Showing posts with label American College of Healthcare Sciences. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American College of Healthcare Sciences. Show all posts

An Herbal Approach to Winter Wellness

This time of year, there are a lot of germs on the loose. To support your immune system naturally, there are several herbs that are beneficial as part of your herbal medicine cabinet.

In addition to their flavorful and nutritious contributions to daily meals, herbs like garlic, ginger, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme contain essential oils, which have some antibacterial and antiviral activity.

For example, garlic (Allium sativum) can be a useful support for infections and colds, while parsely (Petroselinum crispum) can be a useful support for healthy digestion; it also can be used as an expectorant. Expectorant herbs help loosen chest congestion.

Here are some simple, do-it-yourself herbal recipes you can use to help keep you and your family healthy all winter long.

Garlic Syrup Sore Throat Support
  • 4 cloves garlic (Allium sativum)
  • 4-T honey
Directions: Crush the garlic. Soak the crushed cloves in honey for 2-4 hours. Sip on this honey mixture every 1/2-hour. This is a useful remedy for children who may find the taste of garlic unpleasant.

Ginger Infusion
  • ½-oz ginger (Zingiber officinale) root, cut
  • 1-pt boiling water
Directions: Steep the ginger in the boiling water for 15 to 30 minutes. Lemon and honey can be added. Strain. Use 4-6-T three times a day. Store the infusion in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

>> To learn more about herbal medicine classes from the American College of Healthcare Sciences, visit http://www.achs.edu/course.aspx?id=2

>>Which herbs are an essential part of your herbal medicine cabinet? Why? We'd love to hear more about your favorite herbs and feel free to post recipes, too!

Image by Steven Foster. Reproduced under license.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information has been provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. You should always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health routine. For more information about how to use herbs safely, consult with your primary care physician, naturopathic doctor, or Registered Herbalist. In an emergency, call 911.

Welcome to the First Day of ACHS Fall Term 2011

Hey there-

Just a quick note welcoming you to the first day of fall term 2011. We hope you enjoyed your summer and are ready to start a brand new school year. We're looking forward to working with you and are honored you have chosen to study with us.

At ACHS, we value a warm, friendly, small-college atmosphere and care very deeply about each and every one of our students. Heading back to school can raise some unanticipated questions. To help you start the fall school term confident and focused, we've posted answers to some questions we’re frequently asked about online studies, work-life balance, and careers in holistic health.

To review the frequently asked questions, stop by ACHS Facebook (www.facebook.com/ACHSedu) or click here: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150297431273733

ACHS Facebook is a friendly, easy forum to learn more about the ACHS student experience. We encourage you to post comments, ask questions, and start a conversation with other ACHS students and graduates here and on Facebook.

Have a great start to fall term 2011!

You're Invited: Free Dynamic Phytotherapy Lecture Wednesday at 11 am

Dynamic Phytotherapy has the power to enhance the healing abilities of even the most experienced holistic health practitioner.

Join ACHS President Dorene Petersen for a Brown Bag Lunch talk about Dynamic Phytotherapy remedies and uses this Wednesday, August 31, from 11am-12pm.

This community wellness event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, just email admissions@achs.edu or call us at (503) 244-0726.



Share this info on your Facebook page or tweet about it

for a chance to grab a free ACHS Vintage Apparel hat with your next Apothecary Shoppe purchase. Be one of the first 5 to share this information and let us know about it on ACHS Facebook!!

The ACHS Campus and Botanical Teaching Garden is located in John's Landing at 5940 SW Hood Avenue, Portland OR 97239. Directions are available online here.

Do you use homeobotanicals as part of your health and wellness routine? What do you like most about homeobotanical remedies?

Hang Out with ACHS at Spaw Day, A Fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society

Don't have plans for tomorrow evening? Come hang out with us! American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is participating in Spaw Day, a fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society, hosted at Sniff Dog Hotel (1828 NW Raleigh St. Portland, OR 97209), Thursday, August 25th, from 6-8pm.



