Pharmacy Friday - is now Farm-acy Friday

After much thought, discussion and pondering, Dave and I have decided to change the name of our Pharmacy Friday segment to Farm-acy Friday. We hope this doesn't confuse anyone.

Why are we doing this? Our biggest reason is our own safety. It absolutely burns us up that we, as American's, are losing one freedom right after another, and we certainly don't want to succumb to it. We also: however, want to keep us and our blog 'safe'.  Even if you have done nothing wrong, are completely within your rights and freedom of speech, to have to battle the "powers that be" if/when you get hit with 'trouble' for wording 'they' don't approve of, would take far more time, money and energy than we would care to put out. So . . . . we have decided to change the name of this segment to Farm-acy Friday.

Not only will this ensure a little more safety for us (you would not believe what that key word "pharmacy" has been drawing in to our site every time we make a post in this segment of our blog), but it will also expand this segment into a broader topic for us to talk about. We have been wanting to talk about natural and home remedies for farm life as well, but it just didn't quite fit into this segment. By changing the name to Farm-acy Friday, it will greatly broaden our abilities to talk about all aspects of and around the farm on this topic.

If you disagree at all with this or have any feedback, positive or negative, we would love to hear from you in the comments. For now, we will leave the ones we have already written as they stand, but from here forward, we will be calling this segment, Farm-acy Friday. We hope this isn't confusing to anyone. But if it is, please let us know.

Thank you for reading and have a terrific weekend!

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Gotta Do Some Checking

 Howdy, Everybody! As you have seen this week, we are back and trying extra hard to get back on track with our blog. I absolutely love doing this Pharmacy Friday segment, but lots of things can change and happen when you are away for even a short time, not to mention a long time.

There seems to be a lot of crack downs all over the net and in person (here in the USA) as to what we can and can't say .... talk about .... claim .... etc, when it comes to discussing anything in the way of natural and/or self healing. Personally, I think that is a HUGE violation of our Freedom of Speech, but there just aren't enough people fighting it, so until then, they are getting away with it.

It angers us (to put it mildly) that this is happening, yet at the same time, we do not want to end up in jail, lose what farm we have, etc, so before we continue this segment of our blog, we need to research and catch up with how we can/can't word our posts on this subject (grrrrr.....!!!!), what we can and can't discuss, etc. UNBELIEVABLE!

Basically, it looks like it is all in how you word it. (yep, another freedom lost) But I will continue this segment of our blog .... continue to bring you great posts filled with ideas and information that you can use for yourself. For crying out loud .... last week I was told by a friend that I can't even reference sites that have done scientific studies on an item and say that it was scientifically proven to have "the following" benefits. Anyone know more about that?  I am not liking all of this. It is just wrong!

Thanks for reading and have a fantastic weekend!

PHARMACY FRIDAY - - A Bad Virus and Antiviral Oils

Lemongrass

Yay! I finally got back in to the "new post" page! I have been trying for at least a week to get back in and write some posts, but . . . no such luck. VERY frustrating!  Anyone else been having any issues? In an oddly humorous way, I couldn't even get the "Complain to Google" button to work!

Okay, on with the post. Dave and I have been sick with a very odd and unusual virus. I find it unusual, anyway, to get one this time of year, but when you do, with the high heat, humidity, etc, it seems to be even harder to shake.

One of our relatives went for an out of town, routine doctor's appointment. Within a few days he/she came down with an odd and harsh virus. It affected not only the intestines, but the entire body. Several days later, Dave came down with it, then in a few more days, I came down with it. And THAT is why I don't go for "well check-ups!" We stayed away from everyone possible while we thought we were in the contagious stage, as we had not heard of anyone in our area with it, and still haven't.

This was, by far, one of the worst viruses we have had in a long time! It seemed to drain every drop of strength we had, the diarrhea was extreme (I have never taken this much Imodium in my life!), and it also hit our respiratory system, making our lungs ache and very difficult to breathe. Needless to say, this virus almost completely halted our moving activities for a couple of weeks. Dave contracted it about 3 weeks ago and still had some tell-tale signs of it. 2 1/2 weeks later and I am still having intestinal issues from it, although we have greatly improved, now.

I saw how bad it took down our relative and Dave . . . . to the point of not even being able to function at all for days. . . . and I was determined to keep going, even at a slow pace, but keep going with the sorting and packing. What did I do? I turned to my essential oils! I have a blend that I absolutely love for all kinds of "feel good" stuff, so I used the best ones of that blend that I thought would help.

Into about 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil (Virgin is best), I added a drop each of the following essential oils:
Orange, Cedarwood, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Lemongrass
Blend all together well, let stand a few minutes, then blend again before each use. 

Before I went to bed each night (and usually again in the morning), I massaged this oil blend into the bottoms of my feet. Why? Because everything that goes onto the bottoms of  your feet absorbs into all the cells of your body within approximately 20 minutes! It is a very fast way to get antivirals all throughout your body without having to put them into your stomach.

I use Orange because not only is it a great pick-me-up, but it is a muscle relaxant - helping to reduce coughs and muscle spasms.
I use Cedarwood because it helps to bring up excess phlegm from the respiratory system.
Peppermint is great as an energizer and is also a great antiviral. I have also found Eucalyptus and Lemongrass to be excellent antivirals.
Coconut Oil is an EXCELLENT and strong antiviral!
I just love this blend!

It didn't completely make my virus go away, but the severity of it was much, MUCH less than the other two people that I knew that had it! I was slowed way down by the virus, but I was never completely down and, though at a slower pace, was able to still keep going. My intestinal issues weren't even a fourth of the other two's, which also kept me from losing as much energy as they did.

As an added bonus with this oil blend . . . . the patch of athlete's foot I had on the bottom of one of my feet disappeared! That was a wonderful surprise!
We are still having a little difficulty with our intestinal and digestive tracts, but eating a yogurt a day is greatly helping with that, also.

