altnerative / natural / holistic / home remedies

[mary poppins]

Do you use any?

 

[movie zombie]

yes.

 

[monarch64]

Sure.

Alum powder applied directly to canker sores.

Melatonin for insomnia. (I think that's a natural remedy?)

We use a mixture of mint/eucalyptus oil/tea tree oil for bug bite reactions

Lavender again for insomnia

Ginseng for energy, but there is a tolerance issue (6-8 weeks after beginning)

Were you looking for a cure for a specific ailment?

If you're in a mood sometimes a very nice scotch can mellow one right out.

If you're the sort who likes to roll something up and smoke it to become peaceful...well, depending on the governed state in which you live you could insert some organic marijuana.



I love these threads.

 

[OreoRosies86]

Yes, I use oils for everything from headaches to sore muscles. Chewing licorice root for fresh breath, lemon juice in my hair in the summer to lighten it up, crushed apricot pits for exfoliant, mud masks, cucumber to de-puff my eyes, herbal supplements for good mood, lavender satchels to freshen my drawers... Love them all!

 

[OreoRosies86]

My clothing drawers that is, not my underwear

 

[missy]

Yes. One I can think of right now is a natural bug repellant. I posted about it here a while back. It seems to work pretty well.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mosquitoes.190495/#post-3470122#p3470122']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mosquitoes.190495/#post-3470122#p3470122[/URL]


I also take probiotics and digestive enzymes and DGL for digestive issues but not sure that is considered holistic/natural but my doctors are clueless when asked about these treatments so that's good enough for me in considering them holistic LOL.

I also love aromatherapy and find lavender soothing and relaxing before bedtime.

I also use a homeopathic cream for eczema and allergic irritations on my skin and face that calms it down.

I know I use lots of other more natural remedies every day but cannot think of them just now.

Just because something is natural does not mean it is safe. And the FDA does not regulate many of these holistic remedies so one needs to exercise caution when supplementing with anything considered natural/holistic/homeopathic etc.

 

[Mia16]

Yes.
Peppermint + eucalyptus oil on the temples for a headache. Fresh leaves stimulate vile flow from gallbladder, stop nausea, vomit, colic and hiccups.
Growing up, my aunts used to steep 1 tablespoon of chopped chives into a cup of boiling water for a few minutes to 'cure' bedwetting I think the 'cure' was in the taste of it.

Parsley: I add up to 1/2 C of parsley in smoothies as a natural diuretic. It's also no secret that it can open and expand blood vessels to ease high blood pressure.

Ginger: Fresh ginger prevents blood from clotting and flu. Drinking tea several times in a day can relief heartburn in a cinch. It is also known to be an anti-inflammatory and a powerful natural painkiller especially among ladies [pms]

Turmeric is a natural antiseptic. Sprinkle powder on burns, cuts to speed up healing. Turmeric paste is also an amazing treatment for hemorrhoids [TMI sorry]

Banana for acne: Rub acne with the inside part of the peel until peel decays into black color as you rub [10 minutes?] Wash and rinse your face until you are ready to go to bed. Yes, stays on while you do chores. Repeat 1-3 days until acne is nearly the color of your skin and infection is taken care of.

Homemade yogurt: Probiotics, weekly masks can reduce wrinkles, shrink pores and keeps acne under control.

 

[kenny]

No.
Many prescriptions already are from natural stuff.
I hear aspirin is from the bark of willow trees.
My heart medication, Digoxin, is from the foxglove flower.

I prefer the idea behind science and real medicine, like requiring proof from controlled studies.

I put alternative things like "natural, holistic, home remedies" in the category of superstition, faith healing, The Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause.

I'm a skeptic.
To accept product claims I need evidence, not faith, hope, belief, wishful thinking or clever marketing.

Science and medicine are not perfect but it's the best we have; they won't accept things that don't meet a high bar of evidence.
People in control have a crap-load of education.
That means something.
And even when a prescription is approved if more evidence is presented the prescription can be withdrawn.
I like that.
I don't like the influence of big business on medicine any more than anyone else, but science and real medicine is better than a free for all with no controls which is also driven by a profit motive.
With that other stuff any nutjob, can make money making any claim that can convince gullible people.

