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.
I have never seen Lomatium powder; it is a huge tough root, fibrous and very sticky with resin. I buy it by the pound, it is in various sized chunks. As far as extract, my best estimate (and how I have used and advised others when I send them) is 1/2 t. in hot water, let sit until room temp, and a few times a day is fine. I cannot handle the alcohol in tinctured extracts, so I do that. It’s a very small amount but my system rebels.
My cough syrup is based on Lomatium and I take by the teaspoon. We’re taking it daily right now to help clear out after covid/omicron.
I also highly recommend pippali, it’s described in detail on the thread (someplace!). Taking both would be good.
Thanks for this. I would like to be on the list.
Thank you, lj. I react to the tiny amount of alcohol in tinctures too. I thought I was the only one! Thanks again.
I pour boiling water and let sit. I make tinctures of catnip, prunella and lemon balm and take them all that way. Alcohol hits my stomach like a mule kick even in very small amounts.
Wow, what a wealth of information here, and so much I’ve never before known of. Thank you! I am copying and pasting to a file. Will have to be rather selective in what new things I order initially. I’m glad at least that I have powdered pippali, ginger, turmeric, licorice and a few others on hand. They do help noticeably!
I have a Nettles extract that I sometimes remember to put a dropperful into what I’m taking. I used to take nettles capsules, but they didn’t do much (maybe because of capsules, right?)
Am not very experienced at all with EOs, someday I may take the plunge...
In the Ayurvedic department, I also have Amalaki, Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Bringharaj and Moringa; not for allergies per se, but other general benefits. I got them all from Banyan. I know what you mean about them being expensive, but that’s where I got my Pippali initially, and they later sent me a 20% off coupon code, because “they missed me” - lol - so I loaded up the cart with a few things, enough to get free shipping... I really don’t understand the whole Doshas concept, though, and don’t know what mine is - I’ve taken the questionnaires, and for many of the questions, none of the offered answers really apply to me. Strange.
I havent been here in a while so there is no way i can read this whole thread, it is huge.
Has there been anything posted about Parkinson’s?
My Sweetheart has been dealing with some health issues and in our search for answers we have discovered a problem that is swept under the rug therefore leaving more to suffer the same fate. Did you know topical steroids can cause debilitating conditions? The dermatologist that prescribed steroid creams isn’t likely to tell you steroid creams can cause you TROUBLE. We have been searching for answers for months now for a horrible rash he has had. We have been to several doctors including a dermatologist who prescribed several steroid creams. He finally got where he couldn’t tolerate the creams and so quit using them. The rash got worse and covers most of his torso. Have you ever heard of Red Skin Syndrome or Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome? I just found this site a couple of days ago, https://www.itsan.org/
I would love to find a way to help him clear this out of his system faster. The itching and burning are horrible and he is really suffering.
I do know some herbs that are considered to be good for Parkinson’s and other conditions which have similar symptoms. Will post as soon as I can. thanks for asking, I really like to share.
I have a fair amount of info on all the herbs you mentioned other than Moringa. They all have more than one use, many have lots of benefits.
I prefer herb teas or powders to capsule or tablets for faster and easier metabolizing, but some do taste nasty. Nettles taste sort of swampy-icky but I don’t mind the tea; it’s nice when I mix lemon balm or peppermint with it.
I used to take the Banyan dosha questionnaire (did a few times) when one did not have to register etc, and it was usually pretty accurate for me, and for others who I directed there. I don’t know why it did not work well for you. I should write up something about doshas. It is a fascinating topic and once a person knows their own constitution (prakriti) and any imbalances (vikriti) it is easier to make choices for food, herbs, colors, recreation or types of excercise and so on that will help keep it all in balance.
It really makes a difference when doing the questions whehter the condition or attribute is temporary or comes and goes, or life long.
Vadik herbs is also a good place, I am not familiar with their retail prices but I think they have a good free shipping deal for retail.
I wish I knew something that would help. I can think of herbs that help remove heat, inflammation and help clear the blood and they would most likely be very good. Later today I will list some. If I knew anything else ... I am just not knowledgeable about drugs at all as I react very badly to almost all of them.
