05/14/2013: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "J_stone: I've read that once your gut heals, you can tolerate more stuff you were allergic to. This has happened to me. I've been pretty strict (not too strict tho) with eating mostly natural stuff, and I must say, I can now tolerate many more foods IN MODERATION. If I go overboard, I feel it.

So you can try a natural diet, but you should know it's not a life sentence: it's a healing stage."

05/14/2013: Kt from the USA: "J_stone--please be aware that dairy cows could be fed corn in the winter to produce more milk. This would affect the cheese and butter too. Mmsg is right-on with moderation because of what is happening to our food supply. Genetically modified grasses and grains (GMO's) have tainted our food in one way or another.

If food is being engineered to last longer it seems to me the creatures in the food are surviving and when we use anti-bacterial soaps and hand sanitizers we could be killing off the defenses. I JUST DON'T KNOW... But there has to be a reason so many people keep getting sick. The hospitals are no longer safe. People are going in to get fixed and are coming down with worse ailments than they went in with if they don't die. This has been on the news more than once."

05/14/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Hi J_stone from Indy: I agree with Mmsg from Europe.

In the book, Digestive Wellness (Lipski), they found that one-third of children with eosinophilic esophagitis also had asthma (in fact, EE is being called "asthma of the esophagus"). Allergic reactions to foods, mold, dust and pollen appear to play a big role. Even people on medication need to restrict/eliminate allergy-inducing foods or they won't improve, regardless of what drugs they take.

Here is what they recommend:

• Go on an elimination-provocation diet
• Quercetin: This will diminish, relieve and prevent allergy symptoms and protect esophageal tissue. Quercetin is very effective when combined with grape seed extract or pycnogenol.
• Probiotics: This will balance gut ecology and immune system function.
• Digestive enzymes
• DGL licorice: soothes inflammation and stimulates repair.
• Folic acid: Protects mucous membranes.

Can you work with a naturopathic doctor? That way the ND could tailor any supplements to your child's weight and severity of symptoms.

I would highly recommend borrowing Digestive Wellness from your library (or buy it, but if funds are tight, borrowing is a good option). It has instructions on the elimination diet and the various types and dosages of probiotics. Good luck! Bess"

05/15/2013: Sadie from Manchester: "J, sorry for the short reply but short on time, please refer to my post on my son's leaky gut. It has been hard but similar protocol may help your son. Just use the search box or look up under ailments."

EC: Here is the url to Sadie's thread: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/leaky-gut-syndrome.html#BP

05/14/2013: Gretchen from Norfolk: "Sounds like you have thrush."

05/14/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York, Usa: "Dear wayseeker from Modesto, Please provide some more detail. What hepatitis C test did Marvin test NEGATIVE with ? Was it the hepatitis C antibodies test or not ? This is very important to know.

Also, I VERY much encourage Marvin to continue the BHT treatment for at least one more year. We want to make very sure there are no infected liver cells left in his body. He has come such a long ways in his recovery I want him to take no chances with any possible relapse. I am absolutely thrilled with his results, but not at all surprised. This BHT treatment does work if people listen to how best to use it. At least very many people do. Thank you for posting about Marvin`s recovery with the use of BHT [ butylated hydroxytoluene ] to treat hepatitis C....Oscar"

05/15/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York, Usa: "I made a mistake I need to correct. Wayseeker was reporting that SHE and her SON tested negative for hepatitis C. NOT Marvin her husband, the person with a long history of a hepatitis C infection. Marvin has had a dramatic improvement in his liver function tests with the BHT treatment. But I am quite sure Wayseeker was NOT saying Marvin now tests negative for hepatitis C. My appologies for any confusion I have caused about this....Oscar"

05/14/2013: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "J_stone: I've read that once your gut heals, you can tolerate more stuff you were allergic to. This has happened to me. I've been pretty strict (not too strict tho) with eating mostly natural stuff, and I must say, I can now tolerate many more foods IN MODERATION. If I go overboard, I feel it.

So you can try a natural diet, but you should know it's not a life sentence: it's a healing stage."

05/14/2013: Kt from the USA: "J_stone--please be aware that dairy cows could be fed corn in the winter to produce more milk. This would affect the cheese and butter too. Mmsg is right-on with moderation because of what is happening to our food supply. Genetically modified grasses and grains (GMO's) have tainted our food in one way or another.

If food is being engineered to last longer it seems to me the creatures in the food are surviving and when we use anti-bacterial soaps and hand sanitizers we could be killing off the defenses. I JUST DON'T KNOW... But there has to be a reason so many people keep getting sick. The hospitals are no longer safe. People are going in to get fixed and are coming down with worse ailments than they went in with if they don't die. This has been on the news more than once."

05/14/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Hi J_stone from Indy: I agree with Mmsg from Europe.

In the book, Digestive Wellness (Lipski), they found that one-third of children with eosinophilic esophagitis also had asthma (in fact, EE is being called "asthma of the esophagus"). Allergic reactions to foods, mold, dust and pollen appear to play a big role. Even people on medication need to restrict/eliminate allergy-inducing foods or they won't improve, regardless of what drugs they take.

Here is what they recommend:

• Go on an elimination-provocation diet
• Quercetin: This will diminish, relieve and prevent allergy symptoms and protect esophageal tissue. Quercetin is very effective when combined with grape seed extract or pycnogenol.
• Probiotics: This will balance gut ecology and immune system function.
• Digestive enzymes
• DGL licorice: soothes inflammation and stimulates repair.
• Folic acid: Protects mucous membranes.

Can you work with a naturopathic doctor? That way the ND could tailor any supplements to your child's weight and severity of symptoms.

I would highly recommend borrowing Digestive Wellness from your library (or buy it, but if funds are tight, borrowing is a good option). It has instructions on the elimination diet and the various types and dosages of probiotics. Good luck! Bess"

05/15/2013: Sadie from Manchester: "J, sorry for the short reply but short on time, please refer to my post on my son's leaky gut. It has been hard but similar protocol may help your son. Just use the search box or look up under ailments."

EC: Here is the url to Sadie's thread: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/leaky-gut-syndrome.html#BP

03/27/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "You need to cleanse your liver. Just my guess."

03/27/2013: Claromce from Templeton, Ca, Usa: "Not sure what magnesium oil is, but magnesium tabs helped me a lot."

03/28/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa: "Trudyg, I like you tried them all for sleeping. Finally I stumbled onto Melatonin Ultra, 3 mg melatonin, theanine, GABA, chamomile, valerian, B6 and calcium. You're to take 1, 2 if jet lagged. I've been taking 1. 5 the past year and backed off to just one tab 2 weeks ago as I'm on my way to bed, not earlier than that. I fall asleep fast. My problem is I have "waking insomnia" where I sleep three or four hours then am wide awake. Have had it many years. This product has helped me sleep through most nights. Hope you try it and it works for you also."

03/28/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "How does a liver cleanse help insomnia? Also, the melatonin ultra is just one of the things I have already tried without success. Please, is there nothing else out there? How do you cleanse a liver?"

03/28/2013: Jade from Dallas, Texas: "Yes, how do you cleanse your liver? I will do anything as I have severe insomnia and sleep only couple hours every night so please let me know any suggestions how to get into a sleep clinic would be great. Thanks Jade"

03/28/2013: Ejules from Woodbridge, Va, Us: "Try "Insomnia" by Hyland. I"ve used it for years and it has worked for several people who I've recommended it to (I always offer to buy their bottle if it doesn't work for them). It's a tiny homeopathic tablet that dissolves under your tongue. One or two should solve your sleeplessness and a bottle of 50 costs less than $10 so it's definitely cost effective. Totally counterintuitive as to why it should work but it does. It's more effective than melatonin, ambien, and all the other things I tried. Now, I always have some at home by the bed and definitely when I travel. Especially good for those nights when the tape in your head won't turn off or if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I've taken one tab to get back to sleep when I had to be up in 2-3 hrs; two or three when first going to bed, if needed. You won't have a 'hangover' like some of those others give you. Hope this helps you get some rest."

03/28/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "Well, it has been a little while so you may want to google some info but you should eat fruits (which are the cleaners) and veggies (which are the builders), Avoid sugars, alcohol, white flour products. Lean meats and healthy grains I think are acceptable. Do some more research. Also get some liver cleanse pills. I was told by a naturopath that if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up thru the night it is because sleep is disturbed because the liver is busy processing so many toxins. So at the end of the day cleanup your diet. Diet is king."

03/29/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "A simple Liver cleanse is to eat lots of Beets."

03/29/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I would willingly do a liver cleanse IF I were sure it would not excacerbate my ibs-d. I'm doing too well controlling it to take a chance. The lemon juice/baking soda thing could start diarhhea and, w/ me, this can go on for a year or more once it starts. Eating beets I can do, I love them and do eat them frequently. Grow them in my garden, so I know they are organic. I eat lots of 'greens', whatever is growing at the moment, so I think my diet is pretty good overall. I eat chia seeds daily, drink homemade kefir, don't eat much meat but usually fish, maybe the grains is where I go wrong. The unprocessed grains usually get my bowels going, so I avoid them. I do appreciate the comments, will try the niacinamide. Thanks."

03/29/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Trudyg; Insomnia has been a problem for me too, and like you, I've tried many supplements and herbs. It is still difficult. What works for many, sometimes will have the opposite effect for me.

I try to keep a record of supplements, herbs, even foods that have a stimulating or relaxing effect.

I take B vitamin supplements, but most are stimulating, so I take them in the morning. ( I take extra B12 sublinguals. BTW, it helps my hot flashes. ) B12 suppresses melatonin in the day, allowing it to increase at night.

I do take Niacinamide, (B3), in the evening, it relaxes me. ( I take 250 mgs.)

I still take 1mg. of Melatonin in the evening. It helps, but it doesn't work alone for me.

This past year, I've had good results from taking 15mgs. of Zinc in the evening. ( It may help people with elevated evening cortisol, or possibly, elevated blood sugar.)

I take extra Potassium as a supplement, it also relaxes me.

There are many supplements that work miraculously for other folks, such as : Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc. , but I seem to have a paradoxical reaction to them - worsened insomnia. (I'm sure many folks could have this same reaction to the supplements that work for me.)

I believe my best success with insomnia is from finding the substances that interfere with sleep.

Good Wishes."

03/31/2013: Tamara from Bellevue (formerly Ft. Collins, Co), Wa: "Hi Connie, have you tried switching around when you take vitamin D? I noticed that you mentioned you take your B vitamins in the morning. There's mounting anecdotal evidence (since no one is doing a study on timing of intake) that vitamin D supplementation in the morning improves sleep in lots of different facets. For me, it made me drowsier at night so it's easier to fall asleep and my mood was better when waking (to me indicating that I was more rested). I believe that it acts like liquid, chemical sunshine and helps set our circadian rhythm. Seth Roberts has collected a sample of people's testimonies of morning vitamin D supplementation here: http://blog.sethroberts.net/category/sleep/vitamin-d3-and-sleep/"

03/31/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales: "The Liver cleanse, is good, but you can't do anything for days! It works BUT you're gonna feel real nasty! Never mind House work, and stuff like that. The "DETOX" Reaction will get you! I know! I did this loads of times. Do not go to the ER. They will put you on drugs. Then you end up were you started and worse than that. I know. Belive me, I am detoxing and I feel real ill! BUT... I know it's working. Best of luck xx Love andrea c"

04/01/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I am really afraid of doing a liver cleanse, after doing some research. It makes you really move things out. With ibs-d, I'm moving pretty fast as an everyday thing. Getting it to stop is the problem. If you haven't had diarrhea constantly for years, every single day, then you don't know what I mean. Seriously, I wear depends in order to go buy groceries. As I am now in a fairly good place, I'm not tinkering with it. The last flare I had lasted over a year and I needed a new mattress. I'll eat as well as I can, but I'm not asking for more diarrhea."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi, Intractable diarrhea may be from a B12/Folate deficiency."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Tamara; I agree that there can be various ways to have success with the use of a supplement; dosage amount, timing of dosage, etc.

Another possibility is that certain co-factor nutrients may be needed to allow the vitamin to be available to the cells.

For instance, from what I've learned from reading on the Vitamin D Council website: Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Boron are needed for vitamin D absorption. Zinc helps to prime vitamin D receptors."

04/01/2013: Megan from St Louis, Missouri: "I would try ear plugs. My husband snores and I am a very light sleeper. They are a life saver!"

04/01/2013: Liz from Torrance, California: "Sorry you are experiencing insomnia. I have it occasionally and have found a few things that help.

Adrenals: I would start by finding out from a naturopath if your adrenals are overtaxed. You might have adrenal exhaustion and could benefit from some adrenal support supplements.

Exercising: Do you exercise? What time of the day do you exercise? This too may play into night time insomnia. Exercising earlier in the day is always better. If you don't get enough exercise, that too might exacerbate insomnia."

04/02/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "Thanks for all the suggestions. I read Ted's comments and am going to try the B3 (niacinamide) and B12. Those are 2 I haven't supplemented because I thought I was getting enough from food. Yes, I do exercise--I run/walk between 1-2 miles/day on the treadmill first thing in the morning, then I do QiGong around 3 in the afternoon. I stand rather than sit, walk every chance I get while at work. Weekends I clear land (very hilly) at our farm, set fenceposts, garden, yardwork, etc. I think the activity level is good. I get migraines from melatonin, so when I take it I keep it to no more than 1 mg. Calms Forte + 1 mg melatonin will work 1 day out of 4, typically. If I didn't have to work I would just nap as needed and not worry about it."

04/02/2013: Tina from Houston, Usa: "Please google Min-tran. It is a natural, food based product that helps with sleep issues. I have in the past taken 4-6 an hour before bed, and it knocks me off. It works with the para-sympathic side of the nervous system and brings the body to balance.

Also 'natural calm' magnesium powder that dissolves in warm water, a few hours before bed is excellent in resolving incomnia issues.

Good luck!"

05/13/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "It's me again, the chronic insomniac. I tried the molasses in sleep time tea--boy, did I get diarrhea! Only did 1 tsp, not a tbs. Mg loosens the bowels, with ibs-d I get it very fast and then it won't stop. If I take calcium in the correct ratio w/ mg it's bad, calcium alone helps slow it down. Big issue is the sleep. A post said taurine + l-glutamate + theanine. For me, did nothing. I added 5-htp to that mix, still nothing. Finally took 1 mg melatonin, would have slept but for the vomiting due to melatonin induced migraine. HELP! In spite of all this, I am healthy--exercise daily, garden, work, eat well. What am I doing wrong? My mind chatters all night long, if I fall asleep I awake with a jolt. Thanks for listening."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "just out of curiosity... What about a baking soda bath or a baking soda with vinegar bath.... Maybe 1/4 cup of each.... then rinse it off, just in case. How do you drink your water? How much, when.. ? I use to drink a lot of water but until I followed the procedure in the watercure site it wasn't helping me. I'm so sorry you are suffering ... Love, Joy"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I went back to the insomnia page and read all your post... I'm sorry you are sufferring.

I went to a few google sites and looked around also.

This is just a stab in the dark.... I care. The fact that your grow your own greens and eat lots of them, means you probably get a whole lotta magnesium from them so when you take the mag you get the IBS. The fact that you get a lot of mag from your plants means you might be out of balance somewhere in your minerals. I read that ZINC aids in 300 enzyme functions and helps IBS D sufferers because of the digestion enzyme functions it helps.

They talked about water use at the bottom of the page....

Your diarrhea which I had myself from C diff for 6 months, is scary and stealing your minerals and possible other nutrients.... the chia seeds are suppose to help the IBS D and one site says they are safe to use for 12 wks.

LAST IDEA ... Get a hair analysis and see if there is a mineral out of balance causing the diarrhea because you eat minerals but too much of one would cause the dumping syndrome. As if you ate a poison

May you find you sleep like a baby, .... You'll be in my prayes... Love, JOY"

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "I put 2 tbs acv+squirt of honey + 'fingertip' of borax in a 16 oz bottle, top off with water and sip it till lunch, then do another for afternoon till suppertime. I pee all the time, so can't do more than that. Usually an herbal tea (peppermint) in the evening around 6:30. Haven't heard of the water cure, so please clue me in. Also, I didn't think baking soda or vinegar would penetrate skin so haven't tried them in a bath, at least not since the last uti or skin issue years ago. Thanks."

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "Take it at bedtime or earlier in the day?"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash : "Try coconut meat for diarrhea. On one site, coconut macaroon cookies stopped a lot of people's diarrhea, calmed down their intestinal tract. My book says coconut heals teeth to rectum, you may sleep better if bowels were calm. Coconut milk can cause the runs in some people but coconut oil is very healthy and so is the meat but the meat makes me gain weight. Coconut is anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, anti viral, and kills parasites ...

Been thinking about you all day looking at sites that might help .... Love, Joy

Also just for info...1/4 tsp baking soda in water may make you neutral so you can rest not reacting to anything ... Your environment may be upsetting you, put baking soda on rug or in a bowl near the bed to clean the air.

I worked in an allergy clinic and was also a patient there and one lady went asthma and fell to the floor gasping while I put balm on my lip.... I freaked but she was actually reacting to the lady that just came in the door with hairspray on. Your immune system may need help."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Niacinamide can cause flushing(red tinging on face) make sure it's in a low dose B- complex and take half pill --not a whole pill, OR get a liquid and start on a very small dose, you don't need to suffer anymore. If it feels overwhelming take 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. baking soda in water and put a stop to it. Smallest amount that helps."

05/14/2013: Trudyg : "I've been using coconut oil for years now, so I guess that's good. Had been supplementing vit D but levels went kind of high (don't remember what it was) & dr said to back off. That was the first thing I tried for the insomnia, never noticed it to help. Wouldn't hurt to start it again, maybe not so high a dose. Funny, but I get really bad migraines from the air freshener a coworker loves to spray, so I know allergies are in there somewhere. Thanks."

05/14/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I forgot to mention earlier, I had been taking the baking soda daily, too, but quit because my bp went up. I can do it again, it was high for me and I'm always a bit low. Thanks. Isn't it amazing how our foods affect us? Wow."

05/15/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I am taking a b-complex (only for about a week now), had been taking a b12 in the morning and B3 at night, but then I read that it can prevent sleep so I stopped all but the complex. Should I stop the complex and take only b3, when? in the evening? or some other combo. I did the 12 & 3 b/c of a Ted post. Will start the baking soda today. Thanks."

05/15/2013: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Joy, niacinamide does not cause flushing, niacin does. In fact, niacinamide is what's recommended for those who want the benefits of niacin, without the flush."

05/15/2013: Trudyg : "Just grabbing at straws here, but I have a lot of the symptoms for hypoglycemia, too. Just wondering. My a1c level was great, so I've been tested. I pee all the time, often needing to go within an hour of my last trip to the br. I am always thirsty. I get shaky if I wait too long to eat, then I grab a sweet. Sometimes I slur my speech (thought it was due to stuttering as a child), I get uncoordinated (call me graceful). Thoughts? What should I do that I'm not already doing? ( I know, I should stop whining)."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil. Try the water cure for two weeks, and if you do the supplemental --B's start very low dose mornings.

If you pee all the time (losing minerals and nutrients) ...... Your body is dropping either sugar or something is amiss with your diet, could be as simple as your mint, or anything you put in your water. I lived by a mint field and my friend lived there and her son got poisoned by the soil that affected their water well. He had to detox. There is one other thing that would cause constant peeing is food dye or bad fats or something your body is dumping like your bowel symptom. So 2 +2 here is you are dumping bladder and bowel.

One last thing might be imbalance in microbes in bowel and bladder maybe enzymes and probiotics and possible parasite.. Or ph is off... just wild guesses here.

Baking soda in bowl on desk at work to counteract coworkers sprayng chemicals.

Don't take D if you are high D and don't take baking soda if your BP is high."

05/15/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, I went through something very similar a few years ago. I was sure I was diabetic as I had had trouble with hypoglycemia since I was 15. (I am 46 now. ) My sleep was poor, I couldn't quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, and of course, I was in the bathroom all the time from all that water. I was getting sores in my mouth, too. I went to the Dr. to get my blood sugar checked first thing in the morning when I finally put 2 + 2 together. But my sugar was okay! (Guess my math was wrong! ) He said, "Oh, it is probably your thyroid. " Sure enough, blood tests indicated hypothyroidism. I suppose this shouldn't have been too surprising as I have had low basal body temperature (as low as 96.3 upon rising for years. I figured I was subclinical hypothyroid and never did anything about. ) The doctor put me on a low dose of synthroid, 50mcg, which did help the symptoms I had been dealing with, but my hair started falling out and I felt terrible. I sat around feeling terrible most of the time. (Doctor said the synthroid was not causing this, but I didn't believe him. ) I didn't think I had any options but started to research and found that I did have options! I quit taking the synthroid after 3 months. I started to do everything I could find to help my thyroid naturally. I took extra virgin coconut oil 1-2 T. daily. I drank Apple Cider Vinegar daily (at least 2 T. per day in water; I spread mine throughout the day. ) I took 12.5 mcg iodine/iodide daily. Meanwhile, I got pregnant. I had the midwife check my thyroid. It was still not in the right range, but I didn't go back on prescription meds. I felt pretty good with what I was doing. I had a normal pregnancy and a healthy full-term baby. I was afraid to fool with the iodine much while pregnant. After I had the baby, I upped my dose to 25mcg daily. (In the am. ) At some point after the birth, the midwife checked my thyroid again and it was in the normal range! (And I had been promised by the doctors that prescription meds were my ONLY option! ) Iodine was what doctors used to use to treat hypothyroid.

So, you could have your thyroid checked or try taking your early morning temp (before getting out of bed, eating, drinking etc. ) If it is low, you can be pretty sure it is hypothyroidism. Research your alternatives.

Hope you get some relief and answers soon. ~Mama to Many~"

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "Sorry, I should have looked it up, but what is the water cure? I eat only foods I prepare myself, no additives or dyes. The only place I would get those are my supplements, so I'll look at that. The only fats are from coconut, grapeseed oil, or avocado. I had my thyroid checked (runs in the family) and it was okay but I may add iodine at very small doses to see if I feel better. Thanks."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I've had my thyroid checked, it appears ok. I know from family experience that the numbers can be okay but you can not be okay. I have some potassium iodide drops, says 2/day. Should I start those and see how I feel? How long before I notice a difference do you think? My sleep has never been good, but since I quit hrt after my hysterectomy it's been terrible. I've got the hot flashes under control (not gone, but bearable). I thank God for the help you all are giving me. I'm really at my wits end."

05/16/2013: Robyn from Asheville, Nc: "Hi TrudyG, I was wondering the same thing. If you go to the watercure site, it's basically an advertisement to buy the book (Earth Clinic, doesn't this go against your policy about not posting links to commercial sites?). A little digging on the web and I learned that you should drink water a half hour before and after eating. You should also take 1/4 teaspoon of salt (sea salt) per quart of water. Or drink this every few glasses of water."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I seem to be the one percent that have the side effects that most don't... With supplements, medicines and with topicals.... Since childhood when I start a new supplement I take half a pill every other day or can't sleep. Makeup is suppose to make a person look better , well for me... It does strange things that are not good. They give me something to calm me down and revs me up, and gives me panics. I eat sugar and no crash, just moving right along."

05/16/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I did some looking and saw that, too. You divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of water/day, adding sea salt every couple of glasses-worth. I'd be peeing all day if I did that! I must say, though, when I drink water w/ acv, I need to go less often. I drink 1 cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then only water until evening, then a cup of herbal tea. I push the fluids and rarely feel thirsty. I do agree that we could all benefit by increasing our water intake, but by how much is really the question."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I get weird reactions, too. When they give me narcotics (you'll sleep! ) ha--not me, I'm bouncing off the wall. Half an aspirin is plenty for me, so I start out low dose, too. I'm post-menopausal, so get hot flashes and couldn't tell you if it's due to a supplement or not. I take evening primrose oil for that, and have added vit e (200/cap X 2/d, don't know if mg or iu). I think most drs either don't know and don't want to say so or think that women are weak complainers, so they don't take us seriously."

05/16/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, If the iodine drops say 2 per day, you could start with that. Does it say how much iodine you are getting? All drops do not have the same amount. I compared using iodine drops to what I take orally and I would have to take 20 drops a day to get what I am getting in pills. (And I don't like the taste of iodine in my water.) Anyway, start with 2 drops a day for a few days. Then do a skin test--drop a few drops onto your skin (I do inside my forearm. ) If it is gone in a short time, you are still iodine deficient. If you can still see it after 12 hours, you are getting enough. (Some say you should be able to see it after 24 hours. Broda Barnes has a book on Thyroid that explains it all but I haven't read it. ) If I can see the iodine spot on my arm after 6-8 hours, I think I am doing pretty well. (I really can't bear to take more iodine than I take. It just seems like too much to me.) I know my thyroid was low LONG before it showed up on a blood test. If you take your early morning, before rising temperature and it is low (Some would say anything under 98.0 is low... But I am not sure. Under 97.0 is definitely low.) My naturopathic doctor says you should not use a digital and you should keep it in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.

Anyway, you can increase the amount of iodine by a couple of drops if the iodine on your skin disappears quickly and continue to check on your skin and increase by a couple of drops etc. Until the iodine isn't absorbing quickly. Or, if you notice improvement, you could stop when that happens.

I can't recall how long it took for the iodine to provide me with noticeable difference. It was perhaps days or a week or two. But if I run out my symptoms come back pretty fast - mabye in a day or two.

You are dealing with lots of health challenges... So sorry! With the IBS are you possibly losing nutrients you need, causing health challenges? Comfrey is wonderful for this. In her book, Be your Own Doctor, Rachel Weaver says to use comfrey root powder and slippery elm powder to help and heal this. Both are soothing to the digestive tract and very nutritious. She has you mix them together with water to a dough like consistency and then make little pea size balls you can take throughout the day when symptoms flare up. Comfrey leaves can also be mixed with other soothing and nutritive herbs (like Red Raspberry) and made into a tea that will provide extra nutrients. I didn't use to think herbal tea would do much, but I have had some amazing help from them this year and have changed my mind. Activated charcoal is also a great thing for digestive difficulty and helps detox as well (but very gently. ) Just don't take it near time of other supplements as it adsorbs toxins and may also do the same with nutrients. (I take it leaving a 2 hour window. ) You can mix 1 t. In water or take tablets or capsules. Just a couple of more things to consider... Hope it isn't too overwhelming... Praying for relief for you."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Earth Clinic has a water cure section with Ted commenting on Dr. Batmanghelidj.. I'm not selling books. All these lovely people here on earth clinic are sharing what helps them and I am doing the same thing, hoping it helps alleviate someone of their sufferring. Love, Joy"

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "About Dr Batmanghelidj's Water Cure: This man was a humanitarian who was ignored by the present medical system. He has helped innumerable people back to health. If people drink water without supplementing with, for example, celtic salt, they will urinate, dehydrating themselves as well as loosing vitamins and minerals. It was the chemically manufactured salt that wreaked havoc with the world's population and caused an explosion of serious diseases that killed many. Because allopaths have no training in nutrition they misguide patients to their detriment.

I have just begun slowly and do not run to the bathroom because of the water drinking. The protocol is easy and must be followed meticulously. Get off to a slow start. Already I have noted the effect of water doing its work in the entire body. I hope this will, in addition of magnesium, cure my insomnia. It is nature, not drugs that will do it. I am thankfull toward the good doctor and think it would be of benefit to read his by now famous book, even though just doing the program would be alright So many people have been helped including pets. To be rightly informed is self empowerment. Be leery of the common table salt, but natural wet salts are delicious, provide much needed minerals and prevent the continuous problem of over urination. We are made mainly of water, so is the planet with vast resources of salt water. Sometimes I think that the intake of chemical and denatured salt over a life time could be a contributory factor of Alzheimers as our brain, too, is made up largely of water. We are all keen on learning how to get in touch and back to nature and with determination success will be ours. Love, Om"

05/18/2013: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Om can you tell me if everytime you drink water you have to add the salt? Thanks..."

05/18/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "add 1 gram of wind and sun dried sea salt $1.70 for 24 oz at whole foods and 1 gram of dead sea salt $20 for a 4 lb pail at whole foods per quart of water."

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "Lauren, just type in "water cure 2" and you will find the protocol. It is quite easy to follow. I found that indeed one only needs to pee every 2 or 3 hours when the salt is taken on the tongue but not in the water. If not, there is more instructions which are simple for everyone. You will benefit greatly. Good luck, Om"

05/19/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Hi, You drink the water(1-2cups) half an hour before you eat a meal to prepare the stomach lining to drop the acid and enzymes to break down the food and have the water to mix with the bola in the intestines to prevent constipation. Also you add the salt to your food if you are not already eating plenty in the form of iodized sea salt. Too much water without salt and you pee too often... Too much salt and you get bloated.... You also have to start this slowly or you are not going to feel well. It can take up to two weeks to rehydrate a body properly.

Histamine is a dehydration signal. Whenever you get your water/salt/potassium/calcium/magnesium and other minerals out of balance your body shoots out some histamine and the histamine causes reactions to food, air, water, cloth, chemicals, cleaning products. and makes you feel ill."

05/20/2013: Kt from The Usa: "What time do you eat your last meal of the day? I try to have dinner at five and don't eat anything after six."

05/22/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "Last night I took L-Glutamine, Taurine, 5-Htp, Theanine, and a vitamin e. Tossed and turned all night, when I slept I had very active dreams-to the point I thought I was awake, woke up with a splitting headache. I've been doing the acv+baking soda+borax thing during the day. I can't go on like this, something's gotta give. Getting some sleep should not be so hard."

05/22/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "The famous naturopath doctor david wolfe said raw chocolate is the best herb for the brain increases and balances all the neurotransmitters. I take 15 grams of raw organic cocoa powder every day in divided doses. You can take more if you want to."

03/27/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "You need to cleanse your liver. Just my guess."

03/27/2013: Claromce from Templeton, Ca, Usa: "Not sure what magnesium oil is, but magnesium tabs helped me a lot."

03/28/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa: "Trudyg, I like you tried them all for sleeping. Finally I stumbled onto Melatonin Ultra, 3 mg melatonin, theanine, GABA, chamomile, valerian, B6 and calcium. You're to take 1, 2 if jet lagged. I've been taking 1. 5 the past year and backed off to just one tab 2 weeks ago as I'm on my way to bed, not earlier than that. I fall asleep fast. My problem is I have "waking insomnia" where I sleep three or four hours then am wide awake. Have had it many years. This product has helped me sleep through most nights. Hope you try it and it works for you also."

03/28/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "How does a liver cleanse help insomnia? Also, the melatonin ultra is just one of the things I have already tried without success. Please, is there nothing else out there? How do you cleanse a liver?"

03/28/2013: Jade from Dallas, Texas: "Yes, how do you cleanse your liver? I will do anything as I have severe insomnia and sleep only couple hours every night so please let me know any suggestions how to get into a sleep clinic would be great. Thanks Jade"

03/28/2013: Ejules from Woodbridge, Va, Us: "Try "Insomnia" by Hyland. I"ve used it for years and it has worked for several people who I've recommended it to (I always offer to buy their bottle if it doesn't work for them). It's a tiny homeopathic tablet that dissolves under your tongue. One or two should solve your sleeplessness and a bottle of 50 costs less than $10 so it's definitely cost effective. Totally counterintuitive as to why it should work but it does. It's more effective than melatonin, ambien, and all the other things I tried. Now, I always have some at home by the bed and definitely when I travel. Especially good for those nights when the tape in your head won't turn off or if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I've taken one tab to get back to sleep when I had to be up in 2-3 hrs; two or three when first going to bed, if needed. You won't have a 'hangover' like some of those others give you. Hope this helps you get some rest."

03/28/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "Well, it has been a little while so you may want to google some info but you should eat fruits (which are the cleaners) and veggies (which are the builders), Avoid sugars, alcohol, white flour products. Lean meats and healthy grains I think are acceptable. Do some more research. Also get some liver cleanse pills. I was told by a naturopath that if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up thru the night it is because sleep is disturbed because the liver is busy processing so many toxins. So at the end of the day cleanup your diet. Diet is king."

03/29/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "A simple Liver cleanse is to eat lots of Beets."

03/29/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I would willingly do a liver cleanse IF I were sure it would not excacerbate my ibs-d. I'm doing too well controlling it to take a chance. The lemon juice/baking soda thing could start diarhhea and, w/ me, this can go on for a year or more once it starts. Eating beets I can do, I love them and do eat them frequently. Grow them in my garden, so I know they are organic. I eat lots of 'greens', whatever is growing at the moment, so I think my diet is pretty good overall. I eat chia seeds daily, drink homemade kefir, don't eat much meat but usually fish, maybe the grains is where I go wrong. The unprocessed grains usually get my bowels going, so I avoid them. I do appreciate the comments, will try the niacinamide. Thanks."

03/29/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Trudyg; Insomnia has been a problem for me too, and like you, I've tried many supplements and herbs. It is still difficult. What works for many, sometimes will have the opposite effect for me.

I try to keep a record of supplements, herbs, even foods that have a stimulating or relaxing effect.

I take B vitamin supplements, but most are stimulating, so I take them in the morning. ( I take extra B12 sublinguals. BTW, it helps my hot flashes. ) B12 suppresses melatonin in the day, allowing it to increase at night.

I do take Niacinamide, (B3), in the evening, it relaxes me. ( I take 250 mgs.)

I still take 1mg. of Melatonin in the evening. It helps, but it doesn't work alone for me.

This past year, I've had good results from taking 15mgs. of Zinc in the evening. ( It may help people with elevated evening cortisol, or possibly, elevated blood sugar.)

I take extra Potassium as a supplement, it also relaxes me.

There are many supplements that work miraculously for other folks, such as : Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc. , but I seem to have a paradoxical reaction to them - worsened insomnia. (I'm sure many folks could have this same reaction to the supplements that work for me.)

I believe my best success with insomnia is from finding the substances that interfere with sleep.

Good Wishes."

03/31/2013: Tamara from Bellevue (formerly Ft. Collins, Co), Wa: "Hi Connie, have you tried switching around when you take vitamin D? I noticed that you mentioned you take your B vitamins in the morning. There's mounting anecdotal evidence (since no one is doing a study on timing of intake) that vitamin D supplementation in the morning improves sleep in lots of different facets. For me, it made me drowsier at night so it's easier to fall asleep and my mood was better when waking (to me indicating that I was more rested). I believe that it acts like liquid, chemical sunshine and helps set our circadian rhythm. Seth Roberts has collected a sample of people's testimonies of morning vitamin D supplementation here: http://blog.sethroberts.net/category/sleep/vitamin-d3-and-sleep/"

03/31/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales: "The Liver cleanse, is good, but you can't do anything for days! It works BUT you're gonna feel real nasty! Never mind House work, and stuff like that. The "DETOX" Reaction will get you! I know! I did this loads of times. Do not go to the ER. They will put you on drugs. Then you end up were you started and worse than that. I know. Belive me, I am detoxing and I feel real ill! BUT... I know it's working. Best of luck xx Love andrea c"

04/01/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I am really afraid of doing a liver cleanse, after doing some research. It makes you really move things out. With ibs-d, I'm moving pretty fast as an everyday thing. Getting it to stop is the problem. If you haven't had diarrhea constantly for years, every single day, then you don't know what I mean. Seriously, I wear depends in order to go buy groceries. As I am now in a fairly good place, I'm not tinkering with it. The last flare I had lasted over a year and I needed a new mattress. I'll eat as well as I can, but I'm not asking for more diarrhea."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi, Intractable diarrhea may be from a B12/Folate deficiency."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Tamara; I agree that there can be various ways to have success with the use of a supplement; dosage amount, timing of dosage, etc.

Another possibility is that certain co-factor nutrients may be needed to allow the vitamin to be available to the cells.

For instance, from what I've learned from reading on the Vitamin D Council website: Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Boron are needed for vitamin D absorption. Zinc helps to prime vitamin D receptors."

04/01/2013: Megan from St Louis, Missouri: "I would try ear plugs. My husband snores and I am a very light sleeper. They are a life saver!"

04/01/2013: Liz from Torrance, California: "Sorry you are experiencing insomnia. I have it occasionally and have found a few things that help.

Adrenals: I would start by finding out from a naturopath if your adrenals are overtaxed. You might have adrenal exhaustion and could benefit from some adrenal support supplements.

Exercising: Do you exercise? What time of the day do you exercise? This too may play into night time insomnia. Exercising earlier in the day is always better. If you don't get enough exercise, that too might exacerbate insomnia."

04/02/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "Thanks for all the suggestions. I read Ted's comments and am going to try the B3 (niacinamide) and B12. Those are 2 I haven't supplemented because I thought I was getting enough from food. Yes, I do exercise--I run/walk between 1-2 miles/day on the treadmill first thing in the morning, then I do QiGong around 3 in the afternoon. I stand rather than sit, walk every chance I get while at work. Weekends I clear land (very hilly) at our farm, set fenceposts, garden, yardwork, etc. I think the activity level is good. I get migraines from melatonin, so when I take it I keep it to no more than 1 mg. Calms Forte + 1 mg melatonin will work 1 day out of 4, typically. If I didn't have to work I would just nap as needed and not worry about it."

04/02/2013: Tina from Houston, Usa: "Please google Min-tran. It is a natural, food based product that helps with sleep issues. I have in the past taken 4-6 an hour before bed, and it knocks me off. It works with the para-sympathic side of the nervous system and brings the body to balance.

Also 'natural calm' magnesium powder that dissolves in warm water, a few hours before bed is excellent in resolving incomnia issues.

Good luck!"

05/13/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "It's me again, the chronic insomniac. I tried the molasses in sleep time tea--boy, did I get diarrhea! Only did 1 tsp, not a tbs. Mg loosens the bowels, with ibs-d I get it very fast and then it won't stop. If I take calcium in the correct ratio w/ mg it's bad, calcium alone helps slow it down. Big issue is the sleep. A post said taurine + l-glutamate + theanine. For me, did nothing. I added 5-htp to that mix, still nothing. Finally took 1 mg melatonin, would have slept but for the vomiting due to melatonin induced migraine. HELP! In spite of all this, I am healthy--exercise daily, garden, work, eat well. What am I doing wrong? My mind chatters all night long, if I fall asleep I awake with a jolt. Thanks for listening."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "just out of curiosity... What about a baking soda bath or a baking soda with vinegar bath.... Maybe 1/4 cup of each.... then rinse it off, just in case. How do you drink your water? How much, when.. ? I use to drink a lot of water but until I followed the procedure in the watercure site it wasn't helping me. I'm so sorry you are suffering ... Love, Joy"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I went back to the insomnia page and read all your post... I'm sorry you are sufferring.

I went to a few google sites and looked around also.

This is just a stab in the dark.... I care. The fact that your grow your own greens and eat lots of them, means you probably get a whole lotta magnesium from them so when you take the mag you get the IBS. The fact that you get a lot of mag from your plants means you might be out of balance somewhere in your minerals. I read that ZINC aids in 300 enzyme functions and helps IBS D sufferers because of the digestion enzyme functions it helps.

They talked about water use at the bottom of the page....

Your diarrhea which I had myself from C diff for 6 months, is scary and stealing your minerals and possible other nutrients.... the chia seeds are suppose to help the IBS D and one site says they are safe to use for 12 wks.

LAST IDEA ... Get a hair analysis and see if there is a mineral out of balance causing the diarrhea because you eat minerals but too much of one would cause the dumping syndrome. As if you ate a poison

May you find you sleep like a baby, .... You'll be in my prayes... Love, JOY"

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "I put 2 tbs acv+squirt of honey + 'fingertip' of borax in a 16 oz bottle, top off with water and sip it till lunch, then do another for afternoon till suppertime. I pee all the time, so can't do more than that. Usually an herbal tea (peppermint) in the evening around 6:30. Haven't heard of the water cure, so please clue me in. Also, I didn't think baking soda or vinegar would penetrate skin so haven't tried them in a bath, at least not since the last uti or skin issue years ago. Thanks."

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "Take it at bedtime or earlier in the day?"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash : "Try coconut meat for diarrhea. On one site, coconut macaroon cookies stopped a lot of people's diarrhea, calmed down their intestinal tract. My book says coconut heals teeth to rectum, you may sleep better if bowels were calm. Coconut milk can cause the runs in some people but coconut oil is very healthy and so is the meat but the meat makes me gain weight. Coconut is anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, anti viral, and kills parasites ...

Been thinking about you all day looking at sites that might help .... Love, Joy

Also just for info...1/4 tsp baking soda in water may make you neutral so you can rest not reacting to anything ... Your environment may be upsetting you, put baking soda on rug or in a bowl near the bed to clean the air.

I worked in an allergy clinic and was also a patient there and one lady went asthma and fell to the floor gasping while I put balm on my lip.... I freaked but she was actually reacting to the lady that just came in the door with hairspray on. Your immune system may need help."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Niacinamide can cause flushing(red tinging on face) make sure it's in a low dose B- complex and take half pill --not a whole pill, OR get a liquid and start on a very small dose, you don't need to suffer anymore. If it feels overwhelming take 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. baking soda in water and put a stop to it. Smallest amount that helps."

05/14/2013: Trudyg : "I've been using coconut oil for years now, so I guess that's good. Had been supplementing vit D but levels went kind of high (don't remember what it was) & dr said to back off. That was the first thing I tried for the insomnia, never noticed it to help. Wouldn't hurt to start it again, maybe not so high a dose. Funny, but I get really bad migraines from the air freshener a coworker loves to spray, so I know allergies are in there somewhere. Thanks."

05/14/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I forgot to mention earlier, I had been taking the baking soda daily, too, but quit because my bp went up. I can do it again, it was high for me and I'm always a bit low. Thanks. Isn't it amazing how our foods affect us? Wow."

05/15/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I am taking a b-complex (only for about a week now), had been taking a b12 in the morning and B3 at night, but then I read that it can prevent sleep so I stopped all but the complex. Should I stop the complex and take only b3, when? in the evening? or some other combo. I did the 12 & 3 b/c of a Ted post. Will start the baking soda today. Thanks."

05/15/2013: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Joy, niacinamide does not cause flushing, niacin does. In fact, niacinamide is what's recommended for those who want the benefits of niacin, without the flush."

05/15/2013: Trudyg : "Just grabbing at straws here, but I have a lot of the symptoms for hypoglycemia, too. Just wondering. My a1c level was great, so I've been tested. I pee all the time, often needing to go within an hour of my last trip to the br. I am always thirsty. I get shaky if I wait too long to eat, then I grab a sweet. Sometimes I slur my speech (thought it was due to stuttering as a child), I get uncoordinated (call me graceful). Thoughts? What should I do that I'm not already doing? ( I know, I should stop whining)."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil. Try the water cure for two weeks, and if you do the supplemental --B's start very low dose mornings.

If you pee all the time (losing minerals and nutrients) ...... Your body is dropping either sugar or something is amiss with your diet, could be as simple as your mint, or anything you put in your water. I lived by a mint field and my friend lived there and her son got poisoned by the soil that affected their water well. He had to detox. There is one other thing that would cause constant peeing is food dye or bad fats or something your body is dumping like your bowel symptom. So 2 +2 here is you are dumping bladder and bowel.

One last thing might be imbalance in microbes in bowel and bladder maybe enzymes and probiotics and possible parasite.. Or ph is off... just wild guesses here.

Baking soda in bowl on desk at work to counteract coworkers sprayng chemicals.

Don't take D if you are high D and don't take baking soda if your BP is high."

05/15/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, I went through something very similar a few years ago. I was sure I was diabetic as I had had trouble with hypoglycemia since I was 15. (I am 46 now. ) My sleep was poor, I couldn't quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, and of course, I was in the bathroom all the time from all that water. I was getting sores in my mouth, too. I went to the Dr. to get my blood sugar checked first thing in the morning when I finally put 2 + 2 together. But my sugar was okay! (Guess my math was wrong! ) He said, "Oh, it is probably your thyroid. " Sure enough, blood tests indicated hypothyroidism. I suppose this shouldn't have been too surprising as I have had low basal body temperature (as low as 96.3 upon rising for years. I figured I was subclinical hypothyroid and never did anything about. ) The doctor put me on a low dose of synthroid, 50mcg, which did help the symptoms I had been dealing with, but my hair started falling out and I felt terrible. I sat around feeling terrible most of the time. (Doctor said the synthroid was not causing this, but I didn't believe him. ) I didn't think I had any options but started to research and found that I did have options! I quit taking the synthroid after 3 months. I started to do everything I could find to help my thyroid naturally. I took extra virgin coconut oil 1-2 T. daily. I drank Apple Cider Vinegar daily (at least 2 T. per day in water; I spread mine throughout the day. ) I took 12.5 mcg iodine/iodide daily. Meanwhile, I got pregnant. I had the midwife check my thyroid. It was still not in the right range, but I didn't go back on prescription meds. I felt pretty good with what I was doing. I had a normal pregnancy and a healthy full-term baby. I was afraid to fool with the iodine much while pregnant. After I had the baby, I upped my dose to 25mcg daily. (In the am. ) At some point after the birth, the midwife checked my thyroid again and it was in the normal range! (And I had been promised by the doctors that prescription meds were my ONLY option! ) Iodine was what doctors used to use to treat hypothyroid.

So, you could have your thyroid checked or try taking your early morning temp (before getting out of bed, eating, drinking etc. ) If it is low, you can be pretty sure it is hypothyroidism. Research your alternatives.

Hope you get some relief and answers soon. ~Mama to Many~"

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "Sorry, I should have looked it up, but what is the water cure? I eat only foods I prepare myself, no additives or dyes. The only place I would get those are my supplements, so I'll look at that. The only fats are from coconut, grapeseed oil, or avocado. I had my thyroid checked (runs in the family) and it was okay but I may add iodine at very small doses to see if I feel better. Thanks."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I've had my thyroid checked, it appears ok. I know from family experience that the numbers can be okay but you can not be okay. I have some potassium iodide drops, says 2/day. Should I start those and see how I feel? How long before I notice a difference do you think? My sleep has never been good, but since I quit hrt after my hysterectomy it's been terrible. I've got the hot flashes under control (not gone, but bearable). I thank God for the help you all are giving me. I'm really at my wits end."

