Natural Awakenings Charleston SC edition - May 2021

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HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Well-Being for Women top health concerns and what to do about them

Healthy Pregnancy

Holistic Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

Homeopathic Remedies for Your First-Aid Kit

Cancer in Cats Keeping Felines Healthy

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May 2021

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inspiration

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Three Steps for Facing Difficult Emotions

by Shauna Shapiro

A

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ll of us can feel the impact of these uncertain and challenging times on our hearts and in our nervous systems. While there are parts of the situation that we cannot control, that does not mean we are powerless.

When we’re up against change, uncertainty and stress, resilience is the key to navigate life and emerge with more happiness and satisfaction. We can cultivate resilience through the practices of mindfulness and compassion. Here are three key steps to finding greater clarity, calm and well-being.

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Naming our emotions. The first step is to bring mindfulness to whatever we are feeling and simply name it. Research shows that acknowledging and naming our emotions allows the body to physiologically calm down. It is helpful to remember that our emotions are here for a reason, metaphorically serving as a smoke alarm to let us know about an impending fire. Ignoring or repressing our emotions can lead to bigger problems, but mindfulness teaches us a different way to manage difficult emotions—acknowledge them and name what we feel—“name it to tame it”. When we name an emotion, it puts the brakes on our reactivity, down-regulates the nervous system and allows us to see clearly.

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Welcoming our emotions. The second step is to learn to welcome difficult emotions. Emotions have a limited time span, typically lasting for only 30 to 90 seconds. They arise, do their dance and pass away, like waves in the ocean. When we remember that this painful feeling will not last forever, it becomes more manageable. Through practice, we can learn to welcome all our emotions with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. This involves becoming interested in the emotion and the felt experience in the body. For example, we may feel sadness as a tightening in the throat or fear as a contraction in the belly. All emotions have their signature in the body.

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Compassion for ourselves and others. The final step to managing difficult emotions is to cultivate compassion. Self-compassion involves treating ourselves as we would a dear friend that is suffering. The willingness to face the pain in ourselves and in life takes great courage. As we practice self-compassion, we learn not only to grow from our own struggles and sorrows, but to connect with the sufferings and sorrows of others. We realize that we are not alone in our fear and overwhelm, and become aware of the many others right now that are also afraid. As we recognize our common humanity, our isolation begins to lessen and we understand that we are all in this together.

Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized expert in mindfulness and compassion whose most recent book is Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness & Self-Compassion Practices to Rewire the Brain for Calm Clarity and Joy. For more information, visit DrShaunaShapiro.com.

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Contents 4 Three steps for Facing difficult emotions

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10 INTEGRATIVE

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do

14 Natural Mama Holistic Approaches to a Healthy Pregnancy

16 HOMEOPATHY TO THE RESCUE

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Create a Family First-Aid Kit

18 Curbing cancer in cats

Ways to Keep a Feline Healthy

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DEPARTMENTS 4 inspiration 6 news brief 7 health briefs 9 global briefs 14 healthy kids 16 healing ways 18 natural pet 20 calendar 21 resource guide

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news brief

Dr. Allison Brown Releases First Book

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r. Allison Brown is thrilled to announce that her first book, The Journey Within: A Christian’s Guide to 14 Non-traditional Spiritual Practices, published

by Cactus Moon, is now available for purchase on Amazon. Through her wit, wisdom, and insight, Brown encourages readers to dust off their inner guidance system, reclaim their spiritual authority, and rekindle their relationship with a limitless, infinitely loving God. The Journey Within is a valuable reference guide for all seekers, serving as a one-stop-shop of spiritual tools designed to jump start the inner journey and illuminate the inward path, propelling readers into an unprecedented experience of the Divine.

If you are looking to begin exploring new ways to manifest faith and connect with the Divine, The Journey Within is an essential starting point, and Allison Brown is an incredible guide.

-Rev. Brandan J. Robertson, author of Nomad: A Spirituality for Traveling Light and Lead Pastor of Missiongathering Christian Church, San Diego, CA Bravo to Dr. Brown for having the courage to show her fellow Christians that rather than being off-limits, the practices she demystifies here hold great potential for their soul’s growth.

-Suzanne Giesemann, CDR, USN (Ret.), author of Messages of Hope Join Allison for her drop-in book launch on Saturday, May 15th from 1pm-5pm at The Treehouse, 203 Summer Lane, Moncks Corner, where you can enjoy food and freebies and purchase a signed copy of The Journey Within! Visit drallisonbrown.com for more information. See listing, page 22.

Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts. ~Paramahansa Yogananda

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health briefs

NEW CRYSTALS • DECKS JEWELRY

Avoid Coffee When Pregnant to Safeguard Brain Development

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Sip Non-Alcoholic Beer to Improve Liver Disease Non-alcoholic beer is booming, with U.S. sales up by 39 percent last year, and it now poses a health benefit as a study-proven dietary supplement for people with cirrhosis of the liver. Many nutritional supplements don’t work for such patients because of limited availability, cost, poor taste and side effects such as bloating, nausea and abdominal pain. Theorizing that non-alcoholic beer has the advantage of being inexpensive and easy to consume while having many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, Mexican researchers provided 43 liver cirrhosis patients with dietary improvements and simple exercise routines. Half the patients drank non-alcoholic beer with their meals; the control group drank water. After eight weeks, the non-alcoholic beer group showed improvements in blood vessel health, exercise performance levels and muscle mass, along with a better perceived quality of life compared to the control group.

“A clear trend towards an improvement in social function and mental health was observed in the group receiving non-alcoholic beer,” conclude the authors in World Journal of Hepatology. “Moreover, hops have been shown to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress over a four-week period, partially explaining the results found.”

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A mother’s coffee drinking during pregnancy can change important pathways in an infant’s developing brain, raising the risk of behavioral issues, attention difficulty and hyperactivity years later, say researchers at the University of Rochester, in New York.

Analyzing thousands of brain scans of 9- and 10-yearolds, researchers found clear changes in how white matter tracks, which form connections between brain regions, were organized in children whose mothers reported consuming caffeine while pregnant. “These are sort of small effects and it’s not causing horrendous psychiatric conditions, but it is causing minimal, but noticeable behavioral issues that should make us consider long-term effects of caffeine intake during pregnancy,” says John Foxe, Ph.D., principal investigator of the university’s Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study.

