Obviously, I don’t know how you feel about modern medicine, but I think there are many like me, who really don’t have a lot of confidence in it any more. Is that why people are talking about all these alternative healing solutions these days? Yes, it’s due to distrust of the medical establishment but it’s also because of a fear that we will be caught in a situation where medicine is needed but not available. That is a sobering thought. What would you do if your child had scarlet fever, for example, but no antibiotics were available?
THE BAND WAGON
Now there is a plethora of videos, websites, new businesses, holistic practitioners, doctors, and people of all backgrounds promoting natural cures, special foods and food combinations, and supplements to cure just about any health problem. I would love to try them all, but if I did, I would be spending my whole day shoving things into my mouth. It’s very difficult to know which of the many supplements to buy, which of the many teas to buy, or what weeds and plants to look for in my yard. Personally, I am trying to focus on food—eating things that I know can help with my particular health concerns. For example, it has been claimed that selenium can help prevent Alzheimers (which I don’t think I have yet), and Brazil nuts are loaded with selenium. One doctor suggests that just one Brazil nut can give you all the selenium you need for each day, so I bought Brazil nuts, and I eat one or two each day. They say it is not a good idea to eat too many because there can be unwanted consequences, so I eat one or two. That is very manageable.
There are several “homesteaders” on Facebook or YouTube who are very knowledgeable about growing foods and herbs that promote good health. One of them is Melissa K. Norris. Another is Caroline on Homesteading Family. Her video includes an interview with a professional herbalist, Doc Jones. He has a website called Homegrown Herbalist.
A few supplement companies I have tried and like are Vitacost, Dr. Schulze, and Swansons, but you do have to be careful because sometimes the ingredients are not the best in some brands. I know it’s hard to be sure what you are getting, but I just listen to as much advice as possible. Then I decide if I believe what they are saying —whether pro or con. I hear that big pharma companies are buying up some supplement companies and are using cheap, ineffective ingredients in the product. Centrum, surprisingly, was one of those falling into that category.
YOUR BODY KNOWS
I’ve noticed on several occasions that I have had cravings for foods I don’t normally eat—-beets, cabbage, pineapple juice, baby lima beans. (Have I written about this before? I’m sorry if I’m repeating myself.) Come to find out beets, cabbage, and baby lima beans are all good for high blood pressure, which I have. I know dark chocolate and red wine are also supposed to be good for high blood pressure. The chocolate I will definitely eat. I’m not crazy about red wine, but if it helps my blood pressure, I’ll drink it occasionally. About pineapple juice—WebMD says: “Pineapple juice contains an enzyme called bromelain, which triggers your body’s ability to fight pain and reduce swelling. It’s used as a treatment for inflammation and sports injuries and may be effective in reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis.” As I have told you, I am having serious issues with arthritis pain and inflammation right now, and pineapple juice tastes better to me than it ever has. Our bodies try to tell us what we need to be eating for better health. In addition to food, does your body tell you what supplements you need? Most likely not, but there may be exceptions. I can always tell when I need potassium, magnesium, or turmeric (good for liver and gallbladder), and I would not be without moringa, which reduces inflammation. For sleep, I have recently tried both magnesium and melatonin, but many years ago, a church counselor recommended L-tryptophan, which I found very effective as well.
IN CASE OF SHORTAGES
In regard to antibiotics, some doctors, like Venezuelan physician Dr. Maybell Nieves, author of Home Doctor, recommends getting veterinary antibiotics to have on hand. She claims the only ones we need are azithromycin, doxycycline, neomycin, and lincomycin. These are used to treat animals but will also work on humans and don’t require prescriptions. The trick, however, is knowing what you are doing. Antibiotics won’t work on viruses, and certain antibiotics only work in certain types of infections.
Dr. Peter McCullough, however, has a new business called The Wellness Company, and they have put together a kit for emergency medicine. Antibiotics are included, surprisingly. I am not promoting this business; I just happened to see it and thought it was a good idea.
