Posted on 03/19/2019 5:52:42 PM PDT by little jeremiah
Many FReepers have knowledge to share about improving and maintaining health and would like to share it and learn from others; and others may not know much yet but want to learn. Some of us don't have much money for good insurance or doctors, some want to try other methods besides prescription meds, and some have experience in treating and solving health problems.
More and more "regular" doctors have accepted treatment methods such as the benefits of acupuncture, massage for many conditions, better diet, use of herbs and so on. There are limits, and often side effects, to some standard medical efforts.
My field is Ayurvedic herbalism and related measures, and have a lot of information I can post when I have time. I have seen herbs and sometimes dietary changes help people (including myself) with issues such as rheumatoid arthritis, high BP, gallstones, kidneystones, repeated boils, UTIs, prostate problems, insomnia, allergies, urinary incontinence, and many more. I hope to learn a lot from others with their knowledge and experience.
There are many "old fashioned" home care methods that were in common use a few generations ago that actually work and are cheap, such as castor oil packs, fomentations using alternating hot and cold water, and the like, which are easy to do. I am sure there is a lot of knowledge here on Free Republic that can be shared.
I would like this thread to stay civil without distruption, so my request is that people who think natural health methods are bunkum, make your own thread.
The Natural Healing thread at last.
W00t!
Not only this, but medical energy devices such as diathery treatment, pulsed emf treatment, cold laser therapy, ir saunas, red light therapy, etc.
In!
I've improved my health considerably with a natural food/no added sugar diet. Some call it keto. Some call it low carb. Others call it Paleo. I prefer to call it healthy eating. I think it is better to obtain nutrition through whole foods as opposed to vitamin pills, protein powders and other such artificial means.
I’ve done huge amounts of research on the iodine protocol, which has great anti cancer benefits among a myriad of others. Great for thyroid, adrenals and all reproductive issues (including enlarged prostate). Also into collagen and B vitamins
Can you describe the iodine protocol? Can you get enough iodine for this with foods high in iodine?
Please add me...I’ve been studying health for years...mis diagnosed too many times. Dr. Wright at Tahoma Clinic likely saved me from the regular medical malpracticioners
Thank you for doing this for all of us!!!
I will add your name. I’ve never liked taking vitamins and so on, prefer to get nutrition from food and herbs. I’d done a bit of research into vitamin and mineral supplements and about 95% or so are made in China, which is immediately suspect to me, and are synthesized. It is easy to imbalance the system with artificial nutrition. in foods and herbs, vitamins and minerals are present with all kinds of micronutrients whose uses may be unknown to scientists or nutiritionists.
In fact every time (about 3 times) I’ve tried taking vitamins I never felt any better or different.
The Borax Conspiracy
How the Arthritis Cure has been stopped
http://www.health-science-spirit.com/borax.htm
(the second link is from another forum, but lots of valuable information there)
Is your iodine protocol the Food Grade Iodine for 30 day regimen?
You’re on. I bet many of us have “stories”!
I won’t be on the thread much for a couple of days but will be back more on Thursday.
The iodine protocol includes iodine, selenium, magnesium, vitamin C and salt. The only iodine really suitable has a ratio of 7.5mg iodide to 5mg iodine (lugol’s is the liquid form and Iodoral is the pill form). That totals 12.5mg for 5 drops of lugol’s or 1 pill of iodoral. I take 4 per day which is 50mg.
You cannot get enough from food unless you eat like the Japanese, which is tons of seaweed and raw fish. They get approximately 13mg/day and have essentially no incidents of thyroid or reproductive cancers.
The RDA of iodine in the US is 150mcg which is just enough to keep you from getting a goiter and a fraction (like 1/1000) of what the Japanese get daily.
The other prong of the problem in the US is that there are 3 toxic halides in abundance in our environment that actually mimic and compete with iodine. They are chlorine, flouride and bromine. That’s why higher doses are crucial
I’m copying something I wrote up a while ago and since many people have trouble sleeping, this may be helpful for some reading the thread. I can explain Vata and Pitta in detail later; basically different body types.
Treating Insomnia with Ayurveda
When treating insomnia with Ayurveda it is not so important to be concerned with one’s particular constitution, as most insomnia has either Vata or Pitta characteristics, or a mixture. Some constitutional types struggle with sleep difficulties for years, others never miss a night’s sleep, while others have insomnia just occasionally. Sleeping difficulties often arise when emotions are high, during travel or changes, or when experiencing worrisome personal problems. Whatever the cause, the best thing is to look carefully at the symptoms and characteristics of sleep difficulties, try the general remedies, and then fine tune for Vata or Pitta characteristics. Usually insomnia means either difficulty in falling asleep upon going to bed, waking up in the middle of the night and being unable to get back to sleep, a light fitful sleep that is unrestful, or even disturbing dreams that render the night’s sleep unpleasant. There are general practices that can help with any or all of these sleep disturbances, as well as more specific Vata and Pitta remedies.