Previous studies have found that a fetus does not have enough of the enzyme necessary to break down caffeine when it crosses the placenta.

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health briefs

People in the “poorest of the poor” communities in which money is not a high value can feel as happy as people in high-income Scandinavian countries, concludes new research from Canada’s McGill University. For the study published in PLOS One, interviewers studied 678 people living in Bangladesh and the Solomon Islands, both extremely low-income countries. People in remote fishing villages with subsistence-level incomes reported very high levels of “subjective well-being”, which they attributed to spending lots of time with family and being in nature. Villagers that had migrated to urban areas for work were more likely to gauge their well-being by economic and social factors, and reported lower feelings of well-being, leading researchers to speculate that monetization, especially in its early stages, may be detrimental to happiness. “When people are comfortable, safe and free to enjoy life within a strong community, they are happy—regardless of whether or not they are making any money,” says Chris Barrington-Leigh, a professor at McGill’s Bieler School of the Environment.

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Don’t Rely on Money for Happiness

As convenient as store-bought baby food is, it can pose hidden dangers for infant brains, say U.S. congressional investigators. A report issued by the House of Representatives on February 4 found “dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals,” including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, in baby foods made by major companies Hain Foods, Gerber, Beech-Nut and Happy Family Organics. Walmart, Campbell Soup Company and Sprout Organic Foods refused to cooperate with the investigation. On March 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pledged to enact new standards, increase inspections and testing, and support research to lower baby food contaminants.

Low levels of exposure to heavy metals can cause serious, irreversible damage to children’s brain development, studies show. Naturally present in the environment, they enter baby foods through soil, water and air; companies attempt to minimize this impact through processing. In one example, Hain Celestial, which makes Earth’s Best Organic, says it no longer uses brown rice, which can harbor arsenic.

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Nix Baby Foods that Harbor Toxic Metals

A natural, non-pharmaceutical remedy for anxiety disorders that affect 40 million Americans is as close as our beds, say University of California at Berkeley researchers.

In Nature Human Behaviour, they reported that a sleepless night can trigger up to a 30 percent rise in anxiety levels, but a full night of slumber stabilizes emotions. The type most apt to calm and reset the anxious brain is deep sleep, also known as non-rapid eye movement, slow-wave sleep during which neural oscillations become highly synchronized and heart rate and blood pressure drop.

The researchers used brain scans to identify anxiety levels in 48 volunteers after nights of deep or restless sleep. “Without sleep, it’s almost as if the brain is too heavy on the emotional accelerator pedal without enough brake,” says the study’s senior author Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience and psychology. A second survey of 280 people online found that the amount and quality of sleep people experienced from one night to the next predicted how anxious they would feel the next day. Even subtle nightly changes in sleep affected anxiety levels.

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Sleep Deeply to Reduce Anxiety

Climbing Time

Ark Park

World’s Largest Wildlife Highway Crossing Opens in San Antonio

photo courtesy of phil hardberger park conservancy

The new Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge connects people with nature in the heart of San Antonio across a sixlane highway at Phil Hardberger Park. Private donations and a five-year bond program approved by voters helped fund the $23 million bridge, the largest wildlife crossing of its kind in the U.S. Wildlife and vehicle collisions are a big problem across the country, increasing by 50 percent in 15 years, with an estimated 1 to 2 million large animals killed by motorists every year, according to National Geographic sources.

In the U.S., 21 threatened and endangered species face extinction partly because of traffic accidents. Wildlife crossings are seen as an effective solution to the problem, with fatality reductions of up to 95 percent, depending on the location. The San Antonio bridge is notable for its size—150 feet wide and 150 feet long—and that it accommodates people, too. Animals in the 330-acre park that benefit from the bridge include ringtails, squirrels, coyotes, lizards, raccoons and deer. They are using it as intended, and it also serves as a habitat for native plants.

Critters React to Warming Temperatures in the Rockies

A 13-year study at the University of Colorado at Boulder published in the journal Ecology reveals that the popular goldenmantled ground squirrel and 46 other species of rodents and shrews in Colorado are climbing uphill to escape warming temperatures in the state. The report states that, on average, the ranges of the animals have shifted more than 400 feet in elevation since the 1980s. Montane mammals, or those already living at higher elevations like the ground squirrel, have moved up 1,100 feet on average. It‘s a significant change that could rob them of their environmental niche. The same species may be harbingers of larger and more urgent changes in the Rocky Mountains.

Colorado has warmed by nearly 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit since the 1980s because of human-caused climate change. As the state continues to heat up, scientists say that ponderosa pine forests and other mountain ecosystems will have to move higher to find cooler weather.

Beginning in 2008, the team visited multiple sites in Colorado’s Front Range and San Juan mountains to collect records of the current ranges of 47 species of rodents and shrews. They compared their findings with approximately 4,500 historic records from museum collections dating back to the 1880s and included animal specimens stored at the university museum, which houses nearly 12,000 mammals from Colorado.

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global briefs

Ah-Choo!

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Climate Change Makes Pollen Season Worse for Allergy Sufferers

A new study by the University of Utah published in the journal PNAS found that pollen seasons have been getting longer and more intense in North America over the last 30 years, aggravating asthma and weakening defenses against respiratory viruses, resulting in more emergency room visits that disrupt lives. Researchers comparing pollen metrics between 1990 and 2018 from 60 monitoring stations indicate that seasons are starting up to 20 days earlier and lasting up to eight days longer, affecting millions of allergy sufferers. The study looked at variable factors such as temperature, rainfall, frost days and carbon dioxide concentrations, and found that an increase in mean annual temperatures was the strongest driver. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 19 million adults have been diagnosed with hay fever, an allergic reaction to pollen, a fine powder from plants that can come into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth and throat.

May 2021

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Integrative

Women’s Wellness Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do

by Ronica O’Hara

A

anna shvets/Pexels.com

nyone walking into a U.S. hospital today will notice something that was inconceivable 50 years ago— one in three practicing physicians is a woman, and among physicians under age 35, it’s three in five. That compares to one in 14 in 1970. For women needing health care, that fact can change everything.

“Research says that female physicians provide better care to female patients than male physicians do,” says Harvard Medical School Associate Professor Alice Domar, Ph.D., a pioneer in women’s mind-body medicine. “They are more likely to listen carefully and take complaints seriously.”

