Recent Posts

EC: Hi Viperron, Ted is back but he's extremely busy treating clients in a clinic in Thailand and we don't hear much from him. He answers a few questions each month, but that's about it.

[NAY]  09/29/2013: Jonathan from Los Angeles, California: "Extra Virgin Coconut Oil caused my heart to race several times - heart racing, profuse sweating, and feeling like I couldn't breathe... I would like to think this was a detox reaction bc it helped clear up a fungal issue, but I'm leaning more towards it speeding up my thyroid and I am hyperthyroid to begin with."

09/30/2013: Andrea C from Wales: "Hi Coconut oil is a big no no if you have Thyroid problems, it will do you more harm than good :-( I have been researching about this, and Cayenne Pepper seems a good one to try :-) Take it in warm water so your body is aware of the heat factor if you have not used it before. Take half a level teaspoon AM and PM, if you get palpitations inbetween, do the same again. There is not really a set limit to how many times you take it, and it may burn initially, warm heat not tissues burn, but it passes quickly, milk or yougurt will take the burn away if you really must use some thing. Water will not, but it will go on its own, I use this myself as I suffer terrible palpitation's and chest pain's to the point it feels like a heart attack. I use fresh Cayenne Chilli Peppers, but Powdered Cayenne pepper if I run out of fresh, with the freah pods, I use a pod split length ways in half, with seed's removed as your not suppose to eat the seeds, then I put it in a cup of boiled Distilled, or bottled spring water. I let it stand for 3 to 4 minutes so it infuses and the water is not to hot to drink, then neck it back, I lurve the stuff Masochist that I am!! Hahahha! Actually, I've used it for so long now I drink it like regular Herbal Tea although it's a spice, any way, with the powder just use warm water or par boiled not boiling, stir and drink it. It is also a life saver in the event of a Heart Attack, throw a few heaped tea spoons in water, it does not have to be warm in an emergency such as this and drink, this can be used this way for any one, it also heal's heart tissue's and promotes Heart tissue growth. I would put a heaped table spoon in if I were having an attack, and tap water would have to do if there was no other available or time to mess about. It also thins your blood out better than Warfrin, so don't use it if you are on blood thinners, but, and I am not saying 'do it', but I wouldn't think twice about blood thinners and taking it in a Heart Attack situation. It will make you warm or even sweat, but not always but this is fine. As its also a natural 'Detoxer' hence the sweating. Some people report a rush of energy and a sense of well being akin to a Spritual exsperence, and others, like myself, feel very relaxed and it help's my anxiety as well. I get palpitation's regularly through out the day most day's, an the Cayenne stop&s them right away, or in a few minutes. And if I am going out any where, I make some ready and keep it in a dark glass bottle and carry it with me at all times. Coconut oil did the same thing to me as it did to you the first time I used it, an I had to go and lie own, but I reackon it's because I took a heaped table spoon first time, and my body was not use to it, so I began again with half a level tea spoon and worked my way up, but definately do NOT take it with Thyroid problem's. Love Andrea C. Xxxxxx"

04/15/2014: Viperron from Cheyenne, Wyoming: "I have been fighting skips for 4 decades, , , Magnesium powder eliminates them, however I have compromised kidneys and the amount I need to take gives me diarrhea which drains my electrolytes and make everything worse. What a dilemma. Dehydration makes everything much worse and few people take in enough water. Medical doctors know very little about my problem and it seems like we could use a real pro to help our plight. Oh to have Ted from Bangkok back again"

05/13/2008: Kathleen from Rice Lake, WI: "Remember that at store such as Wal-Mart, their slogan is "Always Low Prices," which doesn't mean that their products are always quality. That coconut oil may not be pure, which is what most specialty health stores offer."

05/15/2008: Debbie from Charleston, West Virginia: "I looked at the LouAnn coconut oil at walmart yesterday. It is not Virgin coconut oil.. However, I did buy a can in Walmart's pharmacy that is Virgin Oil. I think it was 2 or 3 lbs. I used it last night on my skin and I am lovin' it!"

[NAY]  07/08/2008: Tina from Dunbridge, Ohio: "I just bought Louann's Coconut oil(30oz) at Walmart and it was $7! Still on the pricey side to me and it's not organic."

[NAY]  07/19/2008: Stephanie from Odessa, Missouri: "My suggestion is never to buy EVCO, supplements, vitamins or organic foods from Walmart or any other chain store with the exception of Whole grocers. I pay 15.00 for my 12 oz jar of EVCO once a week. It is well worth it. I have severe psoriasis from my scalp to my toes. I use head to toe twice a day. I use spectrum for my skin (organic only). I also cook and take veggie tabs with EVCO two a day.Internally I use Harvast bay and Artisana which gives 1% back to the rain forest. Any name brand item that states it is organic be very cautious. There are certain items you should never skimp on in your life. Food, water, anything that touches your skin or hair, supplements, vitamins, and the air you breathe. Cut cost now pay later. With that said, please take your own green bags to the grocery store to sack your groceries. The feeling you get from this good deed lasts all day."

[NAY]  08/26/2008: Joyce from Joelton, Tn: "After reading someone's contribution to EC that coconut oil had been purchased at Walmart baking section I went looking to see because I knew that the virgin coconut and EVC oil was much more expensive than price she quoted. I finally got around to visiting Walmart's baking section and a few days ago and did find a 3l.5 fl. oz (.98 QT or 93l mL) container of LouAna coconut oil, labeled l00% pure and natural, only ingredient listed as coconut oil, distributed by Ventura Foods, LLC. of Opelousas, LA. 70570. I don't know if this is what the contributor was talking about or not. Nor can I say that it is definitely coconut oil or not. What I can definitely say is that every time I have purchased VC or EVC it has had a very strong odor of fresh coconut or coconut milk, which I happen to like the smell of. There is no odor whatever of coconut about the above product, however using it on my hands makes them feel softer."

11/19/2008: Daphne from Brunswick, Georgia: "Extra Virgin and Virgin Coconut Oil are the only coconut oil's with health benefits I was told. If you spend $7 you could spend $10 and get better health results. I have the caplets and I love them. They are helping with my Hypothyroidism. I already feel so much better."

03/08/2009: CoconutAddict from San Francisco, CA: "I buy all of my coconut oil online, but since someone mentioned you can buy them at Walmart, I decided to check it out. I did not find Louann's Coconut oil at the baking supplies section but I did find another brand at the Vitamin aisle. This is a 16oz tub, costs about $10 and it said that it's virgin coconut oil (I don't think it's organic). I did not buy it since I was skeptical. IMHO, LouAnn brand is probably refined cheap coconut oil made out of copra. But at least Walmart carries it while most supermarkets do not and I hope the real healing properties of coconut is finally coming out and more stores will start selling it to the public. I believe we as human deserve to know the truth about the stuff we eat and I prefer natural products over processed chemical things any day."

03/08/2009: Kyra from Cortlandt Manor, New York: "I also buy the large tub of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil from Wal Mart. I don't believe it is organic so I do not take it internally. My family and I use it on our bodies and in our hair."

[WARNING!]  03/09/2009: Rosy from Orlando, Fl: "Only use coconut oil that smells like coconuts for healing. If is has little to no smell it has been processed. If it is very cheep then buyer beware, you get what you pay for. Coconuts grow only in tropical areas, and it cost money to ship the product to us in nontropical areas. What are they cutting the coconut oil with to make it so cheap would be my question.

Same for Olive oil. They cut that often, and if you look it up on google you will find many stories of people doing this in Europe and sending it over here as the real thing. Nothing that is worth it's weight in gold with be sold for copper!"

03/26/2009: JB from New Iberia, Louisiana, USA: "I am new to this website and I think it's fascinating. Can't wait to try some of the remedies. I bought some virgin coconut oil capsules yesterday and was reading everything I could about it. I saw the reference to LouAna oil. It's a Louisiana product, and although it's an old and trusted brand for cooking made from soybeans and possibly cottonseed, I can definitely say that there are no coconuts growing anywhere around here and I wouldn't think they would import something so heavy. For what it's worth....."

06/16/2009: Karmala from Templeton, CA: "I purchase my EVCO at vitacost. It is Jarrows brand... 32 oz for $12.93. Here is their description to show what healthy EVCO is:

Description: Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil Expeller Pressed. Rich and Full Coconut Flavor. Rich In Medium Chain Triglycerides. No Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs) * No Hydrogenation.

Jarrow Formulas: Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil from the fresh flesh of the coconut palm fruit, (Cocus nucifera) is unrefined and expeller-pressed in a controlled, indoor environment. This specific process does not utilize any solvents and preserves the volatile compounds responsible for imparting the rich, familiar flavor of coconuts. Coconut oil is an excellent source of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), such as lauric acid (C-12) and caprylic acid (C-8).

Nutrient Facts
Serving Size: 1 Tablespoon
Servings per Container: Approx. 65
Amount Per Serving % Daily Value

Calories 125

Fat Cal. 125

Total Fat 14 gr 22%

Sat. Fat 13 gr 65%

Polyunsat. Fat 0.5 gr *

Monounsat. Fat 0.5 gr *

Trans Fat 0 gr *

Cholesterol 0 Milligrams 0%

Sodium 0 Milligrams 0%

Total Carb. 0 gr 0%

Protein 0 gr *


*Daily value not established.
Other Ingredients: 100% Unrefined expeller pressed, organic extra virgin coconut oil."

04/15/2014: Glenn from Springfield, Ma: "I had purchased LouAnn Coconut oil before learning more about coconut oil because it said 100% pure and the only ingredient listed on the label was coconut oil. Realizing that even refined coconut oil can be said to be 100% pure, while still being degraded by the high heat used during processing, I wrote to the company. While ALL coconut oils are organic (I have no idea whoever came up with doubts about this) LouAnn Coconut Oil is refined coconut oil. They use fire to burn off the husks and subject the meat and oil to high temperatures which destroys any enzymes present (enzymes are killed at anything above 104 degrees). They also said - During the refining, bleaching and deodorization process however, some of the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals are removed so some of the nutritional benefits of virgin oil are not seen in the RBD coconut oil. From my own experience, refined coconut oil like LouAnn has the following characteristics - It is odorless, and does not smell like coconuts at all. It has a yellowish tint in solid or liquid form. It is harder in solid form than unrefined coconut oil. One article I read also indicated that refined coconut oil has little if any Lauric acid in it due to the high heat used during processing. It can be heated to 450 degrees before smoking which makes it ideal for cooking. Refined coconut oil is intended for cooking, hence ingesting, because of its ability to handle higher temperatures before smoking or catching fire. Obviously, it will NOT harm you if you ingest it, but you just might not be getting all of the benefits that you could be getting as LouAnn mentioned in their note in response to my questions. Cold Pressed unrefined virgin or extra virgin coconut oil is what you want. This is coconut oil that is processed from raw coconut meat within a couple of hours of the meat being removed from the shells. It is never heated. Some of the characteristics of Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut oil - It smells lightly of coconut. It is far softer than refined coconut oil when it's in solid form. It is also completely clear in liquid form. It begins smoking at 350 degrees which makes it less desirable for cooking. It contains all the enzymes of the original coconut and up to 54% Lauric Acid. One last thing - there is no standard that has ever been determined by which coconut oil can be categorized as "virgin" or "extra virgin". This is totally up to the company to decide what to call their coconut oil. So whether it's called "virgin" or "extra virgin" it's the same thing. What's important is that the label clearly says "Cold pressed" and "Unrefined". As long as it says "Cold Pressed, Unrefined" on the label, you've got the right stuff whether they decide to say it's virgin or extra virgin which is just for marketing purposes and has nothing to do with the quality of the product itself. Hope this clears up much of the confusion I've seen in other posts."

04/15/2014: Jo Hannah from Mars Hill, Nc: "Wow, Jennifer. You just described perfectly what happened to me! I had an appendectomy yesterday also and am also a Western Medicine hater, but I am so grateful today for my surgeon and the staff at the ER. Also, that feeling you got that there was something "really wrong" is spot on. That was the tell tale sign for me. I began to panic, which is not like me. I usually get sick and tough it out, rarely going to a doctor, but my heart rate went sky high and I had a strong sense of "doom". So paying attention to what the body is telling us is very important. And, I agree wholeheartedly on your warning. Just go! I do feel a bit like Chuck Norris paid me a visit last night, but I don't feel near as bad as I did when I was laying on the carpet in the fetal position two days ago! Hope you are recovering well and thanks again for posting."

04/15/2014: Rajesh from Mumbai: "Contact for buying 'Blackstrap Molasses' & 'Apple cider Vinegar' Naturally yours - Organic and Natural Food Shop Shop no 2, ground floor, Maria Apartments Nargis Dutt Road, Pali Hill, Bandra (W) Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050 Regards Rajesh Sonwane"

03/03/2014: Ladybug from Fairfax, Va: "So I noticed you posted in January. Have you gotten any positive results yet? I have two spots on the upper eyelid of each and I have tried garlic as well and didn't really notice improvement. But, I saw your post and wanted to thank you for the advise on trying different garlic's until you feel the burn. I will try this and hope for removal. Please let us all know how your process is going."

04/15/2014: Zbaev from Bulgaria: "Hello Ladybug, sorry for the late respond. Yes, it did get better. It's about 50% of what it was initially. I am also doing liver flashes once a month and drink ACV tonic daily, so I am not quite sure which helps the most. I did blood test last month and my cholesterol readings did move in the right direction, so I'll continue doing it until I am fully satisfied. I don't know if your cause for the little buggers is high cholesterol, but I will suggest you doing flushes and Apple Cider Vinegar as well and you'll defiantly see improvement not only for the xanths, but for your overall health. I am planning to do the garlic one more time, but would like to get my readings in norm first, so maybe next year. Good luck and don't give up :-) ..... P.S. If you hate the taste of Epsom salt as much as I do, you can substitute the water with grapefruit juice or mix it half water / half juice and it makes it a lot easy to drink."

06/30/2012: Laura from Laredo, Tx: "Where does one buy the stuff for the first two options? I've had mine for about four years and continue to get them almost every month right before my cycle in the groin area. I had one excised about four years ago but a few months later it came back. Now, it's spread to my inner thigh. You can feel a root from one to the other. I'm desperate now as it's become more painful. I want to try the magnesium and some others that I read on this site but have no clue on where on where one buys any of these things particulary the first two. Well, I'll keep checking on you all and I'l let you know on my own progress. It amazes me how many people are going through the same thing. Good luck to us all!!"

07/11/2012: Jc from Omaha, Ne: "Google "hidradenitis suppurativa paleo diet".

I have had HS for 16 years. I have had medical doctors ignore my pleas for help and only prescribe antibiotics - which incindentally, made the issue worse.

I have tried apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, antibacterial soaps, no soap... I can't even remember all of the things I've tried. Nothing worked. For years, I had no hope. The breakouts had gotten worse and the scars kept me in sleeves even in the summertime.

Then I found that HS is an autoimmune condition... Just like my Hypothyroidism, back and joint pain, etc. The puzzle pieces started coming together.

The best/easiest/cheapest treatment I've found is to change your diet to a paleo diet: meats, seafood, lots of veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds and quality fats. Since starting the paleo diet over a year ago I have not only lost 30 pounds effortlessly and kept it off, but I rarely get an HS breakout. If I do, it's generally very minimal and Turmeric, 2-3 times a day, in pill form usually clears it up in a day or two! Gluten tends to be the biggest trigger for a breakout, so I try to make sure my diet is completely gluten-free.

I honestly never thought I would be HS free! I thought I would live with this forever. But now, after just one year, my scars are starting to fade and I even have a couple of sleeveless tops that I like to wear!

There are so many people who have nearly erradicated their breakouts (including myself) by eliminating all grains, sugar, legumes and dairy from their diets - only to find other health benefits as well.

I'm so happy to be able to share this information with you all as I know what it's like to have lost hope for a treatment, let alone a cure! I urge you to do the research and give the diet/lifestyle a try for just 1 month and if you don't feel any better or notice a change (I bet you will, tho) then you've lost nothing.

It's feels so wonderful and amazing to have made it to the other side of this painful and embarrassing condition! Good luck to you all."

08/03/2012: Cassey from Yonkers, Ny: "Hello I am happy I found this site. My daughter is 16 and for the last two years she was getting these cysts and I was just not sure what they were. She was diagnosed with HS in 2011 and she is so depressed and will not go out with friends due to pain and odor. My daughter was always fun and loving. She has changed so much. I want to try some of these treatment listed but not sure which one to start first. I wish my daughter had another teen or young adult to talk to. She is too afraid to tell her friends. She wants to have surgery but I do not think it would help and the doctors are no help. Any suggestion please!!!"

08/03/2012: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "Cassey, start with turmeric, internally and externally."

08/04/2012: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Cassey, it is very possible she has an adult tapeworm or a pet or someone in the family w/ adult tapeworm and has ingested a tapeworm egg which develops into a hyditid or some stage and becomes encysted into any tissue it can easily house. I just recently removed an adult tapeworm from my intestines and also have a swollen jaw as the presence of the cyst. The disease is called Cysticercosis and can be very dangerous, especially the pork tapeworm as they easily cross the blood-brain barrier and can cause severe mental disorders. YouTube has all parts of the Discovery Channel's "Monsters Inside Us" dramatizing the presence of Parasites in the human world.

This may or may not be related to the HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA or may not be an issue, but I post this because an expert parasitologist has confirmed almost all adults have some stage of tapeworm in our bodies throughout much of our lives, some problematic some not."

08/05/2012: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa: "Hi Cassey, I'm sorry your daughter feels so alone. That is already a difficult age to go through as it is. You did not say anything about her diet. Start there by eliminating those foods that are known to cause problems in many people's bodies. Get rid of processed foods. Teenagers are not easy to monitor their diets and can be rather rebellious but if you explain that it can help her clear this issue up she will most likely cooperate since she is not happy about it either. That is the approach I have always used with my kids. And I've had five to deal with. A rule I use for my diet is, eat close to the earth.

The other suggestion would be to get turmeric into her daily. Turmeric is a wonder herb! If you go to the HS section here on EC you will find many who have found success with it. It can be eaten as well as used topically. Also, google it to learn all about it because its benefits are so numerous I could go on and on! Hope this helps, Lisa"

08/12/2012: Cassey from Yonkers, Ny: "Thank You so much for the advice and suggestions- she started taking the Tumeric pills and I bought the Tumeric powder. It was in the seasoning Isle. Hope this is the right one. My daughter is currently not noticing any changes yet, but maybe it will help soon. My daughter is also having problems because she has these holes under her arms and they wont close. What can she do about that? We also have changed her diet to no processed foods she is also eating more fruits and vegatables and no sugar. Some foods have sugar naturally in it so that is difficult to avoid. She has also stopped dairy which is hard for her since she likes to eat cereal."

08/12/2012: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa: "Hi Cassey, So glad to hear back from you! Congratulations to your daughter and yourself for actually accepting the advice and moving forward on it. Yes, the turmeric you found in the spice aisle is correct. As for the dietary changes, they will pay off. It may take some time. Try to be more focused on veggies rather than fruit as fruit has fructose which is sugar. Can you get her to start eating fermented foods daily? Just a little bit so you can rebuild her internal ecology. The probiotics will help clean her insides. If you can get Bubbies pickles and/ or sauerkraut, that would work. You can also go to bodyecology.com for great advice and delicious, healthy recipes to help heal her body. You say she likes cereal. Well, try substituting chia pudding for a morning food. Chia is very good for the body and full of protein. She can make it with almond milk. Oh, she can also use stevia as a sweetener. It is not a sugar but rather an herb so, it doesn't have the effects on the body that sugar does.

Can you see if you can find a far infrared sauna available anywhere in your area that she can go take? She also needs to be detoxing. Herbs that can help her detox, milk thistle, dandelion, artichoke. She can also do castor oil packs which are powerful detoxers. If you haven't heard of that, google it and you'll find instructions otherwise I can tell you.

As for the "holes". It's a matter of time that they'll heal. She can take MSM to help heal scars and skin.

Anyway, again congratulations for taking the steps to restoring your daughter's health! I wish her the best and hope she's feeling better about herself. The best to you both, Lisa"

10/29/2012: Rob from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: "This is in response to the few comments made on dietary changes having an impact on HS. My daughter has sufferred from this desease for 2 years now, and through many hours of research and reading forums and blogs such as this one, we, as a family, decided to cut out certain food groups as another desperate attempt to get my little girls life back. We cut out all "night Shade" veggies I. E potatos, peppers, tomatoes.... We started this at the end of July during a bad breakout, and quite honestly had little belief there would be any improvement. She has been SPOT FREE for 10 weeks now, nothing, nothing under the skin, no sores, no pus, no pain.. Just the remaing scars that may never go away. As of this message, she is also no longer taking ANY medication (2 weeks so far) something we thought would never happen as heavy anibiotics have been a staple for her the entire time since it was identified as HS. I am not a doctor, nor can I say what we are experiencing is an answer to all, I justed needed to share our news.

Our next step is to add foods back in to find, hopefully, the trigger food, but we are too scared to do this quickly as these past weeks have been a godsend to the whole family."

10/29/2012: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa: "Hi Rob, That is so awesome! What relief for your daughter and you, as the parent. I know when my kids were hurting it was so difficult to watch. What I love is how you said you didn't believe there'd be any improvement from the diet changes, most likely from past disappointments of no change. Still you went through with it and now you are witnessing the wonderful results. Time and again people don't see the correlation between the food they eat and their health. I hope you continue with this understanding for your daughter's continued improvement. Consider looking into the Body Ecology Diet. It is a very sound diet based in clean foods and those that don't inflame the body. You can google this and find their site loaded with information and recipes. I have made quite a few of them. I also have a hard copy of the book which I use and help friends with it. Also, consider getting probiotics into her to restore her body after so many antibiotics.

Again, congratulations to your daughter and your family in supporting her. And thank you for sharing your success story- it's a wonderful one. Lisa"

11/15/2012: Ned-lise from Port-louis, Mauritius: "Dear sir, my symtoms hasn't gone, I have been having this disease for 5years now and I only discovers what I really had today. i used all the medicine you said but there is no improvement. It is not better but it goes on slowly and get spred itself. I have no other option what can I surely do?"

03/03/2013: Alicia from Utica, Ny: "Hi, I have been suffering with hs for 12 years. I hit puberty at age 13 and I am going to be 25 this month, so yeah, 12 years. I have had surgery to my left groin area due to hs, I had an abcess that lasted nearly 2 months, the surgein went in and cleared out all of the scar tissue, my incision was 4 inches long and 1 1/2 inches deep into my leg. That was the area I got my first boil in. I had recurring abcesses there maybe 10- 15 times throughout my life up until the surgery. No more boils there since then but I have had them on the opposing leg and also my butt cheeks. I have seen dermatologists, they just want to give out scripts that literally do nothing. I have found that rubbing alcohol to the area up to 4 times a day I put it on. I apply it with a q tip. I see or feel one starting now and I begin the regimen of putting it on several times a day. I have seen them disappear in two days at times. Warm baths only have ever soothed it for me, not fixed it. I think its worse when on birth control though. I did not get a flare up for months and thought well I will get back on birth control and oh my body decides to grant me two boils at once, that's my favorite... Not. This condition flat out sucks, it does, but the rubbing alcohol does help, for me anyway, there have been studies saying a tablespoon of bleach in your bath once a week helps, this is only a clinical trial though.

From what I have read there are no cures for this condition but things we can do to help prevent and treat them. In personal experience when I put my snug form fitting leggings and jeans and tights on it makes it worse, when I exercise and eat well it gets better. When I was pregnant with both of my children ther were no signs of boils, it was the longest consecutive period of time I have gone without them, two days after I had my first son I got three abcesses. It made a very happy time depressing and painful, but I have done a ton of research and have been examined by several very good doctors and dermatologists and surgeons and I have learned alot about this condition, my mother had it also, for a short time, and my sister. It has gotten better with my age, I am used to living with it now. Don't be depressed, its ok and there are many of us out there. Any questions and feel free to ask. I have only had one flare up in about 6 months, I took care of it and it was gone in about 2 days with the rubbing alcohol trick;) hope this helps.

P. S. I never write on these things but this was totally worth my time because I know how alone you feel sometimes due to this, I have been there."

03/04/2013: Gavin from Manganui, Northland, New Zealand: "I had something similar on my back, and used acetone ie. nail polish remover. It seems to kill the bug even if the boil isnt opened you can feel it stinging and doing its thing. Acetone is handled by the body quite well, in fact the body produces it. Just a thought? but alchohol is good, for killing bugs."

02/01/2014: Disgusted With Hs from Detroit, Mi: "Hello Everyone:

It's encouraging to know that there are others that can relate to what I'm going through. I have had this condition for six years. Initially, I didn't know what it was; until my dermatologist told me. It was devastating to hear there was no cure, and that my best chance of getting rid of it was surgery. My condition has worsened over the years. I have been on antibiotics, used Clindamycin phosphate, a benzoyl peroxide wash, and had a surgeon cut and drain one while I was pregnant. It has since returned. The antibiotics works temporarily, a fusion alcohol under my arms seems to help dry up the drainage. I have HS under my arms, which have worsened and is spreading to my breast, underneath my right breast, on my upper right inner thigh, and my groin area. the odor has gotten so bad, try to mask the odor with baking soda. No matter how I bathe, I still stink.This is embarrassing and it is affecting my intimacy with my husband. Thanks everyone for your posts. I will be trying some of the remedies posted."

02/15/2014: Hs/ai Specialist from New Hampshire: "I'm a dermatologist with a special interest in hidradenitis suppurativa and I'm fed up with the attitude of my colleagues towards this disease.

The postings here reflect a tremendous problem and huge differences in level of understanding about the condition and its treatment. And it is not just patients who are confused and frustrated - so are the dermatologists, GPs, surgeons, ER docs, gynecologists and Infectious Disease docs who you have all met!

We have been working on the dietary side of the disease and are accumulating cases who have cleared with a diet very similar to the Paleo diet described here.

We insist on zero dairy - that is total zero dairy, even avoiding things like casein and whey in protein powders and snack bars - combined with a low glycemic load diet that allows no sugar and nothing with a Glycemic Index over 55.

The science behind this has developed immensely over the past 3 years but it has not reached the public yet - lots of resistance from physicians and surgeons who won't take the time to learn. Sad but true.

So why do I write here? Because this is where the people who suffer from this rotten disorder look for help.

And I write solely because I want each and every one of you to try six full months with this diet. I have nothing to sell. I do not want you as a patient - I'm far too busy to even consider that. Being anonymous allows me to set you on what I consider the right road without you needing to spend another nickel on doctors, prescriptions or travel.

It is often said that free advice is worth what you pay for it. I want to prove that wrong. All I ask from each and every one of you is that you report back here on July 15 and tell us all how you did. You can tell us all whatever else you did besides the diet, but PLEASE do the diet. Set your iPhone reminder, mark your calendar, count and diagram all your active spots/lumps/draining areas today and record your progress over the next six months, then report in here on July 15.

And if you would like to act as the control group, you could volunteer to keep doing what you are doing, tell us what dairy/sugar/flour/sweets you continue to consume and keep the same spot/lump/draining area record to tell us about in July.

Seed you then. Help us all make medical HS/AI history."

04/15/2014: Chris from Humboldt County California: "Hi I have HS and have been battling it for 6 years I have had a portion of my groin surgically removed and I had my entire right armpit cut out and a skin graph put there and with the severity of the disease, the only option for the rest of my body is more surgery. I've been trying to find alternative medicines I've heard a lot of good things I want to try like tumeric and I want to find out more about a new diet and thing. I already use bleach in bath water 2 dry out and cleanse your skin. Epsom salt baths help with the irritation sometimes. Please any information u can give me I appreciate it I have always felt alone and no one knew what was happening 2 me and I was slowly just getting worse and worse till I got cancer and died or something but to hear other people going thru what I have helps thank u for your time"

09/12/2013: Earth Clinic Fan from Love And Light To All!: "Have you tried Iodex or Iodine, or Colostrum Serum in combination with the Coconut Oil? Hope this may be of help to you! Wishing YOU well!"

[YEA]  04/07/2014: Patricia from Valparaiso, Indiana: "I've only experienced cellulitis when it goes directly in my bloodstream. Each time I've gone to bed feeling absolutely fine, and wake up with shivers and a fever. I end up in ICU for the first part of my stay...have gone home with a pic line, to continue out patient antibiotic treatments. I don't get any warning signs at all. I have pigmentation on my lower leg, the one place it has shown up on my body. I had surgery on my the same ankle about 8 years ago. I also have a problem with the same foot, with dry cracked skin. I'm at a loss, this is so scary and extremely painful, as of course anyone who's had it knows. If anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate hearing them. This site is great, very helpful. I'm taking Tumeric, Coconut oil, using fresh lemons in my water. And only drinking water and no sugar added juices."

04/08/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Patricia,

Re the Cellulitis;

Please take a look at the "Recent Post" I put up to "Johanneinsc" just below this one. In a case of a skin issue, I'm all for using Echinacea first topically if this were me. Then I'd go to combo Colloidal Silver and DMSO, fifty-fifty topical applications. Both I'd do five days with aps three times or so daily ... for five days each. And...I'd drink both the Echinacea in glass of water (five drops) three times daily for a month and at different times of day drink CS (a tablespoon or more) three times daily. Separate the CS and Echinacea by an hour. The CS I'd take for six months at least. Probably a year."

04/15/2014: J. from Annapolis, MD: "Everyone please do some research on manuka honey for cellulitis or ANY type of wound care needed. you MUST buy a 16+ factor or higher to do the work you want it to do. it has helped so many and kept a friends mother from having a limb from being amputated. They are using it now it our hospital for wound care thanks to this same lady who was saved from loosing a limb. Manuka honey is also used for many other problems as well. it is sooo useful for so many different aliments. you can purchase this product at most vitamin shops and also Wegmans grocery store where you find the natural cure remedies. I think you will be very happy with this product!"

04/14/2014: Earl James from Dubai Uae: "Hi, I also have a white problem in my tongue and I really hate it. I just read that you are using Acidophilus. Can you pls. help me- what is the proper way to use this medicine? Do I need to gargle or do I need to swallow it? thanks .."

04/15/2014: 1947hoppy from Winamac, In Usa: "It is my understanding that "white tongue", also referred to as Thrush, is a sign of candida yeast. Acidophilus can be used to treat it, and is found in most any decent yogurt that's available. Just read the label. The acidophilus will also help keep your digestive system functioning properly. If this doesn't work, I might suggest doing a little internet research on the use of "grapefruit seed extract" to eliminate thrush, or any other yeast infections. Just make sure to do the research before using. It's amazing stuff when used properly. It can be purchased at many health food stores in the US and also online."

04/14/2014: Kt from Usa: "Before I learned about the hidden sources of MSG, yogurt would do this to me. I loved plain yogurt. Even after I started weeding various sources of MSG out my diet and thought yogurt was safe, I got angry at nothing. My daughter would remark "you've been eating yogurt again" and that became an eye-opener for me. After I contacted the people who educated me about MSG, I stopped eating it. Cannot recall the "why's" but after I stopped eating it I stopped getting so angry."

