Home Remedies

Basic Herbs for Common Ailments

/ Gina / Leave a comment

Often as people are healing and detoxing out stored heavy metals and toxic poisons, stored bacteria and/or viruses are released and need to be killed out effectively and efficiently. Using medications with harmful side effects disables and works against the body’s natural immune response and capabilities. Giving the body tools to overcome pathogens and invaders and allowing the God designed immune system to do the job it was amazingly engineered for creates a life-long immunity against pathogens and makes the body stronger for the future, instead of killing all the good microbes with an antibiotic and leaving the immune system crippled and the body even more vulnerable to the next round of invaders always present (and now mutating against all the chemicals, pharma drugs, insecticides, etc. we have created in today’s industrial countries) in the environment. We will never rid the earth of all pathogens, viruses, bacteria (though we sure can get our ecosystems healed and functional to keep them in check!), but what we can do is keep ourselves strong enough for anything and our herbal medicinals on hand. Here is a list of common symptoms and herbs I have used to help:

cup-of-tea

  • Ear Infections: Older children/adults – can place a freshly sliced piece of garlic just inside the ear to help kill it out; frankincense eo diluted traced around the outside of the ear for inflammation and pain; Dr. Christopher’s Ear oil – or similar oil infused with garlic and mullein – warmed, dropping several into the ear, allowing to drain inside (can also use colloidal silver alternatively) and placing a cottonball in the ear gently to keep the oil inside to do its job; apply twice daily for about five days.
  • Fevers: Fevers are not the enemy! (Do a search on Dr. Mercola’s website and you’ll find all kinds of helpful articles explaining fevers and pain medication dangers.) They are the body’s natural immune system cranking up the heat to destroy the invaders. Helping to facilitate the fever is helpful; using Feverfew extract for children is useful, cool washclothes, pink salt baths, lots of fluids, Superberry powders (or organic juices) – like acerola cherry, mangosteen, goji, and pomegranate in high amounts aid the body with Vitamin C which gives the immune system weapons for their fight; peppermint eo on the belly button, anti-microbial eo blends on the feet, and probiotics all are useful.
  • Cold/Flu: Different bacteria/viruses are lumped into this category. In general, if you know which one you’re dealing with it is easier to find the solution. Some broad combinations that would cover a vast array of invaders includes: Oregon Grape Root, Goldenseal, Olive Leaf, Yarrow, Garlic, Oregano oil, Elderberry Syrup, and at times Chickweed and EO blends like ProShield (Ameo) or OnGuard (doTerrra) – or make your own blend using similar oils (clove, cinnamon, lemon, rosemary, black pepper) with Florihana pure quality type essential oils. I usually do two doses (morning and night) of the herbs for about seven to ten days. Useful blends also include doing the hot toddy type tea, fire water, hot cider, Dr. Christopher’s Super Garlic Immune, or other Super Immune blends (I make my own extract with 10 different anti-microbial herbs); probiotics, Superberries (as listed above), and avoid sugar as it immobilizes the immune system.

If the symptoms seem to be lingering, it’s great to switch up the herbs used or get an applied kinesiologist to check to see which would be the best for what is going on. That’s my personal favorite thing to do – just muscle test to see what is needed so there’s no wasted time or resources.  Be patient with natural healing and allow the body to run things on its own time. Pray and always seek the guidance of the Ultimate Healer and Heavenly Father who leads us gently to truth and to those who can help us if we are seeking. May God bless your efforts!

*The information contained here is meant to inspire you to make your own health choices, it is not intended to diagnose, treat, or “cure” disease. We operate in a realm of health. For information on disease management and medications, see your medical doctor.

Favorite Home Remedies

/ Gina / Leave a comment

It’s that time of year again. The time of year when people eat a lot of sugar (refined flours are no exception), are indoors more (less time out in the fresh air), and less active. Sounds like a recipe for disaster. It’s great to have remedies for when one falls ill, but honestly, prevention is so much better than letting the guard down. Here are some keys to keeping the immune system primed and healthy to deal with all the bugs going around:

  • Avoid sugar and white stuff – sugar immobilizes the immune system. It essentially takes the good line of defense our body has against infection and shuts it down – probably not the best strategy.
  • Eat those ferments – probiotics in food form are invaluable – whether it’s kraut, kefir, yogurt, water kefir, kombucha, or anything else your family loves.
  • Good fats – get that fermented cod liver oil/butter oil out and use it liberally (Green Pasture is still my go-to brand).
  • Superfoods and Vitamin C Berry Powders – great to boost up the body systems, whether you like Moringa, Spirulina, Goji, or other Superberries (great post on how to make your own Vit C balls with berry powders), it’s good to have a line up of body builders.

