The term colic is derived from the Greek kblikos, meaning ‘in relation to the colon’. Infantile colic is a very common disorder, defined as distress or crying in an otherwise healthy infant that lasts for more than 3 hours a day, for more than 3 days a week, for at least 3 weeks. The cause is unknown.
The human microbiome, which is comprised of all the microorganisms (the microbiota) that live on and in humans, plays an essential role in determining good health.
Suffering from pain in your gut and bloating? You could I have IBS. Apart from stress management, there are natural solutions available.
With the continued increase in the cost of functional testing and supplements in South Africa, practitioners are once again reminded of the importance of dietary intervention when it comes to managing chronic disease and functional imbalances.
Because irritable bowel syndrome has such a wide range of symptoms, the diagnosis has become something of a ‘catch-all’. Before you start any medication regimen it’s therefore essential to rule out other conditions that may be causing your digestive problems.
In the list of common chronic disorders of digestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) ranks high in the ability to wreak havoc on the sufferer’s social life, occupation and personal comfort.
Herbs and spices have been used for centuries for their healing and health-booting properties. A number of herbs and spices are recognised as aphrodisiacs. An aphrodisiac is a food, drink or substance that increases sexual desire. This can be accomplished through a number of ways, such as reducing stress, increasing blood flow, or positively affecting neurotransmitters - all of which are able to improve your libido!
Many of us struggle with the concept of what is our individual purpose for living. Some of us find our path, while others continue to struggle with a lack of purpose or meaning. What is the relationship between Personal Life Coaching, which seems to belong to these times, and the search for meaning?
Finnish-born biologist, lecturer and writer Are Waerland has positively influenced the living habits of countless people through the health movement that carries his name.
Swedish-born biochemist and nutritionist Dr Ragnar Berg headed the physiology lab at the homeopathic sanatorium at Weisser Hirsch in Dresden from 1909. He researched vitamins, trace elements and the metabolism of minerals.
‘Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.’ Oliver Sacks
We are less than 1% human, if you factor in that more than 99% of the DNA contained within us belongs not to us, but to the microbes which we effectively host.
The Ginkgo biloba tree species has been around unchanged for about 150 million years. That’s a long time, and the fact that it has survived unchanged perhaps suggests that it has powerful internal survival mechanisms which have been perfected very early on despite changing environmental factors over this time. Specimens more than a thousand years old have been reported in China, Korea and Japan.
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in dogs. Understanding what causes seizures and knowing how best to cope with them and how epilepsy can be treated in the longer term will help you deal with the shock of discovering that your pet is affected.
Dr Alex Niven outlines the causes, symptoms and treatment of outer ear infection in dogs so that you can be prepared if your best friend is afflicted with this common condition.
Dog-lover Ann Gadd digs into what acceptable dog-walking behaviour on SA beaches entails, and offers advice on how to make your pooch a top (beach) dog.
Are you interested in a career in the booming Health and Wellness industry and to be trained in how to effectively support people to transform their health? Does the idea of helping others to radically improve their lifestyles excite and inspire you? Are you keen to learn a Person-Centred Nutrition approach that is tried and tested and [...]
What is the Massage Therapy Association? In 1989 the Massage Therapy Association of South Africa (MTA) was founded to work toward professional recognition of Therapeutic Massage Therapy. MTA is a formally constituted non-profit professional association acting on behalf of registered Therapeutic Massage Therapists (TMT’s). The statutory council under which the profession is registered with is the [...]
The Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb, a Public Benefit Organization (PBO 930008393) was established in 1997 with the vision of assisting in the provision of effective, affordable healthcare in our country. The Institute is academically supported by Hamdard University Pakistan both Jamia Hamdard and Aligarh University from India, as well as local tertiary institutions. [...]
Expert yogi Sharni Quinn explains how you can get the maximum out of your cycling training by adding yoga into the mix.
School is starting soon and your children are probably feeling excited, and maybe a little sad that summer is over. Some may even be feeling rather nervous and a bit anxious. But going back to school, or going for the first time, can be a calm and pleasant experience, if you, the parents, are prepared.
The boom for the raw foods industry is not limited to the grocery store aisles. Juice shops are opening in cities across the country, promoting the benefits of consuming raw, fresh-pressed fruits and vegetables. Bottled, unpasteurised juices are becoming more readily available at mainstream stores and even coffee shop chains.
We are plagued by the pollutants of our modern world, which threaten our health and well-being on a daily basis. Thankfully we can turn to ancient methods of detoxification to ensure some measure of protection over toxic invasion.
‘My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She’s ninety-seven now, and we don’t know where she is.’ ~Ellen DeGeneres
With our ongoing drought, food prices continue to rise. Now is a good time to create a herb garden as these plants are undemanding, inexpensive, nutritious and have health benefits to boot. Bridget Kitley answers frequently asked questions on how to plant the perfect herb garden.
Osteopathic philosophy is based on the idea that the body works best when it moves as nature intended.