So, even though I contracted this horrible virus several days after David, I seem to have recovered from it at a much faster rate and the severity of it was only a fraction of what it was for Dave and our relative, all which I owe (in my opinion) to the essential oil blend I rubbed into my feet.

Thank you for reading my post! May you have a very Happy and Healthy day! ! !  ! 

DISCLAIMER: Always check with your health care professional before using any natural remedies. If you are pregnant or nursing, DO NOT use any essential oils without checking with your health care professional! Some essential oils can cause miscarriage and/or birth defects and/or other complications.
I am not a doctor nor a medical professional. All of the information listed here is based on the results of my research, personal opinions, and personal experiences. This post is not intended to replace professional medical assistance.

PHARMACY FRIDAY - There's a FLEA in my EAR! ! !

Rover

 Yes, this post is for humans, as well as animals. So why am I doing a Pharmacy post about fleas? So you don't end up to the point that you have to have any pharmacy items for this issue. . . . . So what can be a simple fix, doesn't end up being a major infection.

When we have furry pets, they will have fleas, from time to time. Try as you might to keep them totally flea free, occasionally one or more are going to find them. Then, too, there are also places where fleas abound, even if pets aren't in the area.

Have you or your fur baby ever gotten a flea in your ear? If your pet has, you probably vividly remember them frantically clawing, scratching, digging, shaking their ear, and pathetically whimpering as they try to get it out. If  YOU have ever gotten a flea in YOUR ear, you will completely understand what your furry loved one was going through and how LOUD and ANNOYING that teensy little thing roaming around inside your ear was!

If that little sucker stays in an ear too long, it can lead to a serious ear infection, which can lead to needing all kinds of costly medications and medical care. So what is a person to do to get that ornery little devil of a bug out? ! ? !

SHINE A FLASHLIGHT IN YOUR EAR! Yes! It IS that simple! That little flea will immediately start heading for the light and come right on out of your ear. It sure does tickle, but. . . . what a relief! Problem instantly solved with just a little beam of light. This should also work for insects as well, if you are unfortunate enough to have anything else decide to check out the dark cavern of your ear canal. Now, don't you wish that every little annoying problem in life was this simple to remedy? ! ? ! I certainly do!

Note: This post represents my own opinions and experiences. I am not a licensed medical professional and my advice is not to be used as a substitute for proper medical care.

Thank you for reading my post!

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Medicate or Change?

This will be the first of many posts I make on this subject, so if this leaves you with more questions, feel free to ask away in the comments, and stay tuned for future posts.

TOILET PAPER - what is it really made out of? Although not as common these days, some toilet paper is still actually made from all new materials. Naturally, it would not be white, so it is heavily bleached with chemicals, of which traces stay in the toilet paper.

These traces of chemicals are usually very irritating to the skin. And what skin are we putting in on? None other than the most delicate skin on our bodies?  And then there are the traces of wood pulp. Anyone that has ever cut themselves "there" with a 'splinter' embedded in their toilet paper, can vouch that it is not only uncomfortable at the time, but for days to come, sometimes even getting infected and requiring medication.  NOT FUN!

Most toilet paper, now, is made of recycled materials. Is this really helping our Earth? We will get more into that at a later date. What I am getting to here is that toilet paper made this way requires even more chemicals. First, there are the de-inking chemicals. Then there are a host of other chemicals used in the entire process from the chemicals that the recycling papers already contain, to pulping all those old books, magazines, office papers, etc. to bleaching it out all nice and pretty white for the end product. Traces, sometimes large traces, of all those chemicals stay behind in the end product . . . . that soft, fluffy white roll of toilet tissue.

THEN . . . . . . you repeatedly . . . numerous times a day . . . . woller that chemical laden paper around on your most delicate parts of your body. Next thing you know, you are squirming in the grocery store trying to fight that "itch" in public. You keep having itches, tiny little cuts, tears, swelling, redness, rashes and/or a host of other irritations surface over time. If you knew that all of this was due to your toilet paper, would you do something about it? Change brands? Well, that might help if it was a particular dye or scent that was irritating you. But what if it was the basic chemicals in the toilet paper that was the evil villain irritating you? Would you buy creams, ointments and/or expensive prescription medications to counter the problems and keep on using toilet paper? If you knew your the chemicals in your toilet paper increased your chances of cancer and needing cancer treatments, would you keep using it? That just doesn't make sense!

There is another option. Family Cloth, or Reusable Toilet 'Paper'. (soft, fabric cotton wipes)  No, it isn't as bad as it sounds. Yes, this is something you have to wash over and over, just as you did those cloth baby diapers, but it is no worse. And they are free of all those irritating chemicals!

If you realized ..... if you knew, that your toilet paper was the culprit of making you 'sick there', would you continue to use that chemical laden throw away toilet paper and additionally purchase and use messy creams and ointments to try and counter the problem? Or would you switch to Reusable and launderable cotton cloth wipes and be free of all that misery? I have chosen the latter and life is so much better now!
If you knew that making this change would make intimacy better and more comfortable, would you change? If you knew that all of your "personal private problems" could be completely cleared up just by changing that one thing, changing from paper toilet paper, to washable cloth, would you change? Believe me, it is totally worth it! Just reducing my recurrent bladder infections to near nothing was worth it alone!

Thank you for reading my post.

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Cayenne Pepper & Hip Pain

  Pharmacy Friday this week is going to be somewhat of an update on one I wrote quite awhile back about using Cayenne Pepper for pain, a testament you might say. You can read the first one HERE.

I have been consistently using Cayenne pepper in my diet now for at least 2 years. I not only use it in my hot chocolate as I had stated in my original article, but any time I am eating a food that it will be good in, I add a dash or two, or more if the dish will be good with a little heat. My best results come from using 6 to 10 dashes at a time, but less more often works great, too. If you sprinkle it in your food just before you eat it and don't let it set (eat immediately). the heat level will be minimal. The heat level can really build as the dish stands. No problem, though, if you like hot stuff. I keep it next to my salt shaker, which makes it very easy to just grab and sprinkle.

