Once considered a luxury, massage is quickly becoming a necessity in the mainstream. Not only does massage help promote optimal physical and mental health, it is frequently used as a supplement to various treatment paths for numerous physical and emotional conditions. In fact, studies show that massage relieves stress and anxiety by relaxing the muscles and calming the body.

Studies also show that massage has the power to relieve nerve pain, headaches, body aches, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and pain associated with sports injuries. Depending on the technique, massage also has the power to help treat a number of troublesome digestive disorders. One massage technique, called “Maya Abdominal Massage,” offers all of the physical benefits of other massage techniques and it helps alleviate:

• Gastritis
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Lack of appetite
• Feeling of tightness in the stomach

Alleviating these conditions can lead to better digestive health, and not just during the spring months when detox diets and juicing are all the rage, but year round.

What is Maya Abdominal Massage?

Abdominal massage has been practiced for thousands of years in the lands of the Maya, including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. In her book, Rainforest Home Remedies The Maya Way to Heal Your Body & Replenish Your Soul, Dr. Rosita Arvigo writes:

The abdominal massage involves the abdomen above and around the belly button. It reopens blocked energy paths and releases negative ch’ulel that has accumulated owing to unexpressed emotions.

In this way, Maya Abdominal Massage also offers all of the mental benefits of other massage techniques. While MAM is considered an excellent massage technique for women because it addresses common issues such as painful periods, PMS, and even infertility, it is also ideal for men. In addition promoting better digestive health, this massage technique can alleviate prostate swelling, frequent urination, and some impotency problems.

Further, Arvigo says, because the anatomy of men and women is the same in the abdomen above and around the belly button, the instructions for abdominal massage (Self Care) are the same for both sexes.

Finding a Certified Maya Abdominal Massage Practitioner

The best place to find a certified Maya Abdominal Massage practitioner (called Certified Arvigo Practitioner) is The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy website. In addition to listings for CAPs in your area, you will find:

Arvigo Practitioner (AP)

These health care professionals have completed initial training to prepare them to apply the Arvigo Techniques in their work with clients. They are authorized to present themselves as Arvigo practitioners while working toward certified status.

Arvigo Advanced Pregnancy (AAP)

These Arvigo practitioners have attended the Supporting Pregnancy from Pre-Conception to Postpartum Training.

Arvigo Spiritual Healing Practitioners (ASHP)

These practitioners have attended training in the techniques of Maya Spiritual Healing as taught by Dr. Rosita Arvigo.

Arvigo Community Educator (ACE)

These Certified Arvigo Practitioners are authorized to schedule and present the Arvigo Hands on Healing the Maya Way one day introductory course.

Arvigo Certified Self Care Teacher (ACSCT)

These Certified Arvigo Practitioners are authorized to schedule and present the Arvigo Self Care course and the Hands on Health the Maya Way one day introductory course.

To learn more about Maya Abdominal Massage, pick up a copy of Rainforest Home Remedies The Maya Way to Heal Your Body & Replenish Your Soul by Dr. Rosita Arvigo & Nadine Epstein or visit the official The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy website.

The morinda herb (Morinda citrifolia L.) has been used in folk medicine by Polynesians for more than 2,000 years. A prized herb of Hawaii and the South Pacific, it is often confused with the “moringa herb,” which offers a few of the same benefits, but is native to the sub-Himalayan areas of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. The morinda herb, a small evergreen tree or shrub, is native to Southeastern Asia (Indonesia) to Australia.

A member of the rubiaceae (rubioideae) coffee family, the morinda herb now has a pantropical distribution, according to the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR).

Other names for the morinda herb include: Grand Morinda (Vietnam), Cheesefruit (Australia), Lada (Guam), Bumbo (Africa), Indian Mulberry (India), Mengkudo (Malaysia), Nono (Tahiti and Raratonga), Polynesian Bush Fruit, Nhau (Southeast Asia), Kura (Fiji), and Painkiller Tree (Caribbean islands). In the U.S., the herb is known as “noni.”

Besides being prized in Hawaii and the South Pacific, morinda is gaining marked popularity in the U.S. mainland—and not just among natural and alternative medicine practitioners. The mainstream public has been introduced to noni juice, as well as noni supplements and drops through well-known vitamin shops and natural food grocers, neighborhood health food stores, and even health clubs and spas. While several forms have been introduced, noni juice is the most popular way to consume the herb in the U.S.

Morinda (Noni) Benefits

Just about every part of the morinda plant has traditional and/or modern uses. Some of the most popular uses include:

• Flowers (medicinal)
• Roots and Bark (medicinal, red & yellow dye)
• Trunks (tools, firewood)
• Fruits, Seeds, Leaves (food, medicines)

Although all parts of the plant are highly beneficial, the fruit is believed to be the herbs most valuable asset.

The fruit of the morinda herb has the amazing ability to cleanse the intestinal tract and enhance colon health, making it perfect for seasonal cleansers and once-a-month rejuvenation fasters. The herb is also a hit with advanced juicers and detoxers of all kinds, as well as individual’s seeking a little “regularity” in their daily lives. Morinda advocates say that not only does morinda help cleanse your system and enhance health, it can actually assist in treating just about any digestive disorder you can think of. Diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, and intestinal parasites are just a few.