04/14/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee: "Dear Sara, Vitamin Deficiency could cause that "easily irritable" feeling. 1 Tablespoon of Blackstrap molasses a day would be something to try, as well as B-complex. Please keep us posted as to how you are coming along with this. ~Mama to Many~"

04/14/2014: Iowama from Iowa, Usa: "Dear Sara, With all respect to the the other posters, your query resonated with me. Although you are only 40, your easily aroused aggravation after eating foods such as yogurt could signal the start of perimenopause. Anger, eventually coupled with bloating, was the first sign for me and dairy was one of the food groups I have had to give up. I'm not suggesting that you are aging prematurely, just that hormonal imbalances do start for most of us eventually. Some women find relief by leaving all dairy from cows behind and learning to like the taste of goat yogurt and goat cheeses instead. Best regards to you."

04/14/2014: Kt from Usa: "Avoiding hidden sources of MSG. Eliminating whole wheat products would help. Adding ginger to what you eat will help. My nutrition book reports there is an antidepressant ingredient in ginger. Since I've increased ginger in my diet, it has made a world of difference. I think it's difficult to zero in one one thing. It has been over a twenty-year piecemeal endeavor for me so I understand why many don't agree.

I've mentioned BSM several times but Mama to Many is correct and I am adamant about taking that too."

02/25/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Jewel51,

I read your post and think, "Lobelia! " It is an anti-spasmodic herb and we have used it with success in our house for a number of things, though not for gall bladder issues. We have used it for asthma and for suspected appendicitis.

You can buy the loose herb and make a tincture of an oil infusion. I would use this externally over the area where you have pain. It absorbs readily into the skin. You may be able to buy a tincture or oil. I can give more detail on making the infusion or tincture if you want to try that. You may also be able to take it internally and have it work, but be careful as a small amount of lobelia is a relaxant and too much is a stimulant. If your body is toxic, a small amount internally can cause vomiting.

I also would not be surprised to see a charcoal poultice or castor oil pack help you in this situation. I have used both for pain in the gall bladder area as well as for other things. There is information about both on this website.

Do you know if any foods are irritating your gall bladder? I know certain ones do mine, especially coffee, sadly!

Let us know what you find out. I hope you get relief soon.

~Mama to Many~"

02/25/2014: Prioris from Fl: "Good information about the two types of gallbladder attacks. It is easy to just assume stone related. Won't milk thistle get the bile flowing?"

02/26/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Jewels51: To strengthen the Liver/Gallbladder and increase the flow of bile take Triple Strengthen Lecithin and Dr. Christopher's Liver/Gallbladder Formula. There are many herbal suppliers w/ different names to this formula. The one I used to take was called Liveron. An internet search should produce some good results, but if not report back and I can give you the list of the home made formula I use.

I also occasionally use lemon Water to help open things up down there."

03/11/2014: Mary Lou from Cincinnati, Ohio: "To Jules51, For your spasms of sphincter of Oddi. Try 1-2 tsp of Bitters (Angostura) in water. It is in the grocery stores aisles with the drink mixes, cheapest at Walmart. It is an antispasmodic and antiflatulent. I swear by it for an upset stomach and gallbladder pain. I know it saved me from an ER visit twice in the past 20 years when I was doubled over in pain and nausea so badly I could barely speak or chew a Tums. Each time was due to meals with hidden fat, which I normally avoid. It tastes like an unsweetened coca cola, has a bit of alcohol, 44.7% by volume. Worth a try, I know I would have been in ER both times. When I can't talk, I am sick! hahaha"

03/20/2014: Erika from Atlanta, Ga: "I came across this site when looking for feedback on something I discovered by accident. I too have to watch fats in my diet because of gallbladder pain.

Recently I began having plain yogurt in the mornings mixed with a little honey (for flavor). I have been amazed at the positive impact it has had on my digestion and my gallbladder. Hope this helps."

04/14/2014: Rebecca from Co, US: "I found that my attacks were brought on my a combo of stress (huge!!!! ), not drinking enough water, and eating a large meal late in the evening with lots of salad and dairy fats, my favorite combo. Too hard to digest. Under advice of a naturopath I take lecithin, vitamin C, fish oil, and GB 6 which is a chinese herb blend. I ditched dairy and coffee and drink green tea, which is a calmative, and I have been symptom and pain free for a year. And, I'm healthier than I've been in ages. My GB was the canary in the coal mine for me. I find that stress really triggers spasms. If I feel spasms coming on, I sip a little cider vinegar in juice, and I take a percocet which my primary doc prescribed in case of attack. In addition to helping with the sudden onset of debilitating pain, it has muscle relaxing properties that can help calm the spasming before it gets full-blown."

04/14/2014: Rebecca from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Rebecca, Can you tell us the ingredients in the GB6, Chinese Herbal blend."

04/15/2014: Rebecca from Co: "Rebecca, it contains china berry fruit and other herbs; it's supposed to slacken the sphincter of oddi and contract the gall bladder. I notice my gall bladder feeling "busy" or twingey when I take it; the goal is to keep things moving and/or dissolve and expel stones."

EC: We suggested sipping acv to keep the pH consistently alkaline. Only suggestions, nothing written in stone. Try chugging it and let us know!

11/22/2009: Sally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: "Will you get the same effect using ACV tablets?

The information reads on the bottle as follows:
ACV powder (supplying 35% acidity, calculated as acetic acid)
1 g per serving

Serving size 2 tablets

Other Ingredients: Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Stearic Acid and Silica"

[YEA]  12/05/2009: Lindsay from Somewhere North, Oklahoma: "Man am I glad this site exists. Couldn't get back to sleep last night because my swollen lymph nodes were KILLING me (granted, smoking a hooka with a bad cough/cold was not a good idea but nonetheless I was in pain). I found this post and found (somehow) some apple cider vinegar and like magic in less than 3 minutes my pain was completely gone.

Seriously, thank you and keep the home remedies coming!"

01/01/2010: Ishmail from Phoenix, Arizona: "Will i have them the same for long now. so what are u doing, dnking ACV or how you use it can u please tell me how to use it? i just drink and i have assage them with Acv. thank you very much i hope u respond to me..."

[YEA]  01/08/2010: Lilah from San Diego, Ca: "The Apple cider vinegar works i tried the baking soda an salt it didnt do anything but when i tried the ACV my neck instantly felt better thanks for the home remedy."

04/14/2014: Kristi from Hawaii: "I had a tonsillectomy this past October, and since then my lymph nodes on my throat and jaw have been more sensitive. I did find relief while drinking elderflower tea, but it can get a bit pricey and it only helps for so long. The pain was getting worse because of a sinus infection I was trying to kick. I got antibiotics but still, nodes were on and off again painful. Saw this blog, left work for 20 mins and bought some ACV. It has been about 30 mins since I took it, and I gotta say there is some improvement in my right side node. My left is still a bit sensitive, but not as sensitive as it was earlier. Will take another shot before class! Thanks to everyone who posted about it, I was hesitant until I read all the great responses. Mahalo"

04/14/2014: Kt from Usa: "Before I learned about the hidden sources of MSG, yogurt would do this to me. I loved plain yogurt. Even after I started weeding various sources of MSG out my diet and thought yogurt was safe, I got angry at nothing. My daughter would remark "you've been eating yogurt again" and that became an eye-opener for me. After I contacted the people who educated me about MSG, I stopped eating it. Cannot recall the "why's" but after I stopped eating it I stopped getting so angry."

04/14/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee: "Dear Sara, Vitamin Deficiency could cause that "easily irritable" feeling. 1 Tablespoon of Blackstrap molasses a day would be something to try, as well as B-complex. Please keep us posted as to how you are coming along with this. ~Mama to Many~"

04/14/2014: Iowama from Iowa, Usa: "Dear Sara, With all respect to the the other posters, your query resonated with me. Although you are only 40, your easily aroused aggravation after eating foods such as yogurt could signal the start of perimenopause. Anger, eventually coupled with bloating, was the first sign for me and dairy was one of the food groups I have had to give up. I'm not suggesting that you are aging prematurely, just that hormonal imbalances do start for most of us eventually. Some women find relief by leaving all dairy from cows behind and learning to like the taste of goat yogurt and goat cheeses instead. Best regards to you."

04/14/2014: Kt from Usa: "Avoiding hidden sources of MSG. Eliminating whole wheat products would help. Adding ginger to what you eat will help. My nutrition book reports there is an antidepressant ingredient in ginger. Since I've increased ginger in my diet, it has made a world of difference. I think it's difficult to zero in one one thing. It has been over a twenty-year piecemeal endeavor for me so I understand why many don't agree.

I've mentioned BSM several times but Mama to Many is correct and I am adamant about taking that too."

04/08/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Hi Bee,

Yes, there are flush-free forms of Niacin. Niacinamide is what most would recommend, but I saw a recent post (I believe it was from Bill, whose expertise I certainly trust) recommending a different flush-free version called Inositol Hexanicotinate.

I actually ordered some myself and am awaiting its shipment as I've tried Niacinamide in the past and didn't experience any significant results.

While my BP has improved with the latest addition of the Acetyl-L-Carnitine/Alpha Lipoic Acid combo, I am with you on this journey! :)"

04/08/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Bee: For b vitamins I take desiccated liver, and green smoothies from organic baby leaves. I don't take any isolates. The sooner you take the concentrates and stop taking the isolates the sooner you can function optimally. Wild animals don't take isolates. There are hundreds of videos of raw foodists who don't take any isolates. Ron Teagarden doesn't put any isolates in his all in one formula. B vitamins only work for five hours so take concentrates frequently."

04/08/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Hi Kelly

Okay I will look for that kind although have never heard of it.. I know you can't post names of companies on here. Anyway; I too am now using the LCarnitine, ALA and upped my COQ10 to 400 mgs... plus other things I am trying as I am slowly weaning off the medication.. very slowly LOL .. I am also trying that water cure with sea salt and the eggplant water.. geezzz Louise something has to work LOL Oh; I am going to invest in the Nattokinase.. are you? Being I am almost 60 it might be a good idea.. Thank You"

04/08/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Bee,

Re Niacin/ flush

The "Doctoryourself.com" web site has a great stand alone article on niacin written by Dr. Hoffer (MD;PhD).

You mention you are taking 500mg and that is way too much for someone not used to the effect. I take 250 and only after eating something so the niacin is not too strong too fast. There is timed released niacin that you might be able to tolerate better.

The Hoffer article (google "doctor yourself niacin") and you will find the article is lengthy and talks a lot about psychological issues that B3 can help with.

I HIGHLY recommend that article."

04/08/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Bee: The same thing happened to me that is happening to you. People condemn carbs and recommend isolates. These ideas bogged me down in a quagmire and prevented me from getting well for many years. Eventually I learned that whether people are sick or well they require fuel. Nutrients require enzymes and activators. Nutritionists for world class athletes do not recommend isolated amino acids. They recommend non denatured whey. For fuel I take activated barley, home brewed water kefir, organic whole sugar, fruit, and raw honey. For fat I take expeller pressed coconut oil and black chia seeds. For protein and nutrients I take a variety of concentrates. For oil soluble nutrients I take skate liver oil."

04/09/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Bee, I ordered my Inositol Hexanicotinate (flush-free Niacin) from Amazon, so if you copy/paste what I italicized above into Amazon's search box, you'll find the brand.

It should appear as the second result of the search (white bottle w/ yellow cap). It's very inexpensive, which is always a plus. :)"

04/10/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Hi Kelly Thanks for the info.. Yes I do see some flush free Niacin.

What else are you trying? I did up my COQ10 and I am using the LCarnitine and Taurine and ACV among other things..Hopefully something will work but weaning off these meds are a challenge..

I know that when I had lost a lot of weight and walked 2 miles a day my bp was fine.. Now I have gained some weight back .. still walking but not as much. It must take awhile to figure it all out.... how are you doing?? thank you"

04/11/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Hi Bee,

I currently take 100mg's of CoQ10 twice a day, 1 capsule twice a day of the Acetyl-L-Carnitine 800/Alpha Lipoic Acid 400 combo and a big clove of chopped garlic each day. I also sip on potassium broth or potassium-rich coconut water all day.

I am down to only 1/4 tablet of my BP medicine (Metoprolol) and hope to get off of it entirely, soon. I'm not quite there yet, though.

I eat very clean and also try to keep my blood sugar from spiking by eating more frequently. I don't have blood sugar issues, but I've found that keeping things steady has helped my BP some.

Like you, I've tried many, many natural treatments, including all of the ones I've seen you mention. It truly is a trial and error process and there's really no way around it since what works for one person might not for another.

There was a time when ACV worked well for me, but for whatever reason, it ceased to work about a year ago and I've spent the past year trying different combinations. At this point, there's not much I haven't tried.

I'm happy to be down to 1/4 of my BP medicine, though. I'm getting there! You will, too. :)"

04/11/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Hi Kelly;

thanks for the information and great job.

Yes I am trying your remedy of the COQ10 and Carnitine and ALA... I also use Vit.D and E and yes apple cidar vinegar on most days.......and some other things.. I think I get enough potassium from raw veggies and things..

Yes my diet is pretty good.. I don't eat red meat because I don't like it.. I eat fish and veggies and limited fruits.. Eggs and no cheese and very limited dairy but I have been this way for a very long time so I think I am used to it... everything in moderation... The woman in health food store told me to juice and I will but I know I wont get in habit of it though.

oh; So I am down to 50mgs. of the medication and am doing it very slowly as suggested.....Okay keep up good work and thank you

Oh; I also do EFT and listen to binaural beats on utube for hypertension ..It puts me to sleep at night and calms the nerves. Oh; do you think you would ever take natokinase or serrapeptase..?? thanks again"

04/12/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Hi Bee, No, I have not tried nattokinase or serrapeptase. I did a lot of research on both before deciding not to try them, though.

After reading hundreds of reviews posted by people who have tried one or the other, I found that the most common complaint was dizziness that was so severe, they had to stop taking it. Since I am very prone to dizziness (if I even turn my head too fast, my head will spin for a few seconds), I thought; "Noooo thank you! " :)"

04/13/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Hi Kelly;

I am wondering are you splitting your pills into quarters? how are you doing that? I find it even tough to split the pills in half.. I have a pill cutter too. Well I did find the no flush Niacin in regular health food store but haven't gotten it yet .. but at least they have it.

Its good to know you don't have to use too many things to lower your bp. doesn't sound like a lot.. good for you"

04/14/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Hi Bee, I was taking a lot of supplements when I first began this journey. Through trial/error and process of elimination, I honed in on the few that seemed to work best, and have stayed with those. I have a cabinet full of supplements that didn't work for me. I could open a kiosk at the mall. :) There were many supplements that helped others that seemed to make my BP worse. Vitamin E is one example. I took natural E (vs. synthetic) starting with a small dose of 200mgs/day and every time I took it, I could hear my BP pounding in my ears a few hours later. Though I understood that the reaction was not abnormal, I hated it and had to stop using it. I now get my E from food. I make sure to include several servings per day of sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach and/or Swiss chard. Something else I use that I'm not sure I mentioned was Magnesium. I've tried many forms and again, through trial/error, settled on Magnesium chloride in a spray bottle that I spray on my legs/feet twice a day. The BP pills are a challenge to split into 1/4's, but my pill splitter does a decent job. First I cut in half, then I take the half and position it in the cutter so that it Will cut the 1/2's into 1/4's. If your pills are too small to do that, then perhaps a mortar and pestle would be worth a try? You could grind up the half pill then separate the powder to make two 1/4 doses. Re: Flush-free Niacin. Most flush-free's are in the form of niacinamide, which didn't help me at all when I tried it. I even tried the timed-release version. As I mentioned, I am going to try the flush-free form of Niacin called inositol hexanicotinate, that came well-recommended here on EC. It should arrive this week. I am my own lab rat. :)"

04/21/2014: Bee from New York: "Hi Kelly, Thanks for the info...One thing I wanted to ask you? Are you having any side effects before or so far or now from weaning off Metropolol (sp) .. or maybe you were on a small dose.. I am also doing Magnesium but I had the oil but didn't seem to work as well as the one one drinks....

Thank You"

04/22/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Hi Bee,

I was taking 50mg's of extended-release Metoprolol per day and am now down to 12.5mg's per day. I went very slowly, staying about two months on a dose before lowering it again.

I had more side-effects when I was on the higher dose than I've had on the lower. I used to get hand, leg and foot cramping on the higher dose. Back then, I tried Magnesium for the cramping with little success. I've found that with the lower dose of Metoprolol, the Magnesium all but eliminates the cramping. (Or perhaps just the lower dose itself eliminated the cramping? Either way, I'll take it! ) :)

I settled on the Magnesium spray after trying every form of Magnesium imaginable (oxide, chloride, citrate, glycinate) - all of which, had a laxative effect with me, even in smaller doses. The spray doesn't have that effect and as a bonus, since I am on my feet most of each day, I find that the spray magnesium helps soothe my end-of-the-day achy calves/feet as well.

My only complaint with the lower dose of Metoprolol, is that I get lightheaded at times. Sometimes, it's only once a day - others, it's 2-3 times a day. Every once in a while, I'll go a day without feeling lightheaded at all, but those days are few by comparison.

I would love to resolve that issue as it often hits me when I'm not at home, which can be unsettling. I hoped it would resolve itself as I adjusted to the lower dose, but I've been on the lower dose for months now, so it's not looking promising that it will self-resolve.

At this point, it's probably safe to assume that it is unrelated to the Metoprolol, so I have been looking into other natural ways to resolve it. Hope I find one, soon!"

04/22/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Hi Kelly

I am wondering if the extended release has less side effects.. I was first on 100 mgs. on the regular Metropolol and went down to 75 and was okay... I did that for about 6 weeks or so... Thinking that is too fast. The doctor said two weeks to lower and She was wrong ... Then when I went to 50 after a few weeks and I started having headaches and palpitations and feeling all around aweful.Probably did that too fast.... It def. felt like a detox.. I am doing it slower now but I am going to stay at 50 for awhile and yes most likely two months because of side effects. I read a dozen things online about it and some people have dozens of issues, some have none and I am somewhere in the middle.. I don't like the feeling.. I also get the jitters and all when it comes close to taking half at night again..I read online if you feel okay some days wait l5 minutes more to take the medication than your regular time. I have been trying that..

Oh; I probably went down to 50mgs. too fast so going to wait a bit longer for the next lower dosage.. As I read online no rush :)

thanks for helping me in this journey.

take care"

04/23/2014: Timh from Ky: "Kelly: If you need Magnesium and you have stressed feet, you would very likely benefit from Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate) Foot Baths. I have taken E.S.F.B (plus more minerals) daily for more than a decade."

04/14/2014: Anyone from Pakistan: "Get your random blood sugar tested too. This tea has nothing to do with increased frequency of urination."

04/14/2014: Karin from Wilmington, Nc: "I have found two remedies that control seborrheic dermatitis: African formula zinc shampoo - can be bought at Health Food Stores, been using this for years. Also lavender tea works great. I make the tea with 2 heaping tspns. dried lavender in 2 cups of water, boil water, let steep for 15 min. Keep in refrigerator. Spray on scalp after shampooing. It smells great, nice for hair."

04/14/2014: Gavin from Northland: "As far as muscle pain goes watch out if you are taking statins. They block an essential enzyme produced in the liver for muscles. Fifty per cent of those prescribed them have to stop taking them due to this. But sometimes as the pain comes on sometimes months after taking them they are misdiagnosed as another ailment. Some doctors are saying that statins do nothing except make the sellers a lot of money."

04/14/2014: Kt from Usa: "Before I learned about the hidden sources of MSG, yogurt would do this to me. I loved plain yogurt. Even after I started weeding various sources of MSG out my diet and thought yogurt was safe, I got angry at nothing. My daughter would remark "you've been eating yogurt again" and that became an eye-opener for me. After I contacted the people who educated me about MSG, I stopped eating it. Cannot recall the "why's" but after I stopped eating it I stopped getting so angry."

04/14/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee: "Dear Sara, Vitamin Deficiency could cause that "easily irritable" feeling. 1 Tablespoon of Blackstrap molasses a day would be something to try, as well as B-complex. Please keep us posted as to how you are coming along with this. ~Mama to Many~"

04/14/2014: Iowama from Iowa, Usa: "Dear Sara, With all respect to the the other posters, your query resonated with me. Although you are only 40, your easily aroused aggravation after eating foods such as yogurt could signal the start of perimenopause. Anger, eventually coupled with bloating, was the first sign for me and dairy was one of the food groups I have had to give up. I'm not suggesting that you are aging prematurely, just that hormonal imbalances do start for most of us eventually. Some women find relief by leaving all dairy from cows behind and learning to like the taste of goat yogurt and goat cheeses instead. Best regards to you."

04/14/2014: Kt from Usa: "Avoiding hidden sources of MSG. Eliminating whole wheat products would help. Adding ginger to what you eat will help. My nutrition book reports there is an antidepressant ingredient in ginger. Since I've increased ginger in my diet, it has made a world of difference. I think it's difficult to zero in one one thing. It has been over a twenty-year piecemeal endeavor for me so I understand why many don't agree.

I've mentioned BSM several times but Mama to Many is correct and I am adamant about taking that too."

06/01/2012: Lisa from Jax, Fl: "Thank you so much! I am going to try this."

03/19/2013: Becky_neb from Newman Grove, Ne: "To the woman who used DHEA intra-vaginally (is that the correct term?), you said you broke a 5 mg tablet in four pieces. Did you use that once a day, or how often? Is that still working for you?"

05/07/2013: Sue from Cambridge, Oh, Guernsey: "Yes, it is still working for me. I have upped the dosage, so I insert a whole 5mg tablet every other day. It works great. Believe me, I've tryed everything--estriol oil, progesterone oil, various other oils, etc. Much too messy, estriol made me spot. This takes like one second and there is nothing there after it dissolves and it dissolves pretty fast. And it's not bad for the man like estrogens. I've been doing this for a long time and have no side effects."

11/22/2013: Mln from Texas: "To Quernsey: Is that a 5 mg tablet of DHEA and not 50 mg? So far, I'm seeing 50's instead of 5's..."

03/25/2014: Sheila from Birmingham Uk: "I am 55. I have Vaginal Atrophy severe. I have been taking Climagest 2mg and Vagifem suppositories for five years now. It changed my life. to be honest I was worried about the risk but my condition was so bad. I felt I had no choice. Due to be taken off them and I am in a state of panic worrying how I'm going to be, so bad I get emotional. However I have found this site and I feel it has been a blessing to me. New ideas to try. I am already trying out the Carlson Vitamin E suppositories and the DHEA are on order to be ready waiting yo use when my medication stops. Keep sharing the information it Helps to read good information. Will give you an update of how I get on."

04/14/2014: Jeane from Virginia, US: "To: Sheila from Birmingham Uk, Please let us know how it's going with the DHEA. Carlson's E has been around for a long time, I've used it but this is the lst time I've read about DHEA and I found the 5mg pills. I ordered the cream from Bezwecken and will try that lst. The more I read, it's like an epidemic this annoying condition!

Docs push Premarin and never research or suggest alternatives which seems wrong to me, ;when women have to go hunting for alternatives because we can't turn to our healthcare providers for them."

04/14/2014: Misty from In, Usa: "Actually, not all baking powder contains aluminum. I purchased a tub of aluminum-free baking powder, but there are also recipes to make your own online. Though it's likely that the results were caused by the baking soda contained in the baking powder, baking powder will work in a pinch if you don't have baking soda on hand."

04/14/2014: Kt from Usa: "Before I learned about the hidden sources of MSG, yogurt would do this to me. I loved plain yogurt. Even after I started weeding various sources of MSG out my diet and thought yogurt was safe, I got angry at nothing. My daughter would remark "you've been eating yogurt again" and that became an eye-opener for me. After I contacted the people who educated me about MSG, I stopped eating it. Cannot recall the "why's" but after I stopped eating it I stopped getting so angry."

04/14/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee: "Dear Sara, Vitamin Deficiency could cause that "easily irritable" feeling. 1 Tablespoon of Blackstrap molasses a day would be something to try, as well as B-complex. Please keep us posted as to how you are coming along with this. ~Mama to Many~"

04/14/2014: Iowama from Iowa, Usa: "Dear Sara, With all respect to the the other posters, your query resonated with me. Although you are only 40, your easily aroused aggravation after eating foods such as yogurt could signal the start of perimenopause. Anger, eventually coupled with bloating, was the first sign for me and dairy was one of the food groups I have had to give up. I'm not suggesting that you are aging prematurely, just that hormonal imbalances do start for most of us eventually. Some women find relief by leaving all dairy from cows behind and learning to like the taste of goat yogurt and goat cheeses instead. Best regards to you."

04/14/2014: Kt from Usa: "Avoiding hidden sources of MSG. Eliminating whole wheat products would help. Adding ginger to what you eat will help. My nutrition book reports there is an antidepressant ingredient in ginger. Since I've increased ginger in my diet, it has made a world of difference. I think it's difficult to zero in one one thing. It has been over a twenty-year piecemeal endeavor for me so I understand why many don't agree.

I've mentioned BSM several times but Mama to Many is correct and I am adamant about taking that too."

04/02/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Lauren,

I have used charcoal (internally and externally) for years. I also am hypothyroid, though currently symptom free. I just am careful not to take charcoal within two hours of supplements that I take for my thyroid, or any supplements. I have never had a problem with it.

I love charcoal...it is inexpensive, easily accessible, safe and effective.

Have a great day!

~Mama to Many~"

04/02/2014: Suseeq from Sydney Australia: "To mama to many -- just curious what have you used charcoal on externally. Thanks"

04/02/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Suseeq,

I have used charcoal in poultices externally on me and my children and most recently on my father...here are some things on which I have used charcoal...

-insect stings (spider bites, tick bites, bee stings) to draw out the poison and reduce pain and swelling.

-skin infections or wounds that look like they might become infected.

-infected finger (at the nail area. I have seen the poultices draw pus out over several overnight applications.)

-staph infection on the skin (in conjunction with other remedies internally.)

-over a surgical site that I was concerned could become infected.

-over the ovary area for cyst pain.

-mixed in water and strained out to use in the eye for pinkeye or in the ear for an ear infection.

-packed into the hoof a a goat with a hoof infection.

-poison ivy.

-eczema.

Charcoal draws out infection and reduces inflammation. It has been effective for our family in so many ways that I never hesitate to use it.

Have a great day!

~Mama to Many~"

04/03/2014: Suseeq from Sydney, Australia: "Tthank you, mama to many, charcoal is a very handy thing to keep on hand. I didn't know it can do so many things. I always keep it but I'll use more from now on, thanks again"

04/04/2014: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Thank you Mama to many for your response. You are very kind and helpful always. I am curious though.....what did you do to become symptom free from thyroid disease? I have been trying for the past four years to achieve that....I mean I feel like I have taken every vitamin out there, I have drunk every green juice on this earth, I rarely eat junk food and yet I am struggling especially since menopause...any suggestions would greatly help....thank you so much"

04/04/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Lauren,

I would be happy to share what I have tried for my low thyroid…I hope it will be helpful to you. Of course you may have already tried these things if you have been working on healing for so long. It sure can be vexing to try remedy after remedy and not find the answer.

Currently I am taking 2 droppers of Lugol’s 2% iodine and 200mcg of Selenium. I take Vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin D as needed. I use Celtic Sea Salt daily. For a long time I was using 2 T. of extra virgin coconut oil daily, but I have gotten lax about that. We are on well water so I don’t have to worry about the chlorine or fluoride in the water, which apparently can be an issue for some. I eat a pretty good but far from perfect diet. I eat a lot of whole foods but it is not all organic or anything. We eat out some and I love chocolate. :) I try not to worry so much about what I am consuming when out with friends as it is important to me to be able to enjoy times with friends and family without having to stress about food. I think what I eat cheerfully probably is better for my heath than what I don’t eat fearfully, if that makes sense.

That is the short answer…here is a longer version with some other thoughts. Four years ago I was having unquenchable thirst. 20 cups of water a day and I still had a dry mouth. I went to a doctor who tested me for thyroid issues. My thyroid was off and I started to take a low dose of synthroid. My mouth was not dry any more, but I felt awful and my hair was falling out in handfuls. So, I quit synthroid and tried other things. I know the next time I had bloodwork, maybe 6 months later, my thyroid was still off, though I didn’t feel as bad as I had on synthroid. But a year or two later, my bloodwork showed the thyroid to be working. Apparently you can have normal blood numbers and still have a thyroid issue, so I tend to go by how I feel. If I run out of iodine, my dry mouth symptoms return. But it took me a year or two to get the right amount of iodine for me.

So, I wish that this would work for everyone. It seems to work for some. But it seems that everyone is different and there isn’t a one size fits all solution. Some people need to add dessicated thyroid to what they take. Maybe the stuff I am doing only works because of other stuff I am doing and I am unaware of the connection. I do try to walk regularly. I use Apple Cider Vinegar most days. I took Burdock Root for neuropathy for 6 or 12 months. I take 3 capsules of Borage oil daily to help skin issues. Sometimes I take turmeric. Maybe one of those things helps the other stuff to work for me. And but for the grace of God, none of this would work.

If you don’t mind a bit of rambling, I think health is related to things beyond just our intake. I think what we eat is important, but there are so many things that also affect our health. A few years ago I read about a study that linked heart problems and high cholesterol to stress and not to diet. Thousands of years ago, Solomon said that a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Richard Wurmbrand was a pastor who was imprisoned under dreadfully inhumane conditions with very little and poor quality food, and yet he went on to live quite a long and productive life. God was sustaining him in spite of a horrendous diet and living conditions.

It puzzles me that my children’s health is not identical. They eat the same food, have the same genes, live in the same house. But they recover differently from sickness. One has had some chronic health problems. So, I have to conclude that there is more to it than just supplements and diet. I know people that have “near perfect” diets that still struggle with health problems. I had a friend who had an amazing diet and was so sweet and cheerful and she died of cancer. There are just some things that are beyond our control. (Lots of things, really! )

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble there a little.

Oh, and I am blessed to not yet be dealing with menopause. That will be a whole new set of things to learn about…I am 47, so I am figuring sooner than later. Anyway, I have read a little bit about Dong Quai and Black Cohosh for menopause symptoms and those will be some things I may try when I get to that point.

Well, keep in touch and let me know how you are doing!

~Mama to Many~"

04/06/2014: Lauren from New York, US: "Hi Mama to many.....Thanks a million for your detailed response. You couldn't be more right when you said that sometimes its not just about the diet but many other factors contribute towards illness. I can attest to that cause that's exactly how my life played out....a lot of stress on a daily basis....maybe that's why I can't regain true health. But I am not a quitter...I keep pressing on with the good Lord by my side and hopefully one fine day, I will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Anyways, thank you again for taking the time to answer my query with such detail. I really do appreciate it and yes I will let you know what worked for me if I find something that does.....I heard about a product called Thyrogold that I am thinking of trying cause I don't want to be on medication all my life. Have you heard of this and if so, what are your thoughts? Looking forward to hearing from you, Take care and have a blessed day...."

