Acupuncture is believed to start in China during 3000 BC and even earlier by around 5000 BC. However, some studies states that the Europeans were the first one to conduct this practice of medicine before the Chinese. In this event, like yoga, acupuncture’s time of existence is still not known.

Acupuncture is believed to be good in relieving pain, treating infertility and preventing occurrence of disease. On the other hand, it also promotes general health of an individual. In acupuncture, the experts believed that the body has pathways or what they called meridians which transport the energy to the organs. These meridians are known to be attached with certain body organs and physiological system. Since the existence of acupuncture happened even before the human anatomy is discovered, the locations of the needles are based on the calculations of astrology.

In addition, in acupuncture, the disease occurrence is believed to be due from any blockage or obstruction along the meridians. Furthermore, the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment and prevention of diseases is still questionable to the public. Though some countries are convinced that acupuncture is essential and beneficial, the western side of the world does not. The western medicine believed that acupuncture works only by blocking the pain receptors and stimulates the increase release of endorphins which are responsible for pain relief.

For you to be able to undergo acupuncture, the expert acupuncturist conducts first a thorough assessment of your disease and its symptoms. In the event that the expert has determined the needed treatment for you, needles are inserted on particular body parts. You may not feel pain especially if the one conducting the treatment is an expert. Moreover, you will normally feel warm or tingling sensation or slight pricking during needle insertion.

As the needle is fully inserted and as the process progresses, you may feel relaxed and sleepy. The needle is not removed and let stayed inserted to the body for twenty to forty-five minutes. After the process, you may feel more energized and even feel deeply relaxed and sleepy. Some patients’ health problems can be treated within just one session; however, some may be required to undergo series of further sessions. Unlike administration of conventional medicines, acupuncture if taken in overdose may not be very harmful, except it will give you just mild bruising and soreness at the site of insertion.

The treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome with the use of acupuncture is found out to be effective. During the last twenty years and on the year 2000, the Gatebourg University conducted a study regarding the use of acupuncture in the treatment of PCOS. There are twenty-four patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome involved in the study. After the treatment and study, they have found out that nine of these patients or thirty-eight percent responds to acupuncture. Results known with these nine PCOS’ patients are the ability of having normal and regular ovulation, small weight loss and improved overall mind and body health.

However, patients with severe polycystic ovarian syndrome including those with increase testosterone and insulin levels, and are obese are most unlikely to respond to this treatment.

Anise Essential Oil may not be the first aromatic oil that pops into your head when you think aromatherapy, but give it a chance. It really is a useful therapeutic oil.

Historically, anise oil has been used for dry, irritable coughs, bronchitis, and whooping cough. These are still applicable uses today. In recent times, Anise oil is also used for arthritis/rheumatism and cancer.

Other uses of Anise oil include alkalosis, blood oxygenation, colitis, constipation, digestion (accelerates), diverticulitis, estrogen (increases), fertility, flatulence, hormonal imbalance, irritable bowel syndrome, menopause, parasites, pms, prostrate cancer (blended with frankincense), and respiratory system (strengthens).

How is all of this possible from one essential oil? It’s in the properties. The therapeutic properties of anise are anticoagulant, anesthetic/analgesic, antioxidant, antiseptic, estrogen-like, antispasmodic, antitumoral, diuretic, tonic (heart), and a stimulant (heart).

Fragrant Influence
Sniff this amazing aromatic oil and it will open emotional blocks and recharges vital energy. If you don’t feel like going around with amber bottles close to your nose, simply diffuse it.

Origin
Good Anise comes from Turkey or Egypt. Pay attention to country of origin when purchasing any aromatherapy oil and know where the best comes from.

Precautions
Anise can irritate sensitive skin and has been known to cause dermatitis in some individuals. It is best if you use it in moderation.

Application
Dilute 1 part essential oil to 1 part carrier oil. Apply 1-2 drops on location, on Vita Flex points, directly inhale or diffuse. GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe to ingest)

Fun Fact
Anise essential oil was listed in Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica (A.D. 78), Europe’s first authoritative guide to medicines, that became the standard work for herbal treatments for over 1,700 years.

Companion Oils
Anise oil can be difficult to use in blending. Use only very small amounts. Blends with Bergamot, Blue tansy, Fennel, Ginger, Juniperberry, Lemongrass, Patchouli, Black pepper, Peppermint, Tangerine, Tarragon, and Ylang ylang.

