What does investing in your health really mean?

Very simply, it’s choosing to spend your hard-earned money wisely now on eating wholesome organic foods, taking quality supplements and hiring the right natural health professional to support your well being for the long term.

Or…

Throwing it away later on extra visits to your physician, prescription medications with laundry lists of side effects and completely avoidable surgeries.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

Ever wonder why some folks age more gracefully than others? For the average person, the decision to be healthy or not rests largely on three things:

• Diet
• Stress management
• Exercise

Making informed decisions about this powerful trio for the long haul not only contributes to your continuing good health, it helps you avoid the most common diseases the world faces today: Obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Each one is 100 percent preventable by making lifestyle and dietary changes.

Here’s the catch: Nothing is free.

Researching the latest in alternative treatments for X disease online, then running to your neighborhood health food store to buy the next great herbal supplement to “cure it” just isn’t good enough.

Doing The Research Isn’t Enough

You may have great research skills and there certainly isn’t anything wrong about being your own healthcare advocate. However, there is a time to let the professionals do the heavy lifting.

For example, investing in the services of a trained professional who has far more experience in repairing your home’s cracked foundation is just good common sense, particularly someone who specializes in it 24/7.

The most critical foundation of your life — your health — deserves nothing less.

It’s absolutely smart to invest the time doing the research to become better informed about the ins and outs of home foundations to find the best professionals to help you solve that problem.

You’re taking positive steps to make the best decisions possible about the health of your home, then turning to an experienced professional for help. The very same thing applies — particularly in the “Wild, Wild West” that is the World Wide Web — to natural health.

Also, DIY (do-it-yourself) health rarely works for most people over the long term, and often leads to frustration about money needlessly wasted at the health food store on items that “didn’t work.”

Smartly investing your time and money on quality whole-food supplements vs. synthetic brands found in the typical health food store — plus working with a trained natural health professional — can make all the difference in protecting your health.

It’s all about your CHOICE and 100 percent your responsibility for making good decisions that result in supreme, optimal health for a long, long time or bad options that result in illness today, and a shortened lifespan tomorrow.

Making The Right Choices

Over the years, I’ve discussed whole health options with people who drive very expensive cars, carry Coach purses and own the latest iPhone. Unfortunately, those very same folks would rather spend $1.50 for cheap factory farm eggs or $5 on generic vitamins than invest $4 on a dozen organic eggs produced by free-range chickens or quality nutritional supplements for their long and continued good health.

When you compare the nutritional content of factory-produced eggs versus organics, there is no contest. Considering the planetary destruction caused by farms that pack thousands of chickens pumped full of antibiotics and hormones into a few feet compared to the farmer who raises several hundred chickens humanely, without drugs and on open land, it’s a pretty simple choice to make.

Remember this: Your physical body will “notice” that the organic chicken doesn’t have added hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals added to it.

Your body will also “notice” if that chicken is eating its natural diet (bugs, seeds and other natural substances), it will produce a far superior egg than a chicken that is fed the food lying around the standard lot (which sometimes includes ground-up parts of dead chickens).

Those expensive cars, bags and phones aren’t really going to help them when illness comes. Trust me, it will some day.

Why are some people so willing to drop money on incidentals that have nothing to do with their quality of life and health, but completely unwilling to spend it on substantial things that can truly enhance their health?

People who have expensive taste in cars and clothes often tell me, “Well, you get what you pay for so if I’m going to spend X dollars on a car, I want the best.”

Quality food and supplements are no different and much more important in my mind. In the case of both, you definitely get what you pay for.

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Do you have stress in your life? (Who doesn’t, right?)  Of course, we all do to some degree. But what really matters is how you handle that stress!

It’s a medical fact that emotional stress impacts health and well-being. Doctors, psychologists and healthcare professionals often diagnose stress and anxiety as underlying causes of physical problems. Recent research now shows a link between emotions and the immune system. However, the emotional demands and stresses of everyday life can make it difficult to maintain a consistent, positive mental attitude.

When you feel fulfilled, happy and positive you tend to enjoy better health. You are able to get your maximum potential out of life and have more to give your friends and family.

The original Flower Essences were developed by a famous English physician, Dr. Edward Bach. He believed that diseases of the body occurred because of imbalances or negative emotions in the brain and soul and by correcting the emotional imbalance, the body would be capable of healing on its own.

Flower Essences are prepared extracts (like homeopathic remedies) from various flowers and help to bring about gentle healing to balance negative energies in the body. Flower Essences are a natural and safe form of complementary healing and are free from any toxins or preservatives. They can be used in conjunction with other therapies and/or prescription medicine and can help to reduce your stress levels and promote overall health and well being.

If you are suffering with stress symptoms (grief, emotional turmoil, fear, anger, sadness, depression, inadequacy or any other emotional symptom), there is a simple and easy solution that can really help! I have had much success helping people get their stress levels under control thereby enhancing their health! I am available for phone appointments throughout the United States. I will mail you a custom-designed just for you flower remedy to help you manage your stress levels. Give me a call today!

This is a very common question that I get asked a lot in my natural health practice. Almost daily, in fact, someone will ask me if I have “anything” that can help them with… (insert ailment, condition or symptoms here). Some of more common questions:

• Can you help with my headaches?
• I’m depressed and I have anxiety… Can natural remedies help?
• Can you help with my stomach problems? I’m constipated/have IBS.
• Can you help with my pain? My joints hurt/my back hurts.
• I’m always tired and have lots of fatigue… Is there a natural substance that can help restore my energy?
• I have allergies and don’t want to take allergy shots anymore.
• My child has been diagnosed with ADHD or ADD… Is there something nutritional that I can do to help him or her?
• I don’t sleep very well at all and taking sleeping pills makes me groggy the next day… Is there some natural and safe substance that can help me?

