What is Integrative Medicine?

The Defining Principles of Integrative Medicine

Andrew Weil, M.D. - What is Integrative Medicine? from Andrew Weil, M.D. on Vimeo.

1.Patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process.

2.All factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration, including mind, spirit, and community, as well as the body.

3.Appropriate use of both conventional and alternative methods facilitates the body's innate healing response.

4.Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive should be used whenever possible.

5.Integrative medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically.

6.Good medicine is based in good science. It is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms.

7.Alongside the concept of treatment, the broader concepts of health promotion and the prevention of illness are paramount.

8.Practitioners of integrative medicine should exemplify its principles and commit themselves to self-exploration and self-development.

Links:
Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine
Find an Integrative Medicine Provider

6 Tips for Endometriosis

From: Dr. Weil's Newsletter

Posted 12/21/09

Endometriosis, a condition where tissue resembling the lining of the uterus is found in the abdomen, is marked by severe pain, most often in the form of menstrual cramps. Its exact cause is not yet known, but it does have a strong inflammatory component and, like the lining in the uterus, is influenced by estrogen. (Endometriosis may result in powder-burn spots, ovarian cysts and pelvic scar tissue otherwise known as adhesions. At times, it can be significant enough to scar the fallopian tubes closed.) A number of dietary measures can help relieve symptoms by reducing inflammation and addressing the activity of estrogen in your system.

Start managing endometriosis nutritionally with an anti-inflammatory diet and try the following dietary changes:

1. Eliminate dairy foods (allow at least three weeks to observe any improvements).
2. Eat only hormone-free meat to avoid any additional estrogen exposure.
3. Emphasize whole soy foods in your diet. Tofu, tempeh and soymilk are rich in plant estrogens and seem to modulate the actions of other forms of estrogen.
4. Limit alcohol intake, which may influence estrogen production.
5. Choose organic foods whenever possible.
6. Drink a cup or two of red raspberry leaf tea daily to help relieve cramps.

Graphic interpretation

Endometriose = endometriosis

Schokolade-Zyste = chocolate cyst (endometrioma cyst of the ovary)

Myom = uterine fibroid

Adhasion = adhesion

Hysterosalpingogramm = hysterosalpingogram (dye-infusion test to asses for tubal patency and uterine anatomy.)

6 Ways to De-Stress Your Home

From Andrew Weil's Tip of the Day

Your home - whether big, small, or somewhere in between - should be your sanctuary, a place where stress is left at the door and your soul is nurtured. For a more comforting environment, gradually implement the following changes into your home:

1. Bring the outdoors in. Green plants, cut flowers and blooming bulbs, or pieces of wood, rocks and other organic elements can create a feeling of nature indoors.
2. Paint a room to suggest a mood. For instance, blue and green promote a relaxed feeling and may be good choices for the bedroom, while warm colors (maroon, coral, burgundy) suggest a cozy environment and may be inviting in a family room.
3. Surround your senses with beauty. Artwork, fragrance, smooth textures and calming sounds all provide a pleasant environment in which to relax.
4. Set aside a room or area for peace and calm. A place for spiritual reflection and meditation can provide shelter from noise and distraction.
5. Clean out clutter. A low-maintenance home is refreshing after a day of hectic meetings, errands and chores. Fewer items can mean less frustration.
6. Create an atmosphere of love. Display handmade or meaningful gifts from loved ones and photos of family and friends.

Lemon Baked Halibut

Recipe from Dr. Andrew Weil's Daily Tips

Description

The mellow flavor of this low-fat fish comes from marinating it in vigorous spices. After cooking, it is topped with homemade salsa rich with the flavor of tangy onions, fiery jalapeño peppers, and cool papaya. Make the salsa first, before you start preparing the fish. It is also best to make the marinade far enough in advance so that the flavors can blend together for at least 2 hours before you actually marinate the fish in it for 30 minutes. Keep this in mind when deciding what time you want to serve this dish. I couple this entrée with a side of steamed vegetables or Roasted Root Vegetables.

Ingredients

PAPAYA SALSA 1/2 cup cilantro leaves 1 cup cubed papaya 1/4 cup cubed red bell pepper 1/4 cup diced red onion 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice MARINADE 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro Six 6-ounce halibut steaks, sliced in half lengthwise 3 medium bulbs fennel, trimmed and sliced 2/3 cup purified water 9 black or white peppercorns

Instructions

Make the salsa: Put the salsa ingredients in a small bowl, mixing with a spoon until everything is thoroughly melded in. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to use. Make the marinade: Stir together the lemon juice, zest, oil, ginger, pepper, and cilantro in a bowl. Let the flavors mingle together for at least 2 hours, covered, in the refrigerator. After the 2 hours, put the fish in a baking pan, pour the marinade evenly over it, and let it sit for 20–30 minutes, covered, in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 400°F. Meanwhile, cook the fennel in the water with the peppercorns in a large, flameproof sauté pan, covered, over high heat for about 6–8 minutes, until just tender, adding liquid if necessary. Remove from the heat. Remove the halibut steaks from the refrigerator and bake them for 5 minutes on each side. The halibut should be flaky and white. Arrange equal portions of the fennel on each of 6 plates, put the halibut on top, and spoon 1 tablespoon of Papaya Salsa on the fish. Serves 6 Per serving: Calories 322 Fat 7.1 g Saturated fat 1 g (20.2% of calories from fat) Protein 39.6 g Carbohydrate 24.4 g Cholesterol 54 mg Fiber 7.9 g This recipe is from The Healthy Kitchen - Recipes for a Better Body, Life, and Spirit (Hardcover) by Andrew Weil, M.D. and Rosie Daley (Knopf)