Step 3: Reverse Vitamin Deficiency
Parasites and Vitamin deficiency go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Not only can having parasites lead to a deficiency, if you’re already vitamin-deficient, you will be vulnerable to a host of health problems including parasitic infestation.
Parasites feed off human blood, extracting vital nutrients. And not only do they burrow in our intestinal walls, some parasites cause diarrhea, making it difficult for our bodies to absorb nutrients.
It is a well-documented fact that parasites cause specific vitamin deficiencies.
Diphyllobothrium latum for example – commonly referred to as fish or broad tapeworm – can deplete your body of half its vitamin B12, an essential resource for the proper functioning of your central nervous system, muscle coordination, and memory.
Unfortunately, many of us are already vitamin deficient due to our Standard American Diet of processed, fake, and junk foods. Add to this the fact that modern food refining destroys much of the goodness in the foods we eat, and you’ve set yourself up for a potentially vicious cycle of infestation, deficiency, and re-infestation.
At some point in their lives, everyone on the planet will require extra vitamins and minerals to compensate for deficiencies; if you’ve got parasites, the time to incorporate a multi-vitamin into your daily regimen is now!
Advanced vitamin supplementation is the foundation of good health, and can work to help prevent parasitic infestations.
With a strong multi-vitamin in your corner, your body will be able to recuperate from a parasitic attack, and build up its immune system to prevent future infestations.
Step 2: Increase Your Fiber Intake
The key to managing parasitic infestation is prevention; the sooner you make dietary changes that will help to keep you cleansed and clear of waste, the less opportunity there will be for parasites to settle into the impacted waste within your colon.
Fiber helps keep your bowels regulated by increasing your transit time, which in turn keeps your colon clear of the waste build-up associated parasitic infestation.
Increase your fiber intake by eating more fiber-rich foods, and make up for low-fiber days with a high-quality fiber supplement. A dietary supplement containing psyllium is one of several excellent ways to increase fiber, and it tends to produce less gas than some high-fiber foods.
Learn about both traditional and more exotic foods that are filled with non-soluble and soluble fiber, as well as how to incorporate them into your diet.
Print out a fiber chart so you’ll know exactly how many grams of fiber per serving that various foods have to offer.
Although in some countries people reportedly consume over seventy grams of fiber each day, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for fiber in the United States is 25 – 30 grams.
An increase in fiber creates softer, bulkier stool, which moves more easily through your digestive system, flushing out parasites, mucus, and toxins on a daily basis.
The result is a cleaned and toned colon, which makes for a less hospitable place for parasites to move in, and take over.
Increased fiber intake is also linked to weight loss and many other health benefits.
Step 1: Herbal Colon Cleansing
One of the most effective ways to begin ridding yourself of parasites is with a detoxification of your entire body, starting with your colon.
Colonic irrigation and herbal cleansing can help to remove parasites, mucus, and toxins that have built up in your colon.
Everyone has parasites.
They love life in the human colon because they thrive on human waste. So why not use common sense wisdom and clean up our colons regularly with colon cleanses?
By flushing out waste, passing stool is easier, transit times are improved, the unlucky parasites will have less time to take their foothold, and there will be nothing left for them to feed on.
This means your body will become an inhospitable host, reducing the likelihood of further parasitic infestation.
Numerous societies around the globe use natural alternative medicines derived mainly from plants for treatment of common ailments. Herbs have been used for thousands of years because of their proven track record for successfully purging parasites from the body. They help to increase the wave-like motion in the colon that propels waste along, while at the same time toning colon muscles.
Many herbs are more effective, and easier on the system, when used in conjunction with other herbs. A cleansing program that combines a variety of herbs in order to purge parasites from the body is preferable.
Puristat’s colon cleanse is composed of 23 herbal ingredients including cascara sagrada, buckthorn bark, ginger root, cayenne pepper, psyllium husk, fennel seed, and rhubarb root – all highly effective for expelling parasites and their eggs.
These herbs also have analgesic properties that can help relieve the inflammation, constipation, nausea, abdominal cramping, bloating, flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach ache that often accompany an infestation.
Removing impurities also goes a long way toward helping your body absorb nutrients, enhancing energy levels, and increasing regularity…all necessary aspects of getting back on track after a parasitic infestation.
After cleansing your colon, it’s important to restore certain bacteria to prevent unhealthy bacteria from inhabiting the area. Probiotics are the good bacteria your system needs in order to restore its healthy flora.
It’s recommended you begin a cleanse with considerably less than the suggested dosage if you’re elderly. For example, one half to one tablet the first day, increasing daily until you regularly produce one to three bowel movements per day.
Parasites
Parasites range from the stuff of late night horror shows – measuring in at several feet long – to those that are invisible to the naked eye and while they are fond of the colon, this is not the only place parasites can be found. Just about any part of our body is vulnerable to infestation: the lungs, liver, esophagus, brain, blood, muscles, joints, skin…and even our eyes!
In fact, almost everyone has parasites. It’s simply a fact of life.
Even Dr. Oz says…”90% of humans will have a problem with parasites at some point during their lifetime.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies parasites as among the 6 most dangerous diseases that infect humans.
Parasites even outrank cancer as the number one global killer, and account for many of the digestive woes from which people suffer. In the United States alone, one-third of nearly six thousand fecal specimens tested, came back positive for at least nineteen species of intestinal parasites.
Creepy.
So how do you know if you are infected?
