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by Dr. Gwen Scott, N.D.
May 2003
from
Carnicom.com Website
A brief introduction. I am a
naturopathic doctor, meaning I seek natural remedies for body wellness. I
received my degree from Clayton College of Natural Health. I am also
an herbalist. For the past five years I have written a natural health column
in a New Mexico magazine, Prime Time. For three years I presented
natural health reports on the CBS station in Albuquerque. I have been in
private practice for five years. I have studied natural medicine for over
thirty years informally with Native American medicine men and women,
Spanish curanderos and curanderas, African American
healers, and just about anybody who had knowledge and would share
it. Although I made my living in other fields, it was always a passion and
as with any passion, I have read hundreds of books. Perhaps my best teachers
have been my clients and the feedback they have generously shared.
As many of you know, some states license naturopathic doctors. However, most
don’t. So, by law, I cannot diagnose or prescribe. I can educate and inform
using current research, formal and informal education and life experience.
This is what I hope to do here.
It is very important that you understand that I am sharing general
information and not prescribing. If you choose to incorporate ANY of
this information into your health care regimen you must tell your health
care practitioner. If you are on ANY medications, either prescription or
over-the-counter, it is critical that you not only tell your health care
practitioner but your pharmacist about any new additions you make. Even a
simple vitamin or mineral can contraindicate with certain drugs and cause
harm. Again, take this information to your health care practitioner and
discuss any changes before making them. I stress this, not only because of
the laws, but it has been my experience that people who self-medicate
without guidance can sometimes do more harm than good.
First Things First
I know you have heard it, but believe it. Food is your remedy, your remedy
is food. That’s a quote from Hippocrates and it still holds true today. I
recently read the average American consumes 150-pounds of chemicals in
his/her diet every year. That’s an astounding amount of work for our immune
system, filtration systems (liver, kidney, bladder, etc.) to handle. Many of
these additives and preservatives are toxic. All treated fats, we know
through current research, are harmful to the body. So, begin by eating the
most pure, whole foods you can find. Look for a local health food store and
start shopping. Free range meats, if you eat meat, are the healthiest
because they aren’t treated with hormones, antibiotics, etc. They tend to
have a more humane life as well. Olive oil, as shown in research, does
wonders for many parts of the body. Most health practitioners agree that
real butter is far better for us than any of the substitutes.
If you are drinking diet anything, stop. A great deal of research is
available on the hazards of chemical sweeteners. You can look up
Aspartame on the Internet and decide for yourself. Most health stores carry healthy
alternatives for people who need to avoid sugars. For those who don’t have
blood sugar problems, regional raw honey is a good alternative to refined
sugar.
Remembering we are essentially a small ocean, about 70-75-per-cent water,
good bottled water is a great choice of beverage. Fruit and
vegetable juices
are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals. Sodas between meals are less
harmful as calcium and phosphorous share the same absorption sites. If you
drink a soda with the calcium in your meal, the calcium may not be absorbed.
Herbal teas are wonderful, healthy beverages.
There is a great deal of research being done on the nutritional value of
organic foods vs. conventionally grown foods. It is not surprising that most
organic foods seem to be much richer in vitamins and minerals than the
chemically grown variety. Taste alone will indicate this. I personally eat
organic foods and feel that it does good work for my body. If your goal is
to strengthen and support whole body health, this is something to be
considered.
For many, these insights will be old hat. For others, news.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
It is difficult to find total agreement on whether we should supplement our
nutrients if we eat well. I, for one, like to ensure that my body system has
all of the tools it needs to heal, detoxify, and rebuild. I take a liquid
multi-vitamin and mineral everyday. I buy a good brand at the local health
store. As a naturopath, I like nutrients from natural source vs. the lab. I
also like liquids because they are more bio-available, meaning ready to be
absorbed. If you can’t find a good liquid, capsules are the second best for
breaking down in the stomach. Some will argue that there are tablets that
are easily broken down. Maybe so.
During these times, I also supplement in extra Vitamin C. We know through
research that they should contain some bioflavonoids for good absorption.
Consult with your health care practitioner about amounts.
Some of my colleagues take a full-spectrum anti-oxidant supplement as well
as their multi-vitamin and mineral. I personally add those in when I begin
to feel "punk." Again, talk with a professional to work out what’s best for
you.
There are some herbs that seem beneficial during these times. I like to take
ginger root everyday. It helps with the nausea and keeps blood running thin.
