Almonds
★★★★★
ALMONDS: I had been taking aciphex for my acid reflux for over a year. After trying to lose weight with no success, I discovered over the internet that some people have a weight problem with aciphex. I stopped using it and decided to try a natural remedy that I used when I was pregnant and it works! It's real simple: plain almonds. I eat about 5 with breakfast and then eat a few each time I eat and I haven't felt my reflux. This was a remedy that a nurse told me about many years ago when I was pregnant with my first child, 1981. I'm so glad I remembered it. Just to let you know, I am a drinker of chlorinated tap water; (read below) but somehow that remedy makes sense, too. Oh, and by the way, I began to lose weight after stopping the aciphex!
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Found Earth Clinic a year ago and love this site!! Thank you!! Have had pregnancy diabetes for my past 2 preg. Now I've over 40 and preg with my 3rd. Started having problems again at the end of 1st trimester. Really watched what I ate... no refined carbs, no sweets, nothing but protein for breakfast or else sugars would go as high as 165 and I'd be dizzy/sick. Had to keep carbs below 60g a day and even then couldn't eat them all at once. In middle of 2nd trimester had to cut back even more. So I started Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) with Dr. 's permission. (But what Dr wouldn't be OK with an amount equal to what most put on a salad?) (2 tea in 8oz of water 2x's a day... Empty stomach. )
After 1 week, tested it with a piece of whole wheat toast at breakfast with my usual eggs/cheese/bacon. Before it would have made me dizzy and I'd be up above 150 an hour after eating. It was only 140. WONDERFUL!!!! Now I'm only 6 weeks from my due date. I can eat a piece of pizza for dinner, or a hotdog for lunch with the bun! I even can have a bit of sugar in my ice tea or a few bites of apple pie. I can have a few bites of a chocolate bar too!!! None of this was possible before! My sugar's now are very stable. They never go above 140 an hour after a meal and 2hrs after they are down around 110. ACV seems to have a compounding effect. The longer I'm on it the more often I can eat carbs. I can now have a bit of pasta or a piece of pizza or wheat toast every day! I still can't eat more than 1/2 slice of wheat toast at breakfast, but that's OK. I can eat almost anything I want in moderation!! It's made life wonderful! As we all know preg women have lots of cravings. I can indulge in anything, just in moderation. This is great!!!! Another effect that is more subtle is the swelling. I gain a LOT of weight while pregnant (40lbs usually). But, I eat very healthy, and the weight goes on at 1 pound a week. But, that's still a lot of weight. After 2wks on ACV I noticed my body seemed less 'puffy' and I went 2 weeks without gaining any weight. It's hard to explain, but preg women should know what I mean. I have no swelling in my feet or arms unless I sit for hours. People who've seen me during my other preg's constantly comment how great I look during this one. My Dr. Is impressed each time I see him. Yes, it is work and I have to be really good and never miss a dose of ACV. I also keep very close watch on what I eat. But, it is so worth it!!! I know I can control my sugars without drugs!!! It is a wonderful empowering feeling!!! Thank you for this great site Earth Clinic!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar for blocked sinuses: I am in my second trimester of pregnancy and suffering from a pretty bad cold. When I tried to go to bed, my sinuses were completely blocked, so I was lying on my back, breathing through my mouth, but feeling like I was suffocating from the post-nasal drip. I was desperate to find something to unblock my nose, but since I want to stay away from medications, I found this site. I decided to try drinking apple cider vinegar. I poured (generously) about 2 tablespoons into some hot water, mixed it with honey and struggled to get it down. Less than 10 minutes later, my left nostril is completely clear. Thanks so much for the advice. It was a godsend!
Apple Cider Vinegar
★☆☆☆☆
I am 7 months pregnant and have had severe sinus problems the entire time. Nothing OTC works for me including Benadryl or Tylenol Sinus. I've tried the Vick's Vaporizor and nothing. Afrin gives some relief but I think I've become immune to it. I've been using it for months and at increasing intervals throughout the day. So after reading all these positive comments about drinking the ACV with water, I thought I'd try it. I mixed about 2 tablespoons of ACV with 8 ounces of warm water and drank it. It tasted a little like lemon tea with no sweetener so I didn't find the taste to be terribly off-putting; however it's been about 2 hours and NO difference at all in my sinuses. I may try it again and see if it does anything with repeated use, but so far, I am not getting any effect at all from this remedy.
