05/06/2013: Randolph from Malaga Spain: "How much vit C did you take daily for the arrhythmia? Many thanks."

05/06/2013: Laura from Fayetteville, Nc, Usa: "Which form is the fastest, most effective way to take away a quarter sized raised mole off the back of my lil girl's leg? She is so embarrassed by it, she won't wear shorts or skirts at all!"

02/07/2013: Bill from San Fernando, La Union, Philippines: "Hi Nobleknight... The problem you have is slow or inefficient digestion which is perhaps caused by either a lack of acid in the stomach or a lack of bicarbonates in your pancreas. These will both cause inefficient digestion and all sorts of problems can arise from this -- including candida.

To rectify this specific problem, follow this protocol:

* Take betaine hydrochloride tablets at mealtimes. To find your correct dose(and correct stomach acid strength) increase your dosage of BH by one tablet every meal until you get an uncomfortable acid feeling. Then cut back by one or two tabs and that is your dose. Further on down the timeline, as your stomach heals and you start producing more stomach acid, you will again get that uncomfortable acid felling. Keep cutting back the dosage like this until your stomach is healed and you no longer have to take the BH. The stomach is now healed because the BH supplies chloride for the stomach to manufacture its own acid.

* Take 1/4-1/2 tspn of sea salt outside mealtimes. This also helps to supply chloride and minerals to increase stomach acid and for the stomach to heal itself.

* Take pancreatin enzymes at mealtimes to help with more efficient digestion.

* Take Ted from Bangkok's Sodium Bicarbonate and water remedy -- 1/4 - 1/2 tspn of SB in half a glass of water. Take this 1/2hr - 1 hr after you finish your meal and your food has moved into the duodenum. This helps main stage duodenal digestion and also aids the stomach to protect itself after you have eaten. It neutralizes the stomach acids in the stomach when it is empty and is incorporated in the mucus of the stomach to protect the parietal cells of the stomach from acid damage after stomach digestion. This protocol also helps to replenish the bicarbonates in the pancreas -- needed for alkaline duodenal digestion.

* Take Kelp extract or lugols drops drops for the iodine. Iodine is also necessary for proper stomach acid formation.

The above protocol should greatly accelerate your digestion time and make digestion more efficient.

When you take lugols iodine initially and get hives -- this may also indicate a high bromide level in your body. See this article:

Bromide Detox

What might be happening is that iodine is forcing bromide out of the cells into your blood and the liver can't cope so the immune system also tries to get rid of the bromide -- through the skin, causing the hives. The solution is just to take sea salt -- this helps to remove the bromide more efficiently and quickly through the urinary pathway which stops the hives problem."

03/30/2013: John from Chicago, Usa: "Greetings Bill. Mabuhay! Thank you so much for all the invaluable information that you have so generously shared for those fighting candida. I wanted to know what would be the best way or route to go. I am planning a 14-day body cleanse before I continue to follow as many canida eliminating methods as I can. (I can go on about how I messed up my body, especially with antibiotics, junk food and abuse, but it will be very long. ) What troubles me most though, and I apologize if this is not really much of a part for asking details on the protocol, but I would really love to know what kind of foods were you able to eat during your cure. Being that you are from the Philippines, and me also being from there, I need help knowing what to eat. I have never really been much of a vegetable guy. I read somewhere on one of your posts that 'rice' was ok. But other sites say no. Please if you can, email me (jomy_1996 [at] yahoo (dot} com) what you did to eat during the cure. I know the basics to stay away from but I can't think of what to eat. I am soo desperate to know the real deals when it comes to food. I crave for pinoy foods. Thank you in advance."

05/03/2013: Ben from Wanganui, , New Zealand: "Hi Bill, just want to say thanks to you and Ted. Great to have other options apart from endless trips to the docs... I have had candida for over a year now and it has driven me mad...

My main symptoms are oral thrush and the dreaded jock itch. I have been doing Ted's akalising remedy and following a prtocol with iodine, h2o2, vit c, liver aids etc. I have just read you don't recommend the lugol's and h2o2 together. I am starting again as I fell of the wagon with the diet a bit and just got a bit disheartened... But this site and the stories have given me hope. So now Bill the million questions: you can email at esgood4u at yahoo dot co dot nz

I love to party but alcohol is not allowed. is there any alcoholic beverage you can have? I heard gin was ok but I don't believe it...

Which in your opinion is more beneficial, h2o2 or lugols iodone?

What did you use to topically treat your jock itch? to stop the itch...

I love to cook and have lots of recipes using alternate flours like coconut, buckwheat, spelt and alternate sweetners like stevia and rice malt syrup... Are these allowed on your protocol?

I would love to add borax but finding it hard to locate in New Zealand... Any suggestions?

I have lots more questions but really just want to finish by saying thankyou again for giving your time. Absolute legend...

I look forward to hearing from you... Thanks Bill"

05/06/2013: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines: "Hi Ben... In answer to all your questions:

The most recent update on my candida protocol is shown at this link (lower down in the post stream) and also includes a strict anti-candida diet.

I love to party but alcohol is not allowed. is there any alcoholic beverage you can have? I heard gin was ok but I don't believe it...

Alcohol is not allowed because alcohols are converted to sugars which feed candida. Alcohol, in excess, also stresses the liver - which, if you already have systemic candida, will be under continual stress from the poisons that candida secretes as waste. So, no alcohol allowed I'm afraid.

Which in your opinion is more beneficial, h2o2 or lugols iodone?

H202 is very useful both topically and internally and I would never dispute this fact. However, in my own opinion, lugols iodine is even more useful because, overall, it is more beneficial to the body. Also, when you take H2O2 internally, it depletes anti-oxidants in the body - so if you take hydrogen peroxide internally then you must also up your anti-oxidant intake to compensate for its pro-oxidant effects. Lugols is easier to take and manage -- it has many beneficial effects on the body and persists in the body much longer than hydrogen peroxide which is cleared in a couple of hours.

What did you use to topically treat your jock itch? to stop the itch...

Just to be clear -- I couldn't clear my own jock itch until after I had cured my systemic candida problem. After my cure, I then used the following mixture which successfully got rid of my own jock itch:

- Two tablespoons Milk of Magnesia
- Two Tablespoons 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
- 1/4 - 1/2 teasoon of Magnesium Chloride
- 1/4 teaspoon of Borax

Apply the above topically to all the affected area before you go to bed and after you have had a shower and leave it on overnight. Wash off the next morning when you shower.

Using 5 drops of lavendar oil in 1 teaspoon of VCO rubbed into the area during the daytime may also help to kill off the jock itch.

I love to cook and have lots of recipes using alternate flours like coconut, buckwheat, spelt and alternate sweetners like stevia and rice malt syrup... Are these allowed on your protocol?

The diet says no carbohydrates and no sugars. So no buckwheat, spelt of rice malt syrup in the diet would be best.

I would love to add borax but finding it hard to locate in New Zealand... Any suggestions?

You can buy borax easily on the internet - for example, just type "ebay.com ultra pure borax" in Google Search. It's pretty darn cheap even with the shipping costs."

05/16/2013: Ben from Wanganui, New Zealand: "Thanks Bill, great advice... things are going better the second time round. A bit more understanding of the protocol has helped me. Just wondering if it is ok to have as a cold drink: lemon into soda water? Just looking for alternatives. Are there any recipes for the candida diet? Thanks again. Ben"

05/06/2013: Montana from Toronto, Ontario : "Use less coconut oil."

04/30/2013: Merrin from Mundaring, Western Australia: "Interesting! I started getting leg cramps when pregnant. Local goat dairy owner and midwife gave me raw goats milk throughout two pregnancies. This cured my leg cramps. She told of her 90 year old aunt who experienced leg cramps when on holiday as only cows milk was available. On returning to the goat dairy and beautiful raw goats milk, her leg cramps ceased. Pointing toes to nose seems so much easier."

05/05/2013: Peter from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff: "When we used to get these leg cramps we would instantly start streching the leg by pointing the toes away from the body, this would never work because you're not doing anything, try it now and point your toes hard to your nose, feel that, well I do that every now and then and I have not had leg cramps in over 10 years, taking meds for it is insane."

05/05/2013: Peskycysts from Lowsyville, Ky: "How did you apply the apple cider vinegar? Would it work adding it to bath water?"

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."

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Try coconut oil, eat it, brush with it, add a dab of baking soda and put a blob in your mouth before bed. Spit in trash in the morning... won't be long."

05/05/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Hi Elizabeth: According to the book, Digestive Wellness (Lipski), if you have halitosis, you may want to do the following:

• be checked for infections (H pylori, GERD, gastric ulcers)
  
• eliminate constipation (which you mention you have) by increasing your fiber intake, make sure you are properly hydrated, exercise, take magnesium (most of us are deficient), take digestive enzymes, evaluate any medications you are taking which may cause constipation, take vitamin C
  
• take a good probiotic
  
• have your HCl levels checked (your food may be fermenting instead of digesting properly) by having your doctor run a comprehensive digestive stool analysis with parasitology evaluation

Perhaps a naturopath instead of a regular doctor might be what you need. In the meantime, the book I mentioned is really interesting and addresses all sorts of digestion problems. You even may be able to find it in your library. They do say that good health begins in the stomach. I hope you find the answers you are seeking. Good luck! Bess"

05/06/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Elizabeth: This looks like an obvious case of "dirty colon". This is usually the case of aged persons, but you must have undergone some kind of exception. Anyway, here's a link to remedy this condition. http://earthclinic.com/CURES/colon-cleansing.html

Let us know how you're progressing."

05/06/2013: Traveler from Dallas, Tx: "Do you use a tongue scraper? How often do you visit a dentist to clean your teeth and pockets? Have you tried an elimination diet, or a cleanse-- like master cleanser or a raw milk (if you have a reputable dairy nearby) cleanse?

Also, how many grams of fiber from whole foods are you getting, preferably from fruits and vegetables, not from bran or fiber powder? Is it at least 25grams or more? I noticed I would be very constipated for a long time because my average for many years was more around 9-15 grams a day, sometimes not even that. In terms of constipation, and menstrual issues, I was helped a lot by blackstrap molasses: 1-3 tablespoons a day in water normally, and the day before my period or during my period I would take 3 tablespoons two or three times a day.

Also, how much do you sweat? Maybe there's someting wrong with your lymph system and I could see how, having body odor you wouldn't want to emphasize that by sweating but that helps get out the funk and detox somewhat. So if you can encourage sweating with exercise, and also use epsom salts/baking soda (and ginger if you want) baths. Alternatively, you can do hot and cold showers which help the lymph system and the skin because it increases blood flow. It also helps with depression.

And, what type of deodorant are you using? I've been conventional-deodorant free for several years and have run the gamut of baking soda, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, various alternative commercial deodorant. I've now been using perfume oils that are made with essential oils and I'm in LOVE with this stuff."

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Try coconut oil, eat it, brush with it, add a dab of baking soda and put a blob in your mouth before bed. Spit in trash in the morning... won't be long."

05/05/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Hi Elizabeth: According to the book, Digestive Wellness (Lipski), if you have halitosis, you may want to do the following:

• be checked for infections (H pylori, GERD, gastric ulcers)
  
• eliminate constipation (which you mention you have) by increasing your fiber intake, make sure you are properly hydrated, exercise, take magnesium (most of us are deficient), take digestive enzymes, evaluate any medications you are taking which may cause constipation, take vitamin C
  
• take a good probiotic
  
• have your HCl levels checked (your food may be fermenting instead of digesting properly) by having your doctor run a comprehensive digestive stool analysis with parasitology evaluation

Perhaps a naturopath instead of a regular doctor might be what you need. In the meantime, the book I mentioned is really interesting and addresses all sorts of digestion problems. You even may be able to find it in your library. They do say that good health begins in the stomach. I hope you find the answers you are seeking. Good luck! Bess"

05/06/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Elizabeth: This looks like an obvious case of "dirty colon". This is usually the case of aged persons, but you must have undergone some kind of exception. Anyway, here's a link to remedy this condition. http://earthclinic.com/CURES/colon-cleansing.html

Let us know how you're progressing."

05/06/2013: Traveler from Dallas, Tx: "Do you use a tongue scraper? How often do you visit a dentist to clean your teeth and pockets? Have you tried an elimination diet, or a cleanse-- like master cleanser or a raw milk (if you have a reputable dairy nearby) cleanse?

Also, how many grams of fiber from whole foods are you getting, preferably from fruits and vegetables, not from bran or fiber powder? Is it at least 25grams or more? I noticed I would be very constipated for a long time because my average for many years was more around 9-15 grams a day, sometimes not even that. In terms of constipation, and menstrual issues, I was helped a lot by blackstrap molasses: 1-3 tablespoons a day in water normally, and the day before my period or during my period I would take 3 tablespoons two or three times a day.

Also, how much do you sweat? Maybe there's someting wrong with your lymph system and I could see how, having body odor you wouldn't want to emphasize that by sweating but that helps get out the funk and detox somewhat. So if you can encourage sweating with exercise, and also use epsom salts/baking soda (and ginger if you want) baths. Alternatively, you can do hot and cold showers which help the lymph system and the skin because it increases blood flow. It also helps with depression.

And, what type of deodorant are you using? I've been conventional-deodorant free for several years and have run the gamut of baking soda, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, various alternative commercial deodorant. I've now been using perfume oils that are made with essential oils and I'm in LOVE with this stuff."

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Try coconut oil, eat it, brush with it, add a dab of baking soda and put a blob in your mouth before bed. Spit in trash in the morning... won't be long."

05/05/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Hi Elizabeth: According to the book, Digestive Wellness (Lipski), if you have halitosis, you may want to do the following:

• be checked for infections (H pylori, GERD, gastric ulcers)
  
• eliminate constipation (which you mention you have) by increasing your fiber intake, make sure you are properly hydrated, exercise, take magnesium (most of us are deficient), take digestive enzymes, evaluate any medications you are taking which may cause constipation, take vitamin C
  
• take a good probiotic
  
• have your HCl levels checked (your food may be fermenting instead of digesting properly) by having your doctor run a comprehensive digestive stool analysis with parasitology evaluation

Perhaps a naturopath instead of a regular doctor might be what you need. In the meantime, the book I mentioned is really interesting and addresses all sorts of digestion problems. You even may be able to find it in your library. They do say that good health begins in the stomach. I hope you find the answers you are seeking. Good luck! Bess"

05/06/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Elizabeth: This looks like an obvious case of "dirty colon". This is usually the case of aged persons, but you must have undergone some kind of exception. Anyway, here's a link to remedy this condition. http://earthclinic.com/CURES/colon-cleansing.html

Let us know how you're progressing."

05/06/2013: Traveler from Dallas, Tx: "Do you use a tongue scraper? How often do you visit a dentist to clean your teeth and pockets? Have you tried an elimination diet, or a cleanse-- like master cleanser or a raw milk (if you have a reputable dairy nearby) cleanse?

Also, how many grams of fiber from whole foods are you getting, preferably from fruits and vegetables, not from bran or fiber powder? Is it at least 25grams or more? I noticed I would be very constipated for a long time because my average for many years was more around 9-15 grams a day, sometimes not even that. In terms of constipation, and menstrual issues, I was helped a lot by blackstrap molasses: 1-3 tablespoons a day in water normally, and the day before my period or during my period I would take 3 tablespoons two or three times a day.

Also, how much do you sweat? Maybe there's someting wrong with your lymph system and I could see how, having body odor you wouldn't want to emphasize that by sweating but that helps get out the funk and detox somewhat. So if you can encourage sweating with exercise, and also use epsom salts/baking soda (and ginger if you want) baths. Alternatively, you can do hot and cold showers which help the lymph system and the skin because it increases blood flow. It also helps with depression.

And, what type of deodorant are you using? I've been conventional-deodorant free for several years and have run the gamut of baking soda, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, various alternative commercial deodorant. I've now been using perfume oils that are made with essential oils and I'm in LOVE with this stuff."

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Try coconut oil, eat it, brush with it, add a dab of baking soda and put a blob in your mouth before bed. Spit in trash in the morning... won't be long."

05/05/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Hi Elizabeth: According to the book, Digestive Wellness (Lipski), if you have halitosis, you may want to do the following:

• be checked for infections (H pylori, GERD, gastric ulcers)
  
• eliminate constipation (which you mention you have) by increasing your fiber intake, make sure you are properly hydrated, exercise, take magnesium (most of us are deficient), take digestive enzymes, evaluate any medications you are taking which may cause constipation, take vitamin C
  
• take a good probiotic
  
• have your HCl levels checked (your food may be fermenting instead of digesting properly) by having your doctor run a comprehensive digestive stool analysis with parasitology evaluation

Perhaps a naturopath instead of a regular doctor might be what you need. In the meantime, the book I mentioned is really interesting and addresses all sorts of digestion problems. You even may be able to find it in your library. They do say that good health begins in the stomach. I hope you find the answers you are seeking. Good luck! Bess"

05/06/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Elizabeth: This looks like an obvious case of "dirty colon". This is usually the case of aged persons, but you must have undergone some kind of exception. Anyway, here's a link to remedy this condition. http://earthclinic.com/CURES/colon-cleansing.html

Let us know how you're progressing."

05/06/2013: Traveler from Dallas, Tx: "Do you use a tongue scraper? How often do you visit a dentist to clean your teeth and pockets? Have you tried an elimination diet, or a cleanse-- like master cleanser or a raw milk (if you have a reputable dairy nearby) cleanse?

Also, how many grams of fiber from whole foods are you getting, preferably from fruits and vegetables, not from bran or fiber powder? Is it at least 25grams or more? I noticed I would be very constipated for a long time because my average for many years was more around 9-15 grams a day, sometimes not even that. In terms of constipation, and menstrual issues, I was helped a lot by blackstrap molasses: 1-3 tablespoons a day in water normally, and the day before my period or during my period I would take 3 tablespoons two or three times a day.

Also, how much do you sweat? Maybe there's someting wrong with your lymph system and I could see how, having body odor you wouldn't want to emphasize that by sweating but that helps get out the funk and detox somewhat. So if you can encourage sweating with exercise, and also use epsom salts/baking soda (and ginger if you want) baths. Alternatively, you can do hot and cold showers which help the lymph system and the skin because it increases blood flow. It also helps with depression.

And, what type of deodorant are you using? I've been conventional-deodorant free for several years and have run the gamut of baking soda, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, various alternative commercial deodorant. I've now been using perfume oils that are made with essential oils and I'm in LOVE with this stuff."

05/05/2013: Candace from Small Town, Tx: "Bentonite, which contains Hydrous Aluminum (Al2O3) Silicate, is very complex in structure and the aluminum, like all of the elements in bentonite clay, is actually part of the bentonite crystal and not leachable by any means. This is due to the fact that the Aluminum is central to the montmorillonite molecule holding the negative charge around it as a cloud of oxygen molecules. In effect, part of the negative charge of montmorillonite is attributed to the aluminum. Removal of the aluminum from the montmorillonite molecule would result in a loss of the drawing properties of the molecule. Our bodies do not have sufficient digestive juices to split apart such a highly negatively charged molecule. So the bentonite clay is inert in that none of it ever leaves your digestive system. It is very complex in structure and all of the trace minerals are actually part of the bentonite crystal and not leachable by any means.