One thing that is cheap and usually easy to find that I use on my skin very frequently is food grade rosewater. I bought recently on Amazon, Cortas brand, I got about 10 bottles. Middle eastern or Indian stores often have it but some brands are not very good.
Rosewater is strongly anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, cooling and very good for the skin. It may at least provide temporary relief and if used daily (several times), maybe put into a spray bottle, may help resolve symptoms more quickly.
But I think a whole system approach is needed.
I will post some herb info before bedtime.
BWT I have extremely sensitive skin, cannot tolerate direct sun, reddens at the drop of a hat, and had horrible rosacea for a few years. So I can sympathize.
Hmm... once I had a very weird rash, small but itchy like HE!! and I went to doc. Gave me cream. Made it infinitely worse. So being interested in natural health (this was...hmmm...35 plus years ago) I tried everything in my kitchen on it. When I applied vinegar it STUNG and was cured in about 24 hours. I found that many itchy skin things are caused by fungus and vinegar kills em dead. I”ve recommended to others, used on a child once, and worked very well in every case. You could try that on a small patch. I just used rice vinegar as that is what I had on hand; but seems that any kind will work.
Thank you.
Muggs, I wasn’t able to post but will tomorrow. There is one specific Ayurvedic herb that is considered to be very good for Parkinson’s, and several that are likely to help. Usually in Ayurveda herbs are not used singly so much.
And Kathy - I have more ideas, let me know how your husband is doing. And maybe ping or Freepmail Radix, he may very likely be familiar with this condition.
Thanks Little jeremiah.
The best herb that I have studied about for Parkinson’s is an Ayurvedic herb names Kapi Kacchu. The Latin name is Mucuna pruriens. I buy mine from Starwest Botanicals. Hmm, currently out of stock; this last year I noticed Starwest is out of stock much more than ever before.
https://www.starwest-botanicals.com/category/mucuna-seed/
Aha, Vadik herbs has it and much cheaper.
https://vadikherbs.com/products/kapi-kacchu-seeds-br-mucuna-pruriens?variant=32555892834436
This is the info from Vadik Herbs:
Kapi Kacchu is a nutritive tonic commonly used to nourish the nervous system, support healthy sexual energy, and strengthen and tone the reproductive organs. In men, Kapi Kacchu encourages natural potency and helps to build ojas, the essence of virility, vitality, and immunity.
Additionally, it helps promote sound sleep, and build muscle and strength for those who are weak. It is balancing for all dosha types.
~
I use in formulas for weakness, debility, nervous conditions, strength and vitality building formulas and for promoting mental well being. I have never had anyone approach me with Parkinson’s but this is what one of my favorite herb books says:
Uses:
General debility, depleted tissues, low libido, infertility, spermatorrhea, impotence, tics, tremors, spasms, Parkinson’s disease.
Kapi kacchu is known in Ayurveda as on of the leading herbs for rejuventing the reproductive system in both men and women, due to its ability to enhance sexual stamina and vitality. It is a nourishing tonic to the entire reproductive system.
It has an anabolic effect, thus improving the tone and strength of the muscle tissue and is specific for conditions that present with stiff muscles, fatigue, tics, tremors, spasms, and loss of strength and bone. It is often used with herbs like ashwagandha, bala and vidari to bring back tone and coordination.
It has a long history of use for vata (air) related conditions of the nervous system such as Parkinson’s disease and similar conditions that present with tremors and rigidity, but with no clear diagnoses. Recently this herb has been given a lot of attention, due to modern research showing that this herb contains L-dopa, an essential precursor to dopamine. Although it is questionable whether there is a known cure for this disease, this herb can aid tremendously in reducing the need for increasing strong medications and those who need them to respond better to treatment.
It combines well with herbs that help to pacify the muscle and nerve tissues such as bacopa and gotu kola, valerian (or better, the Indian variety tagar), jatamansi and ashwagandha.
It also relieves gas and abdominal discomfort caused by excess vata (air) and acts as a mild laxative. Here it can be prepared as a warm tea along with herbs like ginger, chamomile, and fennel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have never used for digestion as above, and have used in combination with most of the herbs listed above. It has a mild taste so it is easy to take. If you give me more details of the symptoms of the person, it would help me pick out some other herbs that would be supportive. Most of the herbs listed I have posted info about (but where on the thread????) and can post again too.
