The digestive system is a very intricate and complex system. To my mind, it is much like a fragile ecosystem. There is a constant need for balance in the digestive system, just as there is in nature. The balance between the organs and among the different types of healthy bacteria found in the digestive system is absolutely essential to good health. When the digestive system is not working properly, the body becomes either malnourished or toxic. As a result, all the woes of poor nutrition and/or a toxic system eventually show themselves in the overall health of the body and mind.
Due to the many different organs included in the digestive system and their specific roles in the body, there are a lot of essential oils and herbs which have an ability to impact this system and bring about improvements. This month’s newsletter targets only a few of them. (I know from the length of the article that it seems like we surely must have mentioned them all. Not so—but it did feel like that to me as I wrote it.) I hope you find something useful to you or your family in the information I have tried to present here.
The three most important things to know about parasites are:
1) They can make a person very ill and leave problems that last for a very long time.
2) They can be very difficult to diagnose—even when reading the foot using zone therapy.
3) They can be indicative of a compromised immune system. When the immune system functions optimally parasites are usually eliminated in the natural course of living.
Skin rashes and irritation caused by parasites actually seem to respond very quickly to essential oils. (Have I mentioned lately that I hate skin rashes worse than nearly anything on earth?) It is wonderful that we have such wonderful options as essential oils! When dealing with parasite rashes, the oils must be applied using water, not carrier-type oils that might ‘feed’ the parasites. The chosen regimen must be continued for the entire life cycle of that particular parasite, including the hatching of any eggs. We have found that essential oils, placed in water in a spray bottle, work very well. The entire body must be covered by the water and the oil at least twice a day. Not fun or easy, but effective—even against MRSA. Be sure to shake the bottle frequently and well during the application process. Essential oils and water do not really mix well.
Once the parasite has been eradicated, there will still be a period of time needed to repair the damage done to the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
The more I read and studied, the more I came to realize that, because of sanitation and hygiene practices in North America, we have a greatly reduced incidence of parasitic issues. It has been and is a good idea to be vigilant, and to teach our children to be vigilant, in these areas.
I have also made a vow to increase my vigilance in washing, washing, washing my hands, even when camping or gathering herbs in what looks like pristine wilderness—especially around streams and waterways.
I will also be washing, washing, washing my produce much more faithfully. Kids and animals? Probably just a price we pay and handle the results in the best way that we can! (For me, that is the Miracle II parasite cleanse protocol, first and foremost, along with essential oils.)
A strong immune system is the best defense against parasites—as it is with everything else!
| Symptoms of Internal Parasites | More Serious, Less Common Symptoms of Internal Parasites |
|---|---|
| 1) Fatigue | 1) Irritability and drastic changes in behavior |
| 2) Flu-like symptoms | 2) Liver disease |
| 3) Rashes | 3) Weakened immune system |
| 4) Sudden weight gain or loss | 4) Chronic immunological diseases |
| 5) Body aches | 5) Allergies |
| 6) Sleep disturbances | 6) Asthma |
| 7) Gas, bloating, constipation | 7) Anemia |
| 8) Teeth grinding at night | 8) Arthritis (as the parasites form cysts which lodge in joints and muscles) |
| 9) Drooling at night | 9) Muscle cramps |
| 10) Nervousness | 10) Bluish specs in whites of the eyes |
| 11) Excessive hunger | |
| 12) Iron deficiency | |
| 13) Difficulty losing/gaining weight | |
| 14) Constant cough or colds | |
| 15) Hives, rashes, itchy skin | |
| 16 ) Watery diarrhea | |
| 17) Sugar & other cravings, such as dirt, raw rice | |
| 18) Ravenous appetite |
In December we will discuss Anxiety, Stress and Self-Reflection. I would like to begin today by recounting a story told by one of my favorite authors, Bruce H. Lipton, in his book The Biology of Belief. I will paraphrase as best I can, in the interest of keeping this segment brief—well, sort of.
Dr. Lipton uses the example of a track race to illustrate for his readers the effects of stress on the body. A well-trained and healthy group of sprinters steps up to the starting line. They hear the command, “On your mark,” and they drop to their hands and knees. Then the announcer barks, “Get set.” Their muscles tighten as they prop themselves up on their fingers and toes. In a normal race, the strain and tension they are experiencing lasts only a second or two before the command, “Go!” is heard.
But what if the “Go” command never came? These unfortunate athletes would be left at the starting blocks, their blood coursing with adrenaline, their bodies rapidly going into deep fatigue as they try to stay prepared for a race that never begins. No matter how healthy and toned their physical bodies are or how much they have prepared their minds for the race, every athlete would physically collapse from the strain.
Too many of us today live in a “Get set” world! Study after scientific study has shown that our hyper-vigilance is wreaking havoc on our physical health, mental stability, and emotional well-being.
