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
September 17, 2008
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Recently I have shared with some friends how I am seeing some of the "fall-out" from being sick these past many years. It has manifested itself in many different ways and at times I think how will I ever regain these lost years with my kids? And, its not like I'm suddenly working from a place of full-capacity. It's sort of like being in the middle of a tornado for all these years and just keeping your head down to survive the storm, but when it gets farther and farther away and you look up...everything seems a bit unrecognizable. I was joking with someone the other day about how you need a support group when your sick and then another one when you start to get well because picking up the pieces can feel so overwhelming. I once heard a doctor talking about what happens to patients who have ADHD. She said these people can be going all the time, struggle with organization and all of these issues and then they may receive treatment and suddenly look around and feel so overwhelmed by all the mess they have been living with. It's like putting on a new pair of glasses and seeing clearly for the first time. Well, that's sort of how I feel right now.
It certainly is a good problem to have from the respect that I am well enough to see these things. There aren't words to express my gratitude every day and the desire to make every minute count since getting my life back no matter what it looks like. Trying to remember that things don't have to be that complicated, or busy, or hectic. I found there is no badge given out in heaven for spending our days on earth over-stretched, and exhausted and unable to do the things that really matter. I see my closets totally disorganized from several years of neglect and it feels like a representation of how I feel internally sometimes. Part of me wants to take the whole house apart and put it back together while my kids entertain themselves. But, you know what??? I can't do that anymore. I've already lost too much time laying in this bed while someone else was taking them to the park. Our time with them is so short and anyone with a teenager will tell you the same thing...it all goes too quickly.
Right now I'm doing a study based on the book "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp. He makes some really great points in this book that always reminds me what's most important. As I perseverate on the chaos of a house in much need of attention I sit down to read this book and slowly I am directed not only to caring for my child's heart but making sure I'm caring for my own. I can't help them if my own state is all jumbled up. And, regardless of how I feel physically, every day they go to school and someone is helping them form new thoughts, new ideas and shaping them on some level. So, when they get home I need to make my time count. I want my voice and my direction that hopefully has been soaked in God's word and God's direction prior to that time, to be the most influential.
Tedd Tripp reminds us of Proverbs 4:23 that "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life." Basically saying, "The heart determines the behavior. What you say and do expresses the orientation of your heart." After reading through all of that the other day I was so overcome with the reality of not only teaching my children "good behavior", but how to have a good and healthy heart. And, if I don't know how to show love for others and my heart isn't right...how can I teach my children. It's more than just being a "good person" which we have all heard people say. It's helping them find a heart of flesh rather than stone (Ezekiel 36:27) which according to scripture comes from God. So, as I have been seeing things more clearly...the messy closets, the need for a stricter bed time schedule, etc...I also see much more clearly how desperately my kids need a mom and dad who can help them live their life with a heart filled up with love and compassion for others. To let their behavior not just be "good" because I don't want to be embarrassed by something they do that's crazy. But, that their behavior would reflect what's truly in their heart. A love for God and His people. An overflow from what's being put into them which would be something that would have eternal value. It feels like such a daunting task but one we are all called to. I guess I have more to do than just cleaning my "closets".
God is good!!
Blessings, Tanya
(Shepherding a Child's Heart, Tedd Trip, @1995, pg 3)
It certainly is a good problem to have from the respect that I am well enough to see these things. There aren't words to express my gratitude every day and the desire to make every minute count since getting my life back no matter what it looks like. Trying to remember that things don't have to be that complicated, or busy, or hectic. I found there is no badge given out in heaven for spending our days on earth over-stretched, and exhausted and unable to do the things that really matter. I see my closets totally disorganized from several years of neglect and it feels like a representation of how I feel internally sometimes. Part of me wants to take the whole house apart and put it back together while my kids entertain themselves. But, you know what??? I can't do that anymore. I've already lost too much time laying in this bed while someone else was taking them to the park. Our time with them is so short and anyone with a teenager will tell you the same thing...it all goes too quickly.
Right now I'm doing a study based on the book "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp. He makes some really great points in this book that always reminds me what's most important. As I perseverate on the chaos of a house in much need of attention I sit down to read this book and slowly I am directed not only to caring for my child's heart but making sure I'm caring for my own. I can't help them if my own state is all jumbled up. And, regardless of how I feel physically, every day they go to school and someone is helping them form new thoughts, new ideas and shaping them on some level. So, when they get home I need to make my time count. I want my voice and my direction that hopefully has been soaked in God's word and God's direction prior to that time, to be the most influential.