You asked.

 

[VRBeauty]

I always have a bottle of grapefruit seed extract around. It took care of a bad case of athlete's foot that a year of OTC and prescription remedies didn't touch. It also seems to help with urinary tract infections - I drink a glass of water with a few drops of GSE added whenever I feel that I might be getting a UTI. I've recently started drinking oat straw tea again to help with emotional equilibrium. It's loaded with B vitamins (and calcium).

Kenny - there are studies that have been conducted on some herbal and natural remedies including government-funded studies in other countries. Here in the US the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), which is affiliated with the National Institute of Health, provides an summaries of the studies conducted for most common herbs, including their efficacy, side effects and any scientific research on the herb. http://nccam.nih.gov/ You're absolutely right to be cautious about herbs and natural remedies, but there are herbs out there that can provide an effective alternative to man-made chemical formulations. The problem of course is that it's expensive to test new medicines of any type, and many herbal remedies are relatively inexpensive and often can't be patented, so there's usually no "natural" economic incentive for testing natural remedies.

 

[kenny]

Good point VR.

 

[minidancer]

Melatonin as a sleep aid and vitamins B6 and B12 + magnesium for energy/anxiety control.

 

[JaneSmith]

Do you know what we call alt med that has been proven to work?
Medicine.

Here is a short vid by the indomitable Tim Minchin about alt med and scientifically illiterate thinking in general. Caution, a couple of NSFW curses herein.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HhGuXCuDb1U&feature=kp

Alt med is full of unproven or disproved therapies. The purveyors of alt med rely on logical fallacies such as the argument from antiquity, the argument from popularity, and the argument from personal incredulity to support their claims of efficacy.
One of the main thrusts in the marketing of alt med is to sow doubt and distrust in the medical system (I am completely for critique and science-based inquiry, not scaremongering), and then come in as the white knights of a holistic alternative.
Another tactic is the bait and switch. Alt med appropriates entirely mainstream science-based medicine such as exercise, and dietary advice, and then also tacks on the more fringe therapies such as homeopathy, and reiki. Therapies such as these rely on the pre-scientific theory of vitalism. It is basically faith based.



Here is an article about the NCCAM trying to rebrand itself, and a brief history of the branding and marketing of alt med in general:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/nccam-tries-to-polish-a-turd/

Excerpt:
"To be honest, I fail to see what Dr. Briggs means when she says that “a much more defined set of research opportunities has emerged.” The snarky skeptic in me can’t help but wonder whether this “much more defined set of research opportunities” came about as NCCAM was so continually embarrassed over the years because of its funding of studies into what can only be described as magic and mysticism, such as homeopathy, reiki, therapeutic touch, and distance healing that under Dr. Briggs’ leadership the most blatant of these have been (mostly) discarded. As I put it when discussing the recent five-year strategic plan for NCCAM for 2011 through 2015, this amounts to saying, “Let’s do some real science for a change!” In other words, let’s concentrate on modalities like diet, pharmacognosy (excuse me, herbal medicine and supplements), and exercise, where we might actually find something, rather than on type 1 CAM like energy medicine, which even CAM practitioners at some level seem to recognize as pure fantasy and magical thinking. Of course, if that’s what NCCAM does, then the need for NCCAM disappears, because there is nothing inherent in any of these things that requires a separate center or institute within the NIH to study it. NCCAM was created through Senator Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) efforts to study magic like energy medicine, not mundane, science-based interventions that have been “rebranded.”"

 

[kenny]

Jane, nice to hear another voice of reason.

I love that Minchin video, "Storm".
Brilliant!
I think I posted it here once.
I agree with many of the views presented in the video.

 

[ForteKitty]

Are vitamins considered alternative remedies?

 

[LaraOnline]

Hopefully alternative and traditional mecidines will be discarded by a scientifically rigourous community before the last wild elephant is poached for its mystical 'powers/ in powdered form!
The illegal trade of animal parts for traditional medicines is an international disgrace!!!

 

[luv2sparkle]

I take lots of vitamins every day but that is about it. I have really cleaned up my diet and eat zero processed foods. I would look at a home remedy before I went to a Dr. if it was a minor issue. I would be very cautious about taking any prescribed drug. Most of them have too many side effects for me.