Spaw Day, an Oregon Humane Society event hosted by Sniff, is a fun opportunity for you and your dog to relax and enjoy spa activities together, including massages, aromatherapy, manicures, and other spa-like features.



Stop by and visit with us! It's going to be really fun! For directions, click here http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Sniff%20Dog%20Hotel



American College of Healthcare Sciences Raises Lavender Awareness Through Community Wellness Events and U-Pick

On July 20 we hosted our annual Lavender Open House community wellness event at the College campus. More than forty people attended the event to raise awareness about the benefits of growing and harvesting lavender for personal health and as a garden aid!!

Our ACHS Chief Institutional Officer and Master Gardener, Erika Yigzaw, led participants through a series of hands-on workshops highlighting the holistic health applications of lavender, including a lecture about the aromatherapeutic properties, a demonstration of how to use lavender in personal care items, and a demonstration of how to grow, harvest, and pot lavender and other herbs for culinary and herbal medicine use.

Free downloadable videos from the day’s events will be available through the ACHS YouTube channel, ACHStv (www.youtube.com/ACHStv), and photos and suggested uses for lavender are available on ACHS Facebook (www.facebook.com/ACHSedu).

Download and read the full-text press release online here: http://www.achs.edu/news/news-detail.aspx?nid=269

We'd love to hear from you! What lavender-specific topics would you like ACHS to cover at our next Lavender Open House event?

Lavender U-Pick at ACHS and Lavender Open House Pictures

Our Lavender Open House July 20 was so much fun! Thanks to everyone who participated.

If you're in the Portland area but were unable to attend in-person, stop by the ACHS campus @ 5940 SW Hood Ave, Portland for U-PICK LAVENDER from our Botanical Teaching Garden. It's just $6/bunch! Call (503) 244-0726 for more info. We look forward to seeing you!


We posted pictures from the Lavender Open House to ACHS Facebook here facebook.com/ACHSedu Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite lavender tips!

Visit our YouTube channel ACHStv for videos of the day's demonstrations, too.

Photo of Erika Yigzaw, ACHS Chief Institutional Officer and Master Gardener, demonstrating how to pot lavender and herbs. Image by Joel Strimling, Dean of Freshmen Students. Image © ACHS 2011.

Valerian in the Herb Garden: How to Grow and When to Harvest Valerian

Check out this new video we posted to ACHStv, our YouTube Channel ... In Valerian in the Herb Garden ACHS President Dorene Petersen gives a short overview of the herb valerian, including medicinal properties and tips for harvesting the root in the fall.



Be sure to share this link with your herbal medicine and gardening friends! Then post a comment with your best valerian tips for growing, harvesting, and using the herb in natural products!

ACHS Aromatherapy Bar at the Beaverton Farmer's Market June 25

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our community wellness booth at the Beaverton Farmer's Market last Saturday, June 25! We've posted a few photos from the event for those who were not able to attend in person: Pictured left, ACHS Acting Director of Operations Tracey Miller (right) and volunteer Erin Pech and pictured right, ACHS Director of Marketing Kate Harmon (left) and ACHS Chief Institutional Officer Erika Yigzaw (right).

Did you enjoy our aromatherapy bar and demonstrations? We've posted a link to our demonstration of How to Use an Essential Oil Travel Kit to our YouTube channel, ACHStv, here: http://www.youtube.com/ACHStv#p/u/0/lOGYkuuTZds Stop by ACHStv, rate our video, and subscribe for immediate notification of when new videos are posted.

If you weren't able to make it to the Market this time, we have two more schedule dates this summer. Catch ACHS at the Beaverton Farmer's Market July 30 and August 27.

For a full listing of 2011 ACHS community wellness events and holistic health courses, visit us online at ACHSedu (www.achs.edu)

We always love to hear from you! If you have an idea for a community wellness workshop or ACHStv demonstration, let us know! You can post your suggestions here and to ACHS Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ACHSedu

Important Dos for Educating the Aromatherapy Novice in Business

BY Rose Chard, ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy Graduate, Owner Your Body Needs, LLc

Aromatherapy is a term that gets tossed around in the commercial market with little credibility to the fundamental science behind it. For the aromatherapy student who may look forward to a future in the industry, this is a frustrating issue because it becomes more of a challenge attempting to reach out to those who stand to gain a tremendous amount of benefit from the practice. If you are planning on starting a career in aromatherapy, here are some important factors to educating your customers.

