Milk Is Good Food? Think Again!

No other animal in the wild drinks the milk of another species. No other animal in the wild drinks its’ own mother’s milk past the age of weaning. There are a number of reasons why drinking cow’s milk is not the best choice for humans. Here are just a few:

• Cow’s milk protein is 85% casein which is potentially carcinogenic to humans. It is therefore a potential contributing cause of eczema, acne, kidney disease, arthritis, tooth decay, asthma, irritable bowels, sinus problems, Crohn's, colitis, MS, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.
• Cow’s milk is rich in a simple sugar called lactose, or “milk sugar.” However, after infancy, many people lose their ability to digest lactose. The result is that undigested lactose travels to the large intestine where bacteria break this sugar down, producing anything from gas, to cramps, to diarrhea. Cow’s milk is either a contributing cause or the sole cause for many people’s intestinal problems.
• Cow’s milk and other products (eggs, cheese, and yogurt) create an acid-ash in the body. This causes mucus in the nasal cavity and mucoid plaque in the digestive system. This also forces the body to leach calcium from bones and teeth to neutralize the acid which leads to osteoporosis and tooth decay.
• Dairy cows at conventional factory farms are subjected to horrific living conditions and as a result their immune systems are greatly weakened. To compensate for their ill health they are injected with antibiotics, which contaminates the milk we drink.
• To increase milk production dairy cows are injected with steroids and hormones which put them in a perpetual state of pregnancy. This also contaminates the milk we drink, reduces the nutrient content and creates pus in the milk.
• Legally, 135 million pus cells are allowed in one glass of milk.
• Infants especially need mother’s milk because it boosts their immune system. Studies show that infants fed formula or cow’s milk are 80 percent more likely to develop diarrhea and 70 percent more likely to develop ear infections when compared with infants who are exclusively fed their mother’s breast.
• Cow’s milk can cause colic in babies.
• Cow’s milk may cause allergies and asthma.
• Store bought milk is pasteurized which destroys most of the nutritional content.
• Humans have a difficult time absorbing the calcium in cow’s milk.

The age which children lose their ability to digest lactose varies. Well over half the world’s population is lactose-intolerant. Some races tend to lose the lactase enzyme earlier in life than others. Human breast milk provides a child with the mother’s antibodies, and those antibodies are very protective when it comes to infectious illnesses. Conversely, cow’s milk or infant formula is devoid of these protective agents. White blood cells called macrophages can be passed from mother to child through breast milk. These macrophages provide useful immune functions while in the child’s intestinal system. Human breast milk also contains a compound called lactoferrin. This agent tends to block the growth of E. Coli in the intestine. For these reasons and others many people choose to breast feed until their child is two years of age.

Cow's Milk Alternative

A great alternative to cow’s milk is milk made from raw nuts such as almonds, brazil nuts or sprouted buckwheat groats. These nut milks taste great and are high in protein, calcium and many other high quality nutrients without the risks associated with consuming casein.

It is easy to make almond milk at home. In a blender add 1 cup of raw almonds to four cups of filtered water. Blend at high speed for one minute. Pour the mixture into a nut milk bag and strain into a bowl. You can use more or less water to make your milk thicker like whole milk or thinner like skim milk. You can also save the pulp for use in other recipes such as making dehydrated cookies or flax crackers.

by Brian Hetrich, featured article on the Hippocrates Health Institute webpage, Dec 16, 2015

9 Signs of a Leaky Gut

The gut is the gateway to health. If your gut is healthy, chances are that you’re in good health. However, there’s a condition called leaky gut that can lead to a host of health problems.

What is leaky gut?

The gut is naturally permeable to very small molecules in order to absorb these vital nutrients. In fact, regulating intestinal permeability is one of the basic functions of the cells that line the intestinal wall. In sensitive people, gluten can cause the gut cells to release zonulin, a protein that can break apart tight junctions in the intestinal lining. Other factors — such as infections, toxins, stress and age — can also cause these tight junctions to break apart. Once these tight junctions get broken apart, you have a leaky gut. 

