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News wise — An analysis of Ayurvedic medicines (based on a traditional medical system commonly used in India) purchased via the Internet found that one-fifth of these products contain levels of lead, mercury or arsenic that exceed acceptable standards, according to a study in the August 27 issue of  Journal of the American Medical Association.

Ayurvedic medicines are used by a majority of India’s 1.1 billion populations and worldwide by people from South Asia, as well as others. “However, since 1978 more than 80 cases of lead poisoning associated with Ayurvedic medicine use have been reported worldwide,” the authors write.

Ayurvedic medicines are divided into two major types: herbal-only and Rasa shastra, which is an ancient practice of deliberately combining herbs with metals (e.g., mercury, lead, iron, and zinc), minerals (e.g., mica) and gems (e.g., pearl). Rasa shastra experts claim that these medicines, if properly prepared and administered, are safe and therapeutic. The prevalence of metals in Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet and in those manufactured in the United States is unknown.

Robert B. Saper, M.D., M.P.H., of Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, and colleagues conducted a study to determine the prevalence of Ayurvedic medicines available via the Internet containing detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic and compared the prevalence of toxic metals between U.S. - and Indian-manufactured products, and in Rasa shastra vs. non–rasa shastra medicines.
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September 14 Event Expected to Draw 1500 Health Seekers

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.,  — New Earth, a 501(c)(3) charity, announced today its annual all-day health and wellness immersion Good Medicine will feature a keynote speech by bestselling author Byron Katie, and special musical guest, award-winning composer/recording artist Steven Halpern.

Good Medicine will be held Sunday, September 14, from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at The Music Box @ Fonda (Henry Fonda Theater), 6126 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, Calif. The expanded space will hold 100-plus licensed and accredited practitioners administering more than a dozen natural healing modalities, educational sessions in integrative medicine led by experts in the field, sound healing, and merchandise from dozens of natural products and services vendors so attendees can go green, local and pure to make their dollar count.

“Addressing the causes of suffering in our bodies and minds requires awareness, and events like Good Medicine 2008 provide a wonderful opportunity for people to find clarity about their physical and emotional suffering, learn, and grow in a supportive and nurturing environment,” said Katie.

Health and wellness therapies represented at Good Medicine include acupuncture, yoga, massage, reiki, Qigong, Tai-Chi, sound healing, nutrition, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, guided meditation, hypnotherapy, and holistic health. So that undeserved communities throughout Southern California can experience these techniques, Good Medicine attendees will receive hands-on treatments from licensed/certified and insured practitioners as part of their admission to the event - far less than going to the practitioners’ offices.
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Zen Resort Bali Surya Meditation and Ayurveda Retreat: Inner Peace and Divine Healing Power with Swathimaa and Raymond Prohs

Zen Resort situated in a serene and peaceful environment in north Bali, surrounded by rice fields, vineyards and natural forest, is the venue of this September 2008 Bali Surya meditation and Ayurveda retreat with international healers and renowned teachers Swathimaa and Raymond Prohs, both senior students of the Indian Saint Sri Kaleshwar who is the first to reveal the actual spiritual practices of India’s saints to Western students.

Zen resorts’ secluded location and pristine nature is idyllic to appreciate and connect with the nature’s elemental forces, the sky, earth, air, water and fire, which according to Vedic understanding account for all Creation and provide the hidden natural powers to balance our energy and mobilize the natural processes to heal ourselves and achieve inner peace, realize contentment in life and living and thus experience the Divine.

The Bali Surya retreat is designed to relax, heal and rejuvenate the body, mind, heart and soul. Through out the day, the resorts’ soothing and inspiring music and Sanskrit chants will help you to gently detach from your personal concerns and worries.

The daily retreat program begins with sunrise Surya meditation and a morning of yoga and time for eco-forest walks, rice field trekking, along a secluded beach or simply slumbering in a hammock or on a sun-bed getting a tan while reading and thinking of personal resolutions to change course for a more sustainable and satisfying life style and living.

