Mental Health and flowers....

Hello my fellow humans,

I'm very interested in spiritual alternative health movement, which has in the last 10 years grown in popularity and acceptance in Britain [not sure how it is in America and other countries.]

What I'm interested in hearing about is what you fine folks think of it as a whole? Do you think you can be healed or helped by herbal teas and smelling certain flowers? Do you think energy healing words? I'd like to hear any stories you have for or against.

If you developed a serious life threatening disease, would you turn to conventional or alternative medicine to cure it?

Lastly, how hot do you think I am?

I DON'T KNOW
the main reason i'm responding is because you're practically so hot, i'm sunburnt.

You're not quite as hot as me... cause ... well Im on fire.

But you're pretty hot Kevin - and I know you love to hear it. Now stop making up topics you know nothing about just to get some attention - I believe (and as a moderator you should know this) there is already a topic called "attention seekers" already existing. Please search it and carry on talking in there.

HAHAHA - jk.

I think there may be as many mental illnesses as there are flowers. If smelling flowers produces a stimulus for a more balanced biochemistry, and the risk is not higher than the illness then it is perfectly logical to seek healing through flower smelling. I personally have not witnessed a flower smelling healing, but that does not mean that one can not happened. I am familiar however with many changes in attitudes that provide relief from mental illness. It is my theory the brain controls the emotive system and many non-abuse potential chemicals are stored naturally in the body. Words can harm or words can heal.

Mm, you are looking a little warm over there. Good thing you have a hat on - but be sure to keep hydrated.

This is a fun topic. I did a project on aromatherapy back in high school, so that sort of got me interested. Let's see what I can remember... mm. I don't know how much I believe that all-out "healings" would occur through use of flower smelling, but I do think that a rather large part of the healing process has to do with state of mind, and that's where scents come in. The sense of smell is directly connected to centers of the brain connected to emotions, like the limbic system (and the hypothalamus?) That's why certain smells have the abilty to conjure vivid memories for you, or bring up emotions. For me, the smell of prarie grass in the sun (even if it's on a highway shoulder in my hometown) reminds me of my grandparents ranch. I get an emotional reaction to the smell of lilacs, because I've grown up with them.

Furthermore, though, it's been shown that taking in different scents helps to trigger the release of certain chemicals in the brain. Just like chocolate can release endorphins - which make you happyyyyy and perhaps sensually-inclined, lavender can make you release serotonin - a neurotransmitter with a calming effect. Many other scents have different effects: peppermint for stimulation, citrus for clarity, myrrh for relaxation (though it can give you headaches). Mm. That's about all I can pull from my poor brain at the moment. Someone who actually knows something about biochemistry should step in, because I'm probably making a fool out of myself.

As for America... it's a big place. If you're into something, you can probably find plenty of people to party with. With alternative medicine and stuff... just like everything else, it's kind of "anything goes."

Cup of tea and a cigarette usually makes me go do poos when I haven't been for a while...

Did you know beans are good for your heart?
I believe there is a rhyme about it

Well it's actually more of a ditty

Ah Sibyllene, leave it to you to be the voice of reason and knowledge amongst the riff raff scattered here.

That is very interesting, I didn't know aromatherapy was about getting you into an emotional state that would improve healing, even just mentally. An old psychology lecturer of mine, whom I interviewed for the student newspaper told me that recent research, and this was 3 years ago suggested that up 70% of the ailments and diseases we suffer from are strongly linked to our emotional and mental wellbeing, which is fascinating.

Think yourself well, it's an grand idea eh? Not sure how it would work against a life threatening illness, but maybe for colds and flu's....

Mo, you are walking a thin line lady....yeah you know what I'm talking about.

See me after class..

Just last night I started reading an article in "Discover" magazine about spontaneous remission of serious illnesses, in reference to positive thinking. I got sucked into watching "What Dreams May Come" before I finished reading it, but it sort of dealt with this topic. Just not aromatherapy....

Ho, ho, ho. I find this thread incredibly strange, because I was at a mall yesterday (I hate malls), and this absolutely gorgeous woman pulled me aside and started whapping warm pillows of aromatherapeutic excellency on my neck, lower back, face and god knows where else. Her name was Naomi. She had a beautiful Israeli accent and the face and physique to match it. Absolutely gorgeous. She looked like a darker featured version of Natalie Portman. Now, I'm not a lesbian, but I tell you, the thought crossed my mind. Anyway...I talked with her for about 45 minutes as she attempted to seduce me with her 'Aromatherapy Herbal Pillows' as she called them, but I stayed strong, and left with naught but a brochure and promises of another day.