1. Understand you are an educator—If you are a Registered Aromatherapist (RA) you must recognize that achievement. Your education gives you a vast amount of knowledge in the industry which the average person does not have. Provided you remain in your scope of practice and within ethical guidelines, you have quite a powerhouse of information to help improve clients’ quality of life. You earned that right through your education. Wasn’t it valuable to you the first time you heard it?

2. Have a business plan—Aromatherapy study is broad. There are hundreds of essential oils and many applications of using them. Having a strategic business plan will allow you to focus on how to get your message across. Determine which area of aromatherapy business you want to focus on and in which platform you will be communicating: leased site, website, colleges or other? As soon as you have a solid idea of your plan, you will be able to develop well-suited ideas that will best fit your business model. Having a clear, well-thought-out direction will enable you to make smarter choices and lead to fewer frustrations. Do not be afraid to start small; you do not have to deliver the entire message all at once. You might decide that you want to concentrate your efforts on a branch of aromatherapy that appeals to you, and from there you could expand that into a business model.

To read the full text article with three additional suggestions, download the June 2011 edition of the ACHS eNewsletter, The Reporter, online here: http://www.achs.edu/newsletter.aspx?id=7

Don't forget to leave a comment! We want to hear from you!

Posted Pics from the ACHS Wellness Booth at the Beaverton Farmer's Market May 14



We had a great time at the Beaverton Farmer's Market Saturday, May 14. Check out this pic of the ACHS wellness booth, where we demonstrated how to prepare first aid remedies such as calendula (Calendula officinalis) and hypericum (Hypericum perforatum) tinctures. Thanks to everyone who dropped by and to our ACHS student and graduate volunteers.

Our booth will be at the Beaverton Farmer's Market several dates over the summer, so check the ACHS college calendar for updates. Our next appearance is June 25. Stop by and experience our Aromatherapy Bar first-hand. Mark your calendars!

*In the above picture, ACHS President Dorene Petersen (center) poses with ACHS graduate Katie Kliewer (left) and volunteer Darlene Sochin-Maras. To see more pics from the Beaverton Farmer's Market, visit ACHS Facebook at www.facebook.com/ACHSedu

Gluten-Free Versus No Gluten Added: What’s the Difference?

The American Gastroenterological Association released a recent study suggesting more people may benefit from going gluten-free. But what does that mean, "gluten-free"? Is is the same as "no gluten added"?

There are strict guidelines for labeling products as “gluten-free”, but “no gluten added” is becoming more prevalent as a “protective measure that essentially can mean the same thing as ‘manufactured in a facility that produces products made with wheat,’” according to the Living Gluten-free Answer Book by Suzanne Bowland. The term “no gluten added” is somewhat literal: no gluten has intentionally been added. That is, all of the intended ingredients are gluten-free and nothing with gluten has been added to the product; however, that is not the same as being gluten-free because there “is the potential of cross-contamination.” What is the purpose of the tag, then? Including the tag in labeling means the manufacturer is not liable “for a gluten-free claim.”

For restaurants and bakeries,“no gluten added” carries additional meaning. The product (or meal) may not include any intended ingredients with gluten, but they cannot guarantee that gluten particles in the air have not found their way into your food. In other words, there is no guarantee of a 100% gluten-free environment.

Earth Day is April 22! How Will You Promote Sustainability in 2011?

Earth Day is April 22! Founded in 1970, Earth Day provides a dedicated day to to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and to demonstrate our commitment to the health of our environment.

