Acupuncture Improves Health

Acupuncture is a holistic health technique that stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine practices in which trained practitioners stimulate specific points on the body by inserting thin needles into the skin.

Today acupuncture is one of the most popular practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the West. TCM is a complimentary health approach that first originated in ancient China more than 2,500 years ago and has been evolving ever since.

To treat a wide variety of diseases, pain and stress-related symptoms, practitioners of TCM use holistic techniques that include acupuncture, herbal medicines, tai chi, qi gong, massage therapy, and various “mind and body practices.”

The use of acupuncture and other TCM techniques has risen steadily in the U.S and other Western countries over the past several decades. According to a large survey done on complementary health approaches by the National Institute of Health in 2007, in the U.S. alone at least 3.1 million people had tried acupuncture in 2007. The survey showed that the number of visits to acupuncturists tripled between 1997 and 2007. (1)

The first question most people ask me is, “Does acupuncture hurt?”

Surprisingly, although needles are used in acupuncture, treatments are relatively pain-free. In fact, one of the most popular uses of acupuncture is to reduce chronic pain throughout the body in a natural way, without the need for medications that can cause unwanted side effects.

Most of the studies investigating acupuncture to date have examined whether acupuncture can safely reduce pain. However, it’s expected that in the next several years, researchers will continue to study whether or not it might help with other conditions, too – including anxiety, depression, inflammation, hot flashes, side effects of chemotherapy and insomnia.

What Is Acupuncture Able to Treat?

Currently, acupuncture is used to treat conditions like:

muscle spasms and pain

chronic back problems and pain

headaches, including reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines

neck pain

osteoarthritis

knee pain

allergies

digestive problems

mood, depression

Is Acupuncture Safe?

The National Institute of Health does consider acupuncture to be “generally considered safe when performed by an experienced, well-trained practitioner using sterile needles.” (3) However, it’s important to always go to a practitioner that is well-trained in acupuncture as well as to a facility that is very careful about using clean needles — improperly performed acupuncture and/or contaminated needles can pose a big risk.

The good news is that the FDA regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices and requires that the needles be “sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.” To date, there have been very few complications reported from the use of acupuncture needles, so the risk is thought to be very low. This doesn’t mean that risk doesn’t exist, however, because some serious side effects have occurred when non-sterile needles have been used.

As far as how much acupuncture is needed before seeing results, firm clinical guidelines have yet to be established. Acupuncture is usually recommended as a complimentary treatment method — as something to try in addition to other pain management techniques, such as physical therapy, exercise and reducing inflammation through a healthy diet.

Acupuncture Benefits

1. Helps Reduce Headaches and Migraines

In 2009, after researchers from the Center for Complementary Medicine at the University of Munich reviewed over 11 studies involving 2,137 acupuncture patients, they concluded that acupuncture “could be a valuable non-pharmacological tool in patients with frequent chronic tension-type headaches.”

The review looked at multiple clinical trials comparing the effects of acupuncture sessions to “sham” (placebo-type of acupuncture) sessions and to receiving no treatment at all for the relief of migraine headache pain. In particular, both the group that had needles randomly placed and the group that had strategically placed needles experienced a reduction in headache symptoms.  The control group did not experience any change.

However, in the followup survey, the group that had the real acupuncture treatment continued to have both a decrease in the number of headache days and headache pain intensity.

2. Improves Chronic Pain, Including for the Back, Neck, Knee or Arthritis Pain

Acupuncture was proven to be more effective for improving chronic back pain than no acupuncture treatment in a 2006 study done by the University Medical Center of Berlin. In patients with chronic low back pain, there was a significant difference in pain reported between groups of patients receiving acupuncture over eight weeks versus those not receiving any treatment.

Even more impressive is a 2012 study done by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics aimed to determine the effect of acupuncture for four chronic pain conditions: back and neck pain, arthritis, chronic headache and shoulder pain.

The researchers reviewed clinical trials involving over 17,000 patients, and the results showed that patients receiving acupuncture had less pain than patients in the placebo control group for back and neck muscle aches and pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic headaches. (6) The conclusion was that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is “more than just a placebo effect, therefore it’s a reasonable referral option for doctors.”

3. Helps Treat Insomnia

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine conducted a large meta-analyses in 2009 that showed a beneficial effect of acupuncture on reducing insomnia symptoms, compared with no treatment. (7) The analysis found that in patients who were taking medications or herbal treatments to help with sleep, adding acupuncture therapy showed better effects than taking the medications or herbs alone.

Another benefit was that unlike many sleep medications, the acupuncture sessions had no adverse side effects at all.

4. Improves Cancer and Chemotherapy Recovery

According to the National Cancer Institute, several studies show that acupuncture can help boost immunity and speed up recovery following cancer treatments. One randomized trial, for example, found that acupuncture treatment enhanced immunity, platelet count and prevented a decrease in healthy cells after radiation therapy or chemotherapy when compared to receiving no acupuncture. (8)

Researchers reported that the patients in both acupuncture treatment groups also experienced less pain from treatments, improvements in quality of life and a decrease in various negative side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea.

5. Helps to Prevent Cognitive Decline

Some early research has showing new information about the effectiveness of  acupuncture on Parkinson’s. Studies show that can relieve age-related cognitive decline symptoms as it generates a neural response in areas of the brain — such as the putamen and the thalamus — that are particularly affected by Parkinson’s disease.

In a 2002 study done by the Department of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, after 20 Parkinson’s patients were treated with acupuncture for 16 sessions, 85 percent of patients reported subjective improvements of individual symptoms, including tremor, walking, handwriting, slowness, pain, sleep, depression and anxiety. There were no adverse effects. (9)

6. Pregnancy, Labor & Postpartum Health

Many doctors are now recommending acupuncture as a treatment to reduce stress, balance hormones, and ease the anxiety and pain of pregnancy and labor.