05/16/2013: Robyn from Asheville, Nc: "Hi TrudyG, I was wondering the same thing. If you go to the watercure site, it's basically an advertisement to buy the book (Earth Clinic, doesn't this go against your policy about not posting links to commercial sites?). A little digging on the web and I learned that you should drink water a half hour before and after eating. You should also take 1/4 teaspoon of salt (sea salt) per quart of water. Or drink this every few glasses of water."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I seem to be the one percent that have the side effects that most don't... With supplements, medicines and with topicals.... Since childhood when I start a new supplement I take half a pill every other day or can't sleep. Makeup is suppose to make a person look better , well for me... It does strange things that are not good. They give me something to calm me down and revs me up, and gives me panics. I eat sugar and no crash, just moving right along."

05/16/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I did some looking and saw that, too. You divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of water/day, adding sea salt every couple of glasses-worth. I'd be peeing all day if I did that! I must say, though, when I drink water w/ acv, I need to go less often. I drink 1 cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then only water until evening, then a cup of herbal tea. I push the fluids and rarely feel thirsty. I do agree that we could all benefit by increasing our water intake, but by how much is really the question."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I get weird reactions, too. When they give me narcotics (you'll sleep! ) ha--not me, I'm bouncing off the wall. Half an aspirin is plenty for me, so I start out low dose, too. I'm post-menopausal, so get hot flashes and couldn't tell you if it's due to a supplement or not. I take evening primrose oil for that, and have added vit e (200/cap X 2/d, don't know if mg or iu). I think most drs either don't know and don't want to say so or think that women are weak complainers, so they don't take us seriously."

05/16/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, If the iodine drops say 2 per day, you could start with that. Does it say how much iodine you are getting? All drops do not have the same amount. I compared using iodine drops to what I take orally and I would have to take 20 drops a day to get what I am getting in pills. (And I don't like the taste of iodine in my water.) Anyway, start with 2 drops a day for a few days. Then do a skin test--drop a few drops onto your skin (I do inside my forearm. ) If it is gone in a short time, you are still iodine deficient. If you can still see it after 12 hours, you are getting enough. (Some say you should be able to see it after 24 hours. Broda Barnes has a book on Thyroid that explains it all but I haven't read it. ) If I can see the iodine spot on my arm after 6-8 hours, I think I am doing pretty well. (I really can't bear to take more iodine than I take. It just seems like too much to me.) I know my thyroid was low LONG before it showed up on a blood test. If you take your early morning, before rising temperature and it is low (Some would say anything under 98.0 is low... But I am not sure. Under 97.0 is definitely low.) My naturopathic doctor says you should not use a digital and you should keep it in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.

Anyway, you can increase the amount of iodine by a couple of drops if the iodine on your skin disappears quickly and continue to check on your skin and increase by a couple of drops etc. Until the iodine isn't absorbing quickly. Or, if you notice improvement, you could stop when that happens.

I can't recall how long it took for the iodine to provide me with noticeable difference. It was perhaps days or a week or two. But if I run out my symptoms come back pretty fast - mabye in a day or two.

You are dealing with lots of health challenges... So sorry! With the IBS are you possibly losing nutrients you need, causing health challenges? Comfrey is wonderful for this. In her book, Be your Own Doctor, Rachel Weaver says to use comfrey root powder and slippery elm powder to help and heal this. Both are soothing to the digestive tract and very nutritious. She has you mix them together with water to a dough like consistency and then make little pea size balls you can take throughout the day when symptoms flare up. Comfrey leaves can also be mixed with other soothing and nutritive herbs (like Red Raspberry) and made into a tea that will provide extra nutrients. I didn't use to think herbal tea would do much, but I have had some amazing help from them this year and have changed my mind. Activated charcoal is also a great thing for digestive difficulty and helps detox as well (but very gently. ) Just don't take it near time of other supplements as it adsorbs toxins and may also do the same with nutrients. (I take it leaving a 2 hour window. ) You can mix 1 t. In water or take tablets or capsules. Just a couple of more things to consider... Hope it isn't too overwhelming... Praying for relief for you."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Earth Clinic has a water cure section with Ted commenting on Dr. Batmanghelidj.. I'm not selling books. All these lovely people here on earth clinic are sharing what helps them and I am doing the same thing, hoping it helps alleviate someone of their sufferring. Love, Joy"

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "About Dr Batmanghelidj's Water Cure: This man was a humanitarian who was ignored by the present medical system. He has helped innumerable people back to health. If people drink water without supplementing with, for example, celtic salt, they will urinate, dehydrating themselves as well as loosing vitamins and minerals. It was the chemically manufactured salt that wreaked havoc with the world's population and caused an explosion of serious diseases that killed many. Because allopaths have no training in nutrition they misguide patients to their detriment.

I have just begun slowly and do not run to the bathroom because of the water drinking. The protocol is easy and must be followed meticulously. Get off to a slow start. Already I have noted the effect of water doing its work in the entire body. I hope this will, in addition of magnesium, cure my insomnia. It is nature, not drugs that will do it. I am thankfull toward the good doctor and think it would be of benefit to read his by now famous book, even though just doing the program would be alright So many people have been helped including pets. To be rightly informed is self empowerment. Be leery of the common table salt, but natural wet salts are delicious, provide much needed minerals and prevent the continuous problem of over urination. We are made mainly of water, so is the planet with vast resources of salt water. Sometimes I think that the intake of chemical and denatured salt over a life time could be a contributory factor of Alzheimers as our brain, too, is made up largely of water. We are all keen on learning how to get in touch and back to nature and with determination success will be ours. Love, Om"

05/18/2013: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Om can you tell me if everytime you drink water you have to add the salt? Thanks..."

05/18/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "add 1 gram of wind and sun dried sea salt $1.70 for 24 oz at whole foods and 1 gram of dead sea salt $20 for a 4 lb pail at whole foods per quart of water."

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "Lauren, just type in "water cure 2" and you will find the protocol. It is quite easy to follow. I found that indeed one only needs to pee every 2 or 3 hours when the salt is taken on the tongue but not in the water. If not, there is more instructions which are simple for everyone. You will benefit greatly. Good luck, Om"

05/19/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Hi, You drink the water(1-2cups) half an hour before you eat a meal to prepare the stomach lining to drop the acid and enzymes to break down the food and have the water to mix with the bola in the intestines to prevent constipation. Also you add the salt to your food if you are not already eating plenty in the form of iodized sea salt. Too much water without salt and you pee too often... Too much salt and you get bloated.... You also have to start this slowly or you are not going to feel well. It can take up to two weeks to rehydrate a body properly.

Histamine is a dehydration signal. Whenever you get your water/salt/potassium/calcium/magnesium and other minerals out of balance your body shoots out some histamine and the histamine causes reactions to food, air, water, cloth, chemicals, cleaning products. and makes you feel ill."

05/20/2013: Kt from The Usa: "What time do you eat your last meal of the day? I try to have dinner at five and don't eat anything after six."

05/22/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "Last night I took L-Glutamine, Taurine, 5-Htp, Theanine, and a vitamin e. Tossed and turned all night, when I slept I had very active dreams-to the point I thought I was awake, woke up with a splitting headache. I've been doing the acv+baking soda+borax thing during the day. I can't go on like this, something's gotta give. Getting some sleep should not be so hard."

05/22/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "The famous naturopath doctor david wolfe said raw chocolate is the best herb for the brain increases and balances all the neurotransmitters. I take 15 grams of raw organic cocoa powder every day in divided doses. You can take more if you want to."

05/14/2013: Isaac from Bahamas: "I could stand to be corrected but because your drinking the ACV, it's cleaning out the impurity in your system and that's the reason why your acne may have gotten worse to get rid of that blockage or germs. Everyone's system is different and your body is trying to expell it. You should be fine."

03/27/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "You need to cleanse your liver. Just my guess."

03/27/2013: Claromce from Templeton, Ca, Usa: "Not sure what magnesium oil is, but magnesium tabs helped me a lot."

03/28/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa: "Trudyg, I like you tried them all for sleeping. Finally I stumbled onto Melatonin Ultra, 3 mg melatonin, theanine, GABA, chamomile, valerian, B6 and calcium. You're to take 1, 2 if jet lagged. I've been taking 1. 5 the past year and backed off to just one tab 2 weeks ago as I'm on my way to bed, not earlier than that. I fall asleep fast. My problem is I have "waking insomnia" where I sleep three or four hours then am wide awake. Have had it many years. This product has helped me sleep through most nights. Hope you try it and it works for you also."

03/28/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "How does a liver cleanse help insomnia? Also, the melatonin ultra is just one of the things I have already tried without success. Please, is there nothing else out there? How do you cleanse a liver?"

03/28/2013: Jade from Dallas, Texas: "Yes, how do you cleanse your liver? I will do anything as I have severe insomnia and sleep only couple hours every night so please let me know any suggestions how to get into a sleep clinic would be great. Thanks Jade"

03/28/2013: Ejules from Woodbridge, Va, Us: "Try "Insomnia" by Hyland. I"ve used it for years and it has worked for several people who I've recommended it to (I always offer to buy their bottle if it doesn't work for them). It's a tiny homeopathic tablet that dissolves under your tongue. One or two should solve your sleeplessness and a bottle of 50 costs less than $10 so it's definitely cost effective. Totally counterintuitive as to why it should work but it does. It's more effective than melatonin, ambien, and all the other things I tried. Now, I always have some at home by the bed and definitely when I travel. Especially good for those nights when the tape in your head won't turn off or if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I've taken one tab to get back to sleep when I had to be up in 2-3 hrs; two or three when first going to bed, if needed. You won't have a 'hangover' like some of those others give you. Hope this helps you get some rest."

03/28/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "Well, it has been a little while so you may want to google some info but you should eat fruits (which are the cleaners) and veggies (which are the builders), Avoid sugars, alcohol, white flour products. Lean meats and healthy grains I think are acceptable. Do some more research. Also get some liver cleanse pills. I was told by a naturopath that if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up thru the night it is because sleep is disturbed because the liver is busy processing so many toxins. So at the end of the day cleanup your diet. Diet is king."

03/29/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "A simple Liver cleanse is to eat lots of Beets."

03/29/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I would willingly do a liver cleanse IF I were sure it would not excacerbate my ibs-d. I'm doing too well controlling it to take a chance. The lemon juice/baking soda thing could start diarhhea and, w/ me, this can go on for a year or more once it starts. Eating beets I can do, I love them and do eat them frequently. Grow them in my garden, so I know they are organic. I eat lots of 'greens', whatever is growing at the moment, so I think my diet is pretty good overall. I eat chia seeds daily, drink homemade kefir, don't eat much meat but usually fish, maybe the grains is where I go wrong. The unprocessed grains usually get my bowels going, so I avoid them. I do appreciate the comments, will try the niacinamide. Thanks."

03/29/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Trudyg; Insomnia has been a problem for me too, and like you, I've tried many supplements and herbs. It is still difficult. What works for many, sometimes will have the opposite effect for me.

I try to keep a record of supplements, herbs, even foods that have a stimulating or relaxing effect.

I take B vitamin supplements, but most are stimulating, so I take them in the morning. ( I take extra B12 sublinguals. BTW, it helps my hot flashes. ) B12 suppresses melatonin in the day, allowing it to increase at night.

I do take Niacinamide, (B3), in the evening, it relaxes me. ( I take 250 mgs.)

I still take 1mg. of Melatonin in the evening. It helps, but it doesn't work alone for me.

This past year, I've had good results from taking 15mgs. of Zinc in the evening. ( It may help people with elevated evening cortisol, or possibly, elevated blood sugar.)

I take extra Potassium as a supplement, it also relaxes me.

There are many supplements that work miraculously for other folks, such as : Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc. , but I seem to have a paradoxical reaction to them - worsened insomnia. (I'm sure many folks could have this same reaction to the supplements that work for me.)

I believe my best success with insomnia is from finding the substances that interfere with sleep.

Good Wishes."

03/31/2013: Tamara from Bellevue (formerly Ft. Collins, Co), Wa: "Hi Connie, have you tried switching around when you take vitamin D? I noticed that you mentioned you take your B vitamins in the morning. There's mounting anecdotal evidence (since no one is doing a study on timing of intake) that vitamin D supplementation in the morning improves sleep in lots of different facets. For me, it made me drowsier at night so it's easier to fall asleep and my mood was better when waking (to me indicating that I was more rested). I believe that it acts like liquid, chemical sunshine and helps set our circadian rhythm. Seth Roberts has collected a sample of people's testimonies of morning vitamin D supplementation here: http://blog.sethroberts.net/category/sleep/vitamin-d3-and-sleep/"

03/31/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales: "The Liver cleanse, is good, but you can't do anything for days! It works BUT you're gonna feel real nasty! Never mind House work, and stuff like that. The "DETOX" Reaction will get you! I know! I did this loads of times. Do not go to the ER. They will put you on drugs. Then you end up were you started and worse than that. I know. Belive me, I am detoxing and I feel real ill! BUT... I know it's working. Best of luck xx Love andrea c"

04/01/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I am really afraid of doing a liver cleanse, after doing some research. It makes you really move things out. With ibs-d, I'm moving pretty fast as an everyday thing. Getting it to stop is the problem. If you haven't had diarrhea constantly for years, every single day, then you don't know what I mean. Seriously, I wear depends in order to go buy groceries. As I am now in a fairly good place, I'm not tinkering with it. The last flare I had lasted over a year and I needed a new mattress. I'll eat as well as I can, but I'm not asking for more diarrhea."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi, Intractable diarrhea may be from a B12/Folate deficiency."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Tamara; I agree that there can be various ways to have success with the use of a supplement; dosage amount, timing of dosage, etc.

Another possibility is that certain co-factor nutrients may be needed to allow the vitamin to be available to the cells.

For instance, from what I've learned from reading on the Vitamin D Council website: Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Boron are needed for vitamin D absorption. Zinc helps to prime vitamin D receptors."

04/01/2013: Megan from St Louis, Missouri: "I would try ear plugs. My husband snores and I am a very light sleeper. They are a life saver!"

04/01/2013: Liz from Torrance, California: "Sorry you are experiencing insomnia. I have it occasionally and have found a few things that help.

Adrenals: I would start by finding out from a naturopath if your adrenals are overtaxed. You might have adrenal exhaustion and could benefit from some adrenal support supplements.

Exercising: Do you exercise? What time of the day do you exercise? This too may play into night time insomnia. Exercising earlier in the day is always better. If you don't get enough exercise, that too might exacerbate insomnia."

04/02/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "Thanks for all the suggestions. I read Ted's comments and am going to try the B3 (niacinamide) and B12. Those are 2 I haven't supplemented because I thought I was getting enough from food. Yes, I do exercise--I run/walk between 1-2 miles/day on the treadmill first thing in the morning, then I do QiGong around 3 in the afternoon. I stand rather than sit, walk every chance I get while at work. Weekends I clear land (very hilly) at our farm, set fenceposts, garden, yardwork, etc. I think the activity level is good. I get migraines from melatonin, so when I take it I keep it to no more than 1 mg. Calms Forte + 1 mg melatonin will work 1 day out of 4, typically. If I didn't have to work I would just nap as needed and not worry about it."

04/02/2013: Tina from Houston, Usa: "Please google Min-tran. It is a natural, food based product that helps with sleep issues. I have in the past taken 4-6 an hour before bed, and it knocks me off. It works with the para-sympathic side of the nervous system and brings the body to balance.

Also 'natural calm' magnesium powder that dissolves in warm water, a few hours before bed is excellent in resolving incomnia issues.

Good luck!"

05/13/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "It's me again, the chronic insomniac. I tried the molasses in sleep time tea--boy, did I get diarrhea! Only did 1 tsp, not a tbs. Mg loosens the bowels, with ibs-d I get it very fast and then it won't stop. If I take calcium in the correct ratio w/ mg it's bad, calcium alone helps slow it down. Big issue is the sleep. A post said taurine + l-glutamate + theanine. For me, did nothing. I added 5-htp to that mix, still nothing. Finally took 1 mg melatonin, would have slept but for the vomiting due to melatonin induced migraine. HELP! In spite of all this, I am healthy--exercise daily, garden, work, eat well. What am I doing wrong? My mind chatters all night long, if I fall asleep I awake with a jolt. Thanks for listening."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "just out of curiosity... What about a baking soda bath or a baking soda with vinegar bath.... Maybe 1/4 cup of each.... then rinse it off, just in case. How do you drink your water? How much, when.. ? I use to drink a lot of water but until I followed the procedure in the watercure site it wasn't helping me. I'm so sorry you are suffering ... Love, Joy"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I went back to the insomnia page and read all your post... I'm sorry you are sufferring.

I went to a few google sites and looked around also.

This is just a stab in the dark.... I care. The fact that your grow your own greens and eat lots of them, means you probably get a whole lotta magnesium from them so when you take the mag you get the IBS. The fact that you get a lot of mag from your plants means you might be out of balance somewhere in your minerals. I read that ZINC aids in 300 enzyme functions and helps IBS D sufferers because of the digestion enzyme functions it helps.

They talked about water use at the bottom of the page....

Your diarrhea which I had myself from C diff for 6 months, is scary and stealing your minerals and possible other nutrients.... the chia seeds are suppose to help the IBS D and one site says they are safe to use for 12 wks.

LAST IDEA ... Get a hair analysis and see if there is a mineral out of balance causing the diarrhea because you eat minerals but too much of one would cause the dumping syndrome. As if you ate a poison

May you find you sleep like a baby, .... You'll be in my prayes... Love, JOY"

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "I put 2 tbs acv+squirt of honey + 'fingertip' of borax in a 16 oz bottle, top off with water and sip it till lunch, then do another for afternoon till suppertime. I pee all the time, so can't do more than that. Usually an herbal tea (peppermint) in the evening around 6:30. Haven't heard of the water cure, so please clue me in. Also, I didn't think baking soda or vinegar would penetrate skin so haven't tried them in a bath, at least not since the last uti or skin issue years ago. Thanks."

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "Take it at bedtime or earlier in the day?"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash : "Try coconut meat for diarrhea. On one site, coconut macaroon cookies stopped a lot of people's diarrhea, calmed down their intestinal tract. My book says coconut heals teeth to rectum, you may sleep better if bowels were calm. Coconut milk can cause the runs in some people but coconut oil is very healthy and so is the meat but the meat makes me gain weight. Coconut is anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, anti viral, and kills parasites ...

Been thinking about you all day looking at sites that might help .... Love, Joy

Also just for info...1/4 tsp baking soda in water may make you neutral so you can rest not reacting to anything ... Your environment may be upsetting you, put baking soda on rug or in a bowl near the bed to clean the air.

I worked in an allergy clinic and was also a patient there and one lady went asthma and fell to the floor gasping while I put balm on my lip.... I freaked but she was actually reacting to the lady that just came in the door with hairspray on. Your immune system may need help."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Niacinamide can cause flushing(red tinging on face) make sure it's in a low dose B- complex and take half pill --not a whole pill, OR get a liquid and start on a very small dose, you don't need to suffer anymore. If it feels overwhelming take 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. baking soda in water and put a stop to it. Smallest amount that helps."

05/14/2013: Trudyg : "I've been using coconut oil for years now, so I guess that's good. Had been supplementing vit D but levels went kind of high (don't remember what it was) & dr said to back off. That was the first thing I tried for the insomnia, never noticed it to help. Wouldn't hurt to start it again, maybe not so high a dose. Funny, but I get really bad migraines from the air freshener a coworker loves to spray, so I know allergies are in there somewhere. Thanks."

05/14/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I forgot to mention earlier, I had been taking the baking soda daily, too, but quit because my bp went up. I can do it again, it was high for me and I'm always a bit low. Thanks. Isn't it amazing how our foods affect us? Wow."

05/15/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I am taking a b-complex (only for about a week now), had been taking a b12 in the morning and B3 at night, but then I read that it can prevent sleep so I stopped all but the complex. Should I stop the complex and take only b3, when? in the evening? or some other combo. I did the 12 & 3 b/c of a Ted post. Will start the baking soda today. Thanks."

05/15/2013: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Joy, niacinamide does not cause flushing, niacin does. In fact, niacinamide is what's recommended for those who want the benefits of niacin, without the flush."

05/15/2013: Trudyg : "Just grabbing at straws here, but I have a lot of the symptoms for hypoglycemia, too. Just wondering. My a1c level was great, so I've been tested. I pee all the time, often needing to go within an hour of my last trip to the br. I am always thirsty. I get shaky if I wait too long to eat, then I grab a sweet. Sometimes I slur my speech (thought it was due to stuttering as a child), I get uncoordinated (call me graceful). Thoughts? What should I do that I'm not already doing? ( I know, I should stop whining)."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil. Try the water cure for two weeks, and if you do the supplemental --B's start very low dose mornings.

If you pee all the time (losing minerals and nutrients) ...... Your body is dropping either sugar or something is amiss with your diet, could be as simple as your mint, or anything you put in your water. I lived by a mint field and my friend lived there and her son got poisoned by the soil that affected their water well. He had to detox. There is one other thing that would cause constant peeing is food dye or bad fats or something your body is dumping like your bowel symptom. So 2 +2 here is you are dumping bladder and bowel.

One last thing might be imbalance in microbes in bowel and bladder maybe enzymes and probiotics and possible parasite.. Or ph is off... just wild guesses here.

Baking soda in bowl on desk at work to counteract coworkers sprayng chemicals.

Don't take D if you are high D and don't take baking soda if your BP is high."

05/15/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, I went through something very similar a few years ago. I was sure I was diabetic as I had had trouble with hypoglycemia since I was 15. (I am 46 now. ) My sleep was poor, I couldn't quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, and of course, I was in the bathroom all the time from all that water. I was getting sores in my mouth, too. I went to the Dr. to get my blood sugar checked first thing in the morning when I finally put 2 + 2 together. But my sugar was okay! (Guess my math was wrong! ) He said, "Oh, it is probably your thyroid. " Sure enough, blood tests indicated hypothyroidism. I suppose this shouldn't have been too surprising as I have had low basal body temperature (as low as 96.3 upon rising for years. I figured I was subclinical hypothyroid and never did anything about. ) The doctor put me on a low dose of synthroid, 50mcg, which did help the symptoms I had been dealing with, but my hair started falling out and I felt terrible. I sat around feeling terrible most of the time. (Doctor said the synthroid was not causing this, but I didn't believe him. ) I didn't think I had any options but started to research and found that I did have options! I quit taking the synthroid after 3 months. I started to do everything I could find to help my thyroid naturally. I took extra virgin coconut oil 1-2 T. daily. I drank Apple Cider Vinegar daily (at least 2 T. per day in water; I spread mine throughout the day. ) I took 12.5 mcg iodine/iodide daily. Meanwhile, I got pregnant. I had the midwife check my thyroid. It was still not in the right range, but I didn't go back on prescription meds. I felt pretty good with what I was doing. I had a normal pregnancy and a healthy full-term baby. I was afraid to fool with the iodine much while pregnant. After I had the baby, I upped my dose to 25mcg daily. (In the am. ) At some point after the birth, the midwife checked my thyroid again and it was in the normal range! (And I had been promised by the doctors that prescription meds were my ONLY option! ) Iodine was what doctors used to use to treat hypothyroid.

So, you could have your thyroid checked or try taking your early morning temp (before getting out of bed, eating, drinking etc. ) If it is low, you can be pretty sure it is hypothyroidism. Research your alternatives.

Hope you get some relief and answers soon. ~Mama to Many~"

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "Sorry, I should have looked it up, but what is the water cure? I eat only foods I prepare myself, no additives or dyes. The only place I would get those are my supplements, so I'll look at that. The only fats are from coconut, grapeseed oil, or avocado. I had my thyroid checked (runs in the family) and it was okay but I may add iodine at very small doses to see if I feel better. Thanks."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I've had my thyroid checked, it appears ok. I know from family experience that the numbers can be okay but you can not be okay. I have some potassium iodide drops, says 2/day. Should I start those and see how I feel? How long before I notice a difference do you think? My sleep has never been good, but since I quit hrt after my hysterectomy it's been terrible. I've got the hot flashes under control (not gone, but bearable). I thank God for the help you all are giving me. I'm really at my wits end."

05/16/2013: Robyn from Asheville, Nc: "Hi TrudyG, I was wondering the same thing. If you go to the watercure site, it's basically an advertisement to buy the book (Earth Clinic, doesn't this go against your policy about not posting links to commercial sites?). A little digging on the web and I learned that you should drink water a half hour before and after eating. You should also take 1/4 teaspoon of salt (sea salt) per quart of water. Or drink this every few glasses of water."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I seem to be the one percent that have the side effects that most don't... With supplements, medicines and with topicals.... Since childhood when I start a new supplement I take half a pill every other day or can't sleep. Makeup is suppose to make a person look better , well for me... It does strange things that are not good. They give me something to calm me down and revs me up, and gives me panics. I eat sugar and no crash, just moving right along."

05/16/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I did some looking and saw that, too. You divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of water/day, adding sea salt every couple of glasses-worth. I'd be peeing all day if I did that! I must say, though, when I drink water w/ acv, I need to go less often. I drink 1 cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then only water until evening, then a cup of herbal tea. I push the fluids and rarely feel thirsty. I do agree that we could all benefit by increasing our water intake, but by how much is really the question."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I get weird reactions, too. When they give me narcotics (you'll sleep! ) ha--not me, I'm bouncing off the wall. Half an aspirin is plenty for me, so I start out low dose, too. I'm post-menopausal, so get hot flashes and couldn't tell you if it's due to a supplement or not. I take evening primrose oil for that, and have added vit e (200/cap X 2/d, don't know if mg or iu). I think most drs either don't know and don't want to say so or think that women are weak complainers, so they don't take us seriously."

05/16/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, If the iodine drops say 2 per day, you could start with that. Does it say how much iodine you are getting? All drops do not have the same amount. I compared using iodine drops to what I take orally and I would have to take 20 drops a day to get what I am getting in pills. (And I don't like the taste of iodine in my water.) Anyway, start with 2 drops a day for a few days. Then do a skin test--drop a few drops onto your skin (I do inside my forearm. ) If it is gone in a short time, you are still iodine deficient. If you can still see it after 12 hours, you are getting enough. (Some say you should be able to see it after 24 hours. Broda Barnes has a book on Thyroid that explains it all but I haven't read it. ) If I can see the iodine spot on my arm after 6-8 hours, I think I am doing pretty well. (I really can't bear to take more iodine than I take. It just seems like too much to me.) I know my thyroid was low LONG before it showed up on a blood test. If you take your early morning, before rising temperature and it is low (Some would say anything under 98.0 is low... But I am not sure. Under 97.0 is definitely low.) My naturopathic doctor says you should not use a digital and you should keep it in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.

Anyway, you can increase the amount of iodine by a couple of drops if the iodine on your skin disappears quickly and continue to check on your skin and increase by a couple of drops etc. Until the iodine isn't absorbing quickly. Or, if you notice improvement, you could stop when that happens.

I can't recall how long it took for the iodine to provide me with noticeable difference. It was perhaps days or a week or two. But if I run out my symptoms come back pretty fast - mabye in a day or two.

You are dealing with lots of health challenges... So sorry! With the IBS are you possibly losing nutrients you need, causing health challenges? Comfrey is wonderful for this. In her book, Be your Own Doctor, Rachel Weaver says to use comfrey root powder and slippery elm powder to help and heal this. Both are soothing to the digestive tract and very nutritious. She has you mix them together with water to a dough like consistency and then make little pea size balls you can take throughout the day when symptoms flare up. Comfrey leaves can also be mixed with other soothing and nutritive herbs (like Red Raspberry) and made into a tea that will provide extra nutrients. I didn't use to think herbal tea would do much, but I have had some amazing help from them this year and have changed my mind. Activated charcoal is also a great thing for digestive difficulty and helps detox as well (but very gently. ) Just don't take it near time of other supplements as it adsorbs toxins and may also do the same with nutrients. (I take it leaving a 2 hour window. ) You can mix 1 t. In water or take tablets or capsules. Just a couple of more things to consider... Hope it isn't too overwhelming... Praying for relief for you."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Earth Clinic has a water cure section with Ted commenting on Dr. Batmanghelidj.. I'm not selling books. All these lovely people here on earth clinic are sharing what helps them and I am doing the same thing, hoping it helps alleviate someone of their sufferring. Love, Joy"

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "About Dr Batmanghelidj's Water Cure: This man was a humanitarian who was ignored by the present medical system. He has helped innumerable people back to health. If people drink water without supplementing with, for example, celtic salt, they will urinate, dehydrating themselves as well as loosing vitamins and minerals. It was the chemically manufactured salt that wreaked havoc with the world's population and caused an explosion of serious diseases that killed many. Because allopaths have no training in nutrition they misguide patients to their detriment.

I have just begun slowly and do not run to the bathroom because of the water drinking. The protocol is easy and must be followed meticulously. Get off to a slow start. Already I have noted the effect of water doing its work in the entire body. I hope this will, in addition of magnesium, cure my insomnia. It is nature, not drugs that will do it. I am thankfull toward the good doctor and think it would be of benefit to read his by now famous book, even though just doing the program would be alright So many people have been helped including pets. To be rightly informed is self empowerment. Be leery of the common table salt, but natural wet salts are delicious, provide much needed minerals and prevent the continuous problem of over urination. We are made mainly of water, so is the planet with vast resources of salt water. Sometimes I think that the intake of chemical and denatured salt over a life time could be a contributory factor of Alzheimers as our brain, too, is made up largely of water. We are all keen on learning how to get in touch and back to nature and with determination success will be ours. Love, Om"

05/18/2013: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Om can you tell me if everytime you drink water you have to add the salt? Thanks..."

05/18/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "add 1 gram of wind and sun dried sea salt $1.70 for 24 oz at whole foods and 1 gram of dead sea salt $20 for a 4 lb pail at whole foods per quart of water."

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "Lauren, just type in "water cure 2" and you will find the protocol. It is quite easy to follow. I found that indeed one only needs to pee every 2 or 3 hours when the salt is taken on the tongue but not in the water. If not, there is more instructions which are simple for everyone. You will benefit greatly. Good luck, Om"

05/19/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Hi, You drink the water(1-2cups) half an hour before you eat a meal to prepare the stomach lining to drop the acid and enzymes to break down the food and have the water to mix with the bola in the intestines to prevent constipation. Also you add the salt to your food if you are not already eating plenty in the form of iodized sea salt. Too much water without salt and you pee too often... Too much salt and you get bloated.... You also have to start this slowly or you are not going to feel well. It can take up to two weeks to rehydrate a body properly.

Histamine is a dehydration signal. Whenever you get your water/salt/potassium/calcium/magnesium and other minerals out of balance your body shoots out some histamine and the histamine causes reactions to food, air, water, cloth, chemicals, cleaning products. and makes you feel ill."

05/20/2013: Kt from The Usa: "What time do you eat your last meal of the day? I try to have dinner at five and don't eat anything after six."

05/22/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "Last night I took L-Glutamine, Taurine, 5-Htp, Theanine, and a vitamin e. Tossed and turned all night, when I slept I had very active dreams-to the point I thought I was awake, woke up with a splitting headache. I've been doing the acv+baking soda+borax thing during the day. I can't go on like this, something's gotta give. Getting some sleep should not be so hard."

05/22/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "The famous naturopath doctor david wolfe said raw chocolate is the best herb for the brain increases and balances all the neurotransmitters. I take 15 grams of raw organic cocoa powder every day in divided doses. You can take more if you want to."

04/30/2013: Patti from Owensboro, Ky: "I will be very interested to see the pics. I have been using Hemp Oil on my basal/actinic keratosis. This is my second round of AK and first time for basal. Seems to be helping, though not like you are saying. Sounds a lot like the topical chemo I did the first time. Good luck!"

05/14/2013: Nadine from Anchorage, Ak: "Could someone please give me the procedure for using Apple Cider Vinegar and Peroxide treatment for basil cell carcinoma. Thank You."

05/13/2013: Ruth from Harlingen, Texas: "Have you been tested for trichomonas(sp)? Worst smell ever plus discharge that just won't quit. I showered two or three times a day when I had it and it still wasn't enough."

05/13/2013: Sick from Sl, H, Kuwait: "Have you checked if it's yeast variant, be cured with antibiotics if it is.. U need fluconazole w50 mg single dose for it... Also search on cytolytic V, it is also a type of variant. Good luck."

05/14/2013: Tim from Cincinnati, Oh: "For BV, I have heard of good results with apple cider vinegar(AVC). Both drinking and douching. Look at the responses here http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/bacterial_vaginosis6.html#ACV

http://earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar7.html#BV

Drinking 1-2 tablespoons of AVC in a glass of water daily has helped me with a few different issues. Read about all of the different issues with which people have been helped by drinking AVC. http://earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html"

02/21/2013: Jellie from Sioux Falls, SD: "Dear Shelly, This sounds like a b12 deficiency which is common after birth. Are you a vegetarian by chance? If not, it doesn't really matter you can still be b-12 deficient. If yes, one more reason to think this is your problem. Look up the symptoms and you will see that many of them fit your list. Do your homework by reading--there is a lot on the net about this. I use Methylcobalamin sublinguals and start with 1000 mcg twice per day. You should also use real folate not folic acid. It takes a while to work."

02/22/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Shelly: You have begun your healing journey and will surely see some improvements after seeing the Naturalpath. If you could paste the notes you've taken from your recent diagnostics, that will help during your visit.

You seem to have a parasite infestation as well as some type pathogen. You will need to do Immune Boosting Therapies and maybe some blood building (take BlackStrap Molasses for this). Filter the air and water in your home. Take any nutritional supplements that are recommended in any of your symptoms. If your lucky you can make an almost 100% turn-a-round, but be warned that in many cases, these type conditions are chronic and are sometimes never completely resolved. Case-in-point, Mycoplasma or Lyme infections are very difficult to rectify. Round, Pin, and Hookworm can be resolved, but the Liver Fluke and Tapeworm infestations can be very difficult to irradiate.

Try to allocate some time reading up on conditions here on E.C., update your questions and progress, and we (E.C. members) will help you get your health back."

02/25/2013: Shelly from Chicago, Il: "Jillie... Yes I take b-12, amoungst other things. And Timh, I tried a parasite program, but it didnt seem very successful =/ I wouldnt know what program to take now. Any lab suggestions on where to go for that? I used to eat at salad bars often, and ate pretty organic... So maybe I picked something nasty up? I recall drinking water from a water fountain after my run the night that I got "sick".. So maybe there was something lurking in there? Who knows! I will try to get tested for pathogens (again).. And of course, the whole candida thing as I have been peeing white specks out for awhile now, along with reaccurant yeast infections. Why is this candida, if that's what it is, SO BAD! ? Can stress/hormone imbalance cause this to happen to such a severe degree?"

02/26/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Shelly: Conventional Medicine is 90% reluctant to test for parasites, so a ND would be your best bet. He/She can order a stool test that can determine pathogens as well as parasites. The Parasite hypothesis is likely true because they weaken the immune system and then you get a fungal infection that resist treatment. You can also get an Hair Analysis from your ND to determine mineral levels ie deficiencies, as well as possible heavy metal contamination (which would also induce untreatable fungal infection).

I made the same mistake of drinking ground water on more than one occasion and seem to have contracted the flukes. The standard herbal protocol for Parasites is Black Walnut Hulls, Clove, and Wormwood. For flukes in particular, Myrrh is recommended in addition to the prior. The flukes in particular are insidious because there are five stages that can inhabit the body, which in all could number in the millions. Research fluke symptoms to further determine your case.

Begin boosting your immunity with Zinc and Vit-A; these will also hasten healing particularly the intestines (which get eroded by Candida). Any of the detox protocols here on E. C. would be recommended in your situation.

Lots of info and personal testimonies here on E.C. for your perusal. Find a good Naturopath in your area.

Update us on your condition. Hoping you will get well soon."

02/26/2013: Heather from Santa Rosa, Ca: "Shelly~ I just replied to Abby too.... Again, I think this could possibly be an adrenal problem. Your signs are very "classic. " In the last year, you've undergone much physical and emotional trauma with the pregnancy, birth & nursing of your child. Please look up adrenal depletion here on EC. You will probably recognize almost every symptom.

I saw an ND and was prescribed a high quality Adrenal supplement. I felt better in no time & I know you will too. God bless & let us know what works for you!"

03/27/2013: Shelly from Chicago, Il, United States: "Hey All... So just an update with me.... I am seeing a ND outside of the city, and I got my results from the yeast/bacterial analysis through a stool culture. The results are that my bifido strains are low, and lacto are also a bit low... E-coli is good.. And it says I have 'yeast' but NOT candida albicans. She put me on 5 things: a good probiotic (in addition to what I have), colostrum, pancreatic enzymes, plant tannins ( it has 30mg of casien which I wasnt so crazy about), and also some candida-fighting supplement. I've heard of the brand she gave me for the candida/probiotic supplement, so I'm hopeful for that. I just hope this is strong enough to kick the yeast out!!! So.. Should I be doing anything else on top of this? Should I tell her, if I start taking borax? I haven't tried it yet... Would like to though!! I hope that this is the ACTUAL PROBLEM she is addressing.... Well see... & hope that I don't really have parasites like I though. Keep me in prayer!!!"

04/14/2013: Shelly from Chicago, Il: "More of a recent update with myself. I don't know whether to stop looking, stop going to my ND (which is costly! ), or to just give up. I've been ill for a WHOLE YEAR now! This is ridiculous. The only "result" I've gotten in tests, is that I have a yeast, that is not candida albicans. BUT I don't know if THAT'S what's causing the chains reaction of symptoms I'm still having. My most annoying symptoms are REALLY tired, I mean, WIPED OUT, weakness, and Interstitial cystitis. I also have bowel probs that come and go.. And a crawling feeling that goes from one side of my body, to the other. I've felt it when I had to stop nursing (when I got sick, initially) across my left breast. I've tried parasite stuff, and it seems like its not working. So, Im thinking a VERY stubborn yeast prob. Does anyone know if Teds/Bills fungus protocol is for ANY type of fungus/yeast??? I NEED to get onto something QUICK! I want to have more babies, live happily and NORMAL! Geez... Life can be a pain sometimes =/"

04/15/2013: Sweat Pea from Somewhere, Usa: "Shelly, Here is what I would suggest you try. You need mega doses of Vitamin C, like 500 mg per hour for a few days. You should feel the effects within an hour or two. If not, up it to 1000 mg per hour during your waking hours. Also try a mega dose of Lugol's iodine, anywhere from 50 to 100 mgs in a day. I would also take B-12, coconut oil, and at least 100 mcgs of selenium per day. I strongly suggest you check out Solgar's multiple vitamins with Chelated minerals and take two a day. You can get them online if not in a health food store. I am coming to realize what a lot of people are missing are minerals. Minerals are a catalyst for vitamins. You can be sufficient in every single vitamin yet if you lack minerals they simply won't work. Please, I beg you to try all these things and I bet you will start to feel better on day 1! Please keep us up to date and let us know if you feel better."

04/15/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Shelley... It's fairly well known through research that yeast/fungal infections leave the door wide open for a multitude of other pathogens to enter the body. This is why no two people, who are infected with a yeast/fungal infection, will ever have exactly the same symptoms -- because there are a plethora of bacterial and viral co-infections(with their own symptoms) that can also be associated with a candida or yeast/fungal infection. As a result of this yeast/fungal infection together with increasing co-infections, the body tends to go into a never-ending downward health spiral as the immune system gets weaker and weaker. The way of modern medicine is to just recommend ant-fungals and antibiotics for yeast/fungal infections. In my opinion, antibiotics are both useless and dangerous against candida or yeast/fungal infections that will only ever act to increase its virulence and spread. This is referred to as the Antibiotic Syndrome. It's also well known that the anti-fungals recommended by doctors are not very effective at removing yeast/fungal infections because candida can easily adjust to them or hide in biofilms to avoid their effects. Modern medicine also has quite a poor record and reputation at diagnosing candida problems. Here is some recent research on these points:

Biofilm Formation by the Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans: Development, Architecture, and Drug Resistance.
Role of dimorphism in the development of Candida albicans biofilms
Recurrent Candidiasis: One Step Forward, Still Backward, (2004)

The above research should open your eyes to the fact that modern medicine still remains quite clueless as to how you should both treat and eradicate candida. Diagnosis of candida by modern medical techniques is also known to be poor and inaccurate:

Biological diagnosis of systemic candidiasis: difficulties and future prospects (2007)

Growing Concern: Inability to Diagnose Vulvovaginal Infections Correctly (2004).

The gist of the above is that modern medicine has not got a good record of either diagnosing or treating candida problems. Indeed Dr Orian Truss's well known book on candida is called Candida: The Missing Diagnosis -- which would seem to blatantly confirm modern medicine's clueless approach in diagnosing candida.

If you want to confirm whether you do indeed have a candida or fungal problem then you should take William Crook's questionnaire. William Crook wrote the book: The Yeast Connection: A Medical Breakthrough. From the book, this questionnaire will confirm, fairly accurately and in minutes at no cost, whether you have an internal yeast/fungal infection. This questionnaire works off a points system to give you a definite result:

William Crook's Questionnaire

To cure your yeast/fungal and co-infections problem I would further recommend that you take the following anti-candida protocol described lower down in this post stream: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/fungal-infection-treatment-alternative-medicine.html#AFR_100956"

04/16/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Shelly: First try and center yourself with confidence ("I will get better"), with the acceptance that patience and dedication are required for complex and chronic illnesses. Spend some time reading here on E. C.

I suppose you didn't find any snails in the water hole from which you drank???

For immediate relief take hot baths w/ 1/4 cup Epsom Salt, 1/4 cup Baking Soda, 1/4 cup Borax.

Take Garlic Oil Softgels in the AM for parasites and pathogens. Take Oregano Oil Softgels in the PM for parasites and pathogens.

Purchase and use a Zapper to help eradicate parasites and pathogens; Zapper is also good for replenishing energy.

Purchase and use Detox Foot Pads for heavy metal elimination: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR6.TRC1&_nkw=detox foot pads&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Also try Oil Pulling as it is very good for detoxing. Be sure to use mouthwash or rinse before and after.

Also use Coconut Oil daily. Also begin Potassium Iodi(n)(d) supplement to kill pathogens and restore energy."

04/16/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskchewan: "Why does zapping replenish energy?"

04/18/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Mary: Zapping restores cell voltage either directly or indirectly. All disease states lower cell voltage. Cancer voltage is way lower than a normal healthy cell. Zapping kills pathogens, parasites, and cancers, thus restoring normal cell voltage."

04/18/2013: Gavin from Manganui, Northland, New Zealand: "Funny thing was that after they abandoned ECT. (Electro convulsive therapy) for depression etc., they found that it stimulated new cell growth in the brain. I heard another thing where this guy hooks up an electro zapper to a patient's hand who has been in a long term coma, and the pulses go up through the finger nerves, back to the brain and the patient wakes up. So there is something in it. It makes you wonder if this would be another therapy for Altzhimers or Parkinsons."

04/20/2013: Shelly from Chicago, Il: "Bill... So.. I bought almost all the stuff for the fungal protocol.. And acutally, have read through it and printed it out... Several months ago. I'm just afraid of the detox reactions, I guess, esp with the borox. I have some questions though.. Maybe you or TIMH could answer??

1. Can I eat root veggies, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes at all?
2. Is the there a way to mix any of the protocol/fungus killing stuff.. As there is a LOT of stuff w/ liquid to take!!
3. Isn't fungus/yeast always mutating or resistant? So.. Doesnt the protocol have to change every 5 days (so I hear)?
4. Is taking a good probiotic ok?
5. Fermented foods ( Ive been hearing great stuff about it.. Trillions of good bacteria! )..
5. Will the fungus-killing stuff like borox and the MB kill GOOD bacteria?
6. What about ingesting essential oils?
7. Have you heard of parasites giving off a lot of yeast, or is it the yeast overgrowth that attracts the parasites?
8. Isn't it possible to just get rid of parasites by eating REALLY good organic, alkaline, raw foods... Detoxing the kidneys, liver, colon, and blood... and stay on that for awhile? Won't they just 'leave'?

TIMH... No.. No snails.. Hm.. But can it be ingesting through the water? The flukes? How do I know I really have flukes? Can you tell me where I can get good quality parasite stuff... Theres SO much out there, I dont know what to get! I've noticed significant improvement in energy when I juice... I juice 2x/day. Helps with energy! All organic, green juice.. Cucumber.. Celery.. Garlic.. Ginger.. Wheatgrass.. Lemon.. Kale.. Spinach... That is all. Thank you SO much for your input!!!!! God bless!"

04/21/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Shelly... In response to all your questions:

1. Can I eat root veggies, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes at all?

That diet is fine but only eat small amounts of carbohydrate(sweet potatoes) because they are converted to sugar in the body and sugar feeds candida.

2. Is the there a way to mix any of the protocol/fungus killing stuff.. As there is a LOT of stuff w/ liquid to take!!

You can mx them in the following ways:

Borax can be mixed with any of the alkalizing remedies.

Drops of Lugols Iodine can be mixed, alone, with a solution Vitamin C.

Hydrogen Peroxide can be mixed with any of the alakalizing remedies without problems.

Always mix the Methylene Blue (if you decide to use it) with a solution of Vitamin C.

The Liver Support Protocols are normally taken all together just before or after mealtimes.

The niacin(or niacinamide) and B50 complex should also be taken at mealtimes together with the Liver protocol. Niacin works synergistically with both B50 complex and ALA for improved effect. ALA was once also regarded as part of the B Vitamins (as thioctic acid)

For more on this see Ted's List here: Remedy Combinations on EC

3. Isn't fungus/yeast always mutating or resistant? So.. Doesnt the protocol have to change every 5 days (so I hear)?

Both Iodine and Hydrogen Peroxide kill pathogens very quickly. These anti-pathogen nutrients work completely differently to antibiotics, they kill the pathogens -- including yeast/fungus -- very fast so no chance or opportunity for them to breed in resistance to these chemicals.