04/06/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Lauren,

I admire your attitude!

I have never used Thyrogold, not have known anyone to. However, when I read about it online, it seems like something I would try if I were wanting to get off medications and what I was trying was not working. So much of what I have learned has been trial and error on myself.

Have you ever read any of Dr. John Lee's books? I have his book called, "What Your Doctor May not tell you about Premenopause." He also has one for menopause. His writing is somewhat technical, but also interesting and helpful. I mention this because in his Premenopause book, he talks some about thryoid, particularly its relationship to other hormones. The premenopause book is directed towards women in the 30-50 age range and the menopause one for 50 and over. You have obviously done your research and tried many things...there may be a few more "stones to unturn" in his writings.

Keep in touch and God bless.

~Mama to Many~"

04/07/2014: Lauren from New York, US: "Thank you Mama to many....I definitely would check out the books...never thought of that and I am a reader....thanks for that tip...take care and have a blessed day......"

04/14/2014: Ivy from Canada: ""Mama to Many" mentioned she wasn't worried about her water because she has well water. I got sick in 2000 with "fibromyalgia" and had a heavy metal test done and arsenic was high. My test said sources of arsenic were well water or run off from an orchard. Had my well water tested and there was arsenic in it, but the fluoride levels in the water were even worse. My 440 foot deep well had less than a grain of hardness (old well had 55 grains of hardness), so I never thought to get the water tested. Just because it is well water doesn't mean it is safe. Fluoride can be naturally occuring as well as heavy metals. The symptoms of fibromyalgia are the same as chronic fluoride poisoning:

http://www.life-enthusiast.com/fluoride-the-cause-of-fibromyalgia-a-3782.html

Ivy"

04/14/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee: "Wow Ivy, thanks for sharing that! It is good to know. It never occurred to me that well water could have flouride in it. I knew what I was dealing with with our water since we had it tested when we moved to our current home. It was orange and we wanted to know what we were dealing with (Turns out it was manganese, which is easily filtered with charcoal.) I should not have assumed that well water in general does not have flouride! I agree that well water is not always safe! Years ago my children were all of a sudden vomiting and had no fever or other symptoms. We finally realized it was when they drank water. We had it tested and it had bacteria in it. We had to treat our well. I guess the moral of the story is that people on well water should get water tests to make sure they know what they are dealing with... Thanks again for the helpful information! ~Mama to Many~"

05/10/2013: John from Sydney, Australia: "Buy shizandra, alpha lipoic acid, selenium and chanca Pedra immediately to reduce your liver enzymes, inflammation and fibrosis. Hep b can be controlled and cured as well. U don't have to die. Take this supplements 2 tablet twice daily at different times (reduce drug interaction) except selenium one tablet twice daily for two weeks. Other tablet for one month.

take virgin coconut oil 2 teaspoon twice daily and order BHT and take as required.

you will be surprised at this amazing treatment after two month."

05/11/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York, Usa: "Well, there is the BHT [ butylated hydroxytoluene ] treatment for hepatitis B. It did work for me and others for hepatitis B as discussed in this group`s forum. People living in Nigeria can purchase BHT here:

http://www.nutri.com/index.cfm/product/31_17/butylated-hydroxytoluene-bht.cfm?gclid=CNaYjOb9xLUCFQyg4AodHloAww

The BHT treatment is discussed in this group`s archives here:

01/19/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York, Usa replies: "Dear James from Bangkok, I have tried many times to copy and paste what "T" for tablecorn has to say about the use of BHT to treat chronic hepatitis B. I will try again:

Here are my HBV test results:

04/20/2012
HBV IU/mL: 260, 230
HBV Copies/mL: 1, 514, 500

08/20/2012
HBV IU/mL: 204, 890
HBV Copies/mL: 1, 192, 500

11/27/2012
HBV IU/mL: 28, 970
HBV Copies/mL: 168, 600

After the first three months, I had a 25% reduction between my first and second test, and a 86% reduction between my second and third test. 1, 514, 500 to 168, 600 is amazing!

Though, it's hard to say exactly what has contributed to this. In addition to BHT, I started taking Chanca Piedra and Monolaurin these last three months. I also cut out a lot of my workout supplements/super dosing of vitamins.

Chanca Piedra is said help prevent certain viruses from replicating and monolaurin is said to destroy lipid coated viruses, similar to BHT. I'm sure they've both had a big impact on my results.

There are other reports discussed in this group`s archives regarding BHT and also Chanca Piedra. Click here to read the many reports with or without BHT here:

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/hepatitis-b.html"

05/18/2013: Jamaal2013 from Lagos: "Danbuzu: You are not dying and you need to maintain a very positive outlook. It is all the same for us when we first dicscovered our HBV status. But as you read more and get your test result you will be so convinced that you will likely grow old and die of something else. You need to know that HBV is manageable. There are good therapies out there and your gastroenterologist will likely make some recommendations. Also there are many herbs and other alternatives you may explore as mentioned in the forum. I just started trying Chanca piedra (it grows as weed in my compound, so easy so cheap). Just so you know it is called 'geron tsuntsaye' in Hausa. If you are interested in having a conversation we can exchange contacts and discuss more."

05/20/2013: Davey D. from Vancouver, Bc, Canada: "To Jamaal 2013 How about trying to cure your hep b instead of managing it. There are products that are having a large succes rate in doing so. I will name them for you so you will know.

BHT (butylated hydroxy toluene) 350mg once a day proven to kill all lipid coated viruses. Chanca Piedra 500mg once a day with food at fifferent times. B12 5,000mcg sublingual, Vitamin D3

The thing is knowing what not to take like grape fruit juice, and milk thistle blocks these compounds and vitamin E helps the virus to replicate.

Davey D."

05/22/2013: Jamaal2013 from Lagos: "@Danbuzu: I will send you a personal message on FB to commence a chat.

@ Davey D: Yes Davey, Cure is the thing. I am trying to see how I can order for BH, Chanca piedra and Salvia ligustrum. In fact, anything that can take it away. I can't seem to find any local store here in Nigeria that sells them. So I have to order online. As for chanca piedra, I have it growing all around my house, the problem is the dosage. I just make a decoction of it but I will prefer to have in tablet form."

06/14/2013: Al from Los Angeles, Ca: "Hi All.. I have HBV for 7 years, have being taking Baraclude all the time, everytime I stopped it VL went back up. Total waste of time. Really want to try everthing you are suggesting here as far as what herbs to take.. I want to clear HBV, just sick of stress living with this..

Reading the forum, thanks for sharing everything.

Also is there are any good natural docs to see in LA area that can guide me with these "ulternative" treatments. Rhanks"

06/20/2013: Danielle from Libreville, Gabon Republic: "Am confused. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know if my life is already finished if I should give up or not. I have been reading all the comments here and I must say it's giving me some little hope. I wish to talk to some one who is really getting much positive responds to this. Here are my result

- Hbe Negative
- HBs Ag ELISA 2.701Abs
- Nv: l 0.154

Please what does this means??

It's so difficult as I don't even know about the viral count nothing. I read alot and here I saw much on chanca piedra which I found here. I stated taking it and also I bought selenium, BTH, Astragus V D3, Alpha lipoic Acid and NADH rich in Coenzyme. I have been taling the chanca along side with Immunoplex that was prescribed by the doctor. But must of the time I really get pains on my right stomach and am scared if am doing the right thing. Also making virgin coconot oil from coconut myself which am taking 2 spoons everyday. I don't eat salt, I never smoke or drink alcohol. Please can any one give me some advice. My fiance is negative and all my two X girfriends are negative too. They have never been vacinated against Hep. Please I need some advice what should I do, if she take the vacine can we make kids?? and how can I go about taking this medications??"

06/20/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York, Usa: "Dear Danielle, I will start my response by saying I also have NO idea as to what those numbers and their corresponding acronyms mean. Also, one of the questions you asked is whether or not the treatments you mentioned were safe to use if considering getting pregnant. I very much advise against getting pregnant until and unless this hepatitis B issue is resolved. So first concentrate on resolving this hepatitis B issue before getting pregnant.

If you choose to try the BHT treatment, use that treatment and none of the others. The BHT treatment does NOT work well with other treatments.

The BHT treatment is:

200mg to 350mg of BHT taken once or twice a day with water only on an empty stomach. People who weigh less need and desire less BHT. You have to find a dosage you are comfortable with.

The supplements that work well with BHT are:

1. Vitamin B12 in a daily dosage of 1, 000mcg [ micrograms ]. 1mg [ milligram ] is the same as 1, 000mcg.
2. Vitamin C in a daily dosage not to exceed 1, 000mg
3. A regular type vitamin B-complex tablet
4. A standard multi-vitamin and mineral pill.
5. The lipid monolaurin is OK to use.

Do NOT take any other supplements with the BHT treatment. Do NOT take milk thistle. Do NOT take vitamin E supplements. Do NOT drink grapefruit juice

In short: Keep the BHT treatment simple for best results... Oscar"

07/29/2013: Ethel from Australia: "hello I"m Ethel. I have been carrier of hep b, I only knew this since june 2012. I did try chanca piedra, with vit b complex, vit c and warm lemon juice for my my liver detoxification first thing in the morning. I ordered salvia ligustrum and and BHT and now I don't know about the dosage and If I can take both of them.. pls I need your help."

07/31/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York: "Dear Ethel from Australia, I hope to be of some help to you regarding BHT dosage. It is a tricky issue. You have to find a dosage you are comfortable with. For people of average weight you should start out with no more than 250mg of BHT per day with water on an empty stomach. The more you weigh the more you need but it need not be that much. I myself was using only one or two 250mg capsules of BHT per day and I weighed about 175 pounds when I succesfully treated my hepatitis C infection. There are many people who tolerate as much as two 350mg of BHT per day=700mg per day. There are others who have adverse reactions to even one 250mg of BHT per day. These capsules are easy to pull apart so you can lower the dosage if needs be. You have to find out for yourself what you are comfortable with. For an average size woman 250mg of BHT taken with water only twice a day seems to be plenty enough and may be too much. If adverse effects are felt stay with one dose per day. Age is also a factor. Younger people seem to tolerate larger doses better than people over 55 or so. Trying to help, ...Oscar"

08/01/2013: Ethel from Australia: "Thank you so much Oscar. I am petite and only weigh 100 pounds. I did try taking 250mg BHT twice a day on an empty stomach and haven't experienced side effects so far. I cut down fatty foods and eat more fruits, vegetables, daily exercise and prayers of course. But how about taking Salvia ligustrum with BHT? or Should I take BHT simply with my vit c and vit b complex? Thanks again."

08/02/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York: "Dear Ethel from Ausrtralia. You are a petite woman at only 100 pounds. If you tolerate the 250mg of BHT taken twice a day=500mg of BHT per day that should be plenty enough. If adverse effects are experienced lower the dosage used.

Now those B vitamins work well with the BHT treatment. Vitamin B12 in a dosage of 1mg [ milligrams ] which is the same as 1,000mcg [ micrograms ] is especially helpful. Also the lipid or oil monolaurin works well with BHT. Vitamin C in a dosage of between 500mg and 1,000mg also works well with BHT.

I do not know whether or not the other supplements you discussed will work well with BHT or not.

Many supplements do NOT work well with the BHT treatemnet including milk thistle and iit`s extracts, grapefruit juice, and others.

There is the BHT CURES CHAT GROUP if you wish to be in contact with other people using the BHT treatment here.

Please do report your results here at the EARTH CLINIC....Oscar"

08/02/2013: Rob from Manhattan: "Oscar, thanks for your great work here..

1. I was wondering if you heard of anyone using BHT transdermally with any success? Saturate an oil with BHT and apply it to the body?

2. Did BHT really fill in your bald spot?"

08/03/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York: "Dear Rob from Manhattan, The BHT does seem to be what cleared up that bald spot. This bald spot was quite obvious prior to my using BHT on a daily basis starting in 1997 when I was 48 years old. I am now 64 years old and that bald spot is still gone. One of the women at THE BHT CURES CHAT GROUP has also reported that an area of her scalp that had significantly thinning hair has filled in and improved greatly. Others have reported receding gums about their teeth filling in and becoming normal.

The more you look into this BHT stuff, the more health benifits you find if and only if you use sensible dosing. You need to find a dosage you are comfortable with. For me, a 200 pound male 350mg per day seems to be about right. If I use more than that on a regular basis I do experience an undesirable stimulant effect along with some stomach discomfort. When I was younger I was able to tolerate as much as 350mg of BHT twice a day=700mg of BHT per day. But I can no longer tolerate that much BHT on a daily basis without the adverse effects I just described.

This is no miracle cure. It is based on sound, proven chemisrtry. BHT very readily deactivates free radicals and reactive oxygen species.

For example when hydrogen peroxide is split or cleaved you have two very reactive and destructive free radicals called hydroxy radicals. Look at how simple it is: H-O-O-H , hydrogen peroxide becomes two O-Hs. BHT deactivates this by donating one hydrogen atom to each O-H and thereby becomes H-O-H [ water ]. This is done in pairs or two at a time. Then the two different carbons that gave up those one each hydrogens bond to each other. Those two carbons bonded to each other now satisfy the octet rule. Simply stated: the carbon atom`s need to have 4 chemical bonds to be a stable compound. There are exceptions to this octet rule also. But that is another fairly complex aspect of organic chemisrty.

You can join in the fun at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/THE_BHT_CURES_CHAT_GROUP/

This group is there for those interested... Oscar"

09/11/2013: Danielle1010 from Libreville: "Hi Oscar, this is Daniel from Libreville again. Oscar, I need to know if its normal to have all this pains on my right stomack when taking the BHT treatment?? before I started taking any medications I feld no pains at all, but then when I started the treatment thats when all the nightmare started. Please could you give me some more tips on this please am really kinna confused now"

09/11/2013: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "Danielle, I'm not Oscar, but as with anything you might try, if it's hurting, STOP!! Then if you want to try again, start MUCH slower: much less dosage and fewer times (like once in two days instead)."

09/12/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York: "Dear Danielle from Libreville, I have consistantly stated than whenever adverse effects are experienced LOWER the dosage of BHT used. You do use the plural as in medications. What other medications are you using ? BHT does NOT work well with many of the other treatments discussed in this forum. How much BHT are you using ? How much do you weigh ? ...Oscar"

09/15/2013: Leon from Fl: "Oscar from Syracuse, New York. I am reading all these post my question is: can I use BHT and Chanca piedra and, salvia all at same time? My email: omyg56 (at) yahoo (dot) com."

09/17/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York: "Dear Leon from FL, We had at least one report that BHT taken seperately with water on an empty stomach worked very well with the herb chanca peidra taken seperately, not at the same time as a treatment for a chronic hepatitis B infection. So apparently these two different treatments do work well together for a hepatitis B infection.

There are numerous reports of both the BHT and the chanca piedra treatment working well for a hepatitis B infection and NO indication that they do not work well together.

I know nothing about salvia and have NO opinion about it good or bad.

Also for people with liver disease a moderate, regulal type vitamin B complex tablet along with a vitamin B12 dose of 1mg per day helps . 1mg [ milligrams ] is the same as 1, 000mcg [ micrograms ]. Vitamin B12 is sold in mcg [ microgram ] dosages. Also vitamin C taken in daily doses of 500mg to 1, 000mg does seem to help. But vitamin E supplements should be avoided because vitamin E supplements have been proven to enhance lipid coated viruses ability to replicate. Of course you need some vitamin E, but a healthy diet provides plenty enough. And importantly: BHT does NOT work well with milk thistle and it`s extracts.

I base my recommendations on the feedback available as to what works and does not work. And there is substantial feedback about all this in this important forum and others also....Oscar"

04/14/2014: Chucks Ben from Malaysia : "Listen to me all. I was once a hepatitis b carries for 10 good yrs.but nothing happened to me and at last it was cured with prayers. After my pastor prayed for me he told me to to go back and have another test., and after the test it found negative. This just a simple thing to god because can also cure HIV .there is nothing god can not do if you believe and meet the right man of god to pray for you on this issue. thanx"

04/02/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Lauren,

I have used charcoal (internally and externally) for years. I also am hypothyroid, though currently symptom free. I just am careful not to take charcoal within two hours of supplements that I take for my thyroid, or any supplements. I have never had a problem with it.

I love charcoal...it is inexpensive, easily accessible, safe and effective.

Have a great day!

~Mama to Many~"

04/02/2014: Suseeq from Sydney Australia: "To mama to many -- just curious what have you used charcoal on externally. Thanks"

04/02/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Suseeq,

I have used charcoal in poultices externally on me and my children and most recently on my father...here are some things on which I have used charcoal...

-insect stings (spider bites, tick bites, bee stings) to draw out the poison and reduce pain and swelling.

-skin infections or wounds that look like they might become infected.

-infected finger (at the nail area. I have seen the poultices draw pus out over several overnight applications.)

-staph infection on the skin (in conjunction with other remedies internally.)

-over a surgical site that I was concerned could become infected.

-over the ovary area for cyst pain.

-mixed in water and strained out to use in the eye for pinkeye or in the ear for an ear infection.

-packed into the hoof a a goat with a hoof infection.

-poison ivy.

-eczema.

Charcoal draws out infection and reduces inflammation. It has been effective for our family in so many ways that I never hesitate to use it.

Have a great day!

~Mama to Many~"

04/03/2014: Suseeq from Sydney, Australia: "Tthank you, mama to many, charcoal is a very handy thing to keep on hand. I didn't know it can do so many things. I always keep it but I'll use more from now on, thanks again"

04/04/2014: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Thank you Mama to many for your response. You are very kind and helpful always. I am curious though.....what did you do to become symptom free from thyroid disease? I have been trying for the past four years to achieve that....I mean I feel like I have taken every vitamin out there, I have drunk every green juice on this earth, I rarely eat junk food and yet I am struggling especially since menopause...any suggestions would greatly help....thank you so much"

04/04/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Lauren,

I would be happy to share what I have tried for my low thyroid…I hope it will be helpful to you. Of course you may have already tried these things if you have been working on healing for so long. It sure can be vexing to try remedy after remedy and not find the answer.

Currently I am taking 2 droppers of Lugol’s 2% iodine and 200mcg of Selenium. I take Vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin D as needed. I use Celtic Sea Salt daily. For a long time I was using 2 T. of extra virgin coconut oil daily, but I have gotten lax about that. We are on well water so I don’t have to worry about the chlorine or fluoride in the water, which apparently can be an issue for some. I eat a pretty good but far from perfect diet. I eat a lot of whole foods but it is not all organic or anything. We eat out some and I love chocolate. :) I try not to worry so much about what I am consuming when out with friends as it is important to me to be able to enjoy times with friends and family without having to stress about food. I think what I eat cheerfully probably is better for my heath than what I don’t eat fearfully, if that makes sense.

That is the short answer…here is a longer version with some other thoughts. Four years ago I was having unquenchable thirst. 20 cups of water a day and I still had a dry mouth. I went to a doctor who tested me for thyroid issues. My thyroid was off and I started to take a low dose of synthroid. My mouth was not dry any more, but I felt awful and my hair was falling out in handfuls. So, I quit synthroid and tried other things. I know the next time I had bloodwork, maybe 6 months later, my thyroid was still off, though I didn’t feel as bad as I had on synthroid. But a year or two later, my bloodwork showed the thyroid to be working. Apparently you can have normal blood numbers and still have a thyroid issue, so I tend to go by how I feel. If I run out of iodine, my dry mouth symptoms return. But it took me a year or two to get the right amount of iodine for me.

So, I wish that this would work for everyone. It seems to work for some. But it seems that everyone is different and there isn’t a one size fits all solution. Some people need to add dessicated thyroid to what they take. Maybe the stuff I am doing only works because of other stuff I am doing and I am unaware of the connection. I do try to walk regularly. I use Apple Cider Vinegar most days. I took Burdock Root for neuropathy for 6 or 12 months. I take 3 capsules of Borage oil daily to help skin issues. Sometimes I take turmeric. Maybe one of those things helps the other stuff to work for me. And but for the grace of God, none of this would work.

If you don’t mind a bit of rambling, I think health is related to things beyond just our intake. I think what we eat is important, but there are so many things that also affect our health. A few years ago I read about a study that linked heart problems and high cholesterol to stress and not to diet. Thousands of years ago, Solomon said that a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Richard Wurmbrand was a pastor who was imprisoned under dreadfully inhumane conditions with very little and poor quality food, and yet he went on to live quite a long and productive life. God was sustaining him in spite of a horrendous diet and living conditions.

It puzzles me that my children’s health is not identical. They eat the same food, have the same genes, live in the same house. But they recover differently from sickness. One has had some chronic health problems. So, I have to conclude that there is more to it than just supplements and diet. I know people that have “near perfect” diets that still struggle with health problems. I had a friend who had an amazing diet and was so sweet and cheerful and she died of cancer. There are just some things that are beyond our control. (Lots of things, really! )

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble there a little.

Oh, and I am blessed to not yet be dealing with menopause. That will be a whole new set of things to learn about…I am 47, so I am figuring sooner than later. Anyway, I have read a little bit about Dong Quai and Black Cohosh for menopause symptoms and those will be some things I may try when I get to that point.

Well, keep in touch and let me know how you are doing!

~Mama to Many~"

04/06/2014: Lauren from New York, US: "Hi Mama to many.....Thanks a million for your detailed response. You couldn't be more right when you said that sometimes its not just about the diet but many other factors contribute towards illness. I can attest to that cause that's exactly how my life played out....a lot of stress on a daily basis....maybe that's why I can't regain true health. But I am not a quitter...I keep pressing on with the good Lord by my side and hopefully one fine day, I will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Anyways, thank you again for taking the time to answer my query with such detail. I really do appreciate it and yes I will let you know what worked for me if I find something that does.....I heard about a product called Thyrogold that I am thinking of trying cause I don't want to be on medication all my life. Have you heard of this and if so, what are your thoughts? Looking forward to hearing from you, Take care and have a blessed day...."

04/06/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Lauren,

I admire your attitude!

I have never used Thyrogold, not have known anyone to. However, when I read about it online, it seems like something I would try if I were wanting to get off medications and what I was trying was not working. So much of what I have learned has been trial and error on myself.

Have you ever read any of Dr. John Lee's books? I have his book called, "What Your Doctor May not tell you about Premenopause." He also has one for menopause. His writing is somewhat technical, but also interesting and helpful. I mention this because in his Premenopause book, he talks some about thryoid, particularly its relationship to other hormones. The premenopause book is directed towards women in the 30-50 age range and the menopause one for 50 and over. You have obviously done your research and tried many things...there may be a few more "stones to unturn" in his writings.

Keep in touch and God bless.

~Mama to Many~"

04/07/2014: Lauren from New York, US: "Thank you Mama to many....I definitely would check out the books...never thought of that and I am a reader....thanks for that tip...take care and have a blessed day......"

04/14/2014: Ivy from Canada: ""Mama to Many" mentioned she wasn't worried about her water because she has well water. I got sick in 2000 with "fibromyalgia" and had a heavy metal test done and arsenic was high. My test said sources of arsenic were well water or run off from an orchard. Had my well water tested and there was arsenic in it, but the fluoride levels in the water were even worse. My 440 foot deep well had less than a grain of hardness (old well had 55 grains of hardness), so I never thought to get the water tested. Just because it is well water doesn't mean it is safe. Fluoride can be naturally occuring as well as heavy metals. The symptoms of fibromyalgia are the same as chronic fluoride poisoning:

http://www.life-enthusiast.com/fluoride-the-cause-of-fibromyalgia-a-3782.html

Ivy"

04/14/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee: "Wow Ivy, thanks for sharing that! It is good to know. It never occurred to me that well water could have flouride in it. I knew what I was dealing with with our water since we had it tested when we moved to our current home. It was orange and we wanted to know what we were dealing with (Turns out it was manganese, which is easily filtered with charcoal.) I should not have assumed that well water in general does not have flouride! I agree that well water is not always safe! Years ago my children were all of a sudden vomiting and had no fever or other symptoms. We finally realized it was when they drank water. We had it tested and it had bacteria in it. We had to treat our well. I guess the moral of the story is that people on well water should get water tests to make sure they know what they are dealing with... Thanks again for the helpful information! ~Mama to Many~"

04/14/2014: Omadath from Trinidad: "Baking soda and water, really worked.Just dilute about a tea spoon of baking soda, into a glass of water, and the result is magic."

04/14/2014: Susan Hunt from New Zealand: "Great reading all of these different incidents. I have started taking ACV and you can buy it with honey already in it. It makes it more tolerable to drink. I started taking it a few days ago as I had extremely high blood pressure and have to go back on the meds. Would prefer to bring it down naturally as meds have not really resolved anything for me over the years. I am 49 years old and have always been very active. I will see how it goes. Took the ACV with baking soda and can start to feel it working already."

12/08/2013: Kay from Jax, Fl, Usa: "A few weeks ago, I wrote in about my diagnosis of Chronic Periodontal disease. I have loose teeth and bone loss along with a gap between my front teeth. I went to a Peridontist which advised because of the expense and my age(late 60's) that going through gum surgery, than braces(to close gap) and than crowns, etc, the costs would easily exceed $10, 000! Since I do not have money or dental insurance, I decided to seek out a second opinion, which I have not done yet. The first doctor as mentioned above, cost me $225.00 just for consultation and X-rays. After reading this website, I found a tooth paste which has Baking Soda, bee propolis and Myrrh. I have been using it for two weeks, rinsing with Sea Salt and warm water and applying Aloe Vera gel on my gums at night. The doc did tell me I could take Amoxcillin but this was only after I requested something to get rid of the infection. They never seem to offer this.

So today after reading this website, I am going to get Sesame Oil and try to get the Be a Propolis to make a paste. I will try the oil pulling.

Oh, the specialist told me that I should have all my teeth pulled and wear dentures as this was the least expensive way out! Ofcourse, they all want to put implants which is very $$$. I would rather focus on the natural way and see if this works. I will write back after the oil pulling and let everyone know."

12/08/2013: Om from Hope Bc Canada: "Kay from Jax

please google paradisenow and you will be glad you did. I did it and with oil pulling and their advice I am doing well, my teeth and gums are better and I haven't spent a cent. Enjoy the site, lots of info. Om"

12/10/2013: Kay from Jax,fl,usa: "Thanks OM from Canada. I will go into the site you recommended. I started the oil pulling last night with Sesame Oil along with the rinsing using 30% Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking soda, based on info I have received from Earthclinic. I am keeping a time line and will let all know results. I wish I could find a remedy to replace bone loss…don't think that exists."

12/10/2013: Om from Hope Bc Canada: "Hi, Kay, I visited Dr. Sircus' web site last year and found out about bone reversal loss with the use of the right magnesium. Mag chlor is applied topically I.e. transdermal by spraying on the skin even though I take a fizzing powder daily as well. Calcium will not do except I think when living vegan life style, a homeopathic easily absorbable calcium from nettle from Vogel Co. in Switzerland works very well considering the condition of nails and hair. Additional exercise will help.

In Dr. Sircus' opinion, the western world is experiencing a lack of nutritional magnesium which is easily absorbable and prevent bone loss. Good luck, Greetings, Om"

03/03/2014: Joannemuriel from Cobble Hill, Bc: "The Weston Price diet of pastured butter, fermented cod liver oil, Vitamins A, D, K and bone broth helps to rebuild bone. One person had a bone scan and without additional exercise, the bone was stronger. I am on this diet to reverse tooth decay. It was either that or pay 10K in dental fees. My worst cavities were remineralizing, but it's taking a long time (it's been 3 months now). Anyway, I'm committed because I'm seeing the progress. About the gum issue, mineral ascorbate vitamin C helps heal gums. Organic matcha with manuka honey is good for relieving the pain, as is the broth."

03/03/2014: Cindy from Usa: "To joannemuriel: could you please give more detailed information as to what you are doing/taking exactly to remineralize your teeth? I would really like to do something for my teeth. My dentist wants to put crowns on 8 teeth mostly for cosmetic reasons tho my teeth are deteriorating. Thanks in advance."

03/03/2014: Prioris from Fl, Usa: "The problem with putting crowns for cosmetic reasons is that it requires physical damage to the actual teeth. Bridges are worse in that they usually require damaging two other teeth on the side teeth where bridge hangs from. There is some technique which may less damage. Damaging healthy teeth is a big no no. If your younger, those caps will eventually fall off and need to be replaced. You become more dependent on dentist the more hardware you allow them to put in your mouth. Worse, if you don't have the money to replace them in the future, you will be up sh-- creek. For the dentists, you become a gold mine to their pocket books. Even the heralded Implants are a financial sinkhole. Those teeth may need to be replaced also. If your rich, this may not be an issue.

My understanding of Remineralization is

The key ingredients to remineralization seem to be vitamin K2 (ML7) + D3 + Vitamin A. Alkalizing your mouth will also help to minimize acid. Vitamin A + D3 -> osteocalcin etc then K2 (ML7) then activates it to cause calcium to go into teeth and bones (not arteries)."

04/13/2014: Dev from Thailand: "Anyone who needs expensive dental treatment should really really consider flying to thailand and getting it done at their private after hours dental hospitals. The treatment plus the flights, plus the hotels, excursions, scooter hire, and go go bars, will still save you a small fortune!! Khanom in southern Thailand, I found a hospital that does big fillings for 10, root canal for 90, and implants for as little as 250. If you are interested, drop me an email to deveroxx1 at gmail dot com Keep smiling :)"

04/03/2014: Ladymars from Florida, Us: "Hi James, you really need to get a diagnosis before trying to treat your problem. Best wishes."

04/13/2014: James Loh from Tutong, Brunei: "Luckily, thank GOD, for some reason after a long while the pulling sensation is gone. My wildest guess is that I am weak and cannot fight or adapt to the daily environmental conditions of an equatorial climate - hot, dry, humid and cold aircon. Persistent eating no matter how hard I guess help somewhat."

02/25/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Jewel51,

I read your post and think, "Lobelia! " It is an anti-spasmodic herb and we have used it with success in our house for a number of things, though not for gall bladder issues. We have used it for asthma and for suspected appendicitis.

You can buy the loose herb and make a tincture of an oil infusion. I would use this externally over the area where you have pain. It absorbs readily into the skin. You may be able to buy a tincture or oil. I can give more detail on making the infusion or tincture if you want to try that. You may also be able to take it internally and have it work, but be careful as a small amount of lobelia is a relaxant and too much is a stimulant. If your body is toxic, a small amount internally can cause vomiting.

I also would not be surprised to see a charcoal poultice or castor oil pack help you in this situation. I have used both for pain in the gall bladder area as well as for other things. There is information about both on this website.

Do you know if any foods are irritating your gall bladder? I know certain ones do mine, especially coffee, sadly!

Let us know what you find out. I hope you get relief soon.

~Mama to Many~"

02/25/2014: Prioris from Fl: "Good information about the two types of gallbladder attacks. It is easy to just assume stone related. Won't milk thistle get the bile flowing?"