The results have been amazingly fantastic!!! Completely gone are my sleepless nights of tooth gritting hip pain. I won't say that I never have any pain in my hip any more, but I will say that it is only minimal on a rare occasion, usually when inclement weather is about to hit, but not always then, now, either. Even then, it is no longer extreme pain, just a little annoying pain. Although I still have other issues with my legs, hips, back, etc., my mobility has still GREATLY increased and now, after 2 years of faithfully eating my powdered Cayenne pepper any time I can, my days of having to use a cane are seldom.

I will admit, if I get out and turn over a garden patch with a shovel, I may end up having to take a Tylenol and drag my cane back out for a day or two, but at least now after such a chore, it only takes one Tylenol once or twice, a cane for only a day or two, and then I am back up and going. Gone are the days of prescription pain meds and a few days in bed after such a strenuous chore.

The results have been gradual, but one day it really hit me, "Hey! I have been sleeping all night without that knife sticking in my hip all through the night!" And it lets Dave sleep better, too, because I am not groaning, whimpering, and rolling over and over every few minutes all night, trying desperately to find a position that will get me some pain relief. I LOVE my Cayenne pepper and I get so excited when I think of the terrific results it has given me! It is most definitely one of God's many blessings upon us. It is cheap (free if you grow it yourself, but I am having problems getting that one kind of pepper to grow), 100% natural, and extremely effective with no side effects that I have seen so far.
If you have ever had any side effects from using Cayenne pepper in your diet, we would love to hear what it (they) might be.
We also welcome all of your input on this subject, and any results you might have had.

Thank you so much for visiting Two Farms One and for reading this post! Have a beautiful day!

PHARMACY FRIDAY - - Pain Med Chaser

  Yes, once again this is a catch-up post. The past few days have been spent going at top speed to get the critters, plants, the farm, and me ready for an unusually harsh, and early Winter blast. And now, I sit here staring out the window at many inches of snow, on top of a couple inches of ice .... hands nearly too cold to type. Consequently, this will probably be shorter than usual.

With all that extra hard, non-stop work, combined with the effects of the incoming storm system, my pain level (in many areas of my body) rose substantially as I prepared this little farm .... often tooth gritting pain. A couple of times, I literally could not walk without a cane and even that was questionable. Yes, I cheated. I didn't sit still long enough for natural pain relief to take effect and took some pain reliever. I know, shame on me! There is; however, a natural substance that one can combine with pain medications to hasten and amplify their effect so that they work faster, better, and reduce the amount of them that you take. Being able to take less of them is a good thing.

I had a great dentist once (now retired) that told me that if I drank a Coke, a cup of coffee, or something with caffeine in it as I took a Tylenol or pain pill, it would make it work faster and stronger. I tried it and he was right! Over the years, I have tried this many times, each time with excellent results. So although I get desperate and cheat from time to time, by consuming a little caffeine (which is natural) along with pain medication, I am always able to cut the amount I take in half, usually with even better and faster results.

I do not advocate the use of commercially made pain medications. I hold firm that natural pain relief should be used as much as possible. I, myself, still get great results with Cayenne and/or Tabasco peppers . . .  even better when I toss in a hefty dash of Ceylon cinnamon. And you must be careful when consuming caffeinated beverages with your pain medications. Too much caffeine can create even more problems.

Here is what Live Strong has to say about the subject: Caffeine & Pain Relievers

Have a beautiful day! 

PHARMACY FRIDAY - My Stuffed Gut Remedy

Okay, so I don't have a bunch of  hardcore research ready to support this this week, I just know that this REALLY works great for me.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and I am betting that many of you (especially from the United States) ate all kinds of things you are not normally used to eating, and/or ate far, far too much! I actually really didn't eat too much as far as the whole day went, but, I am ashamed to say, I just ate the one GIANT meal in the middle of the day. I actually didn't go back for seconds, either, but I did have a little too  much dessert.

As you all know, Dave and I have been working really hard over the past few years to eliminate food chemicals and crappy foods from our diet, along with detoxing what might still be remaining in our bodies. No, we aren't totally at that desired, all natural diet state, yet,  but we are making great progress. And we just don't realize exactly how much progress we have made until days like yesterday come along.

Unfortunately, Dave had to work yesterday, but I got to enjoy an unusually nice dinner with a moderate handful of my family. It was surprisingly much better than the past two Thanksgivings. We had so many traditional Thanksgiving foods, and although a couple of things were fairly natural, most of it contained varying degrees of food chemicals. I really enjoyed most of the meal, but I could actually 'taste' the chemicals in some of the foods, and I still have a metalicy taste in my mouth where those chemicals interacted with the fillings in my broken teeth, something I had never really noticed in the past.

I started to feel kind of yucky before I had even finished my meal. My tummy was already protesting the foods I was cramming into it. Within half an hour after I had finished eating, my tummy felt so yucky that I almost wished I could throw up! And it wasn't just my tummy. The all over sickly feeling began to creep over my entire body and continued to grow on into the evening. I was really enjoying the quality time with several of my grandkids, but by this point, I was getting anxious to get home and hopefully get some relief for my gnarling, protesting tummy.

After the kids all left to go home, I hurried to help clean up a little, then left to get home, too. By this time I was feeling so sick I wasn't sure I was going to be able to help much with that clean up. Ten once home, I continued to push to get my critters all fed and get them their Thanksgiving treats, all the while, eagerly anticipating  the hot drink I was going to make to kick back and enjoy.

