Tag Archives: healing

The Healing Benefits of Water Fasting

Finding the Best Quality WaterDuring the month of August my fasting regimen went to another level.  If you follow this blog by now you know I am a big fan of fasting on fresh vegetable juices which immediately boosts your complexion, rids the body of excess toxins, and can in general give you your groove back. Well, last month was the first time I tried water fasting. Which consists of drinking, you got it, only water all day. I actually chose to drink both coconut water and water and conducted the fasts for no more than three days at a time. Water fasting to me always seemed too extreme, as it does require more of a slow down in your normal activities. With any fast you should slow down if not eliminate all of your hectic schedule so that you actually have time to go within and rest. This need increases tenfold with a water fast, because the healing reactions can be more aggressive, or you may feel fatigued as the body goes into fasting mode. Water fasting for longer periods like 14-40 Days should never be conducted alone; there are facilities that you can enter to go through those longer term fasts in which doctors will monitor your levels throughout and you will be in an atmosphere of complete rest. Many ailments have been reversed with these longer water fasts, simple because they body got an opportunity to reset. For more on this check out the interview at the end of this post, which features two doctors who promote water fasting for health and have healed numerous conditions in their facilities. Some benefits of water fasting include:

  • Physical and spiritual healing
  • Detox, eliminates toxins from organs, skin, glands
  • Strengthens immune system because of break from food; restores stronger immune response
  • Scientifically proven to increase lifespan; studies have shown that restricted diets lead to a longer life
  • Prevents the onset of degenerative mental diseases
  • Improves brain f(x), mental clarity, and ability to focus
  • Induces an anti-inflammatory response that helps to heal arthritis in muscles, joints
  • Ancient tradition that has healing minor health issues along with more serious chronic ailments
  • Increases metabolism; promotes weight loss
  • Drastically improves mind over body will power; and portion control
  • Increases energy in some cases as energy is diverted from digestive process
  • Deepens connection with spirit and nature

The Healing Power of Massage

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Need a chill pill? The majority of us could use several the way we rush about from engagement to engagement and double book ourselves into a frenzy. I’m not pointing any fingers without taking a good look at myself in the mirror first. Life can get hectic, and it’s important to listen to the signs that our bodies give us to slow down, smell the roses, and perhaps get a massage! Why are massages great? Besides the fact that they promote relaxation, massages may relieve you of that kink you’ve had in your neck for a month, or help you sleep better, the answer is very simple. Humans need human touch. Keep in mind that your skin is your bodies’ largest organ. Not only do we need touch, but it’s been scientifically proven that massage has powerful effects on the healing progress of a wide range of ailments.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association several studies have show that massage can positively affect back pains, burns, carpal tunnel syndrome, lung cancer, cardiac patients after surgery, boost immune function and relieve stress in women with breast cancer, assist students in relieving academic stress, assist with recovery and soreness of athletes, and relieve overall anxiety and depression. If you are suffering from a stress relation disease, massages should be in your arsenal along with yoga or meditation. If you have certain types of cancer, inflammation of the veins, certain skin conditions, an infectious disease or cardiac issues you need to consult a doctor before considering massage therapy.

While in New York, I had a hot stone massage that changed my life. I came in stiff and sore, and left skipping with the soundtrack from the Sound of Music playing in my head. The world really seems like a better place when you muscles are relaxed. So just as you find the time weekly, and daily to breathe, stretch, and go within, make sure you get someone to rub on you. Even if it’s for a few minutes, it could make a great difference in promoting a healthier happier you. -XoXo Raw Girl

Below are a few  scientific studies that prove that massage can speed up healing :

A groundbreaking study of 40 preterm infants included the practice of giving a gentle, 15-minute massage three times a day for several days to a number of the group. The results were astounding; infants given massages  gained 47 percent more weight, became more responsive, and left the hospital six days earlier than controls (Pediatrics, May 1986).

A controlled study of 20 HIV-positive men who received a 45-minute massage five times weekly for a month showed that natural killer cells increased (suggesting positive effects on the immune system), and that anxiety, stress, and cortisol levels were significantly reduced (International Journal of Neuroscience, February 1996).

In another study, thirty-two children with asthma received  massage or relaxation therapy from their parents for 20 minutes before bedtime for 30 days-and only the massage group experienced increased peak air flow, improved pulmonary function, and decreased levels of stress hormones.  (Journal of Pediatrics, May 1998).

Moringa: The Miracle Tree to Combat HIV, Purify Water, & Save the New World

Dearest Readers: We live in a world where fear rules all. We are taught to believe and accept that sickness, degenerative aging, disease, and war over resources can only be the norm. I am very excited about this post by my lovely contributing writer Nicola. I really encourage you to share this article with people you know. The more that I continue along my path to live optimally, the more I believe that the Divine force that governs all has created the human body to heal itself, and has provided plant life that can address any sickness, ailment, or disease. Even those caused by our own neglect and abuse of our body temples. It’s up to us to believe, to choose courage over the fear and pharmaceuticals. I believe Moringa has a special place in a new world, where the majority of us begin to choose optimal health and sustainable living. I plan to write a sequel to this post which elaborates on the incredible and scientifically proven anti-aging power of Moringa. -XoXo Raw Girl

So I’ve come across another amaaazing plant, which is not only nutritious but highly sustainable and increasingly relevant (basically, what we NEED right now). The Moringa tree also known as Moringa Oleifera, is known by hundreds of other names in different languages, “la libertad” and “mothers best friend” are just two recognized in the Dominican Republic. With a name like that, this miracle tree is not likely to fall short of goodness, cause as you know…MAMA DON’T PLAY. Moringa Oleifera contains more than 92 nutrients and 46 types of antioxidants. Moringa  is said to cure about three hundred diseases and contains almost all the vitamins found in fruits and vegetables in a larger proportions. All of its nutritional benefits easily make it the most nutritional herb on the planet. There are no side-effects which also has tried, tested, documented and proved evidence to support the same. Moringa is being considered as a plant which has the potential to virtually wipe out worldwide malnutrition. This is due to its ability to grow under adverse subtropical conditions, such as that in Sub Saharan Africa and South East Asia where it is easily cultivated and grows abundantly.