When your gut is leaky, things like toxins, microbes, undigested food particles, and more can escape from your intestines and travel throughout your body via your bloodstream. Your immune system marks these “foreign invaders” as pathogens and attacks them. The immune response to these invaders can appear in the form of any of the nine signs you have a leaky gut, which are listed below.

What causes leaky gut?

The main culprits are foods, infections, and toxins. Gluten is the number one cause of leaky gut. Other inflammatory foods like dairy or toxic foods, such sugar and excessive alcohol, are suspected as well. The most common infectious causes are candida overgrowth, intestinal parasites, and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Toxins come in the form of medications, including NSAIDS like Motrin and Advil, steroids, antibiotics, and acid-reducing drugs. They can also present in the form of environmental toxins like mercury, pesticides and BPA from plastics. Stress and age also contribute to a leaky gut. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, it’s likely that you have a leaky gut.

9 signs you have leaky gut?

1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
2. Seasonal allergies or asthma
3. Hormonal imbalances such as PMS or PCOS
4. Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, psoriasis, or celiac disease
5. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
6. Mood and mind issues such as depression, anxiety, ADD or ADHD
7. Skin issues such as acne, rosacea, or eczema
8. Diagnosis of candida overgrowth
9. Food allergies or food intolerances

How do you heal leaky gut?

In my practice, I have all of my patients follow The Myers Way comprehensive elimination diet, which removes the toxic and inflammatory foods for a certain period of time. In addition, I have them follow a 4R program to heal their gut. The 4R program is as follows.

1. Remove the bad — The goal is to get rid of things that negatively affect the environment of the GI tract, such as inflammatory and toxic foods, and intestinal infections.
2. Replace with good — Add back the essential ingredients for proper digestion and absorption, such as digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid and bile acids.
3. Restore the balance — It’s critical to restore beneficial bacteria to reestablish a healthy balance of good bacteria.
4. Repair the damage — It’s essential to provide the nutrients necessary to help the gut repair itself. One of my favorite supplements is L-glutamine, an amino acid that helps to rejuvenate the lining of the gut wall. If you still have symptoms after following the above recommendations, I would recommend finding a Functional Medicine physician in your area to work with you and to order a comprehensive stool test.

This article is by Amy Myers, MD, a renowned leader in Functional Medicine.  

Minerals List & Their Food Sources

Natural Health Treatment (NHT) highly recommends an "all round mineral" supplement, Vemma’s New Vision brand Ionic Minerals. The brand has (1) trace minerals (2) in their ionic form (3) which taste good but (4) have a sugar-free option for diabetics, and (5) are free from heavy metals.

I'm not advocating this but think it worth posting on as minerals are frequently lacking in our present-day food that is grown in mineral-depleted soil. But following is a listing of minerals that the body needs every day and followed by foods which are rich in the respective minerals. Eating right for one's health is SO MUCH BETTER than popping a pill for two main reasons - (1) the vitamins and minerals in food function synergetically with one another, something that can't happen effectively in chemically formed supplements, and (2) chemically formed supplements, although they are "natural", are still held together by talc and binders that are yes, chemically processed and therefore are in some small or great way toxic to the body. My suggestion, eat your way to good health.

____________________________________________________________________________

Common mineral deficiencies and foods for replenishing them:

Word of caution: Eating raw foods to replenish nutrients is the best bet as overdosing and throwing off the body's balance is easy with mineral supplements, but not with food.

Source - click to enlarge

Boron (B): apples, carrots, grapes, other raw fruits (except citrus), nuts, legumes, vegetables in general. Most often used for: arthritis

Calcium (Ca): blackstrap molasses, salmon, green leafy vegetables, almonds, sesame seeds, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products, broccoli, nettles, burdock root, parsley, raspberry leaves, yarrow, marshmallow root and yellow dock. Most often used for: osteoporosis, muscle cramps, heart palpitations, arthritis, brittle nails, pregnancy support, eczema, and high blood pressure. Note: Many types of calcium supplements are on the market, but choosing the correct one is essential as excess can cause high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, and kidney stones.