At noon there is an hour of Surya meditation and water exercises in the infinity pool merging with the rice field terraces and the sea horizon beyond. The early afternoon is devoted to satsangs and seminar discussions as well as personal Sai Shakti healing consultations with Swathimaa and Raymond. In the late afternoon it is time for Ayuvredic consultation and treatments designed according to each individual’s personal constitution and health assessment. Following dinner under the stars, the retreat group gathers around a cozy fire for an evening of singing and chanting to relax for a night of deep sleep.
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News wise — Eastern and Oriental medicine practitioners have long known that Ashwagandha, an herb commonly used in the 5,000-year old practice of Ayurvedic medicine, helps fight disease when used in combination with a liquid known as Anupana. Anupana may be derived from many different substances, from olive oil, to beer, to ghee. Each liquid is thought to have different properties, so an Ayurveda practitioner selects an Anupana that has the qualities that best fit a given situation. Traditionally, one method of administering Ashwagandha and milk was to boil them together.

A team of American researchers is examining whether drinking whole cows’ milk with the herb can increase the body’s white blood cells, which help boost immunity. They have found that it does.

This first-of-its-kind study was led by Heather Zwickey of the National College of Natural Medicine’s Helfgott Research Institute, Portland, OR, and her colleagues Jeremy Mikolai, Andrew Erlandsen, Andrew Murison, Will Gregory, Padma Raman-Caplan and Kimberly Brown. Mikolai, Erlandsen and Murison will be presenting the team’s findings during the 23rd annual meeting of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP; www.Naturopathic.org), being held August 13-16, 2008 in Phoenix, AZ. The full findings of the study are being published this fall.

Background:

According to Zwickey, investigations into herbal remedies rarely take into account how the herb has been administered throughout the tradition of the medicine’s life cycle, such as coupled or mixed with water, tea, or oil. While many consumers today may consume the herb with water or no liquid at all, researchers know that Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (WS)), has typically been taken with an Anupana substance. It is believed to aid in the digestion and effectiveness of the plant.

To determine if an anupana substance would help enhance Ashwagandha’s immune properties, the research team used milk in a co-administered intervention along with the herb extract. Cows’ milk was chosen over goats’ milk and other potential substances because Ayurvedic medicine considers it to be a strengthening, nutritive driver for medicines. This made it an appropriate choice for an immunological study. A follow-up study will compare the results of the herb extract alone to the combination of herb with milk and to placebo controls.
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Lancaster - Maharishi Vedic Health Center has just launched a new series of Ayurveda health seminars and open houses for both medical professionals and the general public. Each seminar will focus on time-tested and evidence-based Ayurvedic solutions for prevention and reversal of specific health challenges such as heart health, poor digestion, ADHD, diabetes, women’s health, and more. The free open houses will feature a presentation on the fundamentals of Maharishi Ayurveda and a guided tour of the historic 1901 Thayer Mansion.

The topics will be presented by the center’s medical professionals, resident vaidya (Ayurvedic physician from India) and other senior staff members. Each seminar includes main point charts, Q-and-A, and breakout sessions for mastering the material.

Maharishi Ayurveda is the complete revival of the authentic science of Ayurveda, brought to our modern age by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and a group of world’s leading Ayurvedic experts from India. It offers an integrated consciousness-based approach to health, which takes into account all aspects of life — from our innermost self, to the mind, body, behavior, and environment. Health, according to Maharishi Ayurveda, is not just the absence of disease but is a natural state of wholeness in which mind, body, and consciousness are balanced and functioning together harmoniously.

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After successful launch of its first UK Centre in Milton Keynes nearly three months back, Santhigram Group of Companies having headquarters in New Delhi, India, announced launching its specialised Ayurvedic Panchakarma Centre at 60 King Street, Southall, Middlesex UB2 4DB (Tel. 020 8571 1770) on Wednesday, 18th June, 2008.

The Centre was inaugurated by the hon’ble Member of Parliament (Southall Ealing) Mr. Virendra Sharma. The hon’ble MP during his inaugural speech has acknowledged the usefulness of alternative systems of medicines like Ayurveda in the present healthcare scenario in the country and wished Santhigram all success in its endeavour to spread authentic Ayurvedic therapies to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Gopinathan Nair, Chairman & Managing Director of the Group who has brought authentic ayurvedic therapies to both UK and United States has unfolded the plan of the company in setting up a series of such centres in various parts of UK in the coming years. Mr. Gregory Pius, Managing Director of Santhigram Kerala Ayurvedic Centre UK Ltd. who is heading the UK venture has reassured the company’s endeavour in promoting authentic and genuine ayurvedic therapies in its UK Centres and announced the company’s plan of launching two more centres in UK, at Hayes and Liverpool in the next two months.

