While not quite a case of ‘lies, damned lies and statistics’ the melanoma/sunlight connection gets more and more confusing.
For years now, we have been slathering sunblock cream over our bodies and, like a herd of vampires, avoiding the merest glimpse of the sun’s rays. Yet death rates from melanoma around the world keep rising and rising. Or do they? In a 13-year study published in the British Journal of Dermatology (yes, yes, I know it’s the Old Blighty, but the principle remains the same), researchers claim that the mortality rate of melanoma remains steady, whereas the incidence of doctors reporting certain markers that may or may not result in malignant melanomas increased substantially. Perhaps, it’s more about ‘a little of what you fancy does you good’. Of course, everyone agrees that too much sun – sunburn – is not good for you, at any level.
Sunburn remedy
The ultimate relief from sunburn is free if you grow aloe vera in your garden. And its application is simple. Cut an outside leaf close to the base of the plant. With a sharp knife or vegetable peeler remove the outer layer, taking care to remove all the yellow latex. (Avoid this yellow latex completely during pregnancy, although the gel is fine.) Mash the gel and apply to your sunburn. Use within 24 hours.
What are your thoughts about sun exposure? Do you find the conflicting advice confusing? Let me know in the comments.
Summer skin saver
Remember all that sugar you gave up on New Year’s Eve? It can be put to good use as a moisturising body scrub.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup of jojoba or olive oil
- 4 drops of lavender oil, 4 drops sandalwood oil
- Castor sugar, pour in enough sugar to soak up the oil, firm enough to pick up in your hand.
Directions
- Stand in shower, or bathtub. Starting from the feet, massage the sugar crystals up legs, tummy, buttocks, hands, arms and shoulders. Avoid the sensitive skin of the throat and face.
- Wash off with warm water. Your skin will glow with good health.
Maybe you have your own tried and tested sunburn remedies you’d like to share…
Breathe Well is a course in the Buteyko method of breathing, facilitated by leading naturopath Mim Beim
The perfect man breathes as if he does not breathe
– Lao Tzu philosopher 6th century BCE
Next course begins Feb 2012 – two locations – Bowral (Saturdays) & Sydney (Tuesdays)
- 1.5 hours per week for 5 consecutive weeks
- perfect for those with insomnia, sleep apnoea, asthma, high blood pressure, ADHD and more
- 100% money back guarantee if your symptoms aren’t reduced
If you suffer from:
- snoring
- sleep apnoea
- tight chest or breathlessness
- pins and needles
- poor concentration (brain fog)
- stress
- asthma
- sinusitis
- anxiety
- high blood pressure
- fatigue
- chronic exhaustion
- fibromyalgia
- constipation
- bed wetting
- muscle cramps or spasm
And you experience one or more of the following:
- Breathing through the mouth
- Hearing breathing during rest
- Sigh regularly
- Regular sniffing
- Irregular breathing
- Taking large breaths prior to talking
- Yawning
- Upper chest movement
- Noticeable breathing movement
- Holding of breath (apnoea)
- Heavy breathing at night
Then you will benefit from doing the course Breathe Well.
(For more information, see my blog on Buteyko)
Bowral course dates
Stationmaster’s Residence
25 Station St, Bowral
Saturdays 1–2.30pm
Feb 18
Feb 25
(missing Saturday 3rd March)
March 10
March 17
March 24
Sydney course dates
ACNT College
57 Foveaux St Surry Hills (map)
(5 mins walk from Central Station)
Tuesdays 5.45-7.15pm
March 27*
April 10
April 17
April 24
May 1
May 8
*March 27 is a make-up date for the Week 1 workshop, for those unable to attend April 10 due to Easter.
Conditions
Snoring
Sleep apnoea
Asthma
Fatigue
Sinusitis
Hayfever
Fibromyalgia
ADHD
Method
Based on the Buteyko method of breathing, Breathe Well corrects the cause of many health concerns, over-breathing or hyperventilation. Through a series of easy techniques, Mim will show you how to change breathing style. Results are noticed very quickly.