The five days on and two days off regimen is up to you.

For borax particularly -- the borax water must always be taken on a 5 days on, 2 days off basis.

4. Is taking a good probiotic ok? 5. Fermented foods ( Ive been hearing great stuff about it.. Trillions of good bacteria! )..

I would wait at least until you've been on the anti-candida protocol for a month before you take probiotics or pre-biotics because, initially, there may be alot of toxins from heavy metals as well as fungal die-off poisons that will be dumped into the intestines first. This is not beneficial for promoting good bacteria in the gut and which may take a little while to subside. But when the Herxheimer and detoxing effects eventually diminish and the intestines are clear of toxins then that would be the best time to start take the probiotics/prebiotics.

5. Will the fungus-killing stuff like borox and the MB kill GOOD bacteria?

I initially used both borax and MB as well as coconut oil for my own candida problems. Within two weeks my long term constipation problems reverted to normal dark brown healthy stools(from hard pale yellow stools). So obviously, this protocol was also beneficial for my own gut bacteria.

6. What about ingesting essential oils?

I am currently road testing essential pine oil on myself using coconut oil, castor oil or black seed oil as a carrier for the pine oil (all these carrier oils kill candida as well). I can't get the proper spirit of gum turpentine in the Philippines so I bought the essential pine oil (Pinus sylvestris) which is stronger than ordinary gum spirit turpentine instead.

There are two ways to use the pine oil. Either taken mixed with milk or water where the pine oil will be quickly absorbed into the blood from the stomach -- which will kill pathogens in the blood, detox the blood and help to purify the blood due to strong antioxidant action with little effect in the intestines. But if you have candida in the intestines you must take it with a carrier like sugar(see Jennifer Daniels article) or take it with a carrier oil to avoid direct absorption into the blood from the stomach and, instead, the carrier oil helps to carry the pine oil directly into the intestines where it rapidly acts to kill the candida yeast/fungus and other pathogens. I've also read that a man from Germany took pine oil or kerosene for his own candida problem and cured himself quickly of this disease. And when the doc checked his stool -- the candida was gone and healthy gut bacteria were present in the correct amounts. For more on the healing effects of pine oil -- see this research article by Walter Last.

Here is an article which shows how effective pine oil is against pathogens -- including candida:

http://www.imp.lodz.pl/upload/oficyna/artykuly/pdf/full/--04_09_Mercier.pdf

I currently am using 10 drops of this essential pine oil mixed with a teaspoon of carrier oil, twice a week as a preventative and tonic. I worked up to this dose slowly from an initial 2 drop dose.

7. Have you heard of parasites giving off a lot of yeast, or is it the yeast overgrowth that attracts the parasites?

Usually it is the parasite that infects first due to poor diet and poor digestion, with the bacteria and fungal pathogens piggy-backing on the parasites into our bodies. If you confirm a parasite problem then Hulda Clark's Parasite Protocol -- consisting of Wormwood, Cloves and Black Walnut extract -- is one of the best. This protocol also helps to kill fungus/yeast as well.

8. Isn't it possible to just get rid of parasites by eating REALLY good organic, alkaline, raw foods... Detoxing the kidneys, liver, colon, and blood... And stay on that for awhile? Won't they just 'leave'?

You might be able to get rid of some of your problems through diet but I think a multi-protocol approach that directly attacks the candida and all other bacterial co-infections, disrupts biofilms, detoxes the body andneutralizes mycotoxins, helps support the immune system and the liver together with a good healthy diet will stand a much better chance of being successful.

Many people with candida and other associated pathogen problems or bacterial co-infections very wrongly assume that if they can get rid of candida from their intestines then they will be cured. But candida is a dimorphic organism that can exist as both a yeast or a fungus -- two totally different biological forms of candida that have completely different structural, behavioural and locational forms. The yeast form is a saprophytic feeder -- it only feeds off dead organic matter but the fungal form is a proper parasite that feeds off the host itself. So if you have the fungal form -- this means that the fungal spores will have not only infected your intestines together with the yeast form but they will also be widely disseminated throughout your body -- fully capable of infecting the blood, tissues and organs with the fungal form of candida. So, if you have both the fungal form together with the yeast form of candida then this is particularly difficult to cure unless you use a sensible and wide ranging anti-candida protocol, including a good diet, that not only acts in your intestines but sufficiently acts throughout your body as well as acting to kill both the yeast and fungal forms of candida as well as killing all other bacterial co-infections which might also be involved. So this makes both the yeast and fungal forms of candida together with all other involved co-infections, extremely difficult to eradicate. To believe that candidiasis -- systemic candida -- is as easy to cure as the common cold is therefore a grave mistake.

Most people use the wrong approach or strategy to get rid of candida because they think its a simple disease or they think they are only infected with just the yeast form of candida or they think the problem is just in their intestines. Wrong thinking. In such cases, when people use anti-candida strategies that are too simplistic, ineffective or inappropriate -- what normally happens is that the candida may go away for awhile but it always comes back with a vengeance again and again. I have read this so many times on EC and on many other health blogs too."

04/24/2013: Shelly from Chicago, Il: "Hey Bill... More questions for you.. Sorry! I like to probe... it makes me more at peace! ;)

1. Is xylitol ok? Its in my liquid multi, cal/mag, and b-complex... its 3g of carbs per serving of each.
2. Will adding some antifungal herbs/teas to the regime, or rotating the pau d'arco tea be beneficial? I dont think my body is responding to the tea anymore.
3. Recently Ive been getting numbness in my feet and hands, esp during the night.. And tingling. I awoke in the morning 4 days ago, with a sharp needle-like pain in one place, and its been 4 days... Hasn't gone... Kinda hurts when I touch it. What could this be?
4. Good lab for parasite testing?? I felt FINE for a few weeks.. Then yesterday, out of nowhere, while ont he diet and protocol, I just felt "sick" again. Slightly feverish.. And malaise. My colon was doing something.. Thought I was gonna have the runs.. still feeling sick...=/ Does yeast stay undetected then show up or is this more parasite-like?
5. Hot peppers/spices...help with yeast/fungus/parsites?
6. What are mycotoxins?
7. What are mycobacteria?
8. Is MB safe to take everyday?
9. Does yeast cause palpatations/high bp? I used to get that a lot last yr.. and recently, a little bit.
10. Is pre-eclampsia related to fungal overgrowth? Thats what I had when I was pregnant.. or is it liver related?
11. What is the cause of IC? I want my bladder healed! Lots of white stuff coming out when I pee...=/
12. Lastly, can fungus/yeast be spread to others?

Thanks again for your time....=)!!"

04/24/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Shelley... In answer to your questions:

1. Is xylitol ok? Its in my liquid multi, cal/mag, and b-complex... its 3g of carbs per serving of each.

Xylitol is anti-fungal and OK to use. As I've already said in other posts, I'm really against multi-vitamins and tablets for the most part because of the additives and that's why, wherever possible, I prefer to use the powder form. I just take Magnesium oil(Magnesium Chloride in water) 10 drops two or three times a day in a drink. My own dose of magnesium is high and is about 1500 mgs a day and I take no calcium - because we get more than enough calcium in our western food diets because everything is fortified with calcium these days. Taking calcium when you have candida also helps the fungus, makes it more virulent and helps it to spread. Foods containing Iron(red meats) will have the same effect. That's why calcium and red meats are banned in the anti-candida diet.

2. Will adding some antifungal herbs/teas to the regime, or rotating the pau d'arco tea be beneficial? I dont think my body is responding to the tea anymore.

I would continue with the Pau D'Arco tea as it has some wonderful protective effects on the body and intestines and it is strongly anti-fungal. Others that you can try are Cat's Claw and Black Seed Oil (Nigella sativa). Cat's Claw in the tea or capsule form, helps to protect and gently cleanse the intestines. It is also an immune booster, reduces cholesterol, kills viruses and it cleanses the blood and is anti-cancer. Black Seed Oil is a strong anti-fungal that is also highly nutritious and beneficial -- including many vitamins and minerals and 15 amino acids. The oils in Black Seed Oil have an omega 6 to omega 3 ratio that is very similar as flaxseed oil. Just take a teaspoon at every meal or use it on salads. More information on BS here.

3. Recently Ive been getting numbness in my feet and hands, esp during the night.. And tingling. I awoke in the morning 4 days ago, with a sharp needle-like pain in one place, and its been 4 days... Hasn't gone... Kinda hurts when I touch it. What could this be?

Just take niacin(500 mgs three times a day at mealtimes), B 50 complex(once a day at breakfast) and Alpha Lipoic Acid or ALA (300 mgs twice a day at mealtimes). Only the niacin (flush form) must be taken -- because the flushing effect is what you want -- indicating that your blood vessels are dilating. This helps in delivering the necessary nutrients to the peripherals of the body ie head, hands and feet which is where you have your neuropathy problems. To reduce the flushing effect you can take an aspirin half an hour before taking the niacin. The ALA and B50 will help repair nerve damage problems and the niacin helps to "unclump" thick blood which might also be a problem.

If your pins and neeles persists -- then use protease enzymes - bromelain and pancreatin enzymes are good ones but you can also use serrapeptase or nattokinase, which are more expensive, if you wish -- which should be taken outside mealtimes because you want these enzymes in your blood. Protease enzymes will help to remove blockages in your blood vessels caused by proteins at the peripherals of your body and these enzymes are also anti-candida.

4. Good lab for parasite testing?? I felt FINE for a few weeks. Then yesterday, out of nowhere, while ont he diet and protocol, I just felt "sick" again. Slightly feverish.. And malaise. My colon was doing something.. Thought I was gonna have the runs.. Still feeling sick... Does yeast stay undetected then show up or is this more parasite-like?

I'm afraid I can't recommend a good lab for parasite testing in ths US because I'm an English guy living in the Philippines. Sorry!!

The Herxheimer or die-off effect will certainly cause problems like you are having. This is a normal side-effect when you are fighting candida and yeast. The Herx effect, feeling nauseous and sick, is caused because of the high candida kill rate which tends to release high amounts of mycotoxins or toxic candida waste products into your intestines and into your blood all at once -- thus exacerbating your symptoms, stressing your liver and intestines with the quite natural effect of feeling sick. This is normal and should be expected whenever you use any successful anti-candida protocol. Detoxing heavy metals and other poisons like Fluoride and Bromide can also cause sickness and nausea for the same reasons.

To get these mycotoxins and heavy metals and other poisons out of your intestines more quickly(and avoiding re-absorption of these toxins back into the body via the colon) it is useful to take laxatives on a regular basis. Milk of Magnesia is my own favourite laxative. Take the laxative once every 4 days or once a week. This helps to push out the toxins and also helps to kill and clear the intestines of candida quickly.

5. Hot peppers/spices...help with yeast/fungus/parsites?

It is certainly true that herbs and spices like garlic, chilli, turmeric, fennel etc are also useful. But if I were you I would avoid spices for now since you seem to be already having considerable Herx and Detox reactions at the moment.

6. What are mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are poisonous waste products secreted from yeast/fungus. Molybdenum or molybdate kills candida and also works to neutralize candida toxins in the body which tend to make people feel sick. Ted recommends taking molibdate or molybdenum at a daily dose of 10 mgs to 25 mgs for only two weeks. This will rapdly help to kill off the candida and also neutralizes the mycotxins as well, thus preventing the nausea and sickness. I have also recently included and explained the use of molybdenum or molybdate in my anti-candida protocols on EC.

It is difficult to buy Molybdenum at dosages above 900 micrograms(the maximum dose allowed by the RDA), so if you can't get the powder form of molybdate then just take the maximum RDA of 900 micrograms a day.

7. What are mycobacteria?

See this link.

8. Is MB safe to take everyday?

I have taken MB regularly without problems. Do not take lugols iodine on a daily basis together with MB -- they tend neutralize each other.

9. Does yeast cause palpitations/high bp? I used to get that a lot last yr.. and recently, a little bit.

Yes, palpitaions can be caused by both the Herx or candida die-off effect and by detoxing heavy metals and other poisons. Heart palpitations may also occur if you are just taking lugols iodine without the necessary companion nutrients (as advised in the Vitamins and Nutrient Support of my anti-candida protocols). Taking lugol's iodine, niacin and Magnesium chloride will aso help to lower bp.

10. Is pre-eclampsia related to fungal overgrowth? Thats what I had when I was pregnant.. Or is it liver related?

Preclampsia appears to be a mineral defficiency -- lack of magnesium. Doctors use magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts) to cure it but I prefer to use magnesium chloride for its wider beneficial effects.

11. What is the cause of IC? I want my bladder healed! Lots of white stuff coming out when I pee...

You appear to have the fungal form of IC which might also include mycoplasma. The borax (as recommended in the anti-candida protocols) will kill the mycoplasma as well as the fungus and the lugols iodine, at the higher dosage recommended in the anti-candida protocol, as well as the Pau D'Arco and Cat's Claw, should also help you to resolve your IC problems.

12. Lastly, can fungus/yeast be spread to others?

Yes it can be spread to others."

05/04/2013: Shelly from Chicago, Il: "Just an update with me (and to you, Bill, a few more questions.. When you get the time??)... I seem to be doing better energy-wise, but am not taking all the protocol things. I had waaaay too much die-off. I also, am afraid of losing all my good bacteria. Is this an issue? Will the protocol cause me to lose some or all of it? Taking the probiotics from my ND seem to help a lot.. And I stopped feeling like my blood was full of yeast, right when I started to juice ( I have a really good juicer! ). I only juice: cucumbers, celery, lemons, kale, lettuce, a little carrot/beet, ginger, parsley, cilantro, and tumeric. I noticed much imporovement after juicing, and drink about 30 oz/day split up into 3x/day before meals. My questions:

1. Can juicing replace the alkalizing (BS & lemon)?? I feel its helping me much, and figure it has a whole lemon in it tons of enzymes & chlorophyll.. AND my TEETH are getting really sensitive to the lemon/acv!!! I have 2 teeth that are decaying as well.. so have to monitor this!!

2. I bought the Niacin (flush) vitamin in 1000mgs... And take that with my dinner... I cant really split it up. Is this problematic? I feel like this is whats causing the small "pinch/needle-like" feelings I get that linger.. I have about 4 of them now.

3. Instead of taking all these supplements, which I cant afford all the time, esp the ALA ($$$!! ), is there a way to get it in food???

4. My hair is STILL not back to what it should be, after falling out.. The lugols helped once I started taking it, but its still thin, esp in the front. I used to have THICK curly hair. Ive lost some curl, too =( Any suggestions about growing back hair! ?

5. Ive been getting more & more spider viens!! What is the cause! ? How do I make these STOP and REVERSE! ? Im 27!!! Oy.

6. Hormones. I need to balance my hormones. I cant tolerate heat very well... I get SO HOT at night! Also, libido is very low.. And still low energy. =( Ive been taking maca.. And the lugols iodine.. Anything else?

Thanks thanks thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!"

05/05/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Shelly... The best time to take probiotics is after you have detoxed heavy metals and poisons and your body is clear. Once these poisons are eradicated from your intestines and your body then probioics will have a much more beneficial effect. Currently, all sorts of poisons, candida toxins and heavy metals are being dumped into your intestines so probiotics will not be effective because of these poisons in your intestines. Probiotics will, therefore not be so helpful until these poisons are completely eradicated from the body. Also, taking probiotics now may cause further die-off and or digestive problems when taken too early.

In answer to your questions:

1. Can juicing replace the alkalizing (BS & lemon)?? I feel its helping me much, and figure it has a whole lemon in it tons of enzymes & chlorophyll.. AND my TEETH are getting really sensitive to the lemon/acv!!! I have 2 teeth that are decaying as well.. So have to monitor this!!

Take the lemon/acv mixed with sodium bicarbonate as advised by Ted in his Alkalizing Remedies. Doing this helps you to avoid acid -- which, when combined with an acid food diet, is what is destroying your teeth. Bacteria can't eat tooth calcium, acid is what causes teeth to decay. I would continue both with the juicing but still take both the Sodium Bicarb plus water as well as take the alkaline form of lemon/ACV remedies as recommended by Ted. Also, I would stop adding lemon(citric acid) to your juicing to avoid the acid form. Juicing will certainly help to provide minerals and vitamins for the body and it is really up to you whether want to do this. The dosages of vitamins and minerals that I recommend in the protocol are very specific - particularly vitamin c, niacin, B vitamins, iodine, magnesium, alkalizing etc and are much higher orthomolecular dosages that would be well nigh impossible to achieve through diet.

2. I bought the Niacin (flush) vitamin in 1000mgs... And take that with my dinner... I cant really split it up. Is this problematic? I feel like this is whats causing the small "pinch/needle-like" feelings I get that linger.. I have about 4 of them now.

You can take niacin with meals -- this lowers the flush effect. But now, I tend to take 1000 mgs niacin 3 times a day but I take an aspirin dissolved in water twenty minutes before I take the niacin. Aspirin also opens up the blood vessels and so there is no flushing effect from the niacin when you take it after taking the aspirin. Magnesium Oil (magnesium chloride in water) - in larger dose -- with water, when taken before niacin, also helps to prevent or reduce the niacin flush for the same reasons. Taking niacin this way, outside mealtimes, also ensures that more niacin is absorbed into the body than if it is taken at mealtimes.

3. Instead of taking all these supplements, which I cant afford all the time, esp the ALA ($$$!! ), is there a way to get it in food???

Supplements, although not ideal, do allow you too regulate dosage amounts more precisely. If you tried to get these same orthomolecular dosage amounts through eating food, then these dosage amounts would be hit and miss -- not accurate. I am very suspicious of all food now -- even organic food is suspect in my own opinion.

4. My hair is STILL not back to what it should be, after falling out.. The lugols helped once I started taking it, but its still thin, esp in the front. I used to have THICK curly hair. Ive lost some curl, too =( Any suggestions about growing back hair! ?

Loss of hair can be caused for many reasons - the favourite being that candida fungus is attacking your scalp causing your hair to fall out. But hair loss can also be caused by low thyriod as well (also as a consequence of candida infections). If the outer rim of your eyebrows are hairless and your eyebrows appear too short in length then this may indicate that you may well have low thyroid as well as a fungal problem. The anti-candida protocol should both help to both kill the scalp candida as well as help to normalize your thyroid.

You can try topical remdeys like 5 drops of lavendar oil mixed with a teaspoon of VCO rubbed into the scalp. You can also try borax with 3% hydrogen peroxide in water left on your scalp overnight. But if none of these topical remedies work then your scalp infection has arisen from the candida infection in your blood and not from just an infection on the skin so that is why topical remedies won't cure it. I had tinea cruris or jock itch when I had systemic candida and I could not get rid of this fungal problem until after I got rid of my systemic candida(candida in the blood). Therefore curing this problem may take some time, so please be patient.

5. Ive been getting more & more spider viens!! What is the cause! ? How do I make these STOP and REVERSE! ? Im 27!!! Oy.

Taking protease enzymes(enzymes that digest dead organic proteins) in larger amounts helps to digest blockages in veins and capillaries. At the moment, I am taking pancreatic enzymes with added bromelain and papain enzymes twice a day (2 X 900 mgs doses) outsode mealtimes as a regular detox procedure. Protease enzymes are not toxic or poisonous. In Dr Gonazalez's Metabolic Protocol for cancer -- he recommends a daily dosage of between 130 -- 160 pancreatic enzyme tablets per day in his protocol. The pancreatc enzymes help to remove the dead organic proteins that may be blocking the capillaries causing swelling and spider veins. Using a 70% solution of DMSO topically (with aloe vera oil) will also help to dissolve the blockages in the capillaries. MSM, supplemented at 2,000mgs to 6,000 mgs a day should also help to clear spider veins. Avoid calcium or dairy in your diet -- as advised in the anti-candida protocol.

6. Hormones. I need to balance my hormones. I cant tolerate heat very well... I get SO HOT at night! Also, libido is very low. And still low energy. =( Ive been taking maca.. And the lugols iodine.. Anything else?

When you have low energy and a weakened immune system, then generally a weakened libido is the result. Again, you need to get rid of the candida, which is continually weakening your immune system with its own myctoxins, as well as build up the body with healthy nutrients. Supplementing borax and iodine as well as a proper anti-candida diet will greatly help to stabilize and balance your hormones(as advised in the anti-candida protocol).

An intolerance to heat would also seem to indicate a thyroid problem. To check if you have a thyroid problem, on waking up first thing in the morning you should use a basal thermometer to check underarm whether your body temperature is too high or too low. If your temperature is not 98.6°F then you probably have a thyroid problem."

05/14/2013: Kt from the USA: "Hi Shelly, I'm only posting this because you said you wanted more babies and would probably prefer to breast-feed. I worked full time until the day I delivered my first (left work early about 2 PM and had her at 9PM). I was told longer I breast-fed the better so when I went back to work I expressed during my breaks and at lunch so I could keep the baby on breast milk for a year. When my milk supply started to decrease, the nurse practitioner suggested pumping more more. I asked my immediate supervisor if I gave up my breaks and lunch (I would eat at my desk) could I pump every two hours. He approved it but continuously harassed me by asking me to give him the times I would be "doing that".

I kept her on breast milk for a year, got pregnant the next month (I was thirty-six and my clock was running out. I felt she had to have a sibling) then I was set up and terminated when I was five months pregnant with my second child for frequently being away from my desk and a decline in performance. DUH!!

The point I was trying to make was pumping more and drinking gallons of water kept up my milk supply even though working full-time and being harassed on the job. I drank the chlorinated city water and never had a problem with yeast or any of the multiple problems you shared. I drank water after every meal and after every time I pumped. Hope this gives you some hope! Where there is a will there is a way."

09/25/2012: Markell from Provo, Ut: "Cayenne can't be taken long term. It can cause stomach cancer."

05/14/2013: Amysuek from Kane, Pa: "No, Cayenne does not cause stomach cancer. Please do not post wrong information on conjecture only."

05/15/2013: Kt from The Usa: "Could you please tell me what Kombucha is?"

EC: Hi KT, you can read about Kombucha tea here: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/kombucha_tea.html

02/22/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Teegurl... The remedy I would use for keloids is Ted's lugol's iodine and DMSO (Dimethylsulfoxide) in a 50 - 50 mix. Apply this twice a day to the keloid area. The DMSO helps the iodine to efficiently penetrate deep into the sub-epidermal layers which is where iodine does its best work by helping to regenerate new skin while pushing off the old keloid scar. DMSO is also useful for the skin. Your pain or inflammation problem may well also be caused by pathogens -- this is where lugol's iodine is also highly useful -- because it kills most pathogens in less than one minute.

After topical application of the DMSO/LI mix it would also be useful to apply aloe vera oil afterwards -- this will help heal the skin too. If you have difficulty finding lugols iodine then potassium iodide is fine to use as SSKI (Saturated Solution of Potassium Iodide).

For more options see these EC links on Keloid Scar Remedies:

Keloid Scar Remedies

Teds Keloid Scar Questions"

03/16/2013: Teegurl from Bangalore, India: "Thanks Bill, will definitely try your suggestion, but pls any idea how I can get the DMSO, and is that the common name?. Also if I have to apply the solution on the keloid area that will mean my entire upper region, my keloids are extensive spreading across my chest, neck and shoulders, both neck &chest are fixed together by a long stretch of skin. Please, I would like to know if the solution can be applied with a cotton wool. Thanks."

04/26/2013: Alex from US: "Hello! Have you heard of this place in India? http://www.padanjaly.com/keloids-scars-treatment.htm

I have had keloids on my jawline, chest, and shoulders now for 5 years. I Have had countless painful cortisone injections, an even had surgery on my neck. I have ordered the cream from that site, but I think going to the doctor there will help a lot more. I tried the ACV last night, mixed with organic wheat grass, and I do see the results! I have been mixing it with notoginseng for about a month, which has made my keloids shrink, as well as become lighter. So far, the ACV has worked the best! I wish you the best!!"

05/14/2013: Geiac from Las Pinas City: "Bill, where can I get SSKI or Lugol's in Manila? Most pharmacies don't carry SSKI"

10/03/2012: Rameshchandra from Ankleshwar, Gujarat: "With stent, can I use Apple Cider Vinegar, garlic, ginger, lemon? advice?"

02/14/2013: David from Washington, Dc: "Recieved stent 8/20/12. Informed of a 75% blockage, to be treated with meds. Question, want to take the acv/garlic/lemon/ginger/honey mix... is it safe with standard meds after balloon procedure?"

04/15/2013: Tara from Tabriz, Iran: "Hi, My husband had a heart attack 6 years ago and since then he is in doctor's control taking statins, aspirin, digoxin. But these drugs' side effects, especially statins, are severe. Can he use the garlic, ginger, lemon & ginger recipe instead of statins and digoxin to control his cholestrol? He has stent in one of his arteries."

05/14/2013: Raghav from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh , India: "hi, I received a stent in 2003 AND recent angiography showed 50% blockage WITHIN the stent.. Can I take this ACV/garlic/lemon/ginger/honey mixture with a stent already present on LAD ? If so, then what should be the dosages? Someone pls help.. Thanks"

05/15/2013: Baldev from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India: "Hi, This is in response to Abhi, Rameshchandra, David, Tara and Raghav, heart attack and having stent placed is no disqualification to take the natural things. All the ingredients of the mixture you are talking about are what we eat day to day, they are very healthy and are heart friendly and under no circumstances they will harm the heart. Ted and Bill have written a lot on this subject on this site so feel free to take it. Statins on the contrary have very strong side effects and in my opinion should be avoided as for as possible, they do less good and more harm. Ted on this site has recommended lemon oil 10 drops twice a day as a good aid to clean the arteries. Good Luck

Baldev (09322887066)"

05/15/2013: Gavin from Manganui, Northland, New Zealand: "And don't forget the trials on Pomegranate juice are very interesting, it actually reverses atherosclerosis, and unblocks blocked up arteries. The science on this one is very good."

05/18/2013: Lloyd from Charlotte, Nc: "The mixture will help keep more build up out the stint.

The lemon juice will do that. When my wife drinks the juice of a half lemon daily, her stint in her kidney stays amazingly clean and when replaced they come out quickly and without build up. Also a remedy for disolving kidney stones is one half lemon in a glass of water and drink... Do that ten times a day for two weeks. The stone will dissolve and come out without pain because the sharp edges have been eaten away by the citric acid.

On my father's heart surgery I got him on 1,000 iu of NATURAL ... not synthetic Vit E a day. He never got a build up and he lived 20 years after his heart surgery. Start with 200 iu of natural Vitamin E (d alpha tocopherol) NOT dl alpha tocopherol... And over a month increase to 400 etc till you are at 600 minimum. Vit E will thin the blood, so if one is on a blood thinner, you'd need to begin cutting back on the thinner as you increase the E. Asprin is a thinner, don't forget.

For dosages that you asked about, start with a tablespoon of ACV with the garlic, lemon mixture and drink on an empty stomach. If your stomach is not bothered by that, do it again before bed. The ACV will help with reflux also. The ginger is a "driver. " It will help deliver the mixture deeply and throughout the cells. If the mix is too much on an empty stomach, then take with meals."

05/13/2013: Grannyof4 from Hobbs, Nm: "Hi Tbs from London! Your writing indicates that you are very cautious about what you use and what you ingest, so I'm positive you're using Organic Sesame oil. Have you tried other oils? Is it possible you're allergic to the sesame oil?

I've only just begun my OP-ing (my first 'swish' today! ) so I am by no means an expert on this topic, "I'm just it out there."

I hope you're doing better!"

05/14/2013: Mark from Newton Abbot, Devon Uk: "Hi Tbs from London, This most definitely sounds like your body is processing old accumulated waste and bacteria, fungus etc., stick with it. My wife (a long term health junkie! ) recently discovered (like you are now) that she was not quite as healthy as she hoped,

She recently started on an oxygen based product (oxy -----, Raise up! , not allowed to advertise here so search), after reaching the higher dose in around 2 weeks her symptoms of detoxing really kicked in.

My wife has not been ill or had a cold /flue or anything really for well over 10 years (hence she thought she was healthy) but after 2 weeks on the oxy product she came out in a red spotty rash on her face, sore chest/ throat , runny nose, sinus pressure/ draining, headache and odd aches and pains in various joints, anyhow these are all reported detox signs so to control the situation she reduces the dose by half and in 48 hours her symptoms have all faded to a manageable level, I am trying to get her to start oil pulling soon as well as we have a unopened bottle of sesame oil to use up soon,

I was thinking if you really want to give your body all you can to heal detox and repair itself you might want to search for and look into an oxygen/mineral type of product as well, If you want to look into it search Ed Mc cabe to read up on this aspect of health, this is the same reason so many people turn to and use hydrogen peroxide (oxygen) as written about all over this site, fortunately there are now far better alternatives available and without the gacky taste!"

[WORKED TEMPORARILY]  05/14/2013: Lyle from Gaborone, Botswana: "Yes Cheryl, dietary changes work too. I thought I had cleared the athlete's foot. But when I stopped rubbing the garlic on my feet, it came back after about 3 months.

I then got a herbal tea mix of the these herbs: garlic bulb, barberry and milk thistle. Within two days of taking this, the funugs dried on the skin under my feet. It took about a month for the skin to fall off. After about a month, I ran out of the tea and the fungus attacked again within two weeks. I guess there are lots of spores in my body.

I intend to take this herbal tea for the whole year in a bid to clear the spores from my system. I am much happier with the tea since it doesn't smell. Also, I like prefer tea (compared to rubbing on the body) since I can drink it cold in the summer and warm when its cold, it cleans the body from inside, just what I need. Man, I havent been to the gym in ages now due to this fungus.

I probably need to get rid of my shoes and socks as well so I dont get re-infected.

This herbal tea was formulated to treat Thrush, but it works for both thrush and athlete's foot."

01/09/2012: Cf from Delaware, Usa: "I noticed an increase in hot/cold sensitivity when I began oil pulling, too. I use organic, extra virgin coconut oil. I'm not sure why the pulling increased the sensitivity, but after switching to a non-flouride toothpaste I longer have a problem."

01/09/2012: Cf from Delaware, USA: "Correction... after switching to a non-flouride toothpaste, I no longer have a problem."

05/14/2013: Mark from Newton Abbot, Devon Uk: "Hi Mike from Wilmette, Usa: This also happens with me. I did not have any issues with any of my teeth apart from one can be sensitive to extremely sweet foods like honey, but otherwise no problems. When I oil pull with black seed oil (BSO) my teeth often hurt like heck and are very sensitive to temperature for several days.

I only seem to get this with the BSO so now I use other oils I would suggest trying other oils until you find a suitable one for you also look into enamel issues of your teeth

I suspect the oil is merely highlighting an existing issue that is already there, In my case too much pineapple (very acidic) may have reduced my coating of enamel which then allowed the oil to highlight this problem

I am now looking into fixing my enamel properly through diet and no longer use BSO."

05/14/2013: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "J_stone: I've read that once your gut heals, you can tolerate more stuff you were allergic to. This has happened to me. I've been pretty strict (not too strict tho) with eating mostly natural stuff, and I must say, I can now tolerate many more foods IN MODERATION. If I go overboard, I feel it.

So you can try a natural diet, but you should know it's not a life sentence: it's a healing stage."

05/14/2013: Kt from the USA: "J_stone--please be aware that dairy cows could be fed corn in the winter to produce more milk. This would affect the cheese and butter too. Mmsg is right-on with moderation because of what is happening to our food supply. Genetically modified grasses and grains (GMO's) have tainted our food in one way or another.

If food is being engineered to last longer it seems to me the creatures in the food are surviving and when we use anti-bacterial soaps and hand sanitizers we could be killing off the defenses. I JUST DON'T KNOW... But there has to be a reason so many people keep getting sick. The hospitals are no longer safe. People are going in to get fixed and are coming down with worse ailments than they went in with if they don't die. This has been on the news more than once."

05/14/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Hi J_stone from Indy: I agree with Mmsg from Europe.

In the book, Digestive Wellness (Lipski), they found that one-third of children with eosinophilic esophagitis also had asthma (in fact, EE is being called "asthma of the esophagus"). Allergic reactions to foods, mold, dust and pollen appear to play a big role. Even people on medication need to restrict/eliminate allergy-inducing foods or they won't improve, regardless of what drugs they take.

Here is what they recommend:

• Go on an elimination-provocation diet
• Quercetin: This will diminish, relieve and prevent allergy symptoms and protect esophageal tissue. Quercetin is very effective when combined with grape seed extract or pycnogenol.
• Probiotics: This will balance gut ecology and immune system function.
• Digestive enzymes
• DGL licorice: soothes inflammation and stimulates repair.
• Folic acid: Protects mucous membranes.

Can you work with a naturopathic doctor? That way the ND could tailor any supplements to your child's weight and severity of symptoms.

I would highly recommend borrowing Digestive Wellness from your library (or buy it, but if funds are tight, borrowing is a good option). It has instructions on the elimination diet and the various types and dosages of probiotics. Good luck! Bess"

05/15/2013: Sadie from Manchester: "J, sorry for the short reply but short on time, please refer to my post on my son's leaky gut. It has been hard but similar protocol may help your son. Just use the search box or look up under ailments."

EC: Here is the url to Sadie's thread: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/leaky-gut-syndrome.html#BP

05/14/2013: Anon from Anon: "Hi, I sympathise it's tough reducing your coffee intake but it's necessary as coffee removes all the water soluble vitamins from your body every time you drink it. So best to cut it out - it's best to cut it out gradually at first get down to one a day then I a week. I am at the once a week stage and am a bit stuck- now I notice I feel grumpy and or tired afterwards and take b vits and spoonful of Bsm to make up for it. Good luck"

05/13/2013: Shikhar from Noida, Up: "Hi Jay, Hoping you are doing great. I am suffering from eye flaoters since 4 years and after the last few weeks it got increased. I have been checked by eyes from varius Doctors but they said no treatment is required. Could you please let me know about the beet juice and how much benefit you got with that? Regards, Shikhar shikhar82 (at) gmail [dot]com."

05/13/2013: Carol from San Francisco, Ca.: "Would also like to know about the beet juice. I purchased some beets a few days ago and would like to know should I just juice them and how much juice are you using? Thanks so much!!"

03/27/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "You need to cleanse your liver. Just my guess."

03/27/2013: Claromce from Templeton, Ca, Usa: "Not sure what magnesium oil is, but magnesium tabs helped me a lot."

03/28/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa: "Trudyg, I like you tried them all for sleeping. Finally I stumbled onto Melatonin Ultra, 3 mg melatonin, theanine, GABA, chamomile, valerian, B6 and calcium. You're to take 1, 2 if jet lagged. I've been taking 1. 5 the past year and backed off to just one tab 2 weeks ago as I'm on my way to bed, not earlier than that. I fall asleep fast. My problem is I have "waking insomnia" where I sleep three or four hours then am wide awake. Have had it many years. This product has helped me sleep through most nights. Hope you try it and it works for you also."

03/28/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "How does a liver cleanse help insomnia? Also, the melatonin ultra is just one of the things I have already tried without success. Please, is there nothing else out there? How do you cleanse a liver?"

03/28/2013: Jade from Dallas, Texas: "Yes, how do you cleanse your liver? I will do anything as I have severe insomnia and sleep only couple hours every night so please let me know any suggestions how to get into a sleep clinic would be great. Thanks Jade"

03/28/2013: Ejules from Woodbridge, Va, Us: "Try "Insomnia" by Hyland. I"ve used it for years and it has worked for several people who I've recommended it to (I always offer to buy their bottle if it doesn't work for them). It's a tiny homeopathic tablet that dissolves under your tongue. One or two should solve your sleeplessness and a bottle of 50 costs less than $10 so it's definitely cost effective. Totally counterintuitive as to why it should work but it does. It's more effective than melatonin, ambien, and all the other things I tried. Now, I always have some at home by the bed and definitely when I travel. Especially good for those nights when the tape in your head won't turn off or if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I've taken one tab to get back to sleep when I had to be up in 2-3 hrs; two or three when first going to bed, if needed. You won't have a 'hangover' like some of those others give you. Hope this helps you get some rest."

03/28/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "Well, it has been a little while so you may want to google some info but you should eat fruits (which are the cleaners) and veggies (which are the builders), Avoid sugars, alcohol, white flour products. Lean meats and healthy grains I think are acceptable. Do some more research. Also get some liver cleanse pills. I was told by a naturopath that if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up thru the night it is because sleep is disturbed because the liver is busy processing so many toxins. So at the end of the day cleanup your diet. Diet is king."

03/29/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "A simple Liver cleanse is to eat lots of Beets."

03/29/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I would willingly do a liver cleanse IF I were sure it would not excacerbate my ibs-d. I'm doing too well controlling it to take a chance. The lemon juice/baking soda thing could start diarhhea and, w/ me, this can go on for a year or more once it starts. Eating beets I can do, I love them and do eat them frequently. Grow them in my garden, so I know they are organic. I eat lots of 'greens', whatever is growing at the moment, so I think my diet is pretty good overall. I eat chia seeds daily, drink homemade kefir, don't eat much meat but usually fish, maybe the grains is where I go wrong. The unprocessed grains usually get my bowels going, so I avoid them. I do appreciate the comments, will try the niacinamide. Thanks."

03/29/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Trudyg; Insomnia has been a problem for me too, and like you, I've tried many supplements and herbs. It is still difficult. What works for many, sometimes will have the opposite effect for me.

I try to keep a record of supplements, herbs, even foods that have a stimulating or relaxing effect.

I take B vitamin supplements, but most are stimulating, so I take them in the morning. ( I take extra B12 sublinguals. BTW, it helps my hot flashes. ) B12 suppresses melatonin in the day, allowing it to increase at night.

I do take Niacinamide, (B3), in the evening, it relaxes me. ( I take 250 mgs.)

I still take 1mg. of Melatonin in the evening. It helps, but it doesn't work alone for me.

This past year, I've had good results from taking 15mgs. of Zinc in the evening. ( It may help people with elevated evening cortisol, or possibly, elevated blood sugar.)

I take extra Potassium as a supplement, it also relaxes me.

There are many supplements that work miraculously for other folks, such as : Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc. , but I seem to have a paradoxical reaction to them - worsened insomnia. (I'm sure many folks could have this same reaction to the supplements that work for me.)

I believe my best success with insomnia is from finding the substances that interfere with sleep.

Good Wishes."

03/31/2013: Tamara from Bellevue (formerly Ft. Collins, Co), Wa: "Hi Connie, have you tried switching around when you take vitamin D? I noticed that you mentioned you take your B vitamins in the morning. There's mounting anecdotal evidence (since no one is doing a study on timing of intake) that vitamin D supplementation in the morning improves sleep in lots of different facets. For me, it made me drowsier at night so it's easier to fall asleep and my mood was better when waking (to me indicating that I was more rested). I believe that it acts like liquid, chemical sunshine and helps set our circadian rhythm. Seth Roberts has collected a sample of people's testimonies of morning vitamin D supplementation here: http://blog.sethroberts.net/category/sleep/vitamin-d3-and-sleep/"

03/31/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales: "The Liver cleanse, is good, but you can't do anything for days! It works BUT you're gonna feel real nasty! Never mind House work, and stuff like that. The "DETOX" Reaction will get you! I know! I did this loads of times. Do not go to the ER. They will put you on drugs. Then you end up were you started and worse than that. I know. Belive me, I am detoxing and I feel real ill! BUT... I know it's working. Best of luck xx Love andrea c"

04/01/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I am really afraid of doing a liver cleanse, after doing some research. It makes you really move things out. With ibs-d, I'm moving pretty fast as an everyday thing. Getting it to stop is the problem. If you haven't had diarrhea constantly for years, every single day, then you don't know what I mean. Seriously, I wear depends in order to go buy groceries. As I am now in a fairly good place, I'm not tinkering with it. The last flare I had lasted over a year and I needed a new mattress. I'll eat as well as I can, but I'm not asking for more diarrhea."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi, Intractable diarrhea may be from a B12/Folate deficiency."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Tamara; I agree that there can be various ways to have success with the use of a supplement; dosage amount, timing of dosage, etc.

Another possibility is that certain co-factor nutrients may be needed to allow the vitamin to be available to the cells.

For instance, from what I've learned from reading on the Vitamin D Council website: Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Boron are needed for vitamin D absorption. Zinc helps to prime vitamin D receptors."

04/01/2013: Megan from St Louis, Missouri: "I would try ear plugs. My husband snores and I am a very light sleeper. They are a life saver!"

04/01/2013: Liz from Torrance, California: "Sorry you are experiencing insomnia. I have it occasionally and have found a few things that help.

Adrenals: I would start by finding out from a naturopath if your adrenals are overtaxed. You might have adrenal exhaustion and could benefit from some adrenal support supplements.

Exercising: Do you exercise? What time of the day do you exercise? This too may play into night time insomnia. Exercising earlier in the day is always better. If you don't get enough exercise, that too might exacerbate insomnia."

04/02/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "Thanks for all the suggestions. I read Ted's comments and am going to try the B3 (niacinamide) and B12. Those are 2 I haven't supplemented because I thought I was getting enough from food. Yes, I do exercise--I run/walk between 1-2 miles/day on the treadmill first thing in the morning, then I do QiGong around 3 in the afternoon. I stand rather than sit, walk every chance I get while at work. Weekends I clear land (very hilly) at our farm, set fenceposts, garden, yardwork, etc. I think the activity level is good. I get migraines from melatonin, so when I take it I keep it to no more than 1 mg. Calms Forte + 1 mg melatonin will work 1 day out of 4, typically. If I didn't have to work I would just nap as needed and not worry about it."

04/02/2013: Tina from Houston, Usa: "Please google Min-tran. It is a natural, food based product that helps with sleep issues. I have in the past taken 4-6 an hour before bed, and it knocks me off. It works with the para-sympathic side of the nervous system and brings the body to balance.

Also 'natural calm' magnesium powder that dissolves in warm water, a few hours before bed is excellent in resolving incomnia issues.

Good luck!"

05/13/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "It's me again, the chronic insomniac. I tried the molasses in sleep time tea--boy, did I get diarrhea! Only did 1 tsp, not a tbs. Mg loosens the bowels, with ibs-d I get it very fast and then it won't stop. If I take calcium in the correct ratio w/ mg it's bad, calcium alone helps slow it down. Big issue is the sleep. A post said taurine + l-glutamate + theanine. For me, did nothing. I added 5-htp to that mix, still nothing. Finally took 1 mg melatonin, would have slept but for the vomiting due to melatonin induced migraine. HELP! In spite of all this, I am healthy--exercise daily, garden, work, eat well. What am I doing wrong? My mind chatters all night long, if I fall asleep I awake with a jolt. Thanks for listening."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "just out of curiosity... What about a baking soda bath or a baking soda with vinegar bath.... Maybe 1/4 cup of each.... then rinse it off, just in case. How do you drink your water? How much, when.. ? I use to drink a lot of water but until I followed the procedure in the watercure site it wasn't helping me. I'm so sorry you are suffering ... Love, Joy"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I went back to the insomnia page and read all your post... I'm sorry you are sufferring.

I went to a few google sites and looked around also.

This is just a stab in the dark.... I care. The fact that your grow your own greens and eat lots of them, means you probably get a whole lotta magnesium from them so when you take the mag you get the IBS. The fact that you get a lot of mag from your plants means you might be out of balance somewhere in your minerals. I read that ZINC aids in 300 enzyme functions and helps IBS D sufferers because of the digestion enzyme functions it helps.

They talked about water use at the bottom of the page....

Your diarrhea which I had myself from C diff for 6 months, is scary and stealing your minerals and possible other nutrients.... the chia seeds are suppose to help the IBS D and one site says they are safe to use for 12 wks.

LAST IDEA ... Get a hair analysis and see if there is a mineral out of balance causing the diarrhea because you eat minerals but too much of one would cause the dumping syndrome. As if you ate a poison

May you find you sleep like a baby, .... You'll be in my prayes... Love, JOY"

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "I put 2 tbs acv+squirt of honey + 'fingertip' of borax in a 16 oz bottle, top off with water and sip it till lunch, then do another for afternoon till suppertime. I pee all the time, so can't do more than that. Usually an herbal tea (peppermint) in the evening around 6:30. Haven't heard of the water cure, so please clue me in. Also, I didn't think baking soda or vinegar would penetrate skin so haven't tried them in a bath, at least not since the last uti or skin issue years ago. Thanks."

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "Take it at bedtime or earlier in the day?"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash : "Try coconut meat for diarrhea. On one site, coconut macaroon cookies stopped a lot of people's diarrhea, calmed down their intestinal tract. My book says coconut heals teeth to rectum, you may sleep better if bowels were calm. Coconut milk can cause the runs in some people but coconut oil is very healthy and so is the meat but the meat makes me gain weight. Coconut is anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, anti viral, and kills parasites ...

Been thinking about you all day looking at sites that might help .... Love, Joy

Also just for info...1/4 tsp baking soda in water may make you neutral so you can rest not reacting to anything ... Your environment may be upsetting you, put baking soda on rug or in a bowl near the bed to clean the air.

I worked in an allergy clinic and was also a patient there and one lady went asthma and fell to the floor gasping while I put balm on my lip.... I freaked but she was actually reacting to the lady that just came in the door with hairspray on. Your immune system may need help."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Niacinamide can cause flushing(red tinging on face) make sure it's in a low dose B- complex and take half pill --not a whole pill, OR get a liquid and start on a very small dose, you don't need to suffer anymore. If it feels overwhelming take 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. baking soda in water and put a stop to it. Smallest amount that helps."

05/14/2013: Trudyg : "I've been using coconut oil for years now, so I guess that's good. Had been supplementing vit D but levels went kind of high (don't remember what it was) & dr said to back off. That was the first thing I tried for the insomnia, never noticed it to help. Wouldn't hurt to start it again, maybe not so high a dose. Funny, but I get really bad migraines from the air freshener a coworker loves to spray, so I know allergies are in there somewhere. Thanks."