Sometimes you can be infected without having any symptoms; however, there are often signs, including:
- Allergies to many different types of foods
- Anemia (low red blood count)
- Bloating/abdominal swelling
- Bloody stools
- Bouts of diarrhea and inconsistent bowel habits
- Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus)
- Feeling tired or Run down
- Flu-like symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and fever
- Foul-smelling stools that get worse in the afternoon and evening
- Gas and cramping
- Itching around the anus, especially at night.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss with a ravenous appetite
Accepting the fact that parasites are nearly unavoidable, as well as recognizing the kinds of environments parasites enjoy and how they are transmitted, is the key to ridding yourself of them, and preventing further infestations.
First, it’s important to flush out your gastrointestinal (GI) system; a clean, hydrated, and toned colon goes a long way toward discouraging parasites to make their home in your intestines.
Coping with parasites is best handled with a multi-pronged approach, which includes…
Step 1: Herbal Colon Cleansing
Step 2: Increase Your Fiber Intake
Step 3: Reverse Vitamin Deficiency
Step 4: Know Sources – Preventing Re-infestation
Treatment Options:
Conventional medical treatments can get rid parasites more quickly. Alternative treatments may be helpful along with conventional medications. However, your health care provider must find out what kind of organism is causing your problems before you start treatments. They will choose the drug that is most effective against your intestinal parasite. You may need one dose, or you may have to take the medication for several weeks. Be careful to take the medicine exactly as it is prescribed, or it may not work.
Pinworms: are found only in humans and account for the largest percentage of intestinal worm infections in the U.S. Getting rid of pinworm isn’t easy, but it can be done. To get rid of pinworms, you should wash your hands regularly to avoid ingesting pinworm eggs. If pinworm infection is detected by your doctor, or noticed in the stool, you should seek an over-the-counter treatment like Reese’s Pinworm Medicine or get a prescription from your doctor for Vermox, the most common prescription given for pinworm infections.
Roundworms: are large worms about as thick as a spaghetti noodle and roughly 4-13 inches long at maturity. Roundworm is an intestinal worm found in both dogs and cats. The life cycle is complicated, and in order to get rid of roundworm completely, one must interrupt this life cycle. Usually this is done with three to four treatments of a pyrantel pamoate based medicine over a month long period. It is repeated once every week to ensure that both mature and migrating adolescent roundworms are destroyed.
Hookworms: are yet another worm that is most commonly found in pets in the U.S., but account for almost 800 million intestinal worm infections in the human population worldwide. To get rid of hookworms, mebendazole or albendazole are used the most often and require a prescription by a doctor to obtain. Hookworm medication in humans is usually taken twice a day for three days. In dogs and cats, hookworm anthelmintic is taken once every week for 2-3 weeks to ensure that the hookworm life cycle is disrupted.
Tapeworms: are found in both humans and animals, it is rare for humans to get tapeworm. A tapeworm problem is synonymous with a flea problem, since ingestion of the tapeworm eggs by fleas and then ingestion of the fleas is required to become infected. To get rid of tapeworms, you must get rid of fleas. Usually treatment for both fleas and tapeworms are administered together. The tapeworm infested individual (be they human or pet) is given a dewormer, and their environment is treated with either Nylar or Methoprene tocontrol fleas.
Ringworm: isn’t actually a worm at all. Ringworm is caused by a fungus and is given its name because of the ring-shaped rash it causes when a person is infected. Ringworm is similar toathlete’s foot with regard to the family of fungus that causes it. To get rid of ringworm, many people suggest dabbing bleach on the skin and then wiping it clean to ensure you don’t give yourself a chemical burn. Essentially, an astringent or topical antiseptic like those used to treat athletes foot may also be used to treat ringworms. Antifungal medications and topical treatments are similarly used to treat pets, but spores may persist and cause recurring infections.
And Finally,
Remember these simple things can help:
- Avoid simple carbohydrates, such as those found in refined foods, fruits, juices, dairy products, and all sugars, except honey.
- Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system.
- Eat More RAW: Garlic, Pumpkin seeds, Pomegranates, Beets, and Carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to kill parasites. In one study, researchers found that a mixture of honey and papaya seeds cleared stools of parasites in 23 out of 30 subjects.
- Eat more fiber, which help get rid of worms.
- Probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacilus plantarum, Saccharomyces boulardii, and bifidobacteria, one to two times per day between meals) help keep your digestive tract healthy. Digestive enzymes will help restore your intestinal tract to its normal state, which makes it inhospitable to parasites. Papain is an enzyme from the papaya plant that may help kill worms when taken 30 minutes before or after meals.
- Vitamin C (250 – 500 mg two times a day) or, if well-tolerated, much higher doses of up to 6,000 mg per day in otherwise healthy adults — supports the immune system. Lower vitamin C dose if diarrhea develops.
- Zinc (20 – 30 mg per day) — also helps support the immune system.
- Regular colon cleansings are a must since most water sources are located near human habitation, and are therefore likely infested with parasites.
- Supplement your diet with a high-grade multi-vitamin to ensure adequate vitamin, mineral, and nutrient intake, and to combat the resulting deficiency from parasitic infestation.
- Show caution when drinking and/or swimming in unfamiliar water sources.
- Wear protective clothing when exposed to bloodsucking insects.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables in clean water before eating to prevent roundworm and whipworm infection. Add a few ounces of over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide and/or mild soap to increase the parasite-killing activity of water.
- Wear shoes or slippers to prevent hookworm infection.
- Do not use water from septic tanks or other potentially contaminated sources for watering vegetables.