02/26/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Jewels51: To strengthen the Liver/Gallbladder and increase the flow of bile take Triple Strengthen Lecithin and Dr. Christopher's Liver/Gallbladder Formula. There are many herbal suppliers w/ different names to this formula. The one I used to take was called Liveron. An internet search should produce some good results, but if not report back and I can give you the list of the home made formula I use.

I also occasionally use lemon Water to help open things up down there."

03/11/2014: Mary Lou from Cincinnati, Ohio: "To Jules51, For your spasms of sphincter of Oddi. Try 1-2 tsp of Bitters (Angostura) in water. It is in the grocery stores aisles with the drink mixes, cheapest at Walmart. It is an antispasmodic and antiflatulent. I swear by it for an upset stomach and gallbladder pain. I know it saved me from an ER visit twice in the past 20 years when I was doubled over in pain and nausea so badly I could barely speak or chew a Tums. Each time was due to meals with hidden fat, which I normally avoid. It tastes like an unsweetened coca cola, has a bit of alcohol, 44.7% by volume. Worth a try, I know I would have been in ER both times. When I can't talk, I am sick! hahaha"

03/20/2014: Erika from Atlanta, Ga: "I came across this site when looking for feedback on something I discovered by accident. I too have to watch fats in my diet because of gallbladder pain.

Recently I began having plain yogurt in the mornings mixed with a little honey (for flavor). I have been amazed at the positive impact it has had on my digestion and my gallbladder. Hope this helps."

04/14/2014: Rebecca from Co, US: "I found that my attacks were brought on my a combo of stress (huge!!!! ), not drinking enough water, and eating a large meal late in the evening with lots of salad and dairy fats, my favorite combo. Too hard to digest. Under advice of a naturopath I take lecithin, vitamin C, fish oil, and GB 6 which is a chinese herb blend. I ditched dairy and coffee and drink green tea, which is a calmative, and I have been symptom and pain free for a year. And, I'm healthier than I've been in ages. My GB was the canary in the coal mine for me. I find that stress really triggers spasms. If I feel spasms coming on, I sip a little cider vinegar in juice, and I take a percocet which my primary doc prescribed in case of attack. In addition to helping with the sudden onset of debilitating pain, it has muscle relaxing properties that can help calm the spasming before it gets full-blown."

04/14/2014: Rebecca from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Rebecca, Can you tell us the ingredients in the GB6, Chinese Herbal blend."

04/15/2014: Rebecca from Co: "Rebecca, it contains china berry fruit and other herbs; it's supposed to slacken the sphincter of oddi and contract the gall bladder. I notice my gall bladder feeling "busy" or twingey when I take it; the goal is to keep things moving and/or dissolve and expel stones."

04/11/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Elizabeth: Properly nourished glands make 37 hormones from good cholesterol. A properly nourished liver makes good cholesterol. Improper nourishment from eating cooked conventionally grown food is causing a bad liver to make bad cholesterol, bad glands to make bad hormones, and bad things like cysts and fibroids. A few supplements is not going to fix this. Eating the best food the right way does. The program I follow is called 80/10/10."

04/11/2014: Nanowriter from Hotspot, Tx: "Research selenium--this is supposed to help with iodine supplementation to keep the thyroid from being hyper."

04/11/2014: Elizabeth from Nashville, Tn: "Thanks for the info....I'll be checking on Selenium and see if that's an option."

04/11/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Elizabeth: A small amount of heavy metal or radiation will make such drastic reactions in the Thyroid.

First thing I would (and have done) is apply magnet therapy to end the inflammation. A refrigerator magnet would be a good start but you may need to graduate to a stronger magnet. Selenium & Vit-E, & Vit-A protects the glands from harm. Zinc lozenges will protect and improve T function. You can use Cod Liver Oil topically directly over the T area of the neck as this will bring major protection to the sensitive gland. I sometimes use a small hand-held vibrator gadget to clean and stimulate the Thyroid as well as Thymus glands.

Any antioxidant nutrients/supplements of oral route will help. I would recommend Grapeseed Extract of at least 100mg daily. Multicaratinoid complex will help along w/ 50mg Zinc to help conversion."

04/14/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee: "Dear Elizabeth, Have you tried charting your cycles? It really gives a lot of information and can help you to figure out what to do. Marilyn Shannon’s book, “Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition” was very helpful to me in fixing irregular cycles, a number of years ago. Blackstrap Molasses has helped a lot of ladies to get their cycles regulated. It has helped many with cysts and fibroids. 1 Tablespoon a day, however you would like to get it in. (In milk, coffee, or off the spoon! ) Castor Oil packs are also helpful to people with menstrual irregularities. There is a lot of information about using these on Earth Clinic. Just don’t use castor oil during your period. Let us know how it goes. ~Mama to Many~"

11/09/2013: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Lynn: Definitely add SAM-e to the protocol your currently using. L-Carnitine is also indicated for fatty liver. This should help."

11/09/2013: Mike 62 from Denver, Colorado: "Lynn: Ascetis is terminal stomach cancer. I am going to give you all the best remedies. There are several Whole Foods near you in the Houston area. They have the items. Get cases of kambucha synergy drinks with chia, cartons of vital pastured eggs, tubs of 1/2 baby leaves and 1/2 baby spinach, pounds of organic straw, ras, black, and blueberries, bottles of Paul Stamitz My Community 17 mushroom extract blend, expellar pressed coconut oil, some caviar, and a lot of raw honey. Many people say not to take sugar for cancer. The Andrew Kim blogs and raw food for cancer videos refute this misconception. Sugar, through the mechanism of fructose, is necessary for the cure. This is not a diet. Every hour give him a 12oz. green smoothie made from the baby leaves and kambucha. He can take as many berries, honey, caviar, and eggs eaten raw as he likes. Do not grind the eggs with a blender or stir with a fork. Crack the yolk with the teeth before swallowing. Take 1 tsp. coconut oil 4/day. Take 1 cap mushroom extract every 2 hours. When he wakes up in the middle of the night give him some more. Go online and get water kefir grains and hawaiin spirulina. Replace the kambucha with home made water kefir and the green smoothie with spirulina."

11/09/2013: Art from California : "The following abstracts may be applicable for your husbands condition and gives an approximation of an expected response time.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22804755

http://www.jpp.krakow.pl/journal/archive/02_12/pdf/35_02_12_article.pdf

Melatonin is liver protective and is naturally produced by the body, but production declines as we age.

Melatonin also helps protect the stomach.

Melatonin has a very good safety profile.

Art"

11/09/2013: Steve from Nevada: "I went through something similar with nausea and some chest pain as well. Liver flushes and coffee enemas are the fastest cure for fatty liver and nausea. It may take doing a few of them to get the best results."

11/19/2013: Lynn from Alvin, Texas: "Fatty liver and ALA: I need more information about ALA and selenium; how do we know it is working? Will normal liver enzymes show up in a blood panel test in a few months? Am just flying blind here..."

12/08/2013: Corky from Michigan: "Lynn,

I was also diagnosed with fatty liver disease, and found the thing that helped me the most is organic, non-GMO soy lecithin granules. I took 2 teaspoons in the morning for two days and the liver discomfort was gone. I also added milk thistle, ALA and Selenium after a while along with ACV. I have only minor occasional discomfort now, usually when I eat too many bad foods."

03/04/2014: John from United States: "Look up gerson therapy."

04/13/2014: William from Nc, US: "I am using the plan with ALA and Milk thistle on my father who got his liver damaged from a dose of chemo therapy while his bioduct stent was clogged and it damaged his liver and kidneys.

We are having problems with him swallowing pills and I need to know if it is safe to take the contents of the ALA out of the capsule and put it in something like applesauce for him to take.

Please Help, William"

04/14/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee: "Dear William, We have done this with many different supplements for my children, though we have never used ALA. Since the medicine will still be going straight to the stomach, it seems like it should be fine. ~Mama to Many~"

04/14/2014: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "HI Cindy...You should be able to buy the chanca piedra herb at any health shop -- its fairly well known. I would either preferably use the the water extract in a tea or drink. Avoid the tablets, capsules and alcoholic tincture forms -- they don't seem to work so well. Try and buy organic for purity's sake. You can also purchase chanca piedra online at http://www.mountainroseherbs.com or from other sites like http://www.pureformulas.com"

06/02/2009: Mocity from Missouri City, TX: "I would also like some remedies for this problem. I have been like this for about 1 year now and would like to try something natural. I am only 33 years old and don't think I should have this problem. It is affecting me seriously now. Your help is appreciated."

12/03/2009: Mrsksims from Saint Louis, Mo: "I'm in the same boat at Mocity. I am a 7yr breast cancer survivor and had a hysterectomy/oophrectomy last Oct. I'm only 33, with a 24 yr old husband and NO libido and NO arousal and NO orgasm. I can not take hormone replacement therapy because of my history with cancer (the reason why I had the surgery in the first place.) I saw my doctor on Monday and he recommended a sex therapist and a medicine normally prescribed for male impotence, that my insurance won't cover. HELP. please."

12/03/2009: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, USA: "Hi Mrsksims from Saint Louis, MO, I just recommended to Loren from Queens, NY to take maca. It is a root found in South America very high up and is wonderful. Read all about it. It is highly touted for restoring the libido, hormone balance and many other wonderful benefits of which I've written of already so I won't repeat them but you can look at other posts of mine. I wanted to write you asap as I can see you are really hurting. See my other posts for other things to help you and give you hope. Write if you have any other questions. Also look into raw cacao and all of its benefits. Chock full of magnesium/chromium, highest of antioxidants on the planet which protect us from cell mutation, builds serotonin in us which makes us feel happy, and so much more- truly! Take your health in your hands, Lisa"

03/17/2010: Brendak from Columbus, Ms: "I would like to know more about the MACA. How much and how often do you take it? Does it come in powder or pill form? I thought there wasn't anything out there to help me so I am willing to try anything. Thanks for your help."

03/24/2010: Mocity from Missouri City, Texas: "Where can I find out about maca. Lisa from Thousand Oaks, CA says she has posted them, but where. Thanks!"

03/25/2010: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa: "Hi Mocity, Sorry you couldn't find that post. If you google maca and even maca/david wolfe you can learn all about maca. It is an excellent superfood! Of course you'll find sites that are selling the product but remember, you don't have to buy anything- just read all the information. You will learn a lot. And then you can make an educated decision from all the info you garner. Hope this helps. Lisa"

06/19/2011: Raven from Helena, Montana, Usa: "I think I have accidentally stumbled upon something that will help with low libido- zinc supplements. I started taking zinc gluconate a couple months ago for an entirely different issue at the time. I was feeling easily fatigued and short of breath just walking up our split-level stairs and not in an anemic sort of way. I am hypothyroid and work out and weight lift twice a week at least, so it was pretty alarming at the time. Anyway, in my research I found out that zinc is also essential to testosterone production, which in turn is partially responsible for libido in both men and women. I have been taking it at bedtime for 2 months now, and wow! I guess I never realized how far my desire had fallen, but it's back! And another thing- I have started dreaming again. I used to dream vividly every night but stopped somewhere along the way in the last two years. The shortness of breath cleared up in about a week. I am totally impressed and will continue to take it. Hope this helps someone else!"

05/18/2012: Aep from Small Town, Mi: "I have to answer this as I " accidently" found the solution to low libido for women when I tried Magnesium oil for another problem. I slathered the magnesium oil on (undiluted! ) my legs and arms and belly every night for a couple months, and sometimes in the morning as well. I also took Magnesium citrate orally but could only tolerate a small amount, starting at 50 mg daily and working my way up to about 300 mg daily. Too much causes loose stool, especially in those with sensitive guts. I noticed some improvement in about a month, and a LOT of improvement after two months. I too had cancer and chemo which completely decimated my previously healthy sex drive. My husband started to think he'd been given a new wife! It also helped significantly with insomnia and helped me sleep very deeply which also hasn't happened since I had chemo 15 years ago! I later realized how much tension was gone in my jaw muscles that I never realized I had, and my migraines have decreased from 3-5 days weekly down to maybe a few times a month, mostly around ovulation and just before my period.

Sometimes the oil makes my skin itchy when it dries, and since I guess I'm too lazy to wash it off, I found it easiest to just put a little lotion on my arms, and legs just before or just after the magnesium oil.

For all the guys that read this, if your wife is irritable, or has no sex drive, do yourselves a favor and buy a BIG bottle and start offering back or leg massages to your wife, and use this oil! In a month or so you will be one happy husband, and your wife will thank you too as having the Big O will be effortless! Just dont use the magnesium oil near any sensitive areas as it stings.

Good luck, and I hope this helps alot of women. I wish someone had told me 15 years ago!

Ps. I eat a very healthy diet, no sugar/pop, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and I was still severely magnesium defficient, even though standard blood work said I was not. Do yourselves a favor- just try it. You will be happy you did."

04/13/2014: Jo from Nm, US: "Lost libido, ability to have orgasm, and natural lubrication (and inability to lose weight, zero energy, focus, etc, etc) in '94 following mastectomy and chemo. Multitude of drs no help. During hospitalization for pancreatitis in Feb. '13 (20 days), I got b 12 injections for 7 days. Drs later decided I wasn't really deficient, but within days, I had surge of libido. Over next 6 months lost 50 lbs, rediscovered muscle and concentration, etc. Effect started dropping off. Taking oral 5000 mcg but weight loss hasn't picked up. Just started using patch. Libido is improving again. Orgasm too. Following paleo diet (stopped chronic sinusitis and psoriasis). Using many supplements recommended here including mg (great for restless legs but no effect on libido), maca , vit d, vco, Apple Cider Vinegar and more. They helped with many things but not libido. Will continue experimenting. Definitely feel b 12 caused my turn around. Wish my various drs were less hidebound. Shame to spend 20 years begging for help and one simple blood test revealed it."

11/09/2013: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Lynn: Definitely add SAM-e to the protocol your currently using. L-Carnitine is also indicated for fatty liver. This should help."

11/09/2013: Mike 62 from Denver, Colorado: "Lynn: Ascetis is terminal stomach cancer. I am going to give you all the best remedies. There are several Whole Foods near you in the Houston area. They have the items. Get cases of kambucha synergy drinks with chia, cartons of vital pastured eggs, tubs of 1/2 baby leaves and 1/2 baby spinach, pounds of organic straw, ras, black, and blueberries, bottles of Paul Stamitz My Community 17 mushroom extract blend, expellar pressed coconut oil, some caviar, and a lot of raw honey. Many people say not to take sugar for cancer. The Andrew Kim blogs and raw food for cancer videos refute this misconception. Sugar, through the mechanism of fructose, is necessary for the cure. This is not a diet. Every hour give him a 12oz. green smoothie made from the baby leaves and kambucha. He can take as many berries, honey, caviar, and eggs eaten raw as he likes. Do not grind the eggs with a blender or stir with a fork. Crack the yolk with the teeth before swallowing. Take 1 tsp. coconut oil 4/day. Take 1 cap mushroom extract every 2 hours. When he wakes up in the middle of the night give him some more. Go online and get water kefir grains and hawaiin spirulina. Replace the kambucha with home made water kefir and the green smoothie with spirulina."

11/09/2013: Art from California : "The following abstracts may be applicable for your husbands condition and gives an approximation of an expected response time.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22804755

http://www.jpp.krakow.pl/journal/archive/02_12/pdf/35_02_12_article.pdf

Melatonin is liver protective and is naturally produced by the body, but production declines as we age.

Melatonin also helps protect the stomach.

Melatonin has a very good safety profile.

Art"

11/09/2013: Steve from Nevada: "I went through something similar with nausea and some chest pain as well. Liver flushes and coffee enemas are the fastest cure for fatty liver and nausea. It may take doing a few of them to get the best results."

11/19/2013: Lynn from Alvin, Texas: "Fatty liver and ALA: I need more information about ALA and selenium; how do we know it is working? Will normal liver enzymes show up in a blood panel test in a few months? Am just flying blind here..."

12/08/2013: Corky from Michigan: "Lynn,

I was also diagnosed with fatty liver disease, and found the thing that helped me the most is organic, non-GMO soy lecithin granules. I took 2 teaspoons in the morning for two days and the liver discomfort was gone. I also added milk thistle, ALA and Selenium after a while along with ACV. I have only minor occasional discomfort now, usually when I eat too many bad foods."

03/04/2014: John from United States: "Look up gerson therapy."

04/13/2014: William from Nc, US: "I am using the plan with ALA and Milk thistle on my father who got his liver damaged from a dose of chemo therapy while his bioduct stent was clogged and it damaged his liver and kidneys.

We are having problems with him swallowing pills and I need to know if it is safe to take the contents of the ALA out of the capsule and put it in something like applesauce for him to take.

Please Help, William"

04/14/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee: "Dear William, We have done this with many different supplements for my children, though we have never used ALA. Since the medicine will still be going straight to the stomach, it seems like it should be fine. ~Mama to Many~"

04/13/2014: Magwag from U.k: "Roseacea caused by Lieshmania?!!! I don't think so...it might be bad - but it's not THAT bad! Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leishmanias

"

[YEA]  06/17/2012: Felicia from Cope, Sc, USA: "I tried this 3 days ago and I must say I am amazed! I was suffering from sinus congestion for 2 days. I found this site and read about the results and figured I had nothing to lose. I put 2 tbsp of acv, 2 tbsp of honey and 8 oz of water, heated in mic for abt 30-45 secs and drank it. I felt relief in about 30 mins and could finally breathe! I slept better than I had in weeks! I did the same thing the next morning and now I have no problems! I have been telling everybody about this! It really works!!!"

01/18/2013: Holisticmama from Greensboro, Nc: "Robert: Try sprinkling a little Cayenne pepper on your food also you can squeeze some fresh lemon juice in a cup of spring water and add 1/8 tsp of cayenne with a tbsp of Maple syrup. Drink slowly. Great for chest congestion."

[YEA]  12/17/2013: Kerich from Nakuru, Kenya: "What a wonderful moments! Hey it works barely a day men GOD IS GREAT! Over the past my nostrils have been a mess. I used my mouth to breathe. I took it as instructed ooh my GOD. Thank you so much. i had suffered for years that I frequently went for HIV test though I was 100% I had never misbehaved anywhere.Once again thank you earth clinic for sharing this information so crucial .sinus distracted my undergraduate that at one time I nearly opted to defer. Cheers men!"

04/13/2014: Beth from Athens, Ga: "Insofar as any of the ACV drinks/teas which include HONEY, please note that warm water works best so if you boil your water, let it cool to tepid before adding the honey. Boiling water kills the healthful constituents in honey and some sources even say it can create a toxin. So honey shouldn't ever be added to any drink that is BOILING; let the liquid cool before adding your honey. :)"

04/13/2014: Beth from Athens, Ga: "Insofar as any of the ACV drinks/teas which include HONEY, please note that warm water works best so if you boil your water, let it cool to tepid before adding the honey. Boiling water kills the healthful constituents in honey and some sources even say it can create a toxin. So honey shouldn't ever be added to any drink that is BOILING; let the liquid cool before adding your honey. :)"

[YEA]  06/17/2012: Felicia from Cope, Sc, USA: "I tried this 3 days ago and I must say I am amazed! I was suffering from sinus congestion for 2 days. I found this site and read about the results and figured I had nothing to lose. I put 2 tbsp of acv, 2 tbsp of honey and 8 oz of water, heated in mic for abt 30-45 secs and drank it. I felt relief in about 30 mins and could finally breathe! I slept better than I had in weeks! I did the same thing the next morning and now I have no problems! I have been telling everybody about this! It really works!!!"

01/18/2013: Holisticmama from Greensboro, Nc: "Robert: Try sprinkling a little Cayenne pepper on your food also you can squeeze some fresh lemon juice in a cup of spring water and add 1/8 tsp of cayenne with a tbsp of Maple syrup. Drink slowly. Great for chest congestion."

[YEA]  12/17/2013: Kerich from Nakuru, Kenya: "What a wonderful moments! Hey it works barely a day men GOD IS GREAT! Over the past my nostrils have been a mess. I used my mouth to breathe. I took it as instructed ooh my GOD. Thank you so much. i had suffered for years that I frequently went for HIV test though I was 100% I had never misbehaved anywhere.Once again thank you earth clinic for sharing this information so crucial .sinus distracted my undergraduate that at one time I nearly opted to defer. Cheers men!"

04/13/2014: Beth from Athens, Ga: "Insofar as any of the ACV drinks/teas which include HONEY, please note that warm water works best so if you boil your water, let it cool to tepid before adding the honey. Boiling water kills the healthful constituents in honey and some sources even say it can create a toxin. So honey shouldn't ever be added to any drink that is BOILING; let the liquid cool before adding your honey. :)"

04/13/2014: Beth from Athens, Ga: "Insofar as any of the ACV drinks/teas which include HONEY, please note that warm water works best so if you boil your water, let it cool to tepid before adding the honey. Boiling water kills the healthful constituents in honey and some sources even say it can create a toxin. So honey shouldn't ever be added to any drink that is BOILING; let the liquid cool before adding your honey. :)"

[YEA]  03/22/2009: EMANUEL from ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN: "IM CURED OF IMPOTENCE AFTER 20 YEARS!!

I started smoking at a early age but quit when i was 19 after smoking for 8 years. I quit but had no idea that i would be suffering from occasional impotence that started in my 20s increased in my thirties & horribly in my forties. I never was a fan of hot or spicy seasoning. But after i read about garlic curing impotence i was willing to give it a shot. But i also combined it with cayenne powder, i took almost a teaspoon of each at about 6pm knowing that i would be making love with wife about 9 pm. Folks i was totally shocked, i havent performed like that since i was 2O & THAT WAS JUST THE FIRST DAY.

The secound day i wanted to try it with two other herbs so i took-2 hawthorne berries capsules- 2 grapeseed seed extract capsules- teaspoon of cayenne pepper & garlic powder (this also i found can be substituted with cayenne capsules & galic capsules from any health store & take 2 of each with the other 2 herbs with juice or water 3 hours before sexual activity! My erections & recovery after orgasms at age 47 great Thank god i suffer no more! ALL 4 HERBS TOGETHER WILL MASTER & DEFEAT ANY TYPE OF ERECTIONAL PROBLEM YOU HAVE WITHOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS YOU GET FROM ED MEDICATION. THANKS FOR STARTING THIS WEBSITE...."

08/11/2009: Craig from Petersburg, Michigan, Usa: "How do you use this garlic & cayenne pepper? Do you mix it with something?"

[YEA]  09/08/2009: G-unit from Amsterdam, Holland: "I can confirm this recipe gives good wood. What i do is one normal cup of hot water, add 1 teaspoon of regular cayenne powder from the store (not so hot for me as i eat lot of spice) and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.

Then i add in 5-6 large slices of ginger and steep.

The cayenne and garlic sucks to drink but i like ginger fresh, so that gives it a somewhat pleasant taste.

It really turns up the erection power, but also lasting time!

I found out ginger in it's raw form is a real mucus destroyer. I have been a long time hay fever guy with mucus every day after smoking for 6 years. I take only ginger tea without anything else and man my mucus is cleared up.

I am currently researching into cloves and nutmeg. These both are said to help in premature ejaculation. I don't know if adding in cloves in tea will be beneficial, or if i need a powdered form? Nutmeg is also used in Ayurveda to treat premature ejaculation, but have to watch dosage as it can be a hallucinogen at one tablespoon. I am thinking 1/4 teaspoon, what do you guys think?

Can we experiment?

I am also in the process of trying turmeric/curcumin, the store powder. As it turns out this is real good for the liver, but is also a great natural anti histamine.

I want to try a higher heat unit cayenne pepper like 200.000 heat units, you guys tried this?

Maybe a super cocktail:

1 teaspoon extra hot cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 5-6 large slices of ginger, 2-3 cloves, 2-3 cardamon, 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

steep in one cup of hot water

perhaps this is the cure all for impotence and premature ejaculation, i know a part of it works for me, please help me test drive so we can share results!"

10/04/2009: Joe from New York, New York: "will garlic and cayenne pepper work everytime?"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/01/2009: Jimmy from Ft Lauderdale, Fl: "I tried the garlic and cayenne today and was only able to tolerate two sips and i was about to vomit. I don't see how some one can digest such a bad tasting drinks. Is it o.k to mix the cayenne with juice and omit the garlic as it is intolerable."

03/01/2010: Yung4evr from Seattle, Washington: "I just take a teaspoon of each (cayenne and garlic) and quickly consume with water. Or you can take in a capsule form."

05/02/2011: Gavin from Manganui, Northland, New Zealand: "It might be wise to watch the nutmeg it has been said that too much is toxic to the liver. It was quite common in days gone by to take it for its euphoric qualities, especialy by minstrals in the middle ages."

[YEA]  04/02/2013: Sam from Austin, Texas: "YEA! I have only tried it once but am astonished at how well it worked. I hate taking the perscription meds. I have suffered with this condition since I was a young man. I am otherwise healthy. I took both garlic and cayenne in capsule form. One 500 mg capsule of each with dinner."

[NAY]  05/09/2013: Jon Boy from Reading, Pennsylvania: "Garlic and cayenne does not work. Me and 5 other guys been doing this concoction for 7 days now. All we got is heartburn and the diarrhea. These mixtures are good for nothing but cleaning out the digestive system."

04/13/2014: Randall from Sandy, Ut: "Recently after being on this site I started using DMSO (two days ago) and today I took my vitamins including "no" flush niacin and then ten minutes later I took 1tsp DMSO. About and hour later I am getting a niacin flush thereby proving to me that DMSO really does get whatever it is into your system.

So I am thinking that using it in conjunction with Cayenne, Garlic, L-Arganine would have a greater effect on any of those..

I will give it a try when the wife gets back in 9 days and see how that works :)"

04/21/2014: Nohard from Aristomenis, Greece: "Hi just back for an update, I'm now taken cayenne with fine chopped garlic and parsley, the cayenne very good for erections added boost of the garlic for the blood, the reason for the parsley, is this helps fight cholesterol, you find all 3 will help fight cholesterol, once you have been on cayenne pepper for a while you will need to up the heat, ie increase the amount of cayenne your taken, its good for a lot of things, it will make you feel good, good the heart, good for your prostate health, very good for getting rid of plaque from the blood, and lots of other things, just go to, www.cayennepepper.info Ok I take 3 good teaspoonfuls each morning with the garlic and parsley, I then walk my dog, after 10 minutes I fill it going round my body, its that good, I keep to jars one has my cayenne mix in it, its CP with tomato paste and olive oil to thin, the other has fine chopped garlic and plenty of dried or fresh parsley mixed in olive oil, just keep in the fridge, I mix one spoonful of the garlic mix on top of the CP, just mix into the top layer and take, I find if I take it later it does tend to repeat on me.

But do get some good erections being on this and some other things. But it will make you feel good and help with erections.

Good Luck Guys"

04/08/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Hi Bee,

Yes, there are flush-free forms of Niacin. Niacinamide is what most would recommend, but I saw a recent post (I believe it was from Bill, whose expertise I certainly trust) recommending a different flush-free version called Inositol Hexanicotinate.

I actually ordered some myself and am awaiting its shipment as I've tried Niacinamide in the past and didn't experience any significant results.

While my BP has improved with the latest addition of the Acetyl-L-Carnitine/Alpha Lipoic Acid combo, I am with you on this journey! :)"

04/08/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Bee: For b vitamins I take desiccated liver, and green smoothies from organic baby leaves. I don't take any isolates. The sooner you take the concentrates and stop taking the isolates the sooner you can function optimally. Wild animals don't take isolates. There are hundreds of videos of raw foodists who don't take any isolates. Ron Teagarden doesn't put any isolates in his all in one formula. B vitamins only work for five hours so take concentrates frequently."

04/08/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Hi Kelly

Okay I will look for that kind although have never heard of it.. I know you can't post names of companies on here. Anyway; I too am now using the LCarnitine, ALA and upped my COQ10 to 400 mgs... plus other things I am trying as I am slowly weaning off the medication.. very slowly LOL .. I am also trying that water cure with sea salt and the eggplant water.. geezzz Louise something has to work LOL Oh; I am going to invest in the Nattokinase.. are you? Being I am almost 60 it might be a good idea.. Thank You"

04/08/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Bee,

Re Niacin/ flush

The "Doctoryourself.com" web site has a great stand alone article on niacin written by Dr. Hoffer (MD;PhD).

You mention you are taking 500mg and that is way too much for someone not used to the effect. I take 250 and only after eating something so the niacin is not too strong too fast. There is timed released niacin that you might be able to tolerate better.

The Hoffer article (google "doctor yourself niacin") and you will find the article is lengthy and talks a lot about psychological issues that B3 can help with.

I HIGHLY recommend that article."

04/08/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Bee: The same thing happened to me that is happening to you. People condemn carbs and recommend isolates. These ideas bogged me down in a quagmire and prevented me from getting well for many years. Eventually I learned that whether people are sick or well they require fuel. Nutrients require enzymes and activators. Nutritionists for world class athletes do not recommend isolated amino acids. They recommend non denatured whey. For fuel I take activated barley, home brewed water kefir, organic whole sugar, fruit, and raw honey. For fat I take expeller pressed coconut oil and black chia seeds. For protein and nutrients I take a variety of concentrates. For oil soluble nutrients I take skate liver oil."

04/09/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Bee, I ordered my Inositol Hexanicotinate (flush-free Niacin) from Amazon, so if you copy/paste what I italicized above into Amazon's search box, you'll find the brand.

It should appear as the second result of the search (white bottle w/ yellow cap). It's very inexpensive, which is always a plus. :)"

04/10/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Hi Kelly Thanks for the info.. Yes I do see some flush free Niacin.

What else are you trying? I did up my COQ10 and I am using the LCarnitine and Taurine and ACV among other things..Hopefully something will work but weaning off these meds are a challenge..

I know that when I had lost a lot of weight and walked 2 miles a day my bp was fine.. Now I have gained some weight back .. still walking but not as much. It must take awhile to figure it all out.... how are you doing?? thank you"

04/11/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Hi Bee,

I currently take 100mg's of CoQ10 twice a day, 1 capsule twice a day of the Acetyl-L-Carnitine 800/Alpha Lipoic Acid 400 combo and a big clove of chopped garlic each day. I also sip on potassium broth or potassium-rich coconut water all day.

I am down to only 1/4 tablet of my BP medicine (Metoprolol) and hope to get off of it entirely, soon. I'm not quite there yet, though.

I eat very clean and also try to keep my blood sugar from spiking by eating more frequently. I don't have blood sugar issues, but I've found that keeping things steady has helped my BP some.

Like you, I've tried many, many natural treatments, including all of the ones I've seen you mention. It truly is a trial and error process and there's really no way around it since what works for one person might not for another.

There was a time when ACV worked well for me, but for whatever reason, it ceased to work about a year ago and I've spent the past year trying different combinations. At this point, there's not much I haven't tried.

I'm happy to be down to 1/4 of my BP medicine, though. I'm getting there! You will, too. :)"

04/11/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Hi Kelly;

thanks for the information and great job.