This Earth Day ACHS encourages you to review and renew your day-to-day commitment to the preservation of our natural environment. Here are some simple things you can do without significantly impacting your day-to-day routine:
  • Compost. Many food items like fruits and vegetables, tea bags, coffee grounds, and plant material can be composted.
  • Reduce energy consumption. Turn off lights when you leave a room and unplug electronics that are not in use.
  • Get rid of old cosmetics and recycle the containers. Body and skin care products with organic ingredients support sustainable practices and your health! To find out what may be lurking in your cosmetics, visit the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.
  • Plant an herb and veggie garden. Plus, growing your own herbs and veggies is a great way to reduce cost, involve the entire family, and bring healthy, nutritious foods from backyard to table. For tips about organic gardening and growing herbs in pots, visit ACHStv on YouTube for easy-to-follow instructional videos.
How will you promote sustainability and make the earth a better place in 2011? Post your comments and suggestions for Earth Day activities!

Read more about ACHS's sustainability initiatives on our website here and our Oregon Tilth Organic Certification here.

Join ACHS for Our 2011 HerbDay Celebration April 27 at Our Portland, Oregon Campus


Join ACHS for a series of presentations that will celebrate the use of herbs and the tradition of herbal medicine and leave with some new ideas about how you can use herbs in your everyday life.

HerbDay celebrates the importance of herbs and herbalism by raising awareness about the significance of herbs in our everyday lives and the ways herbs can be used safely and creatively for health, beauty care, and culinary enjoyment. Through awareness of, and familiarity with herbs, we increase informed use of herbal products and public support for maintaining personal choice in the use of botanicals.

Presentation topics include: DIY Quick and Easy Sprouting at Home with ACHS President Dorene Petersen; Herbs and Essential Oils for Spring Seasonal Balance with ACHS Graduate Amanda Lattin; Muscle Testing: A key to healing the body with Dr. Robert Ciprian; and more!

Space is limited; RSVP early to (503) 244-0726 or email admissions@achs.edu. April 27, 11 am-2 pm. American College of Healthcare Sciences, 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland OR 97239.

Basic Guidelines for Eating for Health


There is a lot of information out there about how and what to eat. Once we make the decision to prioritize our nutrition and eat for health, sorting through all that information can be overwhelming. Let us help. Here are a few key guidelines to keep in mind when eating for health:
  • Do not eat unless hungry. Many of us eat from habit, boredom, loneliness, comfort, or for many other reasons rather than from hunger.
  • Chew thoroughly; the slower we eat, the less we eat.
  • There is a delay between eating and satiety or feeling full, so leave the table feeling you could eat more. It may be helpful to get a container that is about the size of our hand (this is the size of our stomach) and use it to measure meals. Remember, the goal is to eat enough so we feel sated, not stuff this container full until it breaks!
  • Take breaks while eating to give your body a chance to evaluate fullness.
  • Do not fry foods. Steam, grill, or bake when possible.
  • Focus on eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, quality lean proteins, and whole grains.
  • If certain foods are a trigger, don't buy them.
  • Indulge with foods you love that are good for you, such as exotic fruits and vegetables. Exotic produce may seem expensive, but not when compared to the price of many processed foods or the cost of being unhealthy.

Earth Hour 2011: Reaffirm Your Commitment to the Preservation of the Planet

Earth Hour 2011 takes place at 8:30 pm (local time) on Saturday, March 26, 2011. For one hour, participants worldwide will switch off their lights, a sign of their commitment to climate action and year-round preservation initiatives.

Earth Hour is organized by the World Wildlife Federation and has about 5 million supporters worldwide. We hope you're one of them. Earth Hour helps raise awareness of sustainability and conservation issues important to you and your community, like water and the World Water Day initiative, which helps raise awareness about the importance of access to fresh, clean water.

But we can do more. Earth Hour is a start! It's about raising awareness and working together!

As part of the American College of Healthcare Sciences' mission to provide leadership in holistic health education through comprehensive professional online and on-campus education and high quality natural products, we're committed to sustainable practices and principles (the ACHS Apothecary Shoppe College Store is Oregon Tilth Certified Organic), and work to preserve and share knowledge in natural medicine (free natural health and organic gardening downloads).