- Contain all waste matter in an outdoor toilet or latrine rather than going as nature intended outdoors.
- Children are particularly susceptible to parasites, and often harbor the largest number of worms. Teach them proper hygiene, such as hand washing (including using a nail brush) after going to the toilet, playing outside, or before preparing or eating food.
- Properly wash bed sheets, towels and clothes with disinfectants.
- Do Not let your child to play in sands and soils.
Natural Treatment of Worms in Children:
Garlic:
Add cloves to as many of your meals as you can. These will not kill the worms themselves but will kill the eggs, which can help keep your problem under control.
Tomatoes:
Eat tomatoes in the morning on an empty stomach to clear worms from your intestines.
Carrots:
Before normal breakfast, give one cup of grated carrot to your child early in the morning. This treatment works well for removal of threadworms. Continue with this treatment for 4 to 5 days.
Wormwood Oil Treatment:
Mix 2 milliliters of wormwood oil with 4 oz of water. Take a small child-sized bulb syringe and fill it with this solution and rinse out the rectal area. The solution will kill the worms.
Fruit Fast:
It is very difficult to change the diets of children completely for an extended period of time. Provide large amount of pineapples, cranberries and papaya to your child for a period of 3 to 4 days. Pineapples, cranberries and papayas are known to kill tapeworms in the body.
Papaya Juice:
Mix well one teaspoon of papaya juice and one teaspoon of honey. Provide this mixture to the child for drinking purpose. You can also give mixture of papaya juice and honey with a glass of the following. Combine 8-oz glass of warm milk and 1 teaspoon of Castor oil. Make sure that your child has consumed whole glass. This treatment is extremely effective to get rid of roundworms.
Pumpkin Seed:
Before giving the pumpkin seed treatment, provide prune juice to your child to cleanse his body as it expel any matter from the child’s intestine. Properly crush 1 tablespoon of skinned pumpkin seeds and mix it in 1 cup of boiling water. Cool this mixture and give it to child for drinking. Provide 3 to 4 cupfuls of this mixture to the child in a day. Eating pumpkin seeds throughout the day helps to get rid of a wide variety of parasites.
Other treatments:
- In cotton gauze, wrap a clove and garlic and insert it into the anus of child.
- Mix well senna and cayenne powder with 2 tablespoon of plain yogurt and give this mixture to your child. To improve the taste, you can add cinnamon in small quantities.
- To repopulate the intestine with healthy protective bacteria, provide your child an acidophilus tablet every day for a month.
- Crush the lemon seeds and mix them well with honey and have your child consume the mixture. Give this mixture every day to your child for five days.
Natural Treatment of Worms in Adults:
Artemisia:
Both mugwort and wormwood are used as anthelmintic remedies in European and Chinese herbalism. Their aromatic oils and bitter principles are effective against a broad-spectrum of species of intestinal worms. They are among the most versatile of the natural vermifuges. They are extremely bitter, making them unpalatable for children and many adults unless taken in capsule form.
Black Walnuts:
Tincture made from the aromatic fresh, green hulls of the black walnut is perhaps the best-known of anti-parasitic remedies. They become richer in elemental iodine as they age, losing much of their potency and staining all they touch a dark color. The vermifugal properties of the hulls are due to the combination of both the natural iodine and aromatic oils. Although more economical, the dried, encapsulated herb is not as effective as the tincture.
Pumpkin Seeds:
Although artemisia species and black walnut hulls are effective against most intestinal worm species, tapeworms can often prove resistant. If a tapeworm infestation cannot be eliminated with other other remedies, it may be possible to remove them with pumpkin seeds. Like mugwort and wormwood, pumpkin seeds have a long history of use as anti-parasitic herb in Chinese medicine. They are still one of the gentlest and most effective of natural treatments.
Cloves
Cloves are ineffective in expelling mature intestinal worms. They are, however, the only natural remedy for killing the eggs of intestinal worms. Since many parasites will not hatch when there are poisons in the intestinal environment, it can be difficult to get rid of them with a single cycle of the remedies above; at least two cycles of treatment are usually required. The co-administration of cloves with either artemisia or black walnut, however, can often eliminate the need for multiple courses of treatment.
Warning:
Do not try to rid yourself of any type of parasitic worm without your doctor’s input. All worms are not the same, and infections exist at different levels of severity.
Garlic
This common seasoning has been used as medicine in many cultures for more than 3,000 years.
Garlic inhabits at least 2 of the enzymes involved in the production of cholesterol by the liver, thus lowering cholesterol synthesis.
Not only is delicious and aromatic but it is an anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulating, antimicrobial. Microbes, including the fungi that infect the skin.
Also garlic has remarkable antibiotic and anti-fungal properties that can heal many types of health disorders, including vaginal infections (no matter what there cause may be from), lyme disease and even prevents cancer.
Because garlic can irritate the skin, dilute it in olive oil. Mash or blend a clove with about 2 tsp. and apply paste to skin. Remove after an hour.
For fungi that infect the skin such as, athlete’s foot, jock inch, ringworm create a garlic infused oil by adding 4 garlic cloves, crushed to a jar or air tight glass container, that has 1/4 cup olive oil in it. Let stand at room temp for about 3 days, strain and store in the frig for up to 6 months. Apply the oil to the skin 2-3 times day.
For intestinal parasites such as giardia and amoebas, and worms such as hookworm, tapeworm, pinworm and even roundworm. Include 2-3 raw cloves in your diet day.
The use of crushed up Garlic as a means to kill off infections is a great remedy.