That’s just one factor in how health care is improving for women. Only three decades ago, women were simply considered “small men” in medical research and rarely included as subjects in clinical studies. Today, after a 1993 federal mandate ensured their inclusion, it’s been well established that women metabolize drugs differently than men, respond to health threats with a more robust immune system and are more likely to experience side effects.

These findings have helped spur major changes for women in standards, dosages, medications and procedures—resulting in fewer cancer deaths, better treatment of autoimmune disorders and more nuanced cardiac care strategies. Although much has improved about women’s health, much more remains to be done.

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Cancer About one in three women is diagnosed with cancer in the course of a lifetime, and they have better survival rates than

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men, of which one in two receives that diagnosis. Between 2001 and 2017, the overall cancer death rate for women declined by 1.4 percent each year as diagnoses and treatments became more refined and targeted. The number one cancer killer for women is lung cancer, although 19 percent diagnosed have never smoked. The next most deadly are cancers of the breast, colon/rectum, pancreas and ovaries.

Breast cancer deaths have dropped by 40 percent since 1989, thanks to greater awareness, early detection and better treatments. “Women learned from the AIDS crisis that making noise gets results,” says Domar. “Look at how far breast cancer research and treatment has come in the past 10 to 20 years, how powerful Breast Cancer Awareness Month is, and that everyone recognizes that pink ribbon.”

Common symptoms: Bowel changes, lingering sores, fatigue, lumps, unusual discharge, difficulty digesting or swallowing, nagging cough or hoarseness, belly or back pain.

New research: An international research team has identified a direct molecular link between meat and dairy diets and the development of antibodies in the blood that increases the chances of developing cancer.

Medical advances: Painful, invasive biopsies may become a thing of the past. Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a simple blood test that detects more than 50 types of cancer, as well as their location within the body, with a high degree of accuracy, and the City of Hope Cancer Center, in Los Angeles, has developed a urine test

that analyzes cell-free fragments of DNA to detect cancer.

Preventive strategies: Vitamin D supplementation lowers the risk of mortality across all cancers, German researchers found, estimating that if all Germans older than 50 took such supplements, up to 30,000 cancer deaths per year might be avoided. A 10-year study found that people between 55 and 74 that took a low-dose aspirin at least three times each week lowered their risk of all types of cancer by 15 percent and overall mortality by 19 percent.

troubled parts of the valve with a tiny clip, a safer and less invasive procedure than open-heart surgery.

Preventive strategies: Eating nuts several times a week lowers by 30 to 50 percent the risk of heart attacks, sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease, four large cohort studies have shown. Older women with high fitness levels have one quarter the risk of dying from heart disease as women that are out of shape, report Spanish researchers.

Autoimmune Diseases The prevalence of autoimmune diseases has grown by one half in two decades, even as medications and targeted therapies have kept more patients active and out of wheelchairs. “Where it used to be the norm for many physicians to consider women with some autoimmune illnesses to be neurotic, that approach is now being recognized as being abusive and unacceptable. This is a critical step towards recovery,” says chronic fatigue expert Jacob Teitelbaum,

Heart Disease

One in three American women die from heart disease, more than all cancers combined. “Unfortunately, awareness that heart disease can and does happen to women remains low, and this results in delay of care,” says cardiologist Nicole Harkin of Whole Heart Cardiology, in San Francisco. “Women tend to seek medical care later in the course of their heart attack and with more risk factors, resulting in poorer outcomes, and they are more likely than men to die of their first heart attack.”

Women have different symptoms of heart disease than men, are often misdiagnosed and have a 20 percent greater risk of dying within five years of a heart attack.

Pregnant women that develop hypertension are two to five times more likely to later develop cardiovascular disease.

Common symptoms: Heart pressure, fatigue, breathlessness and pain between the shoulder blades.

New research: Eating more than seven servings per day of refined grains like croissants and white bread increased the risk of heart disease by 33 percent and stroke by 47 percent, concluded a study in The British Medical Journal. In a Stanford study, participants that ate plant-based meat for eight weeks had improved markers of heart health, lower LDL levels and lost two pounds compared to those eating meat.

Medical advance: To successfully fix a floppy mitral valve that’s hampering blood flow in the heart, doctors can guide a catheter up a patient’s leg vein and staple the

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M.D., author of From Fatigued to Fantastic!

About 80 percent of the 23 million Americans that suffer from debilitating autoimmune diseases are women, and those conditions tend to develop during childbearing years. The eighthleading cause of death among women, these illnesses shorten lifespan by an average of eight years. The 80-plus diseases, including fibromyalgia, lupus, celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to genetics, environmental triggers, some medications, obesity, injuries and stress.

New research: Eating significantly fewer foods containing the amino acid methionine, found at high levels in meat, fish, dairy and eggs, could slow the onset and progression of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis in high-risk individuals, reports a study in Cell Metabolism.

Medical advance: Evidence is mounting that low doses of naltrexone, a substanceabuse treatment drug, can treat conditions like lupus, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis by normalizing the immune system and relieving pain with few side effects. “It costs only about 70 cents a day, is made by compounding pharmacists and is remarkably beneficial for a host of autoimmune conditions,” says Teitelbaum.

Preventive strategy: To fight inflammation, take a daily turmeric or curcumin supplement that includes piperine (black pepper) for better absorption. A University of Houston meta-study in Nutrients found that curcumin supplements improved symptoms in 14 osteoarthritis, two ulcerative colitis and eight Type 2 diabetes studies.

Hormonal Imbalances The past 20 years has seen significant im12

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Common symptoms: Because hormones regulate all of the body’s processes, symptoms of imbalance run the gamut and may include fatigue, weakness, erratic menstrual cycles and weight gain or loss.

New research: Early menstruation increases the likelihood of hot flashes and night sweats decades later at menopause, according to a University of Queensland study. Eating five teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil daily reduced women’s moderate to severe menstrual cramps by 83 percent in two months, Iranian researchers found.

provements in the studies and treatments of female hormonal issues. “There are now treatment options that allow women to transition into menopause, options for prevention of osteoporosis and momentous changes in fertility,” says Stephanie Seitz, a naturopathic family physician in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the same time, she adds, “I have seen environmental toxins rising in my female population. I see young girls coming in with polycystic ovary syndrome, early menarche and painful menstrual cramping; women having trouble getting pregnant for unknown reasons; the rise of fibroids, premature ovarian insufficiency and endometriosis.”

Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers, regulating processes ranging from hunger to blood pressure to mood and playing a key role in reproduction. They have come under assault from endocrine disrupters, thousands of largely unregulated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS. These “forever chemicals” are found in everything from plastics to cushions to canned foods, and are in the blood of 98 percent of Americans. Studies have linked them to girls experiencing puberty one year earlier than 40 years ago; to rising cases of infertility, miscarriages and low birth weight; to menopause occurring two to four years earlier; and to obesity,

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Medical advance: A major study of 9,000 postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer showed 94 percent that received hormonal therapy, but not chemotherapy, did not have recurrences.

Preventive strategies: To avoid toxic chemicals, buy organics; replace plastic kitchen containers with glass; replace Teflon pans with ceramic or cast-iron; use chemical-free cosmetics and shampoos; nix air fresheners and chemical cleaners; and check out food and care products at the Environmental Working Group (ewg. org). To help detox the body, consider working with a naturopathic doctor to develop a program that may include cleansing foods, herbs, saunas, elimination diets and chelators such as activated charcoal and algae.

Depression Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression, with one in four having a major episode at some point in life, yet fewer than half seek treatment. “Many women are too busy caring for others and feel guilty about their depression, fearing it could get in the way of their caregiving goals,” says New York psychoanalyst Claudia Luiz. “Many have the fantasy that if they open that door and allow themselves to focus on their feelings, they won’t be

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Common symptoms: These vary widely, but may include achy muscles, fatigue, recurring low-grade fever, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, abdominal pain and swelling, hair loss, swollen glands and tingling in hands and feet.

polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and breast cancer.

able to keep going.”

Depression occurs most frequently in women ages 25 to 44, and one in five teenage girls reports having had a major depressive episode, a number that has exploded due to social media use. Psychotherapy is effective for 62 percent of adults with depression, antidepressants work for 54 percent and combining the two is helpful for 72 percent.

Common symptoms: Sadness, anxiety, flat feeling, loss of motivation or feelings of pleasure, change of eating or sleeping patterns, low energy, difficulty concentrating or headaches.

New research: Sleeping irregular hours, doing night shifts and working for more than nine hours a day have been shown to put women at higher risk of depression, while eating more dietary fiber in produce, grains and legumes significantly lowers this risk.

Medical advances: For the estimated one in four people with depression that doesn’t respond to medication or therapy, emerging approaches offer fresh hope.

Low doses of the anesthetic drug ketamine lifted the depression of 70 percent of hard-to-treat subjects by targeting specific serotonin receptors, Swedish researchers report. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the prefrontal cortex, lifts symptoms for 50 to 60 percent of subjects, studies show.

Preventive strategies: Eating at least two servings a week of wild-caught, oily fish or a daily 1,000-to-2,000-milligram fish oil supplement with a 60-to-40 EPA to DHA ratio has been shown to be effective for symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and postpartum depression.

Natural health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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healthy kids

Natural Mama Holistic Approaches to a Healthy Pregnancy

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by Julie Peterson

D

uring her first pregnancy, Sarah Wallace, a former registered nurse in Atlanta, was chronically anemic. “I was so tired I would fall asleep while I was eating dinner,” she says. That pregnancy resulted in a baby with a low birth weight.

Fortunately, Wallace learned more about nutrition and wellness. Her now 4-year-old has caught up to the growth charts and is thriving, and her next pregnancy went smoothly.

No matter how pregnancy is counted—280 days, 40 weeks or three trimesters— mama and baby share blood, nutrition and air for the duration. “Taking a holistic path before and during pregnancy is about embracing the nature of our bodies and committing to maintaining all aspects of wellness during this journey,” says Nancy Peplinsky, founder of the Holistic Moms Network, based in Caldwell, New Jersey.

Nutrition for Two The right foods nourish the growing baby, the placenta and the mother’s increasing blood volume, maintaining the mother’s body during the complex mission. Whole foods rather than processed are best. The Whole 9 Months: A Week-By-Week Pregnancy Nutrition Guide with Recipes for a Healthy Start, by integrative obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) Jennifer Lang and dietitian Dana Angelo White, makes it easier to select the proper nutrients along the way and provides ways to deal with nausea and cravings.

Choose organic foods when possible to reduce exposures to pesticides. If organic isn’t an option for every food, The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, from the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org), can be downloaded and taken to the market.

Either avoid foods on the “Dirty Dozen” list or go organic for those items.

A high-quality prenatal vitamin fills nutrition gaps. Wallace saw a difference between her first and second pregnancy by switching brands. “The first time, I took generic prenatal vitamins. With the second pregnancy, I found whole-food supplements. I never got that exhaustion, and my second baby was a healthy weight,” she says.

“Research has shown that healthy nutrition during pregnancy improves outcomes for mom and baby, while unhealthy food choices can lead to premature childbirth, high-risk pregnancies and poor developmental outcomes in children,” says Peplinsky.

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In addition to clean food, it’s important to reevaluate body care products and household cleaners for toxicity. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has linked personal care and cleaning product ingredients to endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive disorders, neurotoxicity and cancer.

Body Love Kristen Burgess, in Fife Lake, Michigan, creator of the website NaturalBirthAnd BabyCare.com, teaches classes for momsto-be. “[Exercise] helps your blood volume increase, brings plenty of oxygen to your baby, increases your stamina and endurance for labor (which is an athletic event), and perhaps best of all, keeps you feeling great,” she writes in her blog.

Options such as stretching, walking and prenatal yoga can be soothing for mom and baby. Burgess also advocates prenatal belly dancing to raise the heart rate “while bonding with your baby and relishing your beautiful pregnant form.”

Peplinsky notes, “A holistic approach to pregnancy also embraces integrative therapies such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture and chiropractic, which may

assist in reducing stress, minimizing physical discomfort and joint pain, while improving overall life quality for mom and baby.”

Support Along the Way

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A healthy pregnancy includes assistance. In the U.S., most women choose an OB-GYN, with just over 9 percent of 2017 births incorporating a midwife to support the mother before, during and sometimes after birth. A midwife is medically trained and, depending on state law, may offer gynecological examinations, birth control counseling and prescriptions. On her own or as an assistant to a doctor, she coaches the mother during labor and assists with the delivery, which may be in a home, birthing center or hospital. The American College of Nurse-Midwives, in Silver Spring, Maryland, offers a midwife locator.

