What Are the Real Cause of Frequent UTIs and How to Fix It Quickly?

Have you ever wondered why menopause or post-menopause women are getting more frequent UTIs than young women? When people talk about UTIs, in most cases they are referring to a bladder infection.

I think the main cause is hormone issues, especially for those women with estrogen dominance syndrome. Estrogen dominance is a condition where a woman can have deficient, normal, or excessive estrogen, but has little or no progesterone to balance its effects in the body. There are some hormone receptors in the bladder and they are turned off due to hormone imbalance, especially with estrogen dominance syndrome. When these hormone receptors are turned off in the bladder, they affect PH balance in the bladder, so the PH level rises, which promotes the growth of bad bacteria in the bladder and causes UTIs, such as E. coli bacteria. Today our environment is loaded with environmental estrogens such as petroleum-based solvents and plastics. These foreign chemicals compete with the natural hormone receptors in our body. As a result, progesterone is squeezed out of the body. Now you understand why estrogen dominance syndrome is becoming more and more prevalent among women. Can antibiotics resolve this issue? The answer is NO.

How to resolve estrogen dominance syndrome and balance your hormones? From a dietary perspective, it is important to follow a clean and healthy diet and limit gluten, dairy, and sugar. Today, our wheat products are hybridized, therefore gluten is considered a foreign compound to the gut and damage intestine linings. Did you know that 70% of immune cells are located in your gut? Your gut health is critical for your immune function. Dairy products are also inflammatory to the gut, think about what are in the dairy products: growth hormones and antibiotics. Did you know that cow’s milk is allowed to have feces in it? Most cow's milk has measurable quantities of herbicides, pesticides, dioxins, and a variety of powerful antibiotics in it. Refined sugar contributes to chronic inflammation because it triggers inflammatory responses in the body. To limit foreign estrogens from our environment, you can incorporate phytoestrogen-rich food into your diet. These phytoestrogens have much smaller structures than environmental estrogens, they can occupy the hormone receptors in our body to kick these foreign estrogens out of our body. Foods rich in phytoestrogens provide a wide range of health benefits, including the following: relieve PMS and menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats; prevent osteoporosis; help balance hormones and reduce estrogen dominance syndrome; prevent cancers, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and bowel cancer; lower risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, these environmental estrogens are toxins to our body and increase the workload for the liver and other organs to break down and get rid of them. Mother nature always has the wisdom to protect us from invaders. Here are a few examples of phytoestrogens: flax seeds, sesame seeds, peanuts, almonds, cruciferous vegetables, apples, dried fruits, etc. It is a good idea to limit environmental estrogens such as xenohormones as much as you can, including plastics, petroleum-based cosmetics, commercial deodorants, perfumes, and commercial detergents.

To learn more healing tips for UTIs, please check my recent video.

Why Should You Grow Peppermint Now?

Spring is here, are you planning to grow some herbs to boost your health and immunity? Well, peppermint should be on your list.

Peppermint is a type of hybrid mint, which is bred through a combination of spearmint and watermint. It is native to Europe and the Middle East and now it has spread to many other parts of the world. The plant has a spicy refreshing flavor that makes it a popular ingredient in the food industry. The leaves of peppermint are the primary parts that are used as an herb and in essential oils. The phenolic compounds of the leaves include rosmarinic acid and several flavonoids, primarily eriocitrin, luteolin, and hesperidin. Peppermint oil contains high levels of menthone, menthol, limonene, and antioxidants.

Peppermint contains a high level of hesperidin, which is a flavonoid glycoside mainly found in citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and tangerines. Hesperidin can help relieve a variety of health challenges, for example, the varicose vein is a condition in which the walls and valves in the veins become insufficient to work. As a result, the blood cannot be returned to the heart and pools in the legs, this increases blood pressure until the smallest blood vessels (capillaries) burst. This can cause local inflammation and tissue damage and swelling. Hesperidin helps improve capillary resistance and vein elasticity and promotes blood flow. As an antioxidant, hesperidin contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help lower high blood pressure, relieve hemorrhoids, prevent diabetes and reduce chronic inflammation. Hesperidin also deactivates spike protein; this is great news for those who want to shield from spike protein shedding from SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. These spike proteins are pathogenic just like the full virus. They also cause damage to distant organs including the brain, heart, lung, and kidney.