Yes I am trying your remedy of the COQ10 and Carnitine and ALA... I also use Vit.D and E and yes apple cidar vinegar on most days.......and some other things.. I think I get enough potassium from raw veggies and things..

Yes my diet is pretty good.. I don't eat red meat because I don't like it.. I eat fish and veggies and limited fruits.. Eggs and no cheese and very limited dairy but I have been this way for a very long time so I think I am used to it... everything in moderation... The woman in health food store told me to juice and I will but I know I wont get in habit of it though.

oh; So I am down to 50mgs. of the medication and am doing it very slowly as suggested.....Okay keep up good work and thank you

Oh; I also do EFT and listen to binaural beats on utube for hypertension ..It puts me to sleep at night and calms the nerves. Oh; do you think you would ever take natokinase or serrapeptase..?? thanks again"

04/12/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Hi Bee, No, I have not tried nattokinase or serrapeptase. I did a lot of research on both before deciding not to try them, though.

After reading hundreds of reviews posted by people who have tried one or the other, I found that the most common complaint was dizziness that was so severe, they had to stop taking it. Since I am very prone to dizziness (if I even turn my head too fast, my head will spin for a few seconds), I thought; "Noooo thank you! " :)"

04/13/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Hi Kelly;

I am wondering are you splitting your pills into quarters? how are you doing that? I find it even tough to split the pills in half.. I have a pill cutter too. Well I did find the no flush Niacin in regular health food store but haven't gotten it yet .. but at least they have it.

Its good to know you don't have to use too many things to lower your bp. doesn't sound like a lot.. good for you"

04/14/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Hi Bee, I was taking a lot of supplements when I first began this journey. Through trial/error and process of elimination, I honed in on the few that seemed to work best, and have stayed with those. I have a cabinet full of supplements that didn't work for me. I could open a kiosk at the mall. :) There were many supplements that helped others that seemed to make my BP worse. Vitamin E is one example. I took natural E (vs. synthetic) starting with a small dose of 200mgs/day and every time I took it, I could hear my BP pounding in my ears a few hours later. Though I understood that the reaction was not abnormal, I hated it and had to stop using it. I now get my E from food. I make sure to include several servings per day of sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach and/or Swiss chard. Something else I use that I'm not sure I mentioned was Magnesium. I've tried many forms and again, through trial/error, settled on Magnesium chloride in a spray bottle that I spray on my legs/feet twice a day. The BP pills are a challenge to split into 1/4's, but my pill splitter does a decent job. First I cut in half, then I take the half and position it in the cutter so that it Will cut the 1/2's into 1/4's. If your pills are too small to do that, then perhaps a mortar and pestle would be worth a try? You could grind up the half pill then separate the powder to make two 1/4 doses. Re: Flush-free Niacin. Most flush-free's are in the form of niacinamide, which didn't help me at all when I tried it. I even tried the timed-release version. As I mentioned, I am going to try the flush-free form of Niacin called inositol hexanicotinate, that came well-recommended here on EC. It should arrive this week. I am my own lab rat. :)"

04/21/2014: Bee from New York: "Hi Kelly, Thanks for the info...One thing I wanted to ask you? Are you having any side effects before or so far or now from weaning off Metropolol (sp) .. or maybe you were on a small dose.. I am also doing Magnesium but I had the oil but didn't seem to work as well as the one one drinks....

Thank You"

04/22/2014: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Hi Bee,

I was taking 50mg's of extended-release Metoprolol per day and am now down to 12.5mg's per day. I went very slowly, staying about two months on a dose before lowering it again.

I had more side-effects when I was on the higher dose than I've had on the lower. I used to get hand, leg and foot cramping on the higher dose. Back then, I tried Magnesium for the cramping with little success. I've found that with the lower dose of Metoprolol, the Magnesium all but eliminates the cramping. (Or perhaps just the lower dose itself eliminated the cramping? Either way, I'll take it! ) :)

I settled on the Magnesium spray after trying every form of Magnesium imaginable (oxide, chloride, citrate, glycinate) - all of which, had a laxative effect with me, even in smaller doses. The spray doesn't have that effect and as a bonus, since I am on my feet most of each day, I find that the spray magnesium helps soothe my end-of-the-day achy calves/feet as well.

My only complaint with the lower dose of Metoprolol, is that I get lightheaded at times. Sometimes, it's only once a day - others, it's 2-3 times a day. Every once in a while, I'll go a day without feeling lightheaded at all, but those days are few by comparison.

I would love to resolve that issue as it often hits me when I'm not at home, which can be unsettling. I hoped it would resolve itself as I adjusted to the lower dose, but I've been on the lower dose for months now, so it's not looking promising that it will self-resolve.

At this point, it's probably safe to assume that it is unrelated to the Metoprolol, so I have been looking into other natural ways to resolve it. Hope I find one, soon!"

04/22/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Hi Kelly

I am wondering if the extended release has less side effects.. I was first on 100 mgs. on the regular Metropolol and went down to 75 and was okay... I did that for about 6 weeks or so... Thinking that is too fast. The doctor said two weeks to lower and She was wrong ... Then when I went to 50 after a few weeks and I started having headaches and palpitations and feeling all around aweful.Probably did that too fast.... It def. felt like a detox.. I am doing it slower now but I am going to stay at 50 for awhile and yes most likely two months because of side effects. I read a dozen things online about it and some people have dozens of issues, some have none and I am somewhere in the middle.. I don't like the feeling.. I also get the jitters and all when it comes close to taking half at night again..I read online if you feel okay some days wait l5 minutes more to take the medication than your regular time. I have been trying that..

Oh; I probably went down to 50mgs. too fast so going to wait a bit longer for the next lower dosage.. As I read online no rush :)

thanks for helping me in this journey.

take care"

04/23/2014: Timh from Ky: "Kelly: If you need Magnesium and you have stressed feet, you would very likely benefit from Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate) Foot Baths. I have taken E.S.F.B (plus more minerals) daily for more than a decade."

04/13/2014: Eclover from Richmond, Va: "I think you are right, because I did that the other day, and I got a yeast infection now."

04/13/2014: Bee from New York: "Hi;

Please go to utube if possible and listen to some binaural beats (healing waves) for this.. You can also try out other modalities such as EFT tapping.. emotional freedom technique...also check utube.. Meditation, yoga and exercise will also help...

Good luck."

02/05/2014: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "Mama to Many, what have you used as your antiviral?"

02/05/2014: Prioris from Fl, Usa: "Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis connects with vaccine injuries"

02/05/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Mmsg,

We started using a number of herbs for her that were indicated for asthma and/or for JRA - cat's claw, olive leaf, mullein, and feverfew. We also have used nettles, Vitamin D, Folic Acid, B-12, and magnesium. This was a couple of years ago, so I may not be remembering everything. She also eats a pretty healthy diet - mostly whole foods. She is actually still using most of these things. Only later did I learn about the possible viral link and realize that many of the things we have used, that have been very helpful, are also useful for viruses.

Dear Prioris,

My daughter has actually not had any vaccines. My oldest had a vaccine reaction so we discontinued vaccinating in our family. I have often wondered if there was an environmental factor to what may be weakened immunity in her. I have just never pinpointed anything. We have moved a few times. She did spend much of her life in a house surrounded by fields owned by farmers who used tons of chemicals on them. It was disturbing to see little planes flying and spraying chemicals across the street into the fields.

~Mama to Many~"

02/05/2014: Prioris from Fl, Usa: "It doesn't surprise me. For instance, all autism isn't vaccine related. There are about 1 in 15000 who have non vaccine related autism.

i can't find any references to amish and juvenile arthritis either.

http://thebovine.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/why-is-autism-so-rare-among-the-amish/

I assume you tried Borax for JRA. I would also look at various diets e.g. paleo, gluten free, some food allergy etc. I would include coconut oil also because it kills many infections.

I think the cause has to be in the food but like RA, the microbe has to be killed also even if the diet is correct.

P.S. One more thought. The chemicals sprayed on the farmers fields around the house may have created allergies to things. Maybe experiment with saunas to excrete the possible toxin contamination with the child."

02/06/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Mama to Many,

So very sorry for taking so long in reply; I've been consumed with a trial (I mean court) that took me away for a few days.

I've wondered the very question you asked; First you make the point that I observe often...the relation to viral infection and auto immune disease. And what is going on as there seems to be more frequency in virus today than at other times.

Here is my theory...multi part.

1. Food today has less nutritive value and hence the body cannot fight off viruses as easily as years ago.

2. Has genetically modified foods driven the rate of viral mutation?

3. Has reporting increased the information of how much infection is going on...which years ago might not have been as well reported so there is the appearance of "more" virus when in fact, the rate may be close to the same. After all, one of the most deadly infections in history was in 1918 with the killer ... airborne .... flue virus.

4. Have vaccines increase the virus influx?

5. Has an unknown factor increased the mutation rate of viruses?

So these are just a few observations but I am more and more convinced that a predatory set up virus prepares the body for possible triggering of disease of every type.

This is why for fifteen years I take a swallow of colloidal silver to rid my body of "at large" viruses...4 or 5 days a week and I make sure to let the CS swish in my mouth for ten or fifteen seconds.

It is so good to hear from you Ms. Mary. You are such an inspiration to me so again, forgive my delay in response.

Your student,

Dave"

02/07/2014: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "Thanks Mama to Many. So it's a multi-faceted approach. Generally, I see you recommending many different ideas, which probably works best!"

02/07/2014: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "Thanks Mama to Many. So it's a multi-faceted approach. Generally, I see you recommending many different ideas, which probably works best!"

02/07/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Mmsg,

Yes, in the instance with my daughter, it seemed that it did take a number of things to help her feel well again. When using natural medicine, I just keep trying different things until something works! (And that is usually what doctors are doing, too.)

When I am suggesting things to others, I try to include many things since not everything is available everywhere. Sometimes the solution is right in the house, but not every house has the same stuff around. Also, some things are more expensive than others and I want to make sure there are inexpensive options if at all possible. I would hate for someone not to be able to get better because the solution is too expensive.

I love that with natural medicine, sometimes one thing will take care of it. It just isn't always the first thing tried.

~Mama to Many~"

02/07/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Prioris,

Thanks for the ideas and feedback! I have not tired the things you suggest. My daughter has been symptom free of JRA for about a year and a half so we didn't try anything else. But it is encouraging to know how many options there are for healing in the event of a flare up.

Seeing you mention vaccines and the Amish within two sentences made me remember something I just read in, "Backyard Pharmacy." Rachel Weaver, the author, mentions that in testing some Amish (who have not been vaccinated) they found some to have an immunity to tetanus, likely just from their farm work. I found that fascinating!

~Mama to Many~"

02/07/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Dave,

Thanks so much for taking time to write out your thoughts! (And no need to apologize for "a delay in response." - the cyberworld has trained us to expect replies and answers way too fast! )

Anyway, your multi-part theory does make sense. It is helpful to me as I am pondering and studying sickness and healing and such.

Reading your post has made me think of another question, if you don't mind me troubling you with it... What about bacteria? If hidden viruses are the cause of autoimmune problems, might hidden bacteria also be? (Or perhaps that is what you have implied all along.) It seems I hear of people diagnosed with all sorts of problems (often auto-immune) and it turns out they have Lyme Disease. I suppose that when using colloidal silver it would attack either a virus or bacteria, perhaps it wouldn't matter which one was lurking in the body causing trouble if the solution were the same.

Thanks for helping me to connect the dots here! (And take your time in responding! )

~Mama to Many~"

02/07/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "To Mama to Many,

Oh yes...bacteria too. And fungus. My theory is not that all disease is caused by b/v/f (bacteria, virus and fungus) but that bvf may be triggers or underlying supports to disease and that if we eliminate the bvf triggers and supports then it would be much easier to overcome the disease.

As an example, without "good oils" the cells of the body cannot be properly constructed; so I take Evening Primrose Oil, (and use other good oils) and have for 30 years. That might help forestall numerous degenerative diseases that aren't directly related to bvf. But so many cousins to myelin sheath problems are "oil" related.

Just think of the incredible movie (real life) "Lorenzo's Oil"....That movie should be confirmation that Myelin Sheath breakdown caused by improper oil usage (genetic in the boys of Lorenzo's movie) is crucial to proper oil usage. When the world started using hydrogenated oils in margarine before and especially during WW II, we saw a spike beginning with MS and other cell styled myelin generated problems. Now just consider this; if you have a compromised cellular system AND throw in a bit of heavy metal (typically mercury) AND add a virus...you have MS. And if you get a different virus and have a weakened cellular system, we might have ALS, Parkinson's, weakened arterial systems as the b/v/f attack a "weak" cellular system.

The b/v/f can better attack "poor" structures. So a "holistic" approach is truly multi layered...whole foods, lots of vegetables, a lot raw; oils like we used for hundreds of years before the modern world got "smart" and methods that have been used for thousands of years to kill pathogens (silver)...although the Ancient Greeks did not know about pathogens...only that when they used silver coated surfaces, they seemed to not get sick so often and die from illnesses so often as others not using the silver.

Folk medicine is really not just one or two things but hundreds of composite information passed down by those who lived before us. We stand on the shoulders of Giants.

And Ms Mary, I am proud to say you are one of those Giants because we all see how steeped you are in that world of herbal medicine...so vital for the BIG picture. So is Ted, of course and the brilliant Bill, and Oscar and Mike and Prioris and Timh and Robert Henry and Mmsg...oh, I've left out ten others I just love to read.

Well, my point is that you asked a follow up question about the relationship of not just virus to auto immune disease ( and much disease in general) but also bacteria and I just took off by propounding the broad picture and how we are all learning the relationships.

A profoundly exciting journey, enriched daily by the many who with enlightened minds seek to help others overcome and improve their lives."

02/08/2014: Timh from Ky: "Dave: Thanks so much for your persevering spirit, and commitment to fostering health here on E.C, and including the main supporting cast in the same endeavor.

Personally the Autoimmune problem is clarifying very much towards the severity of my condition. After watching Dr Noel Rose introduction to autoimmune disease I fit the category with 3 disorders. First, evidence of Chronic Active hepatitis as was relieved by antiviral herbs particularly Licorice Root. Second, an acute case of hemolytic anemia that was miraculously reversed w/ Morphine (in the event of extreme pain). Third, and only very recently manifest is Rheumatoid Arthritis. The 2 yr episode of Hypothyroid seems to finally be reversed.

After watching Dr Rose's intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjTBZObWuPY it appears obvious that any factors which compromise the detox system starts a chain reaction that also includes the endocrine system and finally the immune. The lower incidence of autoimmunity in the temperate climates as apposed to cold climate may reflect how important it is for the detox system when the body/skin has a regular sweating as the hot & humid environment promotes this. Clean air, food, and water are very important in the battle of prevention in autoimmunity. Once the body's detox system is compromised, thus begins the parasite & pathogen chronic phase as the immunity becomes seemingly helpless in it's response (or lack of). If one can avoid organ damage, remain properly detoxified, the prognoses appears good, otherwise the treatment options from most MD's is treating the symptoms while avoiding the cause. There is ongoing research into immune modulating natural substances including Colostrum. Opiates & Cannabinoids may prove very effective if the intoxication issues can be minimized. Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is certainly very effective."

02/08/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Dave,

Thanks so much for your response. It is really helping with the "big picture." What you are saying makes a lot of sense! Thanks again for taking time to share your expertise!

Dear Timh,

It is always helpful to hear other's experiences! Thanks so much for the input. I think I am going to have to re-evaluate my perspective on sweat. I really hate to sweat, but can see its use.

You all have a super day!

~Mama to Many~"

04/07/2014: Johanneinsc from Sumter, Sc: "I am 49 years old and was diagnosed with baseline 'Connective Tissue Disease' today (via phone call). I have an appointment later this week to get more details from my Rheumatologist, but have been having unexplained issues for a few years. I'm sure this sounds very familiar to all of you, it's just all pretty new for me. I have had Raynauds for 6 years. 4 years ago, I had a 'torn tendon' in my inner hip joint, which was insanely painful. It never showed up in an MRI, it was just what my GP Dr. assumed it was. In December I began having pain in my left bicep that was similar to the 'hip' pain. It got worse, and my GP did MRI's on my neck, bicep and then shoulder, suspecting frozen shoulder. All MRI's showed nothing, though the pain is horrific when I move suddenly, etc.

With this diagnosis, I am wondering if the two unexplained injuries are actually connected? I had no incident, either time, to explain what happened. Now with the Rh Dr's diagnosis, I have to wonder if it's due to weakened tendons, etc. I have been gluten free-ish for a 1.5 years, and I've changed to as organic a diet as I can, especially with meat and eggs. We recently bought a Vitamix to be able to get more vegetables in our diet. I started changing to natural cleaning solutions and hair/skin products. Even with all of this, I guess it's time to get serious about it, and permanently get rid of the things that are possibly making me sick.

With all of that being said, reading everyone's experiences and suggestions is helping me to not feel alone, and not so afraid. I do appreciate you all sharing with everyone! In regards to Autoimmune being related to viruses, I had Mononucleosis when I was 14 years old. I was out of school for 3 months. I was pretty sick, and I never got back the energy that I had before that. I swear I was never the same. I was on the track team in Jr. High before that, and it halted all athletic stuff for me. I have practiced Martial Arts off and on over the years, last time being 6 years ago, but it was never easy, especially when it came to endurance. My heart is healthy, I don't get sick often, lungs are good, don't drink or smoke. I have always wondered if mono was 'lurking' in my system somewhere, and could never get a straight answer from a Dr.about it. I actually decided to google it and see if there was a link to autoimmune, and it appears that there may be. Anyways, just a thought in reading your comments here on a possible viral link. I wonder how many of you with autoimmune diseases had mono at some time in your lives? Just curious!

Thank you so much again, and prayers for all to be healed and healthy again (me included! ) Johanneinsc"

04/08/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Johnanneinsc,

Thanks for the question re the link to possible Mono and auto immune...

No question you're on to the cause; and likely will get worse. In fact, worsening will manifest in some organ being invaded and likely viral meningitis or other disease; like onset MS symptoms ... or the myriad myelin sheath disorders...attacks on the spine (ALS) type issues; viral infections of heart/pancreas/intestines and possible viral meningitis (you see those victim areas as typical viral targets).

And yes, your Mono was the cause.

Quick way to test this dismal hypothesis. Sorrow can turn to joy in a matter of days!

Just drink a boat load (not really that much) of Colloidal Silver. If me that's what I'd do. I make my own. And as precaution against marauding viruses/ bacteria/fungus attacks drink a few tablespoons four or five days a week.

But for one who has had a major hit from a virus...there are HEAVY odds that the virus (in any number of combinations) are still working in the system to reassert in what is usually what is called an "autoimmune"...or a "mystery" disease.

I've seen it again and again.

Here's usually what happens: One suspects (as you have) a viral connect to the symptoms. One's energy level especially has been severely impaired since the disease "invasion"...years earlier. "Never really the same since" being a common complaint. One then gets onto an anti viral. (My weapon of choice is Colloidal Silver. I read about MMS and so called "zapper" but can't attest to their effectiveness. One day I may try MMS.) But once on quantity levels of CS at HIGH ppm levels...IN A FEW WEEKS .... sometimes five days....Energy starts returning.

And that becomes the evidence that perhaps the CS is killing the viral infection and the immune system is being relieved of the infection. LOTS more to this whole thing (virus as trigger event vs. ongoing cause; is it virus or fungus; lingering tissue damage, such as nerve, which is caused by the infection). And so there becomes a few additional "helps" that can help overcome the effects of infection even as/or after the infection has been killed.

Well, all the above is my viral theory of the cause of "some" disease/ or trigger of some diseases.

And, as always my disclaimer: I am and have no medical training and all my "theory" discussion is not a diagnosis for any person's problems and not a medical recommendation for anyone. I always try to say "if this were me here's what I'd consider"; and with "the advice of one's health care professional" also...of course!

I see you live in Sumter. Want to take a quick spin to Fountain Inn and pick up one of my home made concentrates and get a free demo? No charge. I give away. Email EC staff and they will give you my email. (All with the advice of your Health Care professional, of course.)"

04/08/2014: Rsw from Uniontown, Oh: "Interesting observation from both of you. I have a couple of autoimmune diseases (Lichen Planus and Sicca Syndrome) and hypothyroidism, at least one I believe was caused by statin drugs. However I had a serious case of mono in college and also somehow got Severe Hep A in the '80's, for which I was hospitalized and told it was the highest liver numbers that anyone in the MD group had ever seen, and it could go either way because it was out of their hands and my blood was not clotting. Fortunately, by the grace of God, no other member of my family caught it and I recovered. It was thought to come from eating out somewhere where with improperly managed food or staff, but again, no one else in my family caught it and we always went out together. The autoimmunes and thyroid didn't start until about ten years go, but I never thought of any relationship between the two. Thanks for some food for thought."

04/08/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "To Rsw...Hello,

Re; the autoimmune diseases;

Thank you for the comments of a possible viral connect to the multiple problems you mention. Also remember this; you mention statin drugs might also cause problems X, or y but if there exists a systemic viral infection then even if the link to the disease is not direct (think of shingles to chicken pox)...if the viral infection is system wide, then the immune system can be so impacted such that one can't fight off problems that arise because of an impaired immune system....SO...even if the virus is not THE cause, the damage of persistent infection can impair the immune system and the weakened system just can't fight off the new problem. I'm referring now to statin drug side effects. Just a theory...an extension of the "viral cause" theory.

But it all means this: If correct, then the focus of much of "our" thinking (the alternative community) should be always on the alert to the virus/fungus instigator. And thus, finding anti virals and fungals. And my thinking is not stuck on Colloidal Silver but I often speak of Echinacea and we should keep open minds on MMS; H2O2 and anything that can rid the body of infectious "bugs.""

04/08/2014: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Interesting discussion this one. For a long time I've wondered why certain diseases -- especially concerning viruses -- were so hard to cure. My own conclusions were that viruses, as well as other types of pathogens like bacteria and fungus are able to easily hide in our bodies. That's why the Epstein-Barr virus, HPV, the Herpes virus and Candida seem all but incurable. So when I researched this I found out that pathogens can indeed hide and become unreachable to both the immune system and anti-microbials by hiding in the following regions of the body:

Ears -- The Eustachian tube connects the throat to the ear for pressure equalization. Funny how the first signs of cold/flu is usually a sore throat. The outer ear can be an untouchable breeding ground for pathogens

Teeth(root canals). Dangerous microbes are untouchable in this region.

Synovial Fluids (particularly along the backbone and joints). Many anti-microbials are unable to penetrate this barrier.

Lower Intestines(caecum, colon area) -- Even if you are taking anti-microbials by mouth -- these will normally be exhausted or completely absorbed and useless by the time these nutrients reach the lower intestine. So the lower intestines ultimately becomes a safe haven for breeding bad pathogens and pumping toxins into the body -- this further weakens the immune system. The intestine is 28 ft long. Think enema.

Biofilms. An impenetrable fortress of dense fibrin protection for both fungus and bacteria.

i really don't believe that just viruses are the sole cause of autoimmune problems. They can certainly be a contributing factor, but I think that autoimmune problems are perhaps a bit more complex. It's well known through research that mycoplasma are frequently found at the sites of arthritis and cancer. Borax kills mycoplasma -- which is how it cures arthritis. Mycoplasma is a CWD nanobacteria. Many also believe that fungus causes cancer.

My own belief is that many pathogens are pleomorphic -- they can change form and nimbly adapt according to the health state of our bodies. As far back as the early 1900s it was observed that bacteria could change into viruses which could also change into fungus. See Rife's cancer research for more details on pleomorphism in cancer and other autoimmune diseases."

04/09/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Dave: I think it was Walter Beck that proclaimed that using both Colloidal Silver & Zapping, in sufficient quantity would, in a matter of wks or months, kill ALL pathogens in the body.

I am zapping at maximum and am drinking 1 cup C.S. daily and am slowly making progress. It's been several days that I haven't taken 6 drop MMS dose and am beginning to think it impossible to kill all these pathogens without MMS. Jim Humble nicknamed MMS the Tasmanian Devil as it systematically destroys almost every known pathogen."

04/09/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "*correction* Bob Beck"

04/09/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello there Timh

How are you doing these days?

Re...Bob Beck...there is even a youtube video of him making full strength CS using what I call the "fast" method. Exactly how I was taught. And in that video he drinks it undiluted!!! I was NOT taught that.

But, he died too young...only 77 from heart failure. Which is a lesson to us all. The "machine" is multifaceted. We have to keep all the parts in proper working order. I noticed in progressive videos of Bob, he wasn't looking vigorous. I asked myself; what is Bob doing wrong...something is absent in his nutrition program and I suspected lack of cardio because his face was looking "leathery" and bleached, as if not enough circulation was present.

So; viruses and fungi and bacterial infestation did not kill Bob...oh too soon...but I believe lack of cardio nutrients likely did.

Pay attention to ALL the parts. All the issues must be addressed. That's why a whole foods approach with a broad array of nutrients is what I think is best. I'm trying to cover all the bases."

04/09/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Greetings Bill from the Philippines;

Re you VERY enlightening post...Lots of insights on "vulnerable locations" in your post....where the little devils hide out and where is their "base of operations."

The Eustachian Tube is a key...often a stubborn upper infection can be traced there and in fact regular medicine recognized the Eustachian Tube as a key source for "secondary infections" which are not killed by antibiotics. Why? Not much blood gets there and so the bacteria (and viruses) hide out there only to re-infect the system again.

Suppose we could devise a "super" killer...a combo of CS, MMS, DMSO (there are a lot of good broad based anti virals that could go in a mix.

Question about that and you mention the most insidious of them all...that Walter Last calls (and you mentioned) the nano bacteria...the "pleomorphic microbes" which may cause ... who knows what, since they morph into something new. Probably they are susceptible to assault when they are in the changing mode.

Susceptible like coated viruses...susceptible when they are multiplying. That means the virus killer / microbe killer etc must be in a constant "flush" mode for many months. One dose won't do it...of anything.

Not for the killers we're talking about.

But back to your "master list" of targets for the invaders...you are SO right in the likely sites. I think of this as like a bee hive...I mean by way of analogy. The microbes "localize" in a home...an organ or "place" and multiply from there in explosive moments of opportunity...perhaps when the immune system is impaired; or even when their victim is depressed. Then they fire out their offspring to invade elsewhere in the body; when they "sense" immune weakness.

And there you have it...attacking in a myriad set of methods. The most vulnerable you listed.

I'm in search mode for the "super" cleanse...a combo? As much of a proponent of CS as I am, I think it has its weaknesses. Which is why I often mention other anti microbes like Echinacea. Oh, for a lab and some funding."

04/09/2014: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Dave...Much thanks for your post which I enjoyed reading for sure.

Just to perhaps extend my explanation a bit. I regularly use protocols which I affectionately refer to as protecting my "Caves and Orifices" which entails doing the following.

Ears. Regularly wash out with either Hydrogen Peroxide or a few drops of LI in water a few times a week.

Nose -- I forgot to mention this one as a hiding place (think sinusitis or rhinitis that never goes away). The nose is a prime area for fungal build-up. Use a dropper to wash out the nose with either 1% HP or drops of Lugols iodine and water to clear fungus/bacteria build up. You can also use a neti pot with sea salt.

Teeth(root canals and gums) -- Use a few drops of gum turpentine in the mouth several times daily to help protect the gums and teeth roots. Turps is strongly absorbed by the gums. Or you can use a teaspoon of 50% DMSO(as Hulda Clark recommends) with a few drops of LI. Hold and swish it in the mouth for a few minutes before spitting it out to allow absorption into the gums/roots. In all cases, the absorption and anti-pathogen effect helps to rid inflammation, pain and infection in the gum and root regions. Use 3% HP as your regular mouthwash -- helps whiten teeth as well.

Synovial Regions -- Use DMSO and anti-pathogens(such as clove oil, LI, borax) locally and topically to drive out the hiding viruses etc into the blood. A strong and capable immune system should do the rest.

Lower Intestines(caecum, colon) -- Use laxatives and enemas to clear this region.

Biofilms -- Gum turpentine and protease enzymes are the only remedies that will get rid of biofilms.

Like you I wonder if there is a single cure-all out there. The closest I have ever come to such a remedy in my own research is THC -- the direct whole extract from the cannabis plant. Rick Simpson from Nova Scotia is the guru here. This plant extract cures everything from arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and MS to many forms of cancer and no-one knows why and no-one cares. THC is probably on of the most powerful and safe anti-inflammatory and painkilling remedies in existence today. I have also read that THC adjusts body homeostasis back to healthy levels again -- I know of no single natural remedy or cure that can do this. Rick Simpson comes from a simple farming community in Nova Scotia. These people are not in the habit of lying. Here is a video about medicinal THC that will perhaps astonish you as to the range of what it actually cures (from the testimonials on the video):

Run from the Cure

Unfortunately THC or medicinal cannabis is against the law and unobtainable -- unless, of course, you are lucky enough to live in Denver Colorado..."

04/09/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Bill: Vertebrates have survived 5 mass extinctions and thrived in between because they have a communication system that encourages the tissues to cooperate with each other. 2mg/day cannabinoids, raw or cooked, activate the system. I buy one ounce cherry flavored 1500mg CBD oil from a company who makes theirs from the flowers of organic Canadian hemp. 750 days for $93. Black pepper and oregano have a special terpene that also activates the system. I am not sure of the dose."

04/09/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello again Bill,

My "microbe" killing regimen is not as extensive as yours. I keep drinking CS daily (five days a week at least) and occasional Echinacea in water. I do use CS in sinus and ears. In sinus nearly every day as I think just as you; the sinus is where so much microbe action takes place.

On the THC; I watched a Rick Simpson report about a year ago. It was fascinating.

Here is something interesting: I watched on "LINK" TV an Ayurveda guru who mixed a baked substance that he added to the POISON mercury. And then orally consumed the combination. Yes, he knew mercury would poison, but he pointed out that mercury was the most effective microbe killer and that the "addition" kept the mercury from staying in the system, and like CS, would just be washed out after a few days. Ever since I saw that (LINK repeated the show on Indian Ayurveda three times, and I watched all three times)...ever since I saw that I knew that amazing substances were available if...IF...we only had access to the right methods. So my point is that the search for new mechanisms is one that should be seen as wide open. That is why I'm willing to consider MMS, for instance.

But your use of Turpentine is something I need to give more consideration to. And the Boron is also a new addition after reading about it on EC. H202 is something that I use occasionally.

So your approach is more eclectic than mine. Likely better as you are painting with a broader brush."

04/10/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Dave: Thanks for your concern and I am making slow progress from near dead for 2 yrs. Lately I only post here on my "good days", but I always find enough energy and focus to read the post.

I will second your observation on Beck, but what I noticed was his general stature and mobility. I would venture to guess Beck was, by birth, somewhat delicate.

Yes, the cardio system is definitely a victim of time and stress. I take several measures of prevention in this area as my heart has been major stressed especially by Hypertension and Ascaris hyperinfestation. I still have occasional "bouts" but most times I am pain free.

