Natural Wellness and Integrated Healthcare
Call 416-456 HELP (4357) or email Alex Gellman for more information about Lifestyle and Wellness coaching and guidance, which Alex Gellman offers remotely and in-person in Toronto and via the new location in Nova Scotia (Wolfville).
For urgent matters requiring immediate attention, please email [email protected].
“Some of the tools that I use are homeopathy, nutrition, and emotional iridology—to help you reach your goals and realize your dreams!” Alex
The Effects of Food and Homeopathic Remedies in Improving Fibromyalgia Symptoms:
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a serious disease of our times. Recovery from this condition is slim and the patient often feels they must resign themselves to a life of pain and struggle. FM affects a large segment of the population and is treated with a myriad of pharmacological medications and holistic treatments. The holistic approach is regarded as unaffordable to many FM patients—many view their condition as chronic condition and are unable to work (or have to fight for disability claims).
Alleviating Fibromyalgia Symptoms
We undertook research that followed patients over six months to analyze how a homeopathic diet and remedies affected fibromyalgia symptoms. We were extremely pleased that the findings of our research showed that spending very little (approximately $10 per month) on homeopathic tissue salts and boosting nutrition with clean healthy food can act as a catalyst to help bring about healing in fibromyalgia patients.
The Fibromyalgia Study
Participating in the study were 12 subjects diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a medical doctor. We started with 25 participants; however, some were not able to continue for various reasons/ primarily compliance with the food protocol. Physical and emotional factors or unbalances were explored with investigational tools at the start of the study. Past traumatic events and stress factors were taken into consideration.
Clean Food Protocols
In the first month, an anti-inflammatory diet was prescribed. At the third month, three homeopathic tissue salts were introduced—natrum phosphoricum, natrum sulphoricum, and silicea.
A personalized food protocol was created for all subjects to address the main aggravating factors in fibromyalgia: inflammation, body (tissue) toxicity, oxidative factors, and stress. The nutritional approach involved the elimination of all processed foods, dairy, saturated fats, red meat, gluten, alcohol, and sugar.
Consultation sessions (one session per month) were planned for each subject for a period of six months, from January to June. On these sessions, progress and improvement were discussed as well as various health parameters monitored.
We used various investigative methods: composition scale measuring weight, body fat, healthy water levels, visceral fat, muscle mass, and bone mass; blood pressure monitoring of diastole, systole, and pulse; urine analysis of pH levels and nitrate levels.
Fibromyalgia Study Results
The study showed an overall improvement in all of the starting parameters:
CONCLUSIONS
During periods of stress, poor diet, illness, and during pregnancy the balance of tissue salts in the body may change resulting in “deficiencies.” With the application of the correct amounts of homeopathic tissue salts, the body can heal and restore the balance. This research showed that this natural protocol seemed to have a measurable impact and result in improvements (self-reported) on the test group of individuals suffering fibromyalgia symptoms.
More more on this research, webinars, workshops, or a wellness program, please contact Alex Gellman.
Homeopathy is an incredible system that has the ability to heal and help all who call upon it. While deciding on my path there was a great debate whether to go the Naturopathic College or Homeopathic College.
My own years of personal healing made that decision for me. I experienced both protocols growing up and decided to pursue a career as a Homeopathic practitioner.
My principal reasons for embracing this path are simple:
1. Homeopathic medicine has the ability to deal with the skeletons in the closets, fears, obsessions and negative beliefs and thoughts that humans are plagued by.
2. This wondrous line of remedies has the ability to address the root cause of the problem and heal symptoms the individual is experiencing.
3. A well trained homeopath administering a remedy can expect a shift in the condition of the individual within a couple of hours or sometimes even less. Depending on the severity of the symptoms the condition can often take longer to respond.
4. Herbs, vitamins and other products of this type take days, weeks and often months for the individual to experience a shift in their condition.
5. Homeopathic medicines cost less than $10.00 each, so it can be accessible to all, even those with limited budgets.
Most, physicians believe over 90% of all healing takes place “between the ears”. Homeopathy helps with the necessary shift at that level. In a nutshell, that is why I believe homeopathy is one of the most effective and most reliable natural cures we have available to the human race.
The Greek physician Hippocrates is the principal father of homeopathy. He introduced the principle that “like cures like”. This concept means that a person suffering from violent vomitting, would be given a remedy that would produce that effect in a healthy person. The medical beliefs of the time embraced The Law of Contraries, which is the treatment of a condition with a substance that will create the opposite reaction.
Homeopathy and the principles of healing of Hippocrates are also based onthe belief of the vital force, Chi or Tao in the Oriental systems or the Kundalini in the Tibetan/India yoga systems. What this means is – that within every living creature there is an energy force that drives it and keeps it alive. As we proceed through life that vital force is disturbed by traumas, disappointments, and unmet expectations.
Think of an electrical cord and over the years a mouse has chewed little holes into the wires – after some time the light would no longer come on due to the electrical current being unable to flow through the slightly broken wires.
The homeopathic remedy has the ability to go in and repair the many wires at many levels to bring the individual back to their original force they were born to embrace.
The Father of Homeopathy who in 1790 documented the great works we use today is Samuel Christian Hahnemann. Hahnemann was a medical Doctor discouraged by the practices of the time so he began to explore new ways to treat patients. He discovered an article by Dr. William Cullen on the miracles of the Cinchona Peruvian bark, useful in treating malaria. He chose to experiment on himself and found to his astonishment that taking the Cinchona Peruvian bark in a diluted substance produced all the symptoms of malaria. He spent years testing his theories. The responses and reactions varied in individuals, but in everyone, the Cinchona Peruvian bark produced symptoms of malaria to different degrees.
He continued this process of multiple dilutions, and discovered that themore diluted the product the less reactions his patients experienced. In addition he introduced a concept called “succusion”. This process is achieved by vigorously shaking the remedy. There is research being done in the UK to support and show scientific evidence how the succusion process releases molecules of the original substance to increase the healing effect of the remedy. He believed that the homeopathic remedy has the ability to stimulate the vital force of the body and regain the body’s’ natural innate ability to heal itself. As the vital force becomes stronger, the body has the ability to fight illness and infection.
Hahnemann devoted his life to the investigation and development of remedies. He discovered that the greater the dilution the more potent the remedy became. This is a brief overview of the dilution process and effect of the remedies:
. Remedies that have an X after the number have been diluted in 10 ml of water
. Remedies with a CH after the number have been diluted in a 100 ml of water
. Remedies in number less than 29 have the ability to address the physical aspect of the condition
. Remedies that have been diluted 30 times address the physical and emotional symptoms
. For a physical ailment like a broken bone use a very low number like4 or 6
. Remedies diluted 200 times address the emotional and spiritual aspects of the person
. Remedies diluted 1,000 times and higher address the spirits and the hereditary code we received from our ancestors, both physical and emotional predispositions
After Hahnemann came Kent and Hering, who put together our Materia Medicas. This is an encyclopedia of every symptom a person could experience, and the remedies that will shift those conditions. Remedies are made from the minerals of the earth, animal and plant sources.
A homeopath prescribes a remedy based on a thorough fact finding process. The patient tells their story from their conception to the present. After hearing the personal history, the homeopath will ask questions that will begin to create a picture of the individual, including:
. Their personality e.g. extrovert or introvert.
. Their fears.
. Their goals, desires and wishes.
. What makes them feel better/what makes them feel worse.
. How they react to external stimuli like weather and stress.
. Food preferences and dislikes and/or reactions.
. Circadian rhythm – what is their best and worst time of day or night
. Whether discomforts in the body focus on the right or left
side, or travel from one side of the body to the other.
. Individual sleep positions.
. Temperature preferences.
. Particular habits and/or idiosyncrasies.
These are the external clothes of the body.
The homeopath also delves into an individual’s spirit realm with questions such as:
. What do they dream about.
. Childhood and present dreams.
. Aspirations.
. Emotions.
. Phantasmal perceptions – like a feeling somebody is standing behind you,
or the childs’ fear that somebody is hiding under the bed.
When all this information is compiled a remedy is identified that will support all the criteria, and also address the physical manifestations of the life force imbalance. To recap, if a person was totally healthy and they took a certain remedy, it would produce those mental, physical and emotional symptoms that the remedy would address in an unhealthy person.
Healing is incredibly fast. Often patients leave the office and phone when they get home to report that their acid digestion or depression feels better. It will come back perhaps the next day, and we will need to administer the remedy again, but eventually the old symptoms will dwindle away.
Homeopathy is prescribed based on as individual’s total life experiences. For example, Ryan (name changed) came to see me recently suffering from partial facial paralysis, excruciating hip and leg pains, colitis and depression.
I used Iridology first to read Ryan’s eye and get a clear picture of what was going on inside him physically, mentally and emotionally, without being clouded by anything I might hear from him later. I next took a comprehensive homeopathic history. I then put all the pieces together, much like solving a puzzle, to identify the precise homeopathic remedy Ryan needed.
Ryan’s eye structure revealed he was a Humanitarian (see Emotional Iridology), a person who under stress can withdraw and keep his emotions and feelings locked inside. These stored negative feelings had been eating away at Ryan for over fifty years, and in his case that lead to bowel problems.
Ryan’s eye structure also revealed tremendous emotional pain after the loss of first his father and then his mother. Ryan confirmed this finding.
Sometimes people can become so disconnected from their feelings that they might not themselves be able to articulate the feeling. That is when my eye reading can help me fully understand what is going on with a person.
Ryan’s father died seven years ago. His mother died two years before the paralysis on the left side of his face showed itself; and the left side of the body rules nurturing and other issues related to one’s relationship and interaction with mother. The grief experienced after the loss of a loved one is a very deep pain that will often bring other uncomfortable feelings to the surface that may include anger, guilt, or any unresolved past emotional issue. The good news is that it is always possible to resolve these emotional issues at any time with the help of homeopathic remedies.
I then took a comprehensive historical timeline of when each of Ryan’s physical symptoms first appeared, and when key mental and emotional traumas in his life occurred.
I treated Ryan with a specific customized homeopathic remedy that would help him change at a very deep emotional level and release layers of grief, guilt and anger.
The outcome was a healthier bowel and the face paralysis was completely corrected.
NOTE: Because everyone’s life experiences differ, the specific homeopathic remedy will differ, even though people may share similar physical symptoms. For this reason I never disclose personalized remedies because they are arrived at only after a thorough personalized consultation.
Homeopathic remedies are wonderful to have in the medicine cabinet for emergencies. As already mentioned it is best to put yourself in the care of a qualified practitioner, however, the basic potencies noted here are safe for home use.
A key remedy to have on hand is Arnica. This remedy is made from the leopard’s bane plant. Legend has it that mountain climbers in Switzerland nibbled on the bark of leopard’s bane to help ease aching muscles. This remedy can help heal all physical ailments after an accident such as: bone fracture, sprains, nosebleeds, eye injuries, and concussions.
Arnica works best if administered as soon as possible after the injury occurs. Use a basic potency of Arnica 30 CH, and take 3 pills every two hours until the pain eases. Continue taking Arnica as needed every two hours, reducing it to 3-4 times a day, for up to seven days depending upon the severity of the symptoms.
The Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load are used to measure the rise of blood sugar when carbohydrates are consumed. It is important to know the difference between these two terms in order to make wise food choices. Carbohydrates are not the enemy – they are an important fuel for our day-to-day activities. But it is important to choose carbohydrates that won’t cause a rapid spike in your blood sugar. Carbohydrates that spike your blood sugar at a fast rate cause your body to store fat, gives an energy rush followed by a crash, and consequently increases your chances of type 2 diabetes. The glucose (sugar) travels into your bloodstream when you eat any carbohydrate, whether it’s from fruit or a bowl of rice.
The glycemic index refers to how fast this sugar is rushing into your bloodstream. The ranking system determines if the food is low, medium, or high on the scale. If it is low on the scale, it means the sugar does not spike your blood sugar levels so rapidly. This is important because it means insulin does not get excreted at a rapid state. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the carbohydrate metabolism in your body and allows your body not to store this excess sugar as fat.
The glycemic index was primarily used for diabetes patients to control their blood sugar levels from spiking. Over the years, it’s been recognized as a tool for weight loss and health management. The problem with the Glycemic Index is it does not account for the size of the serving you are consuming. It lists each food item on a scale (low, medium, high) without reference to serving size.
The Glycemic load, on the other hand, is more accurate and helpful, as it accounts for how much is being consumed and the amount of sugar in the carbohydrate. It is calculated by the carbohydrate content in grams (g), multiplied by the food’s Glycemic Index, and divided by 100. For example, carrots are shown to be high on the GI (74) but low on the Glycemic load. What the Glycemic load does is take into account how much carbohydrates in grams a food contains as well as how quickly it’s spiking your blood sugar levels. Since the carbohydrate in grams is not as high in carrots, carrots therefore would not spike your blood sugar in comparison to a bowl of white pasta. Another good example is watermelon: the glycemic index of watermelon is a high 72, but the glycemic loadof watermelon is actually low because it is mostly water.
1) Consume carbohydrates that have a high source of fiber such as whole grains, legumes, fruits.
2) Consume a source of fat with a carbohydrate as it slows down the release of glucose (e.g. nuts, nut-butters, avocados, seeds, coconut oil).
3) Consume a source of protein at each meal to balance your insulin levels.
• Low (10 or less): Apples, 100% rye bread, raw carrots, oatmeal, lima beans, lentils, green veggies
• Medium (11 to 19): sweet potato, chickpeas, pineapple, banana, honey, pinto beans
• High (20): white bread, white pasta, pastries, potatoes, corn, cornflakes, most processed food.
Thanks for this guest post by Hiba Beyhum, a student of The Institute of Holistic Nutrition.
Here is a recap of the Ask Your Angels Show by Christine Francis, the host of “Ask Your Angels Talk Show” on BlogTV.
Iridology is a holistic approach to examining a patient’s systemic health. Returning guest Alex Gellman, PhD., shares valuable insights on preventative care, maximized vitality and overall well-being.
“Scientific, holistic, and spiritual, Iridology is an assessment tool. It reflects the condition of your kidneys, back, neck, and eyes. It tells you hereditary patterns of your genetics. For adopted children, it can show ‘unwanted pregnancy.’ It can also display the severity of that pregnancy. It shows significant stresses on the mother when she was pregnant. It also tells a great deal about the parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. There is much value in that.”
“Dr. Ignatz Von Peczley, a young Hungarian doctor, discovered Iridology in 1861. Finding an owl with a broken wing, Dr. Peczley took her home to nurse back to health. In doing so, he noticed the disappearance of the black marking in her eye. Quite mystified by this, he kept intricate records of all his patient’s symptoms, throughout his life.”
“Many years later Dr. Peczley attended a conference in Milan where he met Dr. Gustav. They both were following the same markings and charts. Today we utilize the same chart, only in more detail.”
The father of modern Iridology was Bernard Jensen. Another man, Denny Ray Johnson, thought ‘Iridology is great, but there’s something wrong here. These people are too obsessed with the physical. There is more to life than the physical world.’ Denny, believing the eye revealed emotion, spirit and mind, created a new system.”
“Looking at your eyes, you see a blueprint for your life. You can see your chakras, feelings, emotional gifts you were born with, personality, blockages, family relationships, and the physical state of all body organs.”
“Iridology is read like a map. Colors reflect the complexity and intensity of the problem. White and yellow are warnings. Green and orange: the condition is becoming more acute. Each case is unique depending on the marking; red, brown, and black being more chronic. Markings (at different points ) shaped like diamonds, circles, dots, petals, jewels (specs on the eye) clarify a problem in a corresponding organ.”
“Denny Ray Johnson also created the “four personalities.” We have the ‘humanitarian‘; devoting their lives to helping others. Often the humanitarian will not look after themselves. In their quest to be there for others, they neglect themselves. It’s not a healthy way to live. The next category is ‘creative‘; all about creativity; very visual. Living in the moment, creatives don’t respond well to timelines. They’re not as analytical and detailed as they could be. ‘Analytical‘ types are all about detail, focus, and realizing goals. They have strong leadership qualities. The last one is a ‘catalyst.‘ This is a person who motivates others. They never stop/are always going. They need to learn moderation.”
What the eyes can show/this is an example of the pointers shown by iridology analysis—”The particular eye that was under examination was a combination of all the above,” declared Alex. “Whenever you see those big dots called ‘jewels,‘ that indicates strong leadership and genius in the person’s intellectual capacity. They have some creativity, a little bit of catalyst and a little bit of humanitarian. In their personality style, this person is very well rounded; analytical being the dominant peronality trait.”
“The big rust-coloured dot near the pupil shows a significant chronic problem with the uterus (for a woman) or prostrate (for a man). The little lines at nine o’clock show the father’s nurturing qualities were poor. Right below that, at approximately eight o’clock, we see a tiny little orange line representing the gallbladder. The brown marking beside it is the liver. The yellow/orange above the pupil are signs of digestive problems, system acidity, candida, and yeast infestation.”
“The enzymes in the body are not being produced and compromising digestion. That tiny, thin line at the top edge, warns circulation is starting to close down. There is a tremendous amount of inflamation in the body. This person suffers from allergies; the white food groups; wheat, sugar, milk, dairy, white rice and potatoes. Significant markings at three o’clock reveal warnings concerning the thyroid or throat in general. Information from analysis is very indepth.”
A window to the soul, Iridology helps alert us to potential illness or disease prior to clinical evidence. Life is a journey; we are the travellers. Tapping into hidden talents, positive strengths and even weaknesses, Iridology is an actuality tool for life’s emergency kit. Don’t leave home without it.”
I thank Christine for having me as a guest on her show and look forward to future visits. You can find Christine’s blog at: http://www.askyourangeltalkshow.blogspot.ca/
Natural Health Practitioner and Wellness Coach Alexandra Gellman specializes in trusted, simple approaches to wellness, health, and nutrition that guide participants in how to improve lifestyle—and mental and physical well-being—in easy, do-able steps.
Alex offers over 30 years of experience transforming the lives of clients and patients. She is an experienced facilitator, practitioner, and natural health and wellness guide with a background in hospitality and association liaison. She is the author of three books, has published research on medically-based natural health studies, and appeared on major TV networks offering wellness guidance and advice. Alex opens the door to health and well-being for many with her Steps to Wellness Workshops and coaching.
Alex was one of the speakers at the Lifestyle Medicine Webinar in London.
Alex will meet clients one-on-one at the midtown Toronto family medical clinic, where she has provided services for a number of years, or at the new location in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Also can work with individuals during phone consultations or other face-to-face 
online methods or calls and offers this remote service for many clients and regular phone check-ins.
Treatment always begins with a detailed assessment of your health/wellness, concerns, and personal goals, and Alex can draw on experience and training in many areas of natural health and integrated medicine to provide what you need—whether it’s diabetes guidance, nutritional or weight maintenance assistance, or personal coaching. Please get in touch with Alex for more information.
In the meantime, if you’d like to order natural health and nutritional supplements, please access via the Alex Gellman online store portal at Metagenics. If you have any questions about your needs or best options, contact Alex for information and guidance.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins or 24 mini muffins
Serving Size: 1 regular muffin or 2 mini muffins
Courtesy Colette Haddad, Body Mind & Soul Inc.
Ingredients
Toppings: dehydrated unsweetened coconut, raisins, flaxseed, dark chocolate chips, cinnamon, and/or anything else you
can think of. I added even more tupelo honey 😉 Feel free to lather on apple butter, strawberry preserves, or even more peanut butter. Ever heard of carrot jam? It’s very tasty with this snack, too!
Instructions
Yield: 12 bars
Ingredients
Instructions
Whether acknowledged or not, we’ve all experienced at least a few gratifying “living in the moment” moments that were impromptu and remarkable for their impact. Think of a natural vista you may have stumbled upon – say, in the course of a hike – an awesome waterfall or a sunset that took your breath away. Or think of the magic of the first fall of giant snowflakes in winter – that always makes me pause. Such happy moments that take us outside of ourselves and yet connect us to the universe are what we seek in the pursuit of “mindfulness.”
Mindfulness has the power to enrich even the most mundane task with meaningfulness. Mindful experiences are stress-free and bring inner peace, and ultimately, greater productivity. I know this yet I still catch myself busy at multitasking with goal-oriented endeavours. I live in modern times—it’s hard not to do this.
But I remember to pause sometimes in my activities. I have had the good fortune to study with masters, so I take a deep breath, and I revisit their teachings. I also take heed of my own lessons – lessons that I’ve had the privilege to share formally as a presenter, counsellor, and motivational speaker.
At one coaching session, I had included a lesson on mindfulness. One participant said, after:
“ I learned from you that when I focus all my energy on the task at hand, I am filled with joy, inner peace, and the stress disappears.”
Such genuine praise really lit up the moment for me.
That is the gift of mindfulness. Through mindfulness, you can learn how to give yourself the gift of inner peace and joy – watch for upcoming workshops or counselling sessions or ask for personal guidance. Achieving mindfulness to enhance all aspects of your life–will affect your health and wellness (and what you find you can achieve!) in many ways.
Namaste