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What if you still get sick after all that?! Well, there are plenty of good home remedies for beating the latest virus/bacteria. (Adult servings can be split in half for children when appropriate.)

  • Stomach Bugs: 1 Tb bentonite clay mixed in water twice daily for a couple days; or 5 drops of Digiz in a capsule twice daily for a couple days; drinking red raspberry leaf and peppermint tea constantly; if you think it’s food poisoning from eating out somewhere recently, then the activate charcoal 2 tsp in water twice daily for a couple days would do the trick.
  • Flu/Cold: 5 drops Thieves twice daily for 4-5 days; Colloidal Silver 1 tsp every 2 hours for 4-6 days; 1 tsp cinnamon powder in raw honey daily for 4 days; Anti-Plague remedy by Dr. Christopher (or Super Garlic) or the tea – fresh lemons, ginger, cayenne, raw apple cider vinegar, garlic cloves, horseradish – in some warm water- drinking it 5 times a day; more ideas in Be Your Own Doctor, too!
    • While healing, it’s helpful to:
    • Double up on probiotics
    • Double up on good fats – coconut oil, organic butter, cod liver oil, etc.
    • Homemade bone broth
    • Avoid all sugars and unfermented grains

God help us all to stay healthy and strong this upcoming winter season.

Real Weight Loss

/ Gina / 3 Comments

I have been closely tied to this topic for 14 years now. With each new pregnancy every other year, I gain between 40-70 lbs. After each baby then, I lose all of it. This has not always been easy for me. The first 3, the weight came right off with no problems (with nursing, not exercise). The last 5 have been quite different. Each one was not always the same problem of why I couldn’t lose weight either. Through each experience though, I have researched, prayed, and learned more about how to heal my body completely and wholly so that it can do as it was designed to do – maintain a healthy weight.

Our bodies were designed to desire to maintain a homeostasis. They want to be at a reasonable weight for many reasons. I believe that achieving that weight is not the major goal. If the body is healthy, strong, and clean, it will naturally shed those unwanted pounds. So the true goal then is to become truly healthy so that the body will function optimally, with weight loss as an added bonus.

Many factors influence the metabolism of stored fat. There isn’t a fad diet out there that is going to work for the duration of a life time. The only true way to achieve lasting weight loss is through a real foods, nourishing lifestyle. Toxins out and nutrients in. The basic and simple premise of how we become healthy. Weight loss is not only controlled by the thyroid, but also by the hypothalamus, the pancreas, the liver, the lymphatic, the small intestines, and most importantly the colon. Each part contributes particular enzymes, chemical responses, messages, and many other specialized functions that all work together to create the optimal metabolic processes.

On my 4th baby, I realized I had problems with my thyroid. After incorporating some barley grass juice and iodine, the weight came off after a few months. 5th baby came and along with her my lymphatic had grown sluggish (due to toxic overload). I then added some skin brushing and Lemongrass essential oil along with the other supplements I was taking. After several more months, the weight finally started to come off.

The 6th baby was a little trickier. The iodine I had taken before no longer was working. I started on a sea vegetable extract instead (Pure Herbs’ TW). By this time, I was full on in a WAPF style, real foods diet. I did not, however, realize that I had developed Leaky Gut Syndrome. This problem alone gave way to many other issues. Since the small intestines was now letting anything and everything through, I slowly developed colitis issues, low blood sugar/pancreas issues, parasite overload, and toxin overload.

Photo Credit

The weight had barely come off after my sixth when I became pregnant again. It was at this point, God led me to a WAPF conference in Georgia, where I was blessed to hear Liz Lipski speak on Leaky Gut. I also discovered Moringa at this conference. I was so excited about the new information. I felt like God had given me a key to unlock the next phase of my healing.