It’s considered a safe treatment for many of the common symptoms during pregnancy — to ease the physical and emotional strain on the body — as well as after the baby is born to help with any mood, depression, mental or physical symptoms the mother may experience. It can even be used right before the baby is due to prepare the body for labor.

NOTE: There are a few acupuncture points that a trained acupuncturist will avoid during pregnancy. So, I always recommend doing your homework and making sure that your acupuncturist is properly licensed for the best care. (10, 11)

Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points, or “acupoints,” are specific locations on the body that are the focus of acupuncture treatments. TCM explains acupuncture as a technique for “balancing the flow of energy or life force,” and that energy can be reached by stimulating small specific channels on the body.

TCM practitioners believe that there is a flow, known as “qi” or “chi,” that is located in certain “meridians” throughout the body. Chi is thought to be what separates the sick from the healthy — and when chi is not balanced, illness, pain, poor sleep, and fatigue can all occur.

 There are 14 major energy-channel meridians on the body, with hundreds of points located along each meridian where acupuncture needles are inserted.

These include some 360 different points on the hands, arms, feet, head, back and over the major organs. The belief is that by inserting needles lightly into certain points on the body, the chi flow can be tapped into and the patient’s energy can be rebalanced.

Acupuncture points tend to be located where nerves enter a muscle, the midpoint of a muscle, or at a point where muscle joins with bone.

Some of the major acupuncture meridians include:

Lung Meridian

Large Intestine Meridian

Stomach Meridian

Spleen Meridian

Heart Meridian

Small Intestine Meridian

Urinary Bladder Meridian

Kidney Meridian

Liver Meridian

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture is considered to be a family of procedures, not one single exact approach to pain or disease management. All acupuncture practices involve the stimulation of specific points on the body using a variety of techniques, usually needles. The type of acupuncture that has been studied most so far in clinical, scientific research settings is the type that uses thin, solid, metal needles to lightly puncture the skin.

Acupuncture is usually done by hand, with a trained practitioner carefully inserting the needles into specific points in the body very shallowly into the skin. Normally about 10 to 20 thin needles are used at one time. The needles are small enough to fit inside of a normal-sized needle that would be used to take blood, making the process pretty painless for most people.

There are also types of acupuncture that use light electrical stimulations that flow through the needles, or no needles at all. For example, acupressure is often thought of as simply “acupuncture without the needles” and uses targeted massage-type techniques to stimulate energy in the body by pressing on certain points.

What Will I Experience?

An acupuncture session works something like this:

First, the acupuncturist will speak with the patient about their pain and health-related goals.

Then they will usually look at the patient’s tongue and press on their vital organs to see if there is anything noticeable contributing to an imbalance.

The acupuncturist will then use sterile, disposable small needles and will place them along specific “meridians” on the body.

The acupuncturist will check for “pulses” on the body by gently placing their fingers or hand on the patient’s body to feel how the patient’s energy is flowing. Redness can also occur around a needle site, and this is thought to be a sign that as energy is not balanced in that area.

The needles will usually stay in for a short period of time while the patent’s energy is reworking and balancing itself.

After the needles are removed, the patient can go about their day and are usually advised to drink plenty of water in an effort to help the detoxifying process.

Is Acupuncture a Viable Therapy Option?

Yes, especially for chronic pain and the benefits listed above. While there is more research that needs to be done in other areas, the studies already completed show health benefits both from the needle insertion and also from the strategic placement of these needles.  It seems to work best as a companion to other treatments — as it connects the body in a way that other natural treatments are more effective. (12)

While there are some studies that show the effect of pain control is the same for those receiving just a random needle therapy as opposed to strategic acupuncture, those receiving the strategic acupuncture show lasting relief. There are also theories suggesting that the body’s system is also stimulated by the needle prick itself and triggers the body to begin the healing process and release endorphins which inhibit pain.

Pain is a reciprocating signal from the brain to the body — and from the body to the brain — telling it that something is wrong. The more pain the body feels, the more it expects and can experience that pain. While often there is a real reason for pain, often the experience of the pain can be debilitating more than the actual cause of the dysfunction.

Eventually, most people with chronic pain — due to the unceasing nature of pain and/or the increase of pain — become desensitized to pain medication, so that the body needs more and more. Not only is the pain medication damaging to the body because it increases inflammation, but it also has a host of other side effects that increase with prolonged use. (13)

Acupuncture is a promising solution to the chronic pain sufferers that have come to expect pain and thus experience heightened levels of pain and trauma.

As with many natural therapies, including new mainstream mind-body awareness therapies, how the patient perceives and receives the treatment can influence the benefits. This is why focused breathing, bio-feedback, and other alternative treatments are now being implemented in mainstream medicine.

Whether acupuncture is a treatment of the nerve systems and pathways, or whether it’s training the brain to experience less pain, either way, the long-term benefits and low risk of side effects makes it a viable treatment option in my book.

