Tag Archives: stress

How infections affect the HPA axis.

Happy Monday Tribe!

I hope you all have had a wonderful past couple of weeks.  As we move into October, sickness is in full swing already due to many factors.  As we know a big culprit is lower vitamin D levels as well as enclosed spaces with lots of shedding viruses! 
However, even not in “flu season”, there are many viruses and bacteria that can affect the way your brain can function.
I came across some research lately, that isn’t that new but was very interesting when I dove deeper into it.
It’s research done from the society for endocrinology in Maryland. ( If you want the article just let me know).

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Before I begin, I should probably explain what HPA means.  HPA stands for hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are in your brain, and your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys.  This is basically a signaling system.  The just HP axis, is a signaling system from your brain for many different hormones to be secreted, and organs to function.  You NEED that brain signal working first and foremost to be able to tell the organs what to do!


(not my image)

We know that for instance STRESS can make our immune system go down right?  Well, that is because of this pathway.  Stress activates the HPA axis and allows the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol (a stress hormone).  Cortisone controls the body’s blood sugar levels and thus regulating metabolism, acting as an anti-inflammatory, influencing memory formation, controlling salt and water balance, influencing blood pressure and helping development of the foetus. But chronic stress, means chronic cortisol being secreted and lots of problems.

The release of cortisol has many effects on bacterial and viral infections and on the immunity induced by these infectious agents. This study showed that HPA axis activation enhanced Mycobacterium growth in susceptible mice, and increased susceptibility to viral disease.  It also enhances the replication of some viruses.

This talk today though won’t be about that direction, because we know stress causes many problems.  Today we want to talk about the opposite direction: how these infections effect the HPA axis.

The HPA axis is a bidirectional communication between the brain and immune system.  The immune system will signal to the brain via something called cytokines, then the brain will respond by regulating the immune system in part through the action of the HPA axis.  It’s a feedback loop.

How do bacterial and viral infections activate this axis?!

The activation of this axis is probably the result of the action of inflammatory mediators (cytokines).  However, also possible that infections can get into the brain, and have a direct impact on how the HPA axis functions.

These are the infections they studied:
-Mycobacterium
-Endotoxins like salmonella
-Clostridium difficile
-Staph Aureus
-cytomegala virus
-HIV
-Herpes type 1
-sindbis
-newcastle disease
-influenza

They also found that the release of cortisol during cytomegala virus infection, wasn’t mediated only through the HPA axis, but can be released from the adrenals directly by the immune system.  

The HPA axis release following a viral or bacterial infection is advantageous to the invading organisms, as it serves to minimize the host’s immune response, enhancing the organisms ability to survive. 

An intact and HEALTHY HPA axis and cortisol response are necessary for host survival after exposure to an infectious agent as well. The lethal level of a pathogen depends on a complex interplay between the specific organism’s induction of an appropriate level of the host’s HPA axis response, the health of that response and pathogen interactions at the level of the cortisol receptor. 

ok ok enough research..

Basically Infections cause problems with how our brain functions and signals… Some infections can even affect the brain directly by being IN the brain, but don’t have to be.  They can have an effect on the brain through this axis not being regulated properly because of an infection!

As I mentioned previously, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland have MANY functions, and so we really need this signal to work well.  But, the research shows in the presence of infections it can’t work well.

SO…
Where does that leave us?

Well..

WE know that first the HPA axis needs to be supported and healthy so that the immune system doesn’t allow infections to arise. 

But additionally, infections NEED to be cleared in order for this axis to work effectively as well.

How do we achieve this?!

Well we look for both!

In my practice, we can support the HPA axis through enhancing how the brain is functioning through craniopathy and chiropractic care.  If anything is putting pressure or creating tension directly on the brain or directly on these glands, it has to be released in oder for the intact HP axis. 
Nutrition can also be given to help heal and nourish the brain if there has been any previous damage to the hypothalamus and pituitary either from trauma, stress or hormone dysregulation.

THEN.

WE must attack those infections!

I love using craniobiotic technique (CBT) in my practice to clear infections energetically.  More information is found on my website about this amazing technique.
We also use herbals and remedies if needed to kill the infections, but usually CBT will do the trick.

Lyme Disease Brain is a very real thing and needs MORE complex care, but infections in the brain like lyme disease and many other related viruses cause HUGE problems in brain function.

We then utilize genetic based nutrition to make sure that there are no cracks where infections can creep back in.  No detox pathways that are clogged, no blood brain barriers open, vitamin D is being absorbed (huge for infections) no hormone pathways blocked.

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Utilizing these methods, we can heal the brain and regain that HPA axis health that we need!

That is all for now.
Wishing you a happy and healthy week.


Dr. Hamel

Supercharging your Cranial Nerves

Happy Monday Tribe!

Last week we talked about how the nervous system can trick us in various ways through motor and sensory deficits.  If you missed it, make sure you catch the replay on Dr. Hamel’s Website!

