Natural Health

vanity ^ | March 19 2019 | little jeremiah

[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.

[little jeremiah]

I scanned the article; I wonder if they’re doing that with health insurance too.

[little jeremiah]

Lung and Breathing Support Part Two

Here are some more helpful methods for assisting lung function; whether temporary such as during an illness, or for people were chronic problems..

1. The practice of using a neti pot is generally supportive of breathing in general; helps clear the sinuses and is very useful for people with allergies. It is neither painful nor uncomfortable; quite the reverse, when done properly – especially with the right amount of salt in the water – it is very relieving and safe to do daily.

Once a client with very severe allegies (and he was worked in a bank dealing with mortgages and had to talk to people all day) started using a neti about 4 to 5 times a day, as well as other measures I recommended, and in a few weeks his allergies were so minimal that it was quite miraculous. I have an article about how to do neti which I will post later.

2. Applying oil into the nostrils – this is especially helpful in winter when the air inside houses is dry because of indoor heat, and winter is when more people get sick. But it’s good any time of the year. A neutral oil (refined sesame is my favorite, or mixed with coconut, almond oil works too) is inserted into each nostril, I just use my little finger.

There is an Ayurvedic practice of actually dropping a few drops into each nostril and “snurfling” it up, which I have done. Just rubbing it inside the nose as far as possible is easier. The best kind of oil has some essential oils in it (any of the ones listed in Part One above) adds to the efficacy. Be very careful about not adding too much EO to plain oil.

This helps open sinuses, thus opening upper breathing passages; protects delicate mucus membranes inside the nose thus helping to prevent viruses or bacteria from gaining a foothold, and also helps the mind stay alert, especially when EOs are used in the oil.

3. Lungs are affected by what we eat and drink. Cold foods and drinks cause any excess secretions including mucus or phlegm, to increase and coagulate so more is generated and it is harder to cough/hack etc it out. Therefore, refrigerator cold foods and drinks, and especially frozen ones, are contraindicated for people with breathing issues.

Since I have asthma and get very affected by smoke, and I live in SW OR where breathing smoke all summer has become almost habitual, I have to be very cautious with iced drinks etc even in the hottest weather. I can feel the impact on my breathing within hours. I eat ice cream maybe once every few years.

Hot drinks and warm foods are much better for people with breathing issues or during respiratory related illnesses. This includes not just hot temperatures, but spicy hot. Ginger tea is very good and I will post some recipes later today. Best is fresh ginger root. Other spices help with clearing the lungs such as cinnamon, cardamom, chili peppers, black pepper, ginger powder as well as fresh ginger, and cloves.

Any kind of hot drinks can have pinches of any of these spices added to them and you can make a blend (say ginger, cinnamon, cloves) and keep in a jar to add to black or green tea, herb tea, coffee or even hot chocolate, or hot lemonade. Hot spices can be added to foods (as tolerated).

4. Staying well hydrated is vital for lung health, to keep secretions liquefied and easier to eject from the body. Many people do not drink enough, and plain water is sometimes not as well absorbed into the cells; that is why hydration drinks can be better. Special drinks like Gatorade have very nasty ingredients and it’s much easier to just make drinks at home. A pinch of salt, a pinch of baking soda, a bit of lemon juice or other fruit juice, a small bit of natural sweetener, and a lot of water makes a better drink that store bought rehydration drinks.

But under regular circumstances most people don’t need specialized rehydration drinks, there are many teas including herb blends that taste good and are cheap when made at home. In the summer I mix herb teas, fruit juice, and water to make good drinks. In the winter I sometimes make oatmeal water for a warm, somewhat nourishing drink. Eating soups, blender drinks and other foods with high moisture content is another way to stay hydrated.