Importance of Giving Sadaqah

All kinds of good deeds, whether material or spiritual, done in order to gain the pleasure of Allahu ta'ala are called sadaqah. Shaitan does not want us to give sadaqah, but we should give it at any cost. A Qur'anic verse says (what means):

(Shaitan frightens you with poverty, commands you to be niggardly and to do foul deeds; he does not want you to give sadaqah. But Allah promises forgiveness and abundant blessings from His grace. Allah is bounteous and knows everything thoroughly.) [Al-Baqarah 268]

It is stated in hadith-i sharifs about the virtues of sadaqah:

(Treat your sick ones with sadaqah. Sadaqah repels all illnesses and calamities.) [Bayhaqi]

(Let him who has 'ilm give sadaqah from his 'ilm. Let him who has wealth give sadaqah from his wealth.) [Ibn Sunni]

(Charity increases one’s life span. Sadaqah wipes out sins and protects one against awful death.) [Tabarani]

(Sadaqah wipes out arrogance.) [Tirmidhi]

(The rizq of a giver of sadaqah increases, and his du’a is accepted.) [Ibn Majah]

(Curse be upon him who prevents one from giving sadaqah.) [Isfahani]

(Sadaqah protects one from the torment in the grave. It takes one under protection on the Day of Resurrection.) [Bayhaqi]

(Avert your troubles with sadaqah.) [Daylami]

(Sadaqah wipes out sins just as water extinguishes fire.) [Tirmidhi]

(By Allah, giving sadaqah does not decrease wealth. Then give sadaqah.) [Imam-i Ahmad]

(Sadaqah increases wealth. Then give sadaqah.) [Ibn Abiddunya]

(Sadaqah averts 70 types of problems, the least of which is

leprosy and alphos.) [Hatib]

(Sadaqah cripples Shaitan.) [Daylami]

(Sadaqah given in secret extinguishes the wrath of Allah.) [Bayhaqi]

(Whoever gives sadaqah purely in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure, Allahu ta’ala will say to him on the Day of Resurrection, “O My slave, you pursued My pleasure, so I will not make you despicable, and I will make your body haram for Hell. Enter Paradise from any door you like.”) [Daylami]

(Give sadaqah even if it is little. Allah stops His favors on someone who conceals his money and does not give it.) [Muslim]

(Whoever wants abundant rizq, let him give sadaqah.) [Daylami]

(Make your rizq abundant by giving sadaqah.) [Bayhaqi]

(Sadaqah increases wealth.) [Ibn Adiy]

(Hurry to give sadaqah because trouble cannot pass before sadaqah.) [Tabarani, Bayhaqi]

(Give sadaqah because it is a means for your salvation from Hell.) [Tabarani]

(Give sadaqah even if it is a single date because it, though little, satisfies hunger and wipes out sins just as water extinguishes fire.) [Ibn Mubarak]

(Giving sadaqah in the beginning of a day averts calamities.) [Daylami]

(Sadaqah is more virtuous than observing a voluntary fast.) [Bayhaqi]

(If one gives sadaqah by intending its thawab for one’s Muslim parents, its thawab goes to them. There will be no decrease in one’s own thawab.) [Tabarani]

(A piece of bread given as sadaqah grows like the size of Mount Uhud in the sight of Allah.) [Tabarani]

Khuss Oil / Attar Benefits

The health benefits of Khuss / Vetiver essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, cicatrisant, nervine, sedative, tonic, and vulnerary substance.

Vetiver is famous all over the Indian Subcontinent. People may not understand it since many of them are unfamiliar with this name. Instead, it is popularly known as “Khus” or “Khus-Khus” and it is extensively used in perfumes, food, and beverage industries.

The botanical name of vetiver is Vetiveria zizanoides or Andropogon muricatus. This grass has a very pleasant, mild, earthy, and musky smell which has a cooling effect on the body and the mind. The dried grass and its roots are used to thatch the side panels of the water-based room and window coolers since it cools and adds fragrance to the moist air.

It is also used to thatch roofs of earthen houses and mattresses. It is also used as curtains on the doors and windows, which, apart from cooling and scenting the rooms, keeps insects away. That is why its demand rises excessively during the summer, particularly in humid regions like India and neighboring countries.

Vetiver essential oilThe essential oil of vetiver is obtained through steam distillation of its roots and its main components are alpha vetivone, benzoic acid, beta vetivone, furfurol, vetiverol, vetivene, and vetivenyl vetivenate. Its essential oil is also used extensively in the perfume industries, including perfumes for the body, room fresheners, and coolers, as well as cosmetics, soaps, oils and as a flavoring agent in beverages, sorbets, and foodstuffs.

This essential oil is very popular in aromatherapy and has many medicinal properties, which are described in greater detail below.

Reduces Inflammation

The soothing and cooling effects of this essential oil calm and pacify all sorts of inflammation. It is particularly good at providing relief from inflammation in both the circulatory and nervous system. It is also found to be an appropriate treatment for inflammation caused by sunstroke, dehydration, and loo, which is the name given to very hot and dry winds prevalent during summer in the dry South Asian regions.

Eliminates Scars

Cicatrisant agents are substances that speed up the eradication or disappearance of scars and other marks on the skin. It also promotes the growth of new tissues in the affected places which replace the dead and discolored tissues and helps achieve a uniform look. This is also useful for post-delivery stretch marks for pregnant women, fat cracks, after spots left by pox, and burns.

Vetive essential in fographic Prevents Bacterial Infections

In tropical countries like India and its neighbors, microbes and bacteria grow very fast due to the favorable hot and humid climates found in these regions. It becomes obvious that your wounds are most likely to get sepsis in these places since there are plenty of bacteria located in. However, Mother Nature is very kind and has provided the remedies as well.

One such remedy is vetiver and the essential oil extracted from it. This oil efficiently stops the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, the bacteria responsible for causing sepsis and eliminates them. It is totally safe for this oil to be applied externally on the wounds or taken orally in order to protect wounds as well as internal organs from sepsis.

Enhances Libido

Mixed in sorbets and beverages as a flavoring agent, this oil has an aphrodisiac effect. It also enhances the libido and arouses feelings of sexual desire. Since sex has more to do with the psychology of the brain than the physiology, it is a remedy for most sexual disorders like frigidity, lack of libido, and impotence. Certain components of this oil stimulate those portions of the brain, thereby bringing an end to your bedroom problems.