Enrolment and payment
5 sessions of 1.5 hours each
$495 Per person
$395 Students
Cost includes book and CD. 50% deposit required to secure enrolment.
100% money back guarantee if your symptoms aren’t reduced
Email mim@beamingwithhealth.com.au or ring 0411 748 749
- Direct deposit
Bank: ANZ
Acct name: Beaming with Health
BSB: 012 140
Account: 352479203
Reference: ‘Buteyko Bowral/Sydney’ (enter in box)
- Cheque
Make cheque payable to Beaming with Health.
Send to PO BOX 6228 Kangaroo Valley NSW 2577.
Download PDF
In this members’ article, Mim Beim shares some tips to soothe yourself to better sleep and awake refreshed and well rested.
Up to 40% of Australians suffer from poor insomnia. Whether it’s not being able to fall asleep, or having a restless night, it’s hard to feel 100% without a decent night’s kip.
Sleep is an article from the Beaming with Health Community available only to members. Browse the Articles.
Are you having trouble sleeping? Let us know your experiences and any helpful remedies in the comments.
The end of 2011 already, confirming my privately held belief that time goes faster following the running of the Melbourne Cup. (I don’t profess to know how this works…it just does.) Flew back from LA last week into a frenzied few days in clinic. This crazy weather is the cause of lots of nasty colds (California winter was sunny and warm!).
So what was I doing in LA?
I was in LA learning how to become a Buteyko Breathing practitioner. The course was led by a charismatic Irishman, Patrick McKeown… “I want ye to close ta mouth…” Patrick is a lovely man, very gentle and magnificently generous with his knowledge.
Konstantin Buteyko was a Russian doctor (mid-twentieth century) who believed that the cause of many maladies lay in what he termed ‘overbreathing’ – hyperventilation. Conditions as diverse as asthma, anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia and hayfever respond to a REDUCTION in breathing. Totally against today’s standard thinking of taking big deep breaths. During the course in the Buteyko Breathing Method we were taught how to reduce breathing…and spent hours taping up our mouths and holding our noses. Sometimes at the same time. This shot is from one of the ‘untaped’ times.
Buteyko breathing focusses on reduced air volume. Mim checks out Chet’s form in the LA course
The reduced breathing results in increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the body, which in turn relaxes blood vessels and breathing passages, actually improving oxygen delivery to the tissues. Kind of counterintuitive, but it makes a whole lot of sense. It was a great bunch of students, including some really welcoming LA locals, who showed me around their ‘hood’, including the ubiquitous celebrity spotting.
I’d love to know what breath-based techniques you use, or whether you’ve already experienced Buteyko. Let me know your thoughts in the comments or over on Facebook.
This is my last post for 2011. I’ll be back in the new year with Buteyko and more. In the meantime, here’s a toast to you – may you have an enjoyable festive season, and good health in 2012!
Best,
MIM
PS – BWH Shop elves are still working… So if you’re in need of some last-minute Christmas shopping, check out the gifts and stocking stuffers here.
If you’d like to make an appointment for next year Make an appointment enquiry here. Find Bowral clinic address and hours here.
Update: Jan 2012
Buteyko course starting February in Sydney and Bowral.
In this members’ article, Mim Beim shares some tips to enjoy alcohol and mince pies while looking after your liver.
At the risk of being branded a party pooper, here are some ways to survive the party season with a clear head and a fetching waistline.
Party, party, party is an article from the Beaming with Health Community available only to members. Browse the Articles.
For many years, caffeine has had the reputation of being harmful to your health. However, recent studies show that a certain amount of caffeine is actually beneficial.
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in coffee, tea, cocoa, mate and guarana. Recent studies have shown that small to moderate amounts of caffeine will increase alertness, mood, concentration, motivation, stamina and reduce fatigue. Bring me a cuppa NOW. The beneficial range is from 40 to 400mg caffeine daily. Larger amounts of caffeine can be problematic with symptoms including anxiety, restlessness, insomnia and irritability. Some people are very sensitive, and as little as one cup of tea or coffee can cause them to feel a bit jumpy.