05/14/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I forgot to mention earlier, I had been taking the baking soda daily, too, but quit because my bp went up. I can do it again, it was high for me and I'm always a bit low. Thanks. Isn't it amazing how our foods affect us? Wow."

05/15/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I am taking a b-complex (only for about a week now), had been taking a b12 in the morning and B3 at night, but then I read that it can prevent sleep so I stopped all but the complex. Should I stop the complex and take only b3, when? in the evening? or some other combo. I did the 12 & 3 b/c of a Ted post. Will start the baking soda today. Thanks."

05/15/2013: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Joy, niacinamide does not cause flushing, niacin does. In fact, niacinamide is what's recommended for those who want the benefits of niacin, without the flush."

05/15/2013: Trudyg : "Just grabbing at straws here, but I have a lot of the symptoms for hypoglycemia, too. Just wondering. My a1c level was great, so I've been tested. I pee all the time, often needing to go within an hour of my last trip to the br. I am always thirsty. I get shaky if I wait too long to eat, then I grab a sweet. Sometimes I slur my speech (thought it was due to stuttering as a child), I get uncoordinated (call me graceful). Thoughts? What should I do that I'm not already doing? ( I know, I should stop whining)."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil. Try the water cure for two weeks, and if you do the supplemental --B's start very low dose mornings.

If you pee all the time (losing minerals and nutrients) ...... Your body is dropping either sugar or something is amiss with your diet, could be as simple as your mint, or anything you put in your water. I lived by a mint field and my friend lived there and her son got poisoned by the soil that affected their water well. He had to detox. There is one other thing that would cause constant peeing is food dye or bad fats or something your body is dumping like your bowel symptom. So 2 +2 here is you are dumping bladder and bowel.

One last thing might be imbalance in microbes in bowel and bladder maybe enzymes and probiotics and possible parasite.. Or ph is off... just wild guesses here.

Baking soda in bowl on desk at work to counteract coworkers sprayng chemicals.

Don't take D if you are high D and don't take baking soda if your BP is high."

05/15/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, I went through something very similar a few years ago. I was sure I was diabetic as I had had trouble with hypoglycemia since I was 15. (I am 46 now. ) My sleep was poor, I couldn't quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, and of course, I was in the bathroom all the time from all that water. I was getting sores in my mouth, too. I went to the Dr. to get my blood sugar checked first thing in the morning when I finally put 2 + 2 together. But my sugar was okay! (Guess my math was wrong! ) He said, "Oh, it is probably your thyroid. " Sure enough, blood tests indicated hypothyroidism. I suppose this shouldn't have been too surprising as I have had low basal body temperature (as low as 96.3 upon rising for years. I figured I was subclinical hypothyroid and never did anything about. ) The doctor put me on a low dose of synthroid, 50mcg, which did help the symptoms I had been dealing with, but my hair started falling out and I felt terrible. I sat around feeling terrible most of the time. (Doctor said the synthroid was not causing this, but I didn't believe him. ) I didn't think I had any options but started to research and found that I did have options! I quit taking the synthroid after 3 months. I started to do everything I could find to help my thyroid naturally. I took extra virgin coconut oil 1-2 T. daily. I drank Apple Cider Vinegar daily (at least 2 T. per day in water; I spread mine throughout the day. ) I took 12.5 mcg iodine/iodide daily. Meanwhile, I got pregnant. I had the midwife check my thyroid. It was still not in the right range, but I didn't go back on prescription meds. I felt pretty good with what I was doing. I had a normal pregnancy and a healthy full-term baby. I was afraid to fool with the iodine much while pregnant. After I had the baby, I upped my dose to 25mcg daily. (In the am. ) At some point after the birth, the midwife checked my thyroid again and it was in the normal range! (And I had been promised by the doctors that prescription meds were my ONLY option! ) Iodine was what doctors used to use to treat hypothyroid.

So, you could have your thyroid checked or try taking your early morning temp (before getting out of bed, eating, drinking etc. ) If it is low, you can be pretty sure it is hypothyroidism. Research your alternatives.

Hope you get some relief and answers soon. ~Mama to Many~"

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "Sorry, I should have looked it up, but what is the water cure? I eat only foods I prepare myself, no additives or dyes. The only place I would get those are my supplements, so I'll look at that. The only fats are from coconut, grapeseed oil, or avocado. I had my thyroid checked (runs in the family) and it was okay but I may add iodine at very small doses to see if I feel better. Thanks."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I've had my thyroid checked, it appears ok. I know from family experience that the numbers can be okay but you can not be okay. I have some potassium iodide drops, says 2/day. Should I start those and see how I feel? How long before I notice a difference do you think? My sleep has never been good, but since I quit hrt after my hysterectomy it's been terrible. I've got the hot flashes under control (not gone, but bearable). I thank God for the help you all are giving me. I'm really at my wits end."

05/16/2013: Robyn from Asheville, Nc: "Hi TrudyG, I was wondering the same thing. If you go to the watercure site, it's basically an advertisement to buy the book (Earth Clinic, doesn't this go against your policy about not posting links to commercial sites?). A little digging on the web and I learned that you should drink water a half hour before and after eating. You should also take 1/4 teaspoon of salt (sea salt) per quart of water. Or drink this every few glasses of water."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I seem to be the one percent that have the side effects that most don't... With supplements, medicines and with topicals.... Since childhood when I start a new supplement I take half a pill every other day or can't sleep. Makeup is suppose to make a person look better , well for me... It does strange things that are not good. They give me something to calm me down and revs me up, and gives me panics. I eat sugar and no crash, just moving right along."

05/16/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I did some looking and saw that, too. You divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of water/day, adding sea salt every couple of glasses-worth. I'd be peeing all day if I did that! I must say, though, when I drink water w/ acv, I need to go less often. I drink 1 cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then only water until evening, then a cup of herbal tea. I push the fluids and rarely feel thirsty. I do agree that we could all benefit by increasing our water intake, but by how much is really the question."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I get weird reactions, too. When they give me narcotics (you'll sleep! ) ha--not me, I'm bouncing off the wall. Half an aspirin is plenty for me, so I start out low dose, too. I'm post-menopausal, so get hot flashes and couldn't tell you if it's due to a supplement or not. I take evening primrose oil for that, and have added vit e (200/cap X 2/d, don't know if mg or iu). I think most drs either don't know and don't want to say so or think that women are weak complainers, so they don't take us seriously."

05/16/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, If the iodine drops say 2 per day, you could start with that. Does it say how much iodine you are getting? All drops do not have the same amount. I compared using iodine drops to what I take orally and I would have to take 20 drops a day to get what I am getting in pills. (And I don't like the taste of iodine in my water.) Anyway, start with 2 drops a day for a few days. Then do a skin test--drop a few drops onto your skin (I do inside my forearm. ) If it is gone in a short time, you are still iodine deficient. If you can still see it after 12 hours, you are getting enough. (Some say you should be able to see it after 24 hours. Broda Barnes has a book on Thyroid that explains it all but I haven't read it. ) If I can see the iodine spot on my arm after 6-8 hours, I think I am doing pretty well. (I really can't bear to take more iodine than I take. It just seems like too much to me.) I know my thyroid was low LONG before it showed up on a blood test. If you take your early morning, before rising temperature and it is low (Some would say anything under 98.0 is low... But I am not sure. Under 97.0 is definitely low.) My naturopathic doctor says you should not use a digital and you should keep it in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.

Anyway, you can increase the amount of iodine by a couple of drops if the iodine on your skin disappears quickly and continue to check on your skin and increase by a couple of drops etc. Until the iodine isn't absorbing quickly. Or, if you notice improvement, you could stop when that happens.

I can't recall how long it took for the iodine to provide me with noticeable difference. It was perhaps days or a week or two. But if I run out my symptoms come back pretty fast - mabye in a day or two.

You are dealing with lots of health challenges... So sorry! With the IBS are you possibly losing nutrients you need, causing health challenges? Comfrey is wonderful for this. In her book, Be your Own Doctor, Rachel Weaver says to use comfrey root powder and slippery elm powder to help and heal this. Both are soothing to the digestive tract and very nutritious. She has you mix them together with water to a dough like consistency and then make little pea size balls you can take throughout the day when symptoms flare up. Comfrey leaves can also be mixed with other soothing and nutritive herbs (like Red Raspberry) and made into a tea that will provide extra nutrients. I didn't use to think herbal tea would do much, but I have had some amazing help from them this year and have changed my mind. Activated charcoal is also a great thing for digestive difficulty and helps detox as well (but very gently. ) Just don't take it near time of other supplements as it adsorbs toxins and may also do the same with nutrients. (I take it leaving a 2 hour window. ) You can mix 1 t. In water or take tablets or capsules. Just a couple of more things to consider... Hope it isn't too overwhelming... Praying for relief for you."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Earth Clinic has a water cure section with Ted commenting on Dr. Batmanghelidj.. I'm not selling books. All these lovely people here on earth clinic are sharing what helps them and I am doing the same thing, hoping it helps alleviate someone of their sufferring. Love, Joy"

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "About Dr Batmanghelidj's Water Cure: This man was a humanitarian who was ignored by the present medical system. He has helped innumerable people back to health. If people drink water without supplementing with, for example, celtic salt, they will urinate, dehydrating themselves as well as loosing vitamins and minerals. It was the chemically manufactured salt that wreaked havoc with the world's population and caused an explosion of serious diseases that killed many. Because allopaths have no training in nutrition they misguide patients to their detriment.

I have just begun slowly and do not run to the bathroom because of the water drinking. The protocol is easy and must be followed meticulously. Get off to a slow start. Already I have noted the effect of water doing its work in the entire body. I hope this will, in addition of magnesium, cure my insomnia. It is nature, not drugs that will do it. I am thankfull toward the good doctor and think it would be of benefit to read his by now famous book, even though just doing the program would be alright So many people have been helped including pets. To be rightly informed is self empowerment. Be leery of the common table salt, but natural wet salts are delicious, provide much needed minerals and prevent the continuous problem of over urination. We are made mainly of water, so is the planet with vast resources of salt water. Sometimes I think that the intake of chemical and denatured salt over a life time could be a contributory factor of Alzheimers as our brain, too, is made up largely of water. We are all keen on learning how to get in touch and back to nature and with determination success will be ours. Love, Om"

05/18/2013: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Om can you tell me if everytime you drink water you have to add the salt? Thanks..."

05/18/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "add 1 gram of wind and sun dried sea salt $1.70 for 24 oz at whole foods and 1 gram of dead sea salt $20 for a 4 lb pail at whole foods per quart of water."

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "Lauren, just type in "water cure 2" and you will find the protocol. It is quite easy to follow. I found that indeed one only needs to pee every 2 or 3 hours when the salt is taken on the tongue but not in the water. If not, there is more instructions which are simple for everyone. You will benefit greatly. Good luck, Om"

05/19/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Hi, You drink the water(1-2cups) half an hour before you eat a meal to prepare the stomach lining to drop the acid and enzymes to break down the food and have the water to mix with the bola in the intestines to prevent constipation. Also you add the salt to your food if you are not already eating plenty in the form of iodized sea salt. Too much water without salt and you pee too often... Too much salt and you get bloated.... You also have to start this slowly or you are not going to feel well. It can take up to two weeks to rehydrate a body properly.

Histamine is a dehydration signal. Whenever you get your water/salt/potassium/calcium/magnesium and other minerals out of balance your body shoots out some histamine and the histamine causes reactions to food, air, water, cloth, chemicals, cleaning products. and makes you feel ill."

05/20/2013: Kt from The Usa: "What time do you eat your last meal of the day? I try to have dinner at five and don't eat anything after six."

05/22/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "Last night I took L-Glutamine, Taurine, 5-Htp, Theanine, and a vitamin e. Tossed and turned all night, when I slept I had very active dreams-to the point I thought I was awake, woke up with a splitting headache. I've been doing the acv+baking soda+borax thing during the day. I can't go on like this, something's gotta give. Getting some sleep should not be so hard."

05/22/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "The famous naturopath doctor david wolfe said raw chocolate is the best herb for the brain increases and balances all the neurotransmitters. I take 15 grams of raw organic cocoa powder every day in divided doses. You can take more if you want to."

[YEA]  02/12/2012: Deltagirl from Portsmouth, Usa: "have been struggling with Cystic Acne for a couple of years now-and nothing has been working. It has been horrible. A few weeks ago I had three start to form on my chin - I felt the painful tenderness that precludes cystic acne. At the same time I was starting to catch a cold, so began to take my regular "shot" routine of organic Apple Cider Vinegar to ward off the bug. I noticed about an hour or so later that the pain in my chin had subsided, so decided to google for any link with ACV and cystic acne and found this site.

Have started drinking ACV regularly since finding this site and so far it appears to be working! (fingers crossed! ). I am totally ecstatic and hope that it continues! I bought the store's supply of ACV! Lol."

05/13/2013: Valerie from New York: "I just went to the vitamin store and bought Turmeric caps and a gallon of ACV. I am 51 years old and NEVER had to deal with acne much less this painful cystic acne until I started menopause about 3 years ago! I have been put on birth control pills, numerous topical prescription creams, lotions and oral pills all with no resolution to the problem! I have had it! I work with the public as a Medical Assiatant by day and group exercise instructor by night! I am so self conscious of this and SICK and tired of gobbing on makeup to cover the cysts and redness caused by them! I hope the turmeric and ACV works!"

05/13/2013: Hopefully : "Have you tried moisturing with coconut oil (anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial) and cutting out milk (dairy may cause acne cycts)? Best Wishes!"

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  05/13/2013: Peg from Minneapolis, Mn: "I have found Olive Leaf Extract 500-1000 mg 2x day or whatever you need... This is the one herb I have found they haven't seemed to build a resistance to... but it really works to mix up the Olive Leaf with Garlic 1000 mg and perhaps Cats Claw 500 mg also Alpha Lipoic Acid and C0Q10... These are some of the most powerful herbs out there... amazingly since I've been fighting these beasts... My blood sugar has dropped to very low levels (good) and my cholesterol has dropped 60 points... So the garlic and these other herbs have done good things for my body in general... Online Vitacost has a 3x strength Neem extract that's great... My naturopath says Wormwood works the best against it... Can only use 7 days at a time though.. She recommended the tincture... Also Vitacost has shampoo w/neem in it and you can add a little to make stronger... What's probably slowed them down the most is Psorinum homeopathic... Its actually made of residue left from scabies so it works against the mites... You need to work w/homeopath with that cuz its powerful for some reason... But I did read that homeopathics say that diseases are made chronic by putting things on skin which drive things into body and make them a much bigger problem. try to drive these buggers from the inside out... Things on the skin will only make chronic.... If you possibly can... But I've been taping 2500 gauss or 5000 gauss magnets around my body - just don't put the high powered ones near head... Heart area might not be good either... But they do weaken them. Good luck..."

03/14/2013: Juliette from Reston, Va: "I've suffered from insomnia on and off and its soo debilitating and I really feel for you!!!

First off, diet is important... Sugary starchy foods in my experience make it harder for me to sleep. Up your veggies!

You might wanna look into amino acids 5htp and GABA... If your still on any psych meds this may not be your best bet though. But research them and make sure you take them at the right times through out the day. for 5htp late afternoon and before bed is best and GABA you wanna just take before bed because it reallyyyy chills you out.

I see your constipated so you should look into getting some magnesium citrate in powder form... itll relax you AND help you poop.

There's this cream called adrena calm thats really amazing you just rub it on your feet at night and instantly you feel better I know were not supossed to hock products but this reallyyyyy works for me. they sell it on amazon.

Since you've been on meds for a while your liver might be over taxed... that's been the case with me in the past and when I take better care of my liver (milk thistle supplements) I notice a difference in my sleeping and my energy.

Also finding a connection to a higher power of some sort has been a great comfort to me. Be it universal energy, God, Allah, Buddha, Mary, you angels or spirit guides... Sometimes we need to reach out to a power greater than ourselves to restore our lives to balance and peace. Prayer and meditation are very important tools in my life. Sometimes just starting simple and just saying help me!! There is help and comfort there :)

Try to take it easy the more we stress out about the insomnia the worse it gets. just take a deep breathe and let yourself be guided to the solution.

Sending you good vibes!!"

03/16/2013: Dawn from Alberta, Canada: "Paula, I am sorry to hear how you are suffering. I too suffered years from insomnia and constipation. Since I have started taking probiotic yogurt and Kefir, my constipation is completely cured. Now I have bowel movement everyday. You can buy Kefir at the store, after that make your own with couple of spoons of the store bought Kefir. That will save u money. If you are lactose intolerant, you can make resuvelac at home, just google resuvelac. I also take magnesium at bed time everyday. I sleep pretty good now. I hope this will help you. Good Luck!!!!"

04/03/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi Paula, Sounds like you are having reactions to the binders and fillers in your vitamins/supplements. The binders and fillers are more than likely made from plants. It is reported that our food is being engineered to last longer so it has become harder to digest. These genetically engineered plants have to be considered starch. This is noted from MY EXPERIENCE with what has happened to our food. Even the critters we eat or get milk and eggs from are being fed grains and grasses that are difficult for them to digest. I get the 2% milk IN GLASS and sometimes dilute that with a little water. Warm milk before bed helps me sleep. Skimmed milk is bad because, by law, vitamins have to be added and they can cause more problems. I would try to lay off the supplements for awhile because it will take a long time to get out of your system."

05/13/2013: Kathi from New Brunswick, Nj: "Your symptoms seem similar to what I was experiencing a few years ago, please have a look at:

http://www.earthclinic.com/Supplements/vitamin_d2.html#RF_22255

Additional helpful things: vitamin D supplementation, going gluten free. The cognitive behavioral therapist emphasized going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, getting light exposure during the day."

05/19/2013: Precisely. from Mineral Hill, New Mexico, Usa: "Hi Paula,

Just wanted to add my favorite cramping remedy: Co-Q10. One capsule daily seems to stop all cramping, within an hour or less, from when taken. I happen to like one brand, Qunol Ultra CoQ10, best. It's very effective, works fast, and isn't expensive compared to most CoQ10 available (sorry to mention a Brand but it's a totally better product IMHO). Hoping you are already experiencing relief!"

[YEA]  11/24/2008: Patty from Clarington, Ohio: "Yea. I dont know either, however i am feeling much better. The only thing i did different this month is the black strap. Cycle only 4 days and no heavy bleeding. I dont know how it works, but nature and God is speaking to us women."

05/13/2013: Tracey from Indiana: "How long did it take for the blackstrap molasses to work?"

05/13/2013: Rebecca_m from Los Angeles, Ca: "Thank you, thank you, thank you ladies!! For your honesty and suggestions. I have had reoccuring BV for about 3 years now. Every time I get it, the doctor gives me metronidazole and it goes away and then comes right back! This has caused me so much frustration and embarrasment and has put a serious damer on my self esteem and my personal life. When it came back this time I was almost in tears. I am going to try everything on this list and see what works best for my body. It is so great to know that I am not alone in my struggle and now I have new hope! I'll let you ladies know what my results are!"

05/13/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Hi Steve from Cleveland - Your daughter is very blessed to have you as her dad! My diabetic brother went along with what the doctors said and had a partial amputation of his foot which led to other complications. This must be happening all the time. I have written down the ingredients for the soup - it sounds like it would be good for so many things. Thanks for sharing your story. I wish all the best for you and your family. Take care, Bess"

05/13/2013: Ruth from Harlingen, Texas: "Have you been tested for trichomonas(sp)? Worst smell ever plus discharge that just won't quit. I showered two or three times a day when I had it and it still wasn't enough."

05/13/2013: Sick from Sl, H, Kuwait: "Have you checked if it's yeast variant, be cured with antibiotics if it is.. U need fluconazole w50 mg single dose for it... Also search on cytolytic V, it is also a type of variant. Good luck."

05/14/2013: Tim from Cincinnati, Oh: "For BV, I have heard of good results with apple cider vinegar(AVC). Both drinking and douching. Look at the responses here http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/bacterial_vaginosis6.html#ACV

http://earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar7.html#BV

Drinking 1-2 tablespoons of AVC in a glass of water daily has helped me with a few different issues. Read about all of the different issues with which people have been helped by drinking AVC. http://earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html"

05/01/2013: Oldriska from Prague, Czech Republic: "The idea is interesting. I used to wonder if I had imposed my illness on me somehow - subconsiously, or otherwise; I think it's one of the phases some people with a serious health problem go through. As much as I would love to get rid of my condition, which is atypical trigeminal neuralgia (constant facial pain), or trade it off for more "smaller" issues, I find that there is little I can do. Ignoring the disease is impossible, if there is pain as a constant reminder. So even when people tell me not to think about the pain and I'll be okay, they don't know what they're talking about. Nerves are a part of the autonomous nerve system -- no matter how hard I try, wish or pray or try to ignore them -- I cannot stop them from hurting. Maybe I just did a bad job picking my illness:)"

05/01/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Yes, I have had shingles at least 5 times, and one episode set off the nerves on my left rib and couldn't wear anything tight on it for over two years. As I wrote in my post... Pick your illness... to help others because John Sarno called his illness bluff and overcame by perseverance and study.

I have found my answers and overcome all but two huge liver cysts (autoimmune), the teeth need made NEW. I read a LOT. 5-8 hours a day and I don't feel very intelligent but I am determined. Nerve pain is excruciating...

I encourage you to read the work of Dr. Batmanghelidj. Watercure.com... and Carolyn Dean, the miracle of magnesium, and read about coconut oil, since I have come to believe it heals the body teeth to rectum.... Get a good multi mineral and milti vitamin and some omegas and GO SLOW VERY SLOW. SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN AGONY. You can overcome too. I found one of my answers after much search and trial on 4-27-13.. YAY :)

The body will heal given the right ingredients at the right time and I am proof.
- 1-2 cups water 1/2 hour before food
- Eat normal meal with coconut oil in food with supplements of magnesium citrate plus multi mineral and mutli vitamins and omegas and folic acid, betafood, sea salt in diet every meal
- 1-2 cups water 1/2 hour before next meal,
- Eat normal with magnesium citrate and multi mineral and betafood, coffee is a weakness so I drink some water between meals
- 1-2 cups water 1/2 hour before next meal
- Eat normal with betafood, some coffee

I also add yogurt, cranberry and garlic for intestinal health... May your JOY BE FULL"

05/01/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Oldriska--I don't know if this will help but pain comes from inflammation. I had been informed over twenty years ago that magnesium provides some protection against the stimulating effects of hidden sources of MSG, which has permeated our food supply. I've had multiple injuries but have not had the pain I used to have before I started taking it every day. I thought eating more spinach was giving me the calcium I needed after a hysterectomy. Prior to that I had been eating spinach to keep my eyes from drying out so I could tolerate contacts. Long story shortened: spinach and chocolate contain oxalic acid that prevents the absorption of magnesium that is required so calcium can do its job. Believe me I learned the hard way due to the grinding bone-on-bone pain after neck and back injuries."

05/01/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hello again Oldriska--I had to stop posting earlier and couldn't finish... I sent it without proof reading. You might want to try taking 1/4-1/2 tsp of turmeric in warm water when you are in pain. Hidden sources of manufactured glutamic acid (MSG) are hard to stay away from. "MSG" is a nerve stimulant. Turmeric and ginger reduce inflammation. I use them both on my vegetables and eggs. Just make sure there are no fillers in the ingredients. Beware of the flowing/anti-caking agent in your salt. Try using "Real Salt"."

05/01/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Hi Oldriska: I'm so sorry you are in such pain. Have you checked out Earth Clinic's page on Trigeminal Neuralgia?

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/trigeminal_neuralgia.html

Also, facial massage, trigger point release, acupressure and acupuncture have been of use to some. I hope you find something that works for you. Take care, Bess"

05/03/2013: Leah from Philadelphia: "Have you looked into DMSO for your pain?"

05/04/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Hi Joy: What is beta food? Did Dr. B's water cure help you loose any weight? (if you needed to I mean) I was shocked to learn the edema I have been suffering all these years meant that I was dehydrated and lacking salt. I was and am shocked. Thank you again!!! I will let you know how `The Water Cure`works for me. Am very intrigued!!!! Mary"

05/04/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "AF betafood is a lot of things in one supplement, for gallbladder support. Root of beet, carrot, oat flour , dried beet leaf, defatted wheat germ, cal mag bovine liver nutritional yeast bovine kidney alfalfa flour ect.. Etc.. Worth the big expense if your digestion is faulty. I took ten a day for a month a felt much better able to digest my food.

One thing Dr. Batman didn't go into a lot of detail about that I was missing was that magnesium in a raito of 1 cal 1 mag is best because our food is high calcium and that also affects our bodies water systems.

I'm not losing any weight but using coconut oil and was using the meat trying to get digestive tract free of yeast and trying to heal liver cysts. One problem at a time.... Hope you find yourself feeling better and eating more variety."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Mary you asked me about weight... I gained some trying stuff but it was worth it. Since the stevia incident I have dropped my protocol and lost 5 pounds this week. My goal is to drop 5 more in the next two weeks, tell you how in my next post ..... I'm going to run a post you might be interested in about a show my spouse talked me into watching on OPB . I don't watch much t.v."

03/27/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "You need to cleanse your liver. Just my guess."

03/27/2013: Claromce from Templeton, Ca, Usa: "Not sure what magnesium oil is, but magnesium tabs helped me a lot."

03/28/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa: "Trudyg, I like you tried them all for sleeping. Finally I stumbled onto Melatonin Ultra, 3 mg melatonin, theanine, GABA, chamomile, valerian, B6 and calcium. You're to take 1, 2 if jet lagged. I've been taking 1. 5 the past year and backed off to just one tab 2 weeks ago as I'm on my way to bed, not earlier than that. I fall asleep fast. My problem is I have "waking insomnia" where I sleep three or four hours then am wide awake. Have had it many years. This product has helped me sleep through most nights. Hope you try it and it works for you also."

03/28/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "How does a liver cleanse help insomnia? Also, the melatonin ultra is just one of the things I have already tried without success. Please, is there nothing else out there? How do you cleanse a liver?"

03/28/2013: Jade from Dallas, Texas: "Yes, how do you cleanse your liver? I will do anything as I have severe insomnia and sleep only couple hours every night so please let me know any suggestions how to get into a sleep clinic would be great. Thanks Jade"

03/28/2013: Ejules from Woodbridge, Va, Us: "Try "Insomnia" by Hyland. I"ve used it for years and it has worked for several people who I've recommended it to (I always offer to buy their bottle if it doesn't work for them). It's a tiny homeopathic tablet that dissolves under your tongue. One or two should solve your sleeplessness and a bottle of 50 costs less than $10 so it's definitely cost effective. Totally counterintuitive as to why it should work but it does. It's more effective than melatonin, ambien, and all the other things I tried. Now, I always have some at home by the bed and definitely when I travel. Especially good for those nights when the tape in your head won't turn off or if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I've taken one tab to get back to sleep when I had to be up in 2-3 hrs; two or three when first going to bed, if needed. You won't have a 'hangover' like some of those others give you. Hope this helps you get some rest."

03/28/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "Well, it has been a little while so you may want to google some info but you should eat fruits (which are the cleaners) and veggies (which are the builders), Avoid sugars, alcohol, white flour products. Lean meats and healthy grains I think are acceptable. Do some more research. Also get some liver cleanse pills. I was told by a naturopath that if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up thru the night it is because sleep is disturbed because the liver is busy processing so many toxins. So at the end of the day cleanup your diet. Diet is king."

03/29/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "A simple Liver cleanse is to eat lots of Beets."

03/29/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I would willingly do a liver cleanse IF I were sure it would not excacerbate my ibs-d. I'm doing too well controlling it to take a chance. The lemon juice/baking soda thing could start diarhhea and, w/ me, this can go on for a year or more once it starts. Eating beets I can do, I love them and do eat them frequently. Grow them in my garden, so I know they are organic. I eat lots of 'greens', whatever is growing at the moment, so I think my diet is pretty good overall. I eat chia seeds daily, drink homemade kefir, don't eat much meat but usually fish, maybe the grains is where I go wrong. The unprocessed grains usually get my bowels going, so I avoid them. I do appreciate the comments, will try the niacinamide. Thanks."

03/29/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Trudyg; Insomnia has been a problem for me too, and like you, I've tried many supplements and herbs. It is still difficult. What works for many, sometimes will have the opposite effect for me.

I try to keep a record of supplements, herbs, even foods that have a stimulating or relaxing effect.

I take B vitamin supplements, but most are stimulating, so I take them in the morning. ( I take extra B12 sublinguals. BTW, it helps my hot flashes. ) B12 suppresses melatonin in the day, allowing it to increase at night.

I do take Niacinamide, (B3), in the evening, it relaxes me. ( I take 250 mgs.)

I still take 1mg. of Melatonin in the evening. It helps, but it doesn't work alone for me.

This past year, I've had good results from taking 15mgs. of Zinc in the evening. ( It may help people with elevated evening cortisol, or possibly, elevated blood sugar.)

I take extra Potassium as a supplement, it also relaxes me.

There are many supplements that work miraculously for other folks, such as : Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc. , but I seem to have a paradoxical reaction to them - worsened insomnia. (I'm sure many folks could have this same reaction to the supplements that work for me.)

I believe my best success with insomnia is from finding the substances that interfere with sleep.

Good Wishes."

03/31/2013: Tamara from Bellevue (formerly Ft. Collins, Co), Wa: "Hi Connie, have you tried switching around when you take vitamin D? I noticed that you mentioned you take your B vitamins in the morning. There's mounting anecdotal evidence (since no one is doing a study on timing of intake) that vitamin D supplementation in the morning improves sleep in lots of different facets. For me, it made me drowsier at night so it's easier to fall asleep and my mood was better when waking (to me indicating that I was more rested). I believe that it acts like liquid, chemical sunshine and helps set our circadian rhythm. Seth Roberts has collected a sample of people's testimonies of morning vitamin D supplementation here: http://blog.sethroberts.net/category/sleep/vitamin-d3-and-sleep/"

03/31/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales: "The Liver cleanse, is good, but you can't do anything for days! It works BUT you're gonna feel real nasty! Never mind House work, and stuff like that. The "DETOX" Reaction will get you! I know! I did this loads of times. Do not go to the ER. They will put you on drugs. Then you end up were you started and worse than that. I know. Belive me, I am detoxing and I feel real ill! BUT... I know it's working. Best of luck xx Love andrea c"

04/01/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I am really afraid of doing a liver cleanse, after doing some research. It makes you really move things out. With ibs-d, I'm moving pretty fast as an everyday thing. Getting it to stop is the problem. If you haven't had diarrhea constantly for years, every single day, then you don't know what I mean. Seriously, I wear depends in order to go buy groceries. As I am now in a fairly good place, I'm not tinkering with it. The last flare I had lasted over a year and I needed a new mattress. I'll eat as well as I can, but I'm not asking for more diarrhea."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi, Intractable diarrhea may be from a B12/Folate deficiency."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Tamara; I agree that there can be various ways to have success with the use of a supplement; dosage amount, timing of dosage, etc.

Another possibility is that certain co-factor nutrients may be needed to allow the vitamin to be available to the cells.

For instance, from what I've learned from reading on the Vitamin D Council website: Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Boron are needed for vitamin D absorption. Zinc helps to prime vitamin D receptors."

04/01/2013: Megan from St Louis, Missouri: "I would try ear plugs. My husband snores and I am a very light sleeper. They are a life saver!"

04/01/2013: Liz from Torrance, California: "Sorry you are experiencing insomnia. I have it occasionally and have found a few things that help.

Adrenals: I would start by finding out from a naturopath if your adrenals are overtaxed. You might have adrenal exhaustion and could benefit from some adrenal support supplements.

Exercising: Do you exercise? What time of the day do you exercise? This too may play into night time insomnia. Exercising earlier in the day is always better. If you don't get enough exercise, that too might exacerbate insomnia."

04/02/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "Thanks for all the suggestions. I read Ted's comments and am going to try the B3 (niacinamide) and B12. Those are 2 I haven't supplemented because I thought I was getting enough from food. Yes, I do exercise--I run/walk between 1-2 miles/day on the treadmill first thing in the morning, then I do QiGong around 3 in the afternoon. I stand rather than sit, walk every chance I get while at work. Weekends I clear land (very hilly) at our farm, set fenceposts, garden, yardwork, etc. I think the activity level is good. I get migraines from melatonin, so when I take it I keep it to no more than 1 mg. Calms Forte + 1 mg melatonin will work 1 day out of 4, typically. If I didn't have to work I would just nap as needed and not worry about it."

04/02/2013: Tina from Houston, Usa: "Please google Min-tran. It is a natural, food based product that helps with sleep issues. I have in the past taken 4-6 an hour before bed, and it knocks me off. It works with the para-sympathic side of the nervous system and brings the body to balance.

Also 'natural calm' magnesium powder that dissolves in warm water, a few hours before bed is excellent in resolving incomnia issues.

Good luck!"

05/13/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "It's me again, the chronic insomniac. I tried the molasses in sleep time tea--boy, did I get diarrhea! Only did 1 tsp, not a tbs. Mg loosens the bowels, with ibs-d I get it very fast and then it won't stop. If I take calcium in the correct ratio w/ mg it's bad, calcium alone helps slow it down. Big issue is the sleep. A post said taurine + l-glutamate + theanine. For me, did nothing. I added 5-htp to that mix, still nothing. Finally took 1 mg melatonin, would have slept but for the vomiting due to melatonin induced migraine. HELP! In spite of all this, I am healthy--exercise daily, garden, work, eat well. What am I doing wrong? My mind chatters all night long, if I fall asleep I awake with a jolt. Thanks for listening."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "just out of curiosity... What about a baking soda bath or a baking soda with vinegar bath.... Maybe 1/4 cup of each.... then rinse it off, just in case. How do you drink your water? How much, when.. ? I use to drink a lot of water but until I followed the procedure in the watercure site it wasn't helping me. I'm so sorry you are suffering ... Love, Joy"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I went back to the insomnia page and read all your post... I'm sorry you are sufferring.

I went to a few google sites and looked around also.

This is just a stab in the dark.... I care. The fact that your grow your own greens and eat lots of them, means you probably get a whole lotta magnesium from them so when you take the mag you get the IBS. The fact that you get a lot of mag from your plants means you might be out of balance somewhere in your minerals. I read that ZINC aids in 300 enzyme functions and helps IBS D sufferers because of the digestion enzyme functions it helps.

They talked about water use at the bottom of the page....

Your diarrhea which I had myself from C diff for 6 months, is scary and stealing your minerals and possible other nutrients.... the chia seeds are suppose to help the IBS D and one site says they are safe to use for 12 wks.

LAST IDEA ... Get a hair analysis and see if there is a mineral out of balance causing the diarrhea because you eat minerals but too much of one would cause the dumping syndrome. As if you ate a poison

May you find you sleep like a baby, .... You'll be in my prayes... Love, JOY"

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "I put 2 tbs acv+squirt of honey + 'fingertip' of borax in a 16 oz bottle, top off with water and sip it till lunch, then do another for afternoon till suppertime. I pee all the time, so can't do more than that. Usually an herbal tea (peppermint) in the evening around 6:30. Haven't heard of the water cure, so please clue me in. Also, I didn't think baking soda or vinegar would penetrate skin so haven't tried them in a bath, at least not since the last uti or skin issue years ago. Thanks."

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "Take it at bedtime or earlier in the day?"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash : "Try coconut meat for diarrhea. On one site, coconut macaroon cookies stopped a lot of people's diarrhea, calmed down their intestinal tract. My book says coconut heals teeth to rectum, you may sleep better if bowels were calm. Coconut milk can cause the runs in some people but coconut oil is very healthy and so is the meat but the meat makes me gain weight. Coconut is anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, anti viral, and kills parasites ...

Been thinking about you all day looking at sites that might help .... Love, Joy

Also just for info...1/4 tsp baking soda in water may make you neutral so you can rest not reacting to anything ... Your environment may be upsetting you, put baking soda on rug or in a bowl near the bed to clean the air.

I worked in an allergy clinic and was also a patient there and one lady went asthma and fell to the floor gasping while I put balm on my lip.... I freaked but she was actually reacting to the lady that just came in the door with hairspray on. Your immune system may need help."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Niacinamide can cause flushing(red tinging on face) make sure it's in a low dose B- complex and take half pill --not a whole pill, OR get a liquid and start on a very small dose, you don't need to suffer anymore. If it feels overwhelming take 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. baking soda in water and put a stop to it. Smallest amount that helps."

05/14/2013: Trudyg : "I've been using coconut oil for years now, so I guess that's good. Had been supplementing vit D but levels went kind of high (don't remember what it was) & dr said to back off. That was the first thing I tried for the insomnia, never noticed it to help. Wouldn't hurt to start it again, maybe not so high a dose. Funny, but I get really bad migraines from the air freshener a coworker loves to spray, so I know allergies are in there somewhere. Thanks."

05/14/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I forgot to mention earlier, I had been taking the baking soda daily, too, but quit because my bp went up. I can do it again, it was high for me and I'm always a bit low. Thanks. Isn't it amazing how our foods affect us? Wow."

05/15/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I am taking a b-complex (only for about a week now), had been taking a b12 in the morning and B3 at night, but then I read that it can prevent sleep so I stopped all but the complex. Should I stop the complex and take only b3, when? in the evening? or some other combo. I did the 12 & 3 b/c of a Ted post. Will start the baking soda today. Thanks."

05/15/2013: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Joy, niacinamide does not cause flushing, niacin does. In fact, niacinamide is what's recommended for those who want the benefits of niacin, without the flush."

05/15/2013: Trudyg : "Just grabbing at straws here, but I have a lot of the symptoms for hypoglycemia, too. Just wondering. My a1c level was great, so I've been tested. I pee all the time, often needing to go within an hour of my last trip to the br. I am always thirsty. I get shaky if I wait too long to eat, then I grab a sweet. Sometimes I slur my speech (thought it was due to stuttering as a child), I get uncoordinated (call me graceful). Thoughts? What should I do that I'm not already doing? ( I know, I should stop whining)."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil. Try the water cure for two weeks, and if you do the supplemental --B's start very low dose mornings.

If you pee all the time (losing minerals and nutrients) ...... Your body is dropping either sugar or something is amiss with your diet, could be as simple as your mint, or anything you put in your water. I lived by a mint field and my friend lived there and her son got poisoned by the soil that affected their water well. He had to detox. There is one other thing that would cause constant peeing is food dye or bad fats or something your body is dumping like your bowel symptom. So 2 +2 here is you are dumping bladder and bowel.

One last thing might be imbalance in microbes in bowel and bladder maybe enzymes and probiotics and possible parasite.. Or ph is off... just wild guesses here.

Baking soda in bowl on desk at work to counteract coworkers sprayng chemicals.

Don't take D if you are high D and don't take baking soda if your BP is high."

05/15/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, I went through something very similar a few years ago. I was sure I was diabetic as I had had trouble with hypoglycemia since I was 15. (I am 46 now. ) My sleep was poor, I couldn't quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, and of course, I was in the bathroom all the time from all that water. I was getting sores in my mouth, too. I went to the Dr. to get my blood sugar checked first thing in the morning when I finally put 2 + 2 together. But my sugar was okay! (Guess my math was wrong! ) He said, "Oh, it is probably your thyroid. " Sure enough, blood tests indicated hypothyroidism. I suppose this shouldn't have been too surprising as I have had low basal body temperature (as low as 96.3 upon rising for years. I figured I was subclinical hypothyroid and never did anything about. ) The doctor put me on a low dose of synthroid, 50mcg, which did help the symptoms I had been dealing with, but my hair started falling out and I felt terrible. I sat around feeling terrible most of the time. (Doctor said the synthroid was not causing this, but I didn't believe him. ) I didn't think I had any options but started to research and found that I did have options! I quit taking the synthroid after 3 months. I started to do everything I could find to help my thyroid naturally. I took extra virgin coconut oil 1-2 T. daily. I drank Apple Cider Vinegar daily (at least 2 T. per day in water; I spread mine throughout the day. ) I took 12.5 mcg iodine/iodide daily. Meanwhile, I got pregnant. I had the midwife check my thyroid. It was still not in the right range, but I didn't go back on prescription meds. I felt pretty good with what I was doing. I had a normal pregnancy and a healthy full-term baby. I was afraid to fool with the iodine much while pregnant. After I had the baby, I upped my dose to 25mcg daily. (In the am. ) At some point after the birth, the midwife checked my thyroid again and it was in the normal range! (And I had been promised by the doctors that prescription meds were my ONLY option! ) Iodine was what doctors used to use to treat hypothyroid.

So, you could have your thyroid checked or try taking your early morning temp (before getting out of bed, eating, drinking etc. ) If it is low, you can be pretty sure it is hypothyroidism. Research your alternatives.

Hope you get some relief and answers soon. ~Mama to Many~"

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "Sorry, I should have looked it up, but what is the water cure? I eat only foods I prepare myself, no additives or dyes. The only place I would get those are my supplements, so I'll look at that. The only fats are from coconut, grapeseed oil, or avocado. I had my thyroid checked (runs in the family) and it was okay but I may add iodine at very small doses to see if I feel better. Thanks."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I've had my thyroid checked, it appears ok. I know from family experience that the numbers can be okay but you can not be okay. I have some potassium iodide drops, says 2/day. Should I start those and see how I feel? How long before I notice a difference do you think? My sleep has never been good, but since I quit hrt after my hysterectomy it's been terrible. I've got the hot flashes under control (not gone, but bearable). I thank God for the help you all are giving me. I'm really at my wits end."

05/16/2013: Robyn from Asheville, Nc: "Hi TrudyG, I was wondering the same thing. If you go to the watercure site, it's basically an advertisement to buy the book (Earth Clinic, doesn't this go against your policy about not posting links to commercial sites?). A little digging on the web and I learned that you should drink water a half hour before and after eating. You should also take 1/4 teaspoon of salt (sea salt) per quart of water. Or drink this every few glasses of water."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I seem to be the one percent that have the side effects that most don't... With supplements, medicines and with topicals.... Since childhood when I start a new supplement I take half a pill every other day or can't sleep. Makeup is suppose to make a person look better , well for me... It does strange things that are not good. They give me something to calm me down and revs me up, and gives me panics. I eat sugar and no crash, just moving right along."

05/16/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I did some looking and saw that, too. You divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of water/day, adding sea salt every couple of glasses-worth. I'd be peeing all day if I did that! I must say, though, when I drink water w/ acv, I need to go less often. I drink 1 cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then only water until evening, then a cup of herbal tea. I push the fluids and rarely feel thirsty. I do agree that we could all benefit by increasing our water intake, but by how much is really the question."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I get weird reactions, too. When they give me narcotics (you'll sleep! ) ha--not me, I'm bouncing off the wall. Half an aspirin is plenty for me, so I start out low dose, too. I'm post-menopausal, so get hot flashes and couldn't tell you if it's due to a supplement or not. I take evening primrose oil for that, and have added vit e (200/cap X 2/d, don't know if mg or iu). I think most drs either don't know and don't want to say so or think that women are weak complainers, so they don't take us seriously."

05/16/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, If the iodine drops say 2 per day, you could start with that. Does it say how much iodine you are getting? All drops do not have the same amount. I compared using iodine drops to what I take orally and I would have to take 20 drops a day to get what I am getting in pills. (And I don't like the taste of iodine in my water.) Anyway, start with 2 drops a day for a few days. Then do a skin test--drop a few drops onto your skin (I do inside my forearm. ) If it is gone in a short time, you are still iodine deficient. If you can still see it after 12 hours, you are getting enough. (Some say you should be able to see it after 24 hours. Broda Barnes has a book on Thyroid that explains it all but I haven't read it. ) If I can see the iodine spot on my arm after 6-8 hours, I think I am doing pretty well. (I really can't bear to take more iodine than I take. It just seems like too much to me.) I know my thyroid was low LONG before it showed up on a blood test. If you take your early morning, before rising temperature and it is low (Some would say anything under 98.0 is low... But I am not sure. Under 97.0 is definitely low.) My naturopathic doctor says you should not use a digital and you should keep it in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.

Anyway, you can increase the amount of iodine by a couple of drops if the iodine on your skin disappears quickly and continue to check on your skin and increase by a couple of drops etc. Until the iodine isn't absorbing quickly. Or, if you notice improvement, you could stop when that happens.

I can't recall how long it took for the iodine to provide me with noticeable difference. It was perhaps days or a week or two. But if I run out my symptoms come back pretty fast - mabye in a day or two.

You are dealing with lots of health challenges... So sorry! With the IBS are you possibly losing nutrients you need, causing health challenges? Comfrey is wonderful for this. In her book, Be your Own Doctor, Rachel Weaver says to use comfrey root powder and slippery elm powder to help and heal this. Both are soothing to the digestive tract and very nutritious. She has you mix them together with water to a dough like consistency and then make little pea size balls you can take throughout the day when symptoms flare up. Comfrey leaves can also be mixed with other soothing and nutritive herbs (like Red Raspberry) and made into a tea that will provide extra nutrients. I didn't use to think herbal tea would do much, but I have had some amazing help from them this year and have changed my mind. Activated charcoal is also a great thing for digestive difficulty and helps detox as well (but very gently. ) Just don't take it near time of other supplements as it adsorbs toxins and may also do the same with nutrients. (I take it leaving a 2 hour window. ) You can mix 1 t. In water or take tablets or capsules. Just a couple of more things to consider... Hope it isn't too overwhelming... Praying for relief for you."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Earth Clinic has a water cure section with Ted commenting on Dr. Batmanghelidj.. I'm not selling books. All these lovely people here on earth clinic are sharing what helps them and I am doing the same thing, hoping it helps alleviate someone of their sufferring. Love, Joy"

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "About Dr Batmanghelidj's Water Cure: This man was a humanitarian who was ignored by the present medical system. He has helped innumerable people back to health. If people drink water without supplementing with, for example, celtic salt, they will urinate, dehydrating themselves as well as loosing vitamins and minerals. It was the chemically manufactured salt that wreaked havoc with the world's population and caused an explosion of serious diseases that killed many. Because allopaths have no training in nutrition they misguide patients to their detriment.

