You Really SHOULD Be Using Calcium Bentonite Clay!

I’ve done several posts about using  triple-swelling calcium bentonite clay and, if you have never used it as a self-help health aid, you’re really missing out. It has so many uses and benefits I think every household should have some on hand. I’ve put together some of the testimonials I’ve received from being on Perry Arledge’s mailing list (she has a new website that offers very high quality clay at  https://www.headtotoeproducts.com and used to offer free seminars on working with clay and is a real expert in the field) to help convince you to give it a try. It really IS amazing what working with this special clay can help with health-wise!

You can use it internally, externally, on your kids, your pet, your garden and more…..

13 Year Illness Gone After A Month On Clay

I am turning 25 in just a few days and have been taking the clay internally three times a day for a month now. I have been sick on and off for 13 years and the traditional doctors could never find a cure for me. I had just accepted that I had a sickly body and a weak immune system. I had bald spots and began fainting at the age of 12, then at 20 I became nauseous all of the time. When I graduated from college, I was so sick that I needed to take some time off before obtaining my masters degree. I began researching different ways to detoxify my body. I started getting colonics, bought an infrared sauna, and eating raw food. But it was only when I started drinking a Calcium Bentonite clay that I started feeling like a normal human being for the first time in 13 years!!! After 3 weeks, I had an energy surge. I started wanting to do things I hadn’t wanted to do in a long, long time…simple things like take a hike with my family. This clay has given me back my passion to live my life to the fullest. Before the clay, I was sick, exhausted, and depressed. Now, I feel alive! People are even saying how good my skin looks! Like I have a glow!! I will, without a doubt, be a lifelong customer. Anytime I have any questions, I just call Perry A. and she answers my calls directly and with such kindness and grace. This clay truly saved my life.

Cat Tumors Disappear with Clay

This summer I participated in one of your teleseminars and submitted a question about whether the clay could heal the large (cancerous-looking) bleeding tumor on my cat’s tail.   When the vet shaved it, it looked like a rotten potato attached to his tail –much bigger than his actual tail, so it could not be removed – so the only thing they could offer was amputation.  Well I did not want to do that unless it meant life or death and there were absolutely no other options, so I started using the clay in the meantime just to stop the messy bleeding.

Well, long story short, my cat cooperated well with me applying the clay and it really helped stop the bleeding.  However, in time an oozing hole developed where the bleeding used to be.  I kept that hole packed with clay, and within an incredibly short time the entire huge tumor had just melted away.  The hole is gone now, there is just a tiny bump left that I can feel at this point.  I continue to apply the clay and will do so until there is no hint anything left but his beautiful tail.  Although my cat was never sick from this, he was acting rather old and depressed, but now he has the energy of a kitten again.

I gave a co-worker a small jar of clay for the same purpose as her cat also had a VERY large tumor on its neck. When I checked back last week, she said her cat’s tumor had completely dissolved and was in fact also completely gone!

For both these cats, the vets had no treatments other than risky or disfiguring surgery with no guarantees.  I am so glad that I had already purchased the clay for some other reason I can’t even remember. I plan to start using it more diligently to improve my health and also the more difficult to treat problem my other cat has with sinus infection and gum irritation.  Thanks so much for helping spread the miracle.  We are ALL so very grateful!!!

Gardening With Clay

I had horrific tomato plants full of psyllid nymphs and cucumbers not doing too well.
I have powdered my plants on March 1st and I can’t see any psyllid anymore and cucumbers are looking okay.

On March 2nd I have powdered carrots, leeks, beetroot with clay, as they had rust.
As per today March 22^nd,  they all are looking good. My Chicory Witloof has got outside leaves rotting so powdered with clay and 3 days ago still had to get rid of wilting leaves, whether the rotting had started before I sprayed and needs longer to stop the process, I don’t know???

All still needs more observation for longer, but sounds good. I took a plastic jar, opened the lid and drilled holes from inside out and I just shake it. It uses a lot of clay and as I have a very cheap source for gardening…whether to put less clay would work might as well? All experimental.

Clay expert Perry A~’s note:  When preparing garden soil mix or potting soil mix, add a generous handful for pots and much more for beds and mix in well.  Plants will grow faster, healthier, with hardy blooms.  It will kick booty on sandy loam non-clay soils.  Not for acid loving plants

Liver Flukes 

I have been having some pain in my upper stomach all the way down to the pelvis area (clearly my gastro system).  What is interesting is that, like you said, the liquid clay will remove parasites.  Well… after several days of 2 oz 2x day and lots of distilled water with lemon, I have had at least 4 bowel movements containing clearly visible organisms that appear to be Liver Fluke parasites.  After that. my pain went away.

Constipated Cat

I did as you suggested, and simply increased the amount of hydrated clay
I mixed 11 year old cats canned food. Tremendous difference! Big nicely formed
‘tootsie  rolls’ two days in a row, and no more vomit. The clay was all it
took. Her energy is way up. A wild ‘bush bunny’ racing around the house!

Stomach Ulcers and Gall Bladder

I just read the book on clay by Perry A~, even read it to my husband, who has frequent episodes of gastric distress from an ulcer. We decided to give clay a try, the next time he had a problem, I gave 2 oz. to him. His problem resolved within moments, to our great relief. Then, a few nights ago, I ate more greasy food than I should have.  I had my gall bladder removed several years, and the doctor told me to go easy on fried foods.  It’s not usually a problem, since I eat very little fried foods.  When I overdo the greasy foods (which has only happened a few times!) I can hardly move for the horrible abdominal pain.  Well, after the success with my husband, as soon as I began to feel discomfort in my lower abdominal region, I decided to try a swig of the clay solution, too, and very shortly, no more discomfort! – Jo Ann A.

Teacher Notices Change after Autistic Child’s First Detox Bath

As a parent of a child affected by autism – I will try anything (safe) to help my son. I figured I’d give clay a try. Oh my goodness – the changes have been incredible! A few days after my son’s first detox bath his teacher asked me if I gave him a “speech pill”! I’m sure you could imagine my excitement.

I personally know the cost of trying to heal a child and when you find something that works, it’s just an incredible feeling. Again I’m just so thankful I was turned onto this product. Thank you for providing help to our children!!!! Have a beautiful day! – Anna W.

Periodontal Disease

I had periodontal disease with several #8 pockets a year ago. In Oct. of 2011, I started brushing with the dry Living Clay twice a day and at night packing those areas with the clay. At my last dental check-up I now have #4 pockets and healthy gums. He also said my teeth were very nice and white!! So happy with this clay. – Cindy P.

Disc Bulge Problem in Back

I have a disc bulge in my lower back and sacroiliitis…One day I had spent five hours in the yard raking and mulching. When I came in I could barely move: sitting, standing and moving from either position were extremely painful. This is typical of my condition. I had Living Clay prepared, but hadn’t used any yet. I took two ounces and ten minutes later, the pain was GONE. I felt fine the rest of the evening. I was stiff when I woke up in the morning and took two more ounces. I had no pain the rest of the day. Typically pain like I had that evening would have lasted at least a week and may have even caused me to miss that following day of work. I am amazed at the power of this product. -Dawn S.

Yellow Teeth

I have had a real problem with very yellow teeth. This is in part because my teeth are naturally not a bright white, but also because I refuse to put fluoride in my mouth, and I go through phases where I drink a lot of herbal tea. I keep my toothbrush soaking in H2O2 and have tried several kinds of homemade concoctions – usually baking soda-based. None had any impact on my yellow teeth. The other day I mixed some dry clay with some baking soda, added a wee bit of H2O2, vegetable glycerin, Stevia power, and essential oil of peppermint. The only real difference was the clay. After 3 days I noticed that my teeth were several shades whiter. I was so happy. I’m still using it and expecting even better results as time goes by.  – Chloie L.

Dental, Cavities, Mouth pH

The most impressive thing that happened to me with the clay dealt with my mouth.  Over the past several years, in spite of meticulously brushing and flossing my teeth, I have had an acidic PH in my mouth and many cavities.  Prior to beginning the clay, I had been diagnosed with 5 more cavities after only 6 months.  I had 3 of them taken care of and then I made an appointment to have the remaining 2 taken care of.

At the time of the first appointment, I had just begun to use the clay powder to brush my teeth (prior to bedtime) and tongue and then after I would rinse, I would put more clay powder on my brush and brush it all over my teeth and around the gum line and let it remain there.  Because of various circumstances, it was another month till I was able to go back to the dentist for my appointment.   When I went in, the dentist and the hygienist were both confused as they looked for the two cavities they were supposed to fill.  They could not find them.  I know that they were previously there because they had used the metal pick and I had felt where they poked into the holes.

I told the dentist about the clay and he said that the area must have re-mineralized.  They were both excited about it and they took down the information for the websites and I recommended Perry A~’s book to them.  I will definitely continue on tooth brushing with the clay as I enjoy stronger, healthier teeth which are also whiter looking.  Thank you for pointing out all the good uses of this product. – Donna J.

End-Stage Liver Disease & Hep C

Just wanted to share a wonderful clay testimony. My niece has End-Stage Liver Disease and is awaiting a liver transplant.

I had the clay sent to her four weeks ago. Her ammonia level was 157, and last week’s blood work showed a level of 93. Also, best news — her Hep C has become inactive during this time. The clay is the only thing she is doing different, so we totally attribute it to that and her strong faith and will to live.

She takes Clay baths twice a day — she covers her body with a Clay mask, allows to dry and then gets into a bath. The severe body itching has subsided. She also makes a poultice over her liver area with Clay and covers with the Miracle II Gel. Will keep you posted. – Elaine S.

Constant Diarrhea

In October 2016, I started to have pretty well constant diarrhea. Saw my GP (Australian name for a non specialist MD.) and she put me on various medications with zero results.
She went on holidays and I saw another GP. She took me off all medications, to see what would happen. Went on unabated and needed a colonoscopy. Then I remembered the clay.

I started to take liquid clay, 3-4 oz, 3 times a day and used hydrated clay on relevant areas, in early February 2017. The diarrhea stopped completely in one and a half days, never to return, and it is now April! Never had the colonoscopy.

I did however have a severe detox reaction, with beetroot red swollen glands under my armpits, so I put clay packs there as well and they too are now history.

PERSONAL NOTE: The part about the swollen glands reminds me of my own experience working with clay. I did the 21 day 3 times a day protocol and started feeling painful little lumps forming under the skin in my armpits, but didn’t really equate it to the clay until I upped the dose as given in the directions when dealing with more serious/long-standing conditions and that seemed to be too much for my body to handle fairly comfortably. The lumps rose to the surface and began oozing pus, with more lumps forming as others would be getting better. 

