Tag: manjistha

Be Set Free from Edema

Posted on by Diogenes II

Edema is a symptom that the body gives us to tell there is something wrong with a major organ. Edema is the manifestation that happens when inside the cells and outside the cells are saturated with water, like a busted pipe within our tissues and organs. This edema can affect anywhere in the body — from the top of the head, to the sole of the feet. In this article, we will cover the most severe form of edema — refractory edema — thereby covering all forms of edema. We will show the mechanism that forms edema, and how to resolve it.

Edema, also spelled oedema, only occurs when and where there is, simply speaking, some type of damage in the body. Refractory edema is a chronic edema that does not respond to diuretic use or sodium restriction. Diuretics is used to flush out excess fluid, and sodium restriction is implemented to reduce fluid retention, since salt holds onto fluid — just like carbohydrates and protein do.  Refractory edema, however, means that the condition is more advanced, and needs to be dealt with more than just adding or taking away nutrients from the diet.

If there is bloating only in the lower right leg, then that is usually considered to be a sign of liver dysfunction — specifically a condition called ascites. If you have ascites, then that means your stomach is most likely also swollen with fluid. If the bloat is only in the lower left leg however, then that may indicate descending colon congestion, left kidney congestion or heart disease. This heart disease could lead to congestive heart failure if left untreated. If both legs are affected, this could mean advanced liver problem that is also affecting the kidneys. If such is the case, there may be also bloating under the eyes as well.

But what causes edema in the first place? Just like a busted pipe will dispense water uncontrollably, so will a busted organ not be able the handle the fluid in the body. The organ that usually starts the cascading failure is, the liver — from injury, that may then lead to a natural inflammatory response, then maybe fibrosis, and if fibrosis is chronic, this could then lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Other events that may lead to edema are hepatitis C and pregnancy. Medication that is damaging to the liver could also be a factor.

If both extremities are swollen, then this is most likely multiple organ failure. At this stage, the body is losing protein more so than it is designed to, and not being able to replace it. Furthermore, if there is high protein loss, then there is also high potassium loss. This quick and sudden excretion is damaging to the kidneys.

When we say the body is losing protein, what that mostly means is that the blood is losing albumin. Albumin is exactly what it sounds like — the same-like gooey-type clear liquid found in egg whites. This albumin transports nutrients and hormones throughout the body and helps to keep fluid inside of blood vessels and capillaries, and out of tissues and organs. At the loss of albumin, fluid buildup then occurs in the organs and tissues, causing fluid retention a.k.a. edema.

As this albumin and potassium make a quick exit out of the kidneys, they damage the sensitive glomeruli that acts as filters. Ideally, the kidneys allow much less than 1 gram of all proteins to filter out in a day. But when a condition called nephrotic syndrome occurs, the glomeruli processes 3 or more grams of protein leaking into the urine within a 24 hour period. This becomes very stressful and damaging to the kidneys.

This albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood serum, and is made in the liver, composed of some nearly 600 amino acid residues. If the liver is dysfunction, then albumin will not be made properly, if at all. And even when it is made, it may become quickly oxidized by free radicals. So an albumin problem first starts in the liver, then makes its way down to the kidneys.

Edema comes in many forms and have many names. There is peripheral edema, which affects the extremities. Then there is cerebral edema which affects the brain. There is pulmonary edema which affects the lungs. There is also lymphedema, which is directly affected by the immobility of the lymphatic system. I personally developed a form called pedal edema, that affected my lower right leg, ankle and feet — when I accidentally injured myself with the edge of a paint scraper. The treatment by allopathic medicine usually depends by edema type, which could range from something as basic as compression socks, to a more advanced or even holistic type all encompassing treatment.

I had what might have been called pedal edema, for 4 years, before I finally discovered the solution that completely reverse it — in days!

There are a combination of 5 supplements, including herbs, that have repeatedly shown positive results in reversing just about all forms of edema. It goes like this:

Pycnogenol: I took this supplement for 5 days with P5P, and my edema disappeared thereafter. Pycnogenol improves circulation and blood flow.

P5P: I took this synthetic form of B6 for a few days, and my edema disappeared, but came back one week later. Only when I combined it with pycnogenol did my edema disappear for good.

Mangistha: Mangistha gets the lymphatic system moving, thus it is good for edema, especially lymphedema.

Astragalus: Chronic edema damages the filtration mechanism of the kidneys — but this herb fixes that.

Kutki: Most edema problems are really a liver problem — this herb help fix all stages of liver dysfunction, including fibrosis and cirrhosis.

In addition to these, you want to support whole body function with a healthy diet of adequate potassium and other B vitamins. These include: Black beans, asparagus, bok choy, yu choy, parsnip, yam, sweet potato, kohlrabi, crimini mushrooms and lichens. You may also want to reduce excess sugar, since such encourages edema re-activation.

 

 

 

 

 

Heal Acne Permanently!

Posted on by Diogenes II

 

Acne (acne vulgaris) is manifested as a skin condition, affecting the bust of the human profile, i.e., the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders, and sometimes even extending to the buttocks — often causing extreme self consciousness and indignation to its victim. Acne is materialized when the oily secretion of sebum, that lubricates the hair follicles and skin pores become congested with dead skin and condensed sticky oil debris. Bacteria then proliferate to agitate the condition and cause further inflammation. Many of the alcohol-laden and dehydrating creams and techniques used today do more harm in exacerbating than in fixing an acne problem.

This skin disorder is often a condition caused by some sort of repressed hatred for something, or someone. Hate in traditional Chinese medicine is stored and built up in one particular organ: the liver. Furthermore, if you have strong emotions stored in the liver, then you also have clogging of that liver, with either sludge, gallstones or intrahepatic stones. If these things occur, then bile — a substance that the liver produces to digest fat — is reduced. Our liver should ideally produce one quart or over of bile per day — that’s a lot! If your liver is compromised, then you may not be even producing fifteen percent of that. If you have acne problems, most likely, you have bile problems.

Why is bile so important? Bile helps digest fat, turning it into smaller molecules so the digestive system can handle and the small  intestines can absorb it. If fat is not being digested, then retinol also is not being metabolized. Retinol is needed to nourish the skin and keep it oily. Otherwise, you have dry skin, or sticky skin, susceptible to toxins and bacteria. Furthermore, if bile is not being produced to digest fat, then the animal protein you eat is also not being digested, since protein needs fat to digest properly.