Acts as a Tonic

The effect of a tonic on the body is quite similar to that of overhauling and servicing on vehicles. A tonic tones up every system of the body, namely the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, immune, endocrine, and nervous systems. Therefore, in a nutshell, vetiver essential oil keeps the metabolic system in order, rejuvenates the body, gives strength and boosts immune function.

Prevents Nervous Disorders

A tonic for the nerves is called a nervine, like the essential oil of vetiver. It takes care of the nerves and maintains their good health. It also heals the damage done to the nerves by shock, fear, and stress. Furthermore, it helps get rid of nervous disorders, afflictions, epileptic and hysteric attacks, nervous and neurotic disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, and lack of control over limbs and spasms.

Relieves Insomnia

The essential oil of vetiver is a well-known sedative. It sedates nervous irritations, afflictions, convulsions and emotional outbursts such as anger, anxiety, epileptic and hysteric attacks, restlessness, and nervousness. It even benefits patients that suffer from insomnia.

Speeds-up Healing

This property of vetiver essential oil helps heal wounds by promoting the growth of new tissues in wounded places and also by keeping it safe from infections by inhibiting the growth of microbes. Finally, it also promotes the accumulation of leucocytes and platelets at that location.

Other Benefits

Vetiver essential oil also benefits patients with rheumatism, arthritis, gout, muscular aches, and also helps to reduce the dryness and cracking of the skin.

Benefits of Sandal Attar and Essential Oil

The health benefits of sandalwood essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, astringent, cicatrizant, carminative, diuretic, disinfectant, emollient, expectorant, hypotensive, memory booster, sedative, and a tonic substance.

The essential oil of sandalwood is extracted through steam distillation of wood from matured sandalwood trees which are 40-80 years old, although 80 years is preferred. The older the tree, better the oil reserve and stronger the aroma.

As far as quality is concerned, Indian Sandalwood (botanical name Santalum album) is considered best. There are two more varieties, namely the Hawaiian Sandalwood (Santalum ellipticum), which is quite expensive, and the Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) which is not too beneficial but is commercially more in use. Since the two varieties are rare and subsequently expensive; the Indian variety is on the verge of extinction and is exorbitantly expensive. The main constituents of the essential oil of sandalwood are beta santalol, santyl acetate, and santalenes.

For centuries, sandalwood has reserved a place of dignity and respect in many civilizations and religions of the world, especially in Hinduism, where it is considered holy and indispensable in almost all of the social and religious rituals and ceremonies; from the birth of an individual until their death. Sandalwood is required in every step. It is offered to various Hindu gods and goddesses, mixed with flowers and other ceremonial offerings, used to embalm bodies and apply on foreheads in some communities in India, and it is also burnt with the pyre when cremating the dead.

Health Benefits of Sandalwood Oil

Sandalwood oil and the paste of sandalwood is used in medicines, skin and beauty treatments, and numerous industrial products including mouth fresheners, edibles, incense sticks, room fresheners, deodorants, perfumes, soaps, lotions, and creams. It has some really remarkable medicinal properties, which we will explore in greater detail below.

Antiseptic

The essential oil of sandalwood is very good as an antiseptic agent. It is safe for both internal and external applications. When ingested, it helps protect internal wounds and ulcers from infections. Similarly, when applied to the skin, it protects wounds, sores, boils, and pimples from developing infections or from becoming septic.

Anti-inflammatory

Both sandalwood paste and its essential oil are very effective as anti-inflammatory agents. They have a nice cooling effect and they provide relief from all types of inflammation in the brain, digestive, nervous, circulatory, and excretory systems that result from infections, fever, side effects of antibiotics, poisoning, insect bites, or wounds. Sandalwood essential oil is particularly beneficial in cases of nervous and circulatory inflammations.

Sandalwood Antispasmodic

Being a relaxant and sedative in nature, this oil works great against spasms. It relaxes nerves, muscles and blood vessels, thereby ending spasms and contractions. Thus, it is helpful in treating problems associated with them such as cramps, aches, and coughs.

Astringent

Although it is very mild, this essential oil has some astringent properties which induce contractions in the gums, muscles, and skin. This proves beneficial in terms of strengthening the hold of gums on the teeth, the strengthening of muscles, and tightening of the skin.

Cicatrizing

The essential oil of sandalwood soothes the skin and helps scars and spots to heal much faster. It is an old practice to use the paste of sandalwood as a skin pack. The same effect can be obtained by using this essential oil. This oil is now extensively used in skin care soaps, lotions, and creams.

Carminative

The essential oil of sandalwood, being relaxant in nature, induces relaxation in the intestines and abdominal muscles, thereby facilitating the removal of gases. Also, it prevents excess gases from forming.

Diuretic

Due to its relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties, it soothes inflammation in the urinary system and induces relaxation, thereby promoting the easy passage of urine. It also increases the frequency of urination and the volume of urine. This helps in treating infections and inflammation in the urinary system because it flushes out dangerous toxins through the urine.

Disinfectant

It is the disinfectant property of sandalwood essential oil that justifies its wide use in religious ceremonies and cosmetics. Its fragrance keeps away microbes and small insects, which is why it is extensively used in incense sticks, sprays, fumigants, and evaporators to disinfect large areas. Moreover, this oil can be mixed with bathing water or other lotions or oils to apply on the skin and wounds to ensure their protection from infections. This oil can also be safely taken with milk to cure internal infections, such as those of the throat, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and excretory tracts.

Skin Care

Sandalwood oil soothes the skin, relieves it from inflammation and irritation, cures infections and keeps you feeling fresh and cool.

Treats Coughs

Sandalwood essential oil behaves as an expectorant and is particularly effective in treating coughs. It also fights the viral infections which initially caused the cold, cough, flu, mumps, or any other illness.

