring binder. Each month you will receive a new herb or oil of the month package including 8 oz of the herb of the month or 5 ml of the oil as well as an insert for your personal binder, describing your herb or oil in detail, including recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

Be sure to continue to visit our Apothecary Shoppe as well for all our specials and products:
ACHS Apothecary Shoppe

For information about Herbalism, or any of our programs at ACHS, please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Special Savings during our open house week

2008-07-14T13:08:00.001-07:00

Its that time of the year... There is so much going on here at ACHS!

If you haven't noted we are having our Lavender Open House:
Lavender Open House Link

Plus our Lavender U-Pick:
See our previous blog post just below.

In addition we also are having a special savings of 20% off limited through July 16!
Open House Savings Special

In celebration of the ACHS 5th Annual Lavender Open House, the Apothecary Shoppe is extending you a limited Open House additional savings to total 20%* off your order when placed by the end of day Wednesday, July 16th.

So, if you're not able to join us on-campus for this fun event, you can still take advantage of this great special saving by placing your order online!

Start shopping online now to receive this limited time special savings. Stock up on all your natural health needs or take advantage of this special savings while purchasing your holiday gifts! Be sure to add this promotion to your cart before checkout. Your additional discount will be taken off your order total during processing.

*May be combined with student or graduate discount to total 20% discount. Available in-store, online and orders by phone. Cannot be used with Recommended Reading Book Sets or Study Kits. Back ordered items will ship at a later date for a minimal shipping fee. Not to be combined with any other offer. Not valid in states where prohibited.

And yet there's one more special... All Organic Seeds are 30% off while supplies last!
Organic Seeds Sale Link
With over fifty great organic seed varieties from which to choose from, click on the link to order yours while they last.

We hope you are all enjoying your summer!

For information about Aromatherapy, or any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

U-Pick Lavender!

2008-07-09T10:47:00.001-07:00

The ACHS is having its yearly Lavender U-Pick!

Come to the Australasian College's garden and harvest lavender for your own use! $6/bunch or $10 for 2 bunches. (size of bunch is determined by zip tie and a bunch can be a quite a nice bit)

To U-Pick Lavender come by the college during our business hours of Monday through Friday 8:30 - 5:30 pm. We are located just off Macadam in Johns Landing.

Here is a link to directions to our campus:
Where is the ACHS campus

This is a great deal for fresh lavender and bunches can go quickly, drop by soon. :)

While at the college be sure to visit our Apothecary Shoppe for other items or specials.

Interested in Holistic Health education? Be sure to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors about all of our programs when you stop by.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

ACHS Graduate Laura Lamun on Raw Vegan Radio

2008-07-03T16:22:00.001-07:00

On the June 25 installment of Raw Vegan Radio:

Interview with Laura Lamun, ACHS Graduate and owner of Little Moon Essentials!

She shares ideas and stories from her upcoming book "Raw Aromatherapy". You can hear the interview on iTunes by subscribing to Raw Vegan Radio, or by going to the website http://www.rawveganradio.com

Enjoy!

For information about Aromatherapy, or any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

June Herb and Oil of the Month

2008-06-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

We hope you are enjoying June. Here in the northwest for a while it was dubbed Juneuary from the cool and gray days. Here's hoping we've moved beyond that. Regardless of the weather we have our Herb and Oil of the Month!

This month's featured herb:
Yellow Dock
Rumex crispus, a common perennial garden weed differing from the more common broad-leafed Dock in that it has long tapering leaves with a wavy leaf margin. Widely distributed throughout the US, New Zealand, and Australia, including Tasmania.

Each month we will introduce you to a new herb. When you order the Featured Herb of the Month you will receive a new herb of the month package. This package includes 8 oz bag of the herb of the month and an insert, describing your oil in detail with recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

June's Oil of the month is:
Black Pepper
Black pepper is one of the oldest and most important spices. It was used as part of the embalming process by the Egyptians. The Greeks used it in the 4th century B.C. and the Romans imported it from the East. It is one of the first spices to travel the spice route and perhaps one of the most expensive and treasured. To protect the source the traders said it came from a “sacred mountain top occupied by the gods”. Pliny spoke of it as “more expensive than gold”.

Each month we will also introduce you to a new oil. When you order the Featured Oil of the Month you will receive a new oil of the month package. This package includes 5 ml of the oil of the month and an insert, describing your oil in detail with recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

You also may wish to become a prepaid member of the Herb and/or Oil of the Month Club lasting 20 months:
Herb of the Month Club
Oil of the Month Club
You will receive a beautifully designed 3 ring binder. Each month you will receive a new herb or oil of the month package including 8 oz of the herb of the month or 5 ml of the oil as well as an insert for your personal binder, describing your herb or oil in detail, including recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

Be sure to continue to visit our Apothecary Shoppe as well for all our specials and products:
ACHS Apothecary Shoppe

For information about Herbalism, Aromatherapy, or any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Sow your Savings!

2008-06-03T10:47:00.001-07:00

Feel the need for some seeds? The ACHS Apothecary Shoppe is having an Organic Seeds special!!

30% off of all organic seeds through 6/8/08!
Click on the links below for details:
30% off seeds link
Ashoppe Organic Seeds list

For information about holistic gardening or any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Grilling with Nutrition Instructor Deryl Gulliford

2008-05-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day, and that means grilling for me. I'm doing tuna steaks, a recipe which I've shared before, but wanted to share these side dish recipes which I'm pretty enthused about today:

Ratatouille on a Skewer

MAKES 8 SIDE-DISH SERVINGS

You can grill these skewers alongside your tuna steaks.

1 small eggplant, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

2 medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks

2 green and/or yellow sweet peppers, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces

2 small onions, peeled and quartered

1/2 cup low-fat French salad dressing

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup finely chopped dry bread crumbs

16 cherry tomatoes

Alternately thread the eggplant, zucchini, peppers and onions onto 8 skewers. Brush the vegetables with the salad dressing. In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs; place the cheese mixture on a piece of waxed paper. Roll the kabobs in the crumb mixture until the vegetables are coated evenly.

Grill the kabobs directly over medium-hot coals, if using a charcoal grill, 10 to 12 minutes, or until the zucchini is crisp-tender, turning frequently. (If using a gas grill, grill the kabobs over indirect heat for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the zucchini is crisp-tender, turning frequently.) Place the tomatoes on the end of the skewers during the last 2 minutes of grilling. Serve warm.

Herbed Grilled Tomatoes

SERVES 4

4 small tomatoes

3 tablespoons yogurt

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon finely chopped dry bread crumbs

1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese

Remove the cores from the tomatoes; cut them in half crosswise. Spread the cut side of each tomato with the sour cream or yogurt. Sprinkle each tomato half with basil. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese on top of the tomatoes. Arrange the tomato halves in a foil pie pan.

If using a charcoal grill, arrange the preheated coals around a drip pan in a covered grill. (If using a gas grill, place a drip pan over indirect heat.) Test for medium heat above the pan. Place the foil pan containing the tomatoes on the grill over the drip pan. Cover and grill the tomatoes for 10 to 15 minutes or until the tomatoes are heated through. Serve warm.