However, if you are on any blood thinning medications, NEVER take ginger
root as you risk getting your blood too thin and unable to clot.
I take Flaxseed Oil everyday as it is a wonderful source of essential fatty
acids. Flax Oil is very helpful to the body and especially important for
brain function. I am told by a research doctor who specializes in heavy
metals that if you have enough essential fatty acids in your body, your
brain can push aluminum out of the brain and into the hair. It comes in a
liquid form which can be bitter to some people so they prefer the capsules.
ALWAYS keep Flax Oil in the refrigerator.
Noni juice is part of my morning regimen. When I was studying medicine in
Maui with a Kahuna, he told me his grandmother used
Noni for
everything…cuts, stomach aches, sore muscles, etc. Modern laboratory
research tells us that Noni is rich in anti-oxidants and may
detoxify the
liver. Perhaps that is why so many people report so many different results
to me. We know that the health of the liver is critical to whole body
health. I will say the pure Noni I experienced in Maui is a far cry from the
bottled variety available to most of us here in the mainland. Even so, I
feel a positive difference when I drink my morning Noni. A caution: if
Noni
does detoxify the liver, anyone on medications should avoid it as it may take
them right out of your system. Also, the bottled Noni has lots of fruit
juices, so anyone on a restricted sugar diet needs to talk with their health
care practitioner before using it.
For years now I have supplemented natural Vitamin E into my regimen. It has
done wonders and I won’t stop now. You can tell if it is natural Vitamin E
if it lists the source as d-alpha. If it says dl-alpha, then it was made in
a lab. I keep mine in the refrigerator.
Detoxification
Whenever our bodies are being insulted by toxins, one of the best things we
can do is to help it detoxify quickly and effectively.
There is a tea called Yogi Detox Tea that many of my friends and clients
have used. It is designed to clear the liver, kidneys, bladder, etc., or the
filtration systems, in our bodies. It has many powerful herbs that seem to
do the trick. However, if you can’t find this brand, most health stores have
teas designed to detoxify. Again, if you are on meds, be aware it is likely
to take these right out of your body as well. Talk to your health care
practitioner about a way to keep the medicines and tea apart so that you can
safely use this method.
Heavy metals are one of the hardest elements to detoxify from the body.
However, there are some who have used Food Grade diatomaceous earth with
good results. I am told by my friend who is a research doctor and
specializes in heavy metal detoxify that he has used this with great success in
getting nickel and other heavy metals from his body. You can reach Dr. Galen
Knight at "http://www.VitaleTherapeutics.org/". He is a specialist in
heavy
metal detox and can give you his data.
Respiratory Ailments
Without a doubt, the most frequent and intense health problem I am seeing in
these times is respiratory distress. Starting with the sinuses and moving
into the deepest part of the lungs, many people are suffering. Here are the
best natural medicines that I personally have tried with success as well as
my family, friends, and clients.
Sinus infections
By far, without contest, the best natural remedy I have found for
sinus
infections is Colloidal Silver, 10ppm. It can be found in most health stores
and is in a nasal spray applicator. Colloidal silver is an old medicine that
is being confirmed by modern research. Apparently, the tiny (ppm=parts per
million) particles of silver attach themselves to bacteria and kill them
rather quickly. At the first sign of a sinus problem I spray each nostril
three times with the Colloidal Silver. One application usually works for me.
Others report that if the infection is chronic, it takes a few more doses.
Some important information: most agree, this spray should only be used when
there are symptoms, not as a curative. Silver is a heavy metal and can
accumulate in the body causing harm so it is used only when a problem shows
up. It does have a long shelf life and should be stored in a cool, dark
place. Talk to your health care practitioner and get more information before
deciding if this is a good remedy for you.
Coughs and Lung infections
Years ago when I was studying with a Native American medicine
man I got a
very bad, deep lung infection and cough. He told me to get Tea Tree Oil and
some distilled water. He told me to put two drops of the tea tree in a mug
and pour rapidly boiling water over the drops until it reached the top of
the mug. I stood next to the kitchen sink and sniffed, then deeply inhaled
the steam. I kept at it until all of the steam was dissipated. He told me
NEVER to drink the tea tree, so I poured it down the sink. He told me to do
this twice a day until my lungs were clear. It worked so well that I have
used this remedy and passed it on to hundreds who have reported good
results. Years later I was reading a research paper from Australia (home of
the tea tree) which explained its effectiveness. Apparently tea tree has
anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitical properties.