(Edmond, Oklahoma, Usa)
07/24/2012
I see this thread is from 2009, but if anyone else reads this and has the same problem here is trick I learned several years ago. Joyce is right, nasal sprays like Afrin can be addicting. It's hard to get off these sprays cold turkey. So, here's what you do, only use the nasal spray on one nostril and let the other one go. You can still breathe through one nostril while the other one is getting away from the spray. When you can breathe through the nostril that is no longer addicted stop the nasal spray all together. This worked for three people I know. It's much easier that going cold turkey.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
I am 3 months pregnant and have been sufferring from terrible digestion issues (GERD, nausea, constipation, bloating, gas, etc). One of my friends told me to try apple cider vinegar to help alleviate some of my symptoms. I had my husband buy me a generic brand of ACV at the grocery store and I just started taking it yesterday. I believe that it is already making a difference in the way my gut feels; however, I just read one of the articles on this site that says distilled/pasturized ACV is "dead" and that you are losing most of the value if you are not using an organic, non-distilled version. My doctor does not want me to take anything that is not pasturized (for fear of any bacteria harming my baby). Does this mean it is pointless for me to use the grocery store brand of ACV? I haven't been using the ACV for long enough to know if it is truly effective at alleviating my problems or if all the "feeling better" stuff is just in my head. If anyone can confirm whether regular store bought (pasturized) ACV is still useful, I would greatly appreciate your comments.
(Warren, MI)
07/22/2009
I am now just into my 8th month of pregnancy and have been eating raw cheese, raw butter, and drinking raw milk my whole pregnancy. My baby is strong and healthy. I have read that the chances are rare that you can harm the baby by having raw unpasterized products. Since I have started eating this way I have had a better pregnancy then my others.
(Hampton, IL)
07/23/2009
Contrary to politically correct nutrition, not all bacteria is bad for you! People have been eating food with bacteria for thousands of years and stayed much healthier than most Americans. Read "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon. You need lots of good bacteria to balance the bad bacteria, and if you get the really good fermented, unpasteurized ACV with the floaties in it you are getting A LOT of great bacteria to colonize your gut and help you digest and boost your immune system. I drink unpasteurized milk and make kefir with it... it's loaded with good bacteria. You just have to make sure you get it from healthy cows kept by a clean farmer. And don't bother with dead ACV. What's the point?
(Qld)
08/18/2015
Non pasturised ACV is safe to take because the acidity kills the bacteria. The ACV needs to have the mother in it or it will not be of any benefit.
Apples
★★★★★
My sister got headaches when she was pregnant, she ate an apple and the headaches would go away. She I did not want to take medication for her headaches since it gets into the unborn baby's body. It worked well several times.
Arnica
★★★★★
My husband and I have a lot of problems with sore muscles--neck, back, sciatic nerves, etc. We take arnica (homeopathic) tablets for pain and use arnica massage oil. It really helps! This pregnancy (#4), I have taken 1 or 2 arnica tablets every night and have had the least problems with leg cramps of all my pregnancies.
Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C
★☆☆☆☆
Warning
WARNING!
Ted, just wanted to comment on a reply were you stated that vitamin c can help prevent miscarriage. ascorbic acid (synthetic vit c i believe) is actually and abortificient in early term pregnancy, so you should be sure to note that unless a woman is trying to terminate a pregnancy, she should never take ascorbic acid while pregnant (ascorbic acid is the main ingredient in most off brand and lower priced vit c supplements.)
(Anaheim, CA)
11/17/2008
★★★★★
I completely disagree with Kat. Please refer to the following link from the Vitamin C foundation:
http://www.vitamincfoundation.org/stone/Chapt26.htm
Scroll down to the "Pregnancy" section. It goes through all of the studies conducted on pregnant females including animal studies. It also provides the rationale behind the necessity of Vitamin C (especially during pregnancy). I have actually used the Vitamin C protocol in my last pregnancy (3 grams of Vitamin C per day 1st trimester, 6 grams 2nd trimester & 10 grams of Vitamin C in my last trimester). I can honestly say it was the easiest child birth I have had. (I should know since the last child was number 8 for my husband and I.) My baby is the most happy and mellow baby around. To this day I strive to take between 6-10 grams of Vitamin C a day. I highly recommend that everyone reads the information that can be found on
http://www.vitamincfoundation.org
One will truly be amazed at how many illnesses can be cured/treated with high doses of Vitamin C.