Maybe the above poster would do some more research before putting out wrong information. Many seriously, cronically ill, even terminal people could benefit from this amazing naturally occuring dirt with healing properties from Elohim. There is a lot of misinformation out there about the kinds of bentonite ie: calcium, sodium, etc. If one is wanting to use this clay theraputically then the bestbentonite. (hint) would be one that is 100% Bentonite Clay. It is very inexpensive and should be afforable for all. Also the 100% clay will accomplish whatever you desire using less. E-bay is a good source. Candace"

05/01/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskchewan: "Hi Joy: How awful I have a similar story. Have you ever tried Diatomaceous Earth? I have just started. I have read it helps greatly with food allergies. I started with way too much which made me constipated (2 TBsp 2X per day on empty). I have backed off to 1/2 tsp 1 time per day and will work up. I could post more results as I go if you like.

Keep up the good work! Mary"

05/01/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Mary. So sweet, I have overcome ALL my allergies to food, water, air, clothes, and nature by reading the work of DR. Batmanghelidj and coming to understand that histamine is a dehydration signal to warn the body. I can eat anything I want as long as I drink the right amount of water at the right time and take supplemental mulit minerals (especially magnesium and very LITTLE calcium) multi vitamins and omegas and betafood with coconut oil and yogurt and sea salt, garlic, cranberry, papaya tablets when needed.

I enjoy my food without the fear of midnight panics brought on by stomach issues and no longer do I have to fear anxiety from allergies... I am Free. Been a L.O.N.G..... J.O.U.R.N.E.Y. To wellness and so I encourage you also to go slow and overcome. I have never used the clay but can tell you I WOULD HAVE stood on my head for an hour a day if I thought it would help. I AM FREE!"

05/04/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Thank you so much for referring me to the work of Dr. Batmanghelidj!!! What a humanitarian!!! I am trying to watch everything about him online!! I have already sent links to friends. Which books helped you the most? I want to buy one but it seems some have an audio with that is also helpful. As one who has struggled with food allergies etc for years I am very interested. Thanks again!! Mary"

05/04/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I bought them all but no tapes. I like them all, the back book teaches about our misunderstandings. I learned sooooo much. I sent a box to my sis. I gave them as gifts. I tell everyone who will listen. I know one person doesn't have all the answers but people treated their pets and they got healed too. He made a big dent in the medical dysfunctional- information. He changed my life and gave me HOPE... Glad to tell you this good news... Hope you spread it far and wide too! I am still trying to get my health figured out to be honest I suspect it is thyroid issues I'm up against, my numbers are normal ? My weight is normal. Something is still out of balance!"

05/05/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Thank you Joy!!! I will purchase the set. I have had breast pain for years!!! The only way I could get it to go was to topically apply DMSO. I have done the water cure for 2 days today will b day 3. Yesterday halfway through the day my pain went!!!! It has only ever gone away for about 2 -3 days with a DMSO treatment!!!! Breast Pain Gone!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you I am telling everyone!!

I also want to figure out how to help congenital Heart failure for my little min pin. Love him sooooo much!! He is on all the usual heart meds including viagra(to open his lungs so he can breath). Thirdly, I wanted to mention subclinical hypothyroidism that is not picked up from blood work but self diagnosed by body temperature. Check out http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/ . I am being treated for it with a compounded T3 mixture called liiothyronine. It has really helped.

Cheers, Mary"

05/05/2013: Joy from Batttleground, Wash: "wilsons is caused from toxic copper that can be displaced by ZINC SUPPLEMENTS. I went and looked on hub pages... toxic metals and how to displace them... a book by Frances Bleuet, Everybody can heal. I'm thinking about buying her book, not sure yet!"

05/05/2013: Angie from Oneida, Wi: "What is msm lotion? I have 2 boils under my right armpit. Not happy."

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "try topical milk of magnesia, laxative isle in store"

05/06/2013: Gavin from Manganui, Northland, New Zealand: "Tea tree oil is a very good one for boils, it dissolves into the skin and kills the bug thats causing it."

01/02/2013: Chickenlady from Harlingen, Tx, Usa: "Check out a book called "Could it be B12?" by Sally Pacholok, Jeffrey Stuart. She covers B12 deficiency in detail. It's available as an ebook from Amazon."

01/02/2013: Josie from Nashville, Tn: "Thanks, Chickenlady, for the heads up. I'll look up that book. Also, thanks to whomever attached the other posts from December regarding B12 to my question. Very relevant & informative."

01/02/2013: Tinydancer from Dayton, Ohio, Usa: "Try the B12 patches. They work better for me than the pills or liquid. You can get them online. You will have to add them until you get the results that you want. I started out with one 5000mcg patch daily, but I had to add 3 more until I no longer had the numbness, tingling and stumbling. Now I put on one every three days week and it works for me. They stay on when you shower too."

01/03/2013: Josie from Nashville, Tn: "Thanks TinyDancer. What's funny is I just came across something on the internet about B12 patches for the first time today, and your posting, too. Thanks for the suggestion."

01/08/2013: John from Belleville, Il: "MTHFR gene mutation is a possibility. Your b12 (methylcobalamin) may not be utilized because of this. Taking L-methylfolate(5-MTHF, L-5-MTHF) with your b12 as well as other b's definitely may help. Folic acid is not bio-ready, you would probably do much better with the L-methylfolate and other b's with your b12. The test for the gene mutation is only (from what I hear) about $150.00. We will pay much more than that for a TV or a cell phone, so why not on something as important as our health? :) I recently overloaded on b12, it was very, very unpleasant. Yes, you can do this! Dig deep enough and you'll find some places that acknowledge this. Anyway, hope some of this is helpful, good luck to you :)"

05/03/2013: Mark from Newton Abbot, Devon: "This is interesting, my wife seems to have a similar problem. As a long term strict vegetarian she was last year found to be severely B12 deficient. Unfortunately even with 3 x 5000 mcg methylcobalamin sublingual B 12s daily she has not made any noticeable improvements other than blood work outcomes

Her symptoms are much the same, even though she does appear to be absorbing the B12 into her blood, her blood levels increased form 162 up to over 2000 within a few weeks.

They have remained high for over a year but with no improvements in either energy or any other aspect of the condition, it does seem that she is not actually making use of the B12 from her blood.

It seems the body goes into some sort of default mode and does not like to switch back very easily."

05/04/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Mark: You might want to research "methylation" which would include other nutrients like Folic Acid, TMG, DMG, and Methionine. Maybe supplement an "essential amino acids" to correct possible amino deficiencies. I just recently reintroduced L-Methionine caps 2-500mg daily and my energy went up noticeably. The Methionine and DMG will combine with the B-12 and illicit a multitude of biochemical processes in the body including energy and neurotransmitter or mood chemicals (up-regulation)."

05/05/2013: Mark from Newton Abbot, Devon: "Thanks Timh, You might be onto something with the amino acids, although my wife has so far tried about 20 – 30 different compounds and substances along with different B12's so far nothing has made any difference, I will look into amino acids, it could be the missing piece of the puzzle, in fact she does now try to eat some meat for this reason but unfortunately cannot tolerate any meaningful quantities without gas and discomfort

Thanks for the pointer, worst case it's just one more thing to tick off!"

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Mark: It's a fact that B-12 needs Methionine and Methionine needs B-12. I would recommend 1000mg daily of Methionine along with your B-12 regimen for 1 month (there should be noticeable improvements in overall health, especially energy). Now add 125mg Dimethyglycine (DMG) daily, and the energy and mental function should improve dramatically."

07/13/2012: Tshkrel from Harwich, Massachusetts, United States: "Actually, smoking is a form of pica. The medical community has completely missed the boat on this because of the rigid (and quite stupid) definition of pica which excludes inhalation as a transport mechanism for nutrients.

The point being this--- IF smoking was looked at from this perspective, as being pica, the obvious question would arise, `What nutrient is the smoker deficient in?'

Nicotine, when it is oxidized, becomes nicotinic acid or vitamin B-3. This fact is actually the achilles heel of the whole `smoking treatment' scam. But this `hard' fact is known by any chemist and biochemist. For example, the biochemist David Bender states this fact in his textbook Nutritional Biochemistry of the Vitamins pg. 200. But it gets comical after this.

The origin of the name niacin was due to this uncomfortable fact that nicotine becomes nicotinic acid and Bender goes on to say that there was a distinct purpose in renaming nicotinic acid to niacin. "It was felt nicotinic acid was not a suitable name for a substance that was to be added to foods, both because of its phonetic and chemical relationship to nicotine."

But nicotinic acid is not what the smoker is deficient in. It is only one piece to a two-piece puzzle. The reason is this... nicotinic acid is THE master chelator. In other words, in a biological system it is never found by itself but always attached to another biological marker ... whether a nucleoside or mineral.

There is something else that is in tobacco that nicotine is adhering to. This other element is what the smoker is deficient in. When this element is replaced through diet, rather than tobacco, a remarkable thing occurs... The desire, the craving to smoke completely vanishes. These facts are all demonstrated in the book, You are not Addicted to Cigarette Smoking You are Starving: How the Magic Mineral Prevents the Desire to Smoke."

[YEA]  05/05/2013: Shabda Girl from Santa Barbara, Ca: "I owe Earth Clinic a huge thanks for the posting about smoking being a form of pica. I went looking for the book mentioned, and somewhere found that the subject of it was a silicon deficiency, paired with B3. I had smoked for a long time, tried to use natural cigarettes exclusively (how natural are they, one has to wonder), but with some stress in my life my daily use, while still minimal, was taking a toll on my body. I believed myself to be mostly psychologically addicted but something about the pica concept rang true. After reading about these two deficiencies, I remembered that the herb Horsetail is rich in silicon/silica, and I had a ten year old bottle of it buried in a box. I took a good multi B ('cause as far as I know taking large amounts of a single B can throw one out of balance over time) for the niacinamide. For the psychological aspect I reminded myself that cigarette smoking never ever made anything better for me. Not really. It just gave me the sense that I was doing 'something' when I experienced stress. It seemed like my brain was trying to regulate itself out of a sense of helplessness. My 'doing something' or taking action would now be trying the Horsetail and the B vitamins. The herb and B combination absolutely works for me. I do seem to need to use it once/day. If I have any experience of interest in a cigarette I either put my attention on something else, or take the supplements, and it has worked every time. I had almost no cravings whatsoever, going from 5/day to only 2 (I mean 2 total, not 2/day) over the first two weeks, and then to zero. I should say also, that even though most people talk about what a struggle it is to quit, I consistently imagined it being easy for me. I used up my willpower for these things long ago, and I need to have underlying needs addressed so I don't have to rely on mind over impulse as it's very draining. Even though I had little advance evidence that it could be easy, I still stuck to this 'vision' for myself. The relief is enormous, so many thanks for this information - it was the missing piece!!"

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Shabda Girl: Thanks for your success post. If I might add two herbs, among others, that should help restore energy (smoking shrinks the adrenal glands) AND reduce stress ---Eleuthero Root or Siberian Ginseng and Ashwaganda. These can be used daily and I would rotate from one herb to the next on like a weekly basis. Added to a good breakfast and cup of good coffee, this should ensure your performance thru the day. Kinda like a 5hr energy day."

05/06/2013: Shabda Girl from Santa Barbara, Ca: "Timh, Thanks for the suggestion of Ginseng and Ashwaghanda. I have used the latter before but forgot about it. I think they're both adaptogenic, and general tonics. I had added in Dong Quai as well, and daily transdermal magnesium - fantastic for rebuilding some depletions. Transdermal magnesium has been amazing in the past, but likewise I had forgotten how good it is. Weird how stress can overtake one's point of view and start to seem 'normal'. I so appreciate your suggestions!"

05/05/2013: Anon from Anon: "Check out: www.earthclinic.com/CURES/mite_infestation_questions.html. Wishing you well!"

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Anna: Yes, I have been a long-time iherb customer and recommend their products and service highly.

The two products you linked look to be a most excellent source of natural antioxidants. The addition of Coconut oil should be a big boost to overall health as it is beneficial in sooo many ways to the human body. As for seaweed and algae, I personally take one each tab of Spirulina and Chlorella daily; but if u can find a good "seaweed complex" that contains other species, try that. You can also purchase as a powder and make smoothies or simply add to veggie juicing.

Don't forget to add some Pumpkin Seeds and Brazil Nuts so the Carotinoids and Tocotreinols can "complex" and get the real power of antioxidants in your tissues and cells.

Let us know when your better!"

05/05/2013: Anna from Europe: "Thanks, Tim. Does yourself or anybody else know the difference say quality, bacterial, otherwise between an ingredient that is described as raw or likewise crude. Is one a safer option than the other. Thankyou"

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Anna: Sorry I failed to address your concern with Mercury toxicity. To keep heavy metal levels low in the body it is advised to consume Chlorella and Cilantro. The sensitivity you expressed could be related to Mercury.

As to the safety of product ingredients, there are extreme views from very safe to "all supplements are tainted". At any rate, I consider supplements to be as safe as the foods we eat. If you are concerned with toxicity issues read the E.C. page on "Detoxification". Keeping the body clean on the inside is our best defense against chronic illnesses. Keeping antioxidant status high is critical."

05/06/2013: Anna from Europe: "Thanks Timh. I have actually decided not to go with the Palm Oil products as mentioned before, as I see that it is recommended to go with a broad mix of carotenoids, rather than high numbers of the same carotenoid. Also said that a survey showed that men who took carotenoid supplements had a higher risk of prostate cancer and I thought that maybe this might transfer for women, so I won't be supplementing or adding products. I think that I will just stick to your opinion of adding veggies and boosting with zinc for maximum potency- genius! . Thanks again for your advice, seems you are nearly running the show! Good Luck and Best Wishes to you."

05/05/2013: Angie from Oneida, Wi: "What is msm lotion? I have 2 boils under my right armpit. Not happy."

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "try topical milk of magnesia, laxative isle in store"

05/06/2013: Gavin from Manganui, Northland, New Zealand: "Tea tree oil is a very good one for boils, it dissolves into the skin and kills the bug thats causing it."

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Into It: Begin by eating Pineapple during or after the red meat meal. If this isn't enough, u can purchase and take "Papaya Tablets" after the meal. This should get u back in the game."

05/06/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Boy, "Into It", can I relate to you. My husband and I were big red meat eaters. We tried the "free-range" for a very short time but long enough to become aware it was affecting our kidneys/bladder making it more difficult and painful to urinate. The reason beef is getting harder to digest is because the cattle are being fed grains and grasses that have been genetically modified to be drought and disease resistant and to last longer. In fact, all the critters we eat, get milk and eggs from are being fed this way and each year it is getting worse. Some of the meat is being cloned. I noticed the chicken and eggs contributing to incontinence. Reducing consumption is the key and we've not had as much of the problem.

If you have to have burgers, purchase a small roast and have it ground.

Fresh pineapple contains bromelain (the core) that the canned does not. This is what is needed for digestion. I slice the pineapple in half lengthwise and make 1/4-1/2 inch slices then cut that into pie-shaped wedges so that a small wedge of the core is in each slice. It is hard but easier to chew up with the rest of the slice. It is so good, I ate too much and my mouth became a little sore so you do have to be careful of that too."

05/06/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York, Usa: "Listen to what Kathy from Sadville USA has to say about ground beef, hamburger, whatever you wish to call it.

What she says is very important. What is commonly sold as ground beef, hamburger is made up of at times hundreds of different animals. Also often includes dated ground beef and the flesh of DOWNER animals. Animals that were diseased and never fit to be sold as food. There is a disease that is untreatable and always fatal associated with hamburger. It is a big secret the FDA under reports or never reports. It is called MAD COW DISEASE. There is NO treatment for it.

So, like Susan says: If you insist on eating ground beef make very sure it is from one and only one animal. NOT the stuff sold in ALL grocery stores. They have NO reliable record of the source of this ground beef....Oscar"

05/06/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi again, Into It--If you are able to find bison that has not been confined in fields infiltrated with GMO's that is an excellent source of meat. It's too expensive for us but it is good. Thanks for your support Oscar. I don't know how to get in touch with you any other way than to provide you with my email the way EC suggested to post it: kmenard3(at) verizon (dot) net."

05/07/2013: Into It from Belleville, Mi, USA: "Kathy thanks for the info, I will try the pineapple. I have barbeque to attend shortly... I will let you know the outcome."

05/04/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Hi everyone, my husband passed away last Friday, he had liver cancer mets. It happened very qiuckly, a matte of weeks. My mucus condition has got much worse with the stress. I have posted before on this site and I feel so alone at the moment. Any words of comfort would help. Thanks. Christine"

05/04/2013: Liz from Boston, Massachusetts: "Christine - I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you."

05/04/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "You loved WELL. I'm sorry about your loss of love and friendship and the sorrow you went through as the illness progressed.

May your days bring a songbird and a ray of golden warmth from heaven with drips of holy rain upon your brow and only the fondest of every memory you have stored.... Let them come.... Let them come... Yes today and tomorrow and the next. Bless Her Lord with the fragrance of Your Love and the atmosphere of heaven let it come... Let it come.... bless her today and tomorrow and the next.

An arrow from the quiver of the Lord , may it pierce your Sorrow with His JOY.

Stress produces fight or flight hormones to prepare the body for action... Stops digestion and slows urination.... Steals water, minerals , hormones and nutrients.

So first make an effort to drink two cups of water in the morning when you awake. Wait half hour and eat something with some vitamins minerals and omegas and sea salt to rehydrate and get those mucus secretions thinned back out. Try to keep hydrating> as you can and getting healthy food in your body.

Set out in the sun and get some vitamin D in your body. Open the window and get some fresh air. Buy a candle and some epson salt and spray your favorite perfume in the air in the bathroom , light the candle , put salts in the tub , put on music that fills your cup and , drink some extra water, eat an apple or fruit or berries in the tub.... Keep tissue near by and let yourself CRY. You are an amazing woman ... who loved her husband... Pat yourself on the back for being there for him and now TAKE CARE OF YOU. Take walks to get circulation going if you can. BREATHE"

05/04/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Thank you to Joy and Liz for your kind words, It makes Me feel less alone, My husband and myself made a tape recording of our voices so if one of use died we would still be able to hear thier voice. I play many times a day. It make me cry but I am glad I can still hear his voice. Thanks again Christine"

05/04/2013: Rsw from Uniontown, Oh: "Christine, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Many thoughts and prayers are with you, and may our heartfelt sympathy surround and uplift you. You are not alone.

In regard to the mucous problem, I have recently come across some information about how the correct bacteria in the mouth can keep the mouth, throat, sinuses and ears healthy by taking up the space formerly occupied by bad bacteria. Some probiotic supplements containing the common L.Salivarius, also contain BLIS K12 and BLIS M18 that supposedly act like a natural antibiotic by replacing the bad bacteria. Supposedly also helps with bad breath. Makes sense, since many with these problems have excellent oral health routines and yet these problems persist. They come in lozenges and gum. It's a possibility for your problem. Best wishes and take good care."

