Weighted blankets, often referred to as gravity blankets, are often used in psychiatric therapy clinics to help comfort patients. Word of their benefits has spread far and wide, and now they are incredibly popular for relieving anxiety symptoms, reducing stress, improving sleep, battling depression, or treating various sensory issues.

What Is A Weighted Blanket?

Well, the name gives it away, in that it is blanket that weighs between 5-30 pounds. Filled with poly pellets, polypropylene plastic beads, and discs, weighted blankets mimic deep pressure stimulation, which is a hands-on technique that helps relax the nervous system. Deep pressure stimulation helps to stimulate serotonin and dopamine production, and these hormones help promote relaxation and improved mood.

Who Can Use A Weighted Blanket?

Weighted blankets are harmless when they are used for teens and adults, but they should not be used on children, according to Teresa May-Benson, an occupational therapist with the nonprofit Spiral Foundation in Newton, Massachusetts. Two child deaths have resulted from improper use of weighted blankets. The blanket should not weigh more than 10% of the user’s total bodyweight.

5 Benefits Of Weighted Blankets

They Reduce Anxiety

Anxiety disorders can have a large impact on person’s life, from interrupting sleep to having mood swings. Many therapists often recommend the use of weighted blankets for anxiety patients because the deep pressure stimulation reduces autonomic arousal, which is responsible for increased heart rate and other anxiety symptoms. One study, which involved 32 patients with anxiety, found that 33% of them experienced reduced anxiety after using a weighted blanket.

Promotes Melatonin Production

Many people with anxiety or high stress often have trouble sleeping or irregular circadian rhythms. Melatonin is necessary for healthy sleep, and research has shown that sleeping with a weighted blanket triggers melatonin production. Additionally, deep pressure stimulation has been known to improve sleep in patients with insomnia and other sleep disorders, so use a weighted blanket if you want to boost melatonin levels for improved sleep.

Benefits People With Depression

Weighted blankets recreate the feeling of a hug or swaddling, so the comfort of being cocooned can relax people and calm anxiousness. Statistically, babies respond better when they are frequently hugged, cuddled, rocked, and swaddled. People need that comfort and love as they age, though; it doesn’t just go away when you become an adult. The weighted blanket creates the sensation of a warm and comfortable hug, making the person feel as though they are being loved. Research indicates that a weighted blanket can stimulate serotonin production, also known as the feel good hormone. Finally, cortisol levels (the stress hormone) have been known to decrease in people who use weighted blankets.

Aids With Sensory Processing Disorder

The cause of sensory issues is thought to be the result of a brain signal traffic jam, so to speak, and this can lead to anxiety attacks. Interestingly enough, people with anxiety have a lot in common with children who have autism. In both conditions, the individual can experience emotional or behavioral troubles, and placing a weighted blanket on the person can provide a calming effect.

Helps Improve Focus In ADHD Patients

People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) commonly experience restlessness, impulsive actions, and lack of focus. While there have been no studies on the use of weighted blankets for ADHD patients, several studies have used weighted vests. The findings indicated that the weighted vests helped improve attention and reduced hyperactive movements. It is thought that the deep pressure stimulation from the weighted blanket can provide a soothing effect to minimize anxiety and hyperactivity, which may be attributed to the increase in serotonin and melatonin.

More research needs to be done on the benefits of weighted blankets, but initial research has shown that it benefits people with insomnia, anxiety, sleep disorders, depression, and restless leg syndrome.

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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are relatively new conditions known in Western medicine, but they have quickly become the most commonly diagnosed childhood health issue. While many children grow out of ADD/ADHD, the condition can last through adolescence and young adulthood.

People with ADD/ADHD commonly experience:

• Difficulty staying focused
• Difficulty paying attention
• Difficulty controlling behavior
• Hyperactivity

ADD/ADHD presents differently in everyone it effects. Some are predominantly hyperactive, while others are predominantly inattentive. Still others can experience a combination of hyperactivity and inattentiveness.

Patients diagnosed with ADD/ADHD may also have other conditions or challenges such as learning disabilities, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or even Tourette’s syndrome.