I cook half-gallon batches of C.S. in about 1 hr time. It is only of late that I can actually notice improvements from C.S. as yrs past the toxicity was simply too severe.

On the MMS. If you are a fan of lemonade, you can simply add drops of Sodium Chlorite and presto, you have MMS. There is a slight taste of Chlorine but tolerable. As little as two drops daily will culminate in major improvements for the immune system. And if I might add, MMS is probably the best home remedy for Bee, Snake, Scorpion, and Spider bites & stings; a must item in the first-aid kit while in the bush or outback. I had a 6 drop dose tonight w/ a very little nausea. This is currently my max drop level.

I also take 1 dose each of Lipo C and Lipo Borax daily."

04/10/2014: Dave from Fountin Inn, Sc: "Hello Timh:

About Ascaris

You mention being hit by the parasite, and I read that it hits the digestive enzymes especially. The "Ascaris carboxypeptidase inhibitor" (wow)... is part of the parasite's defense mechanism...so that means that the enzyme pepsin (and two others) would be deficient as the worm emits the "inhibitor" stopping the human digestive enzyme from working. I'm sure you could lecture to me about all this. And, I'm sure you've tried (lately my favorite digestive help) ... Papaya. Its enzyme, Papain, is very similar to Pepsin...or so I've read. So I wonder if consuming Papaya could help overcome the parasite's inhibitor action. Even if you are rid of the parasite, the action of the inhibitor may still be at work.

Let me know how you've dealt with the digestion issue. Thanks. I know you've gone through much agony. You are just hero for not giving up."

04/11/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Dave: I take a Digestive enzyme supplement w/ my main meal and eat Pineapple regularly. I think the enzyme inhibition you mentioned must be from mature Ascaris found in the digestive tract; but the most insidious problems arise from the eggs, larvae, and juveniles.

I will quote some of Hulda Clark's observation to help clarify.

"When you kill the Ascaris worms by zapping or herbal tincture, they are mortally wounded. They are dying, but the eggs inside them are not. They were sheltered. Within a day these trapped eggs begin to leave the dying worms. Soon hordes of eggs are dispersing in your body again. And in another 24 hrs they begin to hatch into larvae. {I believe this event is evidences by the heart pain which I have experienced}.

The eggs, even if unfertilized, may do more harm than the worms. Ascaris eggs bring three very important pathogens that spread throughout the body: Rhizobium leguminosarum, Mycobacterium avium/intracellulare, and the common cold virus Adinovirus. {I believe that most of the warm-blooded (wild) animals infected w/ Ascaris, eventually die of these infections}.

The primitive metabolism used by Ascaris (and other parasites) is called the Gloxylate cycle. The gloxylate cycle commanders our Krebs cycle.

Another thing that Ascaris does is destroy all the Vit-C in the organ by oxidizing it (removing the hydrogen atom)."

Reprinted without permission from The Cure To All Cancers, by Hulda Clark."

04/11/2014: Johanneinsc from Sumter, Sc: "Thanks Dave for your response.. I have heard about CS before, just was unsure about it's safety. I am learning a lot on this thread! Thank you for your insight, I will be trying it very soon!"

04/13/2014: Jan from London, Ontario: "This thread has been very helpful. I have seen some success with the turps with my Oral Lichen Planus.

My ongoing struggle is shortness of breath.

I am on a no sugar diet and low carbs, and am Celiac.

I am thinking the virus must be in my blood and therefore affecting the lungs. Any thoughts?"

04/13/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hi Jan from London:

Re virus in lungs...

It is very likely in lungs. Here's a way to know: Breathe in DEEPLY and if you feel a "tickle" and you have to cough then you know it's there.

Get a nebulizer and use the CS in base. You'll want to breathe deeply from nebulizer for five minutes three times daily for a week or until you can do that deep breath test and not feel a tickle. I've seen others using H2O2 but haven't done so myself. I've seen others recommending DMSO in the mix but would do that only with very small amounts at a time. I am just not sure of the reaction in the lungs to DMSO...and I'm a BIG proponent of DMSO but won't recommend something I haven't tried.

Earth Clinic has a lot of posts about DMSO mixed with other liquids in a nebulizer."

04/15/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Jan from London, Canada; About your hunch the virus is in your blood and also lungs... I wrote you about how to attack it in lungs but failed to mention this: If it is systemic in you (in your blood as you put it) then you need to kill it system wide. I do that by drinking a quarter cup of colloidal silver twice daily for a full month or longer. And even up to six months if symptoms are evident. Otherwise, a virus can cause further problems even years later if allowed to lay dormant...think the shingles virus as an example."

02/05/2014: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "Mama to Many, what have you used as your antiviral?"

02/05/2014: Prioris from Fl, Usa: "Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis connects with vaccine injuries"

02/05/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Mmsg,

We started using a number of herbs for her that were indicated for asthma and/or for JRA - cat's claw, olive leaf, mullein, and feverfew. We also have used nettles, Vitamin D, Folic Acid, B-12, and magnesium. This was a couple of years ago, so I may not be remembering everything. She also eats a pretty healthy diet - mostly whole foods. She is actually still using most of these things. Only later did I learn about the possible viral link and realize that many of the things we have used, that have been very helpful, are also useful for viruses.

Dear Prioris,

My daughter has actually not had any vaccines. My oldest had a vaccine reaction so we discontinued vaccinating in our family. I have often wondered if there was an environmental factor to what may be weakened immunity in her. I have just never pinpointed anything. We have moved a few times. She did spend much of her life in a house surrounded by fields owned by farmers who used tons of chemicals on them. It was disturbing to see little planes flying and spraying chemicals across the street into the fields.

~Mama to Many~"

02/05/2014: Prioris from Fl, Usa: "It doesn't surprise me. For instance, all autism isn't vaccine related. There are about 1 in 15000 who have non vaccine related autism.

i can't find any references to amish and juvenile arthritis either.

http://thebovine.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/why-is-autism-so-rare-among-the-amish/

I assume you tried Borax for JRA. I would also look at various diets e.g. paleo, gluten free, some food allergy etc. I would include coconut oil also because it kills many infections.

I think the cause has to be in the food but like RA, the microbe has to be killed also even if the diet is correct.

P.S. One more thought. The chemicals sprayed on the farmers fields around the house may have created allergies to things. Maybe experiment with saunas to excrete the possible toxin contamination with the child."

02/06/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Mama to Many,

So very sorry for taking so long in reply; I've been consumed with a trial (I mean court) that took me away for a few days.

I've wondered the very question you asked; First you make the point that I observe often...the relation to viral infection and auto immune disease. And what is going on as there seems to be more frequency in virus today than at other times.

Here is my theory...multi part.

1. Food today has less nutritive value and hence the body cannot fight off viruses as easily as years ago.

2. Has genetically modified foods driven the rate of viral mutation?

3. Has reporting increased the information of how much infection is going on...which years ago might not have been as well reported so there is the appearance of "more" virus when in fact, the rate may be close to the same. After all, one of the most deadly infections in history was in 1918 with the killer ... airborne .... flue virus.

4. Have vaccines increase the virus influx?

5. Has an unknown factor increased the mutation rate of viruses?

So these are just a few observations but I am more and more convinced that a predatory set up virus prepares the body for possible triggering of disease of every type.

This is why for fifteen years I take a swallow of colloidal silver to rid my body of "at large" viruses...4 or 5 days a week and I make sure to let the CS swish in my mouth for ten or fifteen seconds.

It is so good to hear from you Ms. Mary. You are such an inspiration to me so again, forgive my delay in response.

Your student,

Dave"

02/07/2014: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "Thanks Mama to Many. So it's a multi-faceted approach. Generally, I see you recommending many different ideas, which probably works best!"

02/07/2014: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "Thanks Mama to Many. So it's a multi-faceted approach. Generally, I see you recommending many different ideas, which probably works best!"

02/07/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Mmsg,

Yes, in the instance with my daughter, it seemed that it did take a number of things to help her feel well again. When using natural medicine, I just keep trying different things until something works! (And that is usually what doctors are doing, too.)

When I am suggesting things to others, I try to include many things since not everything is available everywhere. Sometimes the solution is right in the house, but not every house has the same stuff around. Also, some things are more expensive than others and I want to make sure there are inexpensive options if at all possible. I would hate for someone not to be able to get better because the solution is too expensive.

I love that with natural medicine, sometimes one thing will take care of it. It just isn't always the first thing tried.

~Mama to Many~"

02/07/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Prioris,

Thanks for the ideas and feedback! I have not tired the things you suggest. My daughter has been symptom free of JRA for about a year and a half so we didn't try anything else. But it is encouraging to know how many options there are for healing in the event of a flare up.

Seeing you mention vaccines and the Amish within two sentences made me remember something I just read in, "Backyard Pharmacy." Rachel Weaver, the author, mentions that in testing some Amish (who have not been vaccinated) they found some to have an immunity to tetanus, likely just from their farm work. I found that fascinating!

~Mama to Many~"

02/07/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Dave,

Thanks so much for taking time to write out your thoughts! (And no need to apologize for "a delay in response." - the cyberworld has trained us to expect replies and answers way too fast! )

Anyway, your multi-part theory does make sense. It is helpful to me as I am pondering and studying sickness and healing and such.

Reading your post has made me think of another question, if you don't mind me troubling you with it... What about bacteria? If hidden viruses are the cause of autoimmune problems, might hidden bacteria also be? (Or perhaps that is what you have implied all along.) It seems I hear of people diagnosed with all sorts of problems (often auto-immune) and it turns out they have Lyme Disease. I suppose that when using colloidal silver it would attack either a virus or bacteria, perhaps it wouldn't matter which one was lurking in the body causing trouble if the solution were the same.

Thanks for helping me to connect the dots here! (And take your time in responding! )

~Mama to Many~"

02/07/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "To Mama to Many,

Oh yes...bacteria too. And fungus. My theory is not that all disease is caused by b/v/f (bacteria, virus and fungus) but that bvf may be triggers or underlying supports to disease and that if we eliminate the bvf triggers and supports then it would be much easier to overcome the disease.

As an example, without "good oils" the cells of the body cannot be properly constructed; so I take Evening Primrose Oil, (and use other good oils) and have for 30 years. That might help forestall numerous degenerative diseases that aren't directly related to bvf. But so many cousins to myelin sheath problems are "oil" related.

Just think of the incredible movie (real life) "Lorenzo's Oil"....That movie should be confirmation that Myelin Sheath breakdown caused by improper oil usage (genetic in the boys of Lorenzo's movie) is crucial to proper oil usage. When the world started using hydrogenated oils in margarine before and especially during WW II, we saw a spike beginning with MS and other cell styled myelin generated problems. Now just consider this; if you have a compromised cellular system AND throw in a bit of heavy metal (typically mercury) AND add a virus...you have MS. And if you get a different virus and have a weakened cellular system, we might have ALS, Parkinson's, weakened arterial systems as the b/v/f attack a "weak" cellular system.

The b/v/f can better attack "poor" structures. So a "holistic" approach is truly multi layered...whole foods, lots of vegetables, a lot raw; oils like we used for hundreds of years before the modern world got "smart" and methods that have been used for thousands of years to kill pathogens (silver)...although the Ancient Greeks did not know about pathogens...only that when they used silver coated surfaces, they seemed to not get sick so often and die from illnesses so often as others not using the silver.

Folk medicine is really not just one or two things but hundreds of composite information passed down by those who lived before us. We stand on the shoulders of Giants.

And Ms Mary, I am proud to say you are one of those Giants because we all see how steeped you are in that world of herbal medicine...so vital for the BIG picture. So is Ted, of course and the brilliant Bill, and Oscar and Mike and Prioris and Timh and Robert Henry and Mmsg...oh, I've left out ten others I just love to read.

Well, my point is that you asked a follow up question about the relationship of not just virus to auto immune disease ( and much disease in general) but also bacteria and I just took off by propounding the broad picture and how we are all learning the relationships.

A profoundly exciting journey, enriched daily by the many who with enlightened minds seek to help others overcome and improve their lives."

02/08/2014: Timh from Ky: "Dave: Thanks so much for your persevering spirit, and commitment to fostering health here on E.C, and including the main supporting cast in the same endeavor.

Personally the Autoimmune problem is clarifying very much towards the severity of my condition. After watching Dr Noel Rose introduction to autoimmune disease I fit the category with 3 disorders. First, evidence of Chronic Active hepatitis as was relieved by antiviral herbs particularly Licorice Root. Second, an acute case of hemolytic anemia that was miraculously reversed w/ Morphine (in the event of extreme pain). Third, and only very recently manifest is Rheumatoid Arthritis. The 2 yr episode of Hypothyroid seems to finally be reversed.

After watching Dr Rose's intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjTBZObWuPY it appears obvious that any factors which compromise the detox system starts a chain reaction that also includes the endocrine system and finally the immune. The lower incidence of autoimmunity in the temperate climates as apposed to cold climate may reflect how important it is for the detox system when the body/skin has a regular sweating as the hot & humid environment promotes this. Clean air, food, and water are very important in the battle of prevention in autoimmunity. Once the body's detox system is compromised, thus begins the parasite & pathogen chronic phase as the immunity becomes seemingly helpless in it's response (or lack of). If one can avoid organ damage, remain properly detoxified, the prognoses appears good, otherwise the treatment options from most MD's is treating the symptoms while avoiding the cause. There is ongoing research into immune modulating natural substances including Colostrum. Opiates & Cannabinoids may prove very effective if the intoxication issues can be minimized. Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is certainly very effective."

02/08/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Dave,

Thanks so much for your response. It is really helping with the "big picture." What you are saying makes a lot of sense! Thanks again for taking time to share your expertise!

Dear Timh,

It is always helpful to hear other's experiences! Thanks so much for the input. I think I am going to have to re-evaluate my perspective on sweat. I really hate to sweat, but can see its use.

You all have a super day!

~Mama to Many~"

04/07/2014: Johanneinsc from Sumter, Sc: "I am 49 years old and was diagnosed with baseline 'Connective Tissue Disease' today (via phone call). I have an appointment later this week to get more details from my Rheumatologist, but have been having unexplained issues for a few years. I'm sure this sounds very familiar to all of you, it's just all pretty new for me. I have had Raynauds for 6 years. 4 years ago, I had a 'torn tendon' in my inner hip joint, which was insanely painful. It never showed up in an MRI, it was just what my GP Dr. assumed it was. In December I began having pain in my left bicep that was similar to the 'hip' pain. It got worse, and my GP did MRI's on my neck, bicep and then shoulder, suspecting frozen shoulder. All MRI's showed nothing, though the pain is horrific when I move suddenly, etc.

With this diagnosis, I am wondering if the two unexplained injuries are actually connected? I had no incident, either time, to explain what happened. Now with the Rh Dr's diagnosis, I have to wonder if it's due to weakened tendons, etc. I have been gluten free-ish for a 1.5 years, and I've changed to as organic a diet as I can, especially with meat and eggs. We recently bought a Vitamix to be able to get more vegetables in our diet. I started changing to natural cleaning solutions and hair/skin products. Even with all of this, I guess it's time to get serious about it, and permanently get rid of the things that are possibly making me sick.

With all of that being said, reading everyone's experiences and suggestions is helping me to not feel alone, and not so afraid. I do appreciate you all sharing with everyone! In regards to Autoimmune being related to viruses, I had Mononucleosis when I was 14 years old. I was out of school for 3 months. I was pretty sick, and I never got back the energy that I had before that. I swear I was never the same. I was on the track team in Jr. High before that, and it halted all athletic stuff for me. I have practiced Martial Arts off and on over the years, last time being 6 years ago, but it was never easy, especially when it came to endurance. My heart is healthy, I don't get sick often, lungs are good, don't drink or smoke. I have always wondered if mono was 'lurking' in my system somewhere, and could never get a straight answer from a Dr.about it. I actually decided to google it and see if there was a link to autoimmune, and it appears that there may be. Anyways, just a thought in reading your comments here on a possible viral link. I wonder how many of you with autoimmune diseases had mono at some time in your lives? Just curious!

Thank you so much again, and prayers for all to be healed and healthy again (me included! ) Johanneinsc"

04/08/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Johnanneinsc,

Thanks for the question re the link to possible Mono and auto immune...

No question you're on to the cause; and likely will get worse. In fact, worsening will manifest in some organ being invaded and likely viral meningitis or other disease; like onset MS symptoms ... or the myriad myelin sheath disorders...attacks on the spine (ALS) type issues; viral infections of heart/pancreas/intestines and possible viral meningitis (you see those victim areas as typical viral targets).

And yes, your Mono was the cause.

Quick way to test this dismal hypothesis. Sorrow can turn to joy in a matter of days!

Just drink a boat load (not really that much) of Colloidal Silver. If me that's what I'd do. I make my own. And as precaution against marauding viruses/ bacteria/fungus attacks drink a few tablespoons four or five days a week.

But for one who has had a major hit from a virus...there are HEAVY odds that the virus (in any number of combinations) are still working in the system to reassert in what is usually what is called an "autoimmune"...or a "mystery" disease.

I've seen it again and again.

Here's usually what happens: One suspects (as you have) a viral connect to the symptoms. One's energy level especially has been severely impaired since the disease "invasion"...years earlier. "Never really the same since" being a common complaint. One then gets onto an anti viral. (My weapon of choice is Colloidal Silver. I read about MMS and so called "zapper" but can't attest to their effectiveness. One day I may try MMS.) But once on quantity levels of CS at HIGH ppm levels...IN A FEW WEEKS .... sometimes five days....Energy starts returning.

And that becomes the evidence that perhaps the CS is killing the viral infection and the immune system is being relieved of the infection. LOTS more to this whole thing (virus as trigger event vs. ongoing cause; is it virus or fungus; lingering tissue damage, such as nerve, which is caused by the infection). And so there becomes a few additional "helps" that can help overcome the effects of infection even as/or after the infection has been killed.

Well, all the above is my viral theory of the cause of "some" disease/ or trigger of some diseases.

And, as always my disclaimer: I am and have no medical training and all my "theory" discussion is not a diagnosis for any person's problems and not a medical recommendation for anyone. I always try to say "if this were me here's what I'd consider"; and with "the advice of one's health care professional" also...of course!

I see you live in Sumter. Want to take a quick spin to Fountain Inn and pick up one of my home made concentrates and get a free demo? No charge. I give away. Email EC staff and they will give you my email. (All with the advice of your Health Care professional, of course.)"

04/08/2014: Rsw from Uniontown, Oh: "Interesting observation from both of you. I have a couple of autoimmune diseases (Lichen Planus and Sicca Syndrome) and hypothyroidism, at least one I believe was caused by statin drugs. However I had a serious case of mono in college and also somehow got Severe Hep A in the '80's, for which I was hospitalized and told it was the highest liver numbers that anyone in the MD group had ever seen, and it could go either way because it was out of their hands and my blood was not clotting. Fortunately, by the grace of God, no other member of my family caught it and I recovered. It was thought to come from eating out somewhere where with improperly managed food or staff, but again, no one else in my family caught it and we always went out together. The autoimmunes and thyroid didn't start until about ten years go, but I never thought of any relationship between the two. Thanks for some food for thought."

04/08/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "To Rsw...Hello,

Re; the autoimmune diseases;

Thank you for the comments of a possible viral connect to the multiple problems you mention. Also remember this; you mention statin drugs might also cause problems X, or y but if there exists a systemic viral infection then even if the link to the disease is not direct (think of shingles to chicken pox)...if the viral infection is system wide, then the immune system can be so impacted such that one can't fight off problems that arise because of an impaired immune system....SO...even if the virus is not THE cause, the damage of persistent infection can impair the immune system and the weakened system just can't fight off the new problem. I'm referring now to statin drug side effects. Just a theory...an extension of the "viral cause" theory.

But it all means this: If correct, then the focus of much of "our" thinking (the alternative community) should be always on the alert to the virus/fungus instigator. And thus, finding anti virals and fungals. And my thinking is not stuck on Colloidal Silver but I often speak of Echinacea and we should keep open minds on MMS; H2O2 and anything that can rid the body of infectious "bugs.""

04/08/2014: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Interesting discussion this one. For a long time I've wondered why certain diseases -- especially concerning viruses -- were so hard to cure. My own conclusions were that viruses, as well as other types of pathogens like bacteria and fungus are able to easily hide in our bodies. That's why the Epstein-Barr virus, HPV, the Herpes virus and Candida seem all but incurable. So when I researched this I found out that pathogens can indeed hide and become unreachable to both the immune system and anti-microbials by hiding in the following regions of the body:

Ears -- The Eustachian tube connects the throat to the ear for pressure equalization. Funny how the first signs of cold/flu is usually a sore throat. The outer ear can be an untouchable breeding ground for pathogens

Teeth(root canals). Dangerous microbes are untouchable in this region.

Synovial Fluids (particularly along the backbone and joints). Many anti-microbials are unable to penetrate this barrier.

Lower Intestines(caecum, colon area) -- Even if you are taking anti-microbials by mouth -- these will normally be exhausted or completely absorbed and useless by the time these nutrients reach the lower intestine. So the lower intestines ultimately becomes a safe haven for breeding bad pathogens and pumping toxins into the body -- this further weakens the immune system. The intestine is 28 ft long. Think enema.

Biofilms. An impenetrable fortress of dense fibrin protection for both fungus and bacteria.

i really don't believe that just viruses are the sole cause of autoimmune problems. They can certainly be a contributing factor, but I think that autoimmune problems are perhaps a bit more complex. It's well known through research that mycoplasma are frequently found at the sites of arthritis and cancer. Borax kills mycoplasma -- which is how it cures arthritis. Mycoplasma is a CWD nanobacteria. Many also believe that fungus causes cancer.

My own belief is that many pathogens are pleomorphic -- they can change form and nimbly adapt according to the health state of our bodies. As far back as the early 1900s it was observed that bacteria could change into viruses which could also change into fungus. See Rife's cancer research for more details on pleomorphism in cancer and other autoimmune diseases."

04/09/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Dave: I think it was Walter Beck that proclaimed that using both Colloidal Silver & Zapping, in sufficient quantity would, in a matter of wks or months, kill ALL pathogens in the body.

I am zapping at maximum and am drinking 1 cup C.S. daily and am slowly making progress. It's been several days that I haven't taken 6 drop MMS dose and am beginning to think it impossible to kill all these pathogens without MMS. Jim Humble nicknamed MMS the Tasmanian Devil as it systematically destroys almost every known pathogen."

04/09/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "*correction* Bob Beck"

04/09/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello there Timh

How are you doing these days?

Re...Bob Beck...there is even a youtube video of him making full strength CS using what I call the "fast" method. Exactly how I was taught. And in that video he drinks it undiluted!!! I was NOT taught that.

But, he died too young...only 77 from heart failure. Which is a lesson to us all. The "machine" is multifaceted. We have to keep all the parts in proper working order. I noticed in progressive videos of Bob, he wasn't looking vigorous. I asked myself; what is Bob doing wrong...something is absent in his nutrition program and I suspected lack of cardio because his face was looking "leathery" and bleached, as if not enough circulation was present.

So; viruses and fungi and bacterial infestation did not kill Bob...oh too soon...but I believe lack of cardio nutrients likely did.

Pay attention to ALL the parts. All the issues must be addressed. That's why a whole foods approach with a broad array of nutrients is what I think is best. I'm trying to cover all the bases."

04/09/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Greetings Bill from the Philippines;

Re you VERY enlightening post...Lots of insights on "vulnerable locations" in your post....where the little devils hide out and where is their "base of operations."

The Eustachian Tube is a key...often a stubborn upper infection can be traced there and in fact regular medicine recognized the Eustachian Tube as a key source for "secondary infections" which are not killed by antibiotics. Why? Not much blood gets there and so the bacteria (and viruses) hide out there only to re-infect the system again.

Suppose we could devise a "super" killer...a combo of CS, MMS, DMSO (there are a lot of good broad based anti virals that could go in a mix.

Question about that and you mention the most insidious of them all...that Walter Last calls (and you mentioned) the nano bacteria...the "pleomorphic microbes" which may cause ... who knows what, since they morph into something new. Probably they are susceptible to assault when they are in the changing mode.

Susceptible like coated viruses...susceptible when they are multiplying. That means the virus killer / microbe killer etc must be in a constant "flush" mode for many months. One dose won't do it...of anything.

Not for the killers we're talking about.

But back to your "master list" of targets for the invaders...you are SO right in the likely sites. I think of this as like a bee hive...I mean by way of analogy. The microbes "localize" in a home...an organ or "place" and multiply from there in explosive moments of opportunity...perhaps when the immune system is impaired; or even when their victim is depressed. Then they fire out their offspring to invade elsewhere in the body; when they "sense" immune weakness.

And there you have it...attacking in a myriad set of methods. The most vulnerable you listed.

I'm in search mode for the "super" cleanse...a combo? As much of a proponent of CS as I am, I think it has its weaknesses. Which is why I often mention other anti microbes like Echinacea. Oh, for a lab and some funding."

04/09/2014: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Dave...Much thanks for your post which I enjoyed reading for sure.

Just to perhaps extend my explanation a bit. I regularly use protocols which I affectionately refer to as protecting my "Caves and Orifices" which entails doing the following.

Ears. Regularly wash out with either Hydrogen Peroxide or a few drops of LI in water a few times a week.

Nose -- I forgot to mention this one as a hiding place (think sinusitis or rhinitis that never goes away). The nose is a prime area for fungal build-up. Use a dropper to wash out the nose with either 1% HP or drops of Lugols iodine and water to clear fungus/bacteria build up. You can also use a neti pot with sea salt.

Teeth(root canals and gums) -- Use a few drops of gum turpentine in the mouth several times daily to help protect the gums and teeth roots. Turps is strongly absorbed by the gums. Or you can use a teaspoon of 50% DMSO(as Hulda Clark recommends) with a few drops of LI. Hold and swish it in the mouth for a few minutes before spitting it out to allow absorption into the gums/roots. In all cases, the absorption and anti-pathogen effect helps to rid inflammation, pain and infection in the gum and root regions. Use 3% HP as your regular mouthwash -- helps whiten teeth as well.

Synovial Regions -- Use DMSO and anti-pathogens(such as clove oil, LI, borax) locally and topically to drive out the hiding viruses etc into the blood. A strong and capable immune system should do the rest.

Lower Intestines(caecum, colon) -- Use laxatives and enemas to clear this region.

Biofilms -- Gum turpentine and protease enzymes are the only remedies that will get rid of biofilms.

Like you I wonder if there is a single cure-all out there. The closest I have ever come to such a remedy in my own research is THC -- the direct whole extract from the cannabis plant. Rick Simpson from Nova Scotia is the guru here. This plant extract cures everything from arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and MS to many forms of cancer and no-one knows why and no-one cares. THC is probably on of the most powerful and safe anti-inflammatory and painkilling remedies in existence today. I have also read that THC adjusts body homeostasis back to healthy levels again -- I know of no single natural remedy or cure that can do this. Rick Simpson comes from a simple farming community in Nova Scotia. These people are not in the habit of lying. Here is a video about medicinal THC that will perhaps astonish you as to the range of what it actually cures (from the testimonials on the video):

Run from the Cure

Unfortunately THC or medicinal cannabis is against the law and unobtainable -- unless, of course, you are lucky enough to live in Denver Colorado..."

04/09/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Bill: Vertebrates have survived 5 mass extinctions and thrived in between because they have a communication system that encourages the tissues to cooperate with each other. 2mg/day cannabinoids, raw or cooked, activate the system. I buy one ounce cherry flavored 1500mg CBD oil from a company who makes theirs from the flowers of organic Canadian hemp. 750 days for $93. Black pepper and oregano have a special terpene that also activates the system. I am not sure of the dose."

04/09/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello again Bill,

My "microbe" killing regimen is not as extensive as yours. I keep drinking CS daily (five days a week at least) and occasional Echinacea in water. I do use CS in sinus and ears. In sinus nearly every day as I think just as you; the sinus is where so much microbe action takes place.

On the THC; I watched a Rick Simpson report about a year ago. It was fascinating.

Here is something interesting: I watched on "LINK" TV an Ayurveda guru who mixed a baked substance that he added to the POISON mercury. And then orally consumed the combination. Yes, he knew mercury would poison, but he pointed out that mercury was the most effective microbe killer and that the "addition" kept the mercury from staying in the system, and like CS, would just be washed out after a few days. Ever since I saw that (LINK repeated the show on Indian Ayurveda three times, and I watched all three times)...ever since I saw that I knew that amazing substances were available if...IF...we only had access to the right methods. So my point is that the search for new mechanisms is one that should be seen as wide open. That is why I'm willing to consider MMS, for instance.

But your use of Turpentine is something I need to give more consideration to. And the Boron is also a new addition after reading about it on EC. H202 is something that I use occasionally.

So your approach is more eclectic than mine. Likely better as you are painting with a broader brush."

04/10/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Dave: Thanks for your concern and I am making slow progress from near dead for 2 yrs. Lately I only post here on my "good days", but I always find enough energy and focus to read the post.

I will second your observation on Beck, but what I noticed was his general stature and mobility. I would venture to guess Beck was, by birth, somewhat delicate.

Yes, the cardio system is definitely a victim of time and stress. I take several measures of prevention in this area as my heart has been major stressed especially by Hypertension and Ascaris hyperinfestation. I still have occasional "bouts" but most times I am pain free.

I cook half-gallon batches of C.S. in about 1 hr time. It is only of late that I can actually notice improvements from C.S. as yrs past the toxicity was simply too severe.

On the MMS. If you are a fan of lemonade, you can simply add drops of Sodium Chlorite and presto, you have MMS. There is a slight taste of Chlorine but tolerable. As little as two drops daily will culminate in major improvements for the immune system. And if I might add, MMS is probably the best home remedy for Bee, Snake, Scorpion, and Spider bites & stings; a must item in the first-aid kit while in the bush or outback. I had a 6 drop dose tonight w/ a very little nausea. This is currently my max drop level.

I also take 1 dose each of Lipo C and Lipo Borax daily."

04/10/2014: Dave from Fountin Inn, Sc: "Hello Timh:

About Ascaris

You mention being hit by the parasite, and I read that it hits the digestive enzymes especially. The "Ascaris carboxypeptidase inhibitor" (wow)... is part of the parasite's defense mechanism...so that means that the enzyme pepsin (and two others) would be deficient as the worm emits the "inhibitor" stopping the human digestive enzyme from working. I'm sure you could lecture to me about all this. And, I'm sure you've tried (lately my favorite digestive help) ... Papaya. Its enzyme, Papain, is very similar to Pepsin...or so I've read. So I wonder if consuming Papaya could help overcome the parasite's inhibitor action. Even if you are rid of the parasite, the action of the inhibitor may still be at work.

Let me know how you've dealt with the digestion issue. Thanks. I know you've gone through much agony. You are just hero for not giving up."

04/11/2014: Timh from Ky, Usa: "Dave: I take a Digestive enzyme supplement w/ my main meal and eat Pineapple regularly. I think the enzyme inhibition you mentioned must be from mature Ascaris found in the digestive tract; but the most insidious problems arise from the eggs, larvae, and juveniles.

