Digestion

What is Hydrotherapy?

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What is Hydrotherapy?Head shower while running water

Water can be a very powerful tool for healing that is often underestimated. As Naturopathic Doctors, we use water therapy, called hydrotherapy, which involves applying different methods of water to the body to promote healing. This might involve alternating hot and cold water applications to an area, or even using a sauna to nourish our bodies. Hydrotherapy has an added benefit of being inexpensive, because most of the time it is just a matter of applying water to an area. Though it is just water, some of the treatments may not be good for certain patient populations based on its effect and pre-existing medical conditions. Therefore, it is best to consult with your Naturopathic Doctor before trying any hydrotherapy treatments on your own.

What does it cause in the body?

Overall, various hydrotherapy treatments can be used to cause the following effects in the body:

  • Reduce pain
  • Increase circulation
  • Promote detoxification
  • Promote healing of organs/tissues
  • Stimulate brain function
  • Relieve fatigue
  • Boost Immune system functioning
  • Promote digestion
  • Increase metabolism
  • Relieve congestion
  • Relieve coughs
  • Promotes relaxation

What are the different conditions it can help with?

Hydrotherapy can be used to help many different conditions including:

  • Digestive concerns such as constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, fatty liver, colic, tenesmus, etc.
  • Menstrual concerns such as irregular cycles, premenstrual tension, cramping (dysmenorrhea), etc.
  • Musculoskeletal concerns such as joint pain, muscle pain, muscle tears, ligament instability, etc.
  • Respiratory concerns such as the effects of allergies, congestion, coughs, frequent colds and flues, compromised immune systems etc.
  • Many other concerns such as weight loss goals, fatigue, detoxification and improving overall health.

For more information on hydrotherapy or the services I provide, consider calling the clinic at 519-537-7058, or message me via the contact portion of this website.

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!

 

Botanical Medicine: What is it and How can it Help

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Transparent cup of green tea with lime on wooden backgroundBotanical Medicine has been used for thousands of years in so many different forms. Many people think that this is a primitive form of medicine, when in fact it can be quite comparable to some pharmaceutical drugs in some cases. This article looks at what botanical medicine is, how it can be used, and what for.

What is Botanical Medicine?

Botanical medicine involves the use of plants or herbs to achieve therapeutic outcomes. Specific plants or herbs are chosen based off of their medicinal effects in order to aid the individual in question. Botanicals can have multiple effects on multiple organ systems making them quite effective in the sense that they may be able to help with more than one problem. For example, Chamomile can be quite calming on the stomach and promote digestion, but can also be calming on the nervous system, making it potentially beneficial for indigestion and anxiety.

In addition, when more than one herb is combined to achieve a therapeutic goal, they can often have a synergistic effect. What this means is they both possess potent capabilities on their own, but when combined, the effect far exceeds that of them simply being added together. For example, if herb A is 2 and herb b is 2, when added together, you would assume that it would be 4, but it is actually more like 10!

How is Botanical Medicine used?

As alluded to above, herbs can be used on their own or in combination, and can be used in several different forms. They can be made into tinctures, teas, poultices, and salves. Tinctures are alcohol extractions of herbs, often containing a higher dose of herbs in small quantities. Teas are dried herbs that have medicinal properties extracted through hot water. Poultices involve applying herbs topically (externally to the skin). Salves are a combination of herbs in various forms with an ointment.

No form of herbs is necessarily right, but really depends on the patient’s particular case. For example, a poultice may be more appropriate for skin issues than a tincture.

What can botanical medicine be used for?

Botanical Medicine can be used for a variety of concerns. In my practice, I primarily use teas and poultices. I find that both of these forms can be beneficial in quite a few concerns including those listed below.

  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • Allergies
  • Anxiety
  • Arthritis
  • Burn out
  • Colds and flus
  • Constipation
  • Coughs
  • Depression
  • Detoxification
  • Diarrhea
  • Diabetes
  • Digestive Concerns
  • Eczema
  • Fatigue
  • Fertility
  • Fevers
  • Fungal Infections
  • Headaches
  • Heartburn/GERD
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • IBS
  • Infections
  • Insomnia
  • Menstrual issues
  • Migraines
  • Pain
  • Psoriasis
  • Stress
  • Weight loss

If you would like a custom tea made specific for you and your health concerns, please contact myself, Dr. Elisha Cook ND via the contact portion of my page 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!

 

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

 

Lifestyle Tips to Deal with GERD/ Heartburn

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Gastro esophageal reflux disorder (GERD) or acid reflux can be caused by multiple mechanisms. For some individuals, there is too much acid in the stomach, for others there is not enough. In some cases, an individual may be eating too much.  Further, for some people, they can be eating a food that they are sensitive to – this can be determined with the help of a Naturopathic Doctor. Whatever the cause is for you, it can be quite uncomfortable. Some individuals might experience such symptoms as indigestion, burning throat, chest pain, chronic cough, difficulty with sleep and much more. Some lifestyle changes can help to address some of the discomfort and may even reverse the symptoms, but this is not always the case.

Have more frequent smaller meals

Having smaller meals can decrease the burden on our digestive tract when it comes to processing our food and creating stomach acid.

Do not lay down after eating

Laying down after eating can cause the acid to very easily ascend the esophagus leading to “heart burn” type feeling. By postponing laying down for several hours, this can help to prevent the discomfort. Therefore, it is also not beneficial to eat near bed time for this reason.

Chew gum after a meal or have a digestive tea

Both of these techniques can aid with the processing and digesting of food, thereby decreasing the burden on the system. In part, this is due to both moving acid down into the stomach. In addition, tea can help to relax the gastrointestional tract and increase peristalsis (movement) in the intestines. Examples of digestive teas include chamomile, peppermint, and ginger teas.

Slow down meals

In our society, we are always on the go and looking for convenience. This is where we have failed our bodies. We were not meant to be stressed and eating. Stress slows digestion and diverts blood away from the digestive tract, leading to more difficulties with processing food, resulting in indigestion. By taking time for your meal – for example smelling your food and chewing more – it may help your body to process your food more efficiently leading to less GERD or acid reflux.

Avoid tight clothing

This suggestion might sound strange, but tight clothing including belts can increase the amount of pressure in the abdominal area which can contribute to acid reflux. With this being said, it is important to consider the effect of excess weight around the stomach area and contribution it can have to increasing pressure in the abdomen. Losing weight is a touchy subject but is worth considering. If this applies to you, seek some medical input by contacting a health care provider such as myself.

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!