Is it Fall Already?

Seems as though summer passed through like a breeze and here we are with talk of snow in the air. I'm taking orders for my herbal salve, time to make up a big batch. I've got large and small orders to fill. Let me know the quantity and size you need and I'll make sure its ready for you.

Healing Inguinal hernia with Alternatives to Western Allopathic Surgical Procedures

I received my results from the CT scan. My doctor wants me to go to surgeon, who will probably start by prescribing a Colonoscopy. I like my doc, he's a sweet guy and he probably knows me well enough by now to understand that while I do want his opinion, in the final analysis I'll do what I think is best. 

Now, my research has begun. I'm finding great but limited, information available, on those have healed this issue with Reiki, Yoga, EFT, nutrition, meditation, exercise. I'll be documenting my process on my blog. Hope y'all find it as interesting as I do. I know all the fear-factor tricks that western-medical-science believes in will be used against me. However, many of the believers have the same problem return or come back in a different form because they haven't solved the underlying problem. This is my journey. Wish me well~

Here is a link I found this morning - I'll continue to post links to blogs of those who have documented their process.
http://falconblanco.com/health/hernia.htm

Soap Making in the Planning Stage

I found the bucket with the Coconut Oil – I had purchased a twenty pounder awhile back. I recently ordered 4 gallons of Olive Oil from ebay and got it for about $12 a gallon, but I had to pay for shipping as well. The third oil which is basic to my recipe, vegetable oil, is easily obtained at a mainstream grocery in the form of ~crisco~ or something like that. Various other oils could be used such as shea butter, cocoa butter or many others – research into their skin beneficial qualities would provide many other choices but the three basics – coconut (for sudsing action), olive and vegetable are the ones I always use as a base. 

The lye was purchased in a larger quantity from a wholesaler in Dallas. I would have liked to purchase a larger quantity – like a 20 gallon drum, but storage of this very dangerous chemical would have been an insurmountable challenge before I had a safe, secure, dry location to store it. In the meantime I have 5 pre-measured bags of lye, enough for 5 batches of soap.

I don’t use water to mix my lye, rather an herbal tea, refrigerated overnight. My personal favorite is Comfrey, an herb known for its skin-healing properties. I think that making the tea must also establish the correct PH since I never have problems when I make it with tea rather than plain water. I’ve heard of mixing the lye with goat’s milk but someone had a problem with her end product stinging when she used milk for the mixture. I couldn’t say what caused this but I was getting my goat’s milk direct from the farm and never had that problem.

Cosmetic grade fragrance oils were purchased by the quart and I have 3 remaining – sugar cookie, patchouli and the label is worn off the third.

So, those are my ingredients although I could add oatmeal, fresh dried herbs and many other ingredients for varieties in selection and use.

Mixing the ingredients is a key step in the process. Both the hot and the cold have to meet in the middle at temperatures between 120-125 f in order for the chemical process to occur. To facilitate their merge, I use an electric mixer on a stand. The small bowls on these mixers won’t be large enough for the measurements I use so a purchase of a large aluminum bowl (glass too dangerous – I wouldn’t want to take a chance on that breakage) to fit a stand mixer that holds ‘other’ bowls. 

I recently purchased a Sunbeam FPSBHS030 250-Watt 5-Speed Hand and Stand Mixer Combo cookware kitchen that I will NOT be using for soap making – too flimsy. I bought on ebay but amazon sells cheaper. Doesn’t matter what you pay for it, I wouldn’t take a chance on making soap in it. 


In the past I’ve used a SUNBEAM MIXMASTER 12 SPEED STAND MIXER which worked very well. Unfortunately it was lost during a storage move. I’d like to find another and there are several on Craigslist for Kalamazoo. Guess I might have to make a drive over there. KitchenAid makes an expensive one that might be more power than I need for this project.

This is the Sunbeam mixer I’m looking for. Happy Shopping~

Spring Garden

 On my patio, the Sage and Chives are coming back to life. Lettuce and Beets are sprouting.

In a little while I'll go over to Church and see how the Community Garden is coming along and then plan to attend the Monthly Soup Supper where the local churches and organizations join forces to raise money for the North Berrien Food Pantry, located at the Coloma United Methodist Church. I have a 4x8 plot there for my growing where Cilantro, Comfrey, Beets, Carrots, Radishes and Lettuce were planted about ten days ago. Finally, the big one... 20x20 is being plowed up for me now, at the Farm. I'll plant corn, sweet potatoes (hope they grow up here), lots of tomatoes & peppers so I'll be canning salsa, spaghetti sauce and plain ole tomatoes. Green, Wax and Italian Beens are likely additions. Should keep me busy for awhile~


I've updated the Events Page for Paw Paw River Campground and Canoes. Also created an Event for the Spring Grand Opening at the Watervliet Fruit Exchange

Holistic, Herbs or Homeopathy?