In my view Kapi kacchu would be the best herb, but I would likely add some supporting herbs depending on the person’s situation and symptoms. I always prefer powdered herbs taken in fluids rather than using capsules or tablets, especially for building herbs that need to be taken in larger doses. Herbs that taste horrible and are used only smaller quantities (like shilajit or goldenseal) are different. But processed like that they always have added ingredients, are more expensive, and are harder to assimilate.
If you have any questions, just ask.
I have more herbs and stuff that may help, but would like to know more, and did Radix respond yet? How is your husband doing now?
Kenny is actually doing a little better. So maybe the supplements are helping. He still gets itchy but not as intense and the swelling is down. He is definitely feeling more like himself, not as fatigued. His skin is very leathery now.
I didn’t hear back from Radix, maybe he didn’t see my original post?
Glad your husband is feeling better. I do have some thoughts that may assist. Maybe freepmail Radix?
Finally getting back to you. Here are a few thoughts and ideas.
1. Might be a good idea to flush out any residue/toxicity from the prednisone from his system. The kidneys and liver are most important:
Milk Thistle for liver
Cornsilk to flush out kidneys
Do these at the same time. Cornsilk tea is cheap and tastes nice, a very good and gentle diuretic that would be the best one to use I think. I would take the Milk Thistle for some days, and he could drink a couple of cups of Cornsilk tea a day.
He should stay hydrated and eat juicy foods.
Since prednisone and his reactions are considered “Hot”, cooling foods would be appropriate, doesn’t necessarily mean ice cold or from fridge; but raw, salads and lettuce, non-heating vegetables and sort of plain foods.
Milk is very good for detoxifying. Ayurveda recommends bringing milk to a boil first as that breaks down proteins for easier digestion and much less congestion. I usually boil 2 quarts and then when cool store in the fridge. If I drink unboiled milk I get much more congestion; with boiled milk none.
Cilantro is specific for detoxifying and cooling the body, and also for skin issues. Chopped up fine and added raw to foods, and also can be blended with a little water, strained, and drunk, and/or applied to the skin for cooling and healing.
Turmeric is fantastic and you can almost never go wrong with it. Strongly anti-inflammatory and good for all kinds of skin issues. 1 tablespoon a day is perfectly safe, I take about 1 1/2 t a day. Golden milk - boiling milk and turmeric together - is another way. I add to my herbs and cook with it.
Red Clover which makes a decent tea is good for skin and cleansing the blood, it is cooling.
There are some more Ayurvedic herbs that could be helpful but since your husband is feeling better I won’t burden you with more.
Regarding his face being leathery, I assume that will heal in time as the skin renews itself. Does he feel discomfort too? Does his face feel itchy or burning or hot? I have awful skin (ultra sensitive and reddens easily) so in the summer I make spray bottles with 8 oz glass bottles, and put about 1 or 2 drops of peppermint oil and fill with water, very cooling.
Better yet would be food grade Rosewater (at Middle estern or Indian groceries, I buy on Amazon, Cortas brand) and that can be put in spray bottle as is, excellent for cooling the skin, strongly anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and softening and soothing to the skin. I use daily and am never without it.
I would completely avoide soap, and to cleanse the face I would recommend oat flour. Wet face, put a bit of oat flour in palm and wet with a bit of water, and massage gently into the skin, and rinse. Best to tightly close eyes (ask me how i know).
I stopped using soap on my face about 35 years ago. I only cleanse with oat flour and besan flour (Indian groceries) and make my own facial cleanser with those flours and powdered herbs. Maybe that’s why I have no wrinkles?
One more - about diet. For now until all reactions are gone best to avoid things like chilis, garlic, hot spices etc. Let me know how things go.
Pinging the list - posted info about skin issues, prednisone reactions, and Parkinson’s.
Can you share your recipe for cleanser? I cannot eat grains but I assume that applying oat flour to face would not cause any issues since not ingested? (Oat flour) do you buy that, or grind up oatmeal to make the flour?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.