Spring 2006

Just a word or two about menopause.  Yuck.  Don't like to admit that I'm even entertaining that word!  The truth is, though, my body is straining as it adjusts to getting older.  And while many women rave about Natural Progesterone Cream, I'm thrilled with the results simply using Wild Yam tincture.  Well, I say this today.  You know how it is, next week might be different.  That's part of the delight in being a female, and part of the difficulty too!  I won't go into details here, but will gladly share my experience via email.

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Winter 2006

There's one piece of advice that's worthy of note.  Our family has had its first bout of a cold this winter and zinc has proven itself wonderfully in healing.  For adults (18 and older), 100mg./day and for children younger than that, 50mg/day.  For my least ones, 10 and younger, I'm giving them 25mg./day.  It's not an instant cure, but sure seems to help.  What I'm seeing is that the amounts usually given for most herbs and supplements are too low.  Then folks become frustrated when they don't get well.  Patience is necessary, and to keep on, keeping on.  While a doctor's prescriptions might give more instant gratification, the use of natural supplements are often safer and definitely less expensive.

For congestion---slippery elm, marshmallow and fenugreek work well in loosening up a tight chest and will get your nose to running.  Again, give it some time.  A small warning though...fenugreek will give symptoms of diarrhea, but that's just it working.  It really does help in cleansing your system.

In regards to zinc, but not relating to cold symptoms.  A month or so ago, I had a tooth to abscess causing my jaw to swell.  With treatment of echinacea, zinc, and rinsing my mouth with colloidal silver, the symptoms began diminishing the second day.  Within 3 days, I almost looked normal!  For about a week, I continued treatment and have had no return problems.  

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Autumn 2005

Now's the time to stock up on any supplements and vitamins you'll need for the cold months ahead.  Every winter, I find myself running out of my stores of herbs, not realizing I should have planned ahead.  Having a good supply of echinacea, to me, is crucial.  Buying bulk is wonderful but for those of us with "oftentimes" limited funds, just taking advantage of the *buy one/get one free* deals can be wonderful.  Try to do that.  You'll feel rich just knowing you have extra bottles tucked away.  Besides echinacea, have plenty of vitamin C (those made with rosehips seem to be best), and whatever herbal remedy works for your family with there's a deep cough with congestion hanging about.  'Breathe-Aid' by Nature's Way has worked great for our family (I buy this locally at a health food store, but it's probably available online).  Have a bottle of mullein tincture or dry tea on hand too.  Works well to settle a cough that just nags you.  Fine for children, with no apparent side effects.  Mixed with a little honey and hot water---they might just get it down!  Tastes fine, just a bit green!  The honey just helps make it more interesting!

There are plenty of other products you can buy, but considering folks do have limits, at least try to buy the basics.  The rest you can purchase as your means allow.

I realize that there are women *out there* who are better educated than I am in an herbal sense.  I also know that many of them encourage their followers to buy huge quantities of herbs.  I'm not trying to compete, but to show you that a small amount can help keep your family healthy.  It doesn't have to be so mind-boggling or costly.

Do what you can and ask the Lord about the rest, okay?  The bottom line---trust your instincts as to what's best for your family.  The medical community has their place, but I believe that wise choices made by parents can provide cures at home.

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Summer 2005

It's just come to my attention, that there are actions taking place without the American people being fully aware.  And while I'm not taking DHEA (which is being targeted) as a supplement, I feel folks should be allowed the opportunity to buy whatever supplements, herbs or vitamins they need.  And also, seems to me that most people who choose natural products are well-educated about the ins and outs of diagnosing themselves.  The FDA is strong-arming the health industry, already controlling prescriptions.  Next they would favor fully controlling the natural supplements trade.  Think how wonderful it is now to be able to either order online, or visit the store of your choice and, pretty much, buy whatever you want.  It's a terrific freedom.  And costs are affordable.  But that could change.  

Please take a minute to type in your zip code and visit the Save our Supplements site above.  If you feel led, write your congressmen/women.  The site offers a variety of pre-written letters...all you do is click your choice.  Let them know you're interested.  And really, in the United States we still have a wonderful freedom in being able to buy these products.  But with our further involvement in the World Trade Organization, that freedom might be waning.  Please act prayerfully now.  It can make a difference.

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Spring 2005

My interest in herbal medicine began about 12 years ago, during one of my   pregnancies.  The midwife we used, at that time, suggested that I take a garlic supplement to lower my blood pressure.  It worked.  The combination I took included cayenne, hawthorn berry and the garlic.  I was amazed at how much better I felt, and with no prescription.  A previous midwife I'd used, was more medically oriented.  She prescribed iron for me since I tend towards anemia, not even attempting to recommend an over-the-counter natural supplement.  So, I had to learn the hard way...just by doing.  

And an interesting side note here---I had to stop taking the cayenne shortly before delivery because of the danger of bleeding at that time.   The cayenne thins the blood, making heavy bleeding during delivery a possibility.  Not a problem.  I just stopped taking the supplement containing the cayenne, hawthorn berry and garlic and switched to plain old garlic capsules.  My blood pressure stayed in a reasonable range and that was the goal anyhow.

With the births of our remaining children, I've used a variety of safe herbs with wonderful results.  Red raspberry has been helpful during pregnancy, and alfalfa has done an incredible job in lessening the bleeding common after a birth.  We always have a bottle of echinacea in the tea cabinet in the kitchen along with a variety of other treasures.

Another wonderful natural product we use, and make ourselves, is colloidal silver.  With a simple, battery-run generator we make colloidal silver liquid ourselves using a tiny bit of sea salt, distilled water and a quart canning jar.  Within an hour's time span, we have a full jar of safe, colloidal silver which we take orally and use on cuts and burns.  I wouldn't be without it.  Much has been written against this product, but I can attest to its safety and wonderful performance.  Our first experience with buying the silver (before getting our own generator) was giving it to one of our small sons who had mononucleosis.  I truly believe his healing was accelerated with the use of the colloidal silver.  And while he was extremely ill, I believe the c.s. helped his system fight off the infection.  I stand by that belief even now.

Now, since our children are growing, I'm learning more about how to use herbs and other natural supplements to maintain our health.  My husband and I take vitamin E and fish oil on a regular basis for our heart health.  I'd not be without garlic for anything and our oldest daughter depends on calcium for a calm nervous system.  And, do you know, the vitamin D in calcium can help regulate an irregular heartbeat?  If I run out and neglect to buy calcium with the added D, my heart lets me know it.

*I wanted to add a note about the colloidal silver.  About a year ago, our youngest daughter was afflicted (that's the only way to put it) with something called a chalazion on one of her eyes, below the lower lash line.  I tried the treatments I read about online, which merely consisted of warm compresses.  The alternative was having doctor drain the swelling.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with what a chalazion is....it's similar to a stye but is located on the outside area of the lashes, while a stye is situated against the eye itself.  After having no luck with compresses, I began to used colloidal silver inside our daughter's eye.  By pulling back and looking inside the eyelid, I could see that there was an indention directly opposite of the swelling which was visible on the outside of her eyelid.  I just squirted the colloidal silver in there and within days, the swelling and pus-filled area was retreating.  Wish I'd tried that treatment initially.  She's ended up with a scar, but fortunately it's diminishing.