Another option is engaging a doula that focuses on emotional support for mom, her partner and the family during pregnancy and birth. During labor, she may offer massage, encouragement and breathing coaching. While doulas only provide non-medical care, they can offer evidence-based resources to inform decision-making. There is a database to find one at DoulaMatch.net.

There are also books and apps to provide week-to-week details on pregnancy.

Genevieve Howland, a childbirth educator in Destin, Florida, and author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth, offers a weekly article at MamaNatural.com about what’s going on with the developing baby and mother.

“Being a holistic mom is about connecting the mind, body and spirit, and approaching wellness with all three in mind,” adds Peplinsky. “The more we listen to our instincts and our needs, the more our health improves during childbearing and afterwards.”

Pregnancy Apps

Julie Peterson writes about health and wellness. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

Tracking exercise, nutrition, baby bump images, the joys of the journey and the baby’s development are available options in a variety of apps. There are even apps for dads.

Ovia has many features that expand based on the data entered. It answers questions about food safety and medications, and even has a community feature to connect with other moms.

Hello Belly offers practical tips and a good dose of silliness with pregnancy jokes and memes. There are also yoga videos.

Glow Nurture can be customized, has community spaces, symptom trackers, reminders for appointments and a boatload of articles.

Expectful Pregnancy gives reminders to focus on joy by taking a moment to breathe or meditate. With guided sessions for pregnancy, moms-to-be can put regular meditation practices in place.

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Sprout Pregnancy has a pregnancy timeline, weight tracker and journal. The 3-D images showing development of the baby are really cool, as well.

Who’s Your Daddy gives Dad a to-do list, weekly updates, a development timeline, suggestions for taking care of Mom and helps him pick baby names.

May 2021

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Homeopathy to the Rescue

Arnica montana

Create a Family First-Aid Kit

by Marlaina Donato

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Soft Tissue Trauma, Burns and Bites

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Gentle Go-To Medicine Whether treating a child’s skinned knee or an athlete with a mild to moderate injury, regular potencies offer benefits without a high risk of unpleasant or dangerous contraindicaLedum palustre tions. “In general, homeopathic remedies are safe for people of all ages because if taken as directed, there are no side effects or drug interactions. This is due to the fact that remedies have been made through a process that renders the substances harmless,” says certified classical homeopath Myra Nissen, in Davis and Walnut Creek, California.

Classical homeopathic treatment is based on a person’s unique physical, emotional

and mental nature, and requires deeper study to find the most appropriate remedies, but first-aid applications are most often universally straightforward. “A homeopathic first-aid kit at home is useful for cuts, burns, bumps and bruises, insect bites, poison oak/ivy and minor illnesses,” says Nissen.

Gentle, but beneficial Arnica montana is perhaps the best-known application, used for acute injury and post-surgery. In a 2016 review of studies in the American Journal of Therapeutics, a team of international researchers found Arnica to be more effective than a placebo for swelling, bruising and post-surgery pain, and suggested it could be an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Calendula is a heavy hitter for wound care, skin ailments, minor burns including sunburn, diaper rash and post-tooth extraction. It offers antiseptic and antiinflammatory properties and is available for topical and internal use.

Nissen highlights Ruta graveolens and Rhus toxicdendron for soft Rhus toxicdendron tissue injury and tendonitis and suggests Symphitum for serious damage to cartilage and ligaments. For puncture wounds or injuries involving nerves, Hypericum perforatum is helpful.

She emphasizes the importance of using remedies immediately and properly to maximize the potential for rapid healing and pain reduction.

Birch says that bee stings and allergic

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homeo—meaning similar, and pathos—meaning suffering. Basically, it means that a substance has the power to cure the same symptoms it can create,” says Kate Birch, a certified classical homeopath at the HippHealth Center for Holistic Healing, in Minneapolis. “Moreover, the more a substance is diluted through homeopathic preparation, the more potent it can be for healing when given upon homeopathic indications.”

For most health conditions, including chronic complaints, homeopaths recommend tailoring remedies to an individual’s constitution, but first-aid applications are relatively universal and simple. Homeopathic first-aid can be administered for muscle strains, splinters, minor burns and even the common cold. Available in health food stores and pharmacies, homeopathic remedies come in various potencies in the form of pellets, tinctures and topical agents.

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Aconitum napellus

he 200-year-old health system of homeopathy is based on natural sources and is unique in its “like cures like” philosophy that uses extremely diluted substances to trigger the body’s natural defenses.

“The word homeopathy is derived from two words:

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healing ways

Hypericum perforatum

When taken at the first sign of a cold or flu, specially combined homeopathic formulas or single remedies can help to lessen severity and duration of certain viruses. Bryonia alba is useful for moderate fever, Gelsemium for general flu-like symptoms, Nux vomica for severe chills and nausea, and Arsenicum album for

respiratory and stomach flus.

Homeopathic remedies, like all medications, should be properly stored and kept away from children and pets. Also, not all products labeled as homeopathic may be pure. Some products add homeopathic remedies to other ingredients that are not safe; for example, Arnica gel may have alcohol, preservatives and stabilizers, and be harmful if swallowed.

While homeopathy offers many benefits, Birch clarifies that it is not designed to be a quick fix and is best approached from a broader view or “a philosophy that shapes your day-to-day life. When you understand these things, once you have the right remedy, it produces instantaneous results.”

Bryonia alba

Marlaina Donato is a body-mindspirit author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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Fighting the Flu

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responses respond well to Apis mellificia and fevers and headaches to Belladonna.

Using Cantharis or Urtica urens for firstand second-degree burns can help to prevent blisters and minimize pain, while Silicea is a good choice for splinters.

In general, for all acute cases and injuries, remedies are often taken every hour and tapered down to every four hours upon signs of improvement or lessening of intensity. If results are not seen within two days, it is best to discontinue the remedy.

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YAHOLA HERBAL SCHOOL Increase your health by joining one of our local foraging adventures. Learn how to make herbal vinegars, tinctures, salves, body oils, and much more. Join our flagship course Botanical Medicine Movement. ` Registration opens July 2021.

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CELEBRATING 27 years in THE business of

The Natural Awakenings Charleston SC edition is for sale.