Chromium (Cr): New Vision Ionic Minerals, blackstrap molasses, beef and other meats/poultry/fish, brown rice, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, dulse (seaweed), and  mushrooms. Most often used for: anxiety and nervousness and other serious mental challenges, ADD, depression, type II diabetes, hypoglycemia, heart diseases associated with coronary artery problems and infertility

Copper (Cu): blackstrap molasses, parsley, New Vision Ionic Minerals, Standard Process Labs brand Chezyn, almonds, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, oats and other whole grains and legumes, nuts, seafood, sunflower oil and whole wheat. Most often used for: anemia, baldness, joint problems, improper cholesterol ratios, aneurysms, and retinal degeneration

Germanium (Ge): New Vision Ionic Minerals, mushrooms, seeds, vegetables (especially garlic and onions) and bran. Most often used for: cancer, asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure and osteoporosis

Iron (Fe): blackstrap molasses (maximum 2 teaspoons/day), parsley, leafy green vegetables, sea vegetables such as dulse, kelp and nori wrappers, prunes, black cherries, meat and seafood, nuts, whole grains and legumes, burdock, yellow dock, nettles and raspberry leaves. Most often used for: iron deficient anemia, decreased stamina and energy, weak immune system, digestive disorders (Crohn’s, Celiac, difficulty swallowing) and irritable nerves. Note: Two signs you may need natural iron supplements are ice chewing and a tan chin and cheek area when the rest of the face is a lighter complexion. Parasites can cause anemia.

Iodine (I): sea vegetables (kelp, dulse, nori wrappers), sesame seeds, raw spinach, zucchini, asparagus, Celtic sea salt, soy and soy products, garlic. Most often used for: thyroid problems, fatigue, and weight issues. Note: Some foods block the update of iodine into the thyroid gland when eaten raw and in large amounts. Iodine blocking foods include: Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, peaches, pears, cooked spinach and turnips. For an underactive thyroid, limit the intake of these substances to 4 cups/week.

Magnesium (Mg): blackstrap molasses (max of 2 teaspoons/day), dark green vegetables, potatoes (especially the skin), beans and other legumes, whole grains, almonds and other nuts, meat and fish, soy products, apricots, bananas, coconut (the organic unsulfited kind), dates, figs and avocados. Most often used for: constipation, hyperexcitability, nervousness, asthma, chronic fatigue, glaucoma and retinal problems, high blood pressure, heart problems (congestive heart failure), valve problems, arrhythmias), insomnia, muscle cramping and multiple sclerosis. Note: Potatoes grown on magnesium deficient soils (like Washington) are susceptible to the Potato Scab Virus, the virus thought to be linked with the same virus that causes Multiple Sclerosis in humans. Avoid scabby skinned potatoes.

Manganese (Mn): definitely parsley (1-2 tablespoons/day chopped and raw), green leafy vegetables, oats, pineapple, nuts, spinach, peppermint, apples, apricots, blueberries, celery, egg yolk, and whole grains. Most often used for: tendon and ligament problems (very common problems), tinnitus, skin rashes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, memory problems, diabetes, and breast problems

Molybdenum (Mo): beans and other legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, whole grains and wheat germ. Most often used for: asthma and gout

Oxygen (O): A diet with a minimum of 1 1/2 cups of raw fruits and 1 1/2 cups of raw vegetables daily will keep the body producing healthy red blood cells stocked with hemoglobin. Exercise or deep breathing exercises are essential to keep oxygenated. Self-test: Look at the little white moons at the base of your fingernails, all fingers except the little fingers should have moons. Without them, the body may not be getting enough oxygen to all the different organs. Oxygen fights off cancer because cancer can’t grow in oxygenated tissues.

Phosphorus (P): eggs, beans and other legumes, almonds, pumpkin seeds (great for prostate and normal hormone function in both males and females), sesame seeds (great for seasonal affective disorder and other forms of depression), bran and whole grains. Most often used for: bone pain, nosebleeds, and trembling.

Note: People who often drink soda pop (more than 4 per week), can easily imbalance the system resulting in too much phosphorus and not enough calcium and magnesium, a common cause of kidney stones and osteoporosis/osteopenia.

