What Will 2024 Store for You?

Did you know 2024 is the Year of the Dragon based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar? Which is very auspicious. Plus 2024 is year 8 in numerology and number 8 represents abundance and prosperity, which makes 2024 a turning point for victory for humanity.

Dragon is the 5th animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs, coming after the Rabbit and before the Snake. The Dragon symbolizes power, nobleness, honor, luck, and success in traditional Chinese culture. The Dragon is a supernatural being with no parallel for talent and excellence.

Dragon is powerful, endlessly energetic, full of vitality, goal-oriented yet idealistic and romantic, and a visionary leader. They know exactly who they are and possess the keenest sense of self among the 12 zodiacs of Chinese astrology. Dragons present themselves as confident, generous, idealistic, and ambitious creatures. Dragon people are usually fearless leaders who’ll never back down from any challenge. This enterprising spirit, coupled with their innate talent, will, without a doubt, make Dragons the movers and shakers of this world. Dragons are full of wisdom, generosity, vigor, and talent. They are charged with energy and attract followers with their charisma.

Gold dragons, earth dragons, fire dragons, water dragons, and wood dragons are the five different types of dragons. The cycle of the Chinese Zodiac’s dragon years lasts 12 years. Every 60 years, there will be a dragon year with a particular element. The Year of the Wood Dragon falls in 2024.

Men born under a year of the dragon have a strong sense of self and never stop moving forward. Dragon men are among the best leaders ever. They are enthusiastic, skilled, and driven at work, and they lead the team to achieve their goals. They rarely flirt with other people and are loyal and generous to friends and partners. Dragon women are known for being powerful females. They believe that women can excel in their performance because they have a concrete strategy for it. They typically exhibit innovative work.

I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous 2024!

The Most Important Key for Your Health and Well-being

Research shows that more than 80% of body fat leaves the body through exhalation, which suggests the lungs play a critical role in successful weight loss. Enhanced oxygen generation through breathwork promotes fat burning and the elimination of toxins, which further supports weight loss. Breathwork not only helps burn fat but also increases athletic performance. This is the reason athletes and trainers incorporate various types of breathwork and breathing techniques during their training. Let’s shed light on this from energy medicine, the prana is our life force and we channel this life force through our breath. Death occurs when we stop breathing, but our heart can still pump. Your breath brings oxygen and life force - Prana into your body. When you are physically or emotionally stressed, it affects your breathing patterns. Breathwork is consciously controlling and manipulating our breath for the health improvement and elevation of our consciousness, which has been used for centuries in many ancient traditions. Breathwork helps calm your mind and bring balance, peace, and harmony to your body. Did you know the most powerful medicine to overcome anxiety and depression is breathwork?

Did you know that the number one cause of oral cavity is mouth breathing? It affects the oral microbiome and pH levels in your mouth. Breathing through the nose also prevents dry mouth. Nose breathing can improve the oral microbiome and help increase the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by nearly all types of cells in the body. It is a vital molecule produced in your body that impacts many aspects of your health. It helps blood vessels dilate to promote proper blood flow, other health benefits include improved exercise performance, managing diabetes, lowering blood pressure, and better brain function. It can boost your heart function by making blood platelets less sticky. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

You may not be aware that the breath-holding technique in breathwork increases the production of mitochondria. Which is the fountain of youth and the source of energy for the body.

Let’s talk about the benefits of emotional well-being. Breathwork helps nurture your soul at a deeper level and provides emotional balance and resilience. Regular breathwork practice can help you stay grounded, motivated, focused, and overcome challenges in life.

Now it is time to dive into the ancient techniques of breathwork and their amazing health benefits, please check my recent video.

The Connection of Emotional Traumas and Toxins

Most emotional traumas are likely linked to past lives, for example, if you suffered from emotional trauma related to being betrayed and abandoned by someone, very likely there was a karmic connection with that person from the past life and this can be revealed from the division charts in Vedic Astrology or age regression from a hypnosis session. The current life is the continuation of a past life, often we are too focused on the current life without diving deep into what might have occurred in the past life especially when we are conditioned to this evidence-based environment with the limited application of our five senses. But there are more than five senses, what about our intuition? Believing is seeing! Which is a revolutionary way to reprogram our thinking patterns and belief system.

Trauma is not what happens to you but what happens inside you. All the traumas affect you long after the traumatic events ended because the energetic imprint of trauma remains in your body and energy field until you are able to release, heal, and move on.

Fascia is made of collagen Nano-tubule helix and elastin; it is an information network that channels consciousness throughout the body. Fascia stores cellular memories including past lives. Fascia communicates through vibrations and it is associated with meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Meridians are like highways for the energy to run up and down in the body. Emotions have electromagnetic fields. Did you know that emotional traumas draw more toxins into the tissues? Which means toxins can accumulate in our body due to emotional traumas. Fascia is also interconnected with the lymphatic system, this is why lymphatic drainage can help release emotional traumas that are stuck in the fascia and meridians. What about the scars? Which are often related to traumatic events in our life, the trauma imprint can be trapped in the scars after the traumatic event. Scars intersect and disrupt the lymph flow, which contributes to lymphatic congestion. Scars are considered energetic blockages in the body, which can draw more toxins to that area. For example, C-section for women can not only affect their gut health and immunity but also leave a physical and emotional imprint on the body. 

The ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine treats the body as a whole and focuses on the energy flow in the body. Skin scraping is an ancient technique from TCM to help release emotional traumas and physical pains in the body. It not only promotes lymphatic flow to support the detoxification process in the body but also helps the body heal at the emotional and physical levels. Very often, we focused on the liver detox but overlooked the importance of lymphatic drainage. Your liver and lymphatic system work very closely together to help remove toxins from the body. When toxins are stuck in your lymphatic system, they trap more water in your lymph flow, which can manifest as stubborn weight gain, this is lymphedema in disguise. Now, let’s add the emotional traumas into the picture regarding weight gain. From energy medicine, weight gain is caused by layers of emotional baggage we have unconsciously carried. From Western medicine, we do have evidence of why emotional traumas contribute to weight gain because they trap more toxins in your fascia and lymphatic system. Let’s look into unique ways to release these emotional traumas that have been stuck in our bodies and energy fields. A good lymphatic drainage can help release emotional traumas especially when it combines with the ancient techniques to work both on the fascia and meridian system.  

To learn more, please check my recent video.

By the way, I offer 30% off for my one hour and 1.5 hours of readings and healing sessions for this Christmas season, you could enter the discount code "CHANGE2024" to get 30% off, the discount code will expire in a month. Health is the greatest wealth. In the middle of big global changes impacting both our career and personal life, we all need guidance from the above. You could also use this as a gift to your loved ones to improve their life in many ways. Here are the links:

1. Intuitive Readings including Vedic Astrology Chart Analysis
2. Healing and Health Consultations

 

A Simple Remedy to Boost Your Reproductive System

Tribulus terrestris is derived from the Greek “tribulos”, which means “water chestnut.” It is also known in Chinese as “Bai jili” and in Hindi as “Gokharu”. Other names include bindii, bullhead, burra, goat’s head, cat’s head, devil’s thorn, devil’s eyelashes, and tackweed. Tribulus terrestris is native to southern Asia, Southern Europe, Australia, and Africa. It thrives in warm climates and tropical areas. The whole plant is used for medicine, including fruit, seeds, and roots, which are most commonly used.

 
The plant contains many nutrients such as alkaloids, amino acids, calcium, cinnamic acid, dioscin, fatty acids, fatty oil, flavonoids, glucose, iron, phosphorus, phytosterols, potassium, steroidal saponins, sterols, tannins, and vitamin C. This medicinal herb has aphrodisiac, diuretic, lithontriptic, adaptogenic, liver tonic, analgesic, antibacterial, and recuperative properties. Both the root and fruit of the plant have been used medicinally in Traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
 
Tribulus Terrestris health benefits include the following:

1. Boosts libido for both men and women.
2. Supports bladder health and relieves UTIs.
3. Increases endurance especially combined with other herbs such as Ginseng and Rhodiola Rosea.
4. Regulates testosterone production and promotes healthy erections.
5. Boosts the circulatory system.
6. Enhances physical strength and promotes muscle functions.
7. Helps regulate blood sugars and cholesterol levels.
8. Reduces water retention, pain, and inflammation.
9. Fights against cancers.

 
All parts of the plant can be used for various purposes, the seed pods and the roots are most commonly used. They can be dried and made into tea, or in a capsule or tincture form. These various forms are all commercially available, as well as gels and creams for external use. Taking the supplement may also increase the size of the prostate, so men who have enlarged prostate are advised not to use the herb. It is also not recommended for use by nursing or pregnant women.

Have you heard about Redox? Redox signaling is cellular communication within a living organism and is an essential function of normal physiology. A wide range of biochemical and physiological processes critically depend on redox signaling in and among our cells. ASEA Redox products are offering amazing deals for the year, please check their products here.

Simple Techniques from TCM for Weight Loss

The holiday season is ahead, and it is not easy to control our food intake during the holiday season with family get-togethers and parties. It is a good idea to be proactive. 

In my previous blog, I mentioned that gut health is critical for weight loss success. How do we reduce abdominal fat that is metabolically inflammatory? Let’s seek the wisdom in TCM. The Belt Meridian is considered a both Yin and Yang meridian, as the front part that wraps around the waist is considered Yin, and the Belt Meridian wraps around the back connecting to the front section is considered Yang. This meridian is vitally important for allowing a smooth flow of energy between the upper and lower body parts, which is essential for supporting detoxification and metabolism because it is around your gut area. The belt Meridian spreads all across the waist. It starts at the level of the third lumbar vertebrae, then circles the front of the body between the pubic bone and the navel.
 
Drumming the spots on your waistline on both sides of the belt meridian with your fists regularly can:

• Reduce waistline
• Improve digestion and prevent constipation
• Enhance detoxification and promote bile flow
• Improve energy and blood circulation in the body

Another way to shrink the waistline is to massage your ears. There are three important spots for weight management. To learn more, please check my recent video. 

