Showing posts with label natural health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label natural health. Show all posts

Friday, March 16, 2012

Migraines--Follow Up!

I have suffered from migraines for many years. You may have read my first post on migraines a couple of years ago. I would like to share a compilation of the info I have accumulated thus far on my journey, in case it may help someone out there...




Weather-related Migraines.
Combination salt tablets (I use Dr. Schussler's) are amazing at preventing many of my migraines, especially the weather-related ones. I take four under my tongue per day (I stay on these all the time, every day). If I know there is a weather pressure system coming or if I feel the beginning stages of a migraine, I take four more tablets in about an hour. It is also recommended to take BioStrath drops every day to aid in the absorption of the tissue salt tablets. I stay on these drops every day just as one would a multi-vitamin.


Another help to me has been my neti pot. I put 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and 1 tablespoon aloe vera juice (to lubricate) into one cup of filtered, boiled and cooled water. You need double recipe to do both sides. You can watch how to do this here. Neti pot helps to keep sinuses clear so there is not so much pressure to cause a migraine when the barometric pressure gets intense or otherwise.


I do have medication (sumatriptan) from my medical doctor to take if I happen to get one, because if I don't ward it off right away, I start vomiting and cannot stop.


From the pharmacist, I learned that migraine medication actually contains very strong salt, among other things. This was interesting in light of the helpful, natural salt tablets!


Hormonal Migraines.
Another help I have found for my hormonal migraines is magnesium bisglycinate. This was on advice from my naturopathic doctor, and has cut down most, if not all, my hormonal migraines. Just two a day. Chasteberry is another herbal help. I am planning to get some tests done soon to see if I'm low on estrogen.


Stress-related Migraines.
Another huge help to me has been Stott Pilates exercise. Any exercise will help, but Pilates involves stretching muscles we tend to forget we have. We carry stress in many areas of our bodies, and we can forget those areas. So I find that a good Pilates workout helps me to release those areas and this releases toxins. Learning to utilize stretching, even throughout the day, helps a lot. Example: Concentrate on stretching the shoulders when you realize you are tense.


Note: I do not recommend yoga or acupuncture. Some have claimed benefits from these. However it's my understanding that intermediate to advanced yoga leads you into meditation and anti-God worship, and acupuncture is also an avenue for demonic oppression. You can read more about potential demonic entry points here.


The Role of Your Gut.
The role of your gut is important to consider. You are not healthy if you are not having two, preferably three, bowel movements a day. And, not to be gross, but those BMs should float, not sink to the bottom of the toilet. So if this is not true for you, the first and foremost thing you should do is to focus on drinking more water. We always hear it, but it's true. There is no better thing you can do for your body than to drink at least eight tall glasses of water per day. One thing that has helped me with this is to get a water bottle and figure out how many of those I need to drink in one day. You should be drinking half your body weight (pounds) in ounces (i.e., if you weigh 100, you should drink 50 ounces of water per day).


You should also consider getting on a very high count of pro-biotics. It should be one with 50 billion cultures per capsule. These can usually only be found, refrigerated, at a local health food store. (It's usually better to go to a privately owned store, not a commercialized chain such as GNC. I get most of my natural health supplements at Maya Natural Health store in Woodstock, Ontario. Secondarily, I shop at Zehr's in the natural foods section, because sometimes they have the same products at a lower price.)


Another helpful benefit (again, not to be gross!), is coffee or plain water enemas. If you massage and block off the part that goes into your stomach, and allow the water to back up to that point, you can dump the toxins in your pancreas. You'd be amazed how you feel after a coffee enema! Just don't do it in the afternoon or evening... You won't sleep that night!


The Role of Your Neck.
Another thing that has greatly helped me is chiropractic care. A good chiropractor will not take you quickly "in-and-out" of his/her office, but will carefully spend time and seek to find the source of your pain, rather than just treating the symptom of pain. He/she will methodically adjust the whole spine, including the top vertebrae (C1 and C2)--I think it feels as if they are actually in your skull! I also sleep on a "water" pillow from the chiropractor now and use a horseshoe shaped pillow for when I'm on the laptop in the recliner--I have to be very careful with that! Anything being out can definitely cause migraines, but especially the top vertebrae. Click here for an explanation of chiropractic care and a diagram of the spine.