Never take tea tree internally as it is toxic when ingested.
Recently a fellow naturopath told me she had severe bronchitis. She just
couldn’t get the infection out of there. She says she took Colloidal Silver,
30ppm, for five days and it was gone. It is widely held that
Colloidal
Silver should never be taken for longer than 10-days as silver poisoning may
result. Now, I have heard many stories like hers, but haven’t needed this
remedy myself. However, recent research indicates that Collodial Silver is
effective against over 600-bacterias. However, some in my field don’t like
the idea of ingesting any heavy metals, even if they are extremely small
amounts. So, there is another good natural anti-biotic that was discovered
by the Pasteur Institute in France. They spent years testing natural sources
looking for a reliable, effective anti-biotic and came up with grapefruit
seed extract. Capsules are what most people take as the liquid is very, very
bitter. CAUTION: many of the current heart medications contraindicate with
grapefruit. As always, please talk to your health care practitioner before
using anything new.
I personally installed a good Hepa air filter in my bedroom that runs 24-7.
Yes, my electric bill has gone up, but I noticed a significant difference in
my lung health.
Recently on THE TODAY SHOW a respiratory specialist who has written a book
about the "alarming" rise in respiratory disease and resulting mortality
rates recommended exercising indoors. I used to walk a brisk mile or two
every morning around the mesa. Now I have a tape I use in my home to get my
daily exercise. I think the doctor on the TODAY SHOW was on the right track.
Many of my friends, self included, have taken to wearing masks outdoors.
Yes, it looks a little funny, but I feel so much better. When asked, I say
it helps with my allergies… and I am allergic to the air these days.
Buy your household cleaners at the health store. Most commercial cleaners,
especially glass, tile, etc. are really hard on the lungs. Some of the
chemicals used in home cleaners are actually forbidden to be used in
warfare, so go for the more natural, safe products.
I don’t drive with my windows down anymore. It used to be one of my favorite
things to do, but about 4-years ago I found the air wasn’t invigorating me
anymore… quite the opposite.
Keeping our respiratory system moist is always a good thing. Many remember
Grandmother putting them in the bathroom with a hot shower running when they
had a cold. The respiratory system needs moisture to work effectively and it
is simple to do. Put your head over a pot of boiling water and inhale the
steam. I like to use distilled water as it is clean. Another thing that
seems to help is irrigating the sinus cavities. In most stores there is a
baby section. You can find a little blue bulb used to extract mucus from the
nose. If you fill it with distilled water, a SMALL pinch of sea salt and
squeeze the bulb into one nostril, holding the other closed , it does a good
job of washing out the sinus cavities. Repeat in the other nostril. I like
to do this at least once a day at the bathroom sink. It seems to help rinse
out whatever accumulated during the day.
Blood Clotting
Another rising syndrome is blood clotting too quickly. One of the things
that traditional Chinese doctors and Eastern Indian medical people have used
for centuries to prevent blood clots is ginger root. I am told by a
physicist that Al ions when combined with Mg ions can
cause blood clots.
Although I personally have not had that problem, I take ginger root in
capsule form every day.
The herb ginko biloba has been shown in trials to prevent platelet
aggregation. Recent research has indicated that ginko has helped people with
memory problems. Perhaps this is because it thins the blood and allows more
free flow to the brain. Caution: if you are taking any pharmaceutical
blood
thinners, DO NOT take ginger root or ginko biloba. If you believe for any
reason your blood is clotting too readily see a health care practitioner
immediately as blood clots can be fatal.
Memory Loss
It isn’t just old folks having "senior" moments. Nearly everyone I know says
that they are having real memory problems. I noticed this myself starting
about the four years ago. Suddenly I couldn’t spell a certain word, or
forgot an appointment, couldn’t remember what I had gone to a room to
retrieve, etc. This was extremely disturbing to me as I have always had an
excellent memory. Then I began to get the calls from friends, clients,
family expressing the same concern, that they just weren’t thinking clearly.
They said they couldn’t remember the easiest of things and I began to get to
work on what medicines might help. I was experiencing and hearing that it
was mostly short term memory problems.
The first thing I did was incorporate Flax seed Oil in my daily regimen. And
I kept upping the dosage until I began to see a difference. Again, work this
out with your health care practitioner if you decide to use Flax.