Serious inquiries may be submitted to Publisher@NALowcountry.com May 2021

17

natural pet

Curbing Cancer in Cats Ways to Keep a Feline Healthy

by Julie Peterson

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Diagnosis and Staging Cats instinctively hide pain, so it’s up to pet parents to detect unusual behaviors or symptoms. Karen Shaw Becker, a holistic veterinarian in Chicago who writes Mercola Healthy Pets, recommends that unusual bumps, sores that won’t heal, weight loss, offensive smell, low energy and difficulty eating indicate the need for evaluation by a veterinarian to rule out cancer. If cancer is diagnosed, a referral to a veterinary oncologist is likely. Pet owners can also search for one at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (ahvma.org).

Blood work, biopsies or aspirates, imaging and a thorough exam may be needed to determine the extent of the cancer and any possible complications. These tests help ensure treatment is appropriate, tolerable and humane.

Treatment Options Treatments vary based on the type, site and stage of cancer, the age and wellness of the cat and what is available and accessible to the owner. Traditional remedies may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. While not without side effects, cats tolerate these methods relatively well.

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image courtesy of The Basket Cat

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he absence of one back leg isn’t slowing down 13-yearold Cougar the cat. In fact, she is doing better than before, as that limb once had a painful tumor. Alyssa Baker Herbst, co-founder of the Autumn Farm Sanctuary, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, was told that, even with chemotherapy, Cougar might only live three more months. Herbst sought out a veterinary oncologist at University of Wisconsin Veterinary Care for another opinion. Amputation was recommended and done in December 2020.

Cancer isn’t uncommon in cats; the Animal Cancer Foundation, in Port Washington, New York, states that one in five cats will be diagnosed at some point. This equates to approximately 6 million cats being newly diagnosed with cancer each year, according to the Comparative Oncology Program of the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

Holistic therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, supplements and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine may also be used. “Herbal therapies can be used with traditional cancer treatment to relieve side effects and to improve outcomes,” says veterinary oncologist Amanda Beck, at the University Veterinary Hospital, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Clinical trials are another option. The Veterinary Cancer Society, in Columbia, Missouri, provides information on current research trials that “may involve novel diagnostic methods or therapies including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical procedures, hypo- or hyperthermia, immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy, among others.” While these trials may offer hope, each has very specific qualifications for participation and they may not be free.

Herbst did her own research after seeing the 2019 documentary Fantastic Fungi and learning about cancer patients using turkey tail mushrooms. “We found that dogs taking those mushrooms were living four times as long as dogs that got chemo,” she says. “We wondered if we could use that for Cougar.” Their veterinarian ensured they wouldn’t be harmful and determined an appropriate dosage.

Unfortunately, some feline cancers are extremely aggressive. It started in Doris Gassen’s cat, Meadow, with a few small bumps under the skin that quickly grew and multiplied.

“About six days after they first appeared, they were open and draining,” says Gassen, in Madison, Wisconsin. The diagnosis of cutaneous lymphoma was made and palliative care was implemented. Meadow crossed the rainbow bridge within a few weeks.

Preventive Measures

Keeping cats at a healthy weight, giving them plenty of exercise opportunities and keeping them indoors more or entirely can all help reduce the risk of cancer. The feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, which can lead to cancer, are usually contracted from feral cats outdoors.

Genetically modified organism (GMO) ingredients such as corn, soy, alfalfa and cottonseed in pet foods are also culprits, because they can contain high concentrations of glyphosates. The World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer declared glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, to be a probable human carcinogen, and research indicates that it does cause cancer in animals.

“Many experts who have studied animal dietary patterns in the wild agree that a whole-food diet composed of mostly meats, organs and bones, supplemented to a much lesser extent with vegetables, is the way to go for both cats and dogs,” says Ty Bollinger, the San Antonio-based author of The Truth About Cancer.

Keeping cats healthy throughout life with routine wellness care helps strengthen them against any illness or injury. And while quality of life for pets may be paramount, Cougar seems to be going for quantity, as well. “Clinically, Cougar is doing fantastic. She just can’t jump as high as she used to,” says Herbst. “She’s back to bullying the other three cats and hanging out with the dog. She’s feisty.”

june

Coming Next Month

Treating Depression Naturally

Plus: Integrative Approaches to Men’s Health Travel for the Planet Tips for Eating Vegan on Vacation

Julie Peterson writes about health, wellness and environmental issues. Find her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

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calendar Submissions for the June issue must be received no later than May 10 and can be entered at NALowcountry.com. $15 per entry for print edition.

SATURDAY, MAY 1 Bringing Community Together Through Wellness & Art – 9am-6pm. Holiday Inn and Suites, 2225 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC. Come meet Wellness Practitioners, Artists and Authors for a day full of Inspiration and ways to Cultivate a Healthy Lifestyle. “Free” demos and intro classes to a combined Art/Yoga session, Book signings, Sacred Living Solutions and much more. Lin Drechsler, Event Organizer. Look out for our August event coming near you. $5.00. East Coast Complementary Health, 2225 Boundary Street, Beaufort. 941-735-8373. eastcoastcomplementaryhealth.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 Chakradance Awakening – 7-8:30pm. Join facilitator Pamala Arnold and experience the healing power of Chakradance in a small, safe group setting.

Chakradance provides a sacred and nurturing space where you can surrender to your own experiences, become more in tune with your chakra system and use these dynamic moving meditations to activate your own inner healing. Pamala Arnold, has been a Reiki Master and Shamanic Journey Practitioner for many years. It is her mission to create a container to hold space for others – to assist and honor their process of journeying back to their Divine Selves. $25. The Treehouse, 203 Summer Lane, Moncks Corner. palmandlotus.com/product/chakradanceawakening-a.

SATURDAY, MAY 15 The Journey Within: Book Launch Celebration! – 1-5pm. Join us for this FREE DROP-IN celebration in honor of the publication of Dr. Allison Brown’s first book, The Journey Within: A Christian’s Guide to 14 Non-traditional Spiritual Practices. Enjoy food and freebies, pick up your personal, signed copy of The Journey Within, and register for a chance to win a FREE copy, as well!

