February 14, 2000

Other things that help bring relief

The following have worked for me, or others, in the past. Make sure you check any tablets /orcapsules you take for starch using the iodine test. My experience with herbal medicines is that the will typically only work for about 1 or 2 weeks, by this time the harmful microbes become resistant:
  • Infra Red Lamp
    These are really great and I thoroughly recommend them. These lamps assist in cell metabolism (via mitachondria / krebs cycle) and increase the speed at which wounds heal. They work by assisting the mitachondria on your cells - it is vaguely similar to how plants use sun light in their metabolism. I have hear that these shouldn't be used on people who have cancer - perhaps because we don't wish to 'feed' a cancer and its metabolism.
    See links: Far Infrared Saunas and Massage&Infrared
  • Hot / Cold showers
  • Juniper Berries.
    I stick about a teaspoon in a thermos and fill with boiled water and sip from that regularly. I believe this is a fairly common plant in some countries?
    Mode of action: most likey to be anti-microbial / antiseptic
    Update 2005.11.08 : After drinking it I intermittantly get an odd sweet taste in my mouth. The effect lasts a few days.
  • Ginkgo biloba leaves
    Tea made from this - I use this the same way as the juniper berries. Sometimes spelt 'ginko'. This plant is also called the maiden hair tree (not the fern). This tree can live for over a thousand years!
    Several times I have made a big pot of tea with a mix of ginkgo, ginseng, and chinese tea and drunk from this over the next few hours (eg: whilst watching a movie). I kept my tummy empty whilst doing this and the inflammation was almost completely relieved.
    I don't let this steep for more than about 30 minutes or I will feel a bit groggy, probably because of the plant tannins.
    Mode of action: most likey to be anti-microbial / antiseptic
  • Bromelain
    Tricky since this is an enzyme. Make sure you get a product which is fresh by checking the 'Use By' date. Derived from pineapples, therefore do not use this if you are allergic to pineapples.
  • Laxatives?
    After accidentally eating the wrong food you have to wait until the food has left the gut before the inflammation will calm down. As an experiment I would try takinf a small dose of a laxative with each meal for the next day or two. Make sure you eat plenty of food. Eating plenty of dried fruits helps me I think (.. prunes?). Leigh pointed out that Citrucel fiber laxative is a very good choice as it is non fermenting and therefore causes less inflammation / bloating.
  • Oregano oil
    Have not tried this - but I have heard good things about this herb. Deborah has tried it with what seem to be very good results Supposed to have antibiotic-like properties.
    Mode of action: most likey to be anti-microbial / antiseptic
  • Rutin
    I do not really want to promote this too much as I believe that it caused a chest infection in both me and my father (Rutin has the capacity to suppress part of the immune system). This supplement relieved iritis / uveitis in me - not sure if it worked for anyone else. Causes tummy pains the very first time you use it so start with a small dose eg: 100mg. Do not ever use this supplement when pregnant.

Posted by zarkme at 07:58:15 | Permanent Link | Comments (20) |