General sleep promoting methods:
1. Due to the magnetic lines of the earth, it is important to align one’s bed with the magnetic lines running North and South when sleeping. There are two ways to do this to avoid sleep disturbance. The best is to arrange the bed so that your head is facing East and feet are pointing West. This is optimal sleeping direction. The next best is to arrange the bed with your head facing South, and feet pointing North. The third choice is to have your head facing West and feet pointing East, but this is not so optimal. It is important to avoid having your head facing North as this usually causes restless sleep, with disturbing dreams.
2. Light pollution is common in cities and suburban areas. Humans were designed to spend the night in darkness, and light at night disturbs circadian rhythms of the body, can affect female cycles, and cause serious sleep disturbances. At least, you can turn all house lighting off and any outside lights in the yard. If street lights still shine into your house, it is important to install curtains or window shades to prevent artificial light from disturbing your rest. Of course, sometimes the moon shine will keep people awake but this has a healing effect rather than harming. Sleep masks or eye pillows can be used over the eyes to block out light that prevents one from falling asleep, and these also promote relaxation. Even a lightweight scarf can be placed over the eyes to block out light.
3. Artificial fibers in bedding and night clothes can aggravate existing sleeping problems or even cause them, as fibers like polyester, acrylic, nylon and even rayon can cause electric static that disturbs the natural energy flows in the body. Additionally, they do not allow the skin to breathe properly, and can be too hot in the summer and too chilly in the winter. Many people find that by using only cotton sheets and night clothes, and natural fiber blankets, their sleep quality improves. Natural fiber pillows rather than the common polyester can make a big difference, and there are many varieties in addition to down, such as buckwheat, cotton, and wool. Washing bedding and night clothes often helps with a feeling of lightness and freshness that promotes peaceful relaxation. Strongly fragranced detergents and fabric softeners can aggravate the central nervous system and should be avoided as well, since these perfumes are usually made from petroleum by products or coal tar, and can have cumulative effects.
4. The environment of the bedroom helps with mental and emotional relaxation – for instance, keeping televisions, computers and work desks out of the bedroom is helpful, as is using restful colors and decorations. Ayurveda considers blue the most relaxing color to use for sleeping quarters. Sheets, blankets, and curtains as well as walls and furniture should be cooling and restful colors, and people with Vata symptoms can also use softer warming colors. Bright, gaudy, harsh or very dark colors and combinations should be strictly avoided, as well as strong aggravating shapes – for instance, sheets with black and red geometric designs! Houseplants can add freshness to the atmosphere, and cross ventilation or open windows are very important. The smell of food can disturb sleep, so it is important not to eat in the bedroom, and try to keep cooking smells away from the sleeping area.
5. Going to bed with a clean body helps relax the muscles and promotes restful sleep; if a shower or bath is not possible, at least washing the face, hands and feet right before sleeping is helpful. Another traditional Ayurvedic practice is to massage the feet carefully right before sleep. Refined sesame oil is preferred, but coconut, almond or sunflower can be used, and essential oils appropriate for Vata or Pitta symptoms can be added. It isn’t necessary to do a scientific foot massage, but to rub the oil all over the feet, top and bottom and toes, but especially focusing on the soles of the feet. No need to use so much oil that it gets on the bedding; best is to rub it in very well spending a few minutes on each foot. Just massaging the feet before sleep often helps ensure a sound and peaceful sleep, and can be done to others, such as helping children sleep more soundly. Loose cotton socks can be worn if needed to keep oil off of sheets.
Another related practice is to massage the scalp with a small amount of oil, either the same kinds mentioned above, or specific Ayurvedic oils for the head, that calm the mind, such as Brahmi oil. Even plain coconut oil is helpful, or it can be scented with natural essential oils. Just a teaspoon rubbed thoroughly into the scalp promotes sound sleep.
6. It is important to go to bed without a full stomach – best to eat dinner not much later than sunset, best while the sun is still in the sky if possible. If dinner has to be eaten later, it is more healthy to eat a light meal rather than a heavy, hard to digest meal, and to wait at least two hours before going to bed. If it is quite late but you are still hungry, try eating just some toast, a piece of fruit or a small bowl of cooked cereal, or best is a cup of hot milk. Just drinking a cup of hot milk before bedtime is often all that is needed to promote sound sleep, and adding a bit of nutmeg is calming to the mind.
7. Since the mind replays what is “fed” into it – especially when lying in bed – it is important to avoid “feeding” the mind disturbing mental images and sound before bedtime. Watching violent or scary movies is never helpful, as are agitating and disturbing news or TV shows. Loud and harsh music sticks in the mind and can get replayed when trying to sleep, what to speak of advertisements. The best is to practice some regular meditation or prayer before bedtime, letting go of personal difficulties or problems, and reading inspirational books before sleep. There are many meditation tapes available as well than incorporate peaceful mantras and music, which can relax the mind and emotions, thus promoting peaceful sleep. In fact, prayer and meditation have been recommended throughout history as the best way to end the day, helping with sound sleep and a peaceful awakening the next morning.