Not a fun or comfortable experience, to say the least, especially since it was the middle of summer when armpits are more prone to get sweaty. I stopped using the clay for awhile and it actually took several months before things started easing up. But I’ve had a number of health issues and a low level infection and congested lymph for years, so I’m sure that’s part of why I had such an extreme reaction. Even with other types of cleansing and detoxing I’d done, it was like the clay was the only thing that reached things at a deeper level that had been accumulating for a long time. The one good thing is the experience showed me how truly powerful using the clay can be.

FYI, the armpits (and groin) are major areas where lymph collects, so I think that’s why I had the reaction there. But I couldn’t understand why my left armpit was affected so much more than my right one, until I happened to read somewhere that, for some reason, the body naturally has a much greater percentage of lymph nodes and activity there than on the right-side. I’d never realized that before!

Also, if you plan on using the clay for detoxing baths, I highly recommend ordering from Even Better Now for 100% pure sodium bentonite clay, which has the highest cation exchange capacity of any bathing clay tested on the market. It is hypoallergenic and contains no excipients or fillers, and is free of bacteria, viruses, molds or yeasts, and easily disperses in water, with virtually no clumping. Unlike other bathing clays, EBN® Cleansing Clay can be safely rinsed down the drain, with no drain guards or special cleaning or clay dissolving agents required. 

p. s. The above testimonials I listed are just a few I’ve received by being on Perry A’s mailing list. She no longer offers the free webinars, but does monthly Zoom with dates mentioned in her newsletter. You can check out her archive of information and sign up to get on her mailing list at the bottom of the site she hosts. She also offers a book and if you end up using her archive or getting on her list, I highly recommend donating a little something to help her defray the cost of the great wealth of information she is offering to people for free.

http://www.bentoniteclayinfo.com/tips_archives.htm

You can refer back to the previous Self-help posts on bentonite clay for multiple ways to use it, but here’s a quick synopsis of the most common ones:

INTERNAL USE – For a single serving, mix 1 tsp of clay with 2 oz of high quality water; shake well and drink. Be sure to avoid using metal containers and measuring spoons when measuring, mixing or storing this liquid.

Multiple servings can be made at once and stored in an air-tight glass or plastic container. When stored properly, the clay will keep indefinitely. Keep out of close proximity to chemicals and strong odors.

FOR BATHS – Sprinkle 1 or more cups of clay into running bath water and stir to keep from clumping

TOPICAL USE – Mix 3 parts water to 1 part clay (use glass on plastic container only!); let stand until clay has fully set and apply as needed to skin, let dry, and then rinse clean. Can be used to sooth irritations, help wounds and burns when applied as a poultice.

Avoid contact with eyes. In the event that irritation occurs or continues, consult a health care practitioner.

Two of the related Self-help Health posts on clay:

The Healing Benefits of Clay

Clay Baths, Packs And More

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information. 

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained health care practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Natural Remedies For Eliminating Parasites

 

I’ve been meaning to publish this ever since I finally got around to posting the information awhile back about how common a problem parasites are, but am just now doing it. Hopefully you’ll find this helpful, and I will likely be adding to it in the future…..

 

 

NATURAL Ways for removing PARASITES

 Ridding the body of parasites can sometimes be a long, involved process, and a number of different protocols may be called for. Diet is certainly one way to help address the issue. Certified nutrition specialist Ann Louise Gittleman recommends an “anti-parasite” diet where your daily intake of food is composed of 25% fat, mainly in the form of expeller-pressed oils high in EFAs.

The oils lubricate the gastro-intestinal tract and serve as a carrier for vitamin A, which appears to increase resistance to tissue penetration by parasitic larvae. Proteins, which are vital for strengthening and rebuilding tissue and enhancing immunity, would account for another 25% of what you eat. And the remaining 50% would come from complex carbohydrates, although beans, peas, and other legumes, as well as nuts and seeds, should supposedly be avoided because they can cause flatulence and irritate the digestive tract.

It’s also important to curtail the consumption of refined sugar, since it not only serves to suppress the immune system, but is also the “food of choice” for many parasites. Gittleman recommends eliminating dairy products and gluten-containing foods like wheat, rye, oats and barley, as well. Heavy intake of raw fruits and vegetables should be limited, and cold or iced foods should be avoided, since they cause the intestine to contract and hold in toxins, rather than release them. Other food related guidelines or remedies for parasites include eating papaya, pumpkin and lemon seeds, and using the green black walnut hulls, wormwood, and ground cloves combination mentioned further down in this post. Fungal Defense™ would also be helpful in ridding the body of parasites.

Other herbs and supplements to consider using:

Burdock Root – a natural blood purifier and detoxifier; helps the body maintain healthy skin and nourishes the urinary and respiratory systems; stimulates the digestive and immune systems, restores liver and gallbladder function; supports joint and skeletal tissues, removes accumulations and deposits around the joint and aids in the elimination of excess fluid, uric acid and toxins; has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Cascara Sagrada – helps relieve constipation; nutritionally supports the stomach, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder; is cleansing and nourishing to the colon; also known to assist digestion and helps the body to eliminate worms and parasites.

Garlic – a natural antibiotic and fungicide that helps the body rid itself of parasites and heavy metals; provides nourishment for the circulatory, immune and urinary systems; supports normal circulation and blood pressure, stomach tissue, and aids the body’s natural ability to resist disease. Use either fresh or a supplement with high allicin content.

Golden Seal – nourishes the liver, glandular and respiratory systems and helps cleanse the system of foreign organisms.

Male Fern – helps the body get rid of tapeworms.

Parsley – valued as a blood builder, cleanser and has pressure-regulating properties; helps prevent the multiplication of tumor cells, expels worms, relieves gas, stimulates normal digestive activity and freshens the breath; supports bladder, kidney, liver, lung, stomach and thyroid function; contains more vitamin C by weight than an orange.

Senna – assists in expelling waste from the intestines and kills worms.

Paratrex® – a supplement from GHC with a unique formula designed to help the body detoxify and flush the intestinal tract; it’s also a powerful aid in fighting against an invasion of harmful organisms

Latero-Flora™ – another supplement from GHC that can be used in conjunction with Paratrex® to help the body fend off parasites

That covers some of the dietary options available for dealing with parasites. As far as internal cleansing goes, certainly cleaning out the colon, as well as the liver and gallbladder, are key to ridding the body of many free-loading microorganisms, so be sure to read the Self-help Health posts on those topics. Also refer to the post on candida. And any protocol that helps strengthen and purify the body overall, like the Salt Water Flush, would be supportive.

Parasites are anaerobic, so water that is ozonated, and colon cleansers, like Colosan, and Oxy-powder, that release oxygen into the intestines, are other possible options. Several of the companies (Global Healing Center, and EvenBetterNow) listed on the Links page of my website carry products and kits aimed at eliminating unfriendly microorganisms. 

And a simple recipe involving raw honey and apple cider vinegar is said to help rid the body of parasites. I haven’t used this yet, but these two ingredients are two of the absolute best self-help health aids around and provide relief for all sorts of issues, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it at least helps get parasites out of your system. And it’s certainly simple enough to use/do….just mix 1 TBS raw honey (manuka would be best) with 1 TBS ACV in a glass of (structured) water and drink it down!

The thing to remember with parasites is they have a hard time infecting a healthy body, so anything that strengthens the system overall is going to help ward off or get rid of these unfriendly invaders. The best thing is to follow the old saying “an ounce of prevention….. ” Making sure you maintain proper pH balance is a major step in creating an inner terrain that is inhospitable to infestation by parasites. Do little things, like adding cloves to certain recipes/foods or use it to spice up your coffee or tea. Drink pure unsweetened cranberry juice (cut with some water), or 2 tsp. of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, on a daily basis as a preventative measure.

Wash produce in 1 tsp. of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water, or use Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, Orange TKO (naturalnewsstore.com), or one of the all-natural vegetable washes now available, to help remove parasites from fruits and vegetables.  And did you know that certain parasites can live for as long as 2 wks. under your fingernails, just waiting to gain access to your body? So something as simple as keeping your nails short and washing your hands thoroughly after gardening, petting animals, etc. can make a big difference.

(For more information on dealing with parasites and products to help with the issue, check out Global Healing; you may also want to read the book Guess What Came to Dinner: Parasites and Your Health, by Ann Louise Gittleman, M. S., and/or The Cure for All Diseases, by Dr. Hulda Clark.) And this article from PaleoHacks mentions a couple of remedies I hadn’t heard of before.

Here’s more on treatment options from  The Health Wyze Report :

–

If a conventional doctor believes that you have parasites, he will prescribe you an anti-parasitic pharmaceutical.  These pharmaceuticals are always toxic, for it is their toxicity that kills parasites.  Thus, swelling of the lymph nodes, hands and feet are common, whilst vision problems, lack of coordination, and convulsions can also occur.  Diarrhea is typical with these drugs.

 These are the most commonly used natural substances for eliminating parasitic infections:

• Black Walnut Hulls
• Wormwood (from the Artemisia shrub)
• Common Cloves (from the clove tree)
• Pumpkin Seeds, or Pumpkin Seed Oil Capsules
• Garlic
• Neem (Do not take neem if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, because it can work as a contraceptive.)
• Thyme leaf and seed
• Marshmallow root
• Diatomaceous Earth
• Blends of the above ingredients, with marketing names like ‘Para-Clear’.

We would not recommend choosing one of the corporate formulas, since they are usually overpriced and formulated with low concentrations.  Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to examine each formula, and evaluate them.

Diatomaceous Earth (be sure to read the Self-help Health post for more info) is the best natural anti-parasitic medication. Add DE to your diet to detox parasites that can contribute to food intolerance, nausea, bowel discomfort, pain, itching, asthma, sinus infections, Morgellon’s disease, and a host of other allergic-type reactions.

DE also helps eliminate mercury, cadmium, lead and other heavy metals; removes poisons from chemtrails, radiation and may alleviate the effects of GMOs. DE possesses antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.

It is actually an all-natural pesticide which does not harm humans or pets.  It is believed to kill insects, worms and parasites by dehydrating them.  When used on ants, it usually takes around 20 minutes before they are all dead.  One tablespoon of diatomaceaous earth taken by an adult once a day for seven days is believed to be extremely effective at killing all parasites.

