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.
Good point. All kinds of things can go funny with the mortal coil. Especially with age.
I think it was Hippocrates that said, “all disease comes from the gut”. He may have been on to something. ;)
There is an Ayurvedic statement that if a person eats the right food, they don’t need a doctor; and if they don’t eat the right food, even doctors won’t help them. Similar meaning. Of course it does oversimplify, but eating the right food is the foundation.
Love that.
And, thanks, much for the ping.
If you have diverticulitis, doctors will generally just prescribe antibiotics and tell you to stop eating seeds and nuts.
Thank you!
f you have diverticulitis, doctors will generally just prescribe antibiotics and tell you to stop eating seeds and nuts.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow, antibiotics!! Glad our Doc is a naturopath. She knows when western meds are needed. When I went in to see her after finding a lump in my breast, she checked it out, said to get a mammo and bioposy. When biopsy said “cancer” she told me “Get that sucker out right away”.
I just soaked tomorrow’s dose.
Thanks, LJ!
Thanx. Makes sense
can you add me to your list of pings.
Thanks
polly
p.s. how I have missed this thread for years, I do not know! LOL
I just added you. Sometimes it’s more active than other times, and of course I welcome others’ input.
I have more to post on the topic of GI tract, but may not get to it today, depends on how much canning of peaches I have to do!
Mark!!
I’ll ping the list tomorrow, to this, plus more info about GI health. I wrote this a while ago for clients.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the most ancient health system on earth. It predates European or western medicine, Greek civilization, and even Chinese medicine. The principles and teachings of Ayurveda are are the source from which many other systems originated such as Chinese traditional medicine, and the Greek and Unani medicine. In fact, Ayurvedic medicine was brought to China by the Buddhist monk Nagarjuna around 150 AD, which then gradually developed into what is now TCM. Followers of the Vedas accept what the Ayurvedic shastras and Puranas state - that it was revealed by an incarnation of the Supreme at the dawn of time. The philosophical basis of Ayurveda (”the science of life”) is very deep, its principles founded on the teachings of 25 elements in the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas.
Not only are the methods of healing and curing using herbs, diet, hygiene methods and exercise sophisticated and highly individual, but there is no other medical system with such a wide array of self-help practices to not only improve health but preserve it. The actual goal of Ayurveda is not “perfect” health, which is an impossible goal. Its purpose is to promote physical and mental balance; a peaceful, clear mind and a flexible, energetic body, so that the individual can then use the body and mind for the real mission of human life.
Ayurveda does not see physical health and mental health as unrelated. Not only do the body and mind affect each other, but they are understood to be the two coverings of the eternal soul. In essence, Ayurveda teaches that the real identity of each person is the eternal spiritual particle or soul [atma], using the body as a vehicle. In order to make the journey of human life successful, it is much easier if the body and mind are in good working order, and that is the purpose of Ayurveda.
A strong body is not very useful if the mind is clouded, afraid, depressed, consumed by cravings, or angry. Clarity and peace of mind are just as important in Ayurveda as a strong and healthy body, if not more so.
Ayurveda places great emphasis on proper diet; it is said that without the right diet, even herbs will have little effect, and that with the right diet, herbs aren’t that much needed. One of the unique aspects of Ayurveda is the understanding that each person is an individual with different specific dietary needs. There are three main constitutional types, which, when mixed, make up about 7 different types (with each individual manifesting a unique mix of the doshas).
When a person understands what foods are uniquely good and health promoting, or conversely, harmful, for him, it is much easier to make the right choices about not only food, but drinks, habits, types of exercise, and so on. Ayurveda also teaches the utility of seasonal eating and habits for promoting health. Foods and activities that are beneficial in winter may be harmful in the summer, and vice versa. Ayurveda takes into account each individual’s age, level of activity, environment and other situations when determining the most health promoting choices.
Modern health books, foods, supplements, and exercise regimens are often popular for a while, then discarded for something new. Such inventions are often primarily a business investment which may be good for some people, useless for others, and even harmful for some. Since they don’t always work, they are then rejected for the next fad that comes along.
Sometimes people are taken for a ride, or even damage their health with extreme diets, imbalancing vitamin or mineral intake, or even wind up with heart attacks while “running for health”. People are left confused, after reading dozens of books which all contradict each other. Others just give up, figuring that health is just a hit or miss accident.
The system of Ayurveda, while quite sophisticated, is not difficult to understand in terms of one’s own constitution. To learn about the needs of your own particular body, with its own strengths and weaknesses and what foods will be easily digestible and promote your well being, and which are hard to digest and therefore toxin creating; and which herbs, spices, and daily habits will greatly improve your feeling of well being now and in the future, as well as bring balance to your emotions and clarity of mind, is to have the knowledge to take responsibility for your own health.
