Embody Spring 2025

Herbal HEROES

Exploring the connection between people and plants in Italian folk medicine

RAISE YOUR Vibration

5-steps to manifest your desires & purpose

Focus On:

How reconnecting with the Earth’s surface can improve health

SPA & Wellness

Travel trends taking the world by storm

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Spring 2025 Welcome

As the da odils bloom and days grow longer, take a moment to welcome the vibrant energy of spring and reconnecting with the natural world around you. Our feature on Earthing (grounding), explores the profound bene ts of connecting with the Earth’s energy. To discover the science behind this simple yet powerful practice and how it can enhance your wellbeing, reduce stress, and promote better sleep, turn to page 6.

Lisa Fazio shares herbal traditions and practices from the Italian diaspora, passed down through the generations and reveals how working with traditional plant medicines can help us connect to ancestral traditions for healing on page 11, and for those of you working with athletes or physically active clients, we present an insightful exploration of the e cacy of acupuncture in sports medicine. Recent studies are illuminating the positive e ects on injury recovery, performance enhancement, and overall resilience. We share expert opinions and case studies that highlight how acupuncture can be a vital tool in your therapeutic arsenal (page 20).

Finally, bestselling author and award-winning health and wellness in uencer George Lizos presents his comprehensive 5-step process for manifesting your desires and purpose on page 24.

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Now, time for me to kick o my shoes, walk barefoot on the grass and connect with the Earth’s vital energy. I hope you’ll join me.

Happy grounding!

Sharon Martin, Editor

Focus On:

Earthing

EHealth Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons.

lifestyle separates humans from to promote intriguing physiological

to the discovery of bene ts – including

nvironmental medicine generally addresses environmental factors with a negative impact on human health. However, emerging scienti c research has revealed a surprisingly positive and overlooked environmental factor on health: direct physical contact with the vast supply of electrons on the surface of the Earth. Modern lifestyle separates humans from such contact. The research suggests that this disconnect may be a major contributor to physiological dysfunction and unwellness. Reconnection with the Earth′s electrons has been found to promote intriguing physiological changes and subjective reports of wellbeing. Earthing (or grounding) refers to the discovery of bene ts – including better sleep and reduced pain – from

walking barefoot outside or sitting, working, or sleeping indoors connected to conductive systems that transfer the Earth′s electrons from the ground into the body.

Environmental medicine focuses on interactions between human health and the environment, including factors such as compromised air and water and toxic chemicals, and how they cause or mediate disease. Omnipresent throughout the environment is a surprisingly bene cial, yet overlooked global resource for health maintenance, disease prevention, and clinical therapy: the surface of the Earth itself. It is an established, though not widely appreciated fact, that the Earth’s surface possesses a limitless and continuously renewed supply of free or mobile electrons. The surface Earth itself. It is an established, though

of the planet is electrically conductive (except in limited ultradry areas such as deserts), and its negative potential is maintained (i.e., its electron supply replenished) by the global atmospheric electrical circuit.

Mounting evidence suggests that the Earth’s negative potential can create a stable internal bioelectrical environment for the normal functioning of all body systems. Moreover, oscillations of the intensity of the Earth’s potential may be important for setting the biological clocks regulating diurnal body rhythms, such as cortisol secretion.

It is also well established that electrons from antioxidant molecules neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS, or in popular terms, free radicals) involved in the body’s immune and

in ammatory responses. The National Library of Medicine’s online resource PubMed lists 7021 studies and 522 review articles from a search of “antioxidant + electron + free radical.” It is assumed that the in ux of free electrons absorbed into the body through direct contact with the Earth likely neutralize ROS and thereby reduce acute and chronic in ammation.

Throughout history, humans mostly walked barefoot or with footwear made of animal skins. They slept on the ground or on skins. Through direct contact or through perspirationmoistened animal skins used as footwear or sleeping mats, the ground’s abundant free electrons were able to enter the body, which is electrically conductive. Through this mechanism, every part of the body could equilibrate with the electrical potential of the Earth, thereby stabilizing the electrical environment of all organs, tissues, and cells.

every part of the body could equilibrate with the electrical potential of the environment of all organs, tissues,

Modern lifestyle has increasingly separated humans from the primordial ow of Earth’s electrons. For example,

since the 1960s, we have increasingly worn insulating rubber or plastic soled shoes, instead of the traditional leather fashioned from hides. Rossi has lamented that the use of insulating materials in post-World War II shoes has separated us from the Earth’s energy eld. Obviously, we no longer sleep on the ground as we did in times past.

During recent decades, chronic illness, immune disorders, and in ammatory diseases have increased dramatically, and some researchers have cited environmental factors as the cause. However, the possibility of modern disconnection with the Earth’s surface as a cause has not been considered. Much of the research reviewed here points in that direction.

to-nature movement in Germany claimed many health bene ts from

doctor, investigated the practice could not sleep properly “unless they

In the late 19th century, a backto-nature movement in Germany claimed many health bene ts from being barefoot outdoors, even in cold weather. In the 1920s, White, a medical doctor, investigated the practice of sleeping grounded after being informed by some individuals that they could not sleep properly “unless they

were on the ground or connected to the ground in some way,” such as with copper wires attached to grounded-to-Earth water, gas, or radiator pipes. He reported improved sleeping using these techniques. However, these ideas never caught on in mainstream society.

Earthing (also known as grounding) refers to contact with the Earth’s surface electrons by walking barefoot outside or sitting, working, or sleeping indoors connected to conductive systems, some of them patented, that transfer the energy from the ground into the body. Emerging scienti c research supports the concept that the Earth’s electrons induce multiple physiological changes of clinical signi cance, including reduced pain, better sleep, a shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic tone in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and a blood-thinning e ect. The research, along with many anecdotal reports, is presented in a new book entitled Earthing.

Some subjects reported significant relief from asthmatic and respiratory conditions.

The studies summarized below involve indoor-testing methods under controlled conditions that simulate being barefoot outdoors.

SLEEP AND CHRONIC PAIN

In a blinded pilot study, Ober recruited 60 subjects (22 males and 28 females) who su ered from self-described sleep disturbances and chronic muscle and joint pain for at least six months. Most grounded subjects described symptomatic improvement while most in the control group did not. Some subjects reported signi cant relief from asthmatic and respiratory conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, PMS, sleep apnea, and hypertension while sleeping grounded. These results indicated that the e ects of earthing go beyond reduction of pain and improvements in sleep.

EARTHING REDUCES ELECTRIC FIELDS INDUCED ON THE BODY

Voltage induced on a human body from the electrical environment was measured using a high-impedance measurement head. Applewhite, an electrical engineer and expert in the design of electrostatic discharge systems in the electronic industry, was both subject and author of the study. Measurements were taken while ungrounded and then grounded using a conductive patch and conductive bed pad. The author measured the induced elds at three positions: left breast, abdomen, and left thigh.

Each method (patch and sheet) immediately reduced the common alternating current (AC) 60 Hz ambient voltage induced on the body by a highly signi cant factor of about 70 on average.

The study showed that when the body is grounded, its electrical potential becomes equalized with the Earth’s electrical potential through a transfer of electrons from the Earth to the body. This, in turn, prevents the 60 Hz mode from producing an AC electric potential at the surface of the body and from producing perturbations of the electric charges of the molecules inside the body. The study con rms the “umbrella” e ect of earthing the body explained by Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman in his lectures on electromagnetism. Feynman said that when the body potential is the same as

the Earth’s electric potential (and thus grounded), it becomes an extension of the Earth’s gigantic electric system. The Earth’s potential thus becomes the “working agent that cancels, reduces, or pushes away electric elds from the body.” This study demonstrates that grounding essentially eliminates the ambient voltage induced on the body from common electricity power sources.

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Fifty-eight healthy adult subjects (including 30 controls) participated in a randomized double-blind pilot study investigating earthing e ects on human physiology. All grounded subjects presented an abrupt change in rms values of surface electromyograms (SEMGs) from right and left upper trapezius muscles. Earthing decreased blood volume pulse (BVP) in 19 of 22 experimental subjects (statistically signi cant) and in 8 of 30 controls (not signi cant). Earthing the human body showed signi cant e ects on electrophysiological properties of the brain and musculature, on the BVP, and on the noise and stability of electrophysiological recordings. Taken together, the changes in EEG, EMG, and BVP suggest reductions in overall stress levels and tensions and a shift in ANS balance upon earthing. The results extend the conclusions of previous studies.

CONFIRMING SHIFT

FROM SYMPATHETIC TO PARASYMPATHETIC ACTIVATION

A multiparameter double-blind study was designed to reproduce and expand on previous electrophysiological and physiological parameters measured immediately after grounding with an improved methodology and stateof-the-art equipment. Fourteen men and 14 women, in good health, ages 18–80, were tested while seated in a comfortable recliner during 2-hour grounding sessions, leaving time for signals to stabilize before, during, and after grounding (40 minutes for each period). Sham 2-hour grounding sessions were also recorded with the same subjects as controls. For each session, statistical analyses were

performed on four 10-minute segments: before and after grounding (sham grounding for control sessions) and before and after ungrounding (sham ungrounding for control sessions).