Causes

Doctors and researchers don’t know exactly what causes ADD/ADHD, but they believe several factors can contribute to it:

• Genetics-a gene has been identified that causes tissue in the brain where ‘attention’ is tends to be thinner than normal. Usually, as the child grows, the brain tissue grows to normal thickness.
• Brain injury
• Sugar and sweetener intake
• Food additives-artificial colors and preservatives are linked to increases in ADD/ADHD
• Environmental factors-children exposed to cigarette smoke or alcohol while in utero, lead found in paint and plumbing and other environmental factors can contribute toe ADD/ADHD

Healing Options

The National Institute of Mental Health recommends a combination of prescription drugs and mental health therapy to treat ADD/ADHD.

While this may work for some patients, the side effects of the prescriptions drugs-including cardiovascular (heart and blood) problems, psychiatric problems such as suicidal thoughts, becoming manic, paranoia and/or hallucinations, stroke, or sudden death.

There is no medical cure for ADD/ADHD. Pharmaceuticals may help to manage symptoms. Psychiatric therapy helps the patient develop coping skills.

People who suffer from ADD/ADHD have options in managing their condition. There are many recognized natural treatments that can help manage symptoms, which also helps the patient better cope with daily life:

• Diet – Minimize intake of processed sugars and processed carbs. Eliminate exposure to food additives such as artificial colors, artificial flavors and preservatives. Essentially, eliminate any processed food from the diet. Put the patient on a regular eating schedule. Three meals a day may not be enough. The diet may need to be supplemented with healthy snacks in between meals to prevent spikes in blood sugar and adrenaline levels. Add fiber to the diet through leafy greens, vegetables, steel-cut oatmeal, berries and whole grains.
• Behavioral Therapy – parents and children both benefit from participating in behavioral therapy such as Interactive Metronome Training for children, and parenting-skills classes for parents.
• Create a routine – children with ADD/ADHD benefit from a rigid schedule that let them know what’s expected of them and when. For instance, when they will be at school, when they will do homework, when they will do chores, when they can play with friends. Create a schedule and stick to it.
• Minimize exposure to television – The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television for children under 2 years old, and no more than 2 hours a day for children older than 2 years old. While the link between watching television and ADD/ADHD is unclear, it is known that helping children develop attention skills can be achieved through activities such as puzzles, games, reading out loud, or using building blocks.

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I never really thought twice about food coloring-and if I did, I thought how wonderful it was. Isn’t it great that you can make a green cake, decorate Easter eggs, customize treats for children, make play dough, etc.? It seemed as if every label I checked had some type of artificial colors in it, so that meant it was safe right? Unfortunately, the answer turned out to be a resounding NO!

Why was it that some members of my family reacted after eating foods that contained coloring? Was it my imagination? Was it something else in the food? What about other children whose parents shared the same concern? Why did one child become hyperactive while another broke out in a rash? These questions haunted me, and I needed to find answers.

When we approached our pediatrician, she mentioned that some parents believe there is a connection between artificial colors and behavior and illness, but there was absolutely no evidence to support that artificial food coloring was in any way responsible for either outcome. However, she also was not able to provide data supporting that it was not detrimental, so I decided to keep looking. Eventually I heard of Dr. Ben Feingold, purchased his books, and read about the link he had made between hyperactivity and artificial food coloring. A number of his patients improved or recovered by changing their diets, specifically eliminating salicylates and colorings. Dr. Feingold had quite a bit of data on salicylates, but what really intrigued me was the link between colors and hyperactivity – what exactly was in these artificial colors?

Background

Artificial food colorings were first introduced after World War II when the chemical industry met with the food industry regarding using chemical-based artificial colors since they were lower in cost than natural colors and had a longer shelf life. The safety of the colors was determined primarily from using LD-50 tests, and the amount was then extrapolated to humans. At the time of approval, behavioral toxicology testing was not required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and therefore was not done on the artificial food colors.

The Food and Drug Administration and Artificial Food Colorings

The FDA’s website proved to be a valuable database for food coloring information. The site provides precise lists of color ingredients and is quite disturbing. I was personally horrified to learn that all artificial food colorings contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury as well as a myriad of chemicals.

