What a martial artist and contact athlete should keep in the medicine chest
September 21, 2010 (MMD Newswire) - What are more and more adults of all ages doing today? They are working out daily in gyms, dojo, and on fields, by performing martial arts, jogging, dancing, tennis, golf, Pilates, team sports and contact sports. These athletes experience aches and pains from pushing themselves to be the best.
"Healing with herbs has long been a tradition in the martial arts," said Peterson. "Liniments for bruises, tonics for energy, herbal infusion to free breathing, strengthen connective tissue, warm muscles, even to heal broken bones-all are part of the martial arts legacy."
Peterson's book discusses herbs, and includes evidence for herb effectiveness, safety, how to use an herb to enhance martial arts and contact sports training. Even beginners will be able to choose an herb to meet a specific training need, learn where to purchase a good quality portion of that herb, prepare it, and use it safely.
Herbal tips for the medicine chest.
"Most martial artists and contact athlete have a first aid stash: aspirin or something similar, ice packs, bandages, some kind of muscle rub, and perhaps power drinks to boost energy," said Peterson. "Western herbs can make a valuable addition to this stash."
~~St. John's Wort: Did you know that St. John's Wort is not just for depression? Topical St. John's Wort makes good infused oil that can help heal nerve damage caused when fingers or toes are jammed during training.
~~Tiger Balm: If you like Tiger Balm, a muscle rub ointment, but it's too strong for your skin, you can make your own. A mixture of two different kinds of mint oil, eucalyptus, camphor, and lavender can give you the same effects as Tiger Balm. Vary the recipe given in the book to make the balm milder, or eliminate entirely ingredients you are sensitive to.
~~Fish Oil: Did you know that fish oil taken orally can help take down muscle and joint inflammation caused by hard training?
Growing interest in herbs
Traditionally, herbal use in the martial arts has had roots in Chinese medicine. But as ever more martial artists and contact athletes train in the West, an interest in Western herbs grows. The research for this book is based on dozens of herbal texts and hundreds of scientific and medical articles published in academic journals. The conclusions are focused and honed to help the beginning herb user make informed choices based on the best current research and strongest tradition.
About the author:
Susan Lynn Peterson, Ph.D is a 5th degree black belt in Shuri-ryu Karate, author of five books and a contributing writer to martial arts magazines. Peterson has made a career of writing about complex topics in a straightforward, entertaining way. Building on a life time of interest in health, especially alternative healing practice, she has spent many years and thousands of hours investigating the way herbs have been used in various cultures to treat injuries. She teaches karate and operates her communications business in Tucson, Arizona.
Available at:
Western Herbs for Martial Artists and Contact Athletes is available in print or e-book this fall, at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, YMAA.com/publishing and other channels, $20.95, ISBN: 978-1-59439-197-2, YMAA Publication Center, Inc.
Endorsements:
Brigitte Mars, AHG, author of Rawsome-(Basic Health Publication)
Lawrence Kane, author of Way to Black Belt and other martial arts books
Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., author of The Magnesium Miracle
MEDIA/Interview/free book
For members of the media who would like a copy of this book OR to arrange an interview with Susan Lynn Peterson, Ph.D, see contact information below. Suggested topics: "What a martial artist should keep in the medicine chest" or "If you had to choose three Western herbs for the greatest benefits for martial artists or contact athletes, which would you choose, and why?"
Please contact:
Barbara Langley, National Publicist
YMAA Publication Center
PO Box 480
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
Barbara@ymaa.com
(816) 350-3269-direct line
www.ymaa.com/publishing
Connect with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/YMAA.publication.center
###
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