05/04/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Dear Christine - I would like to express my condolences along with all the others who did so from your Earth Clinic family. You are going through an incredibly difficult time. Crying is part of the healing process and helps release some of the sorrow. May you find peace with the audio recordings of your husband. That is such a beautiful thing to have done for each other. Take care and best wishes. Bess"

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I know grief but not from loss of a person but of myself. There is a email system, sends a daily email of how to go through grief.... I got it for two years. Griefshare... you get an email everyday. They have mention of products but I didn't buy any. Learned a lot about grief. Get a lovely journal and write about each day as you go through it.... Love, JOY"

05/05/2013: Jan from Vancouver, B.c. Canada: "Hi Christine, Sorry for your loss. My sympathy and condolences to you. When we lose someone, it feels like our life has become empty but that is not true. God loves us that's why he gave us life and he wants us to be happy. Do the things that make you happy --- hobbies, etc. Personally, I have a Teacher/Master who has shown me a way/technique to be in tune with that Peace within. So, even in times of turmoil I can tune within and be in Peace, then the things outside and around us becomes easier to handle. You can check it out at: wopg.org ---- that means Word of Peace Global. It's free whatever he shows us (sorry I cannot explain it here). I hope you will check that site out. Take care of yourself and don't feel you are alone."

05/05/2013: Deb from Hampton, Va: "Christine, I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband. This is a very difficult time for you and you should reach out to friends and family. They will lift you up and carry you if need be. Don't worry you will see him again one day. Be kind to yourself and realize that it will take you time to come to terms with this loss. I am here if you ever need to talk. kindwoman711(at) hotmail [dot] com"

05/06/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Hi Deb thank for your kind support. I do not have an email adress at the moment. I need to learn how to do it. I was thinking of try to start a support group for people who have lost a partner. I need to get a bit stronger first. I cry a lot at the moment my computer is geting soggy. Many thanks to the kind folks of Earth Clinic."

05/06/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi Christine, I have read the posts about your loss and want to express my condolences. Magnesium and the B-Complex vitamins are very important. St. John's Wort will also help but I have to open the capsules and take the contents with water.

I feel that when you keep listening to your husband's voice, now, it's going to prolong your healing. You have enough to remind you if you are still in the house you shared. We lost everything we owned in a fire and I was only able to save my nine-month old. I know our two-and-a-half year old went to be the Lord and that is what gave me comfort in the midst of so must pain. I could not look at her pictures for a very long time and I could not talk about her without going to pieces. Even now, writing this to you, I'm a little choked up. You never get over the death of someone you love but time will give you strength so at a later time you can start to listen to the tape again, if that is what you choose to do. We have the news briefs about the fire in 1987 but the memories are fresh when I look at the tape. Some things are better left alone. Our loved ones are not here anymore and we have to get on with life with the hopes we will be reunited. Today happens to be my birthday and my mother died three days before my birthday several years ago. Just to let you know you are not alone in your pain."

06/24/2010: Dustin from Niigata, Japan: "Thank you for posting the recipee..I felt very invigorated after drinking it. I plan to do it once a month.I added some freshly squeezed lemons(2) also..very powerful..

Thanks again."

06/17/2011: Jasonmchicago from Chicago, Il (usa) : "I have figured out a VERY POWERFUL anti-inflammatory that works almost instantly. I take 1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne pepper in the mouth. Wait until the sensations start then swallow. Then I wait 2-5 minutes until I feel the burning all over my mouth and know that it is working. Then I take the following:

- Fresh Garlic

- Fresh Ginger

- 1-2 Ginger Capsules

- 1-2 Turmeric Capsules (high quality brand)

- Fresh Rosemary

- EVOO 1/2 ounce

I swallow this all at once and literally within 1-5 minutes the inflammation goes down. I can feel the muscle inflammation getting the effects of this combo. I heard that Cayenne is amazing for distributing herbal potency to where it needs to go. It quickly circulates the blood and I believe the "powers" of the turmeric, garlic, and rosemary all get going.

It has really helped me out with IMMEDIATE relief of serious inflammation more than any one by themselves or prescription drugs or NSAIDs or anything. If you want added benefit take a hot/warm water moist towel and put it on the area that needs inflammation reduction.

AMAZING!"

05/05/2013: Peter from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff: "It would help if I could even find this product in it's organic form, and not from a lack of trying, is this another restricted item, why does h&b not stock it and I started to wonder who controls h&b and why would they sell inferrior junk, I'm newish to all this self healing, am I being paranoid when I start feeling some things just feel wrong, so many great natural products should not be this hard to get hold off, the ones I have got are fantastic but never easy to find."

05/06/2013: Gavin from Manganui, Northland, New Zealand: "I always use the stuff from the spice isle at the supermarket. Otherwise you could grow some in pots."

03/09/2013: Kathy from the USA: "I am post menopause and when the prolapse was extreme I used super tampons saturated with lubricating jelly overnight and/or a few hours during the day until I got better control and things stayed in place. If constipation necessitates stool softeners and the prolapse starts, I use the tampon again."

03/09/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Please explain how gelatin causes Prolapse.... I am really curious?"

03/10/2013: Deidre from Sydney, Australia : "I read that Prolapse is caused by a toxic bowel. If you have a toxic bowel, maybe the stool softeners just allowed the bowel to push further down. Just a thought.

I would start on colonics, eating prunes, caster oil, start juicing and go on a raw food diet because raw foods contain digestive enzymes."

03/10/2013: Kathy from the USA: "I'm sorry, I cannot provide details but when I was in communication with those fighting the FDA about MSG issues I had been informed that gelatin is made from bone. During the manufacturing process, glutamic acid is created and is a nerve stimulant that can stimulate some nerve cells to death, depending how sensitive you are which is determined on how your mother ate while she was pregnant with you. Glutamic acid is naturally occurring BUT when it is a consequence of manufacture it is toxic to many. It is just not recognized. The medical profession is not keeping up with what is happening to our food. More money is wasted on "research" to find cures instead of eliminating the probable cause. It took me over twenty years to learn about the ramifications of processed free glutamic acid but by the process of elimination I learned. I hope this helps. There is a website you could go, and I have seen it listed in other posts here, but I don't know if it is permitted and I wouldn't want this post to be deleted. I will also mention that I had a breech vaginal delivery many years ago but I never experienced any prolapse until I ingested the gelatin capsules."

03/16/2013: Jennifer from Ash Grove, Mo/ Usa: "Hi, Kathy! I just finished reading your post about the gelatin capsules. I was wondering if you knew whether or not the vegetarian gelatin capsules were okay to use?? I put my own powdered herbs into vegetarian gelatin capsules and wondered if this was acceptable. Do you know anything about this type of capsule?? Please let me know if you do. Thank you!"

03/17/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi Jennifer, I would not use them. You could mix your powdered herbs in some unsweetened applesauce or, as I do with one of my probiotics, sprinkle the capsule contents between apricots halves and let my saliva mix/dissolve the powder as I swallow. Our food is being engineered to last longer so it has become harder to digest. There was a short period of time that I started getting the "grass-fed" or "free-range" meat, chicken, eggs and milk. All those critters are being fed genetically modified grains and grasses (GMO). The beef was harder on my husband's and my kidneys, I started to experience incontinence from the chicken (I was a big meat and egg eater). By the process of elimination I learned this. I had to get 2% milk because the "grass-fed" dairy cows are being fed GMO grasses and grain to produce more milk, especially in the winter. Even the "free-range" chicken eggs caused me indigestion. I never trusted "organics" and recently found some information to confirm I was correct. I cannot afford the costs anyway.

In my opinion fresher is no longer better. I get frozen or canned vegetables without salt (the flowing agent in salt is another hidden culprit). Salt is not the problem... It is the flowing/anti-caking agent. I use sea salt. The frozen or canned is blanched at their peak so I feel they are better for you. I feel we have grown up eating things that our body has been "conditioned" to tolerate or build up an immunity to. No proof of this... Just my reasoning. I no longer get the extra large eggs. I get medium and I only buy eggs in the cardboard cartons. The yolks seem to have a richer yellow/orange color and I am better able to keep my weight down, which I had struggled with for years. I now limit my eggs and meat consumption because they contain more carbohydrates than they used to. I get the 2% milk in glass bottles because it is safer even though I have to limit that because of the "carb" content NOW.

As far as toxic bowels... For the last few years I have been taking 1/2 tsp. dry mustard in 1/2 Cup cold water first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach to "prime the pump" for bowel evacuation. Mustard is an antiseptic and someone on this site posted they had to use mustard instead of antibiotics. I don't remember where that post was or what I was looking up. There is no doubt that the capsules cause my prolapse because when I stop ingesting them, my prolapse subsides."

03/17/2013: Kathy from the USA: "HEY DEIDRE... I'm sorry I confused your post with what Jennifer posted. As you see, I remarked about "toxic bowel" to her. Because hidden sources of MSG stimulate nerve cells, maybe it affects the ligaments that hold organs in place. I don't know but if I have the money to alter the probiotics like I did I have good results. I have very limited income. I happened to have stool softeners on hand that I had purchased for our dog. It is ONLY when I have to use them that I experience prolapse. Everyone is different and will react in a different way to hidden sources of manufactured glutamic acid.

It makes me sad that I can't afford to have a dog anymore :-( :-("

03/17/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi again Jennifer, I don't know whether I replied to you here, in response to your post, or if it was another place... Where Deidre responded. I have to work on this piecemeal. I'm not real familiar with this site and what I read I cannot remember all so I don't know if posts are categorized. I confused what Deidre said as coming from you... What she said is also true. I think the two issues relate to each other. Where the ligaments are weakened and not keeping things in place, it seems that stool collects (it was reported that I have a "very tortuous colon") and can begin to ferment. If I get over 100lbs. I know I'm full of... impacted fecal matter and I'm fortunate to have the time needed to evacuate completely. Sometimes it takes a very long time because nerve cells are dead that would prompt elimination. I'm sure I must be a candidate for a colostomy but I don't want to live the rest of my life like that."

04/01/2013: Claudine from Norwalk, Ct: "to Kathy -- very interesting about gelatin capsules and a prolapsed bladder! I consume a lot of supplements in capsule form every day and didn't think twice about it! Is there any place I can research this further? I have started to dump the contents out into a smoothie now. Thanks for your postings."

04/02/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi Claudine, I only learned what the gelatin capsules were doing to me because of trying to avoid msg in our food. This has been over a twenty-year endeavor during which I have learned much. I don't believe anyone else has reported this effect from gelatin capsules. I reported this to the friend who helped me become aware of the damaging effects of hidden msg in our food. The piecemeal process of elimination over the years is all the confirmation I need to know the gelatin capsules caused my problem. If I have to use stool softeners and begin to feel the prolapse I use a super plus tampon for a few hours during which I "tuck and squeeze" while walking around. Before I discovered it was the gelatin capsules I had to use two of the super plus tampons. Ingestion of other sources of msg could certainly contribute. With what is being done to our food it is nearly impossible to avoid."

05/05/2013: Sunny from Central, Wa: "Constipation: Having a prolapsed bladder and fighting with constipation off and on all my life, I found that rather than using stool softners, I have had very good luck with a product that contains Psyllium husk, Psyllium seed, Marshmallow root, Slippery Elm bark, and Aloe Vera leaf. I like it better than anything else I've tried. (better than Metamucil which I used previously) It comes in a powder form so no worry about the gelatin capsules. Hope this helps some of you that also have constipation issues."

05/07/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi Sunny, Thanks for you suggestion. I have tried some I am full of adhesions due to multiple surgeries. I have narrowings in my "pipeline" and the psyllium husk does not create the pliable products for elimination that I need."

05/04/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Hi everyone, my husband passed away last Friday, he had liver cancer mets. It happened very qiuckly, a matte of weeks. My mucus condition has got much worse with the stress. I have posted before on this site and I feel so alone at the moment. Any words of comfort would help. Thanks. Christine"

05/04/2013: Liz from Boston, Massachusetts: "Christine - I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you."

05/04/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "You loved WELL. I'm sorry about your loss of love and friendship and the sorrow you went through as the illness progressed.

May your days bring a songbird and a ray of golden warmth from heaven with drips of holy rain upon your brow and only the fondest of every memory you have stored.... Let them come.... Let them come... Yes today and tomorrow and the next. Bless Her Lord with the fragrance of Your Love and the atmosphere of heaven let it come... Let it come.... bless her today and tomorrow and the next.

An arrow from the quiver of the Lord , may it pierce your Sorrow with His JOY.

Stress produces fight or flight hormones to prepare the body for action... Stops digestion and slows urination.... Steals water, minerals , hormones and nutrients.

So first make an effort to drink two cups of water in the morning when you awake. Wait half hour and eat something with some vitamins minerals and omegas and sea salt to rehydrate and get those mucus secretions thinned back out. Try to keep hydrating> as you can and getting healthy food in your body.

Set out in the sun and get some vitamin D in your body. Open the window and get some fresh air. Buy a candle and some epson salt and spray your favorite perfume in the air in the bathroom , light the candle , put salts in the tub , put on music that fills your cup and , drink some extra water, eat an apple or fruit or berries in the tub.... Keep tissue near by and let yourself CRY. You are an amazing woman ... who loved her husband... Pat yourself on the back for being there for him and now TAKE CARE OF YOU. Take walks to get circulation going if you can. BREATHE"

05/04/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Thank you to Joy and Liz for your kind words, It makes Me feel less alone, My husband and myself made a tape recording of our voices so if one of use died we would still be able to hear thier voice. I play many times a day. It make me cry but I am glad I can still hear his voice. Thanks again Christine"

05/04/2013: Rsw from Uniontown, Oh: "Christine, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Many thoughts and prayers are with you, and may our heartfelt sympathy surround and uplift you. You are not alone.

In regard to the mucous problem, I have recently come across some information about how the correct bacteria in the mouth can keep the mouth, throat, sinuses and ears healthy by taking up the space formerly occupied by bad bacteria. Some probiotic supplements containing the common L.Salivarius, also contain BLIS K12 and BLIS M18 that supposedly act like a natural antibiotic by replacing the bad bacteria. Supposedly also helps with bad breath. Makes sense, since many with these problems have excellent oral health routines and yet these problems persist. They come in lozenges and gum. It's a possibility for your problem. Best wishes and take good care."

05/04/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Dear Christine - I would like to express my condolences along with all the others who did so from your Earth Clinic family. You are going through an incredibly difficult time. Crying is part of the healing process and helps release some of the sorrow. May you find peace with the audio recordings of your husband. That is such a beautiful thing to have done for each other. Take care and best wishes. Bess"

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I know grief but not from loss of a person but of myself. There is a email system, sends a daily email of how to go through grief.... I got it for two years. Griefshare... you get an email everyday. They have mention of products but I didn't buy any. Learned a lot about grief. Get a lovely journal and write about each day as you go through it.... Love, JOY"

05/05/2013: Jan from Vancouver, B.c. Canada: "Hi Christine, Sorry for your loss. My sympathy and condolences to you. When we lose someone, it feels like our life has become empty but that is not true. God loves us that's why he gave us life and he wants us to be happy. Do the things that make you happy --- hobbies, etc. Personally, I have a Teacher/Master who has shown me a way/technique to be in tune with that Peace within. So, even in times of turmoil I can tune within and be in Peace, then the things outside and around us becomes easier to handle. You can check it out at: wopg.org ---- that means Word of Peace Global. It's free whatever he shows us (sorry I cannot explain it here). I hope you will check that site out. Take care of yourself and don't feel you are alone."

05/05/2013: Deb from Hampton, Va: "Christine, I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband. This is a very difficult time for you and you should reach out to friends and family. They will lift you up and carry you if need be. Don't worry you will see him again one day. Be kind to yourself and realize that it will take you time to come to terms with this loss. I am here if you ever need to talk. kindwoman711(at) hotmail [dot] com"

05/06/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Hi Deb thank for your kind support. I do not have an email adress at the moment. I need to learn how to do it. I was thinking of try to start a support group for people who have lost a partner. I need to get a bit stronger first. I cry a lot at the moment my computer is geting soggy. Many thanks to the kind folks of Earth Clinic."

05/06/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi Christine, I have read the posts about your loss and want to express my condolences. Magnesium and the B-Complex vitamins are very important. St. John's Wort will also help but I have to open the capsules and take the contents with water.

I feel that when you keep listening to your husband's voice, now, it's going to prolong your healing. You have enough to remind you if you are still in the house you shared. We lost everything we owned in a fire and I was only able to save my nine-month old. I know our two-and-a-half year old went to be the Lord and that is what gave me comfort in the midst of so must pain. I could not look at her pictures for a very long time and I could not talk about her without going to pieces. Even now, writing this to you, I'm a little choked up. You never get over the death of someone you love but time will give you strength so at a later time you can start to listen to the tape again, if that is what you choose to do. We have the news briefs about the fire in 1987 but the memories are fresh when I look at the tape. Some things are better left alone. Our loved ones are not here anymore and we have to get on with life with the hopes we will be reunited. Today happens to be my birthday and my mother died three days before my birthday several years ago. Just to let you know you are not alone in your pain."

05/05/2013: Braveheart from Vancouver, Bc: "I hear a paste of castor oil and baking soda also work really well."

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Anna: Yes, I have been a long-time iherb customer and recommend their products and service highly.

The two products you linked look to be a most excellent source of natural antioxidants. The addition of Coconut oil should be a big boost to overall health as it is beneficial in sooo many ways to the human body. As for seaweed and algae, I personally take one each tab of Spirulina and Chlorella daily; but if u can find a good "seaweed complex" that contains other species, try that. You can also purchase as a powder and make smoothies or simply add to veggie juicing.

Don't forget to add some Pumpkin Seeds and Brazil Nuts so the Carotinoids and Tocotreinols can "complex" and get the real power of antioxidants in your tissues and cells.

Let us know when your better!"

05/05/2013: Anna from Europe: "Thanks, Tim. Does yourself or anybody else know the difference say quality, bacterial, otherwise between an ingredient that is described as raw or likewise crude. Is one a safer option than the other. Thankyou"

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Anna: Sorry I failed to address your concern with Mercury toxicity. To keep heavy metal levels low in the body it is advised to consume Chlorella and Cilantro. The sensitivity you expressed could be related to Mercury.

As to the safety of product ingredients, there are extreme views from very safe to "all supplements are tainted". At any rate, I consider supplements to be as safe as the foods we eat. If you are concerned with toxicity issues read the E.C. page on "Detoxification". Keeping the body clean on the inside is our best defense against chronic illnesses. Keeping antioxidant status high is critical."

05/06/2013: Anna from Europe: "Thanks Timh. I have actually decided not to go with the Palm Oil products as mentioned before, as I see that it is recommended to go with a broad mix of carotenoids, rather than high numbers of the same carotenoid. Also said that a survey showed that men who took carotenoid supplements had a higher risk of prostate cancer and I thought that maybe this might transfer for women, so I won't be supplementing or adding products. I think that I will just stick to your opinion of adding veggies and boosting with zinc for maximum potency- genius! . Thanks again for your advice, seems you are nearly running the show! Good Luck and Best Wishes to you."

