Health from the Quill

My Etsy Shop

01/28/2012 09:53:00

Everybody loves homemade items . I have anEtsy shop where I display and sell my handmade and homemade items. I sell homemade herbal preparations, dried herbs and various crocheted items. Many of my herbal items are grown in my own chemical free, naturally maintained yard and in pots around my home. Currently I have the following:

crocheted covers for the Shark Steam Mop- I designed these because I got tired of buying new Shark covers every couple months. I love these covers. They are durable, washing machine and dryer safe, you can even bleach them needed and I think they pick up dirt and spills better than the covers that came with my Shark.
crocheted seamless socks for girls -- these came about because my daughter is very sensitive in her feet. She can't stand sock bumps. In and effort to stop the tears and tantrum over socks I started crocheting. My 6 yr old loves them!
Garlic Honey - Garlic is a great antibiotic, antiviral and anti fungal herb. It also helps lower blood pressure naturally (Statement not approved by the FDA) Honey is a natural antibiotic and preservative. Plus, it tastes great! Combine the two and you have a yummy treat that helps knock out colds, flu and other infections and lower blood pressure naturally.
Soap Nut Liquid Concentrate - Soap nuts grow in tropical areas. They are used as a an environmentally friendly, all natural cleaning agent. This concentrated solution can be diluted for any cleaning job. You can use it on your hair and body. It's not drying and when diluted properly leaves no residue.

Herbal Cancer Treatment

01/25/2012 11:52:00

Check this out. Researches at University of Illinois have found the compounds in one cup Yerba Mate tea kills colon cancer cells.

Here's a link to the article on Science Blog.

http://scienceblog.com/51739/compounds-in-mate-tea-kills-cancer-cells/

One More Reason Not to Eat Standard Meat

01/19/2012 10:06:00

It's been almost 18 years since I woke up on a respirator after a particularly severe asthma attack. The last thing I remember is looking at my 5 week old daughter sleeping in her father's arms and thinking, " I will NOT pass out!"

I passed out.

When I woke up two days later my arms and legs were restrained and I was on a respirator. My first thought was for my daughter. After assuring me that my baby was fine they told me I was lucky. After I passed out my heart stopped and CPR was performed. My painful ribs told me the nurse was telling the truth. I had almost died from my asthma even though I saw my pulmonologist every 3-6 weeks and took all my medications (including daily oral prednisone)

In my pulmonologist's office two weeks later he told me that I was on the most effective asthma meds available and there was really not much else he could to help me. I went home terrified for the future of my future, and the future of my brand new baby.

When I got over feeling sorry for myself I hit my local library and bookstore. (This was before the Internet brought scads of information into everybody's home.) I found a book by some doctor who claimed to be able to reduce asthma symptoms by 50% - 75% in every person with asthma. I took that book home and read it cover to cover three times.

I learned a lot from that book, and I will be eternally thankful for the doctor who wrote it, but one of the most startling things that I learned was that many farmers gave medications to cattle raised for meat and dairy to make them grow bigger and give more milk. I learned that those chemicals were passed on to the humans who consume those animal products. He went on to further say that there are many people who are sensitive to those chemicals. They cause or contribute to cancers, heart problems, skin problems, asthma, and a host of other medical problems in people who are sensitive.

I made a lot of changes to my diet after I read that book, and I did a lot of research on my own, too. In fact, this whole experience is what put me on the road to herbalism natural health practices, and alternative medicine. But, the changes I experienced when I removed animal products from my diet were astonishing to me.

Not only did I see a solid improvement in my asthma - enough so that I could switch from oral prednisone to inhaled steroids - but I noticed an improvement in my moods, energy level and complexion, too.

As any good researcher will do, I experimented with my results by trying to add animal products back to my diet. Each time I tried I landed in the emergency room with a monster asthma attack. Then a friend offered me a hamburger from his father's organic, grass-fed, free range, non-treated farm. I was hesitant, but give it a try anyway because he knew all about the chemicals and drugs used in conventional farms and insisted his dad didn't use any of that stuff.

Lo and behold.. no asthma attack. No problems of any kind.

That is when I became convinced that the chemicals and drugs fed to food animals are absorbed and do impact human health.

So then why is the FDA going back on their promise?

