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Contents:
Homeopathy - what it is and is not Recent posts about homeopathy remind me of how confusing the differences between homeopathy, naturopathy and allopathic medicine can be - so I'll try to explain what I know (which ain't all that much, friends ;-). Allopathic medicine: basic western, AMA type, use antibiotics, etc. Naturopathic: this is using herbs according to their medicinal qualities, i.e. Echinacea, Gingco, Goldenseal etc,. full strength, in powder form, capsules, or teas. Homeopathy: a system of medicine and healing that attempts to stimulate the body to heal itself. It is a person-oriented approach (versus the Allopathic disease-oriented approach). It's based on the Law of Similarities: like heals like. Also, the remedies are microscopic amounts - the total opposite of antibiotics! There are really two different ways to use Homeopathy. One is to find a homeopathic physician (not a D.O.; that's Doctor of Osteopathy) who will spend a lot of time trying to discover a remedy that most perfectly matches the total person. That would be called a "constitutional remedy". It is my understanding that if this is found, there can be some almost miraculous results; unfortunately, I've not gotten to see this firsthand. The other is to buy a home-kit of Homeopathic remedies, along with a good book to guide you, and use it as a combination first-aid kit as well as a trial basis for CF symptoms. The beauty of homeopathy is that you <can't overdose or wrong-dose> . . . . in other words, if you give the wrong remedy, you've done no harm! These microscopic amounts only prompt a response in the body if they are what is needed at the time. It's an incredibly empowering feeling, as a mother, to be able to reach for this, both for daily CF problems as well as child-type emergencies. Through trial, and with some suggestions from our Homeopath, we have discovered two things that frequently help our 15 y.o. PWCF. The first is Aconite, which often curbs beginning colds if grabbed immediately upon first symptoms. The other is a blend of remedies that help a lot for those occasional cramping stomach aches. Perhaps an example of emergency use of homeopathy would be helpful here: a few years ago, my youngest daughter, who is rather allergic to grass, foolishly played in high grass for a while, when suddenly her throat started to close up. Terrified, she ran to me, gasping and pointing at her throat. This was a first for me, and of course my first thought was "it takes 15 minutes to get to the Emergency Room - what if she stops breating?" Then I remembered Apis, a remedy made from the stingers of bees. I grabbed it, put a few pellets under her tongue, then faked a calmness I didn't feel while I held her and told her it would only take a few minutes to work. Well, it did !! (to my astonishment and delight) I'd already been rather impressed with homeopathy before this, but on that day I was <really> impressed. For more information: I went into the Homeopathy Online page and copied the URL from the top. Here it is http://www.lyghtforce.com/HomeopathyOnline/issue3/index.html Here's another one for a different site, but many links for homeopathy: http://www.holisticmed.com/www/homeopathy.html - Some Thoughts I took (my child) to see a wonderful Naturopath for almost a year, and while obviously she was not able to effect the final outcome, I strongly believe that she was able to make some real differences in his comfort level. When (my child) left the hospital in June, 1994 he was riddled with yeast from top to bottom. The only allopathic treatment that was offered was topical and did not address the yeast that was merrily running rampant internally. The Naturopath was able to give him several different remedies that addressed the flora of his intestines and restore the positive bacteria that had been killed. She prescribed a homeopathic remedy that helped tremendously with his level of anxiety and she also was able to find a mucolytic for him. This is on top of some really top-notch nutritional analysis and supplementation. My only regret is that I didn't take him to her sooner. I had consulted another homeopath several years ago who, without examining (my child), and without having ever treated a PWCF, nor researched CF, proceeded to recommend some really stupid things and who eventually tried to convince me to stop seeing the regular physicians. I high-tailed it out of there as fast as I could and was Homeopath-shy for a long time until I came upon (a homeopath) who did research and attended lectures dealing with CF and homeopathy and who examined (my child) thoroughly and, most importantly, refused to treat him unless it was co-treatment. I guess the point I want to make is, if naturopaths and homeopaths are within your comfort zone, I would highly recommend this as a companion path to traditional medicine. It has long been my philosophy that some really amazing things are going to happen when these two worlds really learn to work together. One of the major goals of naturopathic medicine is to enhance the bodies own natural immunities to try to avoid illness, and when you combine that with the strengths of many traditional treatments, you have a potent mixture. But as with anything else, beware of quacks.
-- MULLIEN TEA Mullien 1 tsp Wild Cherry Bark 1 tsp HoreHound 1 tsp Eucalyptus 1 tsp Tea Bowl optional Boil about 2 cups of water. When it is boiling add the above (directly to the water or in a tea bowl). Take it off of the burner and leave it covered and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. At this point, use a filter (coffee filters do well) or if you used a tea bowl, just take it out - the herbs get thrown away (doesn't work to use them again - we tried once). Because this is really strong, you may wish to add honey and lemon to make it easier to drink - also, you may wish to let it sit for a little bit so that it is not quite so hot (that way you can drink it down at one time).