Knowing that the B Vitamins were critical to brain function, I began to
supplement in extra B’s. I found a product called Emer’gen-C that is a
powder that you mix with water that has all of the B’s. This also helped. Be
sure to use good, pure bottled water with Emer’gen-C. Most health stores
carry this product.
Wearing my mask helped as did the air filter. However, I am still struggling
with occasional memory problems and can only mitigate.
Some report the herb Ginko Biloba is helping. It is an old Chinese remedy
and seems to help many. In essence, it thins the blood allowing more to get
to the brain. Again, if you are on blood thinners, DO NOT take this herb as
your blood may not clot properly. Always buy your herbs from a good,
reputable health store as many of the "drugstore" variety have questionable
value. An herb, which is a plant, must be grown correctly, harvested
correctly and processed correctly. Many of the cheaper brands don’t meet
this standard. I have always had good luck with Nature’s Way.
Amino acids are important for all brain function. The way I like to get mine
is with Bragg’s Amino Acids. Most health stores carry this brand. It is a
liquid and tastes like soy sauce. It’s great on potatoes and rice and is
much cheaper than buying the aminos in capsule form. As a liquid it is
bio-available.
"Exercise" your brain. Like any body part, the more you use it, the stronger
it becomes. I recently saw a memory specialist on a talk show saying the
same thing… people who put their memory to the test had better memories than
those who were lazy about it.
Loss of Energy
We know from
Mr. Carnicom that our oxygen supply is being displaced and this
spells trouble for ALL body functions. Every cell in our body needs oxygen
and we are dangerously low, especially those of us at higher altitudes.
Nearly everyday I get someone telling me that they are so tired, without
energy. Many say "I feel so old." My muscles ache, I can’t get enough sleep,
I just drag through the day waiting to fall into bed. This is not good.
This complaint has sky-rocketed in the past four years and loss of oxygen
is, in my opinion, the biggest culprit. However, we are learning that many
heavy metals are coming into our systems, taxing the immune system and
poisoning the whole body. We talked about detoxifying earlier and getting
oxygen into the body is tricky at best. Clearly those at sea level have an
advantage. I have many clients who found "liquid oxygen" at the health store
and say it helps. My neighbor asked his doctor to put him on a tank while he
is sleeping and he is doing much better. For most of us, I guess the answer
is we need to be proactive in getting a public discussion about our air
supply. If we don’t ask for a change, it won’t be coming.
Going back to the beginning, eating good food and getting all of the right
vitamins and minerals will help our bodies. Detoxing will help as we expend
more energy detoxifying than any other bodily function.
I find sitting quietly, some would call meditating, very helpful in
directing my thoughts-body into a stronger position.
As I’ve said to anyone who asks, the best solution is to get rid of the
problem. I can help to mitigate, not eliminate these health concerns.
Gastrointestinal Distress
This is another health issue that has increased dramatically in the past
four to five years. People who eat a poor diet are suffering more than ever
so clean up your eating habits. This is the first step.
Secondly, if you are getting excess acid, there is a product in the health
store called DGL that many say really helps. It is basically
licorice root
that has been modified. There is a constituent in licorice root that some
believe can cause high blood pressure. DGL is licorice root without that
element.
Another remedy that I have used and is really helpful for nausea and general
stomach distress is food grade diatomaceous earth which I discussed earlier.
I have used pro-biotic bacterial replacement with some good results, in
myself and others. Most health stores have these in full spectrum formulas
as just acidophilus may not do the trick. For anyone not familiar, these are
the good bacteria in the digestive track that help us break down and absorb
our nutrients. They are especially valuable after anti-biotic treatments,
natural or pharmaceutical.
Most health stores carry digestive enzyme replacement capsules. Solaray
makes one called Super Digestaway and many say this helps with their
discomfort and distress. Enzymes are very delicate and are easily destroyed
in cooking, processing, and toxic assault. They play a critical role in
breaking down our foods and making them available as nutrients. Most
Americans today, we know through research, are deplete in digestive enzymes.
Many, many people are complaining of nausea, self included. I have found
that if I eat small amounts of food at the onset of the nausea it is very
helpful. Children have this problem quite a bit these days. One little boy
who was brought to me by his mother said if he just ate a little bit at
night he didn’t want to "throw up." His mother was confused.
Another child, about 7-years-old, told me it felt like a dragon was getting
into his stomach and killing him, but if he ate peanut butter crackers, it
killed the dragon.