And enjoy I did! Oh, how good it tasted! And it brought instant soothing relief to my tummy. Not complete relief, initially, but quite a bit of relief. I slowly belched out all the excess gas, and  the yuckies began to subside. By the time I got to the bottom of my cup, I felt much, much better. It wasn't 100% relief. You couldn't even expect it to be after putting your body through all that abuse, but I would say it brought me about 85% relief. Here is the recipe for my concoction. Measurements do not have to be exact at all:

•  1 - 2 teaspoons Organic, Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (the more you can stand, the better)
• 1 heaping spoon Molasses 
• 1 spoonful Raw Honey 
•  1/2 teaspoon Morena sugar
•  1, single use tea bag of Bigelow Organic Green Tea
•  Very Hot good quality water

 Place first 4 ingredients into a coffee cup. Gently lay tea bag on top. (careful not to coat the tea bag with the sweeteners) Pour hot water over all, keep in a warm place and let steep for several minutes. Stir well, let cool to a safe temperature, then sip slowly until all gone.

Note: The sweeteners are not all just for the purpose of sweetening. All three of them have their own characteristic healing properties. 

I am sure that I could research all of these ingredients and put together why this hot beverage works so well, but as of the writing of this post, I have not been to bed yet, I am ultra tired, and my still slightly protesting tummy wants to go to bed. But since I have no doubt that there are probably a few of you reading this that may also be feeling the fallout of the Thanksgiving Stuffed Gut, I wanted to be sure and get this post up as soon as possible.

GOOD NIGHT - - - GOOD MORNING - - - AND HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND!

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Tabasco for Pain Relief!

 I love it when I accidentally find great things out! Just before one of our first frosts, I went out and picked a bunch of my ripe Tabasco peppers to make some Pepper Vinegar with. A cold, rainy spell was coming our way, and, of course, arthritis was pulling at me hard! I kept thinking that I really needed to go in and take some pain medicine before my pain level got too high, but I was racing against the dark that was quickly falling, and I just didn't want to stop.

About halfway through, as I had accidentally mushed several Tabasco peppers in my fingers, I got to thinking that I really should have worn gloves. I became extra careful not to touch my pepper coated fingers to my eyes or face, determined that I was going to finish picking the ripe peppers before dark. As I finished up and started to head back to the house, it dawned on me that I was tasting Tabasco peppers (from absorbing into my hands, not from touching my face) and my pain level had greatly subsided.  Could it possibly be that it was from absorbing the Tabasco peppers into my hands?!

I since have done some deep researching and was pleasantly surprised to learn that  Tabasco peppers are great at relieving pain in several ways! Tabasco peppers are a type of Chili pepper and naturally contain Capsaicin, which is what makes hot peppers hot. It is also the component in Tabasco peppers that aids in reducing, and even numbing, pain. This works both topically and internally. You can make your own topical cream simply by stirring a little Tabasco sauce into your quality body lotion and applying it (keep away from eyes, mucus membranes, and other sensitive areas).

Besides regular pain relief, Tabasco pepper is said to relieve several types of headache pain and numb the pain of insect stings (when diluted and applied externally). This is all such great news! 

Pictured is a bottle of Pepper Vinegar I made last month with homegrown Tabasco peppers and Organic, Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar. I made it because I love it so much in my Brown Beans on cold winter evenings, but since Raw, Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar is also supposed to aid in the relief of arthritis pain, I can hardly wait to try this throughout this winter and see if we can further drastically reduce the amount of pain meds we have to take! That, and it just looks so yummy I can't wait to eat it.

I already use a lot of Cayenne pepper for effective pain relief. Now it is good to know that yet another of my favorite 'staple' peppers will give me additional pain relief.  I hope my discovery and this information found here will help you, too.

Here are a few more great articles on the subject:

from Wise Geek

Interesting info from Boing Boing

 Pain Relief & Possible Cancer Protection

Make your own Pain Relieving Body Rub

 

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Ceylon Cinnamon

CEYLON CINNAMON - - TRUE Cinnamon! This is the REAL stuff! When I finally broke down, coughed up the money, and ordered some of this stuff, I wondered the whole time I was awaiting its arrival if I had wasted my money. Then when it came in, I opened it, took a huge sniff of it, and great memories of my  childhood immediately came back! THAT was the cinnamon I remembered as a child! THAT was the cinnamon aroma I had been missing, THAT was the cinnamon I had used several mornings a week in my beloved Cinnamon  Toast! And if you recall from last week's post, using that much Cassia cinnamon (such I heavily used on my cinnamon toast several times a week) could cause serious health problems.

Real Cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon), is a medicinal spice which is harvested from an Evergreen tree knows as cinnamomum zeylanicum. It is actually very different from that of its imposter namesake. Ceylon Cinnamon is much sweeter, more delicate, has a much more refined flavor, has far less side effects, and contains barely measurable amounts of coumarin (unlike the Cassia cinnamon which contains much more, so much more that it is easy to overdose on it).

Ceylon Cinnamon is said to regulate blood sugar levels in  many people, increase circulation, and aid in digestion difficulties. I personally find Ceylon Cinnamon very helpful with digestion difficulties, where the Cassia cinnamon often gives me severe indigestion. I also find the Ceylon Cinnamon to be a great help in my natural pain relief regimen!

Ceylon cinnamon is a very strong anti-inflammatory, which is probably one reason it helps so well with my arthritis, and has me up going to the bathroom during the night, when I consume it in my hot drink before I got to bed.
Some recent studies also show it to have great promise in the treatment of several types of cancers. And that is wonderful news!

So when you are looking at the two different cinnamons (Cassia and Ceylon) and see the huge price difference, don't immediately assume you are saving more money by getting the much cheaper imitation cinnamon, Cassia. When you factor in the costs of damage to your body of long term consumption, and/or consumption in large amounts of the Cassia cinnamon, versus the wonderful health benefits of the real stuff, the Ceylon Cinnamon, the pricier looking Ceylon Cinnamon, in the end, may very well be the absolute best bargain! I know that I, myself, will never take a chance again on using the cheap stuff and the fantastic flavor is a delicious added bonus.