Morinda is also used to help treat a number of other conditions and diseases such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), addiction, allergies, arthritis, asthma, burns, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, immune deficiency, infections, inflammation, joint and muscle pain, diabetes, and even cancer.

In fact, just one of the many morinda studies published by the National Center for

Biotechnology Information (NCBI) showed that consuming 10% Tahitian Noni Liquid Dietary Supplement or Tahitian Noni Juice (TNJ) in drinking water for one week was able to prevent DMBA-DNA adduct formation. DMBA (or 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene) is a formidable organ-specific carcinogen and immunosuppressor utilized in research laboratories to study cancer. The study concluded that, “the results suggest that prevention of carcinogen-DNA adduct formation and the antioxidant activity of TNJ may contribute to the cancer preventive effect of Morinda citrifolia.”

How to Use Morinda (Noni)

To enjoy the medicinal and body cleansing benefits of morinda without any side effects, practitioners suggest taking noni on an empty stomach. According to Master Herbalist Rita Elkins, the process of digesting food can interfere with the medicinal value of the alkaloid compounds found in noni, specifically in its fruit. Noni should not be taken with alcohol, coffee, or nicotine. Practitioners also suggest opting for the semi-ripe or light-green fruit instead of the ripe, whitish fruit. If you choose to take noni supplements, prepared juices or drops, read the labels to make sure they are made from the suggested options.

Morinda tastes like apple cider vinegar and jackfruit, with a hint of onion and a salty aftertaste. If you are trying morinda for the first time, try roughly an ounce in 4 to 6 ounces of pure water. You can adjust the amount of water to your taste. Pay close attention to how your system reacts. If all is well, you may increase the amount of morinda to several ounces in water a day. Many seasoned noni drinkers take it straight. If you prefer supplements or drops, start with the lowest dose possible first and follow the same directions above.

Keep in mind that higher doses are typically used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Curry is a blend of ground spices including cayenne or red pepper, coriander, cumin, and turmeric. Turmeric gives curry its signature yellow color. Curry is also used to describe any dish made with a combination of cayenne or red pepper, coriander, cumin, and turmeric. The main ingredients in curry do not change, but adding additional ingredients is a common practice depending on the region.

In the U.S., most commercial curry contains the basic ingredients. Black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and hot chilies are common in India. Other curry ingredients include allspice, anise, bay leaves, black pepper, chilies, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, mace, nutmeg, poppyseed, and white pepper. In Indian and Asian cookery, taste, heath benefits, and preservative properties determine which ingredients will be used.

Curry Health Benefits

Curry blends have antiseptic, healing, and preservative properties. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin. Capsaicin is an effective pain reliever for osteoarthritis and headaches. Capsaicin is used to manage the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy and other conditions that may cause inflammation. Capsaicin alleviates pain by acting as an inhibitor of a neuropeptide called Substance P (SP). SP plays a significant role in the inflammation process.

Cayenne pepper adds spicy hot flavor to curry, but it also adds vitamins and nutrients to the blend. Cayenne pepper contains vitamins A, B6, C, and K as well as manganese and dietary fiber. These vitamins and minerals are essential to cardiovascular health, optimal immune system performance, and epithelial tissue health.

Coriander, Cumin, and Turmeric

Native to the Middle East and Mediterranean and cultivated in the U.S., Europe, and Morocco, the coriander herb is composed of fruit or seeds that contain components of essential oil. These include cineole, borneol, linalool, and citronelol. Coriander also contains vitamins A and C, stearic acid, linoleic acid, phosphorus, and iron.

Together, the essential oil components, vitamins, minerals, and acids manage or help treat a number of conditions. These include high cholesterol, digestion imbalances, inflammation, skin disorders, anemia, and menstrual discomfort. Coriander has also been used as an expectorant.

Cumin is native to the Mediterranean region and cultivated in China, India, and Mexico. This annual herb contains seeds composed of essential oil. The main component is cumaldehyde. Cumaldehyde is useful as an astringent and it aids in proper digestion. In veterinary medicine, cumin is used as a topical and oral medication.

Turmeric is a versatile herb used in curry for fragrance and spice. This herb contains essential oil, manganese, iron, potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6. Turmeric is used in Indian and Chinese medicine to treat chest pain, hemorrhage, bruises, and toothaches. As an antioxidant, turmeric acts as a defense against arthritis and other joint diseases. It inhibits cancer cell growth, lowering rates of colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. Like cayenne pepper, turmeric lowers cholesterol and helps protect the heart against disease. The high level of vitamin B6 helps control homocysteine levels—a major risk factor of heart disease.

How to Create Curry Friendly Cuisine

To incorporate curry into your diet, season meat, fish, and poultry with powdered curry. Ready to serve curry sauces can be found at your local supermarket or health food store. Stir-fry vegetables and seasoned proteins with olive oil. Add curry sauce, simmer, enjoy.