One reason this was so disturbing was that one portion of the FDA had complete literature on the dangers of lead and the sources; however, food coloring was not listed as a potential source of exposure. Another reason this was disturbing was the consideration of all the possibilities for exposure to artificial food colorings in any given day. For example, is your child drinking a sports drink or a fruit juice with coloring? Does their antibiotic contain coloring? How about the macaroni and cheese you made for dinner last night? What are the cumulative effects of this exposure?

What Levels Are Safe?

Most artificial food coloring contains lead, mercury, and arsenic. What amounts of these substances are considered safe? The Department of Health and Human Services reports minimal risk levels (Table 1).

Table 1: Minimal Risk Levels for Mercury, Lead, and Arsenic

Mercury

Lead

Arsenic

Artificial Colors

Artificial colors become even more of a concern because, not only are they in our food products, but they are also in other daily use items such as lotion, shampoo, soaps, etc. Furthermore, the metal allotments in these cosmetic products are even higher than those allowed in food products. Table 2 provides metal and chemical information for each color used in food products. Table 3 provides the same information for each color used in cosmetic products.

Table 2: Artificial Food Coloring (pdf)

All the artificial colorings listed in the Tables are approved for general use in food with the exception of two colors. The first color, Orange B, is authorized for use only in casings or surfaces of frankfurters or sausages. Were you aware that these foods had colors in them? I certainly was not, and that is very concerning. Even if you are consciously trying to avoid colors, you have to be extremely vigilant and check every label, because colors show up in seemingly innocent places.

The second color, Citrus Red No. 2, is approved only for orange skins that are not intended for or used in processing-this means the oranges that we are going to sit down and eat. Again, here we are as parents, providing what we believe is a nutritious alternative for our children, only to learn that they can be laced with heavy metals.

Artificial Cosmetic Coloring

What do baby shampoos, lotions, and washes have in common? They are considered cosmetics and therefore can use FDA approved artificial cosmetic coloring in their products. What is interesting is the FDA has allowed for higher levels of metals in the cosmetics category. Table 3 presents the data for artificial cosmetic coloring.

Table 3: Artificial Cosmetic Coloring (pdf)

Artificial Colors And Dermal Absorption

According to the Children’s Environmental Health Project, dermal absorption is proportional to the concentration of the substance and the surface area to which the substance is applied. Dermal absorption rates vary from person to person and are affected by variables such as skin thickness, occlusions, and the composition of the substance. Composition refers to if the substance is lipid-soluble. If it is, it will be more easily absorbed into the skin.

This is such an important point because this means we have to be as vigilant about what we put on our skin as we are about what we are eating. In addition, most of the cosmetic colorings actually allow for higher concentrations of heavy metals and, if the dermal absorption rate varies from person to person, the amount of toxic substances could affect some individuals more so than others. Something as innocent as washing your hands with soap could be exposing you to more than you bargained, and identifying alternatives needs to be a priority.

Lead

There are several studies on PubMed that considered percutaneous absorption of lead. One study looked at inorganic lead compounds, and the conclusion of the study was that significant amounts of inorganic lead compounds can be absorbed through the skin and protection should be used. Another study looked at inorganic lead compounds and the effectiveness of skin cleansers at removing lead from the skin. Their results showed it is necessary to prevent skin contamination from occurring, because a short contact can increase skin content and penetration, even if quickly followed by washing. Furthermore, E-medicine reports that transdermal absorption for alkyl lead can be substantial.

Mercury

Mercurial ointments were used as a treatment for syphilis before the discovery of penicillin. The ointments were applied directly to the thinnest areas of the skin such as the groin and the bends of the elbows and knees. Some scientists believed that the dermal absorption of the ointment was quite low and that patients were actually receiving benefit from inhaling the mercury vapor. A study was performed where the ointment was rubbed in and any excess was washed off the skin, eliminating any source of mercury vapor. Seventy-five percent of the study participants experienced salivation-one of the known effects of mercury-proving dermal absorption played a key role.