Here are some links to some more great info about Ceylon Cinnamon:

from LiveStrong 

from Love To Know - great list of many possible health benefits

10 Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon 

from Cinnamon Vogue - - 20 uses for real cinnamon

Cinnamon as a strong anti-inflammatory and in natural cancer treatments

PHARMACY FRIDAY -- Cassia Cinnamon Dangers

  CINNAMON - - People use it for a variety of home and herbal remedies. And now, we are entering into that beloved baking season of the year where people will be using loads of the scrumptious smelling, rustic brown stuff in their baking and holiday cooking. On both of these notes, I thought it was time to discuss with you the possible down side of Cassia Cinnamon, the most common cinnamon used (here in the US, anyway).

 Cassia Cinnamon ISN'T actually REAL cinnamon! It certainly isn't the cinnamon I remember from when I was a very small little girl. Cassia Cinnamon is the 'cinnamon' most commonly found on today's grocery store shelves because it is much cheaper to produce than the real, Ceylon Cinnamon, and therefore, can be sold for a much lower price. The flavor is similar, but not really anywhere near the same, and the properties can be very different.

Cassia Cinnamon naturally contains a chemical called coumarin, which has been linked to liver damage. Although Ceylon cinnamon does contain a very minute amount of coumarin, Cassia Cinnamon contains several times more. When consuming large amounts of cinnamon laden foods, or consuming the foods over a lengthy period, serious health issues can arise, even death in the most extreme of cases.

Besides being used in cooking, many of the cinnamon health supplements you purchase over the counter may contain the Cassia form of cinnamon, rather than the Real cinnamon (which is the one that you actually want for the desired health benefits). Taking these supplements (containing the wrong form of cinnamon) on a daily basis could quickly get you into some serious health problems, rather than help your health improve.

Besides Cassia cinnamon being potentially damaging to your liver, it is also an anti-coagulant. Besides the problems this alone could cause when consumed in large amounts, this property of the brown herb could be devastating to a person that is taking blood thinners! Oh, yes, and be careful about consuming Cassia cinnamon before you go to have dental work, or any invasive medical procedure done, as bleeding could be difficult to get stopped.  It has also been noted that Cassia Cinnamon may be a potential carcinogen. The European Food Safety Authority has noted that just three small cinnamon cookies could potentially harm the liver of a small child. Think.... Snickerdoodles and children's Christmas parties!!! Would you want that responsibility?  I shudder as I think of the number of Snickerdoodle cookies I made over the years for my children and their friends (made from the cheap grocery store cinnamon to stay within our large family's budget).

Yes, the true, Ceylon Cinnamon may be more difficult to locate, and cost considerably more, but the end result of your time and effort to acquire and switch to it, could mean much savings in medical expenses later down the line, and a better quality of life. Please think about this before you begin your cinnamon laden holiday baking this season.

We will discuss the upside of Ceylon Cinnamon in a future post! STAY TUNED!!!

Here are some more great articles on the subject:
 The Hidden Dangers of Cinnamon (several pop-ups to knock off, but a great article once you get to it)
 
from LiveStrong - Very good article!

from Ezine Articles - discusses associations with breathing & heart rates & interactions with other meds

from Digital Journal - short and to a very good point.


This post was not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease or illness. It is not intended to replace the medical advice of your medical health care provider.

PHARMACY FRIDAY - - Test Your Digestions Speed with Beets!

 Although most of us seldom think about it, one very important aspect of our heath is our digestion speed. Too fast, and our food passes through us before our bodies ever have a chance to absorb its nutrients. Too slow, and a host of health hazards can be created. So, how do you know if your body's digestion is running at the correct speed?

EAT BEETS! Yes, one of the simplest ways to test your digestion speed at home is to eat a large serving of beets. As the beets pass through your body, they will turn your stools beet red. Beets are one of the easiest foods to know when they have completely processed through your body. This works so well because the purple pigments in beets do not absorb into your body, but instead, pass on through.
**If you have a sensitive gastrointestinal system, irritable bowel syndrome, or are allergic to beets, this test might not be for you.**

Your food should process through your system in approximately 18 to 24 hours. (generally, 18 hours for men, and 24 hours for women)  If the beets 'process' through your system in significantly less or more time, then you know your body's digestive system may need some help. Again, if your food is processing through your body too quickly, your body is probably not receiving all of its needed nutrients. If your food is processing too slowly, numerous health issues can arise, from the very mild, to the seriously severe, even possibly life threatening. So go on, try it! Next time you are at the grocers, pick up a can of beets and take the test. It can be done easily at home, is well under a dollar, and is painless and non-invasive. (well, unless you hate the taste of beets). Any form you like to eat them should work, even pickled. It's a tasty test!

Here are two more great articles on the subject:

Test Your Digestion

from LiveStrong

This post is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease, illness or condition. This article is for informative purposes, only, and is not a substitute for licensed medical care.

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Spearmint to Calm Nerve Pain

  As many of you know, I live with a lot of pain. I honestly can't remember the last, completely pain free day I have had, not for as far back as I can possibly think, and the areas of pain just seem to keep popping up in new places, nearly taking over my entire body at times.

My newest pain is actually a burning, seemingly brought on with changes in weather, especially cold and rain. Usually it is in my legs and feet, but sometimes it also creeps into my back and arms. Sometimes, it feels like I am literally on fire, just below my skin level. And let me tell you, this is far more difficult to deal with than basic joint pain!

Adding Cayenne pepper to my foods and drinks seems to help quite a bit, but I have been looking for something additional (natural of course) for even more relief. I have done some extensive researching over the past few weeks and what I came up with was Spearmint - oil or tea! I think I have some Spearmint tea tucked away in the back of my cabinet. Time to get it out and try it. We have a great arsenal of essential oils, but regretfully, we do not have this one. We will be getting some just as soon as we can to try in a rub-on liniment because it looks so promising!

Spearmint is a 'Nervine'. A nervine is a substance that affects our nerves, either by stimulating them or by calming them. Spearmint is often used as a calming nervine, although, ironically, its aroma also is used to stimulate a tired mind.. Not only does it appear to calm our emotional nerves, but our physical nerves, as well. It has been reported that Spearmint is great to reduce swelling and pain of our nerves, both by ingestion and topical application.

