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.
Thank you for the information on the thyroid herb. So very interesting to me.
A couple of questions: did you take it for a short or long time and do you continue to take it? Did you have blood tests during these times?
regarding oil in the ears: my mother used sweet oil (not sure if that’s the type of oil) when I had an ear ache. It worked great.
I’d like to share a home remedy my mother used for congestion at night. She put a few drops of turpentine on a cloth and hung it on the head of my bed. This worked well for me.
Home remedy for a foreign object in the eye and was taught to me by a neighbor when I was growing up.
This sounds scary, but I’ve been doing it for fifty years with no problems.
Use one flax seed. Place the tiny seed in the inner corner of the eye. Then pull the eyelid down over the lower lashes. The seed will go onto the upper lid inside. Keep your eyes closed and sit still for a few minutes. You will be able to feel the seed under the skin, and it will move around as your eye moves. The seed will work its way over to the other corner of the eye and you will be able to remove it and the object (eyelash, eye makeup, spec of dirt, etc.) Whatever was in your eye will adhere to the seed and VOILA - No more discomfort.
It’s worked every time I’ve ever done it. It does not hurt and it does not scratch the eye. I guess because of the oil in the seed.
Has anyone ever heard of this or done it? It’s amazing!!
Sweet oil is almond oil, pretty sure.
I took Kanchanar gug from 2009, maybe spring, I’d have to look, until roughly 1 1/2 years ago. I figured my thyroid was okay. After some time, i started getting lower energy; which I thought normal as I am 69 it’s been some years. Then I started getting tachycardia and arrythmia, which I had not had since I started taking the Kanchanar g. I treated with herbs and seemed to improve after a while, but still had some incidents, but not a severe. Sort of compressed version of what happened.
A month or so ago I decided I’d start up the Kanchanar, and started taking (hmm, my time sense is really bad), maybe...3 weeks ago?? And lo and behold, within a week or so my heart started feeling much better (can describe if you want), and day by day, more energy, and...I got hungry.
My thyroid numbers were tested a couple of times I think, once before taking Kanchanar, and and once after taking for a few years. Slightly better. I am medically sort of ignorant and I can’t remember what they were, in the 4 and half-ish range, TSH I think it’s called. IOW, the number change after taking Kanchanar was not wildly improved, but I felt tremendously better.
When I got blood tested originally (before taking Kanchanar) the doc wanted to give my synthroid or whatever it’s called, and I told him I’d try herbs instead.
I also sporadically take kelp which my naturopath doc (not the one above) recommended but not enough, so I’m going to take more of it from now on.
Sorry if TMI!
Maybe that’s why Pine EO seems to help breathing. Turpentine is made from a kind of pine tree, or maybe any pine tree?
That is very interesting. I will keep that in mind as we get things in our eyes a lot around here!
Flax seeds get gelatinous when wet, maybe that gelatinous stuff “collects” the foreign object.
Many years ago I got a serious of boils, one was horrendous and had to be cut (eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek) and a bit later two more. Someone suggested a flax seed poultice, flax seeds mixed with a hot tea which I cannot remember, and then put in a thin cloth and packed onto the boil area. Worked tremendously well.
I told DH about that and he said his herbalist grandmother in Poland used flax seed poultices on infections and maybe other things.
Pinging the list - for herbs to assist the nervous system in various ways, and a lot of info posted recently that might be of interest, including the use of castor oil packs #365, and a very good herb formula for thyroid #379 and even a simple way to get foreign objects out of the eyes #384, and more...
Some Very Important Herbs for the Nervous System
In Ayurveda herbs are generally used in formulation, not just as single herbs. I explained back up the thread why this is; in short: Herbs of similar action support the main herb or herbs, herbs with somewhat different action can help balance the formula so it is not extreme, some herbs help catalyze the action of the other herbs, and help digest and assimilate, and some carry the energy to specific organs or systems.
I have used or currently use all these herbs, and have seen them work very well for numerous people. They have helped with memory and focus, anxiety and stress, depression, pain, nervous exhaustion, sleeping difficulties (some other herbs as well not listed), nervous tics and twitches and probably other conditions I can’t remember.
