Friday, October 17, 2008
Thank goodness for neighbors!
One of my neighbors posted this hilarious photo from a French newspaper to the neighborhood list serve a couple of days ago. Heehee!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
aromatherapy!
Newsweek ran a story about an aromatherapy study that was all like, "What a load of bull!"
I decided to go straight to the source:
Abstract of Kiecolt-Glaser et al. 2008:
Despite aromatherapy's popularity, efficacy data are scant, and potential mechanisms are controversial. This randomized controlled trial examined the psychological, autonomic, endocrine, and immune consequences of one purported relaxant odor (lavender), one stimulant odor (lemon), and a no-odor control (water), before and after a stressor (cold pressor); 56 healthy men and women were exposed to each of the odors during three separate visits. To assess the effects of expectancies, participants randomized to the “blind” condition were given no information about the odors they would smell; “primed” individuals were told what odors they would smell during the session, and what changes to expect. Experimenters were blind.
Self-report and unobtrusive mood measures provided robust evidence that lemon oil reliably enhances positive mood compared to water and lavender regardless of expectancies or previous use of aromatherapy. Moreover, norepinephrine levels following the cold pressor remained elevated when subjects smelled lemon, compared to water or lavender. DTH responses to Candida were larger following inhalation of water than lemon or lavender. Odors did not reliably alter IL-6 and IL-10 production, salivary cortisol, heart rate or blood pressure, skin barrier repair following tape stripping, or pain ratings following the cold pressor.
OK, so here's the deal: it makes you feel good, sure! But it doesn't actually help you physically...
Or does it...? No. No, it doesn't.
Ridiculous picture thanks to http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au
I decided to go straight to the source:
Abstract of Kiecolt-Glaser et al. 2008:
Despite aromatherapy's popularity, efficacy data are scant, and potential mechanisms are controversial. This randomized controlled trial examined the psychological, autonomic, endocrine, and immune consequences of one purported relaxant odor (lavender), one stimulant odor (lemon), and a no-odor control (water), before and after a stressor (cold pressor); 56 healthy men and women were exposed to each of the odors during three separate visits. To assess the effects of expectancies, participants randomized to the “blind” condition were given no information about the odors they would smell; “primed” individuals were told what odors they would smell during the session, and what changes to expect. Experimenters were blind.
Self-report and unobtrusive mood measures provided robust evidence that lemon oil reliably enhances positive mood compared to water and lavender regardless of expectancies or previous use of aromatherapy. Moreover, norepinephrine levels following the cold pressor remained elevated when subjects smelled lemon, compared to water or lavender. DTH responses to Candida were larger following inhalation of water than lemon or lavender. Odors did not reliably alter IL-6 and IL-10 production, salivary cortisol, heart rate or blood pressure, skin barrier repair following tape stripping, or pain ratings following the cold pressor.
OK, so here's the deal: it makes you feel good, sure! But it doesn't actually help you physically...
Or does it...? No. No, it doesn't.
Ridiculous picture thanks to http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
too late?
Australia is finally formally apologizing to its indigenous people! Whoa!
Is it too late? Well...
Better late than never?
AND WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT A MINUTE! The U.S. hasn't done that????
Look! Sen. Brownback of Kansas started the ball rolling in 2005. Yes, 2005...
So where'd it go?
Well now there are 2 bills... And I don't understand the government... maybe you do:
S.J.RES.4
Title: A joint resolution to acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States.
AND
H.J.RES.68
Title: To acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States.
Yes... what is the deal.... I certainly don't know why this hasn't happened yet. For crying out loud! Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources????????????????????????????????????
What does that even mean?
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