Furthermore, if bile is not being produced properly to digest fat, then calcium is not being digested and absorbed properly; then vitamin D, E and K are also not being absorbed properly. Then carbohydrates and other sugars are not being digested properly. Thus the lack of bile, caused by an angry liver, causes a cascading event leading to a toxic liver, and toxic blood, and congested lymphatic system, and toxins ultimately depositing in our skin from the inside-out. The manifestation of acne is only the visible iceberg to the real chunk of ice beneath the layers.

On surface, we see acne manifested as pores consisting of blackheads and whiteheads — from air and non-air exposure respectively. We also see it as nodules and pustules — bump-like growth beneath the skin and pimples with pus respectively. And then sometimes we see it as devastating cysts — a form (cystic acne) that penetrates deep from within the skin! Many suffering from this condition, in desperation, overly wash and scrub their faces hard — spreading the infection and making things worse.

So, what is the solution? There are fortunately many avenues you can take to heal acne. But your focus should be on fixing the liver, increasing bile flow, reducing anger, and cleaning toxic blood.
As a superficial quick-fix, guduchi powder mixed with amla powder into a paste will quickly heal up acne when applied for a period of time to the infected areas. As a prolonged healing process, these two herbs should be used internally, as a tea or in capsule form for a time to help heal the root of the problem.

Another topical application would be to make a paste out of a fine clay called pascalite. This clay differs from regular bentonite clay in that it doesn’t swell up when wet. It may very well remove acne when applied regularly over a period of weeks or months! You can order at pascalite.net.

As previously mentioned, since your liver is clogged, this produces toxins in the blood and clogs the lymphatic system. An herb called manjistha will reinvigorate the blood, and will help unclog the lymphatic system, so that it may drain toxins properly once again.
To speed up the process of detoxifying the blood, you can also add modified citrus pectin, which binds to toxins, and take them out of the body through the alimentary canal.

Food-wise, you want to reduce artery clogging animal muscle meat and dairy, while simultaneously start eating more grassfed/grassfinished liver (6 ounces per week). Why? This contains bioavailable retinol, copper, zinc and vitamin B12 — critical nutrients needed for someone with acne. You may also use oysters, (about 3 ounces per week) for its very bioavailable copper, zinc and selenium content. Oysters from the Atlantic ocean is ideally free from toxins.

You may also want to donate blood every six months to a year if you are suffering from amenorrhea. Bacteria thrives in a body filled with unbound iron. Unbound iron causes rust and inflammation of the organs. Donating blood will help mitigate this.

And finally as an added bonus, you may want to try organic bee pollen for its natural B vitamin content. B vitamins are essential for anyone with digestive, neurological or skin problems. Particularly vitamin B5 in a derivative form called Pantethine (in moderation) will nourish the  adrenal glands, thus reducing cortisol, thus reducing stress, thus reducing eventually, acne. (Taste test the pollen to make sure that you are not allergic.)

So in summary, acne, as well as many other skin conditions are caused by an angry liver, lack of proper bile flow, congested blood and a clogged lymphatic system. To effect healing, try

– Externally: Guduchi + amla + manjistha paste to affected area: Honey or coconut oil can be used to make the paste

– Externally: Pascalite clay (paste) applied for twenty (20) minutes to an hour, per day

– Internally: Guduchi + amla + manjistha in tea or capsule form

– modified citrus pectin (on an empty stomach)

– Reducing muscle meat and dairy

– adding grassfed/grassfinished liver (organic)

– adding Atlantic oysters [or sesame seeds] (for copper content)

– Donating blood every six months to a year to reduce unbound iron (optional)

– adding organic bee pollen + Pantethine (for B vitamins).

My Most Cherished Herbs

Posted on by Diogenes II

 

Herbs are used as fragrances, spices for food and for medical purposes. It is the latter that I’m concerning about in this article. I’ve read of the many benefits herbs can be on one’s health, especially if used properly in tea-form. I’ve also been using various herbs for years, and I will say that I’ve been truly amazed at some of the results. They do work, if you know which ones to take, for what reason to take them and what time to take them.
I have a list of about fifty herbs that have more than piqued my curiosity. But for the sake of sanity, time and practicality, I have narrowed my focus on nine special herbs, that have done and can do wholesale health benefits on one’s constitution. The nine herbs I will focus in this article are:

1. Guduchi
2. Kutki
3. Manjistha
4. Red root
5. Olive leaf extract
6. Amla
7. Ashwagandha
8. Turmeric
9. Eclipta Alba

Guduchi

Of all the herbs I love, guduchi often comes to mind first when I think of a healing herb. It is like a low-dose multivitamin, filled with important minerals like magnesium, calcium, copper and selenium. It is most famous for being a prized ayurvedic herb for liver function.

Guduchi a.k.a. Tinospora cordifolia a.k.a. Amrita a.k.a. Giloy is an immune system booster. It helps increase activity of macrophage cells. It enhances the efficiency of white blood cells. It alleviates allergic rhinitis a.k.a. hay fever a.k.a. seasonal allergies. These allergies that are often a sign of a compromised immune system are sensitive most famously to pollen in the air. Guduchi reduces nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing caused by these allergens.

I personally use guduchi as a liver and kidney detoxifier, and a blood cleanser. It truly tonifies the blood, moving toxins from the extremities and placing them in a position to be detoxified by the liver and out of the alimentary canal.

Guduchi has a heating effect on the internal organs, opening up pores for better nutrient absorption, oxygen absorption and better breathing. It works wonders for asthma and respiratory infections.

Guduchi is also anti-inflammatory, reducing uric acid build-up, thus also reducing ailments like rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Other herbs like ginger and (the fruit) amla increase the effectiveness of guduchi with these conditions. Guduchi and amla powder made into a paste may alleviate many skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.

Guduchi may also have adaptogen-like properties, able to balance hormones and reduce stress.

Guduchi has been used in folklore as a cancer cell/tumor inhibitor, capable of repairing damaged DNA and preventing damages to our DNA.

For those with high blood sugar, guduchi may be a good option. It is known to slow the rate of digestion of carbohydrates/sugar, thus lessening the body’s need for excess insulin. Be cautious when taking diabetic medications with guduchi — blood sugar may become too low.

Guduchi is best taken as an infused herb, meaning, you boil water, then pour it with the herb powder, and consume it as a tea.

Kutki

When it comes to liver health and fixing liver diseases such as fatty liver, cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis, I cannot think of anything stronger or better than kutki. Kutki is another bitter herb that is renowned in ayurveda for reversing liver damage. If you have gallstones and liver stones, if your liver is not producing enough bile, think kutki!

