Eco Habits

According to James Duke, PhD, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for at least 2000 years as a remedy for liver ailments. The common name, milk thistle, refers to both the white veins visible on the leaves and the herb’s use as a lactation aid for nursing mothers.

There is a reason for its long history – it is effective. It is particularly applicable to our modern world, where the liver gets bombarded by industrial toxins and chemicals daily.

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Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live in bedding, carpets, drapes, furniture, and anywhere dust accumulates. They feed off of dead animal and human skin cells, which are shed daily without our even knowing it. Dust mites and skin cells are too small to see, and it’s a good thing – dust mites are ugly critters!

Because of their tiny size, getting rid of them entirely is unrealistic. But keeping their numbers and your allergic reactions down is certainly feasible. Here are some tips.

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Amalgam fillings, or “silver” filings, are composed of a combination of silver, tin, copper, and mercury. The mercury content of amalgam fillings is around 50 percent, which has some dentists and their patients concerned. Mercury is a well-known toxin; the argument hinges on whether or not the mercury in dental fillings is “locked in” to the filling or can leech out into the bloodstream or as a toxic vapor.

Dentists have used amalgam fillings since the mid-1800s for many reasons. They are durable, inexpensive, and resistant to further decay. But they are coming under more intense scrutiny as unexplainable illnesses are being considered as possible reactions to mercury poisoning.

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For those who crave solitude, finding the time to experience it can be challenging. Take a look at your schedule and see if there is some time you can carve out for yourself. You may have to sacrifice another activity, or arrange for childcare or make other plans. But any way you do it, make sure you do it regularly rather than spontaneously.

Just hoping for some “me” time to show up is stressful and frustrating; you don’t know if or when you will find the time. But if you make the time weekly or even monthly, your mind can get some rest knowing you have that time to yourself coming up. It will help you handle the hectic days in between with much more grace.

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The concept of life as a series of rhythms is an ancient one. From religious observances to modern daily routines, people have understood that life is to be lived in accordance with some sort of regular repetition. The term “biorhythm,” or biological rhythm, refers to physiological fluctuations in all living creatures.

Some argue that these rhythms are internal; others claim they are environmentally stimulated. Most likely, they are a combination of both. There are different types of biorhythms, each denoting a particular body system or fluctuation. Here are some of the types of biorhythms and what they mean.

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There seems to be a lot of confusion these days over what water is the most healthful, least harmful, and most eco-friendly to drink. Given some of the scary reports about tap water, bottled water seems like the cleaner, safer choice. But the source of some bottled water is tap water! And then there are the plastic bottles. So which is safer? How can we find the best and healthiest water to drink? Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of both kinds of water.

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For much of human history, horses have played a key role in the progress of mankind. People have fought wars, escaped danger, delivered mail, plowed fields, pioneered new lands, and achieved countless other accomplishments on horseback. Horses and mankind have a special relationship, and equine-assisted therapy is a form of recovery that recognizes and makes use of this relationship.

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Fat is fat, right? It doesn’t matter where it is on your body, does it? Actually, it does. While being overweight is not healthy in any form, excess weight around the middle has specific dangers.

“Pear-shaped” individuals, or those who tend to carry weight on their hips and thighs, are not at the same risk as “apple-shaped” people. The fat on hips and thighs does not cover major internal organs, and in fact, fat cells in these key areas are essential for estrogen balance in post-menopausal women (the fat cells in the lower body convert “male” hormones into estrogen). But belly fat not only covers major organs; it can work its way between and among them, affecting their function and health.

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Antibiotics were touted as a miracle shortly after their discovery in the 1940s. It seemed that a medical utopia had been achieved – infections were almost magically wiped out by these “miracle drugs.” Then antibiotics began to be prescribed for everything, even viral infections that are not subject to antibiotics.

Today, antibiotics are commonly prescribed as a precaution, even when no infection is present. They are added to soaps, cleaners, and hygienic wipes. So what’s the problem? Are there both pros and cons to synthetic antibiotics? Read on to find out more.

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