(Los Angeles, Ca)
08/28/2009
you may both be right. it might just be a matter of timing and dosage. as it is, there are herbs that can be emmenagogues (induce a period when it's late) but can also be used to encourage conception; they are just different dosages, at different times of the woman's cycle (before OR after ovulation for instance, makes a difference).
it could be that once the baby is further developed, a dosage of 10 grams is generally safe, as you mention. maybe then you are out of that delicate developing zone.
high doses of vitamin c (preferably absorbic acid) has been and is used to induce a late period and/or miscarraige, in the early stages of pregnancy. please note that the emmenagogue vitamin c dosage is anywhere from 6-12 grams per day of absorbic acid, for no more than 14 days. hopefully this helps to clarify things. i am not an expert but have read quite a bit about natural fertility herbal uses.
just keep in mind that many supplement have dual effects and read up/get advice before you add any new supplement. valerian, for instance. it is a balancer: can stimulate when you are tired, or make you sleepy when you are anxious/wired. i have firsthand experience with this one.
(Lynchburg, Va)
01/29/2010
★★★★★
I'm not sure about the form being right to take in pregnancy or not, but I took a top notch 6 a day prenatal with plenty of ascorbic acid in there, and I always had to have my water broken with my babies. (It was coming out intact.) Come to find out from my Midwife, it's the vit. C that causes a tough sack. I will continue to take it, as with my condition of an irritable uterus, most woman seem to loose their babies early due to their water breaking. . .I kept mine full term.
(Conway, Ar)
01/08/2011
★★★★★
I am a RN in the Burn Center and our MD's prescribe 1000 mg Ascorbic Acid to all our patients (pregnant or otherwise) because it encourages cell regeneration. Cell walls require ascorbic acid (or vitamin C) to repair themselves, so it's a good thing to take extra while you're being required to make new cells - as in growing a new life or healing a wound. I'm 34 weeks pregnant now, and my midwife has encouraged me to take up to 1000 mg of Vitamin C every hour (if needed) for the duration of my pregnancy. It has helped prevent illness as well as grow a healthy baby. I haven't been sick this entire pregnancy and I deal with some REALLY nasty germs while at work.
(Chicago, Il)
01/10/2011
The first lady is correct. Synthetic vitamin C is an abortifacient and I have used it as such several times when I was younger. Unlike herbs it works dependably in the right circumstances. It is useful if you use a natural planning method of birth control ("rhythm method") and become fertile unexpectedly within a few days of intercourse. It only works for sure in the first week after conception and you must take very high doses (a tablet every hour or two) in order to ensure success. You will know it worked of course because you will begin menstruation after a couple of days. It's been a decade since I have used it but I believe synthetic vitamin C is a progesterone blocker. For safety, anyone taking vitamin C should be very careful to only take natural vitamin C in lower doses.
(Jacksonville, Oregon)
05/04/2012
(Philadelphia, Pa)
02/18/2015
Hmmm... Idk, I was taking 8 grams a day before I found out I was pregnant. Def didn't cause miscarriage. The one thing that is different this pregnancy is the baby is estimated to be smaller (estimated at 9 lbs at 40 weeks, while my last was over 10 and three weeks early). Good to know about it strengthening the cervix, perhaps this is why I am not dilating!!
Black Cohosh for Labor and Delivery
★★★★★
Labor and delivery-Black Kohosh: Only use this product a week and a half or at the earliest, two weeks before delivery if used before this time it can induce premature labor; but when used as described here, it helps to strenghten the uterine wall to facilitate an easier and less stressful labor and delivery. I suggest that an expecting mother take one herbal supplement with each meal. IE, one at breakfast, one at lunch and one at dinner. Continue this regiment until you finally deliver your baby. One added benefit to this herbal remedy resides in the fact that you will not experience the excrutiating pains similar to contractions that are felt when you are nursing the child post natal. You may feel minor discomfort but, thank God, it is nothing like the pain you will endure if you do nothing at all. I am speaking from experience when I tell you this works.
Cell Salt
★★★★★
I had acid reflux during my first pregnancy and had some relief with over the counter alkalizers. This pregnancy I didn't want to alkalize my stomach acid so I can digest effectively - but I still needed some relief. My naturopath recommended nat phos, the cell salt (also called SP or sodium phosphate) which is working very well, at least as well as antacids without the worry of poor digestive side effects or aluminium additives. Be sure to chew the tablet, or dissolve it in warm water.