This week I want to dive into a super important part of healing which is incorporating the cranial nerves!  The WHAT?  Don’t worry we will get there.

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What are cranial nerves?
The cranial nerves are 12 different nerves that come out directly from the brain, not the spinal cord.  They exit through the skull bones and provide different functions for the rest of the body.

Although all nerves of our body are vital and important, the cranial nerves are by far the most life changing when interrupted. 

(not my image)

Why are they so disrupting?

Well being that close to the brain, and really being an extension of the brain, they have HUGE effects on the rest of the body.  It also puts a big STRESS on the brain when they aren’t functioning their best.

Let’s chat about what each one does.

Cranial Nerve 1.  Olfactory.  This is a sensory nerve which is responsible for smell.
Cranial Nerve 2. Optic.  This is a sensory nerve which is responsible for sensation of vision.
Cranial Nerve 3. Oculomotor. This controls 4 of the 6 eye movement muscles and eyelid muscle.  It also controls the lens and pupil.
Cranial Nerve 4. Trochlear.  Controls the superior oblique muscle of the eye.
Cranial Nerve 5. Trigeminal.  Two components.  Sensory of the skin of the face. Motor, muscles of the jaw.
Cranial Nerve 6. Abducens.  Controls lateral rectus muscle of the eye.
Cranial Nerve 7. Facial.  Two components. Sensory-taste sensation to front of the tongue.  Motor- controls muscles of the face.
Cranial Nerve 8. Vestibulocochlear. Sensation of hearing/balance.
Cranial Nerve 9. Glossopharyngeal.  Controls muscles of the pharynx, parotid salivary gland, taste sensation (back of tongue), detection of blood pressure changes.
Cranial Nerve 10. Vagus. Abdominal organs or thorax and abdomen, sensation internal organs, controls muscles of the pharynx/larynx
Cranial Nerve 11. Accessory Nerve. Controls two large neck muscles.
Cranial Nerve 12. Hypoglossal Nerve. Controls muscles of the tongue.

So as you can see, these twelve nerves have a list of things that they control in your body.
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I want to just briefly chat about a couple of these nerves and the impact they have.

Cranial Nerves 2-4, 6.  These nerves control all the movements of the vision, and our perception of vision. Vision is HUGE for the brain.  This is one that the majority of chiropractors miss in their practices.  If there is any disturbance in these nerves, once that person gets of the table and opens their eyes, they will go right back into a misalignment.  Weakness in any of these nerves puts a HUGE stress on the vision, and a HUGE stress on the brain.  It’s always trying to compensate for the vision deficiency!

This is where just getting glasses or lasik can also be really confusing for the brain.  These are usually bandaids on the visual system, when what is needed is to fix the nerve dysfunction then retrain the muscles.

Cranial Nerve 10.  HUGE one.  This is a calming nerve.  Controls REST and DIGESTION.  How many people have problems with this?  Like, everyone.  It also controls heart rate and throat muscles.  This nerve dysfunction creates wired and tired adults and children.  They can’t relax.  They can’t heal.  Kiddos with this will have problems with constipation, colick, reflux, and spectrum issues. 

Cranial Nerve 11.  Classic neck pain people.  These two main neck muscles will always be tight and cause problems when these cranial nerves aren’t addressed.

Cranial Nerve 12.  Tongue!  Huge for breathing issues, swallowing, speaking, snoring.  Kiddos with feeding issues, speech.  The tongue is a muscle, so you need to make sure the NERVE getting to it is efficient. You can do all the speech therapy and tongue protocols in the world, but if the nerve isn’t functioning=no success.

These are just some examples on SYSTEMIC effects these nerves have on your entire body.

So…… What how do we check their function and what do we do if we have dysfunction?

Checking the function of these nerves requires specific training to test each nerves function, and then test that function with STRESSING the body.

Example.  Someone can have their vision testing with near and far and test perfectly fine, no blurriness, ect.  But, when you tell them to do this function and hold up a muscle at the same time, their nervous system shuts down.  This isn’t effective use of the nerve.

In my practice I can check the direct function of each of these nerves, stress them to their max and allow the nervous system to adjust to that normal. 

How?

Well, we first address the cranial system and make sure their is no pressure on these nerves directly affecting their function.  Many of these nerves will normalize on their own once the pressure is taken off.

Sometimes though, after cranial work, some of these nerves still need some rehab.  And that is because depending on HOW long the nerve has been dysfunctional, it has nerve memory.  So we need to correct this improper memory!

How you ask, through quantum neurology and light therapy.  Once this is done, I usually refer for vision therapy if needed.  But other cranial nerves usually heal without other support.

Pretty amazing right?

Totally life changing.

Don’t live with visual, smell, neck, tongue, facial abnormalities, stress, sleep issues…. So much potential for healing is available!!!

That is all for now,

 

Have a happy and healthy week

 

Dr Hamel

Emotional Detoxing…. Subconscious Mind Games.  

