I'm Holistic: First Aid

Showing posts with label First Aid. Show all posts

Tea Tree Oil and Poison Ivy

8:24 PM Postwriter

Have you ever had poison ivy? Do you have it now? That itchy scratchy horrible rash. Have you tried all of those store bought creams that claim they'll make it go away and they still aren't working? Just like with any disorder attacking the body if you consider both an internal and external solution you can help your body eradicate the issue quicker and in a more natural way. Thru my own experiences and others we have learned that when you boost your immune system thru nutrition, remove anything that may impair your bodies ability to function at it's fullest capacity and focus on the issue at hand... true healing happens quickly. Here are some suggestions on what has worked for others with poison ivy:

Internal Suggestions:

Avoid dairy, grain, processed foods and sugar (click the link for suggestions) - this will help your body reduce any inflammation response while your body tries to help itself heal from the attack of the poison ivy

Take nettles (2 capsules in the am - 2 capsules mid-day and 2 capsules in the evening)
Ironically stinging nettles once flash heated becomes a natural anti-histamine and is a green food so it can help boost your immune system. It is a slow-acting nutritive herb that gently cleanses the body of metabolic wastes... wastes that could be contributing the disorder you are experiencing. It's loaded with iron and vitamin C and it “promotes the process of protein transanimation in the liver, effectively utilizing digested proteins, while simultaneously preventing them from being discharged through the body as waste products. A study conducted by the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon found positive evidence of freeze-dried nettle leaf for treating hay fever, asthma, seasonal allergies, and hives. Nettles has many health benefits if you'd like to know more about Nettles click here.

Take Colloidal Silver -Liquid extract... directly (follow directions on bottle or double up until the issues have subsided)
Colloidal silver has shown to be effective in cases of microbial infection. Dr. Henry Crooks found that "Silver in the colloidal state is highly germicidal, quite harmless to humans and absolutely non-toxic. Rather than in a chemical compound, the silver in the colloidal state may be applied in a much more concentrated form, with correspondingly better results. All virus, fungus, bacterium, streptococcus, staphylococcus, and other pathogenic organisms have shown to be killed in three or four minutes upon contact. Taking Colloidal Silver can help your body fight off any unwanted germs while allowing your body and immune system to get stronger while it is reducing the effects of poison ivy.

External Suggestions:

Combine 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil with 1/8 cup of almond oil in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. You can also use avocado oil or cold-pressed olive oil in place of almond oil.
Wash the affected area thoroughly using soap and warm water and then pat dry with a clean towel
Dip a clean cotton ball into the tea tree oil mixture to moisten it, and then apply it directly to your skin. Do not cover the area with bandages or tight clothing; allow it to air dry for the best results. Repeat the application daily to reduce the pain and itching associated with poison ivy and help speed up the healing process.

Additionally, Colloidal Silver -
Colloidal silver makes an excellent topical application for scrapes, wounds, cuts and sores, acting as an antiseptic to destroy bacteria. Possibly one of the most important medical roles for colloidal silver is it's ability to destroy deadly pathogens like methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, the flesh-eating super bug. The MRSA cure was discovered during research in the 1970s at Syracuse University by Robert O. Becker and has shown to be very effective with poison ivy and other skin issues.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of I'm Holistic, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experiences of I'm Holistic. I'm Holistic encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Why I chose Chiropractic to help me heal...

3:51 PM Postwriter

I was born a breach baby which meant I was trying to come out backwards, that in itself makes me wonder if I started questioning the process from inside the womb? Was there a better way for me to make my entrance? Or maybe I was really saying no, no I'm not ready just leave me be. Either way it has always got me thinking of new ways of doing things. Ask questions. Your questions are important and especially if they pertain to you, your health and well being.

Whether it was the fact that I ended up being pulled out by forceps or just that I was lucky I developed scoliosis early on and my dad elected to take me to the chiropractor to get me straightened out. Some will say that my dad was crazy for taking me, while others will say that was the smartest move he ever made. I believe in chiropractic as long as you find one that has the same purpose as you do... to help your body heal itself from the inside out.