Clogged Lymphatic System
Because of all of the toxic insults to our bodies these days, it is critical
to keep the lymphatic system open and running.
Briefly, the lymphatic system is responsible for gathering and clearing
toxins from the body. It is essentially one long railroad track running
through the body, stopping at "stations" to pick up debris. If it becomes
clogged and overloaded, we get lumps, cysts, sore, swollen areas. Many are
complaining of soreness and swelling under their ears and chins. This makes
sense because these are the primary lymph glands that gather up toxins
coming into our eyes, nose, and mouth.
Unlike blood which is pumped through the body by the heart, the lymphatic
system must be moved, either through exercise or manual manipulation. Gently
stroking the swollen area often helps.
Here are helpful ways to improve lymph drainage:
* Get all of the additives, preservatives, etc. out of the diet.
* Drink lots of water, juices and herbal teas as they help detox the lymphs.
* Get a good massage from a practitioner who focuses on the
lymphatic
System… drink lots of water after the massage to wash the debris out.
* There is a good herbal combination called Lymphatonic by Herbs, Etc. who
are based in Sante Fe,( 1-888-433-1212 or "http://www.herbsetc.com/" for The
distributor in your area)… ask your health care practitioner if he/she
thinks this therapy will help you.
* All tight clothing restricts the flow of the lymphatic system…it takes
very little pressure to completely shut the system down…. bras are especially
bad because they shut down the system right under the chest which clears
toxins from the breast and lungs… If you must wear a bra, make sure the
pressure is over the ribs, not directly under the breasts… sports bras
usually work well.
* Vitamin E often helps with cysts which may indicate a blocked lymph area.
* Simply jumping up and down helps to move the lymphatic system.
Depression and Anger
I don’t think the word "epidemic" is too strong for the number of people
telling me they are depressed. Depression has many sources and it is
important to talk with a professional about this problem. However, if it is
mild and occasional, there are some natural remedies that seem to help.
* Pure, whole foods… avoid all chemicals in the diet.
* A good, multi-vitamin and mineral…. current research is linking nutritional
deficiencies with depression.
* The herb St. John’s Wort is used world-wide
for mild depression... in fact,
it is the number one prescribed medicine in Germany for this condition.
Research indicates that most people need at least 950-mg per day for it to
be effective. Talk to your health care practitioner to decide if this is
right for you.
* Essential fatty acids seem to play a role… Flax Seed Oil is a good source.
* Potatoes Not Prozac is a book about depression that has good information.
Anger is, in many ways,
depression turned outwards. Obviously, there can be
many, many reasons for anger. However, it seems in the past four years it is
becoming a real societal problem. Road rage, spousal abuse, etc. are quite
common. First we need to get control of it if we can. If not, see a
professional trained to get to the root cause and to help you to re-program
yourself.
For mild, occasional anger, I have found the herb Kava Kava to be very
helpful. It comes from the Pacific Islands and has been used for hundreds of
years. I was surprised by a report recently that said Kava Kava harmed the
liver. However, with further investigation it was determined that the wrong
parts of the herb, or plant, were used in processing. This is why it is so
important to buy your herbs from a reputable company from the health store.
I find the extract the most effective and best to use because it can be put
under the tongue when needed and absorbed into the blood stream quickly.
I have a client who said he was fine until he talked to his ex-wife on the
phone. He said he just couldn’t control his anger. So, he decided to try the
Kava and put the extra next to the phone. When she called he put about
30-drops under his tongue and asked her to hold on a minute. He reported to
me that he still has anger, but he can control it and have a productive
conversation with her.
Night Sweats
I have always had women in menopause complaining about night sweats. But in
the past four years I am getting men, teens, and the unexpected client with
this problem.
Reading Mr. Carnicom’s data, I noticed barium. Interestingly,
barium was
once used to make people detox through sweating. When it was determined to
be very toxic to the body, that practice was stopped.
Personally, after I began using the diatomaceous earth, most of my sweats
went away. Dr. Knight says the earth has a charge that attracts metals and
carries them out of the body. For my part, I must rely on the scientists and
research doctors to ferret out the data, but I do know that many of the
people who are taking the diatomaceous earth report no more night sweats.
(As night sweats can often signal a larger health concern, it is important
to report it to your health care practitioner.)
I also think eating potassium rich foods will help if barium
is the culprit.