Kutki a.k.a. picrorhiza kurroa is a difficult plant to grow. It is the root that is mostly used for medicinal purposes. It may take up to two years before harvesting. Beware of farmers looking for a shortcut.

Kutki protects against fatty liver of almost any cause. It’s ayurveda’s premier liver, gallbladder herb. If you are thinking about doing a liver flush, consider kutki first. It contains picroside I, picroside II and kutkin, which are compounds believed by science to be the sources of its healing power. Kutki is very effective at causing cholagogue — stimulation of bile flow from the liver into the intestines — for the digestion of fat, and the lubrication of the intestines. It may also reduce excess bilirubin and excess liver enzymes.

Kutki is both a bitter and pungent herb, which is unusual. Most herbs are either one or the other. The benefits of bitter is that it cools the body from excessive heat. The purpose of pungent is that, like hot and spicy herbs, it has a cleansing effect, without actually being hot and spicy, like hot pepper. These properties produces proper levels of stomach acid, spleen heat and detoxifies environmental toxins such as cadmium, and even food toxins in alcohol.

Secondary to helping heal the liver, kutki may reduce circulating triglycerides and oxidized LDL cholesterol — without affecting HDL levels.

Manjistha

Manjistha a.k.a. Rubia cordifolia a.k.a. Indian madder is another cherished ayurvedic herb. It specializes in reinvigorating and moving the alkaline fluid within our lymphatic system. The fluid in our lymphatic system moves in an upward direction, from our feet and legs, up toward our stomach area, where it is coiled and concentrated in a sac-like system known as the cisterna chyli. This is where lymph fluid often gets clogged. Here is where manjistha also works its magic, unwinding clogged pathways of this drainage system. Manjistha is also known for many other things consequently, being a blood purifier, and a skin rejuvenator.

Prime constituents in manjistha include purpurin, munjistin, xanthopurpurin and pseudopurpurin. Secondary metabolites include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and anthraquinones. A natural antioxidant, manjistha may enhance other antioxidant markers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S. transferase (GST).

Manjistha is useful for treating calcium deficiency, relieves mentrual pain and menstrual hormonal imbalances. It is also said to destroy tumors, heal diabetic ulcers and remove gallstones.

Among the skin conditions that may see an improvement from manjistha include psoriasis, eczema, and acne. It overall may present you with a more healthy, glowing skin tone.

Manjistha seems to have an affinity for women’s health. Not only may it improve skin tone — providing a more youthful appearance — it, by removing excess heat from the body, also provides relief for liver and kidney function, and balancing hormones in the process. If you are suffering from amenorrhea, you may want to give manjistha a try. Being that it improves all moving liquid in the body — the blood, interstitial fluid, lymph, urine — no wonder how it may be good at improving our immune system and balancing hormones. It also may reverse edema.

Manjistha stem and especially root are what’s mostly used as the healing properties. Look for only organic and sustainably sourced manjistha. Manjistha root is red and has traditionally been used as a dye through various cultures — careful, as it may stain your teeth.

Red Root

Red Root a.k.a. Ceanothus (americanus) a.k.a. “Jersey tea” is a nitrogen fixing shrub. In that, it makes blood flow easier without thinning the blood. Therefore, avoid this herb if you are on blood thinners and coagulants. Red root is an immune system booster, capable of reducing mucus by stimulating the mucous membrane and by acting as an expectorant. It also may relieve sore throat, strep throat and the flu and cold viruses. It provides inflammation defense, microbial defense, respiratory support and lymphatic support.

Like manjistha, red root works on the lymphatic system, specifically the lymph nodes. We have over 500 lymph nodes throughout our lymphatic system. Red Root is effective against swollen, inflamed lymph nodes. It also supports and protects another important lymphatic organ: the spleen. A proper working spleen produces clean blood.

Red Root is for temporary use only. It may interfere with iron and other mineral absorption. As previously mentioned, it should not be taken with blood thinners and coagulants.

Olive leaf extract

Olive leaf extract is one of the safest herbs to consume on the regular basis. Prized since ancient Egypt, and perhaps before, olive leaf is indeed from the fruit tree we know so well that produces olives and olive oil. This herb is a natural antioxidant that truly boosts the immune system, helping to destroy viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Both a preventative and curative herb, olive leaf extract contains a polyphenol called oleuropein, which may manage some forms of hypertension (high blood pressure) if used regularly.  Then there are other antioxidant  metabolites produced, like hydroxytyrosol, only found in this herb.

As an antioxidant and immune system booster, olive leaf extract may inhibit the over-activation of mTOR (a cellular intermediate that helps build things like muscle and even carcinogenic agents), reduce DNA damage, increase the activity of the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase, and thus fight tumors and cells associated with cancer.

Olive leaf extract is also good for some skin conditions, especially shingles.

Olive leaf extract is NOT a full spectrum antibiotic. Don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t reduce candidiasis . Also do not take this herb with other antibiotics — they may cancel each other’s effectiveness out.

Amla

Amla a.k.a. Emblica officinalis a.k.a. Indian gooseberry is not an herb, but rather a fruit that grows on an herb tree of the same name. Amla is used for both preventative and therapeutic purposes. It contains a small amount of vitamin C. However this vitamin C is potent due to polyphenols which keeps it intact. Amla is an antioxidant which may lower inflammation, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and prevent LDL oxidation.

Amla may promote longevity through mechanisms not yet fully understood by science. What is known is that it contains tannoids which may reduce cataract and diabetic retinopathy, thus making amla somewhat neuroprotective.

In lab tests, amla decimates cancer cells, including lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian and colorectal cancer. This is partially due to the fact that it protects our DNA from heavy metal damage, and also raises intracellular levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Amla is good for moving the bowels and also the lymphatic system. If you are suffering from constipation or a sluggish bowel, consider amla as a preventative and therapeutic agent for this purpose. If your lymphatic system is stagnant, higher doses of amla will eventually get it moving. Alma is included in an ayurvedic blend of berries to alleviate constipation, known as triphala.

Being a source of natural,stable vitamin C, amla is many more times potent than ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is falsely claimed to be vitamin C, when really it is only the outer protective coating of true vitamin C. True vitamin C contains an enzymatic form of copper known as tyrosinase, which amla does have.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha root is now known to be a very powerful adaptogen, meaning, it knows how to adapt the body’s stress response and homeostatic balance from external and internal influences. It reduces excess cortisol (excess cortisol may cause inflammation, raise insulin and deplete other important hormones like dopamine and testosterone).