I was recently asked what I was most interested in: Holistic, Herbal or Homeopathic. Let me first define these terms to show that they are not mutually exclusive.

Holistic Health is an umbrella term for many alternative health practices that suggests all aspects of a person’s life must be considered in sustaining a healthy body. Nutrition, exercise and stress-reduction are viewed as contributing factors in maintaining a healthy body and state of mind.

Symptoms of dis-ease, unexpected or distressing symptoms are considered in relation to the whole person when viewed holistically. A remedy is sought that encompasses all aspects of the person, including the physical symptoms and corresponding psychological, social and spiritual conditions.

What this means is that Holistic medicine/health/healing deals with the whole body, including the body of our affairs. We are not an automobile that might have a bad carburetor, brakes or battery. We don’t have removable replaceable parts; we are a whole package and all aspects of our life figure into our health and well-being, including nutrition, stress level, exercise, toxins, whether taken orally or through our breath, skin, or environment. In Holistic Healing work we look at the whole picture. See American Holistic Health Association for more information.

Homeopathy is defined by Wikipedia as “a system of alternative medicine originated in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann, based on his doctrine of similia similibus curentur ("like cures like"), according to which a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people will cure similar symptoms in sick people”.

I find homeopathy often serves as an initial stepping stone into alternative health care by parents. Frequent minor issues in children, such as ear aches or pink-eye will wear the patience of parents repeatedly returning to a doctor of western medicine with associated office visits costs, prescription refills and often missed work due to day-care, school rules or children’s discomfort. A trip to the health store might simply involve asking a well-informed clerk for over-the-counter remedies which are not designed to just hide the symptoms. For less than $10 usually, a small container of what appears to be tiny sugar pills will be suggested. The instructions will indicate that 5-7 pills should be placed under the tongue several times a day without touching the skin. A specially designed container makes it possible to avoid fingers touching medicine. A quick recovery without side effects, or an infection return, will create a positive impression in the parent and the creation of a lifelong habit.

Herbology is another school of study, falling under the holistic health and healing umbrella. Herbs have been used for health and nutrition for thousands of years. The Bible lists herbs used for food and nutrition. Herbs grow wild in many regions and interestingly enough, with nature unchecked, you will frequently find that the very herb you need for your specific condition is growing right outside your door.

Unfortunately, our society has determined that herbs are weeds and should be killed. The pharmaceutical industry has dissected herbs into creations of their own so they may be tested and patented with resultant high costs and side-effects. God gave us the plants to heal our bodies and as such, are in perfect form where allergic reactions are rare and side-effects don’t exist.

Herbal lore has been handed down over the centuries from mothers to daughters and witch-doctors, shamans and wise-women to apprentices. Thousands of books have been written and historical texts are treasured. The appropriate herb to use for a specific condition is selected based on region and availability, raised organically or wild crafted, grown easily  in your kitchen garden or in danger of extinction from over harvesting.

There are thousands of herbs and varieties. Some herbalists recommend taking one or two herbs and studying them for awhile and then moving on to another few choices, combining various uses – culinary or medicinal. Many people visit doctors of Chinese Medicine, which is a more holistic approach than western allopathic medicine, primarily encompassing acupuncture and Chinese herbs.

Ayurvedic medicine, originating in India, analyzes various aspects of a patient in order to categorize them before selecting the appropriate herbs. Questions are asked about diet, behavior, lifestyle, recent illnesses and their system’s resilience. The practitioner observes the patient’s teeth, tongue, skin, eyes, weight and overall appearance. Finally, checks are performed on urine, stool, speech, voice and pulse.

In summary, holistic health and healing encompasses many forms of observation and choices for nutrition and health based on the total body system. It would be a lifelong ambition to know ‘all’ herbs. Rather herbs are chosen based on region, availability, patient condition and personal choice. I believe in a holistic approach to health. I believe in prevention rather than cure. I am a massage therapist, reiki master, herbalist, breathwork facilitator, shamanic practioner and craniosacral therapist. Nutritionally, I am Vegan, omitting white sugar & flour. I have herbs growing in my kitchen and bottles of herbal capsules in my medicine chest. I make my own herbal extracts and tinctures. Thanks for the opportunity to answer the question!