As an appreciation for this upcoming Christmas season, all my natural health products are 30% off, please contact me if you want to order them, and I will make it fresh for you. These products include pain relief healing balm for rejuvenating the skin and relieving inflammation. Hair spray (4oz) prevents hair loss and detoxifies hair follicles with wildflowers, aloe, DMSO, essential oils, etc. Your hair is the extension of your nervous system, therefore what you put on your hair is crucial for your brain function and mental health. Have you checked the ingredients for the natural hair products in the stores? They are loaded with toxic chemicals. You may be fooled by a sound name, such as natural & organic. Navel patch powder is designed to reduce abdominal fat and promote sound sleep and lucid dreams based on the ancient wisdom of TCM. As a certified energy healer, all my products are charged with Theta healing energy and Reiki energy to enhance their potency for healing. These products can be a good option as gifts to your friends and family members. Please check the link for my products, these don't include other products from the 3rd party. 

By the way, I will be at the Metaphysical Psychic and Wellness Fair at Knox Church in Parksville next Sat. Let's support the local events because the future is based on our community. I will be offering readings and holistic health consultations at the fair. I am looking forward to meeting you there. 

Simple and Effective Remedies for Digestive Health

Did you know that 40 percent of the worldwide population suffers from chronic digestive issues? Common digestive problems can lead to chronic inflammation and weaken your immune system because 80 percent of your immune system is in your gut. This makes your gut health extremely important. If your gut is healthy, your immune system is also healthy. Common digestive problems are also related to the nervous system. We have all experienced butterflies in the stomach when we are emotionally stressed. Your gut produces the majority of the neurotransmitters in your brain. Some researchers indicated 3/4 of those neurotransmitters are produced in your gut. Many people start to experience mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety when they have chronic digestive problems. The gut-brain axis has been a popular topic these days and I have discussed it in my previous videos. A healthy diet and lifestyle is the first step when it comes to digestive health, let’s discuss some remedies.

Dragon’s Blood – A Sacred Gift from Mother Earth

Dragon’s blood is a dark red substance that is extracted from the Croton lechleri tree, which is a flowering tree prevalent in South America. Traditional medicine uses the red substance to treat diarrhea, wounds, stomach ulcers, and indigestion. Some people confuse the dragon’s blood with another natural marine product that is extracted from the sea and is mistakenly called the dragon’s blood. Dragon’s blood is also used in incense as it has a strong aroma. It has been used for thousands of years in paints and spiritual practices. This potent resin has been mentioned in history and across the earth - from the Ancient Greeks to the Ancient Romans, India, China, and the Middle East. It has been used in Wiccan for magic, protection, cleansing, and healing. You can usually find Dragon’s blood as an incense stick, incense cone, in resin forms, or as an essential oil. Dragon’s blood has a powerful energy to banish negative energy and promote healing. The sacred smoke of the Dragon's blood can also be paired with Palo Santo for powerful cleansing and protection. It can be used during your astral travel and as part of empowerment and healing.
 
Dragon’s blood has been used for treating stomach ulcers and strengthening the digestive system because it contains a large amount of tannins. There is another natural substance in the Dragon’s blood - astaxanthin, which is a potent antioxidant, especially for pain relief. Dragon’s blood also provides anti-inflammatory properties to relieve dermatitis, colitis, and arthritis. Flavonoids and terpenoids found in Dragon’s blood may increase its anti-inflammatory properties. Terpenoids and alkaloids contribute to its antibacterial properties.

How to enjoy this amazing gift from Mother Nature and what about other remedies? Please check my recent video. 

Here is a blog version too. 

By the way, I am giving a talk at the Metaphysical & Wellness Fair on Nov.25th, the topic is about how to heal emotional traumas and scars in a unique way, please check my poster below for more details and I am looking forward to seeing you there.

Which Food Should Be on Your Dinner Table More Often?

The fall season provides us with an abundant supply of food, it is also the best season to pick mushrooms in the forest and enjoy these delicious and nutritious foods, these medicinal foods are the champions when it comes to healing. Let's dive into one of them.

Shiitake mushroom is an edible and delicious fungus. Fungi are separated from plants, animals, and bacteria. They are similar to plants but they do not have chlorophyll to make their own food through photosynthesis like a plant does. They absorb nutrients from their surroundings. One major difference that separates fungi from others is that fungal cells have cell walls that contain chitin, a long-chain polymer of a derivative of glucose. Fungi are considered a special type of living organism that has no roots, leaves, flowers, or seeds. Shiitake mushrooms originally came from East Asia and are now cultivated worldwide. Fresh or dried shiitake mushrooms have been commonly used in Asian cuisines. Today, these exotic mushrooms can be found in many grocery stores all year round.

Extracts from shiitake mushrooms or dried forms have been used in herbal remedies for thousands of years in Eastern medicine. Like other fungi, shiitake mushrooms offer a variety of phytochemicals that have potent health benefits, such as lentinan and laminarin, which are polysaccharides that have anti-tumor effects and promote the death of cancer cells, as well as lentinacin or eritadenine that has cholesterol-lowering effects. Shiitake mushrooms also offer a wide variety of important nutrients such as Vitamin B groups, fiber, potassium, and amino acids.

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates containing two or more monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds. The unique polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms were first considered as primary anti-cancer compounds such as lentinan and beta-glucan. But now researchers have speculated that many non-polysaccharide compounds in shiitake mushrooms have anti-tumor effects and work together to achieve these amazing anti-cancer results. The polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms such as beta-glucans are known to activate the immune system. These polymers can enhance the host's immune response by activating cell-mediated immunity, enhancing natural killer cell functions such as T cells, monocytes, macrophages, and polymorphonuclear lymphocytes.