Ashwagandha increases progesterone levels in both men and women. Progesterone burns fat — so ashwagandha burns fat by increasing progesterone. Not only does it burn fat, it also increases muscle size (especially in the quadriceps), strength and endurance. It may reduce fat  deposits at the waistline.

Ashwagandha may improve every aspect of human sexuality, increasing sexual arousal, particularly in women, being women have more progesterone than men, and ideally leading to more good estrogen in women. It also lubricates the vagina, increases — to a noticeable extent — sperm quantity and motility. Orgasm between both sexes are enhanced with ashwagandha.

You may be tempted to use ashwagandha often for the reasons stated above — however, ashwagandha is for temporarily use only. An over-consumption of this herb can cause an overreaction of everything else. It may become irritating to the stomach’s mucosal layer, causing a form of gastritis.

Ashwagandha, additionally, is good for brain function, focus and memory. It has gaba-mimicking qualities, being anti-anxiety and depression reducing. This herb is currently being tested as a natural remedy for Alzheimer’s disease. Damaged neurons are being restored in lab tests when given this herb.

Be careful where and who you buy ashwagandha from. Not all ashwagandha are equal. Some brands may provide all the benefits listed, while others — not even one. There are compounds in ashwagandha that if not dosed properly, will not provide the claimed benefits. One of those compounds is known as withanolides. Being a skeptic myself, I personally do not believe this is the main ingredient that makes ashwagandha what it is. I believe there is much more to learn about this great herb.

Ashwagandha is also a great sleep aid. This may seem contradictory, being this herb is usually used in the morning to stimulate and get us through the day. However, taking ashwagandha 2 hours before bedtime will reveal its adaptogenic effect in helping you to sleep.

As noted earlier, ashwagandha is not for everyday use. It may increase autoimmune activity and make things worse. It may worsen thyroid disorders, increasing unwanted thyroid hormonal levels. It may irritate the gastrointestinal tract and give rise to ulcers. It may decrease blood pressure and make things worse if you are already on hypertension medication. It is advised to stop using ashwagandha two weeks before surgery, as it may exacerbate bleeding. For these reasons, I believe it is best to use ashwagandha as a decocted tea, meaning, you boil the herb parts or powder in water for a period of time, let the sediments settle for discarding, and drink the hot liquid portion.

Turmeric

A very popular spice in Indian cuisine, turmeric has made its way as an in-demand herb from ayurveda. From the same family as ginger, turmeric has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. Turmeric is being studied for its ability to destroy tumors and cancer cells.

Lab tests done have revealed turmeric is capable of fighting certain cancers, like prostate, colorectal and bladder cancer, arresting these cells, bursting them and causing apoptosis. Metastasis and tumor growth were reduced. The mechanism how this is done is not fully known.

Anti-inflammatory compounds in turmeric, interleukin-I and interleukin-II, control cytokines from wreaking havoc and more inflammation by lowering the body’s ability to send pain signals to the brain. This makes turmeric an ideal source for chronic pain relief, such as general arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

Turmeric may reduce your need for exogenous antioxidants by raising the body’s own antioxidant levels, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase. This thus protects cells against DNA damage.

Turmeric may improve cognitive function — reducing anxiety and depression. It may improve memory and focus. It is actually currently being studied for its ability to reverse Alzheimer’s disease.

Turmeric when consumed is not evenly distributed throughout the body though.  It is not even absorbed easily by the body. Coconut oil or black pepper (piperine) must be added to increase turmeric’s absorption rate — and they do this quite well. Furthermore, foods containing quercetin inhibit turmeric’s absorption. And to make things even more complicated, black pepper is an allergen for many people.

Turmeric is not for daily consumption. There may be a reason why the body does not absorb turmeric well by itself. It is not one of those herbs you should take everyday. In fact, right now many people are abusing turmeric by taking too much of it. The thinking is if a little is good, a lot must be better. This is truly not the case. An over-consumption of turmeric in lab tests have resulted in increased mTOR and ACTUAL increased cancer cell formation, liver damage and decreased testosterone levels. As an herb high in oxalates, too much turmeric may chelate certain important minerals and vitamins out of the body, like copper and biotin. On a positive note though, turmeric also help chelate toxins and heavy metals out of the body, like mercury, lead and unbound iron.

1/4 teaspoon of turmeric three times per week may be the ideal, safe dosage of this herb.

Eclipta alba

Eclipta alba may never become a famous herb like the others. It is quite unique and different than any of the others listed. Also known as False Daisy, Eclipta prostrate, Bhringraj and Yerba de Tago, Eclipta alba is a species of the sunflower family and whose leaves are known as a liver tonic, a hair tonic and color rejuvenator and may even grow back hair on some people who have lost theirs. It is also an immunostimulant.

I personally have used this herb orally for many months in the hopes of obtaining my lost hair back. It did not work. I didn’t grow any extra hair, but I also didn’t loss more. To my understanding, for this herb to grow hair, it ought to be made into a paste and placed on the scalp area needed; and it should be used in conjunction with other herbs/supplements to obtain the desired effects. The petroleum ether extract of this herb has been used along with other herbs — Citrullus Colocynthis and  Cuscuta Relexa — in repeated studies to produce hair regrowth.

Eclipta Alba may benefit the liver — mainly consisting of coumestans i.e. wedelolactone polypeptides, and flavonoids. Coumestans are known to possess estrogenic activity. Wedelolactone possesses a wide range of biological activities and is used for the treatment of hepatitis and cirrhosis. Thus, Eclipta Alba may be both reparative and nourishing to a damaged liver.

This explains the other benefits associated with consuming Eclipta Alba: cooling the blood, healing eye problems, healing skin problems such as eczema and acne, antibacterial and anti-hemorrhagic. This herb is also noted to lessen anger in participants who use it. In Chinese medicine, anger is stored in the liver — if the liver is free and working properly, anger does not store, but is released.

As previously mentioned, this herb contains immunostimulatory properties. It may increase B-cell count, as well as macrophage activity. It may also even  inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Lab tests have revealed a reduction in hepatic, kidney and glioma cancer cells.

As with most herbs, there is often some compound that would prevent continuous usage. As previously mentioned, Eclipta Alba contains estrogenic compounds. This will be compromising to men whose hormonal balance is already compromised with too much exogenous estrogen. Man boobs may appear, hair loss and enlarged prostate may manifest. Also, for women, a hormonal imbalance may occur between estrogen and progesterone levels, with too much exogenous estrogen, leading to painful periods, or even amenorrhea. So for these reasons, Eclipta Alba should be used with caution and at the right time and amount.