FREE. The Treehouse, 203 Summer Lane, Moncks Corner. palmandlotus.com 11TH ANNUAL DANCING WITH THE ARK’S STARS – 7pm. The ARK, Alzheimer’s Family Support Services is hosting the 11th annual Dancing with The ARK’s Stars fundraising event. The fundraiser pairs local personalities with professional dancers. Tickets are $70 in advance and $80 at the door. The evening includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar, and a silent auction. Cocktail attire is requested. Proceeds from this premier fundraiser support the many programs of The ARK as it provides essential services for families with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. The ARK offers respite care, support groups, caregiver consultation, caregiver education workshops, resource referrals, law enforcement and first responder training, community learning programs, and rural services development. The organization serves five counties: Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, and Orangeburg. Purchase tickets online at TheARKofSC. org or call 843-471-1360 for information. Lowcountry Conference Center Summerville Hilton, 406 Sigma Dr, Summerville. TheARKofSC.org.

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NA Lowcountry Edition

Plans ChangeCall ahead to confirm events will occur as scheduled.

ongoing events

sunday

wednesday

Power of Eight Intentions Virtual Discussion Group – 7-8:30pm. Unity of Charleston Rev Sarah Scott Putnam leads the weekly virtual group based upon Lynne McTaggart’s “Power of Eight”. The book is recommended but not necessary. Tap into your extraordinary human capacity for healing, using the miraculous power of group intention and its mirror effect. Email unitycharleston@msn for login instructions. Donation at www.unitychs.org.

Unity of Charleston, 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston.

843-566-0600. unitychs.org.

ONLINE WiseWomen Circle – 7-8:30pm. 4th Wed. The WiseWomen Circle is a safe space to be you and all that is the divine feminine. As we talk together, we listen to one another, share and laugh as a whole. Free. Donations to bliss Spiritual Co-op appreciated. blissspiritualco-op.org/monthly-wisewomen-circle-w-carmen-young.

monday ONSITE Reflexology Well Being Sessions – Noon-2pm. 4th Mon. Private 1 hour introductory sessions monthly on the 4th Monday at 12-1 pm and at 1-2 pm. Appointment is required and a paidin-advance suggested donation. Please see the link for all the details and the complete description of this amazing technique offered by Mimi Pfeffer, Certified Reflexologist (CR). An advance suggested donation of $21 to benefit the programs at bliss. Bliss Spiritual Co-op, 1163 Pleasant Oaks, Mt. Pleasant. 843-847-1927. blissspiritualco-op. org/onsite-reflexology-well-being-sessions-wmimi-pfeffer.

ONSITE Mandalas of Light – 6-7pm. 2nd Mon. The Mandala is a mental, emotional, and spiritual tool--a symbol to access layers in the subconscious mind. Participants will set an intention, connect the dots, color a Mandala of Light in silence and end by discussing thoughts or emotions during the process.

All materials provided. Free. Donations to bliss Spiritual Co-op appreciated. Bliss Spiritual Co-op, 1163 Pleasant Oaks, Mt. Pleasant. 843-847-1927. blissspiritualco-op.org/onsite-mandalas-of-lightw-maria-fink.

ONLINE Fearlessly Facing Family Alcoholism – 6-7pm. 2nd & 4th Mon. A group designed to help you realize enhanced emotional balance, freedom and fulfillment while offering the ultimate hack on how to survive, thrive and heal your heredity.

Experience greater community and self-care in a nurturing, non-judgmental environment. Led

by Jena Wadsworth. Free. Donations to bliss Spiritual Co-op appreciated. blissspiritualco-op. org/online-fearlessly-facing-family-alcoholismw-jena-wadsworth.

thursday ONLINE Loving Kindness Meditation – 6-7pm.

This meditation is a valuable tool for these extraordinary times and beyond. It is a practice of having compassion for ourselves and for all the beings we encounter in the world. Become aware of a priceless gift to give ourselves and our world. Led by Suzanne Freed. Free. Donations to bliss Spiritual Co-op appreciated. blissspiritualco-op.org/onlineloving-kindness-meditation-w-suzanne-freed.

saturday Power of Choice Virtual Discussion Group Unity of Charleston – 11am-12:30pm. 1st Sat. Jackie McCullough leads the virtual discussion group on Zoom. Jackie is a Life Options Coach/Counselor.

She helps us to choose joy, peace and happiness instead of fear, anxiety and depression. We will also explore a writing technique to “Write Ourselves Well.” Email unitycharleston@msn.com for login instructions. Donation on www.unitychs.org. Unity of Charleston, 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston. 843566-0600. unitychs.org.

Goat Yoga – Noon-1pm. Come enjoy a 60-minute Vinyasa with the help of our baby goats and maybe an occasional pig. This is a great experience for all ages and levels. Our yoga is outdoors and COVID safe. LEAVE YOUR STRESS AT THE FARM! Be prepared for baby goat hugs! 100% refund available if the class is canceled. $25. The Goatery at Kiawah River, 3883 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island.

843-580-6565. Goatsaregood.com.

Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.

The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

NALowcountry.com

community resource guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NALowcountry. com.

ALTERNATIVE HOLISTIC MEDICINE Michael Bauerschmidt, MD

Deeper Healing Medical Wellness Center 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 360 Mt Pleasant SC 29464 843-388-5995 DeeperHealing.com Experience a refreshing MD consult at Deeper Healing Medical Wellness Center where they take the time to dive deep to uncover root causes and focus on healing the body naturally. Dr. Michael Bauerschmidt, an expert in Functional & Environmental Medicine, offers state-of-the-art treatments for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, a powerful cellular cleansing program, progressive allergy treatments, natural pain management, chelation and IV infusions. Dr. B is a leading expert on environmental toxicity and a compassionate professional who teaches tirelessly on how to live “well” in our modern world.

DR. PATRICK S. LOVEGROVE Merge Medical Center Mt Pleasant 843-469-1001 MergeMedicalCenter.com

AMA board-certified MD specializing in family medicine, holistic internal medicine, Antiaging, Chinese medicine, naturopathy. Merge Medical Center … where modern thinking meets natural healing. Services include Primary Care, Weight Loss, Fatigue management, Bioidentical hormones, Colonics, Acupuncture, Massage, Reiki, Chiropractic, IV vitamins, and Bemer therapy.

bIOMAGNETIC THERAPY Paula McGuire

Mt Pleasant/Charleston 843-732-0293 • Paula@ireinst.com ireinst.com

1319 Savannah Hwy, Ste C Charleston (in Artisans Inc. Salon) 843-813-1838 • YourGroomingGuru.com Your Grooming Guru, Barbara Brant-Williams, is an experienced hair-stylist, makeup artist and certified Organic Color Specialist practicing out of the Artisans Salon.