I have just begun slowly and do not run to the bathroom because of the water drinking. The protocol is easy and must be followed meticulously. Get off to a slow start. Already I have noted the effect of water doing its work in the entire body. I hope this will, in addition of magnesium, cure my insomnia. It is nature, not drugs that will do it. I am thankfull toward the good doctor and think it would be of benefit to read his by now famous book, even though just doing the program would be alright So many people have been helped including pets. To be rightly informed is self empowerment. Be leery of the common table salt, but natural wet salts are delicious, provide much needed minerals and prevent the continuous problem of over urination. We are made mainly of water, so is the planet with vast resources of salt water. Sometimes I think that the intake of chemical and denatured salt over a life time could be a contributory factor of Alzheimers as our brain, too, is made up largely of water. We are all keen on learning how to get in touch and back to nature and with determination success will be ours. Love, Om"

05/18/2013: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Om can you tell me if everytime you drink water you have to add the salt? Thanks..."

05/18/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "add 1 gram of wind and sun dried sea salt $1.70 for 24 oz at whole foods and 1 gram of dead sea salt $20 for a 4 lb pail at whole foods per quart of water."

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "Lauren, just type in "water cure 2" and you will find the protocol. It is quite easy to follow. I found that indeed one only needs to pee every 2 or 3 hours when the salt is taken on the tongue but not in the water. If not, there is more instructions which are simple for everyone. You will benefit greatly. Good luck, Om"

05/19/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Hi, You drink the water(1-2cups) half an hour before you eat a meal to prepare the stomach lining to drop the acid and enzymes to break down the food and have the water to mix with the bola in the intestines to prevent constipation. Also you add the salt to your food if you are not already eating plenty in the form of iodized sea salt. Too much water without salt and you pee too often... Too much salt and you get bloated.... You also have to start this slowly or you are not going to feel well. It can take up to two weeks to rehydrate a body properly.

Histamine is a dehydration signal. Whenever you get your water/salt/potassium/calcium/magnesium and other minerals out of balance your body shoots out some histamine and the histamine causes reactions to food, air, water, cloth, chemicals, cleaning products. and makes you feel ill."

05/20/2013: Kt from The Usa: "What time do you eat your last meal of the day? I try to have dinner at five and don't eat anything after six."

05/22/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "Last night I took L-Glutamine, Taurine, 5-Htp, Theanine, and a vitamin e. Tossed and turned all night, when I slept I had very active dreams-to the point I thought I was awake, woke up with a splitting headache. I've been doing the acv+baking soda+borax thing during the day. I can't go on like this, something's gotta give. Getting some sleep should not be so hard."

05/22/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "The famous naturopath doctor david wolfe said raw chocolate is the best herb for the brain increases and balances all the neurotransmitters. I take 15 grams of raw organic cocoa powder every day in divided doses. You can take more if you want to."

03/27/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "You need to cleanse your liver. Just my guess."

03/27/2013: Claromce from Templeton, Ca, Usa: "Not sure what magnesium oil is, but magnesium tabs helped me a lot."

03/28/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa: "Trudyg, I like you tried them all for sleeping. Finally I stumbled onto Melatonin Ultra, 3 mg melatonin, theanine, GABA, chamomile, valerian, B6 and calcium. You're to take 1, 2 if jet lagged. I've been taking 1. 5 the past year and backed off to just one tab 2 weeks ago as I'm on my way to bed, not earlier than that. I fall asleep fast. My problem is I have "waking insomnia" where I sleep three or four hours then am wide awake. Have had it many years. This product has helped me sleep through most nights. Hope you try it and it works for you also."

03/28/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "How does a liver cleanse help insomnia? Also, the melatonin ultra is just one of the things I have already tried without success. Please, is there nothing else out there? How do you cleanse a liver?"

03/28/2013: Jade from Dallas, Texas: "Yes, how do you cleanse your liver? I will do anything as I have severe insomnia and sleep only couple hours every night so please let me know any suggestions how to get into a sleep clinic would be great. Thanks Jade"

03/28/2013: Ejules from Woodbridge, Va, Us: "Try "Insomnia" by Hyland. I"ve used it for years and it has worked for several people who I've recommended it to (I always offer to buy their bottle if it doesn't work for them). It's a tiny homeopathic tablet that dissolves under your tongue. One or two should solve your sleeplessness and a bottle of 50 costs less than $10 so it's definitely cost effective. Totally counterintuitive as to why it should work but it does. It's more effective than melatonin, ambien, and all the other things I tried. Now, I always have some at home by the bed and definitely when I travel. Especially good for those nights when the tape in your head won't turn off or if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I've taken one tab to get back to sleep when I had to be up in 2-3 hrs; two or three when first going to bed, if needed. You won't have a 'hangover' like some of those others give you. Hope this helps you get some rest."

03/28/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "Well, it has been a little while so you may want to google some info but you should eat fruits (which are the cleaners) and veggies (which are the builders), Avoid sugars, alcohol, white flour products. Lean meats and healthy grains I think are acceptable. Do some more research. Also get some liver cleanse pills. I was told by a naturopath that if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up thru the night it is because sleep is disturbed because the liver is busy processing so many toxins. So at the end of the day cleanup your diet. Diet is king."

03/29/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "A simple Liver cleanse is to eat lots of Beets."

03/29/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I would willingly do a liver cleanse IF I were sure it would not excacerbate my ibs-d. I'm doing too well controlling it to take a chance. The lemon juice/baking soda thing could start diarhhea and, w/ me, this can go on for a year or more once it starts. Eating beets I can do, I love them and do eat them frequently. Grow them in my garden, so I know they are organic. I eat lots of 'greens', whatever is growing at the moment, so I think my diet is pretty good overall. I eat chia seeds daily, drink homemade kefir, don't eat much meat but usually fish, maybe the grains is where I go wrong. The unprocessed grains usually get my bowels going, so I avoid them. I do appreciate the comments, will try the niacinamide. Thanks."

03/29/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Trudyg; Insomnia has been a problem for me too, and like you, I've tried many supplements and herbs. It is still difficult. What works for many, sometimes will have the opposite effect for me.

I try to keep a record of supplements, herbs, even foods that have a stimulating or relaxing effect.

I take B vitamin supplements, but most are stimulating, so I take them in the morning. ( I take extra B12 sublinguals. BTW, it helps my hot flashes. ) B12 suppresses melatonin in the day, allowing it to increase at night.

I do take Niacinamide, (B3), in the evening, it relaxes me. ( I take 250 mgs.)

I still take 1mg. of Melatonin in the evening. It helps, but it doesn't work alone for me.

This past year, I've had good results from taking 15mgs. of Zinc in the evening. ( It may help people with elevated evening cortisol, or possibly, elevated blood sugar.)

I take extra Potassium as a supplement, it also relaxes me.

There are many supplements that work miraculously for other folks, such as : Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc. , but I seem to have a paradoxical reaction to them - worsened insomnia. (I'm sure many folks could have this same reaction to the supplements that work for me.)

I believe my best success with insomnia is from finding the substances that interfere with sleep.

Good Wishes."

03/31/2013: Tamara from Bellevue (formerly Ft. Collins, Co), Wa: "Hi Connie, have you tried switching around when you take vitamin D? I noticed that you mentioned you take your B vitamins in the morning. There's mounting anecdotal evidence (since no one is doing a study on timing of intake) that vitamin D supplementation in the morning improves sleep in lots of different facets. For me, it made me drowsier at night so it's easier to fall asleep and my mood was better when waking (to me indicating that I was more rested). I believe that it acts like liquid, chemical sunshine and helps set our circadian rhythm. Seth Roberts has collected a sample of people's testimonies of morning vitamin D supplementation here: http://blog.sethroberts.net/category/sleep/vitamin-d3-and-sleep/"

03/31/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales: "The Liver cleanse, is good, but you can't do anything for days! It works BUT you're gonna feel real nasty! Never mind House work, and stuff like that. The "DETOX" Reaction will get you! I know! I did this loads of times. Do not go to the ER. They will put you on drugs. Then you end up were you started and worse than that. I know. Belive me, I am detoxing and I feel real ill! BUT... I know it's working. Best of luck xx Love andrea c"

04/01/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I am really afraid of doing a liver cleanse, after doing some research. It makes you really move things out. With ibs-d, I'm moving pretty fast as an everyday thing. Getting it to stop is the problem. If you haven't had diarrhea constantly for years, every single day, then you don't know what I mean. Seriously, I wear depends in order to go buy groceries. As I am now in a fairly good place, I'm not tinkering with it. The last flare I had lasted over a year and I needed a new mattress. I'll eat as well as I can, but I'm not asking for more diarrhea."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi, Intractable diarrhea may be from a B12/Folate deficiency."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Tamara; I agree that there can be various ways to have success with the use of a supplement; dosage amount, timing of dosage, etc.

Another possibility is that certain co-factor nutrients may be needed to allow the vitamin to be available to the cells.

For instance, from what I've learned from reading on the Vitamin D Council website: Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Boron are needed for vitamin D absorption. Zinc helps to prime vitamin D receptors."

04/01/2013: Megan from St Louis, Missouri: "I would try ear plugs. My husband snores and I am a very light sleeper. They are a life saver!"

04/01/2013: Liz from Torrance, California: "Sorry you are experiencing insomnia. I have it occasionally and have found a few things that help.

Adrenals: I would start by finding out from a naturopath if your adrenals are overtaxed. You might have adrenal exhaustion and could benefit from some adrenal support supplements.

Exercising: Do you exercise? What time of the day do you exercise? This too may play into night time insomnia. Exercising earlier in the day is always better. If you don't get enough exercise, that too might exacerbate insomnia."

04/02/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "Thanks for all the suggestions. I read Ted's comments and am going to try the B3 (niacinamide) and B12. Those are 2 I haven't supplemented because I thought I was getting enough from food. Yes, I do exercise--I run/walk between 1-2 miles/day on the treadmill first thing in the morning, then I do QiGong around 3 in the afternoon. I stand rather than sit, walk every chance I get while at work. Weekends I clear land (very hilly) at our farm, set fenceposts, garden, yardwork, etc. I think the activity level is good. I get migraines from melatonin, so when I take it I keep it to no more than 1 mg. Calms Forte + 1 mg melatonin will work 1 day out of 4, typically. If I didn't have to work I would just nap as needed and not worry about it."

04/02/2013: Tina from Houston, Usa: "Please google Min-tran. It is a natural, food based product that helps with sleep issues. I have in the past taken 4-6 an hour before bed, and it knocks me off. It works with the para-sympathic side of the nervous system and brings the body to balance.

Also 'natural calm' magnesium powder that dissolves in warm water, a few hours before bed is excellent in resolving incomnia issues.

Good luck!"

05/13/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "It's me again, the chronic insomniac. I tried the molasses in sleep time tea--boy, did I get diarrhea! Only did 1 tsp, not a tbs. Mg loosens the bowels, with ibs-d I get it very fast and then it won't stop. If I take calcium in the correct ratio w/ mg it's bad, calcium alone helps slow it down. Big issue is the sleep. A post said taurine + l-glutamate + theanine. For me, did nothing. I added 5-htp to that mix, still nothing. Finally took 1 mg melatonin, would have slept but for the vomiting due to melatonin induced migraine. HELP! In spite of all this, I am healthy--exercise daily, garden, work, eat well. What am I doing wrong? My mind chatters all night long, if I fall asleep I awake with a jolt. Thanks for listening."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "just out of curiosity... What about a baking soda bath or a baking soda with vinegar bath.... Maybe 1/4 cup of each.... then rinse it off, just in case. How do you drink your water? How much, when.. ? I use to drink a lot of water but until I followed the procedure in the watercure site it wasn't helping me. I'm so sorry you are suffering ... Love, Joy"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I went back to the insomnia page and read all your post... I'm sorry you are sufferring.

I went to a few google sites and looked around also.

This is just a stab in the dark.... I care. The fact that your grow your own greens and eat lots of them, means you probably get a whole lotta magnesium from them so when you take the mag you get the IBS. The fact that you get a lot of mag from your plants means you might be out of balance somewhere in your minerals. I read that ZINC aids in 300 enzyme functions and helps IBS D sufferers because of the digestion enzyme functions it helps.

They talked about water use at the bottom of the page....

Your diarrhea which I had myself from C diff for 6 months, is scary and stealing your minerals and possible other nutrients.... the chia seeds are suppose to help the IBS D and one site says they are safe to use for 12 wks.

LAST IDEA ... Get a hair analysis and see if there is a mineral out of balance causing the diarrhea because you eat minerals but too much of one would cause the dumping syndrome. As if you ate a poison

May you find you sleep like a baby, .... You'll be in my prayes... Love, JOY"

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "I put 2 tbs acv+squirt of honey + 'fingertip' of borax in a 16 oz bottle, top off with water and sip it till lunch, then do another for afternoon till suppertime. I pee all the time, so can't do more than that. Usually an herbal tea (peppermint) in the evening around 6:30. Haven't heard of the water cure, so please clue me in. Also, I didn't think baking soda or vinegar would penetrate skin so haven't tried them in a bath, at least not since the last uti or skin issue years ago. Thanks."

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "Take it at bedtime or earlier in the day?"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash : "Try coconut meat for diarrhea. On one site, coconut macaroon cookies stopped a lot of people's diarrhea, calmed down their intestinal tract. My book says coconut heals teeth to rectum, you may sleep better if bowels were calm. Coconut milk can cause the runs in some people but coconut oil is very healthy and so is the meat but the meat makes me gain weight. Coconut is anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, anti viral, and kills parasites ...

Been thinking about you all day looking at sites that might help .... Love, Joy

Also just for info...1/4 tsp baking soda in water may make you neutral so you can rest not reacting to anything ... Your environment may be upsetting you, put baking soda on rug or in a bowl near the bed to clean the air.

I worked in an allergy clinic and was also a patient there and one lady went asthma and fell to the floor gasping while I put balm on my lip.... I freaked but she was actually reacting to the lady that just came in the door with hairspray on. Your immune system may need help."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Niacinamide can cause flushing(red tinging on face) make sure it's in a low dose B- complex and take half pill --not a whole pill, OR get a liquid and start on a very small dose, you don't need to suffer anymore. If it feels overwhelming take 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. baking soda in water and put a stop to it. Smallest amount that helps."

05/14/2013: Trudyg : "I've been using coconut oil for years now, so I guess that's good. Had been supplementing vit D but levels went kind of high (don't remember what it was) & dr said to back off. That was the first thing I tried for the insomnia, never noticed it to help. Wouldn't hurt to start it again, maybe not so high a dose. Funny, but I get really bad migraines from the air freshener a coworker loves to spray, so I know allergies are in there somewhere. Thanks."

05/14/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I forgot to mention earlier, I had been taking the baking soda daily, too, but quit because my bp went up. I can do it again, it was high for me and I'm always a bit low. Thanks. Isn't it amazing how our foods affect us? Wow."

05/15/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I am taking a b-complex (only for about a week now), had been taking a b12 in the morning and B3 at night, but then I read that it can prevent sleep so I stopped all but the complex. Should I stop the complex and take only b3, when? in the evening? or some other combo. I did the 12 & 3 b/c of a Ted post. Will start the baking soda today. Thanks."

05/15/2013: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Joy, niacinamide does not cause flushing, niacin does. In fact, niacinamide is what's recommended for those who want the benefits of niacin, without the flush."

05/15/2013: Trudyg : "Just grabbing at straws here, but I have a lot of the symptoms for hypoglycemia, too. Just wondering. My a1c level was great, so I've been tested. I pee all the time, often needing to go within an hour of my last trip to the br. I am always thirsty. I get shaky if I wait too long to eat, then I grab a sweet. Sometimes I slur my speech (thought it was due to stuttering as a child), I get uncoordinated (call me graceful). Thoughts? What should I do that I'm not already doing? ( I know, I should stop whining)."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil. Try the water cure for two weeks, and if you do the supplemental --B's start very low dose mornings.

If you pee all the time (losing minerals and nutrients) ...... Your body is dropping either sugar or something is amiss with your diet, could be as simple as your mint, or anything you put in your water. I lived by a mint field and my friend lived there and her son got poisoned by the soil that affected their water well. He had to detox. There is one other thing that would cause constant peeing is food dye or bad fats or something your body is dumping like your bowel symptom. So 2 +2 here is you are dumping bladder and bowel.

One last thing might be imbalance in microbes in bowel and bladder maybe enzymes and probiotics and possible parasite.. Or ph is off... just wild guesses here.

Baking soda in bowl on desk at work to counteract coworkers sprayng chemicals.

Don't take D if you are high D and don't take baking soda if your BP is high."

05/15/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, I went through something very similar a few years ago. I was sure I was diabetic as I had had trouble with hypoglycemia since I was 15. (I am 46 now. ) My sleep was poor, I couldn't quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, and of course, I was in the bathroom all the time from all that water. I was getting sores in my mouth, too. I went to the Dr. to get my blood sugar checked first thing in the morning when I finally put 2 + 2 together. But my sugar was okay! (Guess my math was wrong! ) He said, "Oh, it is probably your thyroid. " Sure enough, blood tests indicated hypothyroidism. I suppose this shouldn't have been too surprising as I have had low basal body temperature (as low as 96.3 upon rising for years. I figured I was subclinical hypothyroid and never did anything about. ) The doctor put me on a low dose of synthroid, 50mcg, which did help the symptoms I had been dealing with, but my hair started falling out and I felt terrible. I sat around feeling terrible most of the time. (Doctor said the synthroid was not causing this, but I didn't believe him. ) I didn't think I had any options but started to research and found that I did have options! I quit taking the synthroid after 3 months. I started to do everything I could find to help my thyroid naturally. I took extra virgin coconut oil 1-2 T. daily. I drank Apple Cider Vinegar daily (at least 2 T. per day in water; I spread mine throughout the day. ) I took 12.5 mcg iodine/iodide daily. Meanwhile, I got pregnant. I had the midwife check my thyroid. It was still not in the right range, but I didn't go back on prescription meds. I felt pretty good with what I was doing. I had a normal pregnancy and a healthy full-term baby. I was afraid to fool with the iodine much while pregnant. After I had the baby, I upped my dose to 25mcg daily. (In the am. ) At some point after the birth, the midwife checked my thyroid again and it was in the normal range! (And I had been promised by the doctors that prescription meds were my ONLY option! ) Iodine was what doctors used to use to treat hypothyroid.

So, you could have your thyroid checked or try taking your early morning temp (before getting out of bed, eating, drinking etc. ) If it is low, you can be pretty sure it is hypothyroidism. Research your alternatives.

Hope you get some relief and answers soon. ~Mama to Many~"

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "Sorry, I should have looked it up, but what is the water cure? I eat only foods I prepare myself, no additives or dyes. The only place I would get those are my supplements, so I'll look at that. The only fats are from coconut, grapeseed oil, or avocado. I had my thyroid checked (runs in the family) and it was okay but I may add iodine at very small doses to see if I feel better. Thanks."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I've had my thyroid checked, it appears ok. I know from family experience that the numbers can be okay but you can not be okay. I have some potassium iodide drops, says 2/day. Should I start those and see how I feel? How long before I notice a difference do you think? My sleep has never been good, but since I quit hrt after my hysterectomy it's been terrible. I've got the hot flashes under control (not gone, but bearable). I thank God for the help you all are giving me. I'm really at my wits end."

05/16/2013: Robyn from Asheville, Nc: "Hi TrudyG, I was wondering the same thing. If you go to the watercure site, it's basically an advertisement to buy the book (Earth Clinic, doesn't this go against your policy about not posting links to commercial sites?). A little digging on the web and I learned that you should drink water a half hour before and after eating. You should also take 1/4 teaspoon of salt (sea salt) per quart of water. Or drink this every few glasses of water."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I seem to be the one percent that have the side effects that most don't... With supplements, medicines and with topicals.... Since childhood when I start a new supplement I take half a pill every other day or can't sleep. Makeup is suppose to make a person look better , well for me... It does strange things that are not good. They give me something to calm me down and revs me up, and gives me panics. I eat sugar and no crash, just moving right along."

05/16/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I did some looking and saw that, too. You divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of water/day, adding sea salt every couple of glasses-worth. I'd be peeing all day if I did that! I must say, though, when I drink water w/ acv, I need to go less often. I drink 1 cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then only water until evening, then a cup of herbal tea. I push the fluids and rarely feel thirsty. I do agree that we could all benefit by increasing our water intake, but by how much is really the question."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I get weird reactions, too. When they give me narcotics (you'll sleep! ) ha--not me, I'm bouncing off the wall. Half an aspirin is plenty for me, so I start out low dose, too. I'm post-menopausal, so get hot flashes and couldn't tell you if it's due to a supplement or not. I take evening primrose oil for that, and have added vit e (200/cap X 2/d, don't know if mg or iu). I think most drs either don't know and don't want to say so or think that women are weak complainers, so they don't take us seriously."

05/16/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, If the iodine drops say 2 per day, you could start with that. Does it say how much iodine you are getting? All drops do not have the same amount. I compared using iodine drops to what I take orally and I would have to take 20 drops a day to get what I am getting in pills. (And I don't like the taste of iodine in my water.) Anyway, start with 2 drops a day for a few days. Then do a skin test--drop a few drops onto your skin (I do inside my forearm. ) If it is gone in a short time, you are still iodine deficient. If you can still see it after 12 hours, you are getting enough. (Some say you should be able to see it after 24 hours. Broda Barnes has a book on Thyroid that explains it all but I haven't read it. ) If I can see the iodine spot on my arm after 6-8 hours, I think I am doing pretty well. (I really can't bear to take more iodine than I take. It just seems like too much to me.) I know my thyroid was low LONG before it showed up on a blood test. If you take your early morning, before rising temperature and it is low (Some would say anything under 98.0 is low... But I am not sure. Under 97.0 is definitely low.) My naturopathic doctor says you should not use a digital and you should keep it in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.

Anyway, you can increase the amount of iodine by a couple of drops if the iodine on your skin disappears quickly and continue to check on your skin and increase by a couple of drops etc. Until the iodine isn't absorbing quickly. Or, if you notice improvement, you could stop when that happens.

I can't recall how long it took for the iodine to provide me with noticeable difference. It was perhaps days or a week or two. But if I run out my symptoms come back pretty fast - mabye in a day or two.

You are dealing with lots of health challenges... So sorry! With the IBS are you possibly losing nutrients you need, causing health challenges? Comfrey is wonderful for this. In her book, Be your Own Doctor, Rachel Weaver says to use comfrey root powder and slippery elm powder to help and heal this. Both are soothing to the digestive tract and very nutritious. She has you mix them together with water to a dough like consistency and then make little pea size balls you can take throughout the day when symptoms flare up. Comfrey leaves can also be mixed with other soothing and nutritive herbs (like Red Raspberry) and made into a tea that will provide extra nutrients. I didn't use to think herbal tea would do much, but I have had some amazing help from them this year and have changed my mind. Activated charcoal is also a great thing for digestive difficulty and helps detox as well (but very gently. ) Just don't take it near time of other supplements as it adsorbs toxins and may also do the same with nutrients. (I take it leaving a 2 hour window. ) You can mix 1 t. In water or take tablets or capsules. Just a couple of more things to consider... Hope it isn't too overwhelming... Praying for relief for you."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Earth Clinic has a water cure section with Ted commenting on Dr. Batmanghelidj.. I'm not selling books. All these lovely people here on earth clinic are sharing what helps them and I am doing the same thing, hoping it helps alleviate someone of their sufferring. Love, Joy"

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "About Dr Batmanghelidj's Water Cure: This man was a humanitarian who was ignored by the present medical system. He has helped innumerable people back to health. If people drink water without supplementing with, for example, celtic salt, they will urinate, dehydrating themselves as well as loosing vitamins and minerals. It was the chemically manufactured salt that wreaked havoc with the world's population and caused an explosion of serious diseases that killed many. Because allopaths have no training in nutrition they misguide patients to their detriment.

I have just begun slowly and do not run to the bathroom because of the water drinking. The protocol is easy and must be followed meticulously. Get off to a slow start. Already I have noted the effect of water doing its work in the entire body. I hope this will, in addition of magnesium, cure my insomnia. It is nature, not drugs that will do it. I am thankfull toward the good doctor and think it would be of benefit to read his by now famous book, even though just doing the program would be alright So many people have been helped including pets. To be rightly informed is self empowerment. Be leery of the common table salt, but natural wet salts are delicious, provide much needed minerals and prevent the continuous problem of over urination. We are made mainly of water, so is the planet with vast resources of salt water. Sometimes I think that the intake of chemical and denatured salt over a life time could be a contributory factor of Alzheimers as our brain, too, is made up largely of water. We are all keen on learning how to get in touch and back to nature and with determination success will be ours. Love, Om"

05/18/2013: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Om can you tell me if everytime you drink water you have to add the salt? Thanks..."

05/18/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "add 1 gram of wind and sun dried sea salt $1.70 for 24 oz at whole foods and 1 gram of dead sea salt $20 for a 4 lb pail at whole foods per quart of water."

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "Lauren, just type in "water cure 2" and you will find the protocol. It is quite easy to follow. I found that indeed one only needs to pee every 2 or 3 hours when the salt is taken on the tongue but not in the water. If not, there is more instructions which are simple for everyone. You will benefit greatly. Good luck, Om"

05/19/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Hi, You drink the water(1-2cups) half an hour before you eat a meal to prepare the stomach lining to drop the acid and enzymes to break down the food and have the water to mix with the bola in the intestines to prevent constipation. Also you add the salt to your food if you are not already eating plenty in the form of iodized sea salt. Too much water without salt and you pee too often... Too much salt and you get bloated.... You also have to start this slowly or you are not going to feel well. It can take up to two weeks to rehydrate a body properly.

Histamine is a dehydration signal. Whenever you get your water/salt/potassium/calcium/magnesium and other minerals out of balance your body shoots out some histamine and the histamine causes reactions to food, air, water, cloth, chemicals, cleaning products. and makes you feel ill."

05/20/2013: Kt from The Usa: "What time do you eat your last meal of the day? I try to have dinner at five and don't eat anything after six."

05/22/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "Last night I took L-Glutamine, Taurine, 5-Htp, Theanine, and a vitamin e. Tossed and turned all night, when I slept I had very active dreams-to the point I thought I was awake, woke up with a splitting headache. I've been doing the acv+baking soda+borax thing during the day. I can't go on like this, something's gotta give. Getting some sleep should not be so hard."

05/22/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "The famous naturopath doctor david wolfe said raw chocolate is the best herb for the brain increases and balances all the neurotransmitters. I take 15 grams of raw organic cocoa powder every day in divided doses. You can take more if you want to."

05/08/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Sounds like you may be not getting enough fat in your diet. Try eating more walnuts or more butter on your vegetables. You need the fat... Your gallbladder needs fat to contract. B vitamins also stimulate appetite."

05/08/2013: Caitlin from Austin, Tx: "Sure! Are you eating enough? Perhaps your body is crying out for more nutrients you are not presently giving it in the food you regularly eat. You can try 2 things: 1. Up your fat intake. Try butter or coconut oil. Start with a teaspoon after a meal and see if this does not help. Or, 2. you may need more protein than you are getting. Have you been checked for iron or B deficiencies? If you are eating a lot of beans & grains, you could be stifling your body's ability to absorb certain nutrients in your food. I would get a nutrient/mineral deficiency analysis first. Also, check for worms -- can happen. But, I'm betting you need more good fats and protein in your diet. I was once vegetarian and felt extroardinary for about 6 months; then sheer tiredness consumed me. Ate a piece of meat --! Boing! It was as if a switch had flipped on in my body. An "Aha" moment, for sure. Turns out I had anemia, despite paying close attention to getting enough supposedly high protein from veggies (beans, grains, salads, etc. ) and fruit matter. You can't beat even an occassional meat meal for upping iron and getting those A, C, B-vitamins our bodies need. Remember, meat packs the most nutrients of any food in one package. So once-a-week meat or eggs may be your ticket. Others, I'm sure, will think differantly, but I have found this to be true for me."

05/08/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi again Nicole--I thought it was important to tell you fat slows down/prolongs digestion. If you are eating enough protein and fat this is supposed to prevent the constant hunger. It sounds like something is out of balance. What is your age?"

05/08/2013: Nicole from Sydney, Australia: "Hi Guys, I'm 30 years old and have been a vegetarian since I was 16. I guess I'm unsure of just how much fat I should be consuming - I eat an avocado every other day and a handful (or 2) of almonds after lunch sometimes. I never through about having worms but will definitely get this checked out.

I take a lot of supplements as my initial thoughts when the constant hunger started was that my body was craving nutrients, maybe the suppliments aren't sufficient? (out of general interest I take a mulit, Iron, vit b, magnesium, maca, kelp, Q10 and spirulina at different points throughout the day)

I have just bought some coconut old (because everyone seems to rave about it's benefits) and will start taking this after every mean - Just one teaspoon?

Thanks for all the advise guys, I love this website."

05/11/2013: Kathy from the USA: "I wanted to add taking a probiotic after a course of antibiotics would be important to replace the beneficial flora antibiotics destroy. Is it because I mentioned a PCP and antibiotic? I know this site is for alternative medicine but I believe some things go on too long and people get too desperate to have the time to read books for help. They come here for help NOW and as harmful as antibiotics can be they can still knock out the worst symptoms so someone could feel well enough to start over, eating to repair then advance to preventative care. I apologize for being so piecemeal but that is part of the problem from severe brain injuries. I'll stop posting because I cannot always be thorough."

05/11/2013: Kt from the USA: "Parasites can be a problem for everyone and based on what I have been learning, the binders and fillers in supplements can come from plants that have been engineered to last longer. They cannot be as easily digested and I believe this foodstuff remains in the body, nourishes parasites, could begin to ferment and may even become malignant.

I know animal feed is not held to the same standards as our food but the evidence suggests that if food has been genetically modified so it won't spoil, it seems to me that our disease/drought resistant plants could possibly be harboring creatures that are able to survive. In 1967 one of my horses died from moldy corn that turned toxic in his stomach. The mold was not visible. I have often wondered if this is why, when I was eating plain yogurt and more fresh fruit and vegetables, I used to have SO MUCH TROUBLE with candida. My PCP (who I rarely see) advised me several years ago that medicine changes every four or five years. Our food is changing. I hope I have made some sense and shared in an acceptable way. What is happening to our food supply is a threat to all of us."

05/13/2013: Ms Helpful from Georgia, Usa: "Please look up Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Remedies: Q&A on this website. There is a lady who has strange sensations of hunger 15 minutes after eating and Ted from Bangkok responds to her with remedies."

05/13/2013: Kt from the USA: "I guess I need to put it another way. Because our "engineered" food cannot be digested properly, the parasites, in whatever stage they are in can be harbored until they get farther down the digestive tract. Alternating garlic and ACV can help get rid of them unless they have proliferated to require antibiotics to kill all stages. Sometimes that is necessary. Probiotics can restore what has been destroyed by the antibiotics. Then eat for prevention.

I am trying to share what I have learned from sources that are not being offered to (and being sheltered from) the medical profession. With all due respect they just do not know what is happening to our food supply. This is why I am "sad".

My communication skills are not good and it is difficult to provide every ounce of support to what I have learned. I have learned a lot of piecemeal information for over twenty years by application and want to provide what I have learned by observation and experience.

In addition, food is not the only way parasites can enter the body."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Babesia is a dreadful parasite that goes into the blood stream and attacks the brain. My friend's sister is a teacher and during the summer some mice got in her class and she was cleaning the room for the fall quarter and got this. She is fighting for her life.... Doctors do not have answers... She has lyme like symptoms, plus more... Body tremors, seizures - grand mal style, has to use a cart, fibromyalgia type muscle pains and weaknesses, tingling, brain memory issues and she has a master's degree in education and is bilingual. Her meds run 5 k a month and she is still ambulanced to the hospital on regular schedule.

VERY SCARY! She didn't eat this, it entered her airway."

03/27/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "You need to cleanse your liver. Just my guess."

03/27/2013: Claromce from Templeton, Ca, Usa: "Not sure what magnesium oil is, but magnesium tabs helped me a lot."

03/28/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa: "Trudyg, I like you tried them all for sleeping. Finally I stumbled onto Melatonin Ultra, 3 mg melatonin, theanine, GABA, chamomile, valerian, B6 and calcium. You're to take 1, 2 if jet lagged. I've been taking 1. 5 the past year and backed off to just one tab 2 weeks ago as I'm on my way to bed, not earlier than that. I fall asleep fast. My problem is I have "waking insomnia" where I sleep three or four hours then am wide awake. Have had it many years. This product has helped me sleep through most nights. Hope you try it and it works for you also."

03/28/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "How does a liver cleanse help insomnia? Also, the melatonin ultra is just one of the things I have already tried without success. Please, is there nothing else out there? How do you cleanse a liver?"

03/28/2013: Jade from Dallas, Texas: "Yes, how do you cleanse your liver? I will do anything as I have severe insomnia and sleep only couple hours every night so please let me know any suggestions how to get into a sleep clinic would be great. Thanks Jade"

03/28/2013: Ejules from Woodbridge, Va, Us: "Try "Insomnia" by Hyland. I"ve used it for years and it has worked for several people who I've recommended it to (I always offer to buy their bottle if it doesn't work for them). It's a tiny homeopathic tablet that dissolves under your tongue. One or two should solve your sleeplessness and a bottle of 50 costs less than $10 so it's definitely cost effective. Totally counterintuitive as to why it should work but it does. It's more effective than melatonin, ambien, and all the other things I tried. Now, I always have some at home by the bed and definitely when I travel. Especially good for those nights when the tape in your head won't turn off or if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I've taken one tab to get back to sleep when I had to be up in 2-3 hrs; two or three when first going to bed, if needed. You won't have a 'hangover' like some of those others give you. Hope this helps you get some rest."

03/28/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "Well, it has been a little while so you may want to google some info but you should eat fruits (which are the cleaners) and veggies (which are the builders), Avoid sugars, alcohol, white flour products. Lean meats and healthy grains I think are acceptable. Do some more research. Also get some liver cleanse pills. I was told by a naturopath that if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up thru the night it is because sleep is disturbed because the liver is busy processing so many toxins. So at the end of the day cleanup your diet. Diet is king."

03/29/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "A simple Liver cleanse is to eat lots of Beets."

03/29/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I would willingly do a liver cleanse IF I were sure it would not excacerbate my ibs-d. I'm doing too well controlling it to take a chance. The lemon juice/baking soda thing could start diarhhea and, w/ me, this can go on for a year or more once it starts. Eating beets I can do, I love them and do eat them frequently. Grow them in my garden, so I know they are organic. I eat lots of 'greens', whatever is growing at the moment, so I think my diet is pretty good overall. I eat chia seeds daily, drink homemade kefir, don't eat much meat but usually fish, maybe the grains is where I go wrong. The unprocessed grains usually get my bowels going, so I avoid them. I do appreciate the comments, will try the niacinamide. Thanks."

03/29/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Trudyg; Insomnia has been a problem for me too, and like you, I've tried many supplements and herbs. It is still difficult. What works for many, sometimes will have the opposite effect for me.

I try to keep a record of supplements, herbs, even foods that have a stimulating or relaxing effect.

I take B vitamin supplements, but most are stimulating, so I take them in the morning. ( I take extra B12 sublinguals. BTW, it helps my hot flashes. ) B12 suppresses melatonin in the day, allowing it to increase at night.

I do take Niacinamide, (B3), in the evening, it relaxes me. ( I take 250 mgs.)

I still take 1mg. of Melatonin in the evening. It helps, but it doesn't work alone for me.

This past year, I've had good results from taking 15mgs. of Zinc in the evening. ( It may help people with elevated evening cortisol, or possibly, elevated blood sugar.)

I take extra Potassium as a supplement, it also relaxes me.

There are many supplements that work miraculously for other folks, such as : Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc. , but I seem to have a paradoxical reaction to them - worsened insomnia. (I'm sure many folks could have this same reaction to the supplements that work for me.)

I believe my best success with insomnia is from finding the substances that interfere with sleep.

Good Wishes."

03/31/2013: Tamara from Bellevue (formerly Ft. Collins, Co), Wa: "Hi Connie, have you tried switching around when you take vitamin D? I noticed that you mentioned you take your B vitamins in the morning. There's mounting anecdotal evidence (since no one is doing a study on timing of intake) that vitamin D supplementation in the morning improves sleep in lots of different facets. For me, it made me drowsier at night so it's easier to fall asleep and my mood was better when waking (to me indicating that I was more rested). I believe that it acts like liquid, chemical sunshine and helps set our circadian rhythm. Seth Roberts has collected a sample of people's testimonies of morning vitamin D supplementation here: http://blog.sethroberts.net/category/sleep/vitamin-d3-and-sleep/"

03/31/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales: "The Liver cleanse, is good, but you can't do anything for days! It works BUT you're gonna feel real nasty! Never mind House work, and stuff like that. The "DETOX" Reaction will get you! I know! I did this loads of times. Do not go to the ER. They will put you on drugs. Then you end up were you started and worse than that. I know. Belive me, I am detoxing and I feel real ill! BUT... I know it's working. Best of luck xx Love andrea c"

04/01/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I am really afraid of doing a liver cleanse, after doing some research. It makes you really move things out. With ibs-d, I'm moving pretty fast as an everyday thing. Getting it to stop is the problem. If you haven't had diarrhea constantly for years, every single day, then you don't know what I mean. Seriously, I wear depends in order to go buy groceries. As I am now in a fairly good place, I'm not tinkering with it. The last flare I had lasted over a year and I needed a new mattress. I'll eat as well as I can, but I'm not asking for more diarrhea."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi, Intractable diarrhea may be from a B12/Folate deficiency."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Tamara; I agree that there can be various ways to have success with the use of a supplement; dosage amount, timing of dosage, etc.

Another possibility is that certain co-factor nutrients may be needed to allow the vitamin to be available to the cells.

For instance, from what I've learned from reading on the Vitamin D Council website: Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Boron are needed for vitamin D absorption. Zinc helps to prime vitamin D receptors."

04/01/2013: Megan from St Louis, Missouri: "I would try ear plugs. My husband snores and I am a very light sleeper. They are a life saver!"

04/01/2013: Liz from Torrance, California: "Sorry you are experiencing insomnia. I have it occasionally and have found a few things that help.

Adrenals: I would start by finding out from a naturopath if your adrenals are overtaxed. You might have adrenal exhaustion and could benefit from some adrenal support supplements.

Exercising: Do you exercise? What time of the day do you exercise? This too may play into night time insomnia. Exercising earlier in the day is always better. If you don't get enough exercise, that too might exacerbate insomnia."

04/02/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "Thanks for all the suggestions. I read Ted's comments and am going to try the B3 (niacinamide) and B12. Those are 2 I haven't supplemented because I thought I was getting enough from food. Yes, I do exercise--I run/walk between 1-2 miles/day on the treadmill first thing in the morning, then I do QiGong around 3 in the afternoon. I stand rather than sit, walk every chance I get while at work. Weekends I clear land (very hilly) at our farm, set fenceposts, garden, yardwork, etc. I think the activity level is good. I get migraines from melatonin, so when I take it I keep it to no more than 1 mg. Calms Forte + 1 mg melatonin will work 1 day out of 4, typically. If I didn't have to work I would just nap as needed and not worry about it."

04/02/2013: Tina from Houston, Usa: "Please google Min-tran. It is a natural, food based product that helps with sleep issues. I have in the past taken 4-6 an hour before bed, and it knocks me off. It works with the para-sympathic side of the nervous system and brings the body to balance.

Also 'natural calm' magnesium powder that dissolves in warm water, a few hours before bed is excellent in resolving incomnia issues.

Good luck!"

05/13/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "It's me again, the chronic insomniac. I tried the molasses in sleep time tea--boy, did I get diarrhea! Only did 1 tsp, not a tbs. Mg loosens the bowels, with ibs-d I get it very fast and then it won't stop. If I take calcium in the correct ratio w/ mg it's bad, calcium alone helps slow it down. Big issue is the sleep. A post said taurine + l-glutamate + theanine. For me, did nothing. I added 5-htp to that mix, still nothing. Finally took 1 mg melatonin, would have slept but for the vomiting due to melatonin induced migraine. HELP! In spite of all this, I am healthy--exercise daily, garden, work, eat well. What am I doing wrong? My mind chatters all night long, if I fall asleep I awake with a jolt. Thanks for listening."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "just out of curiosity... What about a baking soda bath or a baking soda with vinegar bath.... Maybe 1/4 cup of each.... then rinse it off, just in case. How do you drink your water? How much, when.. ? I use to drink a lot of water but until I followed the procedure in the watercure site it wasn't helping me. I'm so sorry you are suffering ... Love, Joy"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I went back to the insomnia page and read all your post... I'm sorry you are sufferring.

I went to a few google sites and looked around also.

This is just a stab in the dark.... I care. The fact that your grow your own greens and eat lots of them, means you probably get a whole lotta magnesium from them so when you take the mag you get the IBS. The fact that you get a lot of mag from your plants means you might be out of balance somewhere in your minerals. I read that ZINC aids in 300 enzyme functions and helps IBS D sufferers because of the digestion enzyme functions it helps.

They talked about water use at the bottom of the page....

Your diarrhea which I had myself from C diff for 6 months, is scary and stealing your minerals and possible other nutrients.... the chia seeds are suppose to help the IBS D and one site says they are safe to use for 12 wks.

LAST IDEA ... Get a hair analysis and see if there is a mineral out of balance causing the diarrhea because you eat minerals but too much of one would cause the dumping syndrome. As if you ate a poison

May you find you sleep like a baby, .... You'll be in my prayes... Love, JOY"

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "I put 2 tbs acv+squirt of honey + 'fingertip' of borax in a 16 oz bottle, top off with water and sip it till lunch, then do another for afternoon till suppertime. I pee all the time, so can't do more than that. Usually an herbal tea (peppermint) in the evening around 6:30. Haven't heard of the water cure, so please clue me in. Also, I didn't think baking soda or vinegar would penetrate skin so haven't tried them in a bath, at least not since the last uti or skin issue years ago. Thanks."

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "Take it at bedtime or earlier in the day?"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash : "Try coconut meat for diarrhea. On one site, coconut macaroon cookies stopped a lot of people's diarrhea, calmed down their intestinal tract. My book says coconut heals teeth to rectum, you may sleep better if bowels were calm. Coconut milk can cause the runs in some people but coconut oil is very healthy and so is the meat but the meat makes me gain weight. Coconut is anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, anti viral, and kills parasites ...

Been thinking about you all day looking at sites that might help .... Love, Joy

Also just for info...1/4 tsp baking soda in water may make you neutral so you can rest not reacting to anything ... Your environment may be upsetting you, put baking soda on rug or in a bowl near the bed to clean the air.

I worked in an allergy clinic and was also a patient there and one lady went asthma and fell to the floor gasping while I put balm on my lip.... I freaked but she was actually reacting to the lady that just came in the door with hairspray on. Your immune system may need help."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Niacinamide can cause flushing(red tinging on face) make sure it's in a low dose B- complex and take half pill --not a whole pill, OR get a liquid and start on a very small dose, you don't need to suffer anymore. If it feels overwhelming take 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. baking soda in water and put a stop to it. Smallest amount that helps."

05/14/2013: Trudyg : "I've been using coconut oil for years now, so I guess that's good. Had been supplementing vit D but levels went kind of high (don't remember what it was) & dr said to back off. That was the first thing I tried for the insomnia, never noticed it to help. Wouldn't hurt to start it again, maybe not so high a dose. Funny, but I get really bad migraines from the air freshener a coworker loves to spray, so I know allergies are in there somewhere. Thanks."

05/14/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I forgot to mention earlier, I had been taking the baking soda daily, too, but quit because my bp went up. I can do it again, it was high for me and I'm always a bit low. Thanks. Isn't it amazing how our foods affect us? Wow."

05/15/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I am taking a b-complex (only for about a week now), had been taking a b12 in the morning and B3 at night, but then I read that it can prevent sleep so I stopped all but the complex. Should I stop the complex and take only b3, when? in the evening? or some other combo. I did the 12 & 3 b/c of a Ted post. Will start the baking soda today. Thanks."

05/15/2013: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Joy, niacinamide does not cause flushing, niacin does. In fact, niacinamide is what's recommended for those who want the benefits of niacin, without the flush."

05/15/2013: Trudyg : "Just grabbing at straws here, but I have a lot of the symptoms for hypoglycemia, too. Just wondering. My a1c level was great, so I've been tested. I pee all the time, often needing to go within an hour of my last trip to the br. I am always thirsty. I get shaky if I wait too long to eat, then I grab a sweet. Sometimes I slur my speech (thought it was due to stuttering as a child), I get uncoordinated (call me graceful). Thoughts? What should I do that I'm not already doing? ( I know, I should stop whining)."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil. Try the water cure for two weeks, and if you do the supplemental --B's start very low dose mornings.

If you pee all the time (losing minerals and nutrients) ...... Your body is dropping either sugar or something is amiss with your diet, could be as simple as your mint, or anything you put in your water. I lived by a mint field and my friend lived there and her son got poisoned by the soil that affected their water well. He had to detox. There is one other thing that would cause constant peeing is food dye or bad fats or something your body is dumping like your bowel symptom. So 2 +2 here is you are dumping bladder and bowel.

One last thing might be imbalance in microbes in bowel and bladder maybe enzymes and probiotics and possible parasite.. Or ph is off... just wild guesses here.

Baking soda in bowl on desk at work to counteract coworkers sprayng chemicals.

Don't take D if you are high D and don't take baking soda if your BP is high."

