THE ABOVE WORD IS NOT AN HERB, NOR IS IT A MEDICINE. BUT IT CAN BE ASSOCIATED WITH ANXIETY.
Today is Friday the 13th. There have been many Friday 13ths in history. The sixth day of the week and the number 13 both have foreboding reputations said to date from ancient times. Their inevitable conjunction happens from one to three times a year This year, 2010 there is only one such occurence and IT IS TODAY.
I didn't know there was an actual word for the fear of Friday the 13th, but there is. Paraskevidekatriaphobics are people afflicted with a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th. How many will be pricking up their ears about now, buoyed by seeming evidence that the source of their unholy terror may not be so irrational after all? There is even a study that shows more than 52% increased admissions to hospitals on Friday the 13th. But it's unwise to take solace in a single scientific study, especially one so peculiar. I suspect these statistics have more to teach us about human psychology than the ill-fatedness of any particular date on the calendar. There is so much about human psychology that we do not know. For example, I decided to wear the stone, Lapis lazuli today as I feel it brings me luck. It didn't occur to me that it was Friday the 13th until I got to work. My mother used to collect elephants for good luck. She would only collect elephants with their trunks 'UP'.
Friday the 13th is the most widespread superstition in the United States today. The modern basis for the Friday the 13th superstition stems from Friday October the 13th, 1307. On this date, the Pope of the church in Rome in Conjunction with the King of France, carried out a secret death warrant against the "Knights Templar".
Some people refuse to go to work on Friday the 13th; some won't eat in restaurants; many wouldn't think of setting a wedding on the date. Some people will not step outside their door. The is no 13th aisle on an airplane nor 13th floor in a building. Why? Since the 21st century it is estimated that about 21 million Americans suffer from this condition, which accounts for about 8% of Americans are stricken with this fear. This is a very old superstition which can hold people in a grip of fear. It is a phobia. There are many phobias.
A phobia (from the Greek: φόβος,phóbos, meaning "fear" or "morbid fear") is an irrational, intense and persistent fear of certain situations, activities, things, animals, or people. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive and unreasonable desire to avoid the feared stimulus. When the fear is beyond one's control, and if the fear is interfering with daily life, then a diagnosis under one of the anxiety disorders can be made. Phobias are a common form of anxiety disorders. An American study by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) found that between 8.7% and 18.1% of Americans suffer from phobias. Broken down by age and gender, the study found that phobias were the most common mental illness among women in all age groups and the second most common illness among men older than 25.
So, I hope you do not have a fear of plants or flowers. At least if you are reading this blog and there is a mention of plants, you do not have to see or touch them unless there is a photograph. Botanophobia is the fear of plants. People with this fear may not fear all plants, some might only be fearful of specific types of plants. The origin of the word botano is Latin (meaning plants) and phobia is Greek (meaning fear). Botanophobia is considered to be a specific phobia, and is related to Anthrophobia and Anthophobia (fear of flowers)
There are 3 are new studies to suggest that Camellia sinensis has the ability to control obesity and Diabetes. Tea is consumed second only to water in the World. Do you consume green, black or oolong tea? The difference is that green tea is unfermented, black tea is fully fermented and oolong tea is partially fermented. Tea offers health benefits and risk reduction for cardiovascular disease as well as some types of cancers.
I published a review paper almost 3 years ago now on the other benefits of green tea. These were the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties of green tea. The polyphenols in green tea is responsible for these outcomes and benefits. The major polyphenol in green tea is EGCG. We do know that the tea catechins, especially the EGCG have antiobesity and antidiabetic effects. The average person thinks drinking one to two cups of this tea will have tremendous benefits. It will have a trace benefit. From the review I published it is estimated that you must consume 24-48 or more cups of green tea to exert potential benefits. I do not know any single patient who would cumsume this amount of tea. A small study published revealed that 6 obese men consuming 300mg of EGCG for two days had an increase in fat oxidation. Although I find this interesting, it is small study population. More studies need to be done to determine the dose that is effective and the dose that is toxic or at which dose will the herb will help/prevent/treat a condition.
An aside about Lapis lazuli. There are many books describing the healing properties of stones. These stones may or may not be gemstones. The deep blue color of Lapis Lazuli resonates with the brow and throat chakras and is known as a stone of friendship and truth. In regards to the throat chakra, Lapis can be used in meditations, or worn to promote honesty and an ease of communication.
It promotes creativity and awareness and is a wonderful companion to anyone whose employment involves strenuous amounts of communication, such as educators. It has also been useful in overcoming depression, insomnia, and problems associated with the eyes and ears. It promotes a balancing of yin and yang energies and can be used as a physically or psychically protective stone.
I heard Bobby Darin belt this out on my iPod walking to do stress tests this morning.
THE GOOD LIFE
Oh, the good life, full of fun seems to be the ideal
Mm, the good life lets you hide all the sadness you feel
You won't really fall in love for you can't take the chance
So please be honest with yourself, don't try to fake romance
It's the good life to be free and explore the unknown
Like the heartaches when you learn you must face them alone
Please remember I still want you, and in case you wonder why
Well, just wake up, kiss the good life goodbye
Until tomorrow...
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