Folk Remedies from Mama's Mama
I am very sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. She sounds like a wonderful woman, and we all know she raised a very loving, giving, gracious and thoughtful daughter. If you are a reflection of her, then we are all grateful to be able to benefit from the open mindedness we see shining through in you.
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
04/18/2014
To Mama to Many;
Re Mother and her remedies.
Well, if she was anything like you she must have been a TIGER.
You have been such an inspiration to so many and your remedies are articulate and (I think) inspired. I know you read a lot and so you are able to extrapolate the very thing to help in particular situations.
It's wonderful to have a web site like this one: Earth Clinic where someone of your background and knowledge base can inform and help people from around the world. And you so obviously CARE about the person writing.
Our founder is also an inspiration and HER mother is fantastic (and Beautiful). Lucky me...I've personally gotten to meet them and YOU. Am even more of a fan of yours now. (Star struck...did you notice?) I'd love to take a COURSE on herbals from you one day. Or read a "Mama to YOU... BOOK of REMEDIES" in conjunction with EC. (Hey ... I like that title! .)
And don't get me started on MY mom...wow do I ever miss HER. Talk about a Tiger. (That's the side I get the Cherokee from. Must be the reason I'm so "into" this EC world! )
I know what you did to contribute during your mom's decline. You are... The GOOD Daughter. And that fits under the Commandment...to Honor our parents. The first with a promise; may it be so to you...A LONG AND HAPPY AND BOUNTIFUL life.
Your student (and friend),
d
(Tennessee)
04/18/2014
Dear Rsw and Dave,
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I was blessed with a great mother and continue to have the blessings of God, family, and friends, including those here at EC. Truly, "my cup runneth over."
Have a great day!
~Mama to Many~
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
04/18/2014
Dear Mama to Many - I am so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I agree with what the others have said so eloquently - you truly are a blessing to all of us. You have so much kindness, common sense and wisdom and you present it in such a way that everyone can understand and benefit. You must have been a great comfort to your Mom. And, now, we are fortunate to have you in the Earth Clinic family. "Tears heal, memories comfort and love lives on forever." Take care, Bess
(Queens, NY)
04/18/2014
Hi Mama to many......Just came on EC only to see the sad news of your Mom's passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy. I know exactly how you must have felt since I too lost my Mom a few years ago and still fight the sadness to this day. Take care of yourself and I will keep you in my prayers. God bless you for all your wonderful insights. You really light up Earth Clinic....I am sure others would agree with me on this. Have a blessed day.....
Lauren: Not to come off as antagonistic, but after having a few yrs experience, and reading 100's of Near Death reports (called NDE's but are actually beyond death experiences) then that sorrowful mentality gets a turnaround. Many of those NDE'rs report feeling absolutely no remorse while remotely viewing there damaged or sick body below. Many beg the sprits to not make them "go back down there". I lost my mom to cancer in 2009 but the suffering and passing was not so bad. Once, while mother was up in a wheelchair w/ family, I had a brief minds-eye realization (while looking at mom) that she was better off than us. Mother was an extremely giving & caring person and had no fear of dying, so her composure helped elicit my vision. Also, some of her last spoken words were "It's beautiful" while looking into the heavenly realms.
A good web-site for NDE info is http://iands.org/home.html.
(Tennessee)
04/19/2014
Dear Bess and Lauren,
Thank you for your expressions of sympathy. The kindness of friends I have never met is dear to me. I am truly blessed, even in difficult times.
~Mama to Many~
(Marlborough)
04/18/2015
Mama to Many, do you have a blog to follow with all your wisdom?
(Tennessee)
04/18/2015
Dear Stephanie,
Thanks for asking. I do not have a blog...the only place I write online is here at Earth Clinic. :)
Have a super day!
~Mama to Many~
(Naperville, Il)
01/27/2017
Dear Mama to Many,
Whenever I am looking for some home remedy from EC, I find your remedy and I try them. I am always happy with the results. Now I have a specific problem, which I did not see here, so I need your help. Every year in winter, little exposure to cold and wind, I feel feverish next day when I get up in the morning. Moment I feel feverish, I immediatly boil some mixture of herbs, like dry ginger, cloves, black pepper, cinnamone, cumin etc and drink that tea and I feel better in a day or two. Sometimes I do take a Ibuprofen also. This time I feeling feverish frequently since October every now and then. I am trying most of the home remedy but evening I am ok again sometimes morning or afternoon I get that feeling. My day today life is affecting and making me worried. I am also missing sunlight for weeks together. If I go out without putting a tight cap on my head, I feel feverish, if I forgot my gloves I feel feverish. Please please help me.