(Lynchburg, Va)
01/29/2010
(Flintstone, Ga)
03/31/2013
Cell salts are a very affordable option as they usually come in 250 to 500 tablets per container. Baking soda taken right before or after a meal, where it decreases the stomach acid is going to interfere with proper digestion of your food. An acidic environment is needed to release the calcium from your food and begin breaking down the proteins. Most reflux during pregnancy is caused by the added pressure on the stomach from the baby. What comes up may not burn anymore, but you're also negatively affecting digestion. If you want to use baking soda for a more alkaline system make sure it's taken between meals so that it doesn't negatively affect your body's ability to digest its food.
Coconut Oil
I am 7 months pregnant and would like to start taking EVCO internally. I currently use it externally as a moisturiser, and after reading all of the wonderful posts testifying to the great overall results, I would like to know if it would be safe for me to begin ingesting it. I am 34, I don't drink, I don't smoke, I eat a pretty healthy diet of fruit, veggies and some meat. I would like to get all of the toxins out of my body using EVCO befor the birth of my son. I plan to breastfeed and I would love to be as healthy as possible to ensure that he has the very best from me internally as well as externally. I would also like to know if it would be safe to use as a moisturizer on my newborn.
I stumbled upon this site accidentally five days ago and since then I have become a sponge. I absolutely love the community of people sharing their personal experiences with virtual strangers. Thank you all for giving your time and effort to help people be as healthy as can be the way the good Lord intended.
(Carlsbad, Ca)
08/02/2011
It is absolutely safe! It would do NO harm and only benefit you and your baby for the better! I recommend using it as a moisturizer for your baby instead of all the commercial ones with chemicals no one can pronounce... And it's less expensive! I started giving it to my little ones when they started solids too... Good luck to you!
(Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
08/03/2011
Hi Shannabelle, although I don't like to advise what you should take when you are pregnant I am pretty sure EVCO being a natural oil would be safe especially for external use on yourself and the baby when it is born. I know the South Pacific Islanders have been using coconut oil for an eternity without problems. I would keep the injestion of EVCO to a minimal amount to be sure, maybe about 2tsp daily. Hope this helps. Lily.
(Austin, Tx)
08/19/2011
★★★★★
@Shannabelle from Gilbert, Arizona, Hi there, I am currently seven months pregnant and Have been using Coconut oil since I was pregnant with my first child who is now 15 months old! I take a tablespoon a day and started doing so because I got a yeast infection during the first pregnancy and it cured it so I kept taking it, coconut oil is EXTREMELY beneficial for you, I give it to my son as well, not completely raw lol, but I make Creamy Buckwheat for breakfast and put a tablespoon of Coconut oil, make sure its organic and cold pressed and virgin, and I also add a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter and a tablespoon of ground or whole flaxseeds depending on what I have at the time, then I slice a banana and if I have other fruits like strawberries blueberries or bananas I add that! Its delicous and healthy and he loves it, I would drink Raw unpasteurized milk whenever possible as well! You can email me with any questions you might have about anything, I am going to study to become a naturopath.
My email is christaleddlema(at)yahoo.com
(Austin , Tx)
08/19/2011
(San Diego, Ca, Usa)
01/19/2012
★★★★★
Coconut oil for EVERYTHING!!!! When I was pregnant with my daughter, I rubbed it on my stretch marks, I ate a tablespoon everyday during my last trimester and used it for my perianal massage during the weeks leading up to delivery and during delivery... Her head was out in one strong push and the rest of her body followed with the next push! After I used it on her dry skin and my cracked nipples! She is now two and loves eating it whenever I let her! I use it to deep condition my hair and in the bedroom as a natural lubrication! Just make sure to get organic unrefined coconut oil!
(USA)
05/02/2012
(Ghana)
03/07/2014
(Tennessee, Usa)
03/07/2014
Dear Juliana,
I am not aware of Coconut Oil being used to help have a quick delivery. It can certainly be part of a healthy diet, and a healthy diet will make it less likely to have complications in labor.
There are a number of "Birth Preparation" formulas that some have found very helpful. You take them the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy and many find them helpful for better deliveries.
Dr. Chistopher's is called "Birth Prep."
Nature's Sunshine has one called 5-W
Mountain Meadow Herbs has one called "Gentle Birth."
I was not aware of such formulas until my last birth. I used "Gentle Birth." I cannot say if it helped or not. However, I did have very minimal bleeding after delivery, which surprised all the nurses a I was having my 9th baby.