These are just a few of the more common questions I’m asked. And the answer to all of them is always YES. There are natural substances, herbs, essential oils and gentle therapies that can help your body get back into balance and feel better.

The beautiful thing about working with natural health remedies, therapeutic essential oils and whole food nutritional products, is that those items are all very supportive of the human body. They help to restore balance INSIDE the body. While you do your part to work on changing your lifestyle, daily habits and dietary intake, the supplements that I recommend not only support you in that endeavor, but actually FEED your body the essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytochemicals and antioxidants you need. All of the “good stuff” that helps your body repair damage, grow new cells and get back in balance.

The human body is designed to be “in balance.” People are not meant to have all of these symptoms and ailments that, unfortunately, plague so many of us today. Typically, natural substances do not cause side effects like most prescription medications. Instead, they support gentle healing, so you can get back to feeling your best.

So, again, the answer is YES. There are a wide variety of natural and herbal products that probably can help you with your (insert symptom or ailment here). Regardless of your health condition, nutritional, natural and herbal therapies, combined with other safe therapies and treatments, support lasting healing to help you be the best you can be.

As a Naturopath, Health Coach and Aromatherapy Consultant, I am passionate about helping you become the best you can be utilizing natural therapies. Read on to learn more About Me, the various Natural Health Services that I offer, read Testimonials from those I’ve helped and contact me to get started today!

I remember watching an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show where Dr. Mehmet Oz was talking about America’s addiction to prescription medications. The show was primarily about pain-relieving, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications, the primary drugs people get addicted to.

It was an intense show and, although I know that Americans take too many prescriptions, I wasn’t prepared for the statistics. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reports that more Americans are addicted to prescription drugs than to heroin, cocaine and ecstasy COMBINED! They report more than 6 million people are addicted to prescriptions. YIKES! Those are staggering numbers.

Are you one of them? Chances are that either you, or someone you know, is taking a prescription. Unfortunately, Americans are being brainwashed into assuming, because the drugs are being prescribed by your physician, they are safe. That is simply untrue.

Have you ever read the multiple pages of “Side Effects, Contraindications, Warnings and Interactions” included when you pick up your prescriptions? You should… It will be a wake-up call. We have to do a better job about managing our pain or depression, rather than mindlessly reaching for a drug.

I agree with Dr. Oz when he states, “…..many people taking prescription drugs — legally or illegally — are hiding from their real problems. Instead of addressing painful emotions or aches, addicts swallow a quick fix.” Also, “We use these pills to numb ourselves to what’s really happening in our life, which is often a wake-up call to make a change.”

Of course, one of the main problems with taking all of these drugs: People don’t realize they have options.

While flipping through a magazine, watching TV or even listening to the radio, I’m absolutely certain you have heard an ad about a fantastic new drug that can “cure what ails you.” The media and Big Pharma are constantly bombarding us about drugs… You can’t escape them.

But most people don’t realize there are other ways to deal with what ails them that can be just as effective and far safer for them. Instead of addressing the real cause of the problem, unfortunately, we’d rather mask that symptom with a drug.

That’s not surprising. We do live in a world where we want instant gratification.  We want it fixed now and don’t want to be uncomfortable while we’re fixing it either.

I have met with countless clients over the years who have been addicted to anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs. In my opinion, this is the worst kind of addiction. In the beginning, they thought it was harmless enough. Just a little “help” to get them over the divorce/loss of job/boyfriend troubles, etc.

Then it turned into numbing. I always know when I’m talking to someone who is addicted. When I ask them a question — How do you feel? — they can’t answer it.

The drug has numbed them so much they are unable to get in touch with their emotions and express themselves. Whether it’s mad, sad, happy, or even depressed, they can’t feel anything at all. Of course, when they are ready to get off the drug, the predominant emotion people feel is FEAR. They are scared to FEEL. They don’t know it at the time, but that’s what it boils down to.

I strongly believe it’s those very emotions that can actually HELP people get better. The anger they feel is there for a reason: To tell them something about their life. If they are depressed, they need to look at WHY and work on fixing that problem. Drugging yourself so you don’t have to FEEL anything is not the way to handle it.

If you’re on prescription meds, you can get off them, but you will need help. Doing it on your own is not advised. You will need nutritional help, as your diet plays a huge role in the way your brain chemistry works. Naturopaths and holistic healers can help you slowly and safely wean off of dangerous prescription drugs.

As you start to feel withdrawals from a drug, your brain chemistry will be affected and eating certain foods (and not others) can make this process significantly easier. You will also need nutritional supplementation to help your body physically deal with the damage from the drugs and help to boost your immune system.

And, of course, talking to a qualified therapist or priest can help you with the emotional side of this problem and help you work through whatever it was making you anxious or depressed in the first place.

The important thing is to remember this: You do have options to help yourself heal from addiction to prescription medications.  There are MANY different natural healing modalities that work as well (if not better!) than prescriptions.

Before taking a single step, however, you must be able to answer all of the following questions with a simple Yes.

• Are you willing to work on yourself?
• Are you ready to address the real problem?
• Can you face what’s uncomfortable about your life and make changes?
• Can you put yourself, your body and health first in your life and do what’s in YOUR best interest?

If you are, it’s time to have a talk with your regular physician and discuss their approach for very slowly weaning yourself off of the meds. The next conversation should be with a qualified natural health practitioner who can give you the nutritional support so you can make this transition as easy for yourself as possible.