Arsenic

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, dermal absorption of arsenic is low; however, it is readily absorbed if inhaled or ingested. Many wood-based playground structures have been removed out of fears that children would touch the arsenic-treated wood and then put their hands in their mouths.

Artificial Colors, Mental Health, ADD/ADHD

As mentioned previously, Dr. Feingold identified a link between food coloring and hyperactivity. He also noticed a marked increase in the ADD/ADHD classification after the mass introduction of food colorings into our society. A brochure, available in my pediatrician’s office, by McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals indicates that lead exposure can lead to ADHD, yet the brochure writers discredit the idea that food/cosmetic colors have any role in affecting children’s behavior. If lead has been implicated in ADHD, and colorings have lead in them, then removing coloring additives from the diet and environment are crucial. The Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics published information regarding 15 trials with 219 participants; all were double-blind cross-over trials. Just by eliminating artificial food colorings from their diet, children’s behavior improved significantly. Furthermore, just eliminating food colorings from the diet produced one-third to one-half the improvement typically seen with ADHD medication therapy.

Artificial coloring present in commonly prescribed ADHD medications

Even if one elects to use medication, heavy metal toxicity screenings need to be prescribed prior to psychoactive drugs, because most of these drugs contain colors that can lead to further toxicity. Table 4 provides an account of the coloring present in commonly prescribed ADHD medications.

Table 4: Color Content in ADHD Medications

Source: rxlist.com

This means that children taking these drugs are being exposed to lead, arsenic, and mercury. This also indicates that these children in particular need to be extremely careful with whatever medications they may take-acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antibiotics, etc., to ensure that alternative products that do not contain food dyes are selected. Amoxicillin11 and Cefzil,12 for example, contain Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic-approved red dyes as well as aspartame. As parents, we can check food labels, but we must rely on our physicians to select our medicines, since the bottles provided by the pharmacist do not list the ingredients. Colloidal silver, homeopathy, and supplements may provide a safer alternative.

Further Studies About The Link Between Lead And ADHD

Several studies also point to the link between lead and ADHD. One of the most recent was published in the Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives.13 According to the Journal, children with blood lead levels of more than two micrograms per deciliter were four times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children with levels below .8 microgram per deciliter. The government’s acceptable blood lead level is ten micrograms per deciliter. The study estimates that more than five million four-to-15 year olds in the US have levels higher than two micrograms per deciliter.

Another study done by the National Academy of Sciences in 2000 stated that roughly three percent of all developmental and neurological disorders in the US are caused by toxic chemicals and other environmental factors. The same study showed that environmental triggers, along with a genetic predisposition, may cause approximately 25% of developmental and neurological deficits. The Academy also acknowledged that, in this study, they were only referring to well-recognized and clinically diagnosed mental and physical disabilities-therefore, the 25% estimate may in fact be higher.14

What is Your Child Exposed to on a Daily Basis?

A Day in the Life of a Child

Most parents I speak to are completely unaware of the color content of their food, cosmetic products, and medicines. Some who are aware are shocked to find out coloring doesn’t come from natural substances. Tables 5-7 offer color information regarding some popular foods, cosmetics, and over-the-counter (OTC) supplementation/medicines used for children.

Table 5: Coloring in Food Items

Table 6: Coloring in Cosmetic Items

Table 7: Coloring in OTC Supplementation/Medicines

Cumulative Effects of Exposure To Artificial Food & Cosmetic Colorings?

What are the cumulative effects of food and cosmetic colorings to us and, more importantly, to our children? According to Dr. Gary Gordon,16 each time a manufacturer prepares a batch of dye for use in its products, it has to submit a sample from that batch to the FDA for certification. Only the FDA can certify colors as safe; no one else has that authority. I was unable to find any studies indicating overall exposure or estimated daily exposure to these metals. I was also unable to find any studies on the mixing of food colorings or the total amount of lead, mercury, arsenic content for products that use a combination of colors. This is concerning.

Artificial Colors in Your Cleaners

Cleaning products present an interesting challenge, since manufacturers do not have to identify the ingredients of their products on the labels. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available for consumers to view via most companies’ websites. However, these MSDS require manufacturers to provide information regarding established exposure limits. They do not provide an ingredient list and are protected by patent laws.

