Natural Health and Herbal Remedies Blog – information on herbal medicine

If the pancreas is under stress and secretes too much insulin this affects the output of several hormones, epinephrine, norepinephrine and adrenocorticotropin, which triggers the release of Cortisol. This is produced in the adrenal glands and slows down the fat-burning process. During times of stress a significant portion of spare fat in the bloodstream goes to your abdomen for emergency use. This could be the reason why many anxious people feel they are gaining weight and changing shape even when their eating habits remain the same. High Cortisol levels not only make you feel more anxious and deplete your immune system, leaving you more susceptible to infections, but also lower the production of another important hormone produced in the adrenal glands: DHEA –dehydroepiandrosterone.Until recent years, DHEA, a steroid hormone, has been given little attention. Formerly it was thought to be only a ‘bank’ on which the adrenal glands could draw to produce other hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone. Scientists have now shown that it has very important functions of its own. It may strengthen the immune system, and be of value in preventing heart disease, diabetes, cancer,Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, osteoporosis and chronic fatigue. DHEA has also been found to help rheumatoid arthritis by relieving pain and morning stiffness. Users have reported being able to reduce their anti-inflammatory medication.DHEA is on free-sale in the US and can be obtained in the UK from doctors who specialize in Nutritional Medicine. It is also available from some nutritionists. Whilst it is said to be non-toxic, it would be wise to have a saliva test and have the results interpreted by a qualified practitioner before embarking on self-medication. One sign that you could be low in this hormone is the loss of hair on the lower third of the legs. Taking supplements of DHEA has benefited many people, but as has been said this should be monitored by a physician.*65\326\8*

1   Lie flat on your back with one hand on top of the other, the palm resting on your lower abdomen. Exhale thoroughly through your open mouth then close your mouth and inhale through your nose. As the breath goes in, let it take your attention to your lower abdomen, while your belly rises, your hands also rise. Hold the breath for at least 10 seconds then exhale so that your belly becomes flat and your hands once again fall.
Continue relaxed deep breathing focusing on sending the breath deep into your lower abdomen and on the rise and fall of
your hands. If you become aware of any tension do exercise (2) then repeat deep breathing.
2 Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, and with the palm of one hand on top of the other rub in a clockwise motion around the abdominal area. Do this for one minute.
3 Standing with feet shoulder-width apart and hands resting on your hips, rotate your hips. Try and make the centre of the movement as low as possible. First in one direction for a minute then reverse.
4 With feet flat on the floor and hands linked behind the head adopt a crouched position. Bounce up and down and try to squat as deeply as possible.
Then continue bobbing up and down and describe a circular motion, first one way and then the other.
Crouch down with hands linked together on top of your head.
Breathe in and stand up on tiptoes, turning your hands over so that the palms face upward. Stretch as high as you can, then exhale and stretch again before returning to your original position. Repeat 10 times.
Standing with feet shoulder-width apart swing your arms around from one side to the other towards the back to twist your spine.
Then making two light fists, continue swinging but as you swing to the left and exhale, bang your lower back with your left fist at the same time as banging your lower abdomen with your right fist. As you swing to the right you exhale while banging your lower back with your right fist and lower abdomen with your left fist. Make this a smooth rhythmic motion. When digestive disorders are present we often experience tension in the shoulders and lower back. To relax the shoulders rotate the arms in each direction. Bunch your shoulders up towards your ears trying to make as much tension as possible then quickly release and feel them relax.
To loosen the lower back lie on the floor with your hands behind your head and bring your feet up to where your knees were. Drop your knees down to either side.
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