05/05/2013: Braveheart from Vancouver , Bc: "Stop taking the ACV!!! Instead slather yourself with organic coconut oil after a bath/shower and watch the demodex mites come squirming out. You will feel much better guaranteed!! :)"

11/21/2009: Gaynor from Manaton, Devon Uk: "Eve,

You should try Ted's remedy below for dermodex mites borax and hydrogen peroxide- this works well for killing these nano- insects. I am in the process of treating myself presently. Best of luck.

TED'S REMEDIES

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand writes: "Consider taking borax. Some people believed the demodex mites are responsible for rosacea. They may be right. But, there are others too that are not yet identified. I prefer to lump all these insect issues to just one category: nanoinsects. These insects have several weakness that you can kill them, or at least weaken them. One obvious ones is borax. The treatment can be broken down to two things;

1. Taken internally: Try 1/8 teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon of borax in one liter of water/day. You just drink this water throughout the day. If it runs out then drink just normal water, with some magnesium added if possible. Magnesium is found in certain seeds such as sunflower. They seem to be synergistic with the vitamin D as vitamin D promotes calcium and the body needs to balance both magnesium and calcium to an ideal amount.

2. Used externally: Dog mange is confirmed demodex mites and the only treatment that effectively cured of dog mange is 1% hydrogen peroxide and borax saturated solution applied topically. Many people believe the demodex mites is the cause of rosacea. What I am sure about is it is an insect issue. The method of killing them is external application of 1% hydrogen peroxide with borax saturated solution to the face, unrinsed. It tends to cause drying. So you can apply appropriate lotions to prevent drying, such as jojoba oil, aloe vera or lavender oil."

01/14/2010: Ruth from Hobart, Tasmania: "Oh this is the remedy including borax, didnt see it earlier, thank you!"

01/17/2010: Ruth from Hobart, Tasmania: "How long do you keep the saturated solution with 1% peroxide on face for please Ted? I have had worsening roseacea since mite insect population exploded. Maybe I have the Demodex mites but how come none of the 12 medical people I saw suggested that? I understand that chinese medics say sugar is red on skin (dairy is white patches) I love sweet foods as much as I try not to I feel it' s a sugar issue, myself -the rosecea I mean but this is all interesting-well not that interesting-I could be doing alot of other things! Thank you, Ruth"

01/18/2010: Tricia from Ireland: "Ted's recomendation is to leave it on the skin but because it made my skin look dry I put it on at night and washed it off in the morning. I kept up the regime nightly for 1 month the went to every second night for 2 weeks, every third night for 2 weeks and tapered off.

I don't believe mine was a sugar issue and mites will attach to easy healthy option before they'll go for hard to grip damaged or oily skin that they find difficult to latch onto.

Also, use and change your pillowcases, i.e use 1 side tonight other tomorrow then change to prevent reinfection. Your pillowcases may lighten from the concoction so use old ones."

01/19/2010: Ruth from Hobart, Tasmania: "Thanks Tricia, I'm concerned at ingesting Borax after pharmacist warning that it accumulates as poison in body?"

01/19/2010: Tricia from Ireland: "I honestly can't say whether the borax was dangerous or not. I'd love to have the chemical background that some of the other posters have to be able to know for certain but I can tell you that it didn't adversely affect me. I still continue to use it 2 days a week in a litre of water. Somewhere on this site a poster mentions the LD50(the amount it will take to kill you) of borax but I can't remember where it is.

My worry at the start was "did the borax or peroxide have stabilisers added that would be harmful". So I rang the company and said I was doing an educational project to find out what was added. The answer was nothing so I guessed that with the amount of posters that had successfully ingested and knowing what to watch out for thanks to the warnings pages I would jump in with both feet.

I imagine that most people start a borax regime with trepidation."

10/14/2011: Anne from Amsterdam, Ny Usa: "Again, has anyone had success treating bird mites that have gone internal? I have altered my diet, gone more alkaline, no red meat, very little animal protein, MSM, vitamin c, cal/mag/zinc supplement, vitamin D, good yogurt, flaxseed oil and a multi-vitamin supplement. I am still infested, and want to begin the borax treatment, but am not sure what to expect..."

12/16/2011: David from Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland: "In keeping with EC guidelines I've not been posting my progress here daily. However, I'm now on Day 7 of Ted's remedy and I feel I should report my experience so far:

The remedy: I dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of pharmaceutical-grade borax in one litre of water and sip it throughout the day. Additionally, I drink 1/2 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in 1/2 glass of water twice daily.

I also drink unpasteurised ACV "with mother" in a glass of warm water three times daily with meals, two tablespoons of food-grade diatomaceous earth in water daily, one high quality multi-nutrient capsule daily (contains all the vitamins, minerals, and trace elements), two cups of green tea daily, two chewable calcium tablets for my osteoporosis (I think it's inorganic but I can't find the organic variety in Ireland), and a clove of raw garlic every second day. Lunch is a heap of cucumber, an apple, a clementine, and a banana. I also eat dark chocolate every now and again. Daily, I drink yoghurt with plant sterols (for my high cholesterol).

I've cut out coffee (which I really, really miss), sugar, bread, and cheese (which I also miss badly) and the only milk I consume is on my breakfast bran flakes. I don't eat butter.

Day 1: I had a dramatic drop in the number of tickles - down to less than 100 from well over 1, 000.

Day 2: Was not as good as Day 1 but I believe more insects are being driven out onto the surface of my skin and of course a new clutch of eggs "comes online" every day. I also noticed that urinating created lots of bubbly suds in the toilet bowl.

Day 3: Was the same as Day 2 except that the timings of my tickle onslaughts changed. Mornings were now much busier while afternoons were relatively peaceful until dusk. At full nightfall they quietened again until 8. 30, then got busy again till midnight when they started to taper off.

Day 4: Was the same as Day 3 except the suds disappeared from the toilet bowl and my urine was now pale green, the exact same colour as my sebaceous plugs.

Day 5: The suds returned with urine still green. But something happened that's never happened before: normally, I've always been able to halt a tickle onslaught on my scalp and face during the day by going outdoors into the light. At night, going outside into the cold air also stopped them (they love heat and relative dark - a demodex mite trait). The day was sunny but freezing cold with a high wind chill when I went out for my afternoon walk. The tickles continued unabated.

Day 6: I didn't go outdoors (rain) but the timings remained the same. Less suds and urine not so green. Tickles seem less intense and plugs that were hard and solidly embedded in my skin were now softer and could be fairly easily removed with a fingernail. The objects they contain are blackened and seem malformed. Fewer trips to the bathroom to brush wandering mites off my abdomen, groin, scrotum, perineum, and buttocks, and remove them from my anus. Almost all the astonishing amounts of scurf that used to coat the wash-basin when I washed my face and scalp (I shave my head nightly) has disappeared. My skin feels much softer and the orange-peel texture is fading.

Day 7 (today): Same timings but tickle numbers slightly reduced so far. Less suds and urine less green.

I seem to have plateau'd at a better but still unacceptable level and it's unclear how long I should continue with Ted's remedy. But since demodex females can live for up to 60 days, three months would seem a good idea.

Some people here reported adding a capful of hydrogen peroxide to the borax mix so I googled it and found nothing but warnings. Until I found this astonishing website:

http://www.foodgrade-hydrogenperoxide.com/id31.html

Don't bother reading the site or viewing the video but download the PDF file from the Free eBook link - it contains more information. Apparently, since 1888, doctors (and even some hospitals) all over the world have been using H2O2 (reagent or food-grade) orally, topically - and now via intravenous or intra-arterial infusions - to successfully cure (yes, cure) all sorts of serious conditions including cancers and heart disease that don't respond to radiation or drugs. Illnesses cured also include parasitic infestations.

The PDF contains a long list of American doctors (with telephone numbers) who regularly use H2O2 therapy with astonishing success rates. It even includes instructions on how doctors should proceed with this infusion treatment.

The PDF is free, the website sells nothing, and carries no ads.

I've ordered 35% food-grade H2O2 from the UK (http://bobbys-healthy-shop.co.uk/) as well as a countertop water distiller. I also emailed the site owner (James Roguski, who seems to be a scientist) to find out how best I should proceed. I'm still awaiting a reply.

Things are definitely better than they were before I started Ted's remedy but I propose to try the oral H2O2 as an adjunctive therapy to speed things up. If Mr. Roguski tells me that the oral route won't work optimally, I'm prepared to travel to the ends of the earth to find a doctor who will do this infusion technique. I've now been trying to deal with this 24/7 torture for two and half years, and thanks to the wonderful Ted, I've made significant progress. But I want these pests gone NOW so I can start trying to get my life back.

I've read Ted's warnings about drinking distilled water and they directly contradict the advice given by Vivian Goldschmidt MA (in Nutritional Sciences and Biochemistry) who runs a marvellous site for osteoporosis sufferers (http://saveourbones.com/) who advises us to drink only distilled water.

I'm taking my health back out of the hands of the quacks (doctors) who did so much damage to my health permanently and, to that end, I intend to drink food-grade hydrogen peroxide as well as baking soda for the rest of my life.

Now I just need to find a remedy for the chronic insomnia and tardive akathisia (inability to be still and constantly racing thoughts) due to brain chemistry damage inflicted by a year of Risperidone injections by the dermatologist who diagnosed delusional parasitosis. H2O2 is supposed to help rebalance brain chemistry. We'll see.

So that's where I am at the moment, still awaiting the delivery from the UK of my FG-H2O2 and my water distiller. I can't wait to get started...

Will keep you posted on progress."

12/19/2011: Dud from The Woods Of, Wv, Usa: "David from Dublin,

[this is a re-post, the 1st post got into the wrong thread]

You're doin good.

I downloaded the peroxide book, thanks for the tip.

Here is another easy protocol to add to your regimen, that may help your skin itches immensely:

Use the borax powder in a hot tub of water to soak in for 30 to 60 minutes. Soak in it every day, or every othe day. Use the time to relax. Most people get the bathtub water comfortably hot. The hot water alone helps the fibromyalgia symptoms [soreness]. The borax in the water will kill the mites externally, and under the skin. It is a fungicide & a bacteria-cide. Some people report seeing black specs, etc. , floating in the bath tub, coming out of their skin. Also add epsom salts [magnesium sulphate] to the soak water, to get it's benefits also. It has a drawing power to it. It is used by sports teams for sore mucles and bruises. Bangkok Ted recommends using the borax externally for mites in this manner. You should feel much better for a couple of hours after soaking in this. You mite kill off the biotics crawling on your skin.

possible amounts: borax: 4 tablesoons epsom salts: 1 quart

cost: about 50 cents U. S. For the borax, about $2 U. S. Dollars for the epsom salts. [in the USA]

Also; You may want to change the way you are using the vinegar internally. Do some Research on earhclinic.com on how to use it. Maybe switch to taking it 1 hour away from meals, instead of with meals. In general; taking it with meals is usually not recommended, because of it interfering with your food digestion. Mix it with about 6 ounces of water, adding 1/4 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate to it, to reduce the acidity of the vinegar, and to improve it's ability to alkalize the blood. Take this mixture about 1 hour away from meals.

However, if taking it with meals seems to help you, then go ahead and continue taking it that way.

Read more about the why & how of it by searching the earhclinic website for older messages. Bangkok Ted has explained this alkalizing method in great detail in past messages.

good luck.""

12/22/2011: David from Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland: "Many thanks for the tips, Dud. Unfortunately, I don't have a tub in my bathroom, just a shower stall. This has been a major hassle throughout this experience.

Now a tip for you and everyone else here ingesting hydrogen peroxide and baking soda at the same time.

Don't. Sodium bicarbonate acts as a powerful antacid. This means there will still be undigested food in your stomach for longer than is normal and when the H2O2 hits it, if there's iron, manganese, copper, zinc, fats, or Vitamin C present in it, it will create very dangerous free radicals which can severely damage the lining of your stomach.

You also need to carefully examine the list of ingredients of any supplement you may be taking for the things mentioned above and if it's the "slow-release" type, stop taking it as well while on H2O2.

I can say this with certainty because it happened to me yesterday.

Full story is here: Hydrogen Peroxide Cures

I find this website very confusing. Information on a subject seems to be spread out all over the place. For instance, on the above-linked thread, Bill from the Phillipines says you should only take borax water for five consecutive days, then take a two-day break. That information is nowhere to be found in this thread on Ted's Remedies. Nor does Ted say how long you should take it for.

And I've been unable to find the proportions I should use of 1% H202 to saturated solution of borax for topical use. Nor how to make a saturated solution (we're not all science grads! ). Ted doesn't give that information here. Nor does he mention how many times it should be done, how frequently, or for how long.

Very confusing.

Stay well and take care."

12/25/2011: David from Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland: "OK, I found out the exact mix for dog mange using borax and hydrogen peroxide on a blog-site whose owner used it on her own animals. I've been unable to find it again today to provide a link here but the gist of it is this:

1. Make up a 1% dilution of hydrogen peroxide either by adding two parts distilled water to one part 3% hydrogen peroxide (five parts water if using 6% HP, and 33 parts water if using 35% food-grade HP).

2. Measure out 48 fluid ounces of this and slowly add to it 8 ounces of borax powder. This should be enough to give you a saturated solution (there will be undissolved borax left in the bottom of the container - this means that the mixture is saturated). If you halve both of the above quantities, you can get enough to fill a 32-ounce spray bottle to about three-quarters. However, my spray bottle refused to work because of clogging caused by the undissolved borax powder, so you may have to remove the spray cap and pour it carefully into your cupped hand when applying.

Note: you do not need to use the entire bottle, just enough so you can thoroughly wet the skin and massage it in. I'm over six feet tall and fairly slim and I still have half a bottle left over after doing myself from head to foot.

3. Shower with tea tree shampoo all over and rinse off thoroughly but do not dry yourself.

4. Apply the mixture to your body starting with the neck, rubbing it in well, and work your way down to the soles of your feet. DO NOT RINSE. Be aware that if you apply this to your anus IT WILL STING - but this will pass in a minute or so. I did this as well as my scrotum because both these areas are considerably infested.

5. If you need to treat your scalp and face then YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST wear a good tightly-fitting and waterproof pair of swim goggles to prevent any of the mixture entering your eyes. The rubber-bodied ones are best because you can wet the insides before putting them on - then press on them when they're comfortable to create a suction effect around the eyes. Only do fairly small patches of your scalp and forehead at a time using small amounts to help prevent liquid runoff. BUT BE VERY CAREFUL - if you do get some in your eyes, IMMEDIATELY rinse them out with running warm (not hot) water for 15 minutes.

6. Leave the goggles on and air-dry for 5-10 minutes. When you remove the goggles, you can then apply small amounts with your fingers to those areas on both sides and the back of your head that were covered by the goggle strap.

I did this last night because nausea has prevented me from ingesting borax water for the past four days and my mites were making a substantial resurgence which was preventing me from sleeping. I applied it into both ear canals and just inside each nostril entrance without any problems.

I'm not recommending the following to anyone but I also managed to do my eyebrows (which are very infested - I now only have half-eyebrows left due to their follicle destruction) and areas reasonably close to my eyes by bending over at 90 degrees from the waist, wetting my finger with the mix and thoroughly shaking off any excess drops so my finger was just damp, then massaging it very carefully into those areas as many times as necessary.

My results were that all mite activity stopped, enabling me to sleep.

Today has been very good. I have had only two groin tickles and about 50 on my scalp and face. I intend to treat only those areas again tonight before bedtime because I'm still too nauseous to resume the internal borax remedy (my Christmas "dinner" today was two slices of dry bread, a yoghurt drink, and a glass of milk). Plus, my sensitive skin has always rebelled against daily showering.

For dogs, the blogger recommends all-over application every second day. Ted recommends that for humans, application should be done "several" times a day. I think I'll pass on that because of my sensitive skin and the extreme drying effect that this remedy has.

For this drying, Ted recommends topical oils, particularly lavender oil because demodex mites apparently hate the smell of it. My own past experience with oil-based topicals has been that demodex mites just love it, including neem oil - besides your sebaceous glands, they also feed on your sebaceous oil. So I'm now looking for a non-oil based moisturising/soothing compound with which to mix the lavender oil. (Remember that lavender oil is an essential oil and so must be well diluted before application). I don't know what proportions to use because, again, Ted doesn't mention them, but I'm sure I'll find them on the internet.

I hope this information is useful to someone. If you decide to do this, please remember to BE VERY CAREFUL OF YOUR EYES because hydrogen peroxide - even a 1% dilution - can damage them irreparably. So stay in the shower stall until you're air-dried. That way, you'll have immediate access to fast-running warm water should you need it. I sincerely hope you don't.

Take care and stay well."

12/25/2011: Dud from The Woods Of, Wv, Usa: "In reply to - David from Dublin, Co. Dublin, :

Dave;

I have come across a free 28 page report on the internet, which mite [no pun intended] explain several of your symptoms, and how to fix them. This includes

1. sleeping problems

2. mind racing, & brain fog

3. nervous system problems, anxiety, being hyper-active, etc.

4. immune system destruction and all the symptoms that follow that

5. headaches , etc etc

The causation maybe radio-frequency emmissions from inside and outside your home. Microwaves from cell phone towers, etc etc etc. Read the full report at: http://www.keephopealive.org/j2009v7n4.html"

12/26/2011: David from Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland: "Thanks for the link to this, Dud. It's fascinating stuff. About two years ago, a telecom tried to build a new tower about 1, 000 yards from my home but the local residents mounted a campaign to have them stopped. They succeeded. The nearest tower to me now is about a 20-minute walk away.

Having said that, this tower was present before my insect invasions started and I had no problem in sleeping for nine hours each night and no problem in going back to sleep after getting up to visit the bathroom. My problem started with the nighttime activities of the bedbugs and fleas, then the scabies, then the demodex. And they segued into the sleep disturbance caused by the anti-psychotic Risperidone.

I've saved this article as a PDF though and will try some of the tips outlined.

You've reminded me though that I tried an experiment early on in the demodex infestation. I bought an emergency sleeping bag, rather than a flat emergency blanket, and slept naked in it to see if it would have any effect. Back then I was getting what I called "swarms" every third or fourth night. This was a deeply unpleasant and intense body-wide sensation of fizzing and popping which would wake me up immediately. (I subsequently discovered that this was a large number of insects either hatching or crawling out onto the surface of my skin at the same time).

When I started sleeping in the emergency bag, all mite activity on my body stopped immediately, but my head (which, naturally, was exposed) became the target for these "swarms" instead. I remember waking up one night in a fit of sneezing with this going on - some of the mites had crawled really far up inside my nostrils and caused it.

As well as this problem, these bags are not designed for sleeping but for a fully-clothed person to remain awake and warm in life-threatening weather conditions. As such, when you sleep naked in one, your perspiration and water vapour which is output via the skin is not wicked away as it would be with fabric, but pools instead and cools in the bag next to your skin. So you wake up cold and wet. Consequently, I stopped using it.

Thanks again, Dud, and Happy New Year!"