Peppermint is great for digestion and anti-inflammatory. Here are some amazing health benefits of peppermint.

• Aid digestion and relieve IBS, bloating, and indigestion.
• Relieve the common cold and respiratory conditions.
• Antibacterial – fight against food-borne illnesses and contagious illnesses.
• Reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality.
• Ease the pain and discomfort of gallbladder attack spasms and cramping.
• Relieve migraines and headaches.
• Protect against dental cavities and keep bad breath at bay.
• Relieve seasonal allergies.
• Promote weight loss.
• Ease menopausal cramps.
• Prevent cancers and boost immunity.

If you suffer from restless nights due to nausea and headaches, peppermint tea comes in handy, it can help relax muscles and calm the mind, and its antibacterial properties can reduce nausea and relieve other digestive issues.

Peppermint leaves help relieve a wide range of skin issues, such as skin rashes, acne, breakouts, and oily skin. The astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint help reduce acne, blackheads, rashes, and redness of the skin. The menthol in peppermint reduces the secretion of oil from the sebaceous glands, which reduces oil on the skin naturally. You can apply freshly grounded peppermint leaves on your face and leave them for 10 minutes. You can also add honey or combine peppermint paste with jojoba oil or aloe vera to enhance the results. After 10 minutes, wash it off and your skin will look fresh and resilient.

What about peppermint oil? Peppermint oil is one of the most versatile essential oils in existence. It is one of the oldest European herbs used medicinally and provides many therapeutic benefits. It can be used aromatically, topically, and internally to treat several health problems, from muscle aches and seasonal allergy symptoms to digestive issues. It also improves skin conditions and hair. Peppermint oil contains many essential minerals and vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and even fatty acids.  Here are some surprising health benefits of peppermint oil.

• Relieve muscle and joint pain.
• Contain anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties that promote oral health.
• Promote hair growth and reduces dandruff.
• Relieve itching.
• Repel bugs.
• Improve circulations.
• Antispasmodic – relieve headaches and PMS.
• Soothe sunburn.

You can diffuse peppermint oil to calm the mind, you can also apply it topically for pain relief. For internal use to relieve IBS and other digestive issues, add one drop of pure peppermint oil into a glass of warm water or warm tea to drink. You can also create your homemade mouth spray by mixing 10ml of purified water with 1-3 drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle. This simply oral spray can treat bad breath. It is suggested to use the solution within a week. To create a natural cooling spray, you can fill aloe vera juice in a 30ml spray bottle, add two drops of peppermint oil and two drops of lavender oil. You can keep the mixture in the refrigerator for better pain and itch relief. 

In summary, peppermint is a wonderful medicinal herb from Mother Nature, it provides us with amazing healing benefits within a tiny leaf. Now is the perfect time to take it to prevent a cold and fight against spike protein shedding during this plandemic. What do you think? Please visit our website for more holistic health tips at https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca.

Why should You Make Your Own Sunscreen Products

People use sunscreen due to the fear that exposure to the sun will cause skin cancer. The truth is that only 10% of cancer cases are attributed to radiation and out of that UV accounts for very little. In fact, studies suggest that exposure to the sun can help prevent the development and spread of skin cancer. Patients with melanoma seem to show a higher survival rate if they get regular sun exposure. People are so afraid of the sun and they need lots of sunscreen lotions to protect them from the sun rays when they go out under the sun. Your skin is the largest organ, the skincare products you put on your skin can enter your bloodstream directly through your skin. Sunscreens with chemical ingredients such as oxybenzone and avobenzone have been shown to cause health damages including skin cancer. Sunscreens also block the production of Vit.D in our bodies.