The following results were documented:

• An immediate decrease (within a few seconds) in skin conductance (SC) at grounding and an immediate increase at ungrounding. No change was seen for the control (sham grounding) sessions

• Respiratory rate (RR) increased during grounding, an e ect that lasted after ungrounding. RR variance increased immediately after grounding and then decreased

• Blood oxygenation (BO) variance decreased during grounding, followed by a dramatic increase after ungrounding

• Pulse rate (PR) and perfusion index (PI) variances increased toward the end of the grounding period, and this change persisted after ungrounding. Increased RR, stabilization of BO, and slight rise in heart rate suggest the start of a metabolic healing response necessitating an increase in oxygen consumption.

HEART RATE VARIABILITY

The rapid change in skin conductance reported in an earlier study led to the hypothesis that grounding may also improve heart rate variability (HRV), a measurement of the heart’s response to ANS regulation. A double-blind study was designed with 27 participants. Subjects sat in a comfortable reclining chair. Four transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) type adhesive

INFORMATION

electrode patches were placed on the sole of each foot and on each palm. During the grounded sessions, participants had statistically signi cant improvements in HRV that went way beyond basic relaxation results (which were shown by the nongrounded sessions). Since improved HRV is a signi cant positive indicator on cardiovascular status, it is suggested that simple grounding techniques be utilized as a basic integrative strategy in supporting the cardiovascular system, especially under situations of heightened autonomic tone when the sympathetic nervous system is more activated than the parasympathetic nervous system. From a practical standpoint, clinicians could recommend outdoor “barefoot sessions” to patients, weather, and conditions permitting. Ober et al. have observed that going barefoot as little as 30 or 40 minutes daily can signi cantly reduce pain and stress, and the studies summarized here explain why this is the case. Obviously, there is no cost for barefoot grounding. However, the use of conductive systems while sleeping, working, or relaxing indoors o er a more convenient and routinefriendly approach.

Reference: Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P. Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth’s surface electrons. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:291541. doi: 10.1155/2012/291541. Epub 2012 Jan 12. PMID: 22291721; PMCID: PMC3265077.

To read the study in full go to: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/ PMC3265077

Italian Folk Medicine

Lisa Fazio shares herbal traditions and practices from the Italian diaspora and reveals how working with traditional plant medicines can help us connect to ancestral traditions for healing.

Our conception of herbalism in the dominant culture is derived from the world’s major traditional healing systems such as Traditional Western Herbalism, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each of these include vast bodies of knowledge about healing that evolved as a result of thousands of years of cultural, social, and ecological shifts and transformation. Medicinal healing technologies are an intrinsic component of human culture and, before the rise of modern science and allopathic medicine, were remedies based in whole plants, natural magic, and shamanic arts. All cultures, large or small, now and throughout history, embodied their own unique healing customs created to meet the distinct needs of the local people.

Traditional Western Herbalism, as one of the prominent herbal medicine systems, includes a variety of methods that originate in many cultures including those from the Mediterranean, North America, and Northern Europe. Also, of significant influence on Western Herbalism Medicine has been North American Black Herbalism – a synergy of African, Indigenous, and European folk traditions, with an added element of folk Catholicism. All peoples around the world lived in plant-based cultures at one time and much of the world continues to do so. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), traditional medicine, including herbalism, is the primary source of health care for

many developing countries, and it is estimated that plantbased medicine serves up to 80 percent of the population worldwide. Traditional medicine is defined by the WHO as the sum total of the knowledge, skill, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

Traditional Western Herbalism, as one of the prominent herbal medicine systems, includes a variety of methods that originate in many cultures.

The ancient physicians, philosophers, and village healers of the Mediterranean made a major contribution to both Traditional Western Herbalism and Western medicine. The full scope of mainstream herbal medicine today cannot F

be defined by one standardized set of criteria or qualifications and there is, as of yet, no centralised regulatory organisation that determines what is or isn’t the practice of herbalism. In this way, herbalism remains a relatively dynamic, self-organized traditional healing modality that functions autonomously within the field of ‘alternative medicine.’

Italian folk medicine as a tradition is a fusion of knowledge spread by the ancient herbalists and doctors in the Mediterranean and, in turn, the ancient physicians, who had significant prominence and access to resources, were informed by the local village healers who lived in their regions. Although the entirety of Italian folk medicine involves many elements, plants are a central component. Plants have always been at the locus of human community as a source of medicine, food, and tools for ceremonial and spiritual magic and ritual.

WHAT IS FOLK MEDICINE?

Italian folk medicine is called medicina popolare, which translates to ‘medicine’ and ‘people’ making it the ‘medicine of the people,’ or simply ‘folk medicine.’ It’s not institutionalized in any way and is accessible to everyone, distributed from village to village or neighbourhood to neighbourhood by practitioners who live there. It’s either free, paid by trade, or very low cost. It’s subcorporate health care. In other words, folk medicine can be described in much the same way Ani Defranco describes folk music: ‘It’s an attitude, it’s an awareness of one’s heritage, and it’s a community. It’s subcorporate music that gives voice to different communities and their struggle against authority.’

share techniques to help cultivate the receptivity needed for that person to step into the webs of associations where they can have the direct experience of knowledge. This may sound complicated but it’s actually quite simple and an innate human propensity. We are a communal species.

In regard to plant medicine, this is a relationship between plants and people and all of the associations that they are linked to. It’s much more than just knowing the uses of a plant; it’s knowing the plant itself and forming a long-term, often multigenerational, relationship with that plant as an entity or being. This is ultimately an aspect of the process of coevolution whereby people and plants are changing in response to their relationship to each other as well as to all of the other ecological and more-than-human beings that they are interdependent with.

Italian folk medicine as a tradition is a fusion of knowledge spread by the ancient herbalists and doctors in the Mediterranean.

Any of the larger systems of traditional medicine that we speak of today emerged from these types of decentralized, bioregional healing practices that were aspects of collective survival, sustainability, and resilience. According to herbalist Phyllis Light, ‘Folk medicine is defined as a system of medicinal beliefs, knowledge, and practices associated with a particular culture or ethnic group.’ This alludes to the fact that traditional medicine is also an aspect of culture, one of the ways that the natural qualities of the community are expressed and shared.

Folk medicine is relational knowledge as opposed to individual knowledge. As artist and writer Rachael Rice says, ‘the smallest unit of community is not the individual but it’s the relationship.’ This does not mean that members of a community don’t have individual agency; instead, it means that the individual receives knowledge from being in relationship with others, human and other than human. In this way, we learn about the nature of something and how to attune to it and ourselves by means of direct realization. Direct realization requires no intermediary; it occurs through being in communication and interaction with a variety of forces, including other humans, plants, trees, rivers, and so on. A teacher, ‘guru,’ or priest can’t give the knowledge to someone without that person having been in practice with it. The knowledge comes from within them as a result of their practice. The teacher can only

Folk healers and folk healing methods always arise within a regional ecosystem as an expression of the unique character of a specific group of people, their physical, social, and spiritual needs, and how these needs are affected and transformed by the facilitation of local corporeal, energetic, and elemental forces. This means that folk medicine is emergent and thus is impossible to standardize in its essence. It cannot be replicated on a mass scale with effective, predictable results, nor is it intended to be. If the relationship between the practitioner and the practice is not present, the medicine will lose its meaning and potency.

Emergence is defined as ‘a process of evolution that creates new properties,’ and it is the result of synergy, or sympoiesis. Sympoiesis occurs when two autonomous agents, beings, or forces combine, cooperate, and converge in mutual interchange, and the consequence is an emergent or new property. This new property does not belong to either component separately. It is also generative and more complex, meaning that it does not expend or drain the energy of the separate components but instead increases it. It makes more for all involved, and it is self-organized, selfregulated, evolutionary, and creative.

In her book Emergent Strategy, Adrienne Maree Brown quotes the following definition of emergence by Nick Obolensky: ‘Emergence is the way complex systems and patterns arise out of a multiplicity of relatively simple interactions.’

simple interactions, which is why it does not require complicated skills, tools, or knowledge.

An example of a simple interaction that results in emergence is when two people share an exchange of ideas and, in the information gained from what the other has shared, a new idea becomes known. This is what might be called an insight.

Folk medicine as an aspect of culture emerges in communal containers. In Southern Italy during traditional times, villages were quite insular, and life was centred in them. People didn’t travel and when they did it was on foot, so they didn’t go far. Adherence to local customs was valued and expected, and every region of Italy had its own unique dialect. This meant that there were strong bonds and cohesion among the locals, making the village a vessel of traditions, yet these traditions were flexible.

informally and orally, as most people were not literate. So, although these traditions were facilitated within a communal container, they were open to adaptation based on any change in circumstances, and according to Per Binde, ‘new beliefs and practices (could) easily emerge as a bricolage of elements already employed.’ And the knowledge gathered in this type of system is cumulative from generations past so an individual can have access to vast experiences from many lifetimes.