We know in medicine that potassium is the antidote to barium poisoning. I
try to eat organic bananas, lots of potassium rich fruits and vegetables,
fish and free range meats.
Since barium knocks potassium out of the body, this is a big concern.
Potassium is critical to heart, muscle, and nerve function and too little
potassium can be fatal.
I mentioned a powder before called Emer’gen-C and it is very high in
potassium. A CAUTION: most people are able to eliminate excess potassium
very easily, however, some people have a condition in their kidneys that
interrupts potassium metabolism. Too much potassium can be fatal for these
people so it is very important to talk with your health care practitioner
before supplementing in extra potassium.
Colds and Flu
In the past four years I have had more people complaining of colds and
flus
than in the past 20-years. And, these health problems seem to go on all year
round instead of the normal winter season. The same is true for "allergies."
When ever I get the slightest first sign of a cold or flu, I find the
following very helpful, as have clients, friends, and family.
*Increase my Vitamin C.
* Spray my nose with colloidal silver 10 ppm until my symptoms
disappear… usually about one-to-two days… remember, colloidal silver should
not be taken for longer than 10-days.
* Make a soup with distilled water, carrots, onions, garlic, celery,
parsley, sea salt, pinch of cayenne pepper and free range chicken
drumsticks. I cook the drumsticks in boiling, then simmering water for about
35-45 minutes… remove them and take the meat off. I add the meat back into
the same water, then add the vegetables, salt and cayenne. This is then
boiled, then simmered for another 30-minutes. You will not believe how much
better you will feel with this simple soup. Always try to use organic
vegetables.
* Sambucol is actually the extract from the
Elderberry. Research shows it
really goes after virus which are the normal cause of colds and flu. I start
taking it (read the label) right away when I feel a cold or flu coming on.
* Recent research is showing that the Chinese mushrooms,
reishi, shiitake, Maitake have anti-viral properties… you can find these in most health stores.
I prefer the extracts as they are more potent.
* The Eastern Indian spice called
Turmeric is showing anti-viral properties
in lab tests…. it is the bright yellow color in curry, so that’s a good thing
to add to your diet. Turmeric can be found in many health stores and would
be a good thing to take in capsule form at the first sign of a cold or
flu.
*If you have a good anti-oxidant supplement, now would be the time to add it
to your regimen. Anti-oxidants are critical to the immune system and very
important in times of healing.
* If you are interested in homeopathic remedies, see a homeopathic doctor as
many are doing great work with colds and flus. Traditional Chinese doctors
are also a great resource and very successful with virus.
* If you think you need an
antibiotic, remember Grapefruit seed extract from
our earlier discussion. Share this decision with your health care
practitioner.
As always, if you think you are seriously ill, see a health care
practitioner immediately as there are some very serious concerns with
diseases such as SARS now. These suggestions are for mild colds and flus,
however, since many of the symptoms of SARS are similar, it is wise to get
yourself checked by a professional to eliminate more serious problems. Also,
for some people, even a mild cold or flu can be dangerous, so better to make
sure all is in order than to risk a more serious health problem.
Headaches and Migraines
I am getting more and more complaints about headaches and severe migraines.
Although I don’t know specific causes through hard science, I can make some
logical conclusions.
Lack of oxygen puts a heavy strain on the brain. Also, aluminum can cross
the blood-brain barrier and insult the brain. We talked earlier about the
importance of essential fatty acids as agents to push the aluminum out of
the brain and into the hair. Flax seed oil is a great source.
Some of the natural remedies that have helped my clients and friends are:
* Herbs, Etc. liquid extract called
Migrafree.… people who take a half
dropper under the tongue at the first sign of a migraine and another half
dropper about one-half hour later have reported that it stopped the migraine
before it really got going.
* Before aspirin was made into a drug, it was available in its natural state
and still is at most health stores. White willow bark is the herb
Mr. Bayer
took to the lab for a pharmaceutical copy. As many know, the drug version
can cause stomach upset and colon distress. I have never known White Willow
bark to cause any problems in those systems. However, some people shouldn’t
take aspirin in any form, so before using willow, talk to your health care
practitioner.
Teeth and Gum Disease
In natural medicine, tooth and gum health is an important indicator of whole
body wellness. Pregnant women frequently suffer tooth and hair loss if they
aren’t taking a good vitamin and mineral daily. The reason this happens is
that the body will "steal" nutrients from what it deems non-essential areas
to feed the more important or vital organs.
First, support your body as mentioned with a good vitamin and mineral daily.
Eat well as we have discussed.
My dentist confirmed to me a few years ago what I already suspected… many of
the anti-tartar toothpastes actually harm the gums. I use an all
natural
toothpaste from the health store. I noticed a significant improvement in my
gums with the natural toothpaste.
I not only floss when I can, but faithfully every night I Waterpik my entire
mouth with warm water and sea salt. This has done wonders for both my teeth
and gums.
Finally, I got rid of the harsh, plastic tooth brush and found a natural
bristle brush. Again, I saw a big difference in my gum health.
These are just a few changes that can make a big difference in the health of
your teeth and gums and are easy to incorporate into your daily regimen.
Water
I have always encouraged people to drink lots of clean, bottled water. Now I
think it’s even more critical to our health. I recently traveled to an area
that has always been and should be very humid. To my surprise the air was
very dry and the skies were heavy with spray. My joints began to ache,
indicating possible dehydration. I began to drink bottle after bottle of
water and around the third bottle my joints began to feel good again. I
wasn’t able to avoid the spray very well on this trip, so I drank water
constantly and it really helped my body to detoxify and stay strong. I don’t
recommend most tap water as most is filled with chemicals and pollutants.
The facet filters really don’t get it all out, so I think good, reputable
bottled water is the best choice.
CAUTION: If you decide to incorporate the clay into your daily regimen,
Dr.
Knight tells me that it will also attach to important trace metals our
bodies need like copper, iron, etc. So, it becomes very important to replace
these with a good, natural vitamin and mineral supplement daily. Always keep
the clay drink as far away from meals and supplements as possible.
Dr.
Knight recommends taking it right before bedtime.
If you are anemic or have a tendency in that direction, it is extremely
important to replace the iron. A German company makes a great natural iron
supplement called Floradix Herbal Iron.
Heart Health
It is VERY important that you see a professional if you are concerned that
you may have heart disease. If you are already on heart medications, DO NOT
take anything without telling your heart specialist as serious problems can
arise.
Lack of oxygen puts a heavy strain on the heart. As heart disease is already
the leading cause of death in this country, more oxygen loss is truly
catastrophic.
There is a remarkable herb that has been used for centuries to strengthen
and regulate heart beat. It is very unusual because unlike most herbs which
are unidirectional, it is bi-directional. This means if the heart rate is
high, it has the ability to lower it. If the heart rate is too slow, it will
increase it. Hawthorne in extract form has given the best results to my
clients. It is VERY important that it contain both the fruit or
berries and
the flowers. If it has just one of those in the formula, my clients report
that it doesn’t work very well. Again, Herbs, Etc. makes an extract that
contains both.
Please talk to your health care practitioner before taking Hawthorne to
decide if it is right for you and how much to take. As Hawthorne is a
powerful herb, I do NOT recommend self-medicating.
Olive Oil has been shown in research to do wonders for the heart. We know
all treated fats can cause heart problems, so make your primary oil for
cooking, salads, etc. olive oil. I urge my clients to get a good, organic
brand at the health store because the manner in which it is grown and
processed has a significant impact on its value.
If you want to use butter occasionally, real butter melted is the best form
for whole body and heart health. Butter substitutes are not in my kitchen.
For those who like to bake, safflower oil from the health store is a good
choice as it has little flavor to interfere with the taste of what you are
cooking.
Exercise is critical to heart health and I do recommend you do all exercise
inside these days.
A recent report linked anger as one of the primary causes of heart disease.
This was reported on all of the network news casts and was the finding of
Western allopathic medicine which surprised me. Natural medicine has always
linked emotion and disease.
As any toxic insult to the body, if continued, has cumulative results, I am
sure new "syndromes" and health concerns will show up in the future. I will
update this information as needed.
It is important that you know I have no connection, personal or business,
with any of the companies or products mentioned in this informational. In
fact, I don’t have any connections to any company producing natural
medicines which allows me the freedom of using and choosing those that seem
to work the best for myself, friends, family and clients.
It is my sincere wish that my information has helped you to become healthier
in "these times." I urge you to become active in asking your representatives
to create an open dialogue around
the aerosol spraying as it is your health
at stake as well as future generations. Also, the plant and animal kingdom
is in our care and surely they are experiencing the effects as well.
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