Cathy (Villa Park, Illinois) on 02/20/2010:
After I read Johns's post below, I went out and bought some grapefruit seed extract. I am 45 years old and I do a lot of hiking and I guess that is how I developed plantar fascitis. I do not have the heel spurs but do have the pain with the plantar fascitis. I rubbed several drops on each heel. The next morning the pain was totally gone. After 1-2 weeks the pain came back in my left heel but only half as bad. so I did the same again with the left heel and pain went away again for about a week or so. Right heel has not had any more pain. Over several months the pain in the left heel has diminished each time I apply the GSE. Still have little bit of pain. GSE is an anti-inflamatory among other things. I asked my naturopath if I did the right thing and she said YES I did exactly the right thing. She said it is usually caused by a magnesium deficiency which I already knew I had because of the twitching I had all over my body. That is pretty much gone now.
I eat almonds everyday which are very high in magnesium. If you can afford to see a qualified naturopath I highly recommend it. Illinois is in the process of trying to get liscensing for naturopathic doctors. My Blue Cross Blue Shield even covers it surprisingly. I have learned a lot from this website but I like to confirm the information with the naturopath because she really knows her stuff and knows exactly what I need. Good Luck.
John (Eugene, Oregon) on 07/15/2008:
One year ago I was supposedly diagnosed with heal spurs and plantar fasciitis. Doc did not want to acknowledge the symptoms of migrating pain and twitching up the leg and into the body. I would at times catch a cold, and would feel it go into my heel, which would then swell so I could not walk. One day out of desperation, I rubbed GSE on it. The next day the pain was gone. A week later, I felt the pain and swelling come back. Again, over night with the GSE say 12 drops on the bottom of the foot, and it was gone the next morning. Simply amazing. I had not considered GSE but had tried: Iodine, DMSO, H2O2, other essential oils, colloidal silver, heating foot packs, magnesium oil rubs and soaks; some of which helped a small bit, but nothing like the GSE. So take it for what it's worth. And thanks Ted.