Over the years I've probably seen 10 different chiropractors and while they all had their good parts I had reached a point that I did not feel like my body was healing anymore. I had plateaued. I don't blame them, I blame myself for not paying attention to my body. It was time to find someone who could make a difference. I knew there were still issues going on internally and I knew that the only way to turn the power on was to find that doctor that could take me to the next level.

In 2010, I found her Dr. Dionne Kellogg of New Life Chiropractic a Maximized Living Center in Brentwood TN. Since beginning my treatment with her my neck has already experienced a 9% curve increase. This was an increase on a neck that was trying to go the wrong way with no curve whatsoever. My headaches were non-stop, my immune system kept crashing which brought on more allergies. Since I started seeing her my headaches are almost non-existent and my body is feeling better than it has in a very long time. Partner my visits to her with good nutrition and I now have a body that is working together to heal me.

Take a moment to read "who needs chiropractic" I only want to pass on information to you that has helped improve my health by leaps and bounds, and after you read this hopefully you'll see why it can help you too.

Who Needs Chiropractic?

Did you know that every nerve traveling down the spinal column connects to every organ and cell in The Spine

your entire body?

Chiropractic is for anyone who has a spine.

For ultimate health?
Did you know that when a spinal bone (vertebra) is out of alignment, it can interfere with the messages sent throughout your body meant to heal itself. If the affected nerve happens to be carrying a message to the kidneys, the function of the kidneys can be altered. If the nerve is taking instructions from the brain to the heart, that organ's function may be disrupted.
The fact is, the health of every part of the body depends on the proper flow of nerve energy. If that normal flow is interrupted or interfered with, the result is dis-ease. Some part of the body will not be able to function at peak performance.
Chiropractic care offers an opportunity to locate misalignments in the vertebrae, called subluxations. Once a spinal adjustment is used to correct these subluxations the bones are then allowed to go back to their proper positions, allowing for normal energy flow.
Only then can the body continue its natural effort to maintain optimum health.

Healing energy
The body often has the ablity to heal itself with proper Chiropractic care. Patients all around the world report that chiropractic helped "cure" them of headaches, chloesterol, sinus problems, high blood pressure, ear infections, leg pain, arthritis, asthma and many other illnesses.

Many had been suffering for years with their condition Some had tried medication or even surgery, but nothing seemed to help. That's because medication and surgery can't restore the normal functioning of a part of the body. Only the body's wisdom itself can do that. When these people found chiropractic, the actual cause of the problem -- the nerve interference -- was corrected. Their bodies were able to work properly and regain their healthy balance.
Chiropractic is another piece in the balance of ultimate health and has helped many people overcome many conditions that have ailed them for years.

How it works?
Chiropractic is not a cure and it's important to know that it does not treat illness, rather it helps restore the normal flow of life energy throughout the body. After the interference is eliminated, the body's own healing power takes over.
Just as dis-ease is caused by interference in the normal flow of energy, health depends on having a normal flow of energy.
In other words, everyone needs to make sure their bodies are free from subluxations and able to function at peak performance. That's why we ALL need regular chiropractic visits.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of I'm Holistic, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experiences of I'm Holistic. I'm Holistic encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

What's in my First Aid Kit..

8:48 AM Postwriter

What's in my first aid kit...

When I first began on this journey of understanding and education I found out that there are some really great NATURAL remedies that can help in everyday life. I wish I had known of these earlier, and am greatful to share them with you now. These NATURAL remedies should not replace the times for emergency care and if you feel you need medical attention you should absolutely investigate your options.

1) Tea Tree Oil -

Tea tree has a long history of traditional use. Australian aboriginals used tea tree leaves for healing skin cuts, burns, and infections by crushing the leaves and applying them to the affected area.

Tea tree oil contains consituents called terpenoids, which have been found to have antiseptic and antifungal activity. The compound terpinen-4-ol is the most abundant and is thought to be responsible for most of tea tree oil's antimicrobial activity.

People use tea tree oil for the following conditions:

Acne

Athlete's foot

Dandruff

Vaginitis

Thrush

Periodontal disease

As an antiseptic

Boils

Lice

Eczema

Psoriasis

Yeast infection

Sources of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is most commonly found as a pure essential oil. It is also an ingredient in creams, ointments, lotions, soaps, and shampoos.