05/15/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, I went through something very similar a few years ago. I was sure I was diabetic as I had had trouble with hypoglycemia since I was 15. (I am 46 now. ) My sleep was poor, I couldn't quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, and of course, I was in the bathroom all the time from all that water. I was getting sores in my mouth, too. I went to the Dr. to get my blood sugar checked first thing in the morning when I finally put 2 + 2 together. But my sugar was okay! (Guess my math was wrong! ) He said, "Oh, it is probably your thyroid. " Sure enough, blood tests indicated hypothyroidism. I suppose this shouldn't have been too surprising as I have had low basal body temperature (as low as 96.3 upon rising for years. I figured I was subclinical hypothyroid and never did anything about. ) The doctor put me on a low dose of synthroid, 50mcg, which did help the symptoms I had been dealing with, but my hair started falling out and I felt terrible. I sat around feeling terrible most of the time. (Doctor said the synthroid was not causing this, but I didn't believe him. ) I didn't think I had any options but started to research and found that I did have options! I quit taking the synthroid after 3 months. I started to do everything I could find to help my thyroid naturally. I took extra virgin coconut oil 1-2 T. daily. I drank Apple Cider Vinegar daily (at least 2 T. per day in water; I spread mine throughout the day. ) I took 12.5 mcg iodine/iodide daily. Meanwhile, I got pregnant. I had the midwife check my thyroid. It was still not in the right range, but I didn't go back on prescription meds. I felt pretty good with what I was doing. I had a normal pregnancy and a healthy full-term baby. I was afraid to fool with the iodine much while pregnant. After I had the baby, I upped my dose to 25mcg daily. (In the am. ) At some point after the birth, the midwife checked my thyroid again and it was in the normal range! (And I had been promised by the doctors that prescription meds were my ONLY option! ) Iodine was what doctors used to use to treat hypothyroid.

So, you could have your thyroid checked or try taking your early morning temp (before getting out of bed, eating, drinking etc. ) If it is low, you can be pretty sure it is hypothyroidism. Research your alternatives.

Hope you get some relief and answers soon. ~Mama to Many~"

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "Sorry, I should have looked it up, but what is the water cure? I eat only foods I prepare myself, no additives or dyes. The only place I would get those are my supplements, so I'll look at that. The only fats are from coconut, grapeseed oil, or avocado. I had my thyroid checked (runs in the family) and it was okay but I may add iodine at very small doses to see if I feel better. Thanks."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I've had my thyroid checked, it appears ok. I know from family experience that the numbers can be okay but you can not be okay. I have some potassium iodide drops, says 2/day. Should I start those and see how I feel? How long before I notice a difference do you think? My sleep has never been good, but since I quit hrt after my hysterectomy it's been terrible. I've got the hot flashes under control (not gone, but bearable). I thank God for the help you all are giving me. I'm really at my wits end."

05/16/2013: Robyn from Asheville, Nc: "Hi TrudyG, I was wondering the same thing. If you go to the watercure site, it's basically an advertisement to buy the book (Earth Clinic, doesn't this go against your policy about not posting links to commercial sites?). A little digging on the web and I learned that you should drink water a half hour before and after eating. You should also take 1/4 teaspoon of salt (sea salt) per quart of water. Or drink this every few glasses of water."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I seem to be the one percent that have the side effects that most don't... With supplements, medicines and with topicals.... Since childhood when I start a new supplement I take half a pill every other day or can't sleep. Makeup is suppose to make a person look better , well for me... It does strange things that are not good. They give me something to calm me down and revs me up, and gives me panics. I eat sugar and no crash, just moving right along."

05/16/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I did some looking and saw that, too. You divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of water/day, adding sea salt every couple of glasses-worth. I'd be peeing all day if I did that! I must say, though, when I drink water w/ acv, I need to go less often. I drink 1 cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then only water until evening, then a cup of herbal tea. I push the fluids and rarely feel thirsty. I do agree that we could all benefit by increasing our water intake, but by how much is really the question."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I get weird reactions, too. When they give me narcotics (you'll sleep! ) ha--not me, I'm bouncing off the wall. Half an aspirin is plenty for me, so I start out low dose, too. I'm post-menopausal, so get hot flashes and couldn't tell you if it's due to a supplement or not. I take evening primrose oil for that, and have added vit e (200/cap X 2/d, don't know if mg or iu). I think most drs either don't know and don't want to say so or think that women are weak complainers, so they don't take us seriously."

05/16/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, If the iodine drops say 2 per day, you could start with that. Does it say how much iodine you are getting? All drops do not have the same amount. I compared using iodine drops to what I take orally and I would have to take 20 drops a day to get what I am getting in pills. (And I don't like the taste of iodine in my water.) Anyway, start with 2 drops a day for a few days. Then do a skin test--drop a few drops onto your skin (I do inside my forearm. ) If it is gone in a short time, you are still iodine deficient. If you can still see it after 12 hours, you are getting enough. (Some say you should be able to see it after 24 hours. Broda Barnes has a book on Thyroid that explains it all but I haven't read it. ) If I can see the iodine spot on my arm after 6-8 hours, I think I am doing pretty well. (I really can't bear to take more iodine than I take. It just seems like too much to me.) I know my thyroid was low LONG before it showed up on a blood test. If you take your early morning, before rising temperature and it is low (Some would say anything under 98.0 is low... But I am not sure. Under 97.0 is definitely low.) My naturopathic doctor says you should not use a digital and you should keep it in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.

Anyway, you can increase the amount of iodine by a couple of drops if the iodine on your skin disappears quickly and continue to check on your skin and increase by a couple of drops etc. Until the iodine isn't absorbing quickly. Or, if you notice improvement, you could stop when that happens.

I can't recall how long it took for the iodine to provide me with noticeable difference. It was perhaps days or a week or two. But if I run out my symptoms come back pretty fast - mabye in a day or two.

You are dealing with lots of health challenges... So sorry! With the IBS are you possibly losing nutrients you need, causing health challenges? Comfrey is wonderful for this. In her book, Be your Own Doctor, Rachel Weaver says to use comfrey root powder and slippery elm powder to help and heal this. Both are soothing to the digestive tract and very nutritious. She has you mix them together with water to a dough like consistency and then make little pea size balls you can take throughout the day when symptoms flare up. Comfrey leaves can also be mixed with other soothing and nutritive herbs (like Red Raspberry) and made into a tea that will provide extra nutrients. I didn't use to think herbal tea would do much, but I have had some amazing help from them this year and have changed my mind. Activated charcoal is also a great thing for digestive difficulty and helps detox as well (but very gently. ) Just don't take it near time of other supplements as it adsorbs toxins and may also do the same with nutrients. (I take it leaving a 2 hour window. ) You can mix 1 t. In water or take tablets or capsules. Just a couple of more things to consider... Hope it isn't too overwhelming... Praying for relief for you."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Earth Clinic has a water cure section with Ted commenting on Dr. Batmanghelidj.. I'm not selling books. All these lovely people here on earth clinic are sharing what helps them and I am doing the same thing, hoping it helps alleviate someone of their sufferring. Love, Joy"

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "About Dr Batmanghelidj's Water Cure: This man was a humanitarian who was ignored by the present medical system. He has helped innumerable people back to health. If people drink water without supplementing with, for example, celtic salt, they will urinate, dehydrating themselves as well as loosing vitamins and minerals. It was the chemically manufactured salt that wreaked havoc with the world's population and caused an explosion of serious diseases that killed many. Because allopaths have no training in nutrition they misguide patients to their detriment.

I have just begun slowly and do not run to the bathroom because of the water drinking. The protocol is easy and must be followed meticulously. Get off to a slow start. Already I have noted the effect of water doing its work in the entire body. I hope this will, in addition of magnesium, cure my insomnia. It is nature, not drugs that will do it. I am thankfull toward the good doctor and think it would be of benefit to read his by now famous book, even though just doing the program would be alright So many people have been helped including pets. To be rightly informed is self empowerment. Be leery of the common table salt, but natural wet salts are delicious, provide much needed minerals and prevent the continuous problem of over urination. We are made mainly of water, so is the planet with vast resources of salt water. Sometimes I think that the intake of chemical and denatured salt over a life time could be a contributory factor of Alzheimers as our brain, too, is made up largely of water. We are all keen on learning how to get in touch and back to nature and with determination success will be ours. Love, Om"

05/18/2013: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Om can you tell me if everytime you drink water you have to add the salt? Thanks..."

05/18/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "add 1 gram of wind and sun dried sea salt $1.70 for 24 oz at whole foods and 1 gram of dead sea salt $20 for a 4 lb pail at whole foods per quart of water."

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "Lauren, just type in "water cure 2" and you will find the protocol. It is quite easy to follow. I found that indeed one only needs to pee every 2 or 3 hours when the salt is taken on the tongue but not in the water. If not, there is more instructions which are simple for everyone. You will benefit greatly. Good luck, Om"

05/19/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Hi, You drink the water(1-2cups) half an hour before you eat a meal to prepare the stomach lining to drop the acid and enzymes to break down the food and have the water to mix with the bola in the intestines to prevent constipation. Also you add the salt to your food if you are not already eating plenty in the form of iodized sea salt. Too much water without salt and you pee too often... Too much salt and you get bloated.... You also have to start this slowly or you are not going to feel well. It can take up to two weeks to rehydrate a body properly.

Histamine is a dehydration signal. Whenever you get your water/salt/potassium/calcium/magnesium and other minerals out of balance your body shoots out some histamine and the histamine causes reactions to food, air, water, cloth, chemicals, cleaning products. and makes you feel ill."

05/20/2013: Kt from The Usa: "What time do you eat your last meal of the day? I try to have dinner at five and don't eat anything after six."

05/22/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "Last night I took L-Glutamine, Taurine, 5-Htp, Theanine, and a vitamin e. Tossed and turned all night, when I slept I had very active dreams-to the point I thought I was awake, woke up with a splitting headache. I've been doing the acv+baking soda+borax thing during the day. I can't go on like this, something's gotta give. Getting some sleep should not be so hard."

05/22/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "The famous naturopath doctor david wolfe said raw chocolate is the best herb for the brain increases and balances all the neurotransmitters. I take 15 grams of raw organic cocoa powder every day in divided doses. You can take more if you want to."

03/27/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "You need to cleanse your liver. Just my guess."

03/27/2013: Claromce from Templeton, Ca, Usa: "Not sure what magnesium oil is, but magnesium tabs helped me a lot."

03/28/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa: "Trudyg, I like you tried them all for sleeping. Finally I stumbled onto Melatonin Ultra, 3 mg melatonin, theanine, GABA, chamomile, valerian, B6 and calcium. You're to take 1, 2 if jet lagged. I've been taking 1. 5 the past year and backed off to just one tab 2 weeks ago as I'm on my way to bed, not earlier than that. I fall asleep fast. My problem is I have "waking insomnia" where I sleep three or four hours then am wide awake. Have had it many years. This product has helped me sleep through most nights. Hope you try it and it works for you also."

03/28/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "How does a liver cleanse help insomnia? Also, the melatonin ultra is just one of the things I have already tried without success. Please, is there nothing else out there? How do you cleanse a liver?"

03/28/2013: Jade from Dallas, Texas: "Yes, how do you cleanse your liver? I will do anything as I have severe insomnia and sleep only couple hours every night so please let me know any suggestions how to get into a sleep clinic would be great. Thanks Jade"

03/28/2013: Ejules from Woodbridge, Va, Us: "Try "Insomnia" by Hyland. I"ve used it for years and it has worked for several people who I've recommended it to (I always offer to buy their bottle if it doesn't work for them). It's a tiny homeopathic tablet that dissolves under your tongue. One or two should solve your sleeplessness and a bottle of 50 costs less than $10 so it's definitely cost effective. Totally counterintuitive as to why it should work but it does. It's more effective than melatonin, ambien, and all the other things I tried. Now, I always have some at home by the bed and definitely when I travel. Especially good for those nights when the tape in your head won't turn off or if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I've taken one tab to get back to sleep when I had to be up in 2-3 hrs; two or three when first going to bed, if needed. You won't have a 'hangover' like some of those others give you. Hope this helps you get some rest."

03/28/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "Well, it has been a little while so you may want to google some info but you should eat fruits (which are the cleaners) and veggies (which are the builders), Avoid sugars, alcohol, white flour products. Lean meats and healthy grains I think are acceptable. Do some more research. Also get some liver cleanse pills. I was told by a naturopath that if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up thru the night it is because sleep is disturbed because the liver is busy processing so many toxins. So at the end of the day cleanup your diet. Diet is king."

03/29/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "A simple Liver cleanse is to eat lots of Beets."

03/29/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I would willingly do a liver cleanse IF I were sure it would not excacerbate my ibs-d. I'm doing too well controlling it to take a chance. The lemon juice/baking soda thing could start diarhhea and, w/ me, this can go on for a year or more once it starts. Eating beets I can do, I love them and do eat them frequently. Grow them in my garden, so I know they are organic. I eat lots of 'greens', whatever is growing at the moment, so I think my diet is pretty good overall. I eat chia seeds daily, drink homemade kefir, don't eat much meat but usually fish, maybe the grains is where I go wrong. The unprocessed grains usually get my bowels going, so I avoid them. I do appreciate the comments, will try the niacinamide. Thanks."

03/29/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Trudyg; Insomnia has been a problem for me too, and like you, I've tried many supplements and herbs. It is still difficult. What works for many, sometimes will have the opposite effect for me.

I try to keep a record of supplements, herbs, even foods that have a stimulating or relaxing effect.

I take B vitamin supplements, but most are stimulating, so I take them in the morning. ( I take extra B12 sublinguals. BTW, it helps my hot flashes. ) B12 suppresses melatonin in the day, allowing it to increase at night.

I do take Niacinamide, (B3), in the evening, it relaxes me. ( I take 250 mgs.)

I still take 1mg. of Melatonin in the evening. It helps, but it doesn't work alone for me.

This past year, I've had good results from taking 15mgs. of Zinc in the evening. ( It may help people with elevated evening cortisol, or possibly, elevated blood sugar.)

I take extra Potassium as a supplement, it also relaxes me.

There are many supplements that work miraculously for other folks, such as : Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc. , but I seem to have a paradoxical reaction to them - worsened insomnia. (I'm sure many folks could have this same reaction to the supplements that work for me.)

I believe my best success with insomnia is from finding the substances that interfere with sleep.

Good Wishes."

03/31/2013: Tamara from Bellevue (formerly Ft. Collins, Co), Wa: "Hi Connie, have you tried switching around when you take vitamin D? I noticed that you mentioned you take your B vitamins in the morning. There's mounting anecdotal evidence (since no one is doing a study on timing of intake) that vitamin D supplementation in the morning improves sleep in lots of different facets. For me, it made me drowsier at night so it's easier to fall asleep and my mood was better when waking (to me indicating that I was more rested). I believe that it acts like liquid, chemical sunshine and helps set our circadian rhythm. Seth Roberts has collected a sample of people's testimonies of morning vitamin D supplementation here: http://blog.sethroberts.net/category/sleep/vitamin-d3-and-sleep/"

03/31/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales: "The Liver cleanse, is good, but you can't do anything for days! It works BUT you're gonna feel real nasty! Never mind House work, and stuff like that. The "DETOX" Reaction will get you! I know! I did this loads of times. Do not go to the ER. They will put you on drugs. Then you end up were you started and worse than that. I know. Belive me, I am detoxing and I feel real ill! BUT... I know it's working. Best of luck xx Love andrea c"

04/01/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I am really afraid of doing a liver cleanse, after doing some research. It makes you really move things out. With ibs-d, I'm moving pretty fast as an everyday thing. Getting it to stop is the problem. If you haven't had diarrhea constantly for years, every single day, then you don't know what I mean. Seriously, I wear depends in order to go buy groceries. As I am now in a fairly good place, I'm not tinkering with it. The last flare I had lasted over a year and I needed a new mattress. I'll eat as well as I can, but I'm not asking for more diarrhea."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi, Intractable diarrhea may be from a B12/Folate deficiency."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Tamara; I agree that there can be various ways to have success with the use of a supplement; dosage amount, timing of dosage, etc.

Another possibility is that certain co-factor nutrients may be needed to allow the vitamin to be available to the cells.

For instance, from what I've learned from reading on the Vitamin D Council website: Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Boron are needed for vitamin D absorption. Zinc helps to prime vitamin D receptors."

04/01/2013: Megan from St Louis, Missouri: "I would try ear plugs. My husband snores and I am a very light sleeper. They are a life saver!"

04/01/2013: Liz from Torrance, California: "Sorry you are experiencing insomnia. I have it occasionally and have found a few things that help.

Adrenals: I would start by finding out from a naturopath if your adrenals are overtaxed. You might have adrenal exhaustion and could benefit from some adrenal support supplements.

Exercising: Do you exercise? What time of the day do you exercise? This too may play into night time insomnia. Exercising earlier in the day is always better. If you don't get enough exercise, that too might exacerbate insomnia."

04/02/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "Thanks for all the suggestions. I read Ted's comments and am going to try the B3 (niacinamide) and B12. Those are 2 I haven't supplemented because I thought I was getting enough from food. Yes, I do exercise--I run/walk between 1-2 miles/day on the treadmill first thing in the morning, then I do QiGong around 3 in the afternoon. I stand rather than sit, walk every chance I get while at work. Weekends I clear land (very hilly) at our farm, set fenceposts, garden, yardwork, etc. I think the activity level is good. I get migraines from melatonin, so when I take it I keep it to no more than 1 mg. Calms Forte + 1 mg melatonin will work 1 day out of 4, typically. If I didn't have to work I would just nap as needed and not worry about it."

04/02/2013: Tina from Houston, Usa: "Please google Min-tran. It is a natural, food based product that helps with sleep issues. I have in the past taken 4-6 an hour before bed, and it knocks me off. It works with the para-sympathic side of the nervous system and brings the body to balance.

Also 'natural calm' magnesium powder that dissolves in warm water, a few hours before bed is excellent in resolving incomnia issues.

Good luck!"

05/13/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "It's me again, the chronic insomniac. I tried the molasses in sleep time tea--boy, did I get diarrhea! Only did 1 tsp, not a tbs. Mg loosens the bowels, with ibs-d I get it very fast and then it won't stop. If I take calcium in the correct ratio w/ mg it's bad, calcium alone helps slow it down. Big issue is the sleep. A post said taurine + l-glutamate + theanine. For me, did nothing. I added 5-htp to that mix, still nothing. Finally took 1 mg melatonin, would have slept but for the vomiting due to melatonin induced migraine. HELP! In spite of all this, I am healthy--exercise daily, garden, work, eat well. What am I doing wrong? My mind chatters all night long, if I fall asleep I awake with a jolt. Thanks for listening."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "just out of curiosity... What about a baking soda bath or a baking soda with vinegar bath.... Maybe 1/4 cup of each.... then rinse it off, just in case. How do you drink your water? How much, when.. ? I use to drink a lot of water but until I followed the procedure in the watercure site it wasn't helping me. I'm so sorry you are suffering ... Love, Joy"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I went back to the insomnia page and read all your post... I'm sorry you are sufferring.

I went to a few google sites and looked around also.

This is just a stab in the dark.... I care. The fact that your grow your own greens and eat lots of them, means you probably get a whole lotta magnesium from them so when you take the mag you get the IBS. The fact that you get a lot of mag from your plants means you might be out of balance somewhere in your minerals. I read that ZINC aids in 300 enzyme functions and helps IBS D sufferers because of the digestion enzyme functions it helps.

They talked about water use at the bottom of the page....

Your diarrhea which I had myself from C diff for 6 months, is scary and stealing your minerals and possible other nutrients.... the chia seeds are suppose to help the IBS D and one site says they are safe to use for 12 wks.

LAST IDEA ... Get a hair analysis and see if there is a mineral out of balance causing the diarrhea because you eat minerals but too much of one would cause the dumping syndrome. As if you ate a poison

May you find you sleep like a baby, .... You'll be in my prayes... Love, JOY"

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "I put 2 tbs acv+squirt of honey + 'fingertip' of borax in a 16 oz bottle, top off with water and sip it till lunch, then do another for afternoon till suppertime. I pee all the time, so can't do more than that. Usually an herbal tea (peppermint) in the evening around 6:30. Haven't heard of the water cure, so please clue me in. Also, I didn't think baking soda or vinegar would penetrate skin so haven't tried them in a bath, at least not since the last uti or skin issue years ago. Thanks."

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "Take it at bedtime or earlier in the day?"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash : "Try coconut meat for diarrhea. On one site, coconut macaroon cookies stopped a lot of people's diarrhea, calmed down their intestinal tract. My book says coconut heals teeth to rectum, you may sleep better if bowels were calm. Coconut milk can cause the runs in some people but coconut oil is very healthy and so is the meat but the meat makes me gain weight. Coconut is anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, anti viral, and kills parasites ...

Been thinking about you all day looking at sites that might help .... Love, Joy

Also just for info...1/4 tsp baking soda in water may make you neutral so you can rest not reacting to anything ... Your environment may be upsetting you, put baking soda on rug or in a bowl near the bed to clean the air.

I worked in an allergy clinic and was also a patient there and one lady went asthma and fell to the floor gasping while I put balm on my lip.... I freaked but she was actually reacting to the lady that just came in the door with hairspray on. Your immune system may need help."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Niacinamide can cause flushing(red tinging on face) make sure it's in a low dose B- complex and take half pill --not a whole pill, OR get a liquid and start on a very small dose, you don't need to suffer anymore. If it feels overwhelming take 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. baking soda in water and put a stop to it. Smallest amount that helps."

05/14/2013: Trudyg : "I've been using coconut oil for years now, so I guess that's good. Had been supplementing vit D but levels went kind of high (don't remember what it was) & dr said to back off. That was the first thing I tried for the insomnia, never noticed it to help. Wouldn't hurt to start it again, maybe not so high a dose. Funny, but I get really bad migraines from the air freshener a coworker loves to spray, so I know allergies are in there somewhere. Thanks."

05/14/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I forgot to mention earlier, I had been taking the baking soda daily, too, but quit because my bp went up. I can do it again, it was high for me and I'm always a bit low. Thanks. Isn't it amazing how our foods affect us? Wow."

05/15/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I am taking a b-complex (only for about a week now), had been taking a b12 in the morning and B3 at night, but then I read that it can prevent sleep so I stopped all but the complex. Should I stop the complex and take only b3, when? in the evening? or some other combo. I did the 12 & 3 b/c of a Ted post. Will start the baking soda today. Thanks."

05/15/2013: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Joy, niacinamide does not cause flushing, niacin does. In fact, niacinamide is what's recommended for those who want the benefits of niacin, without the flush."

05/15/2013: Trudyg : "Just grabbing at straws here, but I have a lot of the symptoms for hypoglycemia, too. Just wondering. My a1c level was great, so I've been tested. I pee all the time, often needing to go within an hour of my last trip to the br. I am always thirsty. I get shaky if I wait too long to eat, then I grab a sweet. Sometimes I slur my speech (thought it was due to stuttering as a child), I get uncoordinated (call me graceful). Thoughts? What should I do that I'm not already doing? ( I know, I should stop whining)."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil. Try the water cure for two weeks, and if you do the supplemental --B's start very low dose mornings.

If you pee all the time (losing minerals and nutrients) ...... Your body is dropping either sugar or something is amiss with your diet, could be as simple as your mint, or anything you put in your water. I lived by a mint field and my friend lived there and her son got poisoned by the soil that affected their water well. He had to detox. There is one other thing that would cause constant peeing is food dye or bad fats or something your body is dumping like your bowel symptom. So 2 +2 here is you are dumping bladder and bowel.

One last thing might be imbalance in microbes in bowel and bladder maybe enzymes and probiotics and possible parasite.. Or ph is off... just wild guesses here.

Baking soda in bowl on desk at work to counteract coworkers sprayng chemicals.

Don't take D if you are high D and don't take baking soda if your BP is high."

05/15/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, I went through something very similar a few years ago. I was sure I was diabetic as I had had trouble with hypoglycemia since I was 15. (I am 46 now. ) My sleep was poor, I couldn't quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, and of course, I was in the bathroom all the time from all that water. I was getting sores in my mouth, too. I went to the Dr. to get my blood sugar checked first thing in the morning when I finally put 2 + 2 together. But my sugar was okay! (Guess my math was wrong! ) He said, "Oh, it is probably your thyroid. " Sure enough, blood tests indicated hypothyroidism. I suppose this shouldn't have been too surprising as I have had low basal body temperature (as low as 96.3 upon rising for years. I figured I was subclinical hypothyroid and never did anything about. ) The doctor put me on a low dose of synthroid, 50mcg, which did help the symptoms I had been dealing with, but my hair started falling out and I felt terrible. I sat around feeling terrible most of the time. (Doctor said the synthroid was not causing this, but I didn't believe him. ) I didn't think I had any options but started to research and found that I did have options! I quit taking the synthroid after 3 months. I started to do everything I could find to help my thyroid naturally. I took extra virgin coconut oil 1-2 T. daily. I drank Apple Cider Vinegar daily (at least 2 T. per day in water; I spread mine throughout the day. ) I took 12.5 mcg iodine/iodide daily. Meanwhile, I got pregnant. I had the midwife check my thyroid. It was still not in the right range, but I didn't go back on prescription meds. I felt pretty good with what I was doing. I had a normal pregnancy and a healthy full-term baby. I was afraid to fool with the iodine much while pregnant. After I had the baby, I upped my dose to 25mcg daily. (In the am. ) At some point after the birth, the midwife checked my thyroid again and it was in the normal range! (And I had been promised by the doctors that prescription meds were my ONLY option! ) Iodine was what doctors used to use to treat hypothyroid.

So, you could have your thyroid checked or try taking your early morning temp (before getting out of bed, eating, drinking etc. ) If it is low, you can be pretty sure it is hypothyroidism. Research your alternatives.

Hope you get some relief and answers soon. ~Mama to Many~"

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "Sorry, I should have looked it up, but what is the water cure? I eat only foods I prepare myself, no additives or dyes. The only place I would get those are my supplements, so I'll look at that. The only fats are from coconut, grapeseed oil, or avocado. I had my thyroid checked (runs in the family) and it was okay but I may add iodine at very small doses to see if I feel better. Thanks."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I've had my thyroid checked, it appears ok. I know from family experience that the numbers can be okay but you can not be okay. I have some potassium iodide drops, says 2/day. Should I start those and see how I feel? How long before I notice a difference do you think? My sleep has never been good, but since I quit hrt after my hysterectomy it's been terrible. I've got the hot flashes under control (not gone, but bearable). I thank God for the help you all are giving me. I'm really at my wits end."

05/16/2013: Robyn from Asheville, Nc: "Hi TrudyG, I was wondering the same thing. If you go to the watercure site, it's basically an advertisement to buy the book (Earth Clinic, doesn't this go against your policy about not posting links to commercial sites?). A little digging on the web and I learned that you should drink water a half hour before and after eating. You should also take 1/4 teaspoon of salt (sea salt) per quart of water. Or drink this every few glasses of water."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I seem to be the one percent that have the side effects that most don't... With supplements, medicines and with topicals.... Since childhood when I start a new supplement I take half a pill every other day or can't sleep. Makeup is suppose to make a person look better , well for me... It does strange things that are not good. They give me something to calm me down and revs me up, and gives me panics. I eat sugar and no crash, just moving right along."

05/16/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I did some looking and saw that, too. You divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of water/day, adding sea salt every couple of glasses-worth. I'd be peeing all day if I did that! I must say, though, when I drink water w/ acv, I need to go less often. I drink 1 cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then only water until evening, then a cup of herbal tea. I push the fluids and rarely feel thirsty. I do agree that we could all benefit by increasing our water intake, but by how much is really the question."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I get weird reactions, too. When they give me narcotics (you'll sleep! ) ha--not me, I'm bouncing off the wall. Half an aspirin is plenty for me, so I start out low dose, too. I'm post-menopausal, so get hot flashes and couldn't tell you if it's due to a supplement or not. I take evening primrose oil for that, and have added vit e (200/cap X 2/d, don't know if mg or iu). I think most drs either don't know and don't want to say so or think that women are weak complainers, so they don't take us seriously."

05/16/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, If the iodine drops say 2 per day, you could start with that. Does it say how much iodine you are getting? All drops do not have the same amount. I compared using iodine drops to what I take orally and I would have to take 20 drops a day to get what I am getting in pills. (And I don't like the taste of iodine in my water.) Anyway, start with 2 drops a day for a few days. Then do a skin test--drop a few drops onto your skin (I do inside my forearm. ) If it is gone in a short time, you are still iodine deficient. If you can still see it after 12 hours, you are getting enough. (Some say you should be able to see it after 24 hours. Broda Barnes has a book on Thyroid that explains it all but I haven't read it. ) If I can see the iodine spot on my arm after 6-8 hours, I think I am doing pretty well. (I really can't bear to take more iodine than I take. It just seems like too much to me.) I know my thyroid was low LONG before it showed up on a blood test. If you take your early morning, before rising temperature and it is low (Some would say anything under 98.0 is low... But I am not sure. Under 97.0 is definitely low.) My naturopathic doctor says you should not use a digital and you should keep it in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.

Anyway, you can increase the amount of iodine by a couple of drops if the iodine on your skin disappears quickly and continue to check on your skin and increase by a couple of drops etc. Until the iodine isn't absorbing quickly. Or, if you notice improvement, you could stop when that happens.

I can't recall how long it took for the iodine to provide me with noticeable difference. It was perhaps days or a week or two. But if I run out my symptoms come back pretty fast - mabye in a day or two.

You are dealing with lots of health challenges... So sorry! With the IBS are you possibly losing nutrients you need, causing health challenges? Comfrey is wonderful for this. In her book, Be your Own Doctor, Rachel Weaver says to use comfrey root powder and slippery elm powder to help and heal this. Both are soothing to the digestive tract and very nutritious. She has you mix them together with water to a dough like consistency and then make little pea size balls you can take throughout the day when symptoms flare up. Comfrey leaves can also be mixed with other soothing and nutritive herbs (like Red Raspberry) and made into a tea that will provide extra nutrients. I didn't use to think herbal tea would do much, but I have had some amazing help from them this year and have changed my mind. Activated charcoal is also a great thing for digestive difficulty and helps detox as well (but very gently. ) Just don't take it near time of other supplements as it adsorbs toxins and may also do the same with nutrients. (I take it leaving a 2 hour window. ) You can mix 1 t. In water or take tablets or capsules. Just a couple of more things to consider... Hope it isn't too overwhelming... Praying for relief for you."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Earth Clinic has a water cure section with Ted commenting on Dr. Batmanghelidj.. I'm not selling books. All these lovely people here on earth clinic are sharing what helps them and I am doing the same thing, hoping it helps alleviate someone of their sufferring. Love, Joy"

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "About Dr Batmanghelidj's Water Cure: This man was a humanitarian who was ignored by the present medical system. He has helped innumerable people back to health. If people drink water without supplementing with, for example, celtic salt, they will urinate, dehydrating themselves as well as loosing vitamins and minerals. It was the chemically manufactured salt that wreaked havoc with the world's population and caused an explosion of serious diseases that killed many. Because allopaths have no training in nutrition they misguide patients to their detriment.

I have just begun slowly and do not run to the bathroom because of the water drinking. The protocol is easy and must be followed meticulously. Get off to a slow start. Already I have noted the effect of water doing its work in the entire body. I hope this will, in addition of magnesium, cure my insomnia. It is nature, not drugs that will do it. I am thankfull toward the good doctor and think it would be of benefit to read his by now famous book, even though just doing the program would be alright So many people have been helped including pets. To be rightly informed is self empowerment. Be leery of the common table salt, but natural wet salts are delicious, provide much needed minerals and prevent the continuous problem of over urination. We are made mainly of water, so is the planet with vast resources of salt water. Sometimes I think that the intake of chemical and denatured salt over a life time could be a contributory factor of Alzheimers as our brain, too, is made up largely of water. We are all keen on learning how to get in touch and back to nature and with determination success will be ours. Love, Om"

05/18/2013: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Om can you tell me if everytime you drink water you have to add the salt? Thanks..."

05/18/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "add 1 gram of wind and sun dried sea salt $1.70 for 24 oz at whole foods and 1 gram of dead sea salt $20 for a 4 lb pail at whole foods per quart of water."

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "Lauren, just type in "water cure 2" and you will find the protocol. It is quite easy to follow. I found that indeed one only needs to pee every 2 or 3 hours when the salt is taken on the tongue but not in the water. If not, there is more instructions which are simple for everyone. You will benefit greatly. Good luck, Om"

05/19/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Hi, You drink the water(1-2cups) half an hour before you eat a meal to prepare the stomach lining to drop the acid and enzymes to break down the food and have the water to mix with the bola in the intestines to prevent constipation. Also you add the salt to your food if you are not already eating plenty in the form of iodized sea salt. Too much water without salt and you pee too often... Too much salt and you get bloated.... You also have to start this slowly or you are not going to feel well. It can take up to two weeks to rehydrate a body properly.

Histamine is a dehydration signal. Whenever you get your water/salt/potassium/calcium/magnesium and other minerals out of balance your body shoots out some histamine and the histamine causes reactions to food, air, water, cloth, chemicals, cleaning products. and makes you feel ill."

05/20/2013: Kt from The Usa: "What time do you eat your last meal of the day? I try to have dinner at five and don't eat anything after six."

05/22/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "Last night I took L-Glutamine, Taurine, 5-Htp, Theanine, and a vitamin e. Tossed and turned all night, when I slept I had very active dreams-to the point I thought I was awake, woke up with a splitting headache. I've been doing the acv+baking soda+borax thing during the day. I can't go on like this, something's gotta give. Getting some sleep should not be so hard."

05/22/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "The famous naturopath doctor david wolfe said raw chocolate is the best herb for the brain increases and balances all the neurotransmitters. I take 15 grams of raw organic cocoa powder every day in divided doses. You can take more if you want to."

05/08/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Sounds like you may be not getting enough fat in your diet. Try eating more walnuts or more butter on your vegetables. You need the fat... Your gallbladder needs fat to contract. B vitamins also stimulate appetite."

05/08/2013: Caitlin from Austin, Tx: "Sure! Are you eating enough? Perhaps your body is crying out for more nutrients you are not presently giving it in the food you regularly eat. You can try 2 things: 1. Up your fat intake. Try butter or coconut oil. Start with a teaspoon after a meal and see if this does not help. Or, 2. you may need more protein than you are getting. Have you been checked for iron or B deficiencies? If you are eating a lot of beans & grains, you could be stifling your body's ability to absorb certain nutrients in your food. I would get a nutrient/mineral deficiency analysis first. Also, check for worms -- can happen. But, I'm betting you need more good fats and protein in your diet. I was once vegetarian and felt extroardinary for about 6 months; then sheer tiredness consumed me. Ate a piece of meat --! Boing! It was as if a switch had flipped on in my body. An "Aha" moment, for sure. Turns out I had anemia, despite paying close attention to getting enough supposedly high protein from veggies (beans, grains, salads, etc. ) and fruit matter. You can't beat even an occassional meat meal for upping iron and getting those A, C, B-vitamins our bodies need. Remember, meat packs the most nutrients of any food in one package. So once-a-week meat or eggs may be your ticket. Others, I'm sure, will think differantly, but I have found this to be true for me."

05/08/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi again Nicole--I thought it was important to tell you fat slows down/prolongs digestion. If you are eating enough protein and fat this is supposed to prevent the constant hunger. It sounds like something is out of balance. What is your age?"

05/08/2013: Nicole from Sydney, Australia: "Hi Guys, I'm 30 years old and have been a vegetarian since I was 16. I guess I'm unsure of just how much fat I should be consuming - I eat an avocado every other day and a handful (or 2) of almonds after lunch sometimes. I never through about having worms but will definitely get this checked out.

I take a lot of supplements as my initial thoughts when the constant hunger started was that my body was craving nutrients, maybe the suppliments aren't sufficient? (out of general interest I take a mulit, Iron, vit b, magnesium, maca, kelp, Q10 and spirulina at different points throughout the day)

I have just bought some coconut old (because everyone seems to rave about it's benefits) and will start taking this after every mean - Just one teaspoon?

Thanks for all the advise guys, I love this website."

05/11/2013: Kathy from the USA: "I wanted to add taking a probiotic after a course of antibiotics would be important to replace the beneficial flora antibiotics destroy. Is it because I mentioned a PCP and antibiotic? I know this site is for alternative medicine but I believe some things go on too long and people get too desperate to have the time to read books for help. They come here for help NOW and as harmful as antibiotics can be they can still knock out the worst symptoms so someone could feel well enough to start over, eating to repair then advance to preventative care. I apologize for being so piecemeal but that is part of the problem from severe brain injuries. I'll stop posting because I cannot always be thorough."

05/11/2013: Kt from the USA: "Parasites can be a problem for everyone and based on what I have been learning, the binders and fillers in supplements can come from plants that have been engineered to last longer. They cannot be as easily digested and I believe this foodstuff remains in the body, nourishes parasites, could begin to ferment and may even become malignant.

I know animal feed is not held to the same standards as our food but the evidence suggests that if food has been genetically modified so it won't spoil, it seems to me that our disease/drought resistant plants could possibly be harboring creatures that are able to survive. In 1967 one of my horses died from moldy corn that turned toxic in his stomach. The mold was not visible. I have often wondered if this is why, when I was eating plain yogurt and more fresh fruit and vegetables, I used to have SO MUCH TROUBLE with candida. My PCP (who I rarely see) advised me several years ago that medicine changes every four or five years. Our food is changing. I hope I have made some sense and shared in an acceptable way. What is happening to our food supply is a threat to all of us."

05/13/2013: Ms Helpful from Georgia, Usa: "Please look up Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Remedies: Q&A on this website. There is a lady who has strange sensations of hunger 15 minutes after eating and Ted from Bangkok responds to her with remedies."

05/13/2013: Kt from the USA: "I guess I need to put it another way. Because our "engineered" food cannot be digested properly, the parasites, in whatever stage they are in can be harbored until they get farther down the digestive tract. Alternating garlic and ACV can help get rid of them unless they have proliferated to require antibiotics to kill all stages. Sometimes that is necessary. Probiotics can restore what has been destroyed by the antibiotics. Then eat for prevention.

I am trying to share what I have learned from sources that are not being offered to (and being sheltered from) the medical profession. With all due respect they just do not know what is happening to our food supply. This is why I am "sad".

My communication skills are not good and it is difficult to provide every ounce of support to what I have learned. I have learned a lot of piecemeal information for over twenty years by application and want to provide what I have learned by observation and experience.

In addition, food is not the only way parasites can enter the body."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Babesia is a dreadful parasite that goes into the blood stream and attacks the brain. My friend's sister is a teacher and during the summer some mice got in her class and she was cleaning the room for the fall quarter and got this. She is fighting for her life.... Doctors do not have answers... She has lyme like symptoms, plus more... Body tremors, seizures - grand mal style, has to use a cart, fibromyalgia type muscle pains and weaknesses, tingling, brain memory issues and she has a master's degree in education and is bilingual. Her meds run 5 k a month and she is still ambulanced to the hospital on regular schedule.

VERY SCARY! She didn't eat this, it entered her airway."

05/08/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Sounds like you may be not getting enough fat in your diet. Try eating more walnuts or more butter on your vegetables. You need the fat... Your gallbladder needs fat to contract. B vitamins also stimulate appetite."

05/08/2013: Caitlin from Austin, Tx: "Sure! Are you eating enough? Perhaps your body is crying out for more nutrients you are not presently giving it in the food you regularly eat. You can try 2 things: 1. Up your fat intake. Try butter or coconut oil. Start with a teaspoon after a meal and see if this does not help. Or, 2. you may need more protein than you are getting. Have you been checked for iron or B deficiencies? If you are eating a lot of beans & grains, you could be stifling your body's ability to absorb certain nutrients in your food. I would get a nutrient/mineral deficiency analysis first. Also, check for worms -- can happen. But, I'm betting you need more good fats and protein in your diet. I was once vegetarian and felt extroardinary for about 6 months; then sheer tiredness consumed me. Ate a piece of meat --! Boing! It was as if a switch had flipped on in my body. An "Aha" moment, for sure. Turns out I had anemia, despite paying close attention to getting enough supposedly high protein from veggies (beans, grains, salads, etc. ) and fruit matter. You can't beat even an occassional meat meal for upping iron and getting those A, C, B-vitamins our bodies need. Remember, meat packs the most nutrients of any food in one package. So once-a-week meat or eggs may be your ticket. Others, I'm sure, will think differantly, but I have found this to be true for me."

05/08/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi again Nicole--I thought it was important to tell you fat slows down/prolongs digestion. If you are eating enough protein and fat this is supposed to prevent the constant hunger. It sounds like something is out of balance. What is your age?"

05/08/2013: Nicole from Sydney, Australia: "Hi Guys, I'm 30 years old and have been a vegetarian since I was 16. I guess I'm unsure of just how much fat I should be consuming - I eat an avocado every other day and a handful (or 2) of almonds after lunch sometimes. I never through about having worms but will definitely get this checked out.

I take a lot of supplements as my initial thoughts when the constant hunger started was that my body was craving nutrients, maybe the suppliments aren't sufficient? (out of general interest I take a mulit, Iron, vit b, magnesium, maca, kelp, Q10 and spirulina at different points throughout the day)

I have just bought some coconut old (because everyone seems to rave about it's benefits) and will start taking this after every mean - Just one teaspoon?

Thanks for all the advise guys, I love this website."

05/11/2013: Kathy from the USA: "I wanted to add taking a probiotic after a course of antibiotics would be important to replace the beneficial flora antibiotics destroy. Is it because I mentioned a PCP and antibiotic? I know this site is for alternative medicine but I believe some things go on too long and people get too desperate to have the time to read books for help. They come here for help NOW and as harmful as antibiotics can be they can still knock out the worst symptoms so someone could feel well enough to start over, eating to repair then advance to preventative care. I apologize for being so piecemeal but that is part of the problem from severe brain injuries. I'll stop posting because I cannot always be thorough."

05/11/2013: Kt from the USA: "Parasites can be a problem for everyone and based on what I have been learning, the binders and fillers in supplements can come from plants that have been engineered to last longer. They cannot be as easily digested and I believe this foodstuff remains in the body, nourishes parasites, could begin to ferment and may even become malignant.

I know animal feed is not held to the same standards as our food but the evidence suggests that if food has been genetically modified so it won't spoil, it seems to me that our disease/drought resistant plants could possibly be harboring creatures that are able to survive. In 1967 one of my horses died from moldy corn that turned toxic in his stomach. The mold was not visible. I have often wondered if this is why, when I was eating plain yogurt and more fresh fruit and vegetables, I used to have SO MUCH TROUBLE with candida. My PCP (who I rarely see) advised me several years ago that medicine changes every four or five years. Our food is changing. I hope I have made some sense and shared in an acceptable way. What is happening to our food supply is a threat to all of us."

05/13/2013: Ms Helpful from Georgia, Usa: "Please look up Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Remedies: Q&A on this website. There is a lady who has strange sensations of hunger 15 minutes after eating and Ted from Bangkok responds to her with remedies."

05/13/2013: Kt from the USA: "I guess I need to put it another way. Because our "engineered" food cannot be digested properly, the parasites, in whatever stage they are in can be harbored until they get farther down the digestive tract. Alternating garlic and ACV can help get rid of them unless they have proliferated to require antibiotics to kill all stages. Sometimes that is necessary. Probiotics can restore what has been destroyed by the antibiotics. Then eat for prevention.

I am trying to share what I have learned from sources that are not being offered to (and being sheltered from) the medical profession. With all due respect they just do not know what is happening to our food supply. This is why I am "sad".

My communication skills are not good and it is difficult to provide every ounce of support to what I have learned. I have learned a lot of piecemeal information for over twenty years by application and want to provide what I have learned by observation and experience.

In addition, food is not the only way parasites can enter the body."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Babesia is a dreadful parasite that goes into the blood stream and attacks the brain. My friend's sister is a teacher and during the summer some mice got in her class and she was cleaning the room for the fall quarter and got this. She is fighting for her life.... Doctors do not have answers... She has lyme like symptoms, plus more... Body tremors, seizures - grand mal style, has to use a cart, fibromyalgia type muscle pains and weaknesses, tingling, brain memory issues and she has a master's degree in education and is bilingual. Her meds run 5 k a month and she is still ambulanced to the hospital on regular schedule.

VERY SCARY! She didn't eat this, it entered her airway."

05/13/2013: Grannyof4 from Hobbs, Nm: "Hi Tbs from London! Your writing indicates that you are very cautious about what you use and what you ingest, so I'm positive you're using Organic Sesame oil. Have you tried other oils? Is it possible you're allergic to the sesame oil?

I've only just begun my OP-ing (my first 'swish' today! ) so I am by no means an expert on this topic, "I'm just it out there."

I hope you're doing better!"

05/14/2013: Mark from Newton Abbot, Devon Uk: "Hi Tbs from London, This most definitely sounds like your body is processing old accumulated waste and bacteria, fungus etc., stick with it. My wife (a long term health junkie! ) recently discovered (like you are now) that she was not quite as healthy as she hoped,

She recently started on an oxygen based product (oxy -----, Raise up! , not allowed to advertise here so search), after reaching the higher dose in around 2 weeks her symptoms of detoxing really kicked in.

My wife has not been ill or had a cold /flue or anything really for well over 10 years (hence she thought she was healthy) but after 2 weeks on the oxy product she came out in a red spotty rash on her face, sore chest/ throat , runny nose, sinus pressure/ draining, headache and odd aches and pains in various joints, anyhow these are all reported detox signs so to control the situation she reduces the dose by half and in 48 hours her symptoms have all faded to a manageable level, I am trying to get her to start oil pulling soon as well as we have a unopened bottle of sesame oil to use up soon,

I was thinking if you really want to give your body all you can to heal detox and repair itself you might want to search for and look into an oxygen/mineral type of product as well, If you want to look into it search Ed Mc cabe to read up on this aspect of health, this is the same reason so many people turn to and use hydrogen peroxide (oxygen) as written about all over this site, fortunately there are now far better alternatives available and without the gacky taste!"