It is time to grow our own mushrooms at home to enjoy them all year round.

You could also check my recent video on superfoods.

I also made a video on how to enjoy the amazing healing benefits of psychedelics.

Simple Remedies for Mental Health

Mental health challenges have been prevalent in the past few years due to the lockdowns and many people lost their homes and jobs with the suppression of this global agenda. These mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and panic attacks have significantly impacted our overall health including sleep quality, immune health, heart health, etc. Let's dive into some simple remedies. 

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter in your brain that helps relaxation and sleep. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps calm things down or stop movement. It also helps relieve painful sensations, such as nerve pain and muscle pain. It also plays a role in keeping your immune and endocrine systems balanced and controlling inflammation. GABA is also responsible for regulating your memory and mood and promoting sound sleep. According to studies, GABA levels are about 30% lower in people with insomnia. Deep sleep and REM sleep are critical for brain detox. Your body produces GABA naturally, but chronic stress, nutrient deficiencies, and certain medical conditions may inhibit GABA production.

Low levels of GABA can contribute to insomnia and other sleep disorders, mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders, muscle pain, headaches, substance abuse, especially alcohol, and food cravings. Magnesium has been shown to modulate GABA activity in the brain. It does this by acting on GABA receptors to help facilitate GABA neurotransmission and its effects on relaxation. Magnesium also helps relax the central nervous system and muscles. Magnesium-rich foods include dark chocolate, banana, potato, peanuts, fatty fish, cashews, almonds, kidney beans, tofu, etc.

What can GABA do to your health and what about other remedies? Please check my recent video. 

Why Should You Cleanse Your Nasal Passages Regularly?

Did you know that the highest amount of mycotoxins accumulate in your nasal mucosa? We inhale 3 gallons of air each day. The air we breathe is just as important as the food we eat. Many of us are aware of the toxicity of mold. But how could you know whether you had mold exposure? You can have mold exposure a decade ago and now it starts to impact your health. Mold exposure contributes to many chronic health challenges, such as a leaky gut, depression, Parkinson's, rheumatoid arthritis, autism, asthma, cancers, etc. There are many hidden factors that contribute to mold exposure, for example, did you use shampoo to clean your carpet in the past, what about the A/C in your home, mold can easily grow under the fan. If you walk into a building, how could you know that building didn’t have water leaks in the wall? The spores of mold are invisible, once you inhale mold, it can colonize in your nose, your mouth, your ear, and your gut. The spores of mold can also grow in your nails and hair. If the humidity is very high in your area or your home, mold can easily grow and multiply. It is important to check the humidity of your house and keep it around 50% to reduce mold colonization. Since the highest levels of mycotoxins from mold are in your nose, it is important to cleanse your nasal passages regularly. Mold is only one toxin, but it is a deadly toxin, what about other pollutants in the air from cars, and toxic chemicals from perfumes, laundry detergents, pesticides, etc.? Your nose is the gateway to your lungs.

To learn more, please check my new video.

New Superfoods

New superfoods are merging daily, let's pick a few. Soursop fruit also known as graviola, is a tropical fruit native to the Americas. It is green in color, with spiky skin and soft and white flesh. It is often used in smoothies, desserts, and savory dishes. You can also eat the flesh directly as a fruit.  Soursop fruit has a unique flavor that is often described as a combination of pineapple and strawberry. It has been discovered as a cancer fighter food recently. Here are some amazing health benefits of soursop fruit.

• Graviola fruit is rich in Acetogenins that have anti-tumor effects
• Helps regulate blood sugar for diabetes
• Has antiviral and anti-parasitic properties and promotes digestive health
• Eases back pain and relieves gout by reducing uric acid
• Relieves nasal congestion and respiratory symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory properties
• Boosts your immunity and energy levels
• Helps relieve constipation and hemorrhoids

Barberries are long red berries that grow on trim barberry shrubs with yellow-flowering branches. Barberry is a traditional herb that has been used throughout the world. It has a tart, slightly sweet flavor and can be eaten raw, in jam, or as a component of your favorite dishes and salads. Berberine in barberries is the compound that makes this berry stand out of the crowd. Let’s dive into their amazing health benefits.

• Contain powerful antibacterial and antifungal agents that fight against infections.
• Relieve UTIs and bladder infections.
• Treat gastrointestinal infections and relieve diarrhea.
• Help stabilize blood sugar for diabetes.
• Cleanse the liver and gallbladder and detoxify the blood.
• Contain a powerful compound called berberine that promotes white blood cell production and boosts immunity.
• Improve anemia with a rich Vit. C content.
• Reduce high blood pressure and high cholesterol and promote heart function.

Aronia berries are known as chokeberries. Aronia Berry is a Manganese and Vitamin C-rich fruit that has antiviral, antibacterial, and Anti-diabetic properties. They are native to eastern North America and most commonly found in wet woods and swamps. Chokeberries have gained more and more popularity recently due to their rich antioxidant contents. Here are some amazing health benefits of these nutritious berries.