Tea tree oil should not be confused with Chinese tea oil, cajeput oil, kanuka oil, manuka oil, ti tree oil, and niauouli oil.

More about Tea Tree Oil.....
Acne - Dandruff - Athletes Foot - Insect Bites

2) Activated Charcoal

Activated Charcoal is another item no first aid kit should be without. it is wonderful to have on hand for your animals in case they ever get hold of something poison, but also keep it on hand for me.

Healthcare professionals utilize the special properties of activated charcoal to address:

Elimination of toxins that can contribute to anemia in cancer patients.
Filtering of toxins from blood, in cases of liver or kidney disease.
Effective deodorizing and disinfectant for wounds.

Activated Charcoal can also help cut down on the odors some lleostomy and colostomy patients deal with, purify the blood, treat overdoses of aspirin, and treat some forms of dysentery, diarrhea, dyspepsia, etc. as well as to absorb toxic substances such as aconite, amitriptyline hydrochloride, amphetamine, arsenic, barbiturates, Ben-Gay, camphor, chlordane, chlorpromazine, cocaine, darvon, diazepam, digitalis, doxepin, elavil, gasoline, kerosene, penicillin, pesticides, radioactive substances and many, many more toxic substances. Activated charcoal is also excellent for simple indigestion.

Some instances where charcoal might be good to have around, certainly not as a substitute for needed medical attention but as something that could help until you can get to the doctor:

food poisoning
accidental ingestion of poisons
poisonous spider
snake or bug bites

More about Activated Charcoal....

3) Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver has shown in various studies to be able to kill over 650 micro-organisms. Please be aware, that this does not mean that taking colloidal silver will cure diseases that can be caused by such germs - the human body is a very complex system which works within a number of different environments and systems.

Nonetheless, it has been reported to be effective in fighting against: acne, AIDS, allergies, arthritis, athletes foot, boils, burns, candida, cystitis, diabetes, eczema, hay fever, indigestion, parasitic infections, psoriasis, ringworm, warts and yeast infections.

It can be used either orally or topically. When taken orally you can either place droplets directly under the tongue or it can be put into water and drunk. Silver is often used topically by spraying onto cuts, burns, skin infections or acne.

MORE ABOUT COLLOIDAL SILVER

DISCLAIMER:

All information in this blog is meant to help educate about NATURAL ways of living and not meant to replace emergency care that may be necessary. If you have an emergency please contact your doctor or call 911.

How Activated Charcoal Works

10:10 AM Postwriter

How Activated Charcoal Works

Activated charcoal exerts its effects by absorbing a wide variety of drugs and chemicals. Adsorption is a process in which atoms and molecules move from a bulk phase (such as a solid, liquid, or gas) onto a solid or liquid surface. In other words, the toxic substance attaches to the surface of the charcoal. Because charcoal is not "digested," it stays inside the GI tract and eliminates the toxin when the person has a bowel movement.

This mechanism of action should not be confused with absorption. Absorption occurs when a substance passes into or through a tissue, like water passing into a sponge. Once the chemical or drug has been absorbed by the GI tract, activated charcoal can no longer retrieve the toxic ingestion. It will only attach to substances that are still inside the stomach or intestines.
The charcoal is "activated" because it is produced to have a very fine particle size. This increases the overall surface area and adsorptive capacity of the charcoal. It is produced by adding acid and steam to carbonaceous materials such as wood, coal, rye starch, or coconut shells. To put this in perspective, one standard 50-gram dose of activated charcoal has the surface area of 10 football fields.
Activated charcoal is often combined with sorbitol (a substance that stimulates the bowels to move, like a laxative) to shorten the amount of time to move through the system and reduce the possibility of constipation. However, to avoid adverse effects, sorbitol is not given with every dose of activated charcoal.
All efforts should be made to reduce adsorption of severely toxic substances, as activated charcoal does not bind as well with these substances:
- Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), strong acids and bases, metals and inorganic minerals such as sodium, iron, lead, arsenic, iodine, fluorine, and boric acid.
- Alcohol (such as ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, glycols, and acetone)
- Hydrocarbons (such as petroleum distillates and plant hydrocarbons such as pine oil)
Activated charcoal does not irritate the mucous membranes of the GI system. In addition to adsorption of toxins, activated charcoal also adsorbs food nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. However, this short-term effect is not a concern when activated charcoal is used to treat poisoning.