So, what’s the solution? May I offer three quick pieces of advice, based on my own experience:
Count your blessings! A young son of mine, counseled during a family meeting to “count his blessings,” reported in church—over the microphone at the pulpit—the next week that he had counted his blessings and found 385 of them. (I’m not exactly sure of the number, but you get the gist.) There never was a happier, more contented, or more willing-to-serve child, nor man, than he has become.
Count your strengths instead of your weaknesses. Then get to work using your strengths in the service of others. Our suffering is too often more the result of our thoughts than our circumstances. We alone have control over our thoughts! Suffering because of our mindset is optional and up to us.
Replace fear with faith. It has been proven over and over—also in scientific studies—that meeting tragedy and difficulties with calm assurance, knowing we (with Heaven as our partner) have overcome challenges before and can do so again, reduces the impact on our health and well-being when life’s realities and obstacles inevitably come our way.
Anxiety is too often fear of the future and doubt in our ability to handle it.
The health benefits provided by proper nutrition, herbal remedies, and the impact of essential oils on our minds and bodies can have a tremendous effect on our ability to look to the future with courage and determination, helping us to be happy in the here and now. See the full list of topics.
This is the time of year that I am aching to get out in my yard and get started. Spring cleanup and all the activities of spring can leave you with lots of aches and pains and that is why I decided to focus this month’s blog on aches, pains, and sprains. This is an area where herbs, essential oils, and homeopathics really shine. Some of the things we are going to talk about have been used in my family for over 40 years. These are staples in my home and I hope learning to use them will be a blessing in yours. Thanks for reading.
See the full list of topics.
February is one of the hardest times of the year for many people, myself included. Depression and other mental challenges are often worse at this time of year. As a result, it is particularly important for each of us to give some focus to Boosting Mental Health. It is important to make sure we are giving ourselves, and those we care for, the nutrients necessary and the emotional support that will help us through the sometimes dismal days of winter. Essential oils, herbs, and homeopathics can do so much for each of us in these areas. I am frequently grateful for my herbal upbringing, particularly at this time of year and during times of these types of struggles.
See the full list of topics.
In November we will be talking about Women’s Health. Sometimes as women, we tend to take care of everyone else and put ourselves at the bottom of the list. It has been really fun to focus on women and their special and unique needs. There is something for every woman in this blog. From the young girl preparing to start to cycle to the seasoned woman in menopause. I hope this is a wonderful read for you that will improve your quality of life as well as the lives of other women in your life. See the full list of topics.
In August our discussion will be centered around LEARNING and CONCENTRATION. There are so many great herbal remedies to
Make Sure Your Kids Have the Best School Year Possible.
Take the time today to learn about herbs that will feed the brain and oils that will help them concentrate and retain the information they are learning. We will cover a wide range of topics including memory aids, confidence, fear of failure, and ADHD. You can learn more about using essential oils with children by clicking here.
In March, our topics are ALLERGIES and ENERGY PROTECTION. Allergies are no fun and can even be dangerous. There are several things we can do this time of year to help our bodies be more prepared for the allergens that come with spring.
Energy Protection is something we should all learn about. Have you ever known someone that after they leave you just feel drained? Protecting your energy can help prevent this and a wide variety of health issues. See the full list of topics.
In January, we will be talking about RELEASING CELLULAR MEMORY and WEIGHT LOSS. Our bodies store memories and perceptions in the cells of our bodies. Blocked energy that has resulted from traumatic real-life events are like energetic land mines. These areas are filled with dark emotions, memories, and energies. Sometimes the energetic clearing of such a spot can result in a powerful emotional release. This time of year is all about refreshing and releasing. The oils, herbs, and blessed waters we will talk about are my favorites for releasing past traumas and lifting an emotional weight off our shoulders. Often, weight loss will naturally follow and we will be happier and healthier. See the full list of topics.
In December, we will be talking about STRESS and FOOD POISONING. This is my absolute favorite time of year. I am not a fan of the cold and the snow, but I have a special love and adoration for the spirit of Christmas time. It is also a stressful time of year as there is so many extra undertakings to be fulfilled. I can’t even imagine navigating it without my oil friends. Food poisoning is another thing we seem to see a rise of this time of year, maybe because we are eating so many things that our bodies are not used to. We will talk about our must-haves for this as well.
See the full list of topics.
In October we will be talking about RESPIRATORY and FLU. As we head into the cold and flu season we thought it was important to review some go-to oils, herbs, and homeopathic that are worth having around this time of year. We have all been in the trenches of the flu ourselves and with our kids. I hope this blog makes any sickness that comes your way this season shorter and less intense. Please see the index at the bottom of the blog for a complete list of topics.