Folk healing, developed in communities of those that would once have been considered peasants or ordinary and common people, is also known as ‘demotic medicine.’ Demotic medicine, or demoiatria stems from the Greek word demos, which means ‘the people’ and ‘of or belonging to people,’ which was Latinized from the Greek word dēmotikos, which means “of or for the common people’ and ‘in common use.’ Therefore, demotic medicine is the medicine of the commons. F

The commons as a structure of society has long been lost to privatisation and centralization, yet it still exists within our folk traditions and, in some respect, is an important aspect of survival for groups that have been excluded or displaced, as well as oftentimes harmed, by hierarchical power structures, oppression, and colonization. We can also think about this as the di erence between ‘hegemonic’ culture and ‘subaltern’ culture. The word subaltern was coined by Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci to de ne the common people living in disparate systems of power and wealth.

does not include pro t; it operates in a di erent paradigm. Peasant medicine includes the forces of magic whether they be ultimately sourced in biological reality or in the mythological narratives of the popolani (common people) who have to adapt and survive in a subaltern culture. According to Francesco Scaroina, emeritus head of internal medicine at Ospedale S. Giovani Boscomedical, to approach the knowledge of folk medicine, we have to consider the possibility of a coexistence between rational and irrational elements, thus creating a modus operandi which is not always attributable to superstitions, but which results from millennia of experiences, traditions and beliefs. The origin lies in a time when magic, religion and science were so close that they seemed to be a single reality.

One of the major discussions around herbal medicine right now is about licensure and legitimacy for herbalists.

One of the major discussions around herbal medicine right now is about licensure and legitimacy for herbalists. Perhaps this seems like the natural trajectory given the way our health care system operates, and in the paradigm of the medical industrial complex it is. But if our intention is to allow herbal medicine to be accessible to common people and pre- serve the ancestral traditions of folk herbalists, it has to remain demoaitric or it will not function as folk herbalism.

La medicina contadina, or peasant medicine, is the medicine that emerges from the heart of the people and their continuous participation in the cycles of life and death, especially their struggle with oppressive systems of power that often impact them negatively. This is not the same as health care in the way that we think about it today, although it is certainly a form of it. The di erence is that it is decentralized and not distributed from a state institution or governmental agency. It’s not given to people; it comes from the people. This makes these practices adaptable, improvisational, and subject to modi cation based on changes in the environment or any aspect of the social eld. Peasant medicine occurs worldwide cross-culturally and appears in many ways, but the function stays the same: to provide healing and care for the community. This function

Today we de ne folk (or demoiatrica) medicine as a tradition capable of recomposing, symbolically, and then practically, the balance between human-nature in compliance with the rules of a mythical-biology that was made part of the collective cultural heritage for centuries. It includes beliefs and practices on individual ailments, resulting in experience and bene ts even for the whole family and community.

Learn more about Italian-American folk healing in Lisa’s new book Della Medicina The Tradition of ItalianAmerican Folk Healing published by Healing Arts Press, available to purchase from innertraditions.com or Amazon.co.uk.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Fazio is a clinical herbalist, plant spirit medicine practitioner, ower essence practitioner, and the founder of ‘The Root Circle,’ a plant medicine educational centre. Trained in traditional Western herbalism, Western astrology, and the folk ways of her Italian immigrant family, she has apprenticed with herbalists Kate Gilday, Matthew Wood, and Pam Montgomery. She has an academic background in psychology and ethnobotany and has also done master’s level studies in chemistry, botany, and environmental history. She lives in Newport, New York.

Navigating the Future: Global Wellness Travel Trends for 2025

As the landscape of wellness travel evolves, complementary therapists are uniquely positioned to leverage emerging trends that prioritise holistic health and wellbeing.

The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has released its annual Future of Wellness report, revealing key trends that will shape the industry in 2025. These insights not only highlight the ongoing divergence within wellness practices

but also provide opportunities for therapists to adapt their services to meet the changing needs of their clients. Here’s a closer look at these trends and how they can inform your complementary therapy practice.

THE RISE OF ANALOGUE WELLNESS

In a world dominated by technology, the Analog Wellness trend is a refreshing countermovement. As people seek to disconnect from the pervasive online environment, they are gravitating towards slower, low-tech lifestyles. This shift is an invitation for complementary therapists to promote and facilitate analogue experiences - think nature therapy, art workshops, and community gatherings that

prioritise face-to-face interactions. By incorporating these elements into your practice, you can help clients reclaim their mental well-being away from screens and distractions.

SAUNA REIMAGINED

The ancient practice of sauna use is experiencing a renaissance, with innovative approaches that focus on community and social interaction. As a complementary therapist, consider integrating sauna therapy into your offerings. This can include guided group sessions that encourage bonding and emotional sharing, enhancing the therapeutic benefits of heat and relaxation. Saunas can also serve as a space for mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork, making them a versatile tool in your wellness repertoire.

WELLNESS ON THE LINE

Travellers are increasingly seeking slower, more mindful journeys, leading to an explosion of creative wellness experiences on cruises and rail journeys. This trend emphasises the importance of holistic wellness in travel, and as a therapist, you can collaborate with travel companies to design workshops or wellness programs on these journeys. Think yoga sessions at sea, mindfulness practices during train rides, or nutrition workshops that enhance the travel experience.

AUGMENTED BIOLOGY

The fusion of body and machine is no longer the realm of science fiction. The Augmented Biology trend explores how advancements in technology

can enhance human capabilities. Complementary therapists can stay ahead of this trend by incorporating biofeedback tools and wearable technology into their practices. Understanding how these tools can complement traditional will position you as a forward-thinking practitioner in an evolving industry.

ADDRESSING THE SUPPLEMENT PARADOX

As the supplement market continues to expand, the need for trust and transparency has become paramount. As a complementary therapist, you can guide clients in navigating this complex landscape, recommending high-quality, sciencebacked supplements that align with their wellness goals. Educating your clients on the importance of quality over quantity will help build trust and empower them to make informed choices. F

FOCUSING ON TEEN WELLNESS

With the mental health crisis among teenagers reaching alarming levels, the wellness industry is stepping up to address their unique needs. As a complementary therapist, you have the opportunity to create dedicated programs that cater speci cally to teens. Whether it’s mindfulness workshops, creative expression sessions, or holistic therapies tailored to their developmental stages, your expertise can play a crucial role in fostering resilience and emotional wellbeing in young people.

TACKLING ADDICTION THROUGH WELLNESS

The wellness industry is beginning to confront the stigma surrounding addiction, paving the way for a new category of services focused on harm reduction and recovery. This presents an opportunity for complementary therapists to develop programs that support individuals on their journey to wellness. Consider o ering workshops on mindfulness, stress reduction, and holistic approaches to recovery, helping clients navigate their paths in a compassionate and supportive environment.

WATERSHED WELLNESS

As the spa and wellness industries grapple with the global water crisis, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable practices.

INFORMATION

As a complementary therapist, you can advocate for and implement eco-friendly practices within your services. This may include promoting water conservation techniques in your community, using water wisely in treatments, or even integrating hydrotherapy into your o erings, all while raising awareness about the importance of water sustainability.

REDEFINING WORK AND LONGEVITY

With an aging workforce and a growing emphasis on wellness in the workplace, complementary therapists have a key role in rede ning how work and health intersect. Consider approaching businesses to develop programs tailored to older employees that focus on stress management, physical health, and emotional resilience. By addressing the speci c needs of this demographic, you can help create healthier workplace environments and new business opportunities.

THE MIDDLE EAST’S WELLNESS AMBITIONS

The Middle East is emerging as a leader in wellness, driven by national initiatives focused on preventative healthcare and sustainability. For complementary therapists, this is an exciting opportunity to connect with global wellness trends. Consider expanding your practice to include culturally relevant therapies or collaborate with wellness destinations in the region to bring your expertise to a broader audience.

The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) is a lightning rod for innovative thinking, ground-breaking research and productive networking which joins together the leading minds in the business of wellness and prevention across all eleven sectors of the multi-trillion dollar wellness economy. GWS also hosts regular virtual gatherings, including Wellness Master Classes and collaborative Wellness Sector Spotlights. The 19th Annual Global Wellness Summit will take place this year in Abu Dhabi from November 18 -21. For further details visit: globalwellnesssummit.com

Spring Wellness

Essential Vitamins and Minerals for a Vibrant Season.

Janey Loves S

pring is nature’s way of hitting the refresh button. As the world bursts back to life with blooming owers, longer days, and renewed energy, it’s the perfect time to nourish your body with the right vitamins and minerals to support overall health and wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to boost energy levels, improve skin radiance, or enhance immunity, nature provides everything you need to thrive this season.

ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS FOR SPRING VITALITY

Just as we adjust our skincare and routines with the change in seasons, our bodies also require di erent nutrients to stay balanced and energized. Here are some of the top vitamins and minerals to focus on this spring:

VITAMIN B12: THE ENERGY BOOSTER

After a long winter, many of us feel sluggish and in need of a natural pick-me-up. Vitamin B12 is essential for energy production, brain function, and red blood cell formation. A de ciency can lead to fatigue and low mood—something no one wants as the weather brightens! Nature Provides o ers highquality B12 supplements that are easily absorbed, making them an excellent choice for keeping energy levels high throughout the season.

MOUNTAIN BLOOD: NATURE’S IRON-RICH SUPERFOOD

Iron is crucial for maintaining healthy blood oxygen levels, and if you’ve been feeling a little drained, it could be due to low iron stores. ‘Mountain Blood,’ a potent natural iron supplement derived from pure, mineralrich sources, can help replenish your body’s iron levels, supporting stamina and overall vitality. Unlike synthetic supplements, it’s easily absorbed and gentle on the stomach, making it a great choice for natural health enthusiasts.

VITAMIN C: THE GLOW-ENHANCER

A radiant complexion starts from within, and vitamin C is a must-have for glowing skin. Known for its immuneboosting properties, vitamin C also plays a key role in collagen production, helping to maintain rm and youthful-looking skin. Look for whole-food sources of vitamin C, such as camu camu or acerola cherry powders, to get the most bene ts from this essential nutrient.