For information on Holistic Nutrition courses or any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Why Online Learning is the Green Choice

2008-05-22T14:49:00.001-07:00

My Two Cents: Why Online Learning is the Green Choice
By Erika Yigzaw, Senior Vice President, www.ACHS.edu

At ACHS, we’re all about environmental sustainability and we do all we can as an institution to reduce, reuse and recycle. (See our sustainability summary at www.achs.edu)

However, I have recently had the opportunity to see first hand how “green” online learning is.

I recently completed the Master Gardener program through Oregon State University. First, let me say how much I enjoyed the class, which ties nicely in with my “day” job here at the college, but also with my hobby’s of gardening, green living, agriculture, and sustainability. It is an on campus program, meaning one day each week, I drive 19 miles in my car, sit in a basement classroom with no windows and listen to people lecture from 9 to 4, with short breaks.

It has been an eye opening experience for me. First, because of the subject, we study ecology and ecosystems, so we actually discussed in class the carbon footprint of attending this class, and it was quite shocking:

- Every student drives to the location (yes I drive a Jeep, so its not gas friendly – but I live up a long bumpy driveway in the country so a Prius could not make it and the cost of a new hybrid SUV is just insane!)
- We park in a large parking area that has been converted from farm land (this class is held at the Extension Research center, so lots of it is still farmed)
- OSU converted the basement into a classroom with all the associated construction impact (the facility used to be a house so its not new construction)
- The rooms are heated and lit, since there are no windows and no natural light
- We sit at particle board tables, on metal folding chairs, all of which took resources to manufacture and off gas
- We read a 400+ page printed manual and various printed handouts

We are talking about a big carbon footprint here!

Inconvenience
Not only is there a significant green impact, but the personal impact has been quite significant also. Of course, it’s a great program and sometimes we have to inconvenience ourselves to get a good education, but lets look at what happened during class...

In January, we had several weeks of very nasty ice and snow. The news was warning against driving if it could be avoided, but no, I had to get dressed in multiple layers and head out onto the slick roads to get to my class. Contrast that with the fifteen steps to my nice warm home office, warmed by my super efficient wood burning fireplace fueled by wood from our woodlot to log into my online classes.

Unfortunately my daughter and I both developed Pneumonia as a result of a nasty flu bug in February. Although I was still not well enough, I could only take two weeks off class and pass, so I had to drag myself into class on the third week of my illness, still feeling weak and against doctors orders. Whereas I had been logging into my online classes most of the time I was sick, sitting in bed with my laptop, and actually enjoying the sensation of interacting with people even though I was contagious! I had to arrange my sister to stay home with my daughter, as she was not cleared to return to preschool, otherwise I would have had to pay a nanny (which would have been difficult to find anyway, since temporary nannies are not that keen on looking after sick four year olds!). So there are direct as well as indirect costs, as well as health impacts and sheer inconvenience.

Educational Goals
So aside from the environmental and personal convenience factors, what about the education? Was this on campus program meeting my needs better than an online class would have?

On campus:
- The course is based on a large printed course manual, with assigned reading for each week.
- Each presentation is a PowerPoint, with a person talking along to it.
- We get copies of some PowerPoints, but not others, so we must furiously take notes of any important details.
- Some PowerPoints contain web links, but the presenters have no web access, so we must write down the URL and remember to go look at it when we get home
- There is limited opportunity for questions at the end, usually truncated due to time.
- There is no or little application of what we have been talking about and few if any practical examples
- To be honest, I don’t retain much of the information until I go home and do my own study. Which surprises me to some extent, since most of the materials is fairly familiar and I work in a related field.
- There are no performance objectives, so no one is quite sure what is important, and the only assessment is a test in the 10th week of this 11 week program and a five minute talk we each give.

So given all that, am I benefiting by personally meeting the people in my class?
- We have short breaks (10 minutes) between each lecture – but by the time you line up to use the bathroom, its straight back into it.
- At the lunch break, they have additional lectures that are valuable and most people listen to, so there is not much meaningful peer interaction, although from our brief chats, it is clear that there are some fascinating people with a lot of relevant and interesting background in our class. The few people I have had the chance to chat with are lovely and I am looking forward to getting to know them outside of class. However, unless you happen to sit next to them or stand next to them in the line for the loo (toilet!), you may not find out about them!

In contrast, with ACHS online classes:
- We provide learning objectives up front, so you know what you need to learn.
- You get lectures to read in the manual and online (more and more online) and lectures online can be updated throughout the class, so students do not need to make personal notes of new information
- Students also access a range of resources and learning tools depending on the course including PowerPoint presentations, but supplemented with multimedia presentations such as animations, videos, audio lectures, and interactive activities
- There are tests in each module so students can ensure they are meeting the learning objectives in small chunks, not waiting till the last week of the class to discover perhaps that they misunderstood a key point
- There is meaningful authentic assessment in the form of various projects, essays, and labs to complete in each module to help different learners internalize the concepts and theory
- There is extensive peer to peer interaction through the discussion boards and personal interaction through the cyber cafe, which allow students to connect with fellow students with similar interests
- There are unlimited opportunities to ask questions via the discussion boards and instructor Q&A.
- Plus, ACHS is working on ways to create audio files of instructors discussing lectures in file sizes small enough for all students to access, so soon just about every aspect of the on campus version will be covered.

Of course, education is never just about the carbon footprint, but clearly, when the educational objectives are being equaled or in my opinion exceeded by a well put together online class, why not take the opportunity to walk a little more softly on the earth and take your classes online. My two cents!

For information on any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

ACHS You Tube!

2008-05-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

Did you know that ACHS is on You Tube?!?

You can see videos on Lavender Distillation, as well as videos of the ACHS Outstanding Graduate of the Year 2008 Stephen Hawk and ACHS Famous Alumni Kim Sharples

Take a look!
ACHS TV

For information on any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Oil of the Month May - Bay

2008-05-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

Besides the Herb of the Month, we also have our May oil of the month - Bay!
Bay is used by some in massage blends; it helps with lymphatic congestion and strengthens the immune system, and helps alleviate muscle aches and pains.

Oil of the month link: Bay

You can sign up for the ACHS newsletter to receive emails about the Herb & Oil of the month as well as other information of what is happening at the college at:
ACHS Newsletter

Remember to also visit our online apothecary shoppe to order any herb or oil of the month and also to review our specials:
ACHS apothecary specials

For information about Aromatherapy courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Updated Herb of the Month

2008-05-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

Wow, this year is going by quickly. Our previous posting on Friday we listed St Johns Wort as the herb of the month. Well that was April's herb. Its time for May! :)

We are proud to introduce this month's Featured Herb - Rosemary!
The link is here:
ACHS Herb of the Month - Rosemary

When you order the Featured Herb of the Month you will receive a new herb of the month package. This package includes 8 oz of the herb of the month and an insert, describing your herb in detail with recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

Rosemary officinalis, a native to the Mediterranean Region, is one of the earliest and most renowned of the English medicinal herbs. There are numerous varieties. The botany of rosemary is rather complicated with a number of varieties and forms. It is a tender perennial and will thrive best in a Mediterranean-type climate of sunny mountain slopes and dry arid lands.

For information about Herbal courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Has Spring Finally Sprung?!

2008-05-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Well finally it feels as if we may have turned the corner to spring here in the northwest. Its been a wet 21 of 30 days with measurable rain here - amazingly we are still behind in monthly totals! Guess it just drizzled all the time.