12/28/2011: Linda from San Francisco, Ca, Usa: "To Dave from Dublin,

Sorry to hear of your trouble, I have an idea which may help with the skin drying and mite problem.

If you were to use Castor Oil as a moisturizer, I am thinking that the natural Ricin in it may help to kill off those mites, as well as to moisturize your skin and prevent them from having a field day crawling around on you.

I don't know how your grocery markets are in Ireland, but here there are varying thicknesses of Castor oil available in grocery and health food stores, some are very thin in consistency which would be easy to spread onto your skin, and some are very thick and sticky like runny tar. For this, if it were me, I'd try the thin stuff first. The people who sell Edgar Cayce products also have it for sale on the web. They call it Palma Cristi.

I am wondering if it might not be a good idea to mix in a small amount of Borax into the Castor oil, if you can get any there. Only a small amount I am thinking, not enough to be unsightly on your skin.

If it were me, I'd also study other *nontoxic and natural* miticides, like the folks would use who have birds or other mite-challenged pets, to see which of them, if any, are safe for human topical use.

And set out Borax all over the floors, under mattresses, etc to kill off any adventurers.

My belief is that for every problem lifeform on earth, there is a naturally-occurring herb or substance which is safe, and which they will want to get away from. IMO you now get to create an environment on yourself where they would rather be somewhere else.

Might even be good to trap some of the mites off your skin, if that is possible, to test which human-safe substance might be of use in wiping them out.

I hope this helps.

Linda"

12/30/2011: David from Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland: "OK, the proportions of borax to water for the topical mange remedy I wrote above is wrong. I originally took it from a dog owner's blog who found most of it here but couldn't find the correct proportions as recommended by Ted, so she made up her own.

After searching this site for almost a week, I finally found Ted's recipe buried somewhere obscure here.

According to this, you use between 2-4 tablespoons of borax powder in one litre of 1% hydrogen peroxide solution made using distilled water (1 litre is almost 34 US fluid ounces or slightly more than 35 UK fluid ounces). According to Ted, "the borax need not be precise, it is always a saturated amount of borax until it no longer dissolves itself."

Using 8oz of borax, as I originally wrote, won't do any harm - it's just wasteful and the large amount of undissolved powder clogs up the spray bottle."

02/16/2013: Lou from Tyler, Tx: "@David from Dublin You might want to read the book Use Your Brain to Change Your Age (Amazon). I just got the book, but haven't read it yet. There was a couple hour long special on our public TV station and the author did a presentation showing how some people's brains have actual pockets or holes in them. He tells how to improve your brain and make it healthy again. I too am up all night long and can't sleep at times. My mind races terribly. I sleep with the TV on. I have been setting the timer for 90 minutes so it shuts off and I can get some quiet time. It's a bad habit, I know. Hope the books helps. You may want to try a small glass of tart cherry juice at dinner time. Then power down your electronics at 8 p.m. or so."

05/05/2013: Braveheart from Vancouver, Bc: "I have found a very easy way to tell if human have mites but since we all have them it is pretty much just a fast way to confirm. Shower/bath like normal or if you want add a couple of tea tree drops to your bathing products or 20 to your espson salt bath. :) afterwards even if you do none of that slather yourself with organic coconut oil (or any other oil you have like almond, olive, macadamian nut, castor - all good) then get the camera ready! Here they come, they all come squirming out of your pores. Hundreds came out of me. I've been doing this morning and night for 4 days and only this morning have they started to be countable like 60 etc. The tea tree oil kills the eggs too and massage yourself firmly and watch them come out it is disgustingly spectacular. Some get stuck in pores and cause breakouts. I did this to my whole family and we all had them come out. My son's arm was bumpy with the keratonisis and they squirmed out of there. I had lots come out of my feet most on uppper thighs and some out of my eye area that had been twitching and then finally the twitching stopped! Fantastic, please do it and tell everyone you know to do it. Thank you!! :)"

10/23/2012: Angela from Gautier, Mississippi: "apple cider vinegar is great. But lets get to what has caused your problem. "your bottom line"your bottom line is your PH balance. Most of everyone started in april. What do you think you all did in april that was the same?ate easter bunny candy. Lol yep thats what I said. you lowered your bodies PH from eating to much candy/sweets/carbs.=acidics.and that goes for you halloween candy eaters also, cooler weather means we start indulging on sweeter items. Cause we arent going to the beaches any more, so we dont have to worry about a little pooch belly.

Your bodys PH is best around 7.4 when you eat those delious sweets you lower it to around 6.8 you start felling sluggish/slow/fatigue.you eat a few more the next fe weeks, days which lowers it to about 6.5 right here you start getting sick. Now what you have done is made a perfect place for bacteria, infections to live, fungus... Etc. So now what do you do?stop eating sweets? but you love them?

ok you have to put in your body a 70/30% ratio of alkaline/acidic foods every day. Small piece of meat or no meat at all, with lots of veggies, instead of that coke, drink water. Sweeten that tea a little less and do more activity. If you sit in front of the computer all day like me, you do not move enough to be able to endulge in to many sweets. If your active your body can burn some of it off. So now that your sick what do you do? the apple cider vinegar will help. I like to put a little alcohol in my ears when I feel like I have a infection or water in them. Not much just a little. And after one night of 1 drop or 2 in the ear the next night I use a little oil just so it doesnt get dried out. That hurts too. Dry nose, saline salution squrted up in there about 3 eimes a day for a week and use a little vaseline on a qtip to just lightly coat the insde of your nose so it doesnt dry out so quick. When I throw myself into that acidic sugar days and get sick, I put about half teaspoon of baking soda in water drink it just before bed. Its ok to drink water afterwards but nothing else. It kind of kicks it in gear so to speak. It also works for acid refux which most of the time is caused by too much sweets. Lol they also sell PH strips online cheap. I dont know what stores sell them. But they come in handy. I hope I helped ya'll. remember your bottom line is your PH balance no matter the illness type even cancer."

[YEA]  05/05/2013: I am a nut for home remedies from Bloomington, Indiana : "Thanks so much, I just tried it. I had also read that drinking ACV in water daily and eliminating sugar for a couple weeks will also get rid of parasites in the bowels. Gross but it happens. It helped my sinsus but it many take longer for it to really help in the long term. It is a healthy way. Better than tons of antacids and foreign made toxic sinus meds. Decongestants, (so I've read online) will rise the blood pressure so it's good to avoid that in people with hypertension. I have to stand in the shower most mornings to get some relief of allergies. Washing the face daily and especially around the nose helps wash off any kinds of pullens that might attach to the face. Washing hair and clothing daily helps too, to avoid pollens."

05/04/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Hi everyone, my husband passed away last Friday, he had liver cancer mets. It happened very qiuckly, a matte of weeks. My mucus condition has got much worse with the stress. I have posted before on this site and I feel so alone at the moment. Any words of comfort would help. Thanks. Christine"

05/04/2013: Liz from Boston, Massachusetts: "Christine - I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you."

05/04/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "You loved WELL. I'm sorry about your loss of love and friendship and the sorrow you went through as the illness progressed.

May your days bring a songbird and a ray of golden warmth from heaven with drips of holy rain upon your brow and only the fondest of every memory you have stored.... Let them come.... Let them come... Yes today and tomorrow and the next. Bless Her Lord with the fragrance of Your Love and the atmosphere of heaven let it come... Let it come.... bless her today and tomorrow and the next.

An arrow from the quiver of the Lord , may it pierce your Sorrow with His JOY.

Stress produces fight or flight hormones to prepare the body for action... Stops digestion and slows urination.... Steals water, minerals , hormones and nutrients.

So first make an effort to drink two cups of water in the morning when you awake. Wait half hour and eat something with some vitamins minerals and omegas and sea salt to rehydrate and get those mucus secretions thinned back out. Try to keep hydrating> as you can and getting healthy food in your body.

Set out in the sun and get some vitamin D in your body. Open the window and get some fresh air. Buy a candle and some epson salt and spray your favorite perfume in the air in the bathroom , light the candle , put salts in the tub , put on music that fills your cup and , drink some extra water, eat an apple or fruit or berries in the tub.... Keep tissue near by and let yourself CRY. You are an amazing woman ... who loved her husband... Pat yourself on the back for being there for him and now TAKE CARE OF YOU. Take walks to get circulation going if you can. BREATHE"

05/04/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Thank you to Joy and Liz for your kind words, It makes Me feel less alone, My husband and myself made a tape recording of our voices so if one of use died we would still be able to hear thier voice. I play many times a day. It make me cry but I am glad I can still hear his voice. Thanks again Christine"

05/04/2013: Rsw from Uniontown, Oh: "Christine, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Many thoughts and prayers are with you, and may our heartfelt sympathy surround and uplift you. You are not alone.

In regard to the mucous problem, I have recently come across some information about how the correct bacteria in the mouth can keep the mouth, throat, sinuses and ears healthy by taking up the space formerly occupied by bad bacteria. Some probiotic supplements containing the common L.Salivarius, also contain BLIS K12 and BLIS M18 that supposedly act like a natural antibiotic by replacing the bad bacteria. Supposedly also helps with bad breath. Makes sense, since many with these problems have excellent oral health routines and yet these problems persist. They come in lozenges and gum. It's a possibility for your problem. Best wishes and take good care."

05/04/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Dear Christine - I would like to express my condolences along with all the others who did so from your Earth Clinic family. You are going through an incredibly difficult time. Crying is part of the healing process and helps release some of the sorrow. May you find peace with the audio recordings of your husband. That is such a beautiful thing to have done for each other. Take care and best wishes. Bess"

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I know grief but not from loss of a person but of myself. There is a email system, sends a daily email of how to go through grief.... I got it for two years. Griefshare... you get an email everyday. They have mention of products but I didn't buy any. Learned a lot about grief. Get a lovely journal and write about each day as you go through it.... Love, JOY"

05/05/2013: Jan from Vancouver, B.c. Canada: "Hi Christine, Sorry for your loss. My sympathy and condolences to you. When we lose someone, it feels like our life has become empty but that is not true. God loves us that's why he gave us life and he wants us to be happy. Do the things that make you happy --- hobbies, etc. Personally, I have a Teacher/Master who has shown me a way/technique to be in tune with that Peace within. So, even in times of turmoil I can tune within and be in Peace, then the things outside and around us becomes easier to handle. You can check it out at: wopg.org ---- that means Word of Peace Global. It's free whatever he shows us (sorry I cannot explain it here). I hope you will check that site out. Take care of yourself and don't feel you are alone."

05/05/2013: Deb from Hampton, Va: "Christine, I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband. This is a very difficult time for you and you should reach out to friends and family. They will lift you up and carry you if need be. Don't worry you will see him again one day. Be kind to yourself and realize that it will take you time to come to terms with this loss. I am here if you ever need to talk. kindwoman711(at) hotmail [dot] com"

05/06/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Hi Deb thank for your kind support. I do not have an email adress at the moment. I need to learn how to do it. I was thinking of try to start a support group for people who have lost a partner. I need to get a bit stronger first. I cry a lot at the moment my computer is geting soggy. Many thanks to the kind folks of Earth Clinic."

05/06/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi Christine, I have read the posts about your loss and want to express my condolences. Magnesium and the B-Complex vitamins are very important. St. John's Wort will also help but I have to open the capsules and take the contents with water.

I feel that when you keep listening to your husband's voice, now, it's going to prolong your healing. You have enough to remind you if you are still in the house you shared. We lost everything we owned in a fire and I was only able to save my nine-month old. I know our two-and-a-half year old went to be the Lord and that is what gave me comfort in the midst of so must pain. I could not look at her pictures for a very long time and I could not talk about her without going to pieces. Even now, writing this to you, I'm a little choked up. You never get over the death of someone you love but time will give you strength so at a later time you can start to listen to the tape again, if that is what you choose to do. We have the news briefs about the fire in 1987 but the memories are fresh when I look at the tape. Some things are better left alone. Our loved ones are not here anymore and we have to get on with life with the hopes we will be reunited. Today happens to be my birthday and my mother died three days before my birthday several years ago. Just to let you know you are not alone in your pain."

EC: Just be careful about poppy seeds and employer drug screening tests!

http://www.snopes.com/medical/drugs/poppyseed.asp

[WARNING!]  05/04/2013: Noddy Hophead from Australia: "Be careful with poppy seed tea. It is as addictive as any of the more demonised opiates (diamorphine ["heroin"] for instance) but you are consuming a wide array of the opium poppy's dozens of alkaloids (morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine and many, many more). In certain individuals and dosages, poppy tea is a comforting, functional, relieving natural medicine - but it is as physically addictive as any other pharmaceutical or illicit opiate. Should you fall into habitual use of this "tea" (or wash, as I prefer to call it - the opiates are on the coating of the seed) you'll be addicted to that full spectrum of opiate alkaloids. The implications of the alkaloid profile are two-fold; the body metabolises broad-spectrum opiates much slower than purified morphine, codeine or opioid drugs that generally contain a single substance. This gives poppy tea a very long half-life in many people, meaning addicts (of which I am one, for the record) - can take it once a day, or even wait longer than a day for re-dosing before withdrawal symptoms become apparent. The downside of this is that upon ceasing the use of poppy tea, the withdrawal experience (which for most addicts includes intense Restless Leg syndrome; hence the slang term "kicking" a habit, which I believe to be a direct reference to this phenomenon) can also be extremely prolonged.... Leaving you back - or maybe worse off - than when you started.

While poppy seed tea can be a godsend for some people, it must be emphasised that there is a great potential for addiction, that it is nearly impossible to know how potent your seeds are, batch to batch from the same store. Because of this, quitting is complicated as taper need to be precise. I became addicted to these seeds for their narcotic properties almost 8 years ago. I am in the process of finding a way to shake my addiction with as little discomfort as possible. I am not saying "don't use poppy seeds", I am just urging caution. Mild as they may seem, they can lead to serious narcotic addictions. People may ridicule the idea of a poppy seed addiction, but for myself and plenty of other people, it is no laughing matter!

If you are going to use poppy seeds for RLS, please be aware that even taking some every 2-3 days can lead to physical dependence. It stays in your system for a very long time. You will then - if you miss that crucial daily dose or cease taking poppy tea - find your restless legs are dramatically worse, as the post-acute withdrawal symptoms from opium can drag on for months at a time. And opiate withdrawal RLS is not your average restless leg syndrome - it can be agonising. I would recommend using this remedy no more than once a week, if you choose to try it. Keep your doses as low as possible, as opium can be a very euphoric, misleading drug that can easily lull one into a false sense of security, and start dosing daily as I did.

I apologise for the negative post, but I really feel people need to know some of the consequences of this treatment, as it lead me from the spice isle through a wide range of "hard drugs", injecting street heroin and wasting a lot of time, money and effort in trying to stay "well", rather than sick from opium withdrawals. I am now seeking to turn my life around - I've always eaten well and lived a healthy lifestyle, but drug addiction does not discriminate! Please be careful with these seeds; I wasn't - even though I knew the risks - and now face a tough battle to rid myself of them."

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "My people perish for lack of knowledge. Thank you for your informative post. I did not know these things. My compassion goes out to you as a former addict to many substances. Most people try this and try that, sugar, coffee, salt, tobacco, herbs, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Whatever..... trying to feel better and that is how it all begins.

I love the flowers of the poppy and also enjoy poppyseed lemon treats. I haven't gotten into it much since it is usually a treat that is overly sugary with fats, like a doughnut. For me doughnuts are poison.

I commend you for the post and the bravery to hang it out there.... Blessings JOY"

12/05/2011: Katy from Alexandria, Va, Usa: "I have been wondering about something for a few days and have been searching the site for an answer.. I haven't found one so far so I am going to get it out there and see if anyone has some insight on the matter. I drink apple cider vinegar throughout the morning mixed with warm water and honey. I have read that the vinegar itself helps balance the body's pH levels. The vinegar itself is alkaline, however I mix mine with honey which from what I have also read can make the body acidic, I'm guessing from the sugar content.. My question is will the honey cancel out the vinegar regarding the pH balancing? I know the two products can do wonders for health and all, but I'm curious to know if they could also be working against each other with pH in mind. Thanks to all who may have some thought on this."

12/12/2011: Emeti from Nyc, Ny: "In response to Katy from Alexandria:

Honey (like all sugar) make the body acidic, however it has a lesser effect than most sugar available out there (to the exception of Aguave nectar if I remember correctly)

If you only have 2-3 tbsp of honey a day (and very little other sugar) the benefits from natural unprocessed honey will definitely outweight its limited acidity increase.

It is also self understood that if in general you eat an acidifying diet (processed food, meat and little vegetables) even its small acidity increase will have an impact on your health but if in general you have an healthy and alkalyne diet (lots of vegetables and water) it (the honey) will only help you to achieve a healthier lifestyle

For Ch3cooh: You are right that Vinegar is not alkaline, but quite acidic, however, becauce apple cider vinegar is natural and unpasteurized, it, like fresh lemons have a very strong alkalysing effect on the body, meaning that it helps to get rid of the extra acidity in your body and lower its PH.

Which is also why it says that you should stay away from any refined vinegar as it has a very acidifying effect on the body

Diana from Norfolk: I would strongly recommend you drink it diluted with water and not like a straight shot. or if its too difficult to drink it diluted (because of its taste) add honey to it, or if you chose to continue to drink it straight, rinse your mouth with water afterward (and better swallow some of it, so the acidity doesnt stay on your throat and creates irritation in the long term (and for rinsing your mouth it is to protect your enamel! )

Enjoy and to good health!!"

12/28/2011: Kermel_mocha from Staten Island, Ny, United States: "Hey all. Can you take apple cider vinegar while pregnant?"

01/15/2012: Leehofook from Plainville, Ct: "I did the obvious: I mixed the apple cider vinegar (ACV) with apple cider. It gives the cider a great kick and makes it a fantastic drink, and you don't even notice the apple cider vinegar going down!"

02/02/2012: Sandymo from St Louis, Mo: "I have heard of using apple cider vinegar (ACV) before but never tried it. Unfortunately I ran out of medicine and couldn't get a refill until I saw Dr. My Bp has been rising over last few weeks. On yesterday it was 160/100. I couldn't sleep I thought I might die. I prayed about natural remedies went online and saw this immediately went to get ACV.

This morning it was 157/96. At 5 144/90 I have taken apple cider vinegar twice today and now 137/78. This is lowest in 2 weeks. I am still going to Dr. But I thank GOD. I will continue my ACV."

[YEA]  02/29/2012: Greg from Moscow, Pa: "I have sinus polyps that clog my nasal passages especially in the colder months. After 6 months of clogged sinus I started taking apple cider vinegar (ACV) 3 times/day and after 1 week the congestion is nearly gone and I'm breathing through my nose."

03/01/2012: Charlotte from Essex, Clacton, England: "Thanks for this info. I am sick and tired of having sinusitus with all that goes with it. Feel worn out with no energy, headaches, pain in face etc. I am now going to try the apple cider vinegar and see if it helps. Will also try tinctures of 2 x drops goldenseal, 3 eyebright, 2 mullein and 1 licorice three times a day."

07/03/2012: Ed from New Holland, Pa: "I hate the taste of vinagar, so I found the best thing to mix with it is grape juice. Chug it down without breathing, then rince cup out with a little more grape juice. Not to bad!"

