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STRESS & THE POWER OF PRAYER
Studies at Dartmouth Medical School, Duke University School of Medicine, and Yale University show that prayer and meditation have a profound effect against disease and illness. In separate research studies it was found that:
People who never attended church spent an average of 3 times more days hospitalized when sick than people who attended weekly.
Heart patients were 14 times more likely to die following surgery if they did not participate in a religion.
Elderly people who never or rarely attended church had a stroke rate double that of people who attended regularly.
In Israel, religious people had a 40 percent lower death rate from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
The reason for this is simple. According to Dr. Andrew Goliszek, author of 60 Second Stress Management, anything you do to reduce stress reactions will decrease blood levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. And since one of the main effects of cortisol is to depress the immune system and decrease the body's ability to fight disease, activities such as prayer and meditation reduce this hormone and naturally reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke.
STRESS-REDUCING HERBS
New research has shown that certain herbs can be very effective in decreasing and even eliminating stress reactions. After all, the stress response is nothing more than a series of physical and chemical events that trigger the systems in our body to release hormones and cause physiological changes. Some cultures have for years recognized the effectiveness of herbs in treating everything from colds to cancer.
The following herbs, according to researchers at some leading institutions, are especially good at reducing stress by helping individuals relax, decrease tension, eliminate insomnia, and boost energy levels. Always keep in mind, however, that herbs, like anything else one takes to supplement diet, should not be abused, since overuse of certain herbs may cause the opposite effect and lead to health problems. Some of the best "stress reducing" herbs are:
CHAMOMILE
Tea made from this herb can relax tense muscles and soothe an upset stomach. It's best to drink it without additives like milk, sugar, or honey.
GINSENG
For years, ginseng root has been prescribed for symptoms of stress and anxiety. The best way to take ginseng is in capsule form, since capsules offer a more standardized dose and, thus, are consistent from lot to lot.
KAVA
This herb has been shown to calm the nervous system, help with insomnia, and ease stress and anxiety. Like ginseng, kava is best taken as standardized capsules.
LICORICE ROOT
Not to be mistaken for licorice candy, licorice root extract helps to regulate the body's response to stress reactions. This herb is not one that should be used by people with disorders such as hypertension or kidney disease.
ST.-JOHN'S WORT
Used mostly as an anti-depressent, St.-John's Wort acts like Prozac, the most widely prescribed anti-depressant drug on the U.S. market today. It works by preventing the brain from absorbing the mood-altering neurotransmitter, serotonin, too quickly. In Europe, St.-John's Wort is prescribed for depression more than 3 times as frequently as it is in the United States.
VALERIAN
Basically a mild tranquilizer without the effects of drugs like valium, valerian calms the central nervous system and helps with insomnia.
HEALTH WARNING!!
A dietary supplement claiming to reduce stress, as well as enhance sexual performance and build muscle, has been linked to seizures, life-threatening reactions, and even death. Sold under the names Blue Nitro, Blue Nitro Vitality, GH Revitalizer (GHR), Reinforce, Renewtrient, and Gamma G, it can seriously affect the Central Nervous System. A good rule of thumb: Avoid any product containing the chemical GBL or Gamma-butyrolactone.
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