Sunburn – Natural Prevention and Treatment

This is the time to enjoy fun in the sun – boating, hiking, picnicking, sailing, tennis, baseball, soccer, swimming, etc.! But how do we protect our skin and should we be concerned? What do research studies tell us about sunburn and skin cancer? Are there natural products that are effective?

Breast milk and Breastfeeding – Nature’s Perfect Alternative Medicine

Breast milk is one of nature’s most perfect foods.  What makes breast milk so healthy? How can breast milk be used to improve health? Is breast milk the original alternative medicine?

Breast milk can heal rashes, acne, infected wounds, conjunctivitis and more.  It is the best natural treatment to protect the baby.

What Exactly is in Breast Milk?

1. Breast milk contains the enzyme lipase which helps to break down the fat into smaller globules so that the baby can digest it more easily.
2. Breast milk is high in fat which is very important in helping the baby gain weight.
3. The protein, casein, in cow’s milk is not digested as easily as the protein in human breast milk, lactalbumin which is more easily digested.
4. Human breast milk is good for healthy bone development. The calcium-phosphorus ratio is 2 to 1 in breast milk.
5.  Breast milk contains 87% water. Breastfed babies do not need additional water.
6. Breast milk contains B lymphocytes  which form antibodies that target specific microbes
7. Macrophages in breast milk destroy microbes in baby’s stomach
8. Neutrophils in breast milk ingest bacteria in baby’s digestive system
9. Breast milk contains T lymphocytes which kill infected cells and send out messages and help to build the baby’s immune system
10. The secretory IgA class antibodies found in breast milk, bind to the harmful cells in baby’s digestive system and prevent them from passing through the walls of the baby’s stomach and traveling out into the tissues of the baby’s body
11. Breast milk contains bifidus factor which helps to increase the growth of Lactobacillus bifidus. This is the good bacteria that helps us to digest our food.
12. The fatty acids in breast milk help to destroy the membranes around bad cells and eventually kill the bad cells.
13. The lactoferrin in breast milk is binding with iron. Lactoferrin prevents the bad bacteria from multiplying by blocking it from accessing the iron in the body.
14. Breast milk contains mucins which attach to bacteria and viruses to prevent them from adhering to mucosal tissues
15. The oligosaccharides in breast milk adheres to bacteria and other harmful cells to prevent it from attaching to mucosal surfaces
16. Iron is absorbed into the body with breast milk 50% more efficiently than in commercial cow’s milk formulas, even though breast milk is low in iron.

What Does Research Tell Us?
Researchers in Switzerland and Australia reported in the September 5, 2008 ACS Journal of Proteome Research that identification of proteins in human breast milk — not present in cow’s milk — that may fight disease by helping removing bacteria, viruses and other dangerous pathogen’s from an infant’s gastrointestinal tract.

Researchers in Switzerland and Australia are reporting identification of proteins in human breast-milk — not present in cow’s milk — that may fight disease by helping remove bacteria, viruses and other dangerous pathogen’s from an infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Their study is scheduled for the September 5 issue of ACS’ Journal of Proteome Research.Read more at: http://phys.org/news137671066.html#jCp

Researchers in Switzerland and Australia are reporting identification of proteins in human breast-milk — not present in cow’s milk — that may fight disease by helping remove bacteria, viruses and other dangerous pathogen’s from an infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Their study is scheduled for the September 5 issue of ACS’ Journal of Proteome Research.Read more at: http://phys.org/news137671066.html#jCp

Researchers in Switzerland and Australia are reporting identification of proteins in human breast-milk — not present in cow’s milk — that may fight disease by helping remove bacteria, viruses and other dangerous pathogen’s from an infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Their study is scheduled for the September 5 issue of ACS’ Journal of Proteome Research.Read more at: http://phys.org/news137671066.html#jCp

Yalin Liao, and other researchers in an ACS study in 2011, ReProteomic Characterization of Human Milk Whey Proteins during a Twelve-Month Lactation Period,  reported that “Human milk is a rich source of bioactive proteins that support the early growth and development of the newborn.” Their research described differences in protein patterns among the low-abundance proteins during lactation.

In another ACS study in 2012,Charles C. Nwosu, and other researchers compared breast milk and bovine milk protein. Researchers discovered that “The results suggest that high fucosylation is a general trait in human, while high sialylation and low fucosylation are general features of glycosylation in bovine milk.”

A breast pump is a mechanical device that extracts milk from the breasts. Breast pumps can be  manually powered by hand or foot movements or powered by electricity or batteries.

How Can Breast Milk be Used for Healing?
Breast milk is not only beneficial for the baby when used in breastfeeding, it is also beneficial in many other ways as a powerful healing alternative medicine.

1. Breast milk can be rubbed on the umbilical cord to help it heal more quickly, immediately after giving birth.
2. Breast milk can be stored in the freezer and applied to small wounds, cuts, or scrapes and used for it’s natural healing properties.
3. A few drops of breast milk in the eye, several times a day, has been shown to help to clear up eye infections or conjunctivitis
4. Breast milk has been shown to be very effective in healing minor skin problems such as:  allergic rashes, eczema, psoriasis,  inflammation, and acne
5. If your child or baby has an ear infection, a few drops of breast milk in the ear, a few times a day, has been shown to be very effective in bringing healing relief before seeing the pediatrician.

