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A Natural Remedy for Gingivitis, Toothaches, and Mouth Sores

~posted on May 15th, 2007

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Everyone has a variety of bacteria in their mouth. Some have more than others. This bacterium helps you by beginning the digestive process.

Excess bacteria in your mouth have now been found to cause more than tooth decay, gingivitis or gum disease. So, you need to know, even though you might not have gingivitis, how to control these plaque-building bacteria in your mouth.

Bacteria that create gingivitis live in your plaque and cause your gums to inflame, bleed, and separate from your teeth. You can also have bad breath when you have gingivitis. In more severe cases, your gums become sore, teeth hurt, gums recede, and teeth loosen.

To stop the inflammation and gum separation use this natural remedy to kill some of these bacteria and strengthen your gums in your mouth.

Here are the herbs and the formula you will need to make a remedy for a mild case of gingivitis:

2 parts white oak bark herb — powder

1 part myrrh gum herb — power or granules

3/4 part Peppermint leaves converted to powder

½ part anise herb — power or seeds

1/8 part clove - powder

If herbs and leaves are not in powder form, grind them in a coffee grinder. Use this formula to make as much powder as you want.

Place the mixture into a small container. I usually use a small-unused vitamin bottle.

I usually mix a small amount and use a tablespoon as my measuring tool. For example, 2 tablespoons of white oak, 1 tablespoon of myrrh gum, ¾ tablespoon of peppermint leaves, and so on. The measurements do not have to be so precise.

How to use it:

To control bacteria in your mouth, use this power once a week. If you have gingivitis, you can use this 3 times a day. Place some powder on your toothbrush and brush your teeth and gums. After brushing spit out, a few time, the saliva and residue powder. Don’t rinse out your mouth since you want to keep the active herb powders in your month. You can swallow any that remains in your mouth with no problem.

This powder combination is bitter, but quite powerful and will get the job done. You can add more peppermint powder to make it less bitter, if you like.

For severe cases of gingivitis and toothaches, you can also moist some powder with distilled water and then place the paste all along the your teeth and gums — front and back. Leave the paste in your mouth as long as you can. Don’t worry about the herbs getting in between your teeth. This remedy works.

My wife was schedule for a root canal last year and a few weeks before her tooth started paining and couldn’t sleep. So I made this remedy. She just placed the powers around the painful area. It wasn’t long before the pain stopped and she was able to go to sleep.

There have been other clients that have used this remedy for a month and successfully avoided having the dentist apply gingivitis treatment. In cases of severe gingivitis, go see your dentist and at the same time use this remedy.

By: Rudy Silva


 

Taking Responsibility for Healing

~posted on April 18th, 2007

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All of us have a biography: a set or string of events, which make up our lives. Not all of these events that have occurred in our biography are pleasant. As we go through our lives many of us drag these unpleasant events along with us throughout the years and these events shape who we are to become. Often times we give energy to these events and feed them for the purpose of filling a void or a need. We reach out to others in our lives and share this biography in the hopes of eliciting some sort of gain. The energy that comes from these events is negative. As we share these negative events with others that energy feeds our cells. That negative energy that is feeding our cells is also feeding our illnesses and our diseases. That which was once known as our biography has now become our biology.

Over the past few decades there has been a huge shift in how we speak to each other and about what we share. On her audio CD, “Why People Don’t Heal”, Caroline Myss (2001) attributes this shift to our level of intimacy. Myss contends that prior to WWII we as a society did not speak on the same level of intimacy that we do today. She describes this language as “Woundology”. Woundology as she suggests is basically the language we exchange with others that gives us power. We manipulate others by using this language to feed our wounds of the past. For some people healing is not an option because if they are healed or cured of their disease or illness they would lose their power over others.