You may have noticed most of these herbs share common denominators: they are immune system boosters, cancer fighters and liver rejuvenators! It is best to consume them either decocted or infused in tea form, and separating the tea from the residual sediments. Herbs should also be consumed ideally 3 times per week and generally no more. They also should be rotated so that our cells do not become overly adapted to them.

Caution should be taken while using herbs with any medication, if pregnant or breastfeeding and two weeks before surgery. Typical side effects — though rare — may include: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach upset, skin rash, anemia, constipation and/or diarrhea.

 

Some of these herbs can be purchased at the recommendations below:

 

 

 

Belly Fat: The Root Cause

Posted on by Diogenes II

 

When your stomach is permanently bloated with ‎belly fat, think the worst, but hope for the best — you may have fatty liver. Fatty liver is a serious condition since a healthy liver is of vital importance to overall health. If the liver and its bile storage sac — the gallbladder — are clogged, then every other organ is affected — every other organ is clogged. Even the blood is clogged.

I have been looking like I was pregnant since I was 3 years old. I always had a hard, bloated stomach — and I always suffered from chronic constipation because of stress, a dysfunctional family, bad grades, poverty and loneliness.
I surprisingly overcame my constipation at the age of 20 simply by taking vitamin B1 (50 mg) for four days. Wow!!!

But the bloated, hard stomach continued. I realized I had damaged my liver and intestines almost permanently with the stress and bad choices I had made.
Insulin is a major cause of belly fat, visceral fat, fatty liver, ascites, or whatever you may want to call it. But I would like to add something else.

Our small intestine is long — very long. Ranging from 9 feet in length, up to 34 feet; but typically between 15 to 20 feet in length. If there is a traffic jam, guess what? Big problems. So I’ve learned if there is something wrong with the stomach, then there is something wrong with the liver, the gallbladder, the bile duct, the pancreas, the spleen, the intestines, the blood, and the lymphatic system. Wow! Where to start then?

Recently, I’ve been noticing a lot of products sold within the United States is enriched (wheat) flour, meaning fortified with iron, meaning synthetic iron filing, meaning rusting the organs. Could these synthetic iron filings be causing a disruption in the gut? Could it be damaging the pancreas? Could it be one of the causes, if not the main cause of insulin resistance, and thus belly fat? Could it be that we have too much free iron in us, wreaking havoc, in us?

A chronic bloated stomach, or belly fat, is a blatant indication that your internal organs are not working properly. Your endocrine system and the hormones it produces are not working properly. Your process of detoxification and elimination are compromised. Your lymphatic system, which can also be regarded as a drainage system, is most likely clogged somewhere. The lymph nodes may be even building toxins and becoming swollen. In severe cases, your blood may become so toxic from metabolic waste backing up, that it may have no choice but to use your own skin as a source of dumping site. Thus you develop the manifestation of skin disorders: psoriasis, eczema, acne. And the list goes on.

From personal experience, soft belly fat may not be that dangerous. It could simply be fat accumulation, namely subcutaneous fat, caused by hormonal imbalance. However, if the belly fat is hard and bloated, that may be indicative of something more serious. It may indicate small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or something like too much insulin in the blood! Even more troubling, it may indicate visceral fat, meaning, fat is accumulating around the organs, vital organs — especially the liver. The liver is a living organ that needs space, and needs to breathe. Fat accumulation around this organ is sinister, filled with carbon dioxide, toxins and metabolic waste. This type of fat stifles the liver, and prevents it from performing its vital duties.

When the liver is stifled and prevented from doing its duties, the blood takes a hit. It becomes thick and dirty. When the blood loses its vitality, the lymphatic system takes a hit. Instead of draining toxins and metabolic waste, it too becomes clogged and polluted, like a toilet bowl filled with sewage that just won’t flush! Then the heart takes a hit – the birth of hypertension and heart disease!

As I indicated earlier — so long as we’re not practicing any other obvious bad habits — the food we eat may be the main culprit for these cascading events. Manufacturers are processing food in such a way, they deplete all of the nutrients out of them. These manufacturers think they are doing us a favor by putting these nutrients back in synthetic form. But vitamins and minerals made in a lab does not come close to the real thing, even though chemistry-wise, they may look like the real thing. Our bodies will indeed accept these chemically derived nutrients for a while. But eventually, microscopic damage will slowly build up into inflammation and autoimmune diseases that could have been avoided if we were consuming real food, the way nature intended.

Read the labels of the food you buy. Beware of anything listed as:

Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}, Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}, Folic Acid) 🔻 Hydrogenated Rapeseed 🔻 Maltodextrin 🔻 Aspartame 🔻 High Fructose Corn Syrup 🔻 Ascorbic Acid 🔻 Soy Lecithin 🔻 Invert Sugar 🔻 Artificial Color 🔻 Canola Oil 🔻 Palm Oil and Carrageenan.

Often, on these labels, “enriched flour” usually tops the list, meaning, this is the main ingredient. Like I said earlier, enriched flour is simply a fancy word for, among other things, synthetic iron filings. If iron is not absorbed properly in our bodies, then, like tools left out in the rain and environment, it will rust our organs. Iron is notorious for rusting our liver. Iron needs a carrier, like hemoglobin or haptoglobin to perform its functions properly. If it is free and unbound, as is the case with “enriched flour”, then it is no longer a mineral. Like mercury, lead, and arsenic, it is now a heavy metal, wreaking havoc and puncturing holes where it should not be. The body thus considers it a foreign object, and treats it as such — because it is. Now comes the birth of what we may call gluten intolerance or celiac disease or autoimmune disease. Now comes leaky gut, gallstones in the gallbladder, pancreatitis, insulin resistance, diabetes, Hashimoto’s, Parkinson’s disease and a host of other diseases science has no clue what causes them. Or so they claim.

So what is the solution? Eat healthy. Eat fresh vegetables, especially leafy greens, and fruits, especially berries, made by nature, which gained their life-force from the sun. Avoid synthetic unless you don’t have a choice. Drink natural spring water that contains minerals. Eat small amounts of animal meat and their organs, that when they were alive were allowed the graze out in the sun on natural, organic grass, that grow in pristine, rich, mineral soil. Consider certain sea-foods like oysters, harvested from pristine waters and rich in mineral content, on a limited bases.