If this is going to be given to children, bear in mind that height is a better indicator of the size of their G.I. tract than their weight.  Thus, a child who is 4 feet tall should take 2 teaspoons, and a child who is 2 feet tall should take 1 teaspoon.  If you take this route, we advise you to only buy food grade.  Industrial DE is used for swimming pool filters, but it has been chemically treated, and this type is not safe to eat.  Try to avoid rubbing it onto your hands, as it can have a drying effect upon the skin.

Diatomaceous Earth contains heavy metals as part of its mineral content, but it also contains the natural antidote, selenium, which allows otherwise accumulative heavy metals to be flushed from the body.  Therefore, it is not really a health concern despite the presence of aluminum and lead.  We recommend taking selenium supplements for a week after discontinuing this treatment to ensure that the body thoroughly flushes all of the heavy metals.  Our research indicates that DE is the best overall parasite treatment for humans, because it should likewise kill all microscopic blood-born parasites as well.  When using it, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, because it will dehydrate a person considerably.

Wormwood and black walnut hulls are known to kill adult worms, while cloves kill worm eggs.  Some people use this trio for treating parasites, instead of diatomaceous earth.  It is recommended that you take 500 mg. of wormwood and black walnut hulls, while taking 1/2 teaspoon of cloves daily for around 14 days.  All other herbs mentioned are used in addition to these two core protocols.

As parasites die, they release toxins through their excrement, and from rotting.  The most common parasites, the worm type, attempt to escape by burrowing deeper into the intestines, which can cause sharp pains and cramps.  Even when dead, the body is still burdened with the task of flushing them out.  This whole process can initially make the person feel sicker than before he started the cleanse, but this is only temporary, and it is a sign that the cleanse is working.  While fatigue and grogginess are also to be expected, normal life may be continued, and diarrhea should not occur.  Ensure that you are eating a good, wholesome diet throughout the cleanse to ensure that your immune system is at its strongest.  After the cleanse, you should feel better, have more energy, and experience sickness less often.

Source: The Health Wyze Report

Also, I’ve been experimenting with taking bentonite clay in liquid form to help with candida and other things. It seems like it’s been helping and I plan to write a post about using clay internally at some point in the (hopefully) near future. And a friend of mine has been using a product called Para1, I believe, that I want to find out more about, so stay tuned!

More information to check out:

https://blog.paleohacks.com/9-herbs-that-naturally-kill-parasites/

http://www.realfarmacy.com/eliminating-the-parasites-that-you-almost-certainly-have/

http://www.naturalnews.com/042262_parasites_hygeine_herbal_medicine.html

FYI, you can get a variety of natural remedies at a discount at iHerb.com (use code CJG192 if you are a new customer and spend more than $40 and you will get $5 off your purchase). Plus, you can take advantage of their Trial Offer and Specials sections; there’s no sales tax, shipping is free on orders of $20 or more, you earn loyalty rewards cash, AND you get an extra 5% off on orders over $60. 

Vitacost.com is another one of my favorite on-line places to shop. Great discount prices, ever-expanding inventory, free shipping on $49 and up, and if you are a new customer and use the link on my website you will get a $10 off coupon with your first order of $25 or more. Woo-hoo! 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

 

 

Should You Be Taking Probiotics?

 

I’ve written about “friendly flora” or probiotics before, but this article that was originally published by FitLife.tv expands on the topic and includes things I wasn’t aware of. It’s a great reminder of just how important it is for us to make sure we’re getting enough prebiotics and probiotics in our diet and includes a juice recipe at the end to help insure that happens…..

 

7 Signs You Should Be Taking Probiotics

Have you taken an antibiotic over the past year?

Well, if you are like most people these days, you have.

Did you know that antibiotics completely destroy your healthy gut bacteria?

Even if you took one 7 years ago – if you have not replenished the good guys within your gut, chances are really high that you are struggling with imbalance, maybe unknowingly.

But antibiotics are not the only thing hindering your health.

Do you struggle with:

• Irregular mood
• Skin issues
• Erratic sleep patterns
• Crazy cravings for sugar and other  unhealthy foods
• Bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea or cramping after meals
• Healthy weight management

If you answered yes to any of these, you should know that these are just some of the symptoms of an imbalanced gut.

You’ve heard me say it before, but it’s important that you realize the impact your gut health has on every single part of your body – physical, mental and emotional.

Remember, 70-80% of your IMMUNE SYSTEm is in your gut.

And 95% of your SEROTONIN is made in your gut – that’s your “happy” hormone.

Just these 2 factors alone are enough to show that when your gut is out of whack, so are you… on some level anyway.

You’ve likely heard the term probiotics thrown around and maybe you already use them, which is great!

But maybe you’re like many others still confused about WHY they matter when it comes to your health.

I want to make that really clear for you.

PROBIOTICS are the beneficial bacteria within our gut.

They are the guys that:

• Keep harmful bacteria and microorganisms in check
• Aid in digestion and nutrient absorption
• Make sure your body receives the vitamins, minerals, fats and amino acids from the foods that you are consuming – totally necessary!
• Are needed for the generation of certain B vitamins, vitamin K, folate, and some short-chain fatty acids
• Contribute to proper immune function

They crowd out bad bacteria, preventing the bacteria’s ability to host in the body, which inhibits infection, INFLAMMATION and disease.

Proven by researchers at UCLA, the correction of healthy bacteria in the gut can optimize neurotransmitter function, leading to improved mental health and may even improve learning and sharpen focus and memory.

So yeah, they are kind of  a big deal.

Probiotics are abundant in fermented foods, but most often their probiotic concentration is not enough to be used therapeutically when the gut flora has been drastically depleted.

Therefore, use fermented probiotic-rich foods as an ongoing part of the diet to keep your levels up as a form of prevention. Then choose a high-quality probiotic, as a form of nutrition therapy.

So how do you know if you’re deficient?

Well, according to the research I have done on the subject, most of us are!

We live in a toxic environment, my friend.

There are chemicals and pesticides in:

• our food
• in the air we breathe
• the water we drink

Despite our best efforts, toxin exposure is inevitable in our modern society.

But we can help minimize the effects and I have a solution to do just that.

But first, here are 7 signs that YOU need to MORE probiotics in your life…

1. Antibiotics

Antibiotic literally means “anti-life” –  that’s pretty powerful.

They are designed to kill and they don’t discriminate between the good and bad bacteria, unfortunately.

TIP: Double dose your probiotics for the length of time you were on an antibiotic post-treatment to ensure you are repopulating the good guys! (example: if you were on an antibiotic for 14 days, double dose for 14 days afterwards to help repopulate and get your system back on track.)

2. Food Poisoning

Bad bacteria is lurking in your gut when this happens and it’s important to fight the bad guys.

Probiotics help replenish the good guys and get your digestion moving as it should.

TIP: Taking probiotics regularly gives the body a better defense against any foreign invaders you may come into contact with.

3. Digestive Disturbances

Be sure you are consuming a healthy diet first.

Eliminate hard-to-digest foods such as processed, packaged and fried foods, dairy, gluten, sugar and soy and aim to eat more REAL foods as nature intended.

Probiotics will further support your efforts to bring balance to your gut.

TIP: Ginger is great if you are experiencing any type of digestive distress. I love using extra ginger is most of my green juices, but it’s also great as a tea or as a delicious addition to your meals.

4. Skin Conditions

Our external environment is a direct reflection of our internal environment. That includes rashes, acne, rosacea, eczema, etc.

If your skin does not clear from diet and probiotics alone, you may consider using digestive aids such as apple cider vinegar to promote stomach acid production and enzymes.

Other agents to heal the intestinal lining include l-glutamine and aloe vera.

TIP: Be sure to have your hormones checked, too, to rule out any imbalances so often associated with acne.

5. Mood Disorders

The health of our gut is so closely tied to the health of our brain.

That’s why improving the integrity of your gut has such an effect on the function of your neurotransmitters.

TIP: Further supporting your body with B vitamins and paying attention to the health of your kidneys are also key factors to a balanced mood.

6. Weak Immunity

Signs of weakened immunity may be that you have low energy and need naps or caffeine, have allergies, food sensitivities, skin problems, or asthma, catch colds easily, have high blood sugar and/or digestive issues, your mind feels foggy, you wake up feeling sluggish, have trouble sleeping, and/or take longer to recover from exercise or injury.

Healthy bacteria can train your immune system to distinguish between “foreign” microbes and those originating in your body, making probiotics the best front line against infection.

When your gut is balanced, your risk for illness diminishes significantly.

TIP: Focus on supporting your entire body with healthy foods, daily movement, positive mindset and supplementation where necessary.

7. Yeast Overgrowth

When people hear “yeast,” they often think yeast infections.

The truth is, yeast overgrowth shows up in many different ways.

It might be belly bloat, foggy thinking, sugar and carb cravings, skin problems, gas, low mood, irregular sleep…

There are so many things to consider when it comes to this very common problem and it doesn’t affect  just women and it’s not only relative to yeast infections.

Chronic yeast overgrowth is opportunistic, meaning, given the opportunity to FEED, it will! And the results are those which I mentioned above. The best way to clear the root cause of your symptoms when dealing with yeast overgrowth is to cut off it’s food source and repopulate!

So where do you start?

Cut out the culprits that FEED this guy, such as:

• refined sugar
• (reduce) natural sugars (even from fruit)
• get rid of sugary carbs
• alcohol
• caffeine

Yeast overgrowth LOVES these things. Now is not the time to be generous and giving to this sneaky bugger. 

TIP: Taking a probiotic helps to bring the good guys back in the picture and rebalance the ratio of good to bad guys, knocking out the overgrowth of this nasty critter and helping you eliminate the root cause of those annoying symptoms.

To support the health of your gut, here’s a delicious juice recipe for you.

G-Health Juice Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber: a natural diuretic, reduces inflammation, relieves stomach acid and provides soothing cleansing effect.
• 2 celery stalks: aid in bowel movements, promote healthy kidney function and detoxes the body.
• 1 lime: stimulates digestion, eliminates toxins and purifies the liver and other organs.
• 1 inch piece ginger: a digestive superfood great for stimulating healthy digestion. It soothes the stomach and helps the body digest everything properly.
• 1 small handful fresh mint or cilantro leaves: kills microorganisms that are associated with digestive issues, stops cramping, soothes digestion, great for detoxification.
• 1 TBS apple cider vinegar: contains valuable minerals, live enzymes, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, helps normalize pH and promotes the growth of friendly bacteria. It’s also great for detoxification.

Instructions:

1. Juice all ingredients except the ACV, you’ll mix that in at the end.
2. Enjoy!

 

Source:http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/7-signs-you-should-be-taking-probiotics.html

Article originally published in FitLife.tv republished with permission

Related Self-help Health posts:

Probiotics: The Good-For-You Bacteria

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The Probiotics And Peanut Connection

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Probiotics: The New Prozac And MORE!