I have wonderful Natural Health Services that can help you manage this transition. Be sure to read my Testimonials to discover what others have said about working with me regarding their emotional and physical health.

And, lastly, get in touch with a good therapist or priest. It must be someone you trust and with whom you can discuss your innermost thoughts.

You don’t have to be addicted nor take the medications forever. There is help and hope out there for you.

Natural Health Consultations (only by phone)

The benefits of phone consultations include:

• Comfort and privacy – you can sit in the comfort of your own home, an office or whatever location works best for you.
• Convenience – you don’t have to fight traffic, drive across town to a doctor’s office and sit in a waiting room.
• Affordability – My prices are significantly lower than other doctors in the field because my overhead is lower. I don’t maintain a separate office, receptionist, expensive inventory, etc.
• Listening – My intense, personalized hour-long consultations provide you with a great opportunity to be heard. With a regular doctor, you probably only chat for a few minutes; with me, you’ll have much longer to explain exactly what’s troubling you and receive in-depth recommendations.
• Coaching – Naturopaths don’t give exams or diagnoses. Instead, we listen to your symptoms and provide recommendations on ways you can naturally improve your health. (Another benefit is you’ll never have to take a “prescription” from me – just natural remedies.)
• Scheduling – Since my appointments are all by phone, I can often accommodate your schedule. I’ve had early, late and even weekend phone appointments – sometimes appointments over lunch – whatever is convenient for you.

How I can help

Are You Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired?

Do you have health challenges that you want to overcome? Are you done taking medication and dealing with the side effects? Are you ready to be well?

My natural health services can help you get back on the path to wellness by offering:

• Nutritional counseling & supplementation
• Herbal recommendations
• Lifestyle changes
• Integrative therapies geared toward your unique health challenges

You can’t help but reach your health goals when you have the attention, personal support and guidance you need.

As a young adult, I suffered from anxiety and depression and other health challenges.  I understand the challenges these conditions pose, and I know that conventional treatments can be frustrating and ineffective.  Don’t despair…people with the following health conditions have found relief with nutritional therapies (see Testimonials):

• Sleeping Problems
• Headaches
• Hormonal Imbalances
• Digestion Issues
• Fatigue/Low Energy
• Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue
• Allergies
• Pain Management
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress Management

If you suffer from any of these health challenges, please know there is often a nutritional imbalance involved.  Working to correct that imbalance can make all the difference.  The suggestions and recommendations I make can absolutely make a difference in how you feel and will help you manage stress levels and emotions.

“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” -Thomas Edison

Nutritional Health Consultations

I offer natural health consultations exclusively via telephone so you can start enjoying better health in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Even if you are not in the San Antonio area, I can assist you and help you feel better.

To alleviate any concerns, I offer a complimentary 10-minute telephone appointment so you can address any questions or concerns you have.

To reach me by email, simply fill out this form and let me know the best times to phone you.

Are you ready to live a better life? If you are ready to put yourself first and make your health the top priority in your life, let’s get started! Contact me today for a phone consultation and for better health!

TX Natural Health Services

Why quit coffee?

There is quite a debate going around about coffee. Depending on who you read, there are theories that suggest drinking coffee is actually good for you. It does have antioxidant value associated with it, so that can definitely be a good thing.

But for me, it’s how you’re drinking your coffee that matters. Personally, I don’t like the taste of coffee, so it was necessary for me to “doctor it up” to make it tolerable!  I think in and of itself, coffee probably does have some slight nutritional value, as long as you’re drinking it black! But since we live in a nation of Starbucks and seemingly with a coffee shop on every corner, how many of us are actually drinking BLACK coffee? It’s so easy to get Lattes, Frappucinos, Cappucinos, etc. – most of which are laden with milk, sugar and flavorings, and in some cases, even espresso!

I am not perfect, and I did get into the habit of drinking my coffee with cream, flavorings and sugar.  It was the only way I could get it down and make it taste good. Then I got addicted. I tried once to stop and couldn’t. I loved the flavor and the extra “kick” it gave me in the mornings. This has lasted for the last year and a half.

Finally, I reached a point where I recognized that it was having a detrimental effect on my health. Of course I know this intellectually; sugar and milk are definitely not good for the body! But my body didn’t seem to mind too much… Except for lately. I could tell that my energy level was not as good as I would like. That’s what happens with a drug like caffeine: you end up needing more and more of it to get you to feel as good as you used to. So, one cup of java soon can turn into 3-4 cups! Then watch out!

The adrenal glands are not made to function with the constant attack from caffeine. It forces the adrenals to produce more and more adrenaline, pushing your body into the “flight or fight” response.  Then later, when that response wanes, you need another cup (or even two!) or the afternoon candy bar to boost you up again to make it through the rest of the day.

For many people, this is a pattern that has been developed over many years. Many clients I talk to have the addiction that has resulted in many different health ailments; digestion issues, sleep problems, dehydration, headaches, weight gain (from blood sugar imbalances) and fatigue and general malaise. Over time, this roller coaster ride with caffeine and sugar eventually results in adrenal fatigue. For women, this is especially problematic because we already seem to have a lot of hormonal imbalances going around! Add to that problems with adrenal function and it’s a recipe for fatigue and lethargy.

So that’s where I was. I recognized that this was definitely not helping me and in fact, was starting to creep up to an extra 1/2 cup or even another full cup of coffee in the morning. Just to get that extra little “hit” that I needed to get going.