The amount of caffeine in beverages varies significantly. For instance, a cup of instant coffee contains around 75mg of caffeine, whereas a strong espresso contains a whopping 200mg of caffeine per serve. Tea contains around 50mg of caffeine per cup. Green tea contains slightly less than this. This is surprising because green tea and black tea are made from the leaves of the same bush, Camelia sinsensis.
The explanation lies in a bit of caffeine chemistry. Caffeine is water soluble. The hotter the water, the more caffeine is released. Black tea is generally made with water temperature over 200ºC, whereas it is recommended to make green tea with water temperature no hotter than 170ºC. Another fact about caffeine is that it is one of the first compounds released from the tea leaf. If you want to reduce even further the amount of caffeine, pour a small amount of hot water over the leaves, strain, return leaves to the pot, then fill with hot water.
Caffeine, like all things in life, is best in moderation. But I have to say I love my Assam Dimakusi. Do you have a caffeine beverage you can’t live without? Or maybe you’ve come off caffeine and are loving the new you? Share it in the comments…
body+soul - Ask the naturopath
Natural remedies can be very effective in reducing the symptoms of asthma and are safe to use in conjunction with drug therapy.
Download the PDF
Resveratrol is the latest nutrient to excite the natural therapies world.
A naturally occurring plant chemical, studies have shown that resveratrol extends lifespan. The mechanism appears to be the activation of an age-defying gene known as SIRT. It also reduces the formation of atherosclerotic plaques (a big part of heart disease), inhibits various tumour formation and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Resveratrol is found in red grapes and wine especially cool climate varieties such as Pinot noir. In fact, it appears that resveratrol is the nutrient behind the ‘French Paradox’. Several years ago it was found that people who enjoyed a glass or two of red wine with their meals had a lower incidence of heart disease, even though their diet contained fatty foods. This effect became known as the French Paradox. Resveratrol is also found in peanuts, pistachios, pomegranates, and berries…although why bother to look further when you can enjoy all the resveratrol you need in a glass of delicious Domain Rogha Crois Pinot Noir? Learn more about the DRC Pinot Noir and other wines.
Did you know wine and tea share some health-giving properties?
Both provide antioxidants, and red grapes and wine contain resveratrol, which has been shown to have anti-ageing properties. No wonder then that I’ve made some new friends…
One of Canberra District’s premium wine brands, DRC specialises in cool climate grapes including pinot noir. With a Huon Hooke rating of 95 out of 100 the Domaine Rogha Crois 2009 Vintage Pinot Noir is really worth trying.
Read more from Mim about resveratrol here.
Experience and learn about this creative, contemporary and cutting edge vibrational medicine.
Pharmacists Katrina Corney and Maddi Parker have been successfully dispensing, prescribing and working with the Australian Bush Flower Essences in their daily pharmacy worlds for many years - they have now been inspired to specialize in BUSH FLOWER HEALING.
Katrina and Maddi will be offering a number of Flower Essence workshops to encourage others to take a fresh look at the benefits in today’s world of this traditional healing modality.
The fully accredited 16 hour College Course provides the opportunity and resources you need to potentially transform the lives of you, your family, friends, pets and patients. The course takes you on a journey through the human body via the chakras and teaches you about the qualities of each of the Flower Essences and how they can be best utilised in harmonising a range of emotional, physical and spiritual imbalances. No previous experience is necessary.
Lighter 3 hour Refresher courses on the Flower Essences will also be on offer.
Katrina and Maddi are available to give Flower Essence talks to local community groups and businesses hoping to let the wider community know more about these safe and effective healing tools. They look forward to providing these unique and sometimes surprising insights and welcome your feedback.
Please email them with any questions katrina@bushflowerhealing.com or maddi@bushflowerhealing.com
For more information, course schedules and bookings please visit www.bushflowerhealing.com
Beaming with Health