However today is beautiful and sunny. It feels like we may have turned a corner. From the ACHS herbal garden the Catnip is blooming and the flax is well um flaxing.
So tell me everyone... How does your herb garden grow?
Be sure to check out our products for herb gardening in our online store:
Apothecary Shoppe Link
You can also find a new herb of the month there each month
Herb of the month - St Johns Wort
as well as join our
Herb of the Month Club

For information about Herbal courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Spring Clean with Essential Oils!

2008-04-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

A great way to help with sweeping away the winter into that spring clean is by using essential oils in your cleaning!

Have you tried using a few drops of Eucalyptus on a wet towel on the counters? Or with a damp cloth add a few drops of essential oil (of your choosing) to it and putting in the dryer with your laundry? It refreshes, smells better than costly drier sheets, and is a green way to spruce up the laundry. There are a number of things you can do with essential oils in cleaning that are green and avoid using harsh chemicals.

Right now the ACHS apothecary shoppe has a special Spring Cleaning Kit! Offered at 20% savings to the normal cost while supplies last! Contains a mister, a selection of essential oils, and a recipe card.
Here is the link to the kit: Spring Cleaning Kit

For further information about Aromatherapy courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

2008-04-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

How Citrus Scents Lift Moods

2008-04-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a great web link to how Citrus scents lift moods, a discussion with ACHS President Dorene Petersen:

How Citrus Scents Lift Moods

The ACHS apothecary shoppe: http://www.apothecary-shoppe.com/ has many essential oils and other products available, including our herb and oil of the month. Here are the links:
ACHS Herb of the month - St Johns Wort
ACHS Oil of the month - Basil
You can order your herb/oil of the month from the Apothecary Shoppe and learn about a new herb/oil every month!

For further information about Aromatherapy courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our upcoming AA and MS degree programs.

Carb Calculator

2008-04-22T16:59:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone,

ACHS instructor Deryl Gulliford shared a link to a carb calculator that might interest some.

Carb Calculator

For further information about Holistic Nutrition courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our upcoming AA and MS degree programs.

Spring Grilling from ACHS Instructor Deryl Gulliford

2008-03-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

Having tolerated all the Winter I can reasonably be expected to tolerate, and all the viral illness (patients and family) that anyone can tolerate, I have declared it Spring in Oklahoma City. My Pear Tree agrees, it is blooming today. Celebrating with golf and cookout.
Herb Crusted Tuna Steak is served at Redbone Alley. It is a whole lot more reasonable at my house. This recipe is meant to serve 2 and can be adjusted as needed.
Ingredients:
2 2 inch thick yellow fin tuna steaks
1/2 c. each fresh basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and cilantro
1 1/2 Tbsp. chopped garlic
2 lemons, juiced
1 Tbsp. sea salt
1/2 Tbsp. fresh black pepper
1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
Steal This Recipe® step-by-step instructions:
1) Grind in a food processor the herbs, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper to make a rub.
2) Using your hands, press the herb rub into the tuna steaks well, being sure to coat all the sides of the fish.
3) Let them stand in the fridge for 4-6 hours so the flavors infuse into the steaks.
4) Prepare a hot charcoal grill. Gas is far inferior for tuna steaks.
5) Brush each side of the tuna steaks with olive oil and place them on the grill for 2-3 minutes on the first side.
6) Flip the steaks and grill them on the second side for 2-3 minutes for a good medium rare. If you’d like to baste the steaks while grilling, simply add a little olive oil to the leftover herb mixture and brush this on the fish as it grills.
7) Be careful not to overcook the tuna as it easily dries out. Enjoy!

For further information about Holistic Nutrition or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu.

Learning from the nails

2008-03-06T16:04:00.001-08:00

Two interesting links on how finger nails can reveal a lot of information about a persons health.

Mayo Clinic Finger Nails web article

Web MD online article on Finger Nails

For further information about Holistic Health programs or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu.

Happy Valentine's Day - Be good to your heart!

2008-02-14T10:26:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day - Be good to your heart!

Heart Healthy Tips

Cardiovascular training, such as aerobics and running, strengthens the heart and enables it to pump more efficiently, so that fewer beats per minute are required.
Choose an exercise you enjoy. It can be a long walk in the park, swimming, dancing, yoga, jazzercise, circuit training, step class, spinning, skipping, running, biking, tai chi, as long as you do it regularly. This means at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week on a regular basis.
Remember to work at your own pace and that more is not necessarily better. Studies have shown significant health benefits from a 30-minute walk three times a week, so do not feel that you have to join the nearest health club or buy a lot of expensive exercise equipment.

Healing with Bach Flower Essences

2008-01-25T10:48:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting link to some research on Flower Essences:
By clicking on the below link you will download a PDF file regarding Bach Flower Essences. If it does not automatically download on the webpage that will appear click on the "Begin manual download" link.

Subject: Clinical research shows Rescue Remedy reduces acute situational stress

Link to a recent study demonstrating that Rescue Remedy works:
PDF Download of Rescue Rememdy Research

Kids Cold Remedies

2008-01-24T10:55:00.000-08:00

IT’S COLD & FLU SEASON – KEEP YOUR CHILDREN HEALTHY
When your child gets a cold or the flu, everybody’s miserable! You want to do something to help them, but what?

OVER THE COUNTER COLD MEDICINES COULD BE DANGEROUS!
In an article on November 1, CNN reports ”These medications have been blamed for more than 100 deaths and at least thousands of trips to the emergency room.” You’ve probably read some of the many news stories about the dangers of children’s over the counter cold and flu remedies. An FDA panel recommends using no cold medicines for children under 6, and to use caution with children even up to 12.

THE APOTHECARY SHOPPE HAS NATURAL ALTERNATIVES
Simple ingredients and instructions are available for natural alternatives to these potentially dangerous medicines are available at many local & online stores,. One such is The Apothecary Shoppe, which carries a large selection of Homeobotanicals, herbs, essential oils, books and charts, including many of those listed below. Ordering online is an easy way to get the ingredients you need all in one place, and have them delivered right to your door.

Click here to go to the Cold & Flu – Just 4 Kids section:
http://www.apothecary-shoppe.com/index.php?cPath=73

ADVICE FROM A PROFESSIONAL.
Deborah Halvorson, BA, Dip Aroma, RA and Instructor at Australasian College of Health Sciences has some natural remedy advice for concerned parents and caregivers “I've never used over-the-counter cold remedies with my kids, just herbs and essential oils, and when the colds start going around, my kids generally get over it much quicker than their friends and classmates.”

One of her favorite cough remedies is vapor balm, a natural alternative to vaporub (adapted from a recipe in Kathy Keville/Mindy Green's Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art):
Vapor Balm
1 cup Olive oil
3⁄4 oz. beeswax
1 1⁄2 tsp Eucalyptus (E. smithii) essential oil
1 tsp. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) essential oil
1⁄4 tsp Thyme (Thymus vulgaris ct. linalool) essential oil

Melt beeswax and olive oil in top of double boiler. Allow to cool a bit and add essential oils. Pour into clean containers, label and date. To use, rub a small amount on the child's chest.

“When my child wakes up coughing in the middle of the night, I rub the vapor balm on his/her chest; the coughing stops almost immediately and the child (and mom) are able to get back to sleep. “ For children two to ten years old, use Eucalyptus smithii and Thyme linalool; for older children and adults, E. globulus or E. radiata and Thyme ct. thymol can be used. For children ages 12 months to 2 years, the above recipe can adapted using only the Eucalyptus smithii and leaving out the Peppermint and Thyme oils.