Charleston’s go-to source for hair, makeup and beauty product knowledge. See ad, page 13.

Peace, Love, and Harmony Cleaning

Jeannine Despeaux, Owner Charleston SC area • (843) 822-4557 PeaceLoveandHarmonyCleaning.com/

BioMagnetic Therapy can help create balance, restore vitality within the body and facilitate clearing of viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic infections; allergies; ADD; autism; autoimmune issues; heavy metal and other toxicity; chronic pain; infertility; herpes; MS; among other conditions. See ad, page 13.

Founder Jeannine Despeaux is a yoga and meditation practitioner.

The company mission is to bring peace of mind, loving care, and budget harmony to your home or business. CDC approved or natural cleaners. Regular, deep and move-out cleaning packages. References available.

CHIROPRACTORS

COACHING

ACCURATE CHIROPRACTIC

3373 S Morgans Point Rd, Ste 307 Mt Pleasant • 843-971-8814 CoursonChiropractic@gmail.com MtPleasantChiro.com Holistic Family Care practice, offering a variety of techniques and therapies to help improve overall health and wellness.

Proudly serving the Charleston area for 17 years.

COLUCCI CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS CENTER

Dr. Gina Colucci 1806 Trolley Rd, Summerville 843-875-5700 • ColucciChiropractic.com Serving the Summerville area for 29 years. Specializing in holistic care; weight loss and nutritional cleansing; pain management; bio-identical hormones; sugar detox; stress testing; chiropractic; peripheral neuropathy; detox footbaths; emotional (TBM/NET) and wellness care.

Dr. Ann Jenkins, Not Your Ordinary Chiropractor

12-C Carriage Ln, Charleston SC 29407 (West Ashley) 843-270-9913 • DrAnnJenkins.com Exclusive to the area: Whole Body Magnetic Therapy. Mention Natural Awakenings for a BOGO Magnetic session. Holistic family care. Relief of neck, back and emotional pain.

Homeopathy and essential oils.

beauty consultant YOUR GROOMING GURU

CLEANING SERVICES

CHURCHES

SHERRY KACHANIS

North Charleston • 843-743-9488 SherryKachanis@gmail.com SherryKachanis.com Transformational Coach and Shamanic Healer. Break through unconscious barriers to fully LIVE the LIFE you desire! Monthly Meditation/Shamanic Healing, Moon Ceremonies and Healing Retreats.

COUNSELING HOLISTIC YOU COUNSELING

Angel Muehlenkamp, MA Professional Counseling Summerville 843-327-1440 • LivingAngel777@gmail.com UniquelyuNow.com We are here to live in the fullness of who and what we truly are. Angel uses her unique ability to Connect to Source to assist you in moving beyond daily limitations. Open to a brand new way of living. Talk, Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy; Quantum-Touch; Reiki; Intuitive Counseling; Art of God; Life Coaching; and Spiritual Counseling.

HEMP OIL PrimeMyBody Hemp Oil

843-847-1927 • AnaHaugsoen@msn.com Anah.primemybody.com/ Learn about our Endo-Cannabinoid System, Phyto-Cannabinoids and Hemp Oil! There is research on more than 250 conditions and cannabidiol. Hemp oil might be the most important product you add to your health regimen!

Unity Church of Charleston Rev. Ed Kosak, Minister 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston 843-566-0600 • Unitychs.org

Sunday Service: 10:30 am. Are you more spiritual than religious? Do you believe in many paths to God? Then please join us.

May 2021

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SALON INDIGO

Integrative Medicine Lowcountry Wellness Center 1941 Savage Road, 100E Charleston • 843-793-1353 info@lowcountry-wellness.com Lowcountry-Wellness.com

Holistic and Integrative Primary Care offered in an affordable monthly membership model.

Bringing healthcare back to true patient driven care between you and Dr. Penni! See ad, inside front cover.

732 S Shelmore Blvd, Ste 100 Mt Pleasant (Shelmore Village) 843-991-6835 Our experienced team of hairstylists and skin care specialist use 100 percent-certified organic products.

We specialize in haircutting, coloring and make-up application. We sell All Nutrient™, Moroccan Oils, Dr. Hauschka™, 100% Pure™, iLike™ and many other boutique items.

QUANTUM HEALING

NUTRITIONIST

Donna Brenner QHHT Practitioner level 2

JANA DAVIS, MS, RD, CDE

Donna Brenner Quantum Healing Mt. Pleasant (973) 714-5501 Quantumhealers.com/donnabrenner

215 East Bay St., Suite 201-A Charleston, SC 29401 www.carolinagreenliving.com Online booking available 843-801-4686 CarolinaGreenLiving@gmail.com Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with over 25 years of experience. Private consultations, grocery store tours, public speaking. Owner of Carolina Green Living LLC, which focuses on teaching clients about avoiding toxins and other environmental factors that can impact health.

ORGANIC SALON & BOUTIQUE COTTAGE AROMA BELLA DAY SPA 2671 Ft Trenholm Rd, Johns Island 843-266-3619 CottageAromaBella.com

to the body.

QHHT (Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique) is a regression technique that can help with clearing emotional and physical blockages, releasing trauma, anxiety, depression and OCD, while bringing balance, energy flow, and well-being back

Charleston Holistic Center 2366 Ashley River Rd, Bldg 8, Charleston 843-452-7996 • DrLaura.Coach@gmail.com CharlestonReikiAndTarot.com Transform your life from the ordinary to the extraordinary by understanding how the aspects of your being interact and block your progress. Together, we can heal your past and find your true future. See ad, inside front cover.

WATER Your Water Girl

Margaret Blalock (843) 647-8885 • yourwatergirl.com Specializing in gold standard certified filtration and advanced Japanese technology. Turns tap water into Ph- balanced, antioxidantrich, alkaline drinking water and waters capable of removing pesticides from produce while replacing harmful cleaning, sanitizing and personal care products.

DR ALLISON BROWN, QUANTUM HEALING PRACTITIONER 843-425-4906 allison.brown@drallisonbrown.com DrAllisonBrown.com In-person or online sessions available

Experience BQH, a heart and energy-based regression experience that is considered one of the most advanced healing modalities on the planet today. Connect directly with your Wisdom Team for purpose, guidance, and healing!

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