SKIN FOOD: GIVE YOUR SKIN SOME TLC

If you’ve ever tried Weleda’s Skin Food, you know why it’s a cult favourite. This ultra-rich moisturizer, made with calendula, chamomile, and sun ower seed oil, is a lifesaver for dry skin transitioning into spring. It works wonders as an overnight treatment, a natural highlighter, or even a hand cream. The brand is known for biodynamic farming, meaning their ingredients are grown in harmony with nature—no synthetic pesticides, just pure plant power.

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your health, nourish your body, soothe your skin and embrace the vibrant energy of the season. With the right vitamins, minerals, and

natural skincare, you can step into spring feeling revitalized and ready to enjoy all that this beautiful time of year has to o er.

Acupuncture in Sports Medicine

Acupuncture has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating professional athletes by reducing pain, accelerating recovery, and enhancing overall performance through improved flexibility and mental clarity.

In the fast-paced world of athletics, where performance and recovery go hand in hand, athletes constantly seek ways to gain a competitive edge. From elite sports professionals to weekend warriors, maximizing athletic potential has become a priority. In recent years, the integration of acupuncture for sports performance has emerged as a powerful approach in achieving these goals. Acupuncture, alongside other forms of Asian medicine, has proven to enhance physical resilience, expedite recovery, and support mental focus – all essential components for athletic success.

WHY ACUPUNCTURE FOR SPORTS PERFORMANCE?

Acupuncture has roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it’s been practiced for thousands of years to promote overall well-being, balance, and pain relief. In acupuncture, thin needles are inserted into specific points on the body, known as acupoints, which are believed to stimulate energy flow or “Qi.” For athletes, this stimulation translates into improved circulation, pain reduction, and faster muscle recovery, making acupuncture for an invaluable tool for unlocking athletic potential.

KEY BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE

Enhanced Blood Flow and Oxygenation

The primary function of acupuncture in sports is to improve blood flow, which is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscle tissues. Better blood circulation aids in quicker recovery after intense physical exertion, as it helps remove metabolic waste products and reduce muscle fatigue. Athletes who incorporate acupuncture in sports benefit from faster muscle recovery and reduced soreness, allowing them to return to training sooner and with less discomfort.

Pain Management and Inflammation

Reduction

For athletes, managing pain and reducing inflammation are crucial aspects of training and recovery. Acupuncture has a unique analgesic effect, which triggers the release of endorphins and activates the nervous system’s natural painrelief mechanisms. This makes acupuncture a preferred alternative to medications that can have side effects. The strategic placement of needles in key areas helps minimize inflammation in muscles and joints, promoting a natural, non-invasive approach to pain relief.

Faster Recovery from Injuries

Injuries are an unfortunate reality in sports. Whether it’s a sprain, strain, or tendonitis, acupuncture can help expedite the healing process by triggering the body’s natural responses to injury. Acupuncture points around injured areas stimulate blood flow and promote tissue regeneration. For example, athletes dealing with tendonitis in the shoulder or knee can benefit from targeted acupuncture, which reduces swelling and alleviates pain. By aiding recovery, acupuncture helps athletes get back to their peak condition faster than traditional methods alone.

Mental Focus and Stress Relief

In high-pressure sports environments, maintaining mental focus and managing stress are as important as physical endurance. Acupuncture has been shown to positively affect serotonin and dopamine levels, hormones responsible for mood regulation and stress relief. By promoting relaxation and mental clarity, acupuncture helps athletes stay focused and maintain composure under pressure, allowing them to perform optimally.

Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion

Flexibility is key for injury prevention and optimal performance, especially in sports that require dynamic, high-speed movements. Acupuncture relieves tension in muscle groups and releases tightness in the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles. This, in turn, improves flexibility and range of motion, which are essential for sports like gymnastics, running, and martial arts. Athletes who use acupuncture can experience increased fluidity and balance, allowing them to execute complex movements more efficiently.

Acupuncture targets specific acupoints based on the athlete’s unique physical demands and needs. In some cases, techniques such as dry needling or electroacupuncture are used, where a mild electrical current is passed through the needles to further stimulate the muscles. These variations enhance the traditional acupuncture method, particularly when addressing deep muscle pain or injuries from overuse.

• Microtrauma Stimulation: The insertion of needles creates microtrauma in the tissues, prompting the body to engage its natural healing processes. This not only encourages tissue repair but also strengthens muscle resilience and durability.

• Endorphin Release and Pain Modulation: By activating endorphin release, acupuncture provides pain relief that can help athletes manage both acute and chronic pain without reliance on medications.

• Inflammation Reduction: Acupuncture decreases pro-inflammatory markers in the body, making it an excellent therapy for athletes struggling with ongoing inflammation in highimpact areas.

Acupuncture is often paired with cupping therapy, another ancient practice that has gained

popularity in the sports world. Cupping involves placing suction cups on specific areas, creating a vacuum that enhances blood flow to the muscles. This increase in circulation helps remove toxins and promotes healing, making cupping a powerful complement to acupuncture.

One of the major benefits of cupping is its ability to release tightness in the fascia, which helps reduce muscle stiffness and enhances flexibility. For athletes engaged in intense physical training, the combination of acupuncture and cupping provides a well-rounded approach to addressing muscle soreness, joint stiffness, and flexibility issues.

...increase in circulation helps remove toxins and promotes healing, making cupping a powerful complement to acupuncture.

Acupuncture offers a holistic and effective way for athletes to reach their full potential. By addressing both the physical and mental aspects of athleticism, acupuncture enables athletes to stay at the top of their game without the dependency on medications or invasive procedures. With benefits like improved recovery times, better pain management, enhanced flexibility, and increased mental focus, acupuncture provides a comprehensive approach to athlete wellness.

As the sports industry continues to shift toward holistic and natural methods, acupuncture is set to become an integral part of athletic training and recovery routines.

Industry-Leading Training for Health & Wellness Professionals

Breeze Academy is a globally trusted, accredited training provider, rated fi ve stars for our industry-leading CPD courses. We have helped thousands of professionals elevate their careers and o er more to their clients through expert-led online and face-to-face training.

UPCOMING COURSE DATES

21-22 April Keighley

29-30 April West London

6-7 May Southampton

10-11 May London

22-23 May Birmingham

31May - 1 June Newcastle

More dates and locations are available on our website.

OUR COURSES INCLUDE

• Acupuncture & Dry Needling

• Level 3 & 4 Sports Massage Training

• Clinical Yoga Teacher Training

ENTRY LEVEL ACUPUNCTURE

–

EXPAND YOUR TREATMENT

OPTIONS

Are you looking to o er more to your clients and broaden your skills? As a complementary therapist, you can expand your treatment portfolio with our Entry Level Acupuncture Course – no

prior acupuncture experience required. This course teaches safe and e ective acupuncture techniques for:

• Stress, anxiety, and general well-being

• Relaxation and immune enhancement

• Women’s health, including hot ushes, period pain, brain fog, and bloating

• Lethargy and fatigue

Designed for experienced health and wellness practitioners, this course also provides a pathway to our Foundation Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course, where you will advance into pain management and develop your own treatment protocols.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

“One of the best courses I’ve been to - good people and a great instructor. The best part is, that for clients who haven’t had results with other treatment plans, acupuncture has been the rst thing that has made them feel a positive di erence. I am so glad that I decided to take part in this course which has taught me valuable skills – onto the advanced acupuncture course next!”

At Breeze Academy, we also o er Sports Massage Training to help you build a rewarding career in sports therapy.

Our Level 3 Sports Massage Course is designed for complete beginners, transforming them into con dent and skilled practitioners. Led by experts in education, sports therapy, and physiotherapy, this course blends the best of online learning with engaging, hands-on face-to-face training. Graduates leave not only quali ed but also well-prepared to stand out in the industry.

Looking to integrate yoga into your practice? Our Clinical Yoga Teacher Training teaches you how to tailor yoga for rehabilitation, injury prevention, and improved client outcomes—making it a valuable addition to your skill set.

BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY at www.breeze.academy or simply scan the QR code.

Ancient Manifestation Secrets

Bestselling author and award-winning health & wellness infl uencer, George Lizos shares his 5-step process that you can use to manifest your desires and purpose.

Rather than a quick formula for instant manifestation, this ve-step process is, instead, a long-term framework for your manifestation journey, that you get to use and improve on throughout your life. Therefore, use the practices in the ve-step process consistently, to inspire, reorganize, and optimize your manifestation practice, so that you

make conscious manifestation a part of who you are and what you do.

Here are the ve steps to the manifestation process:

1. Raise Your Vibration

2. Clarify Your Desires

3. Release Your Limiting Beliefs

4. Nurture the Energy of Your Desires

5. Take Inspired Action

To begin with, you’ll start by raising your overall vibrational frequency so that you can be a match to the vibration of the Universe and your inner being. As your vibration rises, you’ll be able to receive guidance as to the desires that are aligned to your life purpose, rather than desires drawn from your ego and a state of disconnection from your true self. Simultaneously, your high vibration will bring you into alignment with your desires so you can immediately start the process of manifesting them. When we start raising our vibration and following our purpose, we trigger fears and limiting beliefs that come up to sabotage the process. At this stage of the manifestation journey, you’ll learn how to proactively identify and release the fears and limiting beliefs that keep you stuck.