Red Raspberry leaf tea, 3-4 cups a day, would also be a good thing to try (unless you get a birth prep formula that already has it in it.)
Let us know how things go for you.
~Mama to Many~
Ectopic Pregnancy
hi , I found ur article very useful.
i am diagnosed as pcod and conceived my Gonal F NATURALLY, but it turned out to be unexplained ectopic pregnancy. No blockage. I lost my right Fallopian tube through laproscopy. I came across the Castor pack therapy. It has been two months after the lapro. Can I go for castor pack therapy? please help me I don't want to take chance for the next pregnancy.
regards, shilpa
Epsom Salt, Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
I'm in my 9th month of pregnancy and my baby is sitting on my sciatica nerve. I can barely walk somedays but this helps alot! I take a pretty hot bath with Epsom Salt, A bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil in the bath and soak for 20-30 minutes. It helps alleviate the pain a great deal. You can also get on your hands and knees (all fours) and tilt your pelvis and this relieves pressure. I hope this helps.
(Boulder, CO)
04/17/2009
(Lynchburg, Va)
12/23/2009
Great advice for what ails you, pregnant or not. It would relax the muscles some, but for long term relief of sciatic pain, massage with chiropractic care have been the only thing that have helped my longstanding pain. No other things will work, more than temporarily, as there are many causes of sciatic pain.
(Baltimore, Md)
06/19/2011
Fertility Remedies
Fantastic site - I am absolutely glued to it!! I was looking at how to become pregnant (to conceive) but I can't find the topic - do you have any advice you could share for a friend of mine? Thanks very much for the generous help that you have offered on this site. It is greatly appreciated.
EC: Hi Karen, please check out this page for remedies: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/infertility.html
(Pearland, Texas)
02/28/2010
I had 2 friends use Maca..one took 2 capsules three times daily and the other said she wasn't very consistent but used it at least 2 capsules once daily and both were having trouble conceiving. They also said they noticed more energy and I know that is true because I began taking it because it is suppose to be a good support for the female system and it gave me a feeling of well being and a little more energy.
(Bridgetown, Barbados)
07/11/2012
I am a 50 year old woman was having menstrual problems I take every thing that I read on earth clinic dont get me wrong they all slow down the bleeding, less blood clots but I will still bleed for 20 days or sometimes 24 days and then the bleeding will stop. And then I will have a very short cycle still something was missing to balance my hormone I read what u said about maca went to the health store bought some. In about 2 weeks it work for me I recommend Maca root powder for women who are having menstrual problems and fertility problems I take 2 capsules three times a day and now I am having a normal 7 days per I ran out of tab went and bought the powder what I read about maca I will not stop taking it. And I thank the Lord Jesus for the herbs he said in his words the herbs is for the healing of the nation. thank you earth clinic in everything give God thanks.
Fever Remedies
I am 23 week pregnant and have had high fever since last day. A few days ago I have had severe UTI but treated it with sea salt remedy. It is better but not cured completely. My fever is on and off with ACV wet cloth remedy and I dont have cold and flu symptoms I think it is due to UTI. I dont want to take any medicine, and want to treat it with home remedies. Please help me. Thanks in advace.
(Tennessee, Usa)
08/23/2013
Lisa, Please make sure you are well hydrated. That will help the fever. Peppermint tea is good for fever and hydration. If you have peppermint essential oil, rub a couple of drops on the bottom of your feet. You can also used lemongrass essential oil. (I use both and it does help fever in my children.)
Also, keep treating the UTI as it may not be totally gone if you have fever. Plantain Tea (1 quart a day) is excellent for UTI's (and hydration!) You can even mix the peppermint and plantain.
If you cannot get your fever down, I would go ahead and take over the counter fever reducer. I hate to take them, but when you are pregnant, your baby's temp. Is 1 degree higher than yours at all times, so fever can be dangerous for him. (According to a home birth midwife I used in the past.)
Praying you get well soon.
~Mama to Many~
(Ca, Usa)
08/23/2013
I understand your fear of medications while you are pregnant, but at the same time, this UTI if untreated could get deeper in your system and cause systemic infection. This is not safe. You should get Doctor's care and they can decide what medication is safe for you in your level of pregnancy. Fever means there is infection and it should get the right medical care.
(Alexandria Va)
08/23/2013
(Ottawa, On, Canada)
08/23/2013