Potassium (K): Fresh fruits and vegetables of all kinds, blackstrap molasses, fish, dates, bananas, beans, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, brown rice, and nettles. Most often used for: heart disease, muscular fatigue and weakness, dry skin, depression, edema, insomnia, and counteracting acid bodies and replenishing the alkaline reserve

Selenium (Se): parsley, blackstrap molasses, mushrooms, nuts, salmon and other seafood, sesame seeds, vegetables, wheat germ, chicken, nettles, yarrow, raspberry leaf, garlic and whole grains. Most often used for: immune system stimulation, asthma, thyroid disease, heart disease, high cholesterol, macular degeneration (Standard Process brand Chezyn is an awesome product for this containing chelated zinc, copper and selenium in a natural food-based formula), abnormal pap smears, cancer and liver diseases

Silicon (Si): horsetail, radishes and other root vegetables, New Vision Ionic Minerals, whole grains, brown rice, soy and soy products and green peppers. Most often used for: weak nails that break and tear easily, healthy skin and hair, pliable blood vessels, Alzheimer’s disease, and osteoporosis

Sodium (Na): celery, kale, sesame seeds, Celtic sea salt, apples, carrots, and hot peppers are all good sources of organic sodium which replaces the inorganic molecules we get from salted and prepared foods. Most often used for: high blood pressure, glaucoma, dehydration, and brain dysfunctions such as memory, depression, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, and poor coordination. 

Sulfur (S): eggs, garlic, onions, dried beans, cruciforms (cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale) and soy. Most often used for: arthritis, asthma, back and joint pain and skin disease

Vanadium (V): parsley, snap beans, mushrooms, radishes, soy and soy products, olives, whole grains, seafood, corn and gelatin. Most often used for: diabetes, bone and tooth development, and dental health

Zinc (Zn) (the most common mineral deficiency): pumpkin seeds and other nuts, oatmeal, eggs, parsley, wheat germ and Standard Process brand Chezyn.  Most often used for: Prostate health, healthy immune function, impotence, menopause and perimenopausal health, memory, skin disease, pancreas and thyroid health, macular degeneration and other eye disorders, and bowel dysfunction. Note: A significant amount of zinc is lost through perspiration.

Once mineral deficiencies are noted, checking the entire periodic chart to see if the body is harboring any excesses in heavy metals and gasses is necessary.

The information on this page comes from Natural Health Treatment, in a slightly condensed and more succinct form.

Hair Analysis - 2nd (2011-03-22)

I don't remember having any specific horrendous problems when I had this analysis. By the time I took this, I had been on the anti-candida diet for 4 months. I SHOULD HAVE seen some improvement in my condition by this time, but other than the fact that once I figured out my problem -- bacteria out of control, which I don't know but candida has 81 kinds, or so one website says -- I should have seen improvement on the diet that made my symptoms of 1 1/2 years virtually disappear in one week. But, anytime I tried adding anything, the problems (joint pain, asthma-like wheeziness, and chest tightness, among others) would reappear. The diet, however, was really contolling the problem though! Time for another hair analysis ... but strange that this hair analysis actually shows more (but not as bad) imbalances than my last one.





RESULTS

Out-of-balance ratios:
sodium/potassium (Na/K) [increase] - if potassium low, kidneys reabsorb more sodium and potassium is excreted, and vice versa; result: acute stress or inflammation
calcium/potassium (Ca/K) [increase] - if potassium low, hypothyroidism results which is generally related to hypoglycemis, chronic fatigue, hypotension, melancholia
zinc/copper (Zn/Cu) [increase] - if copper low, cholesterol increases and cardiovascular disease may occur; if zinc is high compared with low-density lipoprotein; lipoprotein with high-density gravity is decreased resulting in fat deposits in arteries, which damages the immune system and/or increases bacterial infection, and in women, irregularity, PMS, fatigue, melancholia, weight gain, headache, constipation, breast pain, anxiety ...