Here's a link to more information about our commitment to sustainability at ACHS.

What's your commitment to Earth Hour beyond the hour?

You can start by signing the Earth Hour pledge here. Local Earth Hour events are listed on the Earth Hour website here. Then tell us about your commitment beyond the hour ... will you start a tree-planting initiative? Pledge to conserve energy in your home and business? Switch to soy-based inks? Opt to ride your bike to work a few days per week or take local transportation? Help raise awareness about access to clean water worldwide? Lead a workshop in your community about growing organic herbs, fruits, and veggies? Let us know so we can share it with our network!

Honey a Natural Support for Wound Healing

There's nothing like fresh honey!

Perhaps most widely used as a natural culinary sweetener, honey also has many traditional uses as a health support, including its ability to coat sore throats, as an energizing pick me up, and as a soothing digestive aid.

How many of us think to use it on our wounds, though? You may want to add it to your medicine cabinet as a natural, cost effective support for wound healing!

Research suggests the natural acidity of unprocessed honey may be low enough to help prevent bacterial growth. In addition, honey absorbs water, which drys out the moisture bacteria rely on. Further studies suggest it may be an especially effective support for burns.

References
[1] Al-Waili NS.(2003). Topical application of natural honey, beeswax and olive oil mixture for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis: partially controlled, single-blinded study. Complement Ther Med. 11(4):226-34. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15022655
[2] Eischen, N. (February/March 1999). The Benefits of Honey: A Remedy for Sore Throats, Wound Care and More. Mother Earth News. [Online] Retrieved from http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/1999-02-01/Honey-Benefits.aspx
[3] Nasir, et al. (2010). Antibacterial properties of tualang honey and its effect in burn wound management: a comparative study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 10: 31. Published online 2010 June 24. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-10-31. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908556/?tool=pubmed
[4] Waikato Honey Research Unit. (2009, September 3). What's special about Active Manuka Honey? The University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey/special.shtml


This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. In an emergency, one should always call 911 or visit their primary care physician immediately.

Help Us Build a List of Favorite Colorful and Nutritious Foods for National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month and the theme is "Eat Right with Color!" An easy way to start improving your nutrition is to include a variety of color on your plate, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy.The American Dietetic Association further suggests Americans "take time during National Nutrition Month to look at their eating patterns and begin to make the small improvements that, over time, add up to significant health benefits."

We asked our ACHS Facebook fans to help us build a list of favorite colorful and nutritious foods. If you're looking for some new ideas and to add some variety to your diet, our fans suggest: yellow sweet peppers, kale, cabbage, broccoli, red tomatoes, red (orange) lentils, bell peppers, lemons, blueberries, purple potatoes, onions, garlic, spinach, collard greens, parsnips, turnips, beets, carrots, and rutabaga.

> See the complete list on ACHS Facebook and add your favorites!

Help ACHS Raise Donations for New Zealand Earthquake Relief Efforts

Reportedly the worst natural disaster in New Zealand in 80 years, the death toll from the Tuesday February 22 earthquake in Christchurch has risen to about 75 with an estimated 300 missing and hundreds more left without fresh water. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has declared a national state of emergency.

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) has strong ties to the New Zealand community. A New Zealand native and ACHS President Dorene Petersen originally founded ACHS in 1976 as the extramural department of an on-campus naturopathic college in Auckland, New Zealand. Dorene opened our U.S. office in 1991 and was joined by daughters Erika Yigzaw, Chief Institutional Officer, and Kate Harmon, Director of Marketing. Though the college has proudly called the U.S. home for more than 20 years, our history is firmly rooted in New Zealand’s traditions and shared knowledge of natural medicine. As such, our U.S. family pledges continual support to the relief and well-being of our New Zealand family.

It is with deep sympathies for the victims, their friends and families, and those tirelessly working on the ground to re-establish safe and healthy conditions that we ask for your support. Current relief efforts are working to supply basic human needs, focused on search and rescue, emergency shelters, and securing safe drinking water. Help us provide some ease and comfort for those devastated by the earthquake.

