Wellness article index >> Natural Remedies for Holiday Mania Stress and overindulgence often go hand in hand with the holidays. Try some of these natural ideas to boost your spirits (or recuperate from "spirits"). For that sick-all-over feeling when you have overindulged in rich foods or alcohol, try the homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica. It's available anywhere that homeopathics are sold (in most health food stores) and is taken under the tongue. Avoid anything else by mouth for 15 minutes before or after you take it. Homeopathic remedies can be very specific to personality types as well as physical difficulties. Nux is recommended here as a first aid treatment. But it is also happens to be one of the most common "constitutional" (i.e., overall strengthening) remedies suggested for men, to be used as a general tonic. For low energy or mild depression when you still have to keep up the pace, let Stabilium® come to the rescue. An extract from a fish from deep, North Atlantic waters, Stabilium®, also known as Garum armoricum, is similar to a remedy known to ancient Roman warriors. It will uplift you and help provide adaptability for handling challenging situations. If it's not available at your health food store, order it from Allergy Research Group, 400 Preda Street, San Leandro, CA 94577; tel. 800-545-9960. For utter mental and physical exhaustion, try the cell salt Kali Phos. to help you recharge at the cellular level. This remedy is available in health food stores as tiny pellets to be taken sublingually. A health care practitioner who specializes in homeopathic remedies may also have it available in liquid form. Again, you can check the literature available at a health food store display to see whether another cell salt may also be appropriate for your health condition. When your head is aching, or your stomach is queasy, ginger is an excellent remedy. Several companies make a ginger tea, already packaged in tea bags, or you can brew your own with fresh ginger. Simply grate ginger into a cup of boiling water and allow to steep for a few minutes. (Never boil the ginger.) If you prefer a more concentrated infusion, after grating squeeze 6 to 18 drops of ginger juice into your cup. Ginger has been known and used for thousands of years in many cultures for its medicinal values. It helps with indigestion, inflammation, high blood pressure, and water retention. It is also warming, to help with winter chills and colds, and may relieve asthmatic coughing. When stress is high, Vitamin C is essential. It supports the adrenal glands, which are probably working overtime, while also helping to fight off colds and infections that are likely to hit in winter. Taken in powdered form mixed with water, buffered Vitamin C works quickly to flush the system as well as boost energy. Start with 1,000 mg hourly and increase gradually to "bowel tolerance." (If you have the runs, you are taking more than your body can handle.) To enhance your body's ability to handle stress, use an "adaptogen" a general term for a substance that increases resistance to stress and toxins. The most effective adaptogen is ginseng. Used over a period of several weeks, it has a normalizing effect on the body. There are several types of ginseng indicated for different uses. Asian ginseng is recommended for what is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as "yang" deficiency—which may appear as weakness in muscles and voice. Studies show that Asian ginseng improves mood, activity and performance, and increases protein found in the muscles. For a hotter constitution, TCM suggests a "yin" tonic, and American ginseng fills the bill. Siberian ginseng, which is actually not a true ginseng but has similar properties, has been also been shown to improve alertness and performance. Confer with a health care practitioner if you're not sure which type is right for you. To combat anxiety, start your day with a soothing smoothie. Orange, banana and soymilk not only make a tasty treat, they provide a balanced combination of calcium, magnesium and Vitamin C. Add some flaxseed oil for essential fatty acids that nourish the nerves. Another idea for calming frayed nerves or a jittery stomach is a cup of peppermint tea. It will calm you without making you tired. To add a calming presence to your home, lavender oil yields pleasant results. Put a few drops in the bath, in a diffuser or in a bowl with hot water placed on a heater so that the essence spreads throughout the room. Lavender has also been associated with angels, making it quite appropriate for the holiday season. For holiday travel that has left you sleep-deprived or has otherwise wreaked havoc on your internal clock, melatonin may help get rid of jet lag. Melatonin is a natural substance made in the body by the pineal gland, which regulates the sleep/wake cycle, and best used right before and during traveling. (Since melatonin is a hormone, it is only recommended as an ongoing supplement if your health care practitioner determines that you are deficient in this hormone.) Too much on your shoulders? It may be time for a shoulder massage. If you don't have the time or money to treat yourself to a full hour massage, there are many places (including health food stores, salons, and craft fairs) that offer a chair massage, focusing on neck, shoulders and back. Massage improves circulation so it is both energizing and relaxing. Studies have shown that going it alone is a sure way to set yourself up for health problems. There's nothing like a healing touch to help you reconnect with yourself in the midst of holiday mania--and let you get connected to someone else, too. Alternative Medicine.com Wellness article index >> News I Health I Wellness I Exercise I Profiles I Business I Links I Women ROCK! Product Review I To the Point I Contact I Home Created by: Art Street Design Studio. © Concerning Women Communications, Inc. all rights reserved.