Ayurveda is all about choices. We make choices every day - about food, purchases, clothing, habits, exercise, recreation. When we understand the basics of our constitutional and what brings it into balance, and what causes imbalances, we can choose wisely. Not only is our immediate health and well being improved, but our mind and consciousness are brought into proper focus so that our spiritual goals are seen more clearly. Ayurveda teaches that every one of us is a spiritual being, and that our body is a vehicle that should be in good working order, so that we can travel on our spiritual journey more easily.
Aove this post is an introduction to Ayurveda I wrote some years ago.
I will be posting more herbs for the GI tract. Shatavari has many benefits, not just for the GI tract. I take a teaspoon of Shatavari daily, and used it for cancer when I was taking herbs for cancer after surgery.
Shatavari root
Systems: Reproductive, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary
Properties: alterative, demulcent, nutritive tonic, rejuvenative, mild diuretic, anti-inflammatory, galactagogue, aphrodesiac (Ayurveda classifies herbs that strenthen the reproductive system as aphrodesiac, this does not mean one becomes a satyur or nymphomaniac)
Indications: female reproductive disorders, leuchorrhea, scanty breast milk, sexual debility, infertility, impotence, menopause, diarrhea, hyperacidity, ulcers, colitis, gastritis, dehydration, lung abcess, hematemsis, dry cough, cancer, herpes, chronic fever, excessive thirst, fatigue, convalescence.
Although an excellent herb for women, its reproductive action extends to men as well. It is rejuvenative to the entire female reproductive system, and has affinity to the blood, liver, kidneys, lungs, and the entire GI tract. It possess properties that help hormones and excellent for menstrual difficulties, especially profuse bleeding, painful burning and irritation. Eases transition into menopause, especially combined with equal parts of Vidari Kand (I’ll post about that soon). Shatavari can help restore balance at an emotional and energetic level after a hysterectomy, espcially combined with Jatamansi or Bacopa.
For breastfeeding mothers, it helps improve the quantity and quality of the milk, and helps nourish the unborn baby if taken when pregnant.
Its cooling and demulcent properties can soothe inflamed mucous membranes throughout the entire GI tract, kidneys, and urinary tract, as well as the reproductive system. It helps the treatment of disorders such as hyperacidity, diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, gastritis, ulcers, and UTIs.
Thank you Little j
☺
Thank you Little j
☺
Banyan Botanicals is an excellent company, as well as Starwest Botanicals, high quality. They’re both the same price. Tablets are available but since Shatavari has a mildly pleasant taste, and 1 teaspoon is a good dose, no need for more expensive, and hard to digest, tables. I’ll post about another herb shortly.
https://www.amazon.com/Banyan-Botanicals-Shatavari-Asparagus-Rejuvenative/dp/B008QSLL38/ref=sr_1_5
Another useful herb for similar issues.
Vidari Kanda root
Tissues: works on all tissues
Systems: nervous, digestive, circulatory, reproductive, urinary
Used for: infertility, impotency, dysmemnorrhea, emaciation, general debility, ulcers, colitis, Cronh’s disease, diarrhea, uterine cramping, hormonal imbalances,menopause, osteoporosis, frequent urination, chronic fatigue, hapatitis, enlargement of the liver and spleen, tachycardia, anorexia, wasting diseases, weakness during pregnancy, enlarged prostate.
Vidari is used in Ayurveda to rejuvenate the female reproducitve system, it helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, tone the uterous, nourish the ovum, and treat infertility, menopausal complaints, menstrual cramping, and painful ovulation. To promote lactation, one teaspoon can be boiled in a cup of milk and taken twice daily.
In helps increase fat and muscle tissue (this is NOT a weight loss herb!). It improves strength and tone of muscle and nerve tissue and used for fybromyalgia, Parkinson’s, chronic fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, turberculosis, and emaciation.
Vidari Kand is also a good tonic for men’s reproductive health, and helps spermatogenisis when taken boiled with milk. It can be combined with Ashwagandha, Kapi Kacchu, Gokshura (more on them another time) or saw palmetto.
It can be used to treat enlargement of the liver and spleen, and disorders of the lymphatic system. For these uses, it is usually mixed with some of these herbs: gentian, barberry, turmeric, neem, or guduchi. (Yes, I’ll have to post about these herbs if I haven’t. I think I’ve posted about barberry).
Vidari is demulcent and mucilaginous, hence it helps to soothe inflammation of the GI tract and helps promote healing of peptic ulcers and ulcerative colitis, and useful for Crohn’s disease. For IBS related symptoms such as alternating constipation and diarrhea, it is helpful with Shatavari, Licorice, and Marshmallow.
This is the only one that looks okay on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/HerbsForever-Vidarikanda-Powder-Pueraria-Tuberosa/dp/B00D1SNE60/ref=sr_1_2
I trust this company more:
https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/vidari-kanda-powder/
I should have pinged the list; info about Vidari Kanda which has similar benefits to Shatavari.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3735908/posts?page=1759#1759
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