07/13/2012: Trisha from Denton, Tx: "I'm wondering if taking apple cider vinegar (ACV) while breastfeeding will cause any side effects such as loss of production or babies protesting. Any thought are appreciated!"

10/18/2012: Gian from Springfield, Va: "Yes I have the same problem, but is the combination of apple cider and baking soda, as far as the lemon I dont know, but when I first tried the apple cider vinager I did it with baking soda ( bad Idea!!!! ) it gave me the worst stomach ache and acid reflux , but now im trying the apple cider vinegar (ACV) without baking soda, and let me tell you is day two and I dont have any symptons this morning or the classic (yellow tongue). I already tried aloe, chia, lind seed, baking soda, prisolec, zantac, prevacid, and by far this the one helping me, I will tried Apple Cider Vinegar with lemon and see how it goes."

11/10/2012: Bill from Norton, Va: "I am writing to clarify some statements broadly made on this site. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is composed of 5% acetic acid with a pH of 3 clearly making vinegar acidic rather than alkaline. The pH would need to be higher than 7 in order for the vinegar to be alkaline and then it would not be vinegar, it would be sodium or potassium acetate and would likely do little for those of us taking it other than possibly elevating blood pressure that might be caused by the increased levels of sodium."

11/11/2012: Zingzoom from Bismarck, North Dakota: "It's a paradox. Read a little further into alkalizing diets."

[YEA]  12/15/2012: Lisaj from Charleston, Sc: "I have been drinking 1 cap of apple cider vinegar (ACV) and water everyday for 6 years. It has changed my life forever. My entire life I had constipation problems, colds, bloating.... Now all healed. I carry my bottle with me when I travel. I have even purchased when in Greece and Turkey. I will never miss a day in my life without this miricle product! Don't wait start drinking now."

05/05/2013: Linde from Middletown, Pa: "with regard to sweetners... I use stevia, a natural, non-caloric herbal substance which does not have the acidifying effect of other sweetners such as honey or maple syrup."

05/01/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskchewan: "Hi Joy: How awful I have a similar story. Have you ever tried Diatomaceous Earth? I have just started. I have read it helps greatly with food allergies. I started with way too much which made me constipated (2 TBsp 2X per day on empty). I have backed off to 1/2 tsp 1 time per day and will work up. I could post more results as I go if you like.

Keep up the good work! Mary"

05/01/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Mary. So sweet, I have overcome ALL my allergies to food, water, air, clothes, and nature by reading the work of DR. Batmanghelidj and coming to understand that histamine is a dehydration signal to warn the body. I can eat anything I want as long as I drink the right amount of water at the right time and take supplemental mulit minerals (especially magnesium and very LITTLE calcium) multi vitamins and omegas and betafood with coconut oil and yogurt and sea salt, garlic, cranberry, papaya tablets when needed.

I enjoy my food without the fear of midnight panics brought on by stomach issues and no longer do I have to fear anxiety from allergies... I am Free. Been a L.O.N.G..... J.O.U.R.N.E.Y. To wellness and so I encourage you also to go slow and overcome. I have never used the clay but can tell you I WOULD HAVE stood on my head for an hour a day if I thought it would help. I AM FREE!"

05/04/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Thank you so much for referring me to the work of Dr. Batmanghelidj!!! What a humanitarian!!! I am trying to watch everything about him online!! I have already sent links to friends. Which books helped you the most? I want to buy one but it seems some have an audio with that is also helpful. As one who has struggled with food allergies etc for years I am very interested. Thanks again!! Mary"

05/04/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I bought them all but no tapes. I like them all, the back book teaches about our misunderstandings. I learned sooooo much. I sent a box to my sis. I gave them as gifts. I tell everyone who will listen. I know one person doesn't have all the answers but people treated their pets and they got healed too. He made a big dent in the medical dysfunctional- information. He changed my life and gave me HOPE... Glad to tell you this good news... Hope you spread it far and wide too! I am still trying to get my health figured out to be honest I suspect it is thyroid issues I'm up against, my numbers are normal ? My weight is normal. Something is still out of balance!"

05/05/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Thank you Joy!!! I will purchase the set. I have had breast pain for years!!! The only way I could get it to go was to topically apply DMSO. I have done the water cure for 2 days today will b day 3. Yesterday halfway through the day my pain went!!!! It has only ever gone away for about 2 -3 days with a DMSO treatment!!!! Breast Pain Gone!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you I am telling everyone!!

I also want to figure out how to help congenital Heart failure for my little min pin. Love him sooooo much!! He is on all the usual heart meds including viagra(to open his lungs so he can breath). Thirdly, I wanted to mention subclinical hypothyroidism that is not picked up from blood work but self diagnosed by body temperature. Check out http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/ . I am being treated for it with a compounded T3 mixture called liiothyronine. It has really helped.

Cheers, Mary"

05/05/2013: Joy from Batttleground, Wash: "wilsons is caused from toxic copper that can be displaced by ZINC SUPPLEMENTS. I went and looked on hub pages... toxic metals and how to displace them... a book by Frances Bleuet, Everybody can heal. I'm thinking about buying her book, not sure yet!"

05/05/2013: Juan from Los Angeles, Ca: "Basically, this is about 90% pure borax, as safe as it will get, there is not food grade borax, so you have to make your mind up and try it or not, I have been doing some research on this and I am going to give it a shoot. Greetings"

05/05/2013: Oscar from Syracuse, New York, Usa: "BHT [ butylated hydroxytoluene ] worked for me for hepatitis B and C. I used a dosage of 250mg of BHT twice a day with a gulp of distilled water on an empty stomach twice a day....Oscar"

01/28/2010: Sarah from La, Ca: "OK- update... I am now wondering if it might have been a gallbladder or pancreatitis attack? Either that or Norovirus ( saw on the news was going around)... but I'm wondering if the clay could stimulate a gallbladder/ liver cleanse that would give symptoms like what I experienced..."

03/02/2010: Bella2718 from Richmond, Virginia: "You used the incorrect form of bentonite clay. There are two types of bentonite clay, sodium and calcium. Sodium Bentonite clay should not be used for internal use because of its extreme swelling properties and it is geared towards commercial use. Calicium bentonite clay is the form that is used for internal use. It absorbs but at a lesser degree vs. sodium. Calcium bentonite is not used in industrial applications."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/08/2011: Rsw from Canton, Oh: "I took it last week, 1 tablespoonful, and had the exact reaction! I bought it already mixed in a bottle with directions to take it by mouth. I apparently doesn't agree with some people because I rarely get sick, much less to that degree. I might put it in my bath but no more ingesting it for me."

11/09/2011: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe: "Will the clay stop up the drain in the bathtub?"

05/05/2013: Robin from Calais, Me: "For those that don't know what kg is in weight, as I have seen a person post they lost 2kg = 4lb 6.5479oz"

09/30/2012: Wayseeker from Modesto, Ca/ Usa: "Dear Jessica, I don't know about how to lower ammonia levels, etc. , but I would look up Oscar's posts on BHT for Hep C. Use the toolbar above to navigate until you find the alphabetical posts, and under "B" you'll find BHT. Read everything, and order some online, and she could try it. As other people read this, they may have additional suggestions.

Your mother in my prayers for healing (Iasis in Hebrew). --T."

10/01/2012: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Jessica: to help the body remove ammonia take the amino acid Arginine/Ornithine as directed on label. In conjunction to the other supplements suggested to you, take a high quality whole food multivitamin. If you live close to a health food store you will find most everything there OR you can buy at any of literally hundreds of nutrition stores online. Not many hf stores carry the BHT but VitaminLife does, along with just about everything suggested here. Also, some Cranberry capsules would help the kidneys as would some Parsley; or you might find a "Kidney Formula" w/ these two herbs plus others for kidney function (this will help remove the water). Also take Liquid Liver Extract to help the body make healthy liver cells. Take everything as directed on labels and your mom should improve immediately."

05/05/2013: Tina from Taylor, Mi: "the Japanese use comfrey vinegar extracts for treating cirrhosis of the liver."

05/02/2013: Kathy from Fort Worth, Texas: "Where did you buy the Aloe Vera and what percent was it. My grandmother was a firm believer of this years ago. Now I can't find any person who sells the purist Aloe Vera. Please help me help my mom. Thanks, Kathy"

05/05/2013: Mmsg from Somewhere In Europe: "Kathy, get a plant."

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Anna: Yes, I have been a long-time iherb customer and recommend their products and service highly.

The two products you linked look to be a most excellent source of natural antioxidants. The addition of Coconut oil should be a big boost to overall health as it is beneficial in sooo many ways to the human body. As for seaweed and algae, I personally take one each tab of Spirulina and Chlorella daily; but if u can find a good "seaweed complex" that contains other species, try that. You can also purchase as a powder and make smoothies or simply add to veggie juicing.

Don't forget to add some Pumpkin Seeds and Brazil Nuts so the Carotinoids and Tocotreinols can "complex" and get the real power of antioxidants in your tissues and cells.

Let us know when your better!"

05/05/2013: Anna from Europe: "Thanks, Tim. Does yourself or anybody else know the difference say quality, bacterial, otherwise between an ingredient that is described as raw or likewise crude. Is one a safer option than the other. Thankyou"

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Anna: Sorry I failed to address your concern with Mercury toxicity. To keep heavy metal levels low in the body it is advised to consume Chlorella and Cilantro. The sensitivity you expressed could be related to Mercury.

As to the safety of product ingredients, there are extreme views from very safe to "all supplements are tainted". At any rate, I consider supplements to be as safe as the foods we eat. If you are concerned with toxicity issues read the E.C. page on "Detoxification". Keeping the body clean on the inside is our best defense against chronic illnesses. Keeping antioxidant status high is critical."

05/06/2013: Anna from Europe: "Thanks Timh. I have actually decided not to go with the Palm Oil products as mentioned before, as I see that it is recommended to go with a broad mix of carotenoids, rather than high numbers of the same carotenoid. Also said that a survey showed that men who took carotenoid supplements had a higher risk of prostate cancer and I thought that maybe this might transfer for women, so I won't be supplementing or adding products. I think that I will just stick to your opinion of adding veggies and boosting with zinc for maximum potency- genius! . Thanks again for your advice, seems you are nearly running the show! Good Luck and Best Wishes to you."

01/02/2013: Chickenlady from Harlingen, Tx, Usa: "Check out a book called "Could it be B12?" by Sally Pacholok, Jeffrey Stuart. She covers B12 deficiency in detail. It's available as an ebook from Amazon."

01/02/2013: Josie from Nashville, Tn: "Thanks, Chickenlady, for the heads up. I'll look up that book. Also, thanks to whomever attached the other posts from December regarding B12 to my question. Very relevant & informative."

01/02/2013: Tinydancer from Dayton, Ohio, Usa: "Try the B12 patches. They work better for me than the pills or liquid. You can get them online. You will have to add them until you get the results that you want. I started out with one 5000mcg patch daily, but I had to add 3 more until I no longer had the numbness, tingling and stumbling. Now I put on one every three days week and it works for me. They stay on when you shower too."

01/03/2013: Josie from Nashville, Tn: "Thanks TinyDancer. What's funny is I just came across something on the internet about B12 patches for the first time today, and your posting, too. Thanks for the suggestion."

01/08/2013: John from Belleville, Il: "MTHFR gene mutation is a possibility. Your b12 (methylcobalamin) may not be utilized because of this. Taking L-methylfolate(5-MTHF, L-5-MTHF) with your b12 as well as other b's definitely may help. Folic acid is not bio-ready, you would probably do much better with the L-methylfolate and other b's with your b12. The test for the gene mutation is only (from what I hear) about $150.00. We will pay much more than that for a TV or a cell phone, so why not on something as important as our health? :) I recently overloaded on b12, it was very, very unpleasant. Yes, you can do this! Dig deep enough and you'll find some places that acknowledge this. Anyway, hope some of this is helpful, good luck to you :)"

05/03/2013: Mark from Newton Abbot, Devon: "This is interesting, my wife seems to have a similar problem. As a long term strict vegetarian she was last year found to be severely B12 deficient. Unfortunately even with 3 x 5000 mcg methylcobalamin sublingual B 12s daily she has not made any noticeable improvements other than blood work outcomes

Her symptoms are much the same, even though she does appear to be absorbing the B12 into her blood, her blood levels increased form 162 up to over 2000 within a few weeks.

They have remained high for over a year but with no improvements in either energy or any other aspect of the condition, it does seem that she is not actually making use of the B12 from her blood.

It seems the body goes into some sort of default mode and does not like to switch back very easily."

05/04/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Mark: You might want to research "methylation" which would include other nutrients like Folic Acid, TMG, DMG, and Methionine. Maybe supplement an "essential amino acids" to correct possible amino deficiencies. I just recently reintroduced L-Methionine caps 2-500mg daily and my energy went up noticeably. The Methionine and DMG will combine with the B-12 and illicit a multitude of biochemical processes in the body including energy and neurotransmitter or mood chemicals (up-regulation)."

05/05/2013: Mark from Newton Abbot, Devon: "Thanks Timh, You might be onto something with the amino acids, although my wife has so far tried about 20 – 30 different compounds and substances along with different B12's so far nothing has made any difference, I will look into amino acids, it could be the missing piece of the puzzle, in fact she does now try to eat some meat for this reason but unfortunately cannot tolerate any meaningful quantities without gas and discomfort

Thanks for the pointer, worst case it's just one more thing to tick off!"

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Mark: It's a fact that B-12 needs Methionine and Methionine needs B-12. I would recommend 1000mg daily of Methionine along with your B-12 regimen for 1 month (there should be noticeable improvements in overall health, especially energy). Now add 125mg Dimethyglycine (DMG) daily, and the energy and mental function should improve dramatically."

07/13/2012: Tshkrel from Harwich, Massachusetts, United States: "Actually, smoking is a form of pica. The medical community has completely missed the boat on this because of the rigid (and quite stupid) definition of pica which excludes inhalation as a transport mechanism for nutrients.

The point being this--- IF smoking was looked at from this perspective, as being pica, the obvious question would arise, `What nutrient is the smoker deficient in?'

Nicotine, when it is oxidized, becomes nicotinic acid or vitamin B-3. This fact is actually the achilles heel of the whole `smoking treatment' scam. But this `hard' fact is known by any chemist and biochemist. For example, the biochemist David Bender states this fact in his textbook Nutritional Biochemistry of the Vitamins pg. 200. But it gets comical after this.

The origin of the name niacin was due to this uncomfortable fact that nicotine becomes nicotinic acid and Bender goes on to say that there was a distinct purpose in renaming nicotinic acid to niacin. "It was felt nicotinic acid was not a suitable name for a substance that was to be added to foods, both because of its phonetic and chemical relationship to nicotine."

But nicotinic acid is not what the smoker is deficient in. It is only one piece to a two-piece puzzle. The reason is this... nicotinic acid is THE master chelator. In other words, in a biological system it is never found by itself but always attached to another biological marker ... whether a nucleoside or mineral.

There is something else that is in tobacco that nicotine is adhering to. This other element is what the smoker is deficient in. When this element is replaced through diet, rather than tobacco, a remarkable thing occurs... The desire, the craving to smoke completely vanishes. These facts are all demonstrated in the book, You are not Addicted to Cigarette Smoking You are Starving: How the Magic Mineral Prevents the Desire to Smoke."

[YEA]  05/05/2013: Shabda Girl from Santa Barbara, Ca: "I owe Earth Clinic a huge thanks for the posting about smoking being a form of pica. I went looking for the book mentioned, and somewhere found that the subject of it was a silicon deficiency, paired with B3. I had smoked for a long time, tried to use natural cigarettes exclusively (how natural are they, one has to wonder), but with some stress in my life my daily use, while still minimal, was taking a toll on my body. I believed myself to be mostly psychologically addicted but something about the pica concept rang true. After reading about these two deficiencies, I remembered that the herb Horsetail is rich in silicon/silica, and I had a ten year old bottle of it buried in a box. I took a good multi B ('cause as far as I know taking large amounts of a single B can throw one out of balance over time) for the niacinamide. For the psychological aspect I reminded myself that cigarette smoking never ever made anything better for me. Not really. It just gave me the sense that I was doing 'something' when I experienced stress. It seemed like my brain was trying to regulate itself out of a sense of helplessness. My 'doing something' or taking action would now be trying the Horsetail and the B vitamins. The herb and B combination absolutely works for me. I do seem to need to use it once/day. If I have any experience of interest in a cigarette I either put my attention on something else, or take the supplements, and it has worked every time. I had almost no cravings whatsoever, going from 5/day to only 2 (I mean 2 total, not 2/day) over the first two weeks, and then to zero. I should say also, that even though most people talk about what a struggle it is to quit, I consistently imagined it being easy for me. I used up my willpower for these things long ago, and I need to have underlying needs addressed so I don't have to rely on mind over impulse as it's very draining. Even though I had little advance evidence that it could be easy, I still stuck to this 'vision' for myself. The relief is enormous, so many thanks for this information - it was the missing piece!!"

05/05/2013: Timh from Louisville, Ky, Usa: "Shabda Girl: Thanks for your success post. If I might add two herbs, among others, that should help restore energy (smoking shrinks the adrenal glands) AND reduce stress ---Eleuthero Root or Siberian Ginseng and Ashwaganda. These can be used daily and I would rotate from one herb to the next on like a weekly basis. Added to a good breakfast and cup of good coffee, this should ensure your performance thru the day. Kinda like a 5hr energy day."

05/06/2013: Shabda Girl from Santa Barbara, Ca: "Timh, Thanks for the suggestion of Ginseng and Ashwaghanda. I have used the latter before but forgot about it. I think they're both adaptogenic, and general tonics. I had added in Dong Quai as well, and daily transdermal magnesium - fantastic for rebuilding some depletions. Transdermal magnesium has been amazing in the past, but likewise I had forgotten how good it is. Weird how stress can overtake one's point of view and start to seem 'normal'. I so appreciate your suggestions!"

05/05/2013: Wayseeker from Motown, Ca: "Shivambu. Amaroli. Urine therapy."

08/14/2008: Angela from Tonasket, WA.: "I found out thru muscle testing with my chiropractor that my adrenal gland wasn't working well. Call that adrenal fatigue or not, I don't know, but she gave me a supplement called adrenal, desiccated (that says it's only sold thru health care professionals unfortunately.) that has really seemed to help me already. I'm only half way thru the bottle so far, but I'd reccomend it. My chiropractor is also a nutritionist by the way."

09/08/2008: Andrew from Delta, British Columbia: "Response to Angela,

Actually, your chiropractor is not being honest with you. You can purchase dessicated adrenal cortex from a large number of vitamin suppliers. Go to iherb.com and do a search for adrenal cortex."

04/03/2010: Bt from Cincinnati, Oh: "Actually iHerb says "However, modern adrenal extracts are manufactured in such a way that they do not contain significant levels of adrenal hormones. Therefore, it is difficult to find any justification for their use along these lines."