Antiphlogistic

As mentioned above, sandalwood oil has antiphlogistic properties and gives relief from inflammation resulting from fever and viral infections.

Lowers Blood Pressure

This is a very useful property of sandalwood essential oil. It can be taken with milk or even water to reduce blood pressure in patients suffering from hypertension. The paste of sandalwood has the same effect when topically applied to various parts of the body.

Memory Booster

It improves memory and stimulates your concentration power. It also keeps the brain cool and relaxed and saves you from undue stress and anxiety.

Sedative Effect

This oil sedates inflammation, anxiety, fear, stress, and restlessness. Furthermore, it induces relaxation, calmness, concentration, inner vision, and positive thoughts.

Health Tonic

This oil can be a very good health tonic for anyone, especially for growing children. Since it is soothing to the stomach and the digestive, circulatory and nervous systems, it helps these systems function in harmony and without any abnormalities.

Other Benefits

Some people use sandalwood essential oil as a deodorant to relieve body odor.

Gemstone Therapy

Gemstone therapy has a rich history, ever since the beginning of time gemstones and minerals have been used for healing, early on in history it was discovered that people felt better when they were at a certain location where stones were found, as opposed to when they were at home for example. Soon the link between health and (gem)stones and minerals was made.

The nature based tribes of the past used everything in their area to appease the Gods - herbs, animals and gemstones as well. From grave finds from the Stone Age we can tell that Amber, Jet and Garnets were used as jewellery even that far back in history. Spear points made out of flints were also found all over Europe.

According to legend (gem)stones and minerals were frequently used in the once so mighty empire of Atlantis, these crystals were not only used for healing but were also used to store information, energy supplies and even radio waves, they could send the human voice and images, like modern day television, over long distances. Atlantis was a highly developed civilization that came to an end in a disastrous manner 12.000 years ago, due to the misuse of knowledge and the powers of crystals. Unfortunately these high tech possibilities that crystals harbour in them, but thanks to the visions of certain psychics and seers a part of the possibilities of crystals and minerals have been obtained, as well as the lives of the Atlanteans.

The Ancient Greeks and Romans also made use of the healing powers of these little wonders of Mother Earth. The Ancient Greeks called gemstones and minerals the bones of Gaia, and to be perfectly honest I don't think that such a strange comparison because our earth's crust is built up out of so many minerals and gemstones. In Greek mythology stones also play a very important role, for instance think of the mythos of Kronos and Zeus, where Kronos is forced to eat a stone by his wife Rhea, she claimed the stone was their youngest son Zeus. When Zeus became of age, he freed his brothers and sisters from his father's stomach and the stone, which Kronos had thought was Zeus, was transported to Delphi where it was revered. The Ancient Greeks mostly used gemstones as a talisman or amulet.

For thousands of years before Common Era gemstones were cut and polished in Babylonia. The Egyptians have mentioned Emeralds in the second century BCE and of course Queen Cleopatra's Emerald mines were very well known. The Egyptians enjoyed the finer things in life and of course gemstones can be placed into this category. All gemstones found in the pyramids and other graves were very bright in colour; especially Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Amazonite and Azurite were found a lot in these sites. Often these stones were combined with the metals Copper and Gold, which must've been quite the display of abundance. A suitable example of this is the sarcophagus of the child pharaoh Tutanchamon, laid in with beautiful stones. The Eye of Horus, or the Utchat, was traditionally made of Lapis Lazuli or Turquoise although it is found made out of various materials.

In India gemstones were categorised according to caste, Ruby was classified as belonging to the highest caste, the one of the Brahmans. The Moonstone was also important to the Indians, this stone signified love and fertility and in the Indian culture the human's love life was very important - just think of the Kama Sutra.

In China Jade (Jadeite) was revered as the symbol of Buddha and the philosopher Confucius praised it as the symbol of beauty, justice and wisdom.

In North America the native tribes still use Turquoise today. In this culture Turquoise is considered an amulet and talisman, all rolled in one; the other stones that belong to this culture are Lapis Lazuli, Coral, Jet, Abalone Shell and Obsidian, mostly Apache Tears. The shamans used stones and minerals in magical rituals and also in laying out a medicine wheel gemstones and minerals can be used.

The Aztecs, Toltecs and Mayas of Central and South America also abundantly used the Turquoise. This stone is still considered one of the most powerful protective stones and it is still very popular today, like it was in the past.

The Incas adorned their temples and palaces with the most beautiful gemstones like Rubies, Emeralds and Topaz. Unfortunately the Spanish conquistadores stole many of the treasures of the Incas when they discovered the Americas. Only a small amount of the Inca treasures could be brought to safety and to this day their whereabouts are unknown. One of the places where these treasures were buried is known, but it is severely cursed and secured; everyone who dug for the treasures has not been able to tell the tale and died under suspicious circumstances.

Unfortunately the healing and magical properties of these wonders of Mother Nature were forgotten at a certain point in time. Luckily alternative medicine, among which gemstone therapy, is gaining ground again and the knowledge of the past, is restored.

To buy Real Gemstone visit Bismillah-Gems.

Color Therapy

It has been known for eons of time that color plays a major role in setting up a particular mood or state of mind. Color does affect one's feelings, moods, and emotions.

Colors are certain wavelengths of electro-magnetic energy seen through our eyes. The color we see is the part of the visible spectrum that is reflected back by a certain object.

Color Specrum - Color Prism

We know that when all colors join the result is white light. Therefore working with White Light brings about completeness, oneness, union of all complementary parts.

How Colors Affect Us

Color is one of the languages of the soul, just look at inspired or meditative paintings.

They influence our mood and emotions.

They have their impact on our sense of well-being or un-easiness.

Using and avoiding certain colors is a way of self-expression; it sheds light on our personality.