So I decided I wanted to quit. It took me two weeks of preparation. The first week, I started making the coffee weaker and weaker; adding a little more water and less coffee each day. Then the 2nd week, I started drinking less and less. I’ve heard about the headaches and how awful you feel when quitting caffeine. So I thought that I would stop on Thursday and purposely scheduled myself an easy day on Friday, followed by Saturday and Sunday being off and at home to rest and take it easy.

Turns out, this was a very good plan. My Friday was fine and in fact, didn’t really feel like I missed my coffee, although I missed the sweetness. Saturday, however, was another matter. The monster headache started about 8:30 am; by 11:00 am it was downright AWFUL! I resisted the urge to pop an aspirin; instead, I reached for my essential oils.

Peppermint Essential Oil, applied to the top of my head, my forehead and temples, definitely helped. It took the edge off and probably brought it from a 10 down to an 8, which sure was more tolerable. Then I got a tip from a friend about Frankincense Essential Oil. I put a drop on my tongue and held it to the roof of my mouth. Literally within 5 minutes, the headache was completely gone. It never returned, and by the end of the day, the malaise I had felt was gone too! I continued to drink extra water, relax, and generally took it easy for the first few days.

Now, it’s been over a week since I have stopped coffee altogether. Some friends have been around me at work with it, and I still LOVE the smell of it, but I don’t miss drinking it at all. I have substituted something so much better. I have always had NingXia Red drink in the morning, but since stopping coffee, I have doubled my dose every morning and I am convinced that it has made this transition SO much easier.

I now have more energy that the coffee ever gave me and I just feel so much better. My blood sugar has stabililized, and overall, I am so glad to be 100% rid of all caffeine. My “coffee” now is a supercharged Wolfberry Juice filled with powerful essential oils that provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that help support immune system function and keep blood sugar levels stable and balanced. So much healthier than regular coffee.

If you’re wanting to get off coffee or anther caffeinated drink, I’m here to tell you that I can be done – and it can be done with as little discomfort as possible. Follow the suggestions above and watch your energy soar and your health improve!

No matter how old or young you are — even in your 70s, 80s or even 90s — it’s never too late to make changes in your lifestyle that can have a direct positive impact on your health!

Every day, I talk to clients who are struggling to regain their health. Some have long lists of prescription meds they want to stop taking. Others are just starting to have some health challenges and they’re not on prescription meds yet, but their physician may be threatening them with the prospect of having to start to do so. And, some have a severe, debilitating, or even life-threatening, illness.

It’s NEVER too late to start to make changes and it doesn’t matter which one of the three categories you belong to either… You can improve the quality of your life. Chances are good — even excellent — that you can make have visible and positive changes in your health and get your life back.

Be aware, however, there is a single rule you must follow when it comes to your health, particularly when working with a natural health practitioner:

80 percent of what needs to be done is YOUR responsibility!

20 percent is the practitioner’s!

What this really means: YOU ARE the one who will have to stop eating garbage. YOU ARE the one who will have to make time to exercise. YOU ARE the one who will have to work on nurturing, growing or ending a toxic relationship that is making you emotionally and physically sick. YOU ARE the one who will have to take all the supplements and follow the plan that your health practitioner has created for you.

There are no quick fixes, no magic pills and no bullets. Make no mistake, taking supplements, making dietary and lifestyle changes and mastering exercise and stress control can help you obtain a level of health you never thought possible. But in the end, it is up to YOU to make that choice to do it.

Are you ready? If so, I can help you! Contact me today and let’s start improving your health together with simple, natural changes.

Over the years, I’ve had countless women assume that because they are coming to an “alternative” doctor, we have a crystal ball that can predict whether or not they will get cervical cancer. It’s great that women have confidence in me, but it’s very foolish for them to ignore their health in this way.

Case in point: I once had a 70-year-old woman who had been coming to our clinic for more than 30 years. (She is a long-time client of the doctor with whom I used to work.) She came to see us because she was experiencing “spotting,” not something that is normal in a 70-year-old woman.

We gave her a variety of homeopathic remedies and some herbal therapies. Over two weeks, it had not stopped — it hadn’t gotten worse either — nor had anything that we given her helped. So in our next appointment, I told her I thought she should visit her gynecologist to see what was going on.

Her reply: ”I don’t have a gynecologist. You have been my doctor for 30 years.”

I gently informed her this wasn’t a good idea and that women need to have annual checkups. I insisted that she visit my gynecologist and gave her my doctor’s card. After her visit and a Pap smear, she got the diagnosis: Stage 3 Cervical Cancer.

Fortunately, her cancer was caught in time. They treated her aggressively with chemo and surgery. And, we supported her during that process by boosting her immune system with natural therapies specifically designed for cancer therapy. Today, she is alive and healthy and well. But that was a very important lesson for her and, hopefully, for you too…

As much as I love alternative and natural medicine, we have our limitations. In most states, Naturopaths cannot perform Pap smears on women. We do not possess the training, nor the medical equipment that is necessary to perform this important test.

The Pap smear (named after the Greek Dr. Georgios Papanicolaou) is a gynecological test to check for the presence of pre-malignant or malignant cells found on the cervix.

Women should get a pap smear every year so that doctors can catch cervical cancer before it’s too late.

As a Cervical Cancer survivor, I can attest to the importance of this test. And whether you’re 15 or 70, if you still have a cervix, it is important that you go in to your gynecologist and have an annual test. I know it is not our favorite visit to the doctor… These tests are invasive and not so much fun. But do it anyway!

My prior post on taking responsibility for your health talks about that very thing. Don’t leave it up to your current medical professional to make sure you are doing all you need to do.

