Why the direction you sleep can affect your health

So it's a Monday morning, and I've set myself a major project at home.  After 16 years, I'm finally getting round to moving the furniture around in my bedroom and changing the look of the place before decorating next year.  This got me thinking, will lying in a different position affect my sleep?  The more I read, the interesting facts I kept discovering, so I've highlighted some of the more interesting ones below;

Sleep is obviously a key component in achieving good physical and emotional health.  Choosing the correct direction we face can either hamper or boost our sleep pattern, improving or disrupting our health accordingly.  Every article I read seemed to believe that the best direction to sleep in for a restful and undisturbed night's rest is for the head to face east and the feet towards the west (or vice versa).  This is said to supply the body with an abundance of positive energy.

You should never sleep with your head pointing North as this places you in the direction of earth's magnetic field which has a negative effect on our bodies.  Some individuals who sleep this way can experience restless sleep and nightmares.  According to the Hindi religion, sleeping with your head pointing south west also allows the body to be filled with an abundance of positive energy.  They also state that if your head points due South (where I currently sleep) you are looking straight into the eyes of the God of Death, Lord Yama!!! So that's where I've been going wrong!!

Mythology aside, modern physics  informs us much the same information.  The Law of magnetism says the North Pole is a source of negative energy whilst the South is positive.  If your head faces North is receives negative energy from the magnetic field which can lead to tiredness, sluggishness and reduced brain function first thing in the morning.  Feng Shui also highlights the benefits of sleeping with your head facing East too.  So if you do suffer with a bad night's sleep on a regular basis, maybe look at which direction you are facing.  Providing I can shift my bed and the furniture (hello bad back!!) I'm going to go east and see if it makes a difference.



Til next week, good health to you.

For any enquiries, email Michael at synergy_therapies@icloud.com

3 essential oils you can't do without this winter

So hands up, who has already fallen foul of some winter bug or lurgy?  I did have a few days of feeling totally wiped out a few weeks ago with a sore throat to boot so I'm hoping that this is me now out of the winter bug equation.  If you are suffering or wish to be armed with some natural remedies, continue reading to learn how some simple essential oils could save you and your family some unnecessary unpleasantness:(NB for kids under 2 use only half the amount of drops of each oil)

Eucalyptus;

• For a raised temperature add 2 drops to some bubble bath and add to the water.  This also works for aches and pains caused by cold/flu symptoms.
• For chesty coughs, add 4 drops to an egg cupful of olive oil and rub into the chest several times a day
• For congested sinuses, add 2 drops to an egg cupful of lotion or cream nd gently apply (sparingly) to the cheekbones and temples several times a day.

Chamomile Roman:

• To aid sleep, put 2 drops of oil onto a tissue and place inside the a pillowslip or under your bottom sheet near the place the head will be resting.  The oil will evaporate to give a relaxing aroma to the room.
• Add 2 drops of the oil to your bath water to aid relaxation.
• For red angry skin or a high temperature, add 4 drops of the oil to an egg cupful of lotion or cream and apply sparingly throughout the day.

Sweet Orange:

• To help stop the spread of infection and lift the spirits add for drops to an oil burner or fan vaporiser
• To help with sickness and other digestive disorders, add 4 drops to an egg cupful of olive oil and massage the abdomen gently several times a day.
• To lift the spirits, add 2 drops to your bath water

Til next week, good health to you.

For any enquiries, email Michael at synergy_therapies@icloud.com

Could the shirt on your back be harming you?

You've heard the phrase, "You are what you eat", I'm sure, but have you ever considered this: "You are what you wear"?  Apart from vegetarians who avoid leather on ethical reasons, what else should we be conscious of.

You may be aware that more and more synthetic chemicals are creating an allergy epidemic, we are less savvy when it comes to our clothing.  Since the 70's chemical finishes have been applied to our clothing.  This is happening more and more, and some of the substances being used include carcinogenic toxins and have been found in clothing as well as bedding.  The toxins rub against our skin and can be absorbed by our bodies, negatively effecting our health and wellbeing.  One of the most commonly used chemicals is formaldehyde, a well known human carcinogen.  Formaldehyde is presented on shelves as "easy care", "non-iron"or "stain resistant".  It is also used to flame proof children's nightwear.  It doesn't come out through washing. 
Other toxic additions to our clothes include PPD, trichloroethyne, brominated flame retardants and perfluorinated chemicals.  Triclosan, if overused, can lead to resistance to antibiotics.  In addition, sufferers of eczema or similar skin conditions, may find their condition is worsened by wearing certain items of clothing without them realising their clothes have these toxic finishes to them.

Some school uniforms contain teflon and other chemical finishes as standard along with solvents within the collars.  Other clothing descriptions to be aware of include "water repellent", "anti-static", "antibacterial" or "antimicrobial".  We all have to wear clothes in our lives (well I know I do unless you are a closet naturist on the side) and it can be difficult to research what is hidden in what we are wanting to buy.  If you are seriously concerned by what is coating what you place on your skin, try swapping to 100% organic cotton, especially if you do have a chronic skin complaint.  A friend shops at eczema clothing for both herself and children and swears by them.  Click the logo below to be taken to their site



Til next week, good health to you!

Take the tram

Could a curry help cure cancer?

