Milk Thistle & Oil of Oregano

I'm resending out my blog address again because some people have been asking about supplements that I'm taking and things I've done to get well. So, just to get started here are a couple things that are contributing to my health right now. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING ANYTHING NEW. I'M NOT A DOCTOR, I'M JUST SHARING INFORMATION...:-). Oh, and regardless of what dosage I may list, please remember to always start slowly. Maybe not as slowly as I have but I would not recommend ever starting with the "recommended dosage" on the label...GO SLOW. Only add in one supplement at a time even if its more Vitamin C, or Magnesium. These seem benign but they are powerful medicine just the same.

1. Milk Thistle: I started using this because my liver enzymes on my blood work were coming back elevated out of the normal range...basically it was malfuntioning and congested with detoxing too quickly and probably from years of taking over-the-counter medications for allergies and antibiotic use as well. After using about 12 drops a day I started having less issues to environmental sensitivities and was able to tolerate more healthy supplements again. Here is a quick run down.

In regards to liver function, milk thistle has the ability to stimulate the flow of bile from the liver. It is this bile stimulation that is believed to account for the effectiveness of milk thistle in treating ailments of the liver and aiding digestion.
Modern research into the properties of milk thistleModern studies have backed up the findings of these ancient doctors and have substantiated the fact that milk thistle does indeed help to protect the liver from damage, and even has the ability to heal damage that has already been done. In Europe today, many doctors consider milk thistle a preferred treatment for liver disorders, ranging from cirrhosis to hepatitis.
Milk thistle appears throughout the world, including many parts of North America, both as cultivated plants and wild varieties. Many scientific sources will refer to milk thistle by its scientific name, which is silybum marianum, or by its active compounds, known collectively as silymarin. There are concentrated stores of silymarni found in the black fruit of the plant, which are typically harvested at the end of summer.
Other uses of milk thistleMilk thistle is most closely associated with treating ailments of the liver and digestive system, but it has shown promise in treating a number of other ailments as well. These include gallstones, high cholesterol, allergies, and even skin cancer. Milk thistle is known to be a powerful antioxidant, and it's those antioxidant properties which may be responsible for the protective and healing effects of the herb.

You can get this at any Whole Foods Market or Fred Meyer.

2. Oil of Oregano: Brand that I use "Biotics Research Group" and its called A.D.P. Women, if you take iron supplements, you may need to increase this as Oil of Oregano can interfer with its absorption. I take this because I have two types of candida showing twice the normal levels in my body right now. So, I'm using it as an anti-fungal. Candida is a huge issue for many Americans because of antibiotic overuse, a diet high in carbs and sugars, and also from stress. There are other reasons for systemic yeast infection but these are the most common. Here is a link to some information if you think you may be struggling with candida:

www.wholeapproach.com/symptoms.html


Oil of oregano is made by pressing the leaves of the herb oregano to extract the oil from it. Oregano is a highly aromatic member of the mint family that only grows in the Mediterranean. It is, of course, a staple of Mediterranean cooking, though the common spice found on most kitchen shelves is usually not the pure Mediterranean oregano that can be used therapeutically.
Pure oregano is a very potent spice that has been used medicinally since ancient Grecian times. When properly extracted from the leaves of the herb, oil of oregano has antiseptic properties that make it an excellent natural remedy for fighting bacteria and viruses, including staphylococcus and the flu virus.

It is also an immune system enhancer that can help the body build its own natural defenses against infection and disease. Fungal infections, including candida albicans, the yeast that often grows out of control in the gut, can also be treated with oil of oregano. Further, travelers have reported using oil of oregano to prevent infections from giardia and parasites in water.

The oil also has analgesic properties. All of the therapeutic effects of oil of oregano are due to the presence of the active ingredient carvacrol. In order to benefit from a particular preparation of oregano oil, it must have a sufficient amount of the active ingredient.

Oil of oregano is one of many essential oils - that is, oils that are naturally extracted from a plant. Like all essential oils, there are a variety of ways to use oil of oregano in order to get therapeutic effects from it. To prevent or fight infections, it can be taken internally by adding a few drops to a glass of water or other beverage or putting a few drops on a piece of bread. Three drops up to three times per day is enough to help ward off colds and flu.

A few drops of oregano oil in water can also be used as a gargle to treat throat infections. People who do not like the taste of oregano can take the oil in capsule form. Oil of oregano also be applied topically to treat skin conditions such as fungal infections and insect bites as well as to relieve pain. Studies show that oil of oregano may be more effective than anti-inflammatory medications in alleviating pain from arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
It is very important that oil used topically is properly diluted since pure oil of oregano can burn the skin. If the oil does not come in a diluted preparation, it can be mixed with vegetable oil before applying it to the skin. One part oil of oregano to four parts vegetable oil is often recommended.
Another way to use oil of oregano therapeutically is to simply inhale it. This method may be particularly effective in cases of sinus congestion from colds and flu. The oil can be placed in a diffuser made specifically for dispersing essential oils. Be sure to follow the directions that come with the diffuser to avoid burns or injury.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE TWO SUPPLEMENTS.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH A VERY GOOD NATURPATHIC DOCTOR, I AM CURRENTLY SEEING DR. CHRISTINE HINCHCLIFFE FROM THE TAHOMA CLINIC IN RENTON. DR. WRIGHT WHO STARTED THE CLINIC IS INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN IN DEALING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES SUCH AS FIBROMYALGIA AND FATIGUE, AND CFS. THE DOCTORS ALSO WORK ON YOUR CASE WITH OTHER DOCTORS AT THE CLINIC SO THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN ONE SET OF EYES LOOKING AT THE SITUATION.

http://www.tahoma-clinic.com/

Blessings, Tanya