The fourth step of the process involves nurturing the energy of your desires. You’ll learn powerful energetic processes to turn your desires and yourself into powerful vibrational magnets that attract supportive people, spirit guides, and other cooperative components to bring your desires and purpose to life. This process goes beyond raising your overall vibration to raising the vibration of your speci c

e key to a successful meditation lies in achieving complete relaxation of both your mind and body.

desires too. The nal step of the process has to do with balancing your masculine and feminine energy, so you can receive inspired guidance as to the action steps you need to take to bring your desires to life. You’ll learn the importance of becoming a cooperative component in the manifestation process and joining the Universe in a collaborative e ort to manifest your desires.

Many manifestation practices will take you on deep meditation journeys. Before you engage in these meditations, it’s important that you follow the meditation prep process of relaxing, centring, and grounding. All three steps are of vital importance for both the e ectiveness of the processes and your safety when practising these meditations.

The key to a successful meditation lies in achieving complete relaxation

of both your mind and body. The guided visualizations you’ll practise will take you on inner journeys, enabling you to connect with spiritual energies and engage with the spiritual realm. This necessitates a gentle surrender of your physical presence, allowing your inner essence to assume control, a state facilitated by conscious relaxation.

To begin with, sit or lie down in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Continue by relaxing the top of your head, and then gently progress downward, covering every inch of your body. Avoid rushing this process; instead, concentrate on fully relaxing each body part, i.e., your eyes, cheeks, and jaw. Once you’ve reached the soles of your feet, take three deep breaths, exhaling as if you’re transforming into a limp, wet noodle. I’ve discovered this visualization to be highly e ective in releasing any lingering physical tension, allowing complete surrender.

With your body at ease, turn your attention to calming your mind. It may be challenging to completely empty your mind of thoughts, so pro-vide it with something small to focus on, such as the rhythmic ticking of a clock or

the steady beat of your heart. Should random thoughts intrude, acknowledge them brie y and then gently release them. The objective is to minimize mental chatter as much as possible. Centring is about ensuring that all your bodies - your physical, mental, emotional, and other subtle bodiesoccupy the same space within you. Frequently, our physical body may be physically present, but our mind drifts elsewhere, and our emotions reside in a di erent place altogether. When we’re not centred, our energy eld weakens, leaving us susceptible to energetic and spiritual disturbances.

Follow these steps to centre yourself:

• Find a comfortable seated position and gently close your eyes.

• Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing the breath to descend into your belly, then exhale completely until your lungs are empty.

• Check in with your physical body to ensure its relaxed and not holding on to any tension. If you notice tension, use the wet noodle process taught above to relax your body fully.

• Once your physical body is fully at ease, turn your mental gaze to your emotional body, the second layer of your aura, which is essentially your emotional core. With each breath,

focus on your prevailing emotions, simply acknowledging them and allowing them to be. Acknowledging them is enough to centre your emotional body.

• Shift your attention to the mental body, the third layer of your aura, and follow the same process. Acknowledge any thoughts that arise in your mind and then allow them to pass without attachment.

• Envision the remaining four layers of your aura, the spiritual layers, using your mind’s eye. These layers may be a bit more elusive, but all you need to do to centre them is to continue breathing while visualizing them naturally arranging themselves around your physical body.

• Mindfully recognize all seven layers, or bodies, of your aura. Now, direct your focus to the centre of your heart and visualize your heart chakra acting as a magnetic force, drawing all seven layers toward it. Your heart, as the

point of convergence between your physical and spiritual aspects, serves as the anchor for your centred state.

• Once you sense that you are fully present, centred, and focused, take a few more deep breaths and gently open your eyes.

Grounding is the practice of establishing an energetic link with the earth, and it’s important for several key reasons: Firstly, the earth is a powerful energy protector. When you ground yourself, you tap into its stabilizing energy, which grants you greater control over your own energy. Secondly, maintaining this connection during meditation o ers a continuous ow of vital life-force energy, which puri es and recalibrates your energy eld. Lastly, having an energetic tie to the earth allows excess energy that your body cannot manage to dissipate, preventing overwhelm during meditation journeys and facilitating your ability to comprehend and interpret the insights you receive.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO GROUND YOURSELF:

• Find a comfortable seated position and gently close your eyes.

• After achieving a centred state, shift your focus to your root chakra, located at the base of your spine. You can imagine it as a radiant sphere of ruby-red light. This chakra governs your connection to the physical world and the earth, making it the primary chakra for grounding.

• Visualize an energetic cord extending from your root chakra, descending deep into the earth beneath you. Envision this cord delving through layers of soil, passing caverns and crystalline mountains, and penetrating the earth’s crust, nally reaching the core, resembling a massive red crystal.

• Allow this cord to naturally wrap itself securely around the earth’s core, mirroring the appearance of your own root chakra.

• With your connection to the earth’s core established, visualize all stress, tension, and negativity owing out of your various bodies through this cord, into the earth. Imagine this energy being absorbed and transformed by the earth. At the same time, envision healing and grounding energy from the earth ascending through the cord into your physical body, revitalizing and grounding you.

• Maintain this state for as long as it feels appropriate, and, when you’re ready to conclude, take deep breaths as you gradually open your eyes, experiencing a sense of groundedness and vitality.

George Lizos is a spiritual teacher and intuitive healer, passionate about helping lightworkers to follow their purpose of creating positive change in the world. George has been named one of the top 50 health and wellness in uencers by Health Blog Awards. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Metaphysical Sciences, a BSc in Human Geography with a focus on sacred geographies, and an MSc in Psychology.

Based in Cyprus, George runs a thriving, online international community of empaths, lightworkers, and spiritual leaders within the Your Spiritual Toolkit Facebook group. Grab George’s free Life Purpose Workbook at http://georgelizos.com/lifepurpose

Learn more about the power of manifestation in his new book Ancient Manifestation Secrets: Working with the 7 Laws of the Universe to Manifest Your Life and Purpose published by Findhorn Press available from innertraditions.com or amazon.co.uk

Morning blue light therapy improves sleep and activity

Blue-enriched light can improve sleep quality and daily activity in older adults living at home, according to new research from the University of Surrey.

Researchers found that this type of light therapy led to greater daytime activity, earlier bedtimes, regular sleep patterns and improved sleep quality, o ering a promising, non-pharmacological approach to address age-related sleep challenges.

white light for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, over an 11-week period. Researchers carefully monitored sleep patterns and activity levels using wearable technology and sleep diaries.

Our research shows that carefully timed light intervention can be a powerful tool for improving sleep.

The study, published in GeroScience, investigated the e ects of di erent light conditions on 36 adults aged 60 and over.

Participants self-administered both a control white light and a blue-enriched

The study found that the timing of light is crucial. They found that blue-enriched light is only bene cial in the morning, while exposure in the evening makes it more di cult to fall asleep and causes more restless nights.

Dr Daan Van Der Veen, Senior Lecturer in Sleep and Chronobiology at the University of Surrey said:

‘Our research shows that carefully timed light intervention can be a powerful tool for improving sleep and

day-to-day activity in healthy older adults. By focusing on morning blue light and maximising daytime light exposure, we can help older adults achieve more restful sleep and maintain a healthier, more active lifestyle.’

Débora Constantino, Postgraduate Research Student at the University of Surrey said: ‘We believe that this is one of the rst studies that have looked into the e ects of selfadministered light therapy on healthy older adults living independently, to help aid their sleep and daily activity. It highlights the potential for accessible and a ordable light-based therapies to address age-related sleep issues without the need for medication.’

Story Source: Materials provided by University of Surrey. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Health bene ts of elderberry juice

Elderberry juice may be a potent tool for weight management and enhancing metabolic health, according to a recent study.

A clinical trial published in the journal Nutrients found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation.

The researchers tested the e ects of elderberry on metabolic health in a randomized, placebocontrolled clinical trial with 18 overweight adults.

Participants consumed either elderberry juice or a placebo with similar colouring and taste, specially designed by North Carolina State University’s Food Innovation Lab, while maintaining a standardised diet.

reduced participants’ blood glucose levels by an average of 24%, indicating a signi cantly improved ability to process sugars following carbohydrate consumption. Results also showed a 9% decrease in insulin levels.

Additionally, results suggested that elderberry juice can enhance the body’s ability to burn fat.

Results suggested that elderberry juice can enhance the body’s ability to burn fat.

Clinical testing following the intervention showed that participants who consumed elderberry juice had signi cantly increased amounts of bene cial gut bacteria, including rmicutes and actinobacteria, and decreased amounts of harmful bacteria, such as bacteroidetes. A healthy gut microbiome is essential for nutrient absorption and supports physical and mental health.

In addition to positive microbiota changes, the elderberry intervention resulted in improved metabolism. Results showed that the elderberry juice

Participants who received the elderberry juice showed signi cantly increased fat oxidation, or the breakdown of fatty acids, after a high carbohydrate meal and during exercise.

The researchers attribute these positive e ects to elderberry’s high concentration of anthocyanins, plant-based bioactive compounds that have a variety of health bene ts, including anti-in ammatory, anti-diabetic and antimicrobial e ects.

