29 March 2010

Cures and remedies for constipation and diarhea

Ever had a pain in the stomach or somewhere around that region? Often it is because your body needs to pass junk out of the system, but it lacks the fiber and the enzymes to do it.

Nopal Cactus Powder
Nopal cactus powder is my number 1 go to when I have constipation.  It is very high in fiber and works when nothing else does.  I will take anywhere from 1 to 2 teaspoons in water or a smoothie depending on the severity.

Psyllium Husks
Phsyllium husks are my number 2 go to.  If you don't have nopal cactus, mix a tablespoon of psyllium husks in a full cup of water and drink.

Green powders (spirulina, chlorella, barley greens, marine algaes, etc)
Take a cup of water with a teaspoon of green powder. It tastes disgusting but within 30 minutes you will hopefully feel the need to go.

Water
Drink plenty of water.

Vegetable Smoothies
Blend up a number of raw green vegetables along with apple. The combination of fiber and enzymes from the raw food will greatly assist your body in doing what it needs to do. The best recommendation is to make a habit of doing this every day.

Stay away from processed foods. To me this means minimising bread, food in tins, and anything that is not in its most natural form. Processed foods lack the enzymes your body needs to pass it through and out of the system.

Chewing
Make sure you chew your food properly, this makes it easier for your digestive systems to do their work.

Mango Peel
Mango peel is high in pectin which can assist in getting the system moving again.

Resistant Starches
Resistant starches can be found in whole grains, beans, peas, and room temperature pasta (hot pasta does not contain resistant starches).

Guava leaves
Guava leaves in hot water make a tea that is good for relieving constipation.

Fresh Green Coconuts
If you have constipation for longer than 24 hours, you should be concerned about losing electrolytes quicker than you can replace them.  This can actually be dangerous.  As you drink water you are quickly diluting your body of the electrolytes and the sugars that it needs to function properly.  To prevent this, you can make a solution of water, sugar and salt according to some correct instructions (I don't provide these instructions) or buy a heap of fresh green coconuts and drink these several times a day - according to your state of dehydration.

Constipation can be relieved by taking more soluble fiber.  A bit of pshyllium husks can help out here but go easy as you don't want to interfere with your systems while you have diahrea. 

If you have diahrea for more than 24 hours or if you have other symptoms such as feeling faint you must go to your doctor to have this checked out. 

26 March 2010

Remedies: Immune support plus cold and flu

Flu prevention
At the very first sign of cold or flu, even if you only suspect you might be coming down with something, mix up two cloves of chopped garlic with a tablespoon of honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon. You can even add some pollen to this mixture if you don't have allergies to such things.

At the very first sign of cold of flu, try gargling and supplementing with grapefuit seed extract.

Also at the first sign of infection, put three drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide in each ear.

Throughout the flu and supporting the immune system

Immune system can be supported in a number of ways including: -

Taking Epicor
Taking selenium (2 brazil nuts a day gives you your selenium requirement)
Take echinacea
Take garlic with cinnamon and honey
Take olive leaf extract
Take Quercetin -a flavanoid that lowers histamine levels and assists in reducing symptoms. Quercitin can be found in dark green leafys, and red onions, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes, apples and chia seeds.
Take vitamin D if your reserves are low (most likely the case in Winter)
Take zinc acetate supplemented. Zinc Acetate is 100% usable by the body and can almost halve the period of a flu. All other forms of zinc are practically useless.
Take soaked cinnamon (strain it and take only the liquid)
Throughout the day, sip water with lemon juice in it. The water should be filtered. Noone wants to drink heavy metals and chlorine while they are sick!



Sore throats
To alleviate the sore throat that may follow, suck on Ginger or steep ginger in hot water to make ginger tea. This can be flavoured with lemon or honey to taste.

Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a cup of warm water . Gargle a mouthful and spit it out. Swallow a mouthful. Repeat this process until it is all gone.

You can also try putting two teaspoons of vinegar into a humidifer.

Blocked nose
If you suffer from a blocked nose, put a teaspoon of salt in a small amount of water. Rub it around the inside of your nostrils, then sniff it in. This can often clear up the most stubborn of blocked noses! In fact, this is the only remedy that has worked for me 100% of the time so far.

Coughing
Combine Wild Cherry Bark with Coltsfoot and horehound to combat whooping cough. Take Wild Cherry Bark tea to assist with coughs and bronchitis, as well as asthma.

Wheezing can also sometimes be controlled by heating up some peppermint oil and water in an essential oils burner.

Try mixing half cup apple cider vineger, half cup of water, a teaspoon cayenne pepper and 4 teaspoons of honey. Take a tablespoon before bed and whenever you have coughing fits.

Antihistamines
When your immune system finds something that it thinks should not belong in your body, it releases chemicals including one called histamine. This can cause real symptoms such as itching, coughing, and sneezing. Histamines however are required for your brain to function correctly and you to get a good nights sleep. Antihistamines can therefore be a bad idea to be taking all the time.