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, as we are wrapping up the month of January already (time flies), which means we are wrapping up our topics around detoxing.

Have you enjoyed this month?
Are there topics you’ve been dying for more info on?  Please Give me feedback, as topics are ALWAYS welcome!

To Recap:
This month we have gone over detoxing the brain through cranial based care, key nutrients that are needed for effective detoxing and weight loss and detoxing.  If you missed them, make sure to head on over to drrachelhamel.com and click “blog”, to catch them again!

For many of us, thinking about detoxing with food and exercise is easy to conceptualize, but when it comes to detoxing the mind, that seems foreign. 

Just as a physical cleanse can help you digest your food better, and emotional detox can help you cleanse our emotional experiences.

I can also attest to my faith being a huge part in what I call mindset reset, but this “realm” so to speak can get really clouded in many different forms of emotional healing.  My profession and my speciality, I do not really go further that to just reseting mindset and self sabotage patterns that are inhibiting healing.  

Because of my faith, I don’t want to cross into any other paths because I feel that is not my place or lane.  

The idea of emotional detoxing for some I believe seems foreign because we know about stress, and we know the effects of stress.  However, unhealthy patterns in emotional health is not always something we are conscious of.

However, we DO know that Emotions can CAUSE physical symptoms.  And being that 99% of our thoughts are subconscious, it’s safe to say that it can play tricks on us.  

Emotions, if held in the body can be toxic, and act like a toxin, just like any other chemical.  We must then discuss the concept of emotional detoxing as a means to truly and fully detox the body.  What does this mean?

Examples can be things like : letting go of the past, letting go of fear, guilt, anger, resentment, anxiety to name a few.  

Additionally, we know that for emotional wellness, we need to be in community, and not alone.  For instance, 

In 1971, Dr. Moriymam, Dr Krueger and Dr Stamler, published a study of the correlation between marriage and mortality.  The study found that even when controlling for all other factors, annual mortality of single people is 3 to 5 times higher than that of their married counterparts!  

Yet another source in Air, War and Emotional Stress, described the positive impact of military camaraderies on the medical outcomes of wounded soldiers.  A soldier’s willingness and ability to endure severe stress of combat was primarily dependent on how close a soldier feels to the rest of his unit.  

So we know that we need community, but we also know that emotionally we need to detox or let go of the things in that community that aren’t serving us or harm us.  This is hard to know, and sometimes our subconscious takes over because of repetitive patterns it’s used to.  For instance,

Our current emotional health is usually set by things that have happened in our childhood.  When we are young the brain is still developing, so things that happen the body remembers, it gets stored and the epigenetic changes sets us up for triggers later on in our life.

In the 1990s, the CDC and kaiser permante did a study looking over 17,500 adults.  60% of the adults in the study had at least 1 of the 10 triggers for adverse childhood experiences(ACE).

ACE= childhood trauma, unresolved emotions, divorce, bullying, abuse, neglect, ect.  These manifest into an illness and can be intergenerational.  
80% had more than 1.  If the person had 4 or more ACE they had an increase in cancer, pulmonary problems, suicidal, alzheimers, ect.

These ACE’s set us up for subconscious sabotage.  So, they need to be detoxed out. WHy?  Because they will inhibit your healing, or may even be the SOLE source of your pain.

This can be done many ways, and in my practice I focus on a few.

1. Prayer.  Whatever your belief, prayer is a great way to help mindset reset and just tune into your own thoughts.  Asking for things to be cleared or forgiven are great ways to release emotional toxins.

2. NET.  Neuro Emotional Technique.  Often times we know what we need to detox out (say bad influences, friends or family), and other times we have no idea what is holding us back., or just how much it really is affecting us. The beautiful thing about this technique is that we can tap into that subconscious to really figure out one or the other, and just allow your body to be on board with what you really want to be true.  This is a great way to focus on #1 as well, is to intentionally have that quiet time after knowing what is holding you back.

3.  Essential Oils .  EO are wonderful tools we have in the plant form to also help heal emotional wounds that aren’t allowing us to detox.  They have a unique ability to work at the cellular level and normalize certain chemical reaction for this purpose.  Different ones work different for different emotions.

4. Homeopathic.  Similar to EO, certain homeopathies can help detox negative emotions as well.  With EO and homeopathy however, they are an ADJUNCT to NET.  I feel you need to know first what is holding you back then use the remedies to help further detox it out.
5. Microcurrent Neurofeeback.  (I don’t have this, but refer).  This is a great way to detox your emotional system as it helps rewire and calm the brain.

6 . Goal Setting and Journaling.  Finding out what you need and who you truly want to be is sometimes not really known until you take the time to really reflect.  A great way is writing things down, maybe things you need to let go of that are holding you back, and either tossing them, burning them, or keeping them as a remembrance of where you’ve come from.  LET IT OUT!  holding in emotions is far worse I can assure you.  So cry, yell, journal, just get it out.