Some people feel Ozone air purifiers are helpful; some people feel they are hazardous. Comments from a fan: Ozone air purifiers are required by law to meet the EPA standards, and yes, too much can be toxic just as too much oxygen can be toxic. Since ozone naturally kills viruses, bacteria, mold, mildew, etc... It has allowed me to be cold/flu free since I got it in July, 94. I usually get 3-4 colds a year. It also keeps the pseudomonas at bay, I completely cut out oral antibiotics and only occasionally take Tobra nebulized. I was last hospitalized 12/94 (6 months ago)and still going strong, usually I'm hospitalized 2 times a year. Here are some excerpts from the packet that 3 companies gave me. "Ozone is a natural form of oxygen (O3) that has been used for decades to disinfect and deodorize both air and water of harmful chemicals, obnoxious odors and microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. Unlike many other disinfectants and deodorizers, ozone actually eliminates (and not just masks) these chemicals by oxidizing or 'burning' the harmful chemicals, odors and microorganisms much as a fire 'oxidizes' or burns wood." "There is a known safe level of ozone: 1990 review of 4500 research papers showed no observable lung changes at less than 80 ppb (parts per billion). EPA set a maximum ozone exposure of 80 ppb in 1971 based on the most vulnerable people - heart and lung patients. Europe has used ozone for 60 years to control gases, fungi, bacteria, and viruses in occupied hospitals, offices and factories." I paid $650.00 for my machine, with out my insurance co's help. My machine, from Pure Health, does not have a dial to regulate the amount of ozone. If you get a machine, make sure you can regulate the amount of ozone. It should also come with a timer, so you can program it to turn off for an hours rest at 7 hour intervals. You can contact Pure Health at 1-800-984-PURE. Ask them for a machine with a regulator. Another company that has regulators on their machines is Alpine Air, 1-800-476-8523. Living Air 305-252-8578 is another option. My CF specialist, when asked his opinion about using an ozone air purifier did not have an opinion. There is the Carolina Center for Bio-Oxidative Medicine that has therapies including thorough body cleansing, IV therapy, including Chelation and treatments that improve the bio-oxidative stat of the body, such as ozone baths and IV ozone. In the underground medical community, Ozone is changing HIV pos. patients to HIV neg. they are using this extensively in Europe. Cancer patients too. Call this center for more info: 1-800-473-9812 or 1-800-539-9812. Comments from a foe: Manufactors of ozone generators claim that their products are safe, and effectively clean the air. However, Health Canada has issued a safety warning about these machines. Also, The US Federal Trade Commission is engaged in legal action, against one of the manufacturers - Alpine industries. Below are links and excerpts from the Health Canada Site and from the FTC site. The information from Health Canada was found at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/search.htm The keywords: ozone generators were used for the search. Here is an excerpt: "A risk evaluation by Health Canada on ozone generators in January 1999, concluded that ozone generators pose a risk to the health and safety of the public. The direct and purposeful introduction of ozone into occupied indoor environments is unacceptable and therefore should be avoided. Health Canada is concerned with the adverse health effects that may result from the deliberate exposure of the public to ozone from air cleaners that intentionally generate ozone gas (ozone generators). Ozone is an irritant gas that can cause coughs, chest discomfort, and irritation of the nose, throat, and trachea. Health Canada has received complaints from consumers of respiratory problems when using an ozone generator." Here is an excerpt from the US FTC site http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/04/alpineindustries2.htm describing the litigation involving Alpine Industries: "In January, a Federal judge ordered Alpine, a manufacturer of ozone generating air treatment machines, and Converse to stop claiming that their machines provide relief from any medical condition or that they effectively remove or reduce a wide variety of air pollutants from indoor environments. The injunction followed a November 1, 1999, verdict in which a Federal jury found unanimously that Alpine Industries and Converse violated a 1995 FTC order by failing to have "competent and reliable scientific evidence" to support hundreds of claims for their air cleaning products. Alpine was also found to make unsupported claims that its products control indoor ozone levels."
I use the "inhalation Ambience Purification" essential oil mixture which contains: Pine, eucalyptus, camphor, naiouli, lavandin, wild thyme, bergamot mint. It is sold at "Natures Symphony" in Boca Raton, FL. or, there may be an Aromatherapy store near you. I use the oil in a diffuser at night time and during massage, in the steamy bathtub/shower. It really loosens the mucus opens the sinuses and helps me breath easier, naturally.
I've been reading the posts about chiropractic, and figured I'd add my two cents here.....Firstly, some chiropractors have actually admitted that they are taught how to make sure they don't fix everything, so that you always need to come back for more treatment! Secondly, if a chiropractor is not a very good one, he/she can do MAJOR damage through incorrect manipulation. One thing that has worked really well for me is Bowen Technique, some of you may have heard of it. It was developed in Australia around World War 2, and now there are therapists in many countries around the world. The big difference is that it works on the muscles, not the bones. Some of you may have noticed that a chiropractic treatment is ok for a bit, but then the muscles are un-used to being in their new alignment, and pull it all out again. Bowen works on the muscles, which then gently pull everything else back into place. Precise moves are made at the ends, and the belly (middle) of the muscle using a rolling motion. Very relaxing, way more gentle than chiropractic, and far safer as it does not involve any direct manipulation. If a move is performed incorrectly, it simply doesn't work. I no longer have trouble with hip pain caused by slight scoliosis, my round shoulders from coughing are now straighter, in fact after my first treatment I was nearly 2 cm taller. The tummy moves usually always help a blockage, and the asthma moves are great - if I'm feeling all gluggy and can't shift the muck, the asthma moves do more for me than pulmozyme within minutes. My husband Jeff is a Bowen therapist, he did the course after he saw how great it was for me, problem is he's so busy treating everyone he hardly has time for me! :-) This is really basic, if anyone has any questions, I'll pass them on to Jeff - he's the expert, I just know how it feels. We also have a BIG list of therapists around the world, so if anyone is interested in trying it we can link you up (hopefully) with someone in your area. And, to who ever asked - yes it's great for sinus headaches! :-)
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