But the damage done may have been so strong, that we may need to take it a step further. We may need to add certain healing herbs to fix and cleanse the liver, blood and lymphatic system. For the liver, the ayurvedic herb kutki is legendary for rebuilding damages done to it. For the lymphatic system, another ayurvedic herb called manjistha will unclog it, thus simultaneously cleansing the blood. Olive leaf extract has been made famous since biblical times as a healing herb for general health and well-being.

I personally follow these recommendations listed. In addition, I may occasionally include a heavy metal detox with IP-6 – inositol, to chelate unbound iron out of my body. I may also include modified citrus pectin, to bind and chelate any other toxins or heavy metal out of my system. It is not a quick process. It may take months before seeing noticeable results. Keep in mind that herbs should typically be used only three (3) times per week, and are best decocted or infused into tea form. Keep in mind also that IP-6 chelates not only unbound iron, but calcium and zinc as well. So be sure to be re-instituting your body  with food rich in these minerals after the process.

Skin Rashes from Sun Exposure: How to Deal with It

Posted on by Diogenes II

 

If you suffer skin sensitivity from sun exposure, the sun is not your problem: your liver, colon, lymphatic system and kidneys are your problem. They are not doing a good job, for whatever reason, detoxifying your body. It could be due to chronic constipation, gallstones in the gallbladder, lack of bile flow, unbound iron in the blood, metabolic wastes and dead cellular debris building up in the lymphatic system. It could also be chronic nutritional deficiency. It could be heavy metals such as aluminum, cadmium, mercury or lead. It could even be the very minerals and vitamins meant to nourish your body, acting as toxins. However, the cascade almost always starts with gallstones originating from the liver clogging up the gallbladder and obstructing bile-flow.

If you are not moving your bowels everyday, undigested food will rot, and toxins will build up. These undigested food releases putrefying toxins in the bloodstream, then the tissues and organs. If the body is unable to digest food protein, for example, it will store it as collagen fiber in the blood vessel walls. If it is unable to store as such, then this protein is converted into nitric-, sulfuric- and phosphoric- acids — similar to battery acid. Your body then becomes more acidic, creating an ideal environment for pathogens. If you have chronic constipation, you must increase your vitamin B1 level, until problem is resolved.

Many people with this condition will discover that they may have low vitamin D levels. If you do have a low vitamin D problem, what that really means is that you have a low magnesium and high calcium problem. Please read that again. The vitamin D in your body is actually keeping low on purpose to save you from calcium toxicity, and magnesium deficiency. Your body is inflamed internally. What you really need to do is increase your magnesium level. In fact, the root of depression is an imbalance between the calcium/magnesium ratio.

Okay, your skin is reacting to the sun, even though the sun is supposed to be a natural healer. The reason for your rashes is because your liver is no longer able to detoxify toxins efficiently, causing your blood and lymphatic system to become “polluted.” These pollutants/toxins then lodge in the basal wall membrane of your capillaries, depriving your skin of oxygen and nutrients.

Your skin essentially can’t “breathe” because of these toxins clogging it. Ideally, the sebaceous glands in your skin produces a fluid called sebum. This fluid nourishes the hair follicle and adds luster to the hair. It also serves as a natural anti-pathogenic agent for the skin. The lack of it will hasten dry, sensitive skin.

Here’s also what I would do in order of importance to help heal a sun sensitive skin — these may work for other skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, etc:

  • Wild Siberian chaga
  •  Guduchi
    Add 1/4 teaspoon each of these in hot water… Or boil them for an hour or so. Sip hot in a thermos throughout the day. I personally do this three times per week. Discard the sediment that settles on the bottom. Wild Siberian chaga is better than any other type. Both guduchi and chaga heals the liver.
  • Manjistha: this herb WILL unclog any congestion in your entire lymphatic system. Red root is also another good herb for this. I use them often, when needed.
  • Magnesium glycinate/malate 400mg daily. These absorbable forms of magnesium will increase your vitamin D3 level EVEN if you stop supplementing on D3.
  • Grass-fed/grass-finished (organic) liver. This contains natural vitamin A, B12, choline, iron, folate, zinc, copper. Consume 4 to 6 ounces about once per week — even if you are vegan/vegetarian. You can also buy desiccated grass-finished liver online.
  • Atlantic oysters. These contain ideal levels of copper, zinc and selenium. Try this also once per week.
  • Organic bee pollen. This contains natural B vitamins and copper. Taste test on your tongue first to make sure you’re not allergic. Natural vitamin B is needed for so many things.
  • Natural vitamin C found either in amla or acerola. I consume these supplements almost everyday. They heal damaged, oxidized tissues.
  • Try to donate about 1 liter of blood once every six months to a year. You are iron toxic. Iron toxic means you have a lot of unbound iron, acting as a heavy metal or free radical, destroying your tissues. Unbound iron is not attached to hemoglobin, or anything, like it should be. Glaucoma is an iron toxicity problem. Unbound iron has an affinity for lodging itself in the liver, and destroying it, and causing skin problems.

In summary, to alleviate skin rash caused by sun exposure to the skin:

– Be sure to be moving your bowels daily ( Vitamin B1 helps)

– Try chaga/guduchi tea for its whole-body healing effect

– Try manjistha for your lymphatic system

– Try magnesium to reduce inflammation

– Eat grass-fed/finished liver once per week for its rich mineral content

– Eat oysters once per week

– Try organic bee pollen for its copper and B vitamin content

– Try natural vitamin C (amla/acerola) for wound healing and nourishment

– Donate blood once or twice per year.

 

Update:

I’ve recently discovered another herb that appears to possess protection against the effects of Sun-induced damage, specifically against Ultraviolet-induced damage to the skin, when taken orally. Skin damage was reduced from both UVA and UVB radiation. That herb is called polypodium leucotomos.

It is also said to be effective against some cases of psoriasis, while also boosting the immune system. 

 

Ovarian Cyst: What Culprit is Behind it?

Posted on by Diogenes II

 

Cysts are sac-like fluid formed on the ovary/ovaries. Differing in types and specific location, the most common forms of ovarian cysts are follicle cysts. Cysts in general develop as a result of severe lymph congestion. Example, ovarian cyst form when there is lymphatic congestion in the cysterna chyli vessels located in the abdominal cavity. Cysts are formed to protect the nearby organ/tissue from the acidity caused by the unhealthy toxins produced by foods being digested/metabolized, namely dairy, eggs, vegetable-oils, trans-fats like margarine, and the highly praised omega 3 fatty acids.