These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and cause skin irritation, hormonal disruption, and skin cancer. Studies have shown the harmful impact on the fetuses when pregnant women are exposed to oxybenzone, and women with higher levels of oxybenzone during pregnancy had lower birth weight children. Researchers suggested that oxybenzone, triclosan, parabens, and phthalates in sunscreens have the ability to disrupt hormone balances and increase the risk of breast cancer. Retinyl Palmitate or Vitamin A Palmitate is commonly used in skincare products because it is an antioxidant that reduces aging. However, research shows that rats that were treated with vitamin A formulation topically showed a faster spread of skin tumors and lesions.

Most plant oils block harmful radiation from the sun but still allow beneficial sun rays to reach our skins to boost our health and increase the production of activated Vit.D. Evidence shows that Vitamin D helps prevent bone diseases, muscle weakness, cancers, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Regular exposure to the sun is also crucial to our mental health. It boosts our happiness by increasing the level of the happy hormone serotonin in our body. The beautiful sunlight can directly stimulate the production of serotonin through our skins. Research indicates that the skin has the serotonergic machinery to perform this task. Moreover, the production of serotonin by the brain is also directly related to exposure to bright sunlight. Our body is a magical machine that is designed to enjoy the sun. This in turn prevents depression and anxiety. In fact, decreased production of serotonin in the body is also related to seasonal depression, this again demonstrates how important it is for our health to have regular exposure to the sun. The sun is also critical for our longevity and immunity because it is the source of Yang energy in our body. When the Yang energy declines in the body, people start to age rapidly and are prone to many illnesses due to their weakened immune systems.

If you are concerned about sunburns, you can consume more anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables, such as berries, cherries, grapes, leafy greens, etc. Your skin is much less likely to burn when you eat a diet with anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables. 

Here is a list of plant oils that have sunscreen properties based on their SPF (Sun Protection Factors) levels.

• Carrot Seed Oil: SPF 38-40
• Raspberry Seed Oil: SPF 28-50
• Wheat Germ Oil: SPF 20
• Hazel Nut Oil: SPF 15
• Avocado Oil: SPF 4-15
• Coconut Oil: SPF 2-8
• Olive Oil: SPF 2-8
• Macadamia Nut Oil: SPF 6
• Hemp Seed Oil: SPF: 6
• Almond Oil: SPF 5
• Shea Butter: SPF 3-6
• Jojoba Oil: SPF 4
• Sea Buckthorn Oil: SPF 2-4

With an SPF against UVB rays of 28-50 and an SPF against UVA rays of around 8, raspberry seed oil provides both UVA and UVB protection. The raspberry seed oil contains powerful antioxidants and vitamin E to help fight against free radicals, slow down skin aging, and improve skin tone/elasticity. Wheat germ oil is also a great choice with SPF around 20. It is a great source of Vitamin E, K, B, and Choline, which helps moisturize the skin and prevents free radical damage. Make sure to test these oils on your skin before using them to make sure you have no adverse reactions.

How to make your own homemade sunscreen skin product?
Besides essential oils, you need zinc oxide because it provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA wavelengths >360 nm. Nano or micronized zinc oxide has been treated to reduce the size of its particles and created an ultrafine powder, which makes it a popular choice in many commercial sunscreens. But these particles are so small that they can enter the body through the skin and cause potential health challenges. It is a good idea to purchase a non-nano zinc oxide (Anything with a particle size smaller than 100nm is considered a nanoparticle).

Ingredients:
• Carrot seed oil: 20 drops
• Coconut oil: 1 ounce
• Beeswax: 1 ounce
• Shea butter: 1 ounce
• Raspberry seed oil: 1/2 ounce
• Vitamin E oil: 1 tsp.
• Zinc Oxide: 1 tbsp.