Inexpensive, yet powerful, Anise essential oil is one of aromatherapy’s best kept secrets. Until now, that is!

Flexibility is defined as your body’s ability to move through a full range of motion. Flexibility training is an integral part of any conditioning program. While athletes stand most to benefit from flexibility stretching exercises, anyone seeking to keep their bodies flexible or those seeking to improve their posture will also stand to gain from a flexibility training program. This is primarily due to the fact that the stretching exercises serve to balance muscle groups that have been overused in any exercise or physical activity or have become overused as a result of bad posture or bad work habits like slouching while typing in front of the computer.

Flexibility training offers many immense benefits. It does not only make your joints more supple and your movements more refined, it also plays a role in improving various body functions. The benefits of a sensible flexibility training program are outlined below:

First off, it improves physical performance in virtually any activity or sport. The more flexible your body is, the easier it is to move through a wide range of motion. Everyday activities from simple walking to lifting heavy objects are done with ease and require less energy.

Moreover, flexible people have a reduced risk of injuries. This is because regular stretching exercises results in decreased resistance in tissue structures. This results to a decrease in your chances of being injured since the limb is able to move further before it gives in to any injury. Flexibility training exercises, especially dynamic stretches usually done before any workout loosens muscles and addresses the problem of muscle tightness which has long been associated with increased risk of muscle tears.

Another benefit that can be gained from a flexibility training program is reduced muscle soreness. Stretching exercises, especially static stretches that are done after any workout regimen, significantly reduces muscle soreness you experience post-workout. Static stretches are performed by slowly and gradually controlling muscle elongation for about 30 seconds for as far and long as you comfortably can.

Another benefit of a flexibility training program is improved posture. Stretches aid in the realignment of soft tissue structures to balance the muscles and improve how you carry your body. With constant practice, proper posture becomes a natural part of movement and comes with no effort.

Flexibility training promotes increased blood circulation so that nutrients are transported to the muscles and tissues. When circulation is enhanced and nutrients well-distributed, tissues become more elastic and able to do movements more efficiently. Yoga, a well known exercise that involves a lot of stretching, has proven time and again that increased circulation immensely benefits a person’s respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal functions. Yoga practitioners report greater immunity from common diseases and even other grave illnesses such as stroke and certain cancers. Aside from benefiting these systems, it has also been shown to have a positive effect on the psychological aspect of a personality that Yoga has been recommended as a form of adjunct therapy for those who are suffering depression and other forms of mood disorders.

The Major benefits of exercise are important as they are many. Exercise increases oxygen to the cells which is needed for life. Most people are deficient in the amount of oxygen throughout their bodies. It is a fact that viruses and cancer cannot live in an oxygen rich body as is the case in an alkaline body also. Another benefit to exercise is that it increases the movement of lymph fluid. The lymphatic system is an important element in the elimination process as it eliminates toxins. Exercise also provides cell stimulation. This is important because every cell in the body produces toxic waste and needs stimulation in order for the toxic waste to be eliminated. If this waste is not eliminated, the cell begins to act in an abnormal way and could degenerate and die or begin to grow abnormalities in an out of control manner causing tumors, cancer and the like.

Another benefit of exercise is that it opens the energy channels. Energy flows through our body as blood flows through our veins. When these channels become blocked or congested, energy does not flow efficiently. This energy gives life and vitality to the cells and without it the cells do not receive what is needed which can cause suppression of the immune system and in turn cause the body to become “acidic” making it susceptible to illness. The last and most commonly known benefit of exercise is the releasing of tension and stress. Stress is the silent killer and can be defined in many ways. It is the holding on to negative energy and enables this energy to lodge into different areas of the body. This can cause muscles to be tight and the body to become acidic, again making it susceptible to illness and infection. Exercise “breaks up” this negative energy and can allow it to leave the body.

Toxins and the lack of nutrition are a major cause of disease, but it has been noted that stress is the single most dangerous cause of disease. When something stresses us, our body turns from a natural state of “alkaline pH to acidic, and when it is acidic diseases grow. Stress suppresses our immune system and makes us weaker to germs, bacteria and viruses. When our immune system is weak, we cannot naturally defend against these invaders and we get sick.