04/06/2010: Angela from Lynchburg, Va: "That reason is precisely why you need to get a quality supplement thru a good source. My chiropractor wasn't being dishonest, the bottle was simply stating the fact that you cannot find this quality brand on a shelf in the drug store. There are also vegetarian forms with herbs that they recommend. Also, I have since found a natural food store,(run by a naturapath mind you) that carries the brand.)

Whatever the supplement, you need to make sure of your sources. A lot aren't even digestible, or are toxic if taken in excess. Most natural ones of quality are hard to overdose on, and are fully assimilated."

11/12/2012: Sweetie from Somewhere, Florida: "Just want everyone to have a heads up; I have found that continuous overuse of stevia affects the adrenals. Stevia can block the enzyme (11-beta-HSD hyroxylase) that breaks down cortisol to cortisone metabolites. Levels of cortisol can rise and cause blood pressure problems and others. Avoid the use of stevia in any quantity. It is usually safe, but in small occasional use."

11/12/2012: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa: "Hi Sweetie, I'm very curious where you have found this information. All the information I have researched on stevia is how it does not feed candida, raise blood sugar levels, cause weight gain or rob the body of minerals.

What exactly do you mean by continual overuse of stevia affects the adrenals? Actually, continual overuse of anything is going to create an imbalance in the body. And the statement, "It is safe, but in small occasional use. " That's ridiculous. I use it daily and have been for about four years now. Donna Gates uses it to help kids who have ADD/ ADHD and candida to overcome their desire for sugar. Certainly, we know that sugar use leads to many problems.

There are many who I consider quite erudite in the alternative health/ health fields who advocate its use. I won't list the many as that would be overkill but among the many are well-known figures such as Dr. Oz, Dr. Weil, Dr. Mercola and David Wolfe.

Best to you, Lisa"

11/14/2012: Art from Vancouver Bc., Canada: "Are you sure you are? I thought it was splenda that was causing all the damage not stevia. Where did you get your info? Stevia is a natural sweetener not artificial. Take care, art"

11/23/2012: David from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Re use of stevia and in defense of "Sweetie" and in response to Lisa. If you google "stevia 11 B Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase" or just the terms Sweetie used you will find the source you want. It is the Open Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, 2012, no 2. p. 49-52, the full text on line. Very impressive to demonstrate potential "chronic" use of stevia can produce edema, hypertension and hypokalemia. That last one is a decrease in potassium which the ingestion of stevia can induce, says the scientific article. Many problems with loss of potassium as everyone knows... heart, muscle issues etc."

11/24/2012: Terry from West Chester, Pa: "Please define "chronic use of stevia"."

11/24/2012: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa: "Hi David, Thank you for at least providing the source of this information posted by Sweetie. My problem with this source is, it is an isolated case of one 32 year old Caucasian woman. It is also rather vague just citing, "On persistent interrogation, patient admitted to daily consumption of sweetener stevia for over 9 months. " This is too ambiguous for me to take seriously.

I have consumed it daily for probably 4 years now to sweeten my one cup of coffee I drink in the morning. Stevia comes highly recommended by very notable doctors and those from the alternative health field as I said in my response to Sweetie.

The study also does not define what chronic is, as stated in its conclusion: "This case report indicates that chronic consumption may induce edema, hypertension and hypokalemia... " I would need the definition of "chronic" before I would become alarmed about this isolated case. I would also like to note the word "may" in there. Honestly, chronic use of anything is most likely going to lead to problems! At any rate, thanks for the source. Lisa"

11/27/2012: David from Fountain Inn, Sc: "To Terry and Lisa re Stevia consumption. "Chronic" as discussed in the article I cited is certainly greater than the modest once a day use which Lisa practices (in her coffee in the morning). The article does not state quantity, but I can imagine what the patient told her doctor: She likely substituted stevia for sugar and if she was a heavy sugar user then she might be consuming an equilavent amount fit to meet the required sugar volume. I'm just guessing but could that be 40 drops a day? 50?

But if used in moderation which is Lisa's practice then the outcome would be without the negative that may be associated with heavy consumption.

Also, to Lisa: Do you have a source for a similar study as that which I cited that could demonstrate heavy consumption (40 drops daily or more) does NOT produce any symptoms? I'd like to read it.

I also use Stevia. Just a few drops, say in Oatmeal in the morning. But as a user, I also welcome information that puts me on notice as to possible overuse."

05/04/2013: Heather from Greenville, Sc: "My experience with stevia was a bad one. I tried it for a week and it made me very dizzy. Stopped it and the dizziness stopped. I would take precautions with stevia especially if you are hypoglycemic."

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I was sitting here reading posts wondering why I was so dizzy and thinking about what I ate or drank today... Forgot about the stevia on strawberries in yogurt until reading this post. Two days in a row. I usually don't eat stevia.... Problem solved.... Stevia causes dizzyiness. Thank you!"

05/15/2013: Heather from Easley, Sc - South Carolina: "Joy and Heather: I'm curious what brand of Stevia you were on? Not all Stevia is created equal. In fact, many of the stevia brands that are even carried at Whole Foods actually have aspartame and other artificial sweeteners in them... Back in the day when I used to use aspartame I know it gave me headaches and made me very dizzy. Just a thought."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash : "Hy top white was my most recent bad experience on strawberries, but had a bad experience with the RAW brown colored stuff once before but only had one pack that time. Just felt ill that time. NO lingering misery all day and night and day.

I've always been hyper sensitive to everything and only recently been able to venture into new things.

I rarely eat out or buy prepackaged food or anything with color or dye or additives , breads make me feel like puking. Allergic to semolina in all pasta, pizza, chinese food, sensitive to most fruits, SOYyeast, berries(because of mold and fertilizers), most peanut butter, jelly, most juice, pop and many vegetables... Canned goods are a no no... Frozen foods, blah... If I freeze something... Triple bag it. Can taste refridgerant, don't eat much meat, don't add much seasoning. Rarely milk or cheese, vinegars, wine almost never(but mini cup for communion) , no alcohol, no packaged teas, sauces, most coffees, all creamers, sensitive to soaps, perfumes, make up, shampoo skin creams sunscreens hair control products dyes holds permanents lotions conditioners flowers plants grass molds synthetics, rayons, nylon, some other fibers. Aloe vera , fish oil, olive oil , oils in chips crackers cookies cakes , baked goods , most pies, mushrooms, margarine marshmellows, smoke from woodburning, vitamins, any medications, scented candles toothpaste, oils on nut mixes.. Molds on dried fruits, bleach, no kiwi melons or ripe bananas petrol products and solvents and cleaners.... Dust, pet dander and dirt.. Doughnuts are poison and LARD IS BAD.

But for the most part, I haven't had to take shots or meds to counter any allergy attacks in years. I can have some things once in a whlie and be okay... Like birthday cake with ice cream and a pop, two days in a month. The water cure helped me the most after years of agony. I've been forced to LEARN or suffer. WHAT DOESN'T KILL US MAKES US STRONGER"

05/01/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskchewan: "Hi Joy: How awful I have a similar story. Have you ever tried Diatomaceous Earth? I have just started. I have read it helps greatly with food allergies. I started with way too much which made me constipated (2 TBsp 2X per day on empty). I have backed off to 1/2 tsp 1 time per day and will work up. I could post more results as I go if you like.

Keep up the good work! Mary"

05/01/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Mary. So sweet, I have overcome ALL my allergies to food, water, air, clothes, and nature by reading the work of DR. Batmanghelidj and coming to understand that histamine is a dehydration signal to warn the body. I can eat anything I want as long as I drink the right amount of water at the right time and take supplemental mulit minerals (especially magnesium and very LITTLE calcium) multi vitamins and omegas and betafood with coconut oil and yogurt and sea salt, garlic, cranberry, papaya tablets when needed.

I enjoy my food without the fear of midnight panics brought on by stomach issues and no longer do I have to fear anxiety from allergies... I am Free. Been a L.O.N.G..... J.O.U.R.N.E.Y. To wellness and so I encourage you also to go slow and overcome. I have never used the clay but can tell you I WOULD HAVE stood on my head for an hour a day if I thought it would help. I AM FREE!"

05/04/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Thank you so much for referring me to the work of Dr. Batmanghelidj!!! What a humanitarian!!! I am trying to watch everything about him online!! I have already sent links to friends. Which books helped you the most? I want to buy one but it seems some have an audio with that is also helpful. As one who has struggled with food allergies etc for years I am very interested. Thanks again!! Mary"

05/04/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I bought them all but no tapes. I like them all, the back book teaches about our misunderstandings. I learned sooooo much. I sent a box to my sis. I gave them as gifts. I tell everyone who will listen. I know one person doesn't have all the answers but people treated their pets and they got healed too. He made a big dent in the medical dysfunctional- information. He changed my life and gave me HOPE... Glad to tell you this good news... Hope you spread it far and wide too! I am still trying to get my health figured out to be honest I suspect it is thyroid issues I'm up against, my numbers are normal ? My weight is normal. Something is still out of balance!"

05/05/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Thank you Joy!!! I will purchase the set. I have had breast pain for years!!! The only way I could get it to go was to topically apply DMSO. I have done the water cure for 2 days today will b day 3. Yesterday halfway through the day my pain went!!!! It has only ever gone away for about 2 -3 days with a DMSO treatment!!!! Breast Pain Gone!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you I am telling everyone!!

I also want to figure out how to help congenital Heart failure for my little min pin. Love him sooooo much!! He is on all the usual heart meds including viagra(to open his lungs so he can breath). Thirdly, I wanted to mention subclinical hypothyroidism that is not picked up from blood work but self diagnosed by body temperature. Check out http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/ . I am being treated for it with a compounded T3 mixture called liiothyronine. It has really helped.

Cheers, Mary"

05/05/2013: Joy from Batttleground, Wash: "wilsons is caused from toxic copper that can be displaced by ZINC SUPPLEMENTS. I went and looked on hub pages... toxic metals and how to displace them... a book by Frances Bleuet, Everybody can heal. I'm thinking about buying her book, not sure yet!"

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."

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."

05/04/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Hi everyone, my husband passed away last Friday, he had liver cancer mets. It happened very qiuckly, a matte of weeks. My mucus condition has got much worse with the stress. I have posted before on this site and I feel so alone at the moment. Any words of comfort would help. Thanks. Christine"

05/04/2013: Liz from Boston, Massachusetts: "Christine - I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you."

05/04/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "You loved WELL. I'm sorry about your loss of love and friendship and the sorrow you went through as the illness progressed.

May your days bring a songbird and a ray of golden warmth from heaven with drips of holy rain upon your brow and only the fondest of every memory you have stored.... Let them come.... Let them come... Yes today and tomorrow and the next. Bless Her Lord with the fragrance of Your Love and the atmosphere of heaven let it come... Let it come.... bless her today and tomorrow and the next.

An arrow from the quiver of the Lord , may it pierce your Sorrow with His JOY.

Stress produces fight or flight hormones to prepare the body for action... Stops digestion and slows urination.... Steals water, minerals , hormones and nutrients.

So first make an effort to drink two cups of water in the morning when you awake. Wait half hour and eat something with some vitamins minerals and omegas and sea salt to rehydrate and get those mucus secretions thinned back out. Try to keep hydrating> as you can and getting healthy food in your body.

Set out in the sun and get some vitamin D in your body. Open the window and get some fresh air. Buy a candle and some epson salt and spray your favorite perfume in the air in the bathroom , light the candle , put salts in the tub , put on music that fills your cup and , drink some extra water, eat an apple or fruit or berries in the tub.... Keep tissue near by and let yourself CRY. You are an amazing woman ... who loved her husband... Pat yourself on the back for being there for him and now TAKE CARE OF YOU. Take walks to get circulation going if you can. BREATHE"

05/04/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Thank you to Joy and Liz for your kind words, It makes Me feel less alone, My husband and myself made a tape recording of our voices so if one of use died we would still be able to hear thier voice. I play many times a day. It make me cry but I am glad I can still hear his voice. Thanks again Christine"

05/04/2013: Rsw from Uniontown, Oh: "Christine, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Many thoughts and prayers are with you, and may our heartfelt sympathy surround and uplift you. You are not alone.

In regard to the mucous problem, I have recently come across some information about how the correct bacteria in the mouth can keep the mouth, throat, sinuses and ears healthy by taking up the space formerly occupied by bad bacteria. Some probiotic supplements containing the common L.Salivarius, also contain BLIS K12 and BLIS M18 that supposedly act like a natural antibiotic by replacing the bad bacteria. Supposedly also helps with bad breath. Makes sense, since many with these problems have excellent oral health routines and yet these problems persist. They come in lozenges and gum. It's a possibility for your problem. Best wishes and take good care."

05/04/2013: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Dear Christine - I would like to express my condolences along with all the others who did so from your Earth Clinic family. You are going through an incredibly difficult time. Crying is part of the healing process and helps release some of the sorrow. May you find peace with the audio recordings of your husband. That is such a beautiful thing to have done for each other. Take care and best wishes. Bess"

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I know grief but not from loss of a person but of myself. There is a email system, sends a daily email of how to go through grief.... I got it for two years. Griefshare... you get an email everyday. They have mention of products but I didn't buy any. Learned a lot about grief. Get a lovely journal and write about each day as you go through it.... Love, JOY"

05/05/2013: Jan from Vancouver, B.c. Canada: "Hi Christine, Sorry for your loss. My sympathy and condolences to you. When we lose someone, it feels like our life has become empty but that is not true. God loves us that's why he gave us life and he wants us to be happy. Do the things that make you happy --- hobbies, etc. Personally, I have a Teacher/Master who has shown me a way/technique to be in tune with that Peace within. So, even in times of turmoil I can tune within and be in Peace, then the things outside and around us becomes easier to handle. You can check it out at: wopg.org ---- that means Word of Peace Global. It's free whatever he shows us (sorry I cannot explain it here). I hope you will check that site out. Take care of yourself and don't feel you are alone."

05/05/2013: Deb from Hampton, Va: "Christine, I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband. This is a very difficult time for you and you should reach out to friends and family. They will lift you up and carry you if need be. Don't worry you will see him again one day. Be kind to yourself and realize that it will take you time to come to terms with this loss. I am here if you ever need to talk. kindwoman711(at) hotmail [dot] com"

05/06/2013: Christine from Nottingham, Uk: "Hi Deb thank for your kind support. I do not have an email adress at the moment. I need to learn how to do it. I was thinking of try to start a support group for people who have lost a partner. I need to get a bit stronger first. I cry a lot at the moment my computer is geting soggy. Many thanks to the kind folks of Earth Clinic."

05/06/2013: Kathy from the USA: "Hi Christine, I have read the posts about your loss and want to express my condolences. Magnesium and the B-Complex vitamins are very important. St. John's Wort will also help but I have to open the capsules and take the contents with water.

I feel that when you keep listening to your husband's voice, now, it's going to prolong your healing. You have enough to remind you if you are still in the house you shared. We lost everything we owned in a fire and I was only able to save my nine-month old. I know our two-and-a-half year old went to be the Lord and that is what gave me comfort in the midst of so must pain. I could not look at her pictures for a very long time and I could not talk about her without going to pieces. Even now, writing this to you, I'm a little choked up. You never get over the death of someone you love but time will give you strength so at a later time you can start to listen to the tape again, if that is what you choose to do. We have the news briefs about the fire in 1987 but the memories are fresh when I look at the tape. Some things are better left alone. Our loved ones are not here anymore and we have to get on with life with the hopes we will be reunited. Today happens to be my birthday and my mother died three days before my birthday several years ago. Just to let you know you are not alone in your pain."

05/04/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "At watercure.com you will love this information for overall improved health... A humidifier works miracles or a sauna steam room, drink water in the sauna. Potato chips and lots of water. Garlic tabs up to 6 a day with your chips and water. Vicks on q tip up the nose, spread it around and if needed above top lip to open airway. Get some sun if you can and read an uplifting book. Add extra pillow unders yours when sleeping. Steamy shower, cough stuff up and spit it out, blow nose and stay in as long as you can.

If throat is full of mucus put a couple grains of salt on tongue. Too much orange juice will throw electrolytes out of balance and make histamine worse."

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."

05/01/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskchewan: "Hi Joy: How awful I have a similar story. Have you ever tried Diatomaceous Earth? I have just started. I have read it helps greatly with food allergies. I started with way too much which made me constipated (2 TBsp 2X per day on empty). I have backed off to 1/2 tsp 1 time per day and will work up. I could post more results as I go if you like.

Keep up the good work! Mary"

05/01/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "Mary. So sweet, I have overcome ALL my allergies to food, water, air, clothes, and nature by reading the work of DR. Batmanghelidj and coming to understand that histamine is a dehydration signal to warn the body. I can eat anything I want as long as I drink the right amount of water at the right time and take supplemental mulit minerals (especially magnesium and very LITTLE calcium) multi vitamins and omegas and betafood with coconut oil and yogurt and sea salt, garlic, cranberry, papaya tablets when needed.

I enjoy my food without the fear of midnight panics brought on by stomach issues and no longer do I have to fear anxiety from allergies... I am Free. Been a L.O.N.G..... J.O.U.R.N.E.Y. To wellness and so I encourage you also to go slow and overcome. I have never used the clay but can tell you I WOULD HAVE stood on my head for an hour a day if I thought it would help. I AM FREE!"

05/04/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Thank you so much for referring me to the work of Dr. Batmanghelidj!!! What a humanitarian!!! I am trying to watch everything about him online!! I have already sent links to friends. Which books helped you the most? I want to buy one but it seems some have an audio with that is also helpful. As one who has struggled with food allergies etc for years I am very interested. Thanks again!! Mary"

05/04/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I bought them all but no tapes. I like them all, the back book teaches about our misunderstandings. I learned sooooo much. I sent a box to my sis. I gave them as gifts. I tell everyone who will listen. I know one person doesn't have all the answers but people treated their pets and they got healed too. He made a big dent in the medical dysfunctional- information. He changed my life and gave me HOPE... Glad to tell you this good news... Hope you spread it far and wide too! I am still trying to get my health figured out to be honest I suspect it is thyroid issues I'm up against, my numbers are normal ? My weight is normal. Something is still out of balance!"

05/05/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Thank you Joy!!! I will purchase the set. I have had breast pain for years!!! The only way I could get it to go was to topically apply DMSO. I have done the water cure for 2 days today will b day 3. Yesterday halfway through the day my pain went!!!! It has only ever gone away for about 2 -3 days with a DMSO treatment!!!! Breast Pain Gone!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you I am telling everyone!!

I also want to figure out how to help congenital Heart failure for my little min pin. Love him sooooo much!! He is on all the usual heart meds including viagra(to open his lungs so he can breath). Thirdly, I wanted to mention subclinical hypothyroidism that is not picked up from blood work but self diagnosed by body temperature. Check out http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/ . I am being treated for it with a compounded T3 mixture called liiothyronine. It has really helped.

Cheers, Mary"

05/05/2013: Joy from Batttleground, Wash: "wilsons is caused from toxic copper that can be displaced by ZINC SUPPLEMENTS. I went and looked on hub pages... toxic metals and how to displace them... a book by Frances Bleuet, Everybody can heal. I'm thinking about buying her book, not sure yet!"