5. Sometimes wearing a mask is just sensible. I cannot tolerate regular N95 masks, something in the material makes my skin burn and itch, so I use 100 cotton washable masks, and usually put some drops of essential oils on them as well. I use when mixing dry herb blends as the powder wafts into the air, during summer when going outside if there is a lot of wildfire smoke, or any times when I will be exposed to substances (including car fumes, laundry fumes (other peoples’) and the like. Do other people think I’m weird? IDKAIDC….I don’t know and I don’t care! I like breathing.

[little jeremiah]

Golden Milk (one of many medicated milks, which I will post more later.)

Golden milk seems to be getting well popular lately, although it is part of an ancient tradition of cooking herbs and spices in milk, or milk and water, for easier absorption and strength, as the milk itself helps carry the potency of the herbs. There are many recipes, this is the one I use, amended slightly, from one of my favorite herbs books. For people who want to increase turmeric uptake, it is a tasty way, and by adding black pepper, this is considered to be more beneficial. The benefits of turmeric take up a few pages in many herb books.

First make Turmeric paste:

1/4 cup turmeric powder
1/2 cup water
Place in small pot and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until a thick paste is formed. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

Golden Milk

In a small pot, pour 1 cup milk 1/4 to 1/2 t. turmeric paste (I use about 1 1/2 t. for two servings), 1/8 to 1/4 t. finely ground black pepper and (optional) 1 t. almond or other oil. Blend well and cook over medium to low heat, stirring, until it comes to a boil. Add 1 t. honey or raw sugar, and I add 1/2 t. vanilla to offset the strong turmeric taste, since I add a lot. Cinnamon or cardamom can be sprinkled on top.

Turmeric has many incredible benefits only a few of which I will list now, but if there is interest I will start adding information about many of the herbs I use regularly and am familiar with.

Turmeric actions:

Alterative, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, chologogue, choleretic, carminative, cyclooxigenase inhibiting, topical antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal, antihelmintic, hypotensive, anti-atherosclerotic, anticancer

Some of the many conditions turmeric can help:

Colds, coughs, sore throat, pharyngitis, asthma, allergies, infections, poor circulation, diabetes, arthritis, anemia, wounds, bruises, skin disorders, weak digestion, indigestion, sprains, jaundice, gallstones, hemorrhage, colic, flatulence, prevents cataracts

[etabeta]

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. Your lung remedies are wonderful, I will certainly experiment with them. And thank you ALL for your other suggestions. Love this health thread!

[muggs]

I practice most of these and I love EOs. Unfortunately the EOs that are good for lung health are very bad for seizures so I have to avoid most of them, even rosemary.

I stick mostly to the citrus EOs.

[muggs]

I practice most of these and I love EOs. Unfortunately the EOs that are good for lung health are very bad for seizures so I have to avoid most of them, even rosemary.

I stick mostly to the citrus EOs.

[muggs]

I use a neti pot at least once, but usually a few times a day. U really don’t know how I survived without it.

If I’m congested I put a pinch of red pepper in my coffee or hot chocolate.

[muggs]

You and I seem to be on the same page. I love golden milk. The recipe varies a little every time I make it.

I haven’t really felt the same about though after I fell asleep and spilled it on my laptop

[muggs]

I would like to know if any of you have tried kratom for pain?

This can be a controversial topic so you if you want, you can ask the mods to remove it.

[little jeremiah]

That is difficult indeed. Citrus EOs have a lot to offer; what about other mints like spearmint?

Also I was remembering how it helps with lung health to open the chest via various kinds of exercises, putting shoulders back, head up, and sort of putting the chest out, and breathing, doing repetitions. There are hatha yoga poses that help with that and no doubt other ones. These help my lungs, as well as regulated deep breathing.

[little jeremiah]

I’ve never tried it but I know people who have, a good friend in fact. She didn’t like it because it made her mind fuzzy, she can’t stand any kind of intoxicants and it had somewhat of that effect on her.

Did you see my herb formula above for pain/sleeping difficulties and stress? Even some of those herbs would help, some are the major ones and some supportive. It doesn’t eradicate severe pain but definitely takes the edge off, to varying degrees of course.