05/13/2013: Wayout from Central, Ca: "Raj-- This is not Ted, but thought to respond with some suggestions from your native culture. Purified (really the same as distilled) water, in great abundance, is very effective with allergies and skin detoxifying. In India, a pure copper drinking vessel is used to hold water overnight, about one liter. This is drunk the next day. The trace amounts of copper are apparently very healing for skin disruptions. Copper needs to be balanced with zinc, which is also good for skin disruptions.

Hope that helps, but if not, why not try Amaroli? This is also an ancient part of your healing tradition. --WayOut"

05/13/2013: Joybug from Lwr, Fl: "If gastroparesis, you are suppose to stay away from fiber."

05/13/2013: Wayout from Central, Ca: "Recall the name M-urine? Also, lutein, found in yellow and orange fruits, and dark green, leafy vegetables is very eye protective and healing toward cataracts. --WayOut"

[YEA]  02/12/2012: Deltagirl from Portsmouth, Usa: "have been struggling with Cystic Acne for a couple of years now-and nothing has been working. It has been horrible. A few weeks ago I had three start to form on my chin - I felt the painful tenderness that precludes cystic acne. At the same time I was starting to catch a cold, so began to take my regular "shot" routine of organic Apple Cider Vinegar to ward off the bug. I noticed about an hour or so later that the pain in my chin had subsided, so decided to google for any link with ACV and cystic acne and found this site.

Have started drinking ACV regularly since finding this site and so far it appears to be working! (fingers crossed! ). I am totally ecstatic and hope that it continues! I bought the store's supply of ACV! Lol."

05/13/2013: Valerie from New York: "I just went to the vitamin store and bought Turmeric caps and a gallon of ACV. I am 51 years old and NEVER had to deal with acne much less this painful cystic acne until I started menopause about 3 years ago! I have been put on birth control pills, numerous topical prescription creams, lotions and oral pills all with no resolution to the problem! I have had it! I work with the public as a Medical Assiatant by day and group exercise instructor by night! I am so self conscious of this and SICK and tired of gobbing on makeup to cover the cysts and redness caused by them! I hope the turmeric and ACV works!"

05/13/2013: Hopefully : "Have you tried moisturing with coconut oil (anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial) and cutting out milk (dairy may cause acne cycts)? Best Wishes!"

05/13/2013: Paula from Salt Lake City, Ut: "Does Bill from the Phillipines or Ted from Bangkok know anything about the GS-7977 clinical study for hepatitis c? I am also interested. Thank you."

03/27/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "You need to cleanse your liver. Just my guess."

03/27/2013: Claromce from Templeton, Ca, Usa: "Not sure what magnesium oil is, but magnesium tabs helped me a lot."

03/28/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa: "Trudyg, I like you tried them all for sleeping. Finally I stumbled onto Melatonin Ultra, 3 mg melatonin, theanine, GABA, chamomile, valerian, B6 and calcium. You're to take 1, 2 if jet lagged. I've been taking 1. 5 the past year and backed off to just one tab 2 weeks ago as I'm on my way to bed, not earlier than that. I fall asleep fast. My problem is I have "waking insomnia" where I sleep three or four hours then am wide awake. Have had it many years. This product has helped me sleep through most nights. Hope you try it and it works for you also."

03/28/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "How does a liver cleanse help insomnia? Also, the melatonin ultra is just one of the things I have already tried without success. Please, is there nothing else out there? How do you cleanse a liver?"

03/28/2013: Jade from Dallas, Texas: "Yes, how do you cleanse your liver? I will do anything as I have severe insomnia and sleep only couple hours every night so please let me know any suggestions how to get into a sleep clinic would be great. Thanks Jade"

03/28/2013: Ejules from Woodbridge, Va, Us: "Try "Insomnia" by Hyland. I"ve used it for years and it has worked for several people who I've recommended it to (I always offer to buy their bottle if it doesn't work for them). It's a tiny homeopathic tablet that dissolves under your tongue. One or two should solve your sleeplessness and a bottle of 50 costs less than $10 so it's definitely cost effective. Totally counterintuitive as to why it should work but it does. It's more effective than melatonin, ambien, and all the other things I tried. Now, I always have some at home by the bed and definitely when I travel. Especially good for those nights when the tape in your head won't turn off or if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I've taken one tab to get back to sleep when I had to be up in 2-3 hrs; two or three when first going to bed, if needed. You won't have a 'hangover' like some of those others give you. Hope this helps you get some rest."

03/28/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "Well, it has been a little while so you may want to google some info but you should eat fruits (which are the cleaners) and veggies (which are the builders), Avoid sugars, alcohol, white flour products. Lean meats and healthy grains I think are acceptable. Do some more research. Also get some liver cleanse pills. I was told by a naturopath that if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up thru the night it is because sleep is disturbed because the liver is busy processing so many toxins. So at the end of the day cleanup your diet. Diet is king."

03/29/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "A simple Liver cleanse is to eat lots of Beets."

03/29/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I would willingly do a liver cleanse IF I were sure it would not excacerbate my ibs-d. I'm doing too well controlling it to take a chance. The lemon juice/baking soda thing could start diarhhea and, w/ me, this can go on for a year or more once it starts. Eating beets I can do, I love them and do eat them frequently. Grow them in my garden, so I know they are organic. I eat lots of 'greens', whatever is growing at the moment, so I think my diet is pretty good overall. I eat chia seeds daily, drink homemade kefir, don't eat much meat but usually fish, maybe the grains is where I go wrong. The unprocessed grains usually get my bowels going, so I avoid them. I do appreciate the comments, will try the niacinamide. Thanks."

03/29/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Trudyg; Insomnia has been a problem for me too, and like you, I've tried many supplements and herbs. It is still difficult. What works for many, sometimes will have the opposite effect for me.

I try to keep a record of supplements, herbs, even foods that have a stimulating or relaxing effect.

I take B vitamin supplements, but most are stimulating, so I take them in the morning. ( I take extra B12 sublinguals. BTW, it helps my hot flashes. ) B12 suppresses melatonin in the day, allowing it to increase at night.

I do take Niacinamide, (B3), in the evening, it relaxes me. ( I take 250 mgs.)

I still take 1mg. of Melatonin in the evening. It helps, but it doesn't work alone for me.

This past year, I've had good results from taking 15mgs. of Zinc in the evening. ( It may help people with elevated evening cortisol, or possibly, elevated blood sugar.)

I take extra Potassium as a supplement, it also relaxes me.

There are many supplements that work miraculously for other folks, such as : Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc. , but I seem to have a paradoxical reaction to them - worsened insomnia. (I'm sure many folks could have this same reaction to the supplements that work for me.)

I believe my best success with insomnia is from finding the substances that interfere with sleep.

Good Wishes."

03/31/2013: Tamara from Bellevue (formerly Ft. Collins, Co), Wa: "Hi Connie, have you tried switching around when you take vitamin D? I noticed that you mentioned you take your B vitamins in the morning. There's mounting anecdotal evidence (since no one is doing a study on timing of intake) that vitamin D supplementation in the morning improves sleep in lots of different facets. For me, it made me drowsier at night so it's easier to fall asleep and my mood was better when waking (to me indicating that I was more rested). I believe that it acts like liquid, chemical sunshine and helps set our circadian rhythm. Seth Roberts has collected a sample of people's testimonies of morning vitamin D supplementation here: http://blog.sethroberts.net/category/sleep/vitamin-d3-and-sleep/"

03/31/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales: "The Liver cleanse, is good, but you can't do anything for days! It works BUT you're gonna feel real nasty! Never mind House work, and stuff like that. The "DETOX" Reaction will get you! I know! I did this loads of times. Do not go to the ER. They will put you on drugs. Then you end up were you started and worse than that. I know. Belive me, I am detoxing and I feel real ill! BUT... I know it's working. Best of luck xx Love andrea c"

04/01/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I am really afraid of doing a liver cleanse, after doing some research. It makes you really move things out. With ibs-d, I'm moving pretty fast as an everyday thing. Getting it to stop is the problem. If you haven't had diarrhea constantly for years, every single day, then you don't know what I mean. Seriously, I wear depends in order to go buy groceries. As I am now in a fairly good place, I'm not tinkering with it. The last flare I had lasted over a year and I needed a new mattress. I'll eat as well as I can, but I'm not asking for more diarrhea."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi, Intractable diarrhea may be from a B12/Folate deficiency."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Tamara; I agree that there can be various ways to have success with the use of a supplement; dosage amount, timing of dosage, etc.

Another possibility is that certain co-factor nutrients may be needed to allow the vitamin to be available to the cells.

For instance, from what I've learned from reading on the Vitamin D Council website: Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Boron are needed for vitamin D absorption. Zinc helps to prime vitamin D receptors."

04/01/2013: Megan from St Louis, Missouri: "I would try ear plugs. My husband snores and I am a very light sleeper. They are a life saver!"

04/01/2013: Liz from Torrance, California: "Sorry you are experiencing insomnia. I have it occasionally and have found a few things that help.

Adrenals: I would start by finding out from a naturopath if your adrenals are overtaxed. You might have adrenal exhaustion and could benefit from some adrenal support supplements.

Exercising: Do you exercise? What time of the day do you exercise? This too may play into night time insomnia. Exercising earlier in the day is always better. If you don't get enough exercise, that too might exacerbate insomnia."

04/02/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "Thanks for all the suggestions. I read Ted's comments and am going to try the B3 (niacinamide) and B12. Those are 2 I haven't supplemented because I thought I was getting enough from food. Yes, I do exercise--I run/walk between 1-2 miles/day on the treadmill first thing in the morning, then I do QiGong around 3 in the afternoon. I stand rather than sit, walk every chance I get while at work. Weekends I clear land (very hilly) at our farm, set fenceposts, garden, yardwork, etc. I think the activity level is good. I get migraines from melatonin, so when I take it I keep it to no more than 1 mg. Calms Forte + 1 mg melatonin will work 1 day out of 4, typically. If I didn't have to work I would just nap as needed and not worry about it."

04/02/2013: Tina from Houston, Usa: "Please google Min-tran. It is a natural, food based product that helps with sleep issues. I have in the past taken 4-6 an hour before bed, and it knocks me off. It works with the para-sympathic side of the nervous system and brings the body to balance.

Also 'natural calm' magnesium powder that dissolves in warm water, a few hours before bed is excellent in resolving incomnia issues.

Good luck!"

05/13/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "It's me again, the chronic insomniac. I tried the molasses in sleep time tea--boy, did I get diarrhea! Only did 1 tsp, not a tbs. Mg loosens the bowels, with ibs-d I get it very fast and then it won't stop. If I take calcium in the correct ratio w/ mg it's bad, calcium alone helps slow it down. Big issue is the sleep. A post said taurine + l-glutamate + theanine. For me, did nothing. I added 5-htp to that mix, still nothing. Finally took 1 mg melatonin, would have slept but for the vomiting due to melatonin induced migraine. HELP! In spite of all this, I am healthy--exercise daily, garden, work, eat well. What am I doing wrong? My mind chatters all night long, if I fall asleep I awake with a jolt. Thanks for listening."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "just out of curiosity... What about a baking soda bath or a baking soda with vinegar bath.... Maybe 1/4 cup of each.... then rinse it off, just in case. How do you drink your water? How much, when.. ? I use to drink a lot of water but until I followed the procedure in the watercure site it wasn't helping me. I'm so sorry you are suffering ... Love, Joy"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I went back to the insomnia page and read all your post... I'm sorry you are sufferring.

I went to a few google sites and looked around also.

This is just a stab in the dark.... I care. The fact that your grow your own greens and eat lots of them, means you probably get a whole lotta magnesium from them so when you take the mag you get the IBS. The fact that you get a lot of mag from your plants means you might be out of balance somewhere in your minerals. I read that ZINC aids in 300 enzyme functions and helps IBS D sufferers because of the digestion enzyme functions it helps.

They talked about water use at the bottom of the page....

Your diarrhea which I had myself from C diff for 6 months, is scary and stealing your minerals and possible other nutrients.... the chia seeds are suppose to help the IBS D and one site says they are safe to use for 12 wks.

LAST IDEA ... Get a hair analysis and see if there is a mineral out of balance causing the diarrhea because you eat minerals but too much of one would cause the dumping syndrome. As if you ate a poison

May you find you sleep like a baby, .... You'll be in my prayes... Love, JOY"

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "I put 2 tbs acv+squirt of honey + 'fingertip' of borax in a 16 oz bottle, top off with water and sip it till lunch, then do another for afternoon till suppertime. I pee all the time, so can't do more than that. Usually an herbal tea (peppermint) in the evening around 6:30. Haven't heard of the water cure, so please clue me in. Also, I didn't think baking soda or vinegar would penetrate skin so haven't tried them in a bath, at least not since the last uti or skin issue years ago. Thanks."

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "Take it at bedtime or earlier in the day?"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash : "Try coconut meat for diarrhea. On one site, coconut macaroon cookies stopped a lot of people's diarrhea, calmed down their intestinal tract. My book says coconut heals teeth to rectum, you may sleep better if bowels were calm. Coconut milk can cause the runs in some people but coconut oil is very healthy and so is the meat but the meat makes me gain weight. Coconut is anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, anti viral, and kills parasites ...

Been thinking about you all day looking at sites that might help .... Love, Joy

Also just for info...1/4 tsp baking soda in water may make you neutral so you can rest not reacting to anything ... Your environment may be upsetting you, put baking soda on rug or in a bowl near the bed to clean the air.

I worked in an allergy clinic and was also a patient there and one lady went asthma and fell to the floor gasping while I put balm on my lip.... I freaked but she was actually reacting to the lady that just came in the door with hairspray on. Your immune system may need help."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Niacinamide can cause flushing(red tinging on face) make sure it's in a low dose B- complex and take half pill --not a whole pill, OR get a liquid and start on a very small dose, you don't need to suffer anymore. If it feels overwhelming take 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. baking soda in water and put a stop to it. Smallest amount that helps."

05/14/2013: Trudyg : "I've been using coconut oil for years now, so I guess that's good. Had been supplementing vit D but levels went kind of high (don't remember what it was) & dr said to back off. That was the first thing I tried for the insomnia, never noticed it to help. Wouldn't hurt to start it again, maybe not so high a dose. Funny, but I get really bad migraines from the air freshener a coworker loves to spray, so I know allergies are in there somewhere. Thanks."

05/14/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I forgot to mention earlier, I had been taking the baking soda daily, too, but quit because my bp went up. I can do it again, it was high for me and I'm always a bit low. Thanks. Isn't it amazing how our foods affect us? Wow."

05/15/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I am taking a b-complex (only for about a week now), had been taking a b12 in the morning and B3 at night, but then I read that it can prevent sleep so I stopped all but the complex. Should I stop the complex and take only b3, when? in the evening? or some other combo. I did the 12 & 3 b/c of a Ted post. Will start the baking soda today. Thanks."

05/15/2013: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Joy, niacinamide does not cause flushing, niacin does. In fact, niacinamide is what's recommended for those who want the benefits of niacin, without the flush."

05/15/2013: Trudyg : "Just grabbing at straws here, but I have a lot of the symptoms for hypoglycemia, too. Just wondering. My a1c level was great, so I've been tested. I pee all the time, often needing to go within an hour of my last trip to the br. I am always thirsty. I get shaky if I wait too long to eat, then I grab a sweet. Sometimes I slur my speech (thought it was due to stuttering as a child), I get uncoordinated (call me graceful). Thoughts? What should I do that I'm not already doing? ( I know, I should stop whining)."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil. Try the water cure for two weeks, and if you do the supplemental --B's start very low dose mornings.

If you pee all the time (losing minerals and nutrients) ...... Your body is dropping either sugar or something is amiss with your diet, could be as simple as your mint, or anything you put in your water. I lived by a mint field and my friend lived there and her son got poisoned by the soil that affected their water well. He had to detox. There is one other thing that would cause constant peeing is food dye or bad fats or something your body is dumping like your bowel symptom. So 2 +2 here is you are dumping bladder and bowel.

One last thing might be imbalance in microbes in bowel and bladder maybe enzymes and probiotics and possible parasite.. Or ph is off... just wild guesses here.

Baking soda in bowl on desk at work to counteract coworkers sprayng chemicals.

Don't take D if you are high D and don't take baking soda if your BP is high."

05/15/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, I went through something very similar a few years ago. I was sure I was diabetic as I had had trouble with hypoglycemia since I was 15. (I am 46 now. ) My sleep was poor, I couldn't quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, and of course, I was in the bathroom all the time from all that water. I was getting sores in my mouth, too. I went to the Dr. to get my blood sugar checked first thing in the morning when I finally put 2 + 2 together. But my sugar was okay! (Guess my math was wrong! ) He said, "Oh, it is probably your thyroid. " Sure enough, blood tests indicated hypothyroidism. I suppose this shouldn't have been too surprising as I have had low basal body temperature (as low as 96.3 upon rising for years. I figured I was subclinical hypothyroid and never did anything about. ) The doctor put me on a low dose of synthroid, 50mcg, which did help the symptoms I had been dealing with, but my hair started falling out and I felt terrible. I sat around feeling terrible most of the time. (Doctor said the synthroid was not causing this, but I didn't believe him. ) I didn't think I had any options but started to research and found that I did have options! I quit taking the synthroid after 3 months. I started to do everything I could find to help my thyroid naturally. I took extra virgin coconut oil 1-2 T. daily. I drank Apple Cider Vinegar daily (at least 2 T. per day in water; I spread mine throughout the day. ) I took 12.5 mcg iodine/iodide daily. Meanwhile, I got pregnant. I had the midwife check my thyroid. It was still not in the right range, but I didn't go back on prescription meds. I felt pretty good with what I was doing. I had a normal pregnancy and a healthy full-term baby. I was afraid to fool with the iodine much while pregnant. After I had the baby, I upped my dose to 25mcg daily. (In the am. ) At some point after the birth, the midwife checked my thyroid again and it was in the normal range! (And I had been promised by the doctors that prescription meds were my ONLY option! ) Iodine was what doctors used to use to treat hypothyroid.

So, you could have your thyroid checked or try taking your early morning temp (before getting out of bed, eating, drinking etc. ) If it is low, you can be pretty sure it is hypothyroidism. Research your alternatives.

Hope you get some relief and answers soon. ~Mama to Many~"

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "Sorry, I should have looked it up, but what is the water cure? I eat only foods I prepare myself, no additives or dyes. The only place I would get those are my supplements, so I'll look at that. The only fats are from coconut, grapeseed oil, or avocado. I had my thyroid checked (runs in the family) and it was okay but I may add iodine at very small doses to see if I feel better. Thanks."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I've had my thyroid checked, it appears ok. I know from family experience that the numbers can be okay but you can not be okay. I have some potassium iodide drops, says 2/day. Should I start those and see how I feel? How long before I notice a difference do you think? My sleep has never been good, but since I quit hrt after my hysterectomy it's been terrible. I've got the hot flashes under control (not gone, but bearable). I thank God for the help you all are giving me. I'm really at my wits end."

05/16/2013: Robyn from Asheville, Nc: "Hi TrudyG, I was wondering the same thing. If you go to the watercure site, it's basically an advertisement to buy the book (Earth Clinic, doesn't this go against your policy about not posting links to commercial sites?). A little digging on the web and I learned that you should drink water a half hour before and after eating. You should also take 1/4 teaspoon of salt (sea salt) per quart of water. Or drink this every few glasses of water."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I seem to be the one percent that have the side effects that most don't... With supplements, medicines and with topicals.... Since childhood when I start a new supplement I take half a pill every other day or can't sleep. Makeup is suppose to make a person look better , well for me... It does strange things that are not good. They give me something to calm me down and revs me up, and gives me panics. I eat sugar and no crash, just moving right along."

05/16/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I did some looking and saw that, too. You divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of water/day, adding sea salt every couple of glasses-worth. I'd be peeing all day if I did that! I must say, though, when I drink water w/ acv, I need to go less often. I drink 1 cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then only water until evening, then a cup of herbal tea. I push the fluids and rarely feel thirsty. I do agree that we could all benefit by increasing our water intake, but by how much is really the question."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I get weird reactions, too. When they give me narcotics (you'll sleep! ) ha--not me, I'm bouncing off the wall. Half an aspirin is plenty for me, so I start out low dose, too. I'm post-menopausal, so get hot flashes and couldn't tell you if it's due to a supplement or not. I take evening primrose oil for that, and have added vit e (200/cap X 2/d, don't know if mg or iu). I think most drs either don't know and don't want to say so or think that women are weak complainers, so they don't take us seriously."

05/16/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, If the iodine drops say 2 per day, you could start with that. Does it say how much iodine you are getting? All drops do not have the same amount. I compared using iodine drops to what I take orally and I would have to take 20 drops a day to get what I am getting in pills. (And I don't like the taste of iodine in my water.) Anyway, start with 2 drops a day for a few days. Then do a skin test--drop a few drops onto your skin (I do inside my forearm. ) If it is gone in a short time, you are still iodine deficient. If you can still see it after 12 hours, you are getting enough. (Some say you should be able to see it after 24 hours. Broda Barnes has a book on Thyroid that explains it all but I haven't read it. ) If I can see the iodine spot on my arm after 6-8 hours, I think I am doing pretty well. (I really can't bear to take more iodine than I take. It just seems like too much to me.) I know my thyroid was low LONG before it showed up on a blood test. If you take your early morning, before rising temperature and it is low (Some would say anything under 98.0 is low... But I am not sure. Under 97.0 is definitely low.) My naturopathic doctor says you should not use a digital and you should keep it in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.

Anyway, you can increase the amount of iodine by a couple of drops if the iodine on your skin disappears quickly and continue to check on your skin and increase by a couple of drops etc. Until the iodine isn't absorbing quickly. Or, if you notice improvement, you could stop when that happens.

I can't recall how long it took for the iodine to provide me with noticeable difference. It was perhaps days or a week or two. But if I run out my symptoms come back pretty fast - mabye in a day or two.

You are dealing with lots of health challenges... So sorry! With the IBS are you possibly losing nutrients you need, causing health challenges? Comfrey is wonderful for this. In her book, Be your Own Doctor, Rachel Weaver says to use comfrey root powder and slippery elm powder to help and heal this. Both are soothing to the digestive tract and very nutritious. She has you mix them together with water to a dough like consistency and then make little pea size balls you can take throughout the day when symptoms flare up. Comfrey leaves can also be mixed with other soothing and nutritive herbs (like Red Raspberry) and made into a tea that will provide extra nutrients. I didn't use to think herbal tea would do much, but I have had some amazing help from them this year and have changed my mind. Activated charcoal is also a great thing for digestive difficulty and helps detox as well (but very gently. ) Just don't take it near time of other supplements as it adsorbs toxins and may also do the same with nutrients. (I take it leaving a 2 hour window. ) You can mix 1 t. In water or take tablets or capsules. Just a couple of more things to consider... Hope it isn't too overwhelming... Praying for relief for you."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Earth Clinic has a water cure section with Ted commenting on Dr. Batmanghelidj.. I'm not selling books. All these lovely people here on earth clinic are sharing what helps them and I am doing the same thing, hoping it helps alleviate someone of their sufferring. Love, Joy"

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "About Dr Batmanghelidj's Water Cure: This man was a humanitarian who was ignored by the present medical system. He has helped innumerable people back to health. If people drink water without supplementing with, for example, celtic salt, they will urinate, dehydrating themselves as well as loosing vitamins and minerals. It was the chemically manufactured salt that wreaked havoc with the world's population and caused an explosion of serious diseases that killed many. Because allopaths have no training in nutrition they misguide patients to their detriment.

I have just begun slowly and do not run to the bathroom because of the water drinking. The protocol is easy and must be followed meticulously. Get off to a slow start. Already I have noted the effect of water doing its work in the entire body. I hope this will, in addition of magnesium, cure my insomnia. It is nature, not drugs that will do it. I am thankfull toward the good doctor and think it would be of benefit to read his by now famous book, even though just doing the program would be alright So many people have been helped including pets. To be rightly informed is self empowerment. Be leery of the common table salt, but natural wet salts are delicious, provide much needed minerals and prevent the continuous problem of over urination. We are made mainly of water, so is the planet with vast resources of salt water. Sometimes I think that the intake of chemical and denatured salt over a life time could be a contributory factor of Alzheimers as our brain, too, is made up largely of water. We are all keen on learning how to get in touch and back to nature and with determination success will be ours. Love, Om"

05/18/2013: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Om can you tell me if everytime you drink water you have to add the salt? Thanks..."

05/18/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "add 1 gram of wind and sun dried sea salt $1.70 for 24 oz at whole foods and 1 gram of dead sea salt $20 for a 4 lb pail at whole foods per quart of water."

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "Lauren, just type in "water cure 2" and you will find the protocol. It is quite easy to follow. I found that indeed one only needs to pee every 2 or 3 hours when the salt is taken on the tongue but not in the water. If not, there is more instructions which are simple for everyone. You will benefit greatly. Good luck, Om"

05/19/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Hi, You drink the water(1-2cups) half an hour before you eat a meal to prepare the stomach lining to drop the acid and enzymes to break down the food and have the water to mix with the bola in the intestines to prevent constipation. Also you add the salt to your food if you are not already eating plenty in the form of iodized sea salt. Too much water without salt and you pee too often... Too much salt and you get bloated.... You also have to start this slowly or you are not going to feel well. It can take up to two weeks to rehydrate a body properly.

Histamine is a dehydration signal. Whenever you get your water/salt/potassium/calcium/magnesium and other minerals out of balance your body shoots out some histamine and the histamine causes reactions to food, air, water, cloth, chemicals, cleaning products. and makes you feel ill."

05/20/2013: Kt from The Usa: "What time do you eat your last meal of the day? I try to have dinner at five and don't eat anything after six."

05/22/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "Last night I took L-Glutamine, Taurine, 5-Htp, Theanine, and a vitamin e. Tossed and turned all night, when I slept I had very active dreams-to the point I thought I was awake, woke up with a splitting headache. I've been doing the acv+baking soda+borax thing during the day. I can't go on like this, something's gotta give. Getting some sleep should not be so hard."

05/22/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "The famous naturopath doctor david wolfe said raw chocolate is the best herb for the brain increases and balances all the neurotransmitters. I take 15 grams of raw organic cocoa powder every day in divided doses. You can take more if you want to."

05/13/2013: Ruth from Harlingen, Texas: "Have you been tested for trichomonas(sp)? Worst smell ever plus discharge that just won't quit. I showered two or three times a day when I had it and it still wasn't enough."

05/13/2013: Sick from Sl, H, Kuwait: "Have you checked if it's yeast variant, be cured with antibiotics if it is.. U need fluconazole w50 mg single dose for it... Also search on cytolytic V, it is also a type of variant. Good luck."

05/14/2013: Tim from Cincinnati, Oh: "For BV, I have heard of good results with apple cider vinegar(AVC). Both drinking and douching. Look at the responses here http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/bacterial_vaginosis6.html#ACV

http://earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar7.html#BV

Drinking 1-2 tablespoons of AVC in a glass of water daily has helped me with a few different issues. Read about all of the different issues with which people have been helped by drinking AVC. http://earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html"

03/27/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "You need to cleanse your liver. Just my guess."

03/27/2013: Claromce from Templeton, Ca, Usa: "Not sure what magnesium oil is, but magnesium tabs helped me a lot."

03/28/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa: "Trudyg, I like you tried them all for sleeping. Finally I stumbled onto Melatonin Ultra, 3 mg melatonin, theanine, GABA, chamomile, valerian, B6 and calcium. You're to take 1, 2 if jet lagged. I've been taking 1. 5 the past year and backed off to just one tab 2 weeks ago as I'm on my way to bed, not earlier than that. I fall asleep fast. My problem is I have "waking insomnia" where I sleep three or four hours then am wide awake. Have had it many years. This product has helped me sleep through most nights. Hope you try it and it works for you also."

03/28/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "How does a liver cleanse help insomnia? Also, the melatonin ultra is just one of the things I have already tried without success. Please, is there nothing else out there? How do you cleanse a liver?"

03/28/2013: Jade from Dallas, Texas: "Yes, how do you cleanse your liver? I will do anything as I have severe insomnia and sleep only couple hours every night so please let me know any suggestions how to get into a sleep clinic would be great. Thanks Jade"

03/28/2013: Ejules from Woodbridge, Va, Us: "Try "Insomnia" by Hyland. I"ve used it for years and it has worked for several people who I've recommended it to (I always offer to buy their bottle if it doesn't work for them). It's a tiny homeopathic tablet that dissolves under your tongue. One or two should solve your sleeplessness and a bottle of 50 costs less than $10 so it's definitely cost effective. Totally counterintuitive as to why it should work but it does. It's more effective than melatonin, ambien, and all the other things I tried. Now, I always have some at home by the bed and definitely when I travel. Especially good for those nights when the tape in your head won't turn off or if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I've taken one tab to get back to sleep when I had to be up in 2-3 hrs; two or three when first going to bed, if needed. You won't have a 'hangover' like some of those others give you. Hope this helps you get some rest."

03/28/2013: Bradshad from North Prov., Rhode Island: "Well, it has been a little while so you may want to google some info but you should eat fruits (which are the cleaners) and veggies (which are the builders), Avoid sugars, alcohol, white flour products. Lean meats and healthy grains I think are acceptable. Do some more research. Also get some liver cleanse pills. I was told by a naturopath that if you are having trouble sleeping or wake up thru the night it is because sleep is disturbed because the liver is busy processing so many toxins. So at the end of the day cleanup your diet. Diet is king."

03/29/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "A simple Liver cleanse is to eat lots of Beets."

03/29/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I would willingly do a liver cleanse IF I were sure it would not excacerbate my ibs-d. I'm doing too well controlling it to take a chance. The lemon juice/baking soda thing could start diarhhea and, w/ me, this can go on for a year or more once it starts. Eating beets I can do, I love them and do eat them frequently. Grow them in my garden, so I know they are organic. I eat lots of 'greens', whatever is growing at the moment, so I think my diet is pretty good overall. I eat chia seeds daily, drink homemade kefir, don't eat much meat but usually fish, maybe the grains is where I go wrong. The unprocessed grains usually get my bowels going, so I avoid them. I do appreciate the comments, will try the niacinamide. Thanks."

03/29/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Trudyg; Insomnia has been a problem for me too, and like you, I've tried many supplements and herbs. It is still difficult. What works for many, sometimes will have the opposite effect for me.

I try to keep a record of supplements, herbs, even foods that have a stimulating or relaxing effect.

I take B vitamin supplements, but most are stimulating, so I take them in the morning. ( I take extra B12 sublinguals. BTW, it helps my hot flashes. ) B12 suppresses melatonin in the day, allowing it to increase at night.

I do take Niacinamide, (B3), in the evening, it relaxes me. ( I take 250 mgs.)

I still take 1mg. of Melatonin in the evening. It helps, but it doesn't work alone for me.

This past year, I've had good results from taking 15mgs. of Zinc in the evening. ( It may help people with elevated evening cortisol, or possibly, elevated blood sugar.)

I take extra Potassium as a supplement, it also relaxes me.

There are many supplements that work miraculously for other folks, such as : Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc. , but I seem to have a paradoxical reaction to them - worsened insomnia. (I'm sure many folks could have this same reaction to the supplements that work for me.)

I believe my best success with insomnia is from finding the substances that interfere with sleep.

Good Wishes."

03/31/2013: Tamara from Bellevue (formerly Ft. Collins, Co), Wa: "Hi Connie, have you tried switching around when you take vitamin D? I noticed that you mentioned you take your B vitamins in the morning. There's mounting anecdotal evidence (since no one is doing a study on timing of intake) that vitamin D supplementation in the morning improves sleep in lots of different facets. For me, it made me drowsier at night so it's easier to fall asleep and my mood was better when waking (to me indicating that I was more rested). I believe that it acts like liquid, chemical sunshine and helps set our circadian rhythm. Seth Roberts has collected a sample of people's testimonies of morning vitamin D supplementation here: http://blog.sethroberts.net/category/sleep/vitamin-d3-and-sleep/"

03/31/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales: "The Liver cleanse, is good, but you can't do anything for days! It works BUT you're gonna feel real nasty! Never mind House work, and stuff like that. The "DETOX" Reaction will get you! I know! I did this loads of times. Do not go to the ER. They will put you on drugs. Then you end up were you started and worse than that. I know. Belive me, I am detoxing and I feel real ill! BUT... I know it's working. Best of luck xx Love andrea c"

04/01/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "I am really afraid of doing a liver cleanse, after doing some research. It makes you really move things out. With ibs-d, I'm moving pretty fast as an everyday thing. Getting it to stop is the problem. If you haven't had diarrhea constantly for years, every single day, then you don't know what I mean. Seriously, I wear depends in order to go buy groceries. As I am now in a fairly good place, I'm not tinkering with it. The last flare I had lasted over a year and I needed a new mattress. I'll eat as well as I can, but I'm not asking for more diarrhea."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi, Intractable diarrhea may be from a B12/Folate deficiency."

04/01/2013: Connie from Slc, Utah, Usa: "Hi Tamara; I agree that there can be various ways to have success with the use of a supplement; dosage amount, timing of dosage, etc.

Another possibility is that certain co-factor nutrients may be needed to allow the vitamin to be available to the cells.

For instance, from what I've learned from reading on the Vitamin D Council website: Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Boron are needed for vitamin D absorption. Zinc helps to prime vitamin D receptors."

04/01/2013: Megan from St Louis, Missouri: "I would try ear plugs. My husband snores and I am a very light sleeper. They are a life saver!"

04/01/2013: Liz from Torrance, California: "Sorry you are experiencing insomnia. I have it occasionally and have found a few things that help.

Adrenals: I would start by finding out from a naturopath if your adrenals are overtaxed. You might have adrenal exhaustion and could benefit from some adrenal support supplements.

Exercising: Do you exercise? What time of the day do you exercise? This too may play into night time insomnia. Exercising earlier in the day is always better. If you don't get enough exercise, that too might exacerbate insomnia."

04/02/2013: Trudyg from Waynesboro, Va: "Thanks for all the suggestions. I read Ted's comments and am going to try the B3 (niacinamide) and B12. Those are 2 I haven't supplemented because I thought I was getting enough from food. Yes, I do exercise--I run/walk between 1-2 miles/day on the treadmill first thing in the morning, then I do QiGong around 3 in the afternoon. I stand rather than sit, walk every chance I get while at work. Weekends I clear land (very hilly) at our farm, set fenceposts, garden, yardwork, etc. I think the activity level is good. I get migraines from melatonin, so when I take it I keep it to no more than 1 mg. Calms Forte + 1 mg melatonin will work 1 day out of 4, typically. If I didn't have to work I would just nap as needed and not worry about it."

04/02/2013: Tina from Houston, Usa: "Please google Min-tran. It is a natural, food based product that helps with sleep issues. I have in the past taken 4-6 an hour before bed, and it knocks me off. It works with the para-sympathic side of the nervous system and brings the body to balance.

Also 'natural calm' magnesium powder that dissolves in warm water, a few hours before bed is excellent in resolving incomnia issues.

Good luck!"

05/13/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "It's me again, the chronic insomniac. I tried the molasses in sleep time tea--boy, did I get diarrhea! Only did 1 tsp, not a tbs. Mg loosens the bowels, with ibs-d I get it very fast and then it won't stop. If I take calcium in the correct ratio w/ mg it's bad, calcium alone helps slow it down. Big issue is the sleep. A post said taurine + l-glutamate + theanine. For me, did nothing. I added 5-htp to that mix, still nothing. Finally took 1 mg melatonin, would have slept but for the vomiting due to melatonin induced migraine. HELP! In spite of all this, I am healthy--exercise daily, garden, work, eat well. What am I doing wrong? My mind chatters all night long, if I fall asleep I awake with a jolt. Thanks for listening."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "just out of curiosity... What about a baking soda bath or a baking soda with vinegar bath.... Maybe 1/4 cup of each.... then rinse it off, just in case. How do you drink your water? How much, when.. ? I use to drink a lot of water but until I followed the procedure in the watercure site it wasn't helping me. I'm so sorry you are suffering ... Love, Joy"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Niacinamide stops the chatter of the mind but take it with other B's they work together... It also helps sleep. First time I took it my mind went blank, freaked me out."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I went back to the insomnia page and read all your post... I'm sorry you are sufferring.

I went to a few google sites and looked around also.

This is just a stab in the dark.... I care. The fact that your grow your own greens and eat lots of them, means you probably get a whole lotta magnesium from them so when you take the mag you get the IBS. The fact that you get a lot of mag from your plants means you might be out of balance somewhere in your minerals. I read that ZINC aids in 300 enzyme functions and helps IBS D sufferers because of the digestion enzyme functions it helps.

They talked about water use at the bottom of the page....

Your diarrhea which I had myself from C diff for 6 months, is scary and stealing your minerals and possible other nutrients.... the chia seeds are suppose to help the IBS D and one site says they are safe to use for 12 wks.

LAST IDEA ... Get a hair analysis and see if there is a mineral out of balance causing the diarrhea because you eat minerals but too much of one would cause the dumping syndrome. As if you ate a poison

May you find you sleep like a baby, .... You'll be in my prayes... Love, JOY"

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "I put 2 tbs acv+squirt of honey + 'fingertip' of borax in a 16 oz bottle, top off with water and sip it till lunch, then do another for afternoon till suppertime. I pee all the time, so can't do more than that. Usually an herbal tea (peppermint) in the evening around 6:30. Haven't heard of the water cure, so please clue me in. Also, I didn't think baking soda or vinegar would penetrate skin so haven't tried them in a bath, at least not since the last uti or skin issue years ago. Thanks."

05/13/2013: Trudyg : "Take it at bedtime or earlier in the day?"

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash : "Try coconut meat for diarrhea. On one site, coconut macaroon cookies stopped a lot of people's diarrhea, calmed down their intestinal tract. My book says coconut heals teeth to rectum, you may sleep better if bowels were calm. Coconut milk can cause the runs in some people but coconut oil is very healthy and so is the meat but the meat makes me gain weight. Coconut is anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, anti viral, and kills parasites ...

Been thinking about you all day looking at sites that might help .... Love, Joy

Also just for info...1/4 tsp baking soda in water may make you neutral so you can rest not reacting to anything ... Your environment may be upsetting you, put baking soda on rug or in a bowl near the bed to clean the air.

I worked in an allergy clinic and was also a patient there and one lady went asthma and fell to the floor gasping while I put balm on my lip.... I freaked but she was actually reacting to the lady that just came in the door with hairspray on. Your immune system may need help."

05/13/2013: Joy from Battleground , Wash: "Niacinamide can cause flushing(red tinging on face) make sure it's in a low dose B- complex and take half pill --not a whole pill, OR get a liquid and start on a very small dose, you don't need to suffer anymore. If it feels overwhelming take 1/4 tsp. to 1/2 tsp. baking soda in water and put a stop to it. Smallest amount that helps."

05/14/2013: Trudyg : "I've been using coconut oil for years now, so I guess that's good. Had been supplementing vit D but levels went kind of high (don't remember what it was) & dr said to back off. That was the first thing I tried for the insomnia, never noticed it to help. Wouldn't hurt to start it again, maybe not so high a dose. Funny, but I get really bad migraines from the air freshener a coworker loves to spray, so I know allergies are in there somewhere. Thanks."

05/14/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I forgot to mention earlier, I had been taking the baking soda daily, too, but quit because my bp went up. I can do it again, it was high for me and I'm always a bit low. Thanks. Isn't it amazing how our foods affect us? Wow."

05/15/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I am taking a b-complex (only for about a week now), had been taking a b12 in the morning and B3 at night, but then I read that it can prevent sleep so I stopped all but the complex. Should I stop the complex and take only b3, when? in the evening? or some other combo. I did the 12 & 3 b/c of a Ted post. Will start the baking soda today. Thanks."

05/15/2013: Kelly from Cambridge, Ma: "Joy, niacinamide does not cause flushing, niacin does. In fact, niacinamide is what's recommended for those who want the benefits of niacin, without the flush."

05/15/2013: Trudyg : "Just grabbing at straws here, but I have a lot of the symptoms for hypoglycemia, too. Just wondering. My a1c level was great, so I've been tested. I pee all the time, often needing to go within an hour of my last trip to the br. I am always thirsty. I get shaky if I wait too long to eat, then I grab a sweet. Sometimes I slur my speech (thought it was due to stuttering as a child), I get uncoordinated (call me graceful). Thoughts? What should I do that I'm not already doing? ( I know, I should stop whining)."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil. Try the water cure for two weeks, and if you do the supplemental --B's start very low dose mornings.

If you pee all the time (losing minerals and nutrients) ...... Your body is dropping either sugar or something is amiss with your diet, could be as simple as your mint, or anything you put in your water. I lived by a mint field and my friend lived there and her son got poisoned by the soil that affected their water well. He had to detox. There is one other thing that would cause constant peeing is food dye or bad fats or something your body is dumping like your bowel symptom. So 2 +2 here is you are dumping bladder and bowel.

One last thing might be imbalance in microbes in bowel and bladder maybe enzymes and probiotics and possible parasite.. Or ph is off... just wild guesses here.

Baking soda in bowl on desk at work to counteract coworkers sprayng chemicals.

Don't take D if you are high D and don't take baking soda if your BP is high."

05/15/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, I went through something very similar a few years ago. I was sure I was diabetic as I had had trouble with hypoglycemia since I was 15. (I am 46 now. ) My sleep was poor, I couldn't quench my thirst no matter how much water I drank, and of course, I was in the bathroom all the time from all that water. I was getting sores in my mouth, too. I went to the Dr. to get my blood sugar checked first thing in the morning when I finally put 2 + 2 together. But my sugar was okay! (Guess my math was wrong! ) He said, "Oh, it is probably your thyroid. " Sure enough, blood tests indicated hypothyroidism. I suppose this shouldn't have been too surprising as I have had low basal body temperature (as low as 96.3 upon rising for years. I figured I was subclinical hypothyroid and never did anything about. ) The doctor put me on a low dose of synthroid, 50mcg, which did help the symptoms I had been dealing with, but my hair started falling out and I felt terrible. I sat around feeling terrible most of the time. (Doctor said the synthroid was not causing this, but I didn't believe him. ) I didn't think I had any options but started to research and found that I did have options! I quit taking the synthroid after 3 months. I started to do everything I could find to help my thyroid naturally. I took extra virgin coconut oil 1-2 T. daily. I drank Apple Cider Vinegar daily (at least 2 T. per day in water; I spread mine throughout the day. ) I took 12.5 mcg iodine/iodide daily. Meanwhile, I got pregnant. I had the midwife check my thyroid. It was still not in the right range, but I didn't go back on prescription meds. I felt pretty good with what I was doing. I had a normal pregnancy and a healthy full-term baby. I was afraid to fool with the iodine much while pregnant. After I had the baby, I upped my dose to 25mcg daily. (In the am. ) At some point after the birth, the midwife checked my thyroid again and it was in the normal range! (And I had been promised by the doctors that prescription meds were my ONLY option! ) Iodine was what doctors used to use to treat hypothyroid.

So, you could have your thyroid checked or try taking your early morning temp (before getting out of bed, eating, drinking etc. ) If it is low, you can be pretty sure it is hypothyroidism. Research your alternatives.

Hope you get some relief and answers soon. ~Mama to Many~"

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "Sorry, I should have looked it up, but what is the water cure? I eat only foods I prepare myself, no additives or dyes. The only place I would get those are my supplements, so I'll look at that. The only fats are from coconut, grapeseed oil, or avocado. I had my thyroid checked (runs in the family) and it was okay but I may add iodine at very small doses to see if I feel better. Thanks."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I've had my thyroid checked, it appears ok. I know from family experience that the numbers can be okay but you can not be okay. I have some potassium iodide drops, says 2/day. Should I start those and see how I feel? How long before I notice a difference do you think? My sleep has never been good, but since I quit hrt after my hysterectomy it's been terrible. I've got the hot flashes under control (not gone, but bearable). I thank God for the help you all are giving me. I'm really at my wits end."

05/16/2013: Robyn from Asheville, Nc: "Hi TrudyG, I was wondering the same thing. If you go to the watercure site, it's basically an advertisement to buy the book (Earth Clinic, doesn't this go against your policy about not posting links to commercial sites?). A little digging on the web and I learned that you should drink water a half hour before and after eating. You should also take 1/4 teaspoon of salt (sea salt) per quart of water. Or drink this every few glasses of water."

05/15/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I seem to be the one percent that have the side effects that most don't... With supplements, medicines and with topicals.... Since childhood when I start a new supplement I take half a pill every other day or can't sleep. Makeup is suppose to make a person look better , well for me... It does strange things that are not good. They give me something to calm me down and revs me up, and gives me panics. I eat sugar and no crash, just moving right along."

05/16/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "I did some looking and saw that, too. You divide your weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of water/day, adding sea salt every couple of glasses-worth. I'd be peeing all day if I did that! I must say, though, when I drink water w/ acv, I need to go less often. I drink 1 cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then only water until evening, then a cup of herbal tea. I push the fluids and rarely feel thirsty. I do agree that we could all benefit by increasing our water intake, but by how much is really the question."

05/16/2013: Trudyg : "I get weird reactions, too. When they give me narcotics (you'll sleep! ) ha--not me, I'm bouncing off the wall. Half an aspirin is plenty for me, so I start out low dose, too. I'm post-menopausal, so get hot flashes and couldn't tell you if it's due to a supplement or not. I take evening primrose oil for that, and have added vit e (200/cap X 2/d, don't know if mg or iu). I think most drs either don't know and don't want to say so or think that women are weak complainers, so they don't take us seriously."