The Effects of Lead, Mercury, and Arsenic in Artificial Colors

We have all heard that lead is associated with lower IQ, but did you know it could also be responsible for some cavities? According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (June 23/30; 281:2294), where data was analyzed from 24,901 children, a correlation between lead and cavities were established.

Most of the children participating in the study had blood-lead levels of only a few micrograms of lead per deciliter, well below the federal guideline for blood-lead concentrations of 10 mcg per deciliter. For children aged five to 17, an increased burden of 5 mcg per deciliter of blood corresponded to an 80% increase in cavities. The researchers estimate that cavities of 2.7 million US children result from lead, about ten percent of all cases in that age group. The researchers speculated that either the lead stunts development of the glands that produce saliva (which protects teeth from harmful acid and bacteria) or lead might hinder enamel growth.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry estimates one out of every six children in the United States has blood lead levels in the toxic range.

Lead exposure has been linked to developmental delays, peripheral neuropathy, altered thyroid hormone, and reduced fertility. In elderly adults, levels over 4 mcgs can have neurobehavioral effects.

Mercury

So what do you do if you get a cavity? Well, some dentists will fill your teeth with amalgams that contain mercury. Mercury has been implicated in autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, endocrine problems, allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and a host of other disorders. According to the FDA, “The toxicity of mercury compounds is extensively documented in scientific literature. It is well-known that mercury compounds are readily absorbed through unbroken skin as well as through the lungs by inhalation and by intestinal absorption after ingestion. Mercury is absorbed from topical application and is accumulated in the body, giving rise to numerous adverse effects…Recently it has also been determined that microorganisms in the environment can convert various forms of mercury into highly toxic methyl mercury which has been found in the food supply and is now considered to be a serious environmental problem.”

Common Dreams Newswire reported in 2004 that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scientists using data collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that one in six pregnant women has enough mercury in her blood to pose a risk of brain damage to her developing child. Lower levels of mercury exposure can lead to symptoms of fever, insomnia, rapidly changing moods, and tremors.

Arsenic

Arsenic poisoning has been associated with respiratory, neurological, developmental, and cardiovascular issues. It has also been associated with cancer. In fact, an increased risk of skin cancer in humans is associated with chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic in medication, contaminated water, and the workplace.

Arsenic is present in food such as meat, fish, and poultry and, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, accounts for 80% of our dietary intake (although fish arsenic has a low toxicity in humans and is excreted rapidly in our urine). Fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, paints, and water are other sources of exposure.

An intellectual function study which included 201 children under the age of ten concluded that as little as .0017 mg per day affected children’s performance in switching attention task. When the exposure increased to .0034 mg per day, the children showed decreased performance in both switching attention tasks as well as in tests that measured memory.

What Can We Do?

The first step is to remove artificial colors from your environment. This can be difficult since colors are pervasive, but there are alternatives. For instance, if you need food coloring, health food stores sell colors made from food-turmeric, blueberry, beets, etc. These can be used to make play dough as well as to color foods. Health food stores also make available muffins, toothpastes, snacks, chocolates, drinks, and OTC medications that do not contain artificial colors.

Cooking and eating as many meals as possible at home is also a step in the right direction. You can control what you put in your food. If you need to obtain medication and are not sure if it contains colors, you can check online at www.rxlist.com. If your medication is made with colors, contact a compounding pharmacy to see if they can compound without all the artificial colors. A list of compounding pharmacies can be found at www.iacprx.org.

Debbie C. Lindgren, CIHom, BA, MBA

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Bi-polar disorder, also known as manic-depression, is most commonly recognized by extreme swings in mood. Someone can feel happy or euphoric, and then suddenly feel hopeless and suicidal.