7. Connections.  We know from reading above that connection is huge for emotional health.  So surround yourself with people, books, pets that connect you to you!

IN order to move one, we cannot live in the past.  In order to progress we must move forward.  In order to heal, we must detox our emotions that aren’t serving us.

I get it, sometimes you can’t escape a toxic environment, whether it’s home, work or otherwise.  But what you CAN do is change the way you look/react to it.  The more you focus on your vision, and your calling to more you will feel worth it to detox things that aren’t leading you to it. 
This may mean letting go of toxic people which can be hard, but again we cannot move forward unless we leave the past in the past.

Many of my patients have experienced this technique in combination with their cranial care.  It is VITAL in my practice, because ANY chronic condition has an emotional attachment that we need to detox out.  I see it everyday.  This is typically why patients get well so quickly is because we are attaching all levels of healing.  But if you think just doing body work all the time and leaving this section out is ok, then you will miss a huge portion of healing for yourself.

 

 

Oil of the WEEK.

On the spotlight this week is DoTerra’s Bergamot. This oil helps you let go of anger, anxiety, loneliness, insecurity, and fear. (This is my favorite oil by far to use).

From the coast of Reggio di Calabria in Italy, Bergamot is one of the most unique citrus oils. For years, Italians have used Bergamot for many purposes—to rejuvenate the skin, reduce feelings of stress, and more. There are many unique attributes of Bergamot that set it apart from other citrus oils, including the exclusivity of where it is grown, the fact that it is a bitter fruit that produces sweet oil, and its ability to create an uplifting and calming environment, just to name a few. Commonly used for soothing skin, in massage, and to purify and uplift, Bergamot essential oil is a versatile go-to favorite at doTERRA.

Where to Buy Bergamot Oil
Ask Dr. Hamel

Bergamot Oil Uses and Benefits

  1. Like other citrus oils, Bergamot essential oil makes the perfect addition to any glass of water. If you want to give new life to a plain drink of water, consider adding a drop of Bergamot oil along with some cut up pieces of fruit.
  2. While the aromas of many citrus oils are known to be stimulating or invigorating, Bergamot oil has unique calming capabilities that can help when tension or stress levels are high. One of the best ways to glean the calming benefits of Bergamot essential oil is to diffuse the oil. The next time you feel stress levels or tension getting high, consider diffusing Bergamot oil in the classroom, at work, or at home for a calming effect.
  3. The calming benefits of Bergamot essential oil’s aroma are not only present during aromatic diffusion, but also during topical application. These calming properties make Bergamot essential oil a popular choice for massage therapy. Not only does the oil promote a calm, serene atmosphere, but it is also purifying for the skin, which is why many massage professionals use Bergamot oil. If you want to use Bergamot oil for massage at home, use a carrier oil or dilute with doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil for best results.
  4. Want to enjoy the purifying benefits of Bergamot oil for your skin? Make your own Bergamot oil foot mask! Using organic ingredients like raw honey, Greek yogurt, and celery, this mask will help your feet feel soft and luxurious. Applying this smooth mask to your feet allows the rest of your body to absorb the moisturizing, restorative properties that the concoction holds. The purifying power of Bergamot essential oil will soothe and cool dry or distressed feet—rejuvenating your skin from heel to toe.
  5. Do you enjoy adding essential oils to your tea? When you have Bergamot oil on hand, you can enjoy a cup of Earl Grey whenever you want. With a pure, citrus and spice flavor, Bergamot oil is the perfect companion to your daily tea break—quickly changing a regular cup of tea to Earl Grey with a few simple drops. Remember, when adding essential oils to food or drink, less is more. Start out with a small drop and work your way up from there. If the oil is particularly strong, dip a toothpick in the oil and add it to your water, tea, or dish. This keeps the oil flavor from being too overwhelming. Watch this video to learn more about using Bergamot oil for tea.
  6. If you are ready to unwind and refresh your skin after a taxing day, Bergamot oil offers a simple solution for relaxation. At the end of a long day, you can enjoy the calming and skin-purifying benefits of Bergamot oil at the same time by applying it to your skin while showering. While in the shower, apply Bergamot oil to your skin and inhale deeply to experience the calming aroma while enjoying the purifying skin benefits of this versatile oil.
  7. No matter what mood you are in, Bergamot oil can help promote uplifting, relaxing, and confident feelings—particularly when diffused. When diffusing on its own, use three to four drops of Bergamot oil in the diffuser of your choice. Diffusing this oil can help promote a sense of self confidence when you feel frazzled, or a sense of inner peace when feelings of stress abound. Looking for a good diffuser blend that uses the uplifting aroma of Bergamot? Try three drops of Bergamot and three drops of doTERRA Balance® for a relaxing and energizing diffuser blend that lets you escape a mundane or exasperating day.
  8. Not only will the calming aromatic benefits of Bergamot essential oil relieve feelings of stress or tension throughout the day, this oil can also help you prepare for a peaceful night of rest. Apply Bergamot oil to your feet before bedtime and enjoy a sense of calm and harmony as you drift off to dreamland—leaving the cares of your day behind.