So many people use their illnesses as a crutch, a way to avoid an event, a situation, or to either draw people into their lives or to distance themselves. If the illness were no longer present in would force them to confront these events, or situations, and possibly eliminate their excuses for developing meaningful relationships. One event that comes to mind is of a woman who had committed numerous injustices towards others throughout her life. Her life had revolved around feeding her own pleasures while ignoring the consequences. Nothing in her life ever went the way it was supposed to and she had always been the victim. Later in life this woman developed a chronic illness. Now she was truly the victim and could use this illness to justify all of the unpleasant events, which had occurred in her life prior to the onset of the illness. She could also blame the illness for all of the injustices, which she had bestowed on others. This would alleviate her from the burden or responsibility of ever having to say she was sorry and she could remain the victim. Her conversations usually included a reference to her illness and an elaborate explanation of why it prevents her from doing so many things. Oh how she hates this illness. Why me is now her mantra as she so gracefully assumes the role as…the victim. Her family tries to comfort her and tell her that it is not her fault. They suggest numerous resources, which may help her with her illness but she refuses. If she were to seek out these resources and they actually cured her of her disease she would lose that power and be forced to take responsibility for her actions.

Caroline Myss states, “Healing is unattractive”. (2001). Healing is most definitely unattractive because it requires addressing all the wounds that we tend to sugar coat and bury away in the deepest darkest crevasses of our being. When you are addressing these wounds and bringing them to the surface there is a metaphorical festering prior to healing. When you heal you also lose the drama that draws in other victims. Now you no longer have this audience who is attracted to your illness, and you are forced to find a new audience, or a healthier audience.

Healing requires change and change can be frightening to some. It is much easier for most people to remain within their comfort zone and to stick with what they know. Healing requires commitment. If you have been using your illness to avoid commitment it will be extremely difficult to give up the sanctuary provided to you by your illness. Healing also requires taking responsibility for your actions. Most people would find it much easier to hang on to the illness than it would be to take responsibility for their own lives. There can be much comfort in an illness if you allow it to nurture your needs. You can also think of an illness as a bad habit, which many of us are not ready to kick. Its like giving up any bad habit, there are always those triggers that draw us back to our vices. When we do decide that it is time to give up that habit we must begin to deprive ourselves of the things that we love, the things that comfort us, and the things that nurture us in our time of need.

Anorexia and bulimia are actually illnesses that revolve around deprivation; a wound so deep that it has no language and cannot be expressed. It eats away from the inside out until the exterior self starts to mirror the interior. The visual then becomes the language as the appearance creates the victim. The stage is set as the audience gathers. Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, gather around to see…the victim. Despite the fact that they could not express their concerns or that they had no language or “woundology”, the illness has served its purpose. Like a neon sign that flashes incessantly, “See me, I am the victim”.

Conversely those who become addicted to food often try to insulate themselves from the world around them. There exists some fear of intimacy or rejection, which is satiated through the comfort of food; a non judgemental confidant always standing by in their hour of need.

So how can we relate other illnesses to this internal eruption that derives from our inner self and manifests itself externally as disease? The German homeopath, Constantine Hering laid down three laws of cure, which are known as Hering’s laws. According to Hering’s first law, “healing progresses from the deepest part of the organism – the mental and emotional levels and the vital organs – to the external parts, such as the skin and extremities. A cure is in progress when a person’s psychological symptoms lessen and the physical symptoms increase.” “On the other hand, if physical symptoms improve but the psychological state worsens, the person’s state of health is thought to be deteriorating”. (Cummings & Ullman, 1997) So what Hering was actually saying is that if you heal the inner emotional wound the exterior manifestation will follow. Perhaps the language used to describe certain emotions is not that far from the cure. People that are riddled with guilt, those who are so angry they say it is eating them up inside, when someone is sad and becomes chocked up, or even when we refer to having a broken heart. These emotions certainly trigger a physiological response within the body.

Many of us contribute to our own ill health by indulging in behaviors despite the fact that we know they are bad for us. However, if you look at these behaviors there is usually a psychological trigger which puts the behavior in motion. Consider this, we reach for food, smoke cigarettes, and drink alcohol when we are stressed, when we are angry, and when we are sad. We know that these behaviors or substances are bad for us but we use them as a crutch just like we do our illnesses. So is it the emotional factor that is making us ill or is it the physical substance that we are putting into our bodies that is making us ill? Perhaps if we addressed the emotional aspect of the situation we wouldn’t have to comfort ourselves with the physical substances and therefore we might avoid certain illnesses in the future.