Directions:
Place a double boiler over low heat to melt the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool a little. Put on a mask that covers your nose and mouth to avoid breathing in the fine particles of zinc oxide powder, and add the zinc oxide, Vitamin E oil, and rest ingredients. Stir well to combine. Seal the mixture in a glass jar with a lid and store it in the refrigerator.

The shelf life of this natural homemade sunscreen is about 6 months. Refrigerate it when not using it. do not leave your homemade sunscreen sitting out in direct sunlight because the ingredients are photosensitive. It is certainly worth your time and energy to do something good for your skin and your health. Your body will appreciate you in the long run. What do you think? For more information on holistic health tips and natural remedies, please visit https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca.

Discover the Amazing Healing Gate Beyond the Mouth

When it comes to remedies to treat a health challenge, we are conditioned to think our month is the primary entrance to deliver the medicine. In my last video, I mentioned that our skin is the largest organ and absorbs directly into the bloodstream close to 60-70% of the topical products we put on our skin. The absorption rate of the skin on our face is even 5-10 times higher than other parts of the body. Today, I am going to talk about another mouth in your body that you are not aware of. It is your belly button.

Your belly button bypasses your digestive tract and it can deliver the right dose of medicine right into your power center – your abdomen. Scientists just discovered this new organ – Mesentery, but the description of the mesentery as a single structure dates back to at least Leonardo da Vinci. Mesentery links your gut to the rest of your body. It also keeps the position of the intestine so that it is connected with the abdominal wall without being in direct contact. mesentery plays an important role in digestion, vascular, endocrine, cardiovascular, and immune systems. It is like a Chinese fan, to span the length of the intestine from the upper small intestine to the end of the large bowel. It has a spiral formation in the abdomen and is packaged along a spinal path, starting in the upper abdomen and ending in the pelvis. Many gut issues may relate to this organ, for example, Crohn’s disease can be a mesentery disorder secondary to the GI tract. Ischemic mesentery can be the cause of ischemic bowel.

Now you can see how important this new organ is. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, your belly button is called the Spirit Gate, and mesentery is just behind it, so the magical gate leads to the mesentery. As we know that our gut is the second brain, listen to your gut because your gut has the instinct. In fact, your gut is the extension of the nervous system from your brain. The number of neurons - our body's electro-chemically excitable signal transmission cells - located inside the gut lies between 200 and 600 million.  70% of immune cells are located in your gut, and your health starts from your gut. Also, 90% of the serotonin are produced and stored in the gut, as well as about 50% of the dopamine in your body, these neurotransmitters play an important role in your mental health, such as boosting your happiness, reducing anxiety and depression, and improving your sleep quality. What happens in the gut can also influence the communication of neurons inside the brain, and by extension, it will have an impact on our behaviors. Scientists have discovered that the brain and gut nervous system is communicating in a bi-directional manner. The information is channeled up and down in both ways.

As above, so as below, the human body is a measuring stick of the universe. From Zero Point, comes the infinite creation and manifestation in the universe. The Zero Point in the human body is right below the belly button. As you can see how important your belly button is. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have been using the belly button or the navel both as a diagnostic tool and treatment center for thousands of years. In this video, I am going to introduce a few remedies for your navel to treat certain health conditions based on Chinese folk medicine.

To discover these healing remedies for your navel, please check my recent video. 

Why Should You Eat Sprouts?

Get tired of limited options in your kitchen? What about sprouts? Sprouts are the edible germinated seeds of beans, legumes, nuts, grains, and vegetables. You can find sprouts pretty much everywhere, including grocery stores and farmers’ markets. Some of the most common sprouts are alfalfa, broccoli, radish, clover, wheatgrass, mung, lentil, or chickpea. Some baked products are also made with sprouted grains, such as Ezekiel bread, which has a high protein content of 5 grams per slice.

sprouts are excellent sources of antioxidants, essential amino acids, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. There are many health benefits of eating sprouts. Today, many people are fighting against their weight. Sprouts are great choices for weight loss due to their low-calorie content and dense nutrition. Sprouts contain a high amount of fiber that makes you feel full longer. It also inhibits the release of ghrelin, which is a hunger hormone that can trigger you to eat more. 

