Elisha Cook

Health Benefits of Chamomile

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chamomileChamomile (Matricaria recutita) is a very commonly consumed herb in today’s society, typically in tea form. What many people do not realize is this tea can be consumed for more than just socialization aspects, but also for its medicinal effects.

Medicinal Effects:

  • Anti-oxidant
  • Anti-microbial
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-diarrheal
  • Anti-carcinogen
  • Hepatoprotective
  • Anti-diabetic
  • Anxiolytic
  • Anti-spasmodic
  • Anti-emetic
  • Sedative
  • Carminative

Conditions Aided by this Tea

  • Anxiety
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Depression
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Dyspepsia
  • Indigestion
  • Insomnia

Research

Much research has been done in the area of chamomile for mental health. In particular, chamomile has been shown to be effective for generalized anxiety disorder – in particular when it is in mild or moderate states. In research, not only has chamomile tea been shown to aid with anxiety but also with anxiety combined with depression! Depression scores were rated far lower when individuals took chamomile when compared to placebo.

In addition to the research into its effects on mental health, much research has been sought into for the effects of chamomile on digestion. Chamomile has been shown to improve the duration of diarrhea (i.e. less time having diarrhea by 5 hours!), and was shown to improve colic. The anti-inflammatory nature of chamomile has also been shown to be beneficial in ulcers of the digestive tract and inflammation in the gut overall.

Finally, much research extends into chamomile being used topically (as a lotion, essential oil, or balm) for such conditions as osteoarthritis, mucositis induced by chemotherapy, and ulcers. It has been shown to be useful in decreasing inflammation in the area and improving wound healing.

Conclusions

Overall, one can argue that chamomile is more than just another tea, but rather has some potent health effects. I would encourage you to consult your health care provider to verify if regular chamomile consumption is right for you.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3600408/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5074766/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3600416/

http://longwoodherbal.org/chamomile/chamomile.pdf

 

How does Acupuncture Work?

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acupunctureWhen I recommend acupuncture, one of the most common questions I get is “how does acupuncture work or how will it help?”. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to aid with so many different health concerns. Over the course of that time, many studies have been conducted to determine how this therapy causes effect, and what it can be used for. The following presents a list of both actions that can take place in the body and the potential conditions or symptoms it can help to alleviate.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture works via many different pathways which cause:

  • Release of endorphins – resulting in decreased pain
  • Relaxation of muscle
  • Stimulation of neuronal activity and brain tissue
  • Secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters
  • Promotes blood flow
  • Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which causes reduced stress

What Can Acupuncture Help with?

Acupuncture can help with many surprising conditions/symptoms including:

  • Pain – joint and muscle
  • Arthritis – including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout
  • Muscle tension
  • Sports injuries
  • Stress
  • Fertility
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches/ Migraines
  • Insomnia
  • Menstrual irregularities
  • Coughs and colds
  • Asthma
  • Sinusitis
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • TMJ syndrome
  • Tinnitus
  • Smoking cessation
  • Heartburn
  • Digestive disturbances such as constipation and diarrhea
  • Concerns during pregnancy
  • To ease discomfort and aid during delivery

How Does Dr. Elisha Cook ND Use Acupuncture?

My approach to acupuncture is based more on Chinese medicine than on Western medicine. What I mean by this is that I do not simply put a needle where it hurts, but rather look at the body as a whole and attempt to support the whole system. As I often tell my patients, you are not your disease and you need to be treated as such. This implies that you are a unique individual with unique presentations results in you needing certain points over others. So for example, two individuals come to me looking for acupuncture for fertility. I will not use the exact same points on these two individuals and the points chosen will not be only around the stomach/uterus area. I also do not use solely acupuncture on a patient. In my opinion, it is best to use the acupuncture while allowing diet, lifestyle, botanicals, and supplements to boost deficient areas. However, all of this is determined at the patient’s comfort level and I work with you where you are at (for example if you only want acupuncture, then we only do acupuncture).

If you are interested in trying acupuncture, feel free to contact the clinic by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

 

5 Foods to Eat/Drink when trying to Lose Weight

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Girl - Weight LossUltimately, this list of foods to eat to lose weight is a bit more extensive than just 5 and should really include fruits and vegetables of all kinds. A diet full of fruits and vegetables is more likely to result in weight loss than one filled with refined sugars. The following is a list of some extra components to add to a balanced diet in order to achieve weight loss.

  1. Chia Seeds: Chia seeds have many beneficial properties that help them in the goal of weight loss. Chia seeds are a good source of protein, omega – 3 fatty acids (not substantial levels to compensate for supplementation), and fiber. All three of these help with digestion, to decrease appetite, to increase energy, and to decrease inflammation. All of these can be beneficial on the road to weight loss.
  2. Sweet Potato: Sweet potatoes can be beneficial for weight loss for the reason that they can be a substitute for a regular white potato. A sweet potato has far fewer calories than a regular potato and are low in glycemic index. What this results in is a reduced impact on blood sugar levels which leads to less sugar being stored in the form of fat in the body.
  3. Hot Water with Lemon: starting each day with hot water with a slice of lemon in it can be beneficial for weight loss for a number of reasons. To start with it can increase metabolism at the beginning of the day meaning more calories burnt. In addition, this drink can stimulate digestion and liver functioning. This can help to process hormones more efficiently and to eliminate toxins from the body. Some sources also suggest that this drink can be a source of vitamin C, which some studies suggest can be important for weight loss.
  4. Green Tea: many studies have suggested that even just 1 cup of green tea per day can be enough to stimulate metabolism. Green tea can also act as a substitute for coffee and the potential to “drink your calories” through having sugary coffee beverages.
  5. Water: Drinking water is important for many bodily functions in general. In addition, feeling hungry could be a sign that we are actually just thirsty. By curbing your appetite through drinking water first, this can help with weight loss. Research has suggested that drinking a glass of water before each meal helps to increase potential weight loss by 3lbs compared to individuals who did not drink water before meals. Water can also increase the amount of calories burned in one hour, after consuming 500 ml of water.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

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petsSome people choose to have pets for companionship and/or for work related purposes, while others choose to not have any at all. Many debate whether the stress of owning a pet is really worth all of the extra effort. The answer to this question is really dependent on the individual, but I will choose to focus on the potential positive outcomes that may come from owning a pet. Just because there are positive health benefits to owning a pet does not mean that just anyone should go out and get a dog/cat/fish/lizard/etc. Owning a pet requires commitment, patience, budgeting, and so much more. Also worth mentioning is that much of the research conferring that pets offer health benefits is based off of owning a cat or a dog. This does not mean that there are not any health benefits to owning fish, lizards, or other pets; but there may be different health benefits than those listed below. For example, there has been quite a bit of research behind fish tanks and how having one can actually decrease stress, promote relaxation and even decrease behavioural distress in children.

Owning a cat/dog can decrease:

  • Blood pressure by being in the same room as a pet or even just petting them
  • Cholesterol through even just petting your pet
  • Triglycerides
  • Feelings of loneliness
  • Risk of developing allergies in children by 33% but this is dependent on age and research is a bit mixed.
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Risk of being or becoming obese (if you walk your dog and do not leave it to someone else)
  • Anxiety or behavioural distress in children
  • Doctor’s visits
  • Sick days

Owning a cat/dog can increase

  • Socialization
  • Chances for activity
  • Immune system strength
  • Recovery post – cardiovascular event
  • Empathy in children without siblings
  • Self – esteem in children without siblings
  • Participation in social and physical activities in children without siblings

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References:

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/

http://center4research.org/healthy-living-prevention/pets-and-health-the-impact-of-companion-animals/

http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/benefits-of-pets/