Ask anyone to visualise being on holiday and the chances are they’ll see themselves on a beach somewhere. Stretches of white sand with palm trees and turquoise water have become the cliché vacation when we need timeout. We associate going to the beach as a soothing salve for the soul, which is why, come each holiday, thousands of us head for the coast.
Are we alone in facing the pressures of maintaining a youthful appearance? Certainly not, if one considers the sheer size of the global beauty industry, predicted to reach the R400 billion mark within the next 5 years.
Plants have been used since the dawn of time for food, medicine and beauty. Some may have been good for the skin, some not so good.
Yoga is good for you but going to a yoga class with 60 experienced yogis might seem quite daunting, plus you can’t really find the time in your busy day and a daily yoga session at a studio can get quite expensive. So what to do?
‘The area where we experience our greatest discomfort is also the area where we can potentially grow the most.’ Editor Daleen Totten explores Arjan Bogaers’ insightful words in an interview with him where he explains how time spent with a life coach can bring personal enrichment.
‘When we are dealing with an essential oil and its odoriferance, we are dealing directly with a vital force and entering the very heart of the alchemy of creation.’ ~ Marguerite Maury
Are statins really the wonder drug they are claimed to be? They do lower cholesterol, but at what cost? It’s important to weigh up the benefits and the adverse effects. This article takes a comprehensive look at the evidence.
You stare in awe at the blood cells floating lazily across the screen in front of you. The background looks like the Milky Way, occasionally studded with sparkling ‘moon rocks’. The eeriness of the scene belies the truths to be revealed about your health. This is live blood analysis.
Some of the most common winter ailments are briefly profiled below. To effectively treat these common complaints, you need first to understand what causes them.
Doing 108 sun salutations is a strong and powerful experience that will leave you feeling rejuvenated, alive and forever changed. This is because you will no doubt feel extremely proud of yourself, but also connected to the people to whom you have dedicated this practice and experience.
Goat’s milk has been the milk of choice throughout most of the world for centuries, apart from most Western countries where cow’s milk has reigned supreme. But this is now changing as the health benefits of goat’s milk become more apparent.
Does your mind slow down or speed up your recovery from an injury? Ian Craig thinks it does, and supports this theory with a convincing literature review..
While Nature placed a mother’s breast near her heart, meaning that her milk is the food of love for the baby, breastfeeding can initially be painful. Music encourages relaxation and milk flow, and relieves anxiety, fear and tension.
Dogs and cats are sociable animals when it comes to humans, and need your attention. Don’t think that having more than one pet will be enough to replace you. Also, not all dogs and cats like other animals, so getting a ‘friend’ for your dog or cat could make matters worse. Some do cope better than others being on their own for extended periods but this very much depends on what they have been taught at a very young age. If a dog or cat has been taught to cope being alone before six weeks of age by the breeder, they tolerate isolation better than pets who haven’t been left alone at all.
Do you feel sad, empty, fatigued? Are you experiencing a loss of interest in everyday activities, do you suffer from insomnia or sleep excessively, have you noticed significant changes in your weight? Do you feel worthless, hopeless, lonely, apathetic and miserable? These can all be symptoms of depression. If you feel this way, the good news is – you don’t have to!
We all know that exercise is good for us, but can we do too much? Perhaps even so much that we age our bodies quicker? Ian Craig takes a look at this intriguing question.
Osteoarthritis (OA) has long been regarded as a degenerative disease, a natural consequence of getting old, but more recent research is suggesting another story.
The liver is the largest organ in the body and functions as an enormous filter and detoxification centre. It is also involved in the metabolism of a range of essential nutrients required by the body such as specific proteins and bile acids.
Move over plastic surgery. Did you know that your complexion can benefit dramatically from a peel procedure that makes use of natural ingredients? Ana Engelbrecht of Anaclinical explains the beauty of natural peel reactions.
A healthy lifestyle – encompassing the right nutrients, exercise and training, and what to avoid – during pregnancy is key to a healthy newborn.
According to the Danish Twin Study, only about 10% of the length of an average person’s life is dictated by our genes. The other 90% is determined by our lifestyle. So, in theory, if we can come up with the optimal formula for a good lifestyle, we can come up with the formula for longevity.
In our busy Western culture, with its emphasis on cell phone, e-mail and telephone communication, we tend to stay cocooned in our own worlds and out of touch with people around us. We have forgotten the importance of feeling loved and cared for; of the link between loving interaction with others and the will to live.
If we are going to feel and be well, to enjoy optimal health, we must be willing to explore, discover and work to satisfy our needs in all regions of the inner self – psychologically, spiritually, physically, relationally and even professionally. It’s a tall order, but anyone can do it.
Concerned parents are all too familiar with the sight of their children slouching off to school under the burden of an overweight school bag. Dr Frances le Roux offers advice on how to avoid resulting long-term posture problems.
Meditation stills anxiety and calms the spirit and the mind – what better tool to teach young adolescents to help them cope with the social and academic demands they face today?
Lentils are a most versatile and inexpensive food, and so easy to prepare. Low in calories and fat, cholesterol free and a rich source of iron, protein, vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre, they are also one of the healthiest foods in the world.