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CBT MINDFULNESS THERAPY FOR ANXIETY RELIEF

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, involves changing thoughts, its the cognitive part, and actions, the behavior pattern, that interfere with leading a fulfilling and healthy life. The aim of CBT is to help you become your own therapist, and the skills are practical, goal-oriented, and can be practiced every day. Some CBT strategies aim to change thoughts and behaviors, while others promote mindfulness and awareness. Anxiety may cause your thoughts to wander, you may fret about the past, or about what might go wrong in the future. Mindfulness helps focus your attention on whatever you’re doing right now, in the present moment. Acceptance strategies help you cope with, and even accept, uncomfortable situations or emotions that you can’t control or change. THE CBT MODEL OF EMOTIONS CBT breaks emotions down into three parts: thoughts , physical sensations, and behaviors. Say you’re afraid of dogs and you see a dog coming toward you along the sidewalk. You feel afraid—that’s your

Arnica - Anti-Inflammatory and Mild Analgesic Herbal

The name Arnica probably derives from the Greek; arnakis, meaning "skin of lamb" due to the soft texture of iit leaves. There are known about 30 species of Arnica in a whole world, and all of them are perennials that spread by rhizomes. With its cheerful golden flowers, arnica has long been used for sprains and bruises as well as homeopathic treatments.

Gardening Herbs

Arnica montana is an aromatic hardy perennial that forms a basal rosette of leaves. From late spring to late summer, it produces flowering stems up to 2 ft. (60 cm) high, and each terminates in a single, golden, daisy flower.

Varieties - Most varieties are native to subaltern areas. European arnica (A. montana) is also known  as mountain tobacco  and leopard's  bane (not to be confused  with the  ornamental perennial leopard's bane. Doronicum orientale, which is also  poisonous, from the family Asteraceae. Native to the northern Iberian peninsula northward to Scandinavia, its natural habitat is low, ferte meadows to an altitude of about l,000  ft. (3,000 m). Arnica montana is becoming rare, due to over-­collection and the inroads of agriculture, and wild collection is being curtailed.

Consequently, the American species A. chamissonis is sometimes used in its place in herbal treatment.

Position - Arnica requires a cool climate and full sun as well as slightly acid to slightly alkaline free-draining soil. In areas with wet winters, grow it in raised beds to prevent fungal attack.

Propagation - You can raise arnica from seed but you'll need a period of moist cold. In climates with cold winters, sow the seed outside in autumn. In milder winter areas,  stratify the seed by mixing it with a little  damp vermiculite or sterile sand. Seal it in a plastic bag, and place it in the crisper tray of the refrigerator for about 12 weeks before sowing. Propagate mature plants by division in spring.

Maintenance - Arnica is a slow grower and resents competition from pasture weeds such as white clover. Mulch well and weed regularly, or grow plants in weed mat.

Pests and diseases - Fungal rots occur in wet winters.

Harvesting and storing - Gather the flowers when fully open and dry them.

Herbal Medicine

Flowers of Arnica montana (A. chamissonis) are the part used as medicinal herbs. Arnica flowers have significant anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic properties. They are applied topically in the form of infused oils, ointments and creams to bruises, sprains and strains to  encourage healing and to  reduce the discomfort of pain and swelling. The pain relieving effects of arnica also make this a suitable tropical  remedy for the treatment of sore and aching muscles and rheumatic joint problems.

Internally, Arnica montana is taken as a homeopathic remedy, in a very dilute preparation of the herb. It may help with the emotional effects of trauma as well as shock resulting from injury. It may also help to alleviate the physical complaints described above.

Please be notices, do NOT use arnica if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Arnica has been ruled unsafe in some countries.

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