Any cuts or wounds on your skin that seem like they are getting infected should be rubbed with crushed up garlic , dilute with about 1 tsp olive oil if need be. Leave it on for no more than 10 minutes at a time…but do on and off until the infection is gone. While your body heals it should always remain red looking until the new layer of skin has returned fully. Larger cuts or wounds sometimes are prone to getting infected.
For the most part the infections are never big, but if left unattended there is a chance that they could become dangerous…
Garlic is also known to possess many beneficial properties that improve overall health, along with lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol.
Garlic contains substances that discourage platelets from sticking together. Not only will consumption gradually reduce blood clot occurrences but will in time, prevent blood clots altogether. Garlic breaks down fibrin-based clots, which form into stroke causing emboli. Just include 1-3 cloves of garlic in your diet daily. Eat raw or cook as little as possible.
It also helps with pneumonia as well as helping with angina, which is a pain that occurs when the heart isn’t getting enough oxygen and it is used to treat bronchitis and asthma.
The anti-inflammatory substance quercetin, helps calm the allergic response during hay fever season.
Garlic is actually a very potent antibacterial and antiviral agent that helps ward off sinusitis.
It is also believed by some researchers, that garlic will help bring down triglyceride levels. A triglyceride is a glyceride that occurs naturally in tissues and consists of three fatty acids that are bound together in a single molecule. They are an important energy source forming much of the fat stored in the body.
Having trouble stomaching raw garlic?
Try thinly slicing it.
I’ll wrap it in string cheese, add it to a slice of pizza, or put it on a salad… My favorite way to eat Garlic is thinly sliced in a grilled cheese sandwich. You could always try to marinate it in a combination of equal parts honey and fresh lemon juice and cover. Store in frig for up to 2 days. Eat 1-2 tsp 3 or 4 times a day.
Either way, get it in your diet!!!
Word of Caution:
May inter act with Anticoagulant drugs.
Consult your doctor if you have stomach inflammation, take warfarin or other blood thinners, or expect to have a surgery soon.
Also when treating vaginal infections it takes 5-10 days. Then add yogurt to your diet to balance back out your PH.
Also may cause heartburn and/or flatulence.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses the power of scents.
Even the best of the best doctors don’t know the full power of smell and its effect on the brain, but what they do know is that there are great health benefits to aromatherapy.
Bath and Beyond
Bath Bags
Bath Oils
Bath Salts
Bubble Baths
Ice Packs
Milk Baths
Perfumes
Sachets
Soaps
How to make Eucalyptus Teas
Dried Eucalyptus Tea Recipe
- 1 cup boiling Water
- 1/2 tsp. dried Eucalyptus Leaves
- Honey, to taste
To make eucalyptus tea, pour boiling water over dried eucalyptus leaves. Cover and steep for 10 minutes; strain. Sweeten with honey, to taste. You can drink up to 2 – 3 cups a day.
However, Eucalyptus tea made of dried eucalyptus leaves has lost most of its healing power and should be avoided as herbal medicine. Instead it’s best to cut small branches with a few dozen fresh leaves and keep this fresh branches in a vase with water to prevent drying of the leaves.
Fresh Eucalyptus Tea Recipe
Take a single leave, break the eucalyptus leave into small pieces or cut it in to pieces, put in a large cup, add hot water and let rest for about 4-6 minutes – then add honey or brown sugar. The bits of leaf should then be strained and discarded. Take care not to ingest the eucalyptus oil directly, as it is extremely strong and somewhat volatile. Then drink in small sips while hot.
You can drink one or 2 cups of eucalyptus tea just for fun or as preventive medicine. If you have a cough, then you drink 4-5 large cups per day.
Caution: In large doses eucalyptus can cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Do not use more than 1/2 teaspoon per cup of water.
Herbal Tea Recipe for Asthma & Bronchitis
- 1 1/2 ounce dried eucalyptus leaves
- 1 ounce dried coltsfoot leaves
- 1 ounce dried thyme leaves
Use one teaspoon of this herbal mixture per cup of boiling water. Make this tea mixture to help open a tight respiratory tract and congested lungs. The herbal ingredients in this tea are known for their antispasmodic and disinfectant properties.
Herbal Tea Recipe for Acne
- 1 ounce dried eucalyptus leaves
- 1 ounce dried dandelion roots and leaves mixture
- 3/4 ounce dried licorice root
- 3/4 ounce fennel seeds
Use 1 teaspoon of this herbal mixture per cup of boiling water. You can drink this herbal tea as prescribed above, or use it as a facial wash. Either way, it is effective in healing such skin conditions as acne.
Eucalyptus Tea Recipe for Head Colds
- 1/2 ounce dried eucalyptus leaves
- 1 ounce dried peppermint leaves
- 1/2 ounce dried chamomile flowers
Use 1 teaspoon of this herbal mixture per cup of boiling water. Sweeten with honey to taste. These herbs are prescribed for their decongestants and expectorant effects. Eucalyptus is antiseptic, as well, and is very helpful for a head cold, sinus congestion and the flu.
Uses of Eucalyptus
How to make Eucalyptus Oil from Scratch
Eucalyptus Uses:
There are many medicinal benefits of Eucalyptus Oil and it is most commonly used in chest rubs, decongestants, cough remedies and muscle & joint ointments.
- Eucalyptus Oil is most commonly used as decongestants. You can put 4-5 drops of eucalyptus oil in a hot compress and apply on the chest. You can also mix 2 drops of Eucalyptus oil in 2 teaspoons of carrier oil and apply as a chest rub.