We understand there are several organizations out there soliciting your funds and attention, and that not all are reputable. To ensure your donations make it directly into the hands of the people who need it most, we recommend the following organizations, which we have personally verified with contacts on the ground in New Zealand:
All donations help. On behalf of ACHS, our friends and family in New Zealand, we thank you for your contribution, care, and compassion. Note, donations made to countries outside of the U.S., including Canada, Mexico, and Israel, are generally not tax deductible. To make donations, KEA New Zealand suggests:
American College would like to personally thank the gracious help offered from militaryconnection.com, Seasons and Regions Restaurant, Jopa Restaurant, Beaverton Farmers Market, and Prolab Orthotics to help increase awareness and support for the victims of the New Zealand earthquake disaster relief effort.

For more information about disaster relief in New Zealand, visit:

ACHS Learning Vacations in Greece Offer Hands-On Art, Aromatherapy, and Herbalism Education in Relaxing Mediterranean Locale

American College of Healthcare Sciences is proud to announce its 2011 study abroad summer programs in Greece. Week-long expert-led study abroad programs include Watercolor Journaling in Greece (May 27-June 2) and Mediterranean Herbs and Essential Oils in Greece (June 4-9, 2011).

ACHS study abroad programs are scheduled to coincide with the flowering and harvest time of a variety of Mediterranean plants. Each program emphasizes the health benefits of the Mediterranean lifestyle, including the Mediterranean-style diet, the health promoting properties of local plants and herbs, and the importance of relaxation. Programs include two meals per day prepared from fresh, local, nutritious herbs and produce. Programs are limited to 20 students.

“Immersing yourself in the fragrant aromas of Mediterranean plants while learning about holistic approaches to health and wellness,” says ACHS President and program leader Dorene Petersen, “is a fantastic way to study aromatherapy, herbalism, and art with a focus on total health.”

ACHS Watercolor Journaling in Greece with Jacqueline Newbold runs May 27-June 2, 2011 in Syros, Greece. This dynamic class will motivate artists of all skill levels to record their journeys in a creative and unique way using watercolor and mixed media. Students will explore ways to make their watercolor travel journal interesting and reflective of their experiences through painting the Greek landscape and the essence of the Greek lifestyle.
Open to students, faculty, alumni, and the general public. Registration deadline is April 1! For more information and to register, visit http://www.achs.edu/course-desc.aspx?pid=207&id=61

ACHS Mediterranean Herbs and Essential Oils in Greece runs June 4-9, 2011 in Syros, Greece. Led by ACHS President and Wellness Expert Dorene Petersen, Guerilla Distiller Robert Seidel and Aromatherapist Mindy Green, this program provides hands-on experience working with Mediterranean herbs and essential oils for therapeutic use, including: making preparations, harvesting cultivated and wildcrafted botanicals, essential oil distillation, and therapeutic blending of essential oils.
Open to students, faculty, alumni, and the general public. Registration deadline is April 1! For more information and to register, visit http://www.achs.edu/course-desc.aspx?pid=208&id=61

ACHS in Now An Approved Member of the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades


We're now an approved member of the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT). Membership in IFEAT further evidences our dedication to supporting sustainability and fair trade of essential oils and to providing comprehensive resources with the latest aromatherapy research for ACHS’s professional aromatherapy programs.

“IFEAT is an important organization for our industry,” says ACHS President Dorene Petersen, “because it fosters education about sustainable practices and emphasizes the importance of international communication and cooperation. IFEAT is at the forefront of any legislative regulatory changes that can affect the essential oil industry. Ensuring our students are up to date on this information is essential.”

“IFEAT conferences bring together industry leaders with a sincere dedication to protecting the health of our industry,” Dorene says. “It’s wonderful to be able to attend these conferences, learn from and talk with other industry experts, and to then share this information with ACHS students and other industry professionals. This active dialogue not only ensures the health of our industry, it reaffirms our global commitment to environmental stewardship.”

To read the full-length press release, visit ACHSedu on Facebook Here.
 
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