Focus:
Viewing yourself as whole, not a dichotomy.
Repetition:
I am becoming more of myself, I am becoming who I was created to be.
You Are Whole
You are not bad and good, sick and getting better, doing ok but really needing to work on _____. You are a human being created by God, made in His Image. You are made of microbes and cells, memories, loves and difficult things. You are YOU!! You are exactly where you need to be and who you need to be.
We trust the process, we love ourselves, support ourselves and see ourselves as whole. Always remember that the symptoms or the illness or the “things that have not happened yet” are just part of you, they are not bad, they are not a punishment because you are not perfect. You are on a journey, a dynamic journey full of twists and turns, things of great beauty and things of great teaching.
If you have not yet, learn to just be. Revel in being alive, be in awe of the flight of your backyard birds, listen to the laughter of children as if it were a symphony, live in this life as if it were the most magical delight available, because it is. It is your one, amazing life and you are transforming into more of you. Isn’t that lovely?
A Herb I Have Been Looking Into
I want to share a herb with you this week that I have been reading about, Commiphora mukul, which is commonly called Guggul. It is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy that has been used for centuries, and I thought it was interesting enough to pass along to you.
The benefit it is best known for is helping to regulate cholesterol, which of course tells us that it is also helping with inflammation. It has been used for weight management as well, and some of what I read suggests it may reduce waist circumference, which is another sign that inflammation is coming down.
Guggul has been used for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. The guggulsterones in it appear to quiet the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduce inflammation in the joints, which brings relief from arthritis symptoms. It has also been shown to lower C-reactive protein, a marker of systemic inflammation, and we know that chronic inflammation is at the root of so much illness.
Liver Support
It is protective of the liver, shielding it from damage caused by toxins and free radicals. It does this in part by stimulating the production of glutathione, which is our great antioxidant and plays such an important role in liver detoxification. By supporting the liver, it helps keep toxins from accumulating in the body.
Emerging Research
There is emerging research suggesting Guggul may have anti-cancer properties. The guggulsterones have been shown to induce apoptosis, which is programmed cell death, in cancer cells while leaving the healthy cells alone. More research is needed, but I find that very hopeful.
It also appears to support the bones, stimulating the production of osteocalcin, which is a protein essential for bone formation, and slowing bone resorption.
Safety and Dosage
For most people it is considered safe, but it may interact with certain medications such as statins and blood thinners, so please look into that if it applies to you. The typical dosage given is 25 to 50 mg of a standardized extract containing 2.5 to 5% guggulsterones, two to three times daily.
I thought this was very interesting and wanted to share it with you all. It sounds like a lovely herb to try, and I personally would get it in its most natural form if you wish to try it.