I also make a pain linament and salve with EOs, I can list the ingredients and method to make them. They are pretty effective for localized pain and help relax muscles. A client used the salve (kind of like a Tiger Balm without petrochemicals, but much better and more uses) on her son’s sprained ankle and it healed very quickly.

[little jeremiah]

If you can find Pippali, or long pepper, it is the best thing for lungs. I may not have time tonight, but I have 2 books open right here for other medicated milks, including Pippali milk. I add powdered Pippali to almost all my drinks, it is excellent stuff. I will also post all my herb sources, as getting fresh organic tested herbs is very important to me.

[little jeremiah]

I’m glad you like it and I hope others keep posting too. I know a lot about Ayurveda, especially herbs but also other Ayur. principles and applications, and some about EOs but supplements I am very limited with, and many people have knowledge to share.

[little jeremiah]

https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/pippali-powder/

Rejuvenating Herb that Supports Digestion and Proper Function of the Respiratory System.*

Supports clear, comfortable breathing*

Promotes a healthy liver and lungs*

Supports digestion and a healthy metabolism*

Nourishes the blood, nerves, and reproductive tissues*

Pippali (Piper longum) is a powerful rejuvenating herb that strengthens and nourishes the body. It is a close relative of the common table spice, black pepper, and is similarly pungent and heating. Pippali stimulates metabolism, burns natural toxins, and helps maintain a healthy digestive environment. It is an excellent tonic for the lungs, supporting clear and comfortable breathing. Pippali nourishes the blood and promotes healthy circulation and supports a healthy liver. It is also used in many Ayurvedic formulations in small amounts to encourage proper assimilation of the herbs.*

[little jeremiah]

Another good source, but they only have whole pippali, I get both, and sometimes grind the whole in a spice grinder. It’s not that easy to find.

https://www.starwest-botanicals.com/category/long-pepper/

[muggs]

I haven’t heard of Pippali. I’m going to see what I can find out about it.

[little jeremiah]

Pippali is the best single herb I know of for rejuvenating lung function. This fall my lungs were totally shot because of smoke all summer long, wildfires on every side, thousands of acres. Then any virus that comes along affects them. I started adding a few pinches of pippali to every hot drink, and doing some (not enough) steam inhalations. I also make a Lung Support herb blend I took for a long time.

Lung Support
8 pts Vasak
6 pts Tulasi
6 pts Bayberry
4-6 pts Pippali
6 pts Vamsa Lochan (from bamboo sap, very strenghtening for lungs)
3 pts Peppermint (could be left out of course)
4 pts Vacha (Calamus)
2-4 pts Trikatu (a blend, more on that later)
2 pts Cinnamon
1 pt Cloves and could add Cardamom

All powdered herbs, blend, strain, take 1/2 t. 2-3 times a day

[muggs]

I’ve been reading about it. I wonder if it’s possible to grind it and put it in capsules. It sounds beneficial.

[little jeremiah]

Banyan Botanicals has powdered pippali. I can explain more about this but in short, according to Ayurvedic principles, it’s better to taste the herbs as this assists with assimilation and action of the herbs. The taste of herbs is connected with their potency. Capsules and tablets are also harder to digest since the stomach has to break them down, whereas when swallowing powdered herbs in a medium, they start acting immediately. I have experienced this myself, and take all herbs in cups of water usually with some honey added.

Pippali doesn’t taste bad at all, I quite like it. It is not as hot as chili peppers, which I have a very hard time with. I am never without at least 3 or 4 pounds of pippali on hand, it is a very valuable herb. It’s actually related to the black pepper family IIRC, not at all with the capsicum family.

[Califreak]

Fresh ginger is hard to keep very long.

I started putting mine in the freezer. It keeps a long long time and is just about as good as fresh. I just grate however much I need and put it back in the freezer.

I also slice and freeze my mushrooms when I buy them so they won’t go bad.

You can’t tell the difference if you’re just using them in pasta sauce or stroganoff or an omelet or something.