Some of the herbs below are used for more severe conditions such as Parkinsons and MS, and I have not tried to assist anyone with these conditions other than MS but she did not take her herbs regularly, and lived far away in a non-supportive atmosphere, sadly. The suggested doses are suggestions only, I might suggest more or less depending on the person, and also would be different if used in a blend.
Bacopa – Bacopa monniera Up to 2 grams 2X a day
Nervous disorders, neuralgia, mental disorders, epilepsy, ADD/ADHD, autism, adrenal insufficiency, rejuvenating tonic for mind/nervous system, sharpens intellect, concentration and memory.
Neurological ailments such as Parkinsons, MS, dementia. Depression, mental exhaustion, anti stress. Convulsive disorders, general stress, nervine. Enhances nerve impulse transmission, strengthens memory and general cognition. Potent anti-oxidant.
Replenishes nerve tissues and marrow.
Jatamansi – Nardostachys jatamansi Up to 2 grams 2X a day
Nervine, relaxant, anti-spasmodic, nervous convulsive ailments, increases awareness while very calming and balancing
Anxiety, depression, spasms, convulsions, epilepsy, hyper or hypo-tension, palpitations/arrhythmia, memory loss.
Rejuvenative for nervous system, affinities for mind, nerves, muscles, muscle and nervous tension.
Revitalizes mind and nervous system, ADD/ADHD, improves memory, concentration and awareness, helps anxiety, tics, tremors, spasms, restlessness. vertigo
Shankpushpi – Evolvulus alsinoides 1-2 grams 2X a day
One of the main nerviness in Ayurveda, brain tonic, sedative, memory
Epilepsy, insomnia, mental /emotional exhaustion, anxiety, fear, depression, mania, stress.
Outstanding rejuvenative for nerve tissue and mind. Strenghtens cognition and awareness while relaxing/calming the mind
Bala – Sida Cordifolia 1- 2 grams 2X a day
General physical and mental debility, chronic fatigue, muscle atrophy, Parkinsons, spasms/cramps/tremors, paralysis, nerve diseases, neurological conditions, hemiplegia
Nourishes, strengthens and energizes all tissues especially muscle and nerve.
Strengthens body, all tissues, chronic inflammation, exhaustion, numbness, nerve pain, nerve inflammation.
Disorders including facial paralysis, neuralgia. Builds immune function, rejuvenates nerve tissue. Can be an issue in high blood pressure, check for any reaction. In blends doesn’t seem to affect.
Kapi Kachu – Mucunua Pruriens 3- 15 grams a day
Anti-spasmodic, general debility, depleted tissues, tics, tremors, spasms, Main herb for Parkinsons and other nervous system conditions that present with tremors or rigidity. Contains L-Dopa. All kinds of nervous debility. Uplifting mentally.
Ashwagandha – Withania somnifera 3-9 grams a day
Brain tonic, nervine, sedative (not dulling), anti-inflammatory, immune strengthener, rejuvenative, increases strength and tone in muscles, rejuvenates nerve tissue.
Balances and regulates immune system, replenishes energy from stress, overwork, old age, or debilitating or wasting diseases.
For anxiety, stress, nerve exhaustion, overwork, old age, senility, insomnia, lack of energy in general. Helps with mental clarity.
Pacifies nervous system – used in Parkinsons, MS, paralysis, muscular dystrophy, all neurological conditions, auto-immune diseases, nerve exhaustion.
General tonic, for loss of muscle energy, panic attacks, sleeping disorders, chronic fatigue or anxiety, anti-oxidant.
Gotu Kola – Mandukaparni Centella asiatica
Nerve disorders, mental calming, revitalizes nerve and brain cells, fortifies immune system, heals nerve tissues.
Nervine, rejuvenative, purifies Nadis (subtle channels), helps with a wide array of psychological and neurological conditions, neuromuscular disorders, Alzheimers, senility.