A combination of Lemon (Citrus limonum) and Marjoram (Origanum marjorana) essential oils is helpful if the child has a cold/flu with a fever. Lemon will help reduce the fever, and Marjoram is great for respiratory infections and will help the child sleep. Blend 10 drops of Lemon with 5 drops Marjoram and use 1 drop of the blend in a warm bath before bedtime or nap time, or use the blend in a nebulizing diffuser.

Steam inhalation is a very effective way to administer essential oils if there is nasal congestion or sinus infection. For children over the age of five, use 3 to 5 drops of essential oil to six cups of water; boil the water and pour into a bowl, then add the essential oils. Have the child inhale the steam, being sure to keep their eyes closed and their face 8 to 12 inches from the bowl. For children under the age of five, rather than having them directly inhale the steam, place the bowl in the same room as the child and they will receive the benefits of the essential oils being dispersed into the air via the steam. Essential oils that are effective and safe for children include:
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) - An expectorant, strengthens the immune system, has a calming/sedative action
Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) - Immune system stimulant, helps with cough and bronchial congestion
Manuka/New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) - Is effective for bronchial congestion/bronchitis, sinus congestion/sinusitis, and has been shown to inhibit the growth of streptococcus (bacteria that cause strep throat) as well as bacteria that cause pneumonia.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) An expectorant; helpful for respiratory infections and sinusitis; has a calming action
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - Useful for respiratory infections and sinusitis (can be stimulating, do not use before bedtime)
*Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) - Is useful for sinusitis and bronchitis. *Should not be used with children under the age of two

A room spray can also be used, and will not only benefit the sick child, but help stop the spread of germs and keep other family members from catching the cold/flu. Here's a sample recipe:
4 oz. distilled water
10 drops Manuka/New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium)
10 drops Lemon (Citrus limonum)
5 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
5 drops Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
3 drops Frankincense (Boswelia carterii)
Pour into a 4 oz glass spray bottle. Shake well before spraying. Can be sprayed into the air or onto doorknobs or bathroom surfaces. Do not spray directly onto wood or plastic surfaces.

Warm tea with honey (no honey for children under 12 months old) is soothing and comforting. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a favorite of mine for reducing fever and calming fussy children. For coughs and achiness from the flu, the Lemon balm can be combined with Peppermint and Chamomile (Matricaria recutita).

If you have questions regarding any products or have interest in any courses regarding holistic health feel free to call us at 800-487-8839 and ask for the apothecary shop or an admissions advisor.

2008-01-10T15:58:00.000-08:00

Tips from the Pros: Six Suggestions for Successful Online Learning

A survey of successful adult online learners provides and excellent resource for this advice. In a survey (see reference below) of a group of adult students who graduated from online graduate degree programs with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better, respondents cited the following skills and techniques that helped them achieve success:

Develop a time-management strategy. Online learners have more freedom when it comes to when they will do work for their courses. This is clearly a benefit for busy adults, but it can also be a challenge for those who lack self-discipline. The students in the survey recommended creating a schedule up front that dedicates specific times to course-related activities—such as logging on and participating in class as well as doing research and reading—and sticking to this schedule.

Make the most of online discussions. Since threaded discussions are the main form of communication in a typical online course, students need to recognize the benefits of this form of communication. For example, as one student stated, interacting with other students can be a fun part of the course. Another suggested developing relationships with classmates by responding to several student postings with meaningful messages, not simply “good post.”

Use it or lose it. Students in this survey stated that in order to retain knowledge, it was important to apply it in their work or in threaded discussions.

Make asking questions useful to learning. Students in this survey made an effort to research and craft questions to engage each other and the instructor.

Stay motivated. A common sentiment among students in this survey was the need to stay motivated, through the desire either to graduate or to achieve a good grade. One student stated that it helped to team up with a classmate to motivate each other to finish assignments on time.

Make connections with fellow students. Students in the survey stressed the value of interacting with each other and how they got to know each other through threaded discussions.

Reference Roper, Alan R. “The Development of Online Student Skills: Successful Online Students Share Their Secrets.” Proceedings of the Technology, Colleges & Community Worldwide Online Conference 2007. Retrieved Sept. 24, 2007, at http://etec.hawaii.edu/proceedings/2007/roper.pdf.

Reproduced by the Australasian College of Health Sciences. 5940 SW Hood Avenue, Portland Oregon 97239, www.achs.edu

ACHS Graduate Heidi North continues her successes in Herbalism

2008-01-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

ACHS Graduate Heide North continues her successes in Herbalism

ACHS Diploma in Herbal Studies Graduate and 2005 DETC Outstanding Graduate of the Year Heide North has continued to build upon her success with her business, Urban Herbal Woman. Her business has recently also started a new venture (Pure Skincare) to expand others’ knowledge of skin care.

“Pure Skincare was originally created to provide people a natural, affordable option for their skin care needs. We feel that everyone - women, men, and especially children - are being exposed to far too many chemicals in the environment. It is our goal to educate consumers, and provide them with the best alternative for their skin.”

In order to touch the most people, Heidi has started a program to teach making and selling skin care products. “It is our goal to offer a business opportunity for those wanting to be home and have their own business.”

For further information visit the Urban Herbal Woman website. www.urbanherbalwoman.com

For further information about the Diploma in Herbal studies at ACHS or any of our other programs please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers

2007-12-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

I am a self-described foodie. I love to eat. I also love to cook or even just do a bit of food preparation. I get very excited when I find food that not only tastes good but also has observable physical benefits. For this holiday season, behold the wonderful and extremely versatile chili pepper! (No, not the southern California rock band.)

The chili pepper or spicy pepper (such as jalapeno, cayenne, or habanero) contains the chemical Capsaicin. Capsaicin, is the hot pepper’s natural heat-causing mouth-sizzling chemical; and has been proven to kill cancer cells, prevent sinus infections, serve as an anti-inflammatory agent, provide gastric relief, and even produce fat oxidation.

Hot peppers can help breathing, relieve aches and pains, and even help an individual burn up to an additional 50 calories per day! Sorry - that is not an excuse to have that extra slice of holiday pie (around 300 calories or more). According to research, hot peppers have the same metabolic effects as Ephedra without containing Ephredra’s negative cardiovascular side effects. Recent medical research is targeting the use of peppers and Capsaicin to fight cancer! Further research is also showing the use of peppers in pain relief post surgery - from the associated press – click on the following link:
Peppers for pain relief

If you get really into hot peppers, you may want to explore their heat rating. It is called the Scoville scale and can be found at the following web link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale

So, spice up the holidays and add some peppers to your festivities! Try some finely diced peppers in your all-natural greens salad; or add them to your favorite roasted vegetables or meat. Great in that organic free-range egg omelet breakfast… Even add some to that favorite sandwich made of left-overs.

For the holiday dessert…
Try adding a just a bit of cayenne to that holiday apple pie; a little goes a long way and it gives a nice zip to the sweet.

If you have further interest in holistic health and nutrition review the Australasian College’s Nat 308 Holistic Nutrition course or Holistic Health Practice Program at www.achs.edu and contact an advisor today at 800-487-8839!