 

 

 

A great superfood for cleaning and detoxifying the emotions are chlorella!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups cashew nuts, soaked
  • 1 cup unsalted pistachios
  • 1 cup rice malt syrup
  • ½ cup coconut oil
  • ½ tablespoon Organic Burst Chlorella
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract

METHOD

  1. Soak the cashews for at least 8 hours in 2 cups of water, ideally overnight.
  2. Place the pistachios in a food processor or blender and pulse until finely chopped, almost to a powder.
  3. Drain the water and place the cashews into the blender or food processor.
  4. Add the coconut oil, rice malt syrup, almond extract and Organic Burst Chlorella and blend until smooth and well combined.
  5. Pour the ice-cream into a loaf pan.
  6. Place in the freezer to set for 2 hours.

 

 

That is all for now.

 

Have a happy and healthy week!

 

Dr. Hamel

How to Emotionally Handle the Holidays. 

Happy Monday everyone!  As we are in FULL swing into Holiday Mode, it’s important to go over some quick tips and a guide to emotionally survive this holiday season. 

We have gone over in the previous week’s about prepping the body.  Prepping the brain and nervous system for all that it is going to handle, prepping through nutrition so you don’t completely de-rail yourself, and lastly we will go over prepping your emotions!

There will be no blog next week as it is Christmas Week, so you all enjoy your family and loved ones and we will be back in action for the first of the year, just in time to do a New Year New You Whole body cleanse (information below).

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There are many way to help prepare your emotional system for increased stress loads.  The best thing is to really do that.. prepare. 

Just as we have prepared our body in the previous weeks, we don’t really think to “prepare” for the holidays.

However, for some with increased things to do, gifts to get, family drama, parties, maybe financial stress, it can come as a little stressful time.  You also may neglect yourself through the process as to take care of everyone else. 

Although we can’t control our family or their reactions, we can however control our own and how we “choose” to respond.  We can also “choose” to change our mindset for other stressful situations if we recognize a pattern.

Here are some tips to help you get out of a specific mindset:

1. Be Realistic.  The holidays don’t have to be perfect . As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can’t come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.

2. Set aside differences that may be in the family. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression too.

3. Stick to a budget!  Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts.

Try these alternatives:

  • Donate to a charity in someone’s name.
  • Give homemade gifts.
  • Start a family gift exchange.

4. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.  Goal setting is HUGE!!

Don’t try to make HUGE yearly goals or set new goals to try to get done in December.  Set your goals for earlier in the year to celebrate during the holidays!

5. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity. If it’s not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.

6. Take A Breather.. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.

  1. Some options may include:
    • Taking a walk at night and stargazing.
    • Listening to soothing music.
    • Getting a massage or CHIRO!
    • Reading a book.

7.  Neuro Emotional Technique.  Come in and get some NET if you know things are going to be stressful and you already are feeling it!  Let’s change that mindset so you can go into your holiday with ease! This Technique is extremely successful for stress reduction.

8.  Essential Oils.  Essential Oils by DoTerra are amazing to diffuse in your home to help with emotional overwhelm, to carry with you or to take as a daily supplement to help calm the system.  Frankincense is a great oil for emotional stability as well as Balance and Melissa for anxiety.  I also like diffusing On Guard to protect against negative energies:)

9. Herbs.  I love using specific herbals to help if you know you are going to be in a stressful situation.  These will help you not go off track and handle the stress with ease once your stress organs are supported.  Some of my favorites are withania complex and adrenal complex by mediherb.

That’s all for this week!  Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!! Thank you for such a wonderful first year in San Diego!  I am truly blessed by all of you.

OIL OF THE WEEK
On the spotlight this week is DoTerra’s Frankincense.  Frankincense is also FREE with any $200 purchase this month!  Don’t miss out on this amazing oil!.
Frankincense Oil Product Description
Known as the king of essential oils, Frankincense has a variety of notable uses and benefits. This powerful essential oil is revered for its ability to beautify and rejuvenate skin when applied topically, and to promote cellular health and immunity and produce a healthy inflammatory response when taken internally,* among other benefits. With all of its many uses, there is no question as to why Frankincense was highly esteemed by ancient civilizations and used for the most sacred of practices. For some religions, Frankincense is correlated with one of the most prized possessions of ancient biblical times, as it was considered valuable enough to be given as a gift to Christ after his birth. Frankincense was also used during religious ceremonies for salves for soothing skin and perfume. The perfume or aroma that Frankincense emits promotes feelings of satisfaction, peace, relaxation, and overall wellness, which explains its unique value in ancient times. Just as in its treasured past, Frankincense oil is highly valued in the doTERRA community and continues to be one of the most popular essential oils.

