Soul Healing Adventures

A Blog about Exploring Healing and the World

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The World of Strawberries

Strawberries are everything from pop culture icons to healers of the fruit world and even a full moon cannot escape their name. Humans began enjoying this marvelous fruit in ancient Rome. The ancient Romans believed that the berries alleviated symptoms of melancholy, fainting, all inflammations, fevers, throat infections, kidney stones, halitosis, attacks of gout, and diseases of the blood, liver and spleen. It makes you wonder what strawberries can do for us today.

What do Strawberries Help With? Check out these Five Facts:

  • Strawberries contains chemicals that are antioxidants and might keep cancer cells from multiplying. Other chemicals in strawberry might slow down the speed at which the nervous system ages. That’s why some researchers are interested in studying whether strawberry might help prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease or other diseases that involve progressive loss of nerve function.
  • This small red fruit also contains more vitamin C than orange as well as vitamin B9 in large quantities. It is also a great source of manganese, calcium, and magnesium.
  • Can we say Fiber? The fiber from strawberries can also promote weight loss. If you eat enough fiber, you will feel full for longer. Fiber digests slowly, which is good for blood sugar levels, which remain stable for longer.
  • The flavonoids in strawberries decrease the risk of atheromatous plaque formation by increasing the fluidity of the blood. In addition, epidemiological observations show a correlation between the consumption of anthocyanin and a lower risk of vascular disease.
  • In addition to vitamin C, strawberries contain other antioxidants. These substances, known as flavonoids are optimal for combating aging processes by preventing the breakdown of collagen.

So, when you have a moment this Spring and Summer dive into a bowel of strawberries for a tasty treat and a boost in your health.

Photos by pexels-karolina-grabowska-4038801 and pexels-karolina-grabowska-4737099

Time to Celebrate Ceylon Cinnamon

Ceylon Cinnamon should be crowned the best cinnamon for your heath. The health benefits are staggering, however, not all cinnamons are created equal. There are actually five (not four) botanical species of the tree bark commonly referred to as cinnamon. The most common cinnamon you will see at the supermarket spice isle is Cassia cinnamon. As you suspected, this is the cinnamon that has the least health benefits. Cassia cinnamon is so high in coumarin, which is toxic to humans. So, next time you are shopping, look for the more expensive cinnamon which is Ceylon Cinnamon.

Ceylon Cinnamon Health Benefits

Ceylon cinnamon comes in sticks and powder form. Sri Lankan cinnamon, or Ceylon cinnamon, is often referred to as true cinnamon and sweet cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon is a rich source of vitamin K, calcium, iron, and fiber. It also contains high amounts of vitamin E and zinc. Please see the top 4 benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon below:

Ceylon cinnamon is an excellent spice to include in your diet. However, as with any alternative treatment, speak with your doctor before using Ceylon cinnamon.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/anise-aroma-aromatic-blur-301669/ and Photo by Mareefe: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cinnamon-and-anise-1008747/

Helpful Honey

Honey is truly amazing! There are so many benefits in including honey in your daily diet. Below are 5 benefits that will make you want to start using it immediately.

  1. According to one review, honey may help lower blood pressure, improve blood fat levels, regulate your heartbeat, and prevent the death of healthy cells. Still not convinced? One observational study included over 4,500 people over age 40 associated a moderate honey intake with a lower risk of high blood pressure among women.
  2. In a study at the University of Memphis Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory, led by Dr. Richard Kreider, researchers found that honey is a fantastic carbohydrate option for athletes. It has a low glycemic index, positive metabolic response, and effective energy production.
  3. Honey heals chronic wounds that are resistant to healing such as Pressure wounds, Post-surgical wounds, Meningococcal septicemia, Staph, Herpes, MRSA and Burns.
  4. Research has linked honey to improved gut microbial balance, coughing, and other respiratory conditions. Pre and probiotics are in honey. 
  5. Research has found honey improves, facilitates, and lengthens restorative sleep. 

With all the good things that honey can do, please remember that you shouldn’t give honey to infants under 1 year of age due to the risk of botulism.

The magic of honey can provide much more than what was included on this list, please research to determine how it can help you best.