Colors affect our way of perception (light colors make a space look big, a high ceiling looks less high when painted in a dark color, etc.)

Colors have a symbolic meaning which is immediately recognized by our subconsciousness. It must be said that not all colors mean the same to all persons and all cultures.

They influence the flow and amount of energy in our bodies.

Colors tell something about biological attraction and sexual availability.

Before examining color and its healing implications, we must address a very important concept: that of cause and effect. True healing comes about when the cause of the condition or illness is addressed and transformed. If healing goes no further than a mere relief or masking of the symptoms, then, eventually, that which brought about the need for healing, in the first place, will resurface and manifest itself within the body in one form or another.

Body is an outward expression of that which is taking place within the mind, the soul (subconscious) , and the spirit (superconscious) of the individual. Thus, any healing technique which deals only with the physical body and the energy field of the individual tends to accomplish one thing: it jump starts the individual, so to speak, and gives him or her an added boost of energy. That energy boost then allows that person's own internal healing mechanism to become mobilized into greater activity.

Keeping this in mind, let us look at how color can help jump-start the tired or diseased body. Color healing, known as Chromotherapy, can be implemented in a number of ways. The ancients built great halls of color healing, where individuals entered and were bathed in light that was filtered through various colored glass panels or windows.

Energy (spiritual) healers often supplement their healing work with color healing. As they lay their hands on the patient, they mentally direct specific color rays into the patient's aura and body. Oftentimes, the color used is inspired by the superconscious.

In healing colors act as balancers: we administer the color(s) someone needs more of, or we give the opposite of the color someone has too much of.

Color Chart

A preference for certain colors can point at two things:

self-expression (you choose the colors which match your personality; for instance green for a lover of harmony and nature)

completion (you choose the colors you need more of; for instance an active, passionate person chooses blue colors to cool down his nature).

An aversion against certain colors gives information as well. Possible explanations are given in the chart.

Red

Healing properties: Brings warmth, energy and stimulation, therefore good for energy, fatigue, colds, chilly and passive people. Red energizes heart and blood circulation, it builds up the blood and heightens a low blood pressure. Energizes all organs and the senses hearing, smell, taste, vision and touch. Increases sexual desire and activity. Stimulates ovulation and menstruation. Never treat cancer with red, because this color will stimulate cell growth!

Red links with and stimulates the root chakra, at the base of the spine, causing the adrenal glands to release adrenalin. This results in greater strength. Red causes hemoglobin to multiply, thus increasing energy and raising body temperature. It is excellent for anemia and blood-related conditions. It loosens, opens up clogs, releases stiffness and constrictions. It is excellent for areas that have become stiffened or constricted.

Esoteric/magickal: Deities of love, passion, sexuality and war (to stimulate a healthy portion of assertiveness). Great energy, courage, will-power, determination, speed, assertiveness, aggression, masculinity, independence, physical strength, sports, competition, conflicts, health, sexual attraction and potency, love and passion, fertility.

Preference for red: Red is associated with passionate love, sex, great energy, impulse, action and stimulation, assertiveness and aggression, courage, strength and power, adventure, danger, warnings, revolt and revolution. Temperamental and ambitious people with a need for personal freedom.

Aversion to red: A person who has an aversion to red may be over-active, too impulsive, hot-tempered, aggressive and egocentric, or have difficulties with people with such characteristics. It can also symbolize deeply hidden fears and rejection of his own assertiveness.

Orange

Healing properties: Orange is warm, cheering, non-constricting. Orange has a freeing action upon the body and mind, relieving repressions. Orange shows new possibilities and other options in life. Stimulates creative thinking and enthusiasm, and helps assimilate new ideas.It is also helpful in dealing with excess sexual expression.

Orange stimulates the lungs, the respiration and the digestion. Increases the activity of the thyroid. Reliefs muscle cramps and spasms. Increases the amount of mother milk.

Finally, orange links very strongly with the sacral chakra.

Esoteric/magickal: Deities of good luck and fortune. Attraction, charm, kindness, encouragement, stimulation, optimism, success, abundance, prosperity, feast and celebration, energy, achieving business-goals, investments, success in legal matters.

Preference for orange: Orange represents the warmth of the fire. It brings even more energy than yellow, celebration and great abundance, comfort, enjoyment of the senses. Warm, sociable, dynamic and independent people who dedicate themselves to whatever they do.

Aversion to orange: A person who has an aversion to orange may have suppressed sexual feelings or other difficulties with sensual enjoyment of life. The attitude can also be over-sensual, indulgent, or too materialistic.

Yellow

Healing properties: Yellow helps strengthen the nerves and the mind. It helps awaken mental inspiration and stimulates higher mentality. Thus, it is an excellent color for nervous or nerve-related conditions or ailments. It also energizes the muscles. Dark yellow soothes pains in the nerves (shooting pains)

Yellow can be used for conditions of the stomach, liver, and intestines. Speeds up the digestion and assimilation, and the stool.

It helps the pores of the skin and aids scarred tissue in healing itself.

Yellow links with and stimulates the solar plexus, or psychic center. It can be used for psychic burnout or other psychic-related conditions or ailments. Activates and cheers up depressed and melancholic people. Gives lust for life.

Esoteric/magical: Elemental air. Deities for trade, travel, knowledge and magick. Life-force, vitality, change, progress, contact, communication, trade, commerce, to persuade with confidence, joy, cheerfulness, learning, knowledge, mental clarity, concentration, memorizing, tests, speaking and writing, traveling, affirmation, visualization.

Preference for yellow: The color of the sun, life-force, vividity, vitality and energy. The color of cheerfulness, curiosity, alternation, flexibility, progress, amusement, contact through traveling and communication, learning and practical knowledge. A feeling for writing and speaking.