That said if I had a serious problem I would run to the Dr. and be darn thankful to be able to do so.

 

[VRBeauty]

Wow. Vitamins to melatonin to anana peel to energy medicine to elephant parts.

Obviously "alternative/natural/holistic/home remedies" conjures up a wide range of options!

So, Mary poppins - what prompted you to ask the question? Enquiring minds want to know!

ETA - Kenny: one reason I often explore the alternatives/natural option is that many mainstream pharmaceutical approaches treat symptoms rather than causes, and can cause problems on their own. For example, when I had stomach issues some time ago my doctor prescribed prilosec, or proton pump inhibitors. These work by lowering or inhibiting acid production in the stomach, but they also decrease the stomach's ability to process food and thereby inhibit nutrient absorption. I decided to take another approach: I used natural products before eating that get the stomach acids going so they work more effectively when food hits the stomach (DGL and a chewing gum that works on the same principle). It worked. On another health issue though the herbal approach did not work, or at least not well enough, so I ended up resorting to the pharmaceutical approach.

 

[ksinger]

Do you know what we call alt med that has been proven to work?
Medicine.

Here is a short vid by the indomitable Tim Minchin about alt med and scientifically illiterate thinking in general. Caution, a couple of NSFW curses herein.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HhGuXCuDb1U&feature=kp

Alt med is full of unproven or disproved therapies. The purveyors of alt med rely on logical fallacies such as the argument from antiquity, the argument from popularity, and the argument from personal incredulity to support their claims of efficacy.
One of the main thrusts in the marketing of alt med is to sow doubt and distrust in the medical system (I am completely for critique and science-based inquiry, not scaremongering), and then come in as the white knights of a holistic alternative.
Another tactic is the bait and switch. Alt med appropriates entirely mainstream science-based medicine such as exercise, and dietary advice, and then also tacks on the more fringe therapies such as homeopathy, and reiki. Therapies such as these rely on the pre-scientific theory of vitalism. It is basically faith based.



Here is an article about the NCCAM trying to rebrand itself, and a brief history of the branding and marketing of alt med in general:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/nccam-tries-to-polish-a-turd/

Excerpt:
"To be honest, I fail to see what Dr. Briggs means when she says that “a much more defined set of research opportunities has emerged.” The snarky skeptic in me can’t help but wonder whether this “much more defined set of research opportunities” came about as NCCAM was so continually embarrassed over the years because of its funding of studies into what can only be described as magic and mysticism, such as homeopathy, reiki, therapeutic touch, and distance healing that under Dr. Briggs’ leadership the most blatant of these have been (mostly) discarded. As I put it when discussing the recent five-year strategic plan for NCCAM for 2011 through 2015, this amounts to saying, “Let’s do some real science for a change!” In other words, let’s concentrate on modalities like diet, pharmacognosy (excuse me, herbal medicine and supplements), and exercise, where we might actually find something, rather than on type 1 CAM like energy medicine, which even CAM practitioners at some level seem to recognize as pure fantasy and magical thinking. Of course, if that’s what NCCAM does, then the need for NCCAM disappears, because there is nothing inherent in any of these things that requires a separate center or institute within the NIH to study it. NCCAM was created through Senator Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) efforts to study magic like energy medicine, not mundane, science-based interventions that have been “rebranded.”"

You will likely appreciate this video. It's my all-time favorite slagging of homeopathy. Hilarious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0&list=PLwJQG83FpnCJITe0M21jMzU2ok4v_l0El

 

[canuk-gal]

Do you know what we call alt med that has been proven to work?
Medicine.

Here is a short vid by the indomitable Tim Minchin about alt med and scientifically illiterate thinking in general. Caution, a couple of NSFW curses herein.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HhGuXCuDb1U&feature=kp

Alt med is full of unproven or disproved therapies. The purveyors of alt med rely on logical fallacies such as the argument from antiquity, the argument from popularity, and the argument from personal incredulity to support their claims of efficacy.
One of the main thrusts in the marketing of alt med is to sow doubt and distrust in the medical system (I am completely for critique and science-based inquiry, not scaremongering), and then come in as the white knights of a holistic alternative.
Another tactic is the bait and switch. Alt med appropriates entirely mainstream science-based medicine such as exercise, and dietary advice, and then also tacks on the more fringe therapies such as homeopathy, and reiki. Therapies such as these rely on the pre-scientific theory of vitalism. It is basically faith based.