If you have a cyst, then most likely there is congestion of your liver and gallbladder with gallstones also. To effect healing your body, we will need to start with what we believe are the most important, to least important.
1. Cleanse your liver and gallbladder.
a. Eat one orange (or more) per day around 9-11 am. This clears excess estrogen. Oranges are most digestible in the mornings at this time period.
b. Use TUDCA after meals. This bile acid will help clear the gallstones/gall-sludge.
c. Take the ayurvedic herb called kutki. It will process healing your liver.

2. Decongest your lymphatic system. Either Red Root or Manjistha are good for unclogging the lymphatic system.

3. Clear your body of excess sulfur. Excess sulfur causes your body to hold unto heavy metals. Molybdenum will clear excess sulfur. Take 6 times the normal dose for about two weeks. (Keep in mind that molybdenum can interfere with copper absorption, so you will need to make sure you’re getting enough copper-rich food, like oysters; or you’re supplementing with ionic copper.)

4. Clear your body of heavy metals. Modified Citrus Pectin will bind to these heavy metals, increasing the body’s ability to eliminate them through the digestive tract.

5. Destroy pathogens. Pau d’arco tea and olive leaf extract are excellent natural antibiotics to destroy pathogens, including resistant bugs.

6. Reduce bloating. P5P — the active co-enzyme form of vitamin B6 — will reduce edema.

7. Clear congestion and infection in your head. A few drops of 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide in each ear once or twice per year will aid in this effect.

8. Boil water for 20 minutes. Put in thermos, and take hot one or two sips every half an hour, throughout the day, to cleanse your internal organs/tissues on a cellular level.

Ovarian cysts are most often caused by consuming dairy — specifically milk products, such as milk itself, cheese and ice cream. This then thickens mucus. This then clogs the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining and removing metabolic wastes and dead cellular debris. It’s interesting to note that all milk contains pus.
Sea kelp is good for this condition as well. Also is detoxified iodine temporarily. If you have hyperthyroidism, you should avoid iodine to prevent your thyroid from swelling. In this case, you will want to add more food-sourced selenium and natural vitamin C. To speed up healing, we must emphasize:

1. Avoid dairy. This may prevent ovarian cysts in the first place.

2. Manjistha — as mentioned — is an ayurvedic herb that will unclog the lymphatic system, thereby eventually dissolving the cyst, and other ailments, caused by congestion.

3. Increase your copper intake. Most female problems are initiated by insufficient copper levels. Copper regulates hormonal balance. Good sources of natural copper include organic bee pollen, amla or acerola berry, oysters, and organic grass-fed/ grass-finished liver.

Healing Parkinson’s disease

Posted on by Diogenes II

•••

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by movement abnormalities, uncontrollable shaking, stiffness and lack of balance. In the later stages of this disease, dementia symptoms is likely to occur. In Parkinson’s, a large number of particular cells in the substanti nigra (dark mid-brain region) die earlier than they should. As a result, the remaining cells cannot produce enough dopamine to keep the body’s motor system running smoothly.

When two-thirds or more of the some 990 thousand neurons in the substantia nigra are damaged, Parkinson‘s is revealing. What goes up must come down, but in the case of Parkinson‘s, what goes down, is coming all the way back up — all the way into the brain. The toxic chemicals we are ingesting in the intestines is backwashing upwards. When someone has Parkinson‘s, eating healthy is no longer the main issue. Unclogging and detoxification all that toxins is. Focusing on eating healthy at this point is like putting an air-freshener next to a clogged toilet. We do need to eat healthy though, especially foods containing B vitamins, like sweet potato, black beans, asparagus and crimini mushrooms — but to really heal, we need to unclog the toilet.

Under normal circumstances, our body inevitably loses about ten percent of dopamine each decade in early adulthood — but with Parkinson’s, the level of dopamine decrease is astronomically accelerated. In the case of nourishing the substantia nigra, there is a legume called mucuna pruriens a.k.a. velvet bean – which is a bean that is a good source of L-DOPA (a direct precursor to dopamine).

If you have Parkinson’s disease, remember one thing: your digestive tract is full of old, hard feces, because you were not eliminating everyday. To activate and maintain daily bowel movement, try the ayurvedic herb shatavari. Vitamin B1 works too: 50 mg temporarily. So does high dose amla. An herb called cascara sagrada will work for really stubborn constipation!

Because you were not moving your bowels everyday, the liver clogged up with intrahepatic stones; the gallbladder clogged up with gallstones, the lymphatic system clogged up with toxins and undigested proteins from animal products, the cells’ mitochondria clogged up with heavy metals instead of minerals and vitamins needed to function. Noticing the key words: “clogged up”. These heavy metals include cadmium, cesium, aluminum, tin, mercury and iron — yes, when iron is unbound, roaming freely, it is quite destructive — reaching the level of being a heavy metal; and a very destructive one at that!
To decongestant the liver, try
– Kutki (Swedish bitters, Burdock root or Artichoke extract works well too)
– TUDCA
– IP-6 ( on an very empty stomach)
If you rather not do IP-6, donate 1 liters of blood every 6 months to a year to get rid of the free, unbound iron that is literally rusting your liver. And for those with Parkinson’s disease, the rusting has already reached the brain!
To decongest the lymphatic system, try:
Red root or manjistha. Manjistha is the lymphatic system decongestant.
To remineralize the body, try a natural source multi-vitamin/mineral, like Naturelo Whole food multivitamin.

People with Parkinson’s disease will also tend to have low vitamin D3 levels. Low vitamin D3 levels means inflammation — the body is internally hot and inflamed. The low vitamin D3 level does not only mean they need to increase their D3 level — it also means they need to increase their magnesium level. There is a co-relation between magnesium and vitamin D3. If D3 is low, then magnesium is low. If you increase magnesium, then D3 will automatically increase as well. And, naturally increasing D3 through sunlight, or through food sources like lichens or irradiated mushrooms may automatically increase magnesium levels as well.

So in summary, to reverse Parkinson’s disease, as a quick fix, try,

  • Mucuna pruriens, due to its natural dopamine content.

To maintain sustainable healing:

  • Move bowels daily. Shatavari, B1 and high dose amla helps. Cascara sagrada works for really stubborn constipation!
  • Cleanse your liver. Bitters, particularly kutki, will help. Swedish bitters, Burdock root and Artichoke extract works well too.
  • TUDCA, which is a water soluble bile acid, may increase bile flow.
  • IP-6 -inositol or donating blood will help rid excess, toxic iron inflaming the cells.
  • Red root or manjistha will help keep the lymphatic system moving.
  • A natural multivitamin, such as Naturelo Whole food multivitamin, will help remineralize the body.
  • Magnesium and natural sources of vitamin D3 will reduce inflammation, as well as restore the lack thereof of these nutrients.