Photo by Archana GS: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-honey-comb-4111270/

Photo by Los Muertos Crew: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-holding-a-honey-dipper-over-a-tea-7615886/

Self-Heal with Reiki

Have you ever wondered if you have a superpower? Well, actually you do. You have the ability to do Reiki. Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. I learned how to do Reiki and can definitely state it is a great tool for healing. I have utilized Reiki to heal my eyes after Lasik surgery. When preforming the Reiki on myself, I could actually feel my eyes move and change. Afterwards the redness and pain subsided.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. Reiki practitioners use a technique called palm healing or hands-on healing through which a “universal energy” is said to be transferred through the palms of the practitioner to the patient in order to encourage emotional or physical healing.

Reiki is taught according to the Japanese tradition of the “sensei” (teacher) who passes the knowledge to the student through attunement, an initiation ceremony that is thought to open the student’s energy channels to facilitate the flow of healing energy, according to an article in the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology. (7) Once open, these channels remain open for the rest of your life. (8)

Studies done on Reiki

Reiki is not intended to replace any doctor-approved treatment plan, however, a 2015 study found that people being treated for cancer who received distant reiki in addition to regular medical care had lower levels of pain, anxiety, and fatigue. These levels were significantly lower than the control group, who only received medical care.

In another 2015 study, researchers looked at the effects of reiki on women following cesarean delivery. They found that reiki significantly reduced pain, anxiety, and the breathing rate in women 1-2 days after having a cesarean delivery. The need for and number of analgesic pain killers was also reduced.

According to a 2007 survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, 1.2 million adults and 161,000 children in the United States received energy healing therapy like Reiki in the previous year, and Reiki is now used by a growing number of Americans to help with relaxation, anxiety, pain management, and depression, according to a study in the March–April 2017 issue of Holistic Nursing Practice. (3,4)

Reiki Training

There are some reputable Reiki training organizations out there that offer certifications and licenses, like the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT), the UK Reiki Federation, the Canadian Reiki Association, the Association of Australian Reiki Professionals, and the International Association of Reiki Professionals. ICRT offers a directory of professional Reiki practitioners you can search through. Or you can google practitioners in your area and check that they’ve been licensed or certified by one of these organizations.

Photo by Mikhail Nilov

Natural Frequency of Crystals

I was going through my previous blog posts to generate ideas on what to write about. I finally saw the prior blog post The Magic of Healing Crystals and I realized I have an update. When I wrote The Magic of Healing Crystals, I poised a question on whether it was a placebo effect. However, I realize now that Natural Frequency is the reason you feel better with certain Crystals and Stones.

Natural Frequency

Wikipedia‘s definition of Natural frequency is as follows: “Natural frequency is the frequency at which a system tends to oscillate in the absence of any driving or damping force.” According to the Book of Stones, “When we bring the crystal into our electromagnetic field, two things occur. The electromagnetic frequencies carried by the stone will vibrate with related frequencies in our own energy field through the physical law of resonance, creating a third larger vibration field. The nervous system is attuned to these shifts in energy and transmits this information to the brain. Here the frequencies stimulate biochemical shifts that affect the physical body and shift brain function.” (Simmons & Ahsian 2005, 28)

In regards to frequencies affecting healing, let’s take a look at Sound Therapy. I wrote a blog titled Mystical Hertz Sound Therapy and in this blog it discusses how sound has been used as a healing tool for centuries and is still regularly utilized by many alternative health care centers and cultures. 

By using specific rhythms and frequencies, you can slow down your brain from the beta state (which is normal consciousness) to the theta state (which is relaxed consciousness) and then even to the delta state (where internal healing can occur). This is why the same should occur when bringing crystal/stone into our energy field.

I have found many articles stating certain crystals are high vibrational, but I have yet to find a chart in Hertz measuring each crystals natural frequency. When I locate an article with this information, I will make sure to write a new blog. If you know of an article, please let me know in the comments.

Photo by Ian Beckley from Pexels

That “Gut Feeling”

Have you ever been in that situation that you just know is not good for you even though it looks good on paper? You pass on an opportunity and everyone you know thinks you are crazy. Then it becomes the best decision you ever made because the opportunity fails. That “Gut Feeling” can be attributed to several things.

Bacteria

Your little bacteria buddies, known as the microbiome, in your stomach may be giving you a heads up on situations. In the last few years, studies in rodents demonstrate that the gut microbiome can influence neural development, brain chemistry and a wide range of behavioral phenomena. The gut has its own independent nervous system with a network of 100 million neurons embedded in the gut wall. They build and maintain the gut wall, which protects the body from outside invaders. Beneficial bacteria in the gut also blocks harmful microbes and produce anti-microbial chemicals that defend the host against pathogens.