Here is an article about the NCCAM trying to rebrand itself, and a brief history of the branding and marketing of alt med in general:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/nccam-tries-to-polish-a-turd/

Excerpt:
"To be honest, I fail to see what Dr. Briggs means when she says that “a much more defined set of research opportunities has emerged.” The snarky skeptic in me can’t help but wonder whether this “much more defined set of research opportunities” came about as NCCAM was so continually embarrassed over the years because of its funding of studies into what can only be described as magic and mysticism, such as homeopathy, reiki, therapeutic touch, and distance healing that under Dr. Briggs’ leadership the most blatant of these have been (mostly) discarded. As I put it when discussing the recent five-year strategic plan for NCCAM for 2011 through 2015, this amounts to saying, “Let’s do some real science for a change!” In other words, let’s concentrate on modalities like diet, pharmacognosy (excuse me, herbal medicine and supplements), and exercise, where we might actually find something, rather than on type 1 CAM like energy medicine, which even CAM practitioners at some level seem to recognize as pure fantasy and magical thinking. Of course, if that’s what NCCAM does, then the need for NCCAM disappears, because there is nothing inherent in any of these things that requires a separate center or institute within the NIH to study it. NCCAM was created through Senator Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) efforts to study magic like energy medicine, not mundane, science-based interventions that have been “rebranded.”"

You will likely appreciate this video. It's my all-time favorite slagging of homeopathy. Hilarious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0&list=PLwJQG83FpnCJITe0M21jMzU2ok4v_l0El

LOL! Unlike their healing water, my homeopathy medicine is organic. And red. I truly believe in it powers. 1000 years and Monks can't be wrong...

 

[Indylady]

Sure.

Alum powder applied directly to canker sores.

Melatonin for insomnia. (I think that's a natural remedy?)

We use a mixture of mint/eucalyptus oil/tea tree oil for bug bite reactions

Lavender again for insomnia

Ginseng for energy, but there is a tolerance issue (6-8 weeks after beginning)

Were you looking for a cure for a specific ailment?

If you're in a mood sometimes a very nice scotch can mellow one right out.

If you're the sort who likes to roll something up and smoke it to become peaceful...well, depending on the governed state in which you live you could insert some organic marijuana.



I love these threads.

 

[Indylady]

I always have a bottle of grapefruit seed extract around. It took care of a bad case of athlete's foot that a year of OTC and prescription remedies didn't touch. It also seems to help with urinary tract infections - I drink a glass of water with a few drops of GSE added whenever I feel that I might be getting a UTI. I've recently started drinking oat straw tea again to help with emotional equilibrium. It's loaded with B vitamins (and calcium).

Kenny - there are studies that have been conducted on some herbal and natural remedies including government-funded studies in other countries. Here in the US the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), which is affiliated with the National Institute of Health, provides an summaries of the studies conducted for most common herbs, including their efficacy, side effects and any scientific research on the herb. http://nccam.nih.gov/ You're absolutely right to be cautious about herbs and natural remedies, but there are herbs out there that can provide an effective alternative to man-made chemical formulations. The problem of course is that it's expensive to test new medicines of any type, and many herbal remedies are relatively inexpensive and often can't be patented, so there's usually no "natural" economic incentive for testing natural remedies.

+1

That's why I tried Proactiv years before I ever tried Lush's organic products to help me acne--Proactiv had better marketing, and I'd actually heard of it. I tried every prescription and over the counter acne medication, including Differin, Retin A, Epiduo, Azelaic Acid, salicylic acid peels, Clindiamycin, and basically every strength of benzoyl peroxide out there. I tried everything short of going on Accutane. Then, one single organic facewash took care of the acne problem I'd had for years. Lush's Angels on Bare Skin, a face wash made of almonds and lavender that costs $12. I wasn't even trying to 'cure' my acne when I bought it; one of my friends was buying it, and I went ahead and bought a bottle too because I was tired of using Cetaphil, which was the facewash my derm recommended.

