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.
where do you buy this clay powder?
Sorry it took me so long to reply. Been sick....
Here are two sources, I’ve gotten from both, good clay. I pound, when water is added, makes about 1 quart or more, guesstimate, of wet clay.
The way to prepare clay for therapeutic use to put the powdered clay in a good sizes ceramic or glass bowl, and pour water until it is somewhat above the clay. Do NOT stir, that disturbs the structure of the finished clay. Just let it sit, usually for some hours, until the water is all absorbed. The consistency should be like a thick pudding, top off with more water if needed.
I keep my bowl of clay in a cupboard, with a lid on it, and check periodically as it can dry out and then add more water so it doesn’t get dryish with cracks in it.
Then whenever you want to use, scoop out and apply. Best thing in the world for burns, also good for pimples, boils (got other rememdies for those as well), cuts, and mysterious painful injuries. I have a very good clay book that I learned from it’s often reprinted, and will post link later. I first learned about clay around 1981 and have used it ever since.
https://www.herbco.com/p-436-green-clay-france.aspx
Hmm, Starwest is a lot more expensive, but it may have better shipping or even free; I have a wholesale account so I am not sure about their retail part. The w/s price is cheaper of course, about the same as the the herb.co above.
https://www.starwest-botanicals.com/category/french-green-clay/
THere are most likely many places that sell green clay. Green clay is the best.
Wow, just checked Amazon prices- much more expensive.
I’m happy to hear of your experience with passion flower. I have read about it for years but never gotten any. I will look into this, would be good to add to my collection. I recently found that scullcap extract is also very helpful for calming the mind, which is often the cause of sleeping difficulties.
Re-posting some information from way back on the thread, possibly useful for current flu (high in most states right now) and/or WuFlu.
Lung and Breathing Support
There are many simple methods to help improve lung function, whatever the cause may be. Not everything works the same for everyone as each person is different. I have used most or all of these and find they help with my asthma. At times I have used inhalers 10 or more times a day, primarily living where there is mold all over the place (Big Island Puna side) or while living on a small lot and breathing in all the neighbor’s laundry smells. Now I use an inhaler maybe three times a year. Some of these can also be helpful when someone has flu or other respiratory ailment. They are listed in no particular order.
1. Steam inhalation – simple, old timey and works very well. Bring 3 to 4 quarts of water (non-chlorinated, or if you use city water, boil it for a while to boil off the chlorine, breathing chlorine gas is NOT what you want. (Better yet, get a water purifier, I recommend Berkfeld). Pour the steaming hot water into a large bowl on a table. Sit and breathe in the steam, towel on head if desired. I prefer to have a small towel funneling the steam to nose but not having my entire head steamed. Breathe until the water stops steaming. Essential oils can be very helpful as well.
2. Use essential oils to help open all the breathing passages. Eucalyptus is of course the old standby, but adding some others to make a blend is even more effective. I make a blend with about 1/2 to 1/3 Eucalyptus, with additional Peppermint, Fir, Pine, Spruce, Basil, Tea Tree, Camphor, Wintergreen and a little Thyme. Any of these will be helpful. They can be used in a hot bath (stir before getting in as they stay on the surface and will irritate sensitive areas if not dispersed), in steam inhalations, in any kind of aromatherapy diffusers, sprinkled on clothing or pillows, sprinkled on a hot wood stove, or on a handkerchief tucked into a pocket.
3. Hot Compresses – these are especially helpful in respiratory illness or when breathing problems are more troublesome. Fill a bowl with hot but not boiling water. Have rubber gloves as the water should be too hot for the hands, and 4 washcloths or two small towels. It helps to have two people but one person can do it for themselves if need be. The person getting the compresses should sit comfortably and have no shirt, and a wool or warm shawl or other item to cover up with. EOs can be added to the water.
Put all wash cloths or small towels into the hot water, take two washcloths (or one small towel ) out and wring well but not dry, just not dripping. Spread on the upper/middle back and cover up. The washcloth/towel should feel as ht as tolerable but not painful. As soon as it is cooled down to warm, switch with the w.cloths/towel in the bowl and repeat, this time on the upper chest area. It helps to have a lid to cover the bowl with so the water stays hot. Repeat the compresses 3X on the back and 3X on the front, alternating. When finished, the person should dress warmly and relax. The hot water can then be used for a hot foot soak which is very soothing and therapeutic for illness. Usually the person feels so relaxed it’s nap time or bed time!