You may be sitting there thinking, "Peppermint does nearly all of that, too." But in the case of using essential oils (or teas), Spearmint Essential Oil has far less menthol than peppermint, by comparison (Peppermint essential oil is high in menthol) and is much easier on sensitive skin and tummies.

Not to stray off of the topic too far, but for a little added info, Spearmint also is great to release urine retention. Urine retention can cause swelling, which in turn, causes pain. Plus, stored up urine can build up toxins in the body, which, again, causes more pain. Using Spearmint to rid the body of excess urine can also further reduce pain.

As I sit here and type this, my lower back, legs, feet, and upper arms are, once again, moderately burning as the threat of more storms and rain approaches. I do like being able to predict the weather, but I DON'T like all this pain! I will be hunting down my box of Spearmint tea and give it a try throughout this bad weather spell that is predicted to last for several days. I am holding on to strong hope that it will bring me great relief. I will let you know how it works. We welcome any additional info you might have on the subject! 

Here are a few great places to read additional info on the subject. As you will see, Spearmint also has many other terrific, feel better uses:
   WebMD
   Spearmint Capsules
   More Great Spearmint Info
   Reduces Nerve Swelling
   Spearmint Info

(AF) WELL DARN, THAT DIDN'T WORK

As you all know, I have not been able to be on here much for the past many months. Okay, about a year. And before that, I often had my hands full, computer was down, or various other things that periodically kept me away from this site for a brief spell from time to time.

When I was unable to get on here, one thing that really worried me was our Pharmacy Friday and our Tightwad Tuesday posts (and our Bread on Monday on our cooking blog). Well, I had the bright idea that when I got some time to spare (yes, that is rare), that I would go ahead and write them up, post them on here, then backdate them.

Yes, for those of you that have your own blogs, over there on the side of the compose page, where it says "Schedule" you can actually backdate your posts and put them into any year, any month, and on any day you want. I thought I would do this and fill in the gaps for those posts that were a series. But NO! That didn't exactly work as I had planned.

Yes, after I wrote up some posts, and backdated them under the Schedule, they did go just exactly where I wanted them to. BUT...... that wasn't all that happened. They went into people's blog reading list as though it has just been posted, which it had. And let me tell you posting about 3 Pharmacy Friday posts in a row on an odd day such as Monday, which all came up in the current feed (even though I had back dated them) looked pretty funny and got some raised eyebrows.  Yes, backdating them worked to get them all put exactly where I wanted them into our list of posts, in the correct order, but I could find no way to get them to not come up into the just posted posts at the same time.

So, until I figure a way around all that, there will just have to be some BIG gaps in our weekly series posts, darn it. Now that I am back on a better working computer, I would dearly love to go back and write up the posts for all those missing weeks, but I guess I will let it slide for now and pick up where we left off so we don't hear a lot of, "What in the world are they doing?!"

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Indigestion.. Too much or not enough acid?

Recently I went through a bout of the flu and let me tell you, it was no fun. The actual flu part has been over for at least two weeks now, but the lasting side effects still linger. For the most part, I am on the mend and just a little tired still, but one problem just keeps persisting. . . . . INDIGESTION.

I have not had indigestion this badly in a long time. Some days it gets so bad it makes my heart flutter and flip flop in odd ways (it aggravates another issue that has long been under control). So of course, I have been desperate to remedy it.

In the past I just reached for an antacid tablet. There was a time in life when I and one of my kids lived on those things, usually bringing relief for only a few minutes, but over the years I have learned that there are ingredients in those antacid tablets that I really don't want in my body. I also read one day awhile back that it is a misconception that indigestion is always caused by too much acid in the stomach when often times indigestion may actually be from not enough acid in your stomach, Antacid tablets would then make the problem worse. Well, I CERTAINLY don't want my indigestion to get worse! Without enough of the proper acid in your stomach, food doesn't digest properly, what isn't digested will just sit there, resulting in unwanted (and sometimes dangerous) bacteria growth.

I did a little research and, sure enough, MOST (not all) indigestion is caused by NOT ENOUGH acid in the stomach. It does result in acid being pushed up into the esophagus, but that is because not having enough acid in your stomach makes all of that area work improperly. So my search was on to find something NATURAL to relieve my indigestion. I had noticed that when I drank my hot cup of Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey (which I was using to remedy something else), I would often begin to belch, so I decided to begin there with my searching. Sure enough, it is a wonderful remedy for indigestion!  It makes sense as the vinegar adds acid to the stomach and both the vinegar and the honey kill many unwanted bacteria that may be further causing the indigestion/reflux problem.

I simply mix a teaspoon or two of Apple Cider Vinegar (make sure it is Raw, with the Mother in it, preferably Organic) and a large spoonful of Raw Honey in a cup of quality hot water (not chemically laden tap water), stir and sip until all consumed. In just a matter of minutes I get great relief! In fact, I get far better relief than from any commercial tablets or liquid I have ever taken. From now on I will make sure I ALWAYS have these two ingredients on hand and I will never buy commercial antacids again.

The following articles give great detail as to how LACK OF stomach acid can cause acid reflux and/or indigestion:

Great Video Explanation by Dr. Patti Kim

From Livestrong

From NaturopathConnect

All of these articles are excellent and you won't want to miss any of them! 

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Flu Shots and Decreased Immune Systems

What they aren't telling you is that when you get a flu shot, often times (most of the time) it temporarily weakens your immune system. Although you may begin to build immunities to the one influenza in the flu shot (sometimes more than one), it then leaves your body more susceptible to all the flu strains that AREN'T in the shot! It is a guessing game (educated guess, I am sure) each year as to exactly which strain of the flu is going to be out this year when they are making the flu vaccines, but if it is a different flu that is going around, or additional ones, taking the flu shot can actually INCREASE your chance of getting the flu, or anything else that is contagious for that matter.