I started on the GAPS diet right away. Working closely with my naturopath, we monitored my progress and used Essential Oils, probiotics, moringa, and cod liver oil to heal my LGS. I was in my second trimester of my 7th pregnancy at this point, so I was careful as I went about healing. Even while pregnant though, I was healed of LGS in 3 months time. I still had a host of other problems to deal with, of which I was unaware.

I began healing and detoxing from the parasites, toxins, and such gently while nursing. Using activated charcoal and bentonite really helped with those. Finding out that I had low blood sugar and that my pancreas had been compromised, I began also on a sugar free, high protein diet as well to heal the pancreas. I used Orange Essential Oil on the pancreas twice a day. I also continued my other supplements. The most weight I had ever gained was during my 7th pregnancy. Having a weak pancreas and not knowing it had packed on about 75 lbs! Had I known, I would not have been eating sugar or drinking fresh milk. But alas, it was all for a purpose – to learn and share.

With the last baby, I developed major digestive issues. I tried everything to remedy this! Swedish bitters, food enzymes, raw apple cider vinegar – anything I could think of. However, it was not until after baby 8 was born that I realized all those digestive issues I had were colitis problems. Using the Comfrey Healing Salve, doing a colitis diet, using essential oils and utilizing a bio-feedback system to help identify and correct all the various issues helped heal the colitis. Joey is now 8 months old and I am completely healed of all the colitis issues. Praise God!

It has been a long road and I am not there yet, but God has been with me. Without His constant leading and guiding me to the right people, the right places, the right herbs, oils, and such, I would not have been able to heal naturally. The story is not over yet, but hopefully now that the colitis is healed, I will finally lose the rest of this baby weight.   No matter the amount of exercise I did, the weight I gained during each of my pregnancies did not seem to come off naturally as when my body had healed of its issues. Because I am usually nursing, I am not a fan of calorie restriction or heavy exercise – both of which would compromise my milk supply. Happily though, I have not had to do either to lose the baby weight. When my body was nourished and healed enough, it comes off naturally. Not to say I am not a fan of being active – I have eight kids, mind you. But I do believe the body will work the way it was designed when we nourish and detoxify it. God is an amazing designer!

Natural “Medicine” Cabinet Part 2

/ Gina / 6 Comments

Last year I wrote about some of the bare essentials I like to have on hand for emergencies. Since then, I have still been researching, learning about other herbs and trying out different products as various health trials come our way. With natural remedies it is best to remember 2 things: 1) Hit it hard (be consistent – taking something every hour or less) and 2) Hit it early (get on the herbal ammo as soon as you feel slightly off).  Here are some more herbal/natural remedies I am thankful for.

Dr. Christopher’s Anti-Plague: The name has changed to Garlic Immune Formula; but it is powerful. On the link is a video of Dr. Christopher himself. You can find many of his talks on youtube and his formulas are readily available. I just purchased the complete 2 volume work he put together of his formulas and herbal syllabus. What an amazing job God had for this man as he revived so much of ancient herbal wisdom.

Cayenne Pepper: This is in my travel emergency bag. The powder form I keep on hand to stop bleeding instantly. It does sting a bit on the skin around the wound, but it’s only for a moment. Using the cayenne in a tincture form will stop a heart attack, open up clogged arteries, and improve circulation. Excellent for use of people with varicose veins and any other circulatory problem. It is also anti-microbial and is in the anti-plague formula.

Cold Tea: These easy to find items make a great stand by at the first sign of a cold/flu.

  • Fresh ginger, chopped or grated
  • Fresh garlic, chopped
  • Fresh horseradish, chopped
  • Raw honey
  • Raw apple cider vinegar
  • Fresh organic lemon, sliced
  • Filtered water

~ Just add as many of the above ingredients as you can find and drink it as a tea all day long. Very effective if used consistently and at the beginning of a sickness.

Stomach Flu Tea:  If someone in your house has caught a stomach bug, making up a gallon of this tea will not only help them get over it faster, but keep everyone else in the house from catching it.

  • 3 parts red raspberry leaf
  • 1 part peppermint leaf

Make into a strong tea and sweeten with raw honey. Drink it all the day long.