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FYI, you can get a wide variety of brands of probiotics at one of my favorite places to shop  iHerb.com; use code CJG192 if you are a new customer and spend more than $40 and you will get $10 off, plus can take advantage of their wonderful Specials and Trial Offers section. Shipping is free on orders of $20 and up, and there’s no sales tax. There’s an extra 5% off on orders over $60.

Vitacost.com is another on-line favorite of mine and also has a huge selection of probiotic-related products.  If you are new to Vitacost and make your first purchase of $25 or more through the link on my webpage you will receive a $10 off coupon. And if you plan on shopping again after that, be sure to sign up for a free acct. at eBates.com, if you don’t already have one. That way you can use the eBates portal to shop at Vitacost (and 100s of other popular stores) and earn cash back on your purchases. Plus, eBates also offers some reward–I got a $10 gift card–when you place your first $25 order at a store through them. How does it get any better than that?!

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Salud!

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on any future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easier and my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine

 

Oregano: Flavorful Herb, Powerful Antibiotic And MORE!

 

Oregano is a well-known, often-used herb, especially when it comes to Mediterranean or Italian cooking. What’s nice is that it not only imparts flavor to food, but also adds a number of health benefits to the body. Did you know that oregano has eight times more antioxidants than apples and three times as much as blueberries? And oil of oregano is an even more potent form of support for the body; it helps with muscle and joint flexibility, works to resist harmful organisms, including candida, energizes the immune system, and strengthens respiratory health. So if you don’t have oregano in your kitchen AND your first aid kit, you’re really missing out on a star performer in both areas, just as this article from Nutrition and You points out….

 

(roundrockgarden.wordpress.com)

OREGANO

Oregano is a wonderful perennial culinary and medicinal herb. It has long been recognized as one of the “functional foods” for its nutritional, anti-oxidants and disease preventing properties. The herb, whose name means “delight of the mountains” in Greek, is native to the Mediterranean region. Botanically, it belongs to the mint (Lamiaceae) family, in the genus; Origanum, and is known scientifically as Origanum vulgare.

There are many cultivars of oregano cultivated across Europe, however, the influence of climate, season, and soil have greater effect on the composition of the essential oils than the difference between various species. Origanum heracleoticum is another Greek variety that is having characteristic sharp scent, and flavor. Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) is one of closely related species of oregano.

Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) is different from origanum species, but related to the verbena family of herbs. It is used in place of oregano in many Central American regions.

Health benefits of Oregano

• Oregano contains an impressive list of plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.
• The herb parts contain no cholesterol; however, are rich source of dietary fiber, which helps to control blood cholesterol levels.
• Oregano contains several health benefiting essential oils such as carvacrol, thymol, limonene, pinene, ocimene, and caryophyllene. Its leaves and flowering stem has anti-septic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, cholagogue (helps gall bladder secretion), diaphoretic (sweat production), expectorant, stimulant, and mildly tonic properties. Its decoction is taken by mouth for the treatment of colds, influenza, mild fevers, indigestion, stomach upsets, and painful menstruation conditions.
• Thymol is also been found to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal activities.
• The herb is rich in poly-phenolic flavonoid anti-oxidants (vitamin A, carotenes, lutein, zea-xanthin, and cryptoxanthin) and has been rated as one of the plant sources with highest anti-oxidant activities. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.
• The active principles in the herb may improve gut motility in addition to increase the digestion power by facilitating copious secretion of gastro-intestinal juices.
• This marvelous herb is an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure caused by high sodium. Manganese and copper are utilized by the body as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron helps prevent anemia. Magnesium and calcium are important minerals for bone metabolism.
• In addition, the fresh herb is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin-C. Vitamin C helps human body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.

Oregano is a proven super “functional food.” This herb is one of the foundation bases of healthy Mediterranean diet in addition to olive oil, fish and lots of greens, herbs and vegetables. It has an excellent nutritional profile (per USDA National Nutrient data base); just 100 g of oregano herb provides:

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	306 Kcal	15%
Carbohydrates	64.43 g	49%
Protein	11 g	19.5%
Total Fat	10.25 g	34%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	42.8 g	107%
Vitamins
Folates	274 µg	69%
Niacin	6.22 mg	39%
Pantothenic acid	0.921 mg	17%
Pyridoxine	1.210 mg	93%
Riboflavin	0.320 mg	24.5%
Thiamin	0.341 mg	28%
Vitamin A	6903 IU	230%
Vitamin C	50 mg	83%
Vitamin E	18.86 mg	126%
Vitamin K	621.7 µg	518%
Electrolytes
Sodium	15 mg	1%
Potassium	1669 mg	35.5%
Minerals
Calcium	1576 mg	158%
Copper	0.943 mg	105%
Iron	44 mg	550%
Magnesium	270 mg	67.5%
Manganese	4.667 mg	203%
Zinc	4.43 mg	40%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	4112 µg	—
Crypto-xanthin-ß	11 µg	—
Lutein-zeaxanthin	862 µg	—

Source: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/oregano.html

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PERSONAL NOTE ON TIPS FOR SELECTION & STORAGE:

As with most herbs, fresh oregano is superior in flavor and richer in essential oils, vitamins and antioxidants than dried. Choose leaves with a vibrant green color and firm stem that are free of mold, discoloration and/or yellowing. Fresh leaves should be refrigerated, kept in a zip-lock bag or glass jar, or wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel. Dried leaves can be kept fresh for many months when stored in a tightly sealed container and placed in a cool, dark, dry place. For tips on growing, harvesting and drying your own oregano (and other herbs), check out this post by Round Rock Garden.

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And Ethan A. Huff, staff writer for NaturalNews.com thinks oil of oregano is a must-have for any ‘prepper’ or survivalist…..

If a major emergency were to strike suddenly and without warning, leaving you and your family without the normal comforts of life for an indefinite period of time, would you have the tools, supplies and knowledge necessary for survival? Having extra food, water and even first aid supplies on hand is a great place to start when preparing for the worst, but what about long-term protection against infection and disease?

In their book Beyond Antibiotics: Healthier Options for Families, Michael A. Schmidt, Lendon H. Smith and Keith W. Sehnert explain how essential plant oils possess unique antimicrobial properties that naturally fight and eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi. And the essential oil of oregano in particular, which survivalists and “preppers” alike are discovering is a top choice for staying healthy during a crisis, is arguably the most potent and effective antimicrobial in the essential oil family.

Most people, if asked what they would stock their own “bug-out” bags with, would probably include basic medicines like painkillers and even antibiotics. But oil of oregano, which can be stored long-term without issue, has a leg up on traditional antibiotics, as it hits microbes where it really matters, blocking their ability to breathe. Antibiotics, on the other hand, are designed to obstruct the normal life cycle or metabolism of bacteria, which leaves room for them to mutate and develop resistance.

“One of the advantages essential oils, like oil of oregano, have over antibiotics is that bacteria do not develop resistance to essential oils,” explains the book Beyond Antibiotics: Healthier Options for Families. “Another advantage to essential oils is that some actually stimulate immune function.”

Oil of oregano 26 times stronger, more effective than conventional antiseptics like phenol

Dubbed the “Rolls Royce of natural antiseptics” by Dr. Cass Ingram, one of the world’s leading experts on the subject, oil of oregano is not only one of the most effective antimicrobial agents in existence — it is also one of the safest, producing no negative side effects and targeting only harmful pathogens while leaving beneficial ones alone.

Tests have also shown that oil of oregano beats out conventional antiseptics like phenol, which is commonly used in commercial antimicrobial products like Lysol, Pinesol and Cloraseptic, by a factor of 26 to one. This means that oil of oregano is 26 times more effective at targeting and destroying harmful pathogens than even the most powerful conventional products used to treat and sterilize things like hospital equipment.

Oil of oregano highly effective against yeasts, disease-causing free radicals

As far as its internal use, oil of oregano is “the best of the best,” according to a French doctor by the name of Belaiche, who in 1977 released his official oregano index, which uses oil of oregano as the base reference for comparing the bactericidal action of other substances. Oil of oregano is so effective, in other words, that an acclaimed doctor and research set it as the standard for comparison more than 30 years ago.

“The essential oil of oregano has always provided me with amazing results in treating infectious diseases,” writes Bee Wilder for Healing Naturally by Bee. “Besides oregano oil’s bactericidal action, it also prevents spasms, convulsions and nervous disorders.”

The same is true for yeasts like candida, which standard antibiotics cannot even treat. The believed-to-be primary active substance in oil of oregano, carvacrol, is highly effective at cleansing the urinary tract and bladder of not only bacterial invaders but also fungal and yeast invaders. Oil of oregano also helps protect the tissues of the body against inflammation by eliminating the free radicals that cause it, thus helping protect the body against debilitating illness.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/043170_oregano_oil_prepping_natural_antiseptic.html#ixzz2mz7DqWrF

 

I think oil of oregano is a must have whether you’re a prepper or not, and I recommend the one by Global Healing Center because their products always seem to be a step above what else in on the market. Here’s what Dr. Edward Group of GHC has to say about the special oregano oil he has created….

“I believe oregano oil is one of the greatest healing agents known to man and I’ve used it for years to enhance my own health and that of my patients. Because it’s so effective, I wanted to create our own product that was organically sourced. Thus began a two year journey to develop the most advanced, vegetarian and vegan friendly oregano oil formula in the world.

In looking for the best source of oregano, I found that oregano grown high atop the Turkish mountain area contained the highest levels of the active ingredient, carvacrol. Combining it with organic peppermint oil and 250,000 scoville heat units of capsicum (the active ingredient in cayenne) in an organic virgin olive oil base would produce a formula like no other. After much testing and many trial batches, we finalized a formula that provides optimal strength and effectiveness and are proud to offer it here.”
-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, NP

Why is Ours the Best Oregano Oil Available?

• 300% higher concentration of Carvacrol in the oregano oil (minimum of 80%)
• No artificial, chemical or toxic byproducts
• Suitable for vegetarians
• Contains a cold-pressed laboratory grade formula of Wild Organic Mediterranean Oregano
• Contains essential minerals and vitamins
• Meets USDA National Organic Program standards (ECOCERT SA Organic Certification #1848TR0600z2e).

Start with a small dosage using the capsules provided for the oil and take with plenty of water and some food.