On the Internet I have found some natural histamine suppressants that should not have as significant side effects as taking drugs.

Marshmallow Root – Used in traditional European cough medicines, it’s known to relieve irritation of mucous membranes and helps the body expel excess mucus.

Burdock – Both the seeds and the root help soothe the mucous membranes. It’s also used to treat colds and sore throats.

Acerola Cherry – Considered a “superfruit” because there is so much vitamin C in each one (8 times more than an orange), this cherry is excellent as a natural antihistamine.

Capsicum – While also loaded with vitamin C, capsicum has lots of quercetin, as well.

White Pine – Also known simply as pine bark, this herb eases congestion and stimulates circulation. It’s also a powerful antioxidant.

Strep Throat
Eliminate all dairy from the diet. This has been known to prevent strep throat!

Breaking down the mucus
There are a number of teas such as marshmallow root tea that can assist in breaking down mucus. Another option however is to take chicken soup. This contains an amino acid called cysteine which assists in thinning the mucus. So yes, chicken soup can be helpful when you have a cold!

Eucalyptus Oil and peppermint oil are great in a compress or inhaling in hot water and will assist in clearing congestion.

The below recipies I found somewhere on the Internet.

To rub into the chest when a child has a cough or bronchial infection.

1 drop lavender essential oils
1 drop tea tree essential oils
1 drop niaouli essential oils
1 drop sandalwood essential oils
25 ml of jojoba oil

For the start of a cold or flu: -

4 drops tea tree
2 drops sandalwood
4 drops lemon
20 ml sweet almond oil
Apply to the throat and chest area twice daily.



Immune Support
The below information is based on testimonies given by friends, on the Internet, by alternate health doctors who have personally acheived healing in a number patients, by scientific studies, and other means not listed above. I am providing this information as-is, and not as an authoritative source on the subject. I do however consider personal testimonies to be more powerful proof of remedies than scientific studies that are often poorly conducted and/or interpreted based in the desired outcome of the study.

Potential supports for the immune system
The following are some remedies for increasing the immune system.

Vitamin D - this is possibly the most crucial vitamin for the human body. Vitamin D is most easily synthesized by the body through exposure to the sun. Vitamin D is known to work in almost every organ of the body, and is indicated for immune support, as well as cancer prevention, and prevention of flu and cold. People usually fall sick during the winter due to low Vitamin D levels, and not due to the cold. Cancer is more proliferent as you move away from the equator, as there is less exposure to the sun.
Echinacea
Epicor - this is a proprietry extract with an interesting history. I have tried it on and off and it does appear to shorten the duration of colds. I plan to try this all through winter one year and see what the results are.
Beta Glucan - This is supposed to be a miracle substance for the immune system.


Cancer prevention?

This is Father Zago's recipe:

3-4 large aloe arborescens leaves
1.1 lbs. of pure honey—avoid honey labeled synthetic or refined. (The honey is the carrier for the aloe.)
2-3 Tablespoons of grappa, whisky, cognac (pure alcohol, wine, beer and liqueurs cannot be used). (This ingredient is considered a distillate responsible for accelerating the cleansing process and dissolving ingredients in the aloe that our bodies are unable to fully absorb.)


Take 2 tablespoons 3 times a day for 10 days.  Have 10 days off.  This apparently can assist with cancer and immune support.

Glutathione
This is produced within the body but can also be taken as a supplement.  Research has apparently shown that people with more of this live far longer lives than their counterparts.

To increase your glutathione:
1. Eat sulphur rich foods such as garlic, onions and cruciferous veges such as broccoli, cauliflower and kale.
2. Take whey protein - this is used by the body as the building blocks for glutathione.
3. Exercise.
4. Take N-acetyl-cysteine
5. Take ALA.
6. Take your B vitamins (eggs, meat, etc)
7. Take selenium.  A brazil nut a day should do it.

24 March 2010

Remedies: Arthritis

The following is a list of cures and remedies for arthritis:

Green lipped mussel powder
Honey when taken in a combination with cinnamon
Tumeric
Cod liver oil

Apple Cider Vinegar
Tale two teaspoons apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before each meal. Do this for at least a month to see the impact.

Gin and Raisin RecipeGin soaked raisin recipe

1/2 kg golden raisins (also known as white raisins)
gin (enough to cover the raisins)
glass bowl (Pyrex is fine but don't use crystal)
glass jar with lid

Spread the golden raisins evenly over the bottom of the glass bowl and pour enough gin over them to completely cover them. Let them stay that way until all the gin is absorbed. This can be anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks.

Transfer to a glass jar and store in the fridge with the lid closed.

Each day, eat only 9 of these raisins.

Negligible alcohol is left in each daily dose of raisins by the end of the period.

Hydrogen Peroxide - miracle substance?