Tedd Tripp reminds us of Proverbs 4:23 that "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life." Basically saying, "The heart determines the behavior. What you say and do expresses the orientation of your heart." After reading through all of that the other day I was so overcome with the reality of not only teaching my children "good behavior", but how to have a good and healthy heart. And, if I don't know how to show love for others and my heart isn't right...how can I teach my children. It's more than just being a "good person" which we have all heard people say. It's helping them find a heart of flesh rather than stone (Ezekiel 36:27) which according to scripture comes from God. So, as I have been seeing things more clearly...the messy closets, the need for a stricter bed time schedule, etc...I also see much more clearly how desperately my kids need a mom and dad who can help them live their life with a heart filled up with love and compassion for others. To let their behavior not just be "good" because I don't want to be embarrassed by something they do that's crazy. But, that their behavior would reflect what's truly in their heart. A love for God and His people. An overflow from what's being put into them which would be something that would have eternal value. It feels like such a daunting task but one we are all called to. I guess I have more to do than just cleaning my "closets".
God is good!!
Blessings, Tanya
(Shepherding a Child's Heart, Tedd Trip, @1995, pg 3)
September 8, 2008
September 8, 2008
It's been a busy several weeks getting everyone ready for school, starting school, and now adjusting to school :-). I think everyone got their haircuts, a few new outfits and a shiny lunch box to kick off the year. So far, so good.
As for me...well...I'm still feeling my way around this new schedule. I have to remind myself that my job during the day is healing but it feels so lame to actually do. I'm a girl who likes to have something to show for my day...the laundry done, the bathrooms cleaned and floor vacuumed...maybe a batch of cookies and dinner on the stove. Gosh, that sounds a little 1950-ish but I'm not apologizing...I'm just saying its hard to be still and do all the things necessary to allow my body to do its job of healing. Every once in a while I feel like I'm not getting any better and then someone out of the blue will remind me that I am doing something that I couldn't do even six months ago. That helps keep things in perspective but I wish I could keep it all the time. I certainly am able to accomplish some practical things around the house and run errands, take the kids here and there so there's no complaining here. To the outside world though it can seem like I'm really not doing anything. That's what I have to protect myself from...comparing myself to other mom's who's kids are in school all day. Friends that are returning to work again, going back to school or taking on more volunteer activities are all around me. I wonder sometimes if I'll ever be able to contribute to the world that way again. In my heart I believe I will, but I also know that it is a work in progress. This is not a sprint to the finish line, it's definitely a marathon. Which sounds so good when you write it out, but a whole other story to walk it out. I can't tell you how frustrated I get at times when the fatigue just washes over me and causes me to drop everything I'm doing and head back to bed. But, if I relent and actually rest then I know that another window of energy is hopefully right around the corner. Always being stretched in my faith that there will be more steps forward and less backwards keeps me on my knees for sure. And, learning how to let God's strength cover all of my weaknesses is just one more area I need more than one lesson in.
In everything that has happened, I have always felt that I have been given an exceptional life for what ever reason. Not because I have done anything great or things have come easy to me...all to the contrary. I just know that since making a decision to follow Christ as a 16 year-old on the brink of utter despair, God has faithfully lead me to places that I never thought possible with my heart. I know I will look back on all of this and continue to glean as much in the future as I do right now because in God's economy He never wastes a thing. For now I'll be taking it one moment at a time and pray for wisdom as I keep stepping forward.
God is sooooo Good!
Blessings, Tanya
As for me...well...I'm still feeling my way around this new schedule. I have to remind myself that my job during the day is healing but it feels so lame to actually do. I'm a girl who likes to have something to show for my day...the laundry done, the bathrooms cleaned and floor vacuumed...maybe a batch of cookies and dinner on the stove. Gosh, that sounds a little 1950-ish but I'm not apologizing...I'm just saying its hard to be still and do all the things necessary to allow my body to do its job of healing. Every once in a while I feel like I'm not getting any better and then someone out of the blue will remind me that I am doing something that I couldn't do even six months ago. That helps keep things in perspective but I wish I could keep it all the time. I certainly am able to accomplish some practical things around the house and run errands, take the kids here and there so there's no complaining here. To the outside world though it can seem like I'm really not doing anything. That's what I have to protect myself from...comparing myself to other mom's who's kids are in school all day. Friends that are returning to work again, going back to school or taking on more volunteer activities are all around me. I wonder sometimes if I'll ever be able to contribute to the world that way again. In my heart I believe I will, but I also know that it is a work in progress. This is not a sprint to the finish line, it's definitely a marathon. Which sounds so good when you write it out, but a whole other story to walk it out. I can't tell you how frustrated I get at times when the fatigue just washes over me and causes me to drop everything I'm doing and head back to bed. But, if I relent and actually rest then I know that another window of energy is hopefully right around the corner. Always being stretched in my faith that there will be more steps forward and less backwards keeps me on my knees for sure. And, learning how to let God's strength cover all of my weaknesses is just one more area I need more than one lesson in.
In everything that has happened, I have always felt that I have been given an exceptional life for what ever reason. Not because I have done anything great or things have come easy to me...all to the contrary. I just know that since making a decision to follow Christ as a 16 year-old on the brink of utter despair, God has faithfully lead me to places that I never thought possible with my heart. I know I will look back on all of this and continue to glean as much in the future as I do right now because in God's economy He never wastes a thing. For now I'll be taking it one moment at a time and pray for wisdom as I keep stepping forward.
God is sooooo Good!
Blessings, Tanya
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