Here are some testimonials to get an idea of how people are using the oil and the results they are getting:

Amazing help!! (5/5)

I’ve used this amazing product to help my battle with sinus problems. I’ve battled “unknown” health issues for years and more recently have experienced “new” symptoms which have gotten worse. The debilitating symptoms I’ve been experiencing have greatly affected my quality of life. Yesterday, I happen to notice my bottle of Oil of Oregano in my cupboard. Out of desperation for relief, I took 5 drops in a capsule. I was astounded at the improvement in my well-being within a short time later. I was able to sit up and function after being bedridden with an uncomfortable feeling of malaise, pain and extreme fatigue for 2 full days. I have taken several servings since and I can say that I know have encouragement and hope that I can learn to cope and deal with this. I will diligently take this product. I might add that I have used other brands of Oil of Oregano in the past, both in capsule form and tincture, and GHC’s Oil of Oregano is far superior than the 5 other brands and forms I’ve tried. God Bless. –Anita

Love it! (5/5)

I am using this for candida cleansing. It does well on its own but does great in combination with GHC’s Paratrex and other yeast killers. I intend to use daily on its own once I kill off most of the candida. Great product and no bad taste because it is in the capsule.–Jenn

Wonderful product (5/5)

I use this product daily as much as I can and have found it to be very effective for digestion and for candida. I do use it in conjunction with GHC’s Latero Flora and also use Paratrex from time to time. If I start having increased digestion problems or a little constipation, I use all three for awhile and it always gets me back on track.

PERSONAL NOTE: I also like GHC because it has an A+ BBB rating, free shipping within the US on GHC products, a 180-day money back guarantee (with free return shipping!), and a Best Product Line Award from Natural News! And until 3/21/15 the oregano oil is 20% off! Use code ‘Oregano2015‘ to take advantage of the discount.

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts. Also check out my new website Evolution Made Easier and blog of the same name for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Candida/Yeast Overgrowth: The Major Health Problem You May Not Know You Have

 

Candida overgrowth effects millions of people and causes all sorts of health issues, some quite serious, and yet a lot of the population isn’t even aware it’s behind many of the problems they are having. I know it has certainly been an on-going issue for me and because candida/yeast overgrowth often goes hand in hand with other heath factors, such as heavy metals, parasites, and pH imbalance, it’s usually not an easy situation to treat….

 

 

 Yeast/Candida Albicans

An overly-acidic system, which is common among those on a typical American diet, creates conditions that are ideal for the proliferation of unfriendly organisms. Candida, a type of single-celled fungal yeast that normally is kept in check if the body’s pH is properly balanced, starts to grow out of control when you eat too many acid-forming foods like sugar, bread products, and most proteins. Using prescription antibiotics, birth control pills, cortisone, and other drugs can also contribute to its growth, as can stress, exposure to environmental molds and chemicals, and nutritional deficiencies. Candida, in turn, makes the body more susceptible to parasites, impaired immune function, and many other dis-eases. Yeast overgrowth is thought to affect over 40 million Americans, and is especially prevalent in hyperactive children and those with ADD and ADHD.

“Conventional medical experts say that from 30-70% of the present population have a benign colonization of this yeast. I would bet any well trained naturopath will tell you that more than 90% of the population hosts a Candida colonization and most of them are not benign, not in our modern, processed, easy-food society. In addition, I have never met anyone suffering from any illness, who is not dealing with an overabundance of Candida.

When Candida leads to disease, conventional medical belief states that the infection can be localized, invasive, or systemic. Alternative medical belief would argue that a local infection such as a skin infection, vaginitis, or thrush is an indication that the gut, and likely the whole rest of the body, is already overwhelmed. Lending credence to this belief is the fact that the fastest way to kill any type of Candida infection, and insure it does not come right back, revolves around balancing the gut microbes..” – Michael Edwards for Natural News

Some doctors even theorize that candida or other systemic yeast/fungal infections cause, or at the very least contribute to, the development of cancer. This makes sense. A body-wide candida infection plays havoc with the immune system, which becomes overwhelmed and worn out from fighting the infection, so your body is naturally more susceptible to any number of things. Plus, candida excretes toxins that further weaken and harm the body. The major waste product of the yeast is acetaldehyde, which produces ethanol—a substance that may be great in cars, but in your body it causes excessive fatigue, and reduces strength and stamina. In addition, it destroys enzymes needed for cell energy, and causes the release of free radicals that can damage DNA. It also inhibits the absorption of iron, and since iron is one of the most important oxygen supports in the blood, ethanol indirectly creates low oxygen levels. When your body can’t oxygenate well, all sorts of dis-eases and diseases arise.

Typical symptoms of candida albicans overgrowth are:

• feeling bad all over, yet the cause is unidentified
• craving sweets, breads, or alcoholic beverages
• sweets make your symptoms worse or give you a pick-me-up, followed by a let-down
• hypoglycemia
• persistent digestive disturbances and/or bloating after eating bread or other products made with yeast
• persistent athlete’s foot, infection of the nails and skin, and/or “jock itch”
• feeling ill when exposed to moldy places, perfumes, tobacco smoke and other chemicals
• mood disorders
• chronic fatigue
• oral thrush
• sinus infections
• brain fog
• recurring vaginal and/or urinary tract infections

Making real inroads against candida can seem like a long process at times for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the yeast actually sends out tendrils that help anchor it to the intestinal walls. It also enjoys a symbiotic relationship with any parasites and heavy metals in your system, so it’s hard to rid your body of one condition until you’ve gotten rid of the others, and vice versa, so there’s a catch-22 factor at play. And since all of these antagonists work to weaken your digestion and immune response, the body often no longer has the energy level required to easily deal with the situation. It’s also hard to overcome candida because it usually requires giving up, at least temporarily, some of the foods most Americans are so fond of—such as sugar, breads, biscuits, and muffins, or anything made with yeast, glutinous grains, aged cheeses, processed meats, alcoholic beverages, mushrooms, melons, coffee, vinegar and vinegar-containing condiments (mustard, mayonnaise, most salad dressings, etc.). And, unfortunately, candida can actually intensify your cravings for these very foods, so that doesn’t help the situation any.

If you have been diagnosed with candida, or feel like it might be an issue for you, it’s best to avoid these foods as much as possible and concentrate on eating lots of vegetables (watch out for high carbohydrate ones like corn, peas, and potatoes though), soaked/sprouted nuts and seeds, eggs, and lean protein like turkey, chicken or fish. Drinking lemon water on a regular basis (use a straw to help protect your tooth enamel from the acid), monitoring your pH (see post on pH Factor) and doing some colon and parasite cleansing will also help rid your body of the overgrowth. Taking a probiotic (see post on this topic), such as Primal Defense™ from Garden of Life, can be helpful as well.

Garden of Life also makes a product called Fungal Defense™ that is specifically designed to treat yeast/fungus conditions. It contains two enzymes (protease and cellulose) capable of literally digesting candida cell walls. The formula also includes two of the most potent anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-parasitic substances found in nature—wild oregano and olive leaf extract (their fungicidal components work synergistically to help eliminate yeast and fungus on contact). It’s further enhanced with garlic extract, known as Russian penicillin and nature’s premier antibiotic—and it doesn’t destroy friendly bacteria along with the bad. Yucca juice, a potent blood purifier that produces surfactants which help break down the lipid envelope that coats fungi and yeasts, is also in the list of ingredients, so the formula is very comprehensive as far as candida is concerned. I’ve used it a number of times over the years myself. By the way, Primal Defense and Fungal Defense are available at great discount  prices from iHerb.com (if you are a new customer, use code CJG192 and get $5 off and free shipping on orders of $20 or more,  an extra 5% off over $60 and earn loyalty points!).

For more information on candida, you can go to places such as www.thecandidayeastanswer.com (if you scroll down just over halfway on the page you’ll notice on the right where they offer a free download of a book on candida).  Although, remember that when a site has products and services to sell, the information they offer is often biased toward what they carry.

NOTE: There is a simple test to help tell if you have candida overgrowth: First thing in the morning, before you put ANYTHING in your mouth, get a clear glass of water. Better still; leave the glass of water by your bed the night before so you’ll remember to do the test when you first wake up. Work up a bit of saliva, and then spit it into the water. Check the glass every 15 minutes or so for up to one hour. If you have a candida infection, strings (like “legs”—remember the tendrils mentioned earlier that candida sends out) will travel down into the water from the saliva floating on top, or “cloudy” saliva will sink to the bottom of the glass, or cloudy specks will seem to be suspended in the water. If nothing develops in 30 to 45 minutes, you are probably candida free.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post on ways to treat and/or cleanse candida/yeast from the body.

Other resources on candida:

http://www.naturalnews.com/048074_Candida_albicans_fungal_infections_yeast_infection.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/046814_candida_yeast_sugar.html

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts. Also check out my website Evolution Made Easier’s To Your Health page and blog of the same name for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Master Tonic: Anti-viral, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-parasitical, Anti-you-name-it!

 

With winter in full swing where I live and the body sometimes being a little sluggish (I seem to automatically want to go into hibernation mode when it’s cold out :-)), plus all the over-doing that can be a part of the holidays, as well as flu season being in full swing, this seems like a great time to feature this cleansing, healing tonic recipe from  Earthie Mama. I sure wish I’d had some this past week!

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 Super Cleansing Anti-Everything Tonic

 

Ingredients and Directions:

• 1 30 oz. bottle Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (I recommend Braggs ACV)
  
• 1/4 cup chopped Garlic
• 1/4 cup Onions
• 2 **Habanero peppers (or hottest peppers you can find)
  
• 1/4 cup grated Ginger
• 2 TBS  of grated Horseradish
  
• 2 TBS Turmeric or 2 Turmeric root chunks

1. Blend  ingredients together for a couple of minutes
2. Strain
3. Pour liquid back in bottle
   
4. Compost everything else!
   

You can store the tonic in a cupboard for long periods of time. No need to keep in the refrigerator. You can also use it mixed with olive oil for a salad dressing.  Or a shot full on you stir fry.

The most ideal way to make this tonic is to make it on the New Moon and leave it in a dark place until the Full Moon two weeks later, and then strain and bottle.

**It is a good idea to wear gloves especially when handling the peppers as it is difficult to get the heat off of your hands!

*For sore throat, gargle a bit in the mouth and swallow.
*For an illness, such as a cold or flu, take about 2 droppers full or a TBS every couple of hours.  
*For daily immune support drink 2 droppers full/1 TBS every day. Build up tolerance to a shot glass full.
*Eat an orange, lemon, or lime slice after to ease the heat.

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Benefits of the tonic…..