1. Prevent cancers due to a high content of antioxidants.
2. Aids digestion with high fiber.
3. Boost immunity with a variety of antioxidants and rich in Vit. C.
4. Improve vision with carotenes and other nutrients.
5. Reduce wrinkles and age spots, and heal wounds.
6. Improve blood circulation and help regulate blood pressure.
7. Help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes.

Here is a video version that gives you a more visual presentation of these superfoods.

Are Lectins Bad for You?

One of the most relevant connections between lectins, the leaky gut, and irritable bowel syndrome is the fact that lectins are not properly processed by the body and the human metabolism system cannot digest most lectins properly. Lectins are plants’ natural defense system against insects, pests, and destructive microorganisms. They are so strong that they can pass through the human digestive system intact; they can enter the bloodstream with everything unchanged. Symptoms of excessive lectin consumption are similar to those who have irritable bowel syndrome or a leaky gut. Lectins are found in all plants, but raw legumes (beans, lentils, peas, soybeans, peanuts) and whole grains like wheat contain the highest amounts of lectins. 

Lentils and beans contain resistant starches that your gut bacteria can break down and produce short-chain fatty acids such as butyric acids to provide fuel for your colon cells. You see, we co-dependant on these good bacteria in our gut. How to reduce lectins in the food so you can still enjoy their amazing health benefits?

Soaking: If you are a legume lover, make sure that you soak beans and legumes overnight, and change the water often. Drain and rinse again before cooking. You can also add some baking soda to the soaking water to help neutralize the lectins further.
 
Fermentation: You can enjoy some fermented products from legumes and beans, such as tofu, tempeh, tamari, natto, and miso. Fermentation allows beneficial bacteria to digest and convert those harmful substances, and render them to harmless ones. However, keep in mind that not all lectins are completely destroyed by these methods; some still remain in these foods.

Cooking your beans and lentils in a high-pressure pot can also help break down lectins in them. You can also add some herbs such as bay leaves in the lentils during the cooking to help reduce lectin content.

By the way, I will be at the Alchemy of Gathering Event next Sat. This event is full of activities such as live music, interesting arts and a variety of healing modalities. Everyone is welcome. Please check my poster below for more details and I am looking forward to meeting you there. 

 

Self-care Tips for Your Neck

Today, I introduce two spots for stiff neck, and neck and shoulder pain. Your neck is holding a head that is about 10-12 lbs all day long, no wonder it gets stiffness without regular self-care. Did you know the head and neck contain a rich and elaborate lymphatic network of more than 300 nodes and their intermediate channels? The lymphatic drainage of the head and neck is very unique and many lymph nodes are located in your head and neck region. This is why taking care of your neck is so important for brain support and lymphatic drainage. Let’s talk about the solutions.

Neck Tendons – An Important Switch for Your Brain and Neck

Massaging two big tendons in the front neck and behind the ear in the side of your neck on both sides with your hands can help relieve:

1. A stiff neck
2. Neck and shoulder pain
3. Cough and cold
4. Headaches and migraines
5. Poor memories

Stiff Neck Spot

Chengshan (BL-57) acupoint location: Directly below the belly of the gastrocnemius muscle and between the two heads of the muscle at the junction of the head of the leg muscle. Massaging this spot on both legs can quickly relieve a stiff neck due to strained neck muscles. While you are stimulating this spot on your legs with your hands, you should also move your neck gently to improve and speed up the result.

For more information on self-care tips for your health, please visit https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca.

Add This Magical Ingredient to Your Water

Many people are aware of the amazing health benefits of lemon water, for example, it helps detoxify the liver and dissolves gallstones, but the little lemons go way beyond these. Just list a few here.

Heart Health: Lemon helps keep blood vessels soft and reduce rigidity, thus helping reduce high blood pressure. Lemon also has a high potassium content, which can benefit your heart health. According to the research, women who consume a high amount of citrus fruit had a 19% lower risk of ischemic stroke than women who consumed the least amount. Pectin in lemons can protect your heart by lowering cholesterol.
 
Kidney stones: Lemon water is high in natural citrate, which may prevent the calcium in your body from binding with other components that lead to kidney stones.
 
Skin health: The vitamin C from lemon water also provides benefits to the outermost layer of your body - the skin. To have natural sun protection, the skin needs a protein called collagen. However, collagen needs vitamin C to regenerate the skin. Lemon water is a good source of vitamin C. Lemon water also helps the skin rehydrate and stay moist.
 
Why Warm Lemon Water?

Did you know warm drinks stimulate the production of your stomach acids?

• Cold: Every digestive process in the human body requires energy. The by-product of energy production is heat. When drinking an icy cold beverage, overall body temperature is decreasing and therefore the digestive system has to work harder to restore balance and process the beverage itself. When lemon water is served and consumed cold, there is a chance that the body may not be able to fully utilize all the enzymes and nutrients that exist and are available in the lemon water.

• Hot: In general, nobody wants to drink anything served at a boiling hot temperature. It is commonly accepted that boiled vegetables lose a good deal of their nutrients during the cooking process. The same thing applies to lemon because some of its nutrients are destroyed by an overly hot temperature. Fortunately, there is a middle ground: warm water. 