- You can also use Eucalyptus oil to clear the nasal passages, by putting a few drops (2-3) of Eucalyptus oil to a steam inhalation. You can also apply a few drops to a handkerchief and inhale. Eucalyptus oil has is often compared to menthol because it helps to get rid of nasal congestion.
- It is also used to purify a sickroom during illness. You can make a spray by adding 20-25 drops of eucalyptus oil to 300ml of water. Shake the spray properly before each use. This can be sprayed directly into the room to kill the germs.
- Eucalyptus Oil is also used as a muscle or joint rub. Mix 3 drops of Eucalyptus oil, 2 drops of lavender oil, and 2 drops of Roman Chamomile to 2 teaspoons of carrier oil and apply on the joints for a soothing effect.
- It is also used to keep insects and bugs at bay. Add 3 drops of Eucalyptus oil, 3 drops of lavender oil & 3 drops of Basil and use as an oil vaporizer or diffuser.
- It is often used by athletes to help relieve muscle soreness. It has a warming effect on the skin and muscles, and relieves pain.
- It is also used as a local application for ulcers and sores. 1 OZ. of eucalyptus oil should be added to 1 pint of lukewarm water.
- Its fluid extract is used internally in cases of scarlet fever, typhoid and intermittent fever.
- It is also used as a natural antibacterial spray that can be used in kitchen and bathroom. Add 15 drops of Eucalyptus oil, 30 drops of Tea Tree oil and 20 drops of Lemon to half a litre of water and store in a plant sprayer. Shake well before each use. But remember to dry the surface thoroughly before preparing food, if you have sprayed this solution. However it is not suitable for use on polished wood. Shake it properly before every use.
- It can also be used to remove tar from clothes. Apply a few drops of Eucalyptus oil to the area and wipe the tar gently using a clean cloth.
- It is also used to treat Greenfly and Blackfly infestations on plants.
- It is also commonly used in veterinary practice. It is used for parasitic skin infections. And it is given to horses in influenza, to dogs in distemper and to all animals in septicaemia.
- Eucalyptus oil is one of the ingredients of catheder oil, that is used for sterilizing and lubricating urethral catheters.
- When suffering from croup or spasmodic throat troubles, the oil can be freely applied externally.
- Eucalyptus leaves can be used in potpourris, skin lotions and herbal bath.Its oil has a pleasant aroma and cooling properties. You can diffuse Eucalyptus into the air, for a refreshing smell.
- Eucalyptus Oil is sometimes used as a stimulant and antiseptic gargle.
- The antiseptic properties of eucalyptus oil confer some anti-malarial action, but it cannot take the place of Cinchona.
- Eucalyptus is amoung those herbs that detoxify and cleanse the kidneys and liver, helping these organs to function efficiently, which in turn benefits the skin. Drinking 3 cups of eucalyptus tea a day can clear up acne and minor bacterial infections. =
- The tissue-constricting tannins in eucalyptus make it an effective remedy for bleeding gums. Rinse with the tea two to three time daily.
- Bronchitis and sinus congestion can be eased by inhaling the steam from eucalyptus tea. Pour 1 quart of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of dried eucalyptus leaves., cover to seal in the volatile oil, and steep for 5 minutes. Drape a towel over your head and shoulders to form a tent over the tea. close your eyes and for 10 minutes, breathe in the steam. Use this facial steam daily until your symptoms abate.
- A traditional folk-medicine remedy, a eucalyptus compress is effective in treating painful joints, minor burns and sore muscles. the compress is particularly suitable for stiffness and swelling due to arthritis. Soak a clean cotton cloth in the cooled tea, wring out and apply 2 – 3 times a day for relief.
- Make a cup of healing eucalyptus tea from equal parts of dried eucalyptus leaves and dried calendula flowers. The tannins in eucalyptus help reduce inflammation while calendula soothes. Let the tea cool, and then use it as a gargle 2 – 3 times a day until symptoms subside.
Eucalyptus Tree
There are over 500 species of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). Some are the size of an ornamental shrub, and some grow to be giant trees.
(Silver Dollar Gum Eucalyptus Tree)
Large, round, silver leaves add a decorative touch to dried arrangements. Grow indoors and enjoy its air deodorizing effects.
The oil was used in traditional Aboriginal medicines to heal wounds and fungal infections. Eucalyptus is antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal and antipasmodic.
Teas made of eucalyptus leaves were also used to reduce fevers.
Although its oil has been used orally to treat some conditions, the oil is TOXIC when taken full strength and must be diluted for safety.
The diluted oil is taken by mouth for pain and swelling (inflammation) of respiratory tract mucous membranes, coughs, bronchitis, sinus pain and inflammation, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory infections.
It is also used as an expectorant to loosen coughs, antiseptic, fever reducer, and in vaporizer fluids. Other uses include treatment of wounds, burns, ulcers, and cancer.
Diluted eucalyptus oil is applied directly to the skin for pain and swelling of joints, genital herpes, and nasal stuffiness. Ointments containing eucalyptus are also applied to the nose and chest to relieve congestion. The oil helps loosen phlegm, so many people inhale eucalyptus steam to help treat bronchitis, coughs, and the flu. Laboratory studies showed that the oil contains substances that kill bacteria. It also may kill some viruses and fungi.
Herbalists often recommend using fresh leaves in teas and gargles to soothe sore throats and treat bronchitis and sinusitis. Eucalyptus leaf is used for infections, fever, upset stomach, and to help loosen coughs.