 

Overcoming Hypothyroidism & Hashimoto’s

Posted on by Diogenes II

 

Hypothyroidism is an under-active thyroid condition, resulting in the thyroid gland not producing or converting enough thyroid hormones. This results in familiar and characteristic symptoms, often striking older women. The condition is said to be autoimmune if it is not resolved by iodine or selenium or any other mineral sufficiency, or if these mineral-increase causes swelling and further irritation on the thyroid. The supposed autoimmune condition of hypothyroidism is known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Most hypothyroidism is elevated to the level of Hashimoto’s (9:1). Here we will discuss what is  believed to be the true cause of this and that condition, and the protocol needed to correct it, including supporting the liver, kidneys, lymphatic  system and adrenal glands,  while also supplementing on critical nutrients that had consequently been depleted.

We have hypothyroidism and/or Hashimoto’s also because we are internally inflamed and clogged with undigested protein in the vessel walls of our capillaries. Our lymphatic system becomes clogged by this build up of excess proteins — polluting the blood and affecting the sensitive thyroid. An ayurvedic herb however called manjistha will help unclog it — thus assisting and allowing proper thyroid function again. This is truly great news!

When antibodies attack the thyroid, then hypothyroidism is now officially called an autoimmune disease — Hashimoto’s.  Hashimoto’s indeed should not be labeled as an auto-immune disorder, as is widely accepted — but more accurately as an adrenal dysfunction. The thyroid makes only two TRUE hormones, while the adrenals make at least 50. The adrenal glands are in control of the immune system. If there is something wrong with your immune system, then there is something wrong with your adrenal glands. The adrenal glands consist not only of the two things on top of your kidneys — it consists of your entire skin structure. Your skin cells ARE your adrenals!

If you have developed hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s, you surely are low on vitamin A, a.k.a. retinol. This is a vitamin that is adequately stored in a proper functioning liver,  and acts as a hormone. Thus a vitamin A deficiency may indicate liver dysfunction. This vitamin A is carried by a transport protein called transthyretin (TTR). This protein also carries T4 — the near inactive hormone made by the thyroid — a.k.a. thyroxine. If there is no vitamin A (retinol), then there may be also low or no proper T4 transportation, either from TTR damage or nutrient deficiency. Then there may be no bio-available conversion of T4 to the very active T3! To improve bio-available retinol in the blood, we need it from our diet. Grass-fed butter and grass-fed/grass-finished liver will actualize this process. So will a fruit like persimmon. Carrot(s) because of its beta carotene content, which converts to a smaller percentage of retinol in the body, is another option. So will sweet potato, and malabar, a.k.a. saan choy (an oriental leafy green). Our adrenals also love retinol.

And what else does our adrenals like? Natural vitamin C — lots of it. Natural vitamin C also has a transport protein, called tyrosinase, which carries numerous molecules of bio-available copper. If you want to feed your adrenals, then give them amla or acerola berry: all sources of natural vitamin C.

Another best thing that our adrenals like is the natural B vitamins. Bee pollen contains all the natural B vitamins your adrenals need, especial vitamin B5, which your adrenals really love. (Taste-test to make sure you’re not allergic to it though.) Bee pollen also contains bio-available copper.

Contrary to popular belief, we do not need as much vitamin D as you may think. 60-80 ng/ml of vitamin D is actually too much. Too much vitamin D creates massive amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Though hydrogen peroxide is a free radical that is needed to a certain degree, too much of it will damage your cells. A vitamin D level of 32 to 45 nanograms per milliliter is actually ideal

In dealing with inflammation, the internal body loses one mineral faster than any other — even by something as simple as stress — yet that mineral is arguably the most important: that mineral is called magnesium. When magnesium leaves, it takes other minerals like potassium and copper with it. Magnesium is like the glue that keeps all the other minerals in place and together. A loss of magnesium will eventually create an inferno of inflammation throughout the body. Not only do you need to replace magnesium daily — it must also be absorbable. If magnesium oxide or magnesium carbonate comes to mind when you think about replacing magnesium, you are sadly mistaken. The absorption rate of these forms of magnesium is pathetically low: 4% or less. Consider instead magnesium glycinate/malate/taurate/citrate.

Vitamin B6, in the form of P5P, further increases magnesium absorption throughout the body on a cellular level. So does healthier salts, namely, Kosher salt (Diamond crystal) or Pickling salt.

If there is inflammation anywhere in the body, there is almost always an ample supply of iron — but not just any iron: destructive, unbound iron, rusting the targeted tissue area. If iron is not attached to hemoglobin or whatever else it should be attached to, it roams freely, causing chaos and inflammation. The thyroid appears to be one of unbound iron’s favorite target. To reduce hypothyroidism\Hashimoto’s, a protocol to reduce this form of iron must be implemented. Consuming the vitamins and other supplements previously mentioned, in their natural form, would be a way to turn unbound iron back into useful iron, your body can absorb properly. Another way is to take IP-6 on an empty stomach, away from food and other supplements. IP-6 is known to chelate iron, along with zinc and calcium out of the body. So naturally, you would want to consume foods with more zinc and calcium during this process.

If you have the condition listed in this article, you may consider stop taking medications, and consider the natural route. Medication has a tendency to make things feel better temporarily, while making thing worse permanently. As a start, consider:

  • A quality brand iodine supplement, like Icelandic Sea Kelp, or a natural selenium supplement like Food Research Selenium E, and note if the condition was caused by any of these popular mineral deficiencies. Otherwise, add:

Healing herbs:

  • Kutki, guduchi and/or burdock root for the liver
  • Astragalus and dandelion root for the kidneys
  • Manjistha for the lymphatic system

Nutritional Support:

  • Grassfed butter/liver: (liver should be no more than one ounce per day, or 7 ounces per week.)
  • Persimmons, carrots (not too much though), sweet potato (not too much though), malabar a.k.a. saan choy (not too much though): all of these contain high beta carotene which can convert to retinol.
  • Natural vitamin C (amla, acerola berry)
  • Bee pollen
  • Magnesium (glycinate, malate, citrate, taurate)
  • P5P

Reducing Excess, Unbound Iron:

  • IP-6 on an empty stomach

(Note: IP-6 depletes certain other minerals, like zinc. So be sure to increase sources of this and other minerals and vitamins.)