Gut bacteria also produce hundreds of neurochemicals that the brain uses to regulate basic physiological processes as well as mental processes such as learning, memory and mood.  This includes serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitter molecules that steer mood and behavior in brain circuits.  The bacterial messages also can prompt responses from the body’s immune system.

Neuroscientist and author of The Source Tara Swart, M.D., Ph.D., says, “Your gut feelings are a combination of your gut bacteria communicating directly to your brain via chemical messengers in the blood (cytokine transmission) and the gut neurons connection to the limbic (emotional and intuitive) part of the brain.”

The Spirit World

The alternative explanation to the “gut feeling” is the spiritual world. It seems our gut feelings have the possibility of revealing in one of four ways: As clairvoyance, claircognizance, clairsentience, and clairaudience. However, the most common way the gut feeling will manifest is clairsentience or claircognizance.  Claircongnizance is the ability to ‘just know’ information and the knowledge often comes to you spontaneously, but you know in your soul it is 100% accurate. Clairsentience is the ability to feel strongly and sense the emotions and feelings of people, animals, spirits, and places around them. We all have these abilities, just some will be more natural for us to access and can require practice and training.

Also, Yoga recognizes importance of gut feelings. The nabhi (solar plexus) chakra or the Kandasthana, is the source of the majority of 72,000 energy channels, known as nadis. Nadis are the network of channels which facilitate the movement of Prana (life force). The stomach is our energetic center of our body.  It is where emotional memories are stored, and where your “gut feeling” comes from.

In conclusion, before I go to sleep tonight, I will give a shout out to my little bacteria buddies in my stomach and tell them I appreciate them. Throw down some yoga and then practice some clairsentience by guessing the suit of the card prior to flipping the playing card over.

Photo by Eva Elijas from Pexels

5 Flowers with Health Benefits

It is a great time of year to bring flowers indoors to enjoy. However, instead of sneaking to your food pantry for a treat, you might be able to partake in a flower power snack instead. Say What! Oh, it is true. In fact, check out 5 flowers with health benefits below:

Roses

There are over 150 species of roses and the best part is that they are all edible. How do you know what rose to choose to eat? When trying to choose a flavorful rose make sure it smells pleasant, because it will probably taste good, too. Only eat the petals of roses and not the leaves and stems. They can be eaten raw, mixed into various fruit or green salads or dried and added to granola or mixed herbs. Fresh rose petals can also be muddled and added to jams and jellies. Like many other edible flowers, roses may offer health benefits. Some research suggests that certain compounds in roses may play a role in reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Rose tea also helps in alleviating mild sore throats and bronchial infections.

Pansy

Apparently, pansies have a mild, fresh and lightly floral flavor. However, like roses, there is some flavor variation depending on the type. Pansies can be finely chopped and added to a simple green salad for a pop of color and texture. In addition to adding some flair to a meal, pansies are also known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Herbal doctors prescribe pansies as an effective treatment for high blood pressure and as a relief against heart pain.

Purslane

Purslane is a succulent that produces tiny, yellow flowers and thick, fleshy leaves. The flowers and leaves are both edible and may be eaten cooked or raw. It’s filled with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but its biggest claim to nutritional fame is its omega 3 fat content. What is amazing is that purslane provides more omega 3s than almost any other vegetable of its kind. Purslane is also rich in vitamin C, which is important to keep your collagen and blood vessels in good shape, as well as helping injuries heal. There are multiple ways to enjoy the flowers and leaves. Most common is salads and sandwiches.

Nasturtium

The funnel-shaped flowers are typically bright orange, red or yellow and the leaves are round. They can be used as salad greens or blended into pesto. Nasturtium is also nutritious. It contains a variety of minerals and health-promoting compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Also, an excellent source of vitamin C, which can help bolster the immune system. 

Lavender

Lavender is probably best known for its calming effects. The combination of color and aroma make lavender a particularly desirable addition to a variety of foods, baked goods, infused syrups, liqueurs, herbal teas, dry spice rubs and herb mixtures. If you want something really amazing, try Honey Lavender Ice-cream. When cooking, lavender can be quite potent, so start slow when adding it to your dish. In regards to medicinal benefits, lavender can be used to treat anxiety, fungal infections, hair loss, and wounds.

Photo by Jess Bailey Designs from Pexels

Garlic: Not just for stopping Vampires

Garlic is quite extraordinary. Not only does it keep mythical beings away but it has some pretty insane health benefits too. People have used it over the centuries for a variety of ailments. Today, garlic is used in food and taken as an herbal supplement. It is commonly used for several conditions linked to the blood system and the heart.