It is up to YOU to ensure you’re doing all you need to do to ensure your health. Even if you have a long-standing relationship with a nutritionist, a naturopath, acupuncturist or chiropractor, those practitioners cannot take the place of a regular visit to the gynecologist, and they can’t perform this all-important test.

So be sure you schedule that visit. It’s 15 minutes, once a year. Do it for your health!

Bring a natural travel kit for healthy travels

Many of my clients ask me about healthy remedies to take when traveling, so I’ve put together a list of some essential items for your consideration. I recommend that you always take these items with you just in case.

1. Homeopathic Arnica — You can find it in pellets, drops and ointment. Good to use in ANY injury to calm down inflammation.
2. Bach Rescue Remedy and Bach Rescue Remedy Cream — This product is one of my all time favorites. Bach Rescue Remedy itself helps in times of stress, so you can use it before a flight or boat trip if you get nervous and stressed out. The cream can be used for scrapes, skin abrasions, rashes and cuts. Click on the link to learn more about the various Bach Flower Remedies.
3. Nutribiotic Grapefruit Seed Extract — Take this extract as a preventive measure to protect your body against foreign invaders. Mix 10-15 drops with 4 ounces of a strong juice like grape juice, stir well and drink 2-3 times per day. Also, I use this amazing product to clean fruit and vegetables. If you’re camping or cooking in your hotel room, this product is essential to keep your food clean and fresh.
4. Probiotics — Good to keep your digestive system in running order!
5. Ginger Capsules — Great for preventing and treating nausea.
6. Essential Oils — There are several essential oils I never travel without:
   
   • Pan Away soothes any muscular inflammation that I might incur while hiking.
   • Peppermint Oil eases headaches and nausea.
   • Lavender treats bites, burns, or inflammed skin and also to help you sleep in strange places.
   • Purification cleanses the stale air in hotels or musty cabins.
   • To learn more about these therapeutic grade essential oils, click here.

I consider these items essential for traveling, and don’t leave home without them! Also, remember to drink plenty of water while traveling to keep your system hydrated, especially if you’re going to be on a plane.

Getting plenty of sleep is also essential to keeping your immune system healthy! And, remember not to go crazy with your diet. Eating plenty of fresh whole foods with the occasional splurge will result in you feeling your best while having fun traveling!

In my experience, many Americans don’t understand the positive aspects of choosing natural treatments and alternative medicine over conventional therapies. With that in mind, consider these key points when you’re looking for the best and safest solutions for your health:

Alternative medicine…

Is Safe, Natural and Gentle. Most forms of alternative therapies are safe and non-invasive. Most herbs, homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplementation and options like massage, Reiki and acupuncture are all wonderful therapies that Naturopaths would considered safe and gentle. By the way, one might argue that acupuncture is an “invasive” procedure with the use of needles. As an advocate of acupuncture (and having benefited by the many sessions I’ve had), needles are used, but they are very tiny and you can hardly feel them at all. Certainly, they’re not as invasive as a surgeon’s knife! Of course, please be sure the supplements you’re taking are safe for you too.

Offers more choices. Since most health insurance companies do not cover natural therapies, you’ll have many more choices available to you when searching for help. Often, insurance companies regulate who you can and can’t see, but because they’re out of the picture, you are free to choose what type of natural therapy you would like and which practitioner to see. Because each state has different licensing and laws, however, always check a therapist’s credentials before using him or her.

Ensures you are heard. Most alternative medicine practitioners will take the time to really “listen” to you and evaluate your symptoms. In the typical conventional medicine scenario, sometimes, all you’ll get is a quick appointment. I’ve had patients tell me, in some cases, their visits with their doctor were timed and lasted only 3 minutes! Yikes! Most Naturopaths and Chiropractors will take significant time with you (especially the first visit) to really assess you and your health. We take into account the health of your whole body, not only your physical symptoms, but the emotional ones too.

You’re In Charge. Whether you decide to take some herbs or homeopathy for yourself or make that Reiki appointment, you’re in charge of what goes into your body and what happens to it. Of course, for serious illnesses, I always recommend you partner with a natural health care practitioner who can assist you directly. But if you just have the sniffles or some allergies, there are LOTS of alternative remedies you can learn about, then try them for yourself.

There are some wonderful natural healing books that I recommend to help you in your quest to better your health. Although I don’t have this book on my list, for those of you who want to try homeopathy, this book and homeopathic kit are my favorites to have in your home.

Also, essential oils are some of my favorite things to try to use for allergies, insomnia and other minor ailments.

Don’t be afraid to try some natural therapies. The benefits far outweigh any risks that you may have heard about.

Of course, you’re always welcome to Contact Me with questions.

It happened again recently when I met a new client coming in with lots of health problems…

One of the biggest misconceptions people have when visiting a Natural Health Practitioner is that they will only get one or two “medicines.” Their other mistaken belief: They might only need these “medicines” for a month or two to get over whatever serious symptoms that brought them to me.

Those are the misconceptions. Here are the facts.

By the time a new patient sits in front of me for the first time, he or she has allowed their bodies to get to such a state they are now experiencing uncomfortable symptoms. Generally, it’s taken years for their bodies to reach this breaking point. It’s also important to understand that it’s going to take many months, if not years, to help them out of it.

Natural and herbal supplements can help to restore the body to a place of balance. But, it’s probably going to take more than one thing, or even two. In fact, it might take between 5-10 supplements to restore your health. If there is a “serious” health issue on the table, it will take much more time and effort than that.