Zinc - excess
Function: essential for male/female hormones and preventing diseases and viral infection; present in eyes, visual nerve, skin, adrenals, bone, brain, heart, kidney, liver, muscle, prostate, testicles (basically the organs)
Symptoms: fatigue, anorexia, hypotrophy, melancholia, apathy, apatheia, diarrhea, hypogeusia, hyposmia, postprandial fullness, anemia, night blindness, delay in injury curing, skin dryness, dermatitis, keratitis, alopecia areata, growth retardation, delay in sexual function matureness, sexual dysfunction (impotence) female infertility, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, increase in cholesterol

Iron - deficiency
Function: generates hemaglobin, maintains intellectual abilities of the brain, essential in activating enzymes concerned in brain neurotransmitters; if bacterial infection, iron sent to organs including bones, liver, spleen, and lymph system
Symptoms: absorption disorder, parasite, malnutrition, drug, deficiency of other vitamins/minerals, anemia, fatigue, fingernail weakening, irregularity, constipation, dysphagia, hypothyroidism, infection by immunodepression, concentration disorders, depressed level of consciousness, brain damage and nervous development problems, ex. excessive behavior
Food: dry laver, coarse tea, curry, boiled hard-necked clam, green tea, dry anchovy, brewer's yeast, dry bamboo shoot, dry salted shrimp, boiled kelp, pig liver, roasted sesame, soybean, powdered beans; herbs: peppermint, chickweed, comfrey root, licorice root, goldenseal
Vanadium is useful for iron, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and E. Iron rich in animal protein.

Chromium - deficiency
Function: helps absorption/use of glucose in cells with insulin, so if deficiency an increase in insulin results; relevant to nerve cells and vascular diseases; reinforces muscle and reduces fat
Causes of deficiency: excessive insulin, pregnancy, female hormones, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, infection, heart disease, anxiety, melancholia, mental/physical stress such as shock
Symptoms: may cause numbness/insensibility of limbs, peripheral neutropathy, arteriosclerosis, increased cholesterol level, interferes with vitamin C absorption, incurs diabetes symptoms, growth disorder, corneal opacity, headache, fatigue, anxiety and uneasiness
Food: brewer's yeast, wheat bread, roasted red peppers, shellfish, potato, wheat germ, eggs, chicken, apple, butter, clam, cheese, banana, carrot, cabbage, mandarine orange
Vitamins/Minerals: intake of iron, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, A and E increase chromium absorption.

Manganese - deficiency
Function: spread in most body tissues, esp mitochondria in cells which gives the body energy; is an enzyme which activates other enzymes involving synthesis and metabolism of fatty acid, carbs and protein; prevents damage caused by free radicals, esp peroxide free radicals; maintains normal thyroid function
Symptoms: fatigue, headache, lack of endurance, weight loss, asthma, ringing in the ears, decrease in hearing ability, decrease in natural fat and lipoprotein due to metabolism disorders, results in musculoskeletal diseases (posture, growth, joint and waist disorders, tendon disorders, osteoporosis), infertility, degeneration of ovary and testicles, inborn errors of metabolism, ex apply syrup disease and Phenylketonuria; cause dermititis, delay in nail and hair growth, hair discoloration into reddish-brown
Food: brazil nuts, almonds, barley, rye, buckwheat, dry peas, wheat, walnuts, spinach, nuts, raisins, carrots, uncleaned rice, wheat bread, cheese and cabbage; a high protein diet can improve manganese levels

MERCURY (Hg) - increase!
"Please be advised the 30% or more of the permissible range of mercury is deposited in the body!"
Damage to brain, kidneys, nerve system, unborn children. Once mercury enters the body through respiratory or digestive organs, 80% of it is deposited in the kidney and liver and seriously damages the brain.
Sources of mercury: amalgam, cosmetics, hairdye, manometer, thermometer, disinfectant, bactericide, agrichemicals, insecticide, flourescent lamps, manufacturing and transportation of petroleum products
Symptoms:
(early stage) alopecia, chronic fatigue, dizziness, melancholia, uneasiness, impatience, insomnia, anorexia, gingivitis, serious mood changes
(middle stage) alopecia, sterility, abortion, stillbirth, allergy, asthma, hypertension, stenocardia, palpitations, arthritis, nightmare, keratinization of the skin
(late stage) epilepsy, multiple sclerosis
Food: pectin, selenium, zinc, sulfur amino acids, vitamin C, beans, garlic, onion, eggs, parsley
[The only food I now eat at restaurants is small salt-water fish, once every two weeks or so. I also was eating about a can of tuna a week, and these two sources are probably where I got the increase in mercury. Yikes! Time to eliminate the canned fish now :( ]