The super cleansing tonic is an antibiotic, destroying both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It is also a potent anti-viral and anti-fungal/yeast formula, and will increase blood and lymph circulation to every part of the body. It is so effective that it is said to be the cure for colds and the flu, and is the herbal preparation of choice against candida. This basic formula dates back to medieval Europe and the plagues.

Benefit of each Ingredient: (All Organic Of Course!!)

• Garlic is a broad spectrum antibiotic. Unlike chemical antibiotics that kill off millions of friendly bacteria that your body needs, Garlic only targets the invading bacteria and even promotes and increases your healthy bacteria. Garlic is also a powerful anti-fungal and literally destroys any antigen, pathogen and any harmful or disease causing micro-organism. 

• Onion is Garlic’s next of kin and has similar but milder action. Together they are a tremendous fighting duo. 

• Horseradish is a potent herb for the sinus and lungs. It opens up the sinus passages and increases the circulation there, where most doctors agree, the common cold and influenza often starts. 

• Ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties and is a tremendous circulatory stimulant.

• Hot Peppers are the most powerful circulatory propellant known. It simply sends the antibiotic and disease fighting properties of the other herbs where they’re needed most.

• Turmeric clears infection and reduces inflammation inside of the body. It blocks cancer from developing. Especially helpful for those with joint pain.
  

• Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Braggs Organic ACV)  There surely must be something really healthy in using apple cider vinegar, since The Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, used this vinegar around 400 B.C. for its health-giving qualities. It is said that he had only two remedies: honey and apple cider vinegar. 

Here are some of the testimonials left by people using the tonic:

“My grandfather just finished his cancer treatment.  He had so much trouble eating and building his immune system. He started drinking your Master Tonic and even the doctors are surprised by how well he is doing.  He says he owes it all to your tonic. Thank you for all that you do and for sharing your wisdom” ~ Jeanine M.

“Your Master Tonic helped me from not getting sick when everyone around me was ill. Thank you so much for all that you do!” ~ Diane M.

“I am so grateful I found this recipe.  I have been making it at home and I have noticed a complete change in my health. I used to get sick all the time, my metabolism was slow and I felt rundown.  I have not been sick once since I started drinking the tonic and I have so much energy. Thank you, Alex. You are so inspiring!” ~ Kara M.

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“I have noticed that since I have been drinking your tonic, my arthritis has been manageable. I have so much more energy and my body feels better in general.” ~ Mark G.

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“This tonic is a staple in my house.  Every time I get the slightest sign of a cold, I drink a shot glass full and it feels like it goes away right then and there.  The Master Tonic is magic medicine! Thank you!” ~ Pamela P.

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Don’t want to make your own? No problemo. Earthie Mama’s site offers it already made for $15 a bottle. The website is also a great resource for health information, recipes and more.

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Related Self-help Health posts:

 –

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/apple-cider-vinegar-no-home-should-be-without-it/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/07/06/get-your-zing-on-with-ginger/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/the-top-ten-for-a-strong-immune-response/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/tumeric-the-terrific-little-spice-that-could-change-the-face-of-alzheimers-more/

– 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my Evolution Made Easier website and blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Free Detox Summit Event!

I’m a little late getting this notice to you, but I just found out about this free event myself. Sounds like it will be a great health resource. Since we are subjected to more and more toxins and pollution on a daily basis, this is an event probably everyone can benefit from. It started yesterday, but you still have part of today to access those presentations, so sign up asap if you don’t want to miss anything….

 

 

 

Weight gain, mood swings, auto-immune issues and digestive disorders are just a few of the signs and symptoms of your body’s natural ability to detoxify being in overwhelm mode. Learn how to help your body deal with the toxins in our foods, air, water, cleaning and beauty products, and just about anything else, by joining 30 of the health industry’s thought leaders sharing their knowledge and secrets on how to detox safely. Presenters come from various fields of medicine, nutrition and personal growth and will offer a well-rounded, credible approach to a number of much-debated health issues. Learn to navigate your way through today’s toxic terrain by recognizing toxins, what to do about them, and how to change your life for the better! Experts will include David Wolfe, JJ Virgin, Sayer Ji and many more, plus there are a number of free gifts you’ll receive upon registration.

Here a just a few of the topics the experts of The Detox Summit will be addressing:

• The connection between toxicity and chronic disease (diabetes, cancer, obesity)
• The role of toxicity in autism
• How hidden toxicities can keep you from shedding belly fat
• How common household chemicals you use can increase fat storage and short-circuit your brain
• How to detox in a way that nourishes your thyroid, gut microbiome, and brain

There will also be presentations that focus on metabolic disorders, dental health and more. This is not an event you want to miss! You can sign up here.

Related Self-help Health posts:

Heavy Metal & Chemical Toxicity

Cleansing & Detoxing the Liver & Gall Bladder

Detoxing Clay Baths

Salt Water Flush

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts. Also check out my new website Evolution Made Easier and blog of the same name for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

More On That Wonder Aid ACV!

I previously did a post about the many health benefits and uses of raw apple cider vinegar (ACV), but I just came across this article by Swanson that lists some uses even I wasn’t aware of, plus it includes a couple of healthy recipes and links to related resources, so here’s a great introduction to (or reminder about, if you happen to already be an ACV fan) this simple-to-use, inexpensive, almost miraculous self-help health aid…. 

 

 

40 Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar: weight loss booster, all-purpose cleaner, upset stomach-fixer. A popular kitchen staple, apple cider vinegar (ACV) dates back to ancient times. It’s said to have been used by Hippocrates as a health tonic and by American soldiers to combat indigestion, pneumonia and scurvy.

While times may have changed just a bit, ACV is still a versatile, well-known item in many homes. One of the most popular and highest-rated varieties is from Bragg. Or, you can even make your own variety at home with this recipe for Home Made Apple Cider Vinegar.

There are tons of ways to incorporate ACV into your daily routine, as you’ll see below and in the comments from Facebook fans (near the end of the post). One of the most popular ways to add ACV to your diet, specifically, is by making a tea or other drink. For example, check out this recipe for homemade Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar Ginger Spice Drink.

Check out all of the awesome and creative ways to add more ACV to your life, and let us know if you have any other creative uses!

Top 20 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar:

– Use ACV in place of balsamic vinegar in salad dressing. (See below for an awesome salad dressing recipe!)

– Add to your morning smoothie, but be careful—it has a pretty strong taste, so add a little to begin.

– Use it as a facial toner.

– Helps with upset stomach—holds antibiotic properties and pectin which soothe the stomach. Try this “Digestion Mocktail” with ACV and ginger. (Ginger is also known for its stomach-soothing properties. Learn more here.)

– Stop cats from biting cords around the house—rub a bit on a cotton ball and onto the cord every 4-5 days.

– Use ACV in your bath. Add ½- 1 cup to your bath water along with Epsom salts and lavender essential oil for a relaxing and detoxifying bath.

– Get rid of hiccups—the sour taste of a straight teaspoon can stop hiccups.

– Clear a stuffy nose by mixing a teaspoon in a glass of water and drinking.

– Make a fruit fly trap—Put a thin layer of ACV in a cup with a drop of dish soap. Set it out on the counter and the fruit flies will (hopefully) fly in and get stuck.

– Get rid of cat urine smell—add it to the laundry when you wash the clothing, blanket, etc.

– Get rid of bad breath—add ½ Tablespoon to a cup of water, and gargle for 10 seconds at a time until the cup is empty.

– Beat exercise exhaustion—lactic acid buildup in the body causes fatigue, while the amino acids in ACV act as an antidote. Add a tablespoon to a glass of water after a workout.

– Fight yeast infections—add 1 ½ cup to a bathtub of water and soak for 20 minutes.

– Create shiny, untangled and dandruff-free hair by adding 1/3 cup ACV to 4 cups of water and pour over your hair after shampooing. Leave on for a few seconds and rinse with cold water.

– Use it as a *teeth whitener by gargling with it every morning. The vinegar helps remove stains and kill bacteria in the mouth and gums.

*Be careful, since ACV is acidic and could damage tooth enamel if held in the mouth too long.

– Get rid of acne—mix one part ACV to 3-4 parts water. Apply to skin with a cotton pad, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse. Repeat three times a day.

– Wart removal—place a cotton pad soaked in ACV on top, and secure it with a bandage. Leave on overnight, repeating for a week.

Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing Recipe

I found this awesome recipe for Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Vinaigrette Dressing, and decided to give it a try. Really, any combination of these ingredients would make a great salad, so feel free to adjust the recipe to your taste!

Dressing Ingredients:

•  3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Salad toppings:

• Spinach
• Apple
• Walnuts
• Raisins
• Cheese of your choice

Directions:

1. Combine vinegar, water, honey, salt and pepper in a blender.
2. Drizzle olive oil into blender until combined.
3. Combine dressing & toppings; serve.

20 More Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar…

When we asked our Facebook fans how they like to use apple cider vinegar, we got tons of comments! Many of them were about drinking it in the morning with a glass of water. Other highlights include:

1. A Tblsp each morning along with a Tblsp of blackstrap molasses in some warm water. seems to help with my allergies and I am hoping lowering my cholesteral. The molasses is for the iron and other good stuff. Also helps with the taste ~ Jeanne Giesen L.
2. I love to make “buttermilk” by souring my rice milk to make yummy stuff like Cornbread or biscuits (Gluten Free and Dairy Free). ~ Amy O.H.
3. Mixed with sparking water; very refreshing and good for the liver ~ Louise F.
4. I have a multitude of uses for this product. I use it to fight fleas on my doggie, using it diluted with water as a final leave in rinse. I put a few drops in her water, fleas hate it. I add a few drops to my bottled water that I take to the gym as a fat burner and it also seems to enhance the taste of the water, encouraging me to drink more. I sprinkle it over my foods, to get rid of the chicken smell of chicken and enhance the flavors of other foods. I use the regular distilled vinegar as a toner, it is a little less expensive. ~ Carol Z.
5. I use it to rinse my dreads. It works great to clean your scalp and remove build up ~ Alysha C.
6. I take mine twice a day with distilled water honey and cayenne pepper. I use it my salad dressings. I use it for a hair rinse and a facial toner. ~ Robin B.
7. Two tablespoons every morning and evening when I feel an UTI coming on. ~ Angie C.
8. Marinate my steak with it. ~ Rick B.
9. This makes my home made tomato juice really tangy every morning! YUM ~ Kay B.
10. Cook I use it with my cucumbers and onions (with some mayo)…makes a great cucumber salad! ~ Audra P.
11. In water with a packet of stevia each day and a T to a cup of chamomile tea water as a rinse for my hair following a rinse of 1 T baking soda to 1 cup of water. No need of shampoo… ~Jaime L.
12. I use it in my smoothies…. ~ Jo Ann G.
13. I mix it with honey for a sore throat ~ Georgia L.
14. I LOVE this stuff!! I put a cap ful into my raw rice before cooking and its nice and fluffy. No vinegar taste!! ~ Jody W.
15. Allergies, sinus infection & woman issues! ~ Sarah M.
16. To stop hiccups…. One capful usually works ~ Carroll S.
17. Anywhere it calls for vinegar ~ Patricia F.
18. On sunburns to help them heal faster and as a hair/ scalp rinse to make it shinier and more manageable and control dandruff. It also helps with indigestion and just tastes delicious on salads and in soups. My mom started us using it as the home-remefy treatment choice for nearly every ailment. ~ Diane C.
19. It is a great hair detangler, facial toner, internal cleanser, fruit and vege wash, salad spritz…..I love this stuff! ~ Mandy E.
20. When I am coming down with a cold or when I have leg cramps I rub it straight on my legs and within a few m ins the cramping has calmed down. ~ Marleen I.