Happy holidays and good eating! Now where did I put that cayenne for my popcorn?

Joel Strimling
Student Services

ACHS 4th Annual Holiday Open House A Success!

2007-11-20T16:58:00.001-08:00

The ACHS 4th Annual Holiday Open House was a great success! The Holiday Open House is a favorite of many who wish to give natural gifts to their loved ones.

During the open house, we learned how to make several preparations including:

Peppermint Foot Scrub - Visit us online here to view the kit from the Apothecary Shoppe.

Lemon Hand and Nail Butter - Visit us online here to view the kit from the Apothecary Shoppe.

Holiday Ambience Blend - Also available from the Apothecary Shoppe online here.

The 2008 ACHS on-campus scheduled will be available shortly. Check the Calendar online here for upcoming events. We hope to see you!

ACHS 2nd Annual HerbDay Celebration a Success!

2007-10-22T07:27:00.000-07:00

ACHS President Dorene Petersen lecturing at the 2nd Annual HerbDay Celebration.

ACHS 2nd Annual HerbDay Celebration a Success!

The ACHS 2nd Annual Herb Day Celebration & Open House was a great success! Many students, graduates, and members of our local community attended the event at our Portland campus. ACHS President Dorene Petersen presented several lectures:

How to Prepare Herbal Tinctures: Download more information here.

Herbs for Immune Support: View the ACHS Immune Support kit featured in the Apothecary Shoppe.

Just us for the next ACHS Open House, our 4th Annual Holiday Open House, coming up Wednesday, November 14, 12 to 4 pm. Click here for more details.

Try this immune formula published in Body & Soul Magazine:

Super Immune Support
Take 1/4-1/2 tsp. per hour at symptom onset. Use cultivated goldenseal; this herb has been overharvested.
Solvent: 100 proof Vodka/Brandy

2 parts echinacea root, flower, and leaf
1 part cultivated goldenseal root
1 part turmeric

We hope to see you on-campus next month!

Students attending lectures at the ACHS 2nd Annual HerbDay Celebration.

Make a Lavender Wand!

2007-07-27T17:25:00.001-07:00

The Lavender Distillation and Open House was a wonderful success! We had many turn out and watch the distillation demonstration by President Dorene Petersen as well as enjoy the Lavender Wand Making talk by Tracey Miller. It was a gorgeous sunny day here in Portland and many bunches of lavender were picked by all!

For those of you who missed it we'd love to share a portion of the day with you. Find below a link to the audio of Tracey's Lavender Wand Making Demonstration and the accompanying instructions. Enjoy!

Making a Lavender Wand Demonstration (.mp3)
Lavender Wand Instructions (.pdf)

For Love of Lavender … and the Land: La Paix Herb Farm

2007-06-11T22:36:00.001-07:00

ACHS graduate Myra Bonhage Bonhage-Hale runs a successful organic farm in West Virginia.

Click here to read the full article.

ACHS Military Graduates Eric Rodriguez and Mark Dykowski Represent ACHS at Annual DETC Conference in Tucson, Arizona.

2007-06-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

ACHS is an accredited member of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), the US Department of Education and Council on Higher Education Accreditation recognized agency that accredits distance learning institutions.

Each year, ACHS nominates an Outstanding Graduate and a Famous Alumni to represent the College at the DETC annual conference. This year's conference was held in April in Tucson, Arizona. ACHS graduates had an opportunity to share their experience as an ACHS student as well as their successes since graduation.

ACHS President Dorene Petersen interviewed each graduate. Both Mark Dykowski and Eric Rodgriguez had great tips to share with students about their experience with ACHS and their success since graduation. Below are links to MP3 files that are interviews recorded during the DETC Conference:

* Dorene interviewing Eric Rodriguez
* Dorene interviewing Mark Dykowski

Eric Rodriguez was awarded a 2007 Outstanding Graduate Award. Mark Dykowski was awarded a 2007 Famous Alumni Award. Dorene Petersen, the President of the ACHS, was there to see them receive their awards and interview them about their accomplishments.

From left to right: Famous Alumni Mark Dykowski, ACHS President Dorene Petersen, and Outstanding Graduate Eric Rodriguez.

Eric Rodriguez

Mr. Eric Rodriguez was at the end of serving a 10-year tenure with the U.S. Air Force as an Electronics major, when he decided to change careers. As a student who came from a traditional college background, he was skeptical of finding comparable distance education. He enrolled with the Australasian College of Health Sciences (ACHS), and after a few months, he was not only impressed with the inherent attributes of distance education, but he also was amazed at the rate of information he retained.

Eric graduated with Honors from ACHS's Master Herbalist program in August 2006. Eric found ACHS while searching for a quality education that would fit his lifestyle.

Since becoming a graduate of ACHS, Eric has started an apprenticeship with an established N.D. in preparation for opening his own private practice, Progressive Natural Health Solutions, LLC. Eric also has been asked by Edison State Community College to provide a 30-minute lecture on complementary medicine.

"Being able to command and control my own environment brought out the best in my learning abilities. The staff of ACHS was among the best in the business and not only guided me through my studies, but inspired me to pursue my chosen profession." - Eric Rodriguez, Master Herbalist

Mark Dykowski

Dr. Mark Dykowski is an allopathic physician and OBGYN in Michigan. He graduated with Honors from the Australasian College of Health Sciences Master Herbalist (M.H.) program in February 2006. Dr. Dykowski developed an interest in complementary and alternative medicine as a way of meeting his patients' and family's health and wellness needs and found the ACHS Master Herbalist course to give him training to incorporate an integrative approach to his practice of medicine and to promote health and wellness.

Dr. Dykowski served as a Major in the United States Air Force Medical Corps from 1987 to 1990 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Award.

Dr. Dykowski has been listed as one of his area's "Top Doctors" in the October 2006 issue of Metropolitan Detroit's HOUR Magazine. He has been asked to speak at a women's health day on Complementary and Alternative Medicine and to his hospital's Ovarian and Breast Cancer Survivors groups. The local TV doctor has also asked his advice on stories relating to the use of herbal therapies.

"The greatest thrill has been the look on patients' faces as they describe a supplement or herb they are using and they are shocked to know that their provider not only has heard about it, but can actually educate them about the product! This small door of insight often opens the door to greater patient comfort in discussing other areas of health concern or therapy."
- Mark Dykowski, Master Herbalist, OBGYN

ACHS Earth Day Volunteer Project

2007-05-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

ACHS Earth Day Volunteer Project

SOLV Clean Up at Butterfly Park, Portland, OR

SOLV is a non-profit organization that brings together government agencies, businesses and individual volunteers in programs and projects to enhance the livability of Oregon. This year six ACHS staff and students took part in this fun, kid-friendly project that included invasive plant removal, a small planting, litter removal, and a variety of other projects.

Apothecary Shoppe customer Ann McFarlane

Some friendly frogs to brighten up Butterfly Park

ACHS Shipping Manager Michelle Hammond adds character to the walkway.

ACHS Registrar Heather Baley paints butterflies on the walk through the Willamette Butterfly Park

ACHS Nat 401 Student Amy Lusson

Some new friends were made along the way!

Click here for more pictures!

Thank you to Ann McFarlane, Amy Lusson, and ACHS Herb 401 Graduate Diane Vireday for joining us!