I will quote some of Hulda Clark's observation to help clarify.

"When you kill the Ascaris worms by zapping or herbal tincture, they are mortally wounded. They are dying, but the eggs inside them are not. They were sheltered. Within a day these trapped eggs begin to leave the dying worms. Soon hordes of eggs are dispersing in your body again. And in another 24 hrs they begin to hatch into larvae. {I believe this event is evidences by the heart pain which I have experienced}.

The eggs, even if unfertilized, may do more harm than the worms. Ascaris eggs bring three very important pathogens that spread throughout the body: Rhizobium leguminosarum, Mycobacterium avium/intracellulare, and the common cold virus Adinovirus. {I believe that most of the warm-blooded (wild) animals infected w/ Ascaris, eventually die of these infections}.

The primitive metabolism used by Ascaris (and other parasites) is called the Gloxylate cycle. The gloxylate cycle commanders our Krebs cycle.

Another thing that Ascaris does is destroy all the Vit-C in the organ by oxidizing it (removing the hydrogen atom)."

Reprinted without permission from The Cure To All Cancers, by Hulda Clark."

04/11/2014: Johanneinsc from Sumter, Sc: "Thanks Dave for your response.. I have heard about CS before, just was unsure about it's safety. I am learning a lot on this thread! Thank you for your insight, I will be trying it very soon!"

04/13/2014: Jan from London, Ontario: "This thread has been very helpful. I have seen some success with the turps with my Oral Lichen Planus.

My ongoing struggle is shortness of breath.

I am on a no sugar diet and low carbs, and am Celiac.

I am thinking the virus must be in my blood and therefore affecting the lungs. Any thoughts?"

04/13/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hi Jan from London:

Re virus in lungs...

It is very likely in lungs. Here's a way to know: Breathe in DEEPLY and if you feel a "tickle" and you have to cough then you know it's there.

Get a nebulizer and use the CS in base. You'll want to breathe deeply from nebulizer for five minutes three times daily for a week or until you can do that deep breath test and not feel a tickle. I've seen others using H2O2 but haven't done so myself. I've seen others recommending DMSO in the mix but would do that only with very small amounts at a time. I am just not sure of the reaction in the lungs to DMSO...and I'm a BIG proponent of DMSO but won't recommend something I haven't tried.

Earth Clinic has a lot of posts about DMSO mixed with other liquids in a nebulizer."

04/15/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Jan from London, Canada; About your hunch the virus is in your blood and also lungs... I wrote you about how to attack it in lungs but failed to mention this: If it is systemic in you (in your blood as you put it) then you need to kill it system wide. I do that by drinking a quarter cup of colloidal silver twice daily for a full month or longer. And even up to six months if symptoms are evident. Otherwise, a virus can cause further problems even years later if allowed to lay dormant...think the shingles virus as an example."

[YEA]  04/13/2014: Joshharrington from London, Uk: "Really good stuff. Booked a hotel and picked a bad one. Full I tell you, full. But this stuff cleared everything within a few hours. Very effective!"

10/15/2013: Mertletertel from Indianapolis: "Mite Infestation: Here is what some sufferers did with dry mustard powder... I'm going to try it too... Body wash: I mixed one level teaspoon of mustard powder using a measuring spoon with another of cold water, mixed well into a runny paste, and allowed it to stand for 10 minutes to allow the mustard to develop its full potency. To this, I added four ounces of body wash and mixed it thoroughly to ensure a homogenous result.
Body lotion: I used the same amount of mustard powder and water, mixed it well with three ounces of hydrating body lotion, and added five drops of glycerine, then mixed again thoroughly.

ALSO...lint roll clothing you were next to your skin, before wearing it; put all dirty clothes and clean clothes in plastic bags tied shut... Keeps bugs in and will keep them out too; use diamotaceous earth... (found at lawn and garden depts or at hardware stores... Try the 85% if you can get it; otherwise 77%) to powder your garbage, floors, etc. MMS, by Jim Humble, kills them in the house. I did this. 10 to 20 drops of activated MMS (look it up you'll see how) plus 16 oz of ACV in a spray bottle... Keep spraying daily! It works after awhile. Can also spray this on yourself. ALSO dry your clothes, then take them out, spray them with this mixture, and dry them again... It kills the bugs in them. My son told me about that. MMS is cheapest on ebay. WATCH out with scratching itchy places... I have felt things fly up and hit my face when scratching my foot... spray MMS mix and/or power DE (diatomaceous earth) all around when you have had to scratch.

ALSO...tincture of clove on the bandaid overnight kills a new bug bite; tea tree oil on the bandaid overnight and/or all day leaves a scab there also... but I think tincture of clove is stronger; I just can't afford everything, right? I have more rashes now than bites, so I'm treating areas.

Okay, I hope some of this helps. I also am using hydrogen peroxide, 2 oz with 40 drops of tea tree oil on my rashes... I spray it directly on and also on panty lines which I tape over the rashy area. On the private area I use a mix of Dollar Tree buttpaste, raw coconut oil (think foodstamps lol), tea tree oil (10 drops per TBS of coconut oil), and chest rub from dollar tree (no chems in that one). For some reason, it keeps the itching down PTL.

Trying pine tar soap, but living in a tent and using someone else's bathroom, due to my abusive family and this problem combined... so it's difficult.

Stay focused... This is your mountain right now... climb and gather your strength, k?

Love you! Heal quickly by God's grace."

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  04/12/2014: Njoy from Melbourne, Australia: "Hi there, This website has been so helpful to motivate me to go head on with the outbreak of bites on my body.

Backgrounds: I had two spider/insect bites above the right hip (moderate welts) in Feb 2014 when gardening, this must have challenged my already stressed system (current but temporary life situations), because within a few days (amidst additional emotional stresses and after one full day of not eating well) a three week outbreak of hives. Then ? mite bites (clusters of small lumps in heat/moist areas of body armpits, groin, and trunk of body. That is when I got really FED UP with this state of health. And found this website.

I had already begun taking immune support supplements and working on my inner/gut to empower it to bring health to body. And I knew I needed to deal with the stressors/emotional stability. But these bites/?mites was the last straw.

After reading this website I went shopping and bought turpentine, huge tub of sorbeline moisturiser, (had tea tree oil already at home). And proceeded to cover my entire body and scalp with turpentine using a sodden face washer. I did this two consecutive evenings - and sat for 30minutes on a towel while covered with this topical treatment/turpentine 'body wash'. The idea was to kill off any potential mites or bugs (suffocation if they have burrowed in or drowning or burning of the solution etc). Yes the turps stung my scratched sores and any sensitive parts it seemingly reached (not for the fragile nerves - take heart the sting did fade with time).

Then after the 30mins, I then went to the shower and lathered my skin and scalp with natural soap (non-animal products). Lathered and lathered then washed off throughly in the shower.

Then after drying my skin/scalp from the shower, I lathered myself with a thick layer of sorbeline moisturiser. All over, everywhere. Kept reapplying. And reapplying as it seemingly soaked into my dehydrated skin (that has scratch marks, recovering hives, recovering old bites etc all over).

Then I put on very loose pyjamas which was tolerable Autumn weather for Australia (April 2014). What I experienced then was outrageous. I could literally FEEL sensations on my skin here and there. And it drove me to react. I went to the bathroom mirror and looked at my body. What I saw were tiniest black dots emerging through the thick layer of sorborline moisturiser. I was shocked. They must have tried to surface from their burrows since the moisturiser was sealing off the air. I was stunned. I removed them and tried to squash or crush or slice in two. But they were so tiny that I could not much at all. Just rubbed them on a rough surface to kill them through friction.

I did not think to put them in a jar.

But my Doctor has since given me a laboratory slip and a collection jar, to help me. But since doing the turpentine body wash for two nights, followed by soapy shower + thrice daily moisturising, and now daily, I have not found any more critters since the third day.

(My pathology results for common allergies and otherwise were normal! ) Which confirmed to my Doctor and that I was right: needing stress management strategies to not stress my body into the fight/flight mode which requires me to eat immune boosting diet and fluids. Moisturiser for protection and prevention of my skin.

I am 2 months now since the spider bites that was 'the straw that broke the camels back' on my stressed system. I am relieved greatly. But not cured. I am still somewhat stressed (inner emotional work still needs attention) and am still recovering my immune system from the gut outwards. I find that I am reacting to certain complex foods (refined, innutritious foods) and from sugars including fructose etc. If I do stress the gut out trying to breakdown complex foods, then I maintain a small bumpy rash has tiny red heads that fills my inside forearms, at this stage.

But at least the mites of whatever they were are behind me as of a few days ago. They were unbearable.

Environment: I got paranoid thinking my whole house might be filled with such critters. And tested this by walking bear legged around my carpeted and not carpeted areas over a period of several days. The only time I got a critter was in my car immediately after I sat in the driver's seat. It was the same tiniest black dot I had experienced a few days earlier. it was crawling up my bare leg.

I was also paranoid that my bedding and bed was riddled with the same. But washed all bedding, and the other night sleeping with nothing on my legs, I was bite free. Thank God. I am very thankful that my environment is not affected.

The only other consideration was my chickens. They can get mites and critters from the wild birds. So I have to keep an eye on them, and transfer potential to me if any, for the future when I cuddle them in the yard. They bath in garden dirt/ dust bathes they are called. This is their natural means of hygiene, and it seems to work.

Hope this helps someone. And I hope I can help myself recover, by unlearning old stress coping mechanism, and replace them with / or relearn new ones that are relevant and affective for new circumstances. God Bless you."

04/13/2014: Rebel from Somewhere, Usa: "My guess would be you will soon find out that you must kill these critters from the inside of the body. The black spots or specks are in my opinion blood born pathogens. One can rub different stuff on infected area and have these black specs come out and you may be killing the adults. I believe they hatch from eggs and the only way to kill the eggs is from inside the body.

When I treated myself, I had some success with a little of everything. But, what seemed to work and caused DIED OFF completely, after using Cayenne Pepper. I took 35000 heat units and start with a 1/16 teaspoon maybe 3 or 4 times daily and work up to a teaspoon a couple times daily. In 60 days, my black specks seemed to be gone. No more at all.

Also alkaline body defeats disease. So I alkalined with baking soda, a couple times a day."

04/03/2014: Rebel from Somewhere, Usa: "Looking at possibly buying the Teeter 950 tomorrow. I know they sell for about $400.00 brand new. Person has one, he says in excellent condition and still has paper work on it for $250.00. He says table is his grand mothers and she can no longer use it as per her doctor, because she had some fusing done to her spine. May be able to get a little less than the $250.00, I will probably offer him $200.00.

I have been having some back pain, specific to the upper back and neck. Will post if I purchase to let everyone know my review.

Anyone with info on the Teeter 950, please comment on pros and cons. Thank You, Rebel"

[WARNING!]  04/13/2014: Rebel from Somewhere, Usa: "I made the purchase for $200.00.

I have to give a warning for this though. I did not fully invert, I only went about 120 degrees and only for 3 to 5 minutes at a time. I did not properly balance my self with the board, so coming back up really strained my stomach. ( I will explain this in a moment )Also if you are over weight like I am, it may actually not be safe to do anyways. It hurt my ankles as well.

So, I wind up going to the chiropractor. I had this catch or what felt like a catch or pinched nerve in between my shoulder blades. I iced for the ride down and he adjusted me and says, " You wear not out that bad. Well that did not sound right, because I had very bad headaches for a week at the base of my skull and the pain between my shoulders.

Back home I could barey lay my head on a pillow my neck felt as though it was to tired to hold my head on. I winded up thinking maybe it was some kind of virus or something and not my back, So I put a drop of CLOVE OIL on the base of my spine from the bottom of my skull down to the lower spine. So a couple drops altogether. That night was very painful, but the next day the pain had ceased, I felt normal again.

So back to the home choirs and projects I had started.This is when I notice a strain in my stomach. It scared me very bad I thought I might have strained a hernia. But a couple days latter and that pain has ceased as well.

I do not know what was going on with me. I do know that I was, already hurting when I got the machine. But, the machine may have been actually moving so much stuff in my back that recover was a lot muscle spasms, because of what the chiropractor said about I was not out bad. Or maybe it was some time virus that was really hurting me and the clove oil on the spine ran it away. I don't know, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL.... I am a lot better now pain wise. I was at a 10, with 10 be worse pain and 1 being less. I am now at about a 3 or 4 pain wise.

Thanks, Rebel"

04/11/2014: Thehandyman1947 from Ohio, US: "KIM, you need to know what arthritis you have. If you're stiff in the morning, it's probably rheumatoid. Diet is the key to health, no white potatoes, also wheat, try it for a few months, it dose not cost anything. This is probably the cause of inflamation. Also if your diet is acidic over time you are not asimilating magnesium, copper, zinc, and calcium. 1000 mg vit c, 1000 mg msm, together they build new cells in the body. Also 1000 mg of calcium, and 1000 mg chicken collagen, preferably with hyaluronic acid and chondroitin. Every 12 hours or 2x a day, important every 12 hours for even cell growth. May take up to 6 months to work, don't give up, it usually takes a lot less than 6 months. if it is osteo. Google Dr Hans A Nieper, he has a good treatment for osteo. You mentioned candida, if you put weight on around the waist it's a sign of sugar in the future. Don't over dose on the calcium or the magnesium, magnesium overdose can cause very unpleasant problems"

04/11/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Kim: I am going to give you the best products that can start you walking along the highway to heaven. Take them and you can begin to feel better in two or three hours and completely recover in two or three days. Make a green smoothie from one oz. organic baby leaves, some organic chili, and some unrefined sea salt every two hours. Add some freeze dried powders like activated barley, barley grass juice, high AMP aloe vera, wild Alaskan blueberry, desiccated liver, acerola, and many more. Add some herbs that contain saponins like yucca liquid, jiaogulan, red Korean ginseng, astragalus, bacopa, brahmi, tribulus, and horse chestnut. Take skate liver oil for fat soluble nutrients. Take one-fourth expeller pressed coconut oil and three-fourths black chia seeds for fats. Follow the 80/10/10 program. They have many videos."

04/12/2014: Sheena from Ohio, US: "Hi Ohio man:

Googled Dr. Nieper, found lots of sites selling "his" products, info on cardiac disease and use of serrapeptase but no regimen set out specifically for osteo. I have bone on bone, gave up the nsaids (kidney issues) and am still hunting for a good, harmless treatment. Any help will be very much appreciated!"

04/12/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Kim from Australia;

Sorry to hear of your severe pain.

You said you've fallen a few times...sounds like on the tail bone. THAT, can throw out the pelvis and if you injured the sacrum or coccyx plus ligament injury you would be experiencing many possible low back issues.

I doubt if your problem is arthritis. Not at your age. Pain can make you think all kinds of things.

I've fought low back problems since I was 18 years old...over 40 years. Low back especially but also the neck. Two car wrecks...I was rear ended.

Chiropractic help might give you some relief. If you find a really good chiropractor that is.

And I've used many. But the thing that helped my low back the most is a Japanese technique. You'd lie on your stomach as a "Helper" steps gently onto your belt line...on the pelvis. The pelvis is likely slipped or the sacrum or coccyx badly bruised or even fractured. I have a friend who was in a jeep on a mountain road when she was a teenager and the jeep hit a bump going faster than it should have. She was bounced up and came down on a hard surface on the coccyx. The result was a fracture of the coccyx. She has suffered with that injury for 35 years.

Back to the Japanese technique... and why this has to be done gently. The Helper will gently and slowly place his/her weight on your low back...as low as possible...around the pelvis ... along the tail bone. If no great pain, the Helper stands on the low back with one foot while holding onto the back of a chair, using the chair to take most of the weight off the foot that is pressing onto the low back. If no sharp pain, the Helper applies more of his/her weight on the low back and with the other foot begins "walking" in place up the back while the foot on the low back "walks" in place on the pelvis.

So the right foot is on the pelvis and presses then lets up as the left foot moves up the lumbar vertebra, and up the back ... up the thoracic vertebra and then back down ... left, right etc.

Finally, the left has come back to the low position with the right foot on the pelvis, lifting the left foot completely off the back. Helper now has all (or much) of his/her weight on the pelvis. NOW...with as much weight as possible to hold down the pelvis region (sacrum and coccyx) by Helper .... you will put your hands under your shoulders and gently lift up your body ... like a push up but allowing the low back to relax. Sometimes the person on floor can feel the adjustment in the low back take place...the parts suddenly fit back after being knocked out of place.

Do this twice, trying to relax the low back as you curl upward with the upper body. The low back often will slip back in place. I learned this technique from a PT expert. She told me that often this technique "cured" a low back problem that seemed impossible to fix.

When I hurt my low back I recruit my wonderful wife to "stand" or "walk" on my back. Takes two minutes... and OH the relief. I have a significant S curve down my spine and the pelvis/sacrum/ ligaments can get very "off" but the Japanese Walking Technique has kept me functional for all these years."

04/12/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Kim from Australia,

By the way... and in addition to my other post. I would suggest that you read a wonderful article about AEP...which counters dozens of problem areas...working on the cellular level.

Known also as membrane integrity factor, Google, "nutrition review Calcium AEP" and you'll read about one of the most amazing substances in the world.

If you do have arthritis you definitely need to be on AEP."

04/12/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Kim,

I see you have been getting lots of great advice here. If I could add my 2 cents...you mention bone on bone, and needing lubrication for the joints...I have recently been learning about Mullein Root Tincture and one of the things it is supposed to do is help to increase the fluid in the joints. I recently bought some to test this out. I think it was doing this (I have some issues in my neck.) But having been out of town a lot of late, I have been lax on some of my supplements and don't have a lot of anecdotal information to share about it yet. Anyway, you can read some about it here:

https://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/tincture-information/mullein-root.html

I hope you get relief soon!

~Mama to Many~"

04/02/2014: Ed2010 from Canada: "The enzyme of papaya is papain not pepsin. Papain is a protein digesting enzyme. And papaya incerases digestion by stimulating the pancreas, Rich in Vitamin A. Dry papaya chunks are used as meat tenderizer by chefs.

Papaya is a Heat Producing fruit. Traditional varieties are more sweet than the hybrid varieties. Hybrids and GMO's have changed the medicinal properties of many foods.

Good Health"

04/03/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Dave: Thanks for the excellent explanation that encouraged me to try the remedy. I feel better. All us ordinary folk here in Rocky Mountain High think you are an enlightened knowledgeable wise man."

04/03/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Mike, my friend;

Re Papaya....

Tonight I ate a "hot" soup prepared by my Indian friend from Malaysia for my wife and me. "Hot" as in spicy. Normally, that kind of hot would cause some skin irritation, but having little will power in culinary matters, I consumed a big bowl anyway. And to counter the inevitable irritation, a few minutes later, I ate three or four bites of Papaya, cool and soothing. Now, 40 minutes later, I feel no irritation at all and by now I certainly would have. So....another Papaya story.

And thank you for the compliment about my standing among the "illuminati" at "Rocky Mountain High"!!!!

YOUR student,

dave"

04/04/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Ed from Canada;

Re Papaya enzyme...

Thank you so much for the correction; "Papain" is the dominate enzyme.

Another experiment with Papaya:

Tonight I used some chopped up Papaya in a mix of ice cream (butter pecan) and Greek yogurt...then refroze. Turned out to be a nice "ad lib" concoction. Creamier than normal ice cream and the Papaya didn't overpower the taste of either the yogurt or the ice cream. And the real purpose of the Papaya was to make the rich creamy desert digestible...so I am not "hit" with an attack of reflux. We'll see. If I had not put Papaya with such a cream/milk based mix...unless I downed a lot of ACV before bed...reflux would be likely.

So I continue to test the limits of Papaya in digestive matters. I didn't eat the black seeds tonight so I am wondering whether that will influence the "test." I intentionally won't take ACV this evening just to push the "digestive" envelope.

Now some "critic" may suggest that I'm doing this "ice cream test" as a ploy, a mere excuse to eat ice cream.

How could such a hypothetical critic, such as my wife, think such a thing.

I am wanting to see the digestive limits of Papaya. And that is all.

However, I may have to test the Papaya digestive limits with various ice cream flavors...chocolate (with Papaya), strawberry (with Papaya) etc.

Just as a test, mind you.

For purely scientific purposes.

Yes, I am willing to sacrifice myself in such a "test"... for all to know the benefits. Will report back the results six pounds from now...ah....six days from now.

Big Dave from Fountain Inn"

04/04/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Dave,

Wow, your sacrifice for the sake of science and humanity will be remembered and appreciated by many!

Let me know if you find that Papaya makes chocolate chip mint ice cream more digestible.

Thanks!

~Mama to Many~"

04/05/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Mama to Many;

Re Papaya and Ice Cream...

I'd forgotten about Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream!!! That most certainly will be added to the list. So far, with the CCMIC, I've got seven to test.

Wow. This is hard work."

04/11/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "To Mama to Many and anyone interested in the Papaya experiments;

Update; I continue to attempt dietary suicide by consuming ALLLL the foods that I KNOW will kill me.

Well, perhaps this is hyperbolae. "Exaggeration for the sake of effect"...otherwise known as a "lie" is OK if it has literary value. So says some philosopher of ethics I read one time. Can't recall who. But some philosopher must have said it at some point in time because philosophers say most everything.

Back to the point: Certain foods will cause me terrific problems; too much creamy stuff, too much coffee and red meat and for SURE; Reflux. I mean for sure.

ANY salsa and for sure, skin irritation is immediate; especially back of scalp...and burning eyes.

That scalp condition has been a reaction since I was a child and the reflux developed ten years ago.

Well, I have indulged; And my wife, intrigued at my new attempt at such an "adventurous" life style, her elbow on kitchen counter, head in palm of her hand just gazing at me as I stuff chip after chip laden with hot salsa into my burning mouth.

"What?" I ask as bits of salsa fall over my reddened lip.

"Just watching. And waiting. I have the phone ready to call 911."

"Very funny." I gulp down the twentieth chip. I choke a bit but recover.

"Push that bowl of Papaya and Mango over here. You're not getting the insurance money that easily, love. Watch this."

And with that, I down eight soothing...cooling spoonfuls of the blend of one Papaya and three much smaller Mangos, blended and then strained to make a thick, beautiful orange/yellow "soup." I do not dilute; just using a spoon I consume letting the mild, mellow liquid soak into my mouth before swallowing.

"There. Saved."

"We'll see." And she continued to stare at me.

I neither died NOR broke out in the slightest rash.

And as a further "update" I tried to induce Reflux by downing a huge container of Coffee ice cream. ALL for the sake of science; followed by Papaya again. (Mama to Many...you alone seem to understand the sacrifice involved ... bless you.)

No Reflux. Yet.

There has to be some point of excess that the Papaya can't overcome and I am determined, for the sake of science, to find THAT POINT.

AND; I have ONLY gained two pounds in this .... this experiment... thus far.

I am only doing this for you...dear EC readers. Testing the limits..." boldly going where no man has gone before..." Some philosopher said that too. Plato I do believe. Maybe Wittgenstein. The Later Wittgenstein.

And if that point...which I spoke of is reached...over some bowl of forbidden flavors, don't be surprised if my wife, newly attired in the finest of apparel, holds a series of "appreciation" events at a few selected sites...

And don't feel sorry for her. She'll be traveling around the globe for a while; overcoming her grief and looking for new "remedies" out of love and respect for her deceased husband; who died while looking for solutions to ailments...only trying to help those hurting."

04/11/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Dave: Papaya make my desiccated liver taste better."

04/11/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "To Mike 62;

Re Desiccated Liver plus Papaya...

Mike...you just a star!

Wow...who would have thunk...Desiccated Liver- and Papaya making it taste better!

The only way to improve even that would be to make it into an ice cream.

We'd call it....

"Mike 62 Desiccated Liver Papaya Ice Cream Explosion"...

But hold on...before I rev up on the marketing campaign...you operate off very strict dietary rules if I recall. Does ice cream fit within those bounds? Maybe we use Almond Milk."

04/11/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Dave: I am not a perfectionist. I don't eat perfectly all the time. You could try Mike's mountain mush. Three of the ingredients are dairy. Mix papaya, non denatured whey, colostrum, and sour cream together. This would taste like yogurt because of the sour cream."

04/11/2014: Bee from New York, US: "Mike from Denver

What is dessicated Liver? I don't eat red meat .. don't like the taste of it.

So you eat 80 percent raw ... I try that but its pretty challenging but do the best I can..what do you eat cooked?"

04/11/2014: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Dave...My congratulations to you on your experiment with papaya. A brave man indeed!!

However, I've got to say that I think that papaya had very little to do with your ability to eat those bad foods without problems. I'll try and explain why.

First, have a look at this link which is something I've quickly written that helps to explain how stomach acid and duodenal digestion or Main Stage Digestion are so crucially linked:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L6bKkuZlS7-Q_-bTJk1sU_cvNRSQr8_WM91FJ7jIvR4/edit?usp=sharing

What saved your bacon was probably the lime juice in the salsa -- which raised your low stomach acid and triggered all your proper enzymes in the duodenum for main stage digestion -- such amylase, lipase, lactase, tripsin etc.

My reasons for believing this are as follows:

* Papaya contains papain -- which can only digest proteins.

* So how was your digestive system or papaya able to successfully digest corn chips(a carbohydrate) without problems ?

* How could your papaya digest coffee ice cream without problems(contains mainly lactose, fats and sugars -- not protein).

The only explanation must be that the acidic lime juice in the salsa was perhaps what raised your stomach acid levels to proper strength again which, via a hormone, then successfully triggered the secretion of all the proper duodenal enzymes and digestion without problems.

You could perhaps achieve exactly the same result by just taking two tablespoons of vinegar or ACV with meals-- which would also raise your pH stomach acidity to proper levels again -- thus successfully triggering secretion of your alkaline pancreatic juices and enzymes thus enabling proper digestion. But lime juice, ACV and vinegar are not the cure -- it only treats the symptoms.

To restore your stomach acid(HCl) to normal, you will have to supplement sources of chlorides to restore your gastric HCL. That's why taking Betaine HCl, Magnesium Chloride(Mag Oil), Sea Salt, Iodine, pancreatin, B complex etc helps to restore stomach HCl and digestion to normal.

The other reason for acid intestines can also be because of lack of bicarbs in the body and in the pancreatic juices. In such cases where the bicarbs from the pancreatic juices are insufficient and cannot neutralize stomach chyme, it may also advisable to perhaps supplement baking soda and water about an hour after meals(when the stomach has finished working) to ensure that proper alkaline to neutral digestion in the duodenum is also achieved for proper digestion to occur."

04/11/2014: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Dave...Just to also make clear that I am all for nutrients like papaya and dessicated liver. I've been taking them both for years. I usually take the papaya every morning in a smoothie mixed with other fruits like graviola(paw-paw), mangoes, oranges, grapes -- any fruit that's in season. This provides alot of the vitamins and fibre I need because I don't usually eat enough vegetables in my diet. Papaya clears out all the organic protein debris in the blood and seems to also help regulate my bowel movements every day.

The dessicated liver is also a godsend -- best multivit around -- it contains all the same vits and minerals as spirulina but is in a much more bio-available and cheaper form. Easily bought at any health or muscle shop."

04/12/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Bill from the Philippines;

Re; Your theory as to Papaya enzymes

Greetings:

Your theory that the citric acid in the Salsa which helped with digestion and not the Papain in the Papaya was a good one. But I just checked the label on the Salsa and there is no citric acid in it (extra lemon juice). There could be natural citric acid in the Tomato but it is the Tomato/Chili that I am VERY allergic to. And so any "citric acid" contained in them has never helped before.

You rightly ask and rightly question; How is it that the Papain (which digests protein) can help with Corn and ice cream digestion?

And THAT is just what has intrigued me. Obviously more is going on than protein digestion provided by the Papaya. Are other enzymes at work? Is the Papain relieving the enzyme production in my own body so that OTHER enzymes are more easily produced that are doing a better job digesting?

And, I think the alkalizing effect could be extraordinarily strong. So the acid in the Salsa/tomato products/ chili etc. is greatly minimized by the Papaya. THAT may not be an enzyme issue.

Now, back to protein; A cup of milk has 8 grams of protein. Ditto on ice cream. And the sugar seems to make my Reflux worse. But if I eat a red meat meal at night and eat ice cream too, then by 3 am, I'm awake with a "grinding" in my stomach OR...WORSE...reflux.

This is why I'm my own guinea pig. And I have asked if anyone else has results from Papaya consumption that could lend some insight to this discussion.

Thank you Bill for weighing in.

You and Ted are just the best.

Your student,

dave"

04/12/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Dave: A handful of Indians were starving during a cold winter while being chased by the cavalry. Eventually they shot an elk. The first thing they did was eat the liver raw. Rats fed raw liver swam eight times longer because of special enzymes. Eskimos eat liver and blubber rare. Vitamin A is in the liver and Vitamin D is in the blubber. They knew to eat them in the proper ratio before scientific investigation. I eat Dave's Denver Delight. Tomato paste and, because of you, papaya are added to improve flavor."

04/12/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Dave,

Your detailed observations are fascinating and informative. I am looking forward to risking some ice cream soon, when I can get a papaya in hand, that is. Thank you for your continued work for science and humanity! Your sacrifice will benefit many!

~Mama to Many~

P.S. My husband confirms that it is Star Trek that coined (or perhaps popularized?) the phrase, "to go boldly where no man has gone before." :)"

04/19/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Update on Papaya Experiment;

The Digestive Power of Papaya..

Bronchial "tickling" gone...

I've fought a lactose intolerance condition for over 30 years. If I eat/drink milk products I begin feeling a tickling sensation in my upper lungs area and what follows would be spasmodic coughing. If I eat too much red meat...the same response. It would seem then I developed a lactase (enzyme) insufficiency and a pepsin (enzyme) deficiency.

So I've been experimenting with the fruit Papaya and discovered that somehow if I consume Papaya I have no tickling in the bronchial when I eat the "forbidden" foods. (I'm OK if I eat/drink a "lactose" free milk or ice cream product OR if I take lactase digestive enzymes.

But I've reported to the EC community that I've conducted my own experiments....with me as the Guinea Pig. I have really PUSHED to see how far this phenomenon would work.

As one of EC's guru's...Bill from the Philippines... suggested; something else must be going on because the Papain enzyme in Papaya should only help with Protein metabolism. I agreed and so am amazed at the experiment's results.

This morning, for instance, I took half a Papaya and mixed with two small mangos. Added yogurt AND whole milk cream (whipping cream) and blended. I drank two cups of that marvelous ... lush...delicious concoction (not too sugary) but definitely real trouble for me because of all the "milk" elements.

Waited for the inevitable coughing. Waited for the inevitable tickling deep in upper lungs (bronchial I suppose). NOTHING.

So...I took the remainder of the blend and added MORE cream and made...ice cream. An hour later ... gobbled that up. Still no tickling in lungs.

Now I may have tainted the experiment by adding Mango. But doubt it.

Just a good news update. More later."

