Mayo Clinic-Approved Natural Remedies for Anxiety
Kava
Kava appeared to be a promising treatment for anxiety, but reports of serious liver damage — even with short-term use — caused the Food and Drug Administration to issue warnings about the use of dietary supplements containing kava.
While these initial reports of liver toxicity have been questioned, use extra caution and involve your doctor in the decision if you’re considering using products containing kava.
Passion flower 
A few small clinical trials suggest that passion flower might help with anxiety. In many commercial products, passion flower is combined with other herbs, making it difficult to distinguish the unique qualities of each herb.
Passion flower is generally considered safe when taken as directed, but some studies found it can cause drowsiness, dizziness and confusion.
Valerian
In some studies, people who used valerian reported less anxiety and stress. In other studies, people reported no benefit.
Valerian is generally considered safe at recommended doses, but since long-term safety trials are lacking, don’t take it for more than a few weeks at a time, unless your doctor approves.
It can cause some side effects such as headaches, dizziness and drowsiness.
Chamomile
Limited data shows that short-term use of chamomile is generally considered safe and can be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety.
But chamomile can increase the risk of bleeding when used with blood-thinning drugs.
Use of chamomile can cause allergic reactions in some people who are sensitive to the family of plants that includes chamomile. Other members of this family are ragweed, marigolds, daisies and chrysanthemums.
Lavender
Some evidence suggests that oral lavender or aromatherapy with lavender can reduce anxiety; however, evidence is preliminary and limited. Oral lavender can cause constipation and headaches. It can also increase appetite, increase the sedative effect of other medications and supplements, and cause low blood pressure.
Lemon balm
​Preliminary research shows lemon balm can reduce some symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability. Lemon balm is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for short-term use, but can cause nausea and abdominal pain.
Herbal supplements aren’t monitored by the FDA the same way medications are. Despite enhanced quality control regulations in place since 2010, the quality of some supplements may still be an issue. Remember, natural doesn’t always mean safe.
If you’re considering taking any herbal supplement as a treatment for anxiety, talk to your health care provider first, especially if you take other medications. The interaction of some herbal supplements and certain medications can cause serious side effects.
Some herbal supplements taken for anxiety can cause you to feel sleepy, so they may not be safe to take when driving or doing dangerous tasks. Your doctor can help you understand possible risks and benefits if you choose to try an herbal supplement.
If your anxiety is interfering with daily activities, talk with your doctor. More-serious forms of anxiety generally need medical treatment or psychological counseling (psychotherapy) for symptoms to improve.
This article is written by Brent Bauer, M.D., director of Mayo Clinic’s Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program. Find more health and medical information on mayoclinic.org.

"Winter is Coming" was the first episode of the HBO thrilling series Game of Thrones.

While that is an excellent show to watch, people suffering or susceptible to IBD should be concerned about winter coming for other reasons if they live in northern latitudes. With the season change comes the cold, shorter days, and cloudy skies. This means less natural Vitamin D..

There are a few reasons to be concerned about this and why someone with IBD should consider taking supplemental Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. Take away the sunshine and there goes the Vitamin D because it is produced when the sun's ultra-violet rays hit the skin.

Epidemiological research shows people who live in northern latitudes are more at risk of having inadequate levels of Vitamin D compared to those who live in southern latitudes.

A study published in the journal Gut shows geography also affects the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): increasing latitude of residence was linked to an elevated incidence of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in a population of American women. Another study published in the journal Gastroenterology demonstrated a connection between higher Vitamin D status and lower Crohn’s disease, suggesting greater Vitamin D intake is a means of decreasing the risk of Crohn’s disease. Emerging research is pointing to Vitamin D and its role in the inflammatory process, and as a factor in the disease activity in patients with IBD, according to Dr. Gilaad Kaplan, a gastroenterologist with a research interest in IBD and Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary. 

As if this is not enough of a reason to take supplemental Vitamin D during the winter months, here is another one: A high prevalence of Osteoporosis is associated with Crohn’s and Colitis. One of the risk factors for Crohn’s and Colitis patients developing Osteoporosis is inadequate levels of Vitamin D.

There are two choices that I know of for adding supplemental Vitamin D. One is through purchasing capsules at the health food store. Another means is having a physician prescribe sublingual Vitamin D drops. These are typically available through prescription via compounding pharmacies.

One other thing, it is outside of the scope of this posting to delve into dosage levels. Recommendations for dosage levels do vary depending on the source from what I have seen. It is best to consult with your physician especially if you are taking other prescription medications.

Many, many thanks to Jackie for providing this excellent post. :-) Visit her at hyper-tidy.com.

If you live with the symptoms of chronic pain, you are already well aware of exactly how disruptive and debilitating it can be. Everything from the weather outside to the foods we eat can trigger excruciating pain. Persistent, ongoing pain episodes can prevent you from enjoying your favorite activities. Even worse, your symptoms can linger for weeks, months, years, or even decades.
 