Did you support Earth Day 2007? Tell us about your project at delmulhern@achs.edu.

ACHS Graduate Dorothy McCall Featured in Sniffapalooza Magazine

2007-03-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

ACHS Graduate Dorothy McCall Featured in Sniffapalooza Magazine

An Interview with ACHS Aromatherapy Graduate Dorothy McCall is featured in the most recent issue of Sniffapalooza Magazine.

Dorothy McCall is a graduate of Australasian College's accredited clinical aromatherapy program, Aroma 201 Certificate in Aromatherapy.

Read the full article online here.

Natural Solutions for Winter Skin Care

2007-02-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

Photo copyright Joel Strimling Photography
Used with permission

Winter is here! In many places, temperatures are cold and the ground is covered in a blanket of snow. After spending time outdoors, sitting by a cozy fire in the fireplace is a nice way to thaw out. However, the cold, wet outdoor air and the dry heat indoors can wreak havoc on our skin.

I have to admit, winter is not my favorite season, which is why I live in Southern California. But even here it is impossible to escape the dryness and chapping caused by the cold outdoors as well as the dry, heated indoor air. Unfortunately, many products on the market that are supposed to help the skin can actually dry it out even more. Here are some natural solutions to help protect and moisturize your skin.

Avocado Honey Mask (for face and hands)
The face and hands are more exposed to the winter elements than the rest of the body and may require extra special attention. This mask is an inexpensive and easy way to pamper yourself. All you need is half of a ripe avocado and a tablespoon of honey. Cut the avocado in half and remove the peel and pit, then mash half and add the honey mixing well (you can use a blender or a food processor to get a smoother product). Spread the mixture liberally over the face and hands, lie down and prop up your feet for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse your face and hands with warm water and follow with a pure vegetable oil such as cold pressed Almond or Grapeseed. Avocado is high in oleic acid, linoleic acid, lecithin, and vitamin D, and is especially beneficial for eczema. Honey is an emollient (soothes irritated skin), a humectant (draws needed moisture to the skin), and an exfoliant (removes dry, dead skin cells).

Sugar Scrub
Scrubs exfoliate and polish the skin, stimulate cell renewal, and promote velvety-soft, smooth skin. Sugar cane produces glycolic acid, one of the natural alpha-hydroxy acids that exfoliate the skin. Aloe is soothing to irritated skin. Neroli oil is an astringent, is great for aging skin, and helps reduce stretch marks. Ylang ylang stimulates skin cell regeneration and is helpful for dry skin. Grapefruit is an astringent; it is useful for skin congestion.

Recipe
1/2 cup organic white sugar
1/4 cup Apricot Kernel oil
1/4 teaspoon citric acid
1 teaspoon Aloe Vera gel
1 teaspoon Cocoa butter
6 drops (total) Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara), Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata var. genuina) or Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) essential oil (or a blend)
Mix together the first four ingredients. Gently warm the Cocoa butter by placing the container in a bowl of hot water to soften it. Add Cocoa butter and blend well using a hand mixer on high speed for 3 to 5 minutes. Add essential oil. In the shower, wet the skin then rub the sugar scrub all over the body (don’t use scrubs on broken or irritated skin). Do NOT wash with soap afterward. Can be used up to twice a week. Makes 1 cup.

Exotic Rose Cream (for dry skin)
1/3 cup Jojoba oil
1/3 cup Apricot Kernal oil
1/3 cup Rosehip Seed oil
1/8 tsp Vitamin E
¾ oz. beeswax
¼ cup Rose Hydrosol
¾ cup distilled water
essential oils:
20 drops Rose absolute (Rosa damascena)
10 drops Jasmine absolute (Jasminum officinalis)
5 drops Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil
5 drops Sandalwood (Santalum album) essential oil
5 drops Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata var. genuina)
Pour Rose hydrosol and distilled water into blender. Heat Jojoba, Apricot Kernal, and Rosehip Seed oils and beeswax in top of double boiler until beeswax melts. Remove from heat, add Vitamin E oil. Allow to cool just until hardened ring of beeswax begins to appear around top of bowl. Turn on blender and slowly pour the oil mixture into the water in the blender until it emulsifies (a chopstick is very handy if the blender becomes clogged). Add essential oils and blend again. Pour into clean jars. (Yield: 16 ounces)

Essential oils and other ingredients discussed here are available through the Apothecary Shoppe.

If you’d like to learn more about natural body care, contact the ACHS admissions department regarding Nat 201 Certificate in Nutrition, Body Care, and Herbalism

Winter time souping

2006-12-15T15:38:00.000-08:00

Cold clear winter weather is something I have always enjoyed. The sun sitting low in the horizon makes colors on our local mountains something special. It also is one of my favorite times to schuss the slopes on my snowboard. During this time of the year, I also often get the urge to make soup. One of my favorites; a good nutritional balancing food, that provides an ideal energy boost while out hiking skiing or even just doing the holiday shopping, is Roast Red Pepper soup.

Red peppers have been show to have a myriad of health benefits; are a great source of antioxidants, help reduce the risk of heart disease, eliminate free radicals, help respiratory systems, and are one of the few foods that contain lycopene. See the following online article for more information:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=50

My recipe for Roast Red Pepper soup follows
2-4 tbspn olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped carrots
Salt & pepper
1-2 tspn chopped garlic (you can add more if you like garlic but don’t go beyond 1/2 a clove – as another option try roasting the garlic instead of chopping before adding to add a different sweetness – in that case half to even one whole clove wont be too much.
6 large red bell peppers, roasted, cleaned and chopped
4 cups vegetable stock (you can use whatever stock you prefer – best of course is to make your own but there are a variety of very nice stock on the market but keep in mind this is the base of the soup so be sure its good quality stock)
pinch of honey or sugar (optional)
1/2 lemon for juice

To roast your peppers first cut in half and clean out the seeds cut out the stem and any inedible parts, then half the peppers again.

Place on a baking sheet and rub with a light coat of olive oil. Add a bit of salt over the cut and oiled peppers. Place in preheated 400-450 degree oven. Roast until tender (35-45 min approx). It is okay if the skin gets a little blackened on some pieces.

Add 2-4 tbspn oil to deep saucepan or cooking pot on medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the chopped onions, celery, and carrots. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes, the onions should start to go opaque. Stir in the garlic and peppers. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to sauté for 2 minutes. Add the vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Using a hand-held blender, or by transferring into a traditional blender in small amounts at a time, puree the soup until smooth – make sure you thoroughly puree or you may find a stray piece of carrot or such not a bad thing just not what we are after. After cooled to edible temperature add in salt and pepper to taste. Also squeeze in the juice of 1/2 a lemon – it helps to brighten the flavor. If you find your peppers were not as ripe or sweet as you like add just a pinch of honey or sugar to taste as well. Stir then enjoy – you will find it a hearty but lightly sweet and bright soup that really opens up the olfactory senses and gives good fuel to the body.

I often serve with sprigs of uncut chive so that people can cut and add if they wish or with lightly pan toasted bread that has been pre-brushed with olive oil that can be dipped in or just eaten with.

Interestingly I also find while I like it fresh off the stove I really enjoy this soup after it has been frozen and reheated. It reduces some of the soup but intensifies the flavor. I do find when reconstituting it I often need to add some water or it gets to a thickness I don’t prefer.