The Moringa trees powerful qualities come in large part from but are not limited to it’s leaves. Moringa leaves are a solid rich green but not dark in appearance, that contain all eight essential amino acids and 18 of the 20 amino acids absolutely essential for good health! Not only that, it has seven times the Vitamin C content of oranges, four times the Vitamin A of carrots, four times the calcium of milk,  and three times the potassium of bananas. It also contains high amounts of iron, and phytochemicals. These humble but giving leaves are a complete protein in perfect proportions, which in plant form makes it super bio-available to your body and easy to assimilate. Some see Moringa as an ideal for a multivitamin supplement. While it is a very reliable source of whole nutrition, I would prefer the term “superfood” because supplement to me sounds so…manufactured. And Moringa, is grown naturally in even the harshest of climates.  In a three-week study, researchers saw a complete turnaround in the health in a Sub Saharan African community who used Moringa as food, as a water purifier, and for healing external wounds. Its durability is what’s making it a hot topic in fighting hunger and malnutrition around the world. Moringa contains high nutrients, low calories, and low sodium, and this makes it an ideal high energy food. I personally, have a friend whose mother started using Moringa to treat HIV/AIDS symptoms, and months later her HIV test has come back UNDETECTABLE. Yes, UNDETECTABLE! The high vitamin A content may be in part attributable to this, because it acts as an antioxidant, anti-infection, and strengthens the immune system. Moringa is not completely understood in its totality but it is indeed, a miracle tree.

What I found to be most amazing about Moringa in my research, is that it can actually PURIFY water. As we all know, clean water is becoming harder and harder to come by, and studies have shown that the Moringa seeds not only remove solid contaminants, but greatly reduce amounts of harmful bacteria. Moringa is a treasure. I could write a whole dissertation it seems on the Moringa tree and why this tree seems to be a savior of sorts for the future of our world. Below are some more of Moringa tree uses and benefits. -XoXo Nicola, signing in for Raw Girl

The Vitamin Component of Moringa Leaves

Moringa has Vitamin A (Beta Carotene), Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6 Pyrodixine), Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol), Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Vitamin K, High in Oleic acid (raises good cholesterol), Complete Protein

The Leaves

*Anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, strengthens immunity, high Vitamin A content keeps the eyes, nose, mouth, and digestive tract strong.

The Seeds

*Water purification (how to: http://www.treesforlife.org/our-work/our-initiatives/moringa/other-uses/water-purification)

*Oil- great for hair, skin, and preparing food in, which also contains even more phytochemicals to boost your immunity

*External wound healer (rub on wounds)

The Root

*Use as a tea (treats colds), natural antibiotic, an aid in childbirth (lubricant/tea), used for treating liver disorders, and more.

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Natural Cures: Dermatomyositis

It continues to astound me every day how many people in our world have terminal diseases or are sick to the point of debilitation. Part of the power of raw foods and incorporating the vegan lifestyle is taking charge of your own health. We cannot continue to be slaves to a medical system that mostly slaps us with prescriptions to stop our discomforts without allowing our bodies to truly heal.

This new segment will feature links to articles that focus on a range of ailments and diseases and highlight natural ways to cure them. I was inspired to start this because I meet people or have friends/relatives/colleagues with severe conditions and wanted to somehow help by providing information that they can use to support their medical care through lifestyle change. Please pass the information on if you know anyone with these conditions. Here’s to everyone getting sick and tired of BEING sick and tired! -XoXo Raw Girl

Click Below to Read the Full Article on Dermatomyositis: http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/natural-remedies-for-dermatomyositis

World Diabetes Day: Another Travesty

simply-raw-documentary-coverToday, Saturday, November 14th, is World Diabetes Day, a United Nations sanctioned event.

This is an unfortunate event commemorating this disease now affecting an estimated 246 million people worldwide.  Why is it unfortunate in my opinion? It is funded by over a dozen drug companies who have a strong interest in seeing that information about how to cure diabetes through natural means like the raw/living foods lifestyle does not reach the ears of the public.

For 6 days only from today the producers of the film  “Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days” and the companion “Raw for Life” 2 disc DVD set are giving awa their films for 50% OFF the regular price in an effort to raise awareness on how to reverse diabetes with raw and living foods.

The film features actor and raw foodist Woody Harrelson, peak performance coach Tony Robbins, Rev. Michael Beckwith from “The Secret,” Morgan Spurlock from “Super Size Me,” Dr. Gabriel Cousens, and Raw Food Advocate David Wolfe. I have seen the film,  which I describe concisely as  almost the opposite of  “Super Size Me,” (definitely left inspired rather than disgusted). It follows several diabetics type one and two, who reverse their conditions through adopting a raw diet in the span of thirty days. It is a very compelling film that the general public needs to see. Please watch it and recommend it to anyone you know with diabetes. It could save their life!

For more info visit the link below:

http://rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?af=1092570