The leaf is also used for treating respiratory tract infections, whooping cough, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, osteoarthritis, joint pain (rheumatism), acne, wounds, poorly healing ulcers, burns, bacterial dysentery, ringworms, liver and gallbladder problems, loss of appetite and cancer.
Also being rich in cineole, an antiseptic that kills bacteria that can cause bad breath. Eucalyptus is used in some antiseptic mouthwashes, along with other oils, and the mouthwashes have been shown to help prevent plaque and gingivitis.
Caution:
Eucalyptus oil is generally safe when applied to the skin of adults. Don’ t apply eucalyptus oil, salve or chest rub to the face or nose of a child under 2. Do not give a child eucalyptus orally, as it is TOXIC. Do not give cough drops containing eucalyptus to children under 6. Ask your doctor before using eucalyptus oil as a chest rub for your child or to inhale steam for congestion.
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain components that can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care provider qualified in the field of botanical medicine.
People with asthma, seizure disorders, liver or kidney disease, and low blood pressure should not use eucalyptus without first talking to their doctors. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use eucalyptus.
Learn How to Identify Edible Plants
- Blueberries
- Ficus Trees
- Pear Trees
- Pecan Trees
- Strawberries
- Wheat
Free Adult Education
During my endless searching for free home schooling information for the kids, I came across an interesting site called Notre Dame OpenCourseWare
Notre Dame OCW is a free, open educational resource.
Because Notre Dame OCW does not grant credits or degrees, and does not provide access to faculty, there is no enrollment or registration process.
Another link I like is:
100 Best Websites for Free Adult Education
This site directs you everywhere.
At any rate, that is all I have found so far. When I come across something else cool again, I’ll keep you posted.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Bill and my Father made a trade yesterday. -laughs- We needed help putting in a hot water heater where we are currently staying. Bill is handy with many things but electricity is not one of them (he is partly color blind). So, we have been trying to find someone who could help us out… with very little luck. Finally I asked my Dad if he could help, he lives 45 minutes from where we are staying. I was in luck, he did have knowledge on how to change out a hot water heater and increase a 110 line to a 220. My Dad was doing some side job around his area and needed help removing a toilet (my Dad 58 hurt his back about 3 years back). So they made a trade.
Bill went out to help him yesterday and met the nicest Greek family of Scientists. She was a lead researcher of colon cancer and her husband did research in the radiation field for NASA. Apparently her research proved that in order for curtain types of cancer like colon cancer to grow, it needs something (as far as meats go) that is found only in beef. Bill said, that she must have said a hundred times that “Beef gives the cancer a Home, and Sugars Feed it.” Also it should be noted that the grease found in pizza will coat existing colon cancer(s), giving it a perfect breeding ground.
Then she stressed Vitamin C and lots of it. So you start with 4 tablets of vitamin c chewables with breakfast, 4 with lunch and 4 with dinner. The next day, 5 tablets with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Keep increasing the set by 1 day, until you start having to go to the bathroom within 5-15 minutes after taking it. That means your body is saturated. Then cut back one set of pills a day. Once the bathroom thing happens again, cut back again, one set of tablets a day. So on and so forth. Vitamin C does something interesting, it tricks cancer into feeling like it’s being fed by sugar when it’s really not.
Also, cancer can’t grow in oxygenated tissue. So all you smokers out there, both cigarette and weed smokers alike, you are increasing your chances every time you inhale.
Something else I found interesting was the conversation about Radiation. Apparently when we dropped bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki the radiation fallout from that, has spread world-wide. They spoke a lot about the government not telling the people about the amount of radiation that is pouring into our states… Especially in California. Literally our ground is covered in a layer of radiation. We send our children out to play this… The oceans we play in are radiated, the ground was walk on, and even the plants we eat. Microwaves, gas tube TV’s, cell phones, ceramic floor tiles… These things also cause a large amount of radiation.
That family went as far as asking their child to wear gloves and shoes when he goes out side to play.
Crazy right?
I don’t know if I would go as far as wearing gloves when we go outdoors but I don’t know what they know…
Does this make me reconsider a few things about my life style? Because I eat entirely too much sugar and beef and I walk around bare foot all the time.
Hmm…
Styes
Styes are commonly caused by a Staphylococcus aureus, bacterial infection, or by the blocking of an oil gland at the base of the eyelash.
Styes can be triggered by poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, lack of hygiene or rubbing of the eyes. Sharing of washcloths or face towels should be avoided to keep from spreading the infection between individuals. Styes can last from one or two weeks without treatment, or as little as four days if treated properly.
- The primary treatment for a stye is the application of warm compresses. As a part of home care, cleanse the affected eyelid with tap water and a mild, nonirritating soap (such as baby shampoo) to help clean off any crusted discharge. Cleansing must be done gently and while the eyes are closed to prevent eye injuries.
- DO NOT try to lance open the stye yourself, as serious infection can occur as a result. Causing the infection to spread to the surrounding tissues.
- Avoid eye makeup (e.g., eyeliner), lotions and wearing contact lenses, since these can aggravate and spread the infection (sometimes to the cornea). To prevent developing styes, it is recommended to never share cosmetics or cosmetic eye tools with others. It is recommended to remove makeup every night before going to sleep and discard old or contaminated eye makeup every 3-6 months.
- Proper hygiene is the best way to prevent a stye. By washing your hands properly you will reduce the risk of developing styes and other infections.
