Healers divulge their favorite natural cures

Savor natural surroundings
"I try to connect with nature every day."

Tori Hudson, a naturopathic physician in Portland, OR, specializing in women's health, uses nutrition, nutraceuticals, herbs, bioidentical hormones, and other alternative therapies to treat gynecological conditions.

One of the main principles of naturopathic medicine is the vis medicatrix naturae — usually interpreted as the ability of botanicals (herbs, food, etc.) to heal. "It also means literally being in nature — surrounding yourself with the therapeutic smells, sounds, and visual beauty of a quiet, contemplative place," says Hudson, who lives amid meadows and forest, where she often hikes. She says being alone in the wilderness inspires new ideas as well as more awareness of her body, mind, and spirit.

Wherever you live, savor natural surroundings — whether at the beach, in a forest, or at a neighborhood park or playground. "You can tease out little islands of nature wherever you are — even in your own backyard," says Hudson. To find a public park, log on to the Project for Public Spaces' Web site, pps.org, and click on "Great Public Spaces."

Hudson is author of "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine."

Shake up the morning
"I drink a breakfast shake made with spirulina for sustained energy."

Barbara Brennan, an international bioenergy therapist based in Florida, works with the body's aura to correct energy imbalances that lead to disease.

Spirulina is a blue-green algae whose deep blue color comes from pigments such as chlorophyll, phycocyanin, and beta-carotene. Said to be one of the earliest life forms on the planet, spirulina first evolved around 3.6 billion years ago and now thrives in alkaline, freshwater environments. It's rich in protein, antioxidants, and B-complex vitamins and all the essential amino acids. Often called a superfood, spirulina is one of the most superior forms of plant protein and is widely available in health food stores. For a morning shake or a quick pick-me-up in late afternoon, puree 1 cup of soy milk, a banana (frozen or fresh), and 2 or 3 teaspoons of spirulina. You can also add pomegranate juice, berries, and yogurt.

Brennan is author of "Hands of Light: A Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field."

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Look on the bright side
"I maintain a positive outlook by putting worry and negative thoughts aside."

Thomas Rau, MD, an integrative physician and director of the Paracelsus Klinik in Lustmuhle, Switzerland, uses special nutrition, detoxification, and natural therapies to treat chronic asthma, allergies, infections, and arthritis.

Research has long equated optimism with good health. Rau, who often works 12-hour days, attributes his good health and stamina to his upbeat attitude.

You can start small by practicing positive self-talk (I can handle this!). Putting a positive spin on negative thoughts isn't a skill you'll master overnight, but here's one tip Rau recommends that will keep you from focusing on the downside: Don't say anything more critical to yourself than you would to a colleague you respect.

Rau is author of "The Swiss Secret to Optimal Health."

An egg for energy
"I eat an egg when my energy is flagging."

Sarita Shrestha, MD, an Ayurvedic physician from Kathmandu, Nepal, helps women discover their prakuti, or "true nature," so she can design an appropriate daily and seasonal dietetic and behavioral regimen.

Eggs are a great source of protein, biotin (a B vitamin essential for healthy hair, skin, and nerves), and choline, a nutrient essential for brain development and memory. Shrestha, a vegetarian, prefers them hard-boiled but will make an omelet with spices when her "fire is low."

Try making an egg salad sandwich with Parmesan for lunch or an omelet for dinner. Don't skip the yolks, which are rich in choline; lutein; zeaxanthin; and vitamins A, D, E, and B6. Eggs from pastured hens (those that eat plants and most likely bugs) have three times as much omega-3 fatty acids, twice as much vitamin E, and 40% more vitamin A than eggs from birds fed a typical chicken-farm diet, according to research from Pennsylvania State University. To find eggs from pastured hens, check out eatwild.com. ("Free-range" eggs aren't necessarily from pastured hens.)

A teacher at the Mount Madonna Institute in Watsonville, CA, since 2000, Shrestha is often referred to as the "Mother of Ayurveda in the West."

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