Where to Buy Frankincense Oil
To buy a pure bottle of Frankincense, visit the Frankincense oil product page.

doTERRA’s mission is to provide high-quality essential oils that are pure and free of harmful contaminants. With doTERRA’s strict method of essential oil testing and CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® quality protocol, you can walk away confident knowing that the oils you purchase from doTERRA are potent and pure, bringing you maximum health benefits.

Frankincense Oil Uses and Benefits

  1. Add Frankincense’s incredible aroma to any room in your house by making this DIY Room Spray with Frankincense oil. Start by getting an empty glass spray bottle and putting in 15 drops of Frankincense, 15 drops of Grapefruit, and 30 drops of Douglas Fir. Top off the rest of the bottle with water. You now have the most amazing room spray! Just spritz this spray on carpet, furniture, or in the air of any room you desire. When using this homemade spray, you will be able to bask in the rich fragrance of doTERRA Frankincense essential oil, and experience its relaxing and peaceful benefits.
  2. Razor bumps can be irritating and can turn your morning shave into a daylong frustration. Even though shaving may be essential, razor bumps are not. Provide relief to your skin with this do-it-yourself Razor Relief Serum enhanced with Frankincense essential oil. Frankincense is one of the best oils to help skin feel and look rejuvenated. By using this serum infused with Frankincense oil, the chemical properties of the oil will aid in reducing appearances of skin imperfections and the serum will benefit the irritated skin by soothing the sensitive razor bumps for an all-day appearance and feel your skin will love.
  3. What better way to start your day than with the relaxing fragrance of Frankincense essential oil? Whether you are a yoga enthusiast or a morning meditator, diffusing Frankincense oil during these experiences will aid you in focusing your intention for the day. The fragrances of Frankincense essential oil will also help bring added satisfaction, peace, relaxation, and even feelings of overall wellness to your morning routine. With its strong aromatic properties, Frankincense oil is essential in giving a positive and focused lift to the rest of your day.
  4. One of Frankincense’s most powerful benefits is its ability to promote health, specifically cellular function.* Try taking Frankincense oil internally by adding one to two drops in a Veggie capsule. This natural supplement will help support healthy cellular function.* In fact, doTERRA has found Frankincense to be so beneficial in supporting cellular function that doTERRA uses it in their highest selling supplements—the doTERRA Lifelong Vitality Pack. Try this DIY supplement and experience the cellular benefits you may be in need of.*
  5. Are your hands experiencing dryness from the winter air? Do you want to improve the look of your scaly hands? Frankincense can help! Whenever your hands are feeling or looking unmoisturized or marred by harsh weather, add a couple drops of Frankincense oil to the moisturizer of your choice to help hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. The scent of Frankincense essential oil combined with your moisturizer will add a warm, spicy, and clean scent to your skin. You’ll want to take this lotion with you wherever you go!

    When using Frankincense essential oil to revive the look and feel of your hands, don’t forget your fingernails. Whenever traveling somewhere dry, apply Frankincense oil to maintain healthy looking fingernails. Simply place a drop of oil on your nail and rub it around the cuticles and edges of your fingernails. This will leave your nails looking healthy and strong even in the driest locations.

  6. Feeling stressed? It just so happens that Frankincense essential oil has a solution for that. The chemical components of Frankincense result in an extremely powerful aroma that can help to dispel negative feelings—like stress. If you are feeling like the pressures of life are weighing down your mood, apply Frankincense to the bottom of your feet. The soothing sensation and aroma will promote feelings of relaxation and a balanced mood.

    If you are looking for more ways to enhance your mood through essential oils, make sure to check out doTERRA’s Make Over Your Mood blogpost. This insightful post shows which essential oils and diffuser blends are best used to promote favorable feelings. It also gives more tips on how to boost your mood naturally.  Don’t let outside pressures get you down, use your essential oils to get you feeling upright and ready to take on the day ahead of you.

  7. There is so much fun to be had outdoors! From running around in the grass, to biking a dirt path, to planting some seasonal flowers, your hands and feet are constantly active, helping you make the best out of your outdoor adventures. But at the end of the day, feet and hands can get tired from all of that activity. Treat your hands and feet with a Frankincense oil massage that will have them feeling and looking rejuvenated for another active day outside. Add a couple drops of Frankincense to your feet and hands and massage the oil into your skin. This massage will give you a soothing and warming effect that your hands and feet won’t want to miss out on.
  8. Try this amazing “Star in the East” diffuser blend and fill your home with a warm and peaceful aroma. To create this blend, add 1 drop of Frankincense oil, 1 drop of Sandalwood oil, and 2 drops of Grapefruit oil to your diffuser for the perfect diffuser blend.  The “Star in the East” blend works great for encouraging relaxation and uplifting mood.
  9. Enjoy a facial rejuvenation day with this DIY Clay Facial Mask infused with Frankincense essential oil. With a simple combination of bentonite clay, cider vinegar, and essential oils, your face will feel nourished and fresh. Because Frankincense oil contains properties that help revitalize and beautify the skin, this homemade clay mask with Frankincense essential oil will prove ideal for facial care. For best results, apply this mask to your skin once a week and enjoy that continual fresh facial glow.
  10. With so many benefits and uses, Frankincense essential oil has rightfully earned its title as the “king” of all essential oils. It’s beautifying, aromatic, and health-promoting* properties are extremely powerful and can easily improve an everyday lifestyle. For anyone seeking a helpful essential oil tip, always remember, if in doubt, use Frankincense.