Bipolar disorder is medically defined as:
“A major mental disorder characterized by episodes of mania, depression, or mixed mood. One or the other phase may be predominant at any given time, one phase may appear alternately with the other, or elements of both phases may be present simultaneously. Characteristics of the manic phase are excessive emotional displays, such as excitement, elation, euphoria, or in some cases irritability accompanied by hyperactivity, boisterousness, impaired ability to concentrate, decreased need for sleep, and seemingly unbounded energy. In extreme mania, a sense of omnipotence and delusions or grandeur may occur. In the depressive state, marked apathy and under-activity are accompanied by feelings of profound sadness, loneliness, and lowered self-esteem. Causes of the disorder are multiple and complex, often involving biologic, psychological, interpersonal, and social and cultural factors.”
Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 5th edition (1998), pg. 196.

It is usually a long-term psychiatric condition that may need one or more therapies to manage symptoms so the sufferer can engage in every-day life.

Causes and Risk Factors

Bi-polar disorder is attributed to several instances such as hormonal imbalance, genetics, neurotransmitter imbalance, changes to the brain (either due to injury or other factors). Stress, abuse, traumatic loss can also contribute to the development of Bi-polar disorder.

Other emotional, psychological, or health issues can can make the diagnosis of the disorder difficult. Conditions that commonly occur with Bi-polar disorder include anxiety, ADD/ADHD, addiction or substance abuse, heart disease, thyroid disease, and obesity.

Symptoms

People suffering from Bi-polar disorder experience symptoms at both ends of the spectrum: the highest highs and the lowest lows. Some symptoms are:

• Difficulty managing relationships at home, work or school
• Inflated self-esteem
• Severe lack of self-esteem
• Poor judgment
• Aggressive behavior
• Rapid speech
• Risky behavior
• Agitation or trouble settling down
• Dangerous behavior such as compulsive drug use, alcohol use, and unsafe sex practices
• Prolonged periods of sadness or hopelessness
• Anxiety or feelings of panic
• Difficulty concentrating, or is easily distracted
• Fatigue, insomnia and problems sleeping
• Explosive behavior

Healing Options

According to medical experts, Bi-polar disorder requires lifelong treatment. Left untreated, people with Bi-polar disorder can experience financial problems, legal problems, trouble maintaining relationships, feelings of isolation and loneliness that could lead to suicidal thoughts, poor performance at work or school, problems related to drug and alcohol abuse as well as compulsive over-eating or compulsive under-eating.

Treating Bi-polar disorder can be complicated. It generally includes a combination of therapies. In some cases, treatment for substance abuse may also be necessary. Support groups have also been known to be helpful to those suffering from Bi-polar disorder.

Acupuncture, yoga, and massage therapy are also known treatments for Bi-polar disorder. People with Bi-polar disorder are encouraged to learn about the condition and how to manage it, join support groups, find healthy outlets (such as a hobby, sports, etc.), stress management or relaxation techniques, and to stay motivated through goal-setting and productive self-rewarding.

Dietary Intervention

It’s been reported that some people with Bi-polar disorder benefit from a change in diet.

Avoid a “Western” style diet rich in red meats, simple carbs, saturated fats and trans fats. Instead, people with Bi-polar disorder can eat a nutrient-dense diet loaded with fruits and vegetables. Nuts, flax seed and canola oil are also helpful.

There are foods known to aggravate Bi-polar disorder. Patients should avoid caffeine, high-fat foods, high-salt foods, bananas, champagne, red wine, grapefruit juice, fermented cheese, liver, and soy sauce.

Herbs can be very helpful. It’s recommended using nervine herbs for bi-polar disorder. These herbs include Kava Kava, Passionflower, Lavender flower, Jatamansi, Chamomile, St. Jon’s Wort, Valerian Root, Blue Vervain, Hops, Scullcap, Catnip, and Cinnamon to name a few. These herbs can be taken in tea form, capsule form, or liquid extract form and can be taken throughout the day.

Other Healing Options

AROMATHERAPY. There are plenty of good essential oils that are effective in the treatment and healing of bi-polar disorder and they include Neroli, Bergamot, Lavender, Jasmine, Davana, May Chang, Blood Orange, Linden, Valerian, and Melissa (True). These oils can be inhaled, burned in a diffuser, and/or added to bath water.