But for this article, I want to discuss why we need to take supplements at all. Most people who aren’t in a health crisis wonder why they need to take a supplement. “I feel fine…why would I need to take anything?”

Here are the top reasons why it is important for everyone to take natural, whole food supplements:

1. Depleted Soils. Even if you eat a healthy, predominantly plant-based diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, chances are good (unless you’re consuming everything organic) the food comes from soils that have insufficient mineral content. When foods are grown over and over again in the same soils, the mineral content of that soil becomes depleted over time. This is ANOTHER reason why it is so vitally important to consume organic foods as much as possible. Organic farming practices include “crop rotating” so that soil depletion does not occur. Unfortunately, even buying organic doesn’t always mean you’re going to get superior foods. Although organic soil can get depleted, buying organic remains the better, healthier choice for you and the planet!

2. Long Transit Time for Delivery. Have you noticed an increasing amount of produce finding its way to your grocery store comes from other countries? If you think your favorite mango or pineapple (from Hawaii or the Philippines) was just cut at its peak ripeness, then immediately boxed, rushed to the airport and shipped overnight to your favorite grocery store, you’re sadly mistaken.  Sometimes, foods are picked weeks and even MONTHS before we see it on our shelves. So much for obtaining the maximum amount of nutrition! I always suggest that my clients buy as much of their food as possible from local growers to reduce transit time and improve the nutritional value of the food they’re eating.

3. Overcooking Our Foods. Americans have a bad habit of cooking our food “to death,” resulting in a massive loss of nutritional value, meaning far fewer vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes to go around. What’s more, eating these depleted foods over time creates its own set of health problems. Cooking does “kill” the food, resulting in lost nutrition. As far as fruits and vegetables, consuming them in as close to a raw (uncooked) state as possible is always the best way.

4. Not Eating Regular Meals. So many people skip meals. Grabbing a bagel or doughnut while slamming down some coffee and rushing to work does NOT constitute a meal. Making up for it later in the day at an “all-you-can-eat” buffet is not in the best interest of our bodies either, as it puts much undue stress on the digestive system and will eventually cause a lot of uncomfortable symptoms.

5.  Normal Aging = Digestion Issues. As we age, our bodies produce fewer enzymes, including all the important ones needed to properly digest and assimilate the foods we eat. Eventually, this results in “common” stomach complaints, like reflux, heartburn, upset stomach and chronic constipation.

6. Stress + Stress, + Stress = Compromised Immune System. No question, we all lead busy lives and some of us are busier than others! Between commitments to your family, school, work, community, faith and other obligations, our lives are stressed to the max! All of this stress takes a toll on your body and weakens your immune system. Taking supplements can help to bridge that gap and give your body some of the nutrition it needs to function optimally.

Of course, nothing will take the place of eating a good and healthy diet. But taking quality, whole food-based natural supplements can go along way towards helping you maintain a better level of health. Besides, if you’re still working through some bad habits (skipping meals and not eating organic foods), you need them even more! For more information, read my other articles on whole food supplements vs. synthetic supplements and Can natural remedies help me with…?

If you are wanting to get started with Young Living and take advantage of the true healing power of essential oils, there are three ways that you can order. 

Becoming a member of Young Living (YL) is pretty straightforward, and I’ll explain the 3 types of memberships below. If you decide to become a Young Living member, please know that I am here to support you and answer any and all questions you have about the use of the essential oils and their other products.

Young Living offers three types of memberships:

Retail Customer:
With this option, you will pay full price for all Young Living Products. Benefits include FREE sign up, and and there is never any obligation. You will receive email announcements of company product specials including buy one – get one free opportunities.

Preferred Customer:
With this option, you will receive a 12% savings on all products. There is a requirement to purchase at least $50.00 worth of products every month. In addition to the savings, preferred customers can earn an additional 10% reward (a rebate) back on every monthly order – plus FLAT RATE shipping. Rebates are redeemable towards future FREE products.

Wholesale Buyer:
With this option, you will receive a 24% savings on all products. There is NOT a requirement to make a monthly purchase, but there is a one-time fee ($40.00) in order to setup the wholesale account. Wholesale accounts are obligated to purchase at least one time every twelve months. In addition to the savings, wholesale buyers may earn a 10% reward (a rebate) back on orders. Additionally, if interested, wholesale distributors can participate in an affiliate referral program.

If you are ready to become a member:

• Contact Me and let me know you’re ready to place an order. I would be happy to assist you, and I would also like to answer any questions you may have.
• Join now online - select one of the 3 membership types above, and you’re ready to place your order!

As always, I’m available to discuss these essential oils and help you with deciding which oils would be best for you and explain how to use them. Let me know if I can help you!

Frankincense Essential Oil Being Studied for Cancer Treatment

Being an avid lover of essential oils, I was ecstatic to find this article this morning:

Frankincense Oil — A Wise Man’s Remedy for Bladder Cancer

It’s so exciting to see that conventional medical researchers are beginning to see the benefits of essential oils. Those of us that have been around them for years recognize and utilize them as powerful medicinal agents. I have seen them work on shrinking tumors, eliminate gastrointestinal problems,  alleviate allergies for many people and be fantastic remedies for a whole host of other ailments. In a word: they are POWERFUL.

I regularly recommend essential oils for people to help them enhance and improve their health. Fortunately, there is more and more research being done on these potent plant oils. It’s exciting to see mainstream medicine catching up and giving these oils the attention and recognition they deserve.