Santhigram is the provider of ISO 9001:2000 certified Ayurvedic Therapies in India for more than 10 years and is in the mission of spreading this unique Ayurvedic Therapies across the world. It has been providing consultancy services for Ayurvedic Centres in Western World for the last 5 years and has successfully launched two of its own Centres in the United States, one in New York and another in New Jersey.

Ayurveda is the time tested ancient system of medicine which is now popular in most western cultures. It is a science that not only addresses to bodily infirmity but encourages social, spiritual, emotional and psychological well being. The Kerala specific Ayurvedic rejuvenation and “Panchakarma” Therapies have a unique history of evolution and offer many exceptional methods for total body rejuvenation. Panchakarma is a complete therapeutic regime that identifies “doshas” or the imbalances in the body that arises due to pathological conditions and detoxifies the body with therapeutic massages and unique procedures using specific herbal oils, strict dietary and life style changes.

Like its Milton Keynes Centre, Southall Centre is also manned by well qualified and experienced Ayurvedic Consultants and Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapists and has all the facilities to provide this traditional therapy with all the sanctity of this ancient science. The authentic therapy provided by our centre using genuine herbal oils and other ayurvedic products not only has the rejuvenative and preventive value but will also help to treat certain chronic ailments like backache, spondylitis, frozen shoulder, arthritis, joint pains, migraine, sinusitis, stress, depression, insomnia, obesity etc. without any side effects.

For details please contact:

Gregory Pius
+44 7976951511
gregorypius @ santhigramuk.com

Gopinathan Nair
+1 732-915-8813
santhigram @ gmail.com

www.santhigramuk.com, www.santhigramus.com,
www.santhigramayurveda.com

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Discover nearly 800 remedies and recipes, secrets of joie de vivre, carefully kept “under seven seals,” motivational mottoes, inspirational advice and interesting facts. Also revealed in this book are intriguing superstitions, colorful folk tales, fairy tales, stories and ancient legends. The combination creates a perfect balance for readers seeking to nourish both body and spirit.

Boca Raton, Florida, June 15, 2008 — Did you know that you have a specific tree? “Yes, it’s true. In Eastern European tradition, each person has a tree specifically designated to look after you,” says Svetlana Konnikova, Russian author of Mama’s Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Living (Aurora Publishers, Boca Raton, FL). And then she goes on to tell you all about it for a fascinating 40 pages of anecdotes, folk tales, and herbal remedies that give you all you need to know about how to invite your tree into your life and become close friends with it.

Plants and trees are sponsors and amulets on the thorny path of our lives. In the golden times, it is said, verbena gave people love and joyful mood. The leaves of a fig tree were used for fortune-telling and its branches saved matadors from angry bulls. The black mulberry tree is said to support success in business and is ruled by the planet Mercury, a sponsor of entrepreneurial people. It is believed that the ash tree brings happiness to the home. Aloe gives prosperity and long life to the people who keep this plant in their houses.

Little quirks and bits of folk wisdom like these so fascinated the judges of the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards that they named it a Finalist in both the Health/Wellness and the Multicultural Non-Fiction categories.

“This is one book you will go back to time after time as a ‘comfort book’ (like comfort food)–one that provides information, stimulates your thinking, gives you peace and entertains you,” says Dr. Peter Gail, author of books and articles on creative living and edible wild plants and founder of Goosefoot Acres Center for Resourceful Living in Cleveland, Ohio.

James Cox, Editor-in-Chief of the Midwest Book Review, says, “For being packed cover to cover with non-stop invaluable wisdom, ‘Mama’s Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Living’ is highly recommended to anyone who wants that edge in health and for community libraries.”

Svetlana Konnikova is an award-winning writer, educator and researcher of healthy medicines and healthy lifestyles. Her mission is to expose people to the ways other cultures prevent sickness and improve their health. You can learn more by visiting www.mamashomeremedies.com

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Organix-SouthR First to Offer Full Line of Certified Organic Supercritical Whole Herb Extracts in Condition Specific Formulas!