 

[mary poppins]

Wow, quite the variety of responses. Thank you for sharing your alternative approaches. I agree that some can be hokie, but others are very effective. Research, recommendations and common sense help to weed out nonsense, ineffective or harmful suggestions.

I have used alternative / natural options over the years because, as VRBeauty said, mainstream pharmaceutical approaches treat symptoms rather than causes, and can cause problems. In particular, I try to avoid antibiotics as much as possible because (a) I don't want to build a tolerance and then not have them work when I really, really need them, and (b) I get a yeast infection within a couple of hours of taking the first dose. For the latter situation, I have found that half doses of Monistat 7 each night while on antibiotic, plus two nights thereafter generally prevents a full-blown YI.

Some things that have worked for me are:

- Azo Standard, cranberry capsules and a lot of water soon after first experiencing UTI symptoms

- salt water inhales (similar to netti-pot) soon after first experiencing sinus infection symptoms

- wet teabag on canker sore

- accupressure for headache

- melatonin for insomnia

- tea tree oil or toothpaste on zit

- rubbing alcohol, vinegar or pieces of tape on itchy bug bites

- deodorant containing aluminum chloride or derivative of it to stop bleeding from razor cut


Edited to split wall of text into two posts - separate topics and hopefully more manageable to read. See next post.

 

[mary poppins]

See prior post for reasons I use alternative remedies, and remedies that have worked for me in the past.


I started this thread because, after a few years of no health issues, I've been experiencing a spate of ailments during the past month and a half. Alt therapies have worked for some, but so far not for others. This is your TMI warning.

For years I have been eating low-carb, low to no sugar diet to keep my blood sugar, and thus mood, even keel. Works well to avoid sugar high leading to sugar crash. However, during spring I went on yummy bread binge. I ate an entire loaf of a Challah a week within 3-4 days for a couple of weeks. I think that caused or contributed to these problems.

In late April, I had UTI symptoms. I staved off full-blown infection by using Azo-Standard and water method, thus avoiding need for antibiotic.

In early May, I got a bizarre eye infection. All within one weekend, tears pooled in one eye / didn't drain, eye was dry, achy and itchy but not red, hurt to move eye and even just to blink. Progressed to pain down side of my face to teeth, and sinus pain. Felt like I imagine it would if someone punched me in the eye, plus more. First doctor said I had hordoleum / stye and gave me sample of antibiotic eye drops with written instructions to use 4x / day for 5 days. Soon ran out because, turns out, sample box instruction was 2x / day for 5 days. By the time dumb doctor calls in prescription ($80 w/ insurance), second eye became affected. With drops, all symptoms cleared up except dry, itchy, sometimes sandy feeling eyes. Second doctor said it was allergies, sent me off with re-wetting drops and script for tiny bottle of antihistamine drops ($60 w/ insurance). Went to third doctor for vision testing. She said I had clogged oil gland under lid (maybe chalazon? I forget), a chronic condition with no cure that would require me to use moist, warm compresses several times per week and re-wetting drops several times per day for the rest of my life. Very uncomfortable and depressing. I proceeded with recommended treatment which was temporarily helpful and required me to stop wearing mascara (my only eye make-up) to do so.

A few days later, lady parts start itching. I go to gyno for determination as to whether YI or BV so as not to waste time and money treating wrong ailment with similar symptoms. RN says its YI and sent me off with diflucan script. RN and pharmacist both say antibiotic eye drops did not cause YI. Diflucan improves symptoms at first, then a day or two of perfection, then raging itch returns. Next week, dr said it is BV and sent me off with Tindazole script. Not surprising diagnosis - script and OTC YI treatments get rid of yeast, creates environment for bacteria; BV treatment is antibiotic that gets rid of bacteria, creates environment for yeast overgrowth. Same result occurs w/ Tindazole, add some nausea with this strong stuff. Switched to OTC YI treatment. Didn't work. Dr. called in Flagyl for BV. A few hours after first dose, entire body from head to toes, including my tongue, gets itchy! Of course, this happens on a Friday evening. Followed pharmacist and on-call dr's instructions to discontinued Flagyl and take dose of Benadryl. DH and I get frustrated and independently research how other women treat this situation. I discovered Tea Tree Therapy suppositories online (treats both YI and BV, gets good reviews), DH found information that vitamin D3 helps with pH balance (root of problem) and bought some while I was sleeping. Woke up, found D3, researched and then took some. Did additional research and found organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) diluted drink helps with pH balance and garlic has antibacterial and anti- fungal properties. Did all three (D3, ACV drink and ate one clove minced garlic), and took warm bath that included 2 cups ACV. Notable improvement first day, marked improvement second day, low grade itch resumes third day. Took a break and switched to Tea Tree Therapy suppositories. Marked improvement after first night, intermittent low-grade itch since then. Will complete 6 day treatment. So frustrated. Recommendations welcome in case the Tea Tree Therapy doesn't work.