Regardless of how beneficial lemon water is to the human body, there are some important considerations:

1. Lemon water is not for people who have citrus allergy or stomach ulcers.
2. Some women suffer from gastrointestinal discomfort and heartburn during pregnancy, lemon water will aggravate the symptoms. Listen to your body and limit foods that aggravate the symptoms.
3. Some drugs may interact with drugs; it is a good idea to check the instructions of your drugs to avoid harmful reactions from the food-drug interaction.

For more information on natural remedies, please visit https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca.

Natural Remedies for Estrogen Dominance and Hormone Imbalance

Estrogen dominance among women has been more and more prevalent in the past few decades due to the increased exposure to xenohormones and environmental toxins, and our liver is just not able to keep up with the tasks. Estrogen dominance can lead to PMS symptoms, PCOS, certain cancers, and weight gain.

H. Leon Bradlow, Ph.D., a well-known breast cancer researcher, discovered women with breast and uterine cancer made very little of the good metabolite of estrogen such as 2-hydroxy estrogens, and too much of the bad variety including 16-hydroxy estrogens, which can result in mutations, abnormal growth, and an increased risk of breast cancer. Overproduction of 16-hydroxy estrogen is also linked to obesity and exposure to various environmental estrogens such as plastics, pesticides, and petroleum-based skin and hair products.

What are the solutions for estrogen dominance? Eliminating toxins from your personal products, your home, and your environment is the first step, the second step is to opt for a clean and healthy diet and boost your liver detoxification capacity. Some natural remedies can help reduce estrogen dominance symptoms. Let’s dive into it.

DIM is a phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mustard, and turnip. When you eat cruciferous vegetables, your stomach acids break down indole-3-carbinol into Di-indolylmethane (DIM), which helps promote healthier estrogen metabolism. DIM is beneficial in creating a healthy balance of estrogen and testosterone. This is because DIM converts the more potent form of estrogen - estradiol into the weaker form -estriol. Estradiol is considered the more “potent” form of estrogen. The key difference between estriol and estradiol is their function. Estriol is dominant during pregnancy and helps support both the mother and fetus, while estradiol is dominant in nonpregnant women and helps regulate the menstrual cycle. Low estradiol levels can cause irregular menstruation cycles, while higher than normal estradiol levels may cause acne, weight gain, low libido, mood swings, insomnia, fatigue, and irregular cycles. Your body contains estrogen receptors, when estriol occupies an estrogen receptor, it prevents the signal of estradiol.

To learn more, please check my recent video.

September Astrology Predictions - Enjoy the Ride

The Harvest Full Moon in Sept. will fall on September 29^th in the Aries zodiac sign. Aries is all about leadership, initiative, and being bold and courageous. This Aries full moon invites us to take the lead and ignite the spark in others to take a quantum leap from this 3D fake matrix into the 5D new timeline.

Numerology Significance

Number 9 is signified during this full moon in the month of 9. Number 9 represents inner wisdom and enlightenment and it resonates with the Source energy, which means that number 9 has the highest vibration among all the numbers. The single digits of the number 29 add up to the number 11. Number 11 represents collaboration, creativity, and the subtle dance of feminine and masculine energy. We will likely see the showdown of this 3D fake matrix agendas in the next few months, let’s expect the magic and a grand stage of a new beginning will take its motion at the global level. Yes, it takes momentum to become dominant effects because our collective consciousness plays the role and we are the co-creator of our reality. But we are divinely guided to a brand new phase in human history for ascension. We have to create it to see it and also take inspired action to draw it to our reality with vision, patience, and faith. Number 9 also represents transformation, endings and new beginnings. This is indeed the most challenging and transformative time for us, from the chaos, comes out the order. Let’s hold our faith and manifest the best outcomes with our collective efforts.

Virgo New Moon – Establish a New Health Regime

The new moon will occur on Sept.14^th in the detail-orientated and health-focused Virgo sign. The New Moon in Virgo is an excellent time to plan personal goals, including developing a healthy daily routine, beginning a new project that requires attention to detail, and setting up specific routines that will help you manage your life in more productive and constructive ways. This is a great time to pursue a new job and start a new health and self-care program. However, there may be some delay in carrying out your plans and ideas because the ruler of Virgo Mercury is retrograde and the new moon is opposite from the impractical Neptune that can bring clouds to your mind. Neptune also brings you vivid dreams and visions for your innovative ideas on the positive side. Mercury retrograde invites you to do some retrospective thinking and misunderstanding may occur during this time.

To read more, please click here.

How to Boost Your Lymphatic Drainage for Weight Loss and Much More

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and organs that regulates the amount of fluid in the human body and fights against infections. It is considered a part of both the circulatory and immune systems. Your body’s lymphatic system is in charge of filtering and removing toxins from your body, all the way down to the individual cells. It’s comprised of different vessels and organs such as lymph nodes and bone marrow, all of which work together as part of your immune system. The lymphatic system is the secondary circulation system in the body with a complex set of tasks. It is the bridge from the blood circulation to the individual cells. The lymph is a clear fluid that contains nutrients and oxygen similar to the blood. It comes from the general circulation and is deposited around the cells to keep them nourished. The cells are able to flush out waste and other toxic materials into this fluid. The lymphatic vessel collects waste and other excess fluid from cells and transports it back to general circulation. During transportation, the lymph nodes filter this waste.