Medical News Today has an extensive article in regards to the benefits of garlic. Below are 5 studies performed on garlic and their benefits:

  1. During the 7 year study period, people who ate raw garlic at least twice a week had a 44 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. This is according to a study conducted at the Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China.
  2. The compounds found in garlic, Organo-sulfur, is effective in destroying the cells in glioblastomas, a type of deadly brain tumor. Scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina reported in the journal Cancer that the three pure organo-sulfur compounds from garlic: DAS, DADS, and DATS, demonstrate benefits in eradicating brain cancer cells, but DATS proved to be the most effective.
  3. A compound in garlic, Diallyl sulfide, is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics in fighting the Campylobacter bacterium. This is according to a study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
  4. Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine found that a component of garlic oil helps protect the heart during cardiac surgery and after a heart attack. They also believe that the component of garlic oil, diallyl trisulfide, could be used as a treatment for heart failure. In another study, scientists found that garlic oil may help protect diabetes patients from cardiomyopathy. This study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
  5. Researchers at Ankara University investigated the effects of garlic extract supplementation on patients with high blood cholesterol. The garlic extract supplements reduced high cholesterol levels, and also blood pressure in the patients with hypertension. The scientists noted more work needs to be carried out on the study. Their study was published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.

Hopefully, this has inspired you to research the benefits of garlic more, since the benefits are quite extensive. If you decide to take garlic as a supplement make sure to seek the advice of your doctor. Also, never forget the greatest benefit of all, it helps keep Vampires away.

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

The Sorcery of Chocolate

It is February and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Since it was my New Year’s resolution to lose weight, this then brought me to the bitterest realization. I can’t partake in Valentine’s Day candy. Also, I know I will most likely be watching the movie Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. I am going to want to devour chocolate after this movie. So, I decided to look up the health benefits of chocolate in order to console myself when consuming mass quantities of it. The health benefits are pretty amazing as long as you have enough cacao in it. Cacao has been considered a beneficial medicine as it contains over 300 identifiable chemical compounds and is a very high source of antioxidants. Unfortunately, many of these beneficial properties are destroyed by cooking, processing, and refining. For example, studies have shown that dairy actually blocks the absorption of antioxidants in chocolate, which is present in most commercially produce chocolate products. When choosing a chocolate product, get those with the highest cacao content possible (around 85%) with no dairy and very little sugar. Below are 10 magical health benefits of chocolate with high cacao content.

  1. Promotes blood flow and prevents coagulation that can result in heart attack or stroke.
  2. Lowers blood pressure.
  3. Reduces the risk of colorectal and colon cancer.
  4. Helps prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.
  5. Supports weight loss ( I did a little dance when I saw this one).
  6. Improves cognitive function.
  7. Elevates mood and spirits by raising levels of serotonin, endorphins, phenylethylamine, and anadamide.
  8. Contains quercetin, flavonoids, flavanols, xanthenes, polyphenols, theobromine, and anandamide.
  9. Contains one of the highest ORAC (antioxidant) scores of all foods.
  10. Contains exceptional amounts of manganese, copper, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium. It is also a good source of selenium and calcium.

Photo by Brigitte Tohm from Pexels and Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels

You are made of Stardust!

Do you ever look at the night sky and just stare at the stars. Sometimes, I like to use the app SkyView Lite so I can see which constellations I am looking at in the night sky. Have you ever wanted to be apart of the stars? Well, you actually already are! Atoms as well as elements (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur) in your body are found in stars and many have come through several supernovas and were formed over the course of billions of years and multiple star lifetimes. We have about 97 percent of the same kind of atoms that our found in the stardust of our galaxy. Also, it is possible that some of our hydrogen (which makes up roughly 9.5% of our bodies) and trace amounts of lithium, originated from the Big Bang, which was created about 14 billion years ago.

This then brings up, how are you we exactly apart of the stars other than we share a similar makeup? The phenomenon known as entanglement shows that when two particles or fields interact, they remain connected no matter how far apart they are. This is also true of particles and fields that were created at the same time. This means that since we are made of the same particles as the stars, we are then connected/entangled with them no matter how far away they are in our galaxy.

So, next time someone mentions that you are out of this world, you can tell them a fun fact and let them know that technically they are too.

Photoa by Aviv Perets from Pexels and  Ken Cheung from Pexels

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