I'll teach you some of what I learned, and help promote this lovely lady's business while doing so. She works for a privately owned company named, 'Comfort Spa.' I met the owner--another beauty.

These pillows help soothe a wide variety of medical complaints, from colds and headaches to carpal tunnel syndrome (which I have in my right wrist, thanks to this website). They are designed by a licensed chiropractor and recommended by physical therapists, and massage therapists. Pillow uses: Arthritis, Headaches/Migraines, Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Muscle Pain, Menstruel Cramps, Colic, Sports Injuries, Carpal Tunnel, Bursitis, Tendinitis, Flu, Stress, Sinusitis, Resless Leg, TMJ, Insomnia, Bruises, Hives, Black Eye, Insect Bites, Nose Bleeds, Cold Sores, Fever, Footaches, Shinsplints, Sunburn, Toothache, Burns, and Heatstroke (depending on whether the pillow is Microwaved or frozen). Of course I believe Aromotherapy can help with any of those, but nothing more serious.

Sybelline covered a lot of the information I have. Hundreds of tiny flaxseed inside slippers for foot pain. Spearmint and Peppermint relieve insomnia, sinus problems, migrains, colds, eyestrain and fatique. Lavender relaxes, soothes tired/puffy eyes, headaches, migraines, sinus problems and fatigue--a big whiff of the smell really opens up your sinunes. Feels good.

Anyway, I'm really just rambling about a bunch of nonsense that I'm sure has already been covered...Oi, I just woke up. Give me a break. Somehow I still left the Aromatherapy vender with a huge headache, that I didn't have beforehand. Hmm?

Kevin, do you FEEL hot? I could take your temperature if you like. :)

Amen on the Government dismissing them. I read about this guy in London who was treating Cancer patients in a local hospital with high concentrations of vitamins and having amazing results, I think he was using one particular vitamin, b17 latrium i think it was called....and do you know what the authorities did?

The put a patent on the vitamin being used for cancer treatment and then sold it at such a high price almost no one could afford it and then man had to stop helping people and they had to go back to getting radiation "therapy". Which doesn't work because all it does is burn away the symptom, not the cause, which is a deficiency in the body...

It's almost as if....*whisper* they want us to get ill and die young....

A double amen on the friend therapy....I'd add drumming therapy, sex therapy and food therapy. In fact if we are going to speak about health...we should really talk about what we eat, because surely that is the biggest contributer to our health?

I eat pretty well, but I make sure I guzzle multi vitamins and minerals every day, because with over farming it's really hard to get everything your body needs to stay healthy...if you don't take vitamins I'd strongly urge you to start...

Even just a 1000msg of vitamin C a day will work wonders on you..plus it makes you turn orange, which is waaaaaay cool...especially in scotland.

Geez... tough crowd.

Ok ok - here is my "serious" (well... as serious as I can get on a topic that I dont feel extremely strong about) thoughts on the matter:

I've read that health research shows that essential oils have anti-microbial properties and they are directly absorbed into the blood stream through the skin. Thus, they can be helpful in combating diseases. For things like headaches, congestion, back ache (although I'd prefer to use tiger balm) etc I would resort to using this method - but if it came to a serious illness or disease I would probably stick to traditional medical treatment. Although - who's to stop you trying both? Cant hurt can it.

I agree with Jane that the smell of certain things brings memories to the forefront of our brains and causes you to take on that particular feeling/emotion etc. I agree that its the same with all our senses. For example, when I smell horse poo (dont stress - Im not going into toilet humour here), I remember the feeling of working on a horse ranch when I was young and free and full of beans enjoying my youth to its fullest. When I hear certain birds answering each other I remember them waking me in my tent in Exmouth on a fishing trip and listening to them every morning greet the beautiful day. When I dive into water thats so cool that 1 degree cooler and it would be uncomfortable it takes me back to swimming at Turquoise Bay on a 40 degree day where the water took your breath away in a delightful way. (There's just too many tastes that I savour to go into it!)

So yes - I agree that these things can all help encourage relaxation, delight, contentment etc thus helping your body recover quicker due to the production of endorphins and enkephalins (also natural pain killer for the body).

Kev - do I still need to see you after class? Cause I think I'll be busy... I've just had a cup of tea and a smoke...

I think it might be hard to figure out which ones are ligitimate new alternatives and which ones are scams,by the time you figure it out you might be dead! I think I would stick to the tried and true,and maybe smell a few flowers along the way. As far as your being hot,your so hot you might be the new alternative cure for what ails some of us!

Yes I believe in ancient wisdom, and herbal healing.

and Kevin, to answer your last question, I'm a guy and not like that anymore, but yeah your cute. LOL

Anymore? Hahaha.