Another thought of concern.... People that get their flu shots early may be more immune to the one specific flu that is going around, as they have had time to build the immunities before the flu season gets well under way, but those that run out and get it after the flu season has hit hard, may be making themselves more vulnerable to the flu. When you get the shot, your immune system is temporarily weakened, and it has to build up the immunities to the strain that is in the shot. If you are exposed to the flu right after you get the vaccine, but before you have time to build up the immunities to it, you may well catch the flu faster than if you had not received the shot. (Yes a doctor even warned me this years ago) Why does this happen? Because you just killed off your body's natural immunities to the flu and are waiting for the ones from the shot to kick in. 

It is my personal (and somewhat educated) opinion that, in MOST (maybe not all) cases, a strong healthy body, a good and proper diet, and ample rest on a daily basis, are the best defense for immunities to the flu.  Yes, I am currently battling the flu and I DID NOT get a flu shot this year. But it is, by far, the mildest case of the flu I have ever had and my body seems to be fighting it much better this time (I always get it, flu shot or not) and much faster. The following is a great article on the subject:

  Increased Flu Risk

  Natural Immune System

May you have a healthy flu season!!

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Apple Cider Vinegar for healing

 Now, when I talk about using Apple Cider Vinegar for healing purposes, I am talking about the All Natural Apple Cider Vinegar WITH Mother. This vinegar is in its most natural state and has not had extra processing that kills any (usually most) of its natural healing properties. There are actually several different brands you can choose from. Although most of them work equally well, there is usually a very wide range of prices. We have found that Heinz works very well, for a very reasonable price.

Some people think that Apple Cider Vinegar KILLS bacteria, but others say that it mostly just retards the growth of bacteria. There are several types of bacteria that it can stop the growth of, and one of the most important ones is Staphylococcus aureus. This could be very good to know when you have an antibiotic resistant staff infection!
But Apple Cider Vinegar, some say, does not stop the growth of all bacteria (see more HERE), so if you are counting on it for the purpose of killing/retarding many bacteria, you may want to consider something with more antibacterial properties, or digging a little deeper with your research.

Apple Cider Vinegar contains inulin, which is a prebiotic. So what does this mean? This component won't kill bacteria, but it WILL help your body's ability to fight against them by increasing your number of T cells and white blood cells.

Apple Cider Vinegar can also help to stop the growth of bacteria in another way. When applied, it decreases the pH of surfaces (such as your skin), which will help to prevent bacteria from growing.  A word of caution, though, Apple Cider Vinegar IS an acid and can cause some tissue irritation.

Contrary to all of this, research done by the Heinz corporation has shown that apple cider vinegar actually kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold and 80% of viruses.  You will have to be the judge on how much you trust it to kill bacteria and viruses, but this time of year, during cold and flu season, it might not be a bad idea to incorporate some into your daily cleaning routines and to disinfect minor cuts and scrapes. I like to drink a little of it mixed in a glass of water with some honey. It tastes much better than you would think, and since I have elected NOT to get a flu shot (I don't trust them, but that is another subject), I hope that a glass now and then will help to prevent the growth of any flu viruses in my system. As an added bonus, that beverage concoction also seems to help my arthritis pain! But that is getting off of topic, so we will save that for another Friday
HERE is yet a little more great information about the great, antibacterial and antiviral benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar. I hope you find this all helpful (and not confusing) and I look forward to hearing about your opinions, findings and results.

This post is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease or illness. Always remember to check with your health care provider before beginning any treatment on your own. 

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Lavender for Winter Ills

It seems that there are more viruses and ills going around right now than usual. Some of them this year are also more aggressive than usual, so it seems. I have kind of lost count as to how many different ones are going around simultaneously just this month alone.

I don't know about you, but I really get tired of taking so many synthetic/commercial medications to combat all of those Fall/Winter viruses and their complications. Sometimes, the side effect can be even worse than the actual virus! Then you have to try and heal up from the virus AND the medications. Not to mention, we build up immunities to them and, after time, they often don't work as well as they once did, if at all. No fun!

As you know, I prefer to use NATURAL REMEDIES whenever possible. There are very few, if any, side effects to them, and we don't usually build immunities to them. One of my favorite natural remedies to combat winter time viruses is Lavender Essential Oil. Not only is it highly effective, it is also one of the absolute safest essential oils to use for adults, babies, children and the elderly. (checking with your healthcare provider before beginning any treatment is advised for any age.)

Not all Lavender essential oils are alike. Different Lavender essential oils provide different properties, some therapeutic, some medicinal, some for aroma therapy, and some are good for all. My two all time favorites are French Lavender and Spanish Lavender.

Being low on the medicinal value side, Spanish Lavender Essential Oil is mostly used for aromatherapy purposes; however, it is also a great expectorant. A few drops can be added to your favorite carrier oil, then gently rubbed into your chest (and don't forget the bottoms of your feet) or used as an all over massage lotion to aid in congestion relief. As a massage oil, not only does it work as an expectorant, but the aroma therapy aspect of Spanish Lavender also helps you to relax and rest better, which could easily speed healing and recovery time. Lavender essential oil is so mild that it can also be taken internally (In food and/or beverages. Do not consume straight!). Only a drop or two is all that is needed. I haven't tried them, yet, but I have read that Lavender Cookies are very good! I love the fragrance of this one the best!

French Lavender Essential Oil is my absolute favorite to use for medicinal purposes. The price of it has risen considerably lately, but only a tiny bit goes a very long way and, in the end, it is still far cheaper than modern medications, with little to no side effects. It is well worth investing in!!! Store in a dark, glass bottle in a dark, cool, dry place and it will keep for an enormously long time.