Herbs for Candida and Other Ailments

There are certainly a host of healing herbs available, especially as natural medicine and ayurvedic are gaining in recognition along-side biomedicine, which people are realizing is lacking in treating the core problem but seeks to treat and/or eliminate the symptom. The following list of ailments is followed by recognized herbs that heal and/or treat those problems. A person with candida could have some or many of the other ailments (ex, acne, allergies, liver problems, parasites) so I've included the whole list provided. For a further information on herbs and spices, go to Leaves & Roots.


ACNE MIX : Yellowdock Root, Dandelion root, Burdock Root, Echinacea Root, Red Clover Blossom, Chaparral Leaf, Ginger Root, Kelp, Licorice Root

ALLERGY : Bentonite Clay, Horehound Herb, Mullien Leaf, Wild Cherry Bark

ARTHRITIS #1 : Alfalfa Leaf, Devils Claw, Burdock Root, Yucca Root, Celery Seed, Sarsaparilla
ARTHRITIS #2 : Glucosamine Sulfate, Devils Claw, Turmeric, Cats Claw, Yucca Root, Celery Seed

BLOOD PRESSURE : Hawthorne Berry, Eleuthro Root, Motherwort, Ginkgo Leaf, Reishi Mushroom, Olive Leaf

BRAIN : Gotu Kola, Ginkgo Leaf, Panax Ginseng, Cayenne 35HU

BUSTING OUT : Dong Quai, Damiana Herb, Saw Palmetto, Motherwort, Fenugreek Seed, Wild Yam, Blessed Thistle

CANDIDA : Pau D’arco, Barberry Bark, Chamomile, Garlic, Thyme

CHILL PILL : Scullcap, Spirulina, Schizandra Berry, Licorice Root

CHOLESTEROL : Apple Pectin, Hawthorne Leaf and Flower, Plantain Leaf, Fenugreek Seed, Black Cohosh, Cayenne 35HU

COLON CLEAN #1 : Aloe Leaf, Senna Leaf, Cascara Sagrada Bark, Ginger Root, Barberry Bark, Buckthorn Bark, Garlic, Cayenne35HU
COLON CLEAN #2 : Psyllium Husk, Flax Seed, Apple Pectin, Bentonite Clay, Slippery Elm Bark, Fennel Seed, Activated Charcoal

CRAMPS : Crampbark, Wild Yam Root, Squawvine, Black Haw

DETOX : Milk Thistle Seed, Burdock Root, Cascara sagrada Bark, Ginger Root, Dandelion Root, Echinacea Root, Fenugreek Seed, Hibiscus Flower, Red Clover Blossom, Sarsaparilla

DIABETES : Bladderwrack, Bilberry Leaf, Gentain Root, Dandelion Root, Raspberry Leaf, Saw Palmetto Berry, Uva Ursi Leaf, Kelp, Parsley Leaf

DIGESTION : Papaya Leaf, Dandelion Root, Fennel Seed, Ginger Root, Gentain Root

DIURETIC : Cleavers, Dandelion Root, Juniper Berry, Kelp, Parsley Leaf, Uva Ursi Leaf, Cayenne 35HU

ENERGY : Astragalus, Bee Pollen, Ginkgo Leaf, Eleuthro Root, Foti Root, Ginger Root, Gotu Kola, Licorice Root, Panax Ginseng Root, Saw Palmetto Berry, Sarsaparilla Root, Spirulina

ESSIAC (E.T.) : Sheep Sorrel, Burdock Root, Slippery Elm Bark, Turkey Rhubarb Root

FEMALE PROBS : Chaste Tree Berry, Damiana Leaf, Dong Quai Root, Licorice Root, Wild Yam Root, Squawvine, Saw Palmetto Berry