08/14/2008: Angela from Tonasket, WA.: "I found out thru muscle testing with my chiropractor that my adrenal gland wasn't working well. Call that adrenal fatigue or not, I don't know, but she gave me a supplement called adrenal, desiccated (that says it's only sold thru health care professionals unfortunately.) that has really seemed to help me already. I'm only half way thru the bottle so far, but I'd reccomend it. My chiropractor is also a nutritionist by the way."

09/08/2008: Andrew from Delta, British Columbia: "Response to Angela,

Actually, your chiropractor is not being honest with you. You can purchase dessicated adrenal cortex from a large number of vitamin suppliers. Go to iherb.com and do a search for adrenal cortex."

04/03/2010: Bt from Cincinnati, Oh: "Actually iHerb says "However, modern adrenal extracts are manufactured in such a way that they do not contain significant levels of adrenal hormones. Therefore, it is difficult to find any justification for their use along these lines."

04/06/2010: Angela from Lynchburg, Va: "That reason is precisely why you need to get a quality supplement thru a good source. My chiropractor wasn't being dishonest, the bottle was simply stating the fact that you cannot find this quality brand on a shelf in the drug store. There are also vegetarian forms with herbs that they recommend. Also, I have since found a natural food store,(run by a naturapath mind you) that carries the brand.)

Whatever the supplement, you need to make sure of your sources. A lot aren't even digestible, or are toxic if taken in excess. Most natural ones of quality are hard to overdose on, and are fully assimilated."

11/12/2012: Sweetie from Somewhere, Florida: "Just want everyone to have a heads up; I have found that continuous overuse of stevia affects the adrenals. Stevia can block the enzyme (11-beta-HSD hyroxylase) that breaks down cortisol to cortisone metabolites. Levels of cortisol can rise and cause blood pressure problems and others. Avoid the use of stevia in any quantity. It is usually safe, but in small occasional use."

11/12/2012: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa: "Hi Sweetie, I'm very curious where you have found this information. All the information I have researched on stevia is how it does not feed candida, raise blood sugar levels, cause weight gain or rob the body of minerals.

What exactly do you mean by continual overuse of stevia affects the adrenals? Actually, continual overuse of anything is going to create an imbalance in the body. And the statement, "It is safe, but in small occasional use. " That's ridiculous. I use it daily and have been for about four years now. Donna Gates uses it to help kids who have ADD/ ADHD and candida to overcome their desire for sugar. Certainly, we know that sugar use leads to many problems.

There are many who I consider quite erudite in the alternative health/ health fields who advocate its use. I won't list the many as that would be overkill but among the many are well-known figures such as Dr. Oz, Dr. Weil, Dr. Mercola and David Wolfe.

Best to you, Lisa"

11/14/2012: Art from Vancouver Bc., Canada: "Are you sure you are? I thought it was splenda that was causing all the damage not stevia. Where did you get your info? Stevia is a natural sweetener not artificial. Take care, art"

11/23/2012: David from Fountain Inn, Sc: "Re use of stevia and in defense of "Sweetie" and in response to Lisa. If you google "stevia 11 B Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase" or just the terms Sweetie used you will find the source you want. It is the Open Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, 2012, no 2. p. 49-52, the full text on line. Very impressive to demonstrate potential "chronic" use of stevia can produce edema, hypertension and hypokalemia. That last one is a decrease in potassium which the ingestion of stevia can induce, says the scientific article. Many problems with loss of potassium as everyone knows... heart, muscle issues etc."

11/24/2012: Terry from West Chester, Pa: "Please define "chronic use of stevia"."

11/24/2012: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa: "Hi David, Thank you for at least providing the source of this information posted by Sweetie. My problem with this source is, it is an isolated case of one 32 year old Caucasian woman. It is also rather vague just citing, "On persistent interrogation, patient admitted to daily consumption of sweetener stevia for over 9 months. " This is too ambiguous for me to take seriously.

I have consumed it daily for probably 4 years now to sweeten my one cup of coffee I drink in the morning. Stevia comes highly recommended by very notable doctors and those from the alternative health field as I said in my response to Sweetie.

The study also does not define what chronic is, as stated in its conclusion: "This case report indicates that chronic consumption may induce edema, hypertension and hypokalemia... " I would need the definition of "chronic" before I would become alarmed about this isolated case. I would also like to note the word "may" in there. Honestly, chronic use of anything is most likely going to lead to problems! At any rate, thanks for the source. Lisa"

11/27/2012: David from Fountain Inn, Sc: "To Terry and Lisa re Stevia consumption. "Chronic" as discussed in the article I cited is certainly greater than the modest once a day use which Lisa practices (in her coffee in the morning). The article does not state quantity, but I can imagine what the patient told her doctor: She likely substituted stevia for sugar and if she was a heavy sugar user then she might be consuming an equilavent amount fit to meet the required sugar volume. I'm just guessing but could that be 40 drops a day? 50?

But if used in moderation which is Lisa's practice then the outcome would be without the negative that may be associated with heavy consumption.

Also, to Lisa: Do you have a source for a similar study as that which I cited that could demonstrate heavy consumption (40 drops daily or more) does NOT produce any symptoms? I'd like to read it.

I also use Stevia. Just a few drops, say in Oatmeal in the morning. But as a user, I also welcome information that puts me on notice as to possible overuse."

05/04/2013: Heather from Greenville, Sc: "My experience with stevia was a bad one. I tried it for a week and it made me very dizzy. Stopped it and the dizziness stopped. I would take precautions with stevia especially if you are hypoglycemic."

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "I was sitting here reading posts wondering why I was so dizzy and thinking about what I ate or drank today... Forgot about the stevia on strawberries in yogurt until reading this post. Two days in a row. I usually don't eat stevia.... Problem solved.... Stevia causes dizzyiness. Thank you!"

05/15/2013: Heather from Easley, Sc - South Carolina: "Joy and Heather: I'm curious what brand of Stevia you were on? Not all Stevia is created equal. In fact, many of the stevia brands that are even carried at Whole Foods actually have aspartame and other artificial sweeteners in them... Back in the day when I used to use aspartame I know it gave me headaches and made me very dizzy. Just a thought."

05/16/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash : "Hy top white was my most recent bad experience on strawberries, but had a bad experience with the RAW brown colored stuff once before but only had one pack that time. Just felt ill that time. NO lingering misery all day and night and day.

I've always been hyper sensitive to everything and only recently been able to venture into new things.

I rarely eat out or buy prepackaged food or anything with color or dye or additives , breads make me feel like puking. Allergic to semolina in all pasta, pizza, chinese food, sensitive to most fruits, SOYyeast, berries(because of mold and fertilizers), most peanut butter, jelly, most juice, pop and many vegetables... Canned goods are a no no... Frozen foods, blah... If I freeze something... Triple bag it. Can taste refridgerant, don't eat much meat, don't add much seasoning. Rarely milk or cheese, vinegars, wine almost never(but mini cup for communion) , no alcohol, no packaged teas, sauces, most coffees, all creamers, sensitive to soaps, perfumes, make up, shampoo skin creams sunscreens hair control products dyes holds permanents lotions conditioners flowers plants grass molds synthetics, rayons, nylon, some other fibers. Aloe vera , fish oil, olive oil , oils in chips crackers cookies cakes , baked goods , most pies, mushrooms, margarine marshmellows, smoke from woodburning, vitamins, any medications, scented candles toothpaste, oils on nut mixes.. Molds on dried fruits, bleach, no kiwi melons or ripe bananas petrol products and solvents and cleaners.... Dust, pet dander and dirt.. Doughnuts are poison and LARD IS BAD.

But for the most part, I haven't had to take shots or meds to counter any allergy attacks in years. I can have some things once in a whlie and be okay... Like birthday cake with ice cream and a pop, two days in a month. The water cure helped me the most after years of agony. I've been forced to LEARN or suffer. WHAT DOESN'T KILL US MAKES US STRONGER"

EC: Please visit our Oil Pulling page for more information: http://earthclinic.com/Remedies/oil_pulling.html

EC: More information here: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/oil_pulling.html

05/04/2013: Djaku from Loma Linda California USA: "I'm interested w/ op. But how do you do it??? what's the procedure pls???"

EC: Please visit our Oil Pulling page for more information: http://earthclinic.com/Remedies/oil_pulling.html

EC: Just be careful about poppy seeds and employer drug screening tests!

http://www.snopes.com/medical/drugs/poppyseed.asp

[WARNING!]  05/04/2013: Noddy Hophead from Australia: "Be careful with poppy seed tea. It is as addictive as any of the more demonised opiates (diamorphine ["heroin"] for instance) but you are consuming a wide array of the opium poppy's dozens of alkaloids (morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine and many, many more). In certain individuals and dosages, poppy tea is a comforting, functional, relieving natural medicine - but it is as physically addictive as any other pharmaceutical or illicit opiate. Should you fall into habitual use of this "tea" (or wash, as I prefer to call it - the opiates are on the coating of the seed) you'll be addicted to that full spectrum of opiate alkaloids. The implications of the alkaloid profile are two-fold; the body metabolises broad-spectrum opiates much slower than purified morphine, codeine or opioid drugs that generally contain a single substance. This gives poppy tea a very long half-life in many people, meaning addicts (of which I am one, for the record) - can take it once a day, or even wait longer than a day for re-dosing before withdrawal symptoms become apparent. The downside of this is that upon ceasing the use of poppy tea, the withdrawal experience (which for most addicts includes intense Restless Leg syndrome; hence the slang term "kicking" a habit, which I believe to be a direct reference to this phenomenon) can also be extremely prolonged.... Leaving you back - or maybe worse off - than when you started.

While poppy seed tea can be a godsend for some people, it must be emphasised that there is a great potential for addiction, that it is nearly impossible to know how potent your seeds are, batch to batch from the same store. Because of this, quitting is complicated as taper need to be precise. I became addicted to these seeds for their narcotic properties almost 8 years ago. I am in the process of finding a way to shake my addiction with as little discomfort as possible. I am not saying "don't use poppy seeds", I am just urging caution. Mild as they may seem, they can lead to serious narcotic addictions. People may ridicule the idea of a poppy seed addiction, but for myself and plenty of other people, it is no laughing matter!

If you are going to use poppy seeds for RLS, please be aware that even taking some every 2-3 days can lead to physical dependence. It stays in your system for a very long time. You will then - if you miss that crucial daily dose or cease taking poppy tea - find your restless legs are dramatically worse, as the post-acute withdrawal symptoms from opium can drag on for months at a time. And opiate withdrawal RLS is not your average restless leg syndrome - it can be agonising. I would recommend using this remedy no more than once a week, if you choose to try it. Keep your doses as low as possible, as opium can be a very euphoric, misleading drug that can easily lull one into a false sense of security, and start dosing daily as I did.

I apologise for the negative post, but I really feel people need to know some of the consequences of this treatment, as it lead me from the spice isle through a wide range of "hard drugs", injecting street heroin and wasting a lot of time, money and effort in trying to stay "well", rather than sick from opium withdrawals. I am now seeking to turn my life around - I've always eaten well and lived a healthy lifestyle, but drug addiction does not discriminate! Please be careful with these seeds; I wasn't - even though I knew the risks - and now face a tough battle to rid myself of them."

05/05/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash: "My people perish for lack of knowledge. Thank you for your informative post. I did not know these things. My compassion goes out to you as a former addict to many substances. Most people try this and try that, sugar, coffee, salt, tobacco, herbs, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Whatever..... trying to feel better and that is how it all begins.

I love the flowers of the poppy and also enjoy poppyseed lemon treats. I haven't gotten into it much since it is usually a treat that is overly sugary with fats, like a doughnut. For me doughnuts are poison.

I commend you for the post and the bravery to hang it out there.... Blessings JOY"

10/30/2011: Lisa from Kenosha, Wi: "What great story.... Very inspirational and promising."

10/30/2011: Loraine from Orlando, Fl: "To: Anony from Anon: I am sitting here on a quiet Sunday morning browsing through EC when I came upon your post. I have to say 'What an inspiring post'. I needed to be reminded of The Lord's awesome power and I have to say your post did it for me. Thank you so much. I know many people would gain courage and strength after reading this the same way I did. God bless you and your family always and once again thank you for sharing this wonderful story of survival."

10/30/2011: P from Middle, Fl: "A beautyful happily ever after! Xoxo"

05/02/2013: Btybr from Everywhere, Usa: "The mind is amazing, a lady who counselled me for many years was raped and tortured by her father and unaware to her, she developed Splitting of her personality into many fragments. When her kids were teens, she went off the deep end, the personalities did not know each other and her family became concerned about her exteme behaviors and had her committed for 6 months. While there, she bagan to learn her personality had spit into fragments and manifested these different aspects of who she was. One was a prude and very careful, another would take risk and act suggestive. One was sweet and another angry.

She had to learn to pull them back together and went on to earn a degree from a Christian college and counselled many women and taught on how to overcome trauma. She held the light for me at the end of the tunnel for many years while I was in deep darkness and dispair.

I was also seeing a psychologist and taking parenting classes at the college along with self esteem class and art classes, because all work and no play will kill you. Creativity heals the mind, the spirit and the body.

I spent a lot of time looking for answers and found a group of incest OVERCOMERS at the YMCA. I also read every incest book at the library and there weren't many at that time. I read psychology books and self help books and health books.

I also participated in a group therapy with a specialist in incest recovery, with a group of women, who never did tell their mothers. I think that telling your mother is the beginning of finding your voice. At the end of that group, I told my mother. When I joined that group, I thought they would help me get courage to tell my mother, but instead they fought my plans, because of their own inability to tell their moms.

Keeping a lie does not help anyone. I never told my family to protect their lives, while it destroyed mine. When I told them... They couldn't change and I had to move on, by myself and live my life. I can only change myself and I wasn't willing to take medicine just to stay in the family while they kept doing what they always did. Live the lie and not own the problems.

Neither did they help me work through the 25 year long nightmare. I later came to put pieces together that mom knew the whole time, and that was the wedge that was always between her, my sis, also a victim and me.

I also read a lot of books and participated in a boundaries group with a tape series and workbook.

I did end up on medicine on and off , and battled the demons, but I would say, I won . Did a lot of exercise and vitamins and diet. I prayed a lot and God sent people to me, who prayed for me and encouraged me and counselled me. They would come out of nowhere and stay for a decade or more and then another would show up in my life. He has carried my sorrows and restored my joy."

05/04/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Thank you for your story, it was helpful to me."

05/04/2013: Love Pitbulls from Providence, R.I.: "You are a survivor, you will go on to now believe that there is help, there are people who listen. For too long, children who said they were abused were not believed. Don't stop telling your story, you can never know how many people you have already helped, gave the courage to speak out, and let them know they are not alone."

10/30/2011: Lisa from Kenosha, Wi: "What great story.... Very inspirational and promising."

10/30/2011: Loraine from Orlando, Fl: "To: Anony from Anon: I am sitting here on a quiet Sunday morning browsing through EC when I came upon your post. I have to say 'What an inspiring post'. I needed to be reminded of The Lord's awesome power and I have to say your post did it for me. Thank you so much. I know many people would gain courage and strength after reading this the same way I did. God bless you and your family always and once again thank you for sharing this wonderful story of survival."

10/30/2011: P from Middle, Fl: "A beautyful happily ever after! Xoxo"

05/02/2013: Btybr from Everywhere, Usa: "The mind is amazing, a lady who counselled me for many years was raped and tortured by her father and unaware to her, she developed Splitting of her personality into many fragments. When her kids were teens, she went off the deep end, the personalities did not know each other and her family became concerned about her exteme behaviors and had her committed for 6 months. While there, she bagan to learn her personality had spit into fragments and manifested these different aspects of who she was. One was a prude and very careful, another would take risk and act suggestive. One was sweet and another angry.

She had to learn to pull them back together and went on to earn a degree from a Christian college and counselled many women and taught on how to overcome trauma. She held the light for me at the end of the tunnel for many years while I was in deep darkness and dispair.

I was also seeing a psychologist and taking parenting classes at the college along with self esteem class and art classes, because all work and no play will kill you. Creativity heals the mind, the spirit and the body.

I spent a lot of time looking for answers and found a group of incest OVERCOMERS at the YMCA. I also read every incest book at the library and there weren't many at that time. I read psychology books and self help books and health books.

I also participated in a group therapy with a specialist in incest recovery, with a group of women, who never did tell their mothers. I think that telling your mother is the beginning of finding your voice. At the end of that group, I told my mother. When I joined that group, I thought they would help me get courage to tell my mother, but instead they fought my plans, because of their own inability to tell their moms.

Keeping a lie does not help anyone. I never told my family to protect their lives, while it destroyed mine. When I told them... They couldn't change and I had to move on, by myself and live my life. I can only change myself and I wasn't willing to take medicine just to stay in the family while they kept doing what they always did. Live the lie and not own the problems.

Neither did they help me work through the 25 year long nightmare. I later came to put pieces together that mom knew the whole time, and that was the wedge that was always between her, my sis, also a victim and me.

I also read a lot of books and participated in a boundaries group with a tape series and workbook.

I did end up on medicine on and off , and battled the demons, but I would say, I won . Did a lot of exercise and vitamins and diet. I prayed a lot and God sent people to me, who prayed for me and encouraged me and counselled me. They would come out of nowhere and stay for a decade or more and then another would show up in my life. He has carried my sorrows and restored my joy."

05/04/2013: Mary from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: "Thank you for your story, it was helpful to me."

05/04/2013: Love Pitbulls from Providence, R.I.: "You are a survivor, you will go on to now believe that there is help, there are people who listen. For too long, children who said they were abused were not believed. Don't stop telling your story, you can never know how many people you have already helped, gave the courage to speak out, and let them know they are not alone."

04/25/2013: Tn from Elkridge, Md: "I just started taking a strong form of Acidophilus from that I got from a Holistic Health & Nutrition advisor. She told me my symptoms sounded like I had been infected with Candida throughout my body. So I researched and came across people who had extremely bad breath from a Candida overgrowth in their esophagus. An endoscopy showed white patches all over their esophagus! I went to an ENT and he offered to schedule an endoscopy to verify (he openly doubted it was Candida) and urged me to continue the probiotic because he was shocked it was alleviating some of my IBS symptoms so quickly.

I am taking 4 pills a day instead of the two because I have such terrible IBS symptoms- constipation, bloating, indigestion, gas, stomach pains, occasional cramping and the horrible bad breath. The symptoms aren't totally gone but it's so much better than before! I no longer have an awful taste in my mouth. The white coating isn't on my tongue. My morning breath is tolerable.

Side note- I've tried several different natural methods without a long-lasting result. Oil pulling with different oils, cayenne pepper in warm water, hot water with lemon, chorella, Zinc, high dosages of Vitamin C, peppermint capsules, etc. These methods weren't working for me because they don't kill Candida."

05/04/2013: Kelli from Nashville , Tn: "Do you have tonsil stones? I got my tonsils removed a few weeks ago because they cause horrible breath. I can tell a major improvement but I too have ibs so I am going to double up on the acidophilus and hopefully that will cure the total problems..."