While many allopathic health practitioners probably give oil pulling little credence, it has long been an important part of the holistic system of medicine originating in India 3,000 to 5,000 years ago, called Ayurveda. Ayurvedic oral health practices include chewing woody stems of certain plants and eating specific herbs, as well as oil pulling. Original practitioners of oil pulling would use sunflower and sesame oils, while coconut and olive oil have gained popularity recently as well. Typically, one or a combination of these oils would be held or swished in the mouth for several minutes and then spat out and disposed of. The intention is to reduce buildup of oil soluble toxins from the mouth, as well as draw them out from the body. If your oil pulling routine has become a bit boring, consider adding one drop of pure therapeutic grade essential oil, such as peppermint or wild orange!

Nelson Meggitt, OptimumWellnessFactor.ca

Habitual chocolate eaters welcome a host of benefits for their hearts, including lower blood pressure, lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, and a lower risk of heart disease. One of the reasons dark chocolate is especially heart-healthy is its inflammation-fighting properties, which reduce cardiovascular risk. Chocolate contains a lot of saturated fat, but it is largely stearic acid, which doesn’t boost cholesterol levels. Even a daily ounce or so of milk chocolate doesn’t appear to harm cholesterol levels, although it does add fat and sugar to your diet! Researchers from San Diego State University conducted a small controlled study illustrating that eating dark chocolate has positive effects in lowering blood sugar levels and “bad” cholesterol levels and increasing “good” cholesterol levels – all of which could have positive effects on heart health.

Stephen Dalley, B.Ed., MA, Comox Valley HCG Holistic Weight Loss

Q: I know it’s dangerous to look at the solar eclipse. Would it be OK just to wear sunglasses to view it?

A: Vancouver Island is probably the very best place in Canada to see the solar eclipse on August 21, so I understand your enthusiasm. It won’t be a total eclipse from where we are. As such, looking at the sun at this time has the potential to cause eye damage, not just from ultra-violet light, but also from other wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, which your sunglasses may not filter out. You should be able to find some special inexpensive filters, or discover other ways to see the eclipse with just minimal research.

Dr. Alex Kennedy, MosaicVisionCare.com

Graston Technique® (GT) is an innovative, evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (a variation of cross fibre friction massage) that enables clinicians to detect and effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions, as well as maintain optimal range of motion. GT is clinically proven to achieve faster and better outcomes for acute and chronic conditions such as Achilles tendonitis, MCL/LCL sprains, AC sprains, edema reduction, thoracic outlet syndrome, scar tissue adhesions, carpal tunnel, adhesive capsulitis, IT band syndrome, lumbar strain, and plantar fasciitis. GT is designed to minimize discomfort; however, some post-treatment reactions, like reddening of the skin, superficial bruising, and some soreness, are normal. A typical treatment consists of:

1. Warm up of the treatment area,

2. Graston Technique instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation,

3. Stretching,

4. Strengthening/rehabilitation exercise.

Willie Muller, RMT, Courtenay Massage Therapy, CourtenayMassageTherapy.com

Many children and adolescents have flat feet but have no joint pains.  There are others who develop knee and/or arch pain that limits their ability to enjoy certain activities such as running or playing sports.  If there is pain, and an obvious fallen arch, foot orthotics in the shoes, either over-the-counter or custom, may be warranted taking into account family history and degree of severity.  If there is no pain, yet there is an obvious fallen arch then the question is whether to correct or not.  Many medical professionals believe that fallen arches will adversely affect the knees and hips and lead to early arthritic pain.  Correcting the foot posture early on is then seen as a preventative measure for future knee and hip joint health.  If you are concerned with your child’s foot alignment it is worth discussing the options with a biomechanical professional.

Diane Calder, BSc KIN, Certified Pedorthist, B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics & Orthotics, MitchellPando.com

Did you know that sweet marjoram (Origanum marjoram) is also referred to as Joy of the Mountains? The genus name Origanum comes from the Greek words oros and ganos. Together they translate as joy (or adornment) of the mountains. Ancient Romans associated the herb with love, and among ancient Greeks, it was used as a crown of adornment for a bride and groom. Sweet marjoram essential oil has a uniquely spicy, woody, and camphoraceous scent. Due to its pleasantly calming and warming character, it is typically beneficial for anxiety, mood, stress, sleep, and hyperactivity issues. It may also help alleviate muscle tension, bruising, and fatigue. Use one drop of sweet marjoram essential oil in recipes that call for dried marjoram. Apply to arms and legs before and after exercising. Apply to a fussy child’s feet prior to a nap. Blends well with lavender and rosemary essential oils.

Nelson Meggitt
OptimumWellnessFactor.ca

Q: I got something in my eye while gardening this spring, but my eye doctor says there’s nothing in it. She said to keep using drops and it will get better. Please help.

A: I don’t know the details of your case, but it’s a common complaint. If you don’t have anything foreign in your eye, then it’s probably irritated from a slow-healing abrasion or simply from inadequate lubrication. Keep up with the drops and your doctor’s instructions. Warm compresses on your eyelids would also help. You might need to be patient. Wearing eye protection while gardening is also important.

Dr. Alex Kennedy
MosaicVisionCare.com

Clean eating means enjoying whole foods in their most natural state, those that are un- or minimally processed, refined, and handled. Be mindful of the food’s pathway between its origin and your plate. Buying products that have traveled thousands of km from locations with questionable standards is not sustainable for the planet or your health. Modern food production is sophisticated and eating whole foods is challenging. Most processed foods contain additives to make processing easier, alter taste, and prolong shelf life; these can include corn, salt, sugar, wheat, soy, rice, MSG, and chemicals that defy pronunciation. Eating locally grown fruits and vegetables and non-processed meats and grains allows the body to shed the build-up of ingested toxins. Read the labels. Generally, if there are more than 3 ingredients in a product, avoid it.

Stephen Dalley, B.Ed., MA
Comox Valley HCG Holistic Weight Loss, ComoxValleyHCG.com

Losing weight takes a great mindset and determination. It’s a not a diet, but a lifestyle change. Marianne shares her weight loss transformation through Ideal Protein Protocol.

“When I started my journey, I never thought I would be able to lose 20 lbs, let alone 70 lbs. I started with sticking to the plan 100%. It wasn’t easy at first to be around a lot of food temptations, but I just kept reminding myself that what I was doing was working and it wasn’t worth it to slide back into eating unhealthy food. The plan is very simple, everything is laid out for you to follow, and they have fantastic food you can eat. The ladies at Success Weight Loss are so helpful with recipes to try. My coach Janet helped me so much and was so encouraging. I am truly thankful for all their support.”
– Marianne M. Courtenay.

Alma Naranjo
SuccessWeightLoss.ca