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/18/fda-wont-act-against-agricultural-antibiotic-use.aspx?e_cid=20120118_DNL_art_1

I Oppose PIPA and SOPA

01/18/2012 15:15:00

Please help protect Internet freedom in the United States. Fill out this petition and tell congress NOT to pass SOPA and PIPA.

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

Herbs for Heart Health

01/05/2012 18:17:00

I get a lot of phone calls and emails from people asking about herbs that help maintain or improve the health of their heart. Of course we all know that we need to eat right and exercise to keep our heart healthy, but there are herbs that can help, too.

Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum frutescens) is an important over all tonic for the circulatory system. It aids circulation and helps rid the blood of toxin. Cayenne is also an anti-inflammatory herb.

Garlic is easily my favorite all around herb. It has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasite, and anti-viral properties. As if that wasn't enough, garlic reduces blood pressure and lowers bad cholesterol.

Siberian Ginseng (Elutherococcus senticosus) has been used in Asia for centuries as a tonic to promote longevity. We know Ginseng is effective as a remedy against high blood pressure and stress.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is known for it's relaxation and sleep promoting effects. But, did you know it's also useful in treating an irregular or rapid heartbeat, and is used for high blood pressure? Valerian is also a good herb to use in order to relax, strengthen and tone the heart.

Motherwart (Leonurus cardiaca) is used for all heart conditions caused by anxiety and/or stress. Many herbalists have found Motherwart helpful in cases of tachycardia or rapid heartbeat.

That's all for now. I will share some more heart helping herbs with you another time.

And remember: Never treat a heart condition on your own. Always consult a qualified health provider of your preferred method. Nothing on this website is intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or condition. I am not a doctor. If you think you have a medical condition, see your medical professional.

Essiac Tea for Breast Cancer

01/03/2012 18:43:00

Many years ago a nurse in Canada named Rene Casisse learned of an Objibwa Medicine Man who was treating and curing breast cancer with a selection of herbs. Renee Casisse was skeptical but decided to experiment. After much research she developed Essiac Tea. Her research revealed that all who used her blend via infusion and injection experienced longer life, significant pain reduction. Some people using Essiac Tea went into remission.

Nobody exactly what the formula for Essiac Tea was. Rene Casisse took the details of the final formula with her in death. But, we know it contained Burdock, Sheep Sorrel, Slippery Elm, and Turkey Rhubarb.

In her book, Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way, Susun S. Weed gives one recipe for Essiac Tea, and also a recipe she developed based on what she believe the Objibwa Medicine Man may have used.

Here are both recipes:

Essiac, Nature's Cancer Cure- recipe from Gary Glum- Taken from page 301 of Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way, Susun S. Weed

6 1/2 Cups Burdock Roots (Arctium lappa) - cut in half

1 pound Sheep Sorrel Herb (Rumex acetosella) - powdered

4 ounces Slippery Elm Bark (Ulmus fulva) - powdered

1 ounce Turkey Rhubarb Roots (Rheum Palmata - powdered

Mix herbs completely in an airtight container. Seal container and place in a cool dark place.
Either first thing in the morning, or last thing at night boil 2 gallons of distilled water in a stainless steel pot. When water boils add 1 cup of the mixed herbs.
Remove from heat. Stir. Scrap any herb on this side of the pot down into the water and stir again.
Cover the pot tightly. Push to the back of the stove and leave it alone for 12 hours.
After 12 hours, put the pot back on the stove and reheat to almost boiling. This should take about 20 minutes. Don't let the mixture come to a boil.
Remove from heat and and pour the mixture into another pot through a cheesecloth lined colander or fine mesh stainless steel sieve.
Transfer the hot liquid into sterilized bottles.
Cap bottles and store at room temperature until cool. Then, move the bottles to the refrigerator.

Suggested use in the recipe is as follows: Shake the bottle. One tablespoon (30 ml) is taken at night at least two hours after dinner, and again first thing in the morning at least five minutes before breakfast. Two weeks on and two weeks off. Dilute Essiac or warm it, if you'd like

Wessiac - The Wise Woman version of Essiac- (taken from page 302 of Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way, Susun S. Weed
1 ounce dried burdock roots (Arctium lappa) - cut1/2 ounce ounce yellow dock roots (Rumex crispus) - cut1/8 ounce Slippery Elm bark (Ulmus fulva) - powdered
Infuse all three herbs together in 1 quart of boiling water for 8 hours. Strain. Refrigerate liquid. Daily dose is 1/2 cup (125 ml) hot or cold. Can be used daily for months.