A friend of mine (Chandra) shared: 
My [chiropractic] x-ray showed I had a "head forward position." Instead of curving like a banana, my neck was completely straight. We started going three times a week ... and within THAT WEEK my migraines were gone! I was at the point of having several migraines a week. With three kiddos, it was not fun. I would get migraines when the weather changed, when the time of the month came, and any other time it just wanted to rear its ugly head. I have not had so much as a Tylenol with this pregnancy!! I have been migraine free for almost one year!! I honestly cannot believe the difference it has made. We still try to go two times a week, but sometimes just can't make it. But even if I do miss a week I have not had one reoccur, which to me is a miracle!! 


Calendar and Food Diary.
There are so many paths on the road to alleviating migraines! The first thing to begin doing is to keep track of your migraines on a calendar so that you can begin to see if there is a pattern. You may even need to keep a food diary in order to pinpoint any food allergies you may have.


I know how you feel! If you need to talk to someone who's been there, message me. I understand, and I will pray for you!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Amazing Grapefruit Seed Extract

I have been a believer in natural supplements for as long as I can remember. They are just what they are called: "supplements" to eating well.

While I'll admit I'm still working on the "eating well" part, I love the product GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract)! It has many amazing benefits. I have cured many a cold and sore throat with GSE. I think one of the greatest things about it is that grapefruit seed-extract remains effective even if the cause of an infection is unidentified, misdiagnosed, or unknown.


In my struggle against candida (yeast overgrowth in the blood), I enjoy the info from Sarah at her Candida and Food blog. Recently Sarah reviewed GSE and listed many household and personal uses that are, of course, all natural! No worries about synthetic ingredients.

You can read the entire post here. However I wanted to let you know some of the benefits right here:

Suggested Uses For Grapefruit Seed Extract

CAUTION: ALWAYS DILUTE! Do not use full strength. Do not put in eyes. Avoid all contact with sensitive areas. May cause irritation if used full strength on skin. If full strength contact or irritation occurs, flush with water for at least 10 minutes. Irritation is temporary and may last up to 48 hours. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Internal Uses

Internal Use: (Never use full strength)

Orally. Adults, mix 1-5 drops of Maximum GSE into a glass of water or juice (5 oz. or more), 1-3 times daily, with or without meals. Children (5 years and older), 1-3 drops mixed into a glass of water or juice (5 oz. or more), 1-2 times daily, with or without meals. Do not use full strength in mouth.

Throat Gargle. Stir 1 drop of Maximum GSE into a small glass of water (3 oz. or more). Gargle several times. Use as often as needed. Always dilute.

Ear Rinse. Thoroughly mix 1 drop of Maximum GSE with 1 oz. of glycerin or alcohol. Apply 1-2 drops of this solution in affected ear 1-2 times daily. Use as often as needed. Do not use full strength in ears.

Nasal Rinse. (adults only) Mix 1 drop of Maximum GSE with 6 oz. of water. Use one full eye dropper of the mixed solution per nostril. Tilt your head backward and release the solution from the dropper into your nose. Swing head forward and down (head is now upside down) to force solution up into the nasal passages. Return head to the normal upright position and allow nasal passages to drain. Do not inhale through the nose during this process. Always dilute.

Vaginal Rinse. Mix 3-5 drops of Maximum GSE with 6-8 oz. of water. Douche once daily for one week or as directed by a healthcare professional. Always dilute.

External Uses

External Use: (Never use full strength)

Facial Cleanser. Thoroughly moisten (splash) face with warm or cool water. With hands still wet, apply 2-3 drops of Maximum GSE to fingertips and gently massage facial area with circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and pat dry. A tingling sensation may follow. This is an indication of the deep cleansing properties of Maximum GSE. Always dilute.

Skin Rinse. (minor skin irritations) Dilute 1-3 drops of Maximum GSE with 1 tablespoon of water. Apply this solution directly to affected area twice daily. Do not use full strength on skin.

Nail Treatment. Dilute 1-3 drops of Maximum GSE with 1 tablespoon of water or alcohol. Apply this solution directly on surface of nail along the cuticle and underneath the front of nail, or soak nails, twice daily for as long as desired. Do not use full strength on nails.

Scalp Treatment. Add 2-4 drops of Maximum GSE to each shampooing (mix in hand or on head with shampoo). Massage into scalp and leave on for at least 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Household Uses

Toothbrush Cleaner. Stir 2-4 drops of Maximum GSE into a glass of water. Immerse toothbrush for 15 minutes (or leave in between uses). Rinse toothbrush before using. Change water and remix every few days.

Vegetable/Fruit or Meat/Poultry Wash. Sink washing - Add 20 or more drops of Maximum GSE to a sink full of cold water. Briefly soak any vegetables, fruit, meat, or poultry. Rinse if desired. Spray washing - Add 10 or more drops of Maximum GSE to a 32 oz. pump sprayer bottle filled with water. Spray on any vegetables, fruit, meat, or poultry. Rinse if desired.