Happy souping and schussing!
Joel Strimling
Associate Dean of Student Services

Decorating For the Holidays With Aromatherapy

2006-12-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

We’ve been spending the weekend stringing lights on the house, garlands on the fireplace mantle, hanging stockings “by the chimney with care” and otherwise making the house look festive for the holidays. Another important aspect of creating a warm and inviting ambiance in the home is scent. There are many scents we associate with the winter holidays; anise always reminds me of the anise cookies my mom would bake this time of year, and of course the scents of orange and clove bring back memories of making pomanders as a child. There are many wonderful ways to incorporate Aromatherapy into your holiday decorations; here are a few of my favorites…

Scented Pine Cones

We place a decorated basket of pinecones (harvested during summer camping trips) by the fireplace. To give them more of a “piney” scent, I place a drop of pine essential oil on each pinecone (up to ten drops). The scent lasts for several days, and I add a few more drops of essential oil each week (or right before company comes over) to freshen the scent. In addition to its refreshing aroma, Pine (Pinus sylvestris) is an immune system stimulant and has been shown to be effective against the bacteria that cause pneumonia. Its disinfecting and cleansing properties also have emotional and spiritual benefits, helping to cleanse unwanted or negative thoughts from the mind, making room for the positive.

Yule Tide Diffuser Blend

This is a warm, inviting, spicy scent for the holidays. It contains Cinnamon, Clove, and Nutmeg, which are “warming” oils to the body and spirit, and have very powerful antiviral properties as well. Sweet Orange is uplifting, and helps dispel the stress of the holidays that we can allow to overwhelm us at times. Frankincense and Myrrh give the blend a spiritual, meditative quality, and help us to stay grounded in the midst of the busy holiday season.
10 drops Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
8 drops Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
8 drops Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
5 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
10 drops Frankincense (Boswelia carterii)
5 drops Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Put in diffuser, or add to 4 oz. distilled water for a room spray (shake well before spraying; do not spray on wood surfaces)

Fir Sachet for Artificial Trees

Although we currently purchase a real (sustainably farmed) tree each year, many families are opting for artificial trees in order to save the earth’s resources. For those with artificial trees, you can still enjoy the scent of the “real thing” by hanging these Fir sachets from the branches of your artificial tree. Fir is grounding, increases intuition, and helps bring clarity to mind and spirit. Hang the sachets on the back of the tree or inside near the trunk if you don’t want them to be visible. For those who are creative and crafty, the muslin bags can be dyed, painted, and decorated to blend in with the other ornaments.
Materials:
Muslin tea bags
Flax seed or white rice (use white rice for crafts, brown rice for food☺)
Fir Needle (Abies canadensis) essential oil
In a small bowl, blend two to three tablespoons of flax seed or rice with 15 to 20 drops Fir oil. Scoop the mixture into the muslin bags and pull the drawstrings closed. Hang on a tree branch. When the scent begins to fade, you can freshen the blend by pouring the flaxseed/rice out, and adding more essential oil and returning the mixture to the bag.

Candles

Candles add a special warmth and “glow” to the home. However, the synthetic fragrances in most commercial candles can contribute to headaches, asthma, and other health problems. You can use unscented candles and add your own favorite essential oils. Remember that essential oils are flammable; never add essential oils to a burning candle. To safely add essential oils to an unscented candle, burn the candle until there is a pool of wax, and then blow it out. Add the essential oils (up to 10 drops) to the melted wax and allow the wax to harden. Trim the wick to ½ inch, then relight the candle and enjoy.

For Kids:
Cinnamon Ornaments

Children love taking part in the decorating, and these are fun and easy to make, and will give off a wonderful aroma. One year the cinnamon ornaments we made were inadvertently packed away with the rest of the ornaments; when I opened the box the following year, they still smelled strongly of cinnamon!
Ingredients:
¾ cup applesauce
1 jar (4.12 oz) ground cinnamon
Mix until a stiff dough is formed (one to two drops Cinnamon essential oil can be added to increase the scent). Roll out to ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to make stars, bells, trees, or “gingerbread” men. Use a pencil to make a hole at the top for ribbon. Place on drying rack to air dry for several days, turning daily. When dry, place ribbon through the hole and hang on your tree. Makes six to twelve ornaments.

Visit the Apothecary Shoppe to purchase pure, Aromatherapy quality essential oils, diffusers, and spray bottles.

From our home to yours, we wish you a Happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, Saturnalia (and if you are like us, more than one of the above☺).

Deborah Halvorson, Dip. Aroma, RA

ACHS 3rd Annual Holiday Open House

2006-11-16T19:08:00.000-08:00

The ACHS 3rd Annual Holiday Open House on November 8th was a huge success! Current and prospective students and graduates as well as holistic health enthusiasts gathered for an afternoon of holiday gift-making presentations, tour of the ACHS Botanical Teaching Garden, and charming video presentation of the ACHS 2007 Study Abroad in Greece program.

Below, ACHS Dean of Admissions Tracey Miller demonstrates preparation of the Winter Blahs Bath Salts, taken from the ACHS Aromatic Gifts Recipe Book. Click here to download your own copy of this great recipe booklet for making your own aromatic holiday gifts!

For special savings on all of your holistic health holiday shopping, visit us online at http://www.apothecary-shoppe.com!

The Apothecary Shoppe College Store - your source for organic supplies and tools for wellness, stocking a full range of therapeutic grade essentials oils, herbs, and hard-to-find reference books!

ACHS offers personal interest and career training programs in holistic health. Click here for the College Calendar of upcoming classes.

For more information about upcoming on-campus events at the College, visit us online here for the ACHS Community Wellness Calendar.

2006-10-15T17:55:00.000-07:00

Over twenty budding herbalists gathered for Herb Day celebrations at the Portland, Oregon campus of the Australasian College of Health Sciences on October 13th. It was a crisp, sunny fall day and the herb identification walks in the ACHS Botanical garden on Hood Avenue and alongside the Willamette River were informative and enjoyable. The riverside walk revealed a wealth of wild botanicals, including red clover, plantain, wild carrot and dandelion. ACHS instructor, herbalist and Ayurvedic specialist Gia vonKarl demonstrated how to prepare a cough syrup. Gia formulated a blend just for Herb Day and attendees took home a sample. The formula and preparation instructions with all the herbs and additional ingredients are available as a kit from the College Store the Apothecary Shoppe. Other lectures and demonstrations included - How to Prepare a Tincture, The Top Ten Herbs You Need to Know, and a slide show of the Summer School in Greece. Free downloadable PDF's of the lectures are available by emailing achs@achs.edu. We all had a lot of fun making new friends and celebrating our joy and interest in herbs and herbal medicine.

Listen to ACHS President Dorene Petersen on Voice of America

2006-10-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

Click here and download the Mp3 file to listen to ACHS President, Dorene Petersen discuss Alternative Medicine on Voice of America on October 11th. If the link does not work try copying and pasting this url into your browser - http://www.voanews.com/english/NewsAnalysis/TTA-New-Past-Shows.cfm

Ayurvedic Remedies May Help With Alzheimer's

2006-09-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

Researchers studied five plants commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, and found that the plants acted to prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters, improving memory and concentration in people with Alzheimer's disease.

The BBC reported in India drug gives Alzheimer's hope that researchers "are now trying to identify the chemical compounds responsible so they can be used to develop more effective drugs."