CRYSTALS. There are plenty of crystals that can be used in the treatment and healing of bi-polar disorder, but by far, the best stone to use for bi-polar disorder is lepidolite. Lepidolite contains lithium.

Other good stones/crystals for bi-polar include Charoite, Larimar (Dolphin Stone), Sugilite, Amethyst, and Peridot. These crystals and stones are ideal for the depression aspect of bi-polar (and can be placed directly on the Ajna chakra located between the eyebrows.

However, for the grounding aspect of bi-polar, the following crystals and stones are recommended: Black Tourmaline, Onyx, Jet, Obsidian, Hematite, Smoky Quartz, and Magnetite. These stones can be placed anywhere from the bottom of the feet up to the genital region, or, around the body in a grid)

Crystals can be applied directly to the Sixth chakra (Brow Chakra) while lying down (for about 15-30 minutes) or can be made into an elixir (letting the crystal sit in water for a period of 24 hours, receiving both moon and sun light) and drank (a few dropper-fulls or 1-4 ounces).

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Generally speaking, herbs are safe to take, especially the ones that are commonly used today. However, products may vary with each herbalist or herbal company.

People should be more concerned with the contents and effects of pharmaceutical drugs because they are man-made drugs.

Benefits

Many people are looking towards herbal supplements as a natural remedy and alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. There are many therapeutic benefits of herbs and herbal extracts. Herbs can be used in a variety of ways. It can treat various health conditions but can also promote general health for an individual. In conjunction to a healthy diet and lifestyle, herbal supplements can be very beneficial to one’s health.

Herbal supplements have many properties that can enhance general health and lifestyle by improving:

• Digestion
• Aging
• Energy
• Immune system
• Memory
• Stress levels
• Vision
• Sexual health
• Skin
• Hair

Herbs are capable of treating various illnesses and conditions such as:

• Acne
• ADD
• ADHD
• Colds
• Arthritis
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High cholesterol

Safety

Like many health products, herbal supplements are not heavily regulated in the United States. Manufacturers may not even claim the true contents of their products. Natural health supplements are extremely effective when the right ingredients are used. It is important to educate yourself about the herbs and herbal supplements that seem most beneficial to you.

Everything that is sold at Dherbs.com is 100% safe. Dherbs.com only uses 100% botanicals, herbs and essential oils. The products have no adverse side effects and none of them are addictive. No animal parts or byproducts are ever used and the products never contain any chemical additives such as preservatives, fillers, solvents or binders.

Herbs are food products and are 100% safe to take, especially nutritive herbs.

Herbs vs. Pharmaceuticals

All herbs considered or alleged to be toxic or poisonous by government sources and agencies are not available to the people pursuant to government regulation. However, hundreds of harmful legal, over-the-counter drugs are widely and readily available to them via government approval.

The government bans so-called toxic or poisonous herbs but allows man-made pharmaceutical drugs to be sold over-the-counter.

No alleged poisonous or toxic herb can be compared to the dangers of some pharmaceutical drugs. Some of the most popular “toxic” herbs include:

• Comfrey
• Ephedra
• Blood Root
• Ergot
• European Mistletoe

Side Effects

The most popular side effects of herbs deal with allergic reactions. Some common allergic reactions to ingested herbs include skin rash and upset stomach. If a person is prone to allergic reactions, then they should use small doses and try one new herb at a time.

Do not combine herbs and pharmaceutical drugs. Herbs may interfere and even amplify the drugs effects.

Solutions

Those who are new to herbs and herbal supplements should start with food and culinary herbs because they are very familiar and low-risk herbs. Popular food herbs are:

• Garlic
• Ginger
• Nettles
• Dandelion greens
• Shiitake mushrooms
• Burdock root (gobo)
• Rosehips

Recommended culinary herbs include:

• Thyme
• Oregano
• Turmeric
• Cayenne

Next, begin experimenting with infusions, also known as teas. Many of the food herbs listed above can be chopped, dried, and steeped for tea.

Thank you for reading !

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As an adult, Drugs are technically designed to treat, cure or prevent disease. The challenge is that drugs aren’t laser beams. They’re more like shot guns.