Dish and Utensil Cleaning Additive. Add 10-20 drops of Maximum GSE to sink dishwashing water or to final rinse. Add 10-20 drops to automatic dishwasher with detergent or to final rinse.

Cutting Board Cleaner. Apply 5-10 drops of Maximum GSE to cutting board and work into entire board with a wet sponge or dish cloth. Leave on for at least 30 minutes. Rinse with water.

All Purpose Cleaner. Add 15-30 drops of Maximum GSE to any 32 oz. pump sprayer bottle filled with water or cleanser. Use on all surfaces around the house.



Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in healtheven as thy soul prospereth. ~ III John 2



*I was not compensated for reviewing GSE.
**This list of uses as well as the photo of GSE was copied from Sarah at Candida and Food.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Bread Alternative

I just tried this and it's good... albeit different. It's from my Yeast Connection Cookbook.

Yeast-free, Egg-free Buckwheat Cakes/Flatbread
1 C buckwheat flour
1 tsp sea salt (optional)
(I added a pinch of fructose... optional.)
1 to 1 1/2 C water (or more if needed to make batter thinner)
1 Tb oil

Make on griddle as pancakes on medium heat. (Don't forget to oil the griddle/fry pan.) These cook very quickly because they are very flat and thin. Flip each when bubble-holes form.

Use as bread for sandwiches for brown-bagging, or serve for breakfast with fresh fruit and yogurt on top... maybe even with maple syrup or honey!

Use wherever you would use bread.

I made an open-face sandwich snack with deli chicken (Naturals brand--no preservatives) and brown mustard on one buckwheat cake. Delicious!

P.S. I stored them between wax paper (saved from cereal boxes!) in a pita bread bag I already had. :)

Raising Homemakers

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Finally Free: The Answer to My Migraines





I've suffered from migraines for years--since I was a teenager! This fall God gave me the answer! I wanted to share with you the all-natural products I'm taking that have taken away the migraines. I've been on them for a month, and the results have been amazing! Praise the Lord! Even when I didn't have a migraine, my head always felt a thickness or tightening in the back, and I normally had a general "yucky" feeling with little energy--especially in the morning. Even that is gone!

I went to our local health food store and "randomly" went up to a worker who was not already helping someone. Lillian had suffered migraines for 30 years herself and had just this spring started these products. She has not had a migraine since! I truly believe that God led me to Lillian!


1. Bio-Strath drops (30 drops/1 ml, 3-4x/day before meals) -- This is like an herbal "multi-vitamin" supplement that boosts your immune system and helps you absorb the second product, listed below. The drops contain filtered herbal yeast plasmolysate (prepared in Switzerland, distributed by BioForce, Montreal, Canada) Cost $25CDN for 100 ml. Available here.

2. Dr. Schuessler's Combination 12: Salt H13-6x (2 tablets under the tongue 3-4x/day before meals) -- Also referred to as tissue salts, these contain 12 different kinds of cell salts that your body tissues absorb. Each tablet contains 6x of each of the following salts: calcium floride, dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, ferric phosphate, potassium choride, monobasic potassium phosphate, potassium sulfate, dibasic magnesium phosphate, sodium choride, dibasic sodium phosphate, sodium sulfate, silicon dioxide. (Distributed by Robert & Fils, Montreal, Canada) Cost $12.20CDN for 120 tablets. This was the main key to getting rid of the migraines! Read about them here and here. It is available in another format here.

3. A.Vogel's Avenaforce: (15 drops 3x/day) -- Fresh organically grown flowering oats (avena sativa) herb tincture, 427 mg. (Manufactured by Bioforce AG, Switzerland; distributed by Bioforce Canada, Inc., Montreal, Canada). I take this only if the weather is crazy--if a pressure system is coming through, it's rainy, or there has been a drastic change in the weather. Available here.

If you're not in Canada, I'd suggest printing this off and taking it to your local natural health food store (not a commercialized one like GNC). Ask them if they have these products, can order them for you, or if they have something comparable. If these don't work, I encourage you to keep searching for YOUR answer. With natural products you have to be willing to do it by trial and error.

If you go the medical route, they tend to only treat the symptom (the pain) and you just end up with stronger meds each time, which can become addictive, and after years, will hurt your liver. (Lillian now has liver problems due to all the meds she took to try to alleviate migraine pain.) Traditional medicine certainly has its place for serious issues, but in my opinion, it's much better to go natural when you can... use what God created to make you well.

If you are helped by these products, please comment and let me know!
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