Healing Herbs

Comfrey Salve: The amazing “bone-knit” herb has been used in my house on countless times. I use Dr. Christopher’s formula from his “Complete Tissue and Bone Repair”. I made up a large pot of olive oil infused with all the herbs. I then used the oil with some beeswax to make it into a salve. I take with me wherever I go! Great for any structural problem from pulled muscles to broken bones. I use this along with lavender essential oil on many bumps and bruises especially on the toddlers and little ones who are always banging into something. It’s rough being small!

A book I highly recommend for more easy, affordable remedies is “Be Your Own Doctor“. She has lots of testimonials sprinkled throughout the book and the format is very reader friendly. I have gleaned much from her experiences.

I hope these remedies bless your family as they have mine time and time again. Stay tuned – more remedies to come!

 

** Please remember “This information is to be used for educational purposes only and has been solely based on the historic and traditional use of herbs.  This information has not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration.”

Digestive Issues During Pregnancy

/ Gina / Leave a comment

Each pregnancy seems to bring about its own cluster of health challenges. I say challenges, because I have found them to be just that. A difficult time that forces me to do more research, try different ways to heal, pray for answers, and focus on the positives instead of “complaining” to myself and God. This being my 8th pregnancy, I have dealt with all kinds of discomforts – starting with my low thyroid to poor circulation, to pre-diabetic conditions, gallstones to digestive problems. I have with God’s help and grace healed most of the conditions I have faced – through His provisions in nature only. I do have weakened areas that I still have to stay on top of through supplementation (like my thyroid – I take TW from Pure Herbs, an herbal sea vegetable tincture). One day, if God permits, when I am not nursing or pregnant, I plan to do a juice fast and help speed the healing on any other weakened areas. But all in God’s time. Each precious life is well worth the short pains and challenges I have overcome.

With every new adventure, God gives new perspective, and a compassion and empathy for others in similar conditions that I would not have had prior. I do believe that every experience God permits our way is not only for our benefit and betterment, but then to use to help those around us. In this spirit, I would like to share what has worked for me and the symptoms and causes for some digestive issues experienced this pregnancy.

At the beginning of the pregnancy, I attended a WAPF conference in Georgia, where I was first introduced to the Leaky Gut Syndrome. I listened intently to the talk given about gluten, celiac, and this Leaky Gut issue. It impacted me so greatly, and I felt so impressed that this was a major cause of many of our family’s digestive sensitivities and allergies, that I put together a workshop and formed a juice fast for our natural health group. (For more information, please check out the link for the notes.)

I put myself on the GAPS diet for about 2 months, while I also took LOTS of probiotics, food enzymes, and fermented cod liver oil/butter oil. We also juiced several times a day, and had soup as much as possible, from homemade stock. We also prayed and worked on releasing toxic gluten from our systems.

This made a huge difference in my own health and for those in my home; but also for the ones who went on the juice fast in our health group. They all experienced healing and cleansing; feeling great at its completion and looking forward to doing another one.

After experiencing this, God sent me through another trial of indigestion. I couldn’t figure out why I was experiencing such terrible cramping, gassiness, and pains in my stomach area each day in the early evening. After some muscle testing, we found I had h. pylori in the stomach that had done some damage. Getting rid of that with colloidal silver, I now was dealing with low hydrochloric acid (HCL).

HCL is very important to digestion. Without proper levels you can’t absorb minerals and other vital nutrients from the foods that you eat. And even a couple days of little mineral absorption wreaks havoc on all the body systems. For me this showed up in my thyroid weakening again such that I had to triple the amount of supplementation for it. I also started gaining almost a pound a day while we were trying to figure out what was going on! Any extra weight put on during pregnancy just makes it that much more uncomfortable and difficult to get around. I definitely wanted to resolve this!

I had already incorporated taking probiotics each day. This is very helpful in encouraging good stomach digestion. I also started taking a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar in the morning and in the evening. I got some HCL supplements from Nature’s Sunshine (called PDA). I continued taking my food enzymes when needed. I even bought some Swedish bitters to help out. I found a dry mix of the herbs online, and am making my own, which should be ready next week. The herb safflower also helps aid in digestion and the production of HCL. So, I have taken this in capsule form (through Nature’s Sunshine). These all will aid in stomach acid production and healing the stomach lining to produce its own proper amount.