On a side note, ACV is reportedly good for a lot of ailments, so I researched it as to the eye problem. Found good reviews for swabbing eyelash area of closed eyes with cottonball soaked in warm combination of ACV and water after hot compress. Did this twice about a week ago and haven't had to use warm compresses or eye drops on either eye since.

Needless to say, discontinued bread consumption.

 

[VRBeauty]

Mary - the person I consult with re natural alternatives is Nancy Yilk of Optimum Health in Sacramento. I've forgotten the details of her background, but she once worked in a professional capacity for pharmaceutical companies (with the requisite college degree) so she knows a lot about the "why's" of how the body works, and how medicines work, and how herbal and nutritional supplements work. She's steered me in the right direction many times. Equally important, she's often steered me away from approaches I might have read about that would not have worked for me for some reason - interference with a prescribed medication I was taking, for example. She might charge you for a phone consult (which would include a health questionnaire to be completed) but the $50 cost is probably less than what the doctors you've consulted charge. Anyhow, I've found her to be a good resource and you might consider checking her out.

 

[mary poppins]

Re: alternative / natural / holistic / home remedies

Mary - the person I consult with re natural alternatives is Nancy Yilk of Optimum Health in Sacramento. I've forgotten the details of her background, but she once worked in a professional capacity for pharmaceutical companies (with the requisite college degree) so she knows a lot about the "why's" of how the body works, and how medicines work, and how herbal and nutritional supplements work. She's steered me in the right direction many times. Equally important, she's often steered me away from approaches I might have read about that would not have worked for me for some reason - interference with a prescribed medication I was taking, for example. She might charge you for a phone consult (which would include a health questionnaire to be completed) but the $50 cost is probably less than what the doctors you've consulted charge. Anyhow, I've found her to be a good resource and you might consider checking her out.

Thank you for the recommendation, VRBeauty. Nancy Yilk sounds like a good resource. Luckily, the Tea Tree Therapy worked this time. I will contact Nancy next time I have a problem.

 

[packrat]

I always have a bottle of grapefruit seed extract around. It took care of a bad case of athlete's foot that a year of OTC and prescription remedies didn't touch. It also seems to help with urinary tract infections - I drink a glass of water with a few drops of GSE added whenever I feel that I might be getting a UTI. I've recently started drinking oat straw tea again to help with emotional equilibrium. It's loaded with B vitamins (and calcium).

Kenny - there are studies that have been conducted on some herbal and natural remedies including government-funded studies in other countries. Here in the US the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), which is affiliated with the National Institute of Health, provides an summaries of the studies conducted for most common herbs, including their efficacy, side effects and any scientific research on the herb. http://nccam.nih.gov/ You're absolutely right to be cautious about herbs and natural remedies, but there are herbs out there that can provide an effective alternative to man-made chemical formulations. The problem of course is that it's expensive to test new medicines of any type, and many herbal remedies are relatively inexpensive and often can't be patented, so there's usually no "natural" economic incentive for testing natural remedies.