3. Practicing deep breathing is very helpful for increasing lung functioning and getting rid of phlegm or mucus in the lungs, or for people who used to smoke. I experienced this 9 years after quitting smoking, I started to run and did a lot of deep breathing and after some time coughed out gobs of black stuff. I was amazed…Very brisk walking would be better, but only in clean areas, ocean air is excellent. Breathing car and truck exhaust deeply will not help!
Slow, deep abdominal breathing can be done sitting or lying, and there are various hatha yoga breathing excercises that are also very therapeutic. Any kind of deep slow complete breathing to empty the lungs completely can be practiced daily or even twice daily.
4. This brings up air quality. It is said that often the most toxic air is in the home. As noted earlier on the thread, carpets, upholstery, drapes and other items are usually made from artificial fibers and have other things such as foams which outgas formaldehyde and toxic glues, etc. Seriously, wood or tile floors are much better for people with any kind of breathing issues. Keeping dust at a minimum is much easier without carpets. I use an Ionic Pro air filter and I find it very helpful; there are other kinds of filters but I like the Ionic Pro as there are no filters to buy and it neutralizes VOCs as well as collects dust and mold.
5. Another part of air quality is avoiding the use of products which have artificial fragrances. Many people with asthma react badly to them, and people who thought they had no problems, feel much better when using only non-perfumed products. I have done research on this topic and found that almost all perfumes/fragrances, no matter how advertised, are made from petroleum by-products, with some from coal tar. Unless a label says “only pure essential oils”, it is artificial. Not only artificial fragrances aggravate lung and breathing problems, but can cause a host of other conditions, such as but not limited to skin rashes, sinus pain and problems, headaches, difficulty with thinking and remembering, nausea, etc.
More and more products add perfumes, often to mask other odors (even WD-40 now adds perfume!) or to make the inside environment smell “nice” even if it is not clean.
Thankfully, there are more “natural” or at least non-fragranced household and personal care products available as there is a large demand; as more and more people are realizing that artificial perfumes make them feel sick.
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.
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
Re: clay
Thank you for those sources and for the information.
This link may have already been posted.
Dr. Berg - Susceptibility to the Coronavirus? No One is Talking About This
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjUOpvmDE7k
I didn’t see link that I remember.
He’s had other Corona Virus-related videos pulled by YouTube, so I hope this one stays up.
Here is the clay book, I have my 3rd copy I think, not easy to find nowadays, this is a good price. Has some herb/diet stuff too, author is French, where they have a tradition of a lot of natural health measures.
Our Earth Our Cure (A Swan House Book) Paperback – 1974
I see amazon has another book by same author, but at $25 I probably won’t get it, looks interesting though:
OOPS - second book is not the same author, but written by the man who translated the first book.
I am in the middle of cooking and could only catch a couple of minutes, is he saying that if one has parasites they’re more likely to get infected by WuFlu?
The 'experts' I've read have asserted that improper particle size contributes to the blue skin . . . as well as massive, excessive over-the-top use of too large a particle based solution.
OK. I've been requested to share the following so I'll share it here.
The following regimen has prevented any cold or other respiratory illness from taking root in my body for at least 5-8 years--probably longer.
I have had pneumonia several times so lung health is a priority and colds could easily turn into life-threatening-for-me pneumonia.
I have had chronic sinus infections all my life. The Navy had no solution.
Maybe 10-15 years ago or so, I discovered the Neil Med squeeze bottle and saline solution at Walgreens. The netti pot tickled my nose insufferably but the squeeze bottle was workable.
I discovered that --->IF<--- I faithfully & immediately used the saline in the squeeze bottle up my nose at first HINT of a cold symptom--and every succeeding hint--until the symptoms ceased, the cold would not take root.
I had to use the saline about every 3-4 hours and for 3-5 days or so. Usually 3 days, maybe 4. Then the cold would be prevented and I could stop the regimen.
Then I learned that nano-sized particles of colloidal silver is the best version available and does not cause the blue skin. I found that the best source happened to be about 3 miles from my house from a great authentic Christian organization.
Their website is
HOWEVER, the page has been returning a blank white page so I plan to call them Monday. Evidently there's something currently wrong with their server. I plan to call them tomorrow and check on their website problem with the boss.
IIRC, they typically sell a 200ppm solution.
Anyway--I decided to experiment with the colloidal silver solution in the squeeze bottle.
Initially, I had a kind of "ice cream headache" sensation for 3-5 seconds the first 8-10 applications. I no longer have that. Evidently that was related to Ph.
I discovered that using the silver at the first HINT of any symptom (& every succeeding hint of a symptom) was essential with the silver, too.