So while I am not out of the woods yet, these steps are greatly helping me to improve and heal the low stomach acid issue. Many pregnant women experience heartburn or low stomach acid. The misinformation that is out there says that it is caused by too much stomach acid, and the remedy is antacids. This only makes the problem worse in the long run. Antacids hinder the stomach lining from producing HCL, which of course will only make the condition worse. The problem is that the pressure from the baby, a pinched nerve, a misalignment in the spinal area, or even the bacteria h. pylori (among other causes like taking birth control pills, antacids, or antibiotics) can cause low stomach acid. It takes prayer and patience to find the root cause, fix it, and then begin healing and repairing; all the meanwhile supplementing until the production is back to normal.

I will continue to post any other helpful methods I experience along my road to maintaining a healthy pregnancy. God has been good! This will be my 4th home birth. I love that God introduced me to natural childbirth through a good friend. It has made all the difference in experiencing the miracle of birth. Children truly are a blessing. I accept God’s timing and planning for our family and its members; knowing that motherhood is the most amazing calling, that all life can only exist from God, Who knows us before we are even conceived. Praying God’s blessing to you and yours.

My Natural “Medicine” Cabinet Essentials

/ Gina / 1 Comment

The best time to start an emergency, natural medicine cabinet is during the times of no emergency. I started out with just a few items and as I could afford each month I would order another few things to keep it growing. Thankfully today, I have cabinets full of medicinal herbs, tinctures, supplements, essential oils, salves, and other valuable items. With much researching, reading, praying, and consulting with natural health professionals, we have not used any man made, pharma creation in years. That is not to say we haven’t had any emergencies, or that everyone never gets sick. But each experience God has allowed to come our way, He has also provided an answer for, using His natural means. Please remember that the key to using natural remedies is to hit it hard, immediately when there are symptoms and make sure you’re using the right thing for the right ailment.

Here are some things I have stocked up in our bathroom cabinet for pressing issues (click on the name for more information on uses):

  • Nature Sunshine’s Silver Shield – this is a patented colloidal silver that will not bother the good bacteria in the body. USES: topical infections and internally for viruses and other pathogens in infants and little people who can’t do other remedies yet – will kill most pathogens (yeast, virus, bacteria…) if used consistently and often.
  • Healing Salve – homemade salve with herbs that heal, for topical use on cuts, bruises, bone issues (sprains, broken, or misalignment), muscle problems (tears, pulled, or sore)… I used the basic formula from Dr. Christopher’s Complete Bone and Tissue Repair.
  • Lavender Essential Oil – every time a small one gets a big bump or “owie”, we get the lavender out. I am always amazed how quickly the swelling disappears, and the bruising is either minimal or non-existent after several applications. It is also very calming for them after a traumatic accident. Good for burns, and any other skin ailment – can be used straight, or mixed in a carrier oil first.
  • Activated Charcoal – crucial for poisonous bites, insect bites that are reactive, food poisoning.
  • Bentonite Clay – also good for internal cleansing, toxins/chemical poisoning; weekly facial detox, stomach viruses/bacteria – with symptoms of diarrhea or vomitting
  • Diatomaceous Earth – kills parasites and pathogens in digestive system; more info click here.
  • Harmonic Quad – an amazing instrument that kills any parasite (from viruses, bacteria, fungus, etc.); read more about it here. We have used this successfully for many years. It was one of the best investments we made, especially since it is such a simple solution with NO side effects to use for babies, and when I am pregnant or lactating. Created by Dr. Overman, author of “Overcoming Parasites Naturally.”
  • Black Walnut Hull powder and White Oak Bark tincture – for tooth issues. Though we have never had a cavity or tooth decay, I have not had to use them (remember that tooth decay is another symptom in the body of malnutrition or toxic overload). But I know that they do heal and restore enamel and kill bad bacteria. So, I keep them on hand. I also have an Herbal Tooth Powder by Dr. Christopher should we need it.