+1

That's why I tried Proactiv years before I ever tried Lush's organic products to help me acne--Proactiv had better marketing, and I'd actually heard of it. I tried every prescription and over the counter acne medication, including Differin, Retin A, Epiduo, Azelaic Acid, salicylic acid peels, Clindiamycin, and basically every strength of benzoyl peroxide out there. I tried everything short of going on Accutane. Then, one single organic facewash took care of the acne problem I'd had for years. Lush's Angels on Bare Skin, a face wash made of almonds and lavender that costs $12. I wasn't even trying to 'cure' my acne when I bought it; one of my friends was buying it, and I went ahead and bought a bottle too because I was tired of using Cetaphil, which was the facewash my derm recommended.

Indy, I will look up that face wash. I use Murad currently, and it works better than anything I've ever used, which for me is a LOT, having dealt w/this for thirty years now! Buuuut it could be better.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I use lavender aromatherapy candles to relax with and started making my own candles recently for fun (which is very relaxing, too!).

 

[dragonfly411]

I am all about alternative remedies and holistics.

I use ginger in pill format for indigestion, nausea and gas.

I use ginger root chopped in my baths to help with warming. I tend to lean towards being cold a lot. I also use ginger tea for this same thing. Ginger is very invigorating, and helps warm the blood.

Epsom salt soaks for water retention and aching body.

Lavender - tea to help me sleep, also essential oil for the same, and sometimes oil or wash in the bath to help me relax.

Eukaliptus - essential oil. I use this in an oil diffuser to help open the airways, but also apply it to the skin for the same. It is one of the components in vicks vapo rub that makes it so successful.

chamomile to soothe and relax.

Chewing tobacco - apply it slightly moist to bites and stings to help pull out the venom and reduce inflammation.

witch hazel - bites, stings, chiggers, any skin irritation that itches badly.

Tea Tree Oil - I apply this to burns as well as bug bites. I also use a tea tree oil based shampoo from Paul Mitchell (it's not completely holistic but is mostly tea tree oil, menthol, rosemary and a few other ingredients) for better, stronger hair and to help calm me. The smell is so very relaxing to me and helps me to just go aaaahhhh. It also makes you feel nice and chilled. I sometimes use it as a body wash for the same reason.

honey - I drink it in tea for allergies and it can also be applied to help with burns and cuts

I attend acupuncture regularly and love it. I just had my first cupping treatment yesterday and it hurt at the time, but I feel so much better today and will be asking for it regularly. She also gave me ear seeds to help focus on trigger points for my blood pressure, sleep, circulation, and a happy trigger.

I am currently using coconut oil and mineral oil for stretch marks as well.

 

[Sky56]

mary poppins: Challah bread always contains eggs.

I had horrible chronic eye problems from 1972 to 1985...chalazions, styes, etc...even had numerous surgeries because of disfiguring aftermath of large lumps on my eyelids filled with calcified matter (sorry, TMI)...until in 1985 I figured out it was eggs causing the problems...and I ~never~ once had an episode of eye trouble after avoiding anything containing eggs beginning in 1985. Luckily, my surgeons were skilled and you can look at my eyes and lids and see no evidence of any surgery.

 

[mary poppins]

mary poppins: Challah bread always contains eggs.

I had horrible chronic eye problems from 1972 to 1985...chalazions, styes, etc...even had numerous surgeries because of disfiguring aftermath of large lumps on my eyelids filled with calcified matter (sorry, TMI)...until in 1985 I figured out it was eggs causing the problems...and I ~never~ once had an episode of eye trouble after avoiding anything containing eggs beginning in 1985. Luckily, my surgeons were skilled and you can look at my eyes and lids and see no evidence of any surgery.

Sorry to hear you were dealing with severe eye problems for such a long time, Sky. My experience has been uncomfortable and annoying, but pales in comparison to yours. I couldn't even imagine what it must have been like for you. Glad to hear you're doing well now.

Interesting correlation with eggs and your eye problems. I've been eating two fried eggs (yolk removed from one) almost every day for breakfast for four years without incident. Sometimes our bodies just change, though. I haven't had the Challah in almost a month. My eye problem which started almost two months ago has pretty much subsided (acting up once in a while, but nothing like the first time). Since I've been experiencing both fungal and bacterial problems, I suspect the carbohydrate aspect of the bread caused a pH imbalance as the root cause. Regardless, I will eliminate eggs this week to see if that makes a difference. I'll have to think of other ideas for morning protein.

Thank you for telling me about your experience.