‘Food is medicine, and science is catching up to that popular wisdom,’ Patrick Solverson, assistant professor said. ‘This study contributes to a growing body of evidence that elderberry, which has been used as a folk remedy for centuries, has numerous bene ts for metabolic as well as prebiotic health.’

Story Source: Materials provided by Washington State University. Original written by Elizabeth Chambers. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Ginger compound has potential to treat in ammatory bowel disease

An international team led by researchers at the University of Toronto has found a compound in ginger, called furanodienone (FDN), that selectively binds to and regulates a nuclear receptor involved in in ammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Through a screen to identify chemical components of ginger that bind to receptors associated with IBD, the team observed a strong interaction between FDN and the pregnane X receptor (PXR). FDN reduces in ammation in the colon by activating PXR’s ability to suppress the production of pro-in ammatory cytokines in the body. While researchers have been aware of FDN for decades, they had not determined its functions or targets in the body until now.

‘We found that we could reduce in ammation in the colons of mice through oral injections of FDN,’ said Jiabao Liu, research associate at U of T’s Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research. ‘Our discovery of FDN’s target nuclear receptor highlights the potential of complementary and integrative medicine for IBD treatment. We believe natural products may be able to regulate nuclear receptors with more precision than synthetic compounds, which could lead to alternative therapeutics that are coste ective and widely accessible.’

Story Source: Materials provided by University of Toronto. Original written by Anika Hazra. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Could smartwatches prevent the next pandemic?

Everyday smartwatches are extremely accurate in detecting viral infection long before symptoms appear, now research shows how they could potentially help stop a pandemic before it even begins.

Early detection of sickness is critical for preventing its spread - whether it’s COVID-19, in uenza or the common cold. Yet, many illnesses are at their most contagious before people even know they’re sick. Research shows that 44 percent of COVID-19 infections were spread several days before the su erer came down with symptoms.

Now, researchers at Aalto University, Stanford University and Texas A&M, have released a study that models how smartwatches could provide a simple and e ective way to dramatically minimise the unwitting spread of disease in pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic people. The research, published in the journal PNAS Nexus on March 4, reveals a powerful new tool for pandemic management.

It could be that governments find it most cost e ective in a pandemic situation.

‘Unlike during the pandemic, we now have concrete data on how pandemics develop, and how e ective di erent measures are at curbing the spread. Add to this that wearable technology is now extremely e ective when it comes to detecting the very early physiological signs of infection, and we are much better prepared,’ says Märt Vesinurm, from Aalto University in Finland.

Numerous studies have proven the accuracy of wearable devices when it comes to recognising the physiological markers of various illnesses several days before the wearer themself. For example, everyday smartwatches can tell with 88 percent accuracyfrom respiration and heart rate, skin temperature and other markers - if you’re coming down with COVID-19. And their accuracy rises to 90 percent accuracy for the u, Vesinurm says. On average, people reduce social contact between 66-90 percent from the point when they realise they’re sick, even when not in a pandemic situation.

‘Even at the lower end of compliance, if people receive and act on an earlier warning by self-isolating, the impact is signi cant. Even just a 66-75 percent reduction in social contacts soon after detection by smartwatches - keeping in mind that that’s on a par with what

you’d normally do if you had cold symptoms - can lead to a 40-65 percent decrease in disease transmission compared to someone isolating from the onset of symptoms,’ says Vesinurm.

Notably, the research shows that higher compliance, such as that seen in a pandemic situation, could e ectively stop a disease in its tracks. So, could smartwatches help us manage potential H5N1 (avian u) epidemic?

‘I see no reason why not,’ says Vesinurm. ‘As we gather more speci c data about how di erent illnesses a ect these measurements, there’s no reason we couldn’t distinguish between diseases, from bird u and HIV to the common cold, especially when used in conjunction with advanced machine learning methods and other data from the user.’

The team of researchers are the rst to take real world data from numerous peerreviewed epidemiological, biological and behavioural studies, drawing it together to mathematically model how infection spreads at a population level. Through this powerful combination of data and tech, Vesinurm foresees a future in which smartwatches change the way we deal with pandemics, at both individual and policy level.

‘It could be that governments nd it most cost e ective in a pandemic situation to provide every person who wants one with a smartwatchalthough of course, this comes with its own ethical considerations,’ says Vesinurm. ‘Either way, with early detection literally at our ngertips, I see a lot of reason to hope.’

Story Source: Materials provided by Aalto University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

“It’s amazing what you can hear when you listen with your hands.”

Most of us are taught that we hear with our ears. In CranioSacral Therapy we learn to hear with our hands Using the lightest touch, we listen to the subtlest rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid as it flows round the central nervous system. This is one of the methods we use to evaluate & treat clients to help release tensions & patterns held deep in the body.

There are five core classes starting with CST1, at venues in Brighton, London, The Midlands, Liverpool and Scotland. Get in touch - find out more

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY TRAINING

KATI KAIA JOY MEDITATION BOX

Immerse your senses with beautiful elements of organic sage, eucalyptus, cedar and palo santo, to curate your ritual space with pure joy! Spearmint to lift your mood, orange to ease and attract and myrrh to ground your base, opening your energy lines up to accepting positivity and joy! Each gift set comes with our online meditation course to get you started on your journey to peaceful practices.

RRP: £52 | warrioraddict.com

The Power of Purpose

Wellness products that nourish the mind, body, and spirit.

EYE PILLOW WITH FLORAL DESIGN BY HELEN ROUND

V&A GM SHELL HAIRPIN

This elegant hair accessory is perfect for keeping tresses in place. Conch shell craft is one of the oldest folk crafts of West Bengal, practised by the Shankhari community with skills passed down through generations.

Relax with this lovely duck egg blue linen eye pillow, perfect for yoga, meditation or simply for relaxation at home. This gently lavender-scented eye pillow is beautifully crafted to sit comfortably across your eyes, warming and soothing tired eyes and helping you to unwind.

RRP: £16 | vam.ac.uk

With a pure linen removable cover and a gorgeous natural oral design from our Garden Collection. Each pillow cover is screen printed, using water based inks and is handcrafted by local makers in Cornwall. Covers are machine washable at 30 degrees. The inner pillow is made from unbleached calico, lled with organic British wheat and scented lavender. It ts snugly inside it’s 100% pure linen envelope.

RRP: £19 | helenround.com

AMNESTY VANILLA LIP BALM

Natural, vegan vanilla lip balm, handmade in Scotland exclusively for Amnesty International UK. Enjoy the protective blend of jojoba and castor, shea and cocoa butter with vitamin E to make your lips feel good and healthy on the go. Free from parabens, triclosan, phthalates, mineral oils, palm oil, animal testing, GMOs and arti cial colours. Made in the UK. Packaged in recyclable aluminium.10ml. RRP: £5.95 | amnestyshop.org.uk

DAISY SHAPED WAX MELTS

Brighten your space with these handmade daisy-shaped wax melts, a perfect blend of beauty and fragrance. Each melt is carefully crafted to resemble a delicate daisy, adding a touch of charm to your wax warmer while lling your space with long-lasting, delightful scents. Available in a variety of fragrances ranging from uplifting orals and refreshing citrus to cozy, warm aromas, there’s a scent to match every mood and season. Eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and handmade with love. RRP: £5.99 samrahcreations.co.uk

LUNA MOTH DOUBLE WALLED GLASS MUG WITH CRYSTAL INFUSER

Sip your tea in style with this glass mug with a double-walled design to provide insulation and to ensure beverages stay hot or cold. The mug features an elegant luna moth design and comes with a clear quartz crystal tea infuser to allow loose leaf tea to steep naturally while infusing your water with the soothing energy of the clear quartz. 100% of the net pro ts made from every sale help to provide care and support to all those a ected by cancer. RRP: £12.99 | shop.tenovuscancercare.org.uk

GEMSTONE

DIFFUSER

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SAMSKARA HEMP YOGA MAT

Elephants are leaders by birth. They are strong, powerful and wise, but they are also gentle, patient and friendly. This combination of traits makes them ideal leaders. So, as you step on to your Samskara Yoga Mat, summon the leader within. 100% Eco-friendly, plant based and vegan product hemp padding for optimal grip. Provides good cushioning for the joints and non-slip performance. Free from harmful silicone, phthalates and harmful chemicals. Sweat wicking makes it good for hot yoga. Size: 24W x 72L Inch. Thickness: 3mm. Weight 1,9 kg. RRP: £85 thepositive.co

A beautiful, unique essential oil di user. Combining natural hand-blended essential oils with your choice of precious gemstone. Each contains enough essential oil to provide ve or six months of calming, refreshing scent. Agate eliminates negative energies and has a powerful cleansing e ect on your spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. Black Obsidian is a glass-like rock that forms from cool volcanic lava. This stone complements Agate as it also has powerful properties that help shield against negativity. This is especially rewarding if disharmony has built up in your day to day life or work environment RRP: £45 norfolknatural living.com

Could you be an award winner?

The 10th Platinum Awards for Natural Products and Services is now open!

For a decade, we’ve celebrated the impact of natural health and wellbeing. In 2025, there’s an even greater opportunity to showcase products and services that support physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. There is a category for therapists and practitioners.

Hosted by Janey Lee Grace, these awards go beyond beauty and skincare – they champion health, body, mind, and soul. We welcome businesses of all sizes, from

emerging brands to established names. This year’s judging panel includes Jo Wood, Carrie Grant, and Glynis Barber, alongside Janey. Winners will gain exceptional exposure, including features on Janey’s Alcohol Free Life podcast (2.5M+ downloads). Plus, the Hello Beautiful Foundation will host a special pop-up shop and winner’s event in September.