Besides Dr. McCullough and Dr. Nieves, I also get Dr. Mercola’s newsletter, and I pay attention to quite a few of the doctors who are frequently on Brighteon.com —Dr. Tenpenny, Dr. Brian Ardis, Dr. Carrie Madej, and others.
I’ve watched a lot of TikTok videos that pop up on Facebook and many promote recipes or formulas for all kinds of health solutions, including antibiotics. I am particularly fascinated by an Australian lady, Barbara O’Neill, who is in some videos I’ve seen. She has me convinced that cayenne pepper is something I should keep on hand for health reasons. She has a very gentle and self-assured way of speaking. You can’t help but trust her. They have tried, though, to censor her and stop her. If you don’t understand why that happens, do a little research on how John D. Rockefeller influenced the medical establishment and tried to stop naturopaths and holistic healers. Just the other day, I posted one of Barbara O’Neill’s videos explaining how to put onions on the bottom of your feet to stop coughing. Well, Facebook “fact-checkers” put a warning on that video and said that it wasn’t true. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I don’t need Facebook’s help in determining if a treatment works.
ROOTS AND HERBS
I’m fascinated by all the concoctions and uses for plants that grow wild in yards or fields around us. Do you know what all those weeds are? I don’t. I would really like to know. Dandelion is often touted as being very healthy and tasty. I’ve heard of people frying the flowers. It would take a lot of dandelions, though, to feed a family. I’m not sure dandelions can be used as antibiotics, but I’ve heard some plants can.
I found a list of wild medicinal roots and herbs of Appalachia in the video linked below. Do you know how to recognize and/or find them? You can probably find ginger at the grocery store, along with thyme and a few others. Some of these would only be available from special suppliers, such as My Spice Sage. Of course, you can also easily grow some of them, like peppermint and aloe.
Video: Appalachia Mountain Roots Plants and Herbs
WISE APPALACHIAN WOMEN
In the past, I have mentioned Appalachian “witches” who knew about natural healing, but I never came across anyone like that in West Virginia. I hope you’ll tell us about your experience if you have. The only similar thing I can think of is my West Virginia grandma’s use of “zone therapy” or “reflexology”. I still have her book Stories the Feet Can Tell, published in 1938, and would not be without it. I believe you can still find it in certain places where used books are sold. I think I have seen it on EBAY and on Amazon.
The book explains which parts of the feet should be massaged to affect other parts of the body that may be in need of healing. My grandma did it on me, so I know it works. You can also do it on your hands if no one is around to help you with your feet, and I have long carried a little card that explains the methodology. Generally, wherever you detect pain as you are massaging your feet or hands, that is the spot that you really need to work on so it can heal what is ailing you, whether it is your shoulder, stomach, or whatever.
Here are some videos that explore the history and facts about Appalachian “witches” and/or natural healing. I’m sure you can find quite a few more online.
Mountain Witches of Appalachia
LEARNING NEVER ENDS
I love to learn, and my latest interest is exactly what today’s newsletter is about. I’ve been making charts, trying to figure out what I need to buy or do to improve my own health.
I would like to get off my blood pressure medicine and thyroid medicine. Even though I know I need them, I have not had them for about a week and actually feel better. I have more energy for one thing. Blood pressure meds are well-known for making you tired. I’ll have to exercise and lose weight, though, if I’m going to get off of the BP meds. Thyroid may be tricky. Barbara O’Neill said in one video that cayenne pepper on the outside of the neck could be absorbed by the thyroid, which would then be stimulated to produce more thyroid hormone. I’m trying it. So far, I don’t really feel too bad. I feel a little cold, which is fine since it’s over 100 degrees every day here.
I’ll be going to the doctor soon, and I’m sure I’ll find out if I can get off these meds or not.
Stay healthy. Eat right. Exercise. And don’t believe everything the medical establishment is telling you. Some of those “granny witches” can teach us a thing or two.