It is my belief that many of us may not even realize that we are contributing to our own ill health. Symptoms start to arise and we look to eliminate the symptom. Why would we assume that in order to address the physical complaint we must address the internal wound? In our western culture this is not the norm. It takes a strong person to delve into the psyche and mend and nurture those wounds. Perhaps if we as a culture begin to mainstream these theories they will eventually become the norm and people will first look inward when addressing illnesses and disease. Regardless of whether or not these theories are the norm there will always be those people who refuse to let go of their illness, and those who refuse to heal.References

Cummings, S., & Ullman, D. (1997). Everybody’s guide to homeopathic medicines. New York: Penguin Group Inc.

Myss, C (2001). Why people don’t heal. [CD ROM]. Available: Colorado: Sounds True

Natalie Vickery is a Certified Family Herbalist and a doctoral student in Naturopathy. Her primary philosophy is “The Doctor as the Teacher”, as she works to educate others on the benefits of healing naturally and taking responsibility for individual health. Natalie is a member of the American Herbalist Guild and provides consultations focusing on nutrition and herbal medicine. If you would like to learn more about Natalie or her practice you can find her on the web at http://thefamilyherbalist.com


 

The Truth about Vegetarian Diets

~posted on April 17th, 2007

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In our Western society, a common nutritional belief is that meat and animal products must be consumed in order to maintain a well-balanced, muscle-building healthy diet.

Those who turn away from this traditional way of eating and choose a vegetarian diet are often considered “granola-head hippies”…or even just plain odd.

But more and more people these days are discovering the many health benefits of a vegetarian diet. Additionally, more physicians and scientists are prescribing and endorsing plant-based meals in order to promote health, prevent and treat certain diseases, and even to reduce weight.

Although vegetarianism may seem like a modern fad, in reality, its health benefits have been known for centuries in many cultures world-wide. India and many Asian countries make up the largest percentage of the world’s vegetarians, both for health and spiritual reasons. One group of people, the Hunza — who live near the Himalayan Mountains — have an exclusively vegetarian diet. Members of their community reportedly often live to be over 100 years old.

The American Dietetic Association states that the benefits of a vegetarian diet include: 1) lowered cholesterol; 2) lower levels of saturated fat; 3) higher levels of important minerals and antioxidant vitamins; 4) lower body fat; 5) lower rates of heart disease; 6) lower blood pressure; 7) lower rates of type-2 diabetes; and 8) lower instances of some cancers.

Obesity, one of the major health concerns in this country, can be addressed with a vegetarian diet, one that eliminates excess protein and animal fat consumption, and increases fiber in the form of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Those who consume a vegetarian diet maintain a lower body mass index (BMI), which significantly aids in the treatment and management of other chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes.

One common question asked by anyone considering a vegetarian diet is: “Will I get enough protein?” That is certainly a valid concern, as protein is necessary for the building, maintenance and function of all body cells. However, according the American Dietetic Association, a varied and well-balanced vegetarian diet provides all the protein the body needs from eating such things as whole grains, beans, nuts and soy products.

In fact, meat-based diets typically provide excess protein, which may actually be harmful. A leading gerontological journal reports that too much protein can cause a person to lose about 30% of their kidney function by the time they become elderly. It can also cause systemic acidity, which the body attempts to counter by pulling calcium out of the bones. This can, unfortunately, lead to osteoporosis.

Becoming a vegetarian does not mean you are limited to eating celery sticks, apples and nuts. There are many types of vegetarians that eat meatless diets in a variety of combinations. Some of the more common types include:

Lacto vegetarians, who do not eat meat or eggs, but do eat dairy products such as milk and cheese.

Lacto-ovo vegetarians do not eat meat, but will eat dairy products and eggs.

Ovo vegetarians do not eat meat or dairy products, but will eat eggs.