GREENS : Alfalfa Leaf, Barley Grass, Beet Root, Chlorella, Lecithin, Dandelion Root, Nettle Leaf, Parsley Leaf, Spirulina, Wheatgrass, Kelp, Bee Pollen, Rosehips

GOUT BGONE : Nettle Leaf, Celery Seed, Prickly Ash Bark, Parsley Leaf

IMMUNE : Echinacea Root, Suma, Eleuthro Root, Pau D’arco, Astragalus, Cats Claw, Schizandra Berry, Reishi & Shitake Mushrooms

KIDNEY STONES : Gravel Root, Ginger Root, Marshmallow Root, Parsley Root, Hydrangea Root, Lobelia

LIVER : Milk Thistle Seed, Turmeric, Artichoke, Dandelion Root, Oregon Grape Root, Schizandra Berry, Cascara Sagrada

LOWER BOWEL TONIC : Cascara Sagrada, Cayenne 35HU, Fennel Seed, Ginger Root, Lobelia, Oregon Grape Root, Red Raspberry, Rhubarb Root

ULTRA MALE : Tribulus, Damiana Herb, Horny Goatweed, Sarsaparilla, Panax Ginseng, Maca, Saw Palmetto, Ginkgo Leaf

MENOPAUSE : Black Cohosh, Blessed Thistle, Eleuthro Root, Chaste Tree Berry, Sarsaparilla Root, Squawvine

PARASITE : Black Walnut Hull, Wormwood, Quassia Wood, Male Fern, Cloves, Pumpkin Seed

PROSTATE : Echinacea Root, Ginger Root, Lobelia, Gravel Root, Parsley Root, Pygeum, Saw Palmetto Berry, Uva Ursi Leaf, Pumpkin Seed

RELAXING : Passionflower, Scullcap Herb, Hops Flower, Valerian Root

SUSTENANCE : Alfalfa Leaf, Nettle Leaf, Garcinia, Green Tea Extract, Hawthorn Berry, Spirulina, Cacao, Acai Berry, Bladderwrack, Cayenne 35HU

RESPIRATORY : Chickweed Herb, Horehound, Licorice Root, Mullien Leaf, Pleurisy Root, Saw Palmetto Berry, Slippery Elm Bark, Wild Cherry Bark, Cayenne 35HU

THYROID : Kelp, Gentain Root, Irish Moss, Saw Palmetto Berry, Cayenne 35HU


Someone put together a very informative page. I've bumped into a large number of herbs that are said to be affective for candida, several more than the ones mentioned here. But a note of experience, when I had horrendous throat and respiratory problems the Wildwood Lifestyle Center I went to for 11 days on two different occasions gave me a tea mix to drink: licorice root, chamomile and hops flowers. Wow, did the the licorice root soothe the throat!

What is not mentioned in this information is the side affects of all these "good and healthful" products. My mom (with high blood pressure) should not take licorice root as it is known raise the blood pressure, and no one should take it for longer than 7 days consecutively. People also have allergies, whether known or unknown, so they should pay attention to how their body reacts when introducing new products. For example, I had to minimize on the chamomile in my tea as chamomile is part of the aster family and I'm quite allergic to ragweed, also in the aster family. Echninacea which people rave about is also in the aster family and that stuff instead of boosting my immune system gives me asthma. So I think caution is needed when combining new herbs. Fact, people with candida have sensitivities and some herbs may not benefit every person's system.

Candida's Illustrous Beginnings

July 2009 was the beginning of my long nightmare. It began with a vile panic attack in the middle of the night - intensively scary - and never before experienced. Family members had talked of their panic attacks but me having panic attacks didn't make sense. I had no reason to be upset, stressed or down. I was finishing my dissertation and figured it would be completely written in just three more days, and then I had a great vacation scheduled. Nothing to worry about ... but after a second equally strange and very different kind of panic attack I suddenly was stressed and couldn't concentrate; the dissertation took another 2 weeks. I became agitated, unfocused, lost sleep, and oddly I had developed asthma and intense pains in the side of my left calf and sometimes along the shinbones triggered by heat and direct sunshine. [Candida can affect all parts of the body and it may attack one area one day and then move to another and another; it is only predictable in that it will continue to ravage the body slowly, or in my case, quite rapidly. Systemic candida is very unpredictable ... but I was not to self-diagnosis myself (more on that in future postings) until 1 1/2 years later.]