Repairs nerve tissues from injury or damage. For longevity, intelligence, memory.
Improves brain function, memory, concentration, mental acuity, for mental disorders, epilepsy, clams nerves. Helpful for meditation.
Purifies blood and adrenals.
Vacha - Calamus – Acorus calamus (Only use kind from India) 1-4 grams a day
Nervine, rejuvenative for mind and brain, antispasmodic, for mental clarity, memory
Powerful brain rejuvenation, promotes cerebral circulation, detoxifies subtle channels, sharpens memory and mental functions, nervous system rejuvenative (Rasayana)
Helps with hysteria, neuralgia, nervous tension, hemiplegia, epilepsy, headaches, seizures, loss of consciousness, loss of speech after stroke, aids circulation to and within brain
Thank you.
Please add me to your ping list.
Thank you,
Tatt
I got some very specific results using the ashwagandha extract KSM 66. Googling KSM 66, one will find many sites and lists of potential benefits.
Lowering cholesterol and raising the blood platelet count were potential benefits I'd noticed. I've never really had high cholesterol problems, but for three years had platelet counts just above and below 150, the bottom number in the normal range. My most recent total cholesterol test result before starting the KSM 66 was 173.
On annual blood tests after a couple of months of KSM 66, total cholesterol was 148 (lowest ever)and my platelet count has risen to 250, the first time it had been a good normal for more than three years. Cholesterol ratios were about the same.
I just decided to experiment with KSM 66 and was not taking it for those two specific results. I think ashwagandha also has a calming effect and perhaps resulted in better sleep.
Here is one of many sites that can be found.
Just added you.
Thank you-good and interesting info...
Yes, sugar is the devil.
The only thing I’d caution on regarding Keto, is that it can encourage the formation of kidney stones. The first woman I was following said in order to follow the diet correctly, I could not have one lemon a day (which I try to have daily; kidney stones are horrible). And interestingly the leader had some seven kidney stones. Anyway, another woman leading a group said it was fine to have just one lemon a day in water. Good luck.
Ashwagandha has so many benefits that many herbs books have pages on it. The benefits I posted above were primarily about the nervous system. It is sometimes called Indian ginseng as it is very strengthening to the system, but without some of the irritation or heating that ginseng can cause.
Since I’m basically in the Ayurvedic tradition although I do use some other herbs, I prefer the whole powdered herb rather than extracts, for a few reasons. If the extracts help people, fine; I just prefer the whole thing, as there are micronutrients and other chemical constituents that support or help the herb’s uses. But whatever works.
Thanks for sharing all of that great info.
I am supposed to take bacopa but I forget unless I’m feeling really stressed - fight or flight feeling. Also take something called Min-Tran which helps me focus - - which is a compound of calcium lactate, kelp, magnesium citrate, alfalfa, and calcium stearate. At night to sleep I take 4 calcium tablets, 4 L-Tryptophan, 2 camomile tea bags steeped, and other calcium specifically for my osteoporosis. (I’m only 62 and was really surprised that my scans showed that.)
I’m going to check out the other info you shared - especially the mental clarity and muscle strength herbs.
Bacopa and Gotu Kola together are better than either alone; toss in some Vacha and a little cardamom, and you’ve got a good formula. It’s amazing how using herbs together makes for more balance and strength, generally speaking.
I posted a lot of info about dealing with respiratory conditions above, too. I have a lot more to put up, keep thinking of stuff but have only so much time.
Lung and Breathing Support
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3735908/posts?page=316#316
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3735908/posts?page=322#322
Several of the KSM 66 formulations contain both the whole powder and the extract in about a 3 to 1 ratio. The one I use has that ratio.
Excellent! Thank you for the thread!
I have long searched for remedies for symptoms of hyperthyroid Graves disease, and am currently using Motherwort tincture mixed in water. I use Herb Pharm Motherwort. My dosage of Methimazole has gone down over time from 10mg a day to 5mg every other day. Very pleased, and my goiter has also shrunk a bit. No longer difficult to swallow. My [standard] doctor said it was fine for me to use this.
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