(Tennessee)
01/27/2017
Dear Sandy,
Well, I have several thoughts that I will share and you can see how they might fit with your situation.
If you are quick to become feverish your immune system may be weak. I like a simple astragalus root supplement to strengthen the immune system. And extra vitamin C.
Low-fat diets can leave one with a chronic lack of warmth. Even if you have extra body fat, it isn't uncommon for those on low fat diets to be cold a lot.
Low thyroid can leave you cold.
Anemia can leave your immune system weak and make you suffer with cold more.
Have you had any bloodwork done? It might help you connect the dots with what you may be lacking.
The tonic you make for yourself sounds great. What if you used it daily?
Also, cayenne pepper is a thermogenic herb. (I love using that word. :) ) It helps you to produce heat. I like to add cayenne pepper to juice (1/4-1/2 teaspoon) a couple of times a day when I need extra cayenne.
Coconut oil is a good fat for a number of reasons - many find it helps with thyroid. Fat provides heat. And it is good for energy and the immune system. Adding some to a warm drink in the morning or to your oatmeal might be a good place to try it, especially since your energy is low in the morning.
You say you lack sunshine. You might want to consider a vitamin D supplement. But don't take large amounts of it as it can be toxic in high doses.
If all else fails, at least until you figure out what you are dealing with, what if you try to keep your head warm at all times? Even indoors? You could wear one of those fleece headbands all day. Or a knit beret. We lose a lot of heat through our heads! My sons who work outside notice a big difference in maintaining their warmth when they wear a wool stocking hat outside when it is cold.
I hope you get to the root of your problem and feel warm and energetic soon!
~Mama to Many~
(Naperville, Il)
01/28/2017
Thanks a ton Mama to Many. I will try everything what you suggested above. I used to take 1000 IU of vit D earlier, for the past one month I changed to another supplement "bone health" which I realised yesterday that it has only 400 IU. So I started old supplement yday. I will start taking my herbal tonic every day now on. Feeling well and enegertic is very important in life than anything else. I post again stating that I am feeling well. Thank you once again.
(Naperville, Il)
01/28/2017
Dear Mama to Many,
I will get my blood picture done to see what vitamin deficiency is there. One thing I forgot tell, that I am also feeling it may be arthrities problem. Do a person get fever if he/she has arthirities? As per Ayurvedic, diognosis, I am "vata" type person for whom wind and cold can make hovoc with their health. and I am in windy and cold city.
(Tn)
01/30/2017
Dear Sandy,
I don't think arthritis usually causes fever, though it can cause hot joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis, I believe, can cause low grade fever.
~Mama to Many~
(Arcadia, Ca)
12/16/2017
Dear Mama to many,
I am 66 years old and don't do much exercise. I am also heavy. Yesterday I had a very bad fall and felt my left arm a shoulder pull and I also heard a crunch sound. When I got up I started to stretch my arm a little, it hurt but did it for a couple of minutes. I didn't know what to do so I drank a hot cup of Comfrey leaves. I know it supposed to help your digestion but I felt it might also help with the fall I had. Did not go to the doctor because they will bother me with my high blood pressure. I also put hot towel with comfrey tea on it. Then showered with cold water and a cold pack on my shoulder. Can you help me with anything else? I know tomorrow will be bad for me because that is when the pain gets worse. Thank you and God bless you!
(Tn)
12/17/2017
Dear Mary,
I am so sorry about your fall and subsequent injury and pain!
Comfrey tea, as you are doing, internally and topically are great for injuries. I have read about using both throughout recovery to help breaks and sprains heal more quickly.
It sounds like you don't think it is a break but a sprain if you were able to move your arm and shoulder after the fall?
Cold applications can help to keep swelling and pain in check, though alternating warm and cool compresses can also aid healing.