The lymphatic system has several crucial functions for maintaining body homeostasis, including maintaining the body's fluid balance, transportation of large molecules, and immune health. The fluid balance is maintained by draining the extra fluid that remains after the exchange of blood and nutrients between the tissues and capillaries. A healthy lymphatic system helps the body get rid of toxins and waste. These toxins and waste can get stuck in the lymphatic system, cause water retention, and contribute to weight gain. In fact, many weight challenges are linked to lymphedema due to excess water along with the toxins and waste buildup in the lymphatic system, this is why lymphatic drainage is crucial in improving the efficiency of your body’s detoxification process, strengthening your immune system, and preventing weight gain.

Did you know that all of the waste that needs to leave the brain has to go through the tonsils? This makes the tonsils one of the most significant sources of blockage for lymphatic drainage. The tonsils are the first barrier that waste from the brain must pass through and the cervical lymph nodes are the second barrier, which are an important group of lymph nodes. Therefore, removing your tonsils can impact your lymph drainage and weaken your immune system. However, it has been a common practice in our healthcare, especially for children.

Signs of lymphatic congestion include brain fog, depression, migraines, insomnia, weight gain, chronic sinus issues, allergies, skin issues, swelling, etc. 

How to boost your lymphatic drainage? Please check my recent video.

Natural Remedies for Your Oral Health

In my previous newsletter, I talked about the importance of the toothpaste and oral products you are using. If you have been using fluoride-free toothpaste, you may be not aware of artificial flavors, colors, and toxic preservatives in your toothpaste. This is why you should consider making your own toothpaste, they are safe, effective, and cheap.

Here are a few remedies to consider to make your own toothpaste.

Neem leaf or neem bark has been used as a natural remedy for oral infections due to its strong antibacterial, anti-parasitic, and antiviral properties for centuries. Modern research suggested that neem reduces plaque, prevents cavities and gum disease, and cleanses the breath. You can add powdered neem to your homemade toothpaste. Remember, the bark is more potent than the leaf.

White oak bark powder soothes and reduces gum swelling. Historically, it was used for bleeding gums and to tighten gum tissue around loose teeth. It also relieves tooth infections. If you suffer from gum infection, you can make a paste of white oak bark powder and water and place it on the affected area for healing.

Bentonite clay is a soft clay composed of aged volcanic ash. It has been used since ancient times to protect the body from disease and injury. The impressive power of bentonite clay comes from its negatively charged molecules. Those molecules attract positively-charged toxins and heavy metals. Bentonite clay can bind with toxins and push them out of the body.
Your teeth are composed of hard dentin and enamel and both are sustained by minerals. Unfortunately, due to our unhealthy modern lifestyle and environmental toxins, we are losing minerals from our teeth. When your teeth lose minerals faster than they gain minerals, you start to notice unpleasant symptoms like sensitivity and decay. Brushing with bentonite clay accelerates remineralization because natural clays are loaded with minerals like silica, calcium, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. This helps strengthen your teeth, reduce and prevent sensitivity, and protect gums from decay and infection. Bentonite clay gently scrubs and polishes the teeth. It works like an astringent by removing tartar and cleaning the gums. As soon as bentonite clay comes in contact with the bacteria and toxins in your mouth, it absorbs them and replaces them with minerals. According to the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, brushing with bentonite clay three times per day can even relieve oral infections by removing dangerous bacteria and nourishing the teeth and gums with restorative minerals.

Peppermint oil reduces bad breath and may help whiten teeth too. You can also add a few drops of clove oil and myrrh oil to enhance its potency.

To learn more, please check my recent video.

Unique Ways to Boost Your Gut Health Part One

Digestive bitters are foods and herbs that improve your digestion by stimulating your digestive system to produce digestive enzymes, they improve the function of your digestive organs such as your liver, and gall bladder, and promote bile production and bile flow to enhance your gut health. Adding digestive bitters to your diet can help relieve indigestion, soothe occasional heartburn and nausea, lower blood sugar levels, reduce your food cravings and your appetite, and support your liver function. When you taste bitterness, a nerve signal reaches your brain, which triggers the vagus nerve to stimulate your entire digestive system from your salivary glands to your stomach, pancreas, liver, and intestines. Digestive bitters can also change the PH level of your stomach, which stimulates the gall bladder to release bile into your digestive tract. Bile helps to break down fats and aids the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Digestive bitters also stimulate the valves at the beginning and end of your stomach to close, which helps reduce acid reflux. When your digestive system detects bitterness, it secretes hormones into your bloodstream to slow the passage of food through your system, which makes you feel full longer and curb your food cravings. This helps promote weight loss. Taking digestive bitters before a meal stimulates the digestive system to produce hydrochloric acid, pancreatic enzymes, and bile. They can also help relieve gas, bloating, and indigestion. Digestive bitters can also help lower blood sugar levels by improving the body cells to utilize insulin more efficiently. The ideal timeframe to take digestive bitters is right before a meal, or about 10 minutes before you start eating. You can put about ¼ tsp of digestive bitters on your tongue and hold them in your mouth for about 10-15 seconds until your mouth starts to salivate. Did you know that you have bitter receptors on your entire tongue?