 

 

The best way to beat stress and calm down is by eating a good source of FAT!.

Why not spruce up an old holiday favorite and make it healthy!?
Typical eggnog has A TON of sugar in it!

INGREDIENTS


INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Whisk egg yolks and sweetener together in a large bowl.
  2. In a saucepan on medium heat, add in the coconut milk, spices, and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil and then remove from heat and gradually add the hot coconut milk in small amounts to the egg mixture.
  3. Then pour everything back into the saucepan and let it reach 160 F (70 C). Let cool for a bit.
  4. Pour the liquid through a sieve into a jug and store in the fridge overnight before serving.

 

 

 

That is all for now,

 

Wishing you a happy and healthy week.

 

Dr Hamel

Nutritional Tips for prepping your body for the Holidays and Travel 

Happy Monday folks!  This month we are talking all about holiday stress, how to deal with it or avoid it, and really how to just prep your body so you don’t have a big crash come January! 

Last week we went over prepping your brain and nervous system by getting regular cranial chiropractic care.   A lot of people just see chiropractors when they are in pain or have an injury, but really we want to practice preventative medicine.  So getting regular care can help overall take the stress down in your body.  So get some maintenance cranial chiro care!!

This week we are moving into some nutritional tips to help you survive the holiday season stress free. 

This is a hard topic.  The holidays can be a time where you are literally surrounded by temptations.  From work parties, to holiday parties to christmas cookies, ect.  Everything is always in moderation, but sometimes you can ruin your whole progress in a year with going crazy all month!  So, just like we need to prep our brain and nervous system, we also need to help prep our gut or (second brain).  

——

1.  Prep your gut.
With all the bad holiday choices of food, something you can do NOW is prep!
Prepare your digestive system to be more efficient so it can digest quickly all the toxins you will be consuming!

I suggest three different supplements to take to re-acidify the gut so that it can digest things quickly and effectively, and gallbladder support to help break down your food better!  ( If you read on down below about traveling I also recommend this triad as well! )

If we have stagnation within our gut and elimination pattern, you will constantly be reabsorbing what you are trying to get out, which includes toxins.

2. Food Prep.

One thing you can do is also to prep your own food! There are so many keto and paleo friendly food choices out there that taste the same or better than traditional holiday sweets and carbs.

Here is a great resource for many different holiday recipes.

https://www.healthfulpursuit.com/roundup/keto-holiday-recipes/

3.  Portion Control.  Try and keep your portions small.  Believe it or not if you can eat smaller meals more frequently, you will do a lot better than eating ginormous meals all holiday season.
TIP: If you eat a little too much, grab some Doterra DigestZen to help soothe and break down your food a little easier.

4.  Liver Support.     During the holidays you will probably end up consuming a few beverages as well, which puts a stress on your liver. Thinking ahead and supporting your liver with milk thistle will make it handle the alcohol stress way better and you will bounce back easier.

Which brings me to my next point.

WHY DIETS DON’T WORK!

Maybe people will experience with diets that they DO end up losing weight for a certain period of time.  But generally what happens is that individual can no longer take such restrictions, falls off and ends up gaining it back quickly.  This is the time of year where new years resolutions will come up as well, so it’s important to prep your mind for what’s ahead.

A lot of people need to really make a lifestyle change.  It’s not about dieting.  And one HUGE factor many don’t address is toxins.  If you have ANY plans to lose weight, then you need to detoxify your body FIRST.  FAT holds on to toxins so it will make losing weight impossible when you are loaded with them.  I always do a 21 day purification program at the beginning of every year to start the year right with a clean body!

This is the MOST effective cleanse and purification of the entire body that I’ve found in my practice.  Time and time again, story after story it proves to be effective.  What i’ve found is most generally lose about 5-10 pounds over 21 days, and continue after with creating a new lifestyle of eating.

I will be doing a group cleanse in January that will have a private facebook group as well as videos and tips for you to be successful!  Getting toxins out and then making better lifestyle decisions will put you on such a greater path than dieting.  Trust me!  We will start this group cleanse on January 7th, so if you are interested please let me know and we will get the cleanse to you beforehand!

This is a fun group challenge.  So, invite your loved ones and friends to join you.  I guarantee you won’t regret it with how great you will feel!

5. Probiotics.  Not the pill kind.  Pill probiotics don’t actually re-populate the bacteria.  I will say that again.  In research, it’s shown that probiotics (the pill kind) don’t actually repopulate the gut.  But, they DO create an immune response, which is good.  Taking probiotics in a pill is transitory, meaning they go right through your gut.  A better way to help support those bacteria is to actually feed the good ones you got!  Increase your fiber, eat fermented foods with lactic acid (which they eat)!  This will strengthen the gut, and your immune system!