Castor oil topically is another thing I like to use to reduce pain and inflammation.
A teaspoon of turmeric in milk a few times a day can help with pain and inflammation.
Bone broth or gelatin can help promote joint and tissue healing as can vitamin C.
I hope you have found a comfortable place to rest/sleep- sometimes a recliner is a good place when you are dealing with arm/shoulder issues.
If you find it getting worse instead of better or if you think it is broken, you might ask around for a health professional that won't give you a hard time about your blood pressure. Sometimes walk in clinics are good for this. They often have onsite x-ray available. (The clinic I have been to doesn't even charge extra for the xray! ) I have made use of this in the past. Recently I was there and my blood pressure was out out the top (they check it three times! ) but they decided it was because I had a cough and didn't give me a hard time.
Let me know how you are doing!
~Mama to Many~
(Arcadia, Ca)
12/17/2017
Thank you very much, Mama, because I drank the tea and tried to stretch my arm a little I felt much better. I also rubbed a special alcohol on the place it hurt most. A Mexican lady gave it to me and put some kind of herb in it. I will ask her what it was. Although it was cold here I took a cool shower a little bit where it hurt the most. then rubbed some warm castor oil on it too. I did not feel too bad today and even cooked dinner too! Later I went to buy all the fixings for my Christmas which is Tamales I am of Mexican descent as well it is a great process. But the family loves them.
Thank you very much for all your help. Merry Christmas as well and a wonderful new year! You are a great woman!!
(Arcadia, Ca)
12/26/2017
Hello Mama, I hope you don't mind me calling you that. After 7 days of severe pain on my side and my shoulder blade besides the worst pain on my head. I couldn't stand the pain any longer so I went to emergency. They checked me out thoroughly and did not find anything wrong with me! I am so happy now! I hit so hard! I am blessed but still hurting a little!
Blessings to you all and especially to you, mama!
(Tennessee)
12/27/2017
Dear Mary,
Such good news! I am happy to hear the good report from the ER!
I trust all the good things you are doing will help to resolve the pain quickly, then.
Have you tried Epsom Salt baths? I love those when I am hurting!
Love,
~Mama to Many~
(and sure - it is an honor to have you call me, "Mama.")
(Tn)
02/10/2018
Dear Mary from Arcadia,
A friend of mine shared with me the success she has had reducing her blood pressure using a NOW product called blood pressure health. I know you have mentioned your high blood pressure in the past.
I just ordered some Hawthorn capsules (Swanson brand) for my husband for his high blood pressure and caffeine induced arrhythmia. I will let you know how they work for him. I may take the hawthorn myself and my bp isn't as low as it used to be. I will let you know how the Hawthorn works for us....
Hope your shoulder is completely healed by now!
~Mama to Many~
(Mi)
02/13/2018
I would like to know what to do for high blood pressure. Please let us know how the hawthorne works for you.
(Arcadia, Ca)
02/14/2018
Dear Mama,
I am so sad for the passing of your beautiful mother. You are such a great person that she helped to make you the person you are. I pray that you pass through this pain and be blessed. You have so many blessings that come to you from all over. You deserve them all. I will pray for peace for you in your time of need. Blessings always, Mary Martinez
(Arcadia, Ca)
02/15/2018
Hello dear Mama! I just saw this post today. yes thank you my shoulder healed very nicely! I finally brought down my blood pressure with this natural supplement. This was so wonderful could not believe it! I went to the new doctor and they had just check my bp when to my surprize it was 123/78!!! I said, "what but not loudly" since I was new the doctor set me up to do a ton of tests was going to do it but decided to forget it. the name of this product is BLOOD PRESSURE FORMULA. BY LONGEVITY PREMIER NUTRACEAUTICALS, INC. BOUGHT IT FROM AMAZON! I did get a little dizzy so took only a quarter of the capsule. I still have to do a little exercise because when I do that I feel totally normal. I do exercise a little once and a while but planning to do more soon! I promise.