Vegans do not eat meat, dairy products, eggs, or any animal products at all.

There are many medical and health organizations that promote, endorse, and support people on a path toward changing their dietary lifestyle to one that includes more plant-based foods.

Additionally, many restaurants and grocery stores provide meals and products to vegetarians, making it simpler to choose this healthy lifestyle.

Research and information exists out there on the internet, as well as through medical providers and vegetarian organizations.

The bottom line: it’s OK to be vegetarian, and the benefits may very well enhance or even save your life!

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About the Author:
Ally Cook is writer for “Girl Does Diet”, a health, diet, fitness and “Lookin’ Goooood” website at www.GirlDoesDiet.com. Ally is attempting to lose weight while keeping her journal for motivation. Stop by and join in the fun ~ you may learn something you didn’t know before!


 

Essential Fatty Acids

~posted on April 17th, 2007

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Essential Fatty Acids are oils, omega-3 and omega-6, that you can find, in certain amounts, in all oils that you can purchase in most the health food and regular grocery stores. These fatty acids are called essential because you cannot create them in your body and your cells use them every day.

If you do not eat enough of these oils… guess what… you’re going to get sick. What kind of sick? The list is quite extensive and it depends on your deficiency.

* Acne
* ADD/ADHD
* Alzheimer’s disease
* Arthritis
* Asthma
* Cancer
* Diabetes
* Eczema
* Eye diseases
* Growth retardation
* Hair loss
* Heart disease
* High blood pressure
* Immune dysfunction
* Kidney deterioration
* Kidney deterioration
* Memory loss
* Psoriasis
* Schizophrenia

It’s a good idea not to be short on these fatty acids, because this list is still not complete.

80% of the American people will come down with serious illness because of nutritional deficiencies

It is not enough to eat essential fatty acid randomly. They need to be eaten in balance. You will need to balance the Omega-3 with the Omega-6. Most people are eating around 15 tablespoons of Omega-6 to 1 tablespoon of Omega-3. If you are one of these persons then expect to be harboring or creating one of the diseases listed above

What are Essential Fatty Acids?

There are four important types of Essential Fatty Acids:

* Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) or Omega-3 Oil
* Linoleic Acid (LA) or Omega-6 Oil
* Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
* Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are found in everyday oils that you use for cooking, baking, and eating.

* Flax seed oil — contains four times more omega-3 than omega-6
* Perilla seed oil — contains three-four more omega-3 than omega-6
* Hemp oil — contain the ideal ratio of 4:1, four times more omega-6 to omega-3.
* Pumpkin oil — contains 3 times more omega-6 than omega-3
* Walnut oil contain ten times more omega-6 than omega-3
* Safflower — has no omega-3 and 75% of its oil is omega-6
* Sunflower — has no omega-3 and 65% of its oil is omega-6
* Wheat germ oil — slight amount of omega-3 but mostly omega-6
* Olive oil — no omega-3 and 8% of its oil is omega-6
* Corn oil — contains mostly omega- 6

You can see that most oils have very little omega-3. This is why you hear a lot about flax seeds and flax seed oil because they are high in omega-3.

In recent years, a new source of omega-3 was found in the seeds of the Perilla frutescens plant. Perilla oil was found not to cause digestive upset when used in large quantities. This oil is similar to flax seed oil in content except that 19% of it oil is saturated compared to 7% for flax seed oil.

It’s cheaper to buy perilla it in liquid form, since one tablespoon contains 7700 mg of omega-3 and one capsule contains 550 mg.

It is best to alternate between oils, using one bottle at a time of flax, perilla, and hemp oil. In this way you will get the benefits that the different oils have to give.

When buying your oils, try to buy them in dark bottles. This prevents oxidation from occurring and assures that you get active and fresh oils that contain strong levels of omega oils.

Other sources of omega-3 oil are,

* Flax seeds
* Chia seeds
* Pumpkin seeds
* Walnuts
* Dark greens
* Soy products

Limit your use of soy products. These products use up your body’s minerals and have been associated various body diseases. They cause fibrin to settles in your tissues and organs. Fibrin tends to clog up your organs and causes arteries to close off when you’re short on systemic enzymes.