Let's dive into these digestive remedies. please check my recent video.

A New Approach to Your Gut Health

Many studies suggest the composition of microbiota or gut flora in your gut can be the cause of obesity, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and other chronic conditions. Did you know the bile flow is also closely linked to your gut health?

There is a close connection between bile production and thyroid function. Bile triggers the release of the enzymes that convert T4 to T3, which is the active form of thyroid hormones. T3 specifically supports brain function, heart function, and digestion and plays a role in your metabolic rate and bone health. According to studies in Finland, hypothyroidism is seven times more likely in people with decreased bile flow. Fats are the building blocks of hormones, if you are not absorbing fat, your body is unable to make thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones also help relax the sphincter of ODDI, which is the muscular valve surrounding the exit of the bile duct and pancreatic duct into the duodenum. It controls the bile flow into the small intestines.

Many people don’t produce enough bile. Bile insufficiency is linked to many health challenges, such as bloating, indigestion, nausea, chronic fatigue, constipation, and back pain. Bile insufficiency can also cause poor hormone synthesis because all hormones are made from lipids. Poor fat metabolism can cause blood sugar fluctuation because bile receptors help regulate fat and carbohydrate metabolism as well as the inflammatory response.  The bile acids activate these receptors. Bile backing up into the gallbladder can cause the gallbladder to swell, and people may experience pain in the ride side of the chest below the rib cage, and pain in the back of the right shoulder blade.

How to improve the bile production and bile flow to boost your gut health? Please read here.

Quebracho Bark - A Natural Remedy for Your Gut Health

Quebracho is an evergreen powerful tree that has long been growing in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. It usually grows up to 20 meters in height. Their notoriously dense wood earned them a name derived from the Spanish phrase, “quebrar hacha,” which means “axe breaker.” There are over 15 different species of quebracho tree and many are used for commercial purposes, but only a few are used medicinally. The crown of the tree resembles a weeping willow. For medicinal use, the yellowish-brown or gray bark is harvested. Quebracho is a source of polyphenols, which are what make quebracho an herbal medicine. The quebracho trees known for their medicinal uses include Schinopsis quebracho-colorado (sometimes called red quebracho) and Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (white quebracho).

The polyphenols in quebracho have been considered very effective to reduce methane in the leaky gut, which causes gassing and bloating. Quebracho bonds to hydrogen, thereby reducing the amount of hydrogen that is made into methane, which is a major cause of bloating and discomfort. Quebracho contains proanthocyanidin within the class of tannins, making it a potent antioxidant. Tannins or tannoids are a class of astringent and polyphenolic biomolecules that bind to proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids. Tannins are large flavonoids that readily bond to hydrogen, which significantly reduces methane production and disrupts and destroys bacterial lipid bilayers in your digestive tract. Quebracho bark is not only a great remedy for excess gas in the GI tract, but it is also antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. Quebracho is a natural antagonist to M. smithii, a predominant bacterium in the gut that produces methane as a by-product. Because of quebracho’s unique antifungal and antibacterial properties, it is able to target the intestine wall lining. Hydrogens are what lead to bloating in our gut, so with these tannins bonding with the hydrogen molecules, it is able to remove them before they release gases. Quebracho is a macromolecule, meaning it isn’t absorbed by the intestines and remains in the gastrointestinal tract, interacting with substances present without being absorbed into the bloodstream. Due To this unique stability, the polyphenols in quebracho are not destroyed by gastric acid or pancreatic enzymes. This allows it to improve your gut health before it is digested and removed from the body.

The main active ingredients of the plant are alkaloids, represented by aspidospermine and quebrachine-yohimbine. Yohimbe and other alkaloids in the bark extract can block specific receptors that inhibit fat loss, therefore, it promotes weight loss too. Since ancient times, quebracho bark has been prepared as an excellent remedy for liver diseases, fever, and for general health improvement. People also take quebracho for asthma and health challenges related to the lower respiratory tract including loosening chest congestion and using it as a respiratory tract stimulant. Quebracho is also used to treat high blood pressure, spasms, fluid retention, fever, and pain in folk medicine. In homeopathy, Quebracho is often used for cardiac issues and bronchial asthma. 

According to recent studies, quebracho is considered safe and effective for human medicinal use, especially when it comes to gastrointestinal-related issues. Due to its large molecular size, it cannot easily be absorbed by the body, which is why there is very little side effect. However, it is necessary to avoid overdoses during treatment, as this can cause nausea or vomiting. Be sure you don’t confuse Quebracho Colorado and Quebracho Blanco. Quebracho Colorado isn’t widely available at this point. Some supplements are available, but these are nearly all quebracho blanco. There are not so many supplements on the market right now related to this amazing medicinal herb, but with increased awareness, more quebracho products will be available in the near future to combat gut-related issues with grace and ease.

I am offering cupping, moxibustion, and lymphatic drainage with skin scraping techniques from TCM to improve chronic health challenges such as digestive issues, chronic pain, insomnia, etc., and also liver compression techniques to boost your liver health. Summer is the best time to take advantage of these treatments because the Yang energy is releasing, which facilitates the healing process. Please check here for these services and much more.