French Lavender Essential Oil is loaded with medicinal properties!  Not only is it antiviral, but it is also antibacterial (bactericide), decongestant, antiseptic, and analgesic. When so many 'bugs' are going around that you don't know if your illness is viral or bacterial, this essential oil can cover both. Used in a massage oil, it can also aid in the relief of the aches and pains associated with flu and fever. It is such a versatile oil that it is well worth investing in!  With its combined strong antiseptic, antiviral AND bactericide values, it is great to add to your cleaning products to help kill germs and prevent being ill at all. Diffusing Lavender Essential Oil into the air and/or burning natural Lavender candles can also help kill the germs and viruses in the air that you breathe in.

Can you guess? I just can't say enough good about this essential oil! For some excellent Lavender Recipes, visit:

Joys of Lavender

AllRecipes.com 

Happy Valley Herb Farm

Culinary Lavender

Sunshine Lavender Farm

I can't wait to try some of those recipes! I think a salad dressing would be fantastic! 

 May this Pharmacy Friday find you well!

NOTE: This post is for informative purposes ONLY. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease or illness. If you are ill, or think you are ill, it is advised that you see your health care provider.

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Tasty Tea for Indigestion

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and, as always on a holiday, I ate waaaayyyy too much! I also ate many things that this body hasn't eaten in a very long time (haven't eaten due to trying to reduce the chemicals in my diet).

It was all sooo good! But in no time, I was miserable! My tummy felt like a bloated dog tick and it began to hurt. By the time I left to go home (well after dark) my tummy was hurting really badly, all the way up into my rib cage, and I had indigestion so bad I was beginning to get a little nervous. At best, it was going to be hard to sleep. So I decided that the minute I got home, I was going to have to make myself a cup of  my special tea.

This tea is great for relieving indigestion! Each of the ingredients in it (well, except for the water) aids in alleviating indigestion, and the unique blend of them all works super! At least, it does for me. Every individual may have different results. 

The moment I got home, I tossed everything into a pot, put it on to steep, and by the time I got to a stopping place, it was ready. Although it sounds kind of strange, it is actually pretty yummy and very enjoyable to drink. As I began to sip it, in no time all  that built-up gas was bubbling up and out. And now, I am feeling great relief and getting ready to head for bed. With just one cup of tea, I went from thinking I would be laying awake staring at the ceiling all night (actually, sitting up because laying down would have been even worse) to looking forward to a good night's sleep.  Here is my recipe. Be sure and also read the notes that follow:

Indigestion Relief Tea

• The amount of water it takes to fill your favorite cup
• About 1 Tablespoon Molasses
• About 1 to 1 1/2 tsp raw honey
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (all natural with the mother)
•  1 to 2 small sprigs of your favorite fresh mint (can also use dried mint/mint tea bag)

Place all ingredients into a cooking pot, allowing a little room for simmering. Bring to a simmer and simmer gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Remove from heat and place lid on pot of tea. Let steep for at least 10 minutes, longer if desired. Drink while hot, but not so hot as to burn.

This stuff is great! It tastes good and, for me, it works really well, giving me much soothing relief. I have not had to use any antacids since I began using this.  I hope it helps you, too.

NOTE:  The amounts of the ingredients in this recipe are very flexible. You can add or subtract the amount each of the ingredients to suit your personal taste.
Disclaimer - The information provided in this post is for informative purposes only. This post is in no way intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease, illness or condition. Consult your local health care provider if you think your condition might be serious.

PHARMACY FRIDAY - Mullein for Bronchitis

For many, MANY years now, I have dealt with chronic bronchitis. This time of year is when it really begins to flair up. I have had to take many synthetic medications over the years for it and I have really started worrying about their side effects and what they might be doing to my body.  And then sometimes they still don't work and I end up with a bout of pneumonia. No fun!

So I have started looking more and more into natural bronchitis remedies. When I learned that this beautiful plant growing wild in my yard was a great remedy for bronchitis, I got excited! I love these plants. They are absolutely beautiful! And I love to run my hands over the soft, fuzzy leaves. It was also interesting to learn that there are several ways that it can be used. Dave and I have each tried a different way, each with great results.

Once upon a time, Mullein was extensively used throughout North America and the European countries to relieve respiratory ailments. It really bothers me that, as I read about herbal remedies, I consistently read things like "they were once widely used" ... meaning we have now gotten lax and want to simply pop a synthetic pill because it is so much easier. It certainly isn't better for our bodies, though.

The flowers and the leaves of the Mullein plant are both used, either fresh or dried. (Do not use the seeds as they are toxic in some Mullein varieties.) One very effective way (the one I have tried) is to simmer some Mullein in a pot of water, then cover your head with a clean towel, lean over the steaming pot and breathe in. Be very careful so as not to burn yourself! For me, this really opened me up.

Another method claimed to be very effective for bronchitis, is to dry the Mullein leaves, then smoke them as you would tobacco to open the bronchial tubes. I have never smoked, so I have not tried this, but sometimes, when I get so congested, the consideration crosses my mind.

One more great method is to make a tea to drink. This is done by pouring boiling water over fresh or dried Mullein leaves. MAKE SURE YOU STRAIN IT thoroughly through a fine strainer before you drink it! The tiny fibers on the Mullein leaves are very irritating. It tastes good, too, but sweetening with a little honey makes it taste even better and may even add to its effectiveness.

Here is some more great information at Livestrong on using Mullein one of the above ways.

Around here, Mullein grows very well in the spring, then dies out in the summer. Then again in the Fall it often comes back up. I seem to have a good supply of it growing right now. I hope our recent freezing temps haven't harmed it, as I would like to put some away for use throughout the winter.

You can find more great information for using Mullein as a natural bronchitis remedy at the following links:

Healthy Online

Another Livestrong page

Herbal Remedies

Obsessive Gardener

Now, to figure out if I can use it on this congested, snoring cat sitting here by me as I type. If you have every used Mullein as an herbal remedy, we would love to hear about your experience!

Disclaimer: Please remember, these posts are for informative purposes, only and the opinions expressed are our own. The information here is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease or illness. It is always a good idea to check with your health care provider before beginning any kind of new remedy/treatment.