Some forms of chronic pain - such as migraine headaches - are among the most common health conditions in the world. Unfortunately, many over-the-counter and prescription pain medications are not helpful in completely relieving chronic pain symptoms. This is leading to an epidemic in abuse of pain relief medications.
 
Luckily, there are still ways that you can manage your chronic pain symptoms - possibly even without turning to medications. Here are some natural solutions and lifestyle changes that might provide you some much-needed light at the end of the tunnel:

1. Switch to safer cleaning products
   One step in managing your symptoms is to reduce the amount of chemicals and toxins in your home. Not only is this better for the environment and healthier for your family; it’s also less likely to trigger a pain episode.
   
   Research shows us that chemicals and toxins are triggers for chronic pain. Natural cleaning products such as essential oils, do not contain these harmful chemicals and toxins.
   
   According to Dr. Amy Neuzil, ND, “Many viruses can become chronic and often show up as non-specific symptoms or diseases” which might include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or even chronic pain. This is why chemical-free household cleaners and naturally-derived essential oils, such as four thieves or eucalyptus, can be especially useful to those of us with chronic pain.
   
   
2. Use natural pain killers
   As anyone with chronic pain already knows, pain medications don’t always work and can lead to addiction. Switching to natural pain killers helps you to feel better without having to worry about addiction or putting harmful chemicals into your body. For instance, marjoram essential oil has been used for generations to reduce pain and ease muscle cramps - among other things.
   
   
3. Ask for help
   Simple chores such as cleaning your home can be surprisingly difficult when you are living with chronic pain. Try to keep your home as tidy and manageable as possible, but give yourself permission to ask for help if you need it. See if a friend or family member will help you, or consider hiring a housekeeper. Do whatever you can to relieve yourself of some pain and worry.
   
   To help reduce stress, experts suggest minimizing your workload whenever possible. If it is within your budget, you might want to consider hiring help with particularly painful and/or difficult household tasks. This might include chores such as high dusting, vacuuming, or giving the dog a bath. If you are unable to afford a housekeeper, you may want to ask a trusted friend, family member, or loved one if they might be able to help you. Our loved ones don’t want to watch us suffer, and there’s a good chance that someone you know might be willing to assist.

 
These are just a few of the ways that you can begin to heal your body from chronic pain. Although some chronic pain conditions clear up on their own, others might last a lifetime. It is important to manage your symptoms and help your body heal itself, so that you can get back to a quality of life that you enjoy.



Photo courtesy of Unsplash by Angie Franklin
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I'm very excited to announce that my book "REMEDY: How I Cured the Incurable" has been published and  is now available for the summer reading season. 

I am excited to be able to provide this item for your health and healing. I apologize for the delays but in the end you will be receiving a better product.

eBook, and Published Paperback book versions . These may be ordered through Amazon, and through traditional book stores such as Barnes & Noble & Books A Million. 

Barnes & Noble Link

Amazon Link

Support your local bookstore when possible. They are able to order my book as well. Click the screen grab below for great service from a local store near me. :-)

For persistent coughs and tickly throats:

Combine the following in a pot over medium heat until simmering:
3/4 cup unfiltered honey
1/2 cup water
1 whole lemon cut in fours
1 inch ginger root diced
AND 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage

Remove the mixture from heat and let steep, covered for 10 minutes. Strain the cough syrup into a sealed glass jar and refrigerate. Take as needed.

Happy Holidays :-)

I had a cold this holiday. With a cough and sore throat. For those in a similar situation having a sore throat is horrible for getting to sleep.  So, to help those out in similar need I am providing two remedies that I took.  The first one is in this post.

Add the following to a mug:
2 teaspoons crumbled dried sage leaves OR 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage

1 teaspoon dried astragalus root

Add boiling water and steep for 5 minutes

For best results, drink one cup twice a day.

There are two routes to take for the air that you want to breathe. One is to obtain clean air and the other is to obtain more oxygen. I will discuss one option for clean air today and will discuss how to obtain more oxygen in a future post.

HIMALAYAN CRYSTAL SALT LAMPS—The beneficial effects of salt lamps have been known for decades. Salt lamps emit negative ions, which work like natural ionizers keeping the air clean. Negative ions attach themselves to dust, pollen, mold, and odors. This is known to be very beneficial to respiratory health. Salt lamps also minimize the effect of positive ions from electronic devices. I like the lamp from Evolution Salt Co.

They are hand crafted.  PH. 877-868-7979 Website. www.evolutionsalt.com
My Salt Lamp is shown above. The natural color of the lamp reinforces the rejuvenating and healing influence. Just ask Snoopy and Woodstock. Don’t they look content?

Read the following about PTSD from the site and go to the bottom of this blog post for the link to the site and sign up for FREE.  Program is FREE for the Military.

A Real Change
Treating PTSD is difficult and often ineffective. As a veteran, you know the torture that you endure with compulsive thoughts, sleepless nights, disturbing dreams and inability to connect with your family upon returning home.