With love and health,
Mary Martinez
(Colorado)
10/29/2023
Hi Mama, you are certainly appreciated! Your mom used the same remedies as yours and we too used to roll our eyes but no more. Our 94 year old mother had an incident last week where she was hallucinating and having blowouts. They informed us 25 hours after the fact We took her to the ER where they administered antibiotics and kept her overnight. We took her back to the care center. A week later we received another call that she was confused and having more blowouts along with a She was about 60%ok and decided not to take her to the ER but the owner pushed us to do so thinking she had another UTI and possibly c-diff. By the time they were done poking and probing, her mental acuity declined significantly. There doesn't seem to be a UTI but they're thinking the antibiotics plus everything else they gave her over the course of the last eight days wreaked havoc. We've been giving her probiotics and d-mannose, she's finally started eating a little bit. Is there anything else to help her get back to where she was so we don't have to put her into skilled nursing? One symptom of her dementia was anxiety. We finally got that calmed and are fearful to put her into a new place to avoid that occurring again. Thank you!
(Tennessee)
10/29/2023
Dear Marsh,
I am so sorry about your mom. It is so hard when they have any incident requiring hospitalization and/or new medication. We found with our elderly parents that any change seemed to require some time to "settle" again and often not quite getting back to the ground they were on previously...
A few ideas...
You could try adding some activated charcoal for some detox and to help remove bacteria. It can also be used if the blowout situation occurs again. It can be harder to use with older adults as it needs to be taken 2 hours away from any medications. Even 1/2 teaspoon or 2 capsules daily for a few weeks may be helpful, though.
Are you able to keep her on the D-Mannose? I think in the past I underestimated the complications the elderly face from UTI's which are common and easily missed in the diagnosing. Also, if keeping her on the probiotic is possible, I would do that for sure, or try milk kefir daily or a high quality yogurt.
We found that flush free Niacin helped my dad with his dementia.
Is she mobile? A daily walk or even walk in a wheelchair can help with the anxiety. Also, regular rocking in a rocking chair has been shown to reduce anxiety.
Classical music over daytime television is also helpful, I think! I remember my mother's caregivers were baffled by her anxiety when they had her in front of very intense tv shows.
If I think of anything else I will post it...
Let me know how she does!
~Mama to Many~
(Colorado)
10/31/2023
Dear Magnificent Mama, Your suggestions and thoughtfulness are so much appreciated. Thank you! Why didn't I think of charcoal? We her on d-mannose but the facility forgot to include in her overnight bag. We're on day 4, about to be released, (hopefully). We've had an issue with her NP refusing to test for UTI unless she has a fever. We discovered during her hospitalization that her family clinic refuses the testing unless she presents with a fever. The past 3 times she's had a uti, she hasn't had a fever. Had they tested, she wouldn't have been hospitalized twice. You have to wonder what their thought process is. Blessings to you and yours
(Colorado)
11/28/2023
Hello Mama, after our mom's 2nd hospitalization, her baseline significantly decreased. She's now hypersensitive (a gentle touch hurts). Do you have any suggestions?
(Tennessee)
11/29/2023
Dear Marsh,
I'm sorry to hear that. :(
A few ideas for the hypersensitivity...
Dehydration can increase the awareness of pain.
Sugar can increase pain and inflammation.
I also wonder if any new medications, or residual effects of any medications from the hospital could have a side effect of hypersensitivity? Oddly, even pain medications, can have a side effect of pain. You might want to look up side effects of any medications she is taking.
Some dandelion tea would be a gentle way to do some detox from the hospital meds (can't imagine being in the hospital and not getting at least some new meds...) and would increase water intake.
I am a bit of a broken record on the rocking chair therapy, but again, there has been a study that showed that rocking in a rocking chair decreased requests for pain medication in a care facility. It is a great time of year to sit in a rocking chair and drink tea. :)
Is she cold natured? Being cold makes my pain worse, for sure. Have you seen, "Warmies?" Stuffed animals you warm up in the microwave and then they are like a heating pad you hold in your lap. Just another idea for something that would be soothing at this time.
She is blessed to have you watching our for her, Marsh!
Let me know how it goes.
~Mama to Many~
(Hampshire)
08/06/2024
★★★★★
Thank you MtoM for all your postings, which help me greatly. I always look forward to and value your posts. Although this is a long time later, sorry for your loss. I lost my mum a long time ago and miss her to this day, but the sad memories of loss fade and happy memories come with time. Thank you again.
