I Received My Medical License!

This week I received my medical license and am officially a Naturopathic Physician. What this accomplishment means is that I now have the priviledge of practicing family medicine with an emphasis on natural therapies in the state of Arizona, United States of America. This development opens up a world of opportunities for me in terms of starting my own practice.

Ashta Nemana Nuiknew!

I Will Receive My Medical License Soon!

 It is with great pleasure that I announce to everyone that within a month or so I will have my medical license in my hands and will be able to practice as a Naturopathic Physician (Family practice with emphasis in natural medicine) here in the state of Arizona, United States. Thus the dream of opening a medical clinic that incorporates our ancestral medicine is closer to materializing here in Arizona thanks to the fact that I passed my board exam.

As always I thank all that have visited this blog to read my posts and also to all of those whom have helped me personally at any moment.

I will keep everyone posted with updates on the project at hand

Ashta Nemana Nuiknew!

Salt Water Gargle

Salt is so ubiquitous in our society today that many people would find it surprising that it has been used as an effective remedy for various health complaints around the world for millenia. In the Mesoamerican region one of the uses of common table salt is in the form of a simple gargle.

To prepare a salt water gargle all that is needed is 2-3  teaspoons of salt (preferably sea salt or rock salt fit for human consumption), warm water and a small cup. the gargle is made by mixing the sea salt in 1 to 2 ounces of water and placing it in the mouth lifting the head and gargling as when using mouth wash. DO NOT SWALLOW THE SALT WATER GARGLE!!! and spitting it out after a 2 minutes or so of gargling (take breaks while gargling). These steps should be repeated 6 times in a day.

The antimicrobial property of a salt gargle lies in the fact that salt naturally draws liquids to itself and acts as a dehydrating agent. When applied as a gargle the salt draws the moisture from inside the offending microorganism shriveling it up and causing it to die. Additionally salt also takes away the moist environmental conditions needed for the microorganism to thrive.

 Photo Acquired From: http://stayhealthyla.org/blog/uploads//2012/02/salt-300x261.jpg

Ashta Nemanha Nuiknew!

Pine (Pinus spp.)

In the Americas there exists at least 35 species of the tree known as pine. The region where the pine grows in North and Central America extends from Canada down to Nicaragua.

Pine leaves have been used in Traditional Mesoamerican Medicine since ancient times in the form of hot teas or external ointments to treat respiratory problems such as the common cold and cough. Additionally pine leaves are used to treat arthritis.

Ashta Nemanha Nuiknew!  

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

The tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) is a humble plant with edible fruit that originated in South America. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans the tomato  made its way northward into Mesoamerica and the present day Southwest of the United States (Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada) where the Pueblos, Navajos and Hopis and other indigenous nations adopted it as a food and a medicine.

Nutritionally speaking the tomato contains lycopene which helps with prostate health in men and vitamin C which strengthens the immune system.

Medicinally the tomato contains anti-inflammatory substances, acids and antioxidants which help combat infections such as sore throats (swollen tonsils).

Ashta Nemanha Nuiknew!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

Mexican Mugwort (Artemisia mexicana)

Mexican Mugwort (Artemisia mexicana) is an herbaceous plant that grows in humid soil. Since antiquity this plant has been used internally to help digestion and also help expel intestinal parasites. Externally Mexican Mugwort fomentations, poultices and baths are used to help deal with sore muscles and contusions.

 Photo Acquired From: http://intermountainbiota.org/imglib/seinet/genfield/palexander/set001/Artemisia_lud-mex_22Sep07_6799.jpg


Ashta Nemana Nuiknew!

Tila (Tilia mexicana)

Tila (Tilia mexicana) is a tree that has heart shaped serrated leaves and yellow flowers. Tila grows from Mexico to Central America. Traditionally the leaves and flowers are harvested,dried and then brewed in a tea to be used as a gentle sedative and muscle relaxant. Tila tea is quite popular and small packets of dried leaves and flowers can be purchased at an affordable price in yerberias.

Ashta Nemana Nuiknew!