04/19/2014: Juliana from Canada: "I've read that papaya is genetically modified and every GM or genetically engineered (GE) food is changing our DNA. Here is the article on papaya entering from Hawaii to Canada

www.uoguelph.ca/foodsafetynetwork/genetically-engineered-papaya

www.infowars.com/gmo-papayas-papaw-approved-in-us-and-canada-but-not-europe/"

04/20/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Hello Juliana,

Re GE Papaya

I understand that the Papaya coming out of Hawaii are largely GE changed ... not just by a better resistant strain to the Virus, but an actual addition to the DNA.

I also read that the large Papayas from South America are not so GE changed.

I use the large ones but can't confirm for sure if they are the SA variety or not.

Whether the GE issue makes a difference in the digestive qualities of the Papaya would be my issue as what I've seen so far in using the Papaya daily for a few months now has done nothing but improve my digestion in ways I'd have never guessed.

The problem of GE foods is pervasive. Monsanto has tried to take over the world's food production. And our own US House of Representatives constantly protects the GE industry by protecting the GE industry from potential lawsuits and just this past year the House snuck a provision into the Farm Bill that stopped the States from passing legislation (local to the state) that would require LABELING of GE foods.

The frightening thing is that the Monsanto take over with its GE change in seeds, has given "Round-Up Ready" usage to much of our food supply already. Probably all of our corn and the theory is that the change in the corn DNA can (especially the young) impact DNA in the human.

I have a radio talk show that comes on every Saturday on legal issues...94.5 in Greenville South Carolina and a year ago I spent THREE of my shows blasting Monsanto and the whole GE field for NOT adequately testing GE foods for their effects on humans. One study in particular came out of Australia that showed the carry over effect on humans. As I recall the thrust of these articles that I had access to were warning about the lack of studies on how the GE food would impact humans. The show comes on at 9 AM (EST). I might just bring up the GE issue again this upcoming Saturday. You've got me thinking about it again. (You can get it over computer: Google 94.5 Greenville and you'll just click "Listen now" and in a minute you'll pick up the broadcast ... an hour... mainly of legal info ("Legal Talk- Legal Traps").

Thanks for bring up the issue of potential harm ... harm in any GE changed food.

And by GE... I don't mean "strain" mixing to get the better variety...I mean what most folks think when they hear GE changed food...some scientist altering the DNA of the food to subtract or add some variant not found in the varieties of the food itself."

04/20/2014: Bill from San Fernando Philippines: "Monsanto has always maintained, through their own carefully steered research, that Round Up Ready GMO seeds are harmless and that they benefit the world.

In September 2012, research by Gilles-Eric Seralini and his research group in France released their results on the first ever major independent animal study on the health effects of Monsanto's GMO corn + weedkiller in their Round Up range. See here.

in the study, rats were fed Round Up GMO corn throughout their lifespans and it was found that 50% of all male rats and 70% of female rats died prematurely. The rats fed on the GMO diet also suffered high rates of mammary tumours and high rates of severe liver and kidney disease.

Seralini's research was deliberately completed in secrecy in order to reduce the expected interference and flak from Monsanto. He was right to do this.

Since releasing the results of this important independent research, Monsanto has mainly concentrated on trashing Seralini's research and his character by any means possible. His research has also been retracted and pulled from all major research/medical journals at the insistence of Monsanto.

Monsanto's vast Roundup Ready GMO range of products includes corn, canola, wheat, soyabean, beet, cotton, alfalfa, rice and many vegetables. See this link. Therefore you should really assume that virtually all processed food produced in America today, which contain grains or vegetable oils, are now GMO. You should also include other dangerous and similar GMO products produced by the likes of Syngenta, Dupont etc.

If you think organic grains and vegetables are safe then think again. The USDA definition of organic on food labels in America allows for 5% of anything as an additive -- including agri-poisons and GMO. This makes complete sense because most grain/vegetable crops, organic or otherwise, are now being discreetly cross-pollinated with non-organic GMO plants growing in their regions now.

Gilles-Eric Seralini is certainly a brave man. His research career is now likely at an end because of his independent GMO research results -- such is the God-like power and influence of Monsanto throughout the world.

Some research by Seralini on PubMed:

Long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize(Retracted)

Answers to critics: Why there is a long term toxicity due to a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize and to a Roundup herbicide

A glyphosate-based herbicide induces necrosis and apoptosis in mature rat testicular cells, and testosterone decrease at lower levels"

EC: "Juglans nigra, commonly known as black walnut or American walnut, is a tree species native to eastern North America. It grows mostly alongside rivers, from southern Ontario, Canada west to southeast South Dakota, south to Georgia, northern Florida and southwest to central Texas." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_walnut'

04/28/2008: Joyce from Joelton, Tn: "Mohammed from Birmingham, U K -4/26/08 Are you re-enameling your teeth by eating the black walnut kernels as food - if not what part are you using and how?"

09/16/2009: Cindy from Cochrane, Wi, usa: "could you give more information on using black walnut for tooth enamel? thank you"

[YEA]  06/01/2011: Heidinelson621 from Bend, Or, Usa: "I want to confirm that black walnut does indeed re-grow tooth enamel. My daughter, who has cerebral palsy, had several of her adult teeth come in with almost no enamel on them (due to large amounts of medications given to her at a young age). We have been worried sick about this and I was convinced that she would end up having some major dental work done.

About three weeks ago I remembered reading somewhere that black walnut can help with tooth enamel, so bought a bottle of "Black Walnut ~fresh green hulls" tincture and began giving her a dropperful in her morning tea and also a dropperful in her afternoon beverage whenever I remembered to. Last week while brushing her teeth I suddenly noticed that her teeth were very white with little discoloration! Others noticed it as well.

Today she had a checkup with a pediatric dentist and he proclaimed her to have excellent enamel and no cavities! I am thrilled with this outcome and want to let everyone know that this cure really works."

06/07/2011: Sissy Vasquez from Warren, Mi: "where can I get this black walnut at here in michigan to take to fix my enamel on my teeth and do you know if it matters what age you are? by the way im 31."

09/06/2011: Sarasam from Kent, Wa, Usa: "Hey how are we to take this? I've been adding in water for 4 weeks now and my teeth has not changed"

01/27/2012: Sophie from Los Angeles, California: "Can your teeth grow back with this "black walnut" if you have crowns and no tooth?

Thanks in advance :)"

[YEA]  02/03/2012: Jessica from Oakville, Washington. Usa: "To everyone wondering about how to use Black Walnut. I am a mother of 5 and have had some dental problems not only with my own teeth but my husband and children as well. There are so many reasons to use Black Walnut tincture for your all around health but I will only adress its tooth repair qualities here. First adults should start out by adding two droppers full to aprox. 4 tablespoons of water (enough to swish in your mouth) and swish in your mouth for at least one minute after brushing. Do not spit the solution out, swallow it because it not only works externally but mainly internally. Do this three times a day for at least two weeks, or until you see some benefits. Then I recommened taking a dropper full once a day or so to maintain a healthy balance.

All of our cavities were completely healed including my husband's wisdom tooth that was black and cracked in half. It will not grow new teeth but it will stop new decay and heal the cavities.

Remember that good health starts with a good attitude and healthy diet. Read Nourishing Traditions it is an eye opener!"

[YEA]  02/08/2012: Wongoblly from San Diego, Ca, Us: "Hi all, Yea it's working and I'm still using it probably for six more months or longer to re grow my teeth enamel. I read the above posts and thought I'd try it... Back story, from 1999 to 2000 my dentist had me use a bleaching kit at home. The directions said to bleach ONE hour a day but he said to use it EIGHT hours a day. After a year or two & several kits & bleaching a few times a year my teeth got darker and darker by the end of 2000. The white was almost completely gone. He said the teeth demineralized.. I've been taking BWO for about a month. In the first three days my teeth began to shine. Then areas starting to gradually fill in. I think at this rate and because of the damage done including some decay on some edges it's going to take 6 months or longer to complete.

My concern is the toxicity of BWO (juglans nigra). After searching on the web it seems BWO is toxic and should be taken on a limited basis but I'm not sure about that. Currently using a dropper full twice day a day. I'd probably go for 5 years if that's what it takes to re grow my enamel.

Does anyone know if I can take BWO for long periods (I'm over 60)?

Thank you."

02/09/2012: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia : "I think if you want to re-grow your tooth enamel you first need to stop using normal toothpaste. It puts a film on the teeth which inhibit the teeth from remineralising.

Sea salt is excellent for brushing your teeth with (I put some in a little water to dissolve it). Sea salt will kill the bacteria that causes decay. I then use some Bicarb soda in a little water and brush with it. Sea salt has trace minerals in it which is good for the teeth. I also swish around with sea salt in the mouth."

02/09/2012: Wongoblly from San Diego, Ca, Us: "Greetings Debbie, I stopped all flouride in late December. I totally agree with you. I started usng a certain tooth powder that the company name starts with uncle and they're out of Washington state. All natural with no baddy ingredients in there. I also ordered there tooth remineralization powder from another vender which was much cheaper than the manufacturer. I'll put sea salt on my list to try. thanks.

Still need to know if my toes are going to fall off, just kidding, from prolonged BWO use."

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  08/10/2012: Wongoblly from San Diego, Ca, US: "Hi Ingupo from Blackburn, Lancashire, UK and EC. I haven't been back for a while.

----- to answer your q Ingupo Sun Harvest bottle size was 1ounce & Dr Clark's bottle size was 2 ounces.

My original BW was Sun Harvest from Sprouts here in San Diego. That's the one I got my shiny teeth from the first three days. Went thru 3 bottles of that then went to DR C's BW. I also experimented and tried raw milk with Dr Clark's BW tincture. I made sure I had a glass or two of the raw milk per day and just a little warm water with a dropper full of BW. I didn't take them at the same time. For a test I switched around to raw milk with BW for a week then went back to just BW for a week. Then I just had raw milk for a couple of days without BW. BW & raw milk seemed to work the best taken the same day. After I went thru about 2 bottles of Dr C's BW it seemed to stop working. I wasn't getting any more re-mineralization/ whitening in the dark areas & a tiny dent in my tooth stopped filling in. At about that time I got a little scared because I was loading myself with all kinds of herbs and remedies and wasn't sure so I stopped just about everything. My body functions changed when I went to the restroom. Stools went completely black for weeks so I got scared and stopped everything. I will start up again soon probably with just the Sun Harvest BW then depending on results I may add raw milk. If I get no results then I'll try DR C's BW again. I still want this to work but I got very discouraged a few months back especially with such a good start. I will post again.

I've been on and off brushing and rinsing with Celtic Sea Salt. Also I'm using the Celtic Sea Salt in a nose irrigator too. :)"

03/23/2014: Alexa from New York: "I had read the posts about using black walnut tincture for helping to remineralize teeth. I was wondering if anyone knows if taking it in capsule form works as well, or if you get better results with the liquid? If the liquid is the better option...does anyone know if it can be bought in larger quantities? I have a rather large family and 4 oz. bottles is the largest I have seen it in...and I don't think that would last very long at all! Thanks!"

03/26/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Alexa,

I am sorry to take so long to respond. I have been out of town for almost two weeks with very little internet access until now.

My family has used black walnut tincture and we have used capsules. We did heal a child's cavity with the tincture (diluted and swished in the mouth before swallowing.)

I believe that I have read that taking it as a tea or in capsules can help, though perhaps the effect is not as strong. I will check the reference when I return home and let you know.

If you are not dealing with a tooth issue that needs immediate attention, perhaps you could use the powder for now and in the summer, make your own black walnut tincture. (If you can find someone with a black walnut tree.) I was able to make a half a gallon of it last summer for the price of the vodka I used to tincture it. I appreciate the cost issue!

~Mama to Many~"

04/08/2014: Alexa from Ny, US: "Dear Mama to many,

Thank you so much for the info, and helpful advice. (I think that I will buy a "small" bottle for my son that is having the most problem, and have my others take the capsules or powder...and see if it seems to help.) My parents live nearby and they have several black walnut trees, so I am sure that I can make the tincture...but I don't know how. Is it possible for you to give me the "recipe?" Thank you so much! (Also do you think that it is safe to take the black walnut tincture while breastfeeding?)"

04/12/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Alexa,

Sorry to take so long to get back to you. I have been out of town an unusual amount the last 6 weeks!

I made my black walnut tincture by putting as many freshly fallen black walnuts (still in the green hulls) as will fit into a gallon glass jar and covered it with vodka. I strained out the walnuts after 6 weeks. (Keep in a dark place.) This is how a friend makes hers. Rachel Weaver says it is better to use the walnuts to make a tincture after the husks have turned black.

Rachel Weaver has a whole chapter on using black walnut in her book, "Be Your Own Doctor." She has found a tea made with black walnut powder to work as well for teeth (and drunk) as swishing the tincture in a little water.

Regarding using Black Walnut while breastfeeding...I found no contraindications in Rachel Weaver's book or in Philip Fritchy's book. (Two of my favorite herbalists.) Neither seemed to consider it contraindicated in pregnancy. One website said not to use it for purging/cleansing in pregnancy. Other lists of herbs contraindicated in pregnancy do not include it. I have used black walnut internally while breastfeeding, with no noticed ill effect on me or my baby.

Let us know how it works out for your family!

~Mama to Many~"

04/12/2014: 1947hoppy from Indiana, United States: "Though I have oatmeal for breakfast on most days, supplemented with coconut oil, nuts, blackstrap molasses, nuts and yogurt. My cholesterol dropped some, but not enough to make the doctors happy. Even though I don't buy into the "one size fits all" cholesterol numbers that the drug companies promote to the medical profession, I did think it would be a good idea to bring my numbers in line a little better, but naturally.

I had read somewhere about 'oat straw tea', so I thought I would give it a try. Straw in my area, goes for about $3 a bale, which would presumably make a lot of tea. I use disposable tea sacks, but a tea ball would suffice.

I have blood work done on a regular basis for my heart and thyroid. After drinking a cup or two of 'oat straw tea' every evening for several months, my blood work showed a drop of 30 points in my LDL, a 15 increase in HDL and triglycerides also dropped correspondingly.

I stopped drinking it, though I don't remember why, and the numbers returned to where they had been. Not good. So, I started drinking it again.

This time around, LDL went from 135 to 95, HDL went from 40 to 55 and triglycerides dropped from 65 to 35.

Both times, the ONLY thing that changed was the use or lack of use of the 'oat straw tea'. I was amazed. The beauty of 'oat straw tea' is that it is simple, cheap and there are NO harmful side effects.

I strongly encourage others to give this a try. If you don't have a farmer close by that grows oats, you can buy OST online in bulk and use your own strainer. I've tried other natural methods to lower cholesterol and never saw such positive results. You get the benefit of the oats without the carbs. I brew it by the pot, along with my favorite herb tea, and keep the leftovers in the fridge for my wife to drink as iced tea. Oh yeah, her numbers all dropped also."

04/11/2014: Thehandyman1947 from Ohio, US: "KIM, you need to know what arthritis you have. If you're stiff in the morning, it's probably rheumatoid. Diet is the key to health, no white potatoes, also wheat, try it for a few months, it dose not cost anything. This is probably the cause of inflamation. Also if your diet is acidic over time you are not asimilating magnesium, copper, zinc, and calcium. 1000 mg vit c, 1000 mg msm, together they build new cells in the body. Also 1000 mg of calcium, and 1000 mg chicken collagen, preferably with hyaluronic acid and chondroitin. Every 12 hours or 2x a day, important every 12 hours for even cell growth. May take up to 6 months to work, don't give up, it usually takes a lot less than 6 months. if it is osteo. Google Dr Hans A Nieper, he has a good treatment for osteo. You mentioned candida, if you put weight on around the waist it's a sign of sugar in the future. Don't over dose on the calcium or the magnesium, magnesium overdose can cause very unpleasant problems"

04/11/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Kim: I am going to give you the best products that can start you walking along the highway to heaven. Take them and you can begin to feel better in two or three hours and completely recover in two or three days. Make a green smoothie from one oz. organic baby leaves, some organic chili, and some unrefined sea salt every two hours. Add some freeze dried powders like activated barley, barley grass juice, high AMP aloe vera, wild Alaskan blueberry, desiccated liver, acerola, and many more. Add some herbs that contain saponins like yucca liquid, jiaogulan, red Korean ginseng, astragalus, bacopa, brahmi, tribulus, and horse chestnut. Take skate liver oil for fat soluble nutrients. Take one-fourth expeller pressed coconut oil and three-fourths black chia seeds for fats. Follow the 80/10/10 program. They have many videos."

04/12/2014: Sheena from Ohio, US: "Hi Ohio man:

Googled Dr. Nieper, found lots of sites selling "his" products, info on cardiac disease and use of serrapeptase but no regimen set out specifically for osteo. I have bone on bone, gave up the nsaids (kidney issues) and am still hunting for a good, harmless treatment. Any help will be very much appreciated!"

04/12/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Kim from Australia;

Sorry to hear of your severe pain.

You said you've fallen a few times...sounds like on the tail bone. THAT, can throw out the pelvis and if you injured the sacrum or coccyx plus ligament injury you would be experiencing many possible low back issues.

I doubt if your problem is arthritis. Not at your age. Pain can make you think all kinds of things.

I've fought low back problems since I was 18 years old...over 40 years. Low back especially but also the neck. Two car wrecks...I was rear ended.

Chiropractic help might give you some relief. If you find a really good chiropractor that is.

And I've used many. But the thing that helped my low back the most is a Japanese technique. You'd lie on your stomach as a "Helper" steps gently onto your belt line...on the pelvis. The pelvis is likely slipped or the sacrum or coccyx badly bruised or even fractured. I have a friend who was in a jeep on a mountain road when she was a teenager and the jeep hit a bump going faster than it should have. She was bounced up and came down on a hard surface on the coccyx. The result was a fracture of the coccyx. She has suffered with that injury for 35 years.

Back to the Japanese technique... and why this has to be done gently. The Helper will gently and slowly place his/her weight on your low back...as low as possible...around the pelvis ... along the tail bone. If no great pain, the Helper stands on the low back with one foot while holding onto the back of a chair, using the chair to take most of the weight off the foot that is pressing onto the low back. If no sharp pain, the Helper applies more of his/her weight on the low back and with the other foot begins "walking" in place up the back while the foot on the low back "walks" in place on the pelvis.

So the right foot is on the pelvis and presses then lets up as the left foot moves up the lumbar vertebra, and up the back ... up the thoracic vertebra and then back down ... left, right etc.

Finally, the left has come back to the low position with the right foot on the pelvis, lifting the left foot completely off the back. Helper now has all (or much) of his/her weight on the pelvis. NOW...with as much weight as possible to hold down the pelvis region (sacrum and coccyx) by Helper .... you will put your hands under your shoulders and gently lift up your body ... like a push up but allowing the low back to relax. Sometimes the person on floor can feel the adjustment in the low back take place...the parts suddenly fit back after being knocked out of place.

Do this twice, trying to relax the low back as you curl upward with the upper body. The low back often will slip back in place. I learned this technique from a PT expert. She told me that often this technique "cured" a low back problem that seemed impossible to fix.

When I hurt my low back I recruit my wonderful wife to "stand" or "walk" on my back. Takes two minutes... and OH the relief. I have a significant S curve down my spine and the pelvis/sacrum/ ligaments can get very "off" but the Japanese Walking Technique has kept me functional for all these years."

04/12/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Kim from Australia,

By the way... and in addition to my other post. I would suggest that you read a wonderful article about AEP...which counters dozens of problem areas...working on the cellular level.

Known also as membrane integrity factor, Google, "nutrition review Calcium AEP" and you'll read about one of the most amazing substances in the world.

If you do have arthritis you definitely need to be on AEP."

04/12/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Kim,

I see you have been getting lots of great advice here. If I could add my 2 cents...you mention bone on bone, and needing lubrication for the joints...I have recently been learning about Mullein Root Tincture and one of the things it is supposed to do is help to increase the fluid in the joints. I recently bought some to test this out. I think it was doing this (I have some issues in my neck.) But having been out of town a lot of late, I have been lax on some of my supplements and don't have a lot of anecdotal information to share about it yet. Anyway, you can read some about it here:

https://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/tincture-information/mullein-root.html

I hope you get relief soon!

~Mama to Many~"

04/11/2014: Thehandyman1947 from Ohio, US: "KIM, you need to know what arthritis you have. If you're stiff in the morning, it's probably rheumatoid. Diet is the key to health, no white potatoes, also wheat, try it for a few months, it dose not cost anything. This is probably the cause of inflamation. Also if your diet is acidic over time you are not asimilating magnesium, copper, zinc, and calcium. 1000 mg vit c, 1000 mg msm, together they build new cells in the body. Also 1000 mg of calcium, and 1000 mg chicken collagen, preferably with hyaluronic acid and chondroitin. Every 12 hours or 2x a day, important every 12 hours for even cell growth. May take up to 6 months to work, don't give up, it usually takes a lot less than 6 months. if it is osteo. Google Dr Hans A Nieper, he has a good treatment for osteo. You mentioned candida, if you put weight on around the waist it's a sign of sugar in the future. Don't over dose on the calcium or the magnesium, magnesium overdose can cause very unpleasant problems"

04/11/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Kim: I am going to give you the best products that can start you walking along the highway to heaven. Take them and you can begin to feel better in two or three hours and completely recover in two or three days. Make a green smoothie from one oz. organic baby leaves, some organic chili, and some unrefined sea salt every two hours. Add some freeze dried powders like activated barley, barley grass juice, high AMP aloe vera, wild Alaskan blueberry, desiccated liver, acerola, and many more. Add some herbs that contain saponins like yucca liquid, jiaogulan, red Korean ginseng, astragalus, bacopa, brahmi, tribulus, and horse chestnut. Take skate liver oil for fat soluble nutrients. Take one-fourth expeller pressed coconut oil and three-fourths black chia seeds for fats. Follow the 80/10/10 program. They have many videos."

04/12/2014: Sheena from Ohio, US: "Hi Ohio man:

Googled Dr. Nieper, found lots of sites selling "his" products, info on cardiac disease and use of serrapeptase but no regimen set out specifically for osteo. I have bone on bone, gave up the nsaids (kidney issues) and am still hunting for a good, harmless treatment. Any help will be very much appreciated!"

04/12/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Kim from Australia;

Sorry to hear of your severe pain.

You said you've fallen a few times...sounds like on the tail bone. THAT, can throw out the pelvis and if you injured the sacrum or coccyx plus ligament injury you would be experiencing many possible low back issues.

I doubt if your problem is arthritis. Not at your age. Pain can make you think all kinds of things.

I've fought low back problems since I was 18 years old...over 40 years. Low back especially but also the neck. Two car wrecks...I was rear ended.

Chiropractic help might give you some relief. If you find a really good chiropractor that is.

And I've used many. But the thing that helped my low back the most is a Japanese technique. You'd lie on your stomach as a "Helper" steps gently onto your belt line...on the pelvis. The pelvis is likely slipped or the sacrum or coccyx badly bruised or even fractured. I have a friend who was in a jeep on a mountain road when she was a teenager and the jeep hit a bump going faster than it should have. She was bounced up and came down on a hard surface on the coccyx. The result was a fracture of the coccyx. She has suffered with that injury for 35 years.

Back to the Japanese technique... and why this has to be done gently. The Helper will gently and slowly place his/her weight on your low back...as low as possible...around the pelvis ... along the tail bone. If no great pain, the Helper stands on the low back with one foot while holding onto the back of a chair, using the chair to take most of the weight off the foot that is pressing onto the low back. If no sharp pain, the Helper applies more of his/her weight on the low back and with the other foot begins "walking" in place up the back while the foot on the low back "walks" in place on the pelvis.

So the right foot is on the pelvis and presses then lets up as the left foot moves up the lumbar vertebra, and up the back ... up the thoracic vertebra and then back down ... left, right etc.

Finally, the left has come back to the low position with the right foot on the pelvis, lifting the left foot completely off the back. Helper now has all (or much) of his/her weight on the pelvis. NOW...with as much weight as possible to hold down the pelvis region (sacrum and coccyx) by Helper .... you will put your hands under your shoulders and gently lift up your body ... like a push up but allowing the low back to relax. Sometimes the person on floor can feel the adjustment in the low back take place...the parts suddenly fit back after being knocked out of place.

Do this twice, trying to relax the low back as you curl upward with the upper body. The low back often will slip back in place. I learned this technique from a PT expert. She told me that often this technique "cured" a low back problem that seemed impossible to fix.

When I hurt my low back I recruit my wonderful wife to "stand" or "walk" on my back. Takes two minutes... and OH the relief. I have a significant S curve down my spine and the pelvis/sacrum/ ligaments can get very "off" but the Japanese Walking Technique has kept me functional for all these years."

04/12/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Kim from Australia,

By the way... and in addition to my other post. I would suggest that you read a wonderful article about AEP...which counters dozens of problem areas...working on the cellular level.

Known also as membrane integrity factor, Google, "nutrition review Calcium AEP" and you'll read about one of the most amazing substances in the world.

If you do have arthritis you definitely need to be on AEP."

04/12/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Kim,

I see you have been getting lots of great advice here. If I could add my 2 cents...you mention bone on bone, and needing lubrication for the joints...I have recently been learning about Mullein Root Tincture and one of the things it is supposed to do is help to increase the fluid in the joints. I recently bought some to test this out. I think it was doing this (I have some issues in my neck.) But having been out of town a lot of late, I have been lax on some of my supplements and don't have a lot of anecdotal information to share about it yet. Anyway, you can read some about it here:

https://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/tincture-information/mullein-root.html

I hope you get relief soon!

~Mama to Many~"

04/11/2014: Thehandyman1947 from Ohio, US: "KIM, you need to know what arthritis you have. If you're stiff in the morning, it's probably rheumatoid. Diet is the key to health, no white potatoes, also wheat, try it for a few months, it dose not cost anything. This is probably the cause of inflamation. Also if your diet is acidic over time you are not asimilating magnesium, copper, zinc, and calcium. 1000 mg vit c, 1000 mg msm, together they build new cells in the body. Also 1000 mg of calcium, and 1000 mg chicken collagen, preferably with hyaluronic acid and chondroitin. Every 12 hours or 2x a day, important every 12 hours for even cell growth. May take up to 6 months to work, don't give up, it usually takes a lot less than 6 months. if it is osteo. Google Dr Hans A Nieper, he has a good treatment for osteo. You mentioned candida, if you put weight on around the waist it's a sign of sugar in the future. Don't over dose on the calcium or the magnesium, magnesium overdose can cause very unpleasant problems"

04/11/2014: Mike62 from Denver, CO: "Kim: I am going to give you the best products that can start you walking along the highway to heaven. Take them and you can begin to feel better in two or three hours and completely recover in two or three days. Make a green smoothie from one oz. organic baby leaves, some organic chili, and some unrefined sea salt every two hours. Add some freeze dried powders like activated barley, barley grass juice, high AMP aloe vera, wild Alaskan blueberry, desiccated liver, acerola, and many more. Add some herbs that contain saponins like yucca liquid, jiaogulan, red Korean ginseng, astragalus, bacopa, brahmi, tribulus, and horse chestnut. Take skate liver oil for fat soluble nutrients. Take one-fourth expeller pressed coconut oil and three-fourths black chia seeds for fats. Follow the 80/10/10 program. They have many videos."

04/12/2014: Sheena from Ohio, US: "Hi Ohio man:

Googled Dr. Nieper, found lots of sites selling "his" products, info on cardiac disease and use of serrapeptase but no regimen set out specifically for osteo. I have bone on bone, gave up the nsaids (kidney issues) and am still hunting for a good, harmless treatment. Any help will be very much appreciated!"

04/12/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Kim from Australia;

Sorry to hear of your severe pain.

You said you've fallen a few times...sounds like on the tail bone. THAT, can throw out the pelvis and if you injured the sacrum or coccyx plus ligament injury you would be experiencing many possible low back issues.

I doubt if your problem is arthritis. Not at your age. Pain can make you think all kinds of things.

I've fought low back problems since I was 18 years old...over 40 years. Low back especially but also the neck. Two car wrecks...I was rear ended.

Chiropractic help might give you some relief. If you find a really good chiropractor that is.

And I've used many. But the thing that helped my low back the most is a Japanese technique. You'd lie on your stomach as a "Helper" steps gently onto your belt line...on the pelvis. The pelvis is likely slipped or the sacrum or coccyx badly bruised or even fractured. I have a friend who was in a jeep on a mountain road when she was a teenager and the jeep hit a bump going faster than it should have. She was bounced up and came down on a hard surface on the coccyx. The result was a fracture of the coccyx. She has suffered with that injury for 35 years.

Back to the Japanese technique... and why this has to be done gently. The Helper will gently and slowly place his/her weight on your low back...as low as possible...around the pelvis ... along the tail bone. If no great pain, the Helper stands on the low back with one foot while holding onto the back of a chair, using the chair to take most of the weight off the foot that is pressing onto the low back. If no sharp pain, the Helper applies more of his/her weight on the low back and with the other foot begins "walking" in place up the back while the foot on the low back "walks" in place on the pelvis.

So the right foot is on the pelvis and presses then lets up as the left foot moves up the lumbar vertebra, and up the back ... up the thoracic vertebra and then back down ... left, right etc.

Finally, the left has come back to the low position with the right foot on the pelvis, lifting the left foot completely off the back. Helper now has all (or much) of his/her weight on the pelvis. NOW...with as much weight as possible to hold down the pelvis region (sacrum and coccyx) by Helper .... you will put your hands under your shoulders and gently lift up your body ... like a push up but allowing the low back to relax. Sometimes the person on floor can feel the adjustment in the low back take place...the parts suddenly fit back after being knocked out of place.

Do this twice, trying to relax the low back as you curl upward with the upper body. The low back often will slip back in place. I learned this technique from a PT expert. She told me that often this technique "cured" a low back problem that seemed impossible to fix.

When I hurt my low back I recruit my wonderful wife to "stand" or "walk" on my back. Takes two minutes... and OH the relief. I have a significant S curve down my spine and the pelvis/sacrum/ ligaments can get very "off" but the Japanese Walking Technique has kept me functional for all these years."

04/12/2014: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Kim from Australia,

By the way... and in addition to my other post. I would suggest that you read a wonderful article about AEP...which counters dozens of problem areas...working on the cellular level.

Known also as membrane integrity factor, Google, "nutrition review Calcium AEP" and you'll read about one of the most amazing substances in the world.

If you do have arthritis you definitely need to be on AEP."

04/12/2014: Mama To Many from Tennessee, Usa: "Dear Kim,

I see you have been getting lots of great advice here. If I could add my 2 cents...you mention bone on bone, and needing lubrication for the joints...I have recently been learning about Mullein Root Tincture and one of the things it is supposed to do is help to increase the fluid in the joints. I recently bought some to test this out. I think it was doing this (I have some issues in my neck.) But having been out of town a lot of late, I have been lax on some of my supplements and don't have a lot of anecdotal information to share about it yet. Anyway, you can read some about it here:

https://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/tincture-information/mullein-root.html

I hope you get relief soon!

~Mama to Many~"