How can sprouts benefit your gut health? The process of sprouting increases the nutritive value of the ingredients and provides better digestion. According to studies, folate and other bioactive compounds increase in sprouted foods, at the same time, nutrition inhibitors such as phytate decrease. In addition, there are more antioxidants and bioavailability of nutrients in the sprouts than in the grown vegetable or legume. The quantity of nutrients may not change, but the quality of the nutrients can definitely improve in sprouting. Sprouting means growing something, which indicates enhancing the nutritive value of the food. Sprouts contain a high content of living enzymes, these enzymes help boost your digestion. They help break down food more efficiently and enhance the absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract. The dietary fiber in sprouts also helps regulate digestion.

Sprouts are very nutritious. They are high in a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, which is important for your immunity and collagen production; vitamin K, which plays an important role in bone health and immunity, B vitamins, which are important for stress management and metabolism. Did you know that sprouted grains offer more protein than non-sprouted ones? Sprouts also contain omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Both omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants in sprouts can improve your heart functions. Sprouts also offer abundant vitamin A, which helps improve your vision and eyesight. Vitamin A, biotin, zinc, and other nutrients in sprouts can stimulate the growth of hair and nails.

Here are some amazing health benefits of sprouts:

• Increase nutrients and decrease nutrition inhibitors.
• Improve blood sugar profile.
• Contain high content of enzymes that improve digestion and boost gut health.
• Promote the healthy growth of hair and nails.
• High in Vitamin A that improves vision.
• Improve heart function with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
• Enhance immunity and prevent cancers.

You may wonder what are the best sprouts out there.

Broccoli sprouts are a promising treatment for peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. Broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower are among the most widely consumed sources of sulforaphane. However, broccoli sprouts contain 100-400 times of sulforaphane compared to other cruciferous vegetables, which possess anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts can act both as an antioxidant and detoxifier, which help remove toxins including heavy metals from the body.

Bean sprouts can help improve liver health due to their high concentration of lecithin. Lecithin helps regulate healthy fats in the liver, which prevents liver damage such as the fatty liver. Bean sprouts are among the easiest to grow and commonly available, including mung bean, garbanzo beans, and adzuki beans. Mung beans are small green beans that belong to the legume family. They are high in protein and iron; iron is essential in the production of hemoglobin. Thus, regular consumption of mung sprouts can help prevent iron deficiency anemia. Bean sprouts are also high in Vitamin C, which the body needs to absorb iron. Bean sprouts are one of the best foods to add to your diet if you need to increase your iron intake. Lentil sprouts are a good source of vitamin C, folate, and manganese. They also contain thiamine, copper, and iron. Lentil sprouts are also a good source of protein; you can also enjoy them raw.

Sunflower sprouts are loaded with vitamin D and have a nice rich flavor. Clover green sprouts are sweet and crisp, they are great for sandwiches and salads. Radish sprouts are very high in vitamin C and vitamin A with a spicy taste. Mustard sprouts are very hot and spicy and go well in dishes as well as salads. Pea shoots are a great source of three chemo-protective agents: folate, antioxidants, and carotene, which help protect cells against DNA damage. Sprouted grains such as brown rice and buckwheat can be added to bread to provide a crunchy texture.

There are different ways to grow your favorite sprouts and how to grow your sprouts, they are easy to grow and money-saving. Welcome to the sprout world to re-define your kitchen supplies. What do you think? For more information on holistic health and nutrition, please visit https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca

February Astrology - The Light of Freedom

Astrology is the pulse of our timeline. What can you expect in February? The energy of February is speedy because all the planets go direct this month. The full moon in February is also called the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February. The energy in February is very positive to start with.