Hydrogen Peroxide is like water with an extra oxygen atom. Water is H2O whereas Hydrogen Peroxide is H2O2. When UV light strikes oxygen (O2) high in the atmosphere, it creates ozone (O3). Ozone is heavier than air and so falls to a lower atmospheric level. It passes through rain clouds. When the ozone passes through the rain clouds, it creates H2O2. Therefore, rain water has a high content of hydogen peroxide.

There are multiple grades of H2O2, but make sure you always use food grade. This is generally available in 3% and 35% solutions. 35% solutions should always be highly diluted. The safest option is to only keep 3% H2O2 in the house, and keep it out of reach of kids!

There are multiple theories on the safety of ingesting H2O2. There are many testimonials on the Internet of those who ingest it in a certain manner (highly diluted in double distilled water) and claim to have not had a flu for many years, there are also those who suggest the extra oxygen atom may react with other chemicals and it is not worth the risk. So I will not be listing any uses that require ingesting or intraveneously administering H2O2.

Here are some facts about hydrogen peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide is produced inside the human body.
Hydrogen peroxide is very high in colostrum

Following is the list of all the uses that I have found on the Internet for food grade H2O2. In each case, dilution should ideally be performed with distilled and chlorine free water.

Vegetable wash: Add 1/2 cup of 3% H2O2 to a full sink of cold water. Wash your vegetables in it.

Cuts and Abrasions: Spray 3% H2O2 on open sores and they heal faster.

Mouthwash and Toothpaste: Use 3% H2O2 to spray in your mouth. Brush your teeth with it. Rinse with water.

To Freshen Your Kitchen: Keep a spray bottle of 3% in the kitchen. Use it to wipe off counter tops and appliances. It will disinfect and give the kitchen a fresh smell.

In The Dishwasher: Add 2 oz. of 3% H2O2 to your regular washing formula.

Sprouting Seeds: Add 1 oz. 3% H2O2 to 1 pint of water and soak the seeds overnight. Add the same amount of H2O2 each time you rinse the seeds.

House and Garden Plants: Put 1 oz. 3% H2O2 in 1 quart water. Water or mist plants with this solution.

Humidifiers and Steamers: Mix 1 pint 3% H2O2 to 1 gallon of water.

Laundry: Add 8 oz. of 3% H2O2 to your wash in place of bleach.

Shower: Keep 3% H2O2 spray in the shower. Spray your body after washing to replace the acid mantle on your skin that soap removes.

Facial: Use 3% H2O2 as a spray facial freshener after washing. Keep eyes closed. Gently exfoliate skin.

Pets: For small animals (dogs & cats) add 1 oz. 3% H2O2 to 1 qt. of their drinking water. See their health improve.

Feet problems: Use a cup of 3 % H2O2 in a foot bath for athletes foot, bunions, corns, plantar warts and general foot health. This also apparently helps with circulation and according to one website may provide relief for diabetics.

Bath: Add a few cups of 3% H2O2 to a bath to soak. The bath water should be chlorine free.

Flu prevention: Apparently a doctor called Richard Simmons hypothesized in 1928 that colds and flu viruses enter through the ear canal. Putting 2 to 4 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide in each ear a first sign of infection may shorten the duration of the flu. This will cause a bubbling in the ear. Using a cotton swab with 3% H2O2 may also work. I havent been willing to try this out yet. The thought of putting this in my ears is quite uncomfortable.

Deoderant: Rub 3% H2O2 on your armpits using a cotton swab.

Mouthwash*: Gargle with 3% food grade H2O2. This can support healthy gums and also whiten your teeth. You might notice that a number of toothpastes in the supermarket contain "peroxide". One website suggests adding chlorophyll to increase effectiveness.

Nasal Spray: Use a tablespoon of 3% food grade H2O2 with 1 cup of distilled water as a nasal spray. This clears the sinuses. This may need to be further diluted as required.

21 March 2010

Health tips - supplement to increase your lifespan

Without going into too many details, a study done recently showed that mice fed a certain cocktail of vitamins lived 10% longer than mice who didn't!

The vitamins that were given to the mice were vitamins B1, B3 (niacin), B6, B12, C, D, E, folic acid, beta-carotene, CoQ10, rutin, bioflavonoids, ginko biloba, ginseng, green tea extract, ginger root extract, garlic, L-Glutathione, magnesium, selenium, potassium, manganese, chromium picolinate, acetyl L-carnitine, melatonin, alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine, acetylsalicylic acid, cod liver oil, and flax seed oil.

Fantastic! I am a fan of a number of these supplements already. I take a B complex vitamin once every few days, I also take vitamin D, CoEnzymeQ10, ginko biloba, ginger root, garlic, magnesium, potassium, and cod-liver oil. I have been interested also in a number of other supplements in this list, but you gotta stop somewhere right? If I where to add a couple more however it would probably be green tea extract which has shown some amazing health benefits for the brain, and acetyl L-carnitine which I have read a lot about recently.acetyl L-carnatine is a derivative of an amino acid and is great for blood circulation in the brain as well as increasing sperm health!