Traditional mental health treatments often rely on medication that can be addictive and come with a host of negative side effects. However, there is a growing movement to focus on natural therapies that are more holistic and offer a gentler way to address mental health. These practices are often based on indigenous medicine and are becoming more popular as Chic Wellness trends. Many people are finding that natural therapies offer a more effective way to treat mental health, with fewer side effects. As more people become aware of the benefits of natural therapies, it is likely that traditional mental health treatments will become less common.
Indigenous medicine is a term used to describe the natural therapies and holistic practices of indigenous peoples around the world. Often passed down through generations, these traditional healing modalities are becoming increasingly popular in mainstream society. From herbal remedies to energy work, there is a growing interest in the healing power of indigenous medicine.
People are increasingly interested in natural solutions for their health and well-being. Indigenous medicine offers a wide range of effective treatments for a variety of ailments. From mental and emotional disorders to physical injuries, these traditional healing practices can provide relief and promote long-term health.
Another reason for the popularity of indigenous medicine is the growing awareness of the importance of cultural diversity. As we learn more about the world around us, we are increasingly interested in how different cultures approach health and well-being. Indigenous medicine provides a window into these diverse traditions and can help us understand our culture in a new way.
Whether you’re looking for natural solutions to your health concerns or simply curious about alternative approaches to wellbeing, indigenous medicine is worth exploring. These ancient healing practices offer a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that can benefit us all. First, let’s start with the basics.
Exercise Daily
Physical activity stimulates our brains, causing our heart rates to rise and endorphins to be released. Endorphins increase enjoyment while decreasing tension and anxiety. They can also help with depression and possibly enhance self-esteem!
Move your body for at least 30 minutes daily to keep your mental health robust. A little goes a long way, whether it’s a quick aerobic round in your living room, a jog outside, or a nature stroll!
Make healthy food choices
Our nutrition, like exercise, can influence our physical bodies but also has a significant impact on our mental health. Gut health, which is governed by the foods we eat daily, is linked to mental health. We must eat a well-balanced diet to encourage healthy bacteria in our digestive tract and get the benefits of a healthier, happier mind. The first step is to consume a well-balanced diet rich in probiotic or prebiotic substances, which promote microbial health and help restore intestinal equilibrium.
Biome Medic is one of the products I recommend and one of the most popular products in holistic wellness. It’s included in my 30 internal cleanse program. It provides your body with the exceptional gut health it deserves! The Detox Project made the Biome Medic, a proprietary product made up of all-natural ingredients, the Gold Seal for glyphosate detox treatment. Biome Medic aids in the healing of the stomach by draining out harmful toxins and maybe improving your immunity and happiness.
Laughter is the best medicine
As the world becomes increasingly stressful, more and more people are turning to chic wellness solutions like yoga and meditation. However, there is one natural solution that is often overlooked: laughter. Laughing has numerous therapeutic benefits, including reducing stress, improving cardiovascular health, and boosting immunity. Research has shown that laughter can be just as effective as other forms of exercise, providing a workout for the abdominal muscles.
Laughing, like smiling, causes our muscles to release tension and our body to relax as endorphins are released. A 1979 study supported the hypothesis that those with a good sense of humor were less likely to become worried or depressed because they frequently laughed, producing endorphins. So, after a long day, don’t feel bad about turning on your favorite sitcom or comedy to relieve stress and give your mind a suitable reward.
So next time you feel stressed, take a break and watch a comedy or spend time with friends. It’s good for your mind, body, and soul.
Take in some rays
Let’s face it: many of us have been caged up for far too long under lockdown. Our bodies are probably longing for some fresh air and the revitalizing warmth of the sun!
Now that the weather is warming up, we can go outside and soak up some sunshine, even if it’s just in our own backyard! Soaking in Vitamin D can help increase our mood and release chemicals like serotonin, the major hormone that regulates our mood and emotions of contentment.
While you’re out in the sun healing your mind, don’t forget to protect your skin from UV radiation! Read our blog “Purium Suncare Tips & Tricks,” which features Purium products that help your skin’s health and responsiveness to the sun by hydrating, repairing cells, and protecting them.
My ‘liquid sunshine.’ Is my daily power shake loaded with Organic Rice Bran Extract, Organic Oat Flour, Organic Spirulina, Organic Millet, Organic Carrot Juice Powder, Organic Wheatgrass Juice Powder, Organic Amaranth, Organic Alfalfa Leaf Juice Powder, Organic Oat Grass Juice Powder, Organic Buckwheat, Organic Quinoa, Organic Raspberry Flavor, Organic Apple Flavor, Luo Han Guo Berry Extract, Organic Chia Seed. This stimulating green drink can raise your energy levels and produce emotions of contentment while nourishing your cells with healthy fats and organic greens.
Be Kindness to yourself
Most people are aware of the nice feeling we get after giving someone genuine praise or assisting those in need. Not only do acts of service help to build a strong society, but making others happy boosts our self-esteem and mental wellness!
Today’s act of kindness can be as small as complementing your grocery store cashier or as large as volunteering at a homeless shelter.
Are you looking for methods to help others? Purium was created on the idea of giving back to the community, which includes yours! Learn more about our non-profit organizations and how to get involved.
Remember to be kind to yourself! To show yourself gratitude, take some time to rest, read your favorite book, or prepare a great dinner.
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ToggleThree types of Indigenous therapies that promote mental health
Natural therapies and holistic practices are becoming more popular among mainstream audiences as people become more interested in chic wellness. Among these practices, Sanaga, Rapé and Kambo are three powerful indigenous therapies that promote mental health and mental clarity. These benefits and more are detailed in The Essential Guide to Kambo.