Ayurvedic medicine uses herbs and spices, as well as massage techniques and yoga, for healing.

If you are interested in studying Ayurvedic medicine online contact the Admissions Department of Australasian College of Health Sciences

An Introduction to Holistic Wellness

2006-08-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

well·ness (wlns)
n.
The condition of good physical and mental health, especially when maintained by proper diet, exercise, and habits.

Most often, western (or allopathic) health care focuses on illness and disease. Indeed, focusing on ill health may sometimes be necessary, for instance to address problems that require surgical intervention or medication.

However, here at the Australasian College, we teach a holistic perspective of health. We like to teach each student to focus on the overall holistic concept of wellness and the tools that we can all use to stay well. This introduction is intended to assist you to do this.

Why focus on wellness?
Any psychologist will tell you that focusing on a concept is the first step to achieving it. An equestrian will tell you that you must look over the jump ahead to where you want to go: If you look at the jump, your horse will balk. A car racer will tell you that you need to look at where you want the car to go, not what you need to avoid.
However, how often do we focus on wellness? Instead, we go from day to day, not thinking about our health or body until it begins to ache, a joint twinges, or a headache starts. Then we try to remedy the problem.
Wellness is a wider concept, encompassing our physical, mental, and spiritual sides. Each day we make a myriad of decisions that affect the balance of our body and our wellbeing:
• What we eat for breakfast: Whole-wheat toast with a poached organic egg or a fast food sandwich?
• How we respond to our morning commute: By getting upset at other drivers and changing lanes every ten seconds or by listening to classical music and deep breathing?
• How we respond to feeling sleepy during the day: Choosing a third (or seventh) cup of coffee or selecting a tonic herbal tea blend?
• How we act when we get home from work: Collapsing on the couch, exhausted, or summoning up the will to stop at the gym or a yoga class on the way home, or popping in a yoga tape at home?
Each decision we make throughout each day creates our wellness.

Stress
In our view, stress is one of the most harmful issues our bodies have to deal with in the modern world. Stress is linked to many illnesses. Stress has been shown to affect thyroid function, to affect our immune systems, our blood sugar levels, cause headaches, cause ulcers, and affect just about every aspect of our lives and our bodies.
Feeling in control reduces stress in our lives. There are a number of steps to regaining that sense of control. One is having the tools we need to achieve wellness.

Tools for Wellness
The Australasian College of Health Sciences Holistic Nutrition course
focuses on one of our most powerful tools for wellness: Good nutrition.

Although nutrition is vital, do not forget that holistic wellness also comes from optimal:
• Elimination;
• Exercise; and
• Stress reduction

Every person is a blend of the physical, psychological, and spiritual. Neglecting any area will lead to imbalance and affect our wellbeing.

"A week in the life of an ACHS Aromatherapy Instructor"

2006-07-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

We have had quite the week here. We had a fun camping trip over the 4th of July holiday weekend, however, within the first five minutes of our arrival at the campsite, Hazel (my 5-year old) managed to fall off a rock and cut her face pretty badly. Fortunately I had my Aromatherapy first aid kit handy, and with regular applications of tea tree oil and my infused calendula oil, her cut is healing quite nicely. And amazingly, even with three days of camping and playing in the dirt, it didn't become infected. The rest of our camping trip was fun and relaxing.
Unfortunately once we got home, in the midst of doing all the camping laundry, our washer died (and it's a Maytag!), and that night, Matt (my 7-year old) was up all night with the stomach flu. I mixed two of the strongest antivirals I know: clove and cinnamon essential oils, and put them in the diffuser. It smelled like Christmas in July here, but thankfully, no one else got sick. Since bad things are supposed to come in 3's, I assumed we were "home free" for a while. Lesson learned: Never assume!

Yesterday we had the invasion of the bees: a swarm of bees moved into our garage, for the second time in a month! By swarm I mean thousands; the first time the exterminator took away a hive with over a pound of honey (two days work for bees), and charged us $400.00. Yesterday they showed up again; in the morning I saw a couple of bees in the front yard and I didn't think too much about it, but two hours later our front yard and inside the garage were covered with a black cloud of bees. So I sent the kids to a friend's house and called the exterminator again. He showed up in his bee keeper/hazmat suit and took care of them in about half an hour (this time for free - thank goodness!). So, of course, what I wanted to know was "why me?". The bee guy said that it's because we've been leaving the garage door open (the kids are around for the summer and they leave it open so they can get their bikes, scooters, etc.) and the bees come in through the open door. But as to what is drawing them in the first place -- he hands me a box with my 5 pound block of bees wax that I use for making creams and lotions! I keep my supplies in a cabinet in the garage, and the bees smelled the bees wax and thought this was a great place to build a hive! Who knew?! Another lesson learned: Don't keep your bees wax where bees have access to it. Sheesh!
Then, Geoff, my oldest, who is in Jr. Lifeguard training, forgot to apply sunscreen yesterday and came home with a terrible sunburn. We've been applying my mixture of jojoba oil, aloe gel, and lavender essential oil, and this morning it looked great!
Thankfully, the Maytag repairman arrived today to fix the washer. Then we discovered that with everything else that was going on, I had forgotten to remove the load of laundry that I was doing on Tuesday when the washer broke. It is amazing how fast a load of wet laundry can grow mold in 90 degree weather. It is even more amazing how quickly tea tree essential oil can kill that mold!
How do people survive without essential oils?
I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend:) What else could happen, right?!"
Deborah Halvorson

ACHS Herb Garden Online

2006-05-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

The ACHS herb garden is a wonderful example of an urban herb garden, with a wide variety of medicinal plants in both sunny and shady areas. The garden includes ginkgo trees, hops vines, a wide range of perennial and annual herbs, and a fountain, laid out in a semi formal pattern with flagstone pathways.
The garden is open year round to visitors and students, with a self guided tour available. During open houses and other events, faculty are happy to guide visitors through the garden. Sign up for our mailing list to be notified of these events.

Australasian College of Health Sciences (ACHS), based in Portland, Oregon, is a leader in natural health education. We are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council and state licensed by the Oregon Department of Education. ACHS, founded in 1978, is one of the oldest and most respected distance education natural health colleges, offering flexible programs, a highly qualified faculty, and a diverse student body.

Natural Gardening Tips for Spring

2006-04-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

1. Coffee grounds have several uses in the garden, not only do they work as good fertilizer, they are a great pest
control.
2. Don’t throw out those nylons! Cut _ “ strips from the legs and use them to ties back you plants. They work quite well on heavily staked plants, as they are stretchy.
3. To help you visualize what a section of a perennial border will look like, take paint stir sticks and pains the end the color of the flower, Plunge the stick into the ground where the flower will grown. Stand back and see if the color will work.
4.Transplants become less stressed when they are set out on a cloudy day.
5. Disassemble old mini blinds and cut the slats to the desired size. Write in permanent marker pen the names of herbs, flowers and vegetable for easy identification.
6. Save those metal frozen juice can lids, punch a hole through and hang from fruit trees or veggie stakes to deter birds.
7. Add banana peels for fertilizer to your roses
8. Placing mothballs in the garden will keep rabbits and unwanted critters away.
9. Sugar water might be more effective bait for slugs than beer.
10. Pinch back petunia’s new growth to encourage bushiness rather than leggy plants.