Instead of exclusively targeting of the disease or condition, drugs can have residual impact that are commonly referred to as “side-effects” or “contraindications.” Because each individual is unique, there’s no way to know how a drug will affect someone until they actually take it. Side effects can be so severe that they actually create a bigger problem than the one you want to treat.

Children are especially at risk of side effects, not just physically, but developmentally as well. In the case of ADD/ADHD, the drugs don’t cure the condition; they simply treat the symptoms.

As a parent, you need to ask yourself if giving your ADD/ADHD child drugs is the appropriate solution.

Drugs commonly prescribed to treat ADD or ADHD

ADD/ADHD drugs are stimulants. They are generally assigned to one of these three classes:

• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Daytrana)
• Amphetamine (Adderall)
• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat)

There is a non-stimulate drug called atomoxetine (Strattera), however it is reported to have more severe side effects than its stimulant-based cousins.

Known Side Effects of ADD/AHDH Drugs

Side effects generally appear as:

• Decreased appetite
• Sleeplessness
• Stomachaches
• Headaches
• Emotional ‘flatness’ or lacking emotion
• Hyper-focus
• Muscle tics (sudden, repetitive, uncontrollable movements)

In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an order that all pharmaceutical companies that manufacture and market drugs for the treatment of ADD/ADHD prepare a “Patient Medication Guide” to alert patients to possible heart and psychiatric problems as a result of taking ADD/ADHD drugs. In extreme situations, some children and teens taking Add/ADHD drugs report feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts.

The Addictive Nature of ADD/ADHD Drugs

The medical and psychiatric communities are currently at odds about whether children who take ADD/ADHD drugs over extended periods of time are at risk of becoming addicted to these and other drugs.

It’s believed that if the drug is taken under the careful supervision of a doctor that abuse and addiction are less likely. However it is also known that stimulants are highly addictive because of their basic action: releasing more dopamine (the pleasure neurotransmitter).

Whether used to enhance performance (such as studying for final exams) or for recreational purposes (to get high), excessive use of stimulants can lead to:

• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Increased body temperature
• Decreased appetite
• Insomnia or sleeplessness
• Feelings of hostility or paranoia
• Cardiovascular complications
• Stroke

Healing Options

People who suffer from ADD/ADHD have options in managing their condition. There are many recognized natural treatments that can help manage symptoms, which also helps the patient better cope with daily life:

• Behavioral Therapy-parents and children both benefit from participating in behavioral therapy such as Interactive Metronome Training for children, and parenting-skills classes for parents.
• Create a routine-children with ADD/ADHD benefit from a rigid schedule that let them know what’s expected of them and when. For instance, when they will be at school, when they will do homework, when they will do chores, when they can play with friends. Create a schedule and stick to it.
• Minimize exposure to television-The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television for children under 2 years old, and no more than 2 hours a day for children older than 2 years old. While the link between watching television and ADD/ADHD is unclear, it is known that helping children develop attention skills can be achieved through activities such as puzzles, games, reading out loud, or using building blocks.

Other alternatives include:

• Mental stimulation
• Yoga
• Listening to or participating in music
• Swimming
• Time outdoors

Dietary Intervention

Minimize intake of processed sugars and processed carbs. Eliminate exposure to food additives such as artificial colors, artificial flavors and preservatives. Essentially, eliminate any processed food from the diet.

Put your child on a regular eating schedule. Three meals a day may not be enough. The diet may need to be supplemented with healthy snacks in between meals to prevent spikes in blood sugar and adrenaline levels.

Add fiber to the diet through leafy greens, vegetables, steel-cut oatmeal, berries and whole grains.

Feed them good, live, high frequency, and nutritious foods and beverages and you will see a difference in their health and behavior. Spend that extra money for your children.

So don’t be so strict on them pertaining to sweets. Simply purchase the better candies (found at health food stores) and let them know it’s not the average candy that everybody else consumes, but made with better ingredients.

Purchase plant-based ice creams made from rice, almonds, coconut, or soy (last resort choice) instead ice-cream. These too (non-dairy frozen desserts) are found at health food stores.

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