For more information about the best therapeutic-grade essential oils on the market, from frankincense oil to panaway oil and many others, please visit my essentail oil website: https://www.youngliving.org/HealthfulOils

One of the important things people should do is accept responsibility for taking care of themselves. It’s important to question and understand your doctor’s advice, whether she/he is an MD or a provider of alternative medical care.

There are many examples of people whose health has been tragically damaged as a result of a medical mistake. More than 100,000 people die each year due to medical errors. In the event you find yourself in a hospital or doctor’s office for health-related reasons, here’s a to-do of things you can do TODAY to protect your health.

1. Know what medications you are taking. Yes, I know this sounds very basic, but you would be surprised to know how many people don’t actually know this information. I’ll see some in my office sometime… Some men will leave it up to their wives to “keep track of that stuff.”

This is a problem. Absolutely, you must take your own health seriously and know what medicines you’re taking. It is not your spouse’s job to know that information… It is YOUR job. This also includes herbal or nutritional supplements.

You don’t have to memorize the list, but be sure to carry one with you of ANYTHING you’re taking and take the list to any medical appointments. Also, be sure to update it with new information as often as necessary.

2. Get a second opinion. If you are facing a health crisis, be sure to get another opinion. Years ago, I recall one man on the Oprah Winfrey show got five opinions before he found the one doctor who would treat him not so aggressively. Despite getting a six-month prognosis, he’s still here, 18 months later.

3. Question everything. Yes, some doctors might get offended, but TOO BAD. In fact, they should welcome your input and your questions. If you’re unsure about something, ASK. And ask again.

When you’re in the hospital, make sure you know what the nurses are putting in your IV. They won’t mind you asking, because they want to make sure there are no mistakes made either. This keeps everyone on their toes and tells your medical team you are actively involved in your own health care.

Despite what you might believe, health professionals really like that. They want someone who will ask questions. Don’t take anything for granted! Nurses and doctors are human and make mistakes just like the rest of us, so ask!

And, if you’re not able to be as involved in your care because you are recovering, make sure you have a family member who will advocate for your health!

4. Watch out for infections. When dealing with health care practitioners, make sure you see them wash their hands before they touch you. This seems like common sense, but they get busy rushing from patient to patient. Recently, I heard a story from a patient the other day, about a Doctor coming in from another room and starting to examine him without washing his hands. Make sure they wash their stethoscope too! Speak up and protect your health, as if no one else will!

5. Verify your prescriptions. If a doctor gives you a prescription, don’t just take the script and leave. It is important you ask him/her what the drug is, the dosage, what it does and how to take it. Write this info down, especially if you are getting multiple prescriptions! A doctor’s handwriting can be a serious problem too, resulting in many errors at your local pharmacy. Again, speaking up and asking questions will ensure you get the medication you need that is right — and safe — for you.

6. Listen to your body. You have that “gut” feeling that something isn’t quite right. You go to the doctor and they run a test that results in a “negative” diagnosis. They tell you “you’re fine, but you still have that nagging feeling something is wrong with your health.

Go to someone else. Get another test, ESPECIALLY if you have symptoms that mirror this issue. Misdiagnoses happen all the time, but they can be prevented. Follow your inner guidance.

7. Discuss your surgery. If you are having surgery, I would recommend phoning the anesthesiologist the day before to discuss your case. Of course, you will meet this person the day of your surgery, but calling in advance lets them know you are taking responsibility for your health. Ask all the questions you need answered.

This person will be responsible for making sure that you are “out” during the surgical procedure, so it is important you get to know each other. Be sure to discuss any concerns or questions with them.

8. Mark Your Body. Be sure to mark the “surgical spot.” There are MANY documented cases of the wrong fill-in-the-body-part being operated on and the wrong organs being taken out… It happens all the time. Don’t be afraid to write “cut here” and “don’t cut here” on your body!

9. “Whatever You Say, Doctor…” Unfortunately, I see a lot of patients who believe in the Doctor is God complex. This is simply not true. Saying that “I’ll do whatever you say, Doctor” or “I’ll take whatever you give me, Doctor” is not in your best interest.

Doctors are only human, after all. Not only do they make mistakes: Sometimes, they have very different opinions from one another.

If someone is suggesting you take a prescription medication or have surgery or some other aggressive treatment, be sure to get the facts. Is there no other possible way to deal with this issue than drugs or surgery? What other options would be available?

If it doesn’t feel right to you, chances are there may be another way of handling it. Even if that means going to another doctor or several other doctors; don’t be afraid to do it. Don’t put them on a pedestal.

The bottom line: It is YOUR body and YOUR health. Speak up for yourself!

10. Seek out alternatives. There is often a natural or alternative way of handling a diagnosis. As a Naturopathic Doctor, it is my job to evaluate your unique health care situation and recommend lifestyle changes and natural nutritional support to help you through a health crisis.

Because there are many different alternative and natural healing modalities out there, be sure to visit several different practitioners if you have a health crisis. Again, ask lots and lots of questions. You must feel comfortable with ANY health care team member you entrust to protect your health and wellness!

Lastly, I recommend everyone watch Food Matters. This film is guaranteed to educate you and help you make better health choices for yourself and your family!

Stay healthy, everyone!

What is a naturopathic doctor?

Naturopathic Medicine, or Naturopathy, is based on the belief that the body can heal itself. Naturopathic Doctors believe the body has the ability to repair itself and recover from illness if it is supported by a healthy environment. Naturopaths aid and support that healing process by incorporating a variety of alternative health methods based solely on the needs of the individual, not a medical “playbook.”

