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Idris Gatsby
Idris Gatsby
Senior Staff Writer

How to Apply Old World Practices to Your Modern Life

For centuries, Old World remedies, such as meditation and essential oils, have been of a holistic method for many illnesses. While modern medicine advances all the time due to new technology and research, recently there has been a push towards other medicinal possibilities, with many modern scholars claiming the greatest remedies for today’s ills are truly the holistic ones.

The Timeless Value of CBD

In turning towards holistic solutions for the human body, there has been an interest in hemp and CBD as organic remedies for everything from arthritis inflammation, sore muscles, and joint pain to chronic insomnia, nausea, and depression. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a form of hemp extract that comes from the hemp plant, and is a non-intoxicating element containing no THC or psychoactive properties. In fact, a 2019 study found that CBD can potentially slow down the growth of cancerous tumor cells and offer patients pain relief and a higher quality of life while in treatment.

As CBD oil, capsules, teas, and other variations have become common as a holistic cure for all sorts of ailments, many proponents of Old World solutions have noted its combinations with an ancient Indian healing system known as Ayurveda. Dating back to 1500 B.C., Ayurveda combines natural practices, such as massage, meditation, and yoga with herbs and proper diet.

A Modern Application

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Modern practitioners of holistic and organic remedies for wellness recommend the use of Ayurvedic oil with CBD for muscle aches and chronic pain, as massage oil, or combined with other essential oils for sleep problems. With many people more health-conscious and aware of the importance of exercise as a regular routine, using CBD oil fro muscle rejuvenation as a post-workout and metabolism booster is an excellent application. Not only can this timeless remedy aid the human body’s immune system, but its anti-inflammatory properties for muscle soreness and discomfort has a natural purity not found in typical prescription drugs.

East Meets West

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Just as modern Western philosophy recognizes Eastern wellness methods, there has been a widespread recognition of other cultural beliefs in approaching the mind-body-spirit trident of overall wellness, including the usage of Tarot decks for insights into health and prosperity.

The Tarot deck is divided up of 78 cards known as the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana; the Major symbol cards dictate card readers on such topics as inspiration, spirituality, and love, while the Minor tarot cards stand for specific people within the reader’s future. Of significant importance, the Magician card’s many meanings (his wand or infinity symbol, for example) often contains health, both in mind and body, or a merger of the two in a full understanding of consciousness through willpower. The Magician Tarot is not unlike many Eastern philosophies and health systems, such as Ayurveda, in its aim to “know oneself” and communicate with the body for a fuller understanding of wellness.

Ayurveda descends from ancient Hindu sacred texts and is widely considered to be one of the oldest medicine systems in the world. Much like the Magician Tarot, its traditional philosophies stress the importance of maintaining a balance between the mind, body and spirit, in order to promote physical and mental wellness, and a chief way this can be achieved is through a blend of diet and the use of medicinal herbs. Ayurvedic medicine works with holistic strategies that focus more on prevention than cure, such as acknowledging the unlimited potential of the use of CBD as a holistic treatment for many chronic conditions.

There is wisdom to be gained from ancient traditions of medicine, but these should be used in conjunction with Western medicine practices as well. If you’re considering using a CBD tincture or CBD oil, be sure to consult with a doctor to ensure that there is no conflict with any medications you’re already taking.