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Welcome To Conscious Friends
March 22, 2009
Hello and welcome to Conscious Friends, a community of The Conscious Living Foundation!
As you know, our site was created to support those interested in spiritual and personal growth. Along the way, many of us have realized that relationships are an important part of creating and maintaining a harmonious and uplifting life.
To that end, The Conscious Living Foundation is pleased to offer these pages on our site in the hope that we all can find new like-minded friends and perhaps develop deeper relationships.
There are several ways to visit these pages. As a...more
50 Benefits of Meditation
June 17, 2008
Meditation literally means, "thinking process with present moment awareness".
1.) To have healthy heart.
2.) To have normal blood pressure.
3.) To have normal cholesterol.
4.) To prevent stroke / paralysis.
5.) To have perfect digestion.
6.) To have perfect weight.
7.) To have perfect sleep.
8.) To become a perfect choice maker.
9.) To reverse and regress ageing.
10.) To remain young.
11.) To prevent cancer.
12.) To become embodiment of positive emotions.
13.) To get rid of negative emotions. more
Is Consciousness Energy?
June 11, 2008
If you tune into someone's "vibrations," are you picking up some form of energy they are emitting - perhaps something we might call "psychic energy?"
It may be tempting to think so . . . to think of consciousness as a form of energy. But is it?
What might be going on when we say we feel someone's vibrations?
Well, one possibility is that their brain or their body could be sending out waves of energy - something, perhaps, like electricity. If so, it must be far more subtle than any form of energy known to...more
100 Ideas for Creating a More Peaceful World
May 20, 2008
Creating world peace takes many forms, but surely it begins with individuals. Here are 100 ideas for creating a more peaceful world. Everyone can play a part in creating peace. It continues to be the most significant challenge of humankind and requires the efforts of each of us.
[The list contains only 97 Ideas because I removed broken links to defunct websites.
You can bring it back to 100 Ideas by adding your own for Creating a More Peaceful World!
When you do, take a moment to post your additions on the Conscious...more
Recipe for Simplicity
May 6, 2008
"Simplify, Simplify…" More than a century after Henry David Thoreau uttered these words, his plea for simplicity has more significance now than ever before.
We work hard and play hard, filling nearly every moment with activity. Most families believe they need two incomes to pay for a standard of living that has doubled in the last 50 years. But do we?
Based on my three-year study of over 200 people who have simplified their lives, I found that we can work less, want less, and spend less, and be happier and more fulfilled in the process.
Here are ten...more
Spiritual Diversity
April 29, 2008
To our pre-Christian spiritual ancestors, spirituality was both contemporary and relevant. In cultures where polytheism (the belief in many gods) was the rule, rather than the exception, individuals were given the ability to find their own beliefs and to choose their own spiritual paths based upon their personal needs and the calling of their own hearts. Households had specific deities that represented the prosperity and protection that the family hoped for their home. Agricultural festivals had gods that watched over the planting, the growing crops, and the harvest. This diverse pantheon of deities created a culture where a person would draw closest to the god...more
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St. John's Wort: Sometimes Friend, Sometimes Foe
February 21, 2007
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St. John's wort has recently become enormously popular and is being used successfully to treat a variety of illnesses and health conditions. It is primarily used to treat mood disorders, such as mild to moderate depression, seasonal affective disorder, anxiety, and insomnia. St. John's wort is also being used for treating wounds, burns, and hemorrhoids. The herb is readily available over-the-counter in a variety of forms, including capsules, liquids, lotions, teas, and powders. Although St. John's wort is widely used, easily accessible, and a natural medicine, a word of caution is in order, because like any medicine, St. John's wort may be harmful too.
As St. John's wort is studied more, experts are concerned about its potential for undesirable effects. One preliminary finding shows that high concentrations of the herb may damage male fertility. Other research indicates that St. John's wort may have a role in the development of cataracts. The herb appears to damage proteins in the eyes when combined with bright sunlight. If you take St. John's wort you should wear a hat and wrap-around sunglasses when you're outside in bright sunlight.
While St. John's wort has been shown to relieve symptoms of depression, you should not take it if you are already taking an antidepressant. Talk with your doctor if you think you suffer from depression and feel you need medical help or if you are interested in replacing your antidepressant with St. John's wort. Do not attempt to treat your depression with St. John's wort if it is severe or if you feel suicidal.
St. John's wort should not be taken if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or if you take L-dopa or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). You should also know that the side effects of this herb may include:
- Abdominal pain, bloating, or constipation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Hives, skin rashes or irritation
- Sleeping problems
- Elevated blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
The bottom line: keep in mind that although St. John's wort is a natural substance that is available over-the-counter, you should always treat it like a medicine and consult your doctor if you are planning to use it.
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| Glossary |
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L-dopa: Levodopa, a drug used in for treating the shaking and muscular rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): a natural compound produced by the body from an amino acid (tryptophan). It is used to aid sleep, and in the treatment of fibromyalgia and depression.
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| Suggested Resources |
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The Natural Pharmacist: Your Complete Guide to St. John's Wort and Depression by Steven Bratman (Prima Publishing 1999)
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| References |
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Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, TX: The American Botanical Council and Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:214–215.
Fugh-Berman A. Infertility from herbs? Alternative Therapies in Women's Health. 1999;1(5):38-39.
Integrative Medicine Access: Professional Reference to Conditions, Herbs & Supplements. Newton, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.
Lantz MS, Buchalter E, Giambanco V. St. John's wort and antidepressant interactions in the elderly. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 1999;12:7-10.
Linde K, Mulrow CD. St. John's wort for depression (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 1998. Oxford: Update Software.
Miller AL. St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum): clinical effects on depression and other conditions. Alt Med Rev. 1998; 3(1):18-26.
Ondrizek RR, Chan PJ, Patton WC, King A. An alternative medicine study of herbal effects on the penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes and the integrity of sperm deoxyribonucleic acid. Fertil Steril. 1999;71(3):517-522.
Roberts JE, Wang RH, Tan IP, Datillo M, Chignell CF. Hypericin (active ingredient in St. John's wort) photo-oxidation in lens proteins. Photochem Photobiol. 1999;69(suppl 6):S42.
Schempp CM, Pelz K, Wittmer A, Schopf E, Simon JC. Antibacterial activity of hyperforin from St. John's wort, against multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus and gram-positive bacteria. Lancet. 1999;353(9170):2129.
Schultz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy. A Physician's Guide to Herbal
Medicine. New York: Springer. 1998.
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| Review Date: December 1999 |
| Reviewed By: Integrative Medicine editorial |
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Copyright © 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc
The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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