Sanaga is a plant-based remedy that has been used by the indigenous people of the Amazon for centuries. It has mood-boosting and antidepressant effects. It’s also known as Becchete from the shrub Tabernaemontana undulate.
Rapé is another Amazonian therapy that involves snuffing a powdered tobacco mixture through the nose. It is said to cleanse the sinuses and promote mental clarity. (pronounced ha-pay) is a shamanic snuff used by tribes of the Amazon basin for thousands of years and is an essential part of their tribal culture and history. Rapé is blown into the nostrils with a special pipe called kuripe or Tepi. Pipes are made from bone, bamboo wood, or stone. The blow is forceful and not specifically pleasant. It can feel shocking or overwhelming the first time someone experiences rapé. The powder is prepared by the ceremonial pounding of wild tobacco with tree ashes and filtered through a fine mesh. Rapé can elicit a mind-alerting and grounding effect, and it stimulates the mind with its nicotinic content that releases epinephrine, acetylcholine, and dopamine, supporting an increased focus, presence, and intuition.
Shamans use tobacco as a sacred wholesome medicine, and there exists a very close connection between tobacco use and shamanism that has little in common with our western way of tobacco use. Indigenous tribes use tobacco in ceremonies, to predict good weather, for fishing or harvest, and for spiritual and cursing purposes but rarely for smoking.
Rapé can be applied daily after breakfast and dinner or used before bedtime. A typical rapé ceremony involves a mutual administration by two persons.
Kambo is a third indigenous therapy that comes from the Amazonian rainforest. It is a substance (known as venomous secretion) extracted from the Phyllomedusa bicolor, the blue and yellow frog. It’s also called a monkey frog and a giant leaf frog. They are found in the rain forest of northern Bolivia, western and northern Brazil, southeastern Colombia, eastern Peru, and southern and eastern Venezuela and the Guianas.
Kambo has many benefits, both medical and psycho-spiritual. The secretion is known for its powerful emetic or purgative effects and is widely sought out to revitalize the body and mind, including promoting mental clarity, relaxation, and focus. Chic Wellness offers these therapies through ceremonial practice.
Essential oils and mental health support
Essential oils have been used for centuries as natural therapies to promote mental health and well-being. These aromatic compounds are extracted from plants and have been shown to provide a wide range of benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep quality, and boosting mood. Some of the most popular essential oils include lavender, chamomile, and peppermint. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in these holistic practices, as more people are looking for natural ways to improve their mental health. Essential oils offer a safe and natural option that can be used to support mental health and well-being.
Peppermint essential oils
Peppermint also known as Bo He. Mint, a common plant with unusual health advantages, is a crucial component in Xiao Yao San or Xiao Yao Wan, (custom Chinese herbal formulas) Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine formulations for emotional stability, stress reduction, and a feeling of serenity.
Mint not only offers a plethora of nutritious qualities, but it also comes in over 500 different kinds and types from all over the world. Peppermint’s chemistry makes it a powerhouse essential oil. When ingested, menthol, peppermint’s main constituent works with the ion channels of the body to influence nerve impulses and muscle contraction. This releases smooth colon muscles that keep the bowel moving. Menthol also gives peppermint its cooling properties so it can deliver instant relief from pervasive heat.
The Origin of Peppermint
Peppermint Bo He is an important herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine thought. It is a perennial plant found in many areas globally, and many civilizations use it in cooking and healing. Because of its therapeutic and anti-bacterial properties, it has a great capacity to regulate your Qi (energy). The rich green leaves are often dried and used to create medicinal powders, drinks, and oils.
The therapeutic benefits of peppermint
Mint is well-known for its cooling effects in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It can fend against excessive heat and damaging Qi-blocking wind thanks to its refreshing but spicy fragrance and robust, delicious taste. It has also been shown to act as a cooler for the liver, thus enhancing its function and health. Mint is renowned for expelling wind-heat energy and recharging tense, anxious, or overworked nerves. It provides a quick refresher due to its cooling qualities, medicinal fragrance, robust taste, and phytonutrients.
Mint has been proven in recent research to improve cognitive skills, memory, and problem-solving. The herb has been linked with restoring mental and emotional balance in Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy, which is why it is a critical component in the “Free & Easy Wanderer” mix, Emotional Balance.
Emotional Balance, inspired by the calming, popular, and powerful herbal blend Free & Easy Wanderer (Xiao Yao San), offers amazing stress release in a matter of moments. But the formula offers so much more to those who embrace the power of this herbal classic – it brings calmness and emotional clarity, offering stillness to frazzled nerves with a modest energy bump that won’t leave you crashing later.
Emotional Balance is great for:
- Combatting overwhelming stress
- Easing mental tension
- Addressing PMS emotions
- Adding a subtle boost of energy
- Calming irritability
- Making you a bit happier
REFERENCE
About The Doc
My focus is to deepen my understanding of how I relate to myself, others, and the world. My exploration as an entrepreneur, community builder, traveler, and lifelong student has helped me cultivate my skills as a practitioner.
Using the art of Chinese Medicine as my tool, I gently guide, nudge, and aid one’s body and mind to find their balance. From there, the intelligence of the body knows what to do next. This is what the healing process has taught me. I see myself as the tuning fork for my clients.
I am here to hold space. My role is to aid you in your return to inner harmony, emotionally, physically, and spiritually well-being, in tune with our true nature so that we can realize our life’s passion without limitations.
Dr. Antonika Chanel LA.c DACM is a board-certified NCCAOM Chinese medicine physician. Since 2016 Antonika has traveled the world treating patients on world-class cruise ships and is considered a top-tier practitioner. Her practice, ChiC Wellness, offers health consulting and telemedicine support utilizing all modalities of Chinese Medicine.
Antonika is also a yoga and Medical Qigong practitioner.
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