We’re looking for outstanding brands, authors, and practitioners. Get involved early and boost your visibility!

Enter now: platinumawards.co.uk

Complementary and Integrative Health Summit returns to London

The IHCAN Summit returns for 2025 with a stellar line-up of internationally recognised and respected speakers tackling the hottest topics in complementary and integrated health and nutrition. Leading experts in functional and integrative healthcare will bring you cutting-edge insights you won’t nd anywhere else. Headlining the event is Dr David Unwin, an award-winning GP renowned for pioneering the low-carb approach in the UK. In his brand-new IHCAN presentation, Dr. Unwin will explore how lowcarb nutrition impacts liver health, a crucial topic as fatty liver disease continues to rise globally. Joining him is Dr Sally Moorcroft, who will share her functional medicine approach to women’s hormone health – covering perimenopause, menopause, PCOS, and endometriosis – to provide a comprehensive view of hormonal imbalances and their solutions.

Elliot Overton, a functional medicine nutritionist, will dive deep into the clinical application of high-dose thiamine (vitamin B1) and its often-overlooked role in addressing functional gut disorders. Rounding out this powerhouse line-up, Dr Victoria Sampson, a leading functional dentist and researcher, will discuss her ground-breaking work in salivary diagnostics and the oral microbiome.

The IHCAN Summit takes place on Saturday 26 April at 155 Bishopsgate, London. Tickets are limited, so guarantee yours today here: ihcansummit.co.uk/ april-2025

The UK Conference of Chinese Medicine 2025

The UK Conference of Chinese Medicine 2025, hosted by the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) and the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), taking place Kents Hill Park, Milton Keynes Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, will be on the theme, Cycles of Life. This theme ties into the cycles we see in Chinese medicine, from the di erent stages of life for our patients to the changing seasons and the balance of yin and yang.

The conference promises a great mix of hands-on workshops and talks on how to adjust our

treatments for all ages, plus deep dives into Chinese medicine theory and practical diagnosis.

Elisabeth Rochat de La Vallée will be a keynote speaker, who’ll share her insights on the character Jie and the phases of pregnancy. The conference will also cover a range of topics, from treating children with ADHD to supporting older patients through menopause and complex health conditions. You’ll nd plenty of practical advice, including diagnostic sessions and a chance to learn how Chinese medicine theory applies to everyday clinic challenges. There will also be engaging panel discussions on paediatrics, geriatrics, and even how to approach retirement as a practitioner.

The conference will take place at the

beautiful Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes, a peaceful spot with plenty of greenery. The venue o ers a ordable accommodation, plus fantastic facilities like a gym, swimming pool, and sauna to help you unwind. It’s a great chance to connect with fellow practitioners – whether you’re a student or have years of experience – and to celebrate the BAcC’s 30th anniversary with a celebration dinner. It’s all about learning, sharing, and looking forward to the future of Chinese medicine together. For further information and to purchase tickets visit: acupuncture. org.uk/ conference

Volunteering opportunities in the NHS

Barts Health NHS Trust in London is looking for complementary therapists who are willing to volunteer within the NHS. We are particularly seeking Re exologists or Massage Therapists, but will also consider Aromatherapists, Shiatsu practitioners and Bowen Therapists, Working in outpatient and inpatient clinics, you will:

• Gain extensive experience of working with NHS patients

• Gain experience working with an NHS multi-disciplinary team

• Have full access to certi cated CPD and other training free of charge, including completing a Competencies Tracker that will demonstrate that you are ready for salaried work in an NHS clinical setting.

NHS experience, and an NHS

reference may help with longer term career prospects.

If you are interested, please contact Neil Browne, Lead Clinical Therapist, for advice on how to apply at neil.browne@nhs.net or call 020 8539 5522 extension 25840.

The Cancer Information and Support Centres at the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust o er information, support and a range of complementary therapies, free of charge, to people a ected by cancer in a friendly, relaxing environment. The aim of the therapies is to try and reduce stress and anxiety and enable people to relax and it is a real opportunity to support people who are going through a very di cult period in their lives.

We have two centres: The Macmillan Butter y Centre (MBC) at

Epsom Hospital and the Cancer Information and Support Centre at St Helier Hospital.

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteer complementary therapists who are registered with the CNHC and have at least one years’ post quali cation experience in Massage Therapy, Yoga Therapy, Re exology or Aromatherapy. Training, induction and ongoing support will be provided and all travel costs paid. Therapists work as part of a team supporting people a ected by cancer.

We require at least 18 months to two years commitment in these voluntary roles.

For more information, please call Tarlika Patel, Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Manager on 01372 735456 or email tarlika.patel@nhs.net

As the demand for massage equipment continues to rise, innovative technological solutions are emerging as valuable alternatives or enhancements to traditional hands-on therapy. For individuals who prefer not to be touched or face various barriers to accessing conventional services, these advancements provide a new and comfortable way to experience the therapeutic benefits of massage.

Tech-assisted massage tools encompass a range of devices, including electric massagers, percussion therapy guns, infrared heating pads, and massage chairs

Embracing Technology

How tech-assisted massage is revolutionising the industry, but is it worth the investment?

equipped with advanced features. These tools leverage technology to provide targeted relief, facilitate faster recovery, and enhance the overall effectiveness of traditional massage techniques. With clients increasingly looking for comprehensive wellness solutions, incorporating such tools can differentiate a massage therapy practice in a crowded market.

Tech-assisted tools can augment a therapist’s skills, enabling them to deliver more effective treatments. Devices like percussion massagers can relieve muscle tension and soreness, allowing therapists to focus on deeper tissue work or specific problem areas.

The combination of traditional techniques with advanced technology can yield better results, leading to higher client satisfaction and retention rates.

Incorporating tech-assisted tools can streamline the massage process, allowing therapists to cover more ground in less time. For example, using a heated massage chair can prepare the client’s muscles before manual manipulation, reducing the time needed for the therapist to achieve optimal relaxation. This efficiency allows therapists to see more clients in a day, directly increasing revenue without compromising the quality of care.

While massage therapy has been practiced for centuries and offers numerous benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone. Recent advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the wellness industry, addressing these challenges by providing innovative alternatives for those seeking different forms of massage. Here’s how technology is improving the massage experience for some.

Massage therapy involves a complex array of techniques designed to relax muscles and relieve tension. For instance, lymphatic drainage requires specific movement patterns executed precisely to ensure safe and effective results. When performed by untrained individuals, massage can lead to unintended harm, as can the use of home devices like massage guns, which, while helpful, cannot replicate the comprehensive treatment provided by a skilled professional.

Robotic massagers offer a fresh perspective. These devices mimic traditional massage techniques using sophisticated sensors and algorithms that assess the body and determine the most appropriate actions for each individual. For example, Flexiv has integrated a soft silicone heated

The combination of traditional techniques with advanced technology can yield better results, leading to higher client satisfaction and retention rates.

massage tool into its Rizon 4 robotic arm, utilising computer vision and AI to accurately locate the spine and key muscle groups. This system replicates the techniques of Chinese deep tissue massage while dynamically adjusting settings throughout the session.

At Robosculptor, they have developed an autonomous robotic system specifically designed for precise aesthetic treatments. Their AIpowered software instantly recognizes body contours and customizes protocols for each patient. Equipped with a manipulator arm, adjustable couch, and flexible spheres, our system prioritizes comfort and effectiveness.

The development of such technologies is crucial for the market. Robotics can enhance the quality of massage by delivering precise and customizable mechanical stimulation in a controlled environment, offering both physical and mental health benefits. Furthermore, they can help address the global shortage of skilled massage therapists. Another exciting application of AI in massage therapy is augmented reality (AR). Gharieni, a manufacturer of spa equipment, has developed a massage table integrated with sensors that monitor the therapist’s movements in real-time, capturing details such as position and speed. Virtual reality (VR) technology also has the potential to transform the massage experience. Before its closure due to the pandemic, Esqapes pioneered VR-augmented massage centres where clients could immerse themselves in various virtual environments during their treatments. The company combined proprietary software, VR hardware, automated massage programs, and traditional wellness techniques.

With advancements like the Apple Vision Pro, the industry may continue to expand in this direction. In the future, individuals might be able to engage in virtual environments that simulate massage, customized to their preferences, offering a sensory-rich alternative to traditional therapy.

Implementing Tech-Assisted Tools in Your Practice.

To successfully integrate techassisted massage tools into a therapy practice, therapists should consider the following steps:

• Research and Invest Wisely:

Choose tools that align with your treatment philosophy and the needs of your clientele. Invest in high-quality, reputable devices that have been clinically tested for efficacy.

• Educate Clients: Inform clients about the benefits of tech-assisted treatments during their sessions. Providing demonstrations can help clients understand how these tools can enhance their experience and results.

• Market Effectively: Use social media, newsletters, and your website to promote new services and tools.

Highlight client testimonials and beforeand-after results to showcase the effectiveness of these treatments.

• Train Staff:

Ensure that all therapists are trained in the use of new technologies. This ensures consistency in service delivery and maximizes the benefits of the tools.