Boils
“A Boil (or furuncle) is a deep infective folliculitis (infection of the hair follicle). It is almost always caused by infection by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in the localized accumulation of pus (usually with a centralized core that must be eventually removed) and dead tissue. Individual boils can cluster together and form an interconnected network of boils called carbuncles.”
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boils
Boils for whatever reason one or another, are full of infection.
Applying heat pulls blood to the surface and increases the risk of spreading the infection already in the boil. Don’t squeeze it. It’s better to use the home remedies and have patience. If it does not clear up within a few days; go to a hospital.
- If you have a store near by that sells Indian groceries, buy turmeric in bulk, it’s inexpensive. Then either get empty capsules from a healthfood store and make your own (empty caps also not expensive), or to get the turmeric into you, make golden milk and drink it:
Golden Milk
1-2 tablespoons turmeric
2 cups milk (lactose intolerant- use rice milk)
1 tablespoon honey (molasses blackstrap, full of b-vitamins and iron)
Heat milk till it’s warm, not boiling, and add turmeric and honey. When drinking stir cup before each sip as turmeric settles to bottom and you want to get it all down with the liquid.
Note: Turmeric is the key ingredient in mustard, wear old clothes or handle carefully it stains. Also, turmeric does have a blood thinning side effect.
- Another Home Remedy is Hunt’s tomato paste… cover the boil with Hunt’s tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.
But whatever you decide to do, resist squeezing it as this will not help but only make it worse.
Learn Other Tricks
- Coca-Cola cure for rust… Forget those expensive rust removers. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.
- Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer … If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can’t find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.
Other Home Remedies
- Ginger Tea – A hot cup of ginger tea is with a drop of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey a powerful natural antibiotic will soothes the throat, controls the tickle in the throat stopping the cough immediately.
- Chamomile Tea – Is soothing to a sore throat, add drops of lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey and drink it while it is hot.
- Peppermint Tea and Thyme – Peppermint Tea is a natural decongestants and thyme is an expectorant, which helps you to cough more productively.
- Turmeric – Is another sore throat remedy. A hot glass of boiled milk can be 2% or skimmed, with a pinch of turmeric powder, a pinch of black pepper, a teaspoon of honey, drink it while hot. Turmeric and honey both have antibiotics properties, heals inflammation from the inside the throat. Drink before going to bed.
- Onion Juice – Helps a sore throat. Take 2 table spoons of onion juice with honey helps loosen the mucus, relieves chest congestion, cough, and soothes throat and tonsils.
- Grapes – Grapes are excellent expectorant, helping you to cough out mucus. ½ cup grape juice with honey at room temperature can relieve cough.
- Pineapple – Excellent for anti inflammatory properties. Juice 4 pineapple rings with ¼ inch thick piece of fresh ginger, just like a cocktail, drink it room temperature with no ice. Pineapple and ginger both carry anti inflammatory properties and will help the healing faster if used together.
- Cranberry Juice – One obstacle to recurrent UTI (urinary tract infection) is none other than cranberry juice. Drink 8 ounces, twice a day until UTI has been relieved. Cranberry juice prevents bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract and therefore prevents urinary tract infection to return. Also it’s known to reduce reflux of white blood cells associated in the urine (pyuria) by almost 50% and bacterial infections are also discouraged, especially in older women who consumed 300 ml of cranberry juice daily.
- Altoids Peppermints – Before you head to the drugstore or a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They’ll clear up your stuffed up nose.
- Horseradish – Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.
- Vinegar and Honey – Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar and honey kill the bacteria and the honey soothes the throat.
- Alka-Seltzer – Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer… Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink t at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly — even though the product was never been advertised for this use.
Note: Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine is not the same… and contains aspirin, which can cause stomach bleeding if you have ulcers.
- Honey – Remedy for skin blemishes… Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
- Listerine – Therapy for toenail fungus… Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
- Quaker Oats – Fast pain relief….It’s not for breakfast anymore! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
Poisoning
Many conditions mimic the signs and symptoms of poisoning, including seizures, alcohol intoxication, stroke and an insulin reaction.
So look for the signs and symptoms listed below and if you suspect poisoning, call your regional poison control center or, in the United States, the National Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 before giving anything to the affected person.
Signs and symptoms of poisoning:
- Burns or redness around the mouth and lips, from drinking certain poisons
- Breath that smells like chemicals, such as gasoline or paint thinner
- Burns, stains and odors on the person, on his or her clothing, or on the furniture, floor, rugs or other objects in the surrounding area
- Empty medication bottles or scattered pills
- Vomiting, difficulty breathing, sleepiness, confusion or other unexpected signs
When to call for help:
Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if the person is:
- Drowsy or unconscious
- Having difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing
- Uncontrollably restless or agitated
- Having seizures
If the person seems stable and has no symptoms, but you suspect poisoning, call your regional poison control center or, in the United States, the National Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222. Provide information about the person’s symptoms, the person’s age and weight, and any information you have about the poison, such as amount and how long since the person was exposed to it. It helps to have the pill bottle or poison container on hand when you call.
I have only had to call them twice so far. Once for Little Bill eating almost an entire bottle of Tums, and once when Nathan got a hold of a bottle of cough medicine and dumped it all over the floor.
What happened with Little Bill was, they told me that consuming that many Tums would just cause constipation. He would be just fine.
With Nathan no one was sure how much he actually consumed of the amount missing from the bottle, if any. There was however, a major spill on his bedroom floor, so right a way that had to be a good sign?