How Activated Charcoal Is Given

Activated charcoal may be given by mouth to someone who is awake and alert. It is a black liquid drink.

If the person vomits the drink, another dose will be given through a nasogastric or orogastric tube (a tube inserted through the nose or mouth, down the esophagus and into the stomach).
If the person is unconscious (or nearly so), an endotracheal intubation (a procedure in which a tube is inserted through the mouth down into the trachea) may be necessary. This will allow oxygen to be delivered and will help protect the airway and lungs from gastric content. This will minimize the risk of the person vomiting and choking.
In the United States, the direct line to the poison control center is 1-800-222-1222.
The doctor also determines when and if additional doses are given by monitoring blood levels of the poison. Other symptoms the doctor monitors are nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and severe heart problems. Multiple doses of activated charcoal can be given if someone swallowed large doses of long-acting, sustained release medications.
If blood levels of the poison remain too high, the doctor may recommend kidney dialysis. Dialysis is the best way to remove the toxin from the bloodstream.

When Not to Use Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal will not be given to people with an obstruction of the intestines or if the person swallowed a corrosive agent, such as a strong acid or alkali.
Strong acids may "burn" through the lining of the GI tract. Doctors will need to look at the lining with an endoscope - a special instrument designed to look inside the stomach. Activated charcoal is not to be used with this type of poison because it is difficult to see the lining of the GI tract with the scope after charcoal is given.
Activated charcoal can cause intestinal problems such as constipation, or it can create clumps of foreign material. This situation can be prevented by giving a laxative such as sorbitol to the patient, however, repeated doses with sorbitol may cause excessive diarrhea, dehydration, and chemical imbalance.
If the patient is fructose intolerant, family members should notify the treating doctor, and sorbitol will not be given with the activated charcoal. Sorbitol is a sugar substitute that acts as a laxative to move the charcoal through the system. Babies younger than one year of age year should not be given sorbitol because it may cause excessive fluid losses.
If an antidote to a specific type of drug poisoning is given, then the doctor may not give activated charcoal because the drug given as treatment will also be adsorbed. A classic example is an acetaminophen (Tylenol overdose), in which there is a clearly established antidote with acetylcysteine (Mucomyst).

IF AN EMERGENCY PLEASE SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP BY CALLING 911

In the United States, the direct line to the poison control center is 1-800-222-1222.

Tea Tree Oil and Insect bites

9:41 AM Postwriter

INSECT BITES:

Tea tree oil is great for insect bites. I have found that by taking the tree oil and applying it with a cotton ball or q-tip every couple of hours to the bite.. the itching goes away, the bite heals faster and I'm not scratching at it.

SPIDER BITES:

If you happen to get bit by a Brown Recluse or Black Widow mix the tea tree oil with some activated charcoal until it is a paste.   You can do this by applying the tea tree oil first, then add some activated charcoal and blend them together right on the bite site.

EXTERNALLY:

Apply to your wound and cover with a warm wash cloth you can use a heating pad over the top at a low setting as well. Do this for 15 min. Keep applying every two hours until the bite is gone. The combination of the two will actually pull the venom and toxins out of your skin.

INTERNALLY:

take Grapefruit Seed Extract 1 drop per every 10 pounds of body weight at least 4 times a day to help fight off infection.

Add Chlorophyll 4 times a day to your diet as well this will help push the toxins out of your body and help purify the blood.

Add Activated Charcoal capsules in the morning on an empty stomach to help your body internal pulls poisons out.

In the case of emergencies, nothing should ever be substituted for proper medical care.
This focus of this blog is to alert you to natural products that you can have on hand that can help you deal with most non-critical situations.

By having these products on hand in your first aid kit you will be well prepared for many conditions. Should you feel you need emergency care please consult your physician, clinic or hospital for assistance.