Fish are also high in omega-3 oil. Include these in your diet by eating them at least once a week. The fish to eat are,

* Salmon
* Sardines
* Halibut
* Trout
* Albacore tuna
* Mackerel

Add the essential fatty acids to your eating habits everyday and gain the benefit of a better life.

This article was posted at iReprint.info on 2003-12-21. Webmasters and publishers are free to reprint this article as long as the resource box and all the links remain intact.

About the Author
Other Articles by Rudy Silva Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He writes a newsletter call “Natural Remedies Thatwork.” For more information the on the essential fatty acids, visit his web site at http://www.fatty-acid-remedies.for–you.info.


 

Not The Salt Of The Earth!

~posted on April 11th, 2007

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When It Rains, It Pours….Chemicals

by Page Remick

Major companies dry salt in massive kilns where temperatures approach 1200 degrees F. This alters the chemical structure of salt as sodium chloride is lost into the air and transformed into a gas. Salt IS sodium chloride! All that is left is sodium hydroxide: a known irritant.

When table salt is refined, 82 out of the 84 mineral elements are extracted. Why, if these elements are so good for you, do the salt refineries do this? Normally, only 7% of the refined salt ends up on your table. The majority of the salt has great commercial value and is sold for industrial use.

Since the high heat has removed all of salt’s essential minerals, let’s see what man adds before he sells it to you:

* Potassium Iodide – to avoid iodine deficiency
* Glucose – a type of sugar to stabilize the iodine
* Magnesium Carbonate – an anti caking element
* Aluminum Silicate – to keep the salt porous and powdery…. note the word ‘aluminum’ and remember its association with Alzheimer’s Disease as aluminum is highly toxic to our nervous system and is not meant to be in our bodies.

A Science Test Even A Child Can Do

Want to know what is happening in your body to the chemical slurry that major manufacturers call salt?

Try this simple and quick test: Take a glass that you can see through and add a large spoon of your ‘manufactured’ salt. Add water, stir and let sit on the countertop overnight.

Next morning, what do you see? See the ‘salt’ at the bottom of the glass? That is the nutrition-less and chemical laden mixture that you spent money on at the grocery store. If it can collect in the bottom of a glass of water, where is it collecting in your body? If it is not dissolving in the glass, it’s not dissolving in your body.

Note: REAL salt dissolves.

Pass The Salt…The REAL Salt!

Before you only think of salt as being ‘bad’ and being responsible for high blood pressure, take a look at it’s benefits:

* Real salt, as strange as it may seem, is essential for the regulation of blood pressure
* Real salt plays a crucial role in stabilizing irregular heartbeat
* Real salt helps extract acidity and toxins from the cells in our bodies: especially our brain cells
* Real salt can dissolve calcium deposits which create health issues in our bodies
* Real salt controls the volume of water in our bodies, regulating the delicate balance between body fluids and cells, while maintaining electrolyte balance as well
* Real salt is a strong antihistamine helping to prevent muscle cramping and can help clear congestion in the sinuses
* Real salt is essential in balancing sugar levels in the blood
* Real salt is a natural hypnotic and helps to regulate sleep

Real Salt Is Unrefined

What is real salt?

1. Sea salt that is dried on the shore and put into bottles and jars with minimal handling
2. Salt mined from the earth and put into bottles and jars with minimal handling
3. Salt that has not been heated, treated and does not have added chemicals

The properties of mined salt and sea salt are: 84 different mineral elements. These same minerals are found in our body. Remember the refined salt at the beginning of this article? 82 of the 84 minerals were removed.

Loss of these minerals creates a dietary deficiency, which can lead to serious disorders of the nervous system, brain damage, muscle damage or other serious illnesses. The minerals in real salt can help prevent cancer, exhaustion, memory loss, rapid aging, obesity, water retention, ulcers, poor teeth and bones, decreased sex drive, and other serious conditions.

Now do you still want to eat the ‘refined’ chemicals that they call table salt?

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