Why PSTD is Hard to Treat
Many Veterans try therapy that is focused on directing the conscious activity of the brain. Using coping skills and cognitive training, they are taught to try to change the way they think and react to their thoughts and emotions. The problem is that the effects of PTSD are not able to be controlled on a conscious level. Trauma, emotions, nightmares and the inability to connect with family are problems of the subconscious mind. Using hypnosis as therapy we can influence the way the brain is reacting and responding on a subconscious level. These reactions cannot be changed by willpower, cognitive therapy, or any amount of conscious or behavioural effort.

The Gift 
Wendi Friesen has decided to offer this program at no charge to our veterans. Her company, Wendi.com, has been shipping programs to our troops stationed anywhere in the world for free for over 10 years. She is committed to supporting the mental and emotional health of those that are giving so much. Wendi has created hundreds of programs that have reached millions around  the world. She has created this program specifically for PTSD for those who have served in the military and is offering her life changing work as a gift to all service men and women.

How to Get Started
Sign up for the program. It is totally free if you have served in the Military. You will receive a link with the password that opens the program. If you are committed to creating this change and you use the sessions as you are instructed every day, you will start to feel better, sleep great at night and enjoy life again. You will be using the sessions every day. You will start in the morning upon first awakening, as you fall asleep and during the day. Stay committed to this program and you will continue to overcome your fear, anger, isolation, anxiety, depression and detachment. Every day you will start to notice changes that will help you create a happy and powerful life.

Click here for the website to get started:  PTSD HELP

This is very important for those with IBD/IBS/Crohns as sufferers can be at a higher risk for cancer.  Specifically Colorectal Cancer.  However, there are proactive steps one can take.  The lifetime risk of developing Colorectal Cancer is about 1 in 20 (5%).  This risk is slightly lower in women than in men.  Colorectal Cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately.  

When my guidebook is published it will contain Anti-Cancer remedies that I take.  These remedies are also available through the consult with me if you desire.  As I always like to mention, the information I have found is free to anyone who puts in the time and effort to research.  If you don't want to re-invent the wheel searching long hours on your own contact me.  I am providing you one of the remedy though right now as a starter:

Coconut Oil.  Few studies which have been published but not publicized are in progress to show the coconut oil's medicinal properties.  One of the studies that you have probably to heard about involves cancer research.  This study was conducted by Australian researchers and it was published in the Chemotherapy journal in January 2015 under "experimental chemotherapy".  This study was an in vitro study on human colon or colorectal cancer cells.  

The researchers of this study were more concerned about finding a good add on for the chemotherapy than finding another solution.  In their study the researchers compared the effect of butyrate, a short chain fatty acid or SCFA, which is derived from the fermentation in the gut to lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid or MCFA.   You can find MCFA in palm and coconut oil.  Almost 50% of MCFA palm or coconut oil is auric acid.  Lauric acid has shown great results in promoting oxidative stress and apoptosis in colon cancer cells and killing them over 90% in just a few hours.  

You should always remember this Dear Reader - cancer cells can't handle oxygen.  So this is a reason to include coconut oil in your daily diet.  Another thing to remember about cancer cells is they love sugar.  So start reducing your sugar intake in your diet as well.

Blessings and Peace!

In any crisis or emergency one needs a first line of defense to stop the initial onslaught.  When these situations arise I do believe you need not one but two lines of defense.  They reside on different planes.  One line of defense and the most important is on the spiritual plane and the second one is the work done on the physical plane.  

Why am I hung up on PSALM 91?  I talk about it a lot.  Keep in mind I am not for mindless wrote memorization and recital although in times of extreme duress they do have their place.  I am not for Doctrine and procedure either.  Me being such a fan of PSALM 91 may make it seem so but it couldn’t be further from the TRUTH.  Literally.  PSALM 91 simply serves as a fitting reminder of the promises to us.  It is comforting and easy to remember in times of distress.  

Even some toddlers know enough nowadays to call 911 for emergency.  Someone once said : “Isn’t it interesting that the world must have gotten its distress 911 number from God’s answer to our distress call - PSALM 91 -1” (PSALM Chapter 91, Verse 1).  God’s promise is our 911 call on the spiritual plane and nothing in this world is more reliable than God’s promises when we believe them and refuse to waver.

Some may say “Are you crazy?  Are you not just telling yourself a lie?”  No.  Just as a happy couple may see the architects plans for the new house and our joyful, we should look at these promises provided to us during our troubled times and look forward in hope of a positive outcome.  Still they may say “How do you know that you can take a song from the PSALMS and base an outcome in your life upon it?”  Well, a good authority answered that question.  Jesus.  The value of the PSALMS was emphasized when he cited them as a source of Truth that must be fulfilled.

Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Low of Moses and the Prophets and the PSALMS must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44).  So we can see that the PSALMS are historically relevant, prophetically sound, and totally applicable and reliable.

It seems like only a dream now to think back on 2015 when my mind and body were reeling in fears, doubts, and pains. Little did I know that 2015 was going to provide me a new dream that would not only change my life but the lives of thousands of others who could hear and one day believe.