8. It is important to avoid caffeinated drinks, especially in the evening; currently so many beverages have caffeine added that it is important to read labels. Even foods or drinks with ingredients like artificial coloring, flavoring, and preservatives can contribute to sleeping problems, since they often affect the central nervous system. Also, spiced, ultra sweet or highly flavored foods eaten in the evening can harm sleep by aggravating digestion or emotions.
9. People need routine to function well, and the best time for going to sleep, especially for those with insomnia, is no later than 10 PM or even earlier. By going to bed at a regular time, the body and mind learn to “get ready” to go to sleep. Lack of regular exercise can add to tightness, stiffness and stagnation in the body that make it hard to relax. Yoga asanas right before bed can be done, the best are seated asanas. Left nostril breathing is very helpful for sleeping, as is lying on the right side, with the left side up, thus promoting breathing through the left nostril – this is cooling to the mind, promoting lunar energy which helps with sleeping.
Vata Type Insomnia
People with Vata type insomnia experience nervousness, worries that they can’t quell, fears or even night terrors, often accompanied by nightmares or scary dreams, and often dream of movement, travelling, flying, or running away from danger. Sometimes they can’t fall asleep, or even if they do, they don’t sleep soundly and wake up in the middle of the night, unable to go back to sleep. For Vata type insomnia, it is important to have a comfortable bed which is soft enough, as Vata individuals feel pain more than other constitutional types. It is also important for Vata people to be warm, so in cold climates and seasons it is necessary to have enough warm bedding and nightclothes. Since Vata people often have cold hands and feet, soft bedsocks are good, and flannel sheets can make a big difference. Vata people are more prone to indigestion, so following a diet for Vata is helpful, and hot milk at night is particularly beneficial for them (as well as for Pitta people), and nutmeg is always good for Vatas. Vata people usually have acute hearing, so it is important to have no outside noise or bothersome sounds of TV or music, and even ticking clocks can be very disturbing. It is very relaxing for Vata to do an oil self massage in the evening followed by a warm bath or shower, using a little oil in the ears, and using relaxing essential oils is very helpful.
The following nurturing and warming essential oils can be helpful for relaxing Vata type insomnia, and such oils can be added to massage oil, dropped on night clothes or on the pillow case, and used on the forehead and top of the head as well. Mixing various essential oils is often useful:
Sandalwood (cooling, but very relaxing), Patchouli, Rose, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Clary Sage, , Cypress, Cedarwood, Orange, Marjoram, Vetiver or Kush, Frankincense, Fennel, Myrrh, Basil, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove and Nutmeg
Pitta Type Insomnia
People with Pitta type insomnia experience irritation, anger or agitation, often obsessively thinking about problems or troubling relationships. Tossing and turning and inability to “turn off” the mind, dwelling on problems, and upsetting dreams often accompanied by aggression, fire or fighting are frequent. Heat symptoms or acid indigestion may be present. It is important for people with these symptoms to be cool enough – artificial fibers are very bothersome, as is lack of fresh air, and light pollution. People with Pitta type insomnia especially need to leave work out of the bedroom, and avoid watching any news or other troubling mental input in the evening. Arguments should especially be avoided. A warm bath or shower followed by a cool rinse is helpful for cooling the body and mind, and in hot weather a plain cool shower is helpful. Massage the feet and scalp with cooling coconut oil is best for Pitta symptoms, and taking care to avoid any spicy, very sour or hot food at dinner. Too much exposure to direct sun or heat can aggravate Pitta type sleep problems as well as exposure to smoke or chemicals during the day. A helpful Ayurvedic remedy to cool Pitta is to put a few drops of pure Rosewater in the eyes regularly, as this cools the eyes and helps cool down “hot” Pitta emotions.
Cooling and relaxing essential oils can be helpful for Pitta type insomnia, used in the same manner as Vata oils above:
Coriander, Sandalwood and Rose, Peppermint and Spearmint (use diluted and very sparingly), Blue or Gold Chamomile, Vetiver or Khus, Jasmine (sparingly), Lavender, Jatamansi (Spikenard), Benzoin, Lemongrass, Hina, Ylang Ylang
I take Iodoral, 50mg per day (along with the other parts of the protocol) and I’m on it for life.
Are these in water, dirt, air, other? I live out in nowhere miles from even a town, use well water, and I'm wondering how prevalent these halides are.
I have just begun the keto diet this past week. I’d been tall and thin my whole life, never dieting. Then picked up about 15 pounds with menopause, and just decided to live with it. This last few years came another 15 and I decided to act. I have friends who are guiding me and feel pretty comfortable with the YouTube videos by Dr. Berg.
Sugar is the devil!
Add me please and thanks!
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