Numerology Sheds the Light

The full moon will arrive on Feb.16^th at 27 degrees of Leo. Number 7 (1+6 =7) is highlighted in this month, which is the number of spirits, it is associated with faith and inner wisdom. 27 degrees have been repeating at each full moon for a few months. The sum of the single digit of 27 is 9 (2+7 = 9). Number 9 is associated with changes and endings. The energy of both numbers is expressing itself during this month. It is the faith and the strength of spirit that bring people together to form worldly events at large, such as the Canadian Trucker Freedom Convoy that ignites the global movement for freedom. God's spirit of 9 is in motion and expression. The transformative planet Pluto will return to the natal chart of the United States on February 22^nd, 2022. Number 22 is a master number as a global builder, we can expect that the United States will lead the world for transformation at a large scale, including political structure, finance, education, etc.

New Moon Ignites Passion
The new moon on February 1st in Aquarius highlights equality and humanity. It also coincided with the Chinese New Year – The Year of Tiger. The Year of Tiger can trigger impulsive and restless energy, the tiger is associated with communication and the element of water. 2022 is a water tiger year, so is 2023. We can expect our emotions are highly charged this year. Venus-Mars conjunction will kick off in February in Capricorn and forms exact conjunction on the 16^th at 16 degrees, back to number 7 again. Venus and Mars conjunction is associated with social transgression, sex scandals, children trafficking, etc., which can be the spotlights in the news this month, of course, mainstream media will downplay the game, you have to do your own research.

What is the impact on your personal life and outlook of the near future, please click here.

Osha Root - A Protector for Your Lungs

Have you heard about Osha root? If you are hit by a flu, it is time to strengthen your immune system. Our air is filled with not only toxins but also pathogens. It is important to enhance your lung function and boost your immunity to keep a cold or flu at bay. Osha root is one of the herbs that can charge your lung capacities.

Osha root (Ligusticum porteri) is a perennial herb that is part of the carrot and parsley family with a pleasant spicy celery aroma, it is native to the western mountains of the United States and Mexico, especially near the southern Rocky Mountains. Osha root is also called bear root, love root, mountain ginseng, or chuchupate. It has traditionally been used by Native American and Hispanic cultures as a treatment for respiratory conditions, such as pneumonia, coughs, sore throat, bronchitis, and colds. Traditionally the Native Americans wrapped the root in leaves and strung it up near their newborn babies to cleanse the air that they breathe. Today, osha root is not commercially cultivated and is usually sold in tinctures, sprays, or capsule forms.

Osha root contains important natural oils such as camphor, ferulic acid, saponins, phytosterols, and terpenes. It helps increase dilation of the bronchial tubes and treat many respiratory conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, allergies, and emphysema. It also helps relieve congestion by increasing the circulation of blood to the lungs and clearing mucus from the respiratory passage due to its expectorant properties. Osha root also contains antiviral properties that can combat a cold or flu. It helps ease a sore throat and relieves symptoms of a cold due to its histamine inhibiting effects and numbing effects. If you suffer from high altitude sicknesses such as headaches, nausea, brain fogs, and difficulty breathing, chewing on some fresh osha root can help relieve these symptoms effectively.

Health benefits of osha root include:

• Improve lung function and increase oxygen capacity.
• Clear mucus from the sinuses and lungs.
• Relieve congestion and make breathing easier.
• Ease sore throats and coughs.
• Increase blood circulation to the lungs and increase dilation during constriction.
• Combat a cold or flu due to its antiviral properties.
• Relieve symptoms of high altitude and motion sickness.

Osha root is often found in pre-made cough syrups, you can also make your tinctures or teas with the whole osha root to fully enjoy its health benefits. How to make your osha root tea? Add a handful of your dried root to a pot with 2 cups of water, bring it to a boil then reduce it to a low simmer. Simmer for at least an hour to extract the most benefits out of it. You can add a tsp. of raw honey to make it more pleasant to drink.

You can also combine osha root powder with raw honey, propolis, and thyme to make your own natural remedy for a sore throat or cough. Health maintenance is the key to optimal health. For more information on holistic health and alternative medicine, please visit https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca.