February 1998 - hepcBC.bull
FROM
THE OKANAGAN
Christmas is over and the phones are once again busy. Sorry I was
not able
to contribute my column last month but my 17-year-old nephew was
in a
single vehicle accident and sustained massive head injuries.
Needless to say we spent both Christmas and New Year’s in
the Intensive
Care Unit at Kelowna General Hospital. Daily trips to Kelowna
have become
the norm, rather than the exception. He is still in pretty bad
shape and
muchly in need of prayers. Any and all would be greatly
appreciated by the
entire family.
The 4th Annual General Meeting of the Hepatitis C Society of
Canada will be
held in Toronto—May 29th, 30th and 31st. We are hoping to
bring in some
pretty big guns—Dr. Jay Hoofnagel from the National
Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, Maryland, and others. We are hoping this will be our
best ever,
and, considering how good the last one was, we have a way to go!
Please start making plans to join us for this event. Airfare
packages will
be offered, so keep posted for more details.
The Health Ministers’ Meeting has been postponed. It appears
it will now
be in mid-February. I will be there with my list of questions and
recommendations.
Yesterday, January 20th, Tim and Jeremy met once again with Alan
Rock in
Ottawa. Rumour has it the compensation package may be a very
handsome
one... it appears some are hoping it will take the heat away from
the
criminal investigation.
Speaking of which, I was the second Canadian to be interviewed by
the newly
appointed Krever Task Force Inspector, Kevin Vickers, who flew in
from
Ottawa last Monday and spent four hours asking a lot of
questions. I wish
them well.
Until next month...stay positive, stay well.
Love, Leslie
Ayurvedic
Medicine Part One: An Introduction
Ayurveda, Yoga and Trantra are the three ancient life disciplines
that have
been practised in India for thousands of years. They are
mentioned in the
scriptures of the Vedas and Upanishads. Yoga is the science of
the union
with spirit, the Divine, with Truth; Trantra is the most direct
method of
controlling the energy that creates the ultimate union with
Truth; and
Ayurveda is ‘The Science of Life.” One of its
basic.’ tenets is that it is
the “Mother of all healing systems.” Ayurveda
encompasses not only science
but also religion (beliefs and disciplines) and philosophy (the
love of and
search for truth) as well. It is a science of truth as it is
expressed in
all life, and the whole of life’s journey is considered
sacred [1.2.]. The
practice of Ayurveda is the Science of everyday living
(preventative
medicine) to maintain optimal health and balance, and its records
date back
some 5,000 years.
Ayurveda is concerned with eight principle branches of medicine:
pediatrics, gynecology, obstetrics, geriatrics, opthamology,
otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), general medicine and
surgery. Each
of these medical specialties is addressed according the theories
of the
five elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water, Earth); the tridosha, or
constitution: vata, pitta, kapha the seven dhatus, or body
tissues; three
ma/at; (urine, stool, sweat): Ned! or pulse diagnosis; Jihva or
tongue
diagnosis and the trinity of life: body, mind and spiritual
awareness.
There are seven types of constitutions: (1) vata, (2) pitta, (3)
kapha, (4)
vata-pitta, (5) pitta-kapha, (6) vata-kapha, and (7)
vata-pitta-kapha.
Among these seven general constitutions there are innumerable
subtle
variations that depend upon the percentage of vata-pitta-kapha
elements in
the constitution [1].
The constitution is called prakruti in Sanskrit, a term which
means
“nature,” “creativity” or “first
creation.” The doshas are determined at
birth, by the environment of the womb and genetics, influenced
more by the
mother than the father. The basic constitution of a person
remains
unaltered during the lifetime. The combination of elements
present at
birth remains constant. However, the combination of elements that
governs
the continuous physiopathological changes in the body alters its
response
to changes in the environment.
Throughout life, there is an endless interaction between the
external
(macrocosm) and internal (microcosm) environment, the internal
environment
being governed by the tri dosha. A basic principal of healing in
Ayurveda
is that a balance may be created in the internal forces working
in the body
by altering diet and habits of living to counteract changes in
the external
environment.
There are aspects of all the five elements in everything. At
birth we are
the most earth and least Ether that we will ever be in our lives.
The
reverse is true when we get older. With respect to the tridoshas:
Earth
(predominate)/Water; pitta = Water/fire (predominate); vata = Air
(predominate)/Ether. According to Ayurveda, the first requirement
for
healing oneself and others is to have a clear understanding of
the tridoshes.
Disease Process
Health can be defined as balance or order; disease is imbalance
or
disorder. The body is always moving between balance and
imbalance. When
we are sensitive or in tune with our bodies we are aware of any
subtle
differences and are able to make the necessary changes to enhance
and
support the body towards a balanced state. Dis means “do the
opposite of,”
“deprived of,” and ease means “the state of being
comfortable.”
In Ayurveda, the concept of health is fundamental to the
understanding of
disease. What is health in Ayurveda? A state of health exists
when: the
digestive fire (agni) is in equilibrium; the tridosha are in
equilibrium;
the three waste products (urine, feces and sweat) are produced at
normal
levels and are in balance; the senses are functioning normally,
and the
body, mind and consciousness are harmoniously working as one.
When the
balance of any of these systems is disturbed, the disease process
begins
[1]. If all of the above elements are in balance and the body is
in a
state of health, even coming in contact with contagious diseases
will not
effect a person.
The mind/body connection is often underestimated or even
overlooked. It is
important to consider a person’s emotional and mental state
when
considering the disease process. The mind often cannot deal with
every
disturbance or issue it has and will store these issues somewhere
in the
body to be later dealt with. Hence, an important daily practice
in
Ayurveda is meditation and spiritual practices.
Suggestions for a Daily Health Routine
· Arise before sunrise, excrete
· Brush teeth, clean tongue-including the back of the tongue,
· Massage gums with finger and Sesame oil, daily.
· Spiritual practice, meditation.
· Wash eyes- remove kapha (sleep) using Oregon grape tea.
· Clean out nose, sniff salt water (very effective for sinus
headaches), or ginger in water.
· Clear throat, gargle with astringent or Sesame oil.
· Clear chest, breathing exercises (twelve pranayamas, creates
clearness & clarity in the body & mind), inhalation with
3-5 eucalyptus
(helps to stimulate the immune system) essential oil.
· Bathe daily.
· Eat breakfast before 8am.
· Wash hands before and after eating.
· Eat in silence with an awareness of the food that is
nourishing
your body. Eat slowly.
· Exercise daily, this could be as little as a 15 minute walk
after
meals,
· Have a massage weekly.
· Rub feet with almond oil before bed.
· Sleep before 10:00pm
NOTE: The largest meal of the day should be in the middle of the
day. Do
not eat before bed. Dinner should be between 4 & 6 PM.
Kapha’s are
encouraged to go without breakfast. Vata’s should eat
regularly and often
-5 small meals per day.
Part 2 will cover healing, herbs and various formulas useful for
heppers.
Mishel Rees, MH, WT, RM, Bdiv is a Healing Guide and Master
Herbalist,
using many different healing modalities to support her clients.
She is
co-owner and the operator of Quantum Life Energy Natural
Dispensary &
Clinic, 1050 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, BC Ph: 604.986.7908,
Fax:
604.986.7925, Email: <blairt@wimsey.com>
References
1. AYURVEDA The Science of Self-healing. Dr Vasant Lad, Lotus
Press, 1984
2. The YOGA of HERBs. Dr David Frawley & Dr Vasant Lad, Lotus
Press, 1986.
Reminder:- Any change of address, phone number or postal code,
please let
your phone contact (in Victoria) or your chapter secretary know
ASAP
HeCSC Victoria Tel. (250) 388-4311
hepcvic@pacificcoast.net
Victoria Chapter HeCSC acknowledges the personal donations,
donations in
kind and memorial donations received to date, and the following
for
discounts, donations of services, or equipment: Monk Office
Supply. CFAX
1070 Radio, Apple Canada, and Pacific Coast Net.
SUBSCRIPTION
FORM
Please fill out include a check made out to HeCSC - Victoria
Chapter. Send
to: Hepatitis C Society of Canada
Victoria Chapter
1611 Quadra St.
Victoria, BC V8W 2L5
or FAX to: (250) 479-5490
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without charge"_______[]
(A limited number of newsletters will be available free of charge
at the
meetings, as well.)
COMING
UP:
Victoria Chapter Meetings: Last Wednesday of each month 1 - 3 PM,
and
again at 7-9 PM, St. John the Divine Church Lounge,1611 Quadra
St.
(Entrance through the rear, marked Annex)
NEXT MEETING: Feb. 25.
Penticton Chapter Meetings: Third Thursday of every month, 7-9
PM,
Penticton Health Unit - Board rooms.
NEXT MEETING: Feb. 19.
Kelowna Chapter Meetings: Last Saturday of every month, 1-3 PM,
Rose
Avenue Education Room in Kelowna General Hospital.
NEXT MEETING: Feb. 28.
Nanaimo Chapter Meetings: Second Thursday of every month, 7 PM,
Health
Unit-Central Vancouver Island, 1665 Grant St.
NEXT MEETING: Feb. 12.
Vancouver CLF Support Group: Meetings: Second Thursday of each
month, 7:30
PM.
NEXT MEETING: Feb. 12, Nurses’ Residence, Vancouver General
Hospital, 12th
& Heather in the Ballroom. (Look for signs.) Contact Herb for more
information: (604) 241-7766, or the CLF (604) 681-4588
Sunshine Coast Support Group- Meetings: First Thursday of each
month, 7:30
PM, Coast Garibaldi Health Unit in Gibsons.
NEXT MEETING: Feb. 5. Contact Carol for more information:
886-4298 or email
her at Carol
HOW TO REACH
US:
CO-EDITORS
Joan Diemecke TEL:(250) 388-4311
pdiemecke@compuserve.com
Darlene Morrow FAX:(604) 987-7396
hepcbc@iforward.com
HepC BC
VICTORIA CHAPTER OFFICE: hepcvic@pacificcoast.net
http://www.pacificcoast.net/~hepcvic/hepcvic~1.
htm
TEL:(250) 388-4311
PENTICTON CHAPTER: LESLIE GIBBENHUCK TEL:(250)490-9054
bchepc@bc.sympatico.ca
KELOWNA CHAPTER: ELAINE RISELY TEL:(250)768-3573
eriseley@bcinternet.com
CASTLEGAR/GRAND FORKS/TRAIL: ROBIN TOMLIN
TEL:(250)365-6137
NALA PAQU CHAPTERS: RIA KLOMP
TEL:(250)248-6072 (Parksville) TED KILLOUG
TEL:(250)752-1718 gjones@qb.island.net (G. Joneson) (Qualicum Beach)
HELEN HUBBART TEL:(250) 245-8759 (Ladysmith/Nanaimo)
DISCLAIMER:
HeCSS cannot endorse any physician, product or treatment. Any
guests
invited to our group to speak, do so to add to our information
only. What
they say should not necessarily be considered medical advice,
unless they
are medical doctors. The information you receive may help you
make an
informed decision. Please consult with your health practitioner
before
considering any therapy or therapy protocol. The opinions
expressed in
this newsletter are not necessarily those of the organization.
The deadline for any contributions of hepc.bull is the 22nd of
each
month. Please contact: Joan Diemecke at Tel (250) 388-4311 or FAX
479-5490 or Darlene Morrow at FAX (604) 987-7396 1203 Plateau
Drive, North
Vancouver, BC, V7P 2J3
email: pdiemecke@compuserve.com or hepcbc@iforward.com
The editors reserve the right to edit and cut articles in the
interest of
space.
A fundraising dance
will be held on February 28. Mark your calendars now.
The dance will be held at the Dorchester Hotel in Nanaimo, and
snacks will
be served. All proceeds will go to HeCSC. Support your support
group.
Mark your calendars now! Tickets will cost $10.00. For more
information,
call Ria Klomp at (250) 248-6072. Victoria members: Call the
Victoria
office (388-4311) to sign up. If enough people are interested, a
bus may
be provided.
VICTORIA UPDATES
Joanne Balchin has stepped down as secretary and librarian. She
is taking
time off for her interferon treatment. We have all benefitted
from her
help, and hope she will be back with us soon. David Mazoff
(“Squeeky”) is taking over her duties, and is also our
new Office Manager.
We are asking that those of you who have overdue materials return
them as
soon as possible, so that others may have the benefit of them. We
are
desperately seeking a secretary or two, mainly to take minutes at
the
meetings. If you are willing to help, please let the office know
(Tel.
388-4311). Also, if you have signed up for the Class Action Suit
and would
like to be in contact with others who have done so, please call
the office.
WHEN WILL IT END?
The local Parksville/Qualicum newspaper carried the following
story just
before Christmas that shows how dangerous Hep C can be. The
headline:
HEP C CLAIMS ANOTHER LOCAL VICTIM
Hepatitis C claimed a local victim last week— 43 year old
Marilyn Sweet, a
teachers assitant at Ballenas Secondary school—who died on
December 19, a
month after being hospitalized with pneumonia.
Marilyn used to walk 3 miles every day from her Martindale Road
home. So
last week 25 people, her family, friends and other Hep C
sufferers,
followed her foot steps for a walk in her memory, and decided to
make it an
annual event to raise public awareness of Hepatitis C.
Marilyn contacted the liver disease 13 years ago from a
tranfusion of
tainted blood during childbirth, said her sister. It is estimated
there are
around 300 people in the local area infected with Hep C. The Mid
Island
Chapter of the Hepatitis C Society of Canada has recently formed
in Nanaimo.
Those wishing support can phone 248-6072 or 752-1718. Gary gjones@island.net
[Co-editors: Darlene Morrow & Joan Diemecke].
Copyright © 1998, 1997 by [HeCSC- Victoria Chapter
and HepC BC].
Revised: January 26, 1998.