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Questions and Answers:

  1. My Wife lost Interest in sexual relations...
  2. I am having trouble sleeping...
  3. Will Meditation help?
  4. What is Wheat Grass?
  5. What is Noni Juice?

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Dear Michelle,

            My wife does not seem to have any interest in sexual relations anymore.  She says she is tired and feels too hot.  I think she may be going into her “changes”.  Is there any thing I can do to restore her passion for me?  I heard about this “Royal Maca”.  What is it and will it help?

 Signed,       Rejected Husband

 Dear R.H.,

There are many reasons a woman may not be “in the mood.”  Poor diet, lack of exercise, stresses of employment or family problems, or hormone imbalances can cause disinterest.  Communication and patience is one way of trying to determine the cause of the declining libido.  Royal Maca® is the brand name for a Peruvian root called Maca (Lepidium peruvianum chacon) produced by the Whole World Botanicals Company. 

The root grows at high altitudes in the Andes Mountains.  It seems to stimulate the endocrine glands (ovaries, testes, adrenals, pancreas and thyroid) but is not a hormone itself.  It prompts the pituitary gland to exert its influence over the endocrine glands.  This effect results in increased energy in men and women, increased libido, increase in vaginal lubrication and more youthful skin among other things.  It should not be used in the presence of breast or prostate cancer or allergy to the root.  The company suggests that after 4 months of use that it be discontinued for 1 month.  I suggest your wife have appropriate hormone testing done by her health care provider to determine if this is the cause of her disinterest.  I recommend seeing a Wholistic practitioner or herbalist before taking any herbal product.  

 

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Dear Michelle,

            I am having trouble sleeping.  Is there anything natural I can take?

 Regards, Sleepless in Seaford

 Dear S.I.S.,

            Eating too heavily or too late can interfere with sleep.  Too much caffeine or alcohol will disturb sleep.  Worry or “mind talk” can prevent sleep.  Progressive relaxation techniques with yogic breathing may be helpful.  There are many audiotapes available on the market.  Passionflower, Chamomile or Valerian root teas may relax your mind, body and spirit so that you can rejuvenate yourself.
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Dear Michelle,

            I heard that meditation is really beneficial for many things.  I am trying to do it as a stress reduction tool.  I am having trouble “centering”.  Do you have any suggestions?

Very truly yours,    All Stressed Out

 Dear A.S.O.,

            I suggest that you set aside the same time everyday to meditate.  Early morning is best.  Find a quiet space and eliminate distractions.  Calming music, candles or incense can be used.  Sit in a comfortable upright position with your legs crossed and your head centered.  This allows “Qi” or “Prana” to flow freely.  Your shoulders should be down, back and relaxed.  Your face should be relaxed.  Your hands can rest on your knees.  Close your eyes.

            Concentrate on the area around your navel called the “Tan Tien”.  Breathe into this area.  Observe your breathing.  Thoughts may enter your mind.  Acknowledge them and put them on small sailboats to float away and return later.  Scan your body for areas of tension and let it go.  You can also say a “mantra”.  This is a word to help you concentrate and let everything else go.  It can be any work that you like.  “OMMMMM” is a popular one.

            Books on meditation and related subjects by Deepak Chopra, Caroline Myss and Jon Kabat-Zinn may be helpful.  Relax and enjoy. 

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 Dear Michelle,

            What the heck is Wheat Grass and what is it good for?

    Signed,  Confused

Dear Confused,

            Wheat and barley grass are members of the Triticum grain family.  They are known as cereal grasses.  They contain a high level of chlorophyll.  They appear as green grass and can be obtained in powder and tablet form. 

            Wheat and barley grass is a very good source of vitamins.  It contains Beta-Carotene, B Vitamins, Folic acid, Vitamin C, Biotin, Vitamin E and Vitamin K.  It has many minerals such as selenium, phosphorous and potassium.  It contains amino acids and enzymes like Superoxide Dimutase (SOD); Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) like Linolenic Acid and Linoleic Acid.  Large amounts of mucopolysaccharides to strengthen body tissues, decrease blood fat and reduce inflammation reside in cereal grasses. 

            A Lithuanian born woman named Ann Wigmore used natural products and Wheat grass to heal her shattered legs after an automobile accident.  Her medical doctors suggested amputation.  She refused and maintained a diet of vegetables, grains and greens.  When the weather grew cold and she could not grow the grasses outside she brought them inside and then juiced them.  In l958 she turned an old Boston mansion into the Hippocrates Health Institute.    She assisted people to heal themselves using natural means including Wheat grass. (See Phyt Cancer with Plants).
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Dear Michelle,

            I have some friends who think I should take Noni Juice for my depression.   What is it?  Should I take it?  I value your opinion.

                                                                        Desperate in Detroit

 Dear Desperate,

            Noni Juice is known as Morinda Citrifolia.  It grows in Tahiti, India, Samoa, Southeast Asia, Australia and in Hawaii.  It is supposed to be a cure all.  Companies that produce it like Morinda, Inc. once made claims that it can cure Arthritis, depression, hemorrhoids, diabetes and even Cancer, but have since retracted these statements. 

            It should be taken on an empty stomach so that the enzymes in it will be activated.  The enzyme pepsin that is present in the stomach deactivates it.  An empty stomach is believed to contain less pepsin so that the Noni Juice enzymes have a better chance of being effective.  The Hawaiian preparation tastes terrible.  The South Pacific product has a milder flavor.  It should be taken about a half hour before breakfast.  Avoid coffee, tobacco or alcohol.  Clients with kidney problems taking Noni Juice can have resulting hyperkalemia despite a low potassium diet.  Noni Juice is contraindicated in renal patients.  The potassium content of Noni Juice is about the same as orange or tomato juice.  If depression is your problem, I would consult a professional psychologist or psychiatrist instead!  If the depression is mild or occasional a mental health professional and a herbalogist may be sufficient treatment.  I do not believe that a cure all tonic like Noni Juice will substitute for professional help.  Any depression symptoms should not be ignored.

Symptoms of Depression may include many of the following:

  1. Headaches

  2. Irritability

  3. Social Withdrawal

  4. Changes in eating habits

  5. Sleep disturbances

  6. Sadness

  7. No motivation

  8. Decreased energy and fatigue

  9. Poor concentration

  10. Agitation

  11. Restless

  12. Memory problems

  13. Guilt

  14. Self-blame

  15. Delusions & Hallucinations

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Michčlle Feintein, R.N., C.N.A.T.
Copyright © 2001  [Wholistic HealthWorks®]. All rights reserved.
Revised: November 17, 2006 .