With it being cancer awareness month, now seemed to be a good time to bring this up, namely the promising evidence that a simple ingredient many of us have in our cupboards, especially if you love curries, is proving to be an effective tool in treating certain cancers.  The ingredient?  Turmeric

Turmeric is a part of the ginger family and is grown widely in Southern Asia.  It is turmeric's active ingredient, Curcumin, that is causing such excitement.  Used over 1000's of years in Ayurvedic medicine, the modern medical community are cottoning on to the benefits of this golden powder.

Studies have shown that curcumin;
1/ inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria in the stomach that can lead to stomach cancers and ulcers

2/ is an anti-inflammatory.  Inflammation can be a precursor for some cancers

3/ it boosts cellular antioxidants, allowing our cells to operate at optimum levels and reduce stress

4/ it protects the liver by helping it switch off damaging proteins, leading experts to think it would be useful in patients receiving chemo treatments that can be damaging to livers

5/ it may suppress the start of some tumours or stop them as it acts on the signalling system of certain genes that activate cancer formation.

Research continues.  Spiced green tea with added curcumin has been shown to be a double whammy in treating cancerous cells. Studies have shown that the spice can kill entirely some cancer cells.  Research has shown that a constant presence of curcumin in the body is vital in maintaining it's effectiveness.  But it isn't a simple matter of having a curry everyday, as there is insufficient curcumin in an average curry.  Between 3-8 grams of curcumin a day has been shown to be an effective amount to reap the benefits.  Supplements are available on the market, Solgar, I know do a good one.  Research has also shown that using turmeric with black pepper seems to increase it's absorption.

There is a huge excitement over the use and potential advances in cancer treatment that curcumin could bring.  We will have to wait and see what the medical community decides.  

My early morning, under the duvet workout

Good Morning, did you enjoy the weekend weather?  Did you go to Goose Fair?  Although I enjoyed the sun, I was, for the most part, working most of it but it was nice not to have to dodge showers as I did so.

I don't know about you, but the last few weeks, with the darker mornings, getting up and out of bed has really taken an effort and the motivation to do anything takes some finding.  To try and perk myself up, I've begun to perform some under the covers exercise and stretching (no making up your own jokes here, thank you)to rid myself of any post sleepy stiffness.

Firstly, I lie back on the bed and stretch my legs and feet as far as I can to the foot of the bed as well as stretching my arms and hands far into the air, and just hold it and sink into it, feels really good.

Then I sit up, and with my hands on my shoulders, perform shoulder rolls forward and back.  Then try stretching your arm across your chest, repeating both sides, to really loosen up those shoulders.  Warm up your ankles by wiggling your feet about, scrunching and unscrunching your toes, that sort of thing.

Sitting up in bed, straight back, slowly bring yourself forwards, bone by bone towards your legs until you feel a stretch in the back of your legs, hold a few seconds, then slowly return to sitting.  Tilt your head from side to side,slowly, rotate the head, don't be alarmed if you hear lots of creaks and cracks, as your bones and muscles start to come to life again.  These are just an example of things you can do, whilst still in the womb that is your duvet, to prepare your body for what lies ahead, and they need only take a few minutes to complete.

For any enquiries;
Email synergy_therapies@icloud.com

The healthier pink salt

Have you noticed how over the last few years the popularity of Himalayan Rock Salt has increased? I for one was totally oblivious to it's existence up until then.  So let's learn a bit more about it;

Hundreds of millions of years ago, crystallised sea salt beds from an ancient sea were covered in lava and protected from any form of pollution or degradation.  Over millions of years, this sea bed was raised high into the sky through plate tectonics forming the mountain range of the Himalaya we know today.  This pink salt was discovered buried deep in the mountains and is considered to be the purest form of salt on the planet.  The unique colouring of the salt is due to it's rich mineral and energy rich iron content.


What are the benefits of the salt?  Since it was formed from a natural process, like the nutrients in fruit and veg, the nutrients in pink salt work  in tandem with, and, complement each other.

Natural salts are rich in iodine (essential for thyroid health) meaning artificial additives are not required.

The salt grains are larger than refined salt grains, meaning the components are less compressed which results in there being less sodium per serving compared with the refined variety.

Pink salt is packed with 80+ minerals & elements, and include sulphate, magnesium, calcium, potassium, bicarbonate, bromide, borate, strontium & fluoride

Because of these minerals, Himalayan pink salt can create a balance of the electrolytes in the body, increase hydration, regulate water content both within and outside the cells of the body.  In addition it rebalances the ph of the body between acid and alkaline and can help with acid reflux.  The salt prevents muscle cramping, aids the metabolism, strengthens bones, lowers blood pressure, helps the intestines absorb nutrients, improves circulation and helps the body remove toxins.

So what is wrong with traditional table salt in comparison?  First off it is stripped of all its minerals, is chemically cleaned, bleached and heated to an unnecessary  high temperature.  Also it is treated with an anti-caking agent which prevents it from dissolving in our bodies, instead leading to a build up within our organs and tissues causing potential health issues.  Finally the iodine that is added to table salt is usually synthetic which can be difficult for the body to process.

As well as using Himalayan Salt in food and drinks, it can be used in the bath to soothe tired muscles, pink salt rocks are retailed as decorative ornaments for candles and lamps, the latter being a great air purification method.

For any questions, enquiries;
Email synergy_therapies@icloud.com