 

 

Related Self-help Health post:

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/apple-cider-vinegar-no-home-should-be-without-it/

Of course you can get raw ACV at your local health food or on-line at Swanson. One of my favorite places to shop is  iHerb.com; use code CJG192 if you are a new customer and spend more than $40 and you will get $10 off ($5 off under $40), plus can take advantage of their wonderful Specials and Trial Offers sections. Shipping is free on orders of $20 and up, and there’s no sales tax. There’s an extra 5% off on orders over $60.

Vitacost.com is another on-line favorite of mine; if you are new to Vitacost and make your first purchase of $25 or more through the link on my new webpage you will receive a $10 off coupon. And if you plan on shopping again after that, be sure to sign up for a free acct. at eBates.com, if you don’t already have one. That way you can use the eBates portal to shop at Vitacost (and 100s of other popular stores) and earn cash back on your purchases. Plus, eBates also offers some reward–I got a $10 gift card–when you place your first $25 order at a store through them. How does it get any better than that?!

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine

Cleansing the Liver: Part II

I had meant to get this information posted right after my other post on cleansing the liver and gallbladder, but I was involved in a great Drunvalo workshop called Awakening the Illuminated Heart this past week and not spending time on the computer, so I apologize for the delay.

Anyway, in Cleansing the Liver and Gallbladder I talked about several popular routines for cleansing and detoxing the liver, thus the name of the post :-). Here are a few more options, including the routine I finally settled on after experimenting with several different protocols. Hopefully between the information given here and in the previous post you will find something that will work well with your schedule and body. Talking about coffee enemas and yucky stuff coming out of your system are not really fun topics, but these protocols can often make a BIG difference in your health, so…..

 

 

Andreas Moritz’s Liver Cleanse Protocol:

You may want to try a couple of different cleanse routines and see which one works best for you. After trying the Great Smokies and Hulda Clark protocols mentioned in my previous post, I settled on a version of the one outlined in the book The Amazing Liver Cleanse, by Andreas Moritz.

His routine is much like Clark’s, but also mentions the possibility of substituting malic acid capsules for people who have blood sugar problems or can’t handle or don’t want to drink all the apple juice required to help soften the gall stones and make them easier to pass. It’s basically the malic acid present in apple juice that has a softening effect and helps dissolve stagnant bile, so taking a specific number of capsules several times a day can be used in place of drinking a lot of juice. I find this makes things much easier than using juice or having to get the phosphoric acid used in the Great Smokies routine, although I think I got the best results with the phosphoric acid—but that may have been because I had a lot more stuff that needed to come out when I first started cleansing.

To follow Moritz’s version of the cleanse, you take from *1500 – 2000 mg. of the malic acid, divided into several doses throughout the day, and always with a full glass of warm water. I notice that my stomach sometimes feels a little queasy (maybe because of the acid content of the malic acid) if I take the morning dose on an empty stomach, so now I make a point of taking it with some food. See what works best for you. And be sure to use a straight malic acid supplement, not one that contains a mixture of malic and magnesium or something else.

Start this dosage 6 to 7 days before the day of the actual cleanse. During that preparation time Moritz recommends avoiding meat, dairy, fried foods, and cold food (harder for the body to digest than warm) and suggests timing the actual cleanse to coincide with the full moon or a few days after. On the day you’ll be taking the Epsom salts and olive oil/grapefruit juice mixture, avoid sweetness, spices, fats, and proteins, and don’t eat or drink anything but water after 2 pm.

The rest of the routine is basically the same as many other liver cleanses (see my previous post), with a dose of Epsom salts at 6 pm and again at 8 pm, and the oil and grapefruit juice mixture at 10 pm.  After downing the oil/juice, Moritz suggests lying down flat on your back, with several pillows propping you up, or if that’s uncomfortable, on your right side with knees pulled up toward your head, then going to sleep. The next morning between 6:00 am-6:30 am drink the 3^rd Epsom salt dose, followed by the last dose 2 hrs. later. After a couple of hours you can drink freshly pressed fruit juice, but should eat light for the next couple of days.

Moritz also says to cleanse the colon or have a colonic before and after the liver cleanse, and that you might want to take the malic acid for a few days following the cleanse in case there are some gallstones still in transit out of your system. There are more details about cleansing and maintaining a healthy liver given in his book. It also contains information about ways to improve overall health and well-being, so it might be something you’d want to invest in (you can purchase the book at www.ener-chi.com.)

 *You can get the malic acid at several sources listed at the end of this post. Also, I recommend self-testing or having someone muscle test you for the amount of milligrams your body wants/needs to take, although the range mentioned should give you a good idea of how much to use.

Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar Gallbladder Flush:

I haven’t tried this routine yet, but it incorporates raw apple cider vinegar, of which I’m a big fan. The basic directions are as follows:

A week before the actual 2-day flush, start preparing your body by drinking (slowly) ½ tsp apple cider vinegar (ACV) with 6 oz. apple juice upon arising, at mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and again after dinner. If you’re hypoglycemic or diabetic, then dilute with half distilled, filtered, or structured water. Organic apple juice is rich in malic acid, potassium, pectins and enzymes that act as solvents to soften and help remove debris and small stones from the body. During the actual 2-day flush, no food is eaten, only liquids. Combine 1/3 cup Bragg’s Organic Olive Oil (no substitutes), 2/3 cup organic apple juice, and 1 tsp. ACV. Drink this mixture 3 times during the first day, and twice on the second day. At night, sleep on your right side, pulling right knee toward chest to open pathway for stones to leave.

About mid-morning on the third day, eat a salad made with raw cabbage, carrots, celery, beets, tomatoes, sprouts, and lettuce, topped with ACV and olive oil. Or, if desired, have a bowl of lightly steamed kale, collards, chard, or other leafy greens. Season with Bragg’s ACV, olive oil and a spray of Liquid Aminos. When on the flush, some nausea may occur. This likely shows that toxins, mucus, and bile are being dumped into the stomach, and you may need to regurgitate to relieve the situation. Drink 1 to 2 glasses of purified/structured water and depress your tongue, if necessary, to help get things up and out of your system. (NOTE: This flush is not for diabetics, unless supervised by a health professional.)

3-Day Liver/Gallbladder Cleanse:

In case you’d like still another option for cleansing the liver, and don’t mind drinking a lot of apple juice, here is one more routine. I haven’t tried this one, but it was given to me by a colon hydro-therapist, and I figured she would be someone who’d be “in the know” about such things. After the numerous times I’ve had trouble getting down the ½ cup of olive oil you take in other protocols, I was more than a little nervous about the ½ pint this one calls for, but, hey, it just may be your cup of tea (er, I mean, oil :-)). The instructions are as follows:

For 2 days eat very light. Take 2 TBS. of cold pressed organic olive oil in ¼ cup of apple juice in the morning and evening. Drink 6 to 7 glasses of apple juice throughout the day, plus lots of water. On the 3^rd day, do not eat any food! Drink 2 TBS. of olive oil in ¼ cup of apple juice and the usual 6 to 7 glasses of apple juice during the day. That night mix ½ pint of olive oil in some lemon juice and water with stevia drops, and start drinking it 1 hr. before bed. Go to bed and lie on your right side with left leg up to your chest until at least 3 to 4am. Using a coffee enema at 4 to 5 am is very helpful in clearing out the system. If you feel sick, chew on some ginger or drink ginger tea.

Coffee Enemas:

It is believed by many healthcare practitioners that coffee enemas provide quick relief when fatigued, sleepy, headachy, or feeling just plain lousy. The protocol can also help with spasms, precordial heart, throat or chest pain, and difficulties resulting from the sudden withdrawal of all intoxicating sedation. Coffee enemas also work to release toxins from the liver, so they are often included as part of cleansing routines, especially those involving the liver and gallbladder.

Drinking a cup of coffee has an entirely different effect on your system. It can cause problems such increased reflex response, lowered blood pressure, increased heart rate, insomnia, heart palpitations, over-stimulated adrenals, stomach irritation, and leaves a toxic residue in the body. A coffee enema on the other hand, when done properly, causes the liver to produce more bile, opens the bile ducts, and causes the bile to flow. In this process, a toxic liver can dump many of its toxicants into the bile and get rid of them in just a few minutes. This can give great relief to all parts of the body, and often makes the difference between having to lie down after your cleanse or quickly recuperating and being active.

Colon therapies and enemas help to remove the toxic mucoid plaque around the colon walls and the elimination of parasites in the gut. They also facilitate better gut mobility and frequency of healthy bowel movements.

Coffee enemas give an added benefit over typical water based colonic therapies by stimulating the liver to produce greater amounts of glutathione. Glutathione is the bodies master antioxidant and helps protect the intracellular DNA and eliminate toxins from within the cells.

Studies, in test mice, have found that green coffee beans increase glutathione production in the liver by 600% and by 700% in the small intestine. The enema is the most potent way to gain these powerful effects because the enzymes of the digestive tract do not interact with the nutrients before they reach the liver.

Coffee enemas are known to help individuals with gallstones, liver problems, digestive problems, low energy, autoimmune diseases and cancer. They are used in almost every natural health retreat center, around the world, for their remarkable ability to cleanse and detoxify in a short period of time…..

