Did you know that lack of sexual desire is the number one reason why people seek out sex therapy? They believe society’s narrative that healthy people have a “sex drive” that propels them to have sex. When a person does not feel like having sex, they automatically assume that there is something wrong with them.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reasons for fertility issues in the West. The name reflects that fact that in some of the cases, one or both of the ovaries accumulate multiple cysts…in some cases so much so that the ovary looks like swiss cheese on an ultrasound.
Stomach cramps and bloating are uncomfortable at best, and downright painful at their worst. Almost all of us are familiar with dull pains that originate in our lower abdomen and cause us to curl up, swearing to avoid dairy or roasted garlic for the rest of eternity.
Exploring our ancestors’ use of natural remedies is a fine way to rediscover the forgotten traditional uses for several herbal combinations and tonics.
The human body is truly a wonderland. Our bones are one of the strongest substances known to man, along with granite and concrete. Our heart pumps one million gallons of blood in our lifetime and our largest artery is capable of building enough pressure during each heartbeat to shoot blood 30 feet into the air.
It was my 15th trip to the Emergency Room that month. The ER doctor recognized me. He took the usual blood and urine samples as I waited in the room in pain. When he returned he had a packet of papers that he printed out.
“I have a suspicion you have interstitial cystitis,” he said and handed me the stack of papers. “You should see a urologist to get the official diagnosis.”
Stuffed noses, itchy throats, and puffy red eyes tend to be the accessories of choice this time of year. Most people turn to pharmaceuticals to get instant relief and while these certainly have a place, knowing how to deal with late spring allergies holistically may prove to be a better long-term solution.
Hot flashes may be a sign of entry into perimenopause, though not every woman will experience them. In fact, here in the West a majority of women will experience them, while in Japan, significantly fewer will.
The month of May symbolizes regrowth, the joy of Spring, and sudden yet pleasant changes in weather.
The growing popularity of sites like ancestry.com and services like 23andMe underscores our deep human desire to understand where we come from. While digging into archival records and testing DNA can shed light on our cultural antecedents, ancestral healing practices add another valuable layer to the picture. Ancestral healing is a modern, spiritually-based ritual process which seeks to bridge the chasm between cultural wounds and cultural treasures.