These therapies are based on the premise that they must use the healing power of nature and should be the least invasive and gentle to the body as possible. These methods and treatments rely exclusively on natural remedies, such as sunlight, fresh air, water, a healthy diet, herbs and nutritional supplementation. Moreover, most Naturopaths have extensive training and schooling in natural therapies, like nutrition, hydrotherapy, herbs, plants/flowers, homeopathy and massage, just to name a few.

Naturopaths have many remedies and recommendations for creating a healthy environment so the body can heal itself. The other great difference between conventional medicine and naturopathy: The focus of treatment expands far beyond the confines of a specific disease and its symptoms to include the underlying causes of the imbalance. Naturopaths look at each person uniquely, considering his or her lifestyle, diet, exercise program, mental and emotional state and personal history when making specific recommendations.

Naturopaths believe true health and healing is greatly enhanced when all aspects of a patient’s body, mind and spirit are considered. What’s more, Naturopathy can assist a person in their quest for better health, from the preventive stages to serious or chronic conditions. Therefore, people may visit a Naturopath simply to make improvements in their health, get relief from colds or allergies or to treat more serious conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

Exceptional health and well-being is possible utilizing natural therapies that will help restore balance to your body. Contact me today to learn more about how I can help you learn how to live the best life possible!

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a science that stimulates the individual’s body to correct imbalances, eliminate waste and maintain equilibrium in the body by means of preparations which facilitate the process of self-cure and enable the body to heal itself by following the Laws of Nature.

The principles of Homeopathy are ancient, dating back to India’s Ayurvedic medicine and Greece’s Hippocrates. In the late 18th century, Samuel Hahnemann, a German chemist and physician, began to re-verify and codify these concepts. He called this system of therapy, Homeopathy.

Homeopathic preparations act on the “vital force” of the body, in a very similar fashion to the electric current that activates your TV by energizing the human being mentally, emotionally and physically.

Making Gentle Adjustments

When a malfunction occurs in the body, disease and illness sets in and adjustments must be made at various levels. Most conventional medicine “replaces” the malfunctioning part, thus only temporarily relieving the problem and causing side effects in the process. Homeopathic preparations, on the other hand, act to direct and realign the vital force of the body, thus fine-tuning the essential balance within the individual.

Homeopathic remedies are prepared by making a tincture from seeds, bark, roots, minerals and other elements, then diluting this mixture with distilled water and alcohol, then shaking and diluting further to potentize the remedy (making the mixture even more potent).

Remedies are then used either externally as lotions or ointments, or used internally in liquid, pellet or tablet form. Pellets or tablets are dissolved under the tongue, away from all other food, drinks, toothpaste, mouthwash or other herbs. This enables the remedies to get absorbed into the body without interruption. The remedy, then, stimulates and encourages the body’s natural healing forces to begin recovery and heal itself.

Melissa Wood, ND
Holistic health practitioner

My quest for health and wellness began when I was a young adult, suffering from anxiety and depression. Finding conventional medicine ineffective in treating these conditions, I turned to alternative and natural medicine and studied nutrition, plants / herbs / flowers, homeopathy, massage, aromatherapy, and other techniques.

I have had the pleasure of working one-on-one with clients for the last ten years as a Naturopathic Doctor, Health and Wellness Coach, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Aromatherapy Consultant. Helping clients find and maintain their optimal health is more than my job; it has been my passion for over 25 years. (See Testimonials.)

Located just outside of San Antonio, Texas, in the beautiful hill community of Pipe Creek, I offer telephone consultations for people in the region and around the country. No matter where you live, I can make suggestions that will help you lead a happier, healthier life.

At this time, I provide phone consultations only. This allows me to help people improve their health no matter where they live.

What is a Holistic Health Practitioner?

In our hurried society, most MDs treat the symptoms, not the sickness. Naturopaths look for the root cause of the illness. Health is holistic; there is most often an underlying imbalance behind any condition, and we recommend nutritional therapies to correct these. We do not:

• Diagnose diseases or conditions.
• Prescribe any kind of prescription medicine.

Mass-prescribing pharmaceuticals are not in your best interest if you are trying to get healthy or treat the underlying cause of your illness. One drug causes side effects, so you take another to correct that. Then that drug causes side effects and you need yet another. Then that drug… it goes on and on.

Ten. That is the average number of prescription drugs my new clients are taking when they first see me. Ten different drugs with different effects, different long term health consequences, different risks.

There is another way to look at health, a way that says there are things that you can do – simple things – to achieve better health and stay healthy for the rest of your life.

What about conventional doctors?

There are times when medication is advised. Medical doctors are vital. But nutritional therapies can be used hand in hand with conventional therapies. The medical and natural health communities can – and should – work together to help everyone achieve the greatest level of health and wellness.

What do Naturopaths do?

Naturopaths do:

• Suggest nutritional and lifestyle changes. These can be as simple as drinking certain teas or taking hot baths with Epsom Salts.
• Offer suggestions for natural and herbal therapies that will help you find your healthy balance again – or for the first time.
• Help correct imbalances and develop more in-depth treatment options which can include herbal extracts, essential oils, massage, or other therapies.
• Treat your health holistically, naturally, and effectively with you as an essential and knowledgeable member of the team.
• Help you take responsibility for your own health.
• Give you choices and provide you with the information and insight to make healthy decisions.

Are you ready to put yourself first? Are you ready to make health your number one priority? Let’s get started! I am happy to answer any questions about naturopathy and the natural health services I provide. Please contact me via email using this form.

Remember, even if you are not in the San Antonio area, I can help you feel better and improve your health. I provide telephone consultations which can be done at your convenience, from the comfort and privacy of your home.