Aversion to yellow: A person who has aversion to yellow may be emotionally disappointed and bitter.May have tendency to rationalize feelings, or to avoid the depth of life by often changing relationships, many superficial relationships and/or constant changing activities.

Green

Healing properties: Green is the color of Nature and the earth. It is balance and harmony in essence and possesses a soothing influence upon both mind and body. It is neither relaxing nor astringent in its impact.Green can be used for just about any condition in need of healing.

Green rings psychological and emotional harmony and balance.

Green links with and stimulates the heart chakra.Green affects blood pressure and all conditions of the heart. It has both an energizing effect and a moderating or soothing effect.

It cures hormonal imbalances. Stimulates growth hormone and rejuvenation. Cleans and purifies from germs, bacteria and rotting material. Harmonizes the digestion, stomach, liver, gall. Has a healing effect on kidneys. Increases immunity. Builds up muscles, bones and tissues. Stimulates inner peace. Strengthens the nervous system.

Esoteric/magickal: Elemental earth (dark green) and elemental water (blue-green). Nature, fertility, growth, rejuvenation, recovering, healing, harvest and abundance, prosperity, harmony, balance, peace, hope, mother earth, home, herbal magick, plants and animals, counteract greed and jealousy.

Preference for green: Green brings peace, rest, hope, comfort and nurturing, calmness and harmony. Interest in nature, plants, fellowmen, children and animals, health and healing, natural and plain life. Longing for a safe home and family-life. A dislike of conflicts.

Aversion to green: A person who has an aversion to green may be more interested in independence and self-development than in a warm family-life. May prefer to keep a certain distance in (sexual) relationships.

Blue

Healing properties: Blue is cooling, electric, astringent. Dr. Edwin Babbitt, in his classic, "The Principles of Light and Color," states that "The Blue Ray is one of the greatest antiseptics in the world."

Cools down inflammations (don't forget rheumatic inflammations), fever, high blood pressure, stops bleedings, reliefs the bursting headaches, calms strong emotions like anger, aggression or hysteria. Brings tranquility. Anti-itching. Anti-irritation (for instance redness of the skin), anti-stress. Soothes suffering.

Blue can be used for any type of ailments associated with speech, communication, or the throat. Excellent forlaryngitis or inflammation of the larynx.

Blue links with and stimulates the throat chakra. The throat chakra is often referenced as the "power center" and "the greatest center in the body" because it is the primary center of expression and communication, through speech.

Esoteric/magickal: Elemental water and elemental air. Deities of the sea, truth and wisdom. Peace and tranquility, calmness, truth, wisdom, justice, counsel, guidance, understanding, patience, loyalty and honor, sincerity, devotion, healing, femininity, prophetic dreams, protection during sleep, astral projection.

Preference for blue: Cool and soothing, dreamy and magical. Peace and rest. For people who keep a certain distance, but give calm and practical help; they are faithful and loyal, have a sense for order, logic and rational thinking. Flying in day-dreaming, ideals or nostalgia when felt mis-understood. Dark blue is more severe and can be melancholic. Blue is also the color of truth.

Aversion to blue: A person who has an aversion to blue, may be very disciplined, strong career worker, with an aversion of commentary or restriction. He may have charted out a clear direction for his life and wants to follow that lacelike .

Indigo

Healing properties: Indigo is a great purifier of the bloodstream and also benefits mental problems. It is a freeing and purifying agent.

Indigo combines the deep blue of devotion with a trace of stabilizing and objective red. Indigo is cool, electric, and astringent.

Indigo links with and stimulates the brow chakra (third eye) and controls the pineal gland. It governs both physical and spiritual perception.It can be of great assistance in dealing with ailments of the eyes and ears.

Violet / Purple

Healing properties: These are colors of transformation.They heal melancholy, hysteria, delusions and alcohol addiction and bring spiritual insights and renewal. These colors slow down an over-active heart; stimulate the spleen and the white blood cells (immunity). Bring sleep. Soothe mental and emotional stress. Decrease sexual activity. Decrease sensitivity to pain. They help in detoxification.

Leonardo da Vinci proclaimed that you can increase the power of meditation ten-fold by meditating under the gentle rays of Violet, as found in Church windows.

Esoteric/magickal: Elemental spirit. Divination and prophecy. Angels. Psychic abilities, divination, counter-acting negativity/black magick, reversing curses, psychic healing, psychic power, inspiration, meditation, spirituality, spiritual power, astral projection, third eye, compassion, counter-acting depression.

Preference for violet/purple: Colors for meditation, contemplation, mysticism, spirituality and religion power. A longing to ascend and dissolve polarities (purple consists of the active red and passive blue), to improve the world. Reservation, mystery and dignity. Soft, sensitive people with often paranormal abilities.

Aversion to violet / purple:A person who has an aversion for violet / purple may have very serious attitude towards life; and may find it difficult to give dreams, fantasies, vague fears or memories a place in it. May have tendency to rejection everything he regards as unnatural or unrealistic.

White

Healing properties: White is the perfect color; for it is all colors, in perfect balance and harmony. It is the color of the awakened Spirit; the light of perfection; the light of the Cosmic Consciousness,the Divine Light.

Just about everyone has heard of surrounding people with the "White Light of Healing and Protection." White light raises the vibration of one's consciousness and the body, bringing harmony in all aspects of one's life. Directing white into to a part of the body that needs healing is one of the fastest ways to bring about healing.

Esoteric/magickal: Purification and cleaning on all levels, contact with higher self and spiritual helpers, (inner) peace, aura-healing, truth seeking, consecration, spiritual enlightenment, protection against negativity by raising your vibration, breaking curses, exorcism, meditation, divination, inspiration, clairvoyance, invoking spirits White can be a replacement for any other color your magick requires.