Tech-assisted massage tools represent a significant opportunity for massage therapists to enhance their practices, improve client outcomes, and increase profitability. By embracing these innovations, therapists can differentiate themselves in a competitive market, attract new clients, and foster lasting relationships with existing ones. As the wellness industry continues to advance, those who adapt and integrate technology into their services may reap the benefits of a thriving massage therapy business.

Online Oncology Massage Training Course

Oncology massage is a specialized branch of massage that focuses on providing safe and e ective therapeutic and relaxation massage for those living with a cancer diagnosis. It involves advanced education and training that enables therapists to adapt and modify care to accommodate the unique needs of their clients.

FULLY ACCREDITED ONCOLOGY TRAINING FOR MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS

• Award winning training course providing oncology guidelines and practices for massage practitioners.

• Adapt and modify your approach to be able to treat patients with cancer.

• Training suitable for all massage therapists and healthcare professionals – either in private practice, or for those working in hospitals or hospices.

• Fully CPD accredited online training.

• Gain insurance to be able to practice from our list of recognised Insurers.

• Join our Therapist Register and apply for hands on clinical practice.

ONCOLOGY MASSAGE TRAINING COURSE DETAILS

The Butter y Touch Therapy award winning online oncology massage training course, has been designed to provide a positive learning experience. The course is suitable for all kinds of learning styles, and combine interactive learning and assessment using a variety of media. You will hear audios of cancer patients experiences throughout their cancer diagnosis and care and you will follow videos showing the various techniques as part of the hands-on practical. This all provides a very powerful learning experience for the therapist. This online oncology training program consists of 5 sections.

• PART 1: Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care for Massage

• PART 2: Connecting with the Patient

• PART 3: The Patient’s Journey

• PART 4: Guidelines and Best Practices

• PART 5: Practical with video’s and assessments

Additional Resources: You will be able to access a course booklet to print o at the beginning of each section allowing you to record information.

There are also additional practical hand-outs throughout the course which can be added to your booklet to create a portfolio of evidence for your future reference.

This course is to be taken at your own time and convenience. Total duration for one modality is typically between 8 hours to 12 hours.

COURSE ACCREDITED BY Complementary Therapists Association.

ONCOLOGY MASSAGE TRAINING COURSE PREREQUISITES

Level 3 Diploma.

ONCOLOGY MASSAGE TRAINING COURSE COMPLETION

Upon successful completion of the course, Massage Practitioners (who meet the required course prerequisite) will receive a CPD certi cate in Complementary Therapies in Cancer for Massage. You will also be eligible to apply for insurance that will allow you to extend your massage skills for patients diagnosed with cancer. Additionally all therapists will be invited to join our ‘Therapist Register’.

PLEASE NOTE: Healthcare Professionals who do not meet the course prerequisite requirement, will receive a CPD Certi cate in Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care. This training will not provide you with a quali cation to practice as a Complementary Therapist.

INFORMATION

For more information please visit: butter ytouchtherapies training.com

WHAT WE DO

We o er courses at all levels of knowledge starting with three-weekend Foundation Courses for beginners, followed by a one-year course, the first part of the three-year Practitioner Training.

The Bristol School of Shiatsu training courses are fully ratified and recognised by the Shiatsu Society UK. Our Three-Year Professional Practitioner Training is a ‘Level 4 Diploma in Shiatsu’ government-recognised qualification (RQF), regulated by Ofqual.

OUR APPROACH TO TEACHING SHIATSU

Our teaching emphasises an intuitive approach to Shiatsu within a framework of traditional oriental medical theory. We see Shiatsu as both an art and a science, encouraging the student’s self-development and creativity based on a firm foundation of theoretical and practical knowledge. A major focus of the school is on the development of the intuitive awareness and sensitivity of the students. At the Bristol school, we

Practice ‘Relational Shiatsu’. At the core of our training is attention to and focus on our unfolding selfawareness and resulting personal transformation. We consider that our transformation is integral to the depth and quality of the Shiatsu we give.

WHY LEARN SHIATSU AT OUR SCHOOL?

The Bristol School of Shiatsu is for individuals who wish to learn and embody the art of Shiatsu, enabling them to access holistic health for themselves and others.

OUR MISSION

UPCOMING TRAINING PROGRAMMES

Foundation Course 3 weekends (36 Hours)

2025 Spring Foundation Course April 26/27; May 24/25; & June 7/8

The Wildgoose space, Mina Road, St Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9YP

Times: Sat/Sun 10.00 - 5.00 Fee: £444 (Deposit £200)

2025 Autumn Foundation Course September 20/21; October 11/12 & November 1/2

Lam Rim, Centre for Whole Health, 12 Victoria Place, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 3BP

Times: Sat/Sun 10.00 - 5.00 Fee: £444 (Deposit £200)

To guide people in remembering our health and wholeness through the power of touch. Shiatsu is more than massage. It is a body of wisdom that comes from a rich heritage, developed to support the inherent desire of our body, spirit and mind to be whole and well through the energy of touch. When we are connected with another or others, we are more present to this inner health – the balance of which is unique to each person. There is magic and power in the space created in that connection. When we access that space, we remember our spirit and our oneness with life. This gives us connection to our health and wholeness.

Spring 2025 BOOK CASE

THE HERBAL DOG

Holistic Canine Herbalism Applications and Practice

By Rita Hogan, C.H.

In this comprehensive guide to holistic care for dogs, clinical canine herbalist

Rita Hogan explains that by looking at dogs as individual ecosystems with unique personalities, physiology, and needs, we can select effective and personalized herbal remedies to support their constitutions and provide relief from many different ailments.

Hogan, who has spent more than two decades working with canines, uses energetic principles (cool, warm, dry, damp) to reveal how herbs are not "one size fits all" and how to find the root cause of chronic imbalances. She discusses in depth how a dog’s main organ systems work, how they are connected to each other, and why we need to understand them when choosing specific herbs and foods.

Presenting safe, clinically proven, and effective protocols for common canine conditions - from acid reflux to allergies to itching, scratching, and yeast Hogan presents a wide variety of holistic and herbal remedies: from herbal tinctures, glycerities, and phytoembryonics to flower essences, essential oils, medicinal mushrooms, and homeopathy.

ISBN-13: 9781644119594 | Publisher: Healing Arts Press

THE SECRET FIRE OF ALCHEMY

Kriya Yoga, Kundalini, and Shamanism

By Kevin B. Turner

Kevin Turner embarks on an aroundthe-world quest in pursuit of the secret fire of alchemical enlightenment. He shares his initiations into Kriya Yoga and Tibetan Buddhism with high-level yogis and lamas and his discovery of parallels between Western Alchemy and Eastern traditions.

Detailing his intensive studies to discover the meaning behind his spontaneous nighttime initiations, Turner finds resonance with Goethe’s alchemical quest and Descartes’ assertion that the pineal gland is the seat of the soul. Turning to Eastern traditions, the author finds exact descriptions of his experiences in books on kundalini yoga and answers to his questions about death, rebirth, and the soul’s Immortal Light in writings on Tibetan Buddhism—as well as profound parallels between the alchemists’ search for the Philosopher’s Stone and the Indo-Tibetan quest for Liberation.

Deeply personal and spiritually uplifting, Turner’s story of initiation into alchemical traditions of East and West offers insight into the initiatory process known as the "Great Work" and powerful guidance to others on the spiritual path toward enlightenment.

ISBN-13: 9798888500699 | Publisher: Inner Traditions

An Embody Professional finds some interesting reads

MYSTERIES OF THE ROUND TOWERS

The Subtle Energies of the Stone Structures of Ireland

By Christopher Freeland

Christopher Freeland examines previously unexplored yet fundamental facts common to all of the round towers, including geographic orientation, connections to underground waterways, historical records, and the magnetic polarity of the stones themselves. Explaining the basics of radiesthesia, the energetic science of dowsing, the author shows how the locations of the towers have far-reaching rami cations for the health of humans, animals, and plants in their surrounding areas. His in-person examinations reveal how systematic magnetic orientation of the stones in these towers’ walls, the unusual construction techniques of the unknown architects, and the resulting access to Earth’s telluric forces further enhance their energetic e ects. He explores the types of stone used, speculates how many towers once existed, and rmly debunks the assertion that they were built by the Church. O ering a guide to the creation and purpose of the round towers, Freeland shows that we can once again embrace the ancient wisdom of our ancestors about the ow of energy in the Earth and bring back balance and harmony through understanding Nature’s alchemy of stone, water, and magnetism.

ISBN-13: 9781591435280 | Publisher: Bear & Company

MEDICINAL LICHENS

Indigenous Wisdom and Modern Pharmacology

By Robert Dale Rogers

In Medicinal Lichens, Robert Dale Rogers explores more than 400 species of North American lichens, including full-colour photographic examples. He explains how lichens are members of the Fungi kingdom and, surprisingly, more biologically related to humans than to plants. He looks at what types of lichens we can nd in geographic regions and habitats and shows how lichens are an indicator species, revealing the health of the environment and neighbouring life forms, including that of humans. Rogers also explores each lichen chemical’s healing properties, showing how pharmacological researchers are rediscovering the ancient wisdom of lichens long known by Indigenous peoples.

Showcasing the bene ts as well as the beauty of lichens, this book demonstrates how lichens are the perfect example of strength, cooperation, and harmonious living—Indigenous wisdom with the power to inform our modern way of life.

ISBN-13: 9798888500248 | Publisher: Healing Arts Press