Doctors, times several, told me I was stressed; a few told me I should see a psychiatrist; one (and because of the Korean medical system at that hospital, I was forced to see him again and again) told me I had anxiety disorder and whipped out his RX pad. I told him I had no reason to be stressed and if I were, I probably had low vitamin B since the Bs play a big part in the nerves. He looked at me like I was on something. Since he was the consulting physician, I was forced to meet him again ... and again. Later, when I developed throat inflammation, he slipped an anti-depressant prescription (Xanax) in among four other drugs to help my reflux, which he said I had (I didn't), among the stomach coaters and other drug cocktails commonly prescribed for reflux problems here in S. Korea. By this time I was accepting his prescriptions to keep him from getting angry so that we could at least talk about the problem, and then I would go home and do research based on what terms and things he mentioned. On the way home I would either fill the one drug that I thought was necessary or just toss the whole prescription. I've rarely taken medicine in my life and have never much believed in their necessity, and especially since living in S. Korea I've become very cynical about the drug world as Korea is known for its over-consumption, dependence and yet high-immunity to drugs ... so most frequently the prescriptions just simply went into the trash.

By September my asthma was flairing more and more and I had developed tremors and strange neural sensations mostly limited to the left side of my body, as well as a whole host of other crazy symptoms. After 3 emergency room visits - one for probable food/environment reaction with throat swelling and two related to vitamin B allergic reactions affecting the heart. [Outcome: no heart attack so I could go home; a later doctor pointed out that my EKG line wasn't steady but not considered "bad". Still later I found the answer: Vitamin B is usually produced in a fermentation process but people with candida become intolerant to fermented foods, and I had soon afterwards figured out that 40 minutes after taking a multi-vitamin B, the heart pain and extreme chest tightness started. I tried several different brands of multiple B vitamins but also had the same reaction. Then in the book "Supplements Exposed" I read that synthetic B1 is usually the trigger to people having multiple vitamin B supplement reactions. Ah hah! So now, to daily maintain healthy nerves and keep my stress low, I MUST eat my B vitamins only through foods!]

Anyway, I finally I got past that doctor and met other doctors: neurologists and a MS specialists, ENT specialists, endocrinologists ... and then the bone pain started. So then I met a succession of bone doctors and ended up in a pain rehab clinic where a compassionate doctor [functioning on the belief that the doctor knows best for his patient who doesn't know what he/she needs] gave me a very powerful steroid injection in my left cheek and two spots in the left side of my neck, after of course my telling him emphatically three times that I didn't want steroids [Oct or Nov 2009]!

So three days later another kind of hell began - lingual tears (in the groin area) followed by the beginning of arteriosclerosis in the groin area, and my lymph system went crazy! I was sent to a cardiologist because of the lingual tears and it was in his office I learned that I had been given a very powerful steriod .... There was nothing I could do except detox myself for months on an even more intense all-vegetable diet. For over four months, everytime I had a fish or a little chicken, the lymphs in my groin, armpits and neck would swell painfully. [Later I learned the nodes in my neck were mostly my salivary glands, which means my adrenal glands were involved. Adrenal stress and liver toxicity, evil results of candida ... as well as other diseases!] My whole system was loaded with toxins - not only from the candida but now also with steroids.

At some point, one of the many doctors gave me a battery of tests, liver and pancreas among them, but all came back within the margins of normalcy ...

ERGH! I was desperate! Those kinds of tests reveal a problem that shows a disease outcome. I was pursuing the source of the problem so that I could hopefully prevent full-blown disease. I already knew that if the liver test came back abnormal, then there would be only about 30% productivity of it left, but wasn't there a test that could show smaller amounts of impairment? And just why was the area under the cartilage of my right side hurting like crazy, particularly the spot under rib #10? He asked incredulously, "Do you think it's your liver?" and strongly recommended I go to the psychiatrist.