I also have therapeutic grade essential oils that I rely on for so many other issues. The Desk Reference by Young Living Oils is a great resource on what oils to use for what ailments. I also refer to oil-testimonials.com for what has worked for others and exactly how they used the oils. Some of my favorites are:

  • Di-Giz – a digestive blend for any digestive complaint; I have used this countless times on colicy babies, upset tummies, to kill pin worms and other parasites.
  • Peppermint – to reduce fevers, for digestion, to kill skin parasites, speed healing; I think I had a list of over 100 uses for this one oil. It’s pretty amazing.
  • Melrose (tea tree and rosemary) – kills fungus (like athlete’s foot, or other nail infections).
  • Purity – antiseptic, toxin cleanser, removes odors out of just about ANYTHING, and also purifies chemicals out of things.
  • Peace and Calming – doesn’t that just say it all?
  • Joy – YL blend that helps balance hormones (I use this during that time of the month, and also with fluctuations in pregnancy and after – it’s been such a blessing!)
  • Thieves – will kill basically any pathogen, kills parasites (even horrible ones like scabies); have used this for so many ailments, I couldn’t even list them all.

I am sure I could come up with a ton more. I love essential oils as my go to resource for natural healing. I have used them and seen them used on my family and friends to successfully treat staph infections, bladder and kidney infections, UTI’s, and countless other problems. They are so potent and work so quickly, I am so thankful that God has given them to us. They have been used dating back to Biblical times and are referenced in Scripture. Just amazing.

I also appreciate homeopathic remedies. I keep just a few on hand, like chamomilia and a teething combo by Hyland’s for the babies; and Cold Calm for serious colds/flu type issues. Homeopaths are great for infants, because they have little taste, dissolve quickly in the mouth, and of course, have NO side effects.  There are many websites explaining which ones to use and for what.

There are so many wonderful natural remedies out there, this is just the tip of it. Many helpful books have been written on the subject. Some of my favorite books on the subject are: Be Your Own Doctor, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, The Green Pharmacy, EO Desk Reference, and here are some more.

My official disclaimer: The information here is for educational purposes, it is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease or ailment. Do your own research. Pray for your answers. We are responsible for our own health and those entrusted to us. Do the best you can, with what you have; let God make up the difference. 

May God bless you in your endeavor to take care of your family naturally in all situations.

Pregnancy Herbs Tincture Recipe

/ Gina / 7 Comments

Nourishing your body during the time when it is building a new person can be an overwhelming task. Keeping a clean, toxin free diet that is nutrient dense is the main part of the battle. However, it is vital to nourish those organs that are working over-time for those 40 precious weeks. Getting a good pregnancy tea with 5 cups in every single day can be a bit challenging at times. I decided to condense this process and put the herbs I know to be essential for a healthy body and baby into a tincture so all I would need is a tablespoon each day.

Check out some material about using herbs while pregnant. God placed these green plants here for a reason.

Pregnancy Tea Tincture

Makes about 1 half gallon of tincture 

Ingredients:

  • 3 parts red raspberry leaf
  • 3 parts red clover tops
  • 2 parts stinging nettle leaf
  • 1.5 parts blessed thistle
  • 1.5 parts alfalfa
  • 1 part fennel seed
  • 1 gallon steam distilled water
  • 1 cup vegetable glycerin
  • 1 cup brandy

Method:

  1. Measure out ingredients using the same measuring cup – for me I used 1 cup as 1 part. Put them all into a large crockpot.
  2. Add about 1 gallon of steam distilled water (the “dead” water will soak up the minerals and such from the herbs better then a mineral full water, like filtered from a Berkey where the minerals are all intact).
  3. Set crockpot on “Warm” with the lid on.
  4. When crockpot is warmed up, mix the herbs well so that they are all wet. Leave the lid off.
  5. Leave crockpot overnight or for about 13 hours.
  6. The next day, strain the herbs with a fine strainer into a bowl. Make sure to press down on the herbs as you go to get all the liquid out. Toss out the herbs in the compost as the strainer gets full and repeat until all the herbs are out of the crockpot and have been well strained.
  7. Let herbal concentrate cool to room temperature.
  8. Pour concentrate into a half gallon jar. You should have about 1 quart of liquid.
  9. Add your glycerin and brandy. Put a lid on and shake well.
  10. If you want to bottle the tincture into smaller, dark bottles you can at this point. Make sure to label and date them. I just pour enough into a 4 oz bottle to keep on the counter for daily use and put the rest into the back of a cabinet.
  11. Store your tincture in a cool, dark place for optimal potency.
  12. While pregnant, take 1 tablespoon a day.

I will probably post a nursing tincture recipe as this little’s arrival gets closer. In the meanwhile, enjoy your nourishing herbs!