Mercifully, the results were wonderfully different than with the irritating saline.
1. I only needed to use 1-3 squeezes vs 1/2 to full bottle of the saline.
2. The symptoms abated for 8-12 hours with the silver vs only 3-4 hours with the saline.
3. The symptoms were fully stopped & the threat shut down after 24-48 hours with the silver vs 3-5 days with the saline.
It is an incredible relief to have found such a solution to very threatening respiratory diseases.
I understand from recent research that the silver can be put in sonic atomizers for breathing it into the lungs effectively. I haven't tried that. I understand it needs to be done with a clean atomizer & not mixed with essential oils residue. There's some concern that the essential oils residue could cause unhelpful clumping of the nano-sized silver particles.
I will note that I've been OCD about hand sanitation most of my adult life--alcohol wipes, Chlorox wet-wipes etc.
And I typically take Vitamine D3, liposomal Vitamin C, turmeric, ginger, black seed oil etc. And I have Oreganol on hand but have not needed it for years.
I also take magnesium & potassium aspartate.
I'm merely sharing my experiences with the above. I have no idea what your experiences might be.
I do know that others who have copied my regimen have reported similar results. Those with less glowing results were found to NOT be very disciplined about applying the silver at EVERY HINT of a symptom around the clock--e.g. even the middle of the night on a bladder break.
Not sure what the benefit of the following is but it seems to be helpful in keeping my lungs clear. I can still get a bit clogged up in the middle of the night, at times.
I have a conical shaped sonic atomizer from Natural Grocers. I think it's about 5" or so diameter on the base. I have an elbow of a 3.5" diameter PVC pipe mated to about 1.5' length of the same sized pipe that I place on top of the conical atomizer. That is arranged so it delivers the mist to about 3" from my face as I sleep. Using the common essential oils others have found to be helpful with lung health has seemingly been a good habit for me, as I sleep. I don't use it all the time. But when I do--it seems to be quite helpful at keeping my lungs clear.
I also take 2 tablespoons of the following concoction 1-2 times a day:
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup Bragg's apple cider vinegar
1 cup ginger puree
1 cup garlic puree
Simmer & stir above for 30 minutes.
Instructions say to allow to cool then add 3-4 cups of organic raw honey.
I let it cool to slightly warm and use about 2-3 cups of honey. I made 5 quarts last time. It keeps well in the fridge. The measurements don't have to be 1 cup--just equal measures, except for the honey.
I think that's about all I have to offer in terms of my experiences with such stuff.
Am willing to try and answer your questions if you have any.
However, --->if<--- your main goal is to be contrarian in a hostile naysaying mode to what I have to share, please don't expect a positive cordial reply from me.
Bookmark
Thanks for posting all that info. On the first page of this thread I posted a similar caveat. So far (for months) since this thread was in existence, everyone has been the very soul of cordiality.
Your example has been great mentoring in such regards.
I really want to post more herb info. I will double check and see if I posted about various, a simple and tasty way to take quite a few herbs. If I had a brain, I would have made a file with all the stuff I posted so I don’t dupe it.... I guess I still can, only 600 posts or so.
I just saw this, the article linked on FR, very intereting:
Anti-inflammatories may aggravate Covid-19, France advises
French minister says patients should take paracetamol rather than ibuprofen or cortisone
French authorities have warned that widely used over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs may worsen the coronavirus.
The country’s health minister, Olivier Véran, who is a qualified doctor and neurologist, tweeted on Saturday: “The taking of anti-inflammatories [ibuprofen, cortisone … ] could be a factor in aggravating the infection. In case of fever, take paracetamol. If you are already taking anti-inflammatory drugs, ask your doctor’s advice.”
Health officials point out that anti-inflammatory drugs are known to be a risk for those with infectious illnesses because they tend to diminish the response of the body’s immune system.
The health ministry added that patients should choose paracetamol – which is known in the US by the generic name acetaminophen and commonly by the brand name Tylenol – because “it will reduce the fever without counterattacking the inflammation”.
....
Véran said in his daily briefing that the evolution and spread of the virus was “rapid and real”, but that 98% of those who had tested positive had recovered.
....
[More at link]
GOOD TO KNOW. THANKS.
Is there a not-exhaustively-tedious-way that we could compile, archive the meaty info posts in this thread as a kind of reference work?
Doesn’t matter to me if it’s archived hereon or elsewhere though I guess I’d prefer on FR.
There’s a ton of good stuff on this thread—largely thanks to you, LJ>
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