Preference for white: White points at innocence, purity, virginity, cleanliness, freshness, simplicity, nothingness, oneness and completion, truth. In certain cultures white is the color of death and mourning.

Aversion to white: A person who has an aversion to white color isforemost or solely interested in 'realistic' and tangible things, not in illusions or things that are beyond seeing or understanding. Knows and accepts the own imperfection and does not wish to achieve perfection.

Magenta

Healing properties: Strengthens contact with your life purpose. Stimulates adrenalineand heart activity.

Esoteric/magickal: Scorpio-energy. Magnetism, to attract or speed up things, extra power, when immediate action and great spiritual power are needed, life purpose, life path.

Preference for magenta: Much energy and activity focused on achieving power and self-realization. Strong but controlled passions and emotions. Daring, ready to fight, willing to give everything for a goal. Can drive things too far and have fixed ideas.

Aversion to magenta:A person who has an aversion to magenta may feel overwhelmed by people with strong convictions or heavy emotions like jealousy; also may have difficulties with exposing deep emotions.

Pink

Healing properties: Heals grief and sadness. Restores youthfulness. Brings you in contact with your feelings.

Esoteric/magickal: Softness and tenderness, romance, caring, nurturing, for children, youth, peace, friendship, femininity, emotional love, emotional healing.

Preference for pink: Regarded as a feminine color. Pink symbolizes softness, sweetness, innocence, youthfulness and tenderness. Soft and kind people.

Aversion to pink: A person who has an aversion to pink may have a challenge with expressingsoft, tender, female side.

Turquoise

Healing properties: Increases intuition and sensitivity. Works disinfecting and antiseptic. Tones the general system. Builds the skin. Relaxes sensations of stress.

Esoteric/magickal: Alterations, intellectual and intuitive insights, technique, inventions, originality, renewal, brotherhood, humanism.

Preference for turquoise: Just like the wide turquoise sea you don't want to feel restricted and you don't immediately bring to the surface what goes on in you; emotions can remain hidden. A color for non-triviality, renewal, innovation and inventions, progressive technics, alternative ways of living together, humanity.

Aversion to turquoise:A person who has an aversion to turquoise may be looking for solidity and security in society, especially in marriage. Also, may be reluctant to think originally or to walk new paths.

Brown

Esoteric/magickal: Elemental earth. The planet-spirit Saturn. Stability, grounding, conservation, protection of household, family and pets, healing animals, finding lost objects, material constructions (buildings etc.), material increase, to make relationships solid, to increase decisiveness and concentration, attracting help in financial crisis.

Preference for brown: An earthly color for practical people with a preference for natural, tribal and primitive things, solidity and simplicity. Brown can be warm and cosy but also depressing. Family-life persons, stable people, loyal friends.

Aversion to brown: A person who has an aversion to brown may feel an aversion against normal, boring, trivial life; may not feel connected with his roots (home-land, family, etc); may experience instability in health and attitude.

Grey

Esoteric/magickal: Neutralizing negative influences, erasing or cancelling situations, causing stalemates

Preference for grey: Very neutral and indifferent, non-expressive. It can be deliberate, but also lifeless, fixed, depressed and apathic. Reserved, cool people; unwilling to expose themselves or to have obligations. Grey can be refined and tactful.

Aversion to grey:A personwho has an aversion to grey may prefers to be straight to the point, no time for political and tactical attitudes. Demands clarity, a knowing where one stands.

Black

Esoteric/magickal: Elemental earth. Deities of the underworld. Repel/banish evil and negativity, protection, banishing, binding, breaking free from bad habits/addictions, deep meditation, opens up deep unconscious levels.

Preference for black: Symbolizes seriousness, darkness, depression, death, mourning, mystery, secrecy, occultism, a standing apart from or revolting against triviality, provocation, underground, underworld, things that have to remain hidden, nothingness as the great source of all creation, the need to keep your energy with you. Black is a color for extremes, everything and nothing. People who foremost trust themselves.

Aversion to black: A person who has an aversion to black may have fear for the unknown, or fear for the abuse of power. Desires to become free from all kinds of dependency, blockages, hindrances; to throw off shackles.

Gold

Esoteric/magickal: Absolute authority, (self)confidence, creativity, perfection, solar energies, male energy, financial riches, investments, luxury, winning, worldly power, magickal power, overcoming bad habits/addictions.

Silver

Esoteric/magickal: Female energy, cycles, rebirth, reincarnation, healing of hormonal imbalances, emotional stability, remove or neutralize negativity, intuition, dreams, psychic abilities and psychic workings.

Copper/Bronze

Esoteric/magickal: Love and passion, for positive relationships in love, friendship and business, career promotions, negotiations.

The point to remember concerning color therapy -is that complete healing generally comes about through some type of internal transformation. Heal the mind and the body will, surely, follow suit.

A Brief History of Color Therapy

It’s no mystery that the sun and its source of light (or lack thereof), can have a profound effect on us. Thousands of years ago, some countries began exploring color and its healing capabilities. Egypt, Greece and China are known for their forays into color healing and therapy. A few examples include:

Painting rooms different colors with the hopes of treating certain conditions.

Utilizing colors in nature in their surroundings (blue from skies, green from grass, etc.)

Healing rooms that utilized crystals to break up sunlight shining through.

There is evidence of people attempting to use color for healing and therapy from as far back as 2000 years. And it has gained in popularity throughout the years, with numerous books being written about it, including Johann Wolfgang Goethe who studied the physiological effects of color. As we mentioned though, many people are skeptical about using color and light for healing or therapy.

Stay tuned for upcoming articles over the next few weeks where we’ll introduce color meanings and symbolism, how we see color, and the various effects of specific colors.