___________
Traveling!

If you are one of the lucky ones that get to travel somewhere tropical for the holidays, I also have some tips to help prep you!!  

1. Skin!

In the winter we don’t see as much sun (Well some of us!).  Back in the 1940s there was documentation that calcium is needed by the skin and needs a fatty acid to shuttle it.
When there is sufficient calcium in the skin, the skin can withstand the stress of the sun, and not get damaged i.e. sunburn!!

So if you want that nice tan, and to not burn and damage the skin you need a GOOD source of calcium and a fatty acid to take with you!

The ones I like are whole food sources.  You CANNOT just use any calcium.  Most on the market are INSOLUBLE and are Toxic!

You have use calcium lactate and cataplex F!

Calcium lactate is the form of calcium that the body prefers in the bloodstream.  It is extremely bioavailable.  it converts only once in the stomach, and once this happens it’s in a form that the body can pick up and use.  But you always want to take it on an empty stomach!!

You also want to take a fatty acid to shuttle it to the skin!!  Cataplex F or flax seed works really well for this.

Take a dosage in between meals 8-10 calcium lactate and 5 cataplex F, every 4 hours you are in the sun!  

Calcium is water soluble, so you can’t overdo it, you will be using it up while you are in the sun.  So you have to keep replenishing it.  You literally won’t burn!!  

*These are products you can only get through my care.

2.  Digestive Support.  These are ones you should always take with you!

You hear of people always getting sick in Mexico, or some island so always make sure you have Hydrochloric acid, it’s your best protector against food poisoning.

Digest forte, zypan and AF betafood.  Are three digestive supports I HIGHYL recommend and take every meal I eat while traveling.

3.  Alcohol. When you’re in the sun you aren’t as hungry, but the third thing to bring is liver support.  You might have an alcoholic beverage right?
But your liver will take a hit when you do that!  Take some milk thistle to protect the liver.

Oil of the WEEK.

On the spotlight this week is DoTerra’s DigestZEN.

This one is wonderful to have on the go, in case you overeat, feel bloated, diarrhea, constipation, nausea.  IT will HELP and does!  It will sooth the stomach and intestines and take the discomfrt away naturally.

DigestZen Uses and Benefits

  1. If you are looking for a healthy and natural way to assist your digestive system, the DigestZen essential oil blend is an ideal option.* DigestZen contains a blend of essential oils that will naturally aid the body in the digestion of food.* To easily obtain these digestion benefits, add one drop of DigestZen oil to 4 fluid ounces of liquid, and drink.*
  2. The unpredictability and discomfort of occasional stomach upsets can often put a damper on the day. When issues like these arise, apply one to two drops of DigestZen to the desired areas of your skin. DigestZen will also work to soothe occasional stomach upset when taken internally, and can get you feeling ready to take on the day again.*
  3. Bloating and gas can make your stomach feel tight and full, often leaving you feeling sluggish and unappealing. If you’re experiencing these difficulties, use DigestZen oil.* DigestZen will help reduce bloating and gas so that you can feel your best at any time of the day.*
  4. Does flying or driving long distances make you a little nervous? Next time you’re planning on traveling for an extended period of time, rub DigestZen oil on your stomach before you take your trip. The sweet, minty smell of DigestZen will provide a calming aroma. You can also add a few drops of DigestZen to water and take it internally to keep stomach jitters at bay.*
  5. Holidays, vacations, birthdays, and family get-togethers often have something in common: food. And lots of it. Make sure to have DigestZen on hand for these occasions. The DigestZen essential oil blend can be used during these events to promote digestion when eating heavier meals.*
  6. Whether trying the cuisines of Italy or enjoying the tastes of India, introducing foreign food to the body has the potential to disrupt the stomach’s normal digestion. When you are traveling or exploring new foods, use DigestZen to soothe occasional stomach upset and to promote healthy digestion.*
  7. For a simple way to incorporate DigestZen into your regular routine, add DigestZen to your water or tea. This will help your body maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract.*
  8. The DigestZen essential oil blend can ease feelings of queasiness.* If you’re experiencing queasiness, take DigestZen to dismiss these feelings.*
  9. One of the most relaxing ways to use DigestZen oil is by applying it to the stomach and massaging. An abdominal massage will bring soothing comfort to your stomach and the aroma will provide you with calming feelings. DigestZen can also be applied to a child’s stomach for soothing comfort. Before using DigestZen for a massage, combine it with doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to help increase the DigestZen oil distribution and minimize any skin sensitivity.

Ingredients

  • Ginger Rhizome/Root
  • Peppermint Plant
  • Caraway Seed
  • Coriander Seed
  • Anise Seed
  • Tarragon Plant
  • Fennel Seed