But I had to call them any way…
They told me that basically, at age 2 he would have to consume almost all 4 oz of that particular type of cough medicine before it was really considered an overdose that I would need to be concerned with. They keep tabs on him for a few hours but in the long run, he was just fine…
Talk about freaking me out though…
Not everything kids consume will have a happy ending, so keep the number available to you at all times.
What to do while waiting for help:
- If the person has been exposed to poisonous fumes, such as carbon monoxide, get him or her into fresh air immediately.
- If the person swallowed the poison, remove anything remaining in the mouth.
- If the suspected poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the label and follow instructions for accidental poisoning. If the product is toxic, the label will likely advise you to call the poison control center at 800-222-1222. Also call this 800 number if you can’t identify the poison, if it’s medication or if there are no instructions.
- Follow treatment directions that are given by the poison control center.
- If the poison spilled on the person’s clothing, skin or eyes, remove the clothing. Flush the skin or eyes with cool or lukewarm water, such as by using a shower for 20 minutes or until help arrives.
- Make sure the person is breathing. If not, start rescue breathing and CPR.
- Take the poison container (or any pill bottles) with you to the hospital.
What NOT to do
Don’t give ipecac syrup or do anything to induce vomiting.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises discarding ipecac in the home, saying there’s no good evidence of effectiveness and that it can do more harm than good.
Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds are common.
Most often they are a nuisance and not a really medical problem.
However, sometimes they can be both.
Among children and young adults, nosebleeds usually originate from the septum, just inside the nose. The septum separates your nasal chambers.
In middle-aged and older adults, nosebleeds can begin from the septum, but they may also begin deeper in the nose’s interior. This latter origin of nosebleed is much less common. It may be caused by hardened arteries or high blood pressure. These nosebleeds begin spontaneously and are often difficult to stop. They require a specialist’s help.
To take care of a nosebleed:
- Sit upright and lean forward. By remaining upright, you reduce blood pressure in the veins of your nose. This discourages further bleeding. Sitting forward will help you avoid swallowing blood, which can irritate your stomach.
- Pinch your nose. Use your thumb and index finger to pinch your nostrils shut. Breathe through your mouth. Continue to pinch for five to 10 minutes. This maneuver sends pressure to the bleeding point on the nasal septum and often stops the flow of blood.
- To prevent re-bleeding after bleeding has stopped, don’t pick or blow your nose and don’t bend down until several hours after the bleeding episode. Keep your head higher than the level of your heart.
- If re-bleeding occurs, blow out forcefully to clear your nose of blood clots and spray both sides of your nose with a decongestant nasal spray containing oxymetazoline (Afrin, others). Pinch your nose in the technique described above and call your doctor.
Seek medical care immediately if:
- The bleeding lasts for more than 20 minutes
- The nosebleed follows an accident, a fall or an injury to your head, including a punch in the face that may have broken your nose
For frequent nosebleeds
If you experience frequent nosebleeds, make an appointment with your doctor.
You may need a blood vessel cauterised. Cautery is a technique in which the blood vessel is burned with electric current, silver nitrate or a laser. Sometimes your doctor may pack your nose with special gauze or an inflatable latex balloon to put pressure on the blood vessel and stop the bleeding.
Also call your doctor if you are experiencing nasal bleeding and are taking blood thinners, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin). Your doctor may advise adjusting your medication intake.
Using supplemental oxygen administered with a nasal tube (cannulae) may increase your risk of nosebleeds. Apply a water-based lubricant to your nostrils and increase the humidity in your home to help relieve nasal bleeding.
Motion sickness
Any type of transportation can cause motion sickness, I should know. Both Lilie and I suffer from it. -laughs-
It can strike suddenly, progressing from a feeling of uneasiness to a cold sweat, dizziness and then vomiting (though I don’t usually get sick the feeling can still be pretty over whelming). Motion sickness usually quiets down as soon as the motion stops. The more you travel, the more easily you’ll adjust to being in motion.
You may be able to escape motion sickness by simply planning ahead.
If you’re traveling, reserve seats where motion is felt least:
- By ship, request a cabin in the front or middle of the ship near the water level.
- By plane, ask for a seat over the front edge of a wing. Once aboard, direct the air vent flow to your face.
- By train, take a seat near the front and next to a window. Face forward.
- By automobile, drive or sit in the front passenger’s seat, if possible.
If you’re susceptible to motion sickness:
- Focus on the horizon or on a distant, stationary object. Don’t read.
- Don’t close your eyes because it doesn’t really help. It gives your mind more of a chance to focus on being upset.
- Keep your head still, while resting against a seat back.
- Don’t smoke or sit near smokers.
- Keep a window cracked. Let’s face it. Some cars have a very musty smell sometimes and a little fresh air can go along way.
- Avoid spicy and greasy foods and alcohol. Don’t overeat.
- Take an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as meclizine (Antivert), or one containing dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), at least 30 to 60 minutes before you travel. Expect drowsiness as a side effect.
- Consider scopolamine (Transderm Scop), available in a prescription adhesive patch. Several hours before you plan to travel, apply the patch behind your ear for 72-hour protection. Talk to your doctor before using the medication if you have health problems such as asthma, glaucoma or urine retention.
- Eat dry crackers or drink a carbonated beverage (like ginger ale) to help settle your stomach if you become ill. For me, I find milk helps a lot. For Lilie, it makes it worse. Try to avoid acidic juices though, for they tend to upset the stomach more.
At any rate, find what works for you and stick to it.
Jamies Gypsy Log 
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