If coffee cannot be tolerated due to allergy, then one could use a diluted raw, apple cider vinegar or green juice enema. You could also try an organic tea such as green tea or an assorted blend of organic herbs that the individual is able to tolerate. Obviously, if you suffer from a serious health condition, it’s best to find an experienced healthcare provider to help guide you through the process. – Dr David Jockers of Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, GA

When I first heard about people using coffee enemas years ago, I thought “Boy, what is the world coming to.” Seemed like some strange routine Hollywood must have come up with. But they kept showing up as part of certain healing routines (coffee enemas, not Hollywood celebs :-)). Then two different hydro-therapists mentioned them, and a naturopath said she used them on a daily basis to help cure her cancer. So I figured I might as well give them a try. During one of my first liver cleanses I found that even after all the stuff I got out with the Epsom salts and oil/juice mixture and the colonic I had scheduled the next morning, I was able to get even more stuff out by following up everything with a coffee enema. Disgusting, but amazing. So you may want to at least consider trying one.

The two routines listed below are very similar, but you may want to experiment and see which one works best for you. Also, there are a number of different substances that have been used over the years in enemas, such as wheat grass juice, aloe vera, and garlic, that you could try using. But because coffee has a direct effect on the bile and liver, it’s the ingredient most often recommended in conjunction with a liver/gallbladder flush.

Coffee enema routine #1: 

Put 3 heaping TBS. of organic coffee in a glass pot and boil uncovered for 10 min.; strain into a qt. jar and fill the rest of the jar with spring/structured water.

Fill enema bag and hang approximately 18” (if you hang the bag too high the fluid will run into the colon too quickly and may cause discomfort) above the body (it seems to work well and make for easy clean-up to set the enema up in the tub, so that if you have any leakage during the process it will just go down the drain; you can suspend a coat hanger or two from the shower head and hang the bag from that); lie on your left side and insert tip (lubricated with non-petroleum jelly or vitamin E) into rectum.

Pinch/clamp tube to control flow of liquid; when all coffee has run through, turn over on your back and raise your hips off the floor/bottom of the tub. Massage abdomen on left side, going up towards your rib cage for a few minutes; then turn over on your right side and bring both knees up to your chest (all this helps move the fluid up through the colon and toward the liver).

Relax and do some deep breathing; try to hold the enema for about 12 min. (yikes! I found that seemed like forever!) to give the intestine a chance to absorb the caffeine (if you can’t hold for that long, repeat the process—but not more than twice). Then sit on the toilet and void.

Later drink some orange, grapefruit, or apple juice, or 1 TBS. apple cider vinegar in a cup of water.

Coffee enema routine #2 (based on Dr. Gerson’s book A Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases):

Take 3 TBS. of organic ground coffee and add to 1 qt. of water; let it boil for 3 min. and then simmer for 20 min. Strain and use at body temperature.

Lying down on your right side, with both legs drawn close to the abdomen, insert the lubricated tip of the enema tube.

Breathe deeply as the enema flows into the body in order to draw the greatest amount of fluid from the bag into the necessary parts of the colon. It also helps to let all the air out of the lungs and suck the gut in and out while in this position.

Try to retain the fluid for 10 to 15 min. (it helps to have a clock within easy view and something to read while waiting; I even put a pillow in the tub so it’s more comfortable for my head). The caffeine is absorbed from the fluid within 10 to 12 min. and goes directly through the hemorrhoidal veins into the portal veins, and into the liver (lying on your right side helps move the fluid in the necessary direction).

Sit on the toilet and void.

Often it’s hard to really see what’s coming out when you’re on the toilet because of the dark color the coffee gives the expelled fluid. But, depending on your current health situation and condition of your liver, you may notice more stones (how nice that they float!) and strands of mucus, yeast, etc. After you’ve voided as much of the enema fluid as possible, be sure to clean out the “dregs” from your colon by administering a second enema with purified/filtered/distilled or structured water. You may want to break open a probiotic capsule and add the contents to the “final rinse” water to help re-populate your colon with friendly bacteria.

WARNING: It’s important to remember that any time you cleanse the system, have a colonic, or administer an enema, you are flushing out the good bacteria as well as the bad, so be sure you replenish the friendly flora, either by taking a probiotic or eating naturally fermented sauerkraut, yogurt, etc. Also, coffee enemas cause bile to be excreted, which contains many valuable mineral salts. To lose these salts without replenishing them could be harmful, so be sure you are on a good diet of broths and fresh juices (or take something like Best Whey) to assure vital nutrients are replaced.

Also, you can get many of the ingredients, including organic coffee, for the various cleanses from one of my favorite places to shop  iHerb.com; use code CJG192 if you are a new customer and spend more than $40 and you will get $10 off, plus you can take advantage of their wonderful specials and trial offer section. Shipping is free on orders of $20 and up, and there’s no sales tax. There’s an extra 5% off on orders over $60.

Vitacost.com is another on-line favorite of mine and also has a huge selection of products.  If you are new to Vitacost and make your first purchase of $25 or more through the link on my webpage you will receive a $10 off coupon. And if you plan on shopping again after that, be sure to sign up for a free acct. at eBates.com, if you don’t already have one. That way you can use the eBates portal to shop at Vitacost (and 100s of other popular stores) and earn cash back on your purchases. Plus, eBates also offers some reward–I got a $10 gift card–when you place your first $25 order at a store through them. How does it get any better than that?!

Or you can check out Global Healing Center and the liver cleanse kit they offer. Type “liver cleanse” into the search function and it will bring up info about the kit, plus other useful liver/gallbladder related information and articles.

Background information on how and why coffee enemas work:

http://www.gohealthynext.com/coffee-enema/

https://www.life-enthusiast.com/articles/liver-cleanse-coffee-enema

http://draxe.com/coffee-enema/

Related Self-help Health posts:

Keeping the Liver & Gallbladder Healthy

Cleansing the Liver & Gallbladder: Part I

UPDATE 9/5/14: I just happened across this article and it had information and a couple of liver cleanse protocols, including one that uses walnut oil, which is supposed to be more palatable than olive oil. You may want to check it out:

http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/cleaning-liver-gall-bladder-cumulative-poisons.html

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts. Also check out my new website Evolution Made Easier, and blog of the same name and To Your Health page for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

 

Deadly Dental Bacteria Killer: Coconut Oil Does It AGAIN!

I have probably done more posts on coconut oil than anything else, but I can’t help myself. They keep coming out with more and more ways it can serve as a great self-help health aid…..

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 (coconutoil.com)

Coconut Oil Hailed as ‘Miracle’ Dental Breakthrough,

Deadly Bacteria Killer

(from LiveFreeLiveNatural.com) Looking for an alternative to toothpastes loaded with sulfates and other toxic ingredients such as fluoride? Mainstream science has now fully recognized the ‘miracle’ powers of coconut oil to not only combat tooth decay and drastically improve overall mouth health, but also to specifically crush a yeast known as candida albicans that can lead to deadly infections. This ‘news’ likely comes as nothing more than further confirmation for many, as natural health practitioners have been recommending coconut oil for years.

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The research comes from the Athlone Institute of Technology, where Ireland-based scientists examined the effects of natural and digested coconut oil on common strains of bacteria within the mouth. What they found was that not only did the coconut oil effectively inhibit a majority of the bacteria strains single-handedly, but it was also particularly harmful to candida albicans. This is important when considering the fact that an excessive amount of the yeast known as candida albicans can be brought upon by a poor diet consisting of processed foods and sugar.

Candida infection, also known as Candida overgrowth or the ‘candy disease’, can be associated with symptoms like chronic tiredness, recurring yeast infections, and digestive issues. It can also lead to a mouth infection known as thrush — a condition typically ‘treated’ using anti-fungal medications preceded by an x-ray of your esophagus. Now, researchers are highlighting how coconut oil intake can be an alternative solution with far less side effects and concerns.

In their report, the scientists state that coconut oil could be ‘an effective alternative to chemical additives’ in most dental hygiene products. This refers to the many sulfate chemicals linked to numerous conditions, added fluoride, and many others.

It is important to ensure that you purchase the right kind of high quality coconut oil when purchasing it online or from your local supermarket. An important consideration is that the scientists conducting the study may have actually used an inferior low quality coconut oil, meaning that the results may have actually been even more positive if they were to use a 100% organic, extra virgin source. As a general rule of thumb, just as with vitamins and other supplements, avoid purchasing a generic brand of non-organic coconut oil from your local chain supermarket.

Instead, look for a USDA certified organic or 100% organic label that is unrefined and cold-pressed. Personally, I would recommend *Nutiva’s coconut oil on Vitacost for a high quality source that isn’t going to be highly expensive (I have no ties to either company).  As a side note, coconut oil is also great to store as a preparedness food as it has a very long shelf life and is packed full of nutrients.

*I was reading an article the other day by Mike Adams of Natural News about how Nutiva’s products are some of the highest quality around, and he’s one of the most health-conscious people I know, so I figure he knows what he’s talking about. See below for tips on shopping at Vitacost.

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Related articles about coconut oil fighting/preventing gingivitis and tooth decay and freshening breath, and about how oral bacteria has been linked to colorectal cancer and more, so coconut oil and its bacteria-fighting power is a great self-help health tool to know about:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/03/05/oral-pathogens

http://www.naturalhealth365.com/food_news/tooth-decay.html

http://www.thealternativedaily.com/three-ways-coconut-oil-can-improve-oral-health/

FYI, you can get Nutiva coconut oil (mentioned in the aritcle), as well as the other ingredients mentioned in the recipe, at discount prices at Vitacost.com, one of my favorite on-line places to shop. If you are new to Vitacost, use the link on my webpage, and spend a certain amount (I believe it’s $25), you will get a $10 coupon to use. And if you plan on shopping at Vitacost after that, you should sign up for a free account at eBates.com , if you don’t already have one. That way you can use the eBates portal to shop at Vitacost and earn cash back on future purchases. Plus, eBates also gives a gift card or some other “prize” when you place your first order of $25 or more. How does it get any better than that?! 

iHerb.com is another favorite discount place to shop (use code CJG192 if you are a new customer and spend more than $40 and you will get $10 off (and an extra 5% off on orders over $60), plus can choose something from their free samples and take advantage of their wonderful trial offer section. Shipping is free on orders of $20 or more.

Other coconut oil related Self-help Health posts:

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/coconut-oil-one-of-the-yummiest-health-aids-ever/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/coconut-oil-cleanse/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/all-natural-suncreen-recipe-with-coconut-oil/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/06/16/coconut-milk-ice-cream-a-way-to-have-health-eat-it-too/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/more-on-the-coconut-oilalzheimers-connection/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/more-on-coconut-oil-reversing-alzheimers/

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.