Breast milk  is 87% water, packed with natural healing properties and has no known adverse reactions or side effects for most everyone. It is very important as the first and primary food for your baby. It is also considered to be one of the safest alternative healing treatments for many health ailments. It is always best to check with your trusted family physician or health care provider to determine what is best for you and your family.

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This article is written by Jean Voice Dart,  M.S. Special Education from Illinois State University.  Jean is a published author and has written hundreds of health articles as well as hosting a local television program, “Making Miracles Happen.”  She is a Registered Music Therapist, Sound Therapist, and Master Level Energetic Teacher, and is the Executive Director, founder and Health and Wellness Educator of the Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance.  The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a registered 501 (c) 3  nonprofit health and wellness education organization.  For more information about  the Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance contact us or visit our website at www.montereybayholistic.com.

Disclaimer: The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a charitable, independent registered nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and does not endorse any particular products or practices. We exist as an educational organization dedicated to providing free access to health education resources, products and services. Claims and statements herein are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The statements about organizations, practitioners, methods of treatment, and products listed on this website are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is intended for educational purposes only. The MBHA strongly recommends that you seek out your trusted medical doctor or practitioner for diagnosis and treatment of any existing health condition.

Water – It’s Not Just Fun and Games!

Feeling thirsty? Drink up! The topic for today is dehydration and the miracle solution of water.   Did you know that your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature.

Natural Headache Remedies

God dag, Hej, health and wellness enthusiasts.

Click, copy, save and share with friends and family members. What do you use to alleviate headache pain?

Headache is one of the most common ailments and can be the result of a variety of causes including physical, emotional and mental distress, and chronic or acute illness or injuries. The majority of people choose to eliminate headache pain as quickly as possible, through the use of prescription or nonprescription drugs.

Most people experience common minor headache pain because of stress and tension due to the affects of changes in behavior, diet, or environment. The following natural remedies for headache may prove to be very helpful. These remedies are not intended as a cure or substitute for a doctor’s care.   Headaches can be a symptom of a more serious underlying problem, so always check with your doctor or trusted health-care professional.

Here are a few helpful home remedies that might aide in relieving headache pain:

• Acupuncture – Acupuncture has been used for centuries to relieve  tension, which may be causing the headache pain.
• Peppermint oil – Put some peppermint oil on the temples, neck or shoulders, and gently massage. Peppermint oil can naturally energize and soothe the nerves.
• Hot water bottle – A hot water bottle, heating pad, or heat pack can improve circulation and blood flow to the brain, which sometimes can cause headache pain.  Apply heat to back of head, neck, and  shoulders, to improve circulation.
• Ginger tea – Ginger has been known to be effective in alleviating headache pain. You can slice pieces of ginger, boil in water, and strain, to produce ginger tea, or it can be commonly found in most grocery stores in tea bags. Fresh ginger is the most potent. Boil the ginger in water for at least 10 minutes. For a stronger tea, allow to boil for 20 minutes or more, and use more slices of ginger. Remove from heat and add lime juice and honey, or agave nectar to taste.
• Meditation – Practice guided meditation techniques, deep breathing, listen to soft music, imagine you are in a place of peace and love, close your eyes, release the stress of the day, and allow yourself to experience a state of well-being.
• Exercise – Lack of exercise can cause stiffness and tension in the muscles resulting in headache pain. Step  away from your work or daily routine and get outside, and go for a walk.  If you work all day outside in the bright sun, then walk away from that situation and go inside for awhile.  Do some light exercising and stretching. Jog, use a treadmill, do some situps. Get some fresh air.
• Massage – Therapeutic massage has been known to be very effective in relieving headache pain. Massaging the face, forehead, skull, neck, shoulders, back and limbs can help to release tension naturally and allow the headache pain to disappear.  A full-body massage can be very relaxing and eliminate headache pain without the use of drugs and pain-killers, by reducing stress and increasing circulation.
• Ice packs  – Cold packs can also be effective if heating pads or hot water bottles have not been.  Apply ice pack on your head, throat, shoulders, and back of  neck. Cold packs can help with headaches triggered from food allergies, stress, or worries.
• Rest or sleep – Maintain a normal sleep schedule, get plenty of rest.  If it’s not possible to sleep, close your eyes, darken the room, and rest. Lack of sleep or interrupted sleep is one of the most common reasons for headache pain. If you believe that you are not getting enough sleep, you might choose to schedule an appointment with a sleep clinic.  Sleep clinics can determine the cause of restless sleep, including sleep apnea, a serious breathing disturbance, causing snoring, and resulting in not enough oxygen to the brain.  Eye strain is a very common cause of headache. If you wear glasses, make sure that your prescription is current. If you work on the computer all day, take time to rest your eyes several times throughout the day. Resting the eyes (from eye strain), voice (from talking all day), ears (from noisy environment), and body (from overdoing and straining  muscles) can eliminate headache triggers.

What has been effective in relieving your headache pain?
Best wishes to you for a healthy, happy day.
Your health and wellness friends at MBHA.