05/16/2013: Mama To Many from Middle, Tennessee, Usa: "Trudy, If the iodine drops say 2 per day, you could start with that. Does it say how much iodine you are getting? All drops do not have the same amount. I compared using iodine drops to what I take orally and I would have to take 20 drops a day to get what I am getting in pills. (And I don't like the taste of iodine in my water.) Anyway, start with 2 drops a day for a few days. Then do a skin test--drop a few drops onto your skin (I do inside my forearm. ) If it is gone in a short time, you are still iodine deficient. If you can still see it after 12 hours, you are getting enough. (Some say you should be able to see it after 24 hours. Broda Barnes has a book on Thyroid that explains it all but I haven't read it. ) If I can see the iodine spot on my arm after 6-8 hours, I think I am doing pretty well. (I really can't bear to take more iodine than I take. It just seems like too much to me.) I know my thyroid was low LONG before it showed up on a blood test. If you take your early morning, before rising temperature and it is low (Some would say anything under 98.0 is low... But I am not sure. Under 97.0 is definitely low.) My naturopathic doctor says you should not use a digital and you should keep it in your armpit for a full 10 minutes.

Anyway, you can increase the amount of iodine by a couple of drops if the iodine on your skin disappears quickly and continue to check on your skin and increase by a couple of drops etc. Until the iodine isn't absorbing quickly. Or, if you notice improvement, you could stop when that happens.

I can't recall how long it took for the iodine to provide me with noticeable difference. It was perhaps days or a week or two. But if I run out my symptoms come back pretty fast - mabye in a day or two.

You are dealing with lots of health challenges... So sorry! With the IBS are you possibly losing nutrients you need, causing health challenges? Comfrey is wonderful for this. In her book, Be your Own Doctor, Rachel Weaver says to use comfrey root powder and slippery elm powder to help and heal this. Both are soothing to the digestive tract and very nutritious. She has you mix them together with water to a dough like consistency and then make little pea size balls you can take throughout the day when symptoms flare up. Comfrey leaves can also be mixed with other soothing and nutritive herbs (like Red Raspberry) and made into a tea that will provide extra nutrients. I didn't use to think herbal tea would do much, but I have had some amazing help from them this year and have changed my mind. Activated charcoal is also a great thing for digestive difficulty and helps detox as well (but very gently. ) Just don't take it near time of other supplements as it adsorbs toxins and may also do the same with nutrients. (I take it leaving a 2 hour window. ) You can mix 1 t. In water or take tablets or capsules. Just a couple of more things to consider... Hope it isn't too overwhelming... Praying for relief for you."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Earth Clinic has a water cure section with Ted commenting on Dr. Batmanghelidj.. I'm not selling books. All these lovely people here on earth clinic are sharing what helps them and I am doing the same thing, hoping it helps alleviate someone of their sufferring. Love, Joy"

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "About Dr Batmanghelidj's Water Cure: This man was a humanitarian who was ignored by the present medical system. He has helped innumerable people back to health. If people drink water without supplementing with, for example, celtic salt, they will urinate, dehydrating themselves as well as loosing vitamins and minerals. It was the chemically manufactured salt that wreaked havoc with the world's population and caused an explosion of serious diseases that killed many. Because allopaths have no training in nutrition they misguide patients to their detriment.

I have just begun slowly and do not run to the bathroom because of the water drinking. The protocol is easy and must be followed meticulously. Get off to a slow start. Already I have noted the effect of water doing its work in the entire body. I hope this will, in addition of magnesium, cure my insomnia. It is nature, not drugs that will do it. I am thankfull toward the good doctor and think it would be of benefit to read his by now famous book, even though just doing the program would be alright So many people have been helped including pets. To be rightly informed is self empowerment. Be leery of the common table salt, but natural wet salts are delicious, provide much needed minerals and prevent the continuous problem of over urination. We are made mainly of water, so is the planet with vast resources of salt water. Sometimes I think that the intake of chemical and denatured salt over a life time could be a contributory factor of Alzheimers as our brain, too, is made up largely of water. We are all keen on learning how to get in touch and back to nature and with determination success will be ours. Love, Om"

05/18/2013: Lauren from Queens, Ny: "Om can you tell me if everytime you drink water you have to add the salt? Thanks..."

05/18/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "add 1 gram of wind and sun dried sea salt $1.70 for 24 oz at whole foods and 1 gram of dead sea salt $20 for a 4 lb pail at whole foods per quart of water."

05/18/2013: Om from Hope, B.c., Canada: "Lauren, just type in "water cure 2" and you will find the protocol. It is quite easy to follow. I found that indeed one only needs to pee every 2 or 3 hours when the salt is taken on the tongue but not in the water. If not, there is more instructions which are simple for everyone. You will benefit greatly. Good luck, Om"

05/19/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Hi, You drink the water(1-2cups) half an hour before you eat a meal to prepare the stomach lining to drop the acid and enzymes to break down the food and have the water to mix with the bola in the intestines to prevent constipation. Also you add the salt to your food if you are not already eating plenty in the form of iodized sea salt. Too much water without salt and you pee too often... Too much salt and you get bloated.... You also have to start this slowly or you are not going to feel well. It can take up to two weeks to rehydrate a body properly.

Histamine is a dehydration signal. Whenever you get your water/salt/potassium/calcium/magnesium and other minerals out of balance your body shoots out some histamine and the histamine causes reactions to food, air, water, cloth, chemicals, cleaning products. and makes you feel ill."

05/20/2013: Kt from The Usa: "What time do you eat your last meal of the day? I try to have dinner at five and don't eat anything after six."

05/22/2013: Trudyg from Xxx, Yyy: "Last night I took L-Glutamine, Taurine, 5-Htp, Theanine, and a vitamin e. Tossed and turned all night, when I slept I had very active dreams-to the point I thought I was awake, woke up with a splitting headache. I've been doing the acv+baking soda+borax thing during the day. I can't go on like this, something's gotta give. Getting some sleep should not be so hard."

05/22/2013: Mike Giller from Denver, Colorado: "The famous naturopath doctor david wolfe said raw chocolate is the best herb for the brain increases and balances all the neurotransmitters. I take 15 grams of raw organic cocoa powder every day in divided doses. You can take more if you want to."

01/19/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Gooseberry: Do you have a strong garlic-like odor coming from your body? This is one of the classic symptoms of Se toxicity.

Avoidance and time should resolve the excess, but it is possible you aren't utilizing Se properly which in turn could cause a Glutathione deficiency. Try this regimen to correct any utilization problems. Take 1 or 2 grms NAC daily and Vit-E (mixed Tocopherols & Tocotreinols) 400 IU 2x daily. Before retiring take 3mg Melatonin. This will force the Selenium to be used as Selenium Peroxidase and Glutathione Peroxidase, coenzymes critical in defense and antioxidant. CoQ10 would also be beneficial, especially energy production. This might provide some healing to your seemingly stressed glandular system."

01/19/2013: Anon from Anon: "Hi, as soon as you stop eating them your selenium stores will decrease as we use this up every day - generally taking nuts like any supplement should not be every day- say 5 days on 2 days off (weekend) to give body a rest. A hair mineral analysis would give you your selenium status but anyway after stopping taking nuts for a while you should notice your symptoms get better."

01/19/2013: Gooseberry from Barnstead, Nh, Usa: "Thank you Timh and Anon for your feedback. Timh, I take all the supplements you mentioned daily except the melatonin. Thank you for your feedback.

This only happend over a few weeks, so hopefully, it will resolve itself, as you said. Some of the symptoms are really painful especially the brain sparks. I was just wondering if there was someway, if the selenium attaches to some of the heavy metals in the brain, to pull the attached molecules out. I tried a nano form of detox yesterday and got really tired and nauseated. I am assuming that began the process of pulling this stuff out. If I go ahead and take support for liver and kidneys for the detox, I assume that will be enough. Would I be correct?

Thank you"

05/12/2013: Bmax from Philadelphia, Pa: "Thank you for posting your article.

I love Brazil nuts and also read that they might help during the luteal phase when trying to conceive... So have been eating 6-10 brazil nuts every other day (to every day) for the last 4-5 weeks. Just now reading about their selenium content. Wish a warning label came with them!

My question is.. I'm now about 4 weeks pregnant (1 week since positive tests started), shall I just stop eating Brazil nust altogther so that selenium flushes from my system? or is there anything else I can do? I'm assuming that selenium has built up in my tissues, but in toxic quantities? I haven't noticed brittle hair or nausea or nail issues or other symptoms related to selenium toxicity so am hopeful. Also hope my uturus and the rapidly dividing cells have not been harmfully affected. I drink over 2 liters of water a day, which I'm hoping helps wash out some of the selenium..(?)

Thanks in advance with your help with these questions."

05/13/2013: Anon from Anon: "Hi, Don't worry, it's really the tablets that are toxic not the nuts. I'm sure you would be sick before they are toxic. I have been eating lots of brazil nuts a day since last autumn when I found out I was deficient in selenium and it's only recently that I have had enough of them. I think our body tells us what we need to eat. Whole foods like nuts are very nutritious."

05/16/2013: Michelle from Davie, Fl: "Hi! I heard cilantro gets rid of all toxins like that."

05/13/2013: Ryan from Texas: "Dear Noni, As a master herbalist, I must disagree with your statements regarding the female response to hormonal fluctuations. It is not normal; or healthy, for a woman to experience such drastic changes in behavior. The main focus of my professional practice is hormonal balancing; for both men and women. When drastic changes in behavior are observed, hormones are out of balance! I would suggest to the OP to seek the assistance of a master herbalist. They will point you in the direction of herbs like black cohash, dong qui, and yes fennugreek, among many other that maid aid your partner in having a healthy functioning hormonal system. Noni, as for your hypothesis on the subject, it appears to be fueled by past hurt and negative experiences. I pray that one day you may release the hostility you have for men and find balance in your mind/heart emotional system. May I suggest starting with a daily intake of St. Johns wort and meditation? Maybe some some healthy emotional release activities ie kempo or dato ryu jujitsu, that combines meditation with emotional release?
May you find health and through health, peace! Dr. R. J. Dansby D. H."

05/13/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Judy: It seems your body responds neg or pos to whatever it may encounter from the environment. In short, your defenses are very low.

To begin correcting these weaknesses start w/ a women's multivitimin/mineral supplement w/ super-foods and enzymes, really the best women's multi you can afford. Next, take Chromium Picolinate and Cinnamon to get the diabetes under control. Now, for the kidneys, any herbal "kidney formula" will help. D-Mannose and Cranberry Juice will help.

After doing these remedies you should be feeling much better but I would recommend doing some common detox http://earthclinic.com/CURES/detoxification.html.

Also increase antioxidant nutrition. I would recommend beginning w/ Brazil Nuts for Selenium (2 per day for 1mo then one per day) plus Vit-E (full spectrum). Water soluble antioxidants like Pine Bark, and Grape Seed Extracts will help. A "Carotinoid Complex" plus Pumpkin Seeds (good source of Zinc) will also greatly help."

05/14/2013: Judy from Denver, Co: "To Timh in Louisville KY. Thank you for your input. I have been taking Vit E, Astaxathin, Phynologol and black radish & parsley for the kidneys as well as L-Arginine, garlic, hawthorn, chromium and Vit D3. Kidney dr told me not to take vit C or a multiple vit. I do occasionaly anyway. The blood sugar I dont think is too much of a problem. The drs told me to cut glipizide pill in half because BS might go too low if I take 5 mg. As for cleansing I think I will start juicing -primarily carrots. Thats always done wonders for me. Strawberries apparantly didnt help. The pain on outside of my knee has gotten so bad I have to take 2 tylenol now, wait awhile and then I can put weight on left leg. Once I take first step with right the pain is usually gone.

After reading all I can about this I am pretty much convinced it's sciatica. I don't want to go to another specialist. Every time I follow drs advice, against my better judgement, I end up worse. I wouldn't pretend to know more than a dr, but I do question what they learn in college. One dr in the hospital told me taking herbs is akin to blood-letting. I've taken herbs since the 70s and didn't need a dr for 30 years-not til BS started going up 10 yrs ago. Then I got a drug for BP that raises BS (30pts) My diabetes was under control with diet only til I got that drug. Its been a problem since.

I wonder if anyone reading here has heard of Earthing? I got this info off Dr Mercolas site. I sent for a pad. Its guaranteed to show improvement in pain within 30 days (if not within a few hrs or days) when you use one of their pads in the house. I am ready to try anything. The testimonials look promising.

I need to be able to walk to build up strength in legs and cant do that because legs get tired. I gained 10 lbs in the hospital in 3 days. I blame that on cortizone but drs wont admit it. Kidney function is back to where it was months before I went in hospital.

One of the drs told me Vit E causes cancer. I wonder where they got that?"

05/16/2013: Judy from Denver, Co: "I know there are folks here that seem to be very knowledgeable and maybe someone can explain this.

Four years ago I took HCTZ (diaretic). Went two days without because could not get to drugstore. When I did take it again after approx 20 minutes I got up to get my dogs in and almost fell down. It took over half hour to manage to get outside and untie them and get in. Within 2 hrs my blood pressure shot up 20 pts. OK. That's a bad reaction.

Now I am on lasix and have been for over two years. I have been having this horrific pain in my hip joint and left knee for about two weeks. It had gotten to the point that even 2 tylenol tabs did not seem like enough. For the last two days I have skipped the lasix and gone to taking black radish and parsley as directed on the bottle and pain has decreased to the point that I take one tylenol about every 12 hrs. Swelling in right ankle and leg seems a little better and leg does not ache like it did before after being up on feet for more than ten minutes.

I do not know if my system cannot handle the lasix on consistant basis or if black radish and parsley is more natural and doing a better job. I tend to watch salt intake closely. My blood pressure is the same as it is on lasix. Also, I have decreased kidney function and am diabetic. BS under good control.

I think I will skip it one more day and take it again and see if pain comes back."

05/18/2013: Dave from Fountain Inn, Sc: ""Earthing" or grounding is also discussed by Dr Steven Sinatra who has a web site and more discussion on the benefits than even Dr Mercola. The idea sounded kooky when I first heard it but it has sound science behind it. Just look at the Sinatra and Mercola sites. The basic idea is simple; with shoes off let bare feet touch the earth for as long as one can on a daily basis if possible. The earth's electrical charge can actually alter blood flow by lessening the clumping of blood platlets. They refer to a book I'd heard of years ago: The Body Electric which advocates the importance of negative ions for the human body. You can get a lot of negative ions in a thunder storm, walking on a sandy ocean beach and just walking in the grass.

On the doctor who told you Vitamin causes cancer, so many Vitamin E sutudies use synthetic Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol) instead of Vitamin E natural (d-alpha tocopherol) and the synthetic has given lots of negative results. The natural E is hugely helpful; a carrier of oxygen, critical for proper clotting but internal is a blood thinner, an anti oxydent... 20 plus benefits to the body. I've been taking 1, 000 iu of d-alpha tocopherol daily for 30 years."

05/12/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "hi, I was just visiting some vaginal health sites and one was herbs2000. com, vaginal health, they have a total herb, supplements, and explanations of what is going on, symptoms and how to stop them...

One part said if you are prone to yeast imbalance don't eat supplements with yeast in them. Some b vitamins are yeast based. For this yeast issue they recommend probiotics and acidophilis.

when vaginal ph gets out of the range of 4-5 the micro organisms get out of balance and it becomes unhealthy and produces metabolic waste creating discomfort.

hope the site helps you find what you will need to rebalance your system and find relief..."

05/13/2013: Steve from Cleveland, Ohio, United States: "I've heard that deuching with warm distilled water with 20 drops of Lugol's 2% or 5% iodine solution works very well. Check out the iodine forum on Yahoo. A lot of eye opening information available there."

05/13/2013: Lloyd from Charlotte, Nc: "When I was married over 20 years ago I suddenly developed a yeast infection... A kind of white residue; lots of itching. Every time my wife and I would have sex, a day later there it was again. Then after a year of this torture, we found Nystatin. After consistent treatment, my wife was cured and so was I. Never another problem.

Now the BV I'm reading on these posts under "Yeast Infections" and the "BV" posts here on Earth Clinic has a different cause of course. For that I'd suggest three tablespoons of a high ppm colloidal silver every day on an empty stomach. See if in two weeks that does not knock out the bacterial infection. And can also apply topically too."

05/18/2013: Lloyd from Charlotte, Nc: "One last word of advice; if the infection is body wide (called systemic) you may need to be on the silver solution for six months to knock it out."

05/13/2013: Shikhar from Noida, Up: "Hi Jay, Hoping you are doing great. I am suffering from eye flaoters since 4 years and after the last few weeks it got increased. I have been checked by eyes from varius Doctors but they said no treatment is required. Could you please let me know about the beet juice and how much benefit you got with that? Regards, Shikhar shikhar82 (at) gmail [dot]com."

05/13/2013: Carol from San Francisco, Ca.: "Would also like to know about the beet juice. I purchased some beets a few days ago and would like to know should I just juice them and how much juice are you using? Thanks so much!!"

01/01/2010: Ravi S from Dallas, Texas, United States: "Looks like your symptoms are similar to mine. I am a self diagnosed Celiac. Please try strict Gluten free diet. You could add flax seed powder and rice bran for fiber. Turmeric(bulk from Indian store) in your cooking would work wonders. Honey and Black strap molasses does marvels. I am a total vegetarian since birth, by the way."

01/01/2010: Bunny from Santa Ana, California: "You are describing the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism. Blood tests aren't very accurate-the conventional range for normal is too broad. Track down diractions for doing a basal body temp test. If it is low you need to take care of your thyroid. Chlorine and flouride both supress thyroid function, and you will need to look into taking iodine-at least 3-6 mg. a day(it's safe to about 40mg)-as well as other supporting supplements. If it is very bad, you may need to take Armour or Naturthroid. Try to avoid synthroid. You also need to start taking HCl with pepsin and a general digestive enzyme. Any health food store has them."

02/04/2013: Kathy from Bay Shore, New York: "You sound like me, it does sound like thyroid. I have a high Reverse T3. I take T3 only meds."

02/20/2013: Anonymouscat from La, Ca: "Our ND suggested eliminating dairy from the diet may very well eliminates back pain altogether. We never eat sweets but one day we were out and had three desserts by the evening my entire lower back was inflammed with pain radiating up to my skull I was sick the entire night. Woke up drank ACV to try to eliminate the toxic effects of white flour and sugar. Went to the dr and she to do yoga back stretches and if that does not work they would order images to see if there is a herniated disc."

05/12/2013: Anonymous from La, Ca: "Inflammation can be caused by so many things. I had blurred vision, low back inflammation, tiredness, dizziness, etc... I had hypothyroidism I was sure... but according to two MD'S my thyroid was fine I was in the range and that was that. I saw an ND, he took one look at the test and said your thyroid is on verge of being low so let's take care of it and see how you feel. I take 10 drop HTHY thyroid drops, and Hawthorne solid extract daily. I also take 1-2 drops Lugols. Iodoral is another thing that we discussed which is comparable to that of the Japanese iodine rich diet. I believe you take 1-4 tablets daily if you take this it is good be monitored so you know where your at. I've read that the salivia test is the best test for thyroid not the blood test."

05/11/2013: Shoo from Los Angeles, California, United States: "If the bottle says the words 'Apple' & 'Vinegar' then it's the same thing as 'Apple Cider Vinegar'.

Your question however is a little confusing, because in one part you're asking if Cider Vinegar is equal to Apple Cider and in another part you mention that in your country you can find Apple Vinegar but not Apple Cider Vinegar. So, I don't know if you're asking about Apple Cider or Apple Cider Vinegar or Apple Vinegar.

I'm not sure which of those 3 you were asking the difference about. But I did a google search for you by asking the question " What is the differenece between apple cider vinegar & cider vinegar". Below, i'm including the link for the site answering the question as well as a copy paste of a paragraph from that page.

"Cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar are by and large the same product.... Cider vinegar is usually made by fermenting apple or other fruit juice using a substance called "Mother of Vinegar, " which contains bacteria. The bacteria break down the sugars in the juice to acetic acid and malic acid, resulting in the sour-flavored vinegar.""

05/12/2013: Ed2010 from Oakville, Canada: "Apple Cider is apple juice. Apple Cider Vinegar is fermented Apple Cider"

05/12/2013: Gavin from Manganui, Northland, New Zealand: "Apple cider vinegar, would be the same as apple vinegar, their are two types of yeast, one for vinegar and one for alcohol."

02/06/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Sadie... The best thing you can do for your young son is to watch his diet -- absolutely no sugar, no fatty foods or junk foods, no sweets, no wheat and keep dairy to a minimum. The whole protocol(for adults) and anti-candida diet guidelines are shown at this link and the diet should be strictly followed.

Also the following protocol will help to kill off the candida:

* Vitamin C (Ascorbate powder form). Give him 500 mgs(1/8 tsp) three times a day together in water with 4 drops of SSKI (Saturated Solution of Potassium Iodide) at mealtimes. You can add this all together as a fresh drink for him. You can also use Nascent Iodine instead of SSKI if you prefer.

* Pau D'Arco capsules. This will also help to kill the candida. Take the recommended child dose on the bottle.

* Add 5 drops of Magnesium Oil to a glass of water for him to drink every day. This will help his leaky gut problem.

*Take boron tablets bought from a health store and take the recommended child dosage. Boron or borax is a wonderful fungal killer.

* Buy some sodium bicarbonate tablets from the chemist and give him one tablet(500 mgs approx) three times a day outside mealtimes with water. This will help to alkalize his intestines and body and will also help to kill off the candida.

* Taking a half tspn to one teaspoon of castor oil mixed 50/50 with coconut oil every day will also help to kill off the candida in his gut.

* Your son should also take a full range of vitamins and mineral nutrients every day to help raise his own immune system back to a healthy state again.

* Use an Iodine-based mouthwash like Betadine to get rid of any candida in the mouth.

There is also likely to be a die-off period when you suddenly kill such a large amount of candida and this tends to accentuate the candida symptoms for a while and is completely normal. But if the die-off becomes too severe you may have to reduce and/or vary the dosages for your son."

02/07/2013: Ed2010 from Oakville, Canada: "Before what to give, you should consider what to stop.

* Stop using microwave for heating foods. If you eat foods heated with microwave it is like eating tiny atomic bombs.
* No MSG, Dye, colors, preservatives.
* To rejuvenate the intestine drink green juices: Wheat Grass Juice, Cabbage Juice, Carrot Juice (Excellent Healer for intestine).
* Red Miso Soup - Provides amino acids to rebuild the intestine.
* Vitamin C Supplements starting from 1gm/day - 2 gm/day.
* Vitamin B-complex
* Bone Broth.

The aboves will slowly rejuvenate the intestines. There are thousands of remedies. Judge the best for the body.

Good Health."

02/07/2013: Sadie from Gwent, Gwent, UK: "Thank you so much

We cut out all processed foods months ago and have been dairy, soya, egg, corn, sugar, fruit, nightshade free as well. His diet is very restricted because the leaky gut has caused so many allergies. I started bone broth two weeks ago and will slowly start the rest. We are also wheat, cereal grain free also. Bill I have faith your protocol will work. Will curing the leaky gut resolve the allergy issues?

Can I give magnesium baths to him or do I wait and start the recovery protocol recommended by bill

Thank you so much to you both"

02/12/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Thank you for your previous advice, Bill, for my son. Which vitamins and minerals should I place him on in addition to your previous recommendations. He is on bone broth and I have started vitamin c and will start lugols, sodium bicarbonate soon and the magnesium. I am waiting for the boron and pau Darco. I am just a little anxious as naturopath said no die off as its leaky gut but having read everything here there must be something in his intestine.

I have not been able to find boron tablets with a child dose, is there anything else I can use for my son instead? I am worried my eighteen month old may have candida issue, he is still breastfed as was my eldest and I have started the anti candida diet but am wary of trying too many remedies as I am still breastfeeding. Is it safe for me to? I will start slow and use some of the remedies as a starting point. Is it ok to build up slowly or do I need to use all at once?

Thank you in advance and sorry for all my questions. I have nowhere else to turn."

02/13/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Sadie... Regarding child dosages -- if you are unsure then this is the way to calculate them.

My calculations are based on an average adult weight of 150 lbs. Say your child weighs 30 lbs. So, for example, to calculate a safe dose of nutrient for a 250 mg adult dose of magnesium gluconate for a child, here is the calculation:

30/150 X 250 (adult dose) = 50 mgs (child dose)

Regarding your worries over borax, the adult dose recommended on this site is between 500mgs(1/8 tspn) and 1000 mgs(1/4 tspn) per day in water. The boron capsules that you have bought from the health store will only have a per pill boron or borax content of between 3 mgs and 6 mgs -- so there's one heck of a difference between them. Add to this that the MSDS toxicity of boron is very nearly the same toxicity as for ordinary table salt and so I don't think you have much to worry about.

I also think that your health fears on breast feeding baby are unfounded. It makes complete sense to take nutrients while breast feeding your child - these nutrients are bound to make your baby healthier. Another essential aspect of breast feeding your own child is that the mother helps to protect the child by transferring elements of her own immune system via the milk into the child. This fact helps to train the baby's immune system and thereby protect the baby against illness. As well, I regard proper amounts of iodine in mother's milk absolutely essential for the baby's protection. This transfer of iodine from the mother to the child via breast milk is alsoknown, from research, to help proper brain development in the child. Research has also discovered that higher amounts of iodine in mother's milk has a direct and positive relationship with the eventual intelligence outcome of the child when it reaches adulthood.

For leaky gut - I would give your son glutamine (amino acid), fulvic/humic acid(aka shilajit) and aloe vera oil. I actually prefer using the fresh gel from the actual leaf of aloe vera but this can be difficult to get. This is a fairly strong protocol that should help to heal your son's intestines. The rest of the candida protocol that I have given you should work to stop the pathogens causing the leaky gut problem in the first place.

The nutrients (adult dosages) that I advise are shown here (from my anti-candida protocol):

Additional Support with Vitamin and Mineral Supplements (Optional)
* Vitamin C - Taken in the more alkaline form of Sodium Ascorbate -- at least 1000 mgs three times a day. Vit C is an anti-oxidant and also chelates heavy metals from the body as well.

* Magnesium -- Taken as Mag Chloride, Mag Citrate or Mag Gluconate. Dosage: 250 mgs twice a day. Magnesium Oil (40% water 60% magnesium chloride) cab also be used transdermally. Magnesium is involved in over 300 major enzyme and coenzyme body processes and also gets rid of any staph or strep bacteria quite well. Magnesium Chloride is the best form of magnesium to take in my opinion. See this link: http://curezone.com/art/...D=49&db=5&C0=74

* Take at least 2 tablespoons of Virgin Coconut Oil(VCO) per day with meals to help constipation and intestinal issues. VCO contains mainly medium chain saturated acids, very protective for the intestines, liver and blood. Contains lauric acid, caproic acid, capric acid, caprylic acid and myristic acid -- these act as anti-microbials helping to destroy the candida as well as protecting the intestines from any further external microbial invasion. I don't use vegetable oils anymore, I cook only with VCO now.

* Zinc gluconate or zinc acetate - Helps to support the immune system. 25mgs – 50mgs taken for one week, then take this dose once a week thereafter.

* Natural Sea Salt or Fulvic/Humic Acid. Both of these will act in the same way as absorption synergists as well as helping to create a healthy intestine and help to supply other important and much needed micro-minerals to your body. See these links:
http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/sea_salt.html
http://www.earthclinic.com/Supplements/fulvic_acid.html

* Selenium - 200 mcg twice a day at mealtimes. Selenium helps remove mercury and supports the liver and thyroid. There is no need to take this dose if you are also already taking the recommended liver support(which includes selenium).

* Vitamin B3 - as niacin or niacinamide. Dosage: 500 mgs twice a day. Be aware of the "niacin flush" effect if you take the niacin form. Niacin is anti-candida and supports the liver, digestion and is relaxing for the body.

* Take B50 Complex three times a week - this is beneficial for digestion and will also help fight candida. It also acts synergistically when higher dose B3 is also supplemented."

02/15/2013: Sadia from Gwent: "Thank You so much Bill, I have a lot to learn but am willing. I was just worried about potential detox symptoms whilst breastfeeding but I have started the remedies slowly as I dont want my second child to suffer as my first. It seems as if my eldest's leaky gut developed after a bout of gasteroenteritis - his only bout. Despite my best efforts genetics also has a role to play but I am confident with your protocol he will recover.

I am having trouble finding the fulvic/humic acid - the health store hadn't even heard of it! I will do my best to try and track it down. I have the glutamine powder and will convert to child dose.

Thank you for your help and God bless you."

02/20/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Sorry to bother you again Bill, but I just want to double check the dosage for the Iodine - I have started him off slowly and we are at two drops a day (split dose). Is it 4 drops per vitamin c ascorbate solution a day (overall 12 for the day) that we need to work up to as this seems a lot.

He has come out with a cough and slight rash (I am starting all dosages slow and waiting to introduce other remedies eg pau d arco a little later). Is the cough likely detox?

Thank you."

02/22/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Sadie... Just to be clear -- use no more than 4 drops of lugols iodine per day as four separate one drop doses with vitamin c. You could perhaps give your son up to 6 drops of LI but no more than that per day.

Kids are always catching colds etc -- I don't think this is caused by anything in the remedies advised. But because of the candida -- his immune system will be low. The rash might be due to bromine detox caused by taking the LI -- which detoxes bromide from cells and puts it into the blood. So if the liver is too stressed and cant handle excreting the bromine then the skin tries to excrete it and thats what can cause the rash.

The solution to the rash problems involves taking sea salt every day which helps to get rid of the bromine quickly.

See these links:

Bromide Dominance in the Body

Bromine Detox -- Symptoms and Strategies"

02/26/2013: Satie from Gwent: "Thank you, Bill. We have done just over a week of your protocol but have been on the anti-candida diet for months. In the first week he developed a rash a temperature and huge amounts of mucous which he is struggling to expel. I had to use a liquid fulvic/humic supplement recommended on this site in the end. It's too early to say as his is a bad case but am hopeful as it will take time.

I am wondering should he be put on digestive enzymes and betaine as I am retreading all your previous posts or can I just stick to your recommended protocol for him. It's a challenge to get everything in him but I don't want to miss anything so double checking. I am hoping to start probiotics next week as his good bacteria levels came back very low Thank you again."

02/26/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Sadie... I usually recommend the betaine, protease enzymes, sea salt and sodium bicarbonate remedy for people who either have GERD issues or for people who are losing weight too rapidly(insufficient digestion and insufficient nutrient absorption in the intestines.).

There are two main ways that infections can arise in the intestines -- either after a physical trauma like gastroenteritis(like your son had) -- and if your doctor also gave your son antibiotics for gastroenteritis then this will further act to kill all the beneficial bacteria in his gut and would also encourage the upward spread of both candida and other pathogens from his lower intestines. Use of anti-biotics is still the major cause of dysbiosis and the main cause of problems like candida and leaky gut syndrome.

The other way that intestinal infections occur is if the stomach acid is to weak. Bacteria and other pathogens then have free reign to pass into the upper intestines with the food without being first destroyed by the strong stomach acid. This outcome will also encourage the spread of candida and other pathogens in the intestines and throughout the body.

I see no reason why your son should not use the betaine/protease enzyme protocol -- this protocol will act to improve his digestion as well as act to kill all pathogens incoming with his food. This protocol will also stop the spread of candida and other pathogens into the stomach and esophageal regions.

If you still have trouble curing your sons leaky gut and candida then there may be several reasons for this. Candida, as well as other pathogens, can hide and can protect themselves from immune system or nutrient attack by hiding in biofilms in the mucus lining of the gut. The other reason is that mycoplasma -- a fungal-like bacteria -- can also be involved with leaky gut problems. Mycoplasma are hard to kill. Borax is a strong anti-fungal that also kills mycoplasma. Borax also has surfactant properties that disrupts biofilms which helps to more fully expose pathogens in the gut. So you should perhaps reconsider using borax if this is the case. Borax is the ultimate anti-fungal."

02/27/2013: Baldev from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India: "Hi Bill, My question is on Borax, when it is recommended 1/4 teaspoon for men and 1/8 teaspoon for women with 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in one litre of water to be consumed during the day for candida. Borax being highly alkaline, is it correct to be advised that this water be drank two hrs. before the meal and one hour after the meal or outside the meal time? I expect your advice soon. Thanks

Baldev"

02/27/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Thank you, Bill. I will think about the borax-child dose being 100mg a day in water.

Lab results revealed high level of the e choli and klebsiella and low levels good bacteria. The rest was clear so am not sure. I will have to consider the borax if no improvement, just too much for him to take all vitamins etc at the moment. There is family history of low b12 levels and he has just developed slight dark circles under eyes so am bit worried. My doctors are not much help as physically and emotionally he presents very well and not atypical leaky gut candidate.

Thank you."

02/27/2013: Ed2010 from Oakville, Canada: "Once the gut infection is cured, vitamin B12 production will be normalized. I am following your thread. Good Health"

02/28/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines : "Hi Baldev... Yes, you should really take borax water, as you say, outside mealtimes because of its alkalinity -- I always take it this way. The borax water dosage is used to kill fungus and helps arthritis.

You can also combine and mix in smaller amounts of borax into Ted's sodium bicarb and water or lemon/lime and SB alkalizing remedies and take the borax like that.

Another way to take borax is illustrated by the research of Dr Rex Newham, an Australian researcher, who discovered that borax, when taken in 60 mg dose every day, cured his own severe arthritis in only a few months -- because arthritis is usually associated with mycoplasma infection and, as you probably know, borax kills mycoplasma. Anyway, Rex Newham's story about his own use of borax makes for an interesting read:

Rex Newham's Arthritis Cure

Walter Last also has much praise for Borax:

The Borax Conspiracy

Unfortunately, health shops still sell boron (same as borax) in only 3 mgs to 6 mgs per pill dosages according to the standard RDA. Such a low dosage won't kill much fungus and will have a very slow beneficial effect -- if any -- on arthritis."

02/28/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Thank you Bill and Ed. I have been reading as much as I can about borax and have ordered some in powder form. I have read the info from bill via the link he provided but bit confused. For my son do I make the concentrated solution of one teaspoon per Litre of water and then use 1/8th teaspoon of this concentrate in 100ml of water for my son to drink once a day outside meal times? Help please. After what I have read I want to try this especially as he is struggling to get rid of excess mucous which I think Isis body detoxing. On a plus side the dark circles that suddenly appeared are nearly gone soi think something is working - I hope it is!

Onanother note I want to make yoghurt to add his probiotic - can anyone recommend a good one in powder form that is dairy free as its coconut milk yoghurt I want to make

Thank you all your help."

03/14/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Just thought would give an update in case it's helpful to anyone else.

My son has been on Bill's protocol for a month now. The only omissions were pau d'arco -I did start him on them but it was too much with evrything else. The other omission was borax though he has had some doses I haven't been consistent again due to too many remedies. I will however be using this remedy in due course

Other things I did was homemade coconut milk for many months, cooked from scratch, bone broths, lots of fresh garlic, tumeric, ginger and onions in all his foods. More recently I added in homemade kefir (thank you for those who posted on EC about Kefir). There have been changes already. I think because we had been on the anti candida diet for months prior to the protocol it was easier although we still have a long way to go. Improvements with itchy scalp - he used to scratch his scalp every night in his sleep though there was nothing I could see, he used to have bad stomach cramps and skin breakouts on cheeks. Now there is hardly any scratching, he is sleeping so much better, his skin is improving. The biggest change came with the addition of kefir -coconut milk home made kefir. Within days of this addition the improvements came. He is tolerating more foods and we are making progress.

I want to thank Bill and everyone else who posts as much advice from EC helped me. We still have a long way to go but we are moving in the right direction."

03/20/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Bill, I have read your latest posts on humic/fulvic acid. I am using a liquid supplement with my son currently but want to try the powder form once that runs out. Is better to just purchase the humic acid and not a blend of humic and fulvic since you advise it's the humic acid that's of most use for the body. Also I order to remove any possible metals in the powder is it enough to use just the iodine as I do not have sodium thiosulphate and do not want to purchase unless really needed.

Lastly, you have helped me immensely in helping to heal my son's gut, I just wanted to check in terms of dosages can he remain on the vit c, iodine, magnesium, b vits and selenium etc etc once he is healed or should I reduce frequency once he is well. I give him two days off as recommended currently.

Thank you again"

03/20/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Does anyone know of a remedy for salicylate allergy, I am treating my son's leaky gut but he is still reacting to foods containing high levels of these. Thank you."

03/21/2013: Ellen from London : "There is no supplement cure, look into NAET?"

03/21/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Sadie... I don't think it matters what form of humic/fulvic acid you use. If you have bought just the organic fulvic acid liquid that's fine. I just object to paying ridiculous amounts of money for chemically standardized fulvic acid solutions. I don't like any form of chemical standardization(think Codex Alimentarius) and prefer to use the humic acid that comes directly from the Earth(I buy the garden form). By adding a little ordinary vinegar (2 tsps) to the HA/FA solution, the humic acid precipitates out(solution should be golden brown). It's the fulvic acid you want. Then I just add my daily dose of lugols iodine to it -- so the iodine will remove any fluorine, bromine, lead, mercury, cadmium, aluminium or arsenic from the fulvic solution and you can then drink it. But that's just the way I mainly do it.

I would completely agree with keeping your son on vit c, iodine, magnesium, b vits and selenium etc as maintenance. I know it can be bewildering what to supplement him with. Here are some further ideas for you which might help.

* I normaly take 4 dessicated liver tablets at mealtimes. Liver is hugely nutritious for the body -- every bit as nutritious as spirulina at a tenth the price. It contains all the amino acid proteins, Vitamins A, B, C, D, E & K (the liver stores lots of vitamins) and also has prime antioxidants enzymes like Glutathione, SOD, CoCQ10, Coenzyme A etc. You can buy dessicated liver at any health shop or weight training shop. They are big tablets -- so I just chew them to powder(a bit meaty!! ) and swish them down with water. I wouldn't start your son on dessicated liver tabs though until after he is cured of candida (liver is meat).

* Consider getting a hair analysis done on your son's hair(not expensive). Then you will know exactly what minerals he is lacking in his diet and you can adjust his supplements or diet accordingly. The hair analysis will also reveal what heavy metals and other poisons he may still have in excess in his body and if there is a problem then you will more adequately be able to focus on detox remedies that will get rid of any particular excess heavy metal or excess halide problem etc."

03/21/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Thank you Bill. I will switch to the natural form of the fulvic/humic acid once current supply finishes. I will look into getting a mineral analysis done. It's hard one as his stool sample was clear for Candida albicans but he clearly had a leaky gut. There have definitely been improvements but it will be a few months before I feel confident that recovery is on the way as it will take a few years to heal the damage I have been advised. Ism just happy with every step forward we take.

The liver tablets may be tricky but I was considering looking into organ organic meats as an interim measure. It's very hard trying to fit everything in and go about daily lliving thank you again"

03/21/2013: Pip from Nz: "In my experience with this problem, which my son had for the first three years of his life, the only thing to do is stay off those foods. There are plenty of lists online showing foods that are very high, high, moderate etc. My son could only eat the things that are very low. Believe me it was painful for both of us as I was breast feeding so had to do it too. You are not doing him any favors letting him eat those things if his body is reacting, he will be much happier off them. Hope this helps, probably not what you want to hear but unfortunately it's the only solution - believe me I spent a LOT of time online trying to overcome it. The one thing that helped in his case as he had severe reflux too was 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in a little water every night before bed. He has since thankfully grown out of both issues."

03/22/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Thank you Pip. He has been on low sals but I tried a higher sal veg and he reacted so am keeping him off them as there are alternatives as you said. Has your son been able to tolerate. It is tough as I am still breast feeding my second whose nearly two and am on a very restricted diet and it is hard."

03/27/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Bill, sorry to bother you again but my son has developed a runny nose for the last week. Could this be due to too much iodine? I am going to try the iodine painting but just wondering could his iodine levels be up to sufficient already after six or so weeks - I have been supplementing as recommended without fail. Thank you."

03/28/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Sadie... Lugol's Iodine, in excess, can certainly cause a runny nose. But there are many other factors that can also cause a runny nose as well. So, by all means reduce the LI dose for your son if you think that excess LI is the culprit. But if you stop giving him LI then you are removing one of the most important regimens from his protocol because LI kills such a wide spectrum of bacteria, viruses, fungus and molds very quickly. There is nothing else in your son's protocols that is as useful as LI for removing pathogens. Borax kills fungus but will not kill the the bacteria involved with Leaky Gut. As proof of this, here is a table that shows Contact to Kill Time statistics for just bacteria, fungus and mold for Povidone Iodine. Lugols Iodine has exactly the same pathogen kill properties as Povidone Iodine(but you can't supplement Povidone Iodine internally). Please have a look at the table at the bottom of this web article, within the research citations -- this table clearly demonstrates the outright effectiveness of LI versus a very wide range of pathogens:

Bring Back the Universal Nutrient Medicine

Also, I must also add here that there is nothing within modern medicine's vast drug arsenal that compares or even comes close to the efficacy(and safety) of lugol's iodine in terms of broad spectrum kill and speed of kill against pathogens. What's more, LI kills so fast that pathogens simply cannot "adjust" to LI -- because they simply don't have enough time.

As regards how long you should supplement lugols iodine before normal and healthy iodine levels in the whole body(not just the thyroid) are attained, here is a comment from Dr Schactner, who frequently uses LI iodine supplementation in his medical practice:

"...it takes about 3 months to become iodine sufficient while ingesting a dosage of 50 mg of iodine[8 drops of 5% LI per day] and a year to become iodine sufficient while ingesting a dosage of 12. 5 mg of iodine[2 drops of 5% LI per day] daily."

Source:http://drsircus.com/medicine/iodine/iodine-dosages

So, in terms of becoming iodine sufficient in the body, you have your answer -- the higher the dose, the quicker you become iodine sufficient. And it isn't as quick as you think -- especially if your are taking only a low daily dose.

It also helps if people would stop thinking of Iodine as only ever necessary for the thyroid. Iodine is also necessary and essential for proper immune system functioning, for proper bone development and brain development in the young, and is also the governor of all the other hormones of the body -- because every single cell and every single hormone receptor in the body(and I'm not just talking about thyroid receptors here) needs iodine. Iodine is found in every mucus gland in the body which represents the first line of defense versus extraneous and incoming pathogens to the body. All this has nothing to do with the thyroid gland. That's why the body needs 100 times more daily iodine than the thyroid. For me the current recommended RDA of 150 - 200 micrograms of iodine per day hardly even comes anywhere close to fulfilling the realistic per diem maintenance needs of the whole human body with iodine."

03/30/2013: Sadie from Gwent: "Thank You Bill for your detailed response. I have not stopped the iodine and was going to continue as everything I have read previously on this site outlines its importance just as that article you referred me to. I think I was just worried about overdosing him on it. he is on the top dose recommended (6 drops) so I was wondering if his levels may be up quicker.

His skin is breaking out periodically which is probably the detox and I have been increasing his vitamin doses slowly - we are at the max for his age for everything except the B3 which I have been increasing slowly - he is nearly up to maximum. He is on a B complex as well as water and coconut milk kefir so I have hoping he is getting enough B 12 from all of those to aid his stomach acid since his secretory IgA was so low so I know I need to be patient (just hate him suffering though we have made a lot of progress). I am anxious about minimising the stress on his liver as there is significant history of liver cancer on my husbands side - many bereavements within the family at young age.

Thank you again."

04/22/2013: Sadie from Manchester: "I am reporting to see if anyone can help. I am following Bill's protocol to heal my sons leaky gut. We are slowly making headway but he is still has major problems with phenols/salicylate a etc. he is on mag chloride but I read that issues with phenols can be linked to low levels of sulphate and can be resolved through use of Epsom salts.

My question is does anyone have any thoughts/advice and are the Epsom salts different to the mag chloride he is already on. Please help."

04/22/2013: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "Yes, Sadie, Magnesium Chloride doesn't have sulfur, whereas Epsom Salts are Magnesium Sulfite, which has sulfur."

04/22/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Phillipines: "Hi Sadie... If your son has salicylate sensitivity then dont use the Aloe vera or the Chanca piedra as they both contain salicylates.

Cat's Claw or Una de Gato is a highly useful amazon rainforest herb for the intestines which is very useful for healing leaky gut and other intestinal problems. Cat's Claw does not contain salicylates. Here is some Cat's Claw research. You should be able to buy the tea form or the powder capsule form of Cat's Claw in UK quite easily.

You can use the Epsom salts either in a bath or as a supplement but I would continue using the magnesium chloride because of its more widespread beneficial properties on the body.

Acetyl L-Cysteine, Alpha Lipoic Acid(ALA) and supplements like Glutathione also contain sulfur and are worth trying. Supplementing ALA, Acetyl cysteine and selenium also promotes the formation of glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in the the body. The Liver Support Protocol that I recommend in the anti-candida protocol uses these supplements anyway. Foods like garlic and onions also contain high amounts of sulfur as well."

04/23/2013: Sadie from Manchester: "Thank you, Bill. I stopped the aloe after using twice as he reacted violently and I realised it was the salicylate. I will continue. With the mag chloride but will do the peso salt baths. He is on selenium already and the other vits recommended. I will get the others you recommended. He is improving but we are not getting further along re the salicylate and his diet is very restricted and I need to work to change this so will try whatever it takes.

Thank you again"

04/28/2013: Sadie from Manchester: "Bill I tried cats claw and ala and he had severe reaction to the ala, assuming the salicylate. His eyes swelled up and behaviour was terrible so he is super sensitive to ALA"

05/12/2013: Sadie from Manchester: "An update in case it helps others

nearly three months on Bill's protocol and huge improvements (I have done nearly everything recommended except for a few items either due to allergies/iintolerances. I recently added Epsom salts and I think it was the missing piece as my son is tolerating many more foods, sleep is hugely improved and although he was very bright anyway he is flying now. I cannot believe the change and its quick in comparison to the years of misery he endured. We have still a long way to go but I owe huge debt to Bill and others who gave me advice as well as other posters whose information was invaluable to me."