Bowling Green, Florida (June 2, 2008): With ECOCERT certification for the herbs and extracts in their Supercritical Whole Herb supplements, Organix-SouthR becomes the first and only company in the United States to offer a full line of herbal supplements using the patent-pending process of
Supercritical Whole Herb Extraction that carry the “Made with Certified Organic Herbs” label. The USDA only allows the use of the term “made with organic herbs” when a minimum of 70% of the product’s ingredients by weight
are certified organic. The prestigious European ECOCERT certification complies with U.S., European and Asian standards for maintaining certified organic operations from farm to finished product.

Formulated by Organix-South’s Medical Advisor Dr. Shrikrishna G. Phadke PhD, the line known as TheraVedaR is a condition-specific set of 12 formulas that provides the powerful benefits of both supercritical extracts and whole
herbs in an innovative, patent-pending technology that uses no harmful chemical solvents. Supercritical extraction is a natural process that makes efficacious herbal extracts containing the broadest spectrum of an herb’s oils, waxes and resins. All formulas are 100% vegan and contain no synthetic
additives or harmful contaminants.

The company is introducing new packaging as well as new labeling that includes condition-specific wording and herbal descriptions which are compliant with federal regulations.The 12 formulas offer unique support for common health conditions:

• Aller Support
• Joint Support
• Respiratory Support
• Menopause Support
• Headache Support
• Heart & Cholesterol Support
• Liver Support
• Male Vitality
• Anti-Oxidant Cellular Support
• Night Stress
• Day Stress
• Women’s Hormonal Balance

According to Autumn Blum, Founder and CEO of Organix-SouthR, “We have taken the highest quality herbs from our certified organic farm in India and through our patented technology created highly effective formulas that are consumer friendly. We feel it is important to take a leadership position in the natural supplement arena.”

Organix-SouthR, Inc. specializes in organic Neem body care products and organic supercritical herbal dietary supplements. The company offers the most complete line of Neem products available, including Neem Leaf capsules
and extracts, oral care, hair care, organic bar soaps, skin care, pet products, organic gardening and more. Organix-SouthR is also proud to offer TheraVedaR, organic supercritical herbal extracts combined with the wisdom of whole herbs as a vegan friendly herbal dietary supplement. Products are available at health food stores, pharmacies, yoga studios and other fine
outlets. For more information, see www.organixsouth.com

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Natural Newswire — Leaders of the natural cosmetics industry will gather at the second Natural Beauty Summit in New York, May 15-17th. This high-level summit will bring together founders, presidents, CEOs and senior managers of leading companies to discuss and debate the key issues the cosmetics industry faces in the areas of natural & organic products and sustainability.High on the agenda for Natural Beauty Summit America is natural & organic standards. Analysts have tipped 2008 to be a defining year for the cosmetics industry. An industry shake-up is envisaged in which the adoption of private standards is to lead to a clear demarcation between pure natural / organic cosmetic and pseudo products.

The exact details of major standards like NSF and OASIS will be unveiled at the summit. The standards session will also feature the new Whole Foods Premium Body Care standard as well as give an update on the harmonized European natural & organic standards. Key executives involved in the development of natural & organic standards will chair a panel discussion that will look at the possibility of global standards harmonization.

Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients, will kick off Natural Beauty Summit America with his opening address on ‘Sustainability, Ethics and the Greening of the Cosmetics Industry.’ Key topics in the first session of the summit will look at sustainable business practices in the cosmetics industry like ethical ingredient sourcing, ecological packaging and green marketing issues. Key speakers include Erk Schuchhardt, CEO and president of the global natural cosmetics brand Weleda; Ulisses Sabará, president of Beraca, a Brazilian producer of ethical cosmetic ingredients that was a finalist in the World Challenge 2007 competition; and Dr. Charles J. Bennett, Vice-president of Aveda.

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Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort, situated at Palakkad in Kerala, has been included in National Geographic Traveler’s ‘50 Top Wellness destinations: Asia’ list. This list was featured in National Geographic Traveler’s March 2008 issue.

Set amidst 50 acres, the spa has 30 villas with Deluxe, Classic, Royal and Maharaja. Ayurvedic treatments available at the resort include ayurveda, panchakarma and other treatments.

Speaking about the recognition, Ram Mohan, VP - Marketing & PR, Kairali Group of Companies said, “We are happy and proud that Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort, Palakkad, Kerala, India has been selected among the top 10 in Asia & top 50 in the world”.

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