The Autism/Vaccination Link

11/15/2011 13:42:00

Mainstream media will tell you there is no link between Autism and Vaccination. Here is more evidence to the contrary. Dr. Mercola talks about a correlation between the 1988 Hib vaccine and Autism rates

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/15/vaccines-behind-autism-epidemic.aspx?np=true

Autism Brain Weight

11/12/2011 09:59:00

According to an article in the most recent Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers have found that the brains of boys with Autism are heavier and contain more neurons than the brains of neurotypical boys of the same age.Autistic Brains are Heavy with Extra Neurons

Here is a link to the Cosmo article explaining the research: Autistic Brains are Heavy with Extra Neurons

MSG is NOT "Safe"

11/10/2011 11:28:00

I don't know how many people recently have told me, “Oh come on.. MSG can't be as bad and the conspiracy nuts say it is. If it was unsafe, the FDA would pull it.”

In a word: Bull!

Let me tell you about MSG. I have Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Using herbs, diet, exercise, meditation and specific supplements I have succeeded in stopping the progression and reversing symptoms. Six years ago I was unable to see well enough to read, I could not walk without assistive devices because my balance was shot. I could not hold a fork or a pencil because of pain and any noise at all sounded like it was one thousand times louder than it was. I had urinary urgency, I had muscle spasms. I was a mess. Then I started this journey called “natural health” and I recovered.

Today, I ONLY have symptoms when one of four things happen either:

I go too long without enough sleep.
I eat gluten.
I allow myself to get over the top, stressed.
I eat MSG.

Tonight, my husband and I went out to dinner. I had NO symptoms when we went in there. I ordered steamed broccoli, salad (no dressing), plain chicken and rice. I drank coffee. 30 minutes after I finished my meal my face started to itch. Then I started getting surface needle pain in my face and legs. Then I started stuttering. When I got out of the car I realized that I had no balance. I needed my husband's help to walk across the parking lot. I was supposed to teach a class on heart health, but could not talk well enough to be understood by most of the class participants. I noticed that my vision was blurry and the room was spinning.

At the three hour mark, my right ear started ringing. That continued for about 5 minutes, and then I lost the hearing in that ear.
I ONLY get these reactions when I ingest MSG.

After 4 hours the stuttering finally started to decrease enough that I could hold a short conversation with my husband and daughter, but my balance was no better.

I came home, took some taurine and my LDN and went to bed.

This morning I am mostly fine. I do still feel the effects of last nights. I'm a little brain fogged and having trouble finding the correct words, but it's nothing day shattering.

Now.. MSG supporters.. tell me again how this known neurotoxin known as MSG is “perfectly safe.”

For the REAL truth about MSG read here:http://www.msgtruth.org/

or here:http://www.truthinlabeling.org/nomsg.html

or even here:
http://www.msgmyth.com/

Avoiding Colds and Flu

11/04/2011 16:33:00

So many of my friends and work associates seem to be getting ill lately. Just this week alone 3 people cancelled meetings because they had a cold or the flu. I understand it's cold and flu season, but if you take a few simple precautions and follow a simple supplement protocol at the first symptom you have pretty good chance of avoiding the worst of the winter plagues.

Things I do to avoid catching colds and flu:

Wash hands often with soap.

Avoid "antibacterial" soaps, gels, etc.

Drink plenty of water

Eat lots of raw fresh veggies

Avoid sugar in all forms

Limit fruit to one per day

Teach kids to sneeze down shirts.. NOT on hands, arms or even shoulders

Avoid artificial foods and food additives

Keeps hands away from face

Take Vitamin D supplement daily

Limit foods with acidic reactions

NEVER get a flu shot

Things I do at the first sign of illness:

Take 30,000 IU Vitamin D on day one

Take 5,000 IU Vitamin D on day two, three and four

Take golden seal or echinachea

Take extra zinc

Increase fluid intake

Remove animal products from my diet

Remove all foods that cause acidic reactions

Deep breathing exercises to increase oxygen to cells

I have been following these basic suggestions for at least 6 years. In those 6 years I have had one mild head cold and have not gotten the flu at all. Not even when I've